Scattered To Shine … And they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria…Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word. (Act 8:1,4 KJV) Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word… (Acts 11:19 KJV) In times like these wherein we are scattered to various location because of the situation in our country there is need to go back to the Bible and see what was the attitude of the early believers when they were scattered abroad, and this we can see from our text, they “…went everywhere preaching the word” and this is what Christ is expecting from us today that we may go everywhere and preach the word, this is a time to put that which we have learnt when we were together into practice, it is a time spread abroad the gospel, it is not a time to be weary, or be carried away by the pleasures and the allurement of our society where ever we have been scattered it is a time to find believers of like precious faith, and join our self to them and continue in the way of the Lord. The Bible says “…we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 KJV) to this end we ought to take advantage of the situation in our nation for our Good and not allow the devil to take and advantage of us, whatever be our situation in any location we have found our self we ought to turn around the situation to our favor, are we face with persecution we ought to know that our Lord has promised that …My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV) what is your weakness you can always go to God and claim the promise for he said “…lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:20KJV). 1) Believers’ righteousness at scattered locations Ye are the light of the world… (Matthew 5:14 KJV) The world where ever we find ourselves is darkness, and the only source of light is the believer who beams the gospel light across to the perishing souls, that is why Christ said ye are the light of the world, we are not just the light, shining in one singular community we are the light of the world, and that is to tell us that for us to fulfill this purpose of Christ we need to be scattered, we need to leave our comfort zone we need to leave where we have been congregating together we need to go out to unreached places, so that we can be a light in dark places. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 KJV) The fact that we are the light of the world should prompt us, to let our light so shine, before men that the also may see that light and be able to glorify God, that is they should return to the Lord and their life should glorify God also, as your life is glorifying God. When we are scattered we are not expected to allow the darkness to over shadow our light but we are to make our light shine, however it is sad that many believers have allowed the corruption going about in the world to take hold of their soul and they have been held captive by the slight of men, that is why Paul warns in Ephesians chapter four verse fourteen “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” we are aware that as believer we are daily in a conflict against the flesh, we are war daily, though we are already victorious yet the devil will not give up trying, he tries every way to make us captive and thus he sets temptation across our way but thanks to God that whatever be the temptation There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1Corinthians 10:13 KJV) and this is to reassure us that whatever temptation attend our way we are able also to overcome and live a godly life in this present world no matter where we find our self. Believers’ garment must be kept clean, holy and spotless from the world, we must be a shining light in a dark corrupted world, and for this the good God has given us some resources that we will see next. 2) Believers’ resources for signs and wonders Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Ephesians 1:3 KJV) Despite the corruption that goes on in the world yet he has equipped us with the recourses both to stay uncorrupted and to be a sign to the world around us, both in holiness and of the power of God. These resources are at our disposal at every time and when we rightfully deploy them we will see the positive consequence. -The sword of the spirit: The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God is an Important resource that we must have by us at every time, Hebrew 4:12 says “… the word of God is quick, and powerful…” so whatever be the situation around you take the word of God for your companion. -The Sons of God: the sons of God are fellow believers having like precious faith with you, you can find and associate with them, if there is a fellowship of the people of God around you associate with them, the preacher says “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.” (Ecclesiastics 4:9 KJV) also Hebrew 10:25 says “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. “ -The Spirit of God: if we must do the work that we have been sent we need the spirit of God, that is why Jesus himself said in Luke 4:18 and 19 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” If Jesus needed the spirit of God how much more do we need it, it was written for our example. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14 KJV) - The Spiritual Armour: 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:11,13 KJV) -The Scriptural Examples: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” (Hebrew 12:2 KJV) the Bible is full of examples, of people who lived and pleased God, and even the life of Jesus our perfect example, and these should be a challenge to us to live, and follow in his steps. Also, there are other people who are living and pleasing God whose life should give us a challenge that if they could we also could and can be better. -The Saints’ work: several Believers have been inspired to write, various works on various aspect of Christian living, some of this works could be gotten in hard or soft copy, and based on our spiritual need we can make references to them for our spiritual uplift, encouragement, and motivation, Christian websites are available where we can get resources that can help our spiritual development. “However we must always compare these resources to the Bible to avoid heresies, and false doctrines” 3) Believers’ reward for seeking the lost “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven…” Matthew 5:12 There are a lot of rewards that awaits the believer that will go around and seek the lost souls and gather them to fold of Christ, Christ is expecting us to repent of our wrong and return to the master, but not just remain at the point of repentance rather he wants us to witness to others also, and for those who will faithfully witness Christ, he has prepared rewards, he watches over his own, he confirms our words with signs following, he gives us power, boldness, courage, provides for our need and many other benefit we have as believers and much more as believers who will go and seek the lost, among the reward he has prepared we will see the following: Presence and protection of God: we know that God has promised us in his word when he said “…I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world...” Matthew 28:19, 20 also he said “…nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19 Signs and Wonders “… Christ said “these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:17, 18 we saw it come to pass in the disciples there was great healings and miracles Act 5:16 it is your time. Power: Jesus has promised us power and he said “… I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19 the disciples practiced it and “… the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.” Luke 10:17 that was before verse 19 “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” If you too will go out to seek the lost Christ will reward you with power. Joy: witnessing Christ brings Joy “…And there was great joy in that city” Act 7:8, 9 it is the reward for faithful service and to such Christ will say “…enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Mt 25:21, 23, John 4:36 Crown of Life: there is a crown of life awaiting the faithful saints who remain unspotted by the world ans faithful in the master’s work. “he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12 “be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10 “ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” 1peter 5:4 , 1Cor 9:25 Reign with him “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.” 2timothy 2:12 it is a reassuring promise it is a consoling promise, that whatever be our lot now whatever we suffer now we will reign with him, if we will not fail or falter we will reign with him. Glory: as believers we have a glory that is about to be revealed if we will be faithful till the end “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together”. Rom 8:17 “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:4 “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever”. Daniel 12:3 Heaven: Christ has gone to prepare a place for you in heaven “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also”.John14:4 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2Cor 7:1
Posted on: Sun, 15 Sep 2013 19:32:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015