24/09/2021
Greetings to all saints in the name of Jesus Christ. Today we're looking at the theme untitled
" Being surrounded by genuine people emboldens our existence"
Reading: (" Act 14:19-28")
Massage delivered: Major prophet Whiteson smith.
Brethren,I would like to encourage and teach you on our icon man apostle Paul. In the bible,
as we all know that he was an apostle. Paul and Barnabas in this context went to preach to Lystra, and we're told that Paul was too volcal rather seemed to be talkative- being in forefront in the matter of delivering the massage. However, the inhabitants rejoiced, accepted christ and believed in the teachings of these men.( Paul and Barnabas).
This was not welcomed by some Jews for they were unbelievers, heartless and evil men in all spheres of life, hence decided to reject the teachings.
We're further told that some Jews came from Antioch and Iconia, these men stoned Paul to death as in literal language of him being down and powerless. He was thrown outside the city because they thought the mission is over, Paul won't be a threat to them again.
Howbeit, his disciples came and surrounded him ( note that: they didn't pray for him to wake up but only surrounded him). Hence deriving our theme of the massage.
Immediately paul rose and went to other cities and continued to preach the gospel this was his calling despite the beatings and humiliations. Surprisingly,he went to the same cities iconium and Antioch without fear of passing through the same situation.
APPLICATION AND INTERPRETATION TO OUR DAILY LIVES.
Brethren, many are times, you've been subjected to ridicule just because of serving the Lord, humiliated, scorned and laughed at. But today I want you to stand on your grand and imitate paul's stance in his operation as an apostle of the hospital.
(1) A child of God, who understands his or her calling or knows his or her gift, should therefore be ready to defend his or her calling fearlessly and tirelessly.
Some people give up immediately they are opposed, laughed, scorned, beaten, threatened etc in life. What God has given you, should be able to be executed no matter the challenge. You can fall but after you rise,you need to take the mantle again and possibly face back the same people that opposed you without getting wiread.
Paul was beaten by Jews from Antioch and Iconia yet went back to preach to then again.
(2) When you want to manage your calling effectively- be with the right people around you.
After Paul was beaten, his friends (fellow disciples) came and surrounded him) it's obvious their presence only vitalized his spirit ( no prayer was needed but the presence only).
Brethren, people nowadays have failed to continue in what they have started because of having wrong people whose present matters less or adds nothing at all. In marriage,you need the right friends to surround you. Be it in business, career, education, relationship etc.
(3) The anointed ones and called ones are always a threat to the enemies.
Brethren, don't be surprised that ure attacked always, opposed whenever ure doing something for the Lord,it's not an obvious but a reality and facts that the enemy feels your anointing and so they can't stand it.
The time we backslide,then we permit them to ridicule our lives satanically. However, stand and never lose hope when your business is criticized or accused to have been acquired through witchcraft or blood money, be it your relationship and other things. If something is meant to be yours, enemies will still fight you AND so the choice is yours to give up or continue with the driving force of the Lord.
(4) success may delay but not denied.
Brethren, Paul converted few Christians rather Jews as people of those days. Later after his beatings,he converted more People within the regions where he was strictly burned to visit.
When you want to achieve that which you desire,don't expect it to come easily. Life is a rehearsal,you need to get fortified by the challenges in order to face the bright future.
Today,we all talk about Paul,some imitate his works, others are named after him,not because of his past useless and evil life he had lived but because of who he became after accepting christ and his firm in Christ Jesus.
(5) Unbelievers will always influence the believers negatively and also those that claim to be people who know God might influence the weak ones negatively again.
Brethren, Jews claimed to know God and biblically, jesus came for them yet they didn't live by example. They influenced the gentiles to reject paul,but the God we save is mighty.
In your life,some people whom you expect to lead in spreading the word of God,or any matter related,will or might be advising you to attack their fellow ministers of the gospel.
People who have failed to run and handle their businesses will institute bad behavior in the innocent people. Some have failed to handle their marriages and relationship and so they would want to talk about yours which is just okay and if u're too mean enough you would give up your relationship and marriage at last.
I therefore, challenge you all,to be strong and alert as you carry out your christianity journey.
I love you all.
Shalom shalom
