KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 10:24 KJV “Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.”

These people have been opposing Jesus, yet they still wonder if He is the Christ.

We saw how they just accused him, as one with a demon and a lunatic, yet in the next moment, they come wanting Him to tell them if He is the Christ or Messiah. The Lord had on countless occasions told them, who He was, yet they would not believe.  John 10:25 KJV “Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.”

Most people who object to the testimonies about Jesus are in a similar paradox. They oppose Jesus openly, yet in their hearts of hearts, they ask themselves, is He the Saviour indeed? This is a paradox.

Why are people in such a confused state? There are a number of reasons why people tend to oppose the gospel, yet they wished they really knew who He was. The reasons are as follows

1. Some people are hooked up to certain sinful habits, which they are not ready to stop. They find Jesus’ teachings, hitting on the nerve of their lifestyle.

2. Like the Jews, it’s because of pride that prevents them from accepting the gospel. 1Corinth 1:18 KJV” For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

3. Some ignorantly oppose the gospel. They are just influenced by others, not even understanding why they oppose it.

4. Some people object to it because they have been taught that this is a white man’s religion.

In spite of the reasons why some people object to the gospel, yet they see the gospel doing lots of good things. They see the transformation of certain characters they knew, and so they ask, is this thing real? They watch amazing miracles wrought through the servants of God, and in their minds, they tell them, you can also be helped from your own predicaments. Some are also faced with incontestable evidence of the resurrection of Jesus, and they cannot object to it. In spite of all these, the reasons above keep telling them to reject it. This put them in a dilemma. They ask, is this true?

 Beloved, the changed lives are true, the miraculous healings are true. Jesus died and on the third day resurrected from the grave. This is a fact of history. Believe in the Lord Jesus today, and be set free from your confusion.

CONFESSION

Dear heavenly father, thank you for the gift of your son Jesus. I acknowledge Him as my Lord. I believe that He died and was raised from the dead on the third day.  I will serve Him, all the days of my life.

FURTHER STUDIES

Acts 4:12 KJV “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved

Act 16:31 KJV “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 10:21 KJV” Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?”

The above key scripture reveals how sincere and fair minds approach issues. These were people who would not be subjective about anyone’s ideas. They consider the issue from an open unbiased mind. After some of the people had accused Jesus of having a devil, they refused to be influenced by such people. They asked how can one with a devil open the eyes of the blind. They also thought mad people do not speak this way. These ones allowed their conscience to instruct them. Acts 24:16 KJV And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men. This verse perfectly suits the people.

Our world is filled with so much insincerity. Many actions of people are influenced by all kinds of subjective thinking. These people have wrongly judged their neighbours or partners without being fair to them. There is a proverb, that says ‘call a dog a bad name, and then kill it’. In Genesis chapter 4 Cain killed his brother Abel because he failed to be sincere with himself. He was not accepted because he did not do well. Gen 4:7 KJV ” If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.” He was the cause of his failure. He killed his brother because his brother did right, and he was accepted. Many are unfortunately dominated by envy. They say all kinds of negative remarks about those who are doing exploits and making an impact. They should have sincerely admitted that these people are making strides in life because they are doing something right. They should have also acknowledged that they should be at their best in whatever they may be doing to also make exploits like them.

Finally, to those who may be rejecting Jesus. I pray you would be like the second group of people. Have a sincere mind towards the revealed truth. Jesus was born by a virgin, lived a life of outstanding miracles, and made certain authoritative statements that said, He is the only way. He was violently killed but raised back to life on the third day. He ascended to heaven. The men who saw him ascended into heaven were prepared to die for what they knew and said about Him. Dear brother or sister, just be sincere to yourself and acknowledge that Jesus is indeed the ONLY Saviour. Make Him Lord of your life today.

CONFESSION

Lord Jesus, I surrender my life to you. I acknowledge that you are the Saviour of my life. I surrender my life to you, and will live daily to please you.  Thank you, Lord Jesus.

FURTHER STUDIES

Rom 2:14, 25 KJV “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)”

Heb 2:3 KJV” How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;”

KEY SCRIPTURE; Joh 10:20 BBE” And a number of them said, He has an evil spirit and is out of his mind; why do you give ear to him?”

The Bible speaks of the man of sin who would be called the antichrist. There are many who are against Christ. These are all antichrists.1Jn 2:18 BBE “Little children, it is the last hour; and as you were given word that the Antichrist would come, so now a number of Antichrists have come to you; and by this, we are certain that it is the last hour.” As the above verse rightly said; there are many antichrists all around us. There is a spirit that takes the hearts and minds of people captive, just to oppose the truth about our Lord Jesus Christ. In our key scripture, some of the people said He had an evil spirit, although they knew He had been setting the sick free.

In these times, there are many who shun and oppose the gospel without any serious grounds for such opposition. The bible reveals their bases for opposing the gospel. Col 2:8 BBE Take care that no one takes you away by force, through man’s wisdom and deceit, going after the beliefs of men and the theories of the world, and not after Christ:

These people are influenced by their:

1. Human wisdom or philosophy

2. Vain Deceit,

Their sources are

1. Traditions

2. Rudiments or science

Which is not after Christ. Please note that none of the points mentioned above can explain the virgin birth of Jesus or His resurrection.

Dear one, our Lord Jesus is not a myth. He walked the shores of this earth. He preached to all and healed as many who believed in him. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. It is rather unfortunate, for those who claim Jesus is a ‘ white man God,’ who was presented to the black man to forsake his god and accept Him. Please this is not the truth. The ancestors of the blacks opposed those who brought Christianity by the power of their gods and found Jesus too powerful, so they were converted. This contest has been going on in areas where idol worship abounds, and Christ is presented to them. I have seen the powers of a fetish priestess made useless at the mention of the name of Jesus. Dear one who has set yourself to oppose Christ, you are doing so, to your own eternal destruction. Repent and believe in Jesus. Today.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, I pray for any man under the influence of the spirit of the antichrist. Lord opens their eyes to the truth of the gospel. Deliver them from the blindness that has covered their minds. Fill their hearts with your peace. Amen

THOUGHT: OPPOSING CHRIST IS LIKE HITTING YOUR HEAD ON THE ROCK

FURTHER STUDIES

Act 9:5 KJV “And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”

2Co 4:4 KJV” In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 10:19 KJV” There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.”

The Lord spoke God’s Words about Himself, that got certain people confused. He made statements like “Joh 10:9 KJV” I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” These were statements, that revealed a supernatural hand in the life of the individual. It is never in  the power and ability of any one to become a door of the sheep, yet  because it was the doing of the Father. There is so much that God has said about us, that we should not be shy to  talk about as the Lord Jesus did.

 The following are certain words that also reveal God’s amazing work through us. Let’s consider a statement Jesus made about us in Mat 5:13 KJV” Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” It can only be the doing of God for any man to be made salt of   the earth. We must admit before men, that we are the salt of the earth. This stirs our pure minds to act likewise.

EPH 2:10 says the following about us, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” The Lord  revealed to apostle Paul, that says we are God’s own handiwork.it means , we have been specially made from what our Lord Jesus is made of. We have His very ability in us. We have His potential. We are not ordinary mortals. Such words must be spoken boldly  to challenge the minds of the unrenewed men and women, who are not saved. It gets them thinking and, on many occasions, brings a transformation to them.

Let’s consider another  glorious statement about us in Eph 3:10 KJV” To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,” In this verse the Holy Spirit writing through Paul said ,  God our father has designed that in the dispensation of time, now through the church , that is through you and I; the Principalities and  powers in the heavenly places, that is the satanic hierarchy of spirits might be made to know , the many sided wisdom of God.

You must speak boldly to these spirits that, by the grace of God, you will make the principalities and powers  of darkness know ,  the many sided wisdom of God.

The scriptures are full of many statements about what the grace of God has lifted us to.it is our right to believe them and boldly declare it among men.

CONFESSION

God  the Father in His mercy, has blessed me in diverse  ways showing,  His mighty works in me. I boldly say what God has made me.

FURTHER STUDIES

Mat 5:14 KJV” Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”

Gal 2:20 KJV” I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 10:17 KJV” Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.”

The Lord established in this verse that everyone who sacrifices in the name of the Father cannot be a loser in the long run. In our key scripture, He said He lays His life down but takes it up again. The Lord has consistently taught that no one sacrifices in His name and turns out to be an outright failure or loser. It is not possible. Let’s consider a few such statements.

When the disciples asked the master, we have left all things to follow you, what would we gain? Mark 10:30 KJV “But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.” The Lord assured them that although they have left all to follow Him in truth, they cannot be losers. He said God will honour them with every good thing , and also persecuted by men.

We consider another instant that the Lord taught about how things turn out with those who lose or sacrifice for Him. John 12:24, 25 KJV “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” The Lord once again establishes that there is no loss for anyone who sacrifices what he has for him. He taught that, for grains  to grow and multiply, it must be planted and go through death, before it  can multiply. He added that those  who love their lives and so are not ready to sacrifice will lose their lives, but those who lose their lives for His course will gain it. There is no loser for the man who stands for God.

In the light of all that has been said above every shepherd of God’s sheep must diligently commit himself fully for the full stability of the sheep. He must give out and give up anything or everything for the well-being of God’s sheep, knowing that, one can’t be a loser sacrificing for God.

On the flip side, everyone who seeks to save his life by refusing to sacrifice for God , will turn out as failures or losers.

CONFESSION

God’s way remains the best all the time. I therefore give up myself to please the Lord in all that I do for Him. I do not look for my interest and advantage, for God is faithful who will ultimately honour His word in my life.

THOUGHT: ANYTHING IN GOD’S HANDS IS A BLESSING

FURTHER STUDIES

1Co 15:58 KJV” Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord”.

Heb 6:10 KJV “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 10:16 KJV “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one-fold, and one shepherd.”

In Mark 1: 31-37 the Lord ministered in the regions of Galilee and healed many that were sick. In verse 35 he rose up a great while before day and went into a solitary place to pray. His disciples found Him, and said to Him, all men seek for thee. The Lord answered them immediately, that Mar 1:38 KJV “And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.” The Lord did not limit his preaching activities to the places where he had chalked so many successes but said there are so many places, where I have not touched and must reach out to them.  We should never confine our world to the so-called comfort zone. Many around us are living in total darkness, yet we sit in the comfort of our beautiful churches, thinking that life is all we see around us.

Just outside the four walls of our churches are many who are living in total darkness.

On one of my outreaches, I met a young man, whom I spoke to, and I learned a lot about the state of many young men outside our domain. He had been involved in this fraud business; They browse on the net and find people to cheat and defraud all sums of money. This young man found a man, who was a fetish priest. This man was to assist him in supernaturally manipulating the minds of his victims. This boy had gotten so involved that, certain spirits visited him, instruct and lead him. The whole thing was gradually leading him into madness. Sadly, he thought he had encountered some mighty power. There are countless numbers of our youth in the grip of Satan. Why feel comfortable in church and allow such, ignorant young men to fall into the clutches of Satan?

These are to be part of Jesus’ family but are under darkness. There are many more who are lost in their sins, and the sharing of the truth of God’s word with them is God’s means of reaching to them. The Lord said the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. How does our master Jesus do this? He does it through you and me.

William booth, who is the founder of the salvation army organised a meeting of its members. He had sent the message by telegram in those days to them. Everyone gathered waiting for a long letter to be read to them. All that was on that letter was the word, O T H E R S. There are so many to be won. Let us think about these ones too.

CONFESSION

I am a representative of Jesus. As the Lord would want to reach out to the many others elsewhere, so do I go after them in Jesus’ name. I always trust the master to save them when I share the gospel with these people.

THOUGHT: IT PLEASES GOD’S HEART TO BE OBEDIENT IN WINNING OTHERS TO HIS PRESENT FOLD.

FURTHER STUDIES

Pro 11:30 KJV” The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”

Mat 28:19 KJV” Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”:

John 10:15 KJV As the Father knoweth me, even so, know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

If you happened to join this study for the first time, we are considering what makes a good shepherd as well as those who are thieves, and they come only to steal, kill and destroy. We have also considered the hireling, who takes up the role of a shepherd; but he is only there because of his wages and the opportunities that the job can offer him.

Now we look at what really makes a shepherd thick; and makes Him do his roles as he should. Our key scripture says the following. John 10:15 KJV” As the Father knoweth me, even so, know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.’ It is the knowledge of the Father that drives him in the positive direction. Knowing God proceeds from giving Him the attention He deserves. This kind of giving attention is also motivated by love for the Lord. Psalms 42:1 KJV “…… As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.” The Psalmist declares as the Hart or deer pant after the water brooks so my soul pants after Him. A good relationship with the Lord is reflected in a very good relationship with the sheep. Jesus laid His life for the sheep because of His love for the master.

Knowing the Lord is all that every shepherd needs. King David did so many exploits that, he lived to see his successor before he died.

He succeeded in conquering all the nations around Israel. Acts 13:36 KJV” For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:” David served or gave his life for his people. God also approved of his commitment making him very successful. Service in its proper and acceptable form must be the overflow of our dedication and commitment to the Lord.  This is what brings success and exploits because it becomes God at work through us.

CONFESSION

I love the Lord God above all things. Whatever I do is a reflection of my relationship with the Lord. I strive to always maintain a very positive relationship with the Lord.

THOUGHT:  GOD ALMIGHTY IS THE SOURCE OF ALL PROPER  ATTITUDES, ALWAYS LINK TO HIM.

FURTHER STUDIES

John 14:21 KJV” He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”

John 14:23 KJV Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 10:14 KJV” I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”

We continue with our discussion on the good shepherd and his sheep. Please this study is not limited to pastors only. Every Christian who has been exposed to the truths of scripture, and serves God without another individual urging him on, is also qualified to raise others to serve the Lord.

The Lord said He knows His flock. Prov 27:23 KJV” Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.” The book of Proverbs admonishes us to be diligent to know the state of our flock and it adds that we look well to their condition. Dear servant of God, God’s heritage on the earth is not the skyscrapers, the vegetation that surrounds us, or the tons and tons of gold deposits around the world. God’s heritage is men. Their preservation from satanic dominance and commitment to Him is a highly-priced desire of Him. We must know them, that is attend to them and teach them His ways, so the wicked one would not take them captive.

Every sheep must be properly catered for.  The Lord said in our key scripture that because He knows His sheep, the sheep also know Him. It is very sad to see certain converts begin to accept strange doctrines. All these happen because the shepherd did not give any proper attention to the sheep. The Lord said, at the end of His ministry among His disciples in John 17:12 KJV ” While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.”

He said I have kept every one of them in thy name, except the son of perdition. Dear shepherd, how many of your sheep have been taken over by the deceit of Satan? Sadly, a lot of us do not have any sheep, we are caring for. Most of us would be found very guilty if the Lord is to ask us about the state of some of the sheep, He gave us. He always brings souls to us yet a number of us easily lose them, because we are not diligent to know the state of the flock. Please note that, if your convert falls back and fails to keep the faith, ending up in hell, then, you have no rewards for that particular sheep. They are your crowns in glory if, they joyfully make it into heaven. Listen to what Apostle Paul says about those in Philipi. Phi 2:16 KJV” Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”

Dear one, be diligent about each convert and not leave them to the jackals and wolves of this life, so you would not lose your crown.

CONFESSION

The souls I win or God brings my way, are my crowns in glory, I therefore keenly watch over them. I pray for them, visit, teach them, and do everything possible to get them standing till the end.

THOUGHT: “A SOUL IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE OR PRECIOUS ‘COMMODITY’ IN THIS LIFE, FIGHT FOR IT”

FURTHER STUDIES

Gal 4:19 KJV “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,”

Prov 27:23 KJV “Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 10:12 KJV “But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. “

The Lord introduces another term, an hireling. Who is an hireling? As the word goes, this is one who has been contracted to take care of the sheep so he would be paid for his services. This kind of thing abounds around. Many are doing God’s work because of what they would take at the end of the month. They are purely hirelings. God’s work or calling is never an occupation or a profession. It is devotion. It is a commitment of one’s life to lift up the name of God, irrespective of what he receives, whether good or bad. The very first point of concern is to please God. Phi 1:20 KJV” According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.”

I have heard of a number of men who enter the pastorate as a profession or an occupation. Their concern is what they would earn, including the benefits. This is the reason such people would avoid all dangers. The Lord said such people would run away at the site of a wolf. What conditions could be described as wolves? Some men of God claim the powers pursuing the lives of certain individuals are so strong that they would not venture into handling such cases. Anyone who talks like that is an hireling. Certain challenges rise up that demand the pastor to stand up and challenge the issues at stake, the hireling will avoid it because he is afraid for his life.

What kind of leader are you? Are you a good shepherd or an hireling? Hirelings do not know the Lord. They do not have any strong relationship with the master. Ironically the true shepherd is seldom overwhelmed by the challenges they confront. They always come out victorious because they confront those challenges in the name of the Lord. David did not run away from the lion and the bear but successfully destroyed all these beasts. He knew the Lord His God.

CONFESSION

I am not a hireling but a good shepherd. God my father who chose me, has given me His ability to face all oppositions. No challenge, condition or attack can overcome the greater one who lives in me

THOUGHT: YOUR TRUE ALLEGIANCE TO GOD DETERMINES WHETHER YOU WOULD  BE A GOOD SHEPHERD OR A HIRELING.

FURTHER STUDIES

Job 7:2 KJV “As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work:”

Joh 10:13 KJV “The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 10:11 KJV” I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

The Lord Jesus once again gives the criterion for a good shepherd. He says the good shepherd lays his life down for the sheep. Pastors are also shepherds and must take the clue from the master of all shepherds. Why would the pastor not secure his life, but rather give it up for the sheep? The purpose of the call of the pastor is fruitfulness. Fruitfulness means the multiplication or having a very large number of sheep. It is a life principle that, whatever you serve, grows, and that which you dominate or you act as a boss over, diminishes. John 15:8 KJV “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so, shall ye be my disciples.”

The foregoing scripture says it all. God is very fruitful. Fruitfulness glorifies Him and it also proves that He raised us. Apostle Paul put the idea of the shepherd giving his life for the sheep in the following way.1Co 9:19 KJV “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.” He said I lose my liberties and satisfaction so I could satisfy the sheep and win them. I once saw a shepherd fighting the sheep he had won into the church. I concluded that this one has no spiritual sense. How would you fight the sheep that you are supposed to die for? Many shepherds because of self-centeredness are grieving the heart of the Father through their actions.

Dear shepherd your calling is to lose your freedom, and pleasures in order to make the sheep rather satisfied. Let’s listen to the advice of apostle Peter.1Pet 5:2 KJV “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind”; Peter’s advice as the Lord also asked him to do, when he resurrected and appeared to His disciples at the seaside, He expressed that, love for Him, meant, the feeding of the sheep and the lambs( John 21:15 -18)  God desires growth and fruitfulness and so, you as a shepherd of the flock of God must do all you can to be fruitful.

CONFESSION

As the Lord gave His life for the sheep, so do I likewise sacrifice my life to see the sheep grow and multiply. I fast, agonise in prayer, sacrifice my money, and feed the sheep, so they would eventually grow, bringing glory to God.

FURTHER STUDIES

John 15:13 KJV” Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

1Pe 5:3 KJV” Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.”