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Text:
Acts 16:16
Topic: Gains by soothsaying
The study will be done with the following sub-headings
Background to the study
Gains by soothsaying
Diverse ungodly gains in today’s
ministry
Way out.
Background to the study
The book Acts of the Apostles is also referred to as the acts of the Holy Spirit underscoring 1 Cor.4:20 which says the kingdom of God is not just in words but in power. Little wonder the master told them stay in Jerusalem, don’t move until you are endued Acts 1:4, May our lives and ministry not lack the power of God in Jesus mighty name.
Chapter sixteen of the referenced book graphically
illustrates the beginning of Apostle Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey,
on this journey he was accompanied by Silas and later Timothy, great events
were recorded in the chapter : conversion of Lydia, gain by
soothsaying/divination, Paul and Silas imprisonment, their miraculous escape
and the attending conversion of the jailer amongst others.
Our focus today is however on the demon-empowered soothsayer
who made gains through her practice and lessons we as God’s minister/children can learn
from such show currently pervading the ministry space may God help us in Jesus
mighty name.Amen
Gains by
soothsaying
Gain
The word gain according to
online dictionary (plural noun) gains means an increase in wealth or resources.
(This definition among others best fits our discussion).
Soothsaying
According to online definition, Soothsaying is the act of foretelling events, it is also the practice of predicting the future, often through methods considered mystical or magical. It involves making pronouncements about what will happen, and the term is closely linked to prophecy and divination.
However scholars have said Prophecy has two dimensions: foretelling and forth telling differentiating it from mere prediction.
Quick details about this
soothsayer
·
She was young (inexperienced and vulnerable) (a
damsel) vs.16
·
She had human owners (those plying trade with
her) vs. 16
·
She had brought so much gain to them vs. 16
·
She was delivered by the power of the Holy Spirit
vs.18
·
Her owners were cunny, crafty,desperate for gain and connected for the
apostles to have been beaten and thrown into an inner chamber because of this and almost immediately vs.22-24
Hope any of these characteristics (aside from point four )are not traceable to us or our Ministry, Hope we are not an echo instead of a voice, God’s servant or man’s pawn?
Diverse ungodly gains in today’s ministry
It’s becoming very difficult to run a church(asides God's grace) owing to varying expenses, especially where members are not taught of the Lord, where there are no defined processes to raise and channel finances appropriately but more worrisome is raising unnecessary money (or diversion of same) that has nothing to do with the church growth, members welfare just for personal gain using any instrument and guise e.g
· Agreeing
on exploitation of God’s sheep and sharing formula with a so-called revivalist
· Diversion
of church funds/resources and people.
· Manipulations
in all shades
· Bringing
prophets of Baal to God’s temple (pollution of God’s house)
· Using
the powers of the devil to intrude into people’s privacy, creating an issue with
a view to enrich self.
· Going into the ministry without the call, burden for Soul, training and with negative agenda and all sorts of ungodly practices aimed to bring gain to the angel of the devil appearing as angel of light.
Anyone in the ministry for gain (physical, monetary or any other mundane/ephemeral reason) is a wrong person in the right profession and need to change job/work, go and open a business Sir/ma.
Apostle Ayo Babalola as documented spoke about the three palm trees whose outcomes is based on what we do with Jesus and His words, on another occasion spoke about the fact that whatsoever a minister seeks for in this church he/she would see but it would be at the expense of something, please lets make our choices and desires wisely.
People of God, why are you in ministry? Why are you in the station/department that you are?
Way out
No matter the level you have gone, we serve a living and a loving God, just like the father of the prodigal son in Luke 15 He awaits anyone on prodigal excursion with arms widely opened to warmly welcome,celebrate and fully restore such, don’t waste His love and patience.
The life and ministry of Jesus and the disciples/apostles gives us a prototype to follow in the ministry, as a Minister, we should focus on the word of God and prayer Acts 6:4.( not serving tables or making the tables)
God is never an usurper/exploiter,
we can not serve Him well and lack good things all the days of our lives, He
would come through for us, may God grant us the spirit of Godliness and contentment
even in the ministry in Jesus mighty name. Amen.
shalom.
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