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“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock …. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.” (Acts 20:28 – 29)
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Want to hear the verse in context? Acts 20:28 – 29 |
At the risk of been labelled a “bigot” (see paragraph 12 in the open letter written by the President of Seth Mokitimi Methodist Seminary, Rev Dr Ross Olivier) a classic example of what we’re to protect the flock against is Syncretism. I can’t leave it there can I, I’ll write some thoughts on this next week. Click image to enlarge.
Paul knew they were coming; we know they are here. They are watched on television, listened to on radio, stacked in bookstores, studied in seminaries. They breed like the plague and are as dangerous as the poison of asps. Bells ring in alarm as the church comes under siege, assaulted from every angle. Where are the mandated guardians? Missing in action; presumed dead! The fate of false teachers is sure but fear capability in being a shepherd who’s left the gate gapping wide. The enemy is in the fold! What are we now to do?
Leaders in Africa: tighten your belts, adjust your helmets, secure your breastplates and burnish your shields because God’s solution to false teachers is truth wielders. With some of those infected by their tainted message we should “have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire;” (Jud 1:22 – 23) God’s solution to the failure we see around us is leaders who are able to hold “fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (Tit 1:9)
Our mission is simple: God’s Holy Spirit empowers us, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph 6:17) equips us and so before us the enemy must fall. God’s leaders are to protect their flock fearlessly fighting the enemy on every front to praise and glory of our king.
Addressing leadership pitfalls in Africa will not be an easy task but it is a necessary one. We must fervently pray to God that He would so stir in men’s hearts that they will hear the call of the Gospel and chase after it with all earnesty. That He would raise men who pursue the truth and men who exemplify the truth and are useful vessels “unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Tim 2:21).
If we’re to be those men whom God would use then we’re mandated to effectively lead by our life’s example; constantly feed from the Word’s sweet honey; lovingly nurture to fullness of maturity; firmly correct without fear or favour; and resolutely protect from the dangers all round.
The great relief we have from any fear or anxiety we might experience as we look around at leaders who are falling and a church which seems to be faltering is that Jesus has taken responsibility for building the church, He has claimed possession over it and ultimately He will preserve it. He declares in Matthew 16:18 – 19, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Amen!
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Because He Lives 