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Take heed therefore!

by Pastor Jim Brown
Horizon Christian Fellowship
(www.calvarychapel.com/hcfw)

Paul, in speaking to the elders of the church at Ephesus, reminded them that over his 3 year period with them that he had never stepped around the scriptures, but had shared the “whole counsel of God” with them that they might be rooted and grounded in the word. As he continued in this discourse in Acts chapter 20, he makes a statement that we should all have ears to hear...in verse 29 Paul tells them that after he leaves there will be grievous wolves entering among the flock of God who speak perverse things and strive to draw away disciples after themselves.

We, in the church today, need to not only be cognizant that this is taking place all around us, but should be watching and warning and ensuring that we ourselves are also hearing sound doctrine. In today’s “feel good” world, we hear so many “fluffy” preachers who speak to the need for self-confidence and self-esteem and things that speak to the itching ears of our “fast food” society. Unfortunately, these things are contrary to the whole counsel of God in which Jesus tells us to “die to ourselves”, Paul tells us to “take no thought for ourselves” and John tells us that we are to love God and love our neighbor – there is none of this “feel good” stuff in these messages. We are to get outside of ourselves when we are mature and healthy Christians and minister (serve) the world.

That said, church is to be a place of sanctuary where members of the body of Christ edify one another and build each other up – it is to be a place where we encourage and exhort one another and care and pray for one another. But, it is certainly not a place to share false doctrine.

Jesus taught that we must repent from our sins and that if we do not receive His sacrifice for our sins, we can have no part in Him. How many times in a Sunday service do we hear of sin, repentance or blood – or for that matter, of total denial of self and taking up our cross and following our Master? Those who are mature in the faith and know the truth of the Word of God must be bold to ensure that the message of the cross is not “watered down” by the weakness of men and warfare of the enemy.

The apostle John told us that perfect love casts our all fear and Paul told Timothy that God doesn’t give us fear – the author of Hebrews tells us that fear brings bondage (I submit that it brings bondage to the world) and so, what holds us back from speaking the truth?? FEAR. The world’s got it’s claws in us – Be bold, be like Joshua, take the stand that God is calling us all to make – stand ONLY ON THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD!

Pray with me that we allow no compromise of the Word of God into our lives...
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Acts 20:26-31 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

posted by Pastor Jim @ 6:52 AM