CAC LIVING WATER - WRONG EXAMPLES TO AVOID 4

LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Wrong examples to avoid (4)

3RD , AUGUST 2022 

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:  Isaiah 44-47

READ:  Acts 15:35-41

 

35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch and with many others also continued teaching and proclaiming the good news, the Word of the Lord [concerning the attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in God’s kingdom].

36 And after some time Paul said to Barnabas, Come, let us go back and again visit and help and minister to the brethren in every town where we made known the message of the Lord, and see how they are getting along.

37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark [his near relative].

38 But Paul did not think it best to have along with them the one who had quit and deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work.

39 And there followed a sharp disagreement between them, so that they separated from each other, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.

40 But Paul selected Silas and set out, being commended by the brethren to the grace (the favor and mercy) of the Lord.

41 And he passed through Syria and Cilicia, establishing and strengthening the churches.

 

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MEMORISE: But avoid stupid and foolish controversies and genealogies and dissensions and wrangling about the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile.” - Titus 3:9

 

 

 

EXPOSITION

Contention is defined as a belief, or opinion expressed in an argument. It is a point made to win a prize. It is an angry disagreement between two people. It can be used to provoke a fight also. This is what happened between Missionaries Barnbas and Paul who had just won a major battle for the Church of God against heresy and sedition of the people of the  circumcision. What happened between them is something that incite or provoke to anger or fight.

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        The background to this drama was that the duo had decided to go on another missionary journey to consolidate the earlier gains of their first evangelical labours. But Barnabas felt he should be given another chance, being younger, green, and inexperienced.

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        Then it happened! Two God-chosen, heaven-ordained and charismatically balanced, anointed and commissioned agents of the gospel of Jesus Christ disagreed, even to the point of provocation publicly and departure from each other. How much sad that "I" and "me" still cause same divisions today in the body of Christ.

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        Where not properly handled, our differences may not glorify God. We should always strive to be the best example of what we preach, to all. This is in the light of later developments whereby Apostle Paul described Mark as "useful" and good companion in ministry!? May God forgive our excesses and help us all to be consistent (Col. 4v10,11; 2 Tim.4v11; Phlm. 24). Do all things without disputations, Paul later counselled (Phil.2v14; Tit.3v9).

        May we be good examples of the person and faith of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

 

 

PRAYER POINT:

1. Lord, deliever me from the spirit of ungodly contention and strife.

2. I refuse to be an agent of contention, incitement, controversies and rebellion in the Church of God, in Jesus name.

3. Pray for the fathers and leaders in the Faith to be strong and consistent in doctrine and virtue.

 

 

 

DO HAVE A BLESSED DAY

 

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