WHY MUST THE CHURCH SUFFER FOR

OUR MISTAKES? BY BRO. AFOKE BEN AFENOGHO

CHURCH OF CHRIST, SANGOTEDO

TEXT

• 2Tim 3:1-9

“tell us about the form of godliness that will be found in the last days.”

INTRODUCTION

• There church is God’s kingdom on earth (same Jesus Christ died for) and is meant to be a place where anyone can come to for upliftment and solace.

• But can you and I say with all confidence that we have helped in making the church to fulfilling her purpose on earth where anyone can come to for refreshment physically, emotionally and spiritually? I bet I’ll get some shaky yes and some No.

INTRODUCTION

• Why is this so? This is because we have constantly brought into our lives many characteristics of the world, hence the church also now has such attributes.

• Romans 12:2 (Be not conformed to the world but be ye transformed by the renewal of your mind).

SOME OF THOSE ATTRIBUTES• It is either our opinion or nothing is done / we

won’t support: Matt 18:3, Ecc4:9-12

• The spirit of the negative competition in the world where success is achieved by bringing others down. By this we crush the weak, old and very young ones. We prevent everyone including the innocent ones from getting to the desired destination on time or not making it at all. Typical example is the Lagos traffic jam where two arrogant individual will decide to block the road not minding it is not theirs or the suffering of others. Remember, the world is big enough for us all. Rom 13:8, Gal 6:2-3 Gal 3:2 Act 20:35

SOME OF THOSE ATTRIBUTES• We always want to have the final say; this is a result

of pride Prov 16: 18, so you or I can have the glory. Phil 2;3  4:1 , Matt 23;12

• Most of us when we find out that we can’t have things done our way always in the church we either change membership to a more vulnerable congregation where our ambitions can be met (just like the politicians of today moving from one party to another to meet their aims, or we form an anti group to bring down the present leadership ‘same we have seen in the business and political world” We are to be an example to the world. By doing this the world cannot be saved and young Christians are lost. Thus making Christ’s death vain. We are all members of one body. 1Cor 12:26,27

SOME OF THOSE ATTRIBUTES• Everyone is in a rush with no time to stop and

observe what is happening in our lives, the environment (church and the lives of our brethren). Hence nobody has the time to help the young, weak and old. Remember the Christian race is like a relay where you must have to pass a baton to the next runner so that the race can be won, hence God gave different gifts to everyone so that by team work we can all do His will Eph 4:11-16. Nobody can do it all alone. Gal 5:14 Ecc 4:9-12. Due to this rush no one mind how the other feel, we say ill things to ourselves, remember brightest links of life are easily broken by a single angry word.

SOME OF THOSE ATTRIBUTES

• Creating division in the church by maintaining relationship with only those of our social class, ethnic origin etc Matt 5:46-48. Remember we are nothing but vapors James 4;14, all are equal before God. Though mutual respect must be encouraged. Phil 2;3, Matt 7:12

• Laziness and Selfishness: This is the cause of envy, covetousness and murder. Prov 6;6

SOME OF THOSE ATTRIBUTES

• Prejudice: Today we tend to judge people by hear say from others. Try to know the person yourself and you will be amazed how wonderful and lovely such a one is. Luke 6:37, Rom 12 :5.

CONCLUSION

• There are more of these attributes that form part of the end time form of godliness we are to avoid that you can add to this little list of mine. Let us all work together to achieve the vision of God setting up His kingdom on earth and calling us into it. Let us be a blessing to us all and the church instead of bringing us and the church down for our selfish ambition. It is all vanity at the end.

• Phillipians 4:8