GOSPEL MESSAGE REJECTERS

GOSPEL MESSAGE REJECTERS

BY DR. MERVYN ABREO

          Here are given examples of the Gospel being rejected, even given by the greatest of messengers, Jesus and Paul! This was because they preferred the honor, glory and position they enjoyed here on earth, rather than the riches that awaited them in heaven!

PILATE: At the trial of Jesus, Pilate was on the judgment seat. He knew that Jesus was innocent, and that the Jewish leadership had brought false accusations against Him, purely out of envy. And so Pilate wanted to release Him!

          And when he learnt that Jesus claimed to be God, he was all the more afraid. (John 19: 7, 8).

          Further, when he was on the judge’s seat, ‘his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of Him.” (Mathew 27: 19).

          And as the trial proceeds, with all this background information in mind, he asks Jesus weather He was a king. To which Jesus replies, “You are right in saying I am a King. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me.”

          Here was the greatest opportunity for Pilate to accept the truth and set Jesus free. He would lose his elated position here on earth, but gain an even greater one in heaven, for all eternity. And be forever called as the man who released the greatest ‘Releaser’ of all time.

          But he scoffed at the opportunity given by Jesus, and instead retorted, “What is truth,” thereby terminating the trial and condemning Jesus to an inglorious death. (John 18: 36 - 40).

FELIX: During one of Paul’s missionary journeys, he was arrested and put on trial under Felix, the governor. An opportunity arose for Paul to deliver the Gospel message, when Felix sent for him and listened to him. But when the Apostle spoke about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid, and stopped any further discussion.

          His fear was the best thing that could have happened, for, as the prophet had said, ‘’ so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11).

          It achieves conviction which leads to repentance and salvation.

          Or it brings about rejection which leads to condemnation.

          He could have responded with repentance, and received salvation. Instead, he rejected the message. And was condemned!

 The reason for his response? He wanted a bribe from Paul! Not, so much, for the money, but in order to discredit the message by discrediting the messenger! (Acts 24: 24 – 26).

KING AGRIPPA: Paul, accused by the Jews, is on trial. The Apostle speaks about his own conversion, and expounds how Jesus delegated him to spread the Gospel, and about his own journey in doing so.

          At one stage, during the proceedings, Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

          And Paul’s reply is that not only him, but also all those listening to him, may become Christians. But none did! (Acts 26: 1 – 28).

          Here too, the message was given, was rejected, and they were condemned!

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Dear friend,

          I look forward to getting your feedback. Do write in to me at:

                                        drmervynabreo@gmail.com

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FEAR-- REVERENTIAL / DEMONIC

FEAR – REVERENTIAL / DEMONIC

BY DR. MERVYN ABREO

          It’s a known fact that fear leads to hate! And therefore, it’s no surprise that most people, who dislike and reject the Biblical God, do so because the Holy Book exonerates us to ‘fear’ the Lord!

          The Bible never tells us to ‘fear’ the Lord, rather It tells us to revere the Lord! What’s the difference?

          Reverential fear stems from awe and respect for the Lord. It’s an acknowledgement of how great He is, and how little we are. There is a love relationship between Him and us. And therefore we dare to call Him Abba! (Romans 8: 15; Galatians 4: 6).

          The following dawned on me as I was heading to Sunday Service:

I realize as I came here to dine,

That I’m only human but You’re divine.

But as I partake of this Bread and Wine,

I am Yours, and You are mine!

          Demonic fear, as its name indicates, originates from demons. It causes anxiety, terror, panic attacks etc.

           Nightmares, when they occur, usually do so at three in the morning, when the coven of witches finish their ritual, and release demons, who go forth and do their evil deeds.

SHEKINAH GLORY occurs when there is a divine visitation of Jehovah God here on earth. This was the glory that filled the Holy of Holies.

FEAR AND US. A committed Christian should never be subjected to demonic fear. Rather, the demonic world should fear us.

           However, if it does occur, a simple prayer of deliverance solves the problem. Take the Name of the Lord in faith, and it is He Who will do the job!

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Dear friend,

          I look forward to getting your feedback. Do write in to me at:

                                        drmervynabreo@gmail.com

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YOU ARE NO PAUL

“YOU ARE NO PAUL”!!

BY DR. MERVYN ABREO

Suffering needlessly:  A pastor who was suffering from a chronic disease had passively accepted his condition claiming that it was from God, because he thought that he was like Paul, who had been given a deformity to keep him humble!

          When I learned of this, I went to the pastor, whom I had never met before, and told him, “You are no Paul!”

          He was stunned, but gradually, as we got to know each other, he accepted the fact that he was suffering needlessly.

          All sickness, disease or deformities are from Satan, and have no part in a believer’s life! We should do everything to free ourselves.

Remaining unmarried: There are several young men in today’s Churches who do not wish to get married, claiming to be like Paul, and wanting to be fully involved in God’s ministry.

          They are fooling only themselves! They are lazy and do not wish to work hard and take on the responsibility of a family.

Paul’s ministry: He was given a thorn in the side to keep him humble. Nobody really knows what illness he had, but some guess that he suffered from facial palsy. He asked the Lord, on three occasions, to take it away, but He’s reply was, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” (2Corinthians 12: 1-10).

          Paul needed to be kept humble because he had been shown great visions, heard inexpressible things, and had been and taken up and shown the third heaven and caught up to Paradise. (2Corinthians 12: 2).

          However, please note, that it was Satan, and not the Lord that had given him a thorn in order to torment him.

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Dear friend,

          I look forward to getting your feedback. Do write in to me at:

                                        drmervynabreo@gmail.com

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