SCAMPERING AS SHEEP WITHOUT SHEPHERD

SUNDAY LIGHT (14/03/21; 21/03/21; 28/03/21) Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement   Topic: SCAMPERING AS SHEEP WITHOUT SHEPHERD Text:               Mark 6:30-34   Introduction: We are actually living at the terminal part of the Church age, and the predictions of the scriptures make the daily headlines of the news media. It, therefore, behooves every shepherd to continually warn the flock of the events that portend great danger to the heaven-bound pilgrim (2 Pet.1:12; 1Cor.11:1-2; 14:8,20).   Our message shall be coming under the two points: (A) The People In Question (B) The Possible Reasons For The Poverty.  

• THE PEOPLE IN QUESTION (Mk.6:31-34)

These were Jews, God’s covenant people who should have knowledge but unfortunately didn’t; hence the disorder (Jer.8:7). When there is knowledge there is order, as demonstrated by sheep being led or guided by a shepherd (Ps.23:1-3; Isa.30:20,21; Jn.10:27).   Today, people that should belong to the category of the elect are being apparently deceived and disoriented (Matt.24:24). Instead of focusing on the substance of religion, they are pursuing the chaff (Jer.23:28). Hence the pursuit of signs instead of being followed by signs (Mk.16:15); the seeking of places where demons speak out, instead of holding unto the truth of the word (Mt. 12:39; 16:4; Jn.8:32; 15:3). It must be remembered that the devils are inherent liars and do so to deceive, destabilize and destroy the simple or unwary. (Pro.22:3; 27:12; Jn.10:10a cp. 17:11, 20,21; Mt.18:18-19).   Access to the World Wide Web (internet) and satellite channels exposes the immature elect to deceptive, erroneous, damning ‘revelations’, ‘prophesies and doctrines (cons. Eph.4:11-12,14; 1Jn. 4:1).   Every child of God must watch out at this time, so as not to be a casualty of deception (Mk.13:30-37; 1Pet.5:8).  

• THE POSSIBLE REASONS FOR THE POVERTY

  For the Jews of Jesus’ time their poverty stemmed from their being in the period of darkness, hence the advent of Jesus (Mk.4:14-16; Jn.1:4,5). But, the elect of today scramble as sheep without shepherd because of the following reasons:-  

1. Departure from the truth due to ignorance or backsliding (Mt.13:5-6; Jn.6:53-60,66; 10:27-28). When people failed to understand a teaching, they will not be able to do the expected,; and when men backslide, they get disoriented.

 

1. Deceitful activities of misinformed ’friends’ or ‘brethren’ (Mt.13:7; Gal.1:8-10; 2Thess2:1-3; 2Jn.7-11; cp. Dt.13:1-5; 6-10; Mt.7:15-20). Here, victims of deception reach out to their friends and loved ones to share their new conviction.

• Discouraging activities of false brethren (Rom.14:12-13; Gal.2:2-4; 2Pet.2:13; Jn11:11,12; Rom.3:1). These are repugnant activities of people purported to be brethren in church.

1. Disturbing and Daunting (intimidating) activities of elders/ministers (2Cor.4:1-2,5-6; 1Thess.1:5-7; 2:3-8,10; 1Pet.5:1-3; 3Jn.9-11). These are unbecoming attitudes that repel people from the church.
2. Delay (but not denial) in obtaining a desired objective (Heb.10:35-39; Mk.11:23). Impatience is one of the instruments deployed by the devils to destabilize the pilgrims.
3. Demonic influences, spells, dreams and activities of false prophets (2Cor.11:14; 10:4,5; Eph.6:11; Jer.23:13,21,32). These are deployed to weaken the defences/resolve of men, and make them susceptible to demonic manipulation.

  At this time, the child of God must be calm, sober, quiet spirited, patient and committed to holding unto the truth irrespective of the unfavourable prevailing situation or circumstance (2Tim.4:2; Jud 3).