Tag: Hebrews 13:17
Deceived by the serpent!
Scripture reading for September 30th: 2nd Corinthians 11
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 11:1-4 “I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the One you received or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.”
Paul, as a pastor, was concerned for the spiritual welfare of the church in Corinth. He was aware of the spiritual warfare going on with the forces of darkness who were using false apostles and false teachers to undermine the true Gospel and pervert the people from a sincere devotion to Christ Jesus. He shared his concern likening the deception to that that the ‘serpent’ (Satan) used to deceive Eve in the Garden of Eden. The serpent cast doubt on God’s authority and twisted God’s Word. The serpent implied God was holding out giving them knowledge that would enable them to be God. He offered ‘forbidden fruit’ to eat and Eve ate it up. Paul’s concern was that these believers would swallow the lies of false apostles, preaching ‘another Jesus’, not Jesus Christ the Son of God, crucified and risen as Lord. They had another spirit, not the Holy Spirit and preached another gospel, not the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Deception must be exposed by truth and pastors must watch over the flock of God.
2nd Corinthians 11:13-15 “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, thank You for pastors who are watchful over Your flock. Protect me and Your Church from the cunning and deception of these last days and use me to warn and protect the flock by teaching truth and modeling a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. Give Your people a discerning appetite to avoid swallowing deception and receiving a different Jesus, an unholy spirit, and a false gospel.
Hebrews 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.“
People of purity!
Scripture reading for June 25th: Titus 2
Key Scriptures: Titus 2:11-15 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good works. Declare these things: exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”
Paul stressed to Titus that God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone had brought salvation to all men. The grace of God actually trains believers in righteousness and holy character which prepares us for the arrival of Jesus Christ in His glory. Any believer that is still living in sin has not yet obtained grace and will not be ready for Christ’s return. These simple truths were to be declared by Titus rebuking those still living in sin. Jesus Christ, our blessed hope, can return for us at any time and pastors are to be watchful over souls! They will have to give an account of their ministry to the Lord Jesus.
Titus 2:7 “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your example of patience, sound doctrine, and rebuking those who were in need of correction. I pray that the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith will not be watered down in our culture to allow believers to avoid true repentance. Use me to preach sound doctrine with integrity, bringing salvation to the lost.
Hebrews 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
Watchful and thorough!
Scripture reading for May 3rd: Acts 20
Key Scriptures: Acts 20:24-28 “But I do not account my life of any value no as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained by His own blood.”
Paul was on a mission to Jerusalem and he had been warned prophetically of coming dangers awaiting there. As he traveled by ship in order to arrive there, he avoided a stop at Ephesus where he had spent three years. He called those in leadership at Ephesus to meet him a short distance away at Miletus where he shared words of encouragement and warning. His main focus was to finish the course and ministry laid out for him by Jesus Christ. This involved testifying to the Gospel of God’s grace. Paul had fully declared this message to the Ephesians and the responsibility to believe and act in faith in Jesus Christ rested on them. The leaders must be watchful over their own lives as examples and the church there belonging to Jesus. Ferocious wolves (false teachers) would try to tear the church apart!
Acts 20:29-30 “I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.”
Faith confession and prayer: Jesus, thank You for the Gospel message of salvation by faith through grace. Help me to fully preach the whole counsel of God. Give me watchful eyes over my life and those under my care.
Hebrews 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”