Gleans from Sunday End of Month with Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
DLBC Gbagada, Lagos HQ
28th October 2018
DIVINE PRESCRIPTION FOR SERVING GOD ACCEPTABLY
1 Chronicles 13:1-4,7-10; Hebrews 9:27; 1 Chronicles 15:11-15; Romans 15:4; Isaiah 55:8,9; Hebrews 12:28
As we look at the Scriptures today, we need to understand how important the Ark of God was to the children of Israel. It represented the presence of God for them; led them the way they ought to go, and divided the sea before them like River Jordan. Also through the Ark, blessings, peace and prosperity came to them. They carried the Ark with them everywhere they went, like when they came before the Wall of Jericho. God had prescribed, ordained and commanded the way the Ark should be borne while on their journeys, since the time of Moses. The Levites were to carry it on their shoulders with long staves with rings covered with gold, without touching the Ark. But at this time they did not follow God’s instructions on who and how they should carry the Ark. We need to understand that time does not change God’s Word. Kings and princes, human authorities and religious personalities cannot change the word of God. Uzza might have had good intention, but the foundation was wrong. They carried the Ark in a cart driven by oxen, and it stumbled. So we need to check up the foundation of our salvation, service, Christian experiences, endeavours, ministry and everything we do. If it is wrong at the foundation something similar to the stumbling of the oxen that carried the Ark could happen. Uzza had good intention but God called it sin, not mistake. God smote him and he died, without a chance to repent. There is no repentance after death, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
Eventually, months after the death of Uzza, King David prepared a place for the Ark and commanded that the right method of conveying it be done. “And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order” (1 Chronicles 15:12-13). Enthusiasm without appropriate submission to the will and word of God was their first misdeed. They now carried the Ark properly as the Lord had commanded, “And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD” (1 Chronicles 15:15). We need to understand that these Old Testament Scriptures were written for our learning. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). God’s ways are not our ways; we should prefer His way. We should pray for God’s grace to always follow His Word, Way, Wisdom, Will and the prescriptions in everything that we do: in our personal lives, families, places of work, and now in the service of the Lord in the Church. People tell us that the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New Testament who is an indulgent Father that will just bless the people no matter what they do. The scripture however says, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28,29). We cannot serve God the way we want, we must look at His prescriptions, Word and demands; only then can we serve Him acceptably.
3 points:
Point 1. THE DANGER OF UNACCEPTABLE CONSULTATION WITHOUT SCRIPTURE
1 Chronicles 13:1-4; Numbers 4:15; 2 Samuel 6:6-7; 1 Chronicles 12:32; Deuteronomy 12:8-9,28,32; Proverbs 16:25; 19:2; Hosea 4:6; Romans 10:2; Hebrews 2:1; 10:26-31; 12:25
David consulted with every leader and all the congregation on bringing back the Ark, and it seemed right in the eyes of the people. However, the consultation did not bring in the word of God. And what danger and death follow consultation without the Scriptures! David made the consultation because he knew that the place of the Ark of God was not a private place or the house of an individual but in the national place that God has ordained. There are people that bring suggestions that appears good and normal to the leaders, but do not consider if that is the will of God for that assembly. God is greater than millions of us so we need to always seek His mind and will before we do anything.
In all that consultation, they did not think to open the Scriptures and seek what God had commanded and prescribed in His Word. See what the Scripture says, “And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation” (Numbers 4:15). The Ark of God was holy, and they were not to touch it. There was no prescription of the use of the oxen to carry the Ark of God, they only learnt this from the pagans, the Gentiles, and the Philistines. When we disregard, dishonour and disobey the word of God that we serve and consult without the Scriptures, and we think that our little knowledge and wisdom of man are enough to guide the Church of God and movement of revival, it brings the judgement of God. How did David, a man who usually sought the mind and will of God in everything make such a mistake? “And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment” (1 Chronicles 12:32). These people had understanding of the times, not the Scriptures. The Scripture was relegated to the background; they had earthly and worldly wisdom to direct and guide the people. We make progress and take decision by going back to the Scriptures. Consultation is good, but somebody in the consulting forum should bring out the Scriptures to guide us. If we are going to inherit what God has promised, we will not just do what is right in our eyes, but we must go back to the word of God and find out His perfect will. We are to do it as God has ordained and prescribed in His word, “Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God” (Deuteronomy 12:28). It must be right in the sight of God and not in the eyes of men. Their problem was that they did not bring in the knowledge of the word of God into their consultation. “Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth” (Proverbs 19:2). Uzza died for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). He had good intentions, wanted to serve the Lord, to prevent the Ark from falling, to preserve His glory. Beware of zeal without the knowledge of God’s will. (Romans 10:2; Proverbs 16:25). We need to give the more earnest heed to the word, will, wisdom, and prescriptions of God that we do not let them slip off from us (Hebrews 2:1).
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). The people who read this verse and still wilfully continue in their sinful acts are not born again. When you are born again, you will have honour for God, and a desire to glorify Him; you bury your own selfish will and desires, to do His will. As you follow the way of the Lord, the blessings of God will come upon your life, forgiveness, freedom and peace will come. You will want to bring the word of God to the center of your service, sacrifice and life, and in carrying out the responsibility and duty that God has given unto you.
David had consultation with the captains, leaders and all the congregation. The decision was good and right in their eyes. However, they neglected the Scriptures in their consultations, and this led to death of Uzza, disappointment of all Israel and desolation of their king. One verse of God’s word is worth more than all the wisdom of all the men who don’t have any submissive heart to the sacred Scriptures. God’s Word is greater than all men. Eventually David realized their error and sin, and still wanted to carry the Ark of God to the place where it should be, but now they did it the right way.
Point 2. THE DEMAND OF UNWAVERING CONSECRATION WITH SANCTIFICATION
1 Chronicles 15:11-15; Leviticus 20:7-8,26; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 2 Timothy 2:19-22; 1 Peter 1:14-16; Ephesians 5:25-27; 1 Thessalonians 5:22-24; Matthew 15:13-14; Mark 8:36,37; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; Proverbs 21:27
God demands that we come to worship Him with clean hands and a pure heart, peace and holiness. He puts sanctification before service, and He wants us to understand that we ought to cleanse ourselves from all things that bring defilement and displeasure unto God. We then serve Him with that consecration and sanctification.
God expects those who bear His vessels to be clean, sanctified (1 Chronicles 15:12; Isaiah 52:11). We must be saved before we can serve the Lord in any area of the kingdom service – children, youths, campus, adult and any area of the ministry, “For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order” (1 Chronicles 15:13). You want to preach repentance, have you repented? You want to preach on forgiveness, sanctification, holiness of heart, have you experienced these yourself? Have the experience that you want to pass across to the church of God.
“Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God” (Leviticus 20:7). On the one hand, you consecrate yourselves unto the Lord, and then He comes to sanctify you. All we learn from the world for our use in the Church – techniques, methodology, the mechanics, technology and other knowledge – we carry out with a sanctified heart, not with the world’s mindset. This is required in the work of the Lord. Sanctification is at the bottom of everything we do in the church. If we do things the way of the world, then it is unacceptable unto God. God will perfect you so that the service you offer unto Him will be acceptable (2 Corinthians 7:1). Uzza’s service was to dishonor; God felt dishonoured, injured, neglected and despised, so he came under judgement. Our service to the Lord brings us together, men and women, but there should be no defilement or youthful lusts among us, we must keep righteousness and purity among us so that our service will be acceptable before God (2 Timothy 2:19-22). We must be obedient children and not allow rebellion and disobedience in our lives if our friend ‘Uzza’ is being disciplined for doing wrong. We are to be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:14-16). Remember in your consultation, people management and service, the word of God must be at the centre and you must abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22-24). There is nothing as important as our salvation to get to heaven. The goal of this church is not to make room for service or employment, but that all count salvation as number one foundation, and sanctification (Matthew 15:13-14). God demands sanctification before service, soul winning, seeking the Lord, sacrifice and giving your substance unto Him (Mark 8:36). “The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?” (Proverbs 21:27). God demands unwavering consecration and sanctification in serving Him.
Point 3. DELIVERANCE FROM UNBEARABLE CONSEQUENCES OF SINFUL SPEECH
1 Chronicles 15:29; 2 Samuel 6:16,20-23; James 3:5-6; Ecclesiastes 5:2,6; 10:13-15,20; Job 42:3; 34:31,32; Psalms 139:23,24
The tongue can bring a lot of trouble as it did to Michal, the daughter of Saul, and wife of David. David did not act according to her expectation, dancing before the Lord without the dignity she had painted in her mind; she thus despised him in her heart and when he came in, lashed him with her tongue. Michal was rendered childless and fruitless because of her tongue. She was the beloved wife of David, because he endangered his life to pay her dowry by getting the foreskins of the Philistines. She was the love of his very heart but her tongue hindered her from fruitfulness. She could have given David the son that will sit on the throne of Israel but her tongue hindered her from fruitfulness. If you despise your leaders in the heart, that can make you fruitless in life and in that office. You came to the service to hear the word of the Lord and to be blessed, not as a coach or to monitor the service proceedings. “Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death” (2 Samuel 6:23). God restrained her from being fruitful. Many so called Christians hinder their own prayers, blessings, happiness, progress, fruitfulness, spiritual growth, help coming to them and getting to heaven, with their tongue. God wants us to surrender our tongues to Christ’s control. Once you despise somebody in your heart, you will speak out rashly and then cause fruitlessness in your life and ministry. “Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?” (Ecclesiastes 5:6). God was angry with Michal for despising David in her heart and she spoke rashly, and she was judged. Don’t let God be angry with you. Your husband if he happens to be the king, Governor, Pastor or leader in the Church, give him the honour that his office requires, and don’t just look at him as your husband. Don’t curse nor talk against the king or your pastor in your bedchamber (Ecclesiastes 10:20). Show the respect that God had shown and put upon them. Michal did not understand spiritual things, so she spoke foolishly and despised the David. There are times you may not understand what that leader is saying or teaching, but don’t despise him in your heart (Job 42:3; 34:31-32). We bring ourselves before the Lord this day to show us where we have gone wrong, that we have denied ourselves of the great blessings we should have, that we bring fruitlessness upon our lives. “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalms 139:23-24). We need to repent from all these sins and then the blessings of God will overflow upon our lives and families in Jesus Name.
Ponder on this! We need to understand that time does not change God’s Word. Kings and princes, human authorities and religious personalities, cannot change the Word of God.
Ponder on this! Consultation is good but somebody in the Consulting forum should bring out the Scriptures to guide us in the consultation. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Ponder on this! Many so called Christians hinder their own prayers, blessings, happiness, progress, fruitfulness, spiritual growth and help coming to them and getting to heaven, with their tongue. God wants us to surrender our tongues to Christ’s control. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Hard Sayings – God demands salvation before ministry (Matthew 15:13-14). God demands sanctification before service, soul winning, seeking the Lord, sacrifice and giving of your substance unto Him (Mark 8:36). Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Reflection – We should pray for the grace of God to always follow the Word, Way, Wisdom, Will and the Prescriptions of God in everything that we do in our personal lives, in families, places of work, and now in the service of the Lord in the Church. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Words on the Marble – Beware of zeal without the knowledge of God’s will. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
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