Open Heaven 9 October 2019 Devotional By Pastor E.A Adeboye – Don’t Bury Them Yet!
Topic: Don’t Bury Them Yet!
Memorise: Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. – Galatians 6:1
Read: John 8:1-11 (KJV)
1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Bible in One Year: 1 Chronicles 21-22, Revelation 4
MESSAGE: There are many unpleasant prophesies about people’s attitude and character in the end times, which are bound to be fulfilled. It is the responsibility of every believer living in times as these to avoid the fulfilment of such prophecies in their lives. One of such properties is the abhorrent act of brother giving up brother to death and children rising up against their parents. The prophecy was given by the Lord in Matthew 10:21, which says:
“And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.”
Unfortunately, this is happening in the Body of Christ today. He then further said in Matthew 18:7
“Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!”
Even though these prophesies of the Lord are bound to be fulfilled, do not allow them to be fulfilled in your life through your conduct and interpersonal relationship with the brethren. When an individual gives his life to Christ genuinely, he or she becomes a member of God’s family (John 1:12). All other believers in Christ become his or her brothers and sisters. In such a big and complex family, disagreements are bound to arise.
A brother or sister may err and fall, but this should not be the end of their Christian journey. It is the responsibility of other members of the family to ensure that such precious souls are brought back to their feet in right standing with God.
Unfortunately, in these last days, instead of looking out to stabilize the weak and restore the fallen, some so-called brethren sit in judgement against other brethren. Some of them even mastermind the fall of fellow brethren, thereby fulfilling the Lord’s prophecies. Some other brethren do not cause the fall of others but watch out for faults in their lives in order to crucify them.
Contrary to this attitude, the Holy Spirit admonishes us in today’s memory verse to work with every sense of humility towards restoring brethren who have fallen, understanding that we ourselves can be tempted and taken in our weaknesses.
Open Heaven 9 October 2019 – Don’t Bury Them Yet!
There are indeed modern-day Pharisees in the Church today. It is sad that brethren bury other brethren who are in spiritual coma, instead of working to revive them of life. We must be like our Master who said in Luke 9:56a:
“For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”
The Lord is speaking to those who have constituted themselves as accusers of other brethren to repent today. Are you one of such?
Action Point: With the help of the Holy Spirit, make efforts to restore those who have erred and have fallen into sin.
Open Heaven 9 October 2019 Hymn 5: Let Others See Jesus In You
1 While passing thro’ this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.
Chorus:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.
2 Your life’s a book before their eyes,
They’re reading it thro’ and thro’
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you?
3 Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.
Open Heaven 9 October 2019 Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.