October 24, 2015 Year B
Jeremiah 29:24-32
There are times when people get out of control in the church. These rebels preach a message that God did not speak and work contrary to the leaders God has appointed in the church. These “rebel scum” work in complete opposition to the Lord’s purposes. They preach a prosperity Gospel that says that Christians won’t suffer (Jeremiah 29:30), though they live in captivity. They don’t accept God’s will as it is, but say a lie to get people to follow them instead of God (Jeremiah 29:32).
Shemaiah the Nehelamite spoke a message that was contrary to the prophet Jeremiah and worked to defy him (Jeremiah 29:24-27). People who act like this against God’s anointed are rebel scum. They are not interested in peace, but dissension and division. Therefore, these rebels will never see peace (Jeremiah 29:32).
Have you every noticed people like that? They are never content with unity in the church. Instead, they are always stirring up trouble. They don’t want peace in the church and as a matter of fact they have little peace in their own lives. The wish to rebel against the authority God has set for them. They are willing to lie to others to oppose God’s authority in the church.
What happens to these rebel scum? They end up destroying their own lives. Unlike the rebels with a true cause who oppose Satan’s empire, these rebels are out to hurt others. In the end, they hurt themselves.
Prayer: God, please help me learn how to pray for and deal with those who rebel against church leadership in a way that honors You.
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