TOPIC: DEAL WITH ALL DETRACTORS
TEXT: NEH. 4:1-3; 1 CHRO. 1:1, 11-13; 2:1; 7:16-22;
1 KINGS 11:1-11; DAN. 6:1-11.
INTRODUCTION
There is bound to be resistance divine assignments that will attract uncommon reward as long as it is unto the Lord. Whether it is in evangelizing, planting of churches, giving to God - His work and His people, missionary efforts, building for God or even in our personal and corporate devotions and commitments to God. This can come in various ways and unless we are quite aware and alert, we may end up in giving up on such assignments due to discouragements, frustrations or even an over assessment of our selves arising from pride and all attendant human frailties.
In this era of the Decade of multiplication, and especially in our year of common reward, each and every one of us needs to be focused and consistent so that all that God intends to accomplish in us and through us will not be jeopardized by distractions and detractors. If we are not aware of these, we will be retarding our own progress in God’s kingdom and the threat we posed to Satan’s kingdom in accomplishing God’s purpose for our lives. One of the things we must realize all the time is that we have an unyielding enemy who will never give up. However, praise be to God who has fortified us for any emergency through the victory of Jesus Christ on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. Let us quickly consider the following:
I. PERSONAL DISTRACTIONS (GAL. 5:19-21)
A. Lack of self discipline/self control.
B. Prayerlessness.
C. Unwise use of our time, talent and treasure.
D. Laziness
E. Procrastinations.
F. Uncommon carnality in our lives.
G. Loosing our vital communion with God.
H. Indecision.
I. Cowardice.
II. PERSONAL DETRACTORS (1 COR. 6:14-7:1)
A. Wrong Priorities
B. Unholy Alliances.
C. Unforgiving Spirit.
D. Doubts.
III. EXTERNAL DISTRACTIONS (1 JOHN 2:15-14; JAMES 4:1-4)
A. Love of the World/ compromise with the world
B. Lust of the eyes
C. Lust of the flesh
D. The pride of Life.
IV. EXTERNAL DETRACTORS (ACTS 4:1-22; 5:17-32)
A. Unjust Governmental Laws
B. Persecution from others
1. Religious fanatics
2. Enemies of God and of Christ.
3. Family
4. Friends
5. Neighbours
6. Outright Satanic and demonic attacks
7. False prophets, apostles, pastors and teachers and brethren within the body of Christ.
V. OVERCOMING DISTRACTIONS AND DETRACTORS.
A. Consistency of life and Focus (1 Cor. 9:24-26).
B. Progressing and growing Christian life (2 Pet. 1:3-11).
C. Putting on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18).
D. Having an overcoming mentality (Rev. 12:11).
E. Absolute Trust and Faith in the God of all possibilities (Mark 11:22-24).
F. Realizing that God is not a debtor and He is the rewarder of those that diligently seek Him (1 Cor. 15:58).
G. Be strong and of good courage (Jos. 1:9).
CONCLUSION
We should note that distractions cause delays, kill dreams, visions and waste our time and resources. Detractors do not only cause delays but they tend to destroy. This is the reason why by the grace of God, we must deal with all forms of distractions and detractors as we move forward in this our Decade of Multiplication and our year of uncommon reward. May God of uncommon reward breath His favor upon us and enable us to achieve all that He desires for our lives and ministries.
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