On this past Sunday Pastor Benji spoke on First Samuel 12, and for the next few days we'll reflect on some of the points made during the sermon "Church and State: Friends or Foes". I'd like to publicly thank Pastor Benji for sharing his sermon notes and for taking time (almost an hour!) out of his busy schedule to talk with me.
In the chapter, the prophet Samuel makes reference to Israel's shift in how leaders were selected. Up to the time of Samuel, leaders were chosen by God and confirmed by the people. But as Samuel grew old, the people expressed displeasure in the process and voiced their desire to follow the pattern of the pagans surrounding them.
God's assessment of the situation, succinctly expressed to Samuel, is a warning we should heed: "They have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me."
Sometimes there are individuals in church, and I'll be specific and say there are individuals in Bronx Bethany, that are quick to reject or dismiss the counsel and vision of the pastoral staff. It's a dangerous position to take, especially in light of First Samuel 12. It's dangerous for two reasons:
-God takes it personally when you malign His chosen servants. Notice that at the moment of the people's rebellion, God took Samuel out of the equation: Samuel, step aside- this is not about you. This is about My will and desire being rejected.
-God gives you what you want and allows you to live with the consequences. This is so reminiscent of an earlier situation where the people of Israel expressed displeasure at God's program: their rejection of the manna He sent and their desire for quail (Exodus 16; Psalm 78:12-33). Moses, step aside. They want quail? I'll give them quail.
So, let's turn the camera onto you. When God presents a thing through His servants, what do you do? Do you receive the word as from the LORD, or do you reject the word and malign the prophet/pastor who gave it?
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