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Topic: Don’t be an Accomplice
(Open Heaven 25 July 2019)
Memorise: “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” – Romans 1:32
Read: Acts 5:1-11 (KJV)
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
Bible in One Year: Judges 1-2, Ezekiel 22:6-22
Open Heaven 25 July 2019 Thursday MESSAGE:
Today, we will be reflecting on an area of compromise in the Body of Christ which the Lord wants us to repent of. This has to do with partaking in other men’s sin, whether by supporting, celebrating or turning a blind eye to their misdeeds. The reason why The Redeemed Christian Church of God is perceived by some to be rigid on certain matters is because we are conscious of the possibility of being an accomplice to heresies. We prefer to give God the benefit of the doubt rather than take things for granted- after all, it is safer to be overly obedient than to fall prey to sin.
Today’s memory verse is strong food for thought for the Body of Christ. Through it, we understand that God’s wrath is revealed from heaven not only against those who commit acts that He hates, but also against those who have pleasure in those that do them. Some pastors would say, “what is my business if a man divorces his wife and marries another woman? It is their problem, not mine.” However, such pastors are not just witnesses but accomplices to joining of two spiritually incompatible partners through remarriage, thereby approving of those who have gone against the Lord’s instruction in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11. May you not be partaker of sins you did not directly commit in Jesus’ Name. (1 Timothy 5:22)
In times past, we were taught that it was not enough to abstain from alcohol; we were also expected not to serve it to others to drink. Habakkuk 2:15 says:
“Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!”
This was how my old friend knew that a change had occurred in me after I gave my life to Christ. When I started serving them soft drinks instead of whisky and champagne, they thought I had gone crazy. Another area of compromise that makes believers accomplice to sin is when they allow fraud to be perpetrated under their noses and do nothing about it. There is a Yoruba adage which says, “The one who collects the stolen cruse of oil is as guilty as the one who actually stole it from the kitchen rack.” This same principle applies to those who allow their homes to be used for immoral acts. Although some young Christians would not fornicate, they allow their unbelieving friends bring their girlfriends to commit sexual immorality in their houses. In the sight of God, they are as guilty as those committing the act. The giver of the bribe is as guilty as the taker of it. Don’t be an accomplice to corrupt practices. The Lord is watching you, and He is coming back soon.
Open Heaven 25 July 2019 Thursday Prayer Point:
Father, please give me boldness to resist being an accomplice of evil doers, in Jesus’ Name.
Open Heaven 25 July 2019 Thursday 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.
