WILL YOU REJECT MY COUNSEL?
Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, Aug. 29, 1999, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia:
WILL YOU REJECT MY COUNSEL?
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 42:19-22
Text: Jeremiah 42:21
Jeremiah 42:21 And now I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, nor any thing for the which he hath sent me unto you.
Introduction:
Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
Several years ago a man named M C came by our house from out of state, seeking my counsel. I let him live at our house for a week, during which time I listened to him, and told him what I believed he should do. The whole time he acted like I was some great man of God. At the end of the week, he did exactly opposite of what I recommended.
This morning our music director was not present for Sunday School or preaching. I had no idea where he was. He did not teach his Sunday School class, nor did he have anyone prepared to teach it for him. He did not let me know he would not be there to handle music today. This afternoon I went by his house and found a note from him. He has left with no notice to his landlord, his employer, his pastor, or his friends, to move to Michigan because he thinks he is in love with a woman who has an interracially mixed baby. He has never even met the woman. He had told me about three weeks ago that he was in love with the woman. I told him that he was too hasty, too unrestrained, and was making a mistake. He rejected my counsel and has now gone suddenly. Some time ago, he said God called him to start a bus route here (not in Michigan). Many people gave to pay for the bus. Now it appears he has rejected God’s calling, as well as rejecting my counsel.
Will you reject my counsel?
God gives His people pastors for counsel. The relationship of pastor and people is not just a matter of preaching to Christians who respond by going down an aisle to pray if they have committed murder the week before. God gives Christians pastors to guide them through life’s journey.
I. DON’T REJECT MY COUNSEL ABOUT DELIVERANCE FROM SIN
Acts 28:23-24 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. 24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
A. About the supernatural requirements of salvation
B. About the strait road of salvation
C. About the simple reception of salvation
II. DON’T REJECT MY COUNSEL ABOUT THE DANGERS OF SATAN
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
The above verse was written to pastors, who had just been told in the context to oversee God’s flock and feed them.
A. He DOES seek you
B. He DOES set traps for you – Luke 22:31
C. He DOES seduce you
D. He DOES sidetrack you
III. DON’T REJECT MY COUNSEL ABOUT DIRECTION IN SERVICE
Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Ephesians 4:11-15 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
A. Be SURE to be in God’s place for you
B. Be SURE to get God’s purpose for you
C. Be SURE to get God’s preparation for you to fulfil His purpose
IV. DON’T REJECT MY COUNSEL ABOUT DRIFTING FROM STEDFASTNESS
2 Peter 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
A. In your convictions aboiut the scriptures
B. In your communion with the Savior
C. In your contributing to the storehouse
D. In your closeness to the saints
E. In your concern for souls
Be AWARE! It can happen to YOU!
YOU can drift, too!
YOU can backslide, too!
YOU can get cold, too!
Listen to your preacher! Get right with God! STAY right with God!