A FALLEN BROTHER…
WE DON’T KNOW THE ORIGIN OF THE PHRASE, “MISERY LOVES COMPANY” BUT IT IS TRUE. THE WORLD AND SADLY THE CHURCH SEEMS TO RELISH IT WHEN A BROTHER, AND IN PARTICULAR, A PREACHER, IS IN TROUBLE. C. S. LEWIS SAID THAT THE CHRISTIAN ARMY IS THE ONLY ARMY THAT SHOOTS IT’S WOUNDED. FOR SOME SADISTIC REASON, WHEN WE SEE A PREACHER FALL OR IN TROUBLE, IT SEEMS TO GIVE SOLICE TO OUR OWN FAULTS AND TROUBLES. AN UNWED PREGNANT DAUGHTER, A SON IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW OR SCHOOL, PERHAPS AN UNFAITHFUL WIFE, JUST TO NAME A FEW. WE OURSELVES MAY BE INVOLVED WITH LUST OF THE FLESH OR SOME OTHER SIN. THESE ARE SUBJECTS WE PREACH ON ALL THE TIME AND ADMONISH OTHERS TO AVOID. HOW THEN, WE ASK, CAN THESE THINGS BE HAPPENING TO ME, THE PREACHER? HOW COME I OR MY FAMILY HAS FALLEN?
WE HAVE NOTICED THAT THESE TROUBLES SEEM TO HAPPEN MOST OFTEN WHEN THERE IS GROWTH IN A CHURCH…WHEN A CHURCH IS GETTING READY TO “TAKE OFF” FOR THE LORD. THAT IS THE TIME THAT THE DEVIL STRIKES. IF THE DEVIL IS NOT ATTACKING YOU, YOU MAY NEED TO EXAMINE YOUR SERVICE TO JESUS AND HIS KINGDOM. DON’T LET THE DEVIL AND HIS ATTACKS DRIVE YOU FROM THE PREACHING THE WORD. BECAUSE OF TROUBLES, WE OFTEN THINK THAT WE CAN BE OF NO MORE SERVICE TO GOD…BUT OUR PRIDE OVER-RIDES HIS WORD.
Ec. 7:8…Better [is] the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: [and] the patient in spirit [is] better than the proud in spirit.
Ro. 12:12…Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
I Peter 1:7…That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
NO ONE SINNED MORE THAT PAUL. I TIM. 1:15…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. GOD EVEN USED A DONKEY TO DELIVER HIS MESSAGE AND HE CAN USE YOU. THE TROUBLE YOU ARE EXPERIENCING MIGHT SEEM EASY TO AVOID, IF YOU SLIP BACK INTO THE WORLD. DON’T BELIEVE THIS LIE FROM HELL. BUT REMEMBER THE WORDS OF OUR LORD, “THE WORLD HATES YOU”. [John15:19] YOU HAVE NOT FALLEN FROM GRACE OR YOU WOULDN’T BE HERE AT SHECHEM. GOD LOVES YOU AND WANTS TO RESTORE THE JOY HE HAS PROMISED TO YOU. IT MAY SEEM THAT WE HAVE LOST A BATTLE, BUT REMEMBER, THE WAR IS OVER AND JESUS HAS WON!
Ro. 8:1…[There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
