FOR EVERY YOUNG MINISTER 2 (A MUST READ)

FOR EVERY YOUNG MINISTER 2 (A MUST READ)

Lessons from David 2

By Pastor Segun Onayinka

One of the critical points in leadership is how you handle your own errors .

You will make mistakes and experience moments of indiscretions.

These can be a lesson for you and others or otherwise.

Scriptures teach us to learn of and from these.

1 Corinthians 10:11-13 KJV

[11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12] Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

13] There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Sin remains sin under the two dispensations.

Never mind some exuberance of some drunk "grace folks"

David was a man after Gods heart.

Hitherto, we learnt of his faithfulness. He learnt to keep "few sheep" and thus could keep Gods sheep- Israel.

This doesn't immune him from temptation and errors.

Let's see a typical one.

2 Samuel 11:2 KJV

[2] And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.

Most indiscretions occur during our lay about moments,relaxing ,surfing the net etc

From what we see and read.

When you are careless with your eyes and ears, you court sin.

He followed up with series of actions.

Let's skip these motions, our lessons are weightier and more important than his motions here.

Enter the Prophet Nathan.

2 Samuel 12:7 KJV

[7] And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

He judged him.

Now ,a similar incidence had happened to his predecessor ,it will be of good note to compare and contrast.

1 Samuel 15:13-15 KJV

[13] And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the Lord : I have performed the commandment of the Lord .

14] And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?

15] And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.

He lied.

He did what we call "packaging" today.

His media team worked a good show ,to re brand, repackage the act

There's yet more.

God doesn't do rebranding.

Even after the Prophet Samuel pointed it out to him.

1 Samuel 15:19 KJV

[19] Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord , but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord?

He kept trying to rebrand and repackage it.

Quick check - whilst Samuel ordained (anointed) Saul, Nathan didn't ordain David. So, really Saul should have been in better deference than David, but not so for haughty personalities.

As soon as they are on air, popular, seen miracles and crowds, they despise every body who made their journey so.

This was a man in 1 Samuel 10 who literally hung on to Samuels words.

Many waters have passed under the bridge, he's now a God's general, apostle.

5000 FB friends and still counting, he's on YouTube, TBN etc.

Who is Samuel?

God merely used him, he could have used another.

That's how we sound when we have overgrown ourselves.

Let's revisit again

Two more take aways.

1 Samuel 15:24-26 KJV

[24] And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord , and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.

25] Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord .

26] And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord , and the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.

He succumbs eventually, but not in sincerity.

He only did because he could see Samuel had greater insight to the facts.

As said in verse 22,

To obey is better than speaking in tongues.

Let's examine David.

2 Samuel 12:13 KJV

[13] And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord.

That was all he said!

No rebranding ,no press release ,no trying to quickly hold a program to cover up.

Many times saying Nothing is wiser and more sincere.

David saw through this .

Now see the more critical detail.

2 Samuel 12:16-17 KJV

[16] David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. [17] And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.

David sought God.

All his ministry team members weren't oblivious of his error.

His error didn't make him less in their sights .

God does this for us.

I hear some preachers Boast around like "I don't do mistakes, I have always been walking perfectly in life and ministry"

Holly wood stunts.

When the cookie crumbles as always, they now run to media cover up.

You are entitled to God's and our forgiveness, no need to act superficial.

Read Saul

1 Samuel 15:30 KJV

[30] Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord thy God.

What!

Okay, I agree I am rejected but let's appear together on the pulpit.

Let's prophesy together.

Let men still see me as "anointed "

When the power is off the domestic fans, we now try to get the air to artificially make it work.

Several younger ministers are repeating this error so early.

Their ministries rely on media branding, false miracles, testimonies etc .

Let's just make it appear like, it's working!

Rather than seek God, we seek men's attention and approval.

Stupidity!

One day, the chicken will come home to roost.

Craving for limelight has become the past time of many younger folks ,learning the errors of the older ones but not from it.

David was a sincere man.

Paul teaches the importance of sincerity in ministry.

2 Corinthians 4:2 KJV

[2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

No dishonesty, half truths, deceit .

Handle the ministry in truth.

It's more appalling that some like sycophants. Those who help you with these lies.

Notice paul used "we". Ensure you don't build a team of liars, co -liars.

A young ministry must be careful with accolades.

I learnt this early enough.

Dad Hagin will say "be dead to the praises of men"

Yongi Cho reiterated this "the praises of men are like chewing gum, chew but never swallow"

When we court praises and rely on media and people's applaud, we often forget God and the men He uses for us, hence when we go wrong, for us PR is the more important.

Earlier on David experienced this temptation.

1 Samuel 18:6-7 KJV

[6] And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.

7] And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

Don't mind them, David killed Goliath not thousands.

That's peeps for you, they will over blow your results for you.

Don't take the poisoned chalice, its a bait.

Remain your sincere self, maintain your innocence and simplicity.

Don't forget you are just a man!

Paul went through the same

Acts 14:11 KJV

[11] And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

Imagine, a miracle made possible by Gods power only.

Yet many will call you" Apostle of the last days" "Paul of our time" "The messenger of the covenant"

Paul responded quickly

Acts 14:15 KJV

[15] And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you..

The term passion means desires, weakness etc. Stop the nonsense before it stops you.

Admit you are human, admit you can be wrong and when you are wrong.

To Read Part 1 Click Here

1 Timothy 1:19 KJV

[19] Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

A good conscience, a heart that responds to correction and is dead to adulation and men's exaltation.

Let's take this cue from David, even in Christ Jesus today .

Let's be simple, contrite and maintain our innocence.

Have a blessed day ahead 

Jesus is Lord, I call You blessed!

Pst Segun Onayinka.