NO COVER-UPS! - Part 2

MONDAY, 17TH  OCTOBER, 2022.

Topic: NO COVER-UPS! – Part 2

MEMORIZE: "For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known" (Luke 12:2).

SCRIPTURE READING: LUKE 12:1-12.

“In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. "For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. "Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. "And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. "But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! "Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. "Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. "But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. "And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. "Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. "For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."”

EXPOSITION:

1. The Pharisees, a Puritan sect, with all its members and clergy, descended into moral bankruptcy of monumental hypocrisy v1. Lewt me ask you this question: What is the Jesus' verdict about your present denomination? Where do you stand in God's reckoning? It is high time you should pray for your Church that it will not descend into superficiality and hypocrisy. Also pray for yourself that, if you are already enmeshed in hypocrisy, the Lord will bring you out and deliver you.

2. Those things you think are hidden from others, unknown to you, are already revealed to many. And those not yet revealed to any will come to lime light though you yourself, your 'confidants', circumstances or divine revelation in a matter of time. The succour only comes from timely confession and forgiveness from God and those offended if you want to avoid shame and embarrassment vv2,3, Acts 24:16.

3. Wisdom: The Person to fear is the One who has the final say over your life and that is God vv. 4-9.

a. The worst man can do is to kill the body v4.

b. Only God can kill the soul and condemn it in hell fire forever v5.

c. In fact, no man can even kill you, while on the pathway of obedience to God, without God's consent. You are totally protected vv6,7.

d. Therefore stand and speak for the truth and Christ at all times vv8,9,11,12.

PRAYER POINTS:

i. Pray for your Church that it will not descend into superficiality and hypocrisy.

ii. Pray for yourself that, if you are already enmeshed in hypocrisy, the Lord will bring you out and deliver you.

iii. Holy Spirit, give me boldness and courage to always stand and speak for the truth at all times.

iv. Pray for the "Pharisees" in your Church that God will convict and deliver them from hypocrisy.

v. Oh Lord, I hereby confess all my sins to you (mention those you can remember); give me courage, grace and wisdom to confess to those I have wronged🙏

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DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Matthew 12-15