Troublemakers Need Not Apply

We need to learn to love the things God loves and hate the things He hates. It seems that much of the preaching in churches in the last few years focuses on the love of money! Jesus didn’t have one good thing to say about money. He did have a lot to say about loving one another. In fact, He commanded us to love one another, not money! (John 13:34) “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

And then the Lord said in John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep my commandments!”

Trouble isn’t always bad. There were a few good troublemakers in the Bible. Paul and Silas made trouble for one slave owner when they cast the demons out of his best performing fortune teller. Elijah made a heap of trouble for Jezebel when he challenged the prophets of Baal.

I need a few good people who can cause some trouble for the devil, not cause trouble in the Church! I need a few good people who know how to put first things first. I need some people who know how to pray. I need some people who know how to sow peace among the brethren, not discord!

When you gossip and backbite and slander each other, you are tearing down what Jesus is building! Stop it! Stop working against each other and learn how to cover each other with love. The Bible says love covers a multitude of sins – not exposes them! 1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

Your first mission is SUBmission.

Why don’t we hate what God hates? The more mature we are as Christians, the less likely we are to fight. When the apostle Paul lists “the acts of the sinful nature”, sins such as witchcraft, drunkenness and sexual immorality are overshadowed by sins found often in church: “hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy” (Galatians 5:19-21).

We need a little more fruit! On the other hand, the fruit of the Spirit is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Fruit takes time to develop, but there are likely to be few conflicts in a church full of people who are loving, patient, kind and gentle.

Humble yourself! If you have offended or sinned against someone, go, confess and ask forgiveness quickly
(Matthew 5:23-26).

Seek reconciliation! If someone has offended you or sinned against you, go, talk to him or her and seek reconciliation (Matthew 18:15). Sometimes the other person is not even aware that he or she has offended.

Be willing to forgive! (Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 6:14-15)

Pray for unity, peace and love in the church! Jesus did. (John 17:20-23)

Be more concerned with looking for your own sin than with looking for the sins of others (Matthew 7:1-5). Examine yourself and your own motives.

Love your enemies (Matthew 5:43-45). Sometimes those in the church feel like enemies. Jesus told us to love our enemies.

Church, it’s time to put first things first. It’s time to love what Jesus loves and hate what He hates. It’s time to get ourselves aligned with the right priorities. Does anyone want to help me? I’m looking for a few good people who want to line up with the Word of God and agree to build the Kingdom of God, not tear it down! I’m looking for some people who will labor in the Word and prayer to destroy the things that are hindering God’s people!

So, please read this ad carefully. It’s not an easy job, but it has eternal rewards!

God loves you! He really does!