GOD PAVES THE WAY
Remember God has always paved the way for you when people you help and show love to repay you with rejection and dishonesty. And he does it because he loves you.
That was the gist of the message delivered during the Sunday morning worship service via Facebook Live at Prayers by Faith Ministries by Pastor Gerard Duncan, founder and pastor of the church located in the historic old Mount Carmel Baptist Church at 429 NW Fourth St. The title of the sermon was “By Your Stripes.” The scripture text was from II Corinthians 11:17-33.
The stripes refer to the suffering Apostle Paul suffered. Duncan said Paul was shipwrecked three times, lashed, beaten with rods and suffered many perils at the hands of his countrymen. He said Paul was concerned for the Christians in the church of Corinth that he founded. Paul found the Christians repaid him with immorality, paganism, secularism, sexual misbehavior, idolatry and claims of superiority over everyone.
Paul expected Christians to have high moral standards, but when he held them accountable, they questioned and challenged his authority.
“The church he established questioned his record of accountability.” Duncan said. ”People he helped with the concern of love to do right, they turned on him.”
God wants to speak to believers, but because of their busy schedule, they don’t study the Bible as much as they should. Paul helped people in every way he could, but these people conspired to hurt him, Duncan said.
Paul was heartbroken, the people were doing things against God’s teaching and rejected him when he held them accountable. Moreover, Paul’s concern was out of love and caring for the people, Duncan said.
“Jesus said if you love me, keep my commandments,” Duncan said. “Some people want to continue living in darkness, but part of them want God and that’s why you don’t give up. God has placed you in their lives to help them. We can’t stop helping and loving the people. Whatever we do is unto the Lord.
“To be Christ-like is to surrender my life and give all to live 'Christ-like.' Paul accepted the call, and surrendered his life to follow Jesus.”