Re: Beheaded for preaching the truth

John, the forerunner of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, was beheaded for the sake of the Gospel.

John, who was the only child of the godly parents, Zachariah and Elizabeth, and a child of their old age had his life cut short for telling King Herode that "it was not lawful to take his brother's wife."

It was a very somber moment; one that caused alot of pain to the parents, disciples, and even Jesus himself.

From the days of John,many have been tortured and mistreated for being God's spokes person.

Contrally to what many think, pastors don't prepare sermons to attack. True,o nce in a while there are pastors who prepare a sermon to address a local issue.

Come to think about it, there is no sermon that is going to go free without one member feeling attacked. But in essence, the reason for going to church so that we can return home changed people. So instead of attacking the messenger, please refer to the sender.

I have been to churches that I know nothing of what's happening and after the sermon, I have been attacked by people who thought I was refering to them.

A case in point is the messages I write in this forum. Pastoral ethics will never allow me to use one of my members. The stories I tell are well chosen and thought of.My method of preaching and writting has always been to save rather than condemn. Even as minister to others, I minister to myself too. As I have always stated, like Paul,I see myself as the chief of sinners. If anyone boasts , that person is not Pr Birai.

Therefore instead of attacking the messenger, ask the Lord what He wants you to do. Will that be fair enoug?

Just a thought
Pr Birai-612-386-4608
Maranatha SDA church,Hopkins,Minnesota