Rebellion

Sunday Afternoon Message from Pastor Roy:

We have been through a lot in our United Methodist Church, other denominations also, our local Churches and in our Country. Leadership and CoVid are problems but not insurmountable for God. I hear people asking why God is letting this happen. I hear people saying God is punishing us for our sins as a country. I hear God isn't in control but is just letting things happen. I’m here to say God is in control. We are out of control!

Korah led a revolt against Moses; Korah died, along with all his co-conspirators, when God caused "the earth to open her mouth and swallow him and all that appertained to them" (Numbers 16:31-33). However, "the children of Korah died not" (Numbers 26:11).

Some 1,500 years after Korah’s rebellion, Jude records a strong warning about such men who come into the church as false teachers, to take without justification to themselves the authority of God and His Word: “Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion” (Jude 1:11). The characteristics of false teachers within the church include pride, selfishness, jealousy, greed, lust for power, and disregard for the will of God. Just like Korah, today’s false teachers disregard God’s plan as outlined in His Word. Their end will be the same as Korah’s. Thus the warning: “Woe to them!”

In this relationship to Scripture the rebellious Church Leaders, Leaders of Countries, Leaders of anything that gives them expansive power and those leaders in any way have responsibilities to those in their care. The rebellious leader seem to all have the same characteristics that shows up in evil ways: pride, selfishness, jealousy, greed, lust for power, and disregard for the will of God even when they proclaim belief in him. Korah caused chaos, confusion and disruption of leadership while trying to take power. Finally God had enough and he took action.

Good leaders are who we want to lead us and they have characteristics also:

1. They are humble servants. Luke 22:26

2. They do not tolerate wrongdoing. Proverbs 16:12

3. They are honest and open. Psalm 43:3

4. They make rules that people will be glad to follow.

5. They protect their people. Psalm 139:10

6. They are merciful and compassionate. Isaiah 49:10

7. They do not tempt people to do evil. Matthew 6:13

8. They are knowledgeable and mindful. Matthew 15:14

9. They lead in peacefulness and godliness. 1 Timothy 2:2

10. Their words are respectful. 2 Timothy 2:16

11. They are hardworking. Romans 12:8

12. They have good advisers around them. Proverbs 11:14

13. They are faithful leaders who work based on love. Isaiah 16:5

14. They have the will to serve; they’re not greedy for money. 1 Peter 5:2

15. They lead by example. 1 Peter 5:2-3

16. They got skills and integrity. Psalm 78:72

17. They are prudent, not hasty. Luke 14:31

18. Finally, they are a good role model to anyone. 1 Timothy 3:1-3

We should vote, run for office, support righteous leaders and do all that we can to have the leaders that comply with God’s word. They should have the correct characteristics according to the Bible. To me all of this, in the end, can be simple at the root of it all. We need to get people to see the truth in who God is. What Jesus did for us. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Within this they need to see the rewards for living a Christ centered life.

In the end those that wont listen to us or humble themselves to God the correct answer that I see is what the Apostle Paul did:

1 Timothy 1:20

Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples. I threw them out and handed them over to Satan so they might learn not to blaspheme God.

----Worshiping Satan (not doing Gods will as taught in His Word) is the abandonment of God and seen as blasphemy.

“Threw them out” today means praying for them, not associating with them except to try to get them to see the Light of God. It’s not a physical thing to be done. It is a spiritual thing to be done.

(For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 NLT)

If they have committed a crime according to the legal laws of the land then they should be prosecuted by proper authority.

Christian Get in the Fight! Stay in the fight! Fight with all your might!