Imagine travelling from Africa to Europe to start a Church, purchasing instruments amounting to over €16,000, with attendance growing to 250 members. Then you appoint a pastor and set him over the congregation. Then one day, you decide to go and visit the Church after many years. The pastor you appointed instructs the people to call you up and literally warn you not to step foot into that Church, otherwise your blood will flow! How preposterous!
So, you simply let them know that it is rather their blood that will flow- and return to your country. Fast forward to two weeks or so later, there is a brawl in that very Church, with people using knives and bloodshed everywhere!
So was the terrible ordeal Bishop Matthew Addae-Mensah recounted concerning a Church he started in Germany. Indeed, rebellion is something you wouldn't want to get caught up in.
During the second night of the "Where 2 or 3 are Gathered" Pastors/Ministers' Seminar, Bishop taught on Spiritual Authority, highlighting the stages of disloyalty.
He explained, "The call is by God but He will use men to train you to be what He wants you to be. You are accountable not only to God but to those He has set over you...Understanding spiritual authority gives you longevity in ministry."
"God will not allow the work that is done to go waste because of someone's foolishness, " the man of God went on.
Reading from Joshua 14:7-8, Bishop taught attendees to wholly follow the Lord.
Teaching on the stages of disloyalty, Bishop Matthew adumbrated the following:
# Murmuring
# Rebuking Leaders
# Disobedience
# Open Rebellion
On murmuring, the man of God read from Exodus 16:1-2, elucidating that when you talk against leadership, you are actually referring to God.
He hinted, "Murmuring is part of human nature. The cure for it is teaching. Every good pastor must learn to kill the spirit of complaining. Always have a message that kills the spirit of murmuring so that the glory of God can be seen. God literally hates murmuring. Where there is murmuring, the Holy Spirit cannot work and faith is of none effect."
Next, he talked about rebuking leaders and referred to Exodus 17:1-4.
The man of God pointed out that the absence of essential things can make people complain.
He also noted that the people kept complaining because they lacked faith. What they needed to do was to trust in the Lord.
We must feed them with the Word of faith and encourage them in the Lord.
Thirdly, Bishop referred to Numbers 12:1-10, and taught on rebuking leaders.
He poignantly posited, "You may not agree with all the leader says but you must obey. God demands total obedience...As you obey, God will make the whole thing clearer to you."
Bishop continued, "If you have the details, you will not need faith. Don't seek the details else you will fail. All God needs from you is obedience...Don't ever encourage talking and complaining and murmuring against leadership. Don't sit with unnecessary rumours. It is very dangerous! "
He charged the Clergy to honour and respect authority and also challenged us to follow our leaders with our hearts, doing everything to fight for leadership.
Bishop finally zoomed in on open rebellion. He read from Numbers 14:1-2, 8-10, 28 and explained that the reality is sometimes an evil report.
Bishop announced, "God sent you there to change the status quo. If the people don't like coming to Church, ensure that they do. If the people don't like coming to Church on time, ensure that they do. If the people don't like giving, encourage them to be givers...God sent us as agents of change. We are sent to do what is considered impossible! "
He taught the Clergy that no matter the problem you have, don't wish for death. When you have a problem, face it and take it to God in prayer. Be a man of faith because this is the work of faith.
Bishop also disclosed that the devil always uses the fifth column within the Church to try to fight her. He never uses outsiders. Look at Judas and Jesus!
Bishop made it known that the spirit of rebellion closes your eyes and ears to all good counsel. Without revelation, you judge stuff according human standards.
If you are not faithful in that of another man, God won't give you yours. Sometimes, the anointed will not hear anything but the anointing will fight.
In closing, Bishop taught the attendees to give themselves to wholly to these things and expounded that understanding these things will help you to grow and prosper (Psalm 119:104).
He also charged the Clergy to control our hearts with the Word of God (Jeremiah 17:9).
Reading from Jeremiah 48:10, he also admonished the labourers present to be transparent, explaining that what is in your heart is important (Proverbs 4:23).
Remember that what you cannot do, God gives you grace to do when you obey Him, even if you can't.
Bishop (Elect) Dr. Nana Yiadom-Boakye then led the Clergy in a time of heartfelt prayer for an obedient heart.
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