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Review content:
Folks, whether we are members of a congregation or we are charged as leaders of God’s people, we all sin and fall short. None of us deserve God’s grace, but He extends it to all who confess their sins and trust in Jesus Christ. Scripture provides an interesting contrast between the Apostle Paul (who was about to be imprisoned) and the self-proclaimed apostle at Lakeview. A quick reading of the following passage is sufficient to expose Lakeview’s false apostle:\r
Acts 20:17-35 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to them,\r
“You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.\r
“And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face. Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”\r
Just in case you missed it, note, in particular, verse thirty which describes wolves as leaders who speak perverse things, to DRAW AWAY DISCIPLES AFTER THEM(SELVES). This is a much higher priority at Lakeview than encouraging repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
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