August 21st 2024.

ARE YOU SENT BY GOD?

John1:6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, NLT

I heard about a man who went to the mountain to pray. He was heard saying, "Lord, if you don't call me, I'll call myself". It is possible to pursue a self imposed vision and preach a self composed message without being sent. There are many 'unsent' people in ministry today delivering a copied message.

After Absalom died, Joab sent a Cushite to deliver the message of Absalom's death to David. Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok who was not sent, outran the Cushite to deliver the message but when David heard him, he couldn't make any sense out of what he said. David told him to step aside.

When you preach a message that is not given to you, you'll end up confusing your listeners. When the Cushite, the man who was sent, delivered his message, David understood him properly and he was filled with emotions (2Sam18:20-33).

The old prophet delivered a message that was not given to him to the young prophet. The result of that was the death of a young promising prophet who had a bright future in ministry. That's why the lives and destinies of some people have been damaged under hirelings.

Sent men preach life but unsent men damage destinies.

True ministry begins with a sense of calling by God and the progression of your ministry must be done based on how you were sent.

Did God really send you or you sent yourself? What about that program you're doing? Are you sure you're not trying to use it to prove a point? Some persons do programs to prove they can, some pioneer church out of 'I can do it'. Little wonder there are many dry and cold pulpits today.

There are many echoes in ministry today but few voices.

There are those who copy the programs and concepts of another ministry thinking if they do same, they'll "blow". They copy to the point of copying the name of another ministry and adding theirs to it.

Some are always scavenging for the message of another preacher, no originality about their message. They no longer spend time in prayers and study. Such people end up preaching cold messages to cold people who may keep shouting, "ride on Pastor".

John the Baptist was a man sent by God. He had a divine mandate and message. His message was short but impactful. Devoid of theatrics and manipulation. We can summarize it as: "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand".

Due to this, we were told that: "John was like a burning and shining lamp,..."(John5:35 NLT). Knowing your calling and staying true to the message given to you is a good way to make full proof of your calling. Stop copying others.