TOPIC: THE INEVITABLE TRIALS OF TRUE BELIEVERS

This is an extract from the teachings of Pastor Lazarus Muoka (General Overseer) on a Saturday's Workers Meeting Of the Lord's Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries.

Teacher: pastor Lazarus muoka.

Topic: The Inevitable Trials Of True Believers

Date: 30-11-14

2corinthians 11:24-28, 12:1-11, 2 Timothy 3:10-12, Hebrew 12:11

Many believers are ignorant of the truth, when hearing the word, they are moved with zealousness. Many seek to be evangelist, Pastors, prophets etc in other for them to serve God with all their hearts. They don't seem to realise that there are trials, persecutions, challenges, temptations and opposition that await them. For one to go to heaven their must be trials and persecutions.

Ephesians 5:27, 1 Corinthians 10:1-4.

As a believer, if you don't pass through trials and persecution, it means you are going to the wrong heaven, thus, the heaven you are going to is questionable. Heaven is a place of holiness; no compromiser, sinner, backslider will enter into it. It is for those believers who have been tested and tried and they overcame, those are the ones that heaven is made for.

When trials comes your way as a believer, you don't have to complain, murmur or blame anyone, but remain strong and unshakeable. A believer that doesn't complain and murmur in times of trial, persecution and temptation has knowledge and understanding.

Romans 8:35-39.

The disciples of Jesus had knowledge and understanding, in the time of their trials and persecutions, they new very well that come what may, what mattered most for them was to make heaven at last, thus, they stood their ground till death and today they are in glory. So as a believer, no matter what you are passing through, you need to understand that you are not the only one passing through it, other believers before you passed through it and some presently are also passing through it. So, it is nothing new, only stay strong and not be moved.

1. The Reasons and Examples

No believer can enter heaven without passing through severe trials, persecution and temptations. For that is the only way to heaven, their is no other way.

Matthew  7:13-14 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

Exodus  13:17 "And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: 18. But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt."

The children of Israel were led by God through the way of the wilderness. God was aware that there was a shorter way which they could pass to get to the promised land, but he decided to take them the way of the wilderness.

Trials makes you never to look back to Egypt (world or sin) or even desire to return there. Because by the time you remember what you have suffered, which is also a lesson, you will never go back. Every trials and persecution that comes your way is allowed by God in other to make you a better and strong believer.

Acts  14:22 "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."

If you are a believer and their is no trials and persecutions, then you have to check yourself, it is a sign that you are on the wrong track. It could be that you are a compromiser, backslider or that you are still living in sin.

Job 1:1-22. Job, with all his riches and wealth was tried because God allowed it. If you are going through trials, it is because God permitted it. If God never permitted it, then it can never come your way. And when you are going through trials and persecutions, never you in anyway murmur or complain, close your mouth and worship God and give him glory. No matter how anointed you are as a man of God, you must go through trials. Whether you a rich man or poor man, you must go through trials as a believer. After all moses went through the wilderness, are you more powerful or anointed than moses? Why God allow trials in our lives is that, it makes us humble and depend solely on God alone. Without trials we would end up being prideful. All the earthly glory brings pride and makes one puff up. And being a man of God without trial, you may end up claiming to be God, or rubbing shoulder with God.

2 Corinthians  12:7-10 "And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

God allow trial to perfect holiness in you; a man that will depend on God solely with all his heart. Therefore God will use everything to make you to become humble.

Revelation 12:7-10, Hebrew 12:1-11.

you must follow the word of God, then, by so doing you will not make mistake. But if you reject the word of God and follow it not, then you will crash. Holiness can't be achieved without trials.

John  12:23-24 "And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."

Philippians  2:4-8"Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

If any believer is shying away from persecutions or trials, such a person is not fit for the kingdom.

Matthew  10:24-25 "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.   It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?"

2. Our Response And Result

In any promotional exam on earth, if the individual fail to pass, such individual will or can never be promoted.

1 Corinthians  10:1-11 "Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.  Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.  Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world arJome."

God was not pleased with many of the Israelites in the bible and he destroyed them, they failed the trial in the wilderness....they murmured and complained, God dealt with them. When you as a believer fail the test, you might not make heaven.

2 Timothy 4:10. For those who are facing trials and persecution, and because of it they run to and fro for quick solution or quack miracles, instead of allowing the will of God to be done and depending solely on Him, such people are waisting their time. They will end up at nothing.

Job  14:14 "If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come."

, Job 19:25-26,

Romans  4:18-22 "Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:  He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;  And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.  And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness."

Our response to this message must be in line with the faith of Abraham. Whatever God allows in your life, give Him glory and say, Lord, let thy will be done.

Romans  8:7 - 8"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God."

1 Corinthians  15:50 "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption."

If you a believer and you have started following the Lord and yet to deny yourself for Him, then you have not started. If you have denied yourself and have not taken up your cross (inconveniences) to follow Him, then, you are not a serious person and you can't make heaven by so doing.

Hebrews  12:14 "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:"

If you deny yourself and take up your cross to follow Him, then the Lord will perfect you.

Matthew  16:24 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."