"But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins."

Brethren, what you have heard being read to you constitute the revelation of our lesson. Many people think that a blind man can lead another blind. If they do, both of them will tumble into a pit.

WHO IS BLIND A MAN?

Anyone who does not have love, peace, self control, endurance, meekness, humility, knowledge, faith, and godly devotion is blind and he is shutting his eyes to the light of truth.

In fact, all the unfaithful visionaries and dreamers are blind. Any preacher who opens the Bible and quotes here and there, without first practicing is blind. The only person who sees is the one that does not tell lies and does not fornicate, nor commit adultery. A person who is not loose in conduct; people who practice the word of God, such ones can lead.

Brotherhood of the Cross and Star is not something to joke with. It is not so simple as reading through a catechism and memorizing the contents. YOU MUST PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH. The whole world is blind. It is not a matter of picking up the Bible and claiming to be a preacher but you are found wanting in the practical side of it; i.e. you cannot practice any of the things you preach.

Brethren, I want you to see with me on this premise. Someone who is a thief, he is also cunning, crafty, fraudulent, but he tries to lead another person who is equally defective in character, to a better way of living. How can he lead? Who leads whom? Is it when you stand in the pulpit abusing and cursing members? Or when you pronounce and invite people to an all night prayer meeting for your lustful desires? Or is it when you solicit for money and even empty the tithe boxes? How can you claim to lead when you practice these things? You are just an opportune preacher of fortune.

If Brotherhood was not of the real God, you self-styled preachers could have had your ends. Take a look at it this way: a father who is jobless, homeless, and the children who are also jobless and homeless. Who assists whom? How can a poor person be generous and hospitable? A preacher is the father. The members are his children. If you have no means of livelihood, how can you give out to the needy ones? How will you care for the poor who come to your bethels?

CARRYING THE BURDEN:

It is an undisputed fact that rich men do not need the gospel. People who come to God are the desperate and needy ones. Consider those with burdens. When you the preachers are poor and desperately trying to survive, how can you assist these ones coming to God? Many of them are there to be helped materially after the gospel. How practical then does it look when you are unable to help them materially? Sometimes you say to them: "May God be with you." How? They are poor both materially and spiritually. They need that help from you the preacher. When they feel disappointed, they will look on you as a deceiver. That is why you have many irregular and inactive member in your bethels. Some even backslide. Since you as the preachers are poor, you are irritated when the poor members do not give you financial assistance. But what can poor members do? They look upon you as the man of God, to give them their needs and assist them in their burdens. In this case it is the opposite, for when the poor members refuse to assist you, you curse, abuse, and pronounce woe upon them. Yes, you look up supporting texts from the Bible and condemn them. Now can a poor man help a poor man? Both have failed. The result is that the sheep is scattered, everyone to his home, because you are a poor preacher who is unable to feed the sheep.

The instruction from Our Lord Jesus Christ to the apostle Peter was that Peter should feed the lambs (John 21:15-17). The lambs are the poor and needy, the sick, widows, and spiritual babes. The spiritual food goes with the material food and shelter-for edification. But what will someone without a means of livelihood preach to the people? What is he (the Preacher) going to eat and put on? Where is he going to stay? Is he not going to be a parasite and a burden to the congregation? Is that the service of God?

YOU MUST FEED THE SHEEP:

This is exactly what the Prophet Ezekiel was speaking about in Chapter 34 of his writing. This is what the Lord Jehovah said: "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have become feeders of themselves." Is it not the flock that the shepherds ought to feed? (Eze 34:2).

"Feed my sheep," is a weighty statement. When you preach to the people, you must also feed them. But when you do not have something to give out what sort of preaching is that?

The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of God the Father, is to look after the orphans and the widows in their tribulations. How can you be praying with empty stomachs? How can you be happy and receive God's blessing when you do not have something to give out? Christ said it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). You preachers who only wait to receive from or even plunder the poor members, where then is your share of the blessing from God?

When you preachers seduce the wives of members in your bethels, are you gathering the sheep or are you scattering them? When you become burdens to the bethels, demanding that they feed you, clothe you and sometimes accommodate you, sometimes including your families, are you feeding the sheep or the sheep are feeding you? When you are toying with sexual immorality in bethels, FEEDING MEMBERS WITH FALSEHOOD, quarreling and fighting, are you an example to the flock? When you are above correction and would not accept your faults, are you fit to teach? When you engage in fights, gossiping, and whispering around the bethels, are you actually helping to build or to pull down? That is why it is said that "a blind cannot lead the blind."

THE SERVICE OF GOD REQUIRES TRUTH, LOVE, SELF-CONTROL, MEEKNESS, MILDNESS, GENTLENESS, OBEDIENCE, CARING FOR THE ORPHANS AND THE WIDOWS. YOU MUST LOVE ONE ANOTHER. YOU ARE TO ASSIST THE NEEDY ONES WHO WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COMPENSATE YOU, SO THAT IN THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST YOU MAY HAVE YOUR REWARD.

You must have secular work before you enter the full-time service. You must be a husband of one wife or be able to control yourself. Examine this. If you were a shepherd, would you agree that a leopard should take care of your goats? Is it true that a leopard can remain with a goat? Or if you were a farmer would you allow a goat to take care of your yams without charge? The goat will eat all the yams. Who would you blame? So also is a preacher who is immoral and he does not have any secular work, just canvassing around bethels. Such preachers are those who encourage members to practice what they preach and not what they do. Because as they say no one can practice the words of God. These are the preachers who practice immorality and call it "Holy love and holy kisses." What then would a man or a woman who is loose and also a simpleton preach?

A blind man cannot lead another blind man. A preacher without money and parishioners who are equally without money, what type of ministry can you expect from them? Or a preacher who is easily provoked by impatient members, that church must be a battle ground.

Brethren, the service of God is not an easy task. You must be a practical preacher of God's word. You are told to put on your complete suit of amour. What and where is your amour? YOU ARE OUT TO FIGHT AGAINST THIEVES, FORNICATORS, ADULTERERS, THOSE POSSESSED BY DEMONS. THEREFORE IF YOU DO NOT CONQUER THESE THINGS YOURSELF, HOW CAN YOU WAGE WAR AGAINST THEM?

This could be well illustrated in this way: sending unarmed persons to go and arrest an armed lunatic. That person must not fight with the insane person but should disarm him and arrest him. Such a person must be fully trained and qualified in order to be successful. The scriptures have told you, "EVEN THOUGH A MAN TAKES SOME FALSE STEPS BEFORE HE IS AWARE OF IT, YOU WHO HAVE SPIRITUAL QUALIFICATIONS SHOULD TRY TO READJUST SUCH A MAN IN A SPIRIT OF MILDNESS AS YOU EACH KEEP AND EYE ON YOURSELF, FOR FEAR YOU ALSO MAY BE TEMPTED." (Gal 6:1).

Can Satan cast out Satan? Or can an angry man cast out anger? Is it easy for hatred to cast away hating. A house or a city divided against itself cannot stand (Matt 12:25/Mark 3:25/Luke 11:17). That is why you have disagreement in your bethels and members desert your bethels. IF I HAD NOT COME THE SHEEP WOULD HAVE SUFFERED BECAUSE OF YOU PREACHERS. THE SHEEP DO NOT LOOK ON YOU, HOWEVER, BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEIR OWNER IS HERE ON EARTH.

When money is given to you, you preach love and blessings. You may even describe the donor to be Jesus Christ. When you are not fed or cared for, you go on compulsory ministry work and abandon your station. The reason why many bethels are not powerful because those who feed the preachers and the preachers who expect to be fed are equal. Any bethel that cares for the upkeep of the preacher dictates what the preacher has to preach. The preacher must obey, otherwise he will have nothing to eat. On the other hand, if members fail to support a preacher, he will be suspended by them at will. That is why it is said that the blind cannot lead the blind.

A preacher cannot be bold enough to handle the word of God aright if he looks up to the members to care for him, or if he has to patrol the houses of members for food or for the necessities of life. A PREACHER CANNOT HAVE THE SPIRIT OF GOD IF HE IS LAWLESS AND IMMORAL. HE WILL LACK RESPECT. A MAN OF GOD MUST NOT BE AN ANGRY MAN, HE MUST BE HUMBLE, HE MUST NOT BE LUSTFUL, HE MUST BE GENTLE AND HE MUST HAVE SELF-CONTROL. YOU CANNOT CHANGE AN EVIL DOER WHEN YOU, AS A PREACHER, ARE PRACTICING EVIL. When you are cursed, you bless. When your character is defamed, rejoice. You should not be quoting from the Bible indiscriminately, neither should you be wearing gorgeous dresses or soutane, with a copy of the Bible. You must be a living example in word and in deed. If you are immoral, people would always be suspicious of you, even if you merely talk to a girl, rumors will spread about you. Being a preacher, you must live according to the word of God. Let us read the first Bible Lesson.

As a preacher of God's, you are representing God. You must be compassionate as well as be a source of consolation and comfort. You are a father and a mother. You must be kind and loving to your enemies.

Tell me, you are a preacher, and the needy ones comes to you for help and you have not a kobo to give them, but you tell them, "May the Father be with you, or that the Father will do His work." How would the Father do the work and be with these ones when you as a spokesman cannot help them? Did Paul not say, "Let the stealer steal no more, but rather let him work hard, doing with his hands what is good so that he may have something to distribute to the people in need?" (Eph 4:28).

I COMPLETELY DISAGREE WITH ANYONE WHO SAYS A PREACHER SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY SECULAR WORK. Such preachers are prone to soliciting for money from the poor, wretched members. YOU HAVE NO RIGHT AT ALL TO DEMAND A KOBO FROM ANY MEMBER JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE A PREACHER. YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO HOLD ANYBODY TO RANSOM OR RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR MAINTENANCE. YOUR ASSIGNMENT IS FROM GOD. YOU ARE GOD'S MINISTERS AND YOUR REWARD IS FROM GOD. THEREFORE YOU MUST NOT BE A BURDEN TO ANYBODY OR GROUP OF PERSONS. WHETHER PEOPLE ATTEND SERVICE OR NOT, YOU ARE NOT THERE TO QUARREL OR TO JUDGE ANYBODY, NEITHER TO ABUSE NOR TO TALK DOWN TO ANYBODY. YOU ARE NOT THERE TO MEDDLE IN OTHER PEOPLE'S AFFAIRS.

YOU HAVE FAILED TO COPY MY EXAMPLE BUT YOU HAVE FOLLOWED THE EXAMPLE OF PREACHERS IN CHRISTENDOM. YOU WANT TO BE SERVED AND NOT TO SERVE. YOU ARE HIRED SHEPHERDS.

"The hired man who is no shepherd and to whom the sheep do not belong as his own, flees when the wolf comes because he is a hired man and does not care for the sheep." (John 10:12-13). A PREACHER OR A MINISTER OF GOD HAS NO RIGHT TO DEMAND A KOBO FROM A MEMBER FOR HIS MINISTRY. It is written: "Let a man appraise us as subordinates of Christ and stewards of sacred secrets of God. Besides, in this case, what is looked for in stewards is for a man to be found faithful (1 Cor 4:1-2)." YOUR MINISTRY IS A WILLING AND VOLUNTARY VOCATION.

If you demand money because you prayed for a sick person and he recovers, and a native doctor receives money for the services he renders to a sick person, where then do you differ? YOU MUST PREACH TO YOURSELF FIRST. IF YOU PREACHED AND YOU ARE PAID AT THE END OF THE MONTH OR YOU ARE COMPENSATED, WHERE DO YOU DIFFER FROM A CIVIL SERVANT, OR THE PREACHERS IN CHRISTENDOM? YOU ARE GOD'S REPRESENTATIVES, THEREFORE YOU ARE TO FEED, PREACH, CONSOLE, COMFORT THE SHEEP. YOU MUST LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, EVEN THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU. YOU MUST ENDURE AND HAVE SELF CONTROL.

THE RIGHT KIND OF MINISTERS:

Who are those called ministers? THEY ARE THOSE WHO SERVE OTHERS. Christ set the example. The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto but to minister and to give his life as a ransom in exchange for many (Matt 20:28). You must protect the sheep. You must care for the sick, the ailing and the broken hearted. The dispersed and the lost ones must be sought. The inactive one must be reactivated. Where the carcass is there the eagles gather (Matt 24:28). If you the preacher have love, joy, comfort, and have the interest of the members at heart, the members will certainly cling to you. You must take the lead at all times.

You must live with the word of God. You must be an example setter. Just as Christ walked, you must follow his footsteps closely. When he was slapped, he opened not his mouth. When reproached, he did not revenge. YOU MUST TAKE UP THE CROSS IN WORDS AND IN DEED.

Your conduct affects the sheep. Many of the sheep have gone astray because of your immoral and lawless conduct. Remember you will be held responsible for one of these little ones that you have led astray. You must look for them now and bring them back. For who is he that had a hundred sheep and one is missing that he will not leave the ninety-nine and seek for that missing one. When he has found it, the joy shall be great. Since you have been preaching how many souls have you converted?

God is the one who called you for his service. You were initially warned: "Do not procure gold or silver or copper for your purses or food pouches for the trip (Matt 10:9-10/Luke 10:4)." Therefore you must look forward to his bountiful provision and be content.

Before you become a preacher, you should first consider what it will cost you. You should have a solid foundation. YOU SHOULD BE CONVINCED THAT IT IS A WORK OF SELF SACRIFICE, SELF DENIAL AND SELF CONTROL. A teacher who is not good in a particular subject would not be assigned to teach that subject. So it is in all aspects of business.

Your problem is spiritual blindness. And as it is, a blind person cannot lead another blind person. LOVE IS THE BACKBONE OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY. The kingdom ministry must be practical and it must portray godly virtues. YOU MUST BE EQUIPPED SPIRITUALLY BEFORE YOU MOVE OUT TO FIGHT THE RAVENOUS WOLVES WHO ARE AGAINST THE SHEEP. You must first be physically and spiritually healthy so that you do not become a burden to anyone or fall on the wayside. You must possess all the basic qualities of a mature Christian minister as demonstrated in Brotherhood of the Cross and Star.

A PREACHER MUST NOT SCOLD, CRITICIZE OR CONDEMN. He must not compel anyone or use provocative statements. He should not use bad language on anyone. He must treat the elderly ones as fathers and mothers. Shepherd the sheep of God under you, not under compulsion, but willingly. "TO THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE DESIROUS OF DOING THE WORK OF GOD, MY ADVISE TO YOU IS: "COME LEARN OF ME."

Have you ever heard of me charging money indiscriminately for the services that I render to all? It is the Father who must provide for the children and not the children for the Father. It is you preachers who must provide for the members and not the members who must provide for the preachers.

A preacher must be slow about speaking but swift to hear. YOU MUST BRIDLE YOUR TONGUE (James 1:19,26). It is noted, regrettably, that some fancied preachers curse and condemn members by referring to some portions of the Bible. Brethren, things should not go this way. In this way you are pulling down the work of God. You are killing and exposing the Lord's sheep to danger. These are the ones he poured his perfect blood for.

BEWARE FOR YOU WILL GIVE ACCOUNT.

You must refrain from the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and showy display of one's means of life, because all those things were crucified with Christ. Let us have the second Bible Lesson read.

THE NEED FOR SELF CONTROL

Brethren, to feed the poor is secondary but to change an evil doer is the foremost. The world is filled with evil things, the doing of evil is prevalent today. There you must have self control. This will help you to abstain from lustfulness. Temptations are all around you, situations that require real mature understanding. Young girls are parading around you inevitably. Some will cook for you, others would like to fetch water for you; still others will want to wash your clothes; there are others who would just like to converse with you at all times. Still there are others who, of course want to lay down with you in romance. Yes, such idle girls will tactfully pretend to be sick. They want prayers from you. If you are lustful, how would you escape being ensnared by these questionable characters? Oh, man of God, flee from immorality, flee from these wolves in sheep's covering.

Christ your Master and Teacher met with similar situations. He conquered them all. So with mature understanding of the truth and the divine commission given you, you must flee from immorality now. RELY ALWAYS ON THE FATHER. Understand fully well that you have this treasure in earthen vessels and that the power beyond what is normal is from God. You may be pressed in every way, but not cramped beyond movement. You may be perplexed but not absolutely, with no way out. You may even be thrown down but not destroyed. ALWAYS ALLOW THE LIFE OF JESUS TO BE SEEN IN YOU. Even though you are brought face to face with death, never you compromise.

Be assured that the Father is in front and behind you always. Paul was able to win souls for Christ, because he said, "I became all things to all people (1 Cor 9:22)." It was not by shouting, abusing, condemning and fighting. He was not a busy body.

Rather with love and patience, longsuffering and kindness, he won them for Christ. YOU CANNOT TEACH ANYONE WHAT YOU DO NOT KNOW. YOU CANNOT GIVE SOMEONE WHAT YOU DO NOT HAVE. "Oh, man of God, flee these things and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love patience and meekness." YOU MUST NOT RESIST THE EVIL DOERS. CHILDREN OF GOD DO NOT ARGUE. THEY ARE CLOTHED WITH HUMILITY AND GODLY DEVOTION. Let us read the Golden Text.

Brethren, anyone who does not practice these teachings is blind. He is not holy either. For this reason, such a person cannot lead because he is still blind. He is walking in darkness and does not know where he is going because darkness has blinded his eyes. Such ones can always see ghost, demons, wizards, evil things in visions.

In this New kingdom, falsehood, fornication, division, and all forms lawlessness and loose conduct are not allowed. The qualities mentioned here in the Golden Text must be possessed by all in Brotherhood, especially, you preachers.

The kingdom of God does not consist in fighting or talking. It is righteousness and peace. YOU ARE GOD'S TOOLS, YOU HAVE NO STATION, NO BETHEL, NO MEMBERS. GOD OWNS EVERYTHING. YOU ARE GOD'S FELLOW WORKERS AND HIS VINEYARD. YOUR COMMISSION IS UNIVERSAL: "GO YE THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS (Matt 28:19)."

The hungry ones must be fed, the naked must be clothed, the sick must be healed. The blind must be given sight. The dumb and the deaf must be released. The lame must jump up. The lepers must be cleansed. Yes you must raise the dead.

Let your light shine so that the people may see your good works and glorify your Father (Matt 5:16). Remember that unfruitful fig tree, how it was condemned. Anyone who is lustful and loose, is unproductive and useless will perish like the unfruitful fig tree (Mark 11:13-14).

Faithful workers are wanted in God's vineyard. You are not required to use your previous experience, from the churches you attended, here. You are not required to bring or quote their methods here in the New Kingdom Ministry. You are not required to follow the way their preachers do or compare your conditions and services with them. If you do so, you are still blind and therefore you cannot lead the flock of God.

INDEPENDENT OF WHATSOEVER SIN IS COMMITTED BY A MEMBER, YOU MUST SHOW LOVE AND COMPASSION AND CONSIDERATION. Follow scriptural injunction: "Brethren, even though a man takes a false step before he is aware of it, you who have spiritual qualification, try to readjust such a man in a spirit of mildness, as you each keep an eye on yourself, for fear you also may be tempted (Gal 6:1)."

This is why you were called to come and hear from the horse's mouth. This is the work of love, patience, and longsuffering. The widows and the orphans must be cared for equally. THIS IS WHY YOU MUST HAVE A GOOD FOUNDATION BEFORE YOU STEP OUT FOR THE MINISTERIAL WORK. You must first think of what it will cost you before you start.

PAYMENT OF TAX

Christ your Master paid Tax (Matt 17:24-27). He advised that you give to Caesar what belonged to Caesar (Matt 22:17-22/ Mark 12:17/Luke 20:21-25). YOU MUST ALSO PAY YOUR TAXES AND DUES. You must give honor to whom honor is due. Respect all those in authority. Honor all sorts of men ( 1 Pet 2:17).

THE KINGDOM'S MINISTRY IS NOT FOR MONEY MAKING:

Look upon God and abide by his instructions, principles and rules; and you will lack nothing.

Love one another. Owe no man anything (Rom 13:8). Love works no evil against his neighbor. THE SERVICE OF GOD IS NO PLACE FOR SELFISH AND DISHONEST GAINS. IT IS NOT A MONEY-MAKING SERVICE. SOME PREACHERS EMBEZZLE TITHE MONEY. THIS IS DISASTROUS. OTHERS IMPOSE UNNECESSARY LEVIES ON MEMBERS.

If you cannot serve faithfully as God's stewards, it is time for you to quit. Go and trade or farm in your area. ONLY FAITHFUL AND HONEST SERVANTS OF GOD WILL BE REWARDED; AND TO THEM THERE IS NO STUMBLING BLOCK.

Those who have ears to hear, let them hear. May God bless His Holy Word. Amen.

THANK YOU FATHER.

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