Who Not to Follow
The sermon emphasizes the importance of discerning whom to follow in faith to avoid spiritual pitfalls and judgment.
E.A. Adeboye emphasizes the importance of carefully choosing our associations to enter the promised rest of God, warning against following the counsel of the ungodly and sinful ways. He highlights the story of the 12 spies sent to Canaan, where ten of them influenced the people to doubt God's promises, resulting in consequences. Adeboye urges believers to follow Christ and not leaders who may stray from the truth, advising to cut off relationships that lead to spiritual error and keep those who revive us spiritually.
Text
MEMORISE: 'Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.' (Ps 1:1)
READ: Numbers 32:1-13
If you want to enter your land of rest, the Promised Land God is taking you to, then you must be careful whom you associate with. Exodus 23:2a says: 'Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.' The well-known saying, Vox populi vox Dei means 'The voice of the people is the voice of God.' This is not true, because often the most popular leaders do evil.
When God asked 12 spies to go out into the land of Canaan, they obeyed. But on their return, ten of them disgraced God by saying that the land was good, but impossible to conquer. 'Don't mind God; he is only trying to whet our appetites over a land he cannot give us.' They used their oratory and eloquence to influence the whole of Israel and turned their hearts against God. But his servant Moses and the other two spies disagreed. As a result of the revolt that followed, God swore that none of the men, 20 years and older who had come out of Egypt would inherit the land of promise, except Caleb and Joshua. So they wandered and wandered for 40 years in the wilderness until all of them died there. People who tell you God can not do what he has promised, should be avoided. Those who paint pictures of God's powerlessness, because of delays in answering, and ask you to try other gods or false prophets, should be avoided like the plague.
Paul says: 'Be ye followers of me even as I am of Christ.' In other words, he is saying, 'You can keep on imitating my lifestyle as long as I live in consonance with that of Jesus. But the moment I begin to stray from the truth, stop following me. If I preach another gospel to you, do not receive or believe it.' Today, some Church leaders who started well have turned away from following Christ. God says, 'Stop following them or else you will be consumed in the Judgement that will come upon them.' Pause today and take a long look at those you call your friends. Find out who is constantly leading you into error and prayerfully cut them off. Keep those who will lead you in God's way, in whose company you are always spiritually revived.
ACTION POINT
Separate yourself from every one who negatively affects you
and is capable of leading you astray.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Introduction to the importance of choosing the right associations - Scriptural basis for avoiding ungodly counsel - Consequences of following the wrong leaders
- II points: - The example of the twelve spies in Canaan - The impact of negative reports on the community - God's judgment on the disbelievers
- III points: - The call to follow godly leaders - The importance of aligning with Christ-like examples - Warning against leaders who stray from the truth
- IV points: - Identifying negative influences in your life - The necessity of separating from harmful relationships - Encouragement to seek spiritually uplifting company
Key Quotes
“Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.” — E.A. Adeboye
“People who tell you God cannot do what he has promised should be avoided.” — E.A. Adeboye
“Stop following them or else you will be consumed in the Judgement that will come upon them.” — E.A. Adeboye
Application Points
- Evaluate your friendships and their impact on your spiritual journey.
- Separate yourself from those who lead you away from God's truth.
- Surround yourself with individuals who encourage and uplift your faith.