ESOCS Devotional 11 October 2021
TEXT: ZECHARIAH 7: 1-7
MEMORY VERSE: “And now I make one more appeal my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord, they are serving their own personal interests/” (Romans 16:17-18 NLT).
In our text today, the Pharisees and the Sadducees came together to contend with Jesus. The Pharisees promoted the course of traditional religion. Jesus accused them of hypocrisy. To Jesus, they interpreted God’s law to suit their own selfish purposes. They had no concern for the welfare of people. Though they believed in the resurrection, spirit, and the existence of angels (Acts 23:6), they opposed and persecuted Jesus. But to the Sadducees, there is no resurrection of the dead, nor spirit, nor angels (Acts 23:8).
In today’s world, teachers of heresy have increased in number, more than the true ministers of the gospel. For their stomach’s sake, they promote the course of ‘prosperity and sudden economic breakthroughs’ to their members. Some others dwell more on sundry works of miracle, signs and wonders – even fraudulently. They teach other destructive heresies to their ignorant followers. This class of pastors and prophets pool more crowd than the honest, humble teachers of the truth. And the Master warns: “……Take heed, and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees” (v 6).
- Would you rather listen to ‘pleasant’ heresies, or the bitter truth from scriptures? Discuss.
- Lord, please grant us the spirit of discernment, so we can separate chaff from substance. Amen
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Zechariah 7: 8-14; Joel: 1-11; Acts 11: 19-30
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ESOCS Devotional 11 October 2021
