By Pastor E.A. Adeboye Memorise: Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of me...
Memorise: Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Galatians 6:1
Read: Galatians 6:1-2
In previous studies we have seen that a good house fellowship should be a centre of healing, deliverance, provision and comfort for members and those around. Another important function of a house fellowship is that it should be a place for restoration of backsliders. When backsliders come to your house fellowship or you observe any around, the love, concern and effort they observe in the members should be able to win back their hearts to the Lord. A backslider cannot restore another backslider, hence Galatians 6:1-2 says, it is the duty of those who are strong and standing to restore the fallen. To do this and get results, a lot of care, caution, humility, patience and prayers will be required. Any time a believer backslides returning to his or her vomit, the kingdom of darkness turns God’s kingdom into a laughing stock. If you look around you, you will find many backsliders waiting for the right person to lead them back to the fold. How effective are you in doing this, or have you neglected them?
House fellowships should also be places of enlightenment. It should be a place where people will gather to hear the Word of God, ask questions and receive answers. To teach others, you must first be taught. Hence, Matthew 15:14 says if the blind leads one of his kind, they would both end up in a ditch. How knowledgeable are you as a house fellowship leader? The more you study to know beyond what your members know, the more you will be able to help them. Similarly, a good house fellowship should be a place where one who is born again can receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In the regular church service, the pastor may be too occupied to do this; but in the house fellowship, a member may tell the house leader that a particular brother or sister has not yet been baptised. And the leader will take some time to show the fellow some scriptures and pray for the Holy Spirit baptism. To do so, the leader must be full of the Holy Spirit. How has your house fellowship performed in these areas? Take time to pray for your house fellowship and the leader.
ACTION POINT:
Prayerfully seek three backsliders around you and invite them to your house fellowship and lead them back to the Lord.
Bible in one year: Genesis 37-39
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