WICKED AGRIBUSINESS OPPORTUNIST COMPARED TO A RELIGIOUS LEADER.

Read Luke 12:16-19. THE GROUND OF A CERTAIN RICH MAN BROUGHT FORTH PLENTIFULLY. Suppose this RICH MAN was a religious leader, from theological seminary, parading himself as called of God, Christian celebrity, demanding to be respected as servant of God, and then the GROUND is the field of spreading the Gospel, the Great Commission. THE GROUND... BROUGHT PLENTIFULLY, in the sense that the religious leader converted many people into Christian faith. But the converts did not know the religious crafty intentions of this person.

The man said in his heart: "WHAT SHALL I DO, BECAUSE I HAVE NO ROOM WHERE TO BESTOW MY FRUIT." In other words, this man, in our case, the religious leader reasoned within himself: "What shall he do, seeing he had converted so many people which could be translated into material wealth in terms of money offerings and tithes for himself?" The man, then suggested: "THIS WILL I DO: I WILL PULL DOWN MY BARNS, AND BUILD GREATER, AND THERE WILL I BESTOW ALL MY FRUITS AND GOODS." In our case, the religious leader will not puzzle himself with the converts he had won for himself. He will demolish his small ministry, and build mega churches, in the size of stadia globally which could accept even gay priests, permit divorce for remarriage, in order to fatten his bank accounts, and increase his fame or reputation globally. Thereafter the man consoled his soul: " SOUL, THOU HAST MUCH GOODS LAID UP FOR MANY YEARS; TAKE THINE EASE, EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY." To the religious leader, he will say to his soul: "Soul, thou hast many followers in your religious network globally, relax, get yourself personal jet, posh cars, have a house with sauna, swimming pool, lounges, tour the world enjoying, celebrate your better life now, and be numbered among the greats of the world." Great possessions are generally accompanied with pride, idleness, and luxury; and these are the greatest enemies to salvation, for they choke souls. BUT GOD SAID UNTO HIM, THOU FOOL, THIS NIGHT THY SOUL SHALL BE REQUIRED OF THEE; THEN WHOSE SHALL THOSE THINGS BE WHICH THOU HAST PROVIDED? This is the foolish extent of denominations, and everybody who fellowship there deceiving that he/she had received salvation. It is also equally foolish to politicians, and business fraudsters who go there to give tithes/offerings.

Job said (Job 15:34), that: "For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery." Imagine that a man's comfort and peace, who risks them on temporal things, religious conmanship, instead of Jesus Christ. What a dreadful awakening of a soul, long asleep in denominational sin! This night, Jesus Christ, will require your soul, for you have stolen souls, which are meant for His salvation to establish your religious empire. Hell will be your home. GLORY TO GOD.

THE LESSONS CHRISTIANS CAN LEARN FROM PETER AND FELLOW FISHERMEN ON THE NIGHT THEY CAME WITHOUT FISH.

From Luke 5:5, in King James Bible, it states: "And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net." MASTER. The word translated Master (Greek EPISTATES) is not the same as that (Greek DIDASKALOS, Hebrew RABBI, teacher) in the other Gospels, and often in this also, and is peculiar to St. Luke. It implies a distinct recognition of our Lord's character as a Creator or Chief Engineer, a Navigator, experienced Fisherman, and was more the language of general respect, such as workmen might use of their MASTER. The term MASTER, also properly signifies a prefect, or one who is set over certain affairs or persons: it is used also for an instructor, or originator. Peter considered Christ, from what he had heard, as teacher of a Divine doctrine, and as having authority to command, etc. He seems to comprise both ideas in this appellation; he listened attentively to His teaching, and readily obeyed His orders. To hear attentively, and obey cheerfully, are duties we owe, not only to the sovereign Master of the world, but also to ourselves. No man ever took Jesus profitably for his teacher, who did not at the same time receive him as his Lord. WE HAVE TOILED ALL THE NIGHT - We have worked tirelessly on the dead times when people had retired to bed without any fruit realization. They had cast the net several times in the course of the night, and drew it to shore without success, and were now greatly disheartened. Personally, I, Israel Laban, have seen several laborious draughts of this kind made without fruit. All labor must be fruitless where the blessing of God is not; but especially that of the ministry. It is the presence and influence of Christ, in a congregation, that cause souls to be gathered unto himself: without these, whatever the preacher's eloquence or abilities may be, all will be night, and fruitless labor. AT THY WORD I WILL LET DOWN THE NET - He who assumes the character of a fisher of men, under any authority that does not proceed from Christ, is sure to catch nothing; but he who labors by the order and under the direction of the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, cannot labor in vain. Several lessons to be learnt here are these: 1. YOU ARE DEEMED TO FAILURE IN YOUR WORSHIP WITHOUT JESUS CHRIST. How often do we reason among ourselves? Because You, Jesus, say so I will do it. Because I have so much faith in You and in Your word, I will do it. Or do we have doubts… Are we afraid to fail… Most people are imprisoned in denominations because they want decent luxurious burial to be offered to them upon their death. Tell Jesus Christ that you have laboured all your life in denominations, ministries, but you have received nothing concerning the salvation of your lost souls, and because He invited you to His Church, who are His followers, you will fully honour and obey the calling immediately. Philippians 4:13, King James Version Bible, states: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." These fishermen were unable to make a catch, although they had used all of their skills, abilities and time, until Jesus blessed them. You can attend theological seminaries or universities, but without the power of the Holy Ghost, you cannot understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ whatsoever. Jesus Christ Himself said in Matthew 11:27, King James Version Bible, that: "All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him." The Lord was teaching a lesson that we all need to learn; there is failure without Him. TO DO THE GOSPEL WORK WITHOUT HIM WILL BRING DISAPPOINTMENTS… Not only is there failure, there is disappointment that comes with that failure. In our service to the Lord, we can have all of the tools for greatness only to find the disappointments and the frustration of not seeing God’s blessings. The blessings of God's work, not religious fraud, come from having Jesus Christ. We need Him. That’s the reason we need to daily be in His Word. We know that we must have Him. TO WORK WITHOUT JESUS CHRIST WILL BRING DISCOURAGEMENT… Discouragement can hinder the work. Washing nets which have caught no fish is not any fun. That is running denominations where all souls are lost, deceiving yourself that you are planting churches.. There will be times in your Christian walk when you will not see results; you only are “washing nets which caught no fish”. If this is so because you were simply going through the motions without His blessings, then this is a real tragedy. The Lord’s presence and the Lord’s instructions brought the Lord’s blessings to Simon Peter and the rest of the fishermen. Two boats nearly sank because of the large number of fish… after the blessings came. II. WE MUST HAVE FAITH IN HIM… Let’s take another look at the passage once again: "And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net." When we have faith in The Lord, we show this by being obedient to His Word. Peter at first argued that they had spent the night without any success, but then took the Lord at His Word. If it was the current generation, they could have argued with the Lord that the lake has no fish, but frogs, snakes, crocodiles, tortoises, and that they are not going back to redo fishing... This teaches us that we often do things our way only to find that our ways, alone, doesn’t work. It gives us no visible result and often frustrates us and then we have a whole new host of emotions… Anger, resentment etc. WE SHOULD HAVE FAITH THAT JESUS CHRIST IS GOD OF CREATION … "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." (Colossians 1:16-17, KJV) Now Jesus could have either called the fish to the net or created them in the net. Either way what happened was a miracle. When Jesus shows up… “Look for a Miracle”. We Should Have Faith that He is The Caring God… "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, KJV) There has been no greater comfort to Christians than just knowing that the Lord cares about us… So much so, if we do what we should, He will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory. Just as He provided the fish for the fishermen, He can provide our Christian needs if we pray … “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 KJV) III. WE SHOULD BE WILLING TO FORSAKE ALL FOR HIM… Look now at verse 11 "And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him." ( Luke 5:11, KJV). This should be the attitude and the disposition that marks the true disciple. To say the Peter and his company sold the large catch for cash thereby becoming rich and prosperous, is deceptions, mostly used by Word of Faith Movement. They left everything and followed Him. Luke’s Gospel tells us this in Luke 14:33: "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:33, KJV) This Involves Surrender… To surrender is to turn loose anything that has a hold of you… This could be a job, a friendship, a comfort zone, a crutch (by that, I mean anything that you are trusting in that will hinder you from following Him). This Involves Submission… When Peter said. But because you say so, I will let down the nets. He was submitting to the will of the Lord. IV. WE SHOULD FOLLOW HIM COMPLETELY… We’re not done with verse 11 "And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him." ( Luke 5:11, KJV). Who better to Guide than Jesus? To follow Him is to follow Him through the Scriptures. His Word will point you in the right direction… " Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105, KJV) "Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me." (Psalm 119:98, KJV) "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.." (Psalm 119:11, KJV) You want a good compass in your life to let you know when you’ve strayed from the path. Read Ps 119 as a foundation for setting that compass. Then… Let His Word be a light unto your path. He Will Lead Us As The Good Shepherd… One only has to think of the good work of the shepherd who leads, guides, and protects his sheep. Our Good Shepherd certainly leads us well. He Will Lead Us By His Word in Scripture and The Holy Spirit…