COUNSEL

1. COUNSEL Wise people listen to counsel Proverbs 12:15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. A fool is the one who doesn’t get counsel Proverbs 15:12A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. Proverbs 23:9Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words. 2 Chronicles 18:7And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may inquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so. Job 21:13‑16They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. 14 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. 15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? 16 Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.

2. COUNSEL Do you only have a preacher or is he your pastor? If you get what I am about to give you, it will mean the difference between you having a preacher or a pastor. 1 Samuel 9:6And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew usour way that we should go. “The way we should go.” concerns the direction of life. II Kings 8:8And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? Not having counsel will make you void of wisdom. Deuteronomy 32:28‑29For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them. 29 O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!

3. COUNSEL Even the president of the United States realizes this and chooses for himself a group of men whom he calls his cabinet. These men are experts or perverts in different fields in which the president has to make decisions. He meets with them for counsel and advice. Ezra 7:14Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand; Daniel 3:24Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

4. COUNSEL Counsel is so important in the life of a Christian and it is a basic tool for you to use. Anyone can learn from their own mistakes but a wise man will learn from someone else’s mistakes. Proverbs 11:14Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. Question: “Have you run that past pastor?” Proverbs 15:22Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. Proverbs 24:6For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

5. COUNSEL You are foolish to take only your own counsel. Proverbs 28:26He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. Jeremiah 17:5Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. Why? Jeremiah 17:9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Proverbs 14:12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

6. COUNSEL Your own counsel is not enough. You don't know enough to guide your own life. Every time getting your own counsel is mentioned in the Bible it always leads to destruction. Job 18:7The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and his own counsel shall cast him down. Psalm 5:10Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee. Psalm 81:11‑13But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. 12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels. 13 Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! Jeremiah 7:24But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward. Hosea 11:6And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.

7. COUNSEL In the Bible there is good counsel and bad counsel. • Everybody gets counsel but it isn't always good. • You are not to get counsel from people who are not right with God. • You can get facts on how to build a bridge from a bridge builder but he is not to give you advise for life. 1 Chronicles 10:13‑14So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it; He saught it from a witch. 14 And inquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse. There is a counsel that is available that God does not approve of you getting. Isaiah 30:1Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:

8. COUNSEL Bad counsel caused Rehoboam's downfall I Kings 12:3‑8 & 13That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, 4 Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee. 5 And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed. 6 And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? 7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. 8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him: 13 And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him;

9. COUNSEL Getting counsel from your peers is the worst thing you can do. You are to never counsel with the ungodly Job 21:16Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me. Psalm 1:1‑2Blessed 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. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

10. COUNSEL Every Christian should have a cabinet of good counselors. The Pastor There are 3 titles for the New Testament Pastor. 1) Bishop‑‑overseer‑‑‑oversees all the work 2) Pastor‑‑the feeder‑protector of the sheep 3) Elder‑‑experienced one 1 Timothy 5:1Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 1 Timothy 5:19Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Even if he is younger than you God has given him wisdom to do what God has called him to do just like God would give you if you were the pastor. Before making any serious decisions certainly one would want to counsel with the pastor. Private conference Simple telephone conversation.

11. COUNSEL Every Christian should have a cabinet of good counselors. The Word of God Psalm 119:24Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors. Psalm 119:128Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way. 2 Timoth 3:16‑17All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. The Word of God is your counselor. If you don't know it then get to someone who does? Psalm 73:24Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

12. COUNSEL God wants to guide you with His counsel Psalm 73:24Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Psalm 119:133Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Isaiah 55:8‑9For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

13. COUNSEL Choose someone with the gift of wisdom. A wise person has several traits 1 He himself loves the Lord 2 He himself gets counsel from Godly people 3 He is a soul winner 4 He loves preaching 5 He is behind the pastor If they do not meet these requirements then do not get advice from them on the direction your life should go. Wisdom comes only from the Lord. Proverbs 2:6‑7For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 1 Chronicles 22:12Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God. Daniel 1:17As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: Daniel 2:21he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: Luke 21:15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. James 1:5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

14. LOYALTY Loyalty ‑ Fidelity to a prince or sovereign. Faithfullness to a prince or a sovereign or spouse. Loyalty is hard to describe. It is FaithfullBut it is more than that firmly adhering to duty and truth. It is Commitmentbut it is more than that. to thrust together or give in trust to another It is Fidelitybut it is more than that. careful and exact observance of duty and obligationFirm adherence to a person or party with which one is united

15. LOYALTY This word is a word you don’t hear much. It is an important word in the life of a family, job, marriage, church, and Christian life. If you have been in church any length of time you have seen the damage a disloyal person can do to the cause of Christ? 1 Corinthians 4:2Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. Proverbs 20:6Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? Titus 2:9‑10Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

16. LOYALTY Ruth was loyal Ruth 1:16‑17And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. Elisha was loyal II Kings 2:2And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel. King David's Men were loyal 1 Chronicles 12:16‑18And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David. 17 And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you: but if ye be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it. 18 Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.

17. LOYALTY Loyalty is more easily seen and observed than it is defined Loyalty is not the absence of disloyalty. It is a positive trait not the absence of a negative one. THERE ARE 3 FORMS OF LOYALTY There is Disloyalty ‑ Criticizes Aloyalty‑ Silent Loyalty‑ defends and never allows criticism. It is complete defense and support It not only does not say, "Did you hear about....." It does not listen to, "Did you hear about....."

18. LOYALTY Everyone can be loyal Even a dog can be loyal Everyone cannot be talented or rich or brilliant But everyone can be loyal Loyalty is one trait that attainable by all. Disloyalty is the one trait that is inexcusable. It is the unpardonable sin in the eyes of man. It is the most detestable and deplorable trait that a follower can have. It has caused heartbreak to many leaders. It has ruined the reputation of many leaders. It has ruined the character of many followers.

19. LOYALTY Loyalty is to a person but true loyalty comes from loyalty to the WORD OF GOD first. Loyalty is defense and support of the leader. If I defend the Bible and support it I can follow men who follow it. Hebrews 13:7Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. People say We follow Jesus we don't follow a pastor. or He preaches himself and not Jesus. Look at how many times God says to follow the preacher. 1 Corinthians 11:1Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 4:16Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. Blind loyalty is following someone even if they disobey the Bible. True Loyalty is you and I being loyal to God's Word together. I can be loyal to my Pastor because I know that He is loyal to the Word of God.

20. LOYALTY REASONS FOR LOYALTY • Respect for the work. Respect the Pastor because of his position and what he has gone through to lead a work for God like: Starting in faith, Courage,Hard Work,Sweat, Toil, Time, Love,Money No one has any moral right to damage a work on the altar of hurt feelings. If I feel I can no longer work happily in the situation, I should courteously and quietly resign and never offer or listen to any criticism of this church or our pastor.

21. LOYALTY REASONS FOR LOYALTY • Respect for success. When one is a follower of a successful leader the very success of that leader should command loyalty. If the follower disagrees with the leader he should always prefer his feelings to his own. The success of the leader should lead the follower to have complete confidence in the wisdom of the leader. I may not agree with a man doctrinally but I can respect a man's success. It is amazing how someone who has never built a chicken coop can rebel against a master builder. Someone who has never built a savings account can run a bank. Someone who has never led a squad thinks they can lead an army. Noah criticized by building a bigger work and finishing it.

22. LOYALTY REASONS FOR LOYALTY • Respect for knowledge. There are some things the leader knows that no one else can know. Not just facts and talent but information about people and circumstances which he cannot share with the followers. In other words the follower does not always have all the facts. It may appear that the leader is taking a wrong course of action causing the follower to oppose the leader vehemently. But if the follower knew the same facts he would do the same thing. The follower should trust the leader even if the judgement at the present seems unwise. If a follower cannot give this trust and confidence to the leader he shouldn't rebel or revolt. He should just tiptoe out quietly. He has no right to talk to anyone about his differences with the leader and he should leave without causing so much as a ripple.

23. LOYALTY REASONS FOR LOYALTY • Respect for the system Since there is no one here but us we have to choose leaders who will govern us. This is why a country has a king or a president a state has a governor, a city has a mayor,a family has a father, a church has a pastor. Someone has to be at the top. If you don't like something then when you bring it up then try to give a solution. The system itself should require loyalty from the follower to the leader. When this system breaks down anarchy follows the break down and chaos follows anarchy. God admonishes children to obey their parents. servants to obey their masters employees to obey their employers wives to obey their husbands

24. LOYALTY REASONS FOR LOYALTY • Respect for your future Disloyal followers are seldom given loyal followers when they become leaders Disloyal followers make poor leaders. In almost every case where a follower tries to unseat the leader it fails and more harm is done to the follower than the leader. Hatred always hurts the Hater more than the Hated Gossip always hurts the gossiper more than the one who is gossiped about There is also God's law of sowing and reaping Galatians 6:7‑8Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. In the Bible everything reproduces after its own kind. The teacher who criticizes the principal to the students will have students who will criticize the teacher also. God has a way of letting our, "Chickens come home to roost." The follower develops a character of being disloyal that hounds him the rest of his life. When one is disloyal as a follower he is usually suspicious of those who work under him, for he has developed a life pattern which leads to failure. Children of critical parents never end up in church later in life.

25. LOYALTY REASONS FOR LOYALTY • Respect for the unsaved Genesis 13:5‑8And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. 6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. 7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. 8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. 1 Timothy 2:8‑9I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; The testimony of the church in the community is the members attitude toward one another. 1 Timothy 3:15But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. John 13:35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Others see the strife. They hear the bickering They see the disloyalty How many will be in Hell because of bickering, negative talk, gossip, slander, criticism, vindication, retaliation and other traits spawned in Hell by Lucifer and His angels.

26. LOYALTY I am loyal because of the BIBLE not in spite of the BIBLE. 1Thessalonians 1:5‑6For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: When you got saved and were filled with the Holy Ghost --- you followed God's man. II Thessalonians 3:6‑7Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Very Few People have the Character to follow the Leadership of the Holy Spirit. Judges 17:6In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. Judges 21:25In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

27. LOYALTY Don’t be disloyal to your Pastor • The pastor is God's gift to you for your growth and maturing and service. – Eph 4:8-12 Pastor Gelhausen looks for areas where you can serve and give of yourself. Your attitude toward the Man of God is a manifestation of your spiritual condition and attitude toward the Lord. What ever happened to the attitude among Christians God I know you love me but please use me. Lord I want my life to count for you in the lives of other people. Father let me serve you. Most people want a place of leadership instead of a place of service. 1 Timothy 1:5‑7Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. Most want to be a teacher but they don't want to teach. Don’t be like Diotrophes‑‑‑‑where you love the pre‑eminence.