MY SERMON NOTES
Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)
Kugbo, Nyanya - Abuja
14th December, 2014
* SERMON
* Topic: Do not give or take Bribes
* Theme: Knowing the Will of God
* Sub-theme: Knowing the will of God in Giving
* Speaker: Pastor Gyang Chollom Sambo
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| Pastor Gyang Chollom Sambo |
* Text: Ecclesiastes 7:7 - "Unjust gain makes the wise foolish, and a bribe corrupts the heart''.
* A bribe is anything given (or taken) in order to obtain or bestow unjust advantage in any given circumstance
* A bribe is a gift that is given in a corrupt way
★ Exodus 23:8 - "Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent."
* A bribe makes people blind - such a person cannot see what he/she ought to see. It paralyzes a person's will from taking due action
* Reasons why people give bribes:
1. To corrupt the morality and the will of persons in authority
2. To obtain an unjust advantage or favour
3. To turn a truth into a lie
* The Bible condemns giving and receiving of bribes in any form whatever
* All bribes are evil, regardless of whether you give or receive it
★ Job 15:34 - "For the company of the godless is desolation, and fire consumes the tents of those who bribe"
* Many public officers are corrupt because many of them gained employment through bribery and therefore, they still discharge their official duties by demanding and accepting bribes
* Bribes have the capability to turn the right thing to become a wrong thing
* Sometimes as Christians, we find ourselves under pressure to give bribes in order to obtain some undue favour or advantage, but we must trust God to help us to honour Him under all circumstances
★ 1st Samuel 8:1-3 - "When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders. The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice."
* Even some religious leaders indulge in collecting bribes in order to twist justice among their followers
* God does not condone or support those who take or give bribes
* Child of God, trust God for every thing you need in life. There is nothing that God cannot do for you.
* Some of the things given as bribes:
(a) Money (or money's worth)
(b) Valuable things or materials
(c) Sexual favours
* NOTE: Anything you obtain through bribery or any corrupt practice does not have the blessings of God and is susceptible to the attacks of Satan (because it was obtained through his evil principles)
★ Psalm 26:9-10 - "Do not group me with sinners, nor include me with men who shed blood. Their hands are filled with wicked schemes, and their right hands with bribes."
* The giving and taking of bribes is actually a sign that you do not trust God to favour you, bless you or promote you
* The current security challenges prevalent in Nigeria is persisting because most of those who are charged with the responsibility of handling the situation have been "blinded" by bribes.
* A bribe separates a man from God
* God knows the heart of every man. Many people we know and call "Honourable" today in our society are actually considered by God as fools because they willingly engage in bribery and corruption
★ Isaiah 33:15-19 - "Those who walk righteously and speak what is right, who reject gain from extortion and keep their hands from accepting bribes, who stop their ears against plots of murder and shut their eyes against contemplating evil— they are the ones who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. Their bread will be supplied, and water will not fail them. Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar. In your thoughts you will ponder the former terror. “Where is that chief officer? Where is the one who took the revenue?
Where is the officer in charge of the towers?” You will see those arrogant people no more, people whose speech is obscure, whose language is strange and incomprehensible."
* Those who collect or give bribes are enemies of God regardless of whether they are Christians or not
★ Ezekiel 22:12 - "They take bribes among you to shed blood. You’ve taken usury and exacted interest. You’ve gained control over your neighbour through extortion. And you’ve forgotten me,” declares the Lord GOD"
* Whenever you take or give bribes, you show evidently by your conduct that you have forgotten that God is the ultimate way-maker, and that only He makes a way where there is no Way!
* You must not give or take bribes Just because every one is doing it.
★ Exodus 23:2 - "You are not to follow the majority in doing wrong, and you are not to testify in a lawsuit so as to follow the majority and pervert justice."
* If you are obedient to God, He will prosper You. If you choose to prosper yourself (through bribery and corruption), God will surely punish you
* NOTE: People who believe in collecting or giving bribes usually find it difficult to give freely and generously - without expecting anything in return
* When you do not take or give bribes, you are in a better position to make just and right decisions and maintain your integrity
* Action Point:
Make up your mind to consistently trust God for every single thing that you need in life. Refuse to obtain unjust gain or undue advantage by either giving bribes, collecting bribes or engaging in any other corrupt practice.
