Lessons from Northern Annual Reformed Conference

The following are notes on Pitfalls of Reformation that I took during a seminar at the Northern Annual Reformed Conference in Ndola, Zambia. The seminar was by Brian Njobvu, pastor of Fairview Reformed Baptist Church in Mufulira. The seminar was held on 19th April 2019.

What is a pitfall?

It is a carefully concealed snare. On the surface, a pitfall appears harmless.

The path to Reformation is laced with many snares just like Christianity in general is laced with many snares.
These pitfalls are orchestrated by the devil.
Throughout history our forefathers have fought with these pitfalls.
In our 30 years of Reformation we are not where we ought to be because we may have fallen prey to some pitfalls.
We must be aware that there are pitfalls on the way.

1. The Pitfalls of Reformation

1. Losing the Wonder of God's Grace. Amazing Grace ceases to be amazing. Is it possible that you have lost the wonder if God's grace?

2. Neglecting our personal devotions with the Lord.

Song of Songs 1:6

No amount of activity in the Kings service will make up for the neglect of the King himself. Robert Murray M'Cheynne.

3. The Pitfall of Pride

1 Corinthians 10:12. Pride is thinking too highly of ourselves and too lowly of others.

1 Corinthians 8:1; Proverbs 16:18.

4. Serving in Reformation without love or patience.

5. Having over confidence in ourselves. The work of Reformation is God's work.

6. Tiredness or Fatigue

7. Compromise

New Calvinism has compromise on morality and the truth.

8. Feeling like we have the monopoly of Truth. Mark 9:38. We do not have the monopoly of Truth.

9. Feeling like we have arrived.

10. Inconsistency

11. The fear of Man

12. Discouragement

The devil will do all he can to frustrate the work of God.

2. Directions to avoid these pitfalls

1. We need to know the word of God and put it into practice.

2. Proceed with awareness that there are these pitfalls.

3. We must be prayerful so that we can know these pitfalls and avoid them.

4. We must trust in the Lord.

3. Application

1. We must thank God for the knowledge of these pitfalls.

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