Chapter 2

ITS HARD TO KICK AGAINST THE GOADS

(It is hard to understand kingdom principles with a democratic mind-set)

There are two important words mentioned in this statement:

DEMOCRACY
KINGDOM OF GOD
Rule by the people
Ruled by God, not man.
Government of the people, by the
Our opinion is of no importance and
people and for the people.
only thee opinion that matters is Gods.
Governments operate by the will and There are rank, order and authority
vote of the people making every vote The laws are not swayed by what we
and opinion important, resulting in
believe to be good for us
majority ruling.
Law will be passed and rejected
according to the opinion of majority
public that will be directly performed by
their elected leaders.
SO it is therefore evident that democracy and Gods Kingdom are two opposing
worlds.
Gods commandments and teachings of Jesus Christ are simple and straightforward.
Yet we in democratic mind-set are so used to debating issues, giving our own
thoughts and opinions on scripture resulting many times in a weakening or
misunderstanding of what God is trying to accomplish.
The sad thing is most Christians are sold out to the idea of Democracy for they
follow the cultural trend of this society.
That is if we dont agree with authority, we can challenge it through complaint or
protest. If this goes on, we will start resisting the authority and worst, will start to
totally ignore its existence.
We have to stop thinking like democrats and to start thinking like citizens of this far
superior Kingdom of God.
This is what the scripture says in
Job 36:11-12
New International Version (NIV)
11
If they obey and serve him,
they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity
and their years in contentment.
12
But if they do not listen,
they will perish by the sword[a]
and die without knowledge.
Notice the words PROVISION and PROTECTION in exchange for our submission to
His authority.
Impelling danger accompanies us if we ignore His authority.
Some say- I SUBMIT TO GOD BUT NOT TO MAN UNLESS I AGREE WITH HIM.
We cannot separate our submission to the LORDS authority from our submission to
His delegated authority.
ALL AUTHORITY ORIGINATES FROM HIM.
Sometimes, these are the questions that might came into your mind - Do I suppose
to submit to all authorities in all aspects of my life even if it violates me in any

manner, or feel threatened by? OR maybe were thinking why God allow those
crappy and corrupt government officials to reign in the Philippines for a very long
time and then they would expect us to submit to them? (Bakit si Duterte? Bakit c
Donald trump? They called him a sexist, rapist and has a record of harassment.)
We can never fathom the big plan of our LORD. All we need to do is to SUBMIT in His
authority and to the people He chose to be in authority on us.

In Romans 13-1-2
13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no
authority except that which God has established. The authorities that
exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels
against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and
those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

So lets respect our elected leaders, our bosses, our church leaders as well because
FIRST - NO ONE can get into a place of legitimate authority without Gods
knowledge.
SECOND to rebel against those authorities is to rebel against the authority of the
Lord or God himself.
Thats why this chapter is entitled ITS HARD TO KICK AGAINST THE GOADS

What is a GOAD?
-a stick with a pointed or electrically charged end, for driving cattle, oxen
-At the front end a pointed spike was used to prod the oxen while plowing.
-anything that pricks or wounds like such a stick.
-something that encourages, urges, or drives; a stimulus.

Meaning, if that oxen or cattle resist that goad on its back, it would surely feel a
good deal of PAIN and HARM.
The expression ITS HARD TO KICK AGAINST THE GOADS, tells us that its
useless to resist the superior authority or power or else we would end up learning
things the hard way.
Its really hard to kick against something that would kick you back! From
here I remembered the law of motion by Isaac Newton. It states that in every
action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Like when we punch the wooden
door, it seems like it wouldnt hurt because the door is not moving. But the
potential energy at rest stored in the door could return the force you exerted into it
whatever the intensity is.

Just like the John Beveres Eye opening experience of how God taught Him to
SUBMIT to the ones in authority to him and that is his senior pastor.

He was offered the position of youth pastor at a large international school and after
prayer and confirmation, he accepted this position as the will of God.

He was very overwhelmed with this position since he doesnt have any youth
ministry experience yet found himself being a part of the staff of one of the fastest
growing and most influential churches in America.

He studied and read ministry books and manuals and then having read one of the
books from lousianna with an outstanding youth ministry program, he flew there
and spent 2 days talking to the 4 youth pastors and he was overwhelmed with what
he saw.

The youth had their own auditorium with 1,500 seats and it was almost full!

The youth had thir own Admin building with 2 full time secretaries and 4 full time
youth pastors.

He asked them about the success of their youth ministry. One of the youth pastor it
is because of the parties they had every Friday night at more than 100 locations
around the city.

He was told that teenagers are hard to be called on church but easy to get them to
parties. So from those parties, they introduced salvation and many first time visitors
are saved and he witness that in his very own eyes. So he came back and had a
vision to do the same thing and he even shared it to his senior pastor who also
encouraged him to pursue his plans.

For 8 months, he prepared everything. He trained the youth leaders who will handle
the home group parties and everyone was excited.

Now, everything was settled until one day, a week before the launching of the
home group parties, they have had their weekly pastors meeting only to hear these
devastating words GENTLEMEN, THE SPIRIT HAS SHOWN ME THAT THE DIRECTION
OF THIS CHURCH IS NOT TO HAVE HOME CELL GROUPS.

He was shocked with what he heard and he argued the senior pastor for about 15
minutes telling him that everything is settled and planned, the youths were already

excited about it and that they can fill their auditorium with 2,500 students but still
his senior pastor repeated the same words.

When he got home, he told the same thing to his wife and this is what his wife said.
WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE GOD IS TRYING TO TEACH YOU SOMETHING.

Then as he started out the window, the Holy Spirit spoke to him. JOHN, WHOSE
MINISTRY ARE YOU BUILDING? MINE OR YOURS? He said, YOURS LORD! The
Holy Spirit quickly responded, NO YOURE NOT! YOURE BUILDING YOUR OWN.

Then he explained some more. When hes done, the Spirit said, WHEN I BROUGHT
YOU TO THIS CHURCH TO SERVE THIS MAN, I MADE YOU AN EXTENSION OF
THE MINISTRY I ENTRUSTED TO HIM. I CALLED YOU TO BE HIS ARMS AND
LEGS; I PUT ONLY ONE MAN TO BE IN CHARGE OF A MINISTRY.

Then the Spirit brought in his mind JAMES in the New Testament because JAMES was
the leader of the church in Jerusalem during that time. In ACTS 15 wherein theres
a question about circumcision and all the apostles and elders of the church came
together to talk it out. In the end, JAMES as the head gave his decision and all of
them SUBMITTED TO HIS DECISION.

Another one is on ACTS 12:17 wherein Peter said at the house of Mary, GO AND
TELL THIS THINGS TO JAMES and the brethren. In ACTS 21:17-18, 17 When we
arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. 18 The next day
Paul and the rest of us went to see JAMES, and all the elders were present.

It is clear that he was the lead man by the way he is separately mentioned by
name.

Then the Holy Spirit continued, JOHN WHEN YOU STAND BEFORE ME FOR THE
TIME PERIOD THAT I HAVE HAD YOU SERVE THIS PASTOR, YOU WILL NOT
FIRST GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF HOW MANY YOUTH YOU LED TO SALVATION.
YOU WILL FIRST BE JUDGED ON HOW FAITHFUL YOU WERE TO THE PASTOR
I HAVE PUT YOU UNDER. IN FACT YOU COULD WIN ALL THE YOUTH IN
ORLANDO AND STAND BEFORE AND BE JUDGED FOR NOT SUBMITTING TO
AND BEING FAITHFUL TO THE PASTOR I PUT YOU UNDER.

And if you continue in this direction, THE YOUTH WILL GO ON ONE WAY
WHILE THE CHURCH GOES ON ANOTHER DIRECTION. YOU WILL BRING A
DIVISION TO THE CHURCH.

These words opened Johns heart and right away called his senior pastor and asked
for forgiveness.

Never forget: IT IS NOT JUST OUTWARD OBEDIENCE THAT GOD REQUIRES,

BUT A BROKEN AND CONTRITE HEART, ONE THAT THIRSTS AND HUNGERS
FOR THE WILL OF GOD. (PSALM 51:16-17)

GOD IS PLEASED WITH SUBMISSION THAT LEADS TO TRUE OBEDIENCE AND

CREATE A LOVE AND PASSION FOR OBEDIENCE TO IT.