BREAKING THE JINX OF APATHY - Rom. 10 8-15
Having seen the promise of Christ to build his church and that he did not leave it at that without assigning the church to a definite task, It becomes imperative that we look into the assignment vis-à-vis the attention we give it if we are pleasing him that called us (1 Tim. 2.5). We have been given an assignment that is made clear in the scriptures. It is seen from different perspectives: Seen as in the giving of pounds – Luk. 19.10-19. as in the sending – Jn. 20.21. As in the assurance of the possibility of greater works etc. – Jn. 14.12
The assignment constitutes the witnessing of Christ to the world – Matt. 28.19; Mk. 16.15; Luk. 24.46-48
It has to do with the witnessing his death. The death of Christ was not like the normal experience of every other man. He did not die he had sinned. Rather he died because of man’s sin and the sentence of God concerning man’s sin (death) - Gn. 2.16-17; Ezek. 18.4, 20; Rom. 6.23.
If God’s righteous requirement would be met death must be accomplished. He must die as the sinless Lamb of God that carried away the sin of the world – Jn. 1.29; so that whoever believes in him shall not perish …. – Jn. 3.16. This believing has to do with practical faith in the substitutionary nature of Christ’s death. The reason why Paul stated that “If you believe in your heart the Lord Jesus …. – Rom. 10.9-12. But if Christ’s death is the only message we have to declare, would it have constituted good news. Not only are we to witness or testify concerning his death …
We are to witness also his resurrection – Luk. 24.46 That he died for our sins but was raised for our justification – Rom. 4.25-26. A happening which enhanced the presentation of the proof of his redemptive work – Jn. 20.17.
It is the combination of these two that constitute the good news we preach – 1 Cor. 15.3-5.
Our Assignment which is to witness Christ features in two ways
It has to do with our testimony concerning the substitutionary work of Christ (the death which he experienced on the behalf of all sinners, taking their place to save them from death) – Mk. 16.19; Jn. 15.26,27.
Rom. 10.8-15 brings in a serious issue that the word that produces faith is to be proclaimed for everyone to believe and confess, calling on him whom they have believed. But see this that …
They will believe him of whom they have heard;
They will hear only because someone had preached to them;
Someone would preach because he has been sent;
The scriptures declared that the feet of the sent ones are beautiful – Isa 52.7 They run swiftly on the mountain because of the good news they bring; those who behold them from the distance also look forward to the message they bring. This scripture gives the implication that the beauty of the feet of those who bring the message has to do with their attitude based on their conviction and excitement about the good news they bear.
The assignment also has to do with the life we live as a result of the gift of salvation given to us. The world tells us today that you can only give what you possess. You can only offer the gospel which has transformed your life. Hence our lives therefore must reflect what we have – Phil 2.11-13; lest unbelievers blaspheme him that we preach – Rom. 2.17-24;
There is however an apathy that we cannot afford concerning the assignment today.
It is seen in the arm folding and gift wrapping stance we are maintaining as seen in Matt. 25.17; Luk. 19.20-21. the cause of the apathy is seen in three ways.
The first is laziness. Laziness means being unwilling to work or be active; not involving much energy activity; or from scriptural implication, being at ease (in Zion) – Am. 6.1; the second cause is lack of zeal – the drive/passion that comes with vision – Jn. 2.17; and the third, Self-interest as seen in Hagg. 1.2-5, when that which pertains to the Lord was left unattended to, but everything done for self.
If we would have a change of attitude then we should understand the implication of this apathy. Am. 6.1-7 proclaimed woe to those who are at ease in Zion, who had what they should do facing them but left it undone. The story in Luk. 19.21-25 also shows us the displeasure of the master and the judgment he meted to the servant that did not make use of what was allotted to him, but had it wrapped up and buried till master returned. The last implication of the apathy of not witnessing Christ is the doom awaiting the sinners – Jn. 3.16,17
The doom of sinners is not the desire of the father and his expectation is we respond in action passionately because of them, rescuing the perishing and caring for the dying – 2 Pet 3.9
Guiding into the way of peace
Tuesday, June 17
Tuesday, June 10
WITNESSING 1- CHRIST PLAN FOR THE GROWTH OF HIS CHURCH
CHRIST PLAN FOR THE GROWTH OF HIS CHURCH - Matt. 16.
The first appearance of the word “church” in the NT was in Matt. 16 where Peter expressed the revelation of whom Jesus is. The claim of Jesus there was that flesh and blood has not revealed the knowledge to Peter, and that upon the revelation that was expressed His church shall be built. It seems as if this to the contemporary church means that we’ve got nothing to do than to trust in the Lord for the building of His church.
The Meaning of the Word church
When we talk about the church of Christ it is good to know what is meant. The word church does not mean the building and not necessarily the organization/denomination. It has to do with the people – the called out ones. People who are called out of the darkness/world into into God's marvellous light.
The promise of Christ Concerning the Church
The promise of Christ was to build his people. That means to construct/to confirm, to have the church built into an edifice. It is for this reason that he gave leadership gifts to the church and us all for one another for mutual edification. To build also by inference would mean to enlarge or increase: one of the ways Christ confirms his church is by increasing it – Acts. 2.47; He builds his church into an edifice and confirms it by granting her visibility on earth.
The Desire of Today's Church
Today’s church wants this increase and visibility for many reason. The first reason could be because Christ wants it – Jn. 10.16; 12.32. Another reason could be because we want it, even much more than the former, for self aggrandizement. Pastors wants to boast of their big churches; members are proud to be associated with such big churches; but unless we want the increase and the visibility because Christ wants it, we may not have true growth/increase. If we want it because he does, then we need to know how he wants His church to grow/increase.
The Plan of Christ for the Growth/Increase of His Church.
Not only did He promised to build his church, He also left instructions for the church - definite instructions. The instructions are related to the mission he came to this earth for - Matt. 1.21; Luk. 19.10; the instruction has to do with work – Luk. 19.13; Jn. 14.12-14. The works which He did, which we can do if we believe in Him; the works concerning which we can do something greater; an opportunity comes to us because Christ is going to the father. It must be for this reason that He gave the promise that whatever we ask in His name He shall do. The work also has to do with Him sending us as the father sent him – Jn. 20.19-23, to witness him or His redemptive work to the world – Acts. 1.8, a work which we must do in the power (with the collaboration) of the Holy Ghost. Jn. 15.26-27; Acts. 5.30.32.
This was the strength of the early church for increase and visibility; they witnessed Christ from Jerusalem … to the ends of the earth; creating a better society, not by merely praying nor merely believing, nor by flashy public relations. This was the example (Jn. 4.34-38) and the instruction from Christ; adhered to by the early church.
The modern church cannot claim him as its Lord if we do not what he commanded.
There is peace and contentment in my Father's house today,
Lots of food on His table and no one turned away.
There is singing and laughter as the hours passes by,
But a hush calms the singing as the Father sadly cries,
My house is full, but my field is empty,
Who will go and work for Me today.
It seems my children want to stay around my table,
But no one wants to work my fields,
No one wants to work my fields.
Push away from the table.
Look out through the windowpane,
Just beyond the house of plenty
Lies a field of golden grain.
And it's ripe unto harvest,
But the reapers, where are they?
In the house,
Oh, can't the children hear
the Father sadly say,
My house is full, but my field is empty,
Who will go and work for Me today.
It seems my children want to stay around my table,
But no one wants to work my fields,
No one wants to work my fields.
The first appearance of the word “church” in the NT was in Matt. 16 where Peter expressed the revelation of whom Jesus is. The claim of Jesus there was that flesh and blood has not revealed the knowledge to Peter, and that upon the revelation that was expressed His church shall be built. It seems as if this to the contemporary church means that we’ve got nothing to do than to trust in the Lord for the building of His church.
The Meaning of the Word church
When we talk about the church of Christ it is good to know what is meant. The word church does not mean the building and not necessarily the organization/denomination. It has to do with the people – the called out ones. People who are called out of the darkness/world into into God's marvellous light.
The promise of Christ Concerning the Church
The promise of Christ was to build his people. That means to construct/to confirm, to have the church built into an edifice. It is for this reason that he gave leadership gifts to the church and us all for one another for mutual edification. To build also by inference would mean to enlarge or increase: one of the ways Christ confirms his church is by increasing it – Acts. 2.47; He builds his church into an edifice and confirms it by granting her visibility on earth.
The Desire of Today's Church
Today’s church wants this increase and visibility for many reason. The first reason could be because Christ wants it – Jn. 10.16; 12.32. Another reason could be because we want it, even much more than the former, for self aggrandizement. Pastors wants to boast of their big churches; members are proud to be associated with such big churches; but unless we want the increase and the visibility because Christ wants it, we may not have true growth/increase. If we want it because he does, then we need to know how he wants His church to grow/increase.
The Plan of Christ for the Growth/Increase of His Church.
Not only did He promised to build his church, He also left instructions for the church - definite instructions. The instructions are related to the mission he came to this earth for - Matt. 1.21; Luk. 19.10; the instruction has to do with work – Luk. 19.13; Jn. 14.12-14. The works which He did, which we can do if we believe in Him; the works concerning which we can do something greater; an opportunity comes to us because Christ is going to the father. It must be for this reason that He gave the promise that whatever we ask in His name He shall do. The work also has to do with Him sending us as the father sent him – Jn. 20.19-23, to witness him or His redemptive work to the world – Acts. 1.8, a work which we must do in the power (with the collaboration) of the Holy Ghost. Jn. 15.26-27; Acts. 5.30.32.
This was the strength of the early church for increase and visibility; they witnessed Christ from Jerusalem … to the ends of the earth; creating a better society, not by merely praying nor merely believing, nor by flashy public relations. This was the example (Jn. 4.34-38) and the instruction from Christ; adhered to by the early church.
The modern church cannot claim him as its Lord if we do not what he commanded.
There is peace and contentment in my Father's house today,
Lots of food on His table and no one turned away.
There is singing and laughter as the hours passes by,
But a hush calms the singing as the Father sadly cries,
My house is full, but my field is empty,
Who will go and work for Me today.
It seems my children want to stay around my table,
But no one wants to work my fields,
No one wants to work my fields.
Push away from the table.
Look out through the windowpane,
Just beyond the house of plenty
Lies a field of golden grain.
And it's ripe unto harvest,
But the reapers, where are they?
In the house,
Oh, can't the children hear
the Father sadly say,
My house is full, but my field is empty,
Who will go and work for Me today.
It seems my children want to stay around my table,
But no one wants to work my fields,
No one wants to work my fields.
Tuesday, June 3
Prioritising Between Doing and Teaching
“The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach until the day in which he was taken up ….” – Acts 1.1
It is time as Christians we began to understand the reality of our calling, that the Christian faith is not evidenced by the abundance of words we speak and in the concepts we generate but in our life actions. Possibly, one of the reasons why spiritual formation is on a downward trend today is because we have not extolled the virtue of right living.
Luke, in his account (Acts 1.1) succinctly and declaratively acquainted us with the life of Christ. He asserted that Christ was first a doer and then a teacher. This shows us the reason for his great exploits in influencing people for God. He demonstrated by the life he lived the things he taught.
For example, it took his exemplary prayer life for his disciples to demand of him to teach them to pray (Luk. 11.1). So if a man that is not prayerful is teaching prayer to the people, he will go as far as giving them academic knowledge.
Christ was able to turn the hearts of men to God, simply because of the way he, himself, was committed to the father.
I remember a denominational preacher I once knew about. He was reputed to have always told the congregation he pastored to do what he was saying and not what he was doing. He did that to prevent many of them from becoming cultists like him, but you see, he could not be effective in establishing the realities of our spiritual walk with God in their lives.
Our Christian witnessing would soon move to another level when we understand that God expects us to live the new life than to generate concepts. We must be the ones to first experience the things we know according to Paul: “The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops”
Peter also made us to know that the Lord should be honoured in our hearts always: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness of fear, having a good conscience ….” The place of the heart, from where flow the forces of life, comes before explanations.
Our light shall shine and our good works would be seen by men, from our Jerusalem to the extremity of the world, when we focus much more on living the new life than talking about it.
Both are important, but there is a priority.
It is time as Christians we began to understand the reality of our calling, that the Christian faith is not evidenced by the abundance of words we speak and in the concepts we generate but in our life actions. Possibly, one of the reasons why spiritual formation is on a downward trend today is because we have not extolled the virtue of right living.
Luke, in his account (Acts 1.1) succinctly and declaratively acquainted us with the life of Christ. He asserted that Christ was first a doer and then a teacher. This shows us the reason for his great exploits in influencing people for God. He demonstrated by the life he lived the things he taught.
For example, it took his exemplary prayer life for his disciples to demand of him to teach them to pray (Luk. 11.1). So if a man that is not prayerful is teaching prayer to the people, he will go as far as giving them academic knowledge.
Christ was able to turn the hearts of men to God, simply because of the way he, himself, was committed to the father.
I remember a denominational preacher I once knew about. He was reputed to have always told the congregation he pastored to do what he was saying and not what he was doing. He did that to prevent many of them from becoming cultists like him, but you see, he could not be effective in establishing the realities of our spiritual walk with God in their lives.
Our Christian witnessing would soon move to another level when we understand that God expects us to live the new life than to generate concepts. We must be the ones to first experience the things we know according to Paul: “The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops”
Peter also made us to know that the Lord should be honoured in our hearts always: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness of fear, having a good conscience ….” The place of the heart, from where flow the forces of life, comes before explanations.
Our light shall shine and our good works would be seen by men, from our Jerusalem to the extremity of the world, when we focus much more on living the new life than talking about it.
Both are important, but there is a priority.
Sunday, May 25
My Friends, "Why don't we Rally?"
We would certainly stop if we drove by a house on fire
to see if we could help, wouldn't we? Yet we know there are
those out there who are going to die lost and spend
eternity in hell, but here we sit, ignoring
God's command to lift up our eyes.
Check out the piece on http://members.aol.com/buffyshome1/full/empty.htm
to see if we could help, wouldn't we? Yet we know there are
those out there who are going to die lost and spend
eternity in hell, but here we sit, ignoring
God's command to lift up our eyes.
Check out the piece on http://members.aol.com/buffyshome1/full/empty.htm
Saturday, March 22
Grace Works!
By Francis Frangipane
(En Español)
Whether we realize it or not, most Christians of Protestant lineage carry in their doctrinal heritage the revelation of Martin Luther, that "the just shall live by faith." For whatever flaws may have otherwise been in Luther's life, his contribution remains a living revelation in the consciousness of the modern Church.
Today, we know we are saved by grace and justified by faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ. The Lord's grace remains a consistent, liberating power in our lives. If I fall, grace does not retreat; rather, it lifts me up. If I become virtuous, I know virtue is truly the result of grace working in me.
We must never forget that salvation is the gift of God. As it is written, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9).
God knew us before we were born. Before we knew Him, He was working in us in secret, drawing us to Himself. He led us to someone who then helped us find Christ. Of course, we told others that we made a "decision for Jesus," but in truth, it was God who made a decision for us before the foundation of the world.
So, we can thank God in Christ for liberating us from a "works based" salvation, thanking also Paul for explaining grace so well in his epistles, and Luther for persevering to see this great truth restored. It is obvious why "salvation by grace" is the inspiration behind most of our greatest hymns.
Salvation and Good Works
Christ delivered us from a religion about God and brought us into a family fathered by God. We are not working for acceptance or to earn our salvation. Such a difference is profound.
Yet, the revelation that salvation is not based on our works should not be interpreted as though the family of God is a "work-free zone." God has not liberated us from the realm of works, only from self-generated, religious "dead works." As new creations, the Holy Spirit dwells in us in an eternal relationship. His presence is a living reality, capable of speaking to us, inspiring and directing our lives to fulfill God-inspired works.
Thus, just after Paul explained our salvation is not "of works," he writes: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10).
We are not saved by our works, but neither are we saved from works. The truth is, we have been "created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand." So we are saved by faith, but God has a plan for us that requires we work with Him to see it come to pass.
Destiny
Our destiny doesn’t just happen; it is connected to our fulfilling the "works, which God prepared beforehand." God is producing something in each of us that fits into the grand scheme of His will on earth. It may be a life vocation or a prayer ministry or feeding the poor or developing spiritual gifts or editing for a Christian writer or raising godly children. The list is as endless as it is varied.
But whatever God's will is for us, Paul says, "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:12-13).
"God is at work in you." This is such an amazing reality. It does, indeed, inspire fear and trembling, yet it is also the source of great confidence. For if it is God who is working in us, He will soon be working through us. It will look like us working, but it will really be God manifesting His works through us.
You see, our lives are the outworking of God’s grace. Our task is to seek Him, to study His Word, to minister to Him through prayer and worship, and to draw close to Him so we can discern what He is doing in us. Then make His inner working visible through us.
This is exactly how Jesus revealed the Father. He said, ". . . the Father abiding in Me does His works" (John 14:10). Again, "My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working" (John 5:19). And again, "We must work the works of Him who sent Me . . . " (John 9:4).
There should be God-inspired ideas, love-activated thoughts bubbling up into our minds from the redemptive Spirit of God. His inner working will ultimately affect every area of our lives. He will reach to others; He will work through us to reveal Jesus. These are the "good works" that God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
He whose grace led us to Christ will also conform us to Christ as we obey Him. Yes, grace works!
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Monday, February 11
Prioritising Between Doing and Teaching
“The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach until the day in which he was taken up ….” – Acts 1.1
It is time as Christians we began to understand the reality of our calling, that the Christian faith is not evidenced by the abundance of words we speak and in the concepts we generate but in our life actions. Possibly, one of the reasons why spiritual formation is on a downward trend today is because we have not extolled the virtue of right living.
Luke, in his account (Acts 1.1) succinctly and declaratively acquainted us with the life of Christ. He asserted that Christ was first a doer and then a teacher. This shows us the reason for his great exploits in influencing people for God. He demonstrated by the life he lived the things he taught.
For example, it took his exemplary prayer life for his disciples to demand of him to teach them to pray (Luk. 11.1). So if a man that is not prayerful is teaching prayer to the people, he will go as far as giving them academic knowledge.
Christ was able to turn the hearts of men to God, simply because of the way he, himself, was committed to the father.
I remember a denominational preacher I once knew about. He was reputed to have always told the congregation he pastored to do what he was saying and not what he was doing. He did that to prevent many of them from becoming cultists like him, but you see, he could not be effective in establishing the realities of our spiritual walk with God in their lives.
Our Christian witnessing would soon move to another level when we understand that God expects us to live the new life than to generate concepts. We must be the ones to first experience the things we know according to Paul: “The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops”
Peter also made us to know that the Lord should be honoured in our hearts always: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness of fear, having a good conscience ….” The place of the heart, from where flow the forces of life, comes before explanations.
Our light shall shine and our good works would be seen by men, from our Jerusalem to the extremity of the world, when we focus much more on living the new life than talking about it.
Both are important, but there is a priority.
Friday, January 11
Guidance by the Holy Spirit
Guidance by the Holy Spirit
Joel 2.28-; Jn. 14.16-8;
One of the reasons why believers will stand out in their interests is in their connection to the source. Being connected to the source connotes having the presence or the influence of the source in your life. God knowing the need for this presence in our lives has been making it available for mankind from the beginning, except for the fact that the presence was limited to a few sets of people: The prophets; the priests; and the kings. At the time of Moses the Holy Spirit came on those who had special roles to carry out (Ex. 35.30-31; Num. 11.14-16; 24-29). The prayer of Moses that day became eventually answered with the promise that the Holy Spirit shall come upon all flesh in the last days- Joel 2.28.
Because the Divine presence is needed by all, He’ll be poured out on all flesh. Children (both gender) will prophesy, speak forth or foretell by inspiration. Both age groupings shall see: old men shall dream (become healthy or strong through) dreams; young ones shall see (perceive, contemplate with pleasure) visions.
Life was worth a living for the disciples when Christ was here. He was everything to them. At the close of his earthly ministry however, he told them of his plan not to leave them alone. He would send to them another comforter (of the same kind as himself) who shall be with them as long as the church is here, and be to them exactly what Christ was to them.
The Spirit would take Christ’s place in the lives of his own. He will serve as comforter (counsellor, helper, encourager, and strengthener, and standby) Jn. 14.16-18, by giving them guidance as sons of God - Rom. 8.14; Gal. 5.18; Jn. 16.13. He will bear witness to the believer’s sonship as a seal. Ro 8:16; Gal. 4:6. The witness would be much more than just an inner feeling. It shall be a Divine involvement with the new creation, a testimony to the reality of the new life (relationship) beyond seasonal emotional flushes. The Spirit will make something better of your live by making it a guided tour, leading you in the way to go – Isa. 30.21,23; Ps. 32.8. He will reveal to you truth/realities beyond this natural plane, by digging into what God has in plan for you and revealing them to you - 1 Cor 2.12-14.
He will also relate you with the past and the future by reminding you of the past instructions from Christ (this he does when the actual hour of need comes, the reminder he gives at such times strengthens you to live and conduct yourself rightly, irrespective of the situation or human opinion) and by relating you to the future, he gives you awareness of the tasks ahead; encouraging you on with the blessings ahead - 1 Cor 2 .9-12; and preparing you for the challenges ahead.
You need his guidance today. To enhance the presence/the ministry of the spirit in your life:
- Desire his partnership in all aspects of your life, never attend to your tasks without his involvement– Jn. 15.26-7; Acts. 5.32; Heb. 6.4;
- Ask the Lord for the step to take/the way to go, for sincerely speaking, he that asks shall receive – Matt. 7.7;
- Don’t leave any of his instructions unattended to for he will not take you ahead until the present stones of instructions have been rightly laid (one upon the other);
- Humble yourself as one needing the direction not being proud or conceited in your smartness – Jam. 4.6-10; Seek the Lord himself and you will find him: He will draw near to those that come closer to him (Jam. 4.8; 1 Chro. 28.9) while those who fail in this shall be found with evil – 2 Chro. 12.14.
- Let your disposition however be like Job’s friend’s (Eliphaz) – Jb. 5.8: seek God and commit the cause of your life to him and he will guide you with his eyes.
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