Tuesday, 28 October 2014

CHRIST AS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH

Written by Femi Omotoyinbo

An article titled “The DNA of the Body of Christ” was given out sometimes ago; and in it the Body of Christ was tacitly identified as the church. The article thus emphasized the biblical fact that Jesus Christ is the High Priest and the Head of the Church [Heb. 2:17; Eph. 5:23]. Being the head in any form (secular or spiritual) is not a passive role. It is unlike most political situations where the head is chubby; full of fat and the other parts of the body is getting withered. 

Being the head is an active role laden with large responsibilities. Though the head enjoys publicity in photographic portraits; it also stoops to attend to a bleeding toe. It continues to ruminate on what the belly will harbour as daily food. When any part of the body undergoes discomfort, it is the head that cries. In all weather, the head remains the ambassador of the body. The head is the coordinator of the whole body frame. 

Jesus Christ as the Head of the Church was shown in the Holy Bible to have adequately taken up the responsibilities attached to His position. At the commencement of His ministry, Jesus Christ coordinated differently chosen individuals into the unified body as disciples. As the coordinator of the body frame, Christ did not only embody the Church, He also bestowed on her responsibilities and the corresponding abilities [Matt. 10:1-42; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 9:1-6]. Many times the Lord Jesus do nourish the Body both spiritually and physically [Eph. 5:29]. There are also times that Jesus Christ defended the Body [Luke 5:30-32; 6:1-5] just as he eased their pains and disputes [Matt. 20:20-27]. 
Of most relevance to this discussion was the time when the Head (Jesus Christ) stoops to perform a denigrated duty for the Church (the disciples). In John 13:4-15, the Bible has it that after a night meal the Lord Jesus Christ poured water into a basin to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded. Although there are many lessons to learn from that act of humility; the most crucial issue here is that Christ is explicitly showing the Church that such is His major role as the Head of the Church. 

Christ’s major role (as the Head of the Church) was expatiated upon in the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians [Eph. 5:26-27]. The primary purpose of Christ here is to sanctify the Church so to make her clean, unspotted; holy and without blemish. The Lord Jesus showed Himself in myriads of forms in the two phases of the Scriptures: And all through the Old and New Testaments, there are instances of purging and cleansing of the Church (the people of God). 

To cite but few examples we shall briefly start with the matter of Prophet Eli and his sons [1 Sam.2:12, 4:11]. Albeit that Prophet Eli was a mentor to the great Prophet Samuel, God still found him incompetent in his parental duties. The sons of Eli inherited priesthood from their father but God was not with them, for they did not know the Lord. It was at his old age that Eli grasp the real truth about his sons and he was unable to forbid them [1Sam. 2:22-25]. Notwithstanding the position occupied by anyone in the Church, God constantly wants holiness – He wants the Church to be without blemish. God thus allowed Death to victimize the two sons of Eli because they were impure workers in His vineyard [1Sam. 4:11]. 

Same thing happened during the time of King David [1 Chron. 13:7-10]: when the king and all Israelites accompanied the Ark of God with all joy and music in the presence of God. It was true that God was with them but He was not really happy with them. Maybe they were over-joyous or over-zealous to note that they have breached the law that they have breached the law that pertains to Ark of God [Exod. 25:12-14]. The Ark of God was carried on a cart contrary to that which pleases God. 
Uzza neither defecated on the Ark nor break it with an axe; but it was the universal disobedience to the law of God that made Uzza to be a particular victim of God’s fiery anger. 

The unfortunate couple was another instance of purging and cleansing of the Church [Acts 5:1-11]. It was the case that Ananias and his loyal wife embarked on an altruistic act voluntarily. They were not compelled by any of the Apostles to sell their possession and give the proceedings to the Church. Their brotherly kindness met no godliness in their hearts so they stumbled [1 Pet. 1:7, 10]. Their act of deceit was seen by the Holy Spirit as a blemish in the Church so they were purged out. 

It is not pleasant to continue with the unfortunate instances of purging and cleansing of the Church as they occur in the Scriptures as well as in our present days. The Lord Jesus Christ has given Himself to the Church. There is a bloody investment on the Church; God will not in any way allow it to be in vain. However, that Christ is not physically present on Earth like some two thousand years ago; yet the “Church is always the ‘lampstands’ before Him [Rev. 1:20]. It was not only for prosperity, protection and provision that Jesus said: “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” – it was also for the sake of purification. Perpetual Purging! 

If Christ could advise that one should dismember a sin-prone part of one’s body for the sake of Heaven [Matt. 5:29] then He can do likewise on His Body (the Church) for same reason. 
This is the time to stop debating on what God desires or detests. It is time to stop manipulating the scriptures to our tastes. It is time to grasp the core of the Scriptures and to follow it up purely. Yes, it is time to be faithful to our calling “...as He who called [us] is holy, [we should] also be holy in all [our] conduct... (1 Pet. 1:15). It is time to make our thoughts, actions, words, appearances and relationships pleasing unto Christ (the Head of the Church). 

Let us make the Holy Bible our daily mirror: let us do away with anything that makes us seem like we are Devil’s. Remember that every serious Christian is a tasty meal for the Devil. The Devil is constantly salivating for you and me [1 Pet. 5&8] because the unbelievers are already his. It is for the sake of Christ’s blood that we are safe. We should not hold our shield with contempt. All privileges enjoyed in Christ Jesus have responsibilities attached to them; “...let us [therefore] lay aside every weight, and the sins which so easily ensnares us; and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us [Heb. 12:1]. 

Church leaders, Founders, Apostles, Deacons, Pastors, Evangelists, Bishops etc., are parts of the Body of Christ. They are in no way excluded from the requirements and responsibilities that guide the body. Every believer is accountable to the Head of the Church. There is no partiality before the Lord and that is the vital reason why everything should be done as to the Lord and not unto men [Col. 3:23-5]. God is indeed merciful and He will not desire to see His chosen ones live like pigs in the mire. Christ is constantly purging His Church; He demands that we serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. “For our God is an all-consuming fire [Heb. 12:29 (International Standard Version ©2012)]. 





Thursday, 23 October 2014

LIVING FOR ETERNITY



Written by Pst Tayo Ladejo

Nothing in this life is worth living for. The best of man’s aspirations and drive will always amount to vanity. Eccl 4: 4. Whatever we live for is the measurement of our worth. We are of a different lineage and this revelation must sink deep into our spirit and define our direction and our aspiration for life.

Vanity is that which comes out of a carnal man, e.g. human ambition, natural possession etc. Our satisfaction comes from God, that is, knowing Him. It does not come from the things we possess. We must understand that ” WE ARE WORTH MUCH MORE, THAN ALL THE WEALTH OF THIS WORLD AND WE ARE NOT LIVING TO ACQUIRE THEM”. Money is nothing but a tool or instrument, but if we do not place it as God intended, it can become our idol.

Eccl 5:10-11…When our hearts and souls seek after anything, it opens the door for the spirit that controls that thing to gain control over us.

This is not to say we shouldn’t be excellent in whatever we put our hands to. Men should see our good works but we are not to seek these things.

Eccl 12:6-8 Silver will be loosed, gold bowls will be broken so why do we live for these?

Vanity means a source of pleasure and gratification that does not bring fulfillment; lacking spiritual worth and eternal value.

Our values must be defined by the spirit. Do not envy the prosperity of the wicked. The deceit of the spirit of the age is to get us to a place whereby we are deceived through carelessness and ignorance, and make us trade our true life for garbage.

1Tim 6:3-6 The essence of the word of God is to bring forth Christ in us. We must take heed to what we hear. We must not expose ourselves to messages that are self-indulgent, materialistic, not balanced. The enemy colours the truth in a subtle manner; to make us permissive of evil. The messages we hear frames us.

It is through us that light shines through to the world. Once the enemy can shut the light, the whole world is in turmoil. The enemy is shutting the light by tampering with the truth. Misconceptions are fast becoming common in the church.

Phil 3:6-8 The purpose of the knowledge of Christ is to bring forth Christ in us.

Ps 8:4-6 One of the most relevant question we must ask ourselves is “Where did I come from?” 

The purpose of knowing God is to be able to trace our source. And as we know God, the revelation to that answer gets clearer. Another most relevant question is “Where am I going Or what is my destination?” If God has hidden man in His mind since the beginning, before the heavens were created, then we are eternal beings in God. Making money cannot be our purpose.

The more we have the mind of Christ, the more we step into divinity. By having the mind of Christ, God begins to recall man from his source. The process of the spirit will move from revelation (God revealed to you) to transformation (God revealed in you) to manifestation (God revealed through you). 

Ps 82:1;6 God gives birth to gods. Outwardly we are man but inwardly we are god. We have the same DNA as our maker. The only thing God has taken away from us is His deity, but we have access to His nature. God is building up capacity amongst us before He sends us forth as emissaries. Authority only comes as we mature. God wants to reason with us. It is by the revelation of the Holy Spirit that we reason with God. Then we can enter into the courtroom of heaven and dispense His authority on the earth.

We are living for eternity not earthly gain. Our existence in this earth is meant to serve as a means of preparation for eternity.

Thursday, 16 October 2014

Worse than Ebola

Written by Karissa Freeman

Ebola fears have gripped the United States. It seems that every time I turn on my T.V. or look at Facebook there is a breaking news story that yet another person is being quarantined with possible Ebola-like symptoms. Most recently the death rate has increased from 50 to 70%. 

I’m here to tell you that Ebola is not what we should fear. I know of a disease that has a 100% death rate and all of us already have it. 

"Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned." Romans 5:12 

Sin. A genetic disease of the heart. A pandemic that already exists in this world. Much like the local people in Africa refuse treatment for Ebola, so many of us in this world refuse the cure for sin. The Bible tells us: 

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 

Nobody is safe from this disease. We all make mistakes, we lie, we take advantage of others, we envy, we lust with our eyes. We all need treatment. Those of us who accept God’s cure will be saved; and those who refuse to accept it will face death. 

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2 

Jesus is our only hope as sick people. He is the only one who can take away the disease leading to death and replace it with life. When Jesus was on this earth he gave miraculous healing to many people. Just because He is not on this earth doesn’t mean His healing powers are gone. He offers it now in exchange for your faith in Him and belief in what He did on the cross. 

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. …But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6, 8 

Sin is like Ebola. If you knew that you had the disease and somebody came to you and said, “We have found a cure for Ebola. Would you like to take it?” You would more than likely respond, “Yes!” What would you have to lose? You are already facing a 70% chance of death; what is the worst thing that could happen? 

Likewise, what is the worst that could happen to you by placing your hope and faith in Jesus Christ? According to the Bible you are already facing a certain death. What is the worst that could happen to you by saving yourself from that death? 

If you have not taken the step towards accepting Jesus as your Lord & Savior, I pray that you do so now. For not one of us knows when we will leave this world and await the judgment call before God. 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 

Are you living life as one who has been cured of a deadly disease? We, as Christians, should feel a strong desire to save those who have not yet accepted God’s treatment plan. We live in a sick world with sick people who need to hear the good news of what Jesus has done. 

***** 
Dear God, thank You for sending us a cure and saving us from the deadly disease of sin. I thank You for Your Son, Jesus, and what He did for me at the cross. I pray that You will open my eyes and ears to ways I can share this salvation with others. Amen. 




Saturday, 4 October 2014

Definitions


We are living in an age where lies are becoming more and more synonymous with truth, a generation in which error is progressively being widely accepted as the societal norm. In such a perilous time as this, the only way we can keep from error and deception, and remain in God’s will is by holding on to God’s definition for everything.

The scriptures make us understand that “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them (2 Tim 3:13-14). Take heed to yourself, and to the doctrine. Continue in them: for in doing this you will save both yourself, and those who hear you.” (1Ti 4:16) 

Holding on to God’s definition is crucial because the source of our definition of concepts will inadvertently control our lives since definitions influence our perceptions and notions which dictate our actions and ultimately shape our lives. It is absolutely expedient for us to define things the way God defines them, seeing things with His eyes through His infallible word and not with the conceptions and definitions of the world. 

The definitions of the world will keep changing, but God’s definitions remain the same because He never changes, He is the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). An instance of this is the definition of marriage, which has been defined since the beginning in Eden, as the legal union of a man and woman to live as husband and wife, but now, in our present day, has been changed. Several dictionaries have changed the original definition of marriage to “the legal union or contract made by two people to live together”, yet God’s word stands sure, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”(Gen 2:24). Another example of this is the radical change in women’s dressing over the years. Gone are the days when it was the societal norm for women to dress decently; now, the definition of acceptable dressing is for women to reveal parts of their thighs and breasts. 

My friends, no matter how advanced and sophisticated our age gets, God’s words are the only words that will ever remain true; every other thing is a lie that originates from the devil, the Father of lies. “The devil was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44) 

Furthermore, our definitions of such words like evil, darkness, iniquity, lie etc. will undoubtedly influence our perception of what is wrong and what is right. From the bible, we understand that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). It is the absence of Light (i.e. God) that is the meaning of darkness. We also understand that God is good, and anything that is not of God, is not good, which is the meaning of evil. “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.” (3 John 1:11). Any working that is not of God and the Spirit of God in us even if it looks okay or popular is iniquity and evil in the sight of God.

The fact that you got a cool idea to start up a new church, write an inspirational book or start a business doesn’t mean it’s a God (good) idea, God sees when you are driven by materialism and pride which is evil in His sight. Even if the idea is working and blossoming, and you are getting results, it doesn't necessarily mean God is pleased with it. You see, water gushed out when Moses struck the rock back in the day yet God was upset with him. 

The world would define a philanthropist, who is so nice, as a good man, even though he doesn’t believe in God and does what he feels and lives in sin. However, God sees it differently. He regards anyone who rebels against His lordship as wicked. In God’s dictionary, wickedness is not necessarily something brutal and really sinister or unmerciful. Wickedness is anything that is outside the will of God, like the Tower of Babel. Mal. 3:18 says “then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him” and “so it will be at the end of the age: the angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire.” (Matt. 13:49-50) 

In conclusion, let us prove all things and persistently hold fast to that which is good (1Thess. 5:21) and like David professed, “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path” (Psalms 119:105); let us hold on to God’s word as the standard to form our notions, to guide our thinking, to guide our actions and to keep our feet in the path of righteousness and in the way of Holiness in such a perilous time as this.



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