Thursday, December 3, 2009

THE ROLE OF THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN IN BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN HOME

THE ROLE OF THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN IN BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN HOME

By Kola Ajibola

Introduction: God planned and provided that all homes should be successful. From the Bible and experiences of life, it is not an overstatement that not all marriages/homes are successful. Noting this, as a Christian Woman, how can I prevent my own home/marriage from failure? How can I make my marriage/home a successful one? This is our focus.

Objective: For all Christians to strive Towards A Successful Christian Home by 'MAPPING2' out strategies for success.

By the word 'MAPPING2', I mean Maintaining, Achieving, Planning, Purposing, Investing, Nurturing and Guarding and Guiding your marriage.

  1. DEFINITION OF TERMS
    1. Role, Christian Woman, Success (you must have goal before talking about success – Illus. Heb. 12:2; Joshua 1:8), build and Christian Home.
  2. THE ROLE OF THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN IN BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN HOME
    1. AS A CHRISTIAN – I Pet. 3:1-7; Eph. 5:22-24; Col. 3:18
    2. AS A WIFE – I Pet.3:7; Gal. 3:22-29;
      1. She is prayerful – Hannah as a case study.
      2. She is an helpmeet
        Gen. 2:18; Heb. 13:4.
      3. She is involved in procreation – Gen. 1:28; Jer. 29:6.
      4. Love and respect her husband – Eph. 5:33.
      5. She is subjected to her husband – Col. 3:18, 1 Pet. 3:1
      6. She lives in such a way as to deserve respect – I Pet. 3:4; 1 Tim. 2:9-10.
      7. She strives for oneness in marriage – 1 Cor. 7:2-7.
      8. She is a homemaker – Tit.2:5.
      9. She does not put others before her husband.
      10. She is not jealous.
      11. She does not nag, she is not contentious – Prov. 25:24; 19:13; Illus. Judges 16:16.
      12. She doesn't resent her in-laws – Prov. 14:1; 18:22.
    3. AS MOTHER
      1. She has dream for her child(ren) and homeHannah – I Sam. 1:11; Bathsheba – Ikgs. 1:17-18; Eunice and Lois – 2 Tim.1:5; Phil. 4:6-7.
      2. She is a Christian – [One becomes a Christian by Hearing the gospel of Christ – Rom. 10:17, Believes the gospel – I cor. 11:1-4, Repentance- Acts 17:30-31, Confession of faith in Jesus Christ- Rom. 10:8-10, Baptism by immersion –Mark 16:15-16; 1 Pet. 3:20-21
        and live a holy and un-blemish life - I Pet.1:15. By this Lord will add you to His church – Acts 2:47; I Cor. 12:13].
      3. She has proper attitude towards God and Church – Prov. 22:6.
      4. She is concerned with physical well-being
        of her child(ren) – Lk.2:52 – Physical, Intellectual, Social, and Spiritual growth.
      5. She encourages the growth of her children intellectual capability.
      6. She says NO to her children when necessary.
      7. She accepts each child as an individual without partiality yet with equal love.
      8. She disciplines her children – Tit. 2:3-5; Prov. 1:8; 6:20; 23:24-25; 19:18; 13:29.
      9. She always remembers she is also a wife.
    4. AS AN IN-LAW –Ruth 1:16-17
      1. AS DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
        1. Ruth loved her mother-in-law.
        2. She sought her mother-in-law's advice.
        3. She willingly accepted the counsel of her mother-in-law.
        4. She included her mother-in-law in her life – Prov. 17:6.
        5. She heeded the influence of her mother-in-law's life.
      2. AS MOTHER-IN-LAW
        1. Naomi accepted Ruth and Orpah for what they were – Pagan.
        2. She loved her daughter in-law.
        3. She sought only good for her daughter-in-law.
        4. She made certain that her influence was for good. She caused Ruth to accept the only one true God.
        5. She gave advice to Ruth but never BOSS her.
    5. AS A MOULDER OF THE SOCIETY – Illus. American History after WWII
      1. She serves as a mould for the society because she teaches – Tit. 2:3-6, 1 Tim. 2:11-12. Illus. Acts 18:26; Jas. 5:20.
      2. Home maker and builder – Prov. 31.
      3. Her benevolent acts –Lydia, Phoebe, Euodia, Syntyche, Dorcas, etc.
      4. Her hospitality – 1 Pet. 4:9.
      5. Her visitation.
      6. She is a good counsellor – Gal.6:1.

CONCLUSION: Your marriage can be successful if you fully perform your role as prescribed by the originator of marriage.

APPENDAGE:

Pillars That Support a Marriage/Home

Intimate, fulfilling marriages have at least five major pillars. Security helps a marriage to withstand the inevitable storms of life. Meaningful Communication is an inescapable necessity if intimacy is to last. Emotional, Romantic bounding can help to stabilize a home, particularly through difficult times. Meaningful touch is crucial to the formation and preservation of an intimate relationship. All these hinged on the very most important of all – Spiritual intimacy. (Adapted) - Gary Smalley & John Trent.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

One God And Father of all

One God

And Father of all

By Kola Ajibola


 

Introduction

The Bible did not leave mankind in darkness as to the purpose of Christ on earth. It teaches that Jesus Christ came to this planet earth to establish His church (Matthew 16:18-19; Ephesians 3:8-11) and further stated that He established one church (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4; I Corinthians 14:15). This took place at Jerusalem in A.D. 33 (about 2000 years ago).

Today, people are confused because of the multiplicity of churches, as against one church read about in the Bible, we now have thousands of different churches existing in the world, all claiming to be the true church even though they teaches conflicting doctrines. What is then the way out of this confusion among the so-called Christendom? Many have suggested various ways which gave way to unity in diversity, which in the real sense union and not unity, such as Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), etc. For all 'Christian' to be one (agree) in religion, we must follow the same rules (Philippians 3:16; I Corinthians 1:10). If we follow different rules, we will never be to be united. Union or association will not give the desired result – UNITY, but sectarianism and denominationalism!

Jesus prayed for unity of believer before He left this planet earth (John 17). The Bible gave us the pillars of unity in Ephesians 4:1-6. Paul wrote to the church of Christ that met in Ephesus to teach them about UNITY. In these verses, he gave them the pillars of unity – the things which unity can and should be built upon. However, before he gave them the list, he first of all told them what attitudes they need to put up. Paul used words like beseech, walk worthy,
lowliness and meekness,
longsuffering, forbearing one another in loveEndeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. It is noteworthy that unity does not happen on itself, but it must be kept through work.

Paul listed seven things of which there is only one. If Christians truly believe that there is only one of each of these items listed, then their actions will lead them to the unity of the Spirit. Asking why there are religious divisions in Christianity? The answer is in the world today, people do not truly believe that there is only one of each of the seven things that listed – one body, one Spirit, one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God and Father of all. This last on the list constitute our burden in this write-up.

Zophar the Naamithite said of the things of God that "they are higher than heaven – what can you do? Deeper than sheol – what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea." (Job 11:8-9). Does this suggest that we cannot know God and His will for us? Does he exist? Where did He come from?

  1. DEFINITION OF TERM

The word "God" is used in two ways in the Bible – generic and specific ways. In Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1, "God" is used in generic sense (class of being), while in Ephesians 4:4; the word "God" is used in specific sense, which has personal reference to the Father. Generally, the Greek word translated "God" in English Bible is theos. According to W. E. Vine, theos in Greek refers to "the One true God." (Vine Concise Dictionary of Bible Words, pg. 157). The Hebrew word for God is el "a term of supreme power and divinity, which can refer to the true God, Genesis 3:20 ..." (ibid.). The "eloah" is the singular form of common plural form "elohim". This is found in Genesis 1:1 and several other passages of the Old Testament.

God, the Father is the first person of the Godhead (Deity), creator of the world, the Supreme Being, "Preserver, Benefactor of all things, He overrules in, through the universe, and dwells and works in every obedient heart..." (David Lipscomb, A commentary on the New Testament).

  1. WHO MADE THIS GOD?

    Henry H. Halley said, this is a question that every child do ask. Sincerely, there is no answer for this question. Several things are beyond the comprehension of human. For instance, we cannot conceive the beginning of Time, nor the end of neither Time, nor the Boundaries of Space... this world has been in existence always, or, it was made out of nothing one, or the other; yet we can conceive of neither... In faith we accept, as the ultimate in our thinking, a Power higher than ourselves, GOD, in hope that someday, in the beyond, we shall understand the mysteries of existence (Halley's Bible Handbook, pg. 59). God is eternal; nobody made Him or created Him. He has no beginning or ending, He has always existed and will continue to exist after eternity (Isaiah 48:12; Revelation 1:4, 8; 4:8). He dwells in eternity (Isaiah 57:15).

    1. DOES GOD EXIST?

    It is needful to examine the existence of God having stated that God is eternal and that nobody made Him. This question is momentous and significant to our study. Should we deny that God exists, how can we believe Him to be our Father, let alone worshipping Him or obeying Him? If we then deny Him, then we have denied our own very existence; nature and have relegated ourselves to the level of animal and as such we have neglected all the evidences God has written into His creation. To admit that He exists, is to acknowledge His as the greatest of all realities, as the Father of our Spirits (Hebrews 12:9; Isaiah 64:8), as the source of our life (Acts 17:29); and as Fountainhead of all Truth (Romans 11:33; James 1:17). Hence, because of His power and majesty, we must obey Him, worship Him and praise Him always which will guarantee the unity among believers.

    Concerning the question before us, there are three prominent positions namely: theism (the belief that there is one God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, Father of our Spirits, source of Righteousness and Truth and object of our worship and reference); atheism (this position deny the existence of God and seek to prove that He does not exist – this position is wrong because it is absolutely impossible to prove and sustain) and agnosticism (this is "I do not know" whether God exist or not position).

    IV. CAN WE KNOW THIS GOD?

    The nature glaringly declared that God exists; only the fool will say in his heart that there is no God (Psalm 14:1). The inspired Psalmist declared "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.  Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard." (Psalm 19:1-3). In Psalm 8:3, the scriptures says the heavens, the moon and the stars are the work of God's fingers and that God have ordained them. Prophet Isaiah vividly describe the majesty and power of God as revealed by nature when he wrote that God "Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?  Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?  With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?" (40:12-14).

    Paul declared to the people at Lystra that they should turn from idolatry "to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, who bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways." He reminded them that God "did not leave Himself without witness in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness." (Acts 14:15-17). Bert Thompson, in his write-up titled Why I Believe God submitted that For God to have been so gracious to give us "refreshing rains and recurring fruitful seasons offered eloquent testimony of God and served as reminder that 'He left not Himself without witness' (Acts 14:17)" (The Spiritual Sword, Vol. 23: No. 2, Jan. 1992, Pg. 2).

    On Areopagus (Mars' Hill) in Athens, Paul faced the Epicurean and Stoic Philosophers and proved to them that man's very existence argues convincingly that a more powerful Being must have created man, he concluded that the Powerful Being is God and in Him "we live and move and have our beings," (Acts 17:22-31).

    The Universe is filled with order, design and intelligence. Nobody will argue that there is no painter when there is painting, or that a poem exist without a poet, or that there is car without a car manufacturer. This world exists because there is Creator. The Law of causality demand that for every material effect, there must be an adequate cause. So, one does not have law without law-giver, or design without a designer. In addition to this, cause is qualitatively superior to or quantitatively greater than effect. God caused Universe; hence, He is quantitatively and qualitatively greater than the Universe (Psalm 90:2).

    The size of Universe is marvellous and impressive. God had said through Moses and Jeremiah that the "host of heaven cannot be numbered neither the sand of the sea measured..." (Genesis 15:5; Jeremiah 33:22). The last count of stars stood at 25 sextillion (that is 25,000,000,000,000,000,000,000). The distance around the earth is 24901.55 miles (40075.16 kilometres). It would take 100,000 years to travel from one edge of our galaxy to the other. The design of the Universe is dazzling. Moon, Stars, planets, galaxies and host of heavenly bodies operates with mathematical precision. They do not collide with or destroy one another. Such operation could not be per chance. Because of such order and design, it is possible to foretell an eclipse of the sun years in advance even to the hour and minute. Considering the speed at which the earth moved and rotates around the sun (1609km {1000miles} per hour at equator, any reduction in the speed will result to all vegetation burnt off by sun during the day time and all surviving sprout would be frozen by night), taking note of its tilt (230) and the effect it has on the earth, also, if you note the distance of earth to the sun, it would not have come closer (if it does, then means we will be burnt up) neither could it have been farther (if it does, then the earth will receive less radiation and we would be frozen). It was in the right place and suspended on nothing. How wonderful the Creator of earth and heaven and how marvellous is His work! On the sixth day of creation, Moses wrote, "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good..." (Genesis 1:31). Isaiah exclaimed in awe and said "Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth." (40:26).

    In all these, God has clearly revealed Himself in the nature. Time and space would not permit us to consider human nature. The pumping system (the human heart pumps 2,721.6kg {6,000 pounds} of blood through the 100,000 arteries and veins of the body in 24 hours and can operate for 60 – 90 years without shutdown or repair and in some instances repair itself). What about human eyes (it is self-focusing, self-adjusting, perception of object in different directions, self-cleansing mechanism, etc, found in millions of men, each showing the same marks of design by an intelligent Creator, who is GOD). All these and many others prove that God exists. Little wonder, why David exclaimed "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
    marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."
    (Psalm 139:14).

    Paul declared that "For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God." (Hebrews 3:4). Once again, only the fools will say in his heart that there is no God (Psalm 14:1). "O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches." (Psalm 104:24). "To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth." (Isaiah 40:25-26).  "Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee." (Nehemiah 9:6).

    Considering the above facts and several others about the nature, one is left with just one conclusion that a unifying mind (God) hasd been, and is, at work. He originated and was the designer and planner of the universe (Psalm 90:2). The universe is run by law, and then there must be a Law-giver. It operates on Mathematical principles; hence there must be a Mathematician. God is the Law-giver, the Mathematician, the Builder, the preserver and the One that sustains the universe (Hebrews 3:4).

    Psalm 19: 1-6 teaches that God revealed Himself through nature, and by that we mean natural revelation of God. From verse 7 through 14, the Psalmist says God also revealed Himself specially. That is through the special revelation of His word through men who He had empowered with His Spirit. The Hebrews writer summarised it this way: "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;" (Hebrews 1:1-2). To know God the Father today, we have to go to Jesus Christ (John 14:7-11). Jesus when He had taught His twelve apostles, He promised them the promise of His Father, the Holy Spirit. He fulfilled His promise on the day of Pentecost (the first after His ascension) in A. D. 33. These apostles also laid their hands on some faithful men who also receive the gift of Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17). All these revelation constitutes the New Testament.

    We can know God through natural revelation and through special revelation of His will as contained in the Bible. The Spirit of God that knows the mind of God has revealed to mankind the mind of God (I Corinthians 2:11-13).

    1. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT GOD?

    "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:" (Deuteronomy 6:4).

    "And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment." (Mark 12:28-30; see also Matthew 22:37).

    "But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him." (I Corinthians 8:6).

    God is within the reach of all (Acts 17:26-29); He want to give us salvation and want us to repent because He is going to judge us (Acts 17:30-31; Revelation 20:12; Romans 14:11-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10); He is love (I John 4:8). God is great (Deut. 5:24); good (Ps. 33:5); loving (John 3:16); perfect (Matt. 5:48); merciful (Rom. 12:1); invisible (Jn. 5:37; 6:46); glorious (Ex. 15:11); just (Acts 10:34-35); righteous (Ps. 19:9); longsuffering (Rom. 15:5); compassionate (Ps. 78:38-39); generous (Rom. 8:32); kind (Ps. 42:8); wealthy (Eccl. 5:19); faithful (I Cor. 1:9),etc.

    V. WHAT WAS PAUL SAYING?

    Paul had treated six "one" and finally, he came to the final "one" in the list, and is "one God and Father of all..." Earlier, he had written on the other two members of the Godhead being Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. God is one (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:28-30; I Corinthians 8:6). God becomes the Father of Christians through Christ because all who are in Christ are His children (Romans 8:16-17; Galatians 3:2-27). That is the reason why Jesus taught Christians to pray like this, "Our Father, who hath in heaven, hallow be thy name..." (Matthew 6:9). Paul affirmed that this one God and Father is "above all." Here, Paul is speaking of God's sovereignty or supremacy. He is also "through all," suggesting His providential involvement in people's lives (Acts 14:18-17; 17:22-31) and that God is "in all," affirming that He is present with His people and will never depart (Psalm 139:7-10; Deuteronomy 4:31; Hebrews 13:5).

    If men will truly believe that there is only one God and Father, then they would give themselves to obeying Him. They would find out what God wants from them and they would obey. For mankind not to obey God, mankind is saying that he does not really believe that there is only one God and Father.

    Holy Spirit is very clear to His point, when He used Paul to teach the Ephesians Christians (and all Christians today and tomorrow) what they needed to have to keep the unity of the Spirit. He also told them the right attitudes they needed to have in order to keep the unity of the Spirit. Christians today need to believe in these same things (Ephesians 4:4-6) and have the same right attitudes in order to keep the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:1-3).

    VI. WHAT PAUL DID NOT TEACH

    Paul did not teach unity in Diversity. The world is filled with religions. Sad to note that they are not the same and do not lead to heaven and as such all are not from one God. Regardless of things done in His name, He cannot accept them. It is sadder again to note that even among those who claim to be Christians, they are widely divided doctrinally, for each of them are characterized by their creeds, manuals, belief system, tenets etc that are contradictory to each others and even contradicts the Bible!

    The movement of some religionists today that suggest Unity in Diversity was not what Paul preaches or teaches. In Acts 17 quoted earlier in this write-up, Paul stood in the centre of the Areopagus (Mars' Hill) in the ancient city of Athens as he was surrounded by Epicurean and Stoic philosophers that had earlier invited him to speak of his new found doctrine. He tells them, "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious." This described Christendom today. Just as Paul told them about the God they had missed – the one true and living God, he is telling us today. He had not taught us to have unity in diversity!

    Unity in diversity (as seen in Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), and host of others) is nothing but unity against Christ. In Luke 23:12, "And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves." They became united against Christ. That is what Unity in Diversity is all about. They dropped their difference to unite against Christ.

    Likewise, all denominations uniting themselves under association like CAN, PFN, etc are not uniting under Christ. If they are united under Christ they would leave their denominational creeds behind and follow Christ fully. While under Christ, denominationalism and religious differences are put to an end. Denominations that unite under Christ are no longer denominations but are His body – the church (Colossians 1:18, 24). Christ said "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." (Matthew 12:30).

    VII. OUR PLEA

    Just as the Psalmist said, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (133:1). Wouldn't be great thing for every Christian to live together in harmony with the Word of God and with one another? Just think awhile on what we can achieve for the Lord if all who profess Christianity are one under Christ. How attractive would this be to people in the world? How do you think it would be? How would they view the Lord's church? Do you suppose this was in the mind of Jesus when He prayed to the Father, "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." (John 17:21). Love is required. Jesus said "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:35)

    We are pleading with all men who are in denomination (or sect) to please come out of them (Rom. 16:17-18; 2 Cor. 6:17) and accept the seven pillars of unity. Please, accept that there is only one body, which is the church of Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:22-23); Col. 1:18, 24), the church of Christ (Rom. 16:16). Make every effort to become a member of this church, the saved (Eph. 5:23).

    Admit that there is only one Spirit and try to follow completely the word that the Holy Spirit spoke to mankind in the Bible. Listen to no other message from any other person (who might claim spiritual) other than the word of the Spirit in the Bible (Gal. 1:6-9).

    We are begging all men to accept that there in only one hope of your calling, that is the hope of eternal life (Eph. 1:18; 2 Thess. 2:14; Tit. 2:13; 1 Pet. 3-5, 7-13). Different ways leads to different destination (Matt. 7:13-14). Kindly prefer to be saved according to that only one hope instead of whatever way that might seem most preferred to you (Prov. 14:12).

    Accept that there is only one Lord – Jesus Christ (2 Thess. 1:9; Eph. 5:27). Make Him the Lord of your life. Have this attitude that whatever Jesus Christ wants you to do; that is exactly what you will do. Please Jesus Christ. Live your life according to His teachings in the New Testament instead of living according to what you want or like.

    Acknowledge that there is only one faith (Phil. 1:27; Gal. 1:6-9; 2 Cor. 15:1-2) i.e. one system of faith or belief, the whole body of teaching that instructs man on how to live a pleasing life unto God (Jude 3; Acts 6:7; Gal. 1:23).

    Consent to one baptism that was commanded – immersion in water for forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 8:36-39; 10:47-48; Rom. 6:3-4; 1 Pet. 3:21) and not for any other reason. Reject sprinkling or pouring of water o people as baptism. Renounce the teaching that states baptism as an option and not command. Baptism is a command to be obeyed in order for one's sins to be cleansed.

    And finally, say YES to the fact that there is only one God Father of all (Gal. 3:26-27; I Cor. 8:5-6; Gal. 1:3-5), who you must obey, love and worship (Matt. 12:37).

    CONCLUSION

    It is the desire of God for His people to be united. And he has given unto us the seven pillars of unity. Seven truths that must be accepted by all of us as we seek to have a proper attitude toward God's revealed will (Eph. 4:1-3). The unity is achievable, if and only if we can accept these basis truths. Let us strive for unity to receive the benefits of the goodness and pleasantness it produces. It is good, right and fitting because it is lovely, attractive and appealing. It produces joy, overcome sorrow of self-seeking and produces desire to work toward a common goal-seeking soul for God through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Remember, if we are not united Christ, Christ will deny us entry to heavenly house on the last day (Matt. 7:21-23).

    Repent of your spirit of denominationalism and sectarianism today and embrace undenominational Christianity.

    Box 35478, Agodi Gate, Ibadan, Oyo State. +2348056048209

    www.ksajibola.blogspot.com; ksajibola01@yahoo.com

    October, 2009


     

    References

    Armstrong, J. N., Undenominational Christianity, (Resource Publications, Searcy, Arizona, USA, 2002)

    Ferrell Jerkins, Introduction to Christian Evidences, (Guardians of Truth Foundation, 1981)

    Ferrell Jerkins, Better Things, A workbook on Hebrews, (Florida College Bookstore, USA, 1988)

    Henry H. Halley, Halley's Bible Handbook

    Homer Hailey, God's Eternal Purpose and Covenants, (Religious Supply, Inc., Louisville, 1998)

    John Lockhart, Truth For today Magazine, Ephesians 4

    Paul Sain, Ready Reference for Growing Christians, (Sain Publications, TN, USA)

    Peter J. Wilson, Indestructible Foundations, (Guardians of Truth Foundation)

    Robert Harkrider, Examining Popular Doctrines,
    Basic Bible Doctrine, Part 4, (IIP, Alabama, USA)

    Robert Milligan, A commentary on Hebrews, (Gospel Light Publishing)

    The Spiritual Sword Magazine, Why I Believe, (Vol. 23: No. 2, Jan. 1992)

    Truth for the World Magazine, Equipping The Saints, (Vol. XVI, No. 4, Dec., 2007)

    Vine, W. E., Vine's Concise Dictionary of Bible Words


     

    http://www.bible.ca/trinity

    http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_distance_around_the_earth

Saturday, September 12, 2009

The Power That Be Are Ordained By God

“The Powers That Be Are Ordained of God”
By Kola Ajibola
Introduction:
Just like many other subjects pertaining to religion, many people have confusion and perverted thought about civil government/authority/power. Some believe that to submit to civil government is tantamount to disobeying God and that it is sinful. While some feel that God would have us to obey everything demanded by civil authority and even to consider their will as that of God which must be obeyed at all cost. It is in some people’s mind that civil government are evil and they are from Devil and they are being ruled by Satan and as such not ordained by God.
During Jesus Christ’s day, this was one of the problems Jesus Christ addressed and solved permanently. His enemies came to Him, pretending they were sincere but were only out to trap Him and got Him arrested at the spot (Luke 20:19-20), asked Him, “Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” (Luke 20:22, NKJV). In response, He held up a coin and asked, “Whose image and inscription does it have?” They answered, “Caesar’s,” (Luke 20:24). Then He said, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's” (Luke 20:25, KJV).
Just like the Jews, they did not want to “render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's,” Today, many are of the opinion that civil government did not merit what they are demanding, they being evil and corrupt.
In the view of this, we are set to examine this subject in the light of the Scriptures. What is the stand of the Bible? Where and who originated the civil government? Is it God or man? Did God have control over the nations or has He surrendered it to the control of devil or man? Is there any God’s given functions and responsibility of the civil government and Christians respectively? These and many others shall form the major burden of this article.
I. WHERE AND WHO ORIGINATED THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT?
By civil government, we have in mind, “that authoritative direction and restraint exercised over the actions of men in communities, societies and states.” In the Bible, civil government is referred to under such phrases like: Caesar (Matthew 22:21); Kings of the earth (Matthew 17:25); governors (I Peter 2:14); magistrates (Titus 3:1); higher powers, rulers (Romans 13:1, 3); ministers of God (Romans 13:4, 6).
Where and when the first non-family government begin was not known for certain. The first place to read of this was in the book of Genesis 10:8-10, “8 And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD. 10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.” (emphasis, KSA).
On this, Wayne Jackson based his conclusion on Adam Clarke’s commentary on Genesis 10:9-10 who wrote that:
“The word tsayid, which we render hunter, signifies prey; is applied in the Scriptures to the hunting of men by persecution, oppression, and tyranny. Hence, it is likely that Nimrod, having acquired power, used it in tyranny and oppression; …”
Jackson now wrote that “Human civil government was thus founded in rebellion to God.” This conclusion seems unwarranted and lack scriptural backing as we turn our attention to passages like Romans 13:1-2, “Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment.”(Romans 13:1-2, ASV, emphasis, KSA). New Living Translation paraphrased Romans 13:1-2 this way, “Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there.” New American Standard Version says, “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God and those which exist are established by God.”(emphasis, KSA). The civil state is ordained of God. Whether Nimrod’s kingdom was set up in response to a divine order or on his own initiative is also unknown. All what we can say boldly is that the principle of human government is appointed and ordained by God (Romans 13:2).
Paul was not the first Biblical writer or speaker to declare that earthly rulers are subject to God’s universal sovereignty. “15 By me kings reign, And princes decree justice. 16 By me princes rule, And nobles, even all the judges of the earth.” (Proverbs 8:15-16). Cyprus, a Persian ruler was God’s instrument and was referred to a “shepherd”, God’s “anointed” (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1). Daniel also wrote in 2:21 and 4:17 that God “removes kings and establishes kings” that “the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind.” During His trial before Pontius Pilate, a Roman governor, Jesus Christ declared unto him that “Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above :” (John 19:11a). Reading through Romans 13:4-6, you might be dazzled, if this is the first time of studying the book or Romans 13; when you read that civil government are “minister of God.”
From the foregoing, does this fact mean that God approves of every government? I want to say NO! Because, by way of analogy, God has also approved of and ordained the principle of monogamous marriage. He instituted the church (Acts 2). Despite this fact, God had not approved every congregation (see Revelation 2:4, 14, 20). So also, God’s stamp of approval is not on every government. Note that God is not the author or defender of injustice, cruelty, oppression, corruption, vice and other abuses of power in government, marriage or church (I Corinthians 14:33).
Daniel 2:21 was too clear to show that it is God who “raises up kings” and at the same time, He is the one that “removes kings.” This should be a sobering thought for any ruler or any in position of authority. God who raises you up has the power to remove you; after all, He was the one that removed the person in that position before you.
Robert L. Whiteside wrote in his commentary on Paul’s Letter to the Saints at Rome: “He who denies this fact denies the voice of inspiration. The fact that governments sometimes turn out bad, and do unjust things, does not prove Paul’s statement to be untrue. The devil sometimes gets into churches and causes them to do evil and unjust things, but that does not prove that the devil owns and controls all churches” (pg. 258).
II. WHO RULES THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT?
“…till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.” (Daniel 5:21-22, emphasis, KSA).
a. For the kingdom is the LORD's: and he is the governor among the nations. (Psalm 22:28): The Holy Bible is very clear on this by letting us know convincingly that God exercises providential control over the nations of the world. As noted above, Daniel in offering praises to God of heaven for revealing to him the secret of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams which neither of the wise men of Babylon could make known nor interpret; Daniel said; “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings;” (Daniel 2:20-21). Nebuchadnezzar, in his dreams heard the voice of a watcher, a holy one, who came from heaven (Daniel 4:13) who said; “that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men.” (Daniel 4:17). God is the ruler of all nations (Psalm 22:28). At Athens, Paul declared when preaching to the Athenians on the nature and person of God; he said; “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; (Acts 17:24-26). God is the ruler, the giver and the taker of civil government!
b. God can even use evil governments to accomplish His purposes: We have got to recognise this great Bible principle that God can make use of wicked people/government who are in rebellion to Him as an instruments/tools of His vengeance to punish other evil men, or to maintain law and order in the society. For instance; Assyria was the rod of God’s anger to punish Israel (Isaiah 10:5, 6-12). The Lord used Babylon to punish Judah for its wickedness (Jeremiah 25:9-11). When Assyrian needed to be chastised (Isaiah 10:12, 24, 25), God raised the Chaldeans (Babylonians) to overthrow them, and to subdue the kingdom of Judah (Habakkuk 1:5-11). Other examples that abound on this are: God used Cyprus, the Persian King, a pagan to release Judah from captivity (Isaiah 44:28-45:7; Ezra 1:1-4). He was even referred to as God’s shepherd and anointed as noted earlier (Isaiah 44:28; 25:1). Greeks subdued Medo-Persian kingdom under God’s direction (Daniel 8:5, 21; cf. 2:39). But the Greeks were eventually removed by the Roman armies (Daniel 2:40-ff) and in the first century, God used Roman armies to punish Jerusalem and the Jews (Matthew 22:7).
At this point, it is needful to say that, “in some way, God remains in control of governments of the world. In the end, His purposes will be fulfilled.” (David Roper, Romans, 9, Truth for Today Magazine, pg. 5).
III. WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT?
As noted in the book of Romans, chapter 13 verses 1 to 7, the civil government have some responsibilities to do.
a. Terror to evil workers (Romans 13:3-4): Civil government were meant to be ministers of God for the good people. They are expected of God to protect law abiding citizens and punish those who are evil. J. B. Phillips renders verse 4 this way: “The officer is God’s servant to your protection.” David Roper noted that “In addition to protection, our city, state, and national governments provide for our welfare with services that would be difficult or impossible to obtain on our own.” Robert L. Whiteside was very correct with his observation when he noted that “The design of civil government is to promote the security and the well-being of its citizens; and there would be no security of life and property, if there were no human governments.”
Of course, the civil government exists to promote the good and suppress the evil (I Timothy 2:1-2; I Peter 2:13-17). From history, we cannot but note that some civil governments have stepped outside their God given functions and have done otherwise. Nero punished Paul and other Christians as evil-doers (2 Timothy 2:9). Paul was wrongfully imprisoned and beaten by Romans authorities (Acts 16:22-24; 2 Corinthians 11:25). Paul himself had been party to such an error before when he was part of Jewish government’s executive, when he wrongfully dished out various punishment unto Christians, those found on the way – the church (Acts 8:3; 9:1-2; 1 Timothy 1:13).
Despite all these, it is worthy of note that no civil government has ever set itself to put down righteousness and exalt evil as righteous. J. W. McGarvey et all noted that “though there are myriads of cases where human ignorance, prejudice and bigotry mistook the wrong for the right, and made havoc of the good, supposing it to be evil … intentional punishment of the good and countenancing of the evil would be governmental insanity and suicide” (pg. 509). Considering the civil government of the day, on how they punished good for evil, Burkitt sagely remarks, the civil government “was not ordained for that end.” The civil government was put in place by God to punish evil doers and protect law-abiding citizens.
b. Does not bear the sword in vain (Romans 13:4b): Romans 12:19 had emphasized that vengeance belong to God. Men have no scriptural right to revenge. God had also put the punishment of evil in this life into the purview of the civil government. It is within the power of civil government as given by God to institute capital punishment. Long ago, before the enactment of the Law of Moses, God gave this universal directive to Noah after the deluge: “whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man” (Genesis 9:6).
c. Later, this principle form part of the Law of Moses (Exodus 21:12) and now Romans 13 is pointing it out that it is compatible with the New Testament.
This will of God has always been obeyed by men who feared the LORD in a legal way. Anyone who does otherwise will be liable of sin of murder. No man has the right to take vengeance with his own hands. Only the civil government has God given the responsibility to take another man’s life having found him guilty of the crime levelled against him (Luke 18:1-8).
IV. WHAT ARE THE OBLIGATIONS OF CHRISTIANS TO CIVIL GOVERNMENT?
As far as Christians are concerned, our duty to civil government may be considered under a four-fold concept: remember, recognize, relate and respect.


a. Remember those in power
“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
We are to pray for those in authority. Please, note that this is to the benefit of Christians, because, it reads further “so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” KJV says “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
b. Recognize the civil authority
Romans 13:1-2, 4, 6; Titus 3:1 teaches that “every person” (Christians inclusive) must “submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right” (1 Peter 2:13-14). We have to recognize them as being sent by God to punish the evil doers and praise those who do right. We are to recognize them as “God’s minister” (Romans 13:4-6). If any should resist them, him will receive the judgment of God, and if any dear submit to them, he had done so to God’s wisdom (1 Peter 2:15).
Christians are to note that God had put within the authority of civil government to protect their citizen, hence, we are to recognize them by looking unto them for protection and fairness in keeping with the rights of citizenship. In Acts 16:35-39, Paul taught us by example that one can seek government protection when he did against the ploy to take his life prematurely and appealed to Caesar (Acts 22:25-29; 25:11-12, 25).
c. Relate to the authority
“Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor (Romans 13:7). Paying your taxes does not amount to your involvement in all the ungodly acts of those in government. Remember, remember from where we started, Jesus said, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's” (Luke 20:25, KJV). It is our responsibility to pay our taxes and it is the responsibility of those in government to use it judiciously. Their failure does not excuse us from our obligation to the civil government. Jesus taught people to pay taxes (Matthew 22:15-22) and even paid along with his disciple. It is sinful not to pay all your taxes. Christians, pay your taxes and dues, do not be a tax evader!
d. Relate to the authority
“You must not speak evil of a ruler of your people.” (Acts 23:5 cf. Exodus 22:28). We must be respectful and obedient to the rulers under which we live because the word of God says “be in subjection to the higher powers” (Romans 13:1, 5; 1 Peter 2:13-17).
To this, there is an exception which we will discuss now.
V. WHAT IS THE LIMITATION OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT?
Right from the first century, civil governments have been putting in place policies that conflict with Christian’s principles and ethics. We are set to discuss just one limitation of civil government or in order word an exception to the rule of Christian’s obedience to the law of the land.
When the law of the land demand Christian to do something in disobedience to the Law of God, the Christian must obey God rather than men. Peter and John had been ordered not to teach or preach in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:18), a command that was at conflict to that of Jesus which says “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:15-16 cf. Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Timothy 4:2). Which of these must they obey? Which one must they ignored? Definitely, they can not keep the two. The apostles disobeyed the law of the land and obeyed that of Christ not minding the consequences that those in authority may melt on them. When the civil authority apprehended them, they declared with a brave voice, loud and clear that “we must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Some examples in the Bible are readily available. In the Old Testament, Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to worship the image set down by the king with a law of the land instructing all to bow down to this god of the king (Daniel 3). When caught disobeying the law of the king, they brought them to the king who questioned them why they have chosen to defy his laws and commands and even threaten them with death sentence by fiery fire, they stood upright, with their heads held high-up and they declared to the king of Babylon, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. 17 "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 "But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up" (Daniel 3:16-18). They refused kings order to worship idols and obey God (Exodus 20:3-6; Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6).
Another example is that of Daniel who disobeyed the edict of the king to pray to none except him (Daniel 6). He was thrown to the den of lions as a result of his disobedience to the law of the land that demand disobedience to God’s law. God saved him. In the New Testament, Antipas was put to death because he did not deny faith (Revelation 2:13).
How can we reconcile this? The first thing we must put in our minds is that “we must obey God rather than men,” and must be prepared to face the consequences just as other men of God have done in the past. Remember, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (2 Tim 3:12). So, this is the rule, as long as a local, state, or federal (national) law does not violate one of God’s law, obey it. Do not ask whether it is logical, or consistent, or reasonable or otherwise. Just obey. If otherwise, that is if contradict any of God’s law, disobey it and obey the law of God.
One more thing before we round up, for the fact that civil government give approval for a thing does not obligate Christians to participate in such if it is not in the will of God. For example, in 1973, an American Supreme court legalised abortion upon demand. Even though, this act of murder had been legalised in that country, it does not mean that any Christian in that country that have hand in such should not expect the fiery judgment of God. Likewise gambling, homosexuality, drunkenness and all other immorality that civil government have legalised in one country or the other are scripturally wrong. Hence, Christian should not participate in them for they have been marked “beware.”
Conclusion
The powers that be are ordained of God. God had not abandoned civil government to the hand of wicked men of the world and Him sitting in one corner of the world watching as a spectator on what become of His creation. He had given functions and responsibilities to both in power and the subjects respectively.
Let us agree with the submission of Williams Barclay on Romans 13:1-7 who wrote:
“Paul saw in the state an instrument in the hand of God, preserving the world from chaos. Those who administered the state were playing their part in that great task. Whether they knew it or not they were doing God’s work, and it was the Christian duty to help and not to hinder.” (Romans, Pg. 174).
You may wish to become a child of God today by putting on Christ in baptism. This is possible and attainable; if you can just believe the gospel of Christ about His death, burial and resurrection on the third according to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-4); and repent of your sinful ways (Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30-31); and confess your faith in Christ (Romans 10:8-10; Acts 8:34); and be baptised in water for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:36-38; 1 Pet 3:21; Romans 6:1-6). This will place you in the kingdom of God which is the body of Christ and the church of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:4-6; Colossians 1:18, 24, Romans 16:16). If you can just obey God this way, it will become pretty easier for you to obey those in authority!
P. O. Box 35478, Agodi, Ibadan, Nigeria.
www.ksajibola.blogspot.com; www.godlyfear.blogspot.com
234-8056048209
Ksajibola01@yahoo.com

Monday, July 20, 2009

CHURCH OF CHRIST ADDRESSES IN OSUN STATE

CHURCH OF CHRIST, OGO-OLUWA, OBA IYIOLA MODEL PRY SCHOOL, BESIDE FEDERAL HOUSING ESTATE, OGO-OLUWA, ONWARD AREA, OSOGBO, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA.
TEL: (+234)-8056048209, (+234)-8132990742
Website: www.cocogooluwa.org
Email: info@cocogooluwa.org

Church of Christ,
Temidire Street,
Ibokun,
Osun State.
Tel: 08056048209, 08066505853

CHURCH OF CHRIST, OKE ONITEA, ALONG GRACE BAPTIST MISSION ROAD, OSOGBO.
080-60194463, 035-208351 & 07092070164

CHURCH OF CHRIST, Amuloko, Ita Olookan,Off Ilesa Road Osogbo.
080667844754.

CHURCH OF CHRIST, OKE OORE, OFF AJIGBAAGUN SAWMILL, ODOORI, IWO.
08038267162

CHURCH OF CHRIST, CARPENTER'S HALL AREA, OFF IKIRE/IKOYI ROAD, MORO, IKIRE.

CHURCH OF CHRIST, BESIDE MIRTH AGRIC FARMS, AJEIGBE VILLAGE, IFE ROAD, NEAR ASEJIRE RIVER.

CHURCH OF CHRIST, OGUNSUWA GRAMMAR SCHOOL AREA, MODAKEKE.

CHURCH OF CHRIST, 32, ALASELA STREET, IGBOYA AREA, ILE IFE.

CHURCH OF CHRIST, GBONGAN TOWN, AYEPE AREA, GBONGAN/OSOGBO ROAD, GBONGAN.

CHURCH OF CHRIST, OLOMILAGBALA AREA, P. O. BOX 841, ILESA.

CHURCH OF CHRIST, IMESI ILE.

CHURCH OF CHRIST, OTAN.

CHURCH OF CHRIST, INISA.

CHURCH OF CHRIST, OKUKU.
NO. 107, ADEMOLA ADESINA HOUSE, EKUSA ROAD, OKUKU, OSUN STATE.
e-mail: cocokuku@gmail.com

CHURCH OF CHRIST, OYAN.
080-60194463

CHURCH OF CHRIST, WASIMI, IBADAN/IFE EXPRESS WAY.

CHURCH OF CHRIST, IPETU IJESA.

CHURCH OF CHRIST, IREE.
08034098617, 08052115482.

The Biblical Perspective of The Gospel of Christ

The Biblical Perspective of
The Gospel of Christ


By Kola Ajibola

Introduction

In the religious world today, it appears several things are being regarded by several people as the Gospel of Christ. To confirm this, just ask ten or more people who profess to be Christian: “What is the Gospel of Christ?” Definitely, you will receive as many answers as the number of people questioned and alas, differing and sometimes contradicting answers. The situation is worse, when the question is asked from those who do are not “Christians”.

According to the founder of Christianity, it is a taught religion, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17). Paul, wrote under the influence of Holy Spirit that we should “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). John, another apostle of Christ said that “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (I John 4:1). It is from this standpoint that we want to implore you sincerely to reason along as we consider the Biblical perspective of the Gospel of Christ.

THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST DEFINED

Gospel is “a word of Anglo-Saxon origin, and meaning "God's spell", i.e., word of God, or rather, according to others, "good spell", i.e., good news. It is the rendering of the Greek _evangelion_, i.e., "good message." It denotes (1) "the welcome intelligence of salvation to man as preached by our Lord and his followers. (2.) It was afterwards transitively applied to each of the four histories of our Lord's life, published by those who are therefore called 'Evangelists', writers of the history of the gospel (the evangelion). (3.) The term is often used to express collectively the gospel doctrines; and 'preaching the gospel' is often used to include not only the proclaiming of the good tidings, but the teaching men how to avail themselves of the offer of salvation, the declaring of all the truths, precepts, promises, and threatenings of Christianity." It is termed "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24), "the gospel of the kingdom" (Matt. 4:23), "the gospel of Christ" (Rom. 1:16), "the gospel of peace (Eph. 6:15), "the glorious gospel," "the everlasting gospel," "the gospel of salvation" (Eph. 1:13)” (Easton Bible Dictionary).

According to Romans 1:16:-18, “… the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.”
Jesus Christ commanded His disciples that they should “… Go … into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15-16).
Paul inferred that the gospel must be heard having been preached by a Preacher (Romans 10:13-17). The gospel of Christ has FACTS to be preached, heard and believed, COMMANDS to be obeyed and PROMISES to be received.

FACTS OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

Three facts were presented in the Bible about Jesus Christ. When writing to the Corinthians, Paul said, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain; For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: ” (I Cor. 15:1-4).

Fact Number One - Christ died for our sins:
Jesus Christ died because of your sins and mine. Sin, according to the Bible is “All unrighteousness…” (1 John 5:17). “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). James said, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). John proclaimed with all clarity that “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4).

Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God that was presented to the world as sacrificial Lamb that was slain to take away the sins of the world. John, the baptizer, “… seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Jesus Christ was born for that purpose. “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin … For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:5, 8).

He is the only one that is qualified to take away our sins because nobody condemned Him of sin. Listen to the challenge He threw in those days: “Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?” (John 8:46).
Jesus Christ died because of your sins and mine and not because of His own sins for He has none. The Bible is full of testimony that He did not sinned. Peter testified that He “… did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:” (1 Peter 2:22). For this reason, God “… hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus Christ once lived in this world of sin, and “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

Some may claim that they are without sin, Bible referred to them as liars (I John 1:8). “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23; 5:12; 3:9; 6:16). Bible then inform us that “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). That is why we need Jesus Christ who died for us – the ungodly (Romans 5:5-8).
Some still maintains today that Jesus did not died by relying on statement(s) of a man who was born around 570 A.D. The story of death of Jesus Christ could not be better narrated by such person who was not yet born than those who were eye witnesses. Paul, in his defense before King Agrippa and Festus said, “For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner” (Acts 26:26). The death of Christ is not hidden and none of the incident happened in a corner in 33 A. D. and suffice to say that it cannot be sufficiently be disprove by person or some group of persons after more than 600 years of occurrence.

That He will died has been in the eternal plan of God: “For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Hebrews 9:26) and that He did when He offered Himself “to bear the sins of many;” (Hebrews 9:28). Your sins and mine killed Jesus Christ!

Did Christ die? YES, He did. Having being molested, humiliated, tortured and scourged, Jesus Christ was crucified on the Cross in a place called in the Golgotha Hebrew language meaning a place of a skull in between two criminals (John 19:17-18). His garment was taken away from Him (John 19:23) and was divided into four parts thereby fulfilling Psalm 22:18. He became thirsty (John 19:28; Psalm 69:21) and was made to drink a vessel full of vinegar. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and He bowed His Head, and gave up the ghost (John 19:29-30). Luke, a physician, in his account said the same thing (Luke 23:46). Likewise, Mark and Matthew also testified to the same fact (Mark 15:37; Matthew 27:50).

I also, hereby “ delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.”

Fact Number Two - Christ was Buried:

The second fact of the gospel is that Jesus Christ was buried. Account of His burial can be read in Matthew 27:57-60; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56 and John 19:33-42. Let us consider the account of John.
“But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced. And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.”
Again, with humility of heart I say that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Let Us Imagine, If we can...

Just Imagine, If you can
By Kola Ajibola
Can you just imagine the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ to belong to different denominations as listed below:
Peter … … a Roman Catholic
Paul … … a Methodist
John … … a Mormon
Matthew … a Faith Tabernacle
James … … a Presbyterian
Judas … … a Pentecostal Holiness
Andrew … a Jehovah's Witness
Thomas ... … held to the Jewish faith
Philip … … a Baptit
James … … a Seventh Day Adventist
Simon … … a Unitarian
Bartholomew … a Lutheran
Judas ... thought one church was as good as another
Matthias … to say there is no church in heaven!

Or can you just imagine Peter claiming to be a POPE! Paul saying, “You can sprinkle for baptism.” John shouting, “You must have the book of Mormon before you can be saved.” Matthew preaching, “You can be saved by FAITH ONLY, and you CAN'T fall from grace.” Andrew teaching that there is no eternal hell. Imagine James telling people that their babies are born SINNERS!!

How does it sound? Foolish, doesn't it? That is because it is foolish. There were no denominations in the apostle's day and denominations have NO Bible authority for existence NOW! (1 Corinthians 1:12-13; 3: 4).

Please, note that, none of the apostles taught or believed ANY of these things? They taught “THEN” what your Bible teaches NOW! If you have a copy of the Bible, kindly check all the references given below to show that the Bible still teaches that there has never been a scriptural pope (Acts 10:25-26); Baptism is a burial in water (Romans 6:3-4; Acts 20:27); the book of Mormon is unknown to God's Word (Acts 20:27). Interestingly, faith “ONLY” is NOT a Bible doctrine and one CAN fall from grace (James 2:24; Galatians 5: 4). In the Bible, Jesus and His apostles repeatedly warned against HELL, because it is real (Luke 16:19-31)! The Bible teaches that all babies come directly from God, pure and undefiled (Matthew 19:13-15; Ezekiel 18:20).

Beloved, the apostles belonged to the church of Christ and taught only sound Bible doctrine. (1 Corinthians 12:28; Matthew 16:18; Colossians 1:18 and Ephesians 4:4). The church of Christ is the only church you can read of in the Bible.
We are appealing to you to please consider being a member of the Lord's church. It is simple. If you will like to be just a Christian, working in His kingdom, worshipping Him in truth and in spirit (John 4:23-24) and living as Christian of the New Testament times did. All that is necessary is for you to begin to follow the teaching of the New Testament.

In spite of what many teach today, your Bible still has answer to that great question “What must I do to become a New Testament Christian?”
The Bible declared that if a person desired to be saved, he/she must:
1. Hear the gospel of Christ which is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 10:14, 17; 1: 16).
2. Believe (have faith) in Jesus Christ as the Son of God (John 8:24; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 11:6).
3. Repent of his/her sins (Acts 2:37-38; Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19; 17:30).
4. Confess your faith in Christ (Matthew 10:32-33; Acts 8:37-38; Rom. 10:10).
5. Be Baptized into Christ (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Gal. 3:27).
If you can just leave human doctrines and teachings which invalidate your worship and render it vain and take these simple steps of obedience, God has promised to: 1. Forgive you all your sins (Acts 2: 23-38).
2. Give you a newness of life (Romans 6:3-4).
3. Make you a servant of righteousness (Romans 6:17 18).
4. Add you to the body of Christ which is the church of Christ (Acts 2:47; Ephesians 4:4; Col. 1:18, 24; 1 Corinthians 12: 13); the kingdom of His dear Son (Colossians 1:13).
5. Give you eternal life (1 John 2:25).

Remember, no one was saved in the New Testament times without taking all the steps enumerated above. The book of Acts gives many examples of conversion. Every case of conversion recorded in that book reinforces the fact that one must take all those steps highlighted above. Note few examples. The Pentecostians (about 3,000 people Acts 2:14-42). The Samaritans and Etiopian eunuch (Acts 8:5, 12, 35). Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:6; 22:16). Cornelius, the first Gentile convert (Acts 11:14). Lydia and the Jailer at Philippi (Acts 16:14-15; 32-34). The Corinthians (Acts 18:8; cf. 1 Corinthians 15:1-2).
My dear friend, if you have not obeyed the gospel of Christ as already stated above in line with the New Testament, you are urged to do so not later than immediate as you understand His requirements. After all, the Philippians jailer was baptized “thatvery hour of the night” (Acts 16:33), after hearing and believing the gospel. The Etiopian eunuch became a Christian while on his journey from Jerusalem to Gaza (Acts 8:26-39).

You too can just be a Christian, even now!

Box 35478, Agodi, Ibadan. 08056048209

"Well, the Lord spoke to me, and said...."

By Keith Sharp

"Well, the Lord spoke to me, and said...." Several times in recent years in friendly conversation friends have casually made this remark. Wow! If the Lord’s on the line, you’d better take that call!
It reminds me of a Pentecostal preacher in Texas several years ago who told his congregation that the Lord spoke to him and told him that he and the entire church were to drive naked to Florida . Some believed him, and they struck off, only to be arrested for indecent exposure while driving across South Louisiana . He later admitted the Lord really didn’t tell him that, but how was the church to know?
Well, let me tell you how.
The Lord had prophets in Israel under the Old Testament (2 Kings 17:13; 2 Chronicles 24:19; Jeremiah 7:25; 25:4; 29:19; Amos 2:11), but some claimed to speak for the Lord although He had not sent them, and they prophesied lies in His name (Jeremiah 14:14-15; 23:21,25-27,30-32; 27:14-15; Lamentations 2:14). The ability to foretell future events with unerring accuracy distinguished true prophets from false (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). Can you predict future events without fail?
But the Lord even made the test tougher. Sometimes He allowed false prophets to do signs or wonders to test Israel ’s faithfulness (Deuteronomy 13:1-3). Then, the test was whether or not the one claiming to be a prophet led Israel away from the Lord (Ibid).
By the way, the penalty for falsely claiming to speak for the Lord was death (Deuteronomy 13:5).
But, you say, I don’t claim to be a prophet, but the Lord speaks to me about decisions I need to make from day to day.
If you claim the Lord speaks to you directly, you are claiming the gift of prophecy. "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7). The Lord God sent Moses and Aaron his brother to Pharaoh to deliver Israel from Egyptian slavery.
So the LORD said to Moses: "See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet. You shall speak all that I command you. And Aaron your brother shall tell Pharaoh to send the children of Israel out of his land (Exodus 7:1-2).
So Moses and Aaron came in to Pharaoh and said to him, "Thus says the LORD God of the Hebrews: 'How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, that they may serve Me (Exodus 10:3).
If God speaks by you, you are a prophet (or prophetess). If you tell me what God said to you, you’re claiming to be a prophet.
There were also New Testament prophets (Acts 13:1; 15:32; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 2:20; 3:5; 4:11), but there are also many false prophets, and we must discern between them (1 John 4:1). The gift of prophecy ceased, along with the other miraculous spiritual gifts, when the divine revelation was completed, confirmed, and recorded (1 Corinthians 13:8-10).
Once the word of God was found in human vessels, inspired men, the apostles and prophets of Christ (2 Corinthians 1:1; 4:6-7; Ephesians 3:1-5). The Holy Spirit revealed to them God’s thoughts in God’s words (1 Corinthians 2:9-13). The holy apostles and prophets worked mighty signs, wonders, and miracles to confirm the divine message they brought (Mark 16:17-20; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:1-4).
But these same apostles and prophets wrote down these inspired - God-breathed - words in books (Ephesians 3:1-5). These books were gathered together in one, the New Testament, which, along with the Old Testament compose the Scriptures, the writings from God commonly called the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Timothy 5:18; 2 Peter 3:14-16). Now the word of God is found in an inspired book, the Bible, which is completely sufficient to supply all our spiritual needs (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
When someone claims, "God spoke to me," he is claiming the gift of prophecy. But that gift has ceased, and all divine truth for men has been revealed, confirmed, and recorded in Scripture. If you’re having a hard time making a difficult decision, look for guidance from the Scriptures and pray for the wisdom to do what’s best (James 1:5). But don’t confuse your opinions or feelings for divine revelation. Divine truth doesn’t come from a human mind; it’s found in an inspired book. Your feelings are just your feelings, and all they prove is that you feel that way.
Reminds me of a true story Robert F. Turner used to tell. A woman came to him asking him to perform her wedding ceremony. Upon discussion he found she was unscripturally divorced. He said he couldn’t perform the ceremony. She left but later returned and announced, "Brother Turner, God spoke to me and said it’s OK, you can perform my wedding ceremony." Unfazed, he inquired, "Well, did He write it down for you?" "No," she replied. "Well," Brother Turner announced, "God spoke to me too. But He wrote it down for me." And He read to her Matthew 19:9. If God didn’t write it down for you, He didn’t speak to you.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

STUDENTS PREACHER’S TRAINING CLASS 2008/2009

STUDENTS PREACHER’S TRAINING CLASS 2008/2009


S/N NAMES PHONE NUMBER E-MAIL ADDRESS
1. Adeboye O. Raphael 08053442592
07030310795 aderaphael2007@yahoo.com

2. Amratefa O. Robinson 08064145824
08053276332
07086155958 onosrob@yahoo.com

3. Funso Adedire 08035234160
07057736477 funsoadedire@yahoo.co.uk

4. Olowoniyi Adebayo 08034274995
08074359281
08099120851 olowoniyiadebayo@yahoo.com

5. Afolayan Gabriel 07068415930
08075951943 afogab09@yahoo.com

6. Bode Oladeji 08034891255 cocogbere@yahoo.com

7. Felix Sholotan 08034253623 felix_sho@yahoo.com

8. Ahamefula Chidiebere 08063950840
9. Opemipo Fadiji 08054623385 opemipoamos@yahoo.com

10. Olaniran Dayo 07031692251 danolaniran@yahoo.com

11. Stephen Boboye 08023562391 stevenboboye08@yahoo.com

12. Jawolusi Sunday 08056631573 sundayjawolusi@yahoo.com

Sunday Ayandare

Thursday, April 9, 2009

WHAT ARE THE BLESSINGS OF HEEDING THE CALL OF JESUS CHRIST?

By Kola Ajbola


Background


John the baptizer, a copious preacher; had shunned not to declare the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) to all and sundry, even to Herod, he reproved the tetrarch for Herodias (Philip’s wife, Philip was Herod’s brother). John also cautioned him for all the evils which he had done (Luke 3:19). Herod being reproved by John for many evils, he felt slighted and shut up John in prison.

While in prison, he heard about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples to inquire from Jesus Christ whether Jesus is “he that should come, or do we look for another?” (Matthew 11: 2-3). Jesus did many miracles in their presence and asked them to “Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me” (vss. 4-6).

After their departure, Jesus said many things unto the multitudes concerning John he baptizer (vss. 7-25). While speaking, He gave thanks to God and said “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (vss. 26 – 30, emphasis, KSA).

Who is calling?

From the foregoing, Jesus Christ is the one calling. Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (I Timothy 6:15, Revelations 19:16). He is the mediator between God and men (I Timothy 2:5). He is the son of God (Romans 1:2-3; Mark 1:1-2). He is the saviour of mankind (2 Peter 1:1; 3:2; 1 John 4:14). He has the right to call because He has been given all power in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18-20). One must obey Him because, the creator and owner of heaven and earth says “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him” (Matthew 17:5).

The Nature of this Call

This call is a gentle cal by a meek and lowly in heart (Matthew 11:29). It is a holy call (2 Timothy 1:9). The call is purpose to give rest to those who will yield the call (Matthew 11:29b). Jesus Christ’s voice is unlike that of a roaring lion (I Peter 5:8), His calling is not to devour, and it is to save whoever will come unto Him. This call is from a friend and not from an enemy. The call is from Him who loved you and has laid His life for you (John 15:13).

Jesus has been calling since, and He is still calling you today, please, answer Him.


Jesus is Calling you from Where to Where?
Jesus is calling you not to uncleanness, but unto holiness (I Thessalonians 4:7; Hebrews 12:14). This call is from a way of life usually refer to as “life enjoyment” (Colossians 3:5-9; Galatians 5:19-21) to a disciplined life. He is calling you to leave he kingdom of darkness and to come into His own kingdom (Colossians 1:13). His kingdom is church (Matthew 16:18-19). This church is called His body (Colossians 1:18, 24). The church is one – “one body” (Ephesians 4:4) and undenominational (1 Corinthians 1:10). If you will answer His call as He is calling you today, it will then means that you have “escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 2:20b) and you as a sow have been “washed to her wallowing in the mire” (2 Peter 2:22b).

The Blessings of Heeding The Call
As people use to say, “there is no free lunch anywhere, someone must have paid for it”


more.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN WE GET TO HEAVEN

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN WE GET TO HEAVEN

Kola Ajibola

Introduction:

Some people think of Heaven as a better place while some think it does not exist at all. Some people are not sure how it look like and what to expect on getting to the place.
You too, might have been wondering what to expect when we get to heaven.
The Bible is the only book that goes much farther in giving us a glimpse into the celestial city of God.
Northwestern University School of Education conducted a survey on “Whether Heaven Exist” or not. Out of 500 denominationalists that responded to the survey, 59% agreed that Heaven exist. In America today, only 77% believe there is Heaven. To you, my brethren, I want to believe, you agreed that there is heaven.
On this premise, I want to discuss on What to expect in heaven and what not to expect.
I. THOSE IN HEAVEN
• God – I Kings 8:30; Matthew 6:9
• Jesus Christ – Hebrews 9: 12, 24; 10:12; 8:1
• Holy Spirit – Rev. 22:17
• Faithful angels – Matthew 18:30; 24:36
II. SOME THINGS THAT WILL BE ABSENT IN HEAVEN
• Unclean – Revelation 22:15
• Unregenerate – Matthew 25:41-46; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Rev. 14:9-12; 21:8; 1 Pet. 1:4
• Darkness and Sun – Rev. 22:5
• Flesh and blood – 1 Cor. 15:50
• Sorrow – Rev. 7:17; 21:4
III. SOME PEOPLE YOU CAN EXPECT NOT TO BE IN HEAVEN
A. “NOT SO DEDICATED CHRISTIAN” Illustration:
i. Excuse by way of choice – Heb. 10:25;
1. Excuse from giving their lives to God – Matt. 10:39
2. Excuse themselves from loving their brethren – I Jhn 3:14
3. Excuse themselves from accountability – Acts 17:30. Excuses are not new: e.g. Gen. 3:12; Exo. 3:11, 13; 4:1, 10; Matt. 7:22-23; Luke 9:57-62; 14:16-24.
ii. Those who do nothing here for the Lord are rewarded for their lack of works: Matt. 16:27; Rom. 2:13; 1 Cor. 3:8; Gal. 6:7-8; Col. 3: 24-25
iii. Those unwilling here to sacrifice: Consider what Christ gave – II Cor. 8:9 and juxtapose it to what He expect - Luke 14:33.
B. “UNCONCERNED CHRISTIAN” - I don’t care attitude is not well pleasing to God – Illustration: Haggai 1:2-11; Zeph. 1:12 – Complacency, Ezek. 33:30-33.
C. “I WAS ONCE A FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN” – Matt. 16:24-27; 2 Cor. 5:9-10; Phil. 3:7-11. The good you do yesterday does not excuse you today. Consider the example of Moses: Heb. 11:24-29; God did not overlook Moses’ sin because of what faith he showed in the past: Num. 20:2-12 cf. Deut. 34:4-5. Also, example of church at Ephesus, they did well in the past but now left their first love – Rev. 2:1-5.
IV. THE DESCRIPTION OF HEAVEN:
• Heaven will be a place of everlasting life. It appears there is no other way to best describe heaven that this. Jesus said “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” – Matt. 25:46. We will be in heaven for ever and ever, without end, no duration of time, it is till infinity (). Read also I Cor. 15:42, 50.
• Heaven will be a place of no sorrow. The Hebrew writer stated, “It is appointed unto man once to die…” (Heb. 9:27). Tears are the common lot of humanity. The first death is recorded in Genesis 4:8; and, since that time, death has brought emotional pain, grief, and painful separations. In this life, we experience sickness, sorrow, and heartbreak. But think about it. In heaven there will be no more pain, suffering, sorrow, tears, and no more sad and heartbreaking farewells. John wrote, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death; neither sorrow, nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4).
• Heaven will be a place of rest. The Bible states, “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God” (Heb. 4:9). The Holy Spirit said that those in heaven will “rest from their labors” (Rev. 14:13). The “rest” of heaven means that we will never be tired, weak, sick, or unfulfilled. A glorified spiritual body will know nothing of fatigue or exhaustion.
• There will be no sin in heaven. Sin robs one of joy, peace, and contentment and brings shame and guilt. But John writes, “there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lie, but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life’ (Rev. 21:27). There will be no sinfulness of any kind in heaven.
• Heaven will be a place of activity. There will be joyous worship. We will serve in heaven. We will be fully engaged in worshipping God. John, the beloved writes that “…his servants shall serve him” (Rev. 22:3). Service without time demands; service without frustration; service without fear of failure for the enemy will have been overcome; and service without growing tired for our spiritual bodies will never grow weary and old. We will also commune with the patriarchs of old, the faithful of the Old Testament, the faithful of Christianity; and we will enjoy the fellowship of God.
• A realm of Righteousness. Rev. 4:8; Lk. 9:26;, Heb. 12:23.
• A place of reunion and recognition. Cf. Gen. 25:8; Gen. 37:35; 2 Sam. 12:23; Matt. 8:11.
• A place for reliability of our Hope. Acts 24:15; cf. 23:6, I Cor. 15.

V. CONCLUSION
Heaven is a real place, a city made not with hands (2 Cor. 5:1) prepared for
• righteous saints (Matt. 25:34, 37; 13:43),
• the saved (John 3:5, 18, 21)
• those who endure (Rev. 2:10)
• obedient (Rev. 22:14; John 5:29)
• persecuted (Matt. 5:11, 12)
• those whose name had been enrolled (Luke 10:20; Heb 12:23).
Heaven is a beautiful place we should all be.
Let us all yield to the call of Hezekiah who pleaded with the children of Israel that “serve the Lord your God, that the fierceness of His wrath may turn away from you” (II Chro. 30:8; cf. 29:8, 10; Ezra 9:4; 10:3).
Do you you want to get to Heaven? God want you there. Jesus had gone several years ago to prepare you a place, why should you prefer otherwise.
Let us examine ourselves and make necessary corrections so as to be with GOD in that beautiful and everlasting place of joy, where there is no night, sorrow, pain, heartache, trouble, fear and all that ache.
We can get there if and only if we are FAITHFUL.
God bless you. Amen.

Monday, February 9, 2009

What does God say, when He says nothing?

Bible study on authority, silence of the Scriptures.God commands us to do the things authorized by Christ (Col. 3:17). We're not to go beyond what He's commanded (1 Cor. 4:6); if do, we do not abide in the teaching of Christ and do not have God (2 Jn. 1:9).The Old Testament is for our LearningPaul tells us that the Old Testament is for our learning (Rom. 15:4). We learn about God, the success of the saints, and the doom of sinners.One lesson we learn from the Old Testament is that God's silence does not authorize anything. Rather, God's silence is prohibitive.We communicate to one another in everyday life, the same way God communicates with us in His word. God does not give us all the "do nots" when giving a command, He just tells us what to do. Likewise, parents do not give a million "do nots" when issuing a command; they simply give the command and expect it to be obeyed.Think about this: What would the Bible be like, if God gave us every "do not" in His word?The Bible would be so big, we couldn't read it in a lifetime. We could never come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4).The Bible would be filled with things that haven't been invented yet. It would be so confusing we couldn't understand it.A Lesson from MosesIn Numbers 20:7-12, Moses did not believe or honor God. Therefore, God punished Him by prohibiting him from entering the Promise Land.What did Moses do when he disbelieved God, thus dishonoring Him? He struck the rock rather than speaking to it.It may seem like a rather minor infraction, striking a rock rather than speaking to it. But it wasn't minor to God, because it reflected Moses disbelief, and resulted in dishonoring God before Israel.When God gives us a command, He expects us to obey. If we do something other than what He's commanded, our heart is not right with God as we rebel against His authority.Saul's Unlawful SacrificeIn Samuel 13:1-15, Saul was afraid of an impending war with the Philistines. Samuel told Saul to wait seven days, till the appointed when he would offer a burnt offering to the Lord.On the seventh day, Saul was afraid the Philistines would attack, and unlawfully offered the burnt sacrifice himself. After Saul offered the sacrifice, Samuel came and asked, "What have you done?"Saul offered several excuses, claiming that he "forced" himself to offer the sacrifice. These excuses may seem wise in the eyes of men. But Samuel told Saul he hadn't kept the commandment of the Lord; therefore, the Lord would give his kingdom to another man, a man after His own heart.Israel Sacrificing Children to MolechShortly after entering the Promise Land, Israel embraced pagan idol worship. One of the most disgusting practices they adopted was sacrificing their children to Molech.God gives the Israelites two reasons why sacrificing their children was a sin (Jer. 7:31; 32:35).He hadn't commanded the sacrifice.This abomination hadn't even entered His mind.God clearly tells the Israelites that their actions were sinful, simply based on the fact that He had not commanded the sacrifice.This is an important lesson for us to learn. If we do something God has not authorized in His word, it is a sin.Paul's Proof that the Law had been ChangedPaul plainly states the fact that God changed the law (Heb. 7:12, 18). Today, we live under the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2; 1 Cor. 9:21), not the law of Moses.To prove that God had changed the law, Paul reminds them that Jesus serves as king and high priest in heaven, after the order of Melchizedek.Since Jesus was from the tribe of Judah, and God had never authorized priests from that tribe, Paul concludes that God (of necessity) change the law before Christ could serve as our priest (Heb. 7:13-17). Jesus could not serve as priest under the Mosaic Law, since God had been silent regarding priests from His tribe.This shows us that the apostles and first century Christians recognized this fact: We can only do the things God authorizes in His word. If God is silent regarding a matter, we do not have authority to do it.Do All in the Name of the LordIn Colossians 3:17, Paul says, "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. . . ."Simply put, we are to do the things Jesus authorizes in His word. If Jesus has not authorized it, we are forbidden from doing it.This is the same lesson we learn from the Old Testament: Do what God has authorized, not more or less.