Success Formula

The Jabez prayer is celebrated. But look at 1 Chronicles Chap 5:20

1 Chron 4:9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, [c] saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.

I Chron 5: 20 They were helped in fighting them, and God handed the Hagrites and all their allies over to them, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him.

Success Formula:
Prayer and supplication
Trust and application

Lessons from the last days of Joshua

Lessons from Joshua’s Last Days

Lesson 1:

Pulling together as one is essential for success. We must support each other. Even when it appears that the issue is not our immediate problem we need to be attentive and be proactive in achieving the required objectives.

Joshua 22: 1 Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh 2 and said to them, "You have done all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and you have obeyed me in everything I commanded. 3 For a long time now—to this very day—you have not deserted your brothers but have carried out the mission the LORD your God gave you.

Lesson 2:
Obedience to those responsible for leadership produces positive results. The Reubenites were clear about what they wanted and had it in their grasp. Yet they denied themselves and obeyed the instructions of Moses. It was not convenient for them. They would have preferred to do otherwise. Yet, they obeyed....to their great benefit.

Joshua 22: 6 Then Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their homes. 7 (To the half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given land in Bashan, and to the other half of the tribe Joshua gave land on the west side of the Jordan with their brothers.) When Joshua sent them home, he blessed them, 8 saying, "Return to your homes with your great wealth—with large herds of livestock, with silver, gold, bronze and iron, and a great quantity of clothing—and divide with your brothers the plunder from your enemies."

Lesson 3:
Holding others accountable for doctrinal correctness is necessary even with those who are close to you.

Joshua 22: 10 When they came to Geliloth near the Jordan in the land of Canaan, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar there by the Jordan. 11 And when the Israelites heard that they had built the altar on the border of Canaan at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side, 12 the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them.

Lesson 4:
The sin of individuals can have negative impact on the entire body. Achan was not the only one who died for his sin. When we are members of the Lord’s church we are not allowed to think that ours actions are our own private business. Our actions can invite God’s wrath upon the entire body.

Joshua 22: 18" 'If you rebel against the LORD today, tomorrow he will be angry with the whole community of Israel. 19 If the land you possess is defiled, come over to the LORD's land, where the LORD's tabernacle stands, and share the land with us. But do not rebel against the LORD or against us by building an altar for yourselves, other than the altar of the LORD our God. 20 When Achan son of Zerah acted unfaithfully regarding the devoted things, [a] did not wrath come upon the whole community of Israel? He was not the only one who died for his sin.' "

Lesson 5:
Unswerving and undiluted faithfulness to God is demanded of us. We have to be careful about our ties with the “Gods” of this world. Life throws up many things that we can idolize. Our spouses, our jobs, our pursuit of education, our possessions, cable and TV and our friends.

They become idols because we place them before our responsibilities to God.

Joshua 23: 6 "Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left. 7 Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. 8 But you are to hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have until now.

Lesson 6:

When you enlist God in your battles we can achieve results far beyond what we can accomplish on our own. The key to success is to commit everything that we do to God.

Joshua 23:9 "The LORD has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you. 10 One of you routs a thousand, because the LORD your God fights for you, just as he promised. 11 So be very careful to love the LORD your God."

Lesson 7:
God is true to His word. His promises come to fruition if we remain faithful and obedient.

Joshua 23: 14 "Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.

My role in the re-building process

My role in the re-building process

We have been discussing the re-vitalizing of our work at St. Andrew. Our various groups have developed action plans. These have been presented to the general assembly. We have also reviewed budgets and we look forward to the open discussion.

Last week there was a call for clarity as to the roles that are required of each of us. The sentiment was that people are committed they only need to be clear as to what is required of them.

I was also blessed to hear Bro. Eddie Fisher’s use of Eph 4 to motivate brethren:

I have been mindful of 1 Cor 12 as it relates to our roles in the service of God:

It is clear then that we have shared responsibilities in the church. No one has any grounds for being inactive. Yes, leaders and teachers need to prepare the flock for service. But we are all individual parts of the body – each with a role to play.

I want to explore further some of the roles and responsibilities. The objective is not to be critical but to highlight how we ought to be individually and collectively if we are to do justice to our responsibilities.

I want to pay more attention to who are to be as against what we ought to do.

When we get who we are right, then it will be clear what we ought to do. In fact, then it will be natural for us to be found doing the right things at the right time in the right way and with the right attitude.

The first thing that I think is necessary is for us to be united. We need to see ourselves as part of one body. We must be the manifestation of what Paul wants of the Corinthian church:

ICor 12:26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

In a real sense our commitment to the congregation has to be called into question. I would be deeply concerned about my future if my heart or liver or lung felt about my body the way that some of us feel about this congregation.

How would you feel if morning after morning parts of your body just did not show up for duty?

Your eyes stayed up late and really can’t be bothered to function today. Or they wandered off next door to experience your neighbours new state-of-the-art lighting. “We did not see it as a problem. We thought you would find a way to get through by going ahead in faith. We figured some other part would double up.”

Then your feet decide that they too can follow suit and just opt out one morning. And then all the parts get into the act. At that point you must wonder when your heart will decide that it is not fair for it to carry the burden all the time and to be always present.

The Scriptures are inspired and carefully crafted. The analogy of using the body to depict what the church is like is not accidental. It gives each of us deeper understanding of what is required in a functional congregation.

Not one of us would treat casually the fact that our hands have decided not to come along with us today. Which of us would shrug our shoulders at the fact that our brain wants to sleep late or to go elsewhere?

Brethren, if this congregation is to be a beacon for Christ and to achieve meaningful impact in our community, each member must come to the recognition that they are a part of the body. And just like with the human body, they cannot separate themselves from the body without important consequences.

If you lose your little toe it is going to take some time for you to re-learn how to maintain your balance. Any part that is disposed of is noticeable. So not only are the parts to recognize where they belong and the important role they have to play but the others parts must be fully conscious of the absence of any part.

If my ears fail to show up for duty I must be deeply concerned and set about getting them back in service. The body will make a concerted effort to avoid losing any of its parts. It knows that it cannot be effective if its parts continue to opt out on it. It takes extra care then to keep all its parts intact.

So, the first commitment to who we are to be in the re-building process is that we must see ourselves as a part of this congregation in the same way that our eyes and our ears and our little toe are a part of our body.

Also, we are to be individually and collectively as earnestly interested in the well being of each member as we are concerned about a corn on our toe or about irregular heartbeat or about impaired hearing in our body. We must commit to securing the well being of each member.

And there is a twist.

What if my leg gets infected and becomes gangrenous? I might have to make the decision to have it amputated to save the rest of my body. So then, are there circumstances in which we need to separate ourselves from a member for their own good and for the good of the body?

1 Corinthians 5
Expel the Immoral Brother!
11But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

Now this is a role that we tend to ignore. It is awkward for us to deal with unpleasant issues. Confronting someone with their shortcomings is something that we shy away from. Yet, the goal is to have them restored. Leaving them to continue with wayward behaviour not only threatens their salvation but also the fate of the entire body.

So then this is another manifestation of who we are to be in our quest to be a dynamic beacon for Christ. We are to be a congregation that is willing to discuss the failings of members with them with a view towards restoring them.

We must also be a congregation that is willing to withdraw fellowship from members who refuse to heed admonition – again with a view to saving their souls.

Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?

We must also bear in mind the long history of the presence of evil either inviting God’s wrath or blocking His blessings.

Joshua 7 - Achan's Sin
11 Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. 12 That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.

Brethren, unless we commit to removing the persistent secret and not so secret sin from among us, we should not be surprised if our efforts bear little fruit and our work is in vain. As individuals, we should also be mindful of the fact that our actions are not personal. They have implications for the entire body.

God and sin do not rest comfortably together.

Another of the challenges that the congregation faces is the shortage of financial resources. This has been highlighted as we reviewed the proposed budget. It is clear that things that we would like to achieve are not possible in the context of existing financial arrangements.

On our road to being a dynamic beacon for Christ we have to change our profile as it relates to financial matters. We need to make the transition to being a well resourced congregation. We have to be a congregation that gives generously and consistently.

I want to step out of the box a little and suggest that one solution is for us to increase our capacity individually and collectively to earn more. Sacrificing from what you have is great. But what if you developed the capacity to earn more from which to sacrifice?

Also, what if we had more persons with more resources from which to give?
Christ called fishermen but also a tax collector. We have spoken about friendship evangelism being a major thrust as we go forward. Many of us have professional colleagues.

What if more of these were brought into our fellowship and were willing to contribute sacrificially and consistently?

Would that improve our capacity to achieve some of our goals?

Reflect on the areas that come readily to mind when we conceive our evangelical efforts. Are they skewed away from upscale areas? Are middle and upper income earners less in need of Christ?

As we move forward then, can we commit to being a congregation that takes the Gospel across all income levels?

But what about those of us who are already inside? Are we satisfied that we have maximized our earning potential? Are we earnestly praying and working to dramatically increase our capacity to generate wealth?

Have we with a clear conscience petitioned God to expand our borders and to open opportunities to us that would enable us to contribute significantly more to our work in His vineyard?

Are we blocking His blessings because of a lack of faith to step forward and claim Promised Land opportunities that God has extended to us?

Why do we doubt that by believing prayer and petition and confident action we can give 5 or 10 times the level of our current annual contribution?

What is required is for us to change our understanding of who we are and whose we are.

Things change for the better when we know and respect the fact that we are a part of this congregation in same way that our eyes are a part of our bodies.

Things change for the better when we know and respect the fact that we are as concerned about the well being of each member as we are keen to protect and develop the vital organs of our bodies.

Things change for the better when we know and respect the fact that we are willing to challenge members about their wayward behaviour and to separate ourselves from them if necessary. We do this in the same way that we work to prevent infection from invading our bodies and are willing to amputate a limb in the interest of the rest of the body.

Things change for the better when we know and respect the fact that we are a congregation that mobilizes the resources it needs to achieve its objectives.

Things change for the better when we know and respect the fact that we give sacrificially and consistently as individuals and collectively.

Things change for the better when we know and respect the fact that we are a congregation that works hard to increase our numbers including persons with significant earning and giving capacity.

Things change for the better when we know and respect the fact that we are individually and collectively able to multiply our own capacity to earn and to give by earnest prayer and diligent work.

Brethren, these changes inevitably lead to success in Christ.

When we are these things we will be beacons for Christ and achieve great things in His name.

I close with 3 challenges that will move us forward:

1. Let us demonstrate our readiness to own a building by demonstrating to God that we will be able to get the people to worship in it.

a. Working on the principle of friendship evangelism let us ensure that once per month we have a minimum of 10 “visitors” in our worship service.

2. Let us demonstrate to God our willingness to be good financial stewards and to give sacrificially.
a. A building will need to be maintained even if we got one today as a gift.
b. Let us demonstrate our capacity to God, potential contributors and financiers that we can at least maintain the building.
c. Let us therefore set aside a special fund that is the equivalent of the cost of insurance, light, water, telephone and general repairs.
d. A team is working on those numbers and we will then ask persons who are willing to make a monthly contribution to that fund.
3. Let us demonstrate to God our commitment to this fellowship. It is pointless inviting our friends and then demonstrating a culture of unreliable attendance. Let us commit that during this re-building process we do our very best to be present for worship AND Bible Study.

St. Andrew, when Abraham demonstrated his willingness to obey God even to the sacrifice of his son, God recognized his efforts and rewarded him.

When the woman with the issue of blood fought her way through the crowd to touch the hem of Jesus’s garment, Jesus recognized her efforts and rewarded her.

When Joshua led the Israelites out on the 7th day God recognized their efforts and rewarded them.

Let us be the kind of congregation that freely seeks to expose the people we associate with to the Word of God.

Let us be the kind of congregation that takes our worship, study and fellowship so seriously that we seize every opportunity to assemble whenever the brethren meet.

Let us be the kind of congregation that appreciates the fact that we are merely stewards of the material things that God he blessed us with and consequently we are happy to consistently contribute to the work of the church.

I made bold to promise you today that once we demonstrate these qualities God will pour out blessings upon us beyond our wildest imagination.

Trevor Smith My role in the re-building process St A coC 06-06-10

Back to School Parables

Back to School Parables

1. Parable of the unproductive school

There was a school that was fully staffed and had adequate resources. However, year after year none of their students were successful in external examinations. This situation was brought to the attention of the highest authority who initiated an immediate investigation.

The Principal blamed the teachers and the teachers blamed the Principal and gave numerous reasons for the continued failure. The authorities became frustrated with the whole situation and decided to close the school with the aim to start anew with a totally new team.

2. Parable of the wayward teaching staff

Over time, parents became concerned about the example that the teachers was setting for their children at a popular school. A student who needed to go to the staff room late one afternoon found 2 teachers in a compromising position. Another student who lived close to one of the teachers was shocked at what was going on at the teacher’s home.

The reports of unprofessional conduct and unseemly behaviour grew steadily.
Yet, these teachers had a reputation for being harsh with their disciplining of students. They came down hard on the slightest hint of misbehaviour, refused to listen to explanations and showed no mercy. They demanded the highest level of discipline and behaviour from the students.

3. Parable of the unprepared teacher

There was a teacher that was responsible for preparing students for external exams. However, despite being in the post for some time, it was clear that he had not mastered the subject. He could not answer questions that were posed by students. He had great difficulty explaining important concepts. He did seem to even know what the syllabus covered.

Students lost confidence in him. They were reluctant to accept that what he said was really so and they tuned out during his classes. They started to seek other sources of information.

4. Parable of the misguided student

There was a student who started out by getting good grades. His parents and colleagues praised his academic prowess. This caused him to become overconfident. He stopped listening to his teachers and questioned everything that they did. It seemed that nothing that those in charge did could be right in his eyes. He always had a complaint or figured that things should have been done differently.

Gradually his grades began to slide and in the final analysis he was not able to successfully complete his external examinations.

5. Parable of the absentee student

There was a student that was duly registered for classes. When the report cards for the term were being prepared, the teacher noted that the student was absent almost as much as she was in class.

On reflection, the teacher noted that the same student did not participate actively in class. She just came sat and left. In fact, the teacher felt that there was almost no difference whether she attended class or not.

Also, while others would participate in other activities of the school this student was never available for those events.

6. Parable of the wise student

There was a student who got an opportunity to escape from really bad personal circumstances. He was fortunate to get into a very good school that achieved excellent results.

Mindful of the chance to put his past behind him and to secure a bright future, he listened keenly to the instructions that he was given. He studied diligently and took care to ensure that he was obedient.

He resisted all distractions and moved steadfastly to the ultimate goal of getting his external certification. There was much joy when he completed the journey and stepped forward to claim his award.

1. A. Parable of the unproductive school - explained

You may recall that this was a school that was fully staffed and had adequate resources. However, year after year none of their students were successful in external examinations. This situation was brought to the attention of the highest authority who initiated an immediate investigation.

The Principal blamed the teachers and the teachers blamed the Principal and gave numerous reasons for the continued failure. The authorities became frustrated with the whole situation and decided to close the school with the aim to start anew with a totally new team.

The school is the congregation that has members, a place to worship Bibles and hymnals. They meet and worship but there are never any new disciples.

Mark 16: 15 15He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."

Baptisms are not in evidence and consequently they are not adding to the number of the saved. Discussions abound as to who is to blame and what needs to be done. Everyone points to someone else. In the final analysis, God loses patience with the entire body.

Rev 3:1"To the angel[a] of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits[b]of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.3Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

2. A. Parable of the wayward teaching staff - explained

You will recall that the teachers were behaving unprofessionally and unsatisfactorily while holding the students to the highest standard of behaviour. They showed no mercy and came down hard on the students with draconian punishment.

The teachers represent those who are in the church but are failing to live up to its principles. They take pleasure in engaging in sinful behaviour in private while being pious in public. They are quick to condemn those who are not in the church and are ready to call down judgement on them.

Yet, their own lives cannot bear scrutiny. They give the church a bad name and lead people to believe that all Christians are hypocrites who live by double standards and are devoid of mercy.

Mat 23:27 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. 28In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."

3. A. Parable of the unprepared teacher - explained

You may recall that there was a teacher that was responsible for preparing students for external exams. However, despite being in the post for some time, it was clear that he had not mastered the subject. Students lost confidence in him. They were reluctant to accept that what he said was really so and they tuned out during his classes. They started to seek other sources of information.

This teacher represents the Christians who have been in the church for some time. Yet, they continue to be babes in the Faith. They are not able to explain what it is that they believe and why they believe it.

They are unable to answer frequently asked questions from those to whom they are charged to guide to Christ. Soon those seekers turn to other sources for information and run the risk of being misled and guided to eternal damnation.

Heb 5:12 Warning Against Falling Away
11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

4. A. Parable of the misguided student - explained

Recapping, this student became overconfident and stopped listening to his teachers and questioned everything that they did. It seemed that nothing that those in charge did could be right in his eyes. He always had a complaint or figured that things should have been done differently.

Gradually his grades began to slide and in the final analysis he was not able to successfully complete his external examinations.
This student represents some members of the church. They get to a point where they believe that they know more than those who are charged with leadership. They find fault with every move that is made and think that things should be done some other way.

They resist every initiative and strive to impose their will on the group. There is a better way they say, and I know the better way. They are disruptive and add little value to the group despite their protestations.

Ultimately, they get frustrated and their commitment wanes until in the final analysis they lose their souls.

Apostle Paul’ s challenges with the Corinthian church is an example of this type of behaviour. Read 2 Corinthians to see the kinds of issues that Paul had to address.
Think also of the potentially strong brother or sister who after a good start has fallen away because they could not get their own way. Think also of those members who hop from one congregation to another as soon as their views are not accepted.

5. A. Parable of the absentee student - explained

The story here is of a student that was duly registered for classes. However, she was absent almost as much as she was in class. Even when she did come to class she did not participate actively. She just came sat and left. Also, while others would participate in other activities of the school this student was never available for those events.

This student represents a high percentage of church members. Their attendance record is atrocious. They claim that they are members of the body but they show up when they feel like it and play no meaningful role in the mission of the church.

Even when they do come, they are like virtual zombies. They go through the motions and cannot wait to slip away until weeks after they come by to salve their consciences and keep up appearances. There is little point in discussing their attendance with them as they are quick to be defensive about it and ready to use that as an excuse for staying away.

As with the absentee student, we are left to wonder what results this type of church member will get in the final examination.

6. A. Parable of the wise student - explained

To recap, there was a student who got an opportunity to escape from really bad personal circumstances. He was fortunate to get into a very good school that achieved excellent results.

Mindful of the chance to put his past behind him and to secure a bright future, he did all that was required of him.

He resisted all distractions and moved steadfastly to the ultimate goal of getting his external certification. There was much joy when he completed the journey and stepped forward to claim his award.

This student represents the individual who is trapped in a life of sin. Sin has enslaved them and their life is without hope. A dutiful Christian invites him to worship and he sees the light. He sees that a great opportunity has been opened to him to have his live transformed.

He learned that in order to be saved from his life of sin he needed to follow a carefully laid out plan.

He had to take care to understand and follow each of the 6 steps:

What must WE do to save our souls?
1. Hear the Word – the Gospel

John 6: 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

2. Believe

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

3. Repent

Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.

Luke 13: 1 Now there were some present at that very season who told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered and said unto them, Think ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they have suffered these things? 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish.

4. Confess Jesus is Lord

Matt 10:32 Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven.

Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

5. Be baptized for the remission of your sins

Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
1 Pet 3:21The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

6. Remain in Christ

John 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1 Pet 2: 1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.

Put me to the test

Put me to the test

Robbing God
Malachi 3: 6 "I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty.
"But you ask, 'How are we to return?'
8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.

What is highlighted here is the short-sightedness of man. Here it is they are withholding from God what is required of them on the assumption that they will be better off. They think that their net worth will increase by holding back on their giving.

God almost mockingly points to their lack of vision. They saw giving tithes and offering from their existing wealth as a drain on their resources. God is saying that far from being a cost to them, giving Him his full due is by far the best investment that they can make.

One message from this is that giving to God is not to be seen as a cost or a burden to the giver. Sometimes we talk about sacrificial giving in relation to our offering to God. But is that not really a mistaken concept?

Suppose there was such a thing as a money tree that grew by simply planting seeds and watering them. Suppose also there is no limit and the supply of seeds and anyone can have as many money trees as they wish.

What would you call the actions of someone who plants the money tree seeds and waters them? A sacrifice? Is that person making a sacrifice or making a wise investment?

Well, no money tree can compare to the value of what we will get when God throws open the floodgates of heaven and pours out so much blessing that we will not have room enough for it.

To take this a little further, God is in effect saying stop thinking in terms of what you have now. When you honour your obligations to Me the entire picture changes.

Stop being concerned about the depletion of your barn. You real concern is that you are going to need a bigger barn as long as you honour your obligations and do not hold back what is mine.

So we should not focus on what we have left now after we give to God what our hearts lead us to give. We can be assured that once we do not sow sparingly then whatever we had before will be multiplied.

2 Corinthians 9:6
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

This applies not only to our giving material gifts but also the giving of ourselves totally. If we devote our entire life to God we can expect to be rewarded with a much better life than we had. And that is what is promised to the Christian.

Romans 12 Living Sacrifices
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Also 2 Cor 4:
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.


Ephesians 4:
Living as Children of Light
17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
20You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Devotion of self or material things to God never takes away it always adds. When we think of giving back to God what is really His we must think Addition and not Subtraction.

Another thought from Malachi relates to the phrase “Test me in this.”

When we think of a test we usually have thoughts of a stern examination - something challenging. We almost feel like we would have wasted time if the test was so simple that it did not really require much effort on the part of the person being tested.

So I get a sense that God is saying: “Challenge Me! Give me something that you consider hard to do. Say to Me, OK God see if You can match that!”

The picture that I take away is that if we give 100% with no holding back then God will recognize it and take up the challenge to show what He can do for us in return.

So the closer we get to devoting 100% to our giving and our living the more challenging the test. But God is up for the challenge and He is saying “Bring it on!”

The only caution in this is that we need to then watch out for falling objects. The promise is that the floodgates of heaven will be opened to pour down blessings on us.

What an amazing concept. You are invited to enter a contest in which the more you lose the better off you are.

So you are challenging God to a duel. You are going to give Him your best and see if He can match that. His best is going to so overwhelm you with blessings that it will be declared a no-contest. But having lost the contest you walk away – well, not walk away because it will be too much – but you will have added untold blessings to your life.

I like that kind of contest. I want to take up the challenge of putting God to the test. I want to give Him of my best without holding back.

If want to think Addition and not Subtraction in my dealings with God.

I want to avoid being limited in my thinking by the size of my existing barn and to open my thoughts to what my actions should be with a barn that is many times larger.

That means that my thoughts and my prayers and my actions are not mired by the ”realities” of “.....my light and momentary troubles. ...... So I fix my eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Cor 4:17

Finally, there is another kind to testing of God that takes place among humans.

Psalm 95:8 -11/Heb 3:8-11
....do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert, 9 where your fathers tested and tried me, though they had seen what I did.
10 For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, "They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways." 11 So I declared on oath in my anger, "They shall never enter my rest."

1. Nothing is more offensive to God than disbelief of his promise and despair of the performance of it because of some difficulties that seem to lie in the way.

2. The more experience we have had of the power and goodness of God the greater is our sin if we distrust him. What, to tempt him in the wilderness, where we live upon him! This is as ungrateful as it is absurd and unreasonable. (Matthew Henry)

Are we being ungrateful, absurd and unreasonable with respect to how we view God and His promises?

Are we guilty of holding back because of lingering doubts?

Are we failing to answer a call to service out of some imagined fear or doubt?

Are we limiting our thinking to the existing size of our barn rather than putting in our 100% in the expectation that God will not only match it but will cause us to have to find bigger barns?

This is the call today: Give your all. Do not hold back in giving to God. Then get a helmet and watch out for falling blessings that will be poured out from heaven on you.

To access these blessings you need to be in Christ. To be in Christ you should have completed these steps:
What must WE do to save our souls?

1. Hear the Word – the Gospel
John 6: 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

2. Believe
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

3. Repent
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.
Luke 13: 1 Now there were some present at that very season who told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered and said unto them, Think ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they have suffered these things? 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish.

4. Confess Jesus is Lord
Matt 10:32 Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

5. Be baptized for the remission of your sins
Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
1 Pet 3:21The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

6. Remain in Christ
John 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1 Pet 2: 1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.

Notes on Motes

Notes on Motes

Matt 7:
3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Today, we present 4 points in relation to Motes. The NIV speaks of a speck.

Point #1: A mote or speck in the eye is irritating and needs to be removed.

We all know how uncomfortable even an eyelash is in our eye. The eye is not very tolerant of things that do not belong there.

This is the perspective that Christians should have of sin. Christians should view sin as an irritant and be as uncomfortable with sin as the eye is with a mote or speck in it.

Our discomfort should be so pressing and urgent that we will not stop until we remove the source of the offence. Yet, we all know about the concept of the besetting sin. (A wrong that keeps repeating itself in our life.)

In some instances, it is almost as if we have resigned ourselves to living with this problem. Yet, who among us is willing to ignore the mote in our eye and accept it as part of our reality?

The call today is for us to be intolerant of sin in our lives in the same way that we refuse to leave a speck in our eye. We should spare no effort to remove the offending behaviour from our conduct.

Sin is irritating not only to the individual but to God and the church. A speck in the eye distracts our whole being. The problem is not restricted to just the eye. Similarly, sin in a Christian’s life has wider relevance.

It has impact on the church and on others. It also has implications for the relations of the body to God. It has been shown to block God’s blessing on His people and to invite His wrath.

Joshua 7:
10 The LORD said to Joshua, "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? 11 Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. 12 That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.
13 "Go, consecrate the people. Tell them, 'Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow; for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: That which is devoted is among you, O Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove it.

Point #2: The mote is not easily detected by others

A speck in your eye is not readily seen by onlookers. For a similar reason, sin in a Christian’s life is often missed by brethren. This limits the pressure on the individual to remove the sin and some Christians continue in sin while remaining in the fellowship.

One important consideration is that our level of discomfort with a speck in our eye is not reduced because those looking on do not see it. It is irritating to us and we have the urge to remove it even though it is not visible.

That is the philosophy that we must adopt as Christians. However, well hidden we consider our sin to be, it must annoy us to the point where we do not stop until we remove it from our lives.

It helps to remember that while human eyes may not detect the sin, God knows everything and is fully aware of even our most secret of sins.

Point #3: To detect the speck in our life we only need to look at what we think we see in the eyes of others

Sometimes we are not certain about the substance that is in our eye. We sense that all is not well but we cannot pinpoint exactly what is the source. We are also hard pressed to prevent the invasion of our eye if we have are unable to readily identify potential contaminants.

One way of identifying areas of vulnerability in our lives is to carefully review the lists of faults that we are quick to point out in others. There is strong evidence to indicate that we tend to be passionate and alert to defects that that appear in the life of others when we ourselves are guilty of them.

Romans 2
God's Righteous Judgment
1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.3So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? 4Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?
5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6God "will give to each person according to what he has done."[a] 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11For God does not show favoritism.

The mixture of denial and disappointment prompts us to see the flaw in others. The twin factors of denial and disappointment also has the tendency to make us less patient and tolerant with others. We are quick to correct, criticize and chastise.

So my message is for us to reflect in the things that upset us in the behaviour of others. Look at the things that we are critical about. The exercise might give us some insight into where we are vulnerable.

By looking at the motes that we readily see, maybe we can identify some potential beams that are growing in us.

Point #4: An effective way of getting a speck out of our eye is to flush it out

The equivalent of a water flush for the eye is the blood of Christ in the life of an individual.

1 John 1:
5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[b] sin.

What must WE do to flush our lives with the blood of Christ?

Hear the Word – the Gospel
John 6: 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Believe
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

Repent
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.
Luke 13: 1 Now there were some present at that very season who told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered and said unto them, Think ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they have suffered these things? 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish.

Confess Jesus is Lord
Matt 10:32 Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Be baptized for the remission of your sins
Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
1 Pet 3:21The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Remain in Christ and walk in the light
John 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1 Pet 2: 1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.

The time has not yet come

The time has not yet come

Haggai 1: 1 In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua[a] son of Jehozadak, the high priest:
2 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "These people say, 'The time has not yet come for the LORD's house to be built.' "
3 Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: 4 "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?"
5 Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."

The time has not yet come .... that implies an inaccurate reading of the situation, procrastination, inertia, fear, lack of commitment.

Haggai wrote during the period when some Jews had returned home from the Babylonian exile. This remnant had the responsibility to re-build the temple. Led by Zerubbabel they completed the foundation within two years (536BC). This raised concern among the Samaritans and other neighbours and the work was halted.

When Darius came to power in 522 BC he facilitated the earnest renewal of the re-building process. Haggai was conscious of the fact that the Jews were more to blame for their inactivity, with respect to the re-building of the temple, than their opponents. His mission was to arouse them from their lethargy.
He sought to point out that the time has indeed come!

The question I ask today is: Has the time come for us today? What is it that we have been putting off in the belief that the time has not yet come?

What is the equivalent of a panelled house that we have built while neglecting the things of God?
Could it be that the reason why we plant much and harvest little is because we have failed to deal with something whose time has come?

Are we eating and never having enough because we have been pushing back something that needs to be addressed now thinking that the time has not yet come?

Do our purses and pockets have holes torn out because of neglect of action we should have taken but have put off because we feel the time has not yet come?

Today, devoted Christians are an embattled minority. We are the remnant charged with defending the faith. It is our responsibility to undertake the re-building process. We have to stand up and be counted.

Yet alas, like Haggai, I sense that we are guilty of thinking that the time has not yet come for us to take bold and decisive action in the process of re-building.

Like Haggai, I have a sense that we are using the cover of a number of factors and situations to mask and justify our inactivity. Today, the call is for us to arise from our lethargy and to be proactive in the service of God and Jesus Christ, our Saviour.

Do you have a sense that Church membership is growing by leaps and bounds or dwindling?

Is there a sense that those who are still attached to the Church are getting increasingly more active and dedicated?

Are we getting better at sending the Gospel message out to those who are perishing outside of Christ?

What about the number of Christians who are falling away or becoming lukewarm? Are we excelling in keeping on fire for Christ?

What of our fellowship? Are bringing more and more of our brothers and sisters into our inner circle? Are we more interested in their well being? Are we more integrated in their lives?

Like Haggai, I suggest that the time has indeed come for action!

The time has come for us to shake off sloth and lethargy. We must wake up to the reality that our inactivity represents a misreading of the situation. There is a compelling urgency to get active now. This is not a time for complacency.

The laid back, lukewarm, spectator approaches make a lie of the fact that as the remnant, God looks to us to defend the faith and to re-build the Church. As many walk aimlessly without Christ and our nation careens toward destruction there is an urgent call for us to get into action.

Haggai pointed to the Jews living in panelled houses while the temple remained in ruins. What is it that so engages us that we are unable to pay due regard to our responsibilities as children of God?

What is it that is so compelling that you are not able to consistently worship with the saints? What is it that detains you such that you cannot attend Bible Study or in some cases, even study the Bible?

The Jews are admonished to ponder on whether the hardships that they are encountering are not as a result of their misplaced priorities. Can this be true for us today?

Are we generating less income than we need? Are we persistently hungry and thirsty psychologically and spiritually? Do we have a feeling of emptiness?

Is there a sense that we are not filled spiritually? We want more and we somehow never seem to get enough and so frustration sets in and we become even more empty. Could it be that the root cause is that we have been living as if the time has not yet come?

Could it be that we have not been ready? Could it be that we have not faced the starter’s pistol?

While we have been on the warm up track getting ready, the race has in fact started. When we should be pushing toward the finish line we are still stretching and thinking about how we plan to run the race. The race is on in earnest and we are being left behind.

By the time we wake up to the reality it will be time for the awards and we will wonder in amazement how we could have missed. We did all the training signed up for the race. We were even there on race day but somehow missed because we failed to realize that the time had come for a different kind of action.

The time for preparation had passed but we did not we did not see that. So we continued in our getting ready mode. We act as if the race is some time in the future.

Does that apply to us collectively and to some of us individually? We are in perpetual preparation but never ever being engaged in the real action. We spend our time on the warm up track but never venture into the stadium where it really counts.

The vacuum that we sense is of our own creation. It is a result of our failure to be fully engaged in the process, individually and collectively. The time has indeed come for bold decisive action in the arena where it counts.

More people are dying in their sins than ever before.
More Christians are being enticed from the faith than ever before.
More Christians are living lives that are indistinguishable from those who are in the world.
More young people have the need for Christian mentoring than ever before.
More businesses need strong Christians to stem the tide of corruption and unethical practices than ever before.
More communities are need in Christian influence and outreach than ever before.
There is an ever increasing demand for resources that a proactive Church could provide.

The time has indeed come!

The time has come for us to be present physically, mentally and spiritually in our worship, Bible Study, fellowship and outreach activities.
The old rationalizations have worn thin. You are presenting them to God...not man. He sets the standard as to what is acceptable. He will be the judge.

The time has come for us to be more engaged in our study of Scriptures. The more informed we are the more we understand God’s will for our lives.

The time has come for us to be more willing to share the Gospel and the impact of God in our lives with others. Social networking is all the rage. The time has come for us to reflect God in our postings. Let people know where we stand in defence of the faith.

Friendship evangelism is the most effective means of encouraging people to come to Christ. The time has come for us to encourage people to want to go to heaven because that is where their friends will be.


The time has come for us to be more proactive in engaging our young. This is a time for Christian mentors to step forward and take charge of providing guidance to our youth. Dysfunctional homes leave many without any source of proper guidance. If ever there was a time for Christians to shelter and protect our youth it is now. Friends the time has indeed come.

The time has come for us to be generous in our giving – to the church and to those in need. Haggai links holes in purses to inactivity. Are we stopping God’s blessings in our lives because we are stingy in our giving to Him?

Malachi 3: 6 "I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty.
"But you ask, 'How are we to return?'
8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.

The time has come for us to draw closer to our brothers and sisters. Again, the old excuses have worn thin. If you feel left out, who have you sought to let in?
So what if someone has said or done something that upset you? Ever had a little spat in your family? Did you abandon them because of that?

The time for reconciliation among brethren has indeed come. We need to move past whatever differences, reservations, hurts, mistrust, frustrations we are carrying. The time has come for us to pull out a clean sheet and start again. It does not matter whether the other party is a brother, sister, evangelist, group leader or not. The time has come for clean sheets... the time has indeed come for reconciliation and a new beginning.

The time has come for more high impact outreach activities. Even as we emphasize friendship evangelism we still need to increase our influence in communities. The time has come for vibrant and fruitful outreach programmes that impact the lives of those who might not otherwise be encouraged to give their lives to Christ.

The time has come for the renewing of our minds. The time has come for us to re-dedicate our lives to Christ and to re-capture that energy and excitement that accompanies the baptismal experience. The time has indeed come for us to set aside all distractions, to beat back all the wiles of the devil and to commit now to being proactively engaged in putting God first in our lives.

The time is indeed here when we need to be seen as beacons for Christ in a world that needs for each and every Christian to let their light shine brightly.

Will you recognize what time it is? Will you fully grasp that the time has indeed come?

God's Will for our lives

God’s will for our lives

Why bother about God?
Most of us as children want to please our parents.
Most parents want the best for their children.
We are concerned about them.
Our concern is not dependent on what they do.
No matter what, they are still our children.

Why bother about God?
We are made in God’s image and God is deeply concerned about us.
As with our children, no matter what we do, we belong to God. Nothing can change that.
If we ignore God, we still belong to God. If we curse God, we still belong to God.

Gen 1:26 - 28 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

God is a spirit and so any image of God in us must be in spiritual form – our souls. Our souls are of critical importance and God is particularly interested in our souls.

Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

The soul is more than our physical parts. Our souls are far more important that our bodies. “Soul” occurs 458 times in the King James Version of the Bible. Our souls are to be treasured and are beyond the reach of man.

Matt 10:28: And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Our souls are priceless:
Matt 16:24: Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Why are we in danger of losing our souls?

The key issue is the need for man to do the will of God. That is our duty.

Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

We put our souls in danger when we fail to obey God and ignorance is no excuse

Lev 5:17 And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD; though he wist (knew) it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.

Man disobeyed God and put our souls at risk.

Gen 3:9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? 12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

Gen 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: 23Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

What has put our souls in danger?

Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

1 Jn 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

James 1:15 Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death.


What is God’s will for us?

Deut 10:12 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, 13 To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?


What is God’s will for us?
Matt 22:37 - 40 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

What is God’s will for us?
2 Tim 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

God has a plan to protect our souls?

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jn 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.


What must WE do to save our souls?

1. Hear the Word – the Gospel
John 6: 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

What must we do to save our souls?
2. Believe
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

What must we do to save our souls?
3. Repent
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.

Luke 13: 1 Now there were some present at that very season who told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered and said unto them, Think ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they have suffered these things? 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish.

4. What must we do to save our souls?
Confess Jesus is Lord
Matt 10:32 Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven.

Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

What must we do to save our souls?
5. Be baptized for the remission of your sins
Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

1 Pet 3:21The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

What must we do to save our souls?
6. Remain in Christ
John 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1 Pet 2: 1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.

Uniting in Christian Love - A Valentine's Day thought

Uniting in Christian Love

Today is celebrated as Valentine’s Day and has the theme of LOVE. I use that to examine LOVE in a wider context as it relates to us as a congregation. I want to share on the subject: Uniting in Christian Love.

I will explore some foundation principles related to bonding that can be applied to our families, our congregation and any team or group to which we are attached.

Why is cohesiveness - bonding, unity, team spirit – relevant to us as a congregation and as the Church?

1. As the popular saying goes in a team – Together Each Achieves More. Team and group work is more effective that independent individual effort.

2. Despite His mighty power, one of the first things Christ did at the start of His ministry was to pull together a team that would lead the process and sustain it after His departure.

3. Even among His elite team, cohesiveness challenges were present. Why should we expect to be different?

If we think of our bonding as improving teamwork in the congregation then it is useful to reflect on a definition of TEAM:

A team is a small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, set of performance goals and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable.

What can we learn from this definition?

1. People with complementary skills

It is important to note Team work and Team Cohesiveness do NOT mean that everybody has to be same. We do not have to be clones to achieve unity and have high team spirit.

Even a quick examination of God’s handiwork will show that He wants to promote diversity. He introduces variety at every opportunity.

Calls for unity and commonality of purpose should NOT be equated with stripping us of our individuality. Successful teams need people to bring different talents, perspectives and ideas to the table.

I put it more strongly: One sign of a successful team is the fact that it helps its members to achieve self-fulfilment. Members feel empowered and move closer to the vision that they have of themselves in fully functional teams.

2. People who are committed to a common purpose.

The glue that holds the entire thing together is the commitment to the common purpose. Without the commitment to the common purpose the team loses its compass and finds it impossible to steer a clear and predictable path.

Without the commitment to the common purpose, members do not have any point of reference that can hold them together. It is like using rubber bands to tie a team of wild horses together and expecting them to pull your chariot along a prescribed path.

This requirement has two distinct and critically important components:

There must be a clearly identified purpose that is understood in the same way by all the members of the team. The purpose cannot be something that one person dreams up and fails to share with every member of the team.

The second component is that all the members of a functional team commit to the same understanding of the common purpose. One indelible sign of a dysfunctional team is the fact that some members are wavering in their commitment to the common purpose.

The importance of this focus on commitment to a common purpose is not lost in the scriptures:

Eph 4: 1 – 7 (Apostle Paul)

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Phil 1:27
27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.

Phil 3:12 – 17
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.

For clarity, the pattern is our compass. The Holy Scriptures.

3. People who are committed to a set of performance goals and approach

Successful teams know where they are going. They also know how they are going to get there. In addition, they know if they are on track.

Successful teams are clear on the strategies and the activities that will lead them to the achievement of the common purpose.

Successful teams have guidelines and yardsticks that indicate to them whether they are on course or not.

Successful teams do not lose bearing and lose momentum because they have set performance goals that keep them on track.

In successful teams members know and commit to the performance goals. They understand that the guidelines and yardsticks are directly linked to the attainment of the common purpose. Consequently, the failure to meet a performance goal is a step away from achievement of the common purpose to which they are committed.

In successful teams members buy into an agreed approach. One that is tied to performance goals that lead to attainment of the common purpose.

In successful teams members strive to understand the agreed approach and its implications for them and for the team.

In successful teams members do NOT come up with their own approaches and guidelines as they deem fit. This is NOT what is meant by your being able to keep your individuality.

This issue of the importance of commitment to the team and its values is not widely understood and accepted. That is why there is so much conflict and lack of confusion in households, in workgroups, in congregations, in communities and the wider society.

Jesus was an exceptional team coach. Flip through the Gospels again with a mind set to look for issues related to working in groups, team spirit and team cohesiveness and see how Jesus handled them.

He understood the importance of commitment to the team:

Matt 12: 25:
25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.

The ultimate advice with respect to unity and bonding for the Christian is given by Christ himself:

Matt 22: 34 - 40

34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: ”‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

So what are the characteristics of this love that we ought to have for our neighbours:

1 Cor 13:

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

For me, some of the clearest instructions on how to Christians are to bond is reflected in Romans 12

Love
9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[d]says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."[e] 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Also Col 3:
12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.


If you have not put on Christ in baptism, you cannot claim to be obeying the first great commandment: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

Matt 17: 5While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.


John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Please reflect on your life and make the necessary changes.

Lessons for Hezekiah King of Judah

Lessons from Hezekiah King of Judah

Hezekiah removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (2Kings 18:4)

Hezekiah was one of a long line of Kings of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms (Israel and Judah). Virtually all of them were disobedient to God to a greater or lesser degree. In the main, they either actively encouraged the worship of false gods or failed to act decisively to put a stop to it.

Hezekiah was proactive in stamping out the worship of false gods. He made a difference.


Lesson #1: One person can make a difference.

Too often we limit what is possible for us to do on the basis of past events and what we have come to accept as the norm. Hezekiah broke the pattern of behaviour and set about making a huge difference.

What is it that you see needs to be changed but you are allowing to go on?

Where could you make a difference but you have remained silent and inactive?

Step up like Hezekiah and make a difference!

2 Kings 18: 5 Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. 6 He held fast to the LORD and did not cease to follow him; he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses.

Lesson #2: Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel.

Hezekiah held fast to the Lord and did not cease to follow him. Too many persons who come to know the true and living God fail to hold fast. Even today, too many of us are guilty of playing a hold - let go – hold game with God.

We hold in times of trouble or when the mood takes us and let go when we are distracted by the pleasures or cares of the world. This is similar to what the Horse racing fraternity calls “in and out running”. You can’t predict how the horse is going to run on any given day.

Too many Christians are guilty of in and out Christianity. You have no idea of where they will be in relation to their service to God on any given day. Sometimes they turn up to serve, at other times they fail to perform in keeping with their potential.

If secular racing authorities move aggressively to stamp out “in and out running”, what of God and His attitude to in and out Christianity? WOE!


2 Kings 18:7 And the LORD was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook.

2 Kings 20: 1 In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, "This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover."
2 Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, 3 "Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4 Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him: 5 "Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, 'This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the LORD. 6 I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.' "

Lesson #3: God takes care of the faithful and blesses them in ways that are beyond human imagination

Throughout history we time and time again see that persons succeed when they are aligned with God. They succeed not as a result their efforts but because of their faith and obedience.

Why are you blocking the blessings that God has in store for you?

Why not hold fast to Him continually?

Why not surrender in complete obedience now?

Why not like Hezekiah reject once and for all the practice of keeping one foot in service to God and one foot in pursuit of worldly pleasures or cares?

Will history record that in 2010 there was none like you as it relates to devotion and obedience to God?

Will you commit now to making a difference wherever you are placed?