THE WEAKENING AND DAMNING EFFECT OF WORLDLINESS

TRETS 31/08/2017

The Weakening and Damning Effect of Worldliness

1 John 2:15-17, James 4:4

The word "worldliness" which is a system that is opposed to God and godliness is usually used to refer to those immoral and evil acts in the society. The word, however, includes much more than that. James said: "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" (James 4:4). Jesus said of his apostles: "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world" (John 17:16). From these verses we rightly conclude that the church and the world must be kept apart and the worldly influence must not be allowed to get into the church if it is to remain of the Lord. But in spite of this warning from the New Testament, worldly influences have crept into the churches in many sections and are tolerated just as the case of fornication in the church at Corinth. Worldliness stems from the state of mind of the individual. This is determined by whether the mind is led by the spirit or the flesh (Rom. 8:1-14). As the mind is directed by the flesh the actions of the individual, will be of the flesh and condemned by the Lord. If worldliness is allowed in the church or by individual members, it will weaken the church and bring about a devastating effect on her.

1.   Warning Against Weakening Effect of Worldliness - 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17; Proverbs 22:28; Proverbs 23:10; 24:21,22; Exodus 23:2

Worldliness thrives through a compromise which is always agreement "by concession." One gives something to get something. Compromise with the world or with the religions of men is scripturally forbidden with the New Testament church. What can we concede that is characteristic of the Lord's church without destroying some part of the divine institution? If such could be done, who has the authority to make such concessions? No one! Compromise and worldliness always lead to apostasy, and unless we stop the compromise with the world, we will be lost. This is the time we need to beware and be watchful more than any other time in the history of mankind. God’s love for the world made Him send His only begotten Son into the world to give His life as a ransom for the sins of humanity. Through His vicarious death on the cross of Calvary, He has made atonement for man’s sins. For anyone to fully benefit from Christ’s sacrificial death there is the need for genuine repentance from sins and accepting Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour. If you are a true child of God, the Lord wants a total separation from the world and all the things that are anti-God and anti-righteousness in it. Worldliness is a common source of temptation to modern day believer as there are many things in the world that try to call the attention of the believer to dissuade him from going through with the Lord as the Scriptures affirms that “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). An attempt to be like other nations like Israel of old (1 Samuel 8:4-6) will not make God happy with us. Don’t forget that not all that glitter is gold as “...the fashion of this world passeth away” (1 Corinthians 7:31).

2.   Watchfulness Against Damning Effect of Worldliness - Isaiah 3:16-24; Matthew 24:1-13; 42-51; 1 Kings 13:1-30; Luke 21:34-36; 17:32; Genesis 19:26

The Lord Jesus Christ told His audience to “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32). The pedigree of this historical woman is of no importance, but her action of disobeying angelic instruction not to look back when they were taking their flight from Sodom and Gomorrah calls for a serious caution on the part of the pilgrims journeying to the city of Heaven. There are many obstacles on the ways of the redeemed that may want to hinder us from getting to the celestial city at the end of time. The Young prophet in 1 Kings 13 was told not to eat in the place he was sent to; he was persuaded otherwise by an old prophet in the city. He disobeyed the Lord and perished. Balaam was a charismatic prophet who was recognized to carry an unusual anointing by the people around, he refused God’s perfect will and settled for His permissive will. He died like a rebel on the battle field. Christian beware! Judas allowed the love of money to push him into betraying the Lord; he couldn’t spend a dime from the 30 pieces of silver he collected before he committed suicide. Demas, an associate of Paul the Apostle, forsook the people of God and went to the city of Thessalonica not to seek for the lost souls but because he fell in love with this present evil world; he never came back before death struck and he leaped into a hopeless eternity because of mundane things of this world. Don’t forget the 10 virgins; the foolish five among them didn’t know they were foolish until they missed the glorious opportunity to enter in with the groom. Saints, BEWARE!

3.   Words Of Advice For The End Time Saints About Effects of Worldliness  - Matthew 24:36-46

v  Be on your guard not to allow temptation OF worldliness to fall you – 1 Peter 5:8; Mark 14:38

v  Maintain your regular quiet time – Mark 1:35

v  Weigh every option before you with God’s unchanging word – Psalms 119:11

v  Make the best use of available spiritual resources – Hebrews 10:25

v  Maintain clean hands and a pure heart – Psalm 24:3,4

v  Maintain a life of holiness everywhere – 1 Peter 1:14-16

v  Practice constant abiding presence of God – Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Hebrews 4:13

v  Be conscious of heaven all the time – John 14:1-3

v  Be watchful and spiritually alert – Luke 21:36

v  Be Prayerful -  Luke 21:36

We all know that we are living in the end-time when worldliness is very rampant; we are the ones to be on guard so that the devil will not lure us away from God’s will and way by his antics. The Lord is counseling you and I today in Mark 13:37 “And what I say unto you I say unto all, WATCH.”pfa

HOLDING ON TO GOD'S PROMISES

TRETS 24/08/2017

HOLDING ON TO GOD’S PROMISES

Romans 4. 18 -22, 1 Kings 8. 54-56.

The uniform testimony of scriptures always affirms that God is faithful to His word and His promises. Therefore, believers are called to always manifest confident in God’s promises no matter what their challenge may be. Abraham and Sarah were both stricken in age and their condition was completely against biological expectancy for conception, but God gave them the promise of a seed even in this old age. Though it was contrary to nature, they held on to God’s promises by faith, and God fulfilled His words. Israel later had to consider their wandering in through the wilderness with God being so faithful to His promises to them declared through Solomon their king “there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant”.  The Lord wants Christians today to remember that He is still the same unchanging God. His words and promises are still yea and amen and still as reliable as ever. When we manifest faith and confidence in His promises, He is faithful and powerful enough to perform our expectations and fulfil our desires based on His promises. He can never fail. The scriptures assure us that God is not a man, that He should lie… His promises are dependable, reliable and immutable for anyone to stand upon. Therefore, as you trust God today for the situation in your life, family and business or work, the Lord shall prove His faithfulness in your life in Jesus Name.

HOPELESS CONDITIONS THAT REQUIRE GOD’S PROMISES. Gen. 17. 3-6, 15-17,  2Kings 20.1, John 9.1,6-7, 1Kings 17.12-13,

The hopelessness of Abraham’s condition made felt being teased by God when He promised him of Isaac. The promise looked unachievable because, to him, this is a hopeless situation. He laughed, thinking it was an impossible joke. God is never a joker, whatever He says, He will surely do. Challenges sometimes come to a believer that makes life miserable. Sometimes, sicknesses and afflictions may overwhelm the life like it happened to Job. At other times, it may be poverty and financial crisis that takes away the wine at home. To some others, it is a delay in childbearing (like Abraham) or other family predicaments. Even in the spiritual, there is the possibility of dryness to the point of confusion in ministry. Yet, God is still on the throne and His promises are still as powerful as ever. These hopeless conditions may linger for a while yet God’s promises will always overthrow the crisis. The scriptures say in Psalm 30.5“weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” The believer need, at this point, to look less on the problem and focus more on God, holding on to His unfailing promises.

HELPFUL COLLECTION OF GOD’S PROMISES.   2 Peter 1. 3-4, Ezek. 36. 25-30,

God had given us these promises to make us peculiar to Himself and partakers of His eternal inheritance. Knowing these promises and standing on them makes us constantly secured in times of danger and disaster. These include: the promise of

(i)               Adoption, Salvation, sanctification and Spirit baptism  (John 1.12, Ezek. 36. 25-30), Abundant provision (Phil.4.19, Eph. 3.20, Job. 22. 23-25), Answer to prayers (Isa. 58.9, Ps. 50.15, Jer. 33.3),  

(ii)            The promise of overflowing Blessings (Deut. 28.2-12),

(iii)          Calmness and comfort in trouble (Isa 54. 11-17, Ps. 23.4),

(iv)   Defense in time of battle (Ps. 20.1, Job 22.25), Dominion over all oppositions (Judg 5.13, Isa. 58.8) , Deliverance from evil (Ps. 41. 1-2, Ps. 20.1-4,),

(v)         Enlargement of Coast (Gen. 17.6, 22.17), , Enemy to our enemies (Exo. 23.22), Fullness of Christ, His grace and riches (Col. 2. 9-15, Eph. 4.13),

(vi)          Fruitfulness  (Gen. 1.28, Gen. 17.6, 28.3, Lev. 26.9, Ps. 128.3, Isa. 29.17, Jer. 23,3, Col.1.10),  

(vii)       His  Goodness and Grace, (Jer. 31.14, Exo. 33.19), divine Guidance and direction (Isa. 58.11, Ps. 32.8, Isa. 42. 13, 16), 

(viii)     Holiness and heaven (John 14.3, Lev. 19.2), Protection, Preservation and Promotion (Ps. 91. 1-16),

(ix)          Healing and Health (Ex. 15.26, Ex. 23.25-26),

(x)             Eternal Life (Titus 1.2, 1 Jn 2.24-25) and many more

HOLDING ON TO GOD’S PROMISES THROUGH FAITH AND PRAYER James 1. 5-6,  James 5. 13-18, Ps. 6.2, 9.13, Matt. 15.22-28, Mark 10. 47-48, Mark 11. 22-24

God's promises are always available to His true children. Only sinners cannot be partakers of these unlimited treasures of God's kingdom. The sinner needs to first repent and give his life to Christ before he can become a partaker of this. However, every believer has the privilege to claim God’s in-exhaustive promises according to his or her need. And every one who has needed has a promise of God he can claim in scriptures. All who prayed and claimed His promises are delivered and their requests are given. All we need is to manifest faith in God, knowing that His promises are yea and Amen. The Canaanite woman came to Jesus. He knew God will never reject anyone and in spite of the opposition and discouragement of Christ’s disciples, she waited until she received an answer to her request. Blind Bartimeus also received his sight due to the persistent prayer of faith. Whatever your problem, you need to constantly hold on to God’s unfailing promises through faith. He will never fail you.  God’s promises are dependable, available and always powerful enough to move all your mountains. Tonight pray fervently like Jabez and claim the promises of the God of Israel. You shall receive the answer to your prayer in Jesus name.   

HOW TO BRING RELATIONS AND FRIENDS TO CHRIST.

TRETS 10/08/2017

HOW TO BRING RELATIONS AND FRIENDS TO CHRIST.

                                        John 1. 37-42, Rom. 1. 14-16, Genesis 18.19

The mandate of soul winning is non-negotiable to any obedient Christian. Every believer is on the mission of seeking and winning the lost to the Lord. These lost ones are so called because they haven’t known the Lord. Unfortunately, many of them are among our friends and relatives. Though we seem to love them so dearly, it will be a great disservice if we fail to bring them to the saving knowledge of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Many are dying around us, sinners are crying in hell day by day. We cannot ignore their cries; neither can we push the task to other people. We must remember that the age is winding up. The trumpet will soon sound and all the hope they have is for us who are close to them to open their eyes to the reality of repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. If we fail to do so, then we have not demonstrated our love for them. If they die in their condition, we shall be separated for all eternity; and in hell, they will accuse us saying “you never mention Him to me”. The guilt will be endless. The shame will be gloomy and the regret will be everlasting. Also, the punishment will be eternal, because he that knowest to do good but doeth it not, to him it is sin. We must, therefore, go all out and tell our relations and friends about their only way of escape before it’s too late. We need to employ all strategies and straighten all edges in our homes, communities, and places of work to ensure that no soul is left un-witnessed for the Lord. Obviously, this attracts great rewards in this life and gives us the assurance of reigning with the Almighty in eternity but if we delay mischief and great danger may be looming ahead of us. Would you not put aside your closeness and tell them the main truth that liberates from hell?

THE SORROW AND THE CRY OF OUR UNSAVED FRIENDS AND RELATIONS.  Matt. 9.36, Luke 15.17, Job 21.17-20, Isa 33.14, Rev. 20.11-15, Luke 16.19-31

Sinners are all of the same destiny before the Lord except they repent. Those that are within the church building and those that are without. Whichever way they may fall, they stand completely separated from the living God. The uniform experience of all sinners is fear and fainting of God’s judgment anytime because their sins are not forgiven. Being separated from God makes them to be living in the wilderness of life without direction and without hope of tomorrow. They are separated from God’s protection, separated from God’s provisions and separated from God’s presence. The prodigal son realized that without his father, he was completely separated from the source of life and livelihood (Luke 15.17). So also is the sinner in this world including our unsaved relations, and if they are not won to the savior before death, they will cry in eternity. This was the fate of the rich man in the days of Lazarus. The lost are under the ruin of Satan and are being tormented day by day. Though some of them may have the good of this life, yet they are impoverished spiritually which spells their doom. Why must you know the truth of salvation and hide same for your loved ones who are on their way to hell fire? Therefore, we must do everything within our power to bring them to Christ at all cost.

SEVERAL WAYS OF BRINGING OUR RELATIONS AND FRIENDS TO THE LORD.  John 1.29, 35-37, John 1. 38-42, Luke 5. 1-3, Acts 10.30-33,

There are several methods and strategies we can use to bring them to the Lord. The church must have a regular focus on evangelism and be developing disciples constantly. Each believer must also be fully convinced about the necessity of bringing their close friends and relations to Christ. The doom of sinners must compel us to reach them, the danger of our neglect must drive us to evangelize and the rewards we are to receive should motivate us to mobilize every Christian everywhere to win the lost at any cost it may be. Some of the common medium of winning the lost include (i) Direct instruction and counsel from a leader (or parent) to the younger (or children) e.g. John the Baptist (John 1.29, 35-37), (ii) Person to person evangelism e.g. Andrew (John 1. 38-42), (iii) Public crusade and retreats e.g. Jesus (Luke 5. 1-3), (iv) Special gatherings and opportunities of uncommon occasions e.g. Cornelius (Acts 10.30-33), (v) Morning and evening cry e.g. John the Baptist (Matt. 3.1-2), (vi) Personal discussion on transit e.g. Phillip with the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8. 30-38), Personal pleading, morning devotion and travailing prayer for them e.g. Paul (2 Cor. 5.20, Rom 10.1-2). Every living church must make soul winning a priority. We must spread ourselves through our local district church community and spread the good news there winning all the sinners for the Lord no matter how close they are to us.

SOULWINNERS’ REWARD AND WAGES FROM THE LORD.  John 4.36-38, Ps. 126.5-6, Ps. 112.1-9, Daniel 12.3, 1Peter 5.4

Bringing our family members and friends to the Lord establishes godly generation. This, however, makes our lineage, and our “world” to be God-fearing and continues to be in the path of righteousness available for God’s blessings always. Like Abraham, we shall be preserved in times of trouble as God’s friend (Gen. 18. 16-19). On the other hand, It is definite that sowers always reap. Soul winners are sure of their reward and wages from the Lord. The benefits of bringing sinners to Christ (including our relatives) are enormous and cannot be over emphasized. As the church of Christ increases in number and multitude are being added to the church, so also would the joy of the soul winner increase and multiply for doing his father’s will. Moreover, there he shall receive opened doors of tremendous blessings here in the world as a jewel of God, He shall also enjoy God’s direction, guidance, provision and protection from all evils. His prayers shall always be answered and at the end, he shall shine like the brightness of the firmament. 

LIVING AS LIGHT AND SALT IN THE WORLD

LIVING AS LIGHT AND SALT IN THE WORLD

.

          Matthew 5.13-16, Philippians 2. 14-15

The presence of Christians is to bring savour and brightness into this dark wicked world through our lives and the impact of our relationship as followers of Christ. As Christ was the Light of the world, so are we supposed to be in our communities shining the light of the gospel to the darkness of our society. Furthermore we are to sweeten our neighborhood as salts with the grace of God in us. Not only are we to preach to them but also to demonstrate the power of the gospel through our lives of gentleness, love, kindness and purity in spite of the pollutions and selfishness of the society. This shall however bring glory to the name of the Lord and win souls into the kingdom, but careless believers and compromisers shall definitely loose their grace and be cast out into punishment and perdition. Therefore let us walk and work while it is day for the night cometh when no man can work. We are “to do all the good we can, to all the men we can and with all the time we have so as to gain all the souls we can for the Lord”, we will never lose our rewards in Jesus Name.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SALTS AND LIGHTS IN THE WORLD Matt. 5. 13-16, Phil.2.15, Matt. 18.3, John 8.12, John 9.5, Gal. 5.22-23, Col. 4.6.

As salt and light are valuable to provide savour, brightness and illumination to the users, so also are we believers in the community we live. Believers are therefore characterised as salts and light in that they are to be good examples to the world around us. As salt is inevitable in every day life, so also are we to be in this sorrowful and carlous world. And as light brings sanity and direction in the darkness, so also are to be to our confused society around bringing the light of the gospel to them. This can only be done through our life, love and light in the community we dwell. However, to be a true believer that will exemplify Christ, then we must firstly converted, be born again and give our lives totally to the Lord (Matt. 18.3). Jesus Christ is the Light of the world (Jn. 8.12, Jn. 9.5) and except we firstly come to Him, we cannot be light in our community. Then we need to fully consecrate our lives to Him as our Lord and Savior bearing the fruits of the spirit everywhere we go.  We must also allow “the words of Christ” to be the lamp of our feet, dwelling in us richly so we can truly illuminate the light of Christ to the world. And fully give ourselves to spreading His words of salvtion in our community through our lives and messages. It’s only then we can truly bear the following characteristics of Salts and Lights in the world around us. (i). Salt as a seasoning agent, preserves food items from decay and corruption. When we come in contact with sinful people, our stand should be made known to them that sin is deadly and destructive. Sooner or later, they will get convicted anytime they see us and by so doing, we shall preserve the community from further decay. (ii), Salt sweetens and flavors. We as believers should, through our interactions and relationship, speak to comfort the discouraged and the weary ones showing to them mercies and kindness in order to win them to the Saviour Jesus Christ (Col. 3.12). We should also demonstrate kindness and love in distributing to the necessity of all the needy around us (Heb 13.16). Also, note that salt is one of the least ingridients in cooking; we must so humble ourselves to others so that the grace and the glory of God can be realised in us (Phil. 2.3). Our lives should be characterized by the message of hope to the hopeless world. Moreover, salt is white, symbolizing purity. We should remain pure from the pollution and corruption of the world. (Rom. 12. 2). Furthermore, as lights in the world, we must be leading the people around us to Christ always through the word of our mouth and the work of our hands. Our preaching bears more power when we show godly character (Phil. 2.15), As Christians, the life we live will either point the unbelievers more to the Lord or farther away from Him.

THE CAUTION AGAINST SLOTHFULNESS AND LUKEWARMNESS

. Matt. 5.13, 1 Tim 1.16, Matt. 25.1-13, Rev. 3. 14-19.

It is unfortunate that instead of being a shining light to the world, many so-called believers are merely slotful and lukewarm church-goers. They only profess to be Christians in name but in deed, they are far from Christ. These are those who had lost their savour and are good for nothing other than to cast them out to be trodden under foot of men. If a seasoning like salt loses its savour, it’s of no value anymore. A Christian who makes no effort to influence its community positively have no value to God and no good to man.

Slotful and lukewarm church goers are of various categories, but none of them is good before the Lord. Some are coming to the church but had never repented of their sins nor forsake them, while some others who claimed to have been born again had backslidden in the heart through worldliness and affection to the world. Others are in the categories of indifference and slothfulness that are never bold enough to declare their stand for Christ. These people do not have the grace of God in them to live as salt in the world nor shine as light in their community. They had allowed their salt to lose its savor through carelessness, prayerlessness, worldly attractions, business pursuit or talkativeness. Many are neither hot nor cold but are just “Christians in name only”. They therefore stand the danger of being cast out from the presence of the Lord. Examples of such are Ananias and Saphira, Judas Iscariot, Korah, Datan and Abiram etc. These were people who were renown in the church but had lost their savor. Apart from being rejected, their prayers would not be answered, they lost the favour of God, and they lost the presence of God in eternity. Christ prescribed remedy for the church in Laodicea was repentance. Only true repentance and faith in God can redeem such people from the calamities and restore them into the household of grace to shine as light in the world.

CONSEQUENCES OF SHINING AS LIGHTS FOR CHRIST’S GLORY. Matt. 5.16, Acts 8. 5-8, 2 Kings 2.19-22, Ps. 112.9, Matt. 25. 31-40, Isa. 60.1-22

The consequence of radiating the gospel light to the world is very great. The people around us in the community will be edified by our good loving works, and the name of the Lord shall be glorified. Secondarily, God looks at us as obedient children who are appreciative of His blessings and He gives us more. Principally, we enjoy the peace and eternal joy from the Lord within us, and then we are able to pass the salt around to others. Our communities shall therefore become happy and joyful, ready to hear the gospel. In the same way, we enjoy the light of the gospel and we are able to send out the light to others in darkness. Consequently, revival begins in our communities. Salvation of souls will be much easier. The power of the Holy Ghost will be at work. The working of miracles will flow easily and many closed doors will continuously be opened for breakthroughs. In this atmosphere, our churches will grow rapidly and many souls shall be added to the local churches. Even the faith of discouraged believers will be lifted up and the fellowship will be warm and dynamic for the Lord. In all these the name of the Lord will be glorified. Phillip shined as light in the city of Samaria and brought great joy into the city. We also should steadfastly endeavor to shine in our community for God’s glory. Elisha applied salt to the source of the bitter water river and prophesied prosperity and sweetness to the land, and the poverty was gone (2Kings 2.19-22). We also as shining lights can speak the word of God by faith into the problems of our community and peace, prosperity and possibilities will emerge in every corner. As such, the joy and jubilation of salvation and power of God shall spread throughout our land. In the end, we shall reign with the Lord in eternity. Believers! Arise and Shine, for thy light has come..Isa. 60.1