(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph)
Acts 4:36: And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus…
Here was a man-relatively unknown till that time; but was part of the early church. He must have been one of the early believers in the post-resurrection era. Jesus Christ had risen from the dead; the Holy Spirit had come as promised; searing sermons and saved souls were the order of the day, with new believers being added to the church daily. One of them was this Joses – an ordinary brother with an extra-ordinary heart of encouraging the new believers.
And today I would like us to dwell a little bit on the life of this wonderful person; the apostles were quick to recognize his enthusiasm and genuine faith and named him – Barnabas. It is written about Barnabas that “…he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.” (Acts 11:24). I have this thought that it would hardly strike anyone to recognize Barnabas; an individual who may have particularly lacked eloquence and intellect. But he was full of the Holy Spirit and faith. Think about yourself-whatever you may think you lack, is there anything stopping any of us here to have this quality-to be full of the Holy Spirit and faith?
Faith is just holding on to what God has said. And there are at least 7 things we can learn from the life of Barnabas. Not much is written about him, but with whatever little is written of him-we can learn lessons that can be life-changing.
1. Have a heart to accept a repentant sinner: Acts 9:26, 27: And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
Saul of Tarsus was notorious for his mischief to the church; he would collect letters of authority for the express purpose of persecuting to the church; putting some believers in prison, others to rod and stones… you can easily imagine fear gripping the new disciples as Saul enters saying he would like to be one among them, but not Barnabas. Not only did he accept Saul, but took him to the apostles to have a prominent place in the church… now how do you respond to new believers? Or someone who is coming to your church for the first time? Are we really interested in their testimony?
2. Understand your limitations: The apostles were quick to recognize the gifting in Barnabas-that of encouragement to new believers. In Acts 11:22, 23 we read that when new believers were added to the church at Antioch, the apostles thought it fit to send Barnabas to encourage those new believers. “Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.”
Here was Barnabas-being promoted from individual encourager to collective encourager to new believers. He did go when sent; he was glad in God’s grace; he did encourage them. But you know what? He also knew his own limitations. For in verse 25 and 26 we read that Barnabas went to Tarsus to seek Saul and bring him to Antioch to preach to the new believers. “Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.”
Isn’t that a wonderful testimony to Barnabas' life? An encourager-yes; but a teacher-Oh, I know someone better! We cannot go on and pretend to be a know all-do all in our calling. We are not independent in the body of Christ, but inter-dependent. There ARE functions for all believers, to fulfill the purposes of God. Do you recognize your own limitations? Would you, now, give an opportunity for someone who could just fit the bill, better?
3. Have financial integrity: Barnabas was a man of financial and personal integrity. Acts 4:36, 37: And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles feet.
Here was a man who freely gave. He had a piece of land, sold it and laid the price at the apostles’ feet. (The following verses mention Ananias and Saphira, who perished…). Barnabas knew what it is to pay the price. And later on, when there was a need to send relief to the brethren in Judea (because of the famine then), the Christians at Antioch sent it by the hands of Barnabas and Saul (Acts 11:30). They knew these persons could be trusted for their financial integrity. They knew that there would be no siphoning, no reduction due to ‘administrative costs’ associated with their relief.
4. Be faithful in small things: From the Bible, we learn that Barnabas was not all that wealthy; he worked hard to earn his living and he also served the Lord. As someone who has been there, I know the difficulties of sharing time between a secular job and serving the Lord; but Barnabas was one person who created a fine balance between work and ministry…
Barnabas was faithful in small things; God blessed him. From encourager, Barnabas grew up, with Paul, to be a teacher and an apostle. For it says about him in Acts 14:14 “…when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this…”. What a growth for a humble believer!
5. Put others before yourself: Barnabas and Saul were at Antioch, preaching the word of God and ministering to the new believers for a full year. Acts 13:2: As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Here is God calling out his name-Barnabas. Notice the order of calling – Barnabas and Saul. God Himself spoke for these to be set apart for some other work. The church at Antioch responded and sent Barnabas and Saul away (v3). This is a great encouragement for those waiting on the Lord-wait for His call for a specific ministry! It is not about what we can do and what we want to do, but what He wants us to do that counts. It is His grace that will sustain us… if we do it on our own strength and terms, is it any wonder we reap the aches and ashes?
But as you read through the chapters of Acts 13, 14 and 15, you will find a change; from ‘Barnabas and Saul’ to ‘Barnabas and Paul’ and then the order changes to ‘Paul and Barnabas’! Barnabas was one man who not only knew his limitations, but was also quick to recognize the potential and calling of those around him. He recognized that Paul had a greater calling in the ministry and made way for Paul to go ahead. Imagine Barnabas’ heart – accepting Paul as a new convert, encouraging him as a ‘junior’, mentoring and being mentored…and now this: make way for Paul to go ahead and take the lead. As the senior-in any job, we may feel we have the right to be leaders; but because Barnabas was willing, we have the account of all the wonderful works done through Paul in God’s great ministry.
6. Be open to correction: Gal 2:13: And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.
Here is a first-hand account by Paul about hypocrisy in the church leaders. There were Peter and other leaders, including Barnabas, who mingled with the Gentiles and ate with them normally; but, when some elders from Jerusalem would come, they separated themselves as only with Jews… Paul withstood their hypocrisy and corrected them with the truth of the gospel; about how the middle wall is broken down in Jesus Christ. Now there was no difference between Jews and the Gentiles in Christ; because justification is by faith in Christ and not by any law.
The point is Barnabas was open to correction. Being a leader or even an apostle does not qualify us to be error-free. If you are open to correction, it is for your own protection.
7. Amicably agree even in sharp disagreement: Acts 15:36-41: Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Here Paul is eager to start his second missionary journey. Barnabas is keen to take his cousin Mark, while Paul is against the idea of taking someone who abandoned the first missionary journey mid-way. There is a sharp disagreement between the two apostles… the Bible makes no bones about it. These two, Paul and Barnabas, who had worked together for so long, could not see eye-to-eye on certain matters now! Yes, both were apostles; both separated for God’s work by God Himself; both were used by God… in fact they were even called ‘gods’ by the people at Lystra when they tried to offer sacrifices to them… (Acts 14:11-13).
But now came a time for them to separate from one another… they amicably parted and continued doing God’s ministry… at different places. We can learn from Paul’s writing later on in 1 Cor. 9:6, that he continued to regard Barnabas highly when he wrote “”Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working?” Paul also wrote later on to Timothy “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.” (2 Tim. 4:11). Mark is later with Paul while he was in prison (Col. 4:10).
From these references, we learn that the parting of ways did not lead to bitterness and back-biting. We can learn from the life of Barnabas to leave our animosities aside as we serve in pleasing only Him. For He causes the sun to shine on the righteous and the unrighteous; and showers the rain on the good and the evil. Our Lord is merciful and compassionate. We are called to be merciful, just as our Father in heaven is merciful.
God’s plan and purposes in our life must be fulfilled… therefore we will freely forgive those who offend us and with whom we cannot see eye-to-eye. And even though we may not see eye-to-eye, we can walk hand-in-hand to fulfill all of God’s will.
Even now, during these times, there is a sharp disagreement between the top leaders in New Life Fellowship (NLF) association. We are separating and it must be an amicable separation… as we learn from the lives of Barnabas and Paul. No pointing fingers and no poison thoughts; no back-biting and no in-fighting…
Let us turn aside, see and choose to walk the path God has kept for each one of us.
May God grant you revelation of His word and help us in doing His will. Amen.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Timely Provision
(Message by Pastor Joseph, NLMI)
It is a joy to be in your midst once again. You see, happiness depends upon happenings; but joy is in your spirit-in your inner being. That is why, when Jesus was conceived in Mary’s womb, she announces, ‘…my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.’ (Luke 1:46).
Today I want to talk about something that gives you encouragement, motivation and strength to all those who wait on the Lord. God’s will always lead us to victory in every crisis of our life. But how we handle the crisis is very important. Did you know that the word ‘crisis’ also means ‘opportunity’ in the Chinese language? Isn’t that a good way to look at all those crisis situations you are facing in your life?
Just one word from Him can change the course of history! Just one letter can change your life story and lead you to your goal! If a sinner’s repentance can change his life in a night, how much more God is willing to do and bless His children every moment of our lives? You see, we are on a journey to our home. If the Lord tarries, we will be carried by angels, according to the word of God, into the presence of God Himself… Jesus said, ‘I go to prepare a place for you…that where I am you may be also’. And so it is not of importance how long you live-but how you live! It is not important what happens to you, but rather what happens in you!
James 5:16 takes about a man with a nature like ours! Elijah! Do you want to know what that means? Elijah – a man with a nature just like ours? He was just like you and me. But with him, there were three things that changed the course of history in those times…
- REQUEST (or PRAYER): Elijah prayed earnestly to a God who answers prayers… According to His own word, He has said: Call to Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. (Jer. 33:3). And ‘If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land’ (2 Chr. 7:14)
- RAIN: Elijah prayed that there would be no rain; and there was no rain for 3 years and 6 months. He prayed again for rain, and there were showers of blessing. How lovely is it to look at the fields and mountains in this monsoon season in Mumbai… with the earth responding in splendor greenery-fresh and beautiful. This is a connection between heaven and earth; when the heavens open up, the hidden things on earth is brought to the open… so is the case when people are brought from the darkness into His marvelous light!
- REVIVAL: The Lord forgives their sins and heals their land. There is revival! When God calls you, there is always enough and to spare, to fulfill His divine purposes in your life. That is why it is written, ‘Seek first the
kingdom ofGod
How we need God to fill us! There is a mistaken saying that goes: God helps those who help themselves. I ask you, if you can help yourself, why do you need God? I say, God helps those who can’t help themselves. Let us go to the life of Elijah in 1 Kings, chapter 17. Out of the blue- I don’t know why God picks people like that- but that’s the way He does it; out of the blue, there is suddenly this man Elijah, the Tishbite – a prince and a prophet. A similar instance in the New Testament is that of John the Baptist – yes, just picked out of the blue ‘There was a man sent from God whose name was…John” (John 1:6). Oh yes…there are many other examples – Moses: called, chosen and found faithful as he led the people of God to the Promised Land.
Yes, out of the blue came Elijah…and he had something to say to the king Ahab; and it was BAD news. Imagine the audacity and courage of this man-Elijah! How could he do this? The first verse in 1 Kings 17 gives us a clue: …“As the Lord God of Israel
Practically, how can we learn to stand before God? It is to meditate on His word day and night. The first chapters of Joshua and Psalm talk about this. If you do this, you will get caught up by the word of God, and the promises of God. How can we hear God’s voice, if we do not know His word? How can we know faith, if we have not heard from Him? For faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Otherwise, we will only be people of doubt and unbelief.
The Bible says only in verse 2, that ‘…the word of the Lord came to Elijah…’: How then did Elijah- a man with a nature like ours, speak what he spoke to the king Ahab like this: ‘… except at my word’ (v1). The secret, my friend, is his close communion with God: Elijah prayed… and then his word became God’s word, and God’s word became his word… and there was no rain in the land! If you are willing to pay that price, and learn to stand before God, I tell you-the whole of heaven will back you up ....
Now imagine the wrath of the king on hearing this. God, not only protected Elijah from the king’s hand; (he could have been beheaded then and there;) but also made a WAY to escape. In verses 2, 3 and 4 God spoke to Elijah: Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan
The PROVISION of the Lord is so wonderful: There is first the NATURAL provision… Elijah is to drink water from the Brook Cherith that flows into Jordan
Then comes the UNNATURAL provision – the ravens will feed him! One would wonder, 'You mean, those crows- those filthy, unclean and selfish birds that would even steal from you at every oppurtunity-those birds?’ Yes, the same old crows will bring bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening! Not just any one 'odd' fellow of the crow breed-but, many crows. Not just any day's occasional food-drop-as if by mistake; but the ravens brought food, obeying the command of the Lord, day-in and day-out for many days… (Read verses 6 and 7). It seems to me that maybe, man would disobey God time and time again…but those crows did just what He commanded. You know the story of how Balaam was rebuked by a donkey! A talking donkey and Balaam reasoning with it to obey him instead! That is why, it is written, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” (Prov. 3: 5, 6).
Then comes the UNNATURAL provision – the ravens will feed him! One would wonder, 'You mean, those crows- those filthy, unclean and selfish birds that would even steal from you at every oppurtunity-those birds?’ Yes, the same old crows will bring bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening! Not just any one 'odd' fellow of the crow breed-but, many crows. Not just any day's occasional food-drop-as if by mistake; but the ravens brought food, obeying the command of the Lord, day-in and day-out for many days… (Read verses 6 and 7). It seems to me that maybe, man would disobey God time and time again…but those crows did just what He commanded. You know the story of how Balaam was rebuked by a donkey! A talking donkey and Balaam reasoning with it to obey him instead! That is why, it is written, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” (Prov. 3: 5, 6).
How could this be? Unnatural-for the crow to give instead of taking! And by the way, I wonder how and where the crows got their meat and bread in the morning and in the evening! It’s simple to reason, that they stole from other places to feed Elijah… and I would hazard a guess that the place would be no less than the king’s palace itself! For it was a famine in the land – no water, no food for the common man. But the king’s palace would have had food!
Trust Him! He will command the crows to bring you a blessing! There was a time in my life too when there was a great financial need… we, my wife and I, had already decided that we would not borrow from anyone-not even from the bank! I went to the balcony one day, during that time, thinking on how God would provide for my need. There was a soft breeze, the coconut trees... and my eyes fell on the clothes hanging out there to dry…and I noticed a lump I one of my pants’ pockets. I went near and took out from it meat, albeit covered with ants, deposited there by some crow… Then these words struck me: The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook (v6).
Yes, it is an adventurous journey to live by faith… God called me when I was jobless, homeless and penniless! And I became a steward of many crores later on with TV ministry...and thousands of churches. It is the Lord’s doing; and it is marvelous in our eyes. I can identify with Paul and say: I count it all next to nothing and rubbish and loss… for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus who found me (Phil. 3:8).
Yes, it is an adventurous journey to live by faith… God called me when I was jobless, homeless and penniless! And I became a steward of many crores later on with TV ministry...and thousands of churches. It is the Lord’s doing; and it is marvelous in our eyes. I can identify with Paul and say: I count it all next to nothing and rubbish and loss… for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus who found me (Phil. 3:8).
So, here was Elijah having his holiday by the Brook Cherith. Free food, free water and no need to work! Suddenly there came the next level of difficulty – the Brook dried up, because of the drought and the crows disappeared! Tell me truly, how you would feel if your job is taken away? Or, if your savings bank collapses or, the stock markets come crashing down? ‘What did I do wrong?’ And I can also assure you that tongues will wag around you on seeing your condition… back-biting of secret sin, Satan’s muse… Then, would you still be singing, ‘You give and take away…Blessed be Your name’? But, I am so glad Elijah waited to hear from God again… Yes, he did not blame anybody; not the Brook, nor the ravens, nor the situations, nor the circumstances; neither God, nor the devil; but he looked up and waited. Why don’t you do the same-don’t blame anyone; but look up, and live…
Then came the SUPERNATURAL provision. From the individual provision God was moving up Elijah to provide for an entire household (family provision). {And then later, Elijah would move up to provide (rain) for the entire land (national provision)}. A widow, almost dying with hunger, would provide for Elijah for the rest of the famine days! A miraculous provision of flour and oil – that will never cease till the famine is over!
The process of waiting and walking in faith is a painful one. It is quite a hard decision to follow at all costs the voice of the Master. Elijah was a lonely man, when he obeyed. But he counted that with God, he is always in the majority… He and his God equaled majority. Time is short for me to go on about the ANGELIC provision to Elijah; of how he was strengthened in the Lord – both naturally and spiritually.
This is to count the cost of discipleship. Do you want to believe and follow Jesus as your only Lord? He will allow you to go through the waters – but you will NOT BE DROWNED! He will allow you to walk through the fire – but YOU WILL NOT be consumed! If we want to please God, let us lay aside every weight that so easily entangles us, and let us run the race with endurance… with perseverance.
It is time to come back to the cross! If you have started out as a Christian and find yourself at cross-roads now, please come back to the cross! Remember, you began at the cross; a wonderful exchange – Heaven came down and glory filled your soul, when at the cross your Savior made you whole. Your sins were washed away and your night was turned to day! When you started the Christian life, the cross was before you, and the world behind! How do you find yourself today-Is the cross still before you? In the mount of the Lord, it shall be provided. He is Jehovah Jireh-our Provider!
Calvary, O Calvary! The wonderful place of God's provision ...Jesus died for you and me. And so, we receive riches eternal and blessings supernal...
May God grant you to find His provision. Amen.
Calvary, O Calvary! The wonderful place of God's provision ...Jesus died for you and me. And so, we receive riches eternal and blessings supernal...
May God grant you to find His provision. Amen.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Kingdom of God
Labels:
eternal,
kingdom life,
Kingdom of God
(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph. This must be heaven; this must be heaven! Happy reading!)
Hebrews 12: 26 onwards: ‘whose voice then shook the earth, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.’
Unshakable Kingdom of God
It says here that there are things that can be shaken, and there are things that cannot be shaken; and God is in the process of shaking things up, and removing the ‘shakable’. God is shaking not just the earth, but also heaven.
God is in this business of shaking things up-to let us know the fate of things on which we put our hope. Now, on what do we put our hope on-our wealth; health; friends? There are situations designed in our life, when we see the ‘things’ on which we put our trust on begins to shake, sooner or later…But WE as God’s chosen people have SOMETHING that CANNOT BE SHAKEN. Verse 28 says, we are receiving a ‘kingdom which cannot be shaken…’. It is the kingdom of God that is unshakable, eternal (unlike all other things that can be shaken and is temporal); and we are PART of His kingdom…It is an everlasting kingdom; an ever-advancing, or increasing kingdom. ‘And of the increase of His government {kingdom} and peace, there will be no end’ (Isaiah 9: 7)
That is why Jesus taught us ‘Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you’ (Matt. 6:33). You can seek after other ‘things’ too – but only second to seeking the kingdom of God. Because all these other things, that you seek after, will one day come to an end. A wealthy man will have to leave all his wealth; he cannot take a paisa when he goes to rest. A healthy man will grow old and die someday. Should you one day find that all your labor and striving was in vain and you have really gained nothing? Will it not be wise to invest your self in the things that cannot be shaken, and some day find that our ‘labor in the Lord’ is not in vain? All that we do in the kingdom of God, and in the Lord, will abide forever…
Unseen Kingdom of God
(inward; not outward)
‘Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.’ (2 Cor. 4: 16-18)
See Eternal
It says here that there are things that are seen, and things that are unseen. For example, you can see that our outward man, our body, is perishing-we are growing old. But, there is such a thing as the inner man-the inward being; which is not just imperishable, but is also being renewed day by day, if we continue His works.
What Paul concludes is this: the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are unseen are eternal. In the same manner, people may not immediately see the kingdom of God within us; it remains unseen…but has eternal implications. Therefore focus on the things that are unseen; yet eternal, imperishable, unending.
See Upwards
Our Lord Jesus spoke about laying up treasures for ourselves in heaven-something that cannot be seen now-‘lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal’ (Matt 6:20). All other possessions here on earth is temporarily given to us; we have to leave them all someday; the cars, bungalows, gold and money…
How can we learn to focus on heavenly treasures? We can learn from Abraham. He was a man who walked from Iraq to Israel-from the land of the Chaldeans to the land flowing with milk and honey…the hard and tiresome journey on foot! God said to Abraham “…I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession…” (Gen. 17:8). (And God is faithful to keep His covenant to Abraham, even today, some 4000 years hence).
How would you respond to your possessions of land and houses? Do you ever look upwards with hope of the unseen, when God blesses you with large lands here? Can you imagine the entire land of Israel given to Abraham and his descendants! What if all of Sector-6, Vashi belongs to you-would you still look for the unseen city whose builder and architect is God?
Abraham was focused on things above…for it says about him, ‘By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.’ (Hebrews 11: 9, 10). ‘Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.’ (Heb. 11:16)
So, we understand that the kingdom of God is a heavenly kingdom, nevertheless attainable…
For Jesus answered thus to Pilate during His trial: “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” (John 18:36). Remember, Pilate had authority in the earthly kingdom-but the kingdom of Jesus was of a heavenly realm.
Our Lord Jesus started his ministry with this teaching: “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” Yes, you can have it-the kingdom of God is for each one of God’s children! And so we are confronted with the same choices given to Abraham; to be focused on the things-earthly, or to have our focus on things-heavenly.
See Inwards
Now when He {Jesus} was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, See here! Or See there! For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20, 21).
The kingdom of God cannot be seen with natural eyes. It is also not outwards, that one can see, but is inwards; not external, but internal. ‘For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.’ (Romans 14:17). Think of righteousness; it is something internal, of peace and joy-again, internal. That is why it is so important for us to grasp the kingdom life! It is unshakable, and inside of us!
Utmost Kingdom of God
(His will, not ours)
The kingdom of God is doing His will and not ours. Because Jesus is our King-we are His subjects. What He says, we will do… when we are born-again and are baptized in the waters, we have said No to our self; and Yes to Him who saved us. We had died to our self and risen in newness of life; therefore we learn from Jesus, and say at every cross-roads of choices in our life: Not my will, but Yours be done.
Jesus said, “Whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:19). As Jesus finishes His sermon on the mount, He declares, “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matt. 7:21).
What will be your response? Do you really want to mean it when you call Jesus ‘Lord’? It means He is the Master, and you will do His bidding. Jesus concluded His sermon on the mount with the parable of two builders-one wise and the other foolish. We know of this story of how the storm came, the floods rose and the winds blew and beat on that house… only, to me, it is not just a story, but the meaning of the kingdom of God...
Yes, it’s a true story. The true city, the heavenly city-Jerusalem will stand and last forever. The false city, the earthly city-Babylon is going to fall. We read about this in the Bible; in the prophecy-book of Revelation. True Christianity that does the will of God will abide forever; the false Christianity of living for your self will collapse; its destruction is sure!
We started with the ‘unshakable’ kingdom of God! How is the house that you are building? You can bet the storms are going to come-God is going to allow some shaking! Do you still want to DO God’s will?
There is a city bright
Closed are its gates to sin;
Not that defileth, not that defileth
Shall ever enter in!
If you are a Christian reading this, but do not understand anything that I am talking about, you may be like that Nicodemus, who though a religious leader and ruler of the Jews, could not grasp the kingdom of God: Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
Do you know what it means to be born-again? All it takes is to call on the name of the Lord Jesus and repentance from every known sin. Listen to your conscience-with conviction from God Himself-the author of salvation. If you want to come under the Kingship of Jesus, invite Him to be King over your life. You will know; He comes, forgives you your sins-for the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from every sin. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9). If you have done this, you are born-again!
Born of the Spirit! You are a new creation; no more in condemnation, guilt or shame; for you have passed from death-in-sin to life-in-Christ. ‘Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.’ (2 Cor. 5:17). Now, do you see what the kingdom of God is – of righteousness, peace and joy within you by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus continued saying to Nicodemus, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5). Do you want to enter into this kingdom life? It is an everyday experience-based on your choices, to do His will. God-the Holy Spirit is our Helper; He will guide us into all truth.
Focus on the things that are above; Abraham-though being a prince, a prophet and a priest- was not satisfied with earthly possessions, but looked upwards to that heavenly city. He was called the father of faith and a friend of God. Faith is the ability to see the invisible; feel the intangible; grasp the infinite.
May God grant us revelation of His word and help us do His will. Amen.
Hebrews 12: 26 onwards: ‘whose voice then shook the earth, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.’
Unshakable Kingdom of God
It says here that there are things that can be shaken, and there are things that cannot be shaken; and God is in the process of shaking things up, and removing the ‘shakable’. God is shaking not just the earth, but also heaven.
God is in this business of shaking things up-to let us know the fate of things on which we put our hope. Now, on what do we put our hope on-our wealth; health; friends? There are situations designed in our life, when we see the ‘things’ on which we put our trust on begins to shake, sooner or later…But WE as God’s chosen people have SOMETHING that CANNOT BE SHAKEN. Verse 28 says, we are receiving a ‘kingdom which cannot be shaken…’. It is the kingdom of God that is unshakable, eternal (unlike all other things that can be shaken and is temporal); and we are PART of His kingdom…It is an everlasting kingdom; an ever-advancing, or increasing kingdom. ‘And of the increase of His government {kingdom} and peace, there will be no end’ (Isaiah 9: 7)
That is why Jesus taught us ‘Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you’ (Matt. 6:33). You can seek after other ‘things’ too – but only second to seeking the kingdom of God. Because all these other things, that you seek after, will one day come to an end. A wealthy man will have to leave all his wealth; he cannot take a paisa when he goes to rest. A healthy man will grow old and die someday. Should you one day find that all your labor and striving was in vain and you have really gained nothing? Will it not be wise to invest your self in the things that cannot be shaken, and some day find that our ‘labor in the Lord’ is not in vain? All that we do in the kingdom of God, and in the Lord, will abide forever…
Unseen Kingdom of God
(inward; not outward)
‘Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.’ (2 Cor. 4: 16-18)
See Eternal
It says here that there are things that are seen, and things that are unseen. For example, you can see that our outward man, our body, is perishing-we are growing old. But, there is such a thing as the inner man-the inward being; which is not just imperishable, but is also being renewed day by day, if we continue His works.
What Paul concludes is this: the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are unseen are eternal. In the same manner, people may not immediately see the kingdom of God within us; it remains unseen…but has eternal implications. Therefore focus on the things that are unseen; yet eternal, imperishable, unending.
See Upwards
Our Lord Jesus spoke about laying up treasures for ourselves in heaven-something that cannot be seen now-‘lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal’ (Matt 6:20). All other possessions here on earth is temporarily given to us; we have to leave them all someday; the cars, bungalows, gold and money…
How can we learn to focus on heavenly treasures? We can learn from Abraham. He was a man who walked from Iraq to Israel-from the land of the Chaldeans to the land flowing with milk and honey…the hard and tiresome journey on foot! God said to Abraham “…I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession…” (Gen. 17:8). (And God is faithful to keep His covenant to Abraham, even today, some 4000 years hence).
How would you respond to your possessions of land and houses? Do you ever look upwards with hope of the unseen, when God blesses you with large lands here? Can you imagine the entire land of Israel given to Abraham and his descendants! What if all of Sector-6, Vashi belongs to you-would you still look for the unseen city whose builder and architect is God?
Abraham was focused on things above…for it says about him, ‘By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.’ (Hebrews 11: 9, 10). ‘Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.’ (Heb. 11:16)
So, we understand that the kingdom of God is a heavenly kingdom, nevertheless attainable…
For Jesus answered thus to Pilate during His trial: “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” (John 18:36). Remember, Pilate had authority in the earthly kingdom-but the kingdom of Jesus was of a heavenly realm.
Our Lord Jesus started his ministry with this teaching: “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” Yes, you can have it-the kingdom of God is for each one of God’s children! And so we are confronted with the same choices given to Abraham; to be focused on the things-earthly, or to have our focus on things-heavenly.
See Inwards
Now when He {Jesus} was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, See here! Or See there! For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20, 21).
The kingdom of God cannot be seen with natural eyes. It is also not outwards, that one can see, but is inwards; not external, but internal. ‘For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.’ (Romans 14:17). Think of righteousness; it is something internal, of peace and joy-again, internal. That is why it is so important for us to grasp the kingdom life! It is unshakable, and inside of us!
Utmost Kingdom of God
(His will, not ours)
The kingdom of God is doing His will and not ours. Because Jesus is our King-we are His subjects. What He says, we will do… when we are born-again and are baptized in the waters, we have said No to our self; and Yes to Him who saved us. We had died to our self and risen in newness of life; therefore we learn from Jesus, and say at every cross-roads of choices in our life: Not my will, but Yours be done.
Jesus said, “Whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:19). As Jesus finishes His sermon on the mount, He declares, “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matt. 7:21).
What will be your response? Do you really want to mean it when you call Jesus ‘Lord’? It means He is the Master, and you will do His bidding. Jesus concluded His sermon on the mount with the parable of two builders-one wise and the other foolish. We know of this story of how the storm came, the floods rose and the winds blew and beat on that house… only, to me, it is not just a story, but the meaning of the kingdom of God...
Yes, it’s a true story. The true city, the heavenly city-Jerusalem will stand and last forever. The false city, the earthly city-Babylon is going to fall. We read about this in the Bible; in the prophecy-book of Revelation. True Christianity that does the will of God will abide forever; the false Christianity of living for your self will collapse; its destruction is sure!
We started with the ‘unshakable’ kingdom of God! How is the house that you are building? You can bet the storms are going to come-God is going to allow some shaking! Do you still want to DO God’s will?
There is a city bright
Closed are its gates to sin;
Not that defileth, not that defileth
Shall ever enter in!
If you are a Christian reading this, but do not understand anything that I am talking about, you may be like that Nicodemus, who though a religious leader and ruler of the Jews, could not grasp the kingdom of God: Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
Do you know what it means to be born-again? All it takes is to call on the name of the Lord Jesus and repentance from every known sin. Listen to your conscience-with conviction from God Himself-the author of salvation. If you want to come under the Kingship of Jesus, invite Him to be King over your life. You will know; He comes, forgives you your sins-for the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from every sin. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9). If you have done this, you are born-again!
Born of the Spirit! You are a new creation; no more in condemnation, guilt or shame; for you have passed from death-in-sin to life-in-Christ. ‘Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.’ (2 Cor. 5:17). Now, do you see what the kingdom of God is – of righteousness, peace and joy within you by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus continued saying to Nicodemus, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5). Do you want to enter into this kingdom life? It is an everyday experience-based on your choices, to do His will. God-the Holy Spirit is our Helper; He will guide us into all truth.
Focus on the things that are above; Abraham-though being a prince, a prophet and a priest- was not satisfied with earthly possessions, but looked upwards to that heavenly city. He was called the father of faith and a friend of God. Faith is the ability to see the invisible; feel the intangible; grasp the infinite.
May God grant us revelation of His word and help us do His will. Amen.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Sliding Church
(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph. Draw me away! Happy reading!)
Please turn with me to Paul’s first letter to Timothy, chapter 1 and verse 3. It reads: As I urged you when I went into Macedonia-remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine.
Paul started the church at Ephesus, stayed there for 3 years ministering to the needs of the people there; expounding God’s word and performing mighty miracles in the name of Jesus. Everyone around heard the word of God, repented and became followers of Christ. But the Ephesians’ church slowly slid away from the true gospel entrusted to them…they began embracing strange doctrine and spending time in useless teachings.
Paul is concerned about the state of affairs at Ephesus and asks Timothy to stay there and make sure that they teach no other doctrine than what Paul had taught them. In his second letter to Timothy, Paul confesses that he prayed for them night and day (2 Tim. 1:3). Paul himself is a prisoner in Rome; 4 years after he left Ephesus, he writes a letter to the church at Ephesus. We find it in the Bible-the book of Ephesians; a unique letter of Paul, thanking God for the faith and love growing in the Ephesian church (Eph 1: 15, 16).
The book of Epheisans is unique in the sense that there are neither any admonitions by Paul; nor any difficulty or problem, in the church, being addressed (as is the case of other letters of Paul)… but Paul shares the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus to the church at Ephesus; he starts with a prayer for them to have spiritual insight and ending with assurance on the believer’s armor. The 6 chapters of Ephesians is a treasure-house of spiritual understanding-the first 3 chapters talks about our tremendous position in Christ; and the next 3 about how our performance should match our position in Christ.
There is little doubt that the church in Ephesus was nothing short of a vibrant and growing Church. Yet, four years later (after his letter to Ephesians), Paul writes to Timothy urging him to stay in Ephesus. The slide had started…The church at Ephesus had a good start-founded by Apostle Paul himself; they had a good run-when Paul was present during the initial three years and later with other leaders in the church. But then, slowly they slid down from their exalted position…
Today, its my burden to share how we ought to be careful as a church, not to stray from the FAITH.
1. Do not stray towards idle talk
Life here is a journey; if you do not know the final destination you are in danger of losing your way… if you do not know the purpose of God’s word, you are in danger of straying away…from the true gospel.
1 Timothy 1:5, 6 says, “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk”
Idle talk, useless talk, controversial questions and answers, fruitless discussions-they all lead to one thing-false doctrine. Paul’s instruction to Timothy is clear and straight – “O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge-by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith…” (1 Tim. 6:20, 21).
2. Do not stray towards a ‘dead’ conscience
‘…wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered ship-wreck…’ (1 Timothy 1: 19)
Paul likens the Christian life here on earth to a journey by sea; and you are on a ship. There is no sight of land…deep waters surround you. It is then, we must have faith AND a good conscience. God has promised that He will protect us all the days of our life. The fight for faith must be fought and won with a good conscience!
3. Do not stray towards the love of money
‘For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.’ (1 Timothy 6:10)
Ephesus was a commercial city, maybe much like the city of Mumbai now. Trade and commerce filled the minds of the people and there was always the temptation to have more and more… I can imagine the people at Ephesus being careful with money consciously, as long as Paul was there; and even later-for you find no reference to greed and money and mammon in the letter of Paul to Ephesians.
But sure enough, the warning from Paul came at the right time through Timothy who counsels them that ‘Godliness with contentment is great gain’ (1 Tim. 6:6). Jesus says, No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve God and mammon. (Matt. 6:24). This is the chapter where Jesus says, ‘Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness…’ (Matt 6:33).
So we have a choice-choose mammon, or choose God; hold on to God, or pursue after money… to seek first God’s Kingdom; to seek first His righteousness, or to follow after all ‘these’ things… to keep our heart free from greed, or to grab and grasp even what is not ours! The choice is ours! If you cannot be trusted with worldly riches, who will entrust to you the true riches?
‘Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons’ (1 Tim. 4:1)
The church at Ephesus had a problem of ‘too much’ doctrine – they began giving heed to strange knowledge about marriage, eating habits and holiness. Paul judges them thus: hypocrites ; men with a ‘dead’ conscience-having their conscience seared with a hot iron (v2). These ‘teachers’ taught that to be holy, one should not marry, and must abstain from certain foods, ‘which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth’ (v3). There were some who propagated the idea that resurrection of the dead had already taken place...
Do not be deceived by the doctrines of demons! We do not judge anyone right or wrong according to world’s standards; but we judge ourselves against the revealed word of God in our hearts. The kingdom of God is not in eating and drinking; and man is not defiled by what goes into his mouth. The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Finally, Paul implores Timothy to guard himself against straying. ‘O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust,…’ (1 Timothy 6:20,21). Sadly, the church at Ephesus did not ‘get’ what Paul was talking about! They kept on straying and sliding…
Apostle John in the Revelation of Jesus Christ, prophecies again to the church at Ephesus! This was some 40 years after Paul’s letters… Jesus speaking to the church at Ephesus “…I have THIS against you, that you have left your first love” (Rev. 2:4). Indeed they had STRAYED!
The Ephesian church had a wonderful start and great teachings. They persevered and had patience; did not tolerate evil, but labored for His name’s sake…yes, these are some good things Jesus appreciates about the church at Ephesus (Rev. 2: 2, 3). Yet when it came to ‘FIRST’ – they had other things in mind! A warning and an opportunity is given again to the church:
Friends, it does matter how we start the race…but it matters much more how we finish it. Paul urges Timothy to fight the good fight of faith. Paul himself triumphantly declares, ‘I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith…now a crown…’
Even Paul foretold what will happen to the church at Ephesus. ‘For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.’ (Acts 20: 29, 30, 31)
The church at Ephesus had it all – a good start, solid foundation of God’s word, good works and patience, commendations and exhortations, warnings and call to repentance; from Paul, from Timothy and from Jesus Christ, through the prophecy of Apostle John; yet they would squander all by continuing to stray away. Finally their lamp-stand was taken away…
We too are warned that in the end times there will be people who are not lovers of God, but lovers of themselves, lovers of money, lovers of pleasures… Let us take heed to these warnings; take time to be holy…let us be steadfast in our faith and keep a good conscience; let us not fall into any kind of deception…Let us not deceive ourselves by thinking we will never be deceived… ‘let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall’ (1 Cor. 10:12). It is time now to think and choose…
‘He who has an ear, let him hear…’ (Rev. 2:7); the choice is ours-to hear and obey; or to turn a deaf ear and stray… You know, we can read from Genesis to Revelation and still miss the message… The last chapter in the Bible has this warning: ‘He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.’ Rev. 22:11
He is the Alpha and the Omega – the First and the Last, the beginning and the end. May God help us to guard what has been committed to each one of us; help us fight the good fight of faith. May God bless each one of you and make you a blessing. Amen.
Please turn with me to Paul’s first letter to Timothy, chapter 1 and verse 3. It reads: As I urged you when I went into Macedonia-remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine.
Paul started the church at Ephesus, stayed there for 3 years ministering to the needs of the people there; expounding God’s word and performing mighty miracles in the name of Jesus. Everyone around heard the word of God, repented and became followers of Christ. But the Ephesians’ church slowly slid away from the true gospel entrusted to them…they began embracing strange doctrine and spending time in useless teachings.
Paul is concerned about the state of affairs at Ephesus and asks Timothy to stay there and make sure that they teach no other doctrine than what Paul had taught them. In his second letter to Timothy, Paul confesses that he prayed for them night and day (2 Tim. 1:3). Paul himself is a prisoner in Rome; 4 years after he left Ephesus, he writes a letter to the church at Ephesus. We find it in the Bible-the book of Ephesians; a unique letter of Paul, thanking God for the faith and love growing in the Ephesian church (Eph 1: 15, 16).
The book of Epheisans is unique in the sense that there are neither any admonitions by Paul; nor any difficulty or problem, in the church, being addressed (as is the case of other letters of Paul)… but Paul shares the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus to the church at Ephesus; he starts with a prayer for them to have spiritual insight and ending with assurance on the believer’s armor. The 6 chapters of Ephesians is a treasure-house of spiritual understanding-the first 3 chapters talks about our tremendous position in Christ; and the next 3 about how our performance should match our position in Christ.
There is little doubt that the church in Ephesus was nothing short of a vibrant and growing Church. Yet, four years later (after his letter to Ephesians), Paul writes to Timothy urging him to stay in Ephesus. The slide had started…The church at Ephesus had a good start-founded by Apostle Paul himself; they had a good run-when Paul was present during the initial three years and later with other leaders in the church. But then, slowly they slid down from their exalted position…
Today, its my burden to share how we ought to be careful as a church, not to stray from the FAITH.
1. Do not stray towards idle talk
Life here is a journey; if you do not know the final destination you are in danger of losing your way… if you do not know the purpose of God’s word, you are in danger of straying away…from the true gospel.
1 Timothy 1:5, 6 says, “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk”
Idle talk, useless talk, controversial questions and answers, fruitless discussions-they all lead to one thing-false doctrine. Paul’s instruction to Timothy is clear and straight – “O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge-by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith…” (1 Tim. 6:20, 21).
2. Do not stray towards a ‘dead’ conscience
‘…wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered ship-wreck…’ (1 Timothy 1: 19)
Paul likens the Christian life here on earth to a journey by sea; and you are on a ship. There is no sight of land…deep waters surround you. It is then, we must have faith AND a good conscience. God has promised that He will protect us all the days of our life. The fight for faith must be fought and won with a good conscience!
3. Do not stray towards the love of money
‘For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.’ (1 Timothy 6:10)
Ephesus was a commercial city, maybe much like the city of Mumbai now. Trade and commerce filled the minds of the people and there was always the temptation to have more and more… I can imagine the people at Ephesus being careful with money consciously, as long as Paul was there; and even later-for you find no reference to greed and money and mammon in the letter of Paul to Ephesians.
But sure enough, the warning from Paul came at the right time through Timothy who counsels them that ‘Godliness with contentment is great gain’ (1 Tim. 6:6). Jesus says, No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve God and mammon. (Matt. 6:24). This is the chapter where Jesus says, ‘Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness…’ (Matt 6:33).
So we have a choice-choose mammon, or choose God; hold on to God, or pursue after money… to seek first God’s Kingdom; to seek first His righteousness, or to follow after all ‘these’ things… to keep our heart free from greed, or to grab and grasp even what is not ours! The choice is ours! If you cannot be trusted with worldly riches, who will entrust to you the true riches?
4. Do not stray towards false doctrines
‘Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons’ (1 Tim. 4:1)
The church at Ephesus had a problem of ‘too much’ doctrine – they began giving heed to strange knowledge about marriage, eating habits and holiness. Paul judges them thus: hypocrites ; men with a ‘dead’ conscience-having their conscience seared with a hot iron (v2). These ‘teachers’ taught that to be holy, one should not marry, and must abstain from certain foods, ‘which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth’ (v3). There were some who propagated the idea that resurrection of the dead had already taken place...
Do not be deceived by the doctrines of demons! We do not judge anyone right or wrong according to world’s standards; but we judge ourselves against the revealed word of God in our hearts. The kingdom of God is not in eating and drinking; and man is not defiled by what goes into his mouth. The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Finally, Paul implores Timothy to guard himself against straying. ‘O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust,…’ (1 Timothy 6:20,21). Sadly, the church at Ephesus did not ‘get’ what Paul was talking about! They kept on straying and sliding…
Apostle John in the Revelation of Jesus Christ, prophecies again to the church at Ephesus! This was some 40 years after Paul’s letters… Jesus speaking to the church at Ephesus “…I have THIS against you, that you have left your first love” (Rev. 2:4). Indeed they had STRAYED!
The Ephesian church had a wonderful start and great teachings. They persevered and had patience; did not tolerate evil, but labored for His name’s sake…yes, these are some good things Jesus appreciates about the church at Ephesus (Rev. 2: 2, 3). Yet when it came to ‘FIRST’ – they had other things in mind! A warning and an opportunity is given again to the church:
- Remember from where you have fallen
- Repent and do the first works
Friends, it does matter how we start the race…but it matters much more how we finish it. Paul urges Timothy to fight the good fight of faith. Paul himself triumphantly declares, ‘I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith…now a crown…’
Even Paul foretold what will happen to the church at Ephesus. ‘For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.’ (Acts 20: 29, 30, 31)
The church at Ephesus had it all – a good start, solid foundation of God’s word, good works and patience, commendations and exhortations, warnings and call to repentance; from Paul, from Timothy and from Jesus Christ, through the prophecy of Apostle John; yet they would squander all by continuing to stray away. Finally their lamp-stand was taken away…
We too are warned that in the end times there will be people who are not lovers of God, but lovers of themselves, lovers of money, lovers of pleasures… Let us take heed to these warnings; take time to be holy…let us be steadfast in our faith and keep a good conscience; let us not fall into any kind of deception…Let us not deceive ourselves by thinking we will never be deceived… ‘let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall’ (1 Cor. 10:12). It is time now to think and choose…
‘He who has an ear, let him hear…’ (Rev. 2:7); the choice is ours-to hear and obey; or to turn a deaf ear and stray… You know, we can read from Genesis to Revelation and still miss the message… The last chapter in the Bible has this warning: ‘He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.’ Rev. 22:11
He is the Alpha and the Omega – the First and the Last, the beginning and the end. May God help us to guard what has been committed to each one of us; help us fight the good fight of faith. May God bless each one of you and make you a blessing. Amen.
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