There is a song very popular with Nigerian Pentecostalists. And as usual, the blitzkrieg of Pentecostalism, because of its often-loud noise, imposes itself on the psyche of all Nigerians – even non-Christians (don’t like to call them unbelievers – cause they may believe in other things than the gospel). Somehow, it was hatred at first sight for this song and sometimes I wonder why my vitriol is so strong!
I think I found the fundamental error of this great song, Darling Jesus, darling Jesus, O my darling Jesus you are a wonderful Lord, I love you sooo much, Darling Jesus, etc.
Despite the noise, the pomp and the loudness, one of the things the gospel does to anyone with a modicum of understanding is to induce in the person a tinge of sobriety and some element of soberness. In the parable of the Prodigal Son, the foolish son was merry and gay when he had a lot of cash. At that point, he had so many friends and, of course he had his Darlings. But once all the monies were gone, so went the merriment. It was at that point that he came to his senses! “I will return to my father!” That was a determination. At that point, away with the lewdness and the garish day! If he had a song at that time, it was NOT “Darling Daddy, Darling Daddy, …” Whatever he did, whatever he sang, whatever he thought, was about repentance and a seeking for forgiveness. His only fear would be, “Will he take me back?” The cockiness of Daling Daddy would be completely absent!
We Christians are easily confused by the language of the Bible. Often it is because some folks tell us that it is when we read archaic language that those of us that barely passed English language, or literature will necessarily find hard. Sometimes, it is mediocre preaching based on low quality understanding of the gospel. I blame the popularity of songs that lack edification and deep desire after God and godliness of these things especially when they are not attended by depth in thought. The final question should be, what really is the gospel? What is the gospel about?
From a deep theological lens of a martyr like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, we have it that the gospel is about four “R”s. They are Repentance, Reconciliation, Regeneration, and Redemption. We shall leave delving into these topics one by one for later. A much simpler description of the gospel – essentially a summary of the testimony of the Apostles, Prophets, are encapsulated in a sweet song that used to taught to little children in days gone by:
The gospel bells are ringing,
Over land, from sea to sea:
Blessèd news of free salvation,
Do they offer you and me.
“For God so loved the world,
That His only Son He gave;
Whosoever believeth in Him,
Everlasting life shall have.”
Chorus: Gospel bells, how they ring,
Over land, from sea to sea;
Gospel bells, freely bring
Blessèd news to you and me.
That is the first stanza and perhaps the first issue about the gospel. They came to us like ringing bells from across the sea. It is an offer of a change of life, a change of perspective and an invitation to “Believe in the Son of God”.
What does it mean to “Believe”. This was, for many years a difficulty for me. People believe in tall tales that are unreasonable. Some doubt. Is God rewarding people for believism? So, if you just believe, everything is OK? The prudent man who takes his time to believe is damned? What of those that are so gullible and believe anything they are told and shift beliefs like shifting d=sand in the desert? Are they therefore accorded a higher place, ipso facto?
Alas, the word “believe” is much deeper than we may first imagine! Peter says “For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17. Alas, alas, when the Bible asks us to “Believe the gospel”, it implicitly instructs us to “Obey the gospel”! The word “believe” there, is not a mere gullible accent! It is an active believing that leads us, as Paul says, to “Making good use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 For this reason, then, do not be foolish, but be conscious of the Lord’s pleasure. 18 And do not take overmuch wine by which one may be overcome, but be full of the Spirit”; Ephesians 5:16-18
The gospel bells invite us
To a feast prepared for all;
Do not slight the invitation,
Nor reject the gracious call.
“I am the bread of life;
Eat of Me, thou hungry soul;
Though your sins be red as crimson,
They shall be as white as wool.”
It is a feast already prepared. But the invitation will not last forever! Jesus is the bread of life – but will not be so for ever! When the invitees in the parable started giving excuses, their places were given to others that were ready!
The gospel bells give warning,
As they sound from day to day,
Of the fate which doth await them
Who forever will delay.
“Escape ye, for thy life;
Tarry not in all the plain;
Nor behind thee look, oh, never,
Lest thou be consumed in pain.”
Escape ye for thy life! It is a serious matter! Do not take it lightly! Be thoughtful, be earnest! This is not a joking matter! But it is not all negatives. The song concludes on a joyful note:
The gospel bells are joyful,
As they echo far and wide,
Bearing notes of perfect pardon,
Through a Savior crucified.
“Good tidings of great joy
To all people do I bring,
Unto you is born a Savior,
Which is Christ the Lord and King.”
The gospel bells are joyful for those that obey! They will meet challenges here, but they will not be alone. The king and the mighty Christ will accompany them on the tedious journey through this difficult terrain!
“17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding”. Romans 14:17-19May our hearts be drawn to believe and to obey. Amen!
The Poor Neighbour
OA Fakinlede
Oda, September 8, 2024
There are two separate issues in dealing with the poor neighbour: 1. The command to love, and 2. What we must be to be able to obey
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
“The Law” refers to the Bible books of Genesis through Deuteronomy. “ The Prophets” refers to the prophetic books of the Hebrew Scriptures. However, when these terms are mentioned together, the expression could be understood to include the entire Hebrew Scriptures. -Google
“Wherever a man turns, he can find someone who needs him” – Albert Schweitzer
There was a lawyer, or a professor of law who asked our Lord Jesus: “And who is my neighbour”. Lk 10:29. This question arose, the Bible says, because he “wanted to justify himself!”.
29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” Luke 10:29-37
The Priest, the Levite: Highly regarded in the things of God
The Samaritan: The lowly, the despised. You don’t expect much from them. Their belief and faith suspect! They are like the tax collectors that oppress the people and have loyalty to the Roman Occupation forces!
The Oil, the wine: Not water – expensive stuff of value! Not a beggars tip!
Took him to an Inn: Took a detour from his journey – went to the hospital!
“When I come back”. Though the victim was a stranger, he planned to return to give more help!
Imagine that the Samaritan were to be on the road, and he could not afford transport: Therefore was waiting for someone to give him a lift!
But many times, especially in present-day Oda and Nigeria, we can honestly say that we do not have; in fact, we are so poor that we are supposed to be receiving! And that may be true. It therefore means that our first obligation is to remove ourselves from that state of dependency and want.
The Bible commands us in sundry places and divers manners to give. The idea of a Christian, whose disposition is that of a beggar, who simply waits for others to go and work so to give to him, is strange!
That we are the poor – is often not a poverty in material goods, it is, additionally, a poverty in the mind. See what Paul said to the Ephesians:
And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:32-35
What kind of work did he do to achieve this? We have a revelation “After these things, he went away from Athens, and came to Corinth. 2 And there he came across a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by birth, who not long before had come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had given orders that all Jews were to go away from Rome: and he came to them; 3 And because he was of the same trade, he was living with them, and they did their work together; for by trade they were tent-makers. 4 And every Sabbath he had discussions in the Synagogue, turning Jews and Greeks to the faith”. Acts 18:1-4
What would be the equivalent of that in our day? Perhaps a mason or a carpenter? Paul could have stayed on a high horse and demanded to be served while he preached to the Ephesians among whom he lived! But no! He preached that we should not be highminded “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.” Romans 12:16-17. Look also at the exhortation to Timothy: “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;” – ITim 6:17
Finally, we must remember that we are not proprietors of our lives, our talents or our possessions! We are but stewards. This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2
Examples: 1. 12 year-old boy; 2. Servants in Lagos; 3. Getting my salary at First Bank.
Spirit of God, Descend upon my heart
Wean it from earth through all its pulses move
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art
And help me love Thee as I ought to love!Has thou not bid us love Thee Lord and King?
All, all thine own soul, heart and strength and mind!
I see Thy cross, there teach my heart to cling
O help me seek Thee and O let me find!
George Croly
Our final Salvation: God’s Work; Our Work
by Omotayo Fakinlede, Oda, July 14, 2024
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. Philippians 2:12-18
Salvation: With Trembling and with Fear
In preparing for today’s sermon, I began to imagine things in life: Some things are handled carelessly with little thought. There are other things that must be handled with trembling. There are things that must be handled with fear. Others may be handled with trembling and fear! Can you give examples of these things? You can, for example, trow your slippers carelessly anywhere near the door. No trembling, no fear! You do not really care if someone were to walk on it! Supposwe I give you a day old child to carry? The little thing is so fragile. Can you treat the baby the way you treat your slippers? Can you even carry it anyhow? There are parts of the body that must not be stressed. The skull, for example, is not fully hardened, etc. How do you feel if you are told to carry one? You do it gently, particularly, paying attention to details because any little mikstake can be fatal! Trembling, and fear! What does the Bible say about Salvation? The Contemporary English Version translates vs 12b as : “Work with fear and trembling to discover what it really means to be saved”. Apostle Peter wrote his epistle to a people that “According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time”. 1 Peter 1:3-5
What does “being guarded” in this passage mean? Imagine, again a toddler, learning to walk. The father is staying close to him, just to ensure he does not fall to the hard floor. – yet not touching him. But the little boy has to do the walking! He is learning to move on his own! Eventually he will be walking all by himself. But right now, he is being gaurded! The Psalmist (63:8) said
My soul followeth hard after thee: Thy right hand upholdeth me
Working out Your Salvation
As my main passage for the day is the Epistle to the Phiilipians, I want to make matters easy for us all to understand. The monolithic “salvation” as a fomular is lower than the bar God sets for us. Instead, there is new birth that will be given to all who repent and confess their sins and can therefore enter into the free grace that Jesus offers in the new birth. These people, let us say, loud and clear, are not yet in heaven! They are in this world, and they are in a battle. If the gospel began and ended in salvation, there would have been no need for the exhortations in the apostolic work of the entire acts and Epistles that represent the teaching of the “Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church” we talk about in the creeds! That Church is the Church of God and therefore “Holy”. The Church is not founded by any “President, Founder, Superintendent nor GO” but it is “you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.” Ephesians 2:19-21. That is what we mean by the fact that the Church is Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. Catholic means it is one church all over the world, and Apostolic means it is built on the teachings of the Apostles. The Epistles, where the Apostles explained what the Gospel was all about, was the initial summary of Apostolic teaching!
The Four Rs
In this teaching, there are four Rs! They, in order of precedence are Repentance, Reconciliation, Regeneration and Redemption. We repent, God forgives. He sent his Only begotten Son to reconcile the world to himself. Everyone that wills and submits becomes regenerated and embarks on this journey and proceeds as Peter the Apostle said “to the inheritance laid down for us all. These people will be engaged in a titanic battle in this world. But they will not be left alone. As Hymn 307 tells us,
Stand up, stand up for Jesus; The strife will not be long:
This day the noise of battle; The next, the victor’s song.
To him that overcometh – A crown of life shall be
He with the King of glory, Shall reign eternally!
In conclusion, let us be further instructed by the words of the Apostle Paul in Phillipians. There are things we cannot fully comprehend in this epistle unless we get the context clearly. It is one of the most popular passages in Nigerian Christianity! Unfortunately, it is popular because we do not often get the context! O that we would understand, the great truths of the gospel would be ours in its power and majesty and we will grow up from the “loaves and fishes” Christianity that we practice so well!
The Context of the Message
Imprisonment and confirmation of the message:
It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:7-8
Expansion of the work to fellow prisoners, jailers, political leaders:
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Philippians 1:12-14
Conviction & Charge
Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. Philippians 1:18-30
Trust in God and the 419 passage
I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Philippians 4:10-20
The Spirit-Filled Believer
By OA Fakinlede, St James’ Church, Oda June 2, 2024
We taste Thee, O Thou living Bread,
and long to feast upon Thee still;
we drink of Thee, the Fountain-head,
and thirst our souls from Thee to fill.Our restless spirits yearn for Thee,
where’er our changeful lot is cast;
glad when Thy gracious smile we see,
blest when our faith can hold Thee fast.Bernard of Clairvaux (Hymn 387)
Looking at the topic of the day, what should be the duty of the preacher? Is it to
1. Tell how to become a Spirit-Filled believer?
2. To show how to recognize a Spirit-Filled believer?
3. To understand how a company of Spirit-Filled believers will act like or what they will achieve?
4. To avoid counterfeits and avoid the wastage of time resulting from wrong emphasis?
I leave for my hearers the judgment if any of these possible goals is achieved. Nearing the close of the Epistle to the Romans, Paul told us: “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4. One bitter truth written for us is about the people of God in the old Testament. They behaved in such a way that we have this testimony about them for our instruction and to ponder on: ‘For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”’ Romans 2:24. Here the Apostle was quoting Isaiah 5:25 on the conduct of the People of God! Their lives, things happening to them, in this place, were putting the name of God in disrepute!
They lived in error! And when you are in error, you can easily do the terrible thing of being responsible for causing the name of the Lord to be blasphemed! Our Lord Jesus explained to the Sadducees, the deep disease that caused them to go into error. “Ye do err”, He told them in Matt 22:29 – “not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God”. We will therefore begin on what the scriptures tell us about the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit: The Activity, the Character & the Word of God
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. John 16:7-14
Why are the scriptures so important? And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:19-21
Organizing a Spirit-Filled Company
My real focus in this sermon is the entire book of Titus. In there, the Apostle outlined the organization of a Spirit inspired and activated company of Christ’s followers. There the principles are enunciated and the goals of each member are clearly outlined. Enough of this pining for the days of the Apostles! This is OUR DAY! We can actually serve God right now because we are the people appointed for this hour!
The most important thing about being Spirit-Filled is Desire! Paul actually implied, if you interpret like I do, that you can have as much of the Holy Spirit as you want! Doubt me? OK, can you have as much coke as you want? Can you have as much wine as you want? If that is true, consider what Paul says here: Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 5:15-20
Sound Doctrine for old men & women, boys and girls, bond and free: Titus 2.
Note the purpose of each admonition: “that the word of God may not be reviled”.
Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:2-14
Prayer to the Holy Ghost: Hymn 235
1 Come down, O Love divine,
seek thou this soul of mine,
and visit it with thine own ardor glowing;
O Comforter, draw near,
within my heart appear,
and kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing.
2 O let it freely burn,
till earthly passions turn
to dust and ashes in its heat consuming;
and let thy glorious light
shine ever on my sight,
and clothe me round, the while my path illuming.
3 Let holy charity
Mine outward vesture be.
And lowliness become my inner clothing.
True lowliness of heart,
Which takes the humbler part,
And o’er its own shortcomings weeps with loathing.
4 And so the yearning strong,
with which the soul will long,
shall far outpass the power of human telling;
for none can guess its grace,
till Love create a place
wherein the Holy Spirit makes a dwelling.
— Bianco da Siena
Professor JF Ade-Ajayi
Loading...
Reload document 
Open in new tab Living in the Knowledge of His presence
OA Fakinlede, Oda, April 7, 2024
16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” ESV Genesis 28:16-17
“16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. 17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven”. KJV Genesis 28:16-18
Jacob, having cheated his brother, was on the run for his life. Tired, he saw what he thought was an ordinary place by the wayside. Unlike us, he did not get a good pillow – he had to make do with a stone! But the night was eventful. He saw a mighty vision in the night. Angels of God were ascending and descending and he received a promise – not just of protection, but about mighty acts of God that transcended his immediate problems. By the time he woke up, he had a completely different perception of the extra-ordinariness of the place! “The Lord is in this place! And I did not know!”
11 And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! Genesis 28:11-12
When he knew of God’s presence, what was his opinion of the place? “Dreadful”! “Awesome”!
One baffling thing about the present religious climate in Nigeria is the “arifin” of God. In the new testament, simply falsifying the account of what they gave to God caused the death of Brother Annanias and Sister Sapphira! (Acts of the Apostles, chapter 5) The presence was awful, it was dreadful! It was not trivial! It was awesome!
The presence of the Lord with the travelling Israelites to the promised land was as mighty as it was awesome! It was a shade during the hot day sun, it was a defence and fire in the night. Awesome!
We cannot demand the presence of God! We are too unworthy to even ask! Imagine that I wish that the governor of Ondo State to have his presence with me when I am going to the market. Can I go and ask him to follow me? Maybe his assistants will think I was mad to even contemplate that! But it will be a different matter if Mr Aiyedatiwa, of his own accord, decided to follow me to the market! Jesus said “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I will be among them!” Matt 18:20. It was His idea, not ours. Otherwise, it would have been preposterous!
There are several issues to consider about our being in the presence of God. Two of these will be discussed today: Being in God’s presence worthily, and being conscious of it! Are we not most frequently like Jacob? The Lord was there, he was not aware.
He’s got his eyes on you
He’s got his eyes on you
My Lord, sitting in His kingdom,
He’s got his eyes on you!I will not be a liar, I tell you the reason why
Cause my Lord might call me,
And I wouldn’t be ready to die.
He’s got his eyes on you …”Hypocrite”, “Cheater”, etc.
Backtrack to the passages given by the reverend for this occasion. There are six of them. When I printed them out. They occupied four pages! If I were to simply read them, they would take the time! But I guess he wants me to do better than that. I will therefore base this message on only one of these passages.
“1 I will bless the Lord at all times
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD:
the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3 O magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked unto him, and were lightened:
and their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him,
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encampeth
round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8 O taste and see that the LORD is good:
blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints:
for there is no want to them that fear him.
10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger:
but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing”. Psalms 34:1-10
First three verses here are our lead and watchword every communion service and Hymn 290: Through all the changing scenes of life
1. Through all the changing scenes of life
In trouble and in joy,
The praises of my God shall still
My heart and tongue employ.
2. Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
With me exalt His name;
When in distress to Him I called,
He to my rescue came.
3. The hosts of God encamp around
The dwellings of the just;
Deliverance He affords to all
Who on His succor trust.
4. Oh, make but trial of His love,
Experience will decide
How blest they are, and only they,
Who in His truth confide.
5. Fear Him, ye saints, and you will then
Have nothing else to fear;
Make you His service your delight,
Your wants shall be His care.
We shall conclude this morning message by focussing on verse 5. How many times does the word “fear” occur in the Bible? 437 times!
Did you know that God commanded us not to fear 366 times in the bible? There is a “Fear not for each day with a spare one for the leap year.
Did you also know that the reason God gave that we may not fear is NOT because bad things cannot happen to us? The quality of faith is not in the avoidance of evil. It is instead in the hierarchy of the evil. “iku ti o pa ni, t’o ba si ni ni fila, ka maa dupe”! Some things are worse than others!
In verse 5 the poet drew powerfully on that thought by telling us whom to fear after which we have nothing left to fear! Matthew 10:28. Fear hath torment (I Jn 4:18-20. Jesus came to destroy all the works of the devil. One of the works of the devil he came to destroy is to free those who through fear are made captive all their lives-Heb 2:15 “and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”
One “koko” of the matter of walking in the consciousness of the presence of God is in our not fearing not being afraid. The positive part is in being thankful: two sides of the same coin.
Do you forget the presence of God? You are like Jacob, and you come to know it intermittently? Do you fear for your life? Are you in bondage by the fear of death?
You are not alone! I fear like you also.
1. Come to the realization
2. Know that God has a cure
3. Thankfulness can help us practice the presence of God. It helps us know that God is near us, that He is with us.
4. We can grow. We do not have to go from bad to worse. We can be better. We can know God better. And feel him better. And be more obedient.
5. It is a choice to move in that direction; or the opposite!
The goal of Leadership in the Church
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14
What does it mean?
I am often disappointed when the instruction given to our young people, especially women, is that the goal of their lives is to live passively and unobstrusively – do not rock the boat; do not dress indecently; do not engage in prostitution; etc. Young men: do not become “Yahoo” boys, do not engage in criminality; etc. To interpret it this way is to restrict our understanding of the goal of the gospel, and our leadership in it, to “training to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions.” But we need to move forward to “living self-controlled, upright and godly lives”. And we need to live “in the present age”. Even that, unfortunately, is still not sufficient!
We need to be people whose lives are marked by a deep consciousness of “the blessed hope, and the appearing of the glory of the great God and Saviour Jesus Christ”. This same Jesus that, “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness”. But that is not all. He did all this in order “To purify unto himself, a people for his own possession that are zealous for good works.”
If we do not get anything from this passage, we should at least see immediately that the goal of the gospel, and of leadership in it is NOT something passive. It is active.
The Author, Finisher
The first worker is Jesus Christ: He did the dying, he is actively working on the purification, he is constantly interceding for us; He is pleading our case with the father; And all he wants from us is our cooperation! (I remember taking my younger daughter for her injection in the hospital: She will not cooperate. I had to bind her hands and legs, force a cooperation so she did not get wounded) Lack of cooperation can be deadly! The Apostle Paul, with all his compassing land and sea going without a home, or a family, spreading his whole life to preach the gospel, realized, that the first worker is God himself “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” 2 Corinthians 6:1-2
The first duty of the Christian, and the leader, is to cooperate with the Master Jesus in his effort that, after dying for us, he is trying to “purify, unto himself, a people that are his very own known to all the world for their zeal to achieve God’s good purpose”.
In telling us to be careful of anger, the Apostle James warned us with this same thought: “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-21. Human anger does not achieve the righteous purpose of God. So, we must always ask ourselves, not if we are dressed in a way not to attract unnecessary, ungodly attention, or whether we are cheating to live, but “Are we accomplishing the righteous purpose of a God, whose primary work right now is to ‘purify for himself, a people of his own possession, zealous unto good works?’ ”
The Present Age
We are to accomplish God’s holy purpose “In the present Age”. Look at the passage again: “to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age”. What is the “Present Age”. We are living in a Nigeria of 2024 where there are essentially only two types of jobs: Begging and Looting! The beggars are those that are unemployed or underpaid and can barely survive from month to month. The looters are those that have devised a method to profit from the mess Nigeria is going through. They may be politicians or Civil servants. They are often not part of the economy and are usually being begged for favours by the rest of the population. We, as Christians, have a high calling to be neither Beggars nor Looters.
What did the Apostle say? “and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:27-29
It is our duty to always find ways to do honest labour. That is precisely what Nigerians, in the present Age, do not want to do.
Churches are filled to the brim because certain people are telling them there is a trick where God will cause to happen, a miracle of favour, where you will get a jackpot by praying very well and having sufficient faith! Of course, not everyone in such gatherings is wrong: the preachers themselves are correct, as they usually receive that miracle of favour and are usually well kept and provided for. Only problem is that the number of unemployed people, widows, orphans, destitute, etc., are not reduced by all the proclaimed faith! It is a lie that such preaching have helped Nigeria. It has not. I started working in 1978 as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Lagos. My salary was about 320 Naira per month. One Naira, at that time was closer to two US dollars. Today, 46 years later, I make slightly more than 500,000 Naira each month. Convert it and see that Nigeria has marched backwards. Non-Christian societies such as China and India have multiplied their per-capita GDP 10 to 50 fold in the same period!
What is more damning, is the fact that the Apostle and the whole scripture do not agree with this “favour” principle! “Let him labour, doing honest work with his own hands” ni Apostle wi o!
Furthermore, the Apostle, in a direct speech to the same Ephesians in Acts he showed that he did not only preach this idea of hardwork with your hands, but that was how he lived openly among them: “34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:34-35. And the Apostle was telling them the words of our Lord Jesus Christ! These are not the words of Fakinlede! Words of Jesus Christ! “Labour, work with your own hands”!
Slothfulness
My third point is related, it is the immorality of Slothfulness. This point, if not understood correctly, may appear controversial. Or it may look like an unnecessary emphasis. But it is deep. It is so deep that we will not have time to deal with it, sufficiently, is a three-hour sermon. It flows from Point 2. The word “moral” is usually interpreted in most Churches as “sexual morality”. That interpretation, in comparison to the entire history and faith of the Church of our Lord Jesus, is entirely in error. Seven immoralities, to avoid, are taught in the Bible. You may be surprised to know that, lust, the one pertaining to sex, that the church fantasizes every day about is NOT even the worst of the immoralities. This erroneous approach makes people interpret every note on morality as sexual morality. Important, as that is, the confusion caused is immeasurable. I will refer any interested person to go to my personal webpage and read a series of sermons preached by a great Christian lady – nearly 80 years ago, where she painstakingly listed and elaborated on each morality.
My beef today in on just one of these. It is called slothfulness. A slothful person is immoral! You do not have to sleep with another man’s wife to be immoral! Are you covetous? OK, let me list them all: pride, avarice (greed), envy, wrath, lust, gluttony, and sloth or acedia.
Point three is that we should avoid slothfulness. It is a deadly sin; it is an immorality. It is as serious as the sin of lust or the favorite sexual immorality that keeps us talking all day! And the church is often guilty of slothfulness!
Excellency in Today’s Terms
If you are already a university student or a graduate, please also read The Set of 2020 article on this site.
Dateline 1965.
What were my 9-year-old ears hearing from the common Rediffusion of those days?
“Bata re a dun ko ko ka
Bi o ba ka’we re,
Bata re a dun ko ko ka.
Bi o ko ba ka’we re,
Bata re adun pelebe pelebe pelebe!”
This erstwhile popular song must be nuanced and given context for it to make sense. First, what was “Reddifusion”? In 1965, believe me, there were no smartphones. Akure had some electricity but even in homes, like mine, that had a little access, it was mainly for lighting. Some people had “Transistor Radios” but most of those used dry-cell batteries. Hotels and beer parlors often had loudspeakers playing songs in the streets. I learnt most of the popular songs of that time on the streets from kind Parlor owners that broadcast IK Dairo, Haruna Isola, Jim Reeves, Ogunde, Olaiya, Roy Chicago, etc., as you passed by their buildings on the way to my father’s shop!
The government of that time had this little box that talked all day and was wired into all subscribing households. It was like a wired radio set to a single frequency. The little box was called “Rediffusion” or Asoromagbesi in Yoruba. It was such a clever idea. For a little monthly fee, each household could be connected to government programs, hear the latest news, listen to some music and adverts. That was perhaps the first idea of Power-over Ethernet, popular today, as it did not require you to have electricity in your house.
At that time, the young school child was taught that education will allow him to climb the social ladder and become “important”, “successful”, etc. by studying very hard at school. Our ideal in 1965 was the middle-level civil servant that wore covered shoes. Most of our parents: farmers, traders, cleaners, etc., wore slippers. The above song therefore counsels you to study hard (Ka iwe re) so that you will wear covered shoes that make the sounds “ko ko ka”. If you failed in school, you will either be like your parents – wearing slippers or become a servant. That is why your footwear will sound “pelebe, pelebe pelebe”.
My mother, having no school education herself, was waiting for me to return home from school with my result at the term’s end. Unfortunately, she could not read the result herself. She would not listen to whatever I told her about my result. She waited for a civil servant tenant to pass by. Such people will be called “Akowe” in those days. My report card will be given to an Akowe and he would explain my grades subject by subject to mama. And mama had ready, a spanking rod or a bowl of delicious food – usually rice and stew. Which one I got, depended on the interpretation given to my report card by the Akowe.
Now that we have an idea of what that song said, let us study the philosophy that drove people of that era.
1. It was not your duty to build your society. Just read your books and take the place of a civil servant to maintain the colonial structure built by the British.
2. The social order is fixed, just find your place or seek to move higher.
3. Your ticket is your paper certificate.
4. Nothing else matters!
In the next 60 years, the philosophical underpinning of our society values created a Nigerian mindset that is perpetually seeking paper qualifications. In secondary school, our chemistry book taught us topics such as the Fractional Distillation of Crude Oil as well as the Blast Furnace manufacture of Iron from Ore. We were taught the Saponification process of soap making as well as fermentation process in alcohol manufacture. Even the sanitation of our environment to prevent mosquitoes from biting us to the direction of flood waters to safely drain our water are all known to us in secondary schools.
Why do adult Nigerians develop zero inquisitiveness to find how these can be used to create products and services so to make a better living around themselves? Can the answer not be found in the fact that your duty – your bounden duty was to repeat these processes to the teacher at the end of term and collect your grades for promotion to the next class? Was the goal not only to get the Civil Service job so that “Bata re a dun ko ko ka?” Was there any other incentive?
I had the opportunity to ask my children to repeat SS3 in Canada after finishing here in Nigeria. Ireti’s comments comparing Physics and Chemistry as taught to final year secondary school students in Nigeria and Canada opened my eyes! The people here learn more chemistry theory and principles with much more mathematics than the Canadian school leaver. But the purposes are different! The little the Canadian child learns is orchestrated to produce something! The plenty the Nigerian child learns is CPPF (Cram, Pour, Pass, and Forget).
In Abuja, I observed that several young women that had completed the NYSC opened hair dressing salons along the roadside behind my house. I sometimes used the rear entrance and observed that they threw hair remnants and used threads into the drain – creating a good habitat for mosquitoes to thrive. These mosquitoes bite them, and they fall sick. And most of them are post NYSC – some of whom taught Biology and ecology during their service years!
Conclusion: Excellence in today’s terms is not merely “Academic” in the CPPF format of your parents! Of course, you still need to pay attention and succeed. But it is not enough! It is a mistake to imagine that it is when you reach university that you will learn what is needed to survive in society! Primary and secondary education are far more important than university education! You need to start early to develop excellency in skills and seek how to be productive using knowledge as early as possible! There are enormous opportunities to be creative that you are missing right now. Find out about them and stop doing “Bata re a dun ko ko ka”!
Post 2023 Nigeria: My Fears After Buhari by Francis Ojo
Dateline Kaduna
The last week has been different in drama, trauma and in death. The calamity has been extensive as terrorists focused intensive attention on Kaduna, the historical capital of Northern Nigeria and Abuja, the political capital of the Nigerian Republic.
First, they invaded the Airport on Saturday march 26, 2022. Two days later, Monday, they bombed Kaduna Abuja rail track, derailed a moving train, killed some killed, injured many and kidnapped many more. Feeling unchallenged and more confident, four days later, they invaded an Army barracks, killed 16 soldiers, injured 40 and according to vanguard of 6th April carted away arms and ammunition after burning down 3 army Attack Tanks.
With clear agenda coupled with flawless demonstration of capacity, they acutely dominated and morbidly choked the Armed forces and cut off the transport infrastructure of both critical cities. It is as if the refrain is: “Take over the two Capitals simultaneously, subdue the Army, break communication completely, and match from there onwards to take over Nigeria.” Not a sound from our President. The stark reality today is that Abuja and Kaduna have been intensely and robustly isolated by land, rail and air and the two zones completely insulated from each other and totally and entirely choked up.
Kaduna as Foundation of Nigeria’s Security
Those who know Kaduna State will tell you it is not just the historical capital of Northern Nigeria; it is the seat of the entire foundation of the Nigerian Security system. Look at the Institutions domiciled here:
1. 1 Division Nigerian Army
2. Nigerian Army Depot Zaria
3. Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji
4. Nigerian Defense Industry Kaduna
5. Nigerian Air Force Training School Kaduna
6. Nigerian Police College Kaduna
7. Nigerian navy School of Armament, Kachia Kaduna
8. Nigerian Army School of legal Services, Bassawa Zaria
9. Nigerian defense Academy Kaduna
10.Nigerian Army School of Artillery Kachia
11.Nigerian Army School of Military Police Bassawa Zaria
12.Army Operation base Southern Kaduna
For a rag-tag so called ‘Bandit’ formation to think of, dare to and directly challenge all the forces massed up in this State should make you suspect monkey business in Government. And our elders are expressing suspicion openly. Listen to a quote attributed to General I.B.M. Haruna: “We are in for sensitive happenings. I think the attack on the rail lines, airports and roads are all processes of de-democratization of Nigeria. The situation makes one suspect that either the present administration wants a situation of self-succession or an emergency Government which would come under its leadership.” Even the usually restrained and calm cleric of the Redeemed Christian Church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye expressed doubts about the future of this Country. Hear the man of God: “God has not told me there will be an election next year.” He continued: “For now, so many things are on my mind. Most especially, the attacks on Kaduna State. Why Kaduna? Who is trying to isolate Kaduna and why? And after Kaduna, which State next?”
What gives Boko Haram Such Swagger?
With all these in mind, Nigerians would wish to ask a few questions
1. What is the State of our intelligence services?
2. If Mallam Sheikh Gumi could locate terrorist camps, go there and take high fidelity photos, why can’t the DSS or any other of our Intelligence service find these bases and get the military to annihilate them?
3. Why are our very expensive military so successful in West African flash points but now being eliminated and disgraced by ill constituted, scantily trained and equipped rag tag insurgents?
They won’t tell us but we can guess. I will start with a few illustrations.
Capturing Nnamdi Kanu
From the rumours, this was the brilliant operation that captured Nnamdi Kanu:
The DSS had studied and gathered copious human and electronic intelligence on Kanu, identifying his two key passions; Biafra and sexy ladies. They tested his appetite in England with some of their fine female agents, planted electronic surveillance devices and gathered robust intelligence. They now arranged some funds for his other passion, Biafra and thus set him up in Kenya. They organized, through the Government of Kenya to grab and fly him in a private jet to Abuja.
Now, if that is not a incredible Intelligence system, effective, efficient and coordinated, tell me what is. In one fell swoop, they coordinated local DSS, foreign NIA and bilateral Nigeria Kenya agencies and synchronized all like a clock. This should tell us that our Intelligence system is super.
Questions for Government
There is an interesting quote making social media rounds attributed to late General Sani Abacha: “If insecurity lasts 48 hours, then Government is involved.” If I do not know whether Government is involved, I sure know that they know who is, how the cycle or chain can be broken and Nigeria brought back from the precipice. If our DSS is so efficient and capable to coordinate very complex International, Inter-agency project to capture Nnamdi Kanu, I have no doubt that it has the operational competence and proficiency to bring Boko Haram sponsors to book. But is it not strange that not a single Boko Haram member, their officers or sponsors has been brought before our courts even as United Arab Republic has jailed 6 of them in far away Abu Dhabi? Rather those arrested are quickly sent to ‘rehabilitation’ camps without accounting for the murders they commit.
It is a well-known fact that these terrorists live in camps, we should ask DSS and Military Intelligence if these camps are located on Mars. How about their supply chain? Granted that they can get hold of motor cycles, can these bikes run without fuel? If they cannot, where are these fuels procured from and why has Government not cut off these supplies? We are even told that they get most of their arms and ammunition from Military Ordinance, can the army swear they do not have inventory control over their arms and ammunition. If they do, how many of those in charge have they court marshaled? The way they walk casually into Army Barracks to kill our soldiers and cart away arms and ammunition indicate internal sabotage and local espionage within the army. How many Boko Haram soldiers within the armed forces have been identified and punished? We can go on ad infinitum but it is very clear that many fingers point to Government.
My Worries
My apprehension is two dimensional. They cycle around our National flag, the uniforms designed to protect it and effect of President Buhari on both long after he is gone.
Remember our first national anthem which General Obasanjo changed?
Our flag shall be a symbol That truth and justice reign,
In peace or battle honour’d; And this we count as gain,
To hand on to our children; A banner without stain.O God of all creation; Grant this our one request,
Help us to build a nation; Where no man is oppressed,
And so with peace and plenty; Nigeria may be blessed.
A nation’s flag expresses the idea, ideology and aspiration as above. Now, this administration has damaged and stained this flag. It no longer stands for truth and justice but for hate, ridicule and oppression. A flag designed for all now serves the interest of tribe, tongue and religion. The military and other services in uniform mandated to protect the nation now recruits those who continuously kill their comrades in arm. Boko haram has been inching towards Abuja. Will this Government donate us to them? How do we get our Country back after Buhari? I worry.
The Way of the Cross
“As men are not able to fight against death, misery, ignorance, they have taken it into their heads, in order to be happy, not to think of them at all.” Blaise Pascal
One well know Easter song, “Jesus Lives” has as one of the stanzas the following:
Jesus lives, henceforth is death
Entrance-gate to life immortal
This shall calm our trembling breadth
When we pass its gloomy portals. Alleluia
There is a lot that can be said about the idiom: “The way of the cross” which is our meditation this morning (an idiom it is for sure because its meaning goes beyond the exact words and refers to a particular event). The way of the cross is many things. Of this many, one unmistakable one is the fact that it is the way of death.
It is about a Jesus who was crucified on the cross. When we talk about the way of the cross, we are firstly referring to that. Our Lord Himself said:
‘The kings of the gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them are called Benefactors. …’ Lk 22:24 “Not so with you! … whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” Mk 10:43-45.
That ransom was, we believe, paid at the cross. There Jesus did the dying. And we are to reap benefits. It is grace. And here is where we have to be careful: The streams of teachings, commonplace among us, say we can enjoy an endless flow of the consolations emanating from the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus. And it is true. However, when we view it like that alone, we may be making a great mistake. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a 20th century martyr for this cause, said we do not understand the way of the cross fully if we stop there. Rather, we are preaching what he referred to as cheap grace. The most damning thing about such a version of grace is that God is called upon regularly to be “a present help in times of need” but, otherwise, Jesus is not Lord of our lives because there is no necessity to pay close attention to his commands!
One modern-day feature of such cheap grace is the kind of stuff that passes for prophesies in several places of worship. In conformity to “cheap grace” prophesies are a stream of consolations- Always telling ourselves nice things. Who does not want to hear that nice things will happen? Oh we all do. However, to any serious student of the scriptures, we must remember that the quality of prophesy is not if it is a nice statement. Since we are so used to prophesies as nice things, let me supply two counter examples where prophesies were NOT nice things. The first quality of prophesy is that it is a true statement of what will happen. Is it true? Paul the Apostle, talking to the Elders of the Church at Ephesus in Acts 20, said this,
“…compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city, the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task that Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace…”
He was going to a Jerusalem. He did not know what will happen there. The Holy Spirit told him that he will face imprisonment. He did NOT pray against it. He just went on because he was going to accomplish the purpose of God.
My second example is from the OT. In IKings 22:27, we have this remarkable passage: “ Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace. …” The king was angry! Why was he so angry? Read around that passage you find the problem was simple: King was going to war, He called the prophet of God to tell him how it would go. The prophet OF GOD told him the battle will not end well. He got angry and uttered those words in annoyance!
Of course we can also find many examples where God comforted his people and promised them better days. “Say kind words to the heart of Jerusalem, crying out to her that her time of trouble is ended, that her punishment is complete” the prophet blared in Is 40:2! The fact that is incontrovertible is that it can go either way! That is a fact! If not, if we must only hear nice things, it is soothsaying NOT prophesy! The grace that is true grace, Dietrich calls costly grace. I never tire quoting this:
“Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ
It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life.
It is costly because it condemns sin and grace because it justifies the sinner.
And above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his son: and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life but delivered him up for us…”
He calls us to enjoy the consolations of the Gospel. Wait a minute. He first calls us to follow him. Those consolations are for those who are obedient to the call.
Must Jesus bear the cross alone,
And all the world go free?
No there is a cross for everyone,
And there is a cross for me!
The way of the cross is about death. It is about resurrection. It is about a life that follows death. It is meant to be a consolation.
May your life and death supply
Grace to live and grace to die
Grace to reach our home on high
Hear us Holy Jesus!