OA Fakinlede
Introduction
I believe in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
The Gospels tell us what Jesus did. The Epistles

1. Interpreted those acts to us.
2. Tell us how to appropriately respond;
3. answers any practical questions we have on how to be a Christian in our day.
   
   The Apostles are the certified bearers of the mysteries of God.
   
   Once you become so spiritual, that you know more of the purpose of Jesus in this world than the certified apostles, then you are no longer part of the Church of Christ described in the creeds. The one and only one; The Holy Church; The Catholic Church “Elect from every nations, yet one o’er all the earth”; The Apostolic Church – takes its instructions from the Apostles as revealed in the Epistles.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…. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
   Death & Judgment
   Death and heaven are two sides of the same coin. When somebody dies, there is a number of ceremonies. As Christians, one of the greatest words of comfort arise from the hymn:
   Jesus lives, henceforth is death
   Entrance gate to life immortal
   This shall calm our trembling breadth
   When we pass its gloomy portals, Alleluia!
   Jesu ye, nitorinaa
   Iku di ona si iye:
   Eyi yio je itunu wa
   Gba t’aba de boji iku. Halleluia!
   “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment”. Hebrews 9:27
   The reward of a teacher is in heaven! It is a statement with plenty assumptions.
   Is there a heaven?
   Is there an admission policy? For example the fact that there are universities does not mean that everybody is welcome there!
   What if the teacher does not get admitted to heaven?
   The Bible tells us there is death, and that there is judgment. That judgment determines whether one goes to heaven or not. Don’t take my word for it. Let us read:
   31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
   41 “Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:31-46
   Here the judgment is based on conduct. In another place, it is based on the stewardship of gifts, opportunities of “talents”.
   14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. Matthew 25:14-28
   Are we really going to heaven?
   Are you afraid? Can you make it?
   “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32
   The idea of going to heaven; getting the kingdom, etc., is God’s. Adequate provision to get us, all of us there has been made. In fact, the whole purpose of the Church is to make people fit for the kingdom.
   There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:1-8
   God has arranged it that the righteous purpose intended by the law might be fully met in us. And, make no mistake about it, this is God’s way of populating heaven! If you continue reading that passage, you get to verse 18:,
   I am of the opinion that there is no comparison between the pain of this present time and the glory which we will see in the future. Romans 8:18
   Our life here should always be compared to the hope into which we have been saved! It should modify our desires, our expectations and comparisons.
   The Whole Purpose of the Church: The people of God!
   To create a people for whom this is a description of their conduct is the whole purpose of the church.
   For the grace of God has come, giving salvation to all men, 12 Training us so that, turning away from evil and the desires of this world, we may be living wisely and uprightly in the knowledge of God in this present life; 13 Looking for the glad hope, the revelation of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, so that he might make us free from all wrongdoing, and make for himself a people clean in heart and on fire with good works. Titus 2:11-14
   As a church, all the means of grace: worship, prayer, meetings, fellowships, travel, etc., are useless unless they are directed as the Apostle says here:
4. That we might be free from all wrongdoing.
5. Turned to a people that specially belong to him.
6. A people that are clean in heart.
7. A people that are on fire with good works.
   That applies to us. That applies to every member of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church!
   As for heaven, “Fear not, little flock, it is the father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom”!

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!