RAISING DISCIPLES FOR WORLD OUTREACH

 THE CHURCH IN A CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY Running a Christian Business "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16 In Nigeria and in some nations of the world, corruption has become an institution--a stronghold that has become a cancerous and deadly sting. For a business to be established and survive in Nigeria economy there is the greater tendency that it must lean and thrive on the wings of corruption.  If a pastor wants promotion or to be posted to 'good' church by the leaders, he must be a good boy who knows how to rub and wet the hands of his leaders.  If you want your business registered and duly certified by the government you must activate it with money.  If you want to g...

“I have told you these things so that you won’t fall away. . . . Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember I warned you. I didn’t tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.John 16:1, 4 When a star player retires, an effective CEO is replaced, or a long-serving pastor dies, the team, the business, or the church faces a potentially critical period of adjustment. Unless the hole in leadership is filled as carefully and promptly as possible, there is always the possibility that the organization or institution will lose momentum and the members will lose heart. Jesus was well aware of this possibility when he talked to his disciples about his imminent departure. He said, “I have told you these things so that you won’t fall away” (John 16:1). But that did not mean a change in his plans, for Jesus reiterated, “Now I am going away to the one who sent me” (16:5). In short, he told them that, though he was going away, there mu...

Is this how people worship? "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears" Acts 20. 29-31 I was to connect with my brother in Abeokuta this particular Sunday. This means, I will be out of my rural worship centre. I had prayed and left early so I could worship in any denomination as much as it is the house of OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.  I got there early enough and located the place of our meeting. While waiting for his arrival from another town, I had to get a place to worship. I heard the 'noise' of one where the music was too much that I knew that this is not more than a dancing hall or performing arts studio. Just beside this one, I saw another and was about entering when I noticed some two o...

The Life of a Missionary (2) MUST BE A MAN UNDER AUTHORITY (2) "Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch" Acts 11:25-26 In our last edition, I proposed that for a missionary to effectively discharge his duties free from errors and frequent intimidations, he must submit himself to the authority of an elder to whom he is accountable and responsible. And the leader in turn ensures he properly monitored him so that he could escape the wrath and snare of the devil. Wiersbe rightly put this,   "Beware of teachers who will not put themselves under authority. They were vain talkers. What they said impressed people, but it had no content or substance". (Kindly refer to the last edition for further reading) Barely had Paul's ministry started that he is been faced with inc...

It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. Acts 12:1-5.  In the spiritual and physical realm, no one assume a higher position until he has accomplished a set of task, excel and win some battles. Even our Lord Jesus was only exalted when has fought and conquered:  "Instead he gave up everything and became a slave, when he became like one of us. Christ was humble. He obeyed God and even died on a cross. Then God gave Christ the highest place and hono...