Black Zimbabweans (which was the Southern Rhodesia I was born within), just recently besieged the white farmers. Inflation has skyrocketed. The poor, poorer more than ever, suffer more than ever. The rich get richer. South Africa, where I lived for twenty two years before coming to the States is in a terrible state of lawlessness right now. Rapes, murders and car hi-jacking are rampant. It’s not much better around the world. America, far more sophisticated has a president that takes young women into his public office, and gets away with it due to the mischief of the lawmakers. (Ps 94:20). Each of the nations right around the world have their own particular expressions of lawlessness. Has this lawlessness found its way into the church or did the lawlessness in the church find its way into the world?

What is the difference between the church in and of the world, and the New Testament Church? Who does the New Testament Church belong to? What is its calling? and how does it fulfil its purpose? Does it have a God given structure, or is its present structure all of man? In view of this, is the New Testament Church an organisation or a living spontaneous organism? Is it an exclusive club because it has qualifying members? What is the authority and the function of the New Testament Church officers, if it indeed has officers? Who and what are the New Testament Church elders, and how are they appointed? Too many people have formed unscriptural opinions. That's right! I feel that because of the questions have been answered incorrectly, we have all the problems around the world. We have sought to answer these questions from our own limited understanding rather than turning to God and His Holy Spirit inspired word.

All questions regarding the New Testament Church are answered through God's word in the Holy Scriptures of the True Christian's Bible. The confusion that reigns is therefore completely unjustified. Too few people have searched the scriptures. Sadly, too few people turn to the Travel Guide that God purposed it to be to us. Those who do, turn it into some kind of god itself, or they give it their own private interpretations as if they were the masters of it, rather than it being their director. Without including God in your understanding of the book, it is just another book of man. Even worse, we have prophets who prophecy out of their own imaginations or daily experiences, giving people exactly want they want to hear.

Far too few have communicated directly with God. God is certainly not confused. Neither is He a God that causes confusion among His obedient people. He is a God of complete order and correct discipline, and another way of saying this would be to say, God is a God of structure. His people, those who are truly His, are certainly not lawless rebels wondering around aimlessly, with no accountability. Sadly, many who claim to be His, hate order, hate being accountable and therefore generally hate all forms of authority. Hating order and being unaccountable to authority causes too many people are out on a limb of ineffectiveness. I had to learn the hard way.

Isn't it time we all finally acknowledged that there is One Who knows exactly what constitutes the True Church, and that He does know how to control it. Let us therefore humbly accept the direction and instruction of the Master Builder, the True Head and Director of His Church to plant us where He wants us.

Don't be content to remain out on a limb of ineffectiveness. No limb can operate apart from the body. Every arm, leg and hand has to be attached to be effective. We need each other. Without one another we cannot really fulfil the ministry we have been called to. Your ministry gift is vital for the well being of another. If you are out on a limb, you cannot be ministered to. Worse still, outside of a body, you can never ever effectively minister to the rest of the body. For a limb to survive in a natural body, it has to be connected to the rest of the body for the blood of life to flow. So it is within the body of Christ, the Church: Without being connected to fellow believers there can be no life flow of the Holy Spirit to you. Your being apart from the body does not only hurt you, but it hursts someone else whom God has purposed to be benefited by the Holy Spirit within you.

Black people besieging white people is a sign of lawlessness that comes out a lost identity. They’ve lost their identity because they are disconnected - out on a limb. Sadly, they have no functioning body of Christ to give them an identity and set an example of the benefits of being connected. The Christians, in their own lawlessness will have nothing to do with order, accountability and godly authority. While the lost in South Africa, rape, murder and rampantly rob one another, it is because the Christians have raped the scriptures for prosperity at all costs; they murder one another by causing untold hurt through their gossip and backbiting. One fellowship “robs” another of members, each claiming they are the only right ones. The robbers then say, “They are giving the fresh bread”, blind to the fact that they really preach a gospel that tickles the ears. Church pastors take the Bride of Christ into the public offices of their churches and fornicate with them, obtaining pleasantries and wanton pleasures. Then, through the mischief of their “lawmaking” they twist the scriptures to justify their evil. I ask again, “Has this lawlessness found its way into the church or did the lawlessness in the church find its way into the world?”

God purposed that His manifold wisdom be shown through His Church. His Church is to be the example. It’s supposed to be the light that dispels the darkness. It ought not to be adding to the darkness of the world.

If the Christians are not looking for the answers within the Bible, how can we expect all mankind to? If when the Christians give their own private interpretations to the scriptures, what example do the people in the world have? Even worse, if we have prophets who prophecy out of their own imaginations or daily experiences, giving people exactly want they want to hear, how can the world come to know that there is a holy, just or righteous God?

It’s high time we ceased being the church in and of the world, and begun to be the New Testament Church in but not of the world. It’s about time we recognized exactly Who the Church belongs to. We ought to have found its calling and fulfil its purpose? Instead of rebelling against the Churches God-given order and structure, we ought to be recognizing it, receiving it and restoring it and then be revitalised and refreshed and reinvigorated by it. Stop quibbling about what is of man and what is not. Rise up and serve as you know you are called to. Stop arguing over whether the New Testament Church is an organisation or a living spontaneous organism, and become a highly organised living temple, vibrant with the life, the power, the energy and the authority of God. We have limited knowledge. God has unlimited knowledge. Let Him be our Living, Caring Resource Centre. Better still, Let Him be God and Father.

Before we begin to look at scriptures with the word “church” within, I want us to first look at two aspects that have crept into the church of the Lord Jesus Christ from issues within the world. They are:

1.Dealing with a Poor Self Image

2.Doing What is Right

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

Dealing With A Poor Self Image

Current Emphasis.

Our Christian book suppliers have many books addressing the problems many people experience. In the last ten years the number of Christian books dealing with our self-image have multiplied astronomically. Christian teachers are touring the world giving us methods to improve the image we have of ourselves. Seminars and workshops are given to help people overcome their lack of confidence, their feelings of being useless failures or their lack of self-esteem. I want to focus on this in relationship with the New Testament Church for it does serve to show how we, as members of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ have turned to the world for advice. Instead of prophets, we have turned to the psychologists for help. Or is it that the psychologists seeing us without a true contact with God and without true shepherds and prophets have grabbed an opportunity to infiltrate the body of Christ?

Many of these teachings dealing with improving our self-image, if not most of them include practical ideas (based on Biblical principles) on how to analyse our self-image, to handle failure, to cope with depression and develop a new creative self-image.

It is not just the Christian world that has been overwhelmed with this type of instruction, for there is hardly a periodical, magazine, or newspaper that does not include some psychological means of self analysis and a writers means of overcoming our problems by developing a better way of thinking about ourselves. The psychoanalysts have left the security of their consulting rooms and are flooding the world with their solutions. They have captured the mass media, even the television and radio waves. They are out to capture every mind they can while we as Christians generally sit back and allow them to do so.

There is hardly a professional occupation that does not require your participation in the teachings of Voltaire, Rousseau, Freud, Hegel, Mengell or Darwin at some point. Whether it be a career in theology, medicine, the sciences, education, law or engineering, the student will be required to cover material compiled by the humanist philosophers. Here, I want to state that this letter is not an attack against philosophy, psychology or secular humanism. Tim LaHaye accomplished that more than adequately in his book, The Battle for the Mind. He writes that Humanism, which includes philosophy, psychology, and evolution, "appeals to the intellect". Thus, those who pride themselves as being the more “intellectually intelligent” are drawn into these humanistic sciences. And as the educational standard of the world's people rise, so more and more people will be attracted to these sciences of the mind of man.

There is hardly a Church in the world today that is not being exposed to the methods propagated by humanists. Is there a problem for the Christians to give themselves to the instructions of the psychologists? Have we as Christians turned away and rejected the Bible, so much that we now need worldly insight into the running or dealing with the problems that arise from members within the New Testament Church? Can a Christian consult a psychologist, even those who claim to be Christian psychologists? There is much debate and argument regarding this issue today. I don't want to get into the argument. I could ask the question, "Does one who practised as a witchdoctor, a witch or a wizard merely adapt his profession to Christian principles, and then continue his practice?" Many people may regard this as an unfair question. I grant them their own prerogative to answer the question for themselves. I could also include the another controversial question regarding the move of "rock" music into the "Church", but then I will really be getting away from what I have been given to write in this letter.

Influenced by Preconceptions!

The title of this letter is, "A Poor Self-image?" How are we as Christians to be concerned with self-analysis? Jo Berry, who wrote, Can You Love Yourself, admits that she could not go to a concordance to look up the word "self-image". She states that she really had to study the scriptures to find clues on the subject of self-image. She, typical of most people who want to convey a concept with scriptural backing, begins with the concept in her mind and sets to find the scriptures that will agree with her thinking. In every probability she was educated at a college, and part of her instruction included some form of psychology or philosophy. She then adapted her instruction to be more "Christian"? How do we start off with a premise within our minds as to what the New Testament Church should be like, and then adapt the scriptures to suit our own understanding. This question is the whole reason I first raise the issue of finding solutions for personal problems. Do we....

Go to the World for Success?

Within Somerset West, as in the rest of the world, there is an organisation that incorporates principles for better success. Church leaders have been known to encourage the members of their congregations to attend these courses. Much of the organisations instruction appears to have been adapted from Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich", Maxwell Maltz's "Pyscho-Cybenetics", and Norman Vincent Peale's "Positive Thinking". Before I became a Christian, my bible was the book by Napoleon Hill. Many different "success" books were on my book self, including those by Og Mandino and Dale Carnegie.

Napoleon Hill writes of how he imagined himself in conferences with the greatest men of the world, some of whom had already died. He admits that these imaginations became so real to him, that frightened, he put all his material away in a safe for about seven months. He again openly admits that he then had a visitation in which he was told that he had already been included in the "master school of learning", and that he was on the brink of international renown. He was promised that his teachings would spread throughout the world. Tempted, he continued his writing and instruction. Today his teachings are within nearly every major corporate company in the world.

I was originally introduced to this material through courses given by, at the time, the second largest computer company in the world. The principles I was applying had already made me a "yuppie" before the concept of a "yuppie" became widely known. I lived far better than most of the people in South Africa. I had won numerous bodybuilding competitions and championships on provincial and national levels. I owned my own health studio while working as a senior and grade A computer field engineer. A mere farm, come mining boy, was making a success of it in one of the largest cities on the African continent. My home, my car, my clothing was better the majority of the people. I had it made. Achieving a successful lifestyle in the way that the people of the world define it, was my chief aim. I was popular - the worlds friend. While relatively shy, I was invariably approached as a hero. I was different. I sat on the committees for provincial and the South African Body Building Associations as a committee member, secretary, vice-chairman or chairman. I was invited as a guest to important functions, often to judge competitions on provincial and national level.

God Has a Plan.

At the height of my achievements, I heard of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Pretoria, two young men, came up to me and said, "Praise God Ivan, He has brought you here because He has a great plan and purpose for your life".

"God, I thought, what do I know about God? Plan.., what plan could He have for me? And who are these "crazies" anyway?" Then I realised that while I might not know who they were, my participation in the Mr. South Africa competition made me known to them. I joined their health studio in which they took every opportunity to share their faith to me. I made a commitment to Christ, on a very shallow level. Only years later I would really understand who Christ was as Saviour. He never forgot my shallow commitment, and pursued it until He got my full attention.

In the first seven weeks of becoming a Christian, I literally devoured the Bible. I read it right through for the first time, having failed every previous attempt. The furthest I had ever got before was Chapter 32 of the book of Genesis. I read through the Bible while working a full day as a computer technician, an instructor in my health studio during the evenings, and while attending every prayer or Bible study meeting, and while I began a study on the book of Revelations address to the seven churches in Asia. I was hungry and thirsty. It was as if I had just come out of a dry desert and needed nourishment.

In those first seven weeks I took every book, every form of literature, music and object that was not "Christ Honouring" out to the back yard. There I proceeded to burn it all. In this pile were all the books on how to become a success. I knew that as I was burning those books, I was destroying a guaranteed means to success in this life, yet I knew I was doing the will of God. No person instructed me to do this. It was a conviction, received from my Bible reading and prayer, which motivated it. I did not know what was wrong with the material, I just knew that it was wrong. It was only many years later that I would come to understand that Napoleon Hill was in consultation with familiar spirits. It took me many years to understand that on that day, God was rescuing me from the seducing, deceiving and deluding doctrines of demons.

For the first year as a Christian I steered clear of any teachings related to planning. I recall being angry every time I read of plans and purposes in the Bible. It was only after a while that I realised that God was the One who originated the concept of visions, dreams, plans and purposes. Satan and his cohorts only came along and used God's principles to attain their own evil, godless desires.

The first book I wrote was Run With a Vision to Success, in which I mainly referred to the Bible. It is really quite an extensive look at visions, dreams and purposes as they occur in the scriptures. I applied many of the principles in my walk with Jesus. In fact, after writing the book, I walked from Durban to Johannesburg - a vision given to me by the Lord. The Lord accomplished many things through me which have only been a dream to many other Christians.

So I am not writing to you merely because something took my fancy in the last couple of weeks. For many years I have put together teachings that contrast the worlds means of attaining success against those principles revealed within the scriptures. I could define what success is from, both, the worldly and the Biblical points of view. There are many similarities, yet often vast differences in the means of attaining success. Before I go any further, I have to share something else with you. Forgive me for bringing my own experience into the picture again, but it is absolutely vital that I do so for your own sake. I don't want you to get any useless preconceived ideas about the thoughts I am conveying.

Hearing God to Get What You Want

While in Germiston, praying, reading the Bible and listening to Christian teachings, I distinctly heard God ask me if I could believe Him for R300 000 (just in the event you doubt the figure I'll print it fully, Three hundred thousand rand; equivalent to about three million today).

I laughed. The Lord came down to R30 000. In astonishment I asked, "What, today?"

"All right then, what about R3 000?"

"Do you mean that someone would come up to me and give me R3 000?"

"R300?"

"Well Lord that is possible, but I just do not know who will come to me and give me R300!"

"R30?"

"Oh Lord that is easy. Anybody can give that to me".

I packed up my things, forgot about the conversation - as if someone communicates with the Lord so clearly at every moment. I proceeded to the Church for instruction. I was the first to arrive, but not too long after, the pastor arrived. I went out to greet him and offer assistance with his bags, which he placed on the ground, reached into his pocket, took out his wallet and counted, "Ten, twenty, thirty rand". He said, "Ivan I was praying this morning and the Lord instructed me to give you this thirty rand".

I was speechless. I had really heard God!

I have never forgotten the experience. It came to me very vividly on another occasion I clearly heard God. I knew He was speaking to me. We spoke to each other much as you would speak to someone before you, the only difference being I could not see God. God asked me how much I wanted from Him.

"Ivan, how much do you want. R3 000 000, R30 000 000?"

I replied, "Lord what can I do with money? If I had R300 000 000, it would not accomplish all the things I want to do in my life. Lord I could flatten it in a year, and fall hopelessly short of accomplishing all my ideas".

"Ivan, how much do you want?"

"Lord, I could not ask you for knowledge and wisdom, for Solomon had those and he made a total hash up of his life".

I sensed just a little impatience in His voice. (Out of fear at totally displeasing him, I might of imagined the impatience I thought was evident). "Ivan, I did not ask you what you do not want. I asked you how much you wanted from Me!"

After much thought, I answered.

"Lord, I want my heart to beat with your heart beat. I want what you want. I want to know You. I want to be so in agreement with you, that whatever You want to achieve through me, will be what I want to achieve for You. I know Lord, that whatever You want to achieve, whatever will be needed to achieve it, You are more than capable of supplying it as it is needed".

I fell asleep peacefully.

If you want my ultimate definition of success, you have just read it.

Yes, but that does not deal with the issue of "A Poor Self-image," you might say in your exasperation. How does that address the issue of coming to identify the New Testament Church?

Now that you demand that, let me lay it on you good and solid.

We go to God and we learn from Him laying aside our preconceived ideas!

The Wicked Servant's Imagery

Every failing, every failure, every act of sin, rebellion, hurt, anger, resentment, every act of selfishness, every feeling of anguish, anxiety, depression and uselessness, every feeling of guilt, defensiveness and unkindness, impatience, envy and jealousy and irritability is not (only) because of your own poor self-image, but primarily due to your poor image of God. You do not know Him. You do not understand what He is, what His character and nature is; you do not understand His way of doing things. It is not the poor image of yourself you need to change, as much as you need to change the image that you have of God. Our people who have studied people tell us that people often display the characteristics of the God they worship (revealed by the images they carve or mould for themselves).

As a man thinks in his heart (soul) so he is. Many of our teachers nowadays interpret that to mean, "As you think about yourself, so you will be". It could just as easily be implying that the concept you have of God, is the very make-up of your own being.

A perfect illustration of this would be the man who buried his single talent for fear that the master would return and claim more than what he had given. While the men who had put their talents to good use, generating further income for which they were not only commended, but given the talents and greater authority, this man who buried his talent had what was given to him, taken away. He was also further punished. Note what he said:

"Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you had not winnowed. I was therefore afraid and went and hid your talent in the earth: there you have what is yours". (Matt 25:24).

His Lord answered that he was a wicked, lazy and unprofitable (a useless) servant. The Amplified Bible reveals that the master made a statement implying that the servant did not really know his own masters character. Another scholar interprets v25 as, "If you indeed knew that I would reap where I have not sown, why did you not at least invest my money to generate interest?" The almost parallel passage in Luke 19 reveals that the master actually indicated that the wicked servant was to be judged by his own mouth.

This servant's poor concept of his lord was really revealing his own wicked selfishness. His poor impression of the master was his own downfall. He failed to recognize that the talent, a years wages was given to him. He was given. He had something sown to him, but he did not receive it. He was blinded by the judgements of his own heart. He was cast into outer darkness where he would grind his teeth in despair, and anguish; totally forlorn, dejected and depressed. The very constitution of our being is determined by our own perception of God. Have a change of mind about Who and what God really is. Know Him as He wants to be known, and your own heart will be filled with the character and nature of His being as it is. Those who worship God in spirit and in truth, truthfully acknowledge Who He is. Those who have a false concept of God speak of Him in a way that is foreign to His being. They are worshipping an idol - an imaginary idol - which affects their own character.

Today, I believe that we have sought to build churches for ourselves, because we have preconceived ideas about God that are not true of Him. Hence, we reject His design for the church for something that we prefer to imagine in our own wounded minds. We end up establishing temples that are not devoted to the Most High God, but to the worship of ourselves, our ideas or our leaders whom we promote to positions of being our gods. This is overcome by....

Recognising the True God.

Finally, I see that with nearly every man who had a poor self-image and that God used in some way, were never told by God to think better of themselves. God always turned their attention to Who He was. The first man I identify as having a poor self-image was Abraham. His "self" must have appeared pretty well spent. The years had passed him by, and yet he still had no son, never alone a nation living in the land promised to him. God never came to him and said, "Come now, Abraham, take a grip on yourself". What God did say was, "Hey, Abraham, I am your Jehovah Jireh, your Elshaddai; your Provider, your All Sufficient One, Who is able and willing to supply over and above your needs.

Then I think of Moses with all His excuses. Again God did not boom out of the dark clouds in the heavens and say, "Listen Moses, go and get some speech therapy, and then go for self-image improvement lessons". What God did say was, "Tell them I am, that I am, I am", which has been interpreted to mean, "Moses, whatever you need Me to be, that is what I will be". A passage in the New Testament indicates that whatever we ask of the Father in the name of Jesus Christ, if it does not already exist, the Father will create it to bring it into being, just for us.

So wether we are looking at our improving who we are or our understanding of what the Church is, we ought to come to the Great Provider and Designer Himself.

The prophets and the kings, particularly David, conveyed very poor images of themselves, and in each case they would overcome their fears or delusions by the greatness of God's power, authority and gracious love. They turned to God's word to learn of Him.

We should always turn to God’s word for the right image of ourselves and right picture or design for the New Testament Church that we are.

Paul saw himself as a weak, wretched man (and it was he who said we were to have a correct estimate of ourselves, not thinking too highly, nor too poorly of ourselves). I believe he overcame his uselessness by thinking on things that were honourable, pure, lovable and holy. He could not have thought that they were his own qualities. He had already recognised his failings. Do you think that there is any of these qualities in yourself? They are certainly qualities of God, and He dwells within each of us who are His. Paul admonished the believers to be imitators of God. Paul himself had seen that the deliverance from the wretched man that he was, was in Christ (Rom 7:25). He saw our Lord Jesus Christ enthroned in glory, far above all principality, power, might and dominion. What he saw, he admired and he worshipped. He correctly perceived the Christ; the Son of God. He saw the Son Who loved righteousness and hated iniquity. He saw his Saviour and Lord. He beheld the perfect law of liberty - the wonderful mirror which reflected his own image of wretchedness in his self, and his perfection, his holiness and righteousness in Christ. That which he admired in Christ, dominated his thinking. His thinking influenced his speech, which in turn affected his character. By beholding, he found he imitated.

Dependant on God or Mere Principles?

To be able to imitate anybody you need to perceive their being in someway. You need to know them. And it is only in knowing God that we have eternal life. No matter how many self-analysis courses you attend and successfully apply to improve your self-image, if you do not know or are not known by God, you will not have eternal life. It is true that Paul wrote we are to examine ourselves. We can measure our deeds, our actions or our thoughts against those portrayed by Christ, see our own shortcomings, acknowledge them, but rather than trying to compel ourselves to act differently, we look to Jesus the Author and the Finisher of our faith. He sent the Holy Spirit to strengthen us and to make us alive to a new way of behaving. We yield to Him, allowing Him to operate through us. In His ability we do the good and the greater works prepared for us by our wonderful Heavenly Father. If your self-analysis is going to lead you to wanting a solution in Christ, by all means analyse yourself. If you are merely looking for alternative means to attaining the wealth in this world, then please, for your own sake, have a change of heart. God has principles which we can apply for the accumulation of wealth. We can use these principles and thereby improve our lifestyles, yet we might be endangering our eternal well-being by being independent of a true, meaningful and intimate relationship with God.

What is the point of having gained the whole world, only to loose your own soul?

Now that is a good question!

Seek the Lord, your God.

Call upon His name, and make known His doings among the peoples.

Sing to Him. Sing praises to Him.

Meditate and talk of all His marvellous deeds.

Earnestly remember the Marvellous deeds He has done, His miracles and His wonders; the judgements and sentences He has pronounced on His enemies.

The Lord is a stronghold to the poor. He is a stronghold for the needy in their distress; a shelter from the storms of life, and a shade from the heat of the fiery trials.

Glory in His name. Rejoice in Him as you seek Him. His chosen ones are full of gladness and singing.

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

THEY DID WHAT WAS RIGHT

What a wonderful title! THEY DID WHAT WAS RIGHT.... Our hearts leap for joy. We imagine that all is right. Everything is being done well. Love and forgiveness. Joy when righteousness is done. Peace exists between us and our neighbours, within our families, between our fellow Christians and with the authorities. There is no backbiting and slander. One group doesn't claim itself to be the only fully enlightened one with all the truth. There is forbearance, understanding and submission through love. There is therefore righteousness, joy, peace and healing in the land. God's people are able to eat, fellowship, play and pray together. They do mighty exploits together. God is able to work through and together with His united family. His Church is a perfect place!

Utopia! Paradise?

We as Christians have this ultimate hope. This is what we want our churches to be, and very often deviate from what God has purposed His church to be in an endeavour to make it what we want it to be.

We have the power and the authority to realise the reality of the ideal, at least within our own hearts. Paul, the apostle, wrote how (in Christ) he had learnt to be content through all situations or circumstances. He could rejoice whether in prison or free, in abundance or in lack and whether comfortable or while suffering in the cold. He could rejoice while at the receiving end of persecution - receiving insult and beatings. Paul suffered for righteousness sake. He was imprisoned for the sake of Christ. He was not suffering for any wrong committed, and therefore he could count the "short" afflictions as being incomparable to the eternal hope of glory that is in Christ.

The pessimist accuses the optimist of being unrealistic - an idealist who has escaped into the fantasy of his own imagination. The pessimist only has the expectation of doom and gloom. He can not escape into an imaginary future world of hope. All the future holds for him is anguish and torment. His heart begins to fail him for fear of what is to come. World dictatorship. Unemployment. Aids, cancer and heart attacks. Shrinking green forests, growing deserts. Polluted waters; its fish rising, belly up and dead. He dreads the day he will not be able to afford a loaf of bread that will require a full day's wages. It was a long time ago that he could afford a steak!

The optimist gazes at mankind's resourcefulness. He sees hope in mankind's technological advancements. Like Henry Kissinger, some 16 to 20 years ago, he boasts that within ten years, there will not be another hungry child. Henry Kissinger never realised his dream. Some forty million children around the world die of starvation every year. A hundred Boeing 747's, seats removed and packed full of dead bodies cannot transport the lifeless remains of those children that die in one day. It is no wonder Henry Kissinger hardly has the energy to speak. He sits round shouldered, despondent and... broken, as he answers the interviewers questions. Most of the children die in Africa, some even in South Africa. Recently it was reported that forty babies died through malnutrition in the Cape Town region. There was no public outcry. Yet, for the seals that were clubbed, we had headline news. Action groups were formed to spare the seal. Cute bundles of soft white fur tugged at many heart strings as they plea for their lives through daily advertisements costing between R5 000 - R10 000 per day. There was not one advertisement for the babies' lives to be spared; only the government-sponsored, secular humanists cries for reduction in child birth - "One (of these land hungry, resource devouring horrors) is born every 26 seconds". The seals were spared. The seal factory was closed, but our human babies continue to die. Some before they are born. Aborted, ...murdered with surgical implements for the sake of continued selfish prosperity, comfort and freedom to live without constraints. Southern Baptists leaders (the President of the USA) vetoing laws that would spare the lives of unborn babies. He wanted their brains to be sucked out with a syringe, and killed. To him, this was right.

...In Their Own Eyes.

Suddenly our title has soured. We rejoiced at, "They Did What Was Right.." It sounded tremendous, but adding the phrase, "...In Their Own Eyes", immediately implies something possibly distasteful. Arrogance! Conceit? Self-opinionated. No regard for others; lack of consideration. "I want what I want, when I want it, and I don't care who I hurt along the way as I tread, stamp and climb over them to get it". There are people who want the New Testament Church to be what they want it to be. They go about doing what is right in their own eyes to establish their own churches.

Mankind continues to do what is right in its own eyes. As long as he believes that he is right, he has no need for a Redeemer. As long as one is well, he feels no need for a doctor.

I write, "Mankind continues..." because of what I read recently. It was my lot to be fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to read the book of Judges. Therein, I was first struck with the force of this statement, "They did what was right in their own eyes". (Judges 17:6, 21:5). As we consider this book there are some remarkable considerations for us to heed, especially as we consider the way the churches have developed over the years. This book follows the story of our beginnings, in which we recognise several individuals who did what was right in their own eyes (with some horrific consequences).

Eve saw (with her own eyes) that the fruit of the tree looked good to eat, and disregarding her "head in Adam", she accepted the enticing instruction of another. Taking the right to make decisions for herself, she ultimately led her first "love" to his death. Adam, doing what was right in the eyes of his wife, died spiritually - he was separated, through his own disobedience, from God. Some nine hundred and thirty years later, he died physically. Through the disobedience of our first parents, all humanity has to experience the sting (characteristic of that evil serpent, the devil) of death. How are we in the modern church world, heeded the voice of the serpent when we set about establishing our churches?

Their first son did what was right in his own eyes by giving his own sacrifice in his own way, thereby establishing his own religious beliefs and setting the way for all false religion thereafter. Through religious jealousy, he was led to jealously murder his own brother. The product of all false religion leads to the death of someone in some form or another, even to the ultimate eternal death of the adherent (no matter how sincere he may have been). How many churches today, established upon their own religious ways, jealously attack and kill their righteous brothers who prescribe to the formula set forth by God?

Cain's great, great, great grandson, multiplied the sin of his forefather. By doing what was right in his own eyes, he took the law into his own hands. He killed a man who had wounded him and a mere boy who had struck him. Becoming a judge in his own eyes, he then pronounced a multiplied vengeance upon anyone who would harm him. How have the church denominations set themselves up as judges and then go about taking the law into their own hands to meet out a worse judgment than what God Himself would do?

Within the first thousand years, all mankind had followed their own ideals by doing what was right in their own eyes. It became necessary for a grieved Father (looking upon the continuous wickedness of His man) to flood the earth and destroy all corrupted flesh, except Noah, his family and a number of selected animals. Any parent who has had to helplessly watch the rebellious antics of their own children - of their own flesh and blood - can begin to appreciate how deeply hurt the Father really was. How do we as a church hurt and grieve our Heavenly Father, doing what is merely right within our own eyes?

Part 2

Not too long after Noah, Nimrod stood (in defiance) before the Lord, and doing what was right in his own eyes, he took upon himself to be the protector and saviour of men. He established the first kingdoms, one of which was the kingdom of Babel. The citizens of this kingdom did what was right in their own eyes. In their opinion they could make a name for themselves; a name so great that it would reach the heavens (to challenge the very name of God). They set about building a tower, probably containing occultic principles, symbols and methods that enabled them to tap into greater spiritual powers to achieve whatever they desired while being independent of God. Recognising the threat of these people getting into all sorts of mischief, God again had to intervene. He confounded their communication system and scattered them abroad over the face of the earth. Mankind, again doing what was right in their own eyes, rejected the will of their Creator. One wonders what lies behind the reason for so many languages in South Africa! Why is it, even where people do speak the same language, they fail to make themselves understood?. How have we set up a Nimrod within our churches to lord it over ourselves, while they like Nimrod, pretend to be our saviours and protectors?

Considering the different languages of the different denominations and Christian movements, it appears to be that the church has got into its own empire building, apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. Then there are the independents, and the voices among them are even more confusing. There is hardly any agreement among the "call-outers" or the "called-outs", each person with his or own understanding of the Word of God; each claiming to have heard the Lord. Yet, there is very little agreement among them either. BUT, they’re the only one’s who cannot see it.

Fortunately the Lord found, in Abram, a man who would heed Him. Abram, heeding God's promise, had righteousness imputed to him, and becoming a partner with God, he became Abraham - the father of many nations. Through Abraham came a particular nation that God chose to be His own representative people. Freeing them from the bondage and hard labour in Egypt, He led them by Moses to the land promised to Abraham. After mighty demonstrations of God's wrath, and His merciful and marvellous acts, God had Joshua lead the people into the land. Oh! That God would find within us hearts that would promote His cause and fulfil His will.

Joshua was a tremendous servant of the Lord. He meditated on the word of the Lord day and night, which enabled him to have great courage to lead the people to do mighty exploits with God. Joshua spoke and God "stopped" the entire universe in its motion. Little by little the land was being cleansed from the influence and corruption of evil people and their "demon" gods. Yet, as great as Joshua was, there was unfortunately a time that he did what was right in his own eyes. Many thousands of years later his Christian counterparts would virtually duplicate his grave error. Oh! That we would be like Joshua and be found meditating day and night on the Word in the presence of the Word, hearing exactly what He has to say about His Church today!

Looking at a people through his own eyes; from his own human perspective, Joshua came to be grossly deceived. He failed to perceive the deception of the people who had merely put on the appearances of being weary travellers. Joshua, failing to consult the Lord for His perspective, did what was right in his own eyes. He made an agreement to spare these "travellers". AND it was these very people who were later used of God to prove the hearts of the children of Israel. This has tremendous significance to us in the Church today, but before we get to that, we now get to the book of Judges itself. Let us not be like Joshua who turned his eyes away from God and thereby heed mens advice as to what the New Testament Church is.

Within the book of Judges the first Chapter records Joshua's death. The second Chapter reveals that as Joshua had failed to completely heed the Lord (in his sparing the deceiving travellers), so the rest of Israel disobeyed the Lord by not driving out the evil inhabitants. In the place of Joshua, God led the people of Israel through the tribe of Judah. The children of Israel became strong, and as they became stronger so they heeded the instruction of the Lord less. In their own strength they became more independent of God. Becoming less dependent on God, they did more of what was right in their own eyes. (Another significant possibility conveyed by this expression is that of INDEPENDENCE. Satan's great sin of PRIDE, led him to believe that he could be independent of God. In the same way, mankind believe themselves to be god's unto themselves, and as such they do all things independently of God). Instead of driving the evil inhabitants from the land, the children of Israel determined to put many Canaanites into forced labour. Like the wicked oppressors of the world, the children of Israel (who had been freed from enforced labour as the chosen people of God), chose to be "lords" over another people.

The Angel of the Lord appeared to them and after reminding them of how He had delivered them from (the enforced labour in) Egypt, and brought them to the promised land of liberty, He said, "You have not obeyed Me. You did not drive out the [heathen] inhabitants of the land, and therefore I will not drive them out, but they shall become thorns in your sides, and their [demon] god's shall be a snare to you. These nations, and those that Joshua had left shall be a test to Israel, for by them the Lord will prove whether you will keep the way of the Lord or not. They will be used to find out if you will obey the commandments of the Lord or not". (Judges 2-3).

Part 3

Joshua and the elders, in thinking that they were sparing weary travellers, ended up sparing the Gibeonites, inhabitants of the land of Canaan whom they had the responsibility of driving out.

While within the Old Testament, the children of Israel waged a war against demon controlled peoples, within the New Testament, the saints war, not against flesh and blood or human beings, but principalities, powers, “might” and dominions, orderly forces of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places. Theses are evil spirits. Hence, we see first the natural then the spiritual.

The Gibeonites were a people of the hill city. A high lifted up place - they were false god worshippers. They were scheming deceivers or great pretenders. In making an agreement to spare the Gibeonites to be their own servants, Joshua and the elders were sparing demons of scheming deception and great pretence. Demons that would encourage worship of false gods of sex and violence. AND where there is sex and violence, there is usually the greed for material wealth too. They had failed to see through the outward appearances.

Today the leaders of the Christian world have been deceived into sparing demons of scheming deception and great pretence. They are involved in false worship - not that you can get most Christians to worship God these days. They sing antiquated choruses or hymnals that contain no praise of God nor any words of worship. AND then, they mostly only want to sing one or two verses and then sit down as though they have done their duty for a week. Christians, failing to discern spirits, largely rejecting the gifts, the ministry and the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, they have made an allegiance to spare the demons within them. Rather than casting them out of their lives, they put the demons to service, as if the demons are servants unto them.

Through hypocrisy, great pretence and therefore denial, Christians allow the demons to serve them. Instead of acknowledging their great need for deliverance, many Christians put on an impression of success and well being, when in truth they are an unholy mess within their hearts. Christians allow themselves to be deceived by outward appearances. Hence, not only are they deceived by outward appearances, but they in turn determine to deceive by outward appearances. Failing to consult the Lord for His perspective on demons within Christians, the Christians heeded the doctrines of man and sad to say, Christianity today has largely become a grossly demon infested camp of division and strife. One denomination or movement not being able to agree with another, called-out groups despising the denominations and movements, but themselves so divided by strife, they are no better off, but sometimes even worse off. One “call-outer group” has virtually no agreement with another. Truly, things are in dire straights today with each group only doing what is right within their own eyes.

Let us not be like Joshua who turned his eyes away from God and thereby heed men’s advice as to what the New Testament Church is.

Our God and Father would say to us by His Spirit today, "You have not obeyed Me. You did not drive out the demon inhabitants within your hearts, and therefore I will not drive them out, but they shall become thorns of torment and they shall be a snare to you. These demons, shall be a test to Christians, for by them the Lord will prove whether you will keep the way of the Lord or not. They will be used to find out if you will obey the commandments of the Lord or not". Only now, your determination to resist and drive out the demons yourself is going to have to be a hundreds more meaningful. (See Judges 2-3).

Let us acknowledge our error and more determinedly drive out the evil from within before we will condemn another. To fail to do so means we fail to obey the command of the Lord Who desires that we love Him with all our hearts without pretence, hypocrisy or deception. Then we will be able to love ourselves and one another in Him. Then, we will have the loving compassion to reach out to those in the world and help them too understand the saving grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is not merely doing what is right in our own eyes. It is to do what is right in God’s eyes.

Part 4

God's Mighty Works forgotten.

After Joshua, another generation of the sons of Israel lost sight of God's ways and mighty workings and did evil in the sight of the Lord. The very generation that had not experienced the great demonstrations of God's mighty power, was one of the very generations that did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. (Judges 2:10-11).

There are Churches around today, wherein the mighty works of God have been long forgotten. AND if God were to move by His Spirit, it would be so foreign to the members, that they would prohibit another move by God. No wonder Paul wrote to Timothy and warned him not to have anything to do with those who had a form of godliness, and whom also denied the power thereof.

The generation that does not experience the power of God is the generation that does what is right in their own eyes, and will then be the very generation that does evil in the sight of the Lord.

These sons of Israel turned to paganism. They adopted the methods of the heathen in their business and in their religious practices. Following the example of the heathen people, God's people rejected Him and His Word. They adopted heathen methods to appease [demon] gods for favour. Seeking the favour of these pagan gods, the people of Israel "did evil in the sight of the Lord". (This phrase occurs at least eight times in the book of Judges).

While Joshua and the elders who had served with him were alive, the children of Israel had generally served the Lord. Even though they had been disobedient by not driving out the inhabitants of the land, they had not given themselves to pagan worship and idolatry, including male and female prostitution, animal and sometimes human sacrifices to false gods. When Joshua and the elders died, the children of Israel who had not experienced or witnessed the mighty exploits of God, did evil in the sight of the Lord. They followed and served Baalim (false deities of the land), Ashlareth and Asherah. (The sexual goddess of Sidon, usually depicted by a great totem pole-like image, was engraved with female organs of procreation. This became the object of worship and inspired the adherents to acts of impurity, perversion and licentiousness as they gave themselves to demonised, obscene orgies).

AND so Christians as a people of God, have compromised with the world and brought false gods (demons, lying seducing spirits) into the church and many Christians have become worshippers of the world and its things, rather than the true worshippers of God.

Today, we have many Christians participating with the Hollywood priests and priestesses who flaunt themselves in promiscuous behaviour on the "silver screen".

After many years without a television in my home, the first time I watched one that was given to me, my insides literally curled up in a tight ball, much in the same way a hedgehog curls up in the face of danger. I immediately switched the television off. Yet, the next day I turned it on again. This time, while my insides reacted the same way, I continued to watch - until my conscience was virtually seared. One of the first things I sensed was the loss of the gift of the discerning of spirits while ministering.

Fortunately, I was given a teaching tape by Bob Larsen who spoke of how a little leaven leavens the whole dough. I returned the television set. Although I had never wanted a television, I was repeatedly given a set. Like a revolver there is nothing wrong with a television. In the right hands, it can be of some value. Under the control of a predominantly ungodly society, it is a lethal weapon, taking the lives (as it captivates and corrupts the minds) of God's people.

Sparing the heathen (and their ways), the Israelites who did what was right in their own eyes and fell into further apostasy. Israel's worship of Baal developed in three stages.

3.They first placed the Canaanite gods in a secondary place to the Lord God (Yahweh-Elohim).

4.Then they considered Yahweh to be a super-Baal.

5.Finally they fully "Canaanized" or "Baalized" Yahweh worship so that the people completely forsook Yahweh. (The Ryrie Study Bible).

What has changed? Much of the modern church (and I do not merely mean to infer to some of the new movements, but also include the old Historical, Evangelical and Pentecostal churches) has a form of worship that often does not conform to that of the Almighty God of the Bible. (Neither do I merely mean the act of singing our praises and worship, but the very deeds in our everyday lives).

The early Christian church was fully founded on Christ. Then the Christian church compromised and it was “a little Jesus here” and “a little of the world and its ways there”. Then finally the Christian church forsook Jesus and accepted fully the ways of the world to win members.

It was reported in the Cape Times, 6 January, 1992, that in Louisville, Kentucky, America's first openly lesbian Presbyterian minister had been appointed a local church pastor. The Methodist Church has followed their presbyterian brothers example. Southern Baptists permit Freemasons among their members, and that has been occurring for just about as long as the Baptists and the Freemasons have existed. The Baptists will still welcome a President, who sucks out the brains of babies while in the mother’s womb, into their midst.

While in another person's home one evening not too long ago, I heard something to the effect that a confessing homosexual was ordained as a minister. Not giving the television my full attention at the time, I only suspect that this might have occurred within South Africa. At what stage are we? Have we introduced the way or the methods of the world to supplement our understanding of God and His Word, or have we come to see God as a mere super-human-being entity expressed through democracy - the people governing themselves, or have we come to finally accept that there is no such being as a god - accepting the idea of a god as some figurehead that stemmed from the minds of a superstitious and primitive people?

In the early Church there was a wholesome dread at displeasing God. There was a holy fear and reverence for God. The early Christians knew what it could mean to try and lie to the Holy Spirit. (Acts 5:1-11) Constantly aware of the great demonstrations of God's power, they walked very tentatively to adhere to the leading and guiding of the Holy spirit. Virtually every man of God who was in any way venerated (given deep respect), reacted in horror. They immediately directed the individual's worship or show of deep respect to the Lord God, the Almighty Creator.

Today, we confer titles of reverence upon mere men. Speaking to a brother the other day, I told him of how those who had graduated at Oxford would place their right thumbs under their right armpits, stick their noses back and bounce around with an air and grace of superiority. We tend to picture the apostle Paul in this way. Paul the "superior" Apostle, when Paul, I believe, merely understood the particular function that was entrusted to him by the Lord God. He often added how he was a bond-slave of the Lord.

A bond-slave was a slave who had no rights of his own. His will was totally surrendered to that of his master. A slave, like many servants in our day, were generally held in contempt by those who considered themselves to be the elite. Far from considering himself to be the greatest, Paul confessed that he was the least of all the brethren. Oh! That we would have like minded saints today: Not seeking to rule and dominate, but who would serve the Lord Jesus Christ and His body. We need people who will not compromise the word of God, accepting a little Jesus here and a little devil there. It should be all Jesus!

There Was No King.

When Gideon, who had been raised up as a judge to deliver the children of Israel after they had called on God, was elected by themselves, to rule over them, he refused. He said to them, "I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the Lord shall rule over you". Moses had said that the children of Israel would desire to imitate the nations around them by appointing unto themselves a king. He only gave specific instructions for the future kings, knowing their hard-hearted stubbornness (1 Sam. 8:1-22). The kings were to be different from the kings of the world (Deut 17:14-15). Very few kings of Israel regarded the instructions of Moses. Gideon himself, while he recognised the theocracy, could not withstand the desire for great riches. The gold, he received, he made or embroided into an ephod, which became a snare or stumbling block to him. Gideon might have meant well, but the ephod also became an object of worship for the children of Israel.

Within the closing Chapters of the book of Judges, there is a phrase that is repeated several times, "there was no king in Israel". Most people think of our times in which most nations do not have kings or queens. It did not stop virtually the whole world from participating in a royal marriage. When Princess Diana was married, nearly every person took time from work to watch the wedding reception on television. Mankind has an inherent desire to serve a king. Many would like to be kings or queens themselves. We often substitute the presence of kings and queens with the presence of prime ministers or state presidents. In the Church we substitute the presence of a king with the pastor figure. Therefore, most people would agree that it was a pretty sad state of affairs for Israel to be without a king. The closing Chapters of the book of Judges seem to be implying that all Israel's problems existed because there was no king to reign, rule, govern or direct the people into right doing.

Could we be led to say that a people without a king would fall into sin - would there be increased opportunity for murder, rape and violence? What of the priests and prophets? Would a people without a priest or a prophet also sin? Would there be rampant licentiousness, immorality, perversity and ungodliness? Would there be greater possibility for the people to do what was right in their own eyes? The Bible clearly indicates that God has ordained the governing institutions. All authority was appointed by Him to protect the righteous.

If we were to also consider the books that follow the book of Judges we would get a clear impression of what it was to have these authorities; be they kings, prophets, priests and governors.

These books revealed that a people under a king, a priest or prophet, may do good, and they may do evil. Much depended on the character of the authority and his devotion to God. With or without authority then, a man may do good or he may do evil. A man left to himself may do good, and he may do evil. An individual influenced by a group, may do good and he may do evil.

Part 5

Within the Church great emphasis was placed on "covering". Which ministry are you submitted to? A woman could not minister unless she was "covered" by her husband as her "head". If he was not around, the pastor became her "head" - her authority to function in a ministry. It was also stated of another individual that he had no right to minister to another Christian because he was not submitted to the "head" of the particular church.

One Saturday evening, I attended a service, and the man said, “God has called me to minister to all Christians, for all Christians, no matter their affiliation, are members of the body of Christ.” The next morning, I had an unexplainable urge to visit a church, and there heard the preacher say, “God has told me, ‘He only honours and ministers to those who are submitted to a local church, and it’s leadership.’” I just about wanted to laugh out loud. I wrote to both the pastors and told them of my twelve hour experience, needless to say, the first one was highly infuriated. A rift developed in his relationship with me, that has never, in my opinion, been quite Christian.

Which of the two had heard from God? The first sounded more right, but his behaviour was the less acceptable.

The Bible places great emphasis on submission. It emphasises a submission of "one to another in love".

Abraham was only submitted to God. There is no indication of him being subject to any authority, except he does appear to have respected the kings of the countries he was in. For fear of them, he did err against God.

Moses appeared to be accountable to God alone. That did not stop him from doing wrong either.

David not only submitted to God. He had councillors and also heeded the priests and the prophets. There was a time he disregarded the council of his captain, and sinned greatly against God. He sinned at other times also, but by and large he was still a man after God's own heart.

There is great merit in submission. No man knows it all. The heart of man is also very deceitful. "Iron sharpens iron". Submission to one another can certainly sharpen or strengthen one's character. On the other hand submission may lead to great hindrances to the furtherance of the gospel. I have seen church boards absolutely hinder church growth and the moving of the Spirit of God, while churches with a greater autocratic rule like the many charismatic churches, mushroom, virtually overnight. Yet, many of these leaders have fallen into sin, usually falling for the secretary, or some other pretty skirt and the ministries collapse in one empty heap.

The closer a person is to God, the more likely they are to do that which is right. Having the right leader can be a great advantage to any individual or nation, and I believe, the writer of the book of Judges did not have in his mind concern for the mere lack of a human king. I felt his heart broke, for he saw his people had rejected God as their King. Close to his heart was the idea that Israel had rejected God as their king, and had fallen into the error of doing what was right in their own eyes.

One of the greatest benefits we have as Christian men, is the fact that we have the most righteous and holy King as our head. The head of every man is Christ (1 Cor 11:3). Let us all be submitted to Him, first and foremost. This means that while we are to also obey those who, not as it is written within the King James, “have rule over us” but those who “watch over our souls” as shepherds watch over the sheep, guarding and protecting them from predators.

There maybe times that heeding God's will might place you at odds with human authority. Many laws within a country may have been established without the remotest consideration for what God desires. Sometimes the laws of a country violate the very laws of God. In this instance it is better to obey God. Yet, it might just mean bearing the consequences. Remember, Paul and Peter suffered for the sake of righteousness, not because they had stolen anything or killed anyone. They were heeding God's will, which often apposed the local civil and religious authorities.

Virtually every man who was appointed as king had taken advantage of his authority, and had abused his rights and privileges. That is probably true for every authority. It is also generally true of individuals also. Given the smallest opportunity, they will generally misuse and abuse it.

I often hear of how Christians confess that they want to prosper to support the gospel. Yet, after the outpouring of God's blessings in the seventies and early eighties, when many people became Christians, and the South African nation prospered as a whole, the Christians spent their increased incomes upon themselves. Instead of being content to live in their R20 000 house, they sold it for about R40 0000 and used the R20 000 profit to move into a R100 000 home. Instead of their bond repayments being only about R300, they then had bond repayments in the excess of R1 000. (In some instance you can multiply these figures by at least three, five and ten). Instead of being content with an average motor vehicle, they wanted to drive the latest "luxury". (We could say the same for the clothing and the food). Thereby, they show a gross insensitivity to the situation in the country, and have very little to spare for the proclamation of the gospel. While earning a thousand rand they could tithe (or give) at least a hundred rand a month for the support of the gospel, but now with their added extravagance, their R3 000 salaries are insufficient for them to give R100 as some form of a tithe (or monthly portion of giving). Their very added wealth became a snare to them. They gathered goods around them that required their attention (or devotion); their time, money and relationships. This, in scriptural terms, would amount to nothing less than idolatry. Submitted to one another, we might have greater support to suppress our own lusts and do that which is right.

Disobeying the Lord by sparing the heathen and their customs, the Israelites did what was right in their own eyes:-

I)they served pagan gods and forgot their God.

ii)they gave their children to marry ungodly partners.

iii)they played the harlot by giving themselves to idolatry, and were prepared to kill one of their mighty men of valour because he had pulled down a Baal.

iv)One treacherous brother secured silver from a temple of idol worship and paid bad men (assassins) to kill his seventy half-brethren so that he might be the sole leader to rule over the people. This deed lead to a civil war among the children of Israel.

v)Backslider and therefore unable to trust God, three thousand men of the tribe of Judah bound Samson and gave him into the hands of the enemy. Fortunately the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he broke himself free.

vi)Samson then fell in love with the wrong kind of woman, who for a reward betrayed him into the hands of the enemy. She cut his hair enabling them to blind and bind him in chains until he pulled their meeting place down upon them.

Today, we see Christians disobeying the Lord allowing heathens into their churches as members, even placing them within Church Boards to determine Church policy. These heathen bring their business management customs into the Church, and lead by merely doing what is right in their own eyes:-

I)they end up serving pagan principles for added members, and then encourage the people to forgot their God.

ii)Many Christian parents, having lost the respect of their children, are forced to give their children to marry ungodly partners.

iii)So-called Christians play the harlot with the things of the world, and in giving themselves to idolatry, they find they are held by the things they own. When warned, they are prepared to “kill the words of the godly”, the mighty people of valour because they’ll dare pull down a “Baal of love for materialism and compromise.”.

iv)We see one brother after another in the eighties, secured by the “silver from a temple of idol worship” and the “silver-screens evangelists”, paying bad men and women assassins) to kill his “seventy half-brethren” a perfect number. Hence, the moral character of the church has fallen into question. AND we see some of these treacherous Christian brethren, raised up into the ranks of Christendom. Christians in local communities, fighting so that each might be the sole leader to rule over the people. These deeds will lead to a civil war among the Christians.

v)We’ll see Backslider and therefore unable to trust God Christians, binding up the Lord’s Samson’s to give them into the hands of the enemy. I hope we will see Spirit of the Lord came upon His Samsons that they may break free. However...

vi)We don’t want to see the Lord’s Samsons then falling in love with the wrong kind of woman, who’ll betray for a reward. Too many pastors of the wrong kinds of congregations get wooed into compromise. The pastors are then seductively betrayed into the hands of the enemy. Theses congregations, threatening to take his finances, effectively cut his hair enabling them to blind and bind him in chains of a false gospel, until he hopefully comes to his senses and pulls down the whole temple of carnality.

Part of Samson’s demise came through the fact, that he was often a law unto himself. He submitted to no one. He’d accept no ones counsel. He thought he had all the answers, and could run around with whomever he wanted. Too many a Christian leader does the same today. Hopefully, coming to their senses, they’ll take the enemy out with them when they do.

Part 6

The closing chapters of Judges give further insight into the Backslider state of the Israelites. There was a man who stole from his mother. He confessed his sin after he heard her curse the thief. She used part of the returned silver to have "house-gods" made for him. Hungry for religion, this man Micah, consecrated one of his sons who became his personal priest. Later he hired the services of a Levite to be as a father and a priest to him. The priest, unemployed and hence, no where to serve, for the people were probably not paying their tithes and giving their offerings, this young Levite accepted the offer. Micah, secure in his idolatry and law breaking felt he had all that was needed to be blessed of God. He was resting in a false religion, which lead to his own heartbreak. Today, there are many images in our churches, that we depend upon rather than depending upon our One and Only God.

There are many churches in the United States that are family controlled. These blood related people, and I don’t mean the blood of Jesus either, hire and fire pastors at whim. These family members permit modern ills, including molestation, pornography and homosexuality. AND if the pastor happens to address these things, they’ll find themselves out on their ear. The family controlled church wants the preacher to mention Jesus, and how the God of love wants them all to go to heaven. They wants the blessings and benefits of being Christian without meeting the commands and conditions.

Micah had his gods, his ephod and seraphim stolen from him by the people of the tribe of Dan. These six hundred men also convinced the young priest that it was better to serve them in their hundreds, than merely being a priest of a single household. This priest had sinned by going into idolatry for a mere pittance under Micah. Yet, he sinned even worse by betraying Micah to join these thieves for the sake of popularity and gain. Loyalty is hard to find these days. It can be bought for a while. Until a higher bidder comes along. Micah lost all. He had tried to reclaim his house gods, but "deaf to his pleas, they continued with the people of Dan". So much for Micah's religion. Today, we have people as pastors and prophets who hire themselves to the bigger church bidders, rather than remaining to the True God Who called them. Even after they have sold themselves out to the higher bidders, because they are in the bigger churches, they then want to control the local body of Christ within their areas. “BECAUSE, after all they are the picture of success!”

Another Levite living near Ephrahim took to himself a concubine, a secondary wife (or a mistress). She however, took up an occupation satisfying the lusts of other men. He followed her and tried to convince her to return to him. Stopping over at her parents place, this Levite procrastinated around the feasting “leisures” of life and extended his stay.

Finally managing to drag himself away late one afternoon, he came to a foreigners town, but he wanted to move on to be among fellow Israelites. They came to Gibeah of the tribe of Benjamin where they found it necessary to find shelter with a hospitable old man. While among the people of Israel, the tribe of Benjamin - the very tribe whose forefather had taken thirty foreign (heathen) daughters to be wives for his sons (Judges 12:8-10) - the Levite priest took his concubine and gave her to be abused by the homosexuals, or is it "transvestites"? Because they had rejected God, God gave them over to perversity in which they lost all form of self-respect (Rom. 1:18-23).

The Levite priest, ready to abandon her the next day, discovered her dead body. He then proceeded to cut her up into twelve pieces. He sent these pieces to the tribes in Israel, which incited them to take vengeance and destroy these depraved men.

The tribe of Benjamin sided with the citizens of Gibeah against Israel. Israel lost forty thousand men before they finally gained victory over their brethren, the Benjamites. Putting them on the run, the Israelites turned and destroyed the cities of the Benjamites, killing their women and children. The children of Israel then made a wicked scheme to kill the men of another tribe of Israel whereby they could break their oath made to destroy the tribe of Benjamin. They wickedly allowed the Benjamites to kidnap virgin girls from the camp of Shiloh while they were having a religious feast. Today we have men of God taking for themselves churches as a secondary mistress. These churches satisfy the lusts of men. Some pastors, still with a heart for God, will try to turn the church from the lusts of the flesh, to the pure ways of God. However, these men of God too, procrastinate around the delights of the world. This compromise brings he and the church to a dangerous place. Finding fellowship among so-called brethren, the pastor and his church find that there are impurities among them, like homosexuality and lesbianism. But, they find out too late, for the church is molested. Defiled and raped! Then killed, and cut into pieces. The churches in Oklahoma are fragmented. Little pieces here. Little pieces there. None as effective as they could be, if they were whole and alive and well.

AND so the Israelites did that which was right in their own eyes. They had adapted the ways of the heathen, and did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. The inhabitants of the land that they should have driven out, had lead the people of Israel astray; away from the ways of God, they rejected His laws. How are the churches doing the same in this day and age?

Part 7

The Lord allowed the Isralites to go into affliction. They were taken captive and oppressed many times. In their agony they cried out to the Lord. "We have sinned against You, both because we have forsaken You, and because we have served Baalim" (Judges 10:10).

It is one thing to forsake the Lord, quite another to serve another god. God can still generally reach a person who has Backslider, but one who has given himself to the occult after being one of His, He finds great difficulty in doing so. A passage in the book of Hebrews indicates that it would not be possible for them to crucify Christ afresh. As merciful as He is, God instructed the children of Israel to go and appeal to their [demon] gods for salvation (Judges 10:14).

The children of Israel had to first demonstrate their serious repentance by destroying all that was of Baal (Judges 10:16). Only then did the Lord respond. Recognising their desperation, He was extremely grieved; heartbroken over the misery of Israel, He raised up Judges to deliver them. God always has His appointed leaders. Ever ready to deliver His people. Always ready to rescue those who seriously call upon Him. I think it is time for the churches to demonstrate their serious repentance by destroying all that which is of the world and the devil. After all, it was for the purpose of destroying the works of the devil that the Lord Jesus Christ came.

There are many in the Church today who are suffering abject misery. Confession of their sin does not seem to help. Confession of the positive promises does not help them either. No matter how hard they try to correct their behaviour, there just seems to be no release for them. Many people who are prayed for to be healed of the Lord, just don't appear to be healed. Is there no healing balm of Gilead? Their hearts are just as broken and shattered as they were before being prayed for.

Desperate, Christian after Christian has to go to the hospitals, to doctors, psychologists or to psychiatrists to obtain some form of healing. Some get healed by God with the doctors help. Others spend all they have, and come away just as sick or afflicted as ever. With one difference - they are broke too; bankrupted! Very few seem to be able to come to the Great Physician Who completely healed and delivered all who came to Him.

Jesus could do no mighty work in His own home town. Elijah had to go to a foreign woman to demonstrate the greatness of God as the source of all provision. In the time of Elisha, there were many lepers in Israel, but only a foreign man named Naaman was healed in the river by the Lord. Can Jesus come to His own today and be received by them? Are there those that will indeed stand with Him? How many Christians today, go to church and do not receive their healing, while some ungodly person comes in and is healed, because they obey an instruction? “Christians” in their “no it all knowledge” fail to receive their healing. Is it pride that prevents them doing so?

The children of Israel heeded the pagan [demon] god's of the indigenous people. Thus they proved that their hearts were not with God. The people did evil in the sight of the Lord. Angered, God used the nations to afflict Israel. Yet, each time they called out to Him, His heart filled with merciful love, God raised up deliverers (Judges 3:15), including Deborah, the prophetess. She instructed Barak to prepare for battle, but he refused to go unless she accompanied him. She did, and he lost the honour of the victory to a woman (or two). While there are those who deny the Lord, there are always those who willingly give themselves to the purposes of the Lord (Judges 5). The Lord helped and still helps the faithful have dominion over the mighty foe.

Christians heed the pagan “modern medicine men”. They ignore or reject the scriptures that indicate the possible presence of demons. Doing evil in the sight of the Lord, the Lord is angered and allows the demon spirits to afflict His people. REMEMBER, what was natural in the Old Testament is spiritual in the New Testament. The Old Testament saints wrestled against peoples. In the New Testament we wrestle not against flesh and blood - human beings - but against principalities, authorities, orderly forces of darkness in this present world and spiritual wickedness in high places.

Not all joined in the battle with Deborah and Barak. Those of the tribe Dan remained in trade with their ships. Asher's people took leisure, relaxing on the beaches in the sun? Reuben's crowd made great resolutions to help, but bogged down with their livestock, plans and details, let the opportunity slip by. Gilead probably complained that he had too far to travel. The tribes of Dan, Asher, Reuben and Gilead were too busy doing what was right in their own eyes. There were those who did nothing because of fear in their own eyes. Other people refused to help, even with supplies. All they gave came in the form of "taunts". They taunted those who were faithful.

Will you join in the battle? Or will you continue to attend your trade and transportation matters? Maybe, it’s a time of leisure you seek, as this millennium winds down to its closing moments. It’s possible you have offered to help, but find yourself bogged down in the everyday affairs of life. I hear it time and time again, “We’ll see you Ivan.” But the time comes, and they have proved themselves to be liars: People with no integrity. I know of Africans who walk 80 kms to a meeting, but the comfortable American will not drive 8 miles. Many Christians are far too fearful to engage the demons, in their gospel of convenience and resignation, they have come to deny the scripture truths. Then there are the Christians who don’t use the instruction for righteousness, and they fail to support the works of the gospel. They say they don’t believe in tithing, and that all they earn belongs to God. Yet, they never give as much as one percent. If they really believed that God provides, they would never be outdown by people under the “law” as they claim the givers to be. They would outgive by giving twenty, thirty and fifty percent. Yet, not even willing to give a tiny portion of their time or finances, they’ll taunt the faithful who do as being under law, failing to see that the givers are really under the instruction of righteousness that comes by mercy and grace.

The faithful and diligent to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord, jeopardised their very lives. Some even went into battle by foot (Judges 5:15). They wanted to be seen doing mighty exploits while in the army of the Captain of the hosts - God, our God of deliverance (Ps. 68:20). Those who went into battle knew the specific roles they were to play. They stood in the positions they were called to and they heeded their God-appointed leaders. (1 Chr. 12:33,38; Joel 2:7; Judges 7:21). Oh! That we would have deliverers rise up and stand for the Church of God and His Christ! Instead, we have people calling for its further fragmentation, believing they are doing God a service. There is no stand together, but belittling backbiting of one another. It’s the devil who wins with such behaviour.

Part 8

Will we continue to do what is right in our own eyes? Or will we acknowledge our need for a Redeemer? Are we going to continue to approach life from our own natural perspective, or will we place ourselves under the influence and control of the Holy Spirit? He will not speak of Himself, but of the Redeemer. He will enable us to realise what it is to be justified by Him through the merciful redemption. Being placed in right standing with God through the blood of Christ, we may enter the throne room of grace without a sense of condemnation. God, through His willingness to grant undeserved favour and forgiveness, has set us free from condemnation. The sinner who has had "a change of eyes"; a change of mind, enabling him or her to recognise the evil of his or her ways from God's perspective, will also realise that there is nothing he or she can do to personally rescue themselves from the deserved punishment. Depending on Christ's sacrifice of Himself and His perfect association with the Father, the sinner will cease from all wrong doing. Christ is our hope. He is the very assurance of eternal life. Cease being a sinner, and be the new creation God made us to be. The new creation is inspired, encouraged and empowered to do what is right in God’s eyes.

Where we have slipped up, Christ, our advocate pleas on our behalf. He pleas for eternal mercy. Not because of our goodness, but on the basis of His own. Having fully met God's righteous requirements, He is able to stand before God and vouch for our obedience and willingness to conform. He is only able to do this while we remain in Him. Christ does not plea with God on the grounds that the laws of God were too harsh and therefore unjust. Christ cannot plea for eternal mercy or justice by claiming that we were naturally drawn to sin, and therefore we could not help ourselves. This again would be implying that God set standards for us that were unrealistic; out of reach and therefore unattainable.

God's laws are perfect, restoring the soul. His testimonies are sure, making wise the simple. His precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. His commandments are pure, enlightening the eyes [of our understanding to do that which is right in His sight]. His judgements are true; altogether righteous.

If we think that we can approach God independently of Christ, we would be failing to recognise the consequences of our wrong doing. Our own wrong doing - even one error - has condemned us to eternal hell. We could not stand before God in ourselves and claim that we will never do wrong again, for the fact that we had done one wrong, brings our very testimony into question. The single error disqualifies us from vouching for ourselves. The fact that we are able to take another breath, is evidence that God has withheld His judgement in some way, and yet, ....He has not.

Christ, Who knew no sin was made to be sin. As "sin", He had to take the full implications of God's wrath and judgement upon Himself. Christ did what was right, and yet He died. He substituted His own life for our own, and yet the very idea of substitution is absurd. (The very idea of it is against reason and common sense). We still deserve to be punished for our sins. We still owe the debt for our sins. The substitution cannot remove the guilt of the sinner. As our Advocate, Christ only urges that He has borne our suffering to honour the law that we had dishonoured. He pleas with the Father for mercy on the grounds of His own perfection. He does not demand justice, for we are in a sense still guilty. He pleas at the mercy seat for us. He appeals to God's mercy; to His compassion and His willingness to pardon. Christ points to His death on the cross, His anguish at being separated from the Father, and His very confinement, anguish and torment in the lower parts of the earth - the very regions of Sheol/Hades (Eph. 4:9; Ps. 16:10 Ps 86:13; Acts 2:27,31). Christ points to His suffering, not to demand our release, but as an appeal that our release is on the grounds of His own example of fulfilling and sustaining the authority of the Law. Christ in affect is showing the Father that He has full regard for His Father's righteous character, and the absolute righteousness of His laws. Christ becomes and stands as our surety. He undertakes for us by becoming our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. He points to His own willingness and ability to restore us to obedience - by leading us on the paths of righteousness (Ps. 23). Hence we come to understand the question of Paul and his immediate indignant answer: "Shall we continue to sin? God Forbid!"

Fully dependent on Christ, heeding the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit, and empowered by Him, we will exercise our dominion over sin. Under the influence and control of the Holy Spirit, we will fulfil the laws, the testimonies, the precepts and the commandments of God, not through any form of compulsion, but through our willingness that stems from the very love of God shed abroad in our hearts. God takes note of what His Son has done, and utterly convinced of His righteous character, He casts our sins into the sea of forgetfulness. He chooses to remember them no more. God grants us mercy and grace on the basis of Christ having done what was right in eyes.

Part 9

Come to God in Christ, and be found to do what is right in the eyes of God, our Father. How can we possibly neglect so great a salvation?

Through Christ, God has rescued us from “Egypt”, the bondage of sin and Satan, the “Pharaoh” of the world and its ways. Through Christ we pass through the “wilderness” to conquer the mind of man with the mind of Christ, that we might be prepared to be taken to our “promised land” - the New Heart. Through Christ we then enter the promised land - the New Life, triumphing over the inhabitants of iniquity still found within our hearts.

What are we doing in the promised land?

We are to disregard what is merely right in our own eyes. We are to acknowledge that we have a great King ruling and reigning over us. He is also our Great Warrior who equips us with the very armour of God, enabling us to be more than conquerors. Equipped by Him, we need not be deceived by any lying spirit. We can forcefully expel every being raised up against the purposes of God. And remember our fight is not against flesh and blood. We do not wrestle human beings. We defeat the principalities, the authorities and the orderly forces of this present darkness, and the spiritual wickedness in high places.

It is God Who is working at putting the enemy under our feet (Rom 16:20).

In Christ we have our triumph. He is our victory. With this knowledge we have the courage to fight the good fight of faith.

Have we been deceived into doing things in the way that seems to be right in our own eyes, and therefore we cannot believe in the Lord our God? If we are being deceived, when and how did it occur? As long as we are not consulting God, and merely depending on men, the chances of ourselves being deceived is very great.

In some sense we have a greater difficulty than what Joshua had, to recognise our enemy. Is there a lesson to be heeded by us from the story of how Joshua was lead to make an agreement with those, who in his own eyes, appeared to be weary travellers?

Yes! We should be warned, now more than ever, to hear the voice of God above the voices of men, inspired by demons. It’s time we acknowledged the Holy Spirit inspired scriptures which indicate that the Old Testament writings were a type, a pattern and a shadow of what we as New Testament saints will experience: In some sense the Old Testament is a prophecy or a series of prophecies for the New Testament Church. Remember though, the Old Testament was “natural” whereas we face the “spiritual”.

We really need the gifts of the Holy Spirit, now more than ever. No man without them, can hope to do battle. Joshua, doing what was right in his own eyes, did evil in the sight of the Lord! When building our lives or our churches, in whose eyes are we doing what is right? God's or our own? I would hope that it would be God’s.

Christ within us protects us from the deceptive voice of the serpent that Eve and Adam fell for. Unlike them, we ought to choose the tree of life that is in Christ Jesus.

By Christ within, refuse to be like Cain, and therefore refrain from developing your own religious ideas of how to approach God. Heeding God’s ways, you’ll be free from the jealousy that promotes the desire to kill your brothers.

Christ within you, equips you to throw off the defying spirit of Nimrod, the Babylonian empire builder. Remember, it’s not merely the Roman Catholic system or the “Institutionalised Church” that is Babylonian - it is all those who have the blood of the saints on their hands. And to cause one sorrow, is as murder. On the subject of “Babel”. By Christ within, know and accept the will of God. Then you’ll find our communication is understood. Christians within the different denominations will hear one another; they’ll hear the movements; all will hear and be heard by the “called-outs”.

In Christ, we will be this generations “Abraham” from which will come a particular nation that God chose to be His own representative people; this generations Moses who leads a people out of bondage; this generations Joshua, leading people into the promises of God.

In Christ we are strong, becoming stronger. AND because we are in Christ, rather than heeding the instruction of the Lord less, we can heed His instruction more, becoming even more dependent on God to do what is right in His own eyes. Heeding God’s instruction in Christ, we determinedly drive the evil iniquitous inhabitants from the “land” of our hearts. In Christ we defeat the principalities, powers, “might” and dominions, orderly forces of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places. We defeat the evil spirits.

In the Lord Jesus Christ, we call forth God's ways and mighty workings understanding they inspire us to continue serving Him.

The generation that does experience the power of God is the generation that does what is right in the eyes of the Lord.

In Christ We Have our King.

With Christ as our King, we are not threatened by a submission to one another. We are triumphant. We embrace submission to the Lord Jesus Christ within one another and are thereby enriched.

A BLESSING FROM PSALM 99

The Lord:-

a)reigns as a mighty king.

b)is above the cherubim.

c)is great in Zion - the holy hill of His people.

d)is high above all people

e)has a great awesome name for it is holy.

f)establishes or sets up a king who loves righteousness in uprightness.

g)is holy

h)answers prayers; those who call upon Him.

I)speaks to His people.

j)gives His testimonies; reveals the things He does, and His ordinances, statutes and His heavenly customs.

k)forgives us of our (confessed) sins.

l)is to be exalted and worshipped.

We, His People:-

a)tremble in awe before Him.

b)regard Him as the highest.

c)praise His great awe inspiring name.

d)love His righteousness.

e)exalt - lift Him up - as the Lord our God.

f)call upon His name.

g)keep His testimonies and ordinances.

h)exalt the Lord our God as we worship Him.

I)are to be holy in Him.

A SHEPHERDS HEART

(1 Samuel 12:23)

God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to:-

a)pray for you.

b)teach you the good and right way.

c)encourage you to have a reverent fear for the Lord.

d)motivate you into serving Him in truth and with all your heart.

e)help you to consider the great things which He has done.

The New Testament Church

BECOMING A CHRISTIAN I

Without going into all the details of what a Christian is not, I want to show you three profound yet simple principle issues to be covered into you becoming a Christian in the New Testament Church:

♦What is a Christian or Christianity?

♦How to become a Christian?

♦ As Simple as opening your mouth

Becoming a Christian is so simple. Many people have failed to receive it, believing that it has to be far more complicated. The thinking is, “Nothing so wonderful could come so easy.”

So wonderful, the life is changed. Imagine something as amazing as beginning a brand new life. Well! That is exactly what it means to become a Christian.

Then something that really stuns most people who come to find this new treasured life is the fact that this life is available to anyone who will really believe.

You could hardly do so without desiring the new life and then without wanting to do something about it immediately. After all there are not too many people who can say no to a free gift. Here is the best gift available to anyone who will just take the time.

What is a Christian or Christianity?

Becoming a Christian does not mean that you become a religious fanatic. You cannot become a Christian by merely going to church, walking forward and saying that you need to stop lying, cheating, doing drugs or sleeping around.

The term "Christian" was used to describe the disciples who regularly gathered in a place called Antioch, the capital of Syria. The name "Christian" means "Christ like". (Acts 11:26). It is a name that best describes the followers of Christ. When Paul responded to King Agrippa who stated that he was almost persuaded to become a Christian, he declared his desire for all to become as he was. Paul as a Christian before King Agrippa hinted that all could become Christians by heeding what they heard him say. (Acts 26:28-29).

Christianity is not a dry, dead and formal regard for outward religious rites and rituals. (Heb. 9:1-28; 1 Pet. 3:3-4; Rom. 2:28-29; Rom. 11:9). It is an outward expression of an inward conviction. Christianity is a life with God, living in love, light and liberty; full of joy, and peace and goodness. (John 3:16; Rom. 5:1-11; Rom. 14:17).

Christianity is not a religion that has no power to deliver people from wrongdoing, sickness and poverty. Christianity is enjoying life of power with God our Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. God has our best interests at heart. God wants us to be free from the pain of sin, sickness and poverty. (Rom. 8:1-4).

How to become a Christian?

Jesus Christ, the Son of the Most High God, taught His disciples many things about God and a life with Him. He gave certain principles when He taught the disciples.

Matt 5:3-10

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Now many people have misunderstood what Jesus was saying and have set out to make themselves poor, trying to appear to be very sad and sorry for themselves, attempting to be meek and weak pushovers; to do good or to be peace makers. Yet doing all these things, they have failed to become Christians.

To be poor in spirit, simply means to recognize your great need of God. We are to recognize God, His holiness, righteousness and goodness and His just demands for us to abstain from sin to live good, holy lives ourselves. We also recognize our own inability to stop doing wrong and start doing good. We should also understand that because God's standards are so high and our own weakness and evil is so great, we need someone to help us. Recognizing that we need to do good, and yet failing to do so, is to sin. (James 4:17).

Who can help us? Looking at others, we see people just as weak and evil as ourselves, and the Bible confirms this by saying:

Romans 3:23 All have sinned or done wrong and fallen short of the glory of God.

Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death.

We all, all of humanity, falls short of the high standards of God. We cannot help ourselves. Other people cannot help us. And, because we fail to live up to God's standards of goodness, we all deserve to be punished. We all deserve to die and be imprisoned in torment, apart from God in Heaven; apart from God for ever and ever.

When a man called Peter, a disciple or follower of Jesus, preached to the people telling them of their wrong, (Acts 2:23), the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (Acts 2:23-36), they recognized their guilt and cried out, "What shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). Peter responded that they were to "repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. To receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and save themselves from the corruption [ of the world]." (Acts 2:38-40).

Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received His word and accepted His message were baptized."

To another group Peter said, "Repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out." (Acts 3:19).

When God raised up His servant, Jesus, He sent Him to bless us by turning us from our wicked ways. Recognizing sin for what it really is and through a change of mind and attitude towards Jesus; receiving Him as the true Son and servant of God who came to die for you; suffering the punishment you deserved, is to repent and believe. Repentance is to have a change of mind.

This change of mind causes you to reject your own way of thinking about yourself, sin and God, and to accept what God says about yourself, sin and Himself.

Jesus said, "Whosoever shall confess or acknowledge Me before men, him will I confess also before the Father Who is in Heaven(Matt. 10:32). "We are usually motivated to acknowledge Jesus after hearing the gospel, the goodness of what He did for us. We have to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ preached to us.

When the Word of God, the message from God about what Jesus did for us is preached, we receive faith to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord. We also receive the ability to believe in our hearts that God really did raise Him from the dead. At the very time we believe and acknowledge Jesus as our Lord, is the very moment that we are saved and justified. With our mouths we acknowledge our trust in Jesus, which confirms our salvation. We acknowledge what we believe in our hearts; what we are depending on in our hearts. We are depending upon the fact that Jesus Christ, who knew no sin, was made to be sin. He took our sin upon Himself. He was punished in our place. Yet, because Jesus Himself had never sinned, His righteousness, or absolute obedience to the Father, and His goodness before Him far outweighed our own sin. God raised Jesus up from the dead. Believing Him, depending upon this, we are justified. The Father accepts me "just-as-if-I-had" never sinned. He accepts me as His child. (Rom. 10:3-13; II Cor. 5:21). I am born-again as a new creature with a new kind of life. I'm given the power to become a child of God, by being born-again of the incorruptible seed of God, I become a Christian - a little Christ or a Christ-like one. Or to be even more literal, to be a little anointed one. (II Cor. 5:17; John 1:12; 1 Pet. 1:17-23).

As Christians we become foreigners to the earth. Confessing that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth and desiring a better country, that is, a heavenly country, we acknowledge that God has prepared a city for us. (Heb 11:13-16).

As foreigners to the earth because we are citizens of a heavenly country, we live according the customs of the this new country. That is a long, interesting and challenging journey that takes place during of all of our lives here on earth.

Conclusion

Hear the gospel, the Good News of all Jesus has done for you. Acknowledge that you have done wrong and are too poor (weak and evil) to change yourself. Acknowledge that Jesus has the power to save you, and forgive you of your sins, take away your old life, and give you a new life in Him as a Christian. Accept that you are a child of God and walk the road that God has prepared for you.

The New Testament Church

BECOMING A CHRISTIAN II

In this section I would want us to look at the process of becoming a Christian and then the process of remaining a Christian. To be saved is as easy as opening your mouth and calling upon the Lord Jesus Christ. However, to remain saved, we not only need to have the initial belief that enables us to call upon the Lord, but we have to believe in order to repent, and to believe to be baptized. AND when I mention the necessity of being baptized, I do not want you to be fooled into thinking that I speak merely of water baptism. There is a baptism that is far more important. Calling upon the Lord Jesus Christ, is the process that enables the Lord Jesus Christ to take us into His mouth to eat and then swallow us, just as in another sense we have to place the Lord Jesus Christ into our own mouths to eat and therefore, to swallow Him. The process of being baptized is the continuation of this eating process. It incorporates the digestive process. Of course, I speak figuratively and spiritually of being baptized into the body of Christ.

The New Testament Church

The Christian Kind of Life

When we consider the New Testament Church, there are four principle issues that help you understand your New Life in Christ.

♦ God sent His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ to save us from our sin.

♦ Life in Christ is full, exciting and meaningful. It is abundant.

♦ Natural People are usually content with a natural powerless life.

♦ Believing in Christ Jesus opens a whole new dynamic lifestyle to you.

God Sent His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

God sent His Son Jesus Christ to save us from our sins because He loved us. Jesus came to save us from the certainty of eternal condemnation and eternal death or eternal separation from God. Without Jesus Christ, we could never know the love of God. Without Jesus Christ we could never know the eternal and everlasting life. This eternal life, available to every one of us who will believe, is the very God kind of life. It is described as an abundant life. God's abundant life is given to all those who believe and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who trust in Jesus are Christians.

One of the most quoted scriptures is John 3:16. Let us take a look at it with a few additional verses.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

3:18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

The Abundant Kind of Life

The Christian life ought not be a boring adherence to repetitive, religious and meaningless rituals. The Christian life is an abundant life; it is full of exciting, powerful and meaningful events, enriched through a marvellous relationship between God, our Father, and we ourselves, His family. This relationship is made real through our Lord Jesus Christ and the precious Holy Spirit. We become members of God's family by believing and trusting in Jesus. Hearing the message about Jesus and accepting it, is allowing God to plant the seed of His Word into our hearts. The seed, which is His Word we allow to come into us, brings forth a new kind of life. It is by the power of His life that is within this seed that we become born again. (John 3:3-8; John 1:18; Rom. 10:3-13; Eph. 2:8-10)

1 Pet. 1:23 Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the Word of God which lives and abides forever.

25 . . . this Word . . . by the gospel was preached to you . . .

1 Pet. 2:1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all guile, hypocrisy, envy and all evil speaking

2 as new born babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

The seed of God's word does not pine or waste away. It does not shrivel up, wither or decay. It is incorruptible and immortal. God’s word exists forever and ever. Within this seed of God's word is the power to give us an incorruptible and immortal life. This immortal life is in Christ.

John 1:4 In Him (Christ) was life, and the life was the light of men.

The life a Christian lives, is a life that is in and of Christ. It is eternal. It knows no end. It exists forever. Jesus said of Himself, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6); and I have come that you might have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10).

The Natural Powerless Life.

Four Greek words are translated as life, a manner of life, a confused behaviour or abundant life:

1. Psuche - the natural human life.

2. Bios - the manner of life or custom.

3. Anostrophe - a confused behaviour.

4. Zoe - the God kind of life; the abundant, eternal life.

"Psuche", refers to the natural human life which comes to an end. As we look upon old people, we see that they are gradually shrivelling up. Their skin wrinkles, showing that they are little by little withering away. They are slowly perishing until one day the body gives up the struggle completely and they die. Most people hate the thought of aging. Many others hate to admit that although they have this natural human life, they are actually without any hope of eternal life with God.

On one of my missions in Zimbabwe, I noticed that one tree near a watering point for the community had fallen over. I was surprised to see it down. On a previous visit, I had noticed this tree standing, tall and majestic above the shrubs. Walking toward the tree, as if directed by an unseen hand, I was caught up into thinking how short life is. However, my eye was drawn toward the centre of the tree, and it was like I heard God speaking to me within. "Ivan, this tree stood here for more than thirty years without people realizing that it was dead at its centre. All people judged it by its outward appearance "living and healthy". Yet, it was because it had no life within, that it came to fall to its destruction. As with this tree, so are many people in the world.

Too many people . . . far too many people are merely content with the natural human life, which must end. They do not have the eternal life of God within, so while they look healthy and alive, they are actually the 'walking dead'. The weight of their own sin slays them. (Eph. 2:1)

Believing In Christ.

Without believing in Jesus, these people will die and always be apart from God, suffering eternal punishment in utter torment. Yet, all they needed to do, was to hear and then believe and accept the new life that is in Christ Jesus.

John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.

11 He came to His own and they did not receive Him.

12 But to as many that did receive Him, He gave the authority to become the children of God, . . .

2Cor 5:18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ.

2 Cor 4:16 . . . though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

The old natural life is gradually passing away that the new life that is in Christ might come forth in its fullness. We have the right or authority to have God's eternal life because we have become His children through faith or trust in Jesus Christ.

Eph 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins

2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.

3 Among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

4 But God, Who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).

Just through believing in Jesus, you have everlasting life. (John 6:47) This eternal life has within it the power of God that enables you to not only receive the very nature and glory of God's goodness, but it also enables you to put aside the evil and lustful ways of the wicked in the world. You will notice this change within you by no longer enjoying the evil you do, and the new desire working in you to do good. You desire to do away with your old habits and learn new ones. The very nature of your heart changes. As a new creature in Christ, you no longer willingly surrender yourself to illicit sex, drink and drugs. You don't stop these things to become a Christian, but you stop them because you are a Christian with a new life in Christ. Because of Christ in you, you no longer take any pleasure in resentment, bitterness and hatred. You turn away from lawlessness, unbelief and murder. All wayward rebellion becomes something you avoid like the plague. Again, not because you are trying to become a Christian, but because you have already become one; you recognize the life of Christ working in you.

The new life of Christ in you enables you to rise above the ways of laziness, to put aside criminal offenses of a jail bird, (even if you had never been to jail), and to do away with all racial antagonism. You recognize that Christ died for all others, just as He had died for you. The same love that God has for people in the world, is the same love within you. Allow the new life in Christ to help you become all that God intended you to be: A true child of God living by the words of Jesus.

By the Holy Spirit of God we have Life. God has given us eternal life, and this eternal life is in His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. If we possess the Son, we have the life of God. By believing or depending upon Jesus Christ we are assured that we have an eternal new kind of life. Through the new kind of life we are made new kind of beings that are able to do God’s will. (Jn 6:63; 1Jn 5:11-13; 1Cor 5:17).

New Testament Church

Why Christians Go to Church

Through the centuries, the word “church” has conjured up a great deal of misunderstanding in the minds of most people. This misunderstanding has often caused a terrible misappropriation of funds, dictatorial-domineering practices, and a negative passivity that has almost worked against the growth of the true church or the maturity of the Christian. The term “church” does not define a building erected by human hands with materials like brick, stone, concrete, glass or some other material from the earth. It is not a man made building to house a group of people for a few meetings a week. To continue in this short teaching, I would like to use the word “Church” (capital C) to refer to that perfect structure that is of God and of Christ with the term “church” (small c) to refer to that which is visible, man made and imperfect. Right from the beginning let us understand that within the visible, man made or ordered “church” there might well be those who are brought together to be the true Church, which is of God. Again, before we begin to look into the scriptures to come to some conclusion as to what the Church is, I would like to share a little testimony with you of how I came to even be able to write a lot of what I have done here today.

My Request to Know the True Church.

One evening, about 5 years after I had asked the Lord Jesus Christ to come into my life, I sat upon the edge of my bed and said, “OK God, I acknowledge that You exist and that You are real. However, I do not know You and I do not know how to get to know You. There are also many hundreds of religions within the world and thousands of different churches, how am I to know the true Church? How do I get to know You as the true God? I ask You to reveal Yourself to me. I ask You with some limited understanding that if You are God You must have the means to reveal to me Who You are. You must know how to lead me to the True Church.”

While still on my bed waiting upon God, there was a knock on the front door of my home. Getting up to answer the knock, I discovered two young men, whom I instantly recognized to be Mormons or members of the “Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints” church. I had some dealings with them a couple of years earlier, in that I was interested in what they had to say, yet something amazing happened within me... I heard something within me, in a way I am unable to describe, except there was an amazing peace within my heart with what I heard. “These are not the right ones”. I knew immediately and instinctively that I had heard from God. Sixteen years earlier I had a strong impression that God was watching me, and then I had asked Him what He wanted to say to me, but went off disgusted and waving Him off with the back of may hand and saying, “Ah, I probably will not be able to hear You any way”. However, here I was, and I had heard something within me.

It is all very well being told who are not the right ones, that was not my question. I wanted to know the True God and the True Church. Now after 15 years of ministry, 12 of them in full time preparation and ministry (we are always being prepared, and the moment you think you have arrived, you have just Backslider), I look back and recognize that most of my preaching and teaching centres around God and knowing Him, and upon establishing a New Testament Church. My favourite message, in fact is entitled, Our God and Father. If I would choose a single concept of what keeps me serving God, it is the fact that He took the initiative to draw me to Himself. He did so even while I walked or lived as though He was my enemy, and I was certainly going all out to be an enemy to Him. However, these have there own stories.

Within the same week that I had asked God to reveal Himself, I was asked to go to a church. It was a Full Gospel Church of God in South Africa, affiliated to the Church of God in America. Also within the same week I was given a Bible through which I began an endless, sometimes trying and frustrating, but a prayerful and fruitful journey through it. Within the first seven weeks of receiving the Bible I read right through it. Not so great when one considers that you can read through it in just 78 hours, but a great feat when considering that not only did I read it while maintaining my position in a computer company as a senior field engineer, helped my brother run a health studio we owned, attended every meeting in our church, including the early morning prayer meetings and the New Believer instruction classes. Add to all this my own private studies that I was making of the Bible. One of the very first studies I made was on ..., ... The Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation. I did not understand why then, but do realize a little more now.

What is the Church?

The English word “church” is translated from the Greek word “ekklessia” which refers to the “called out ones”. The Greeks used the word to generally refer to any association of people. “Ekklessia” was used of an assembly of citizens who were summoned by a crier to appear before a council. (Acts 19:32, 39, 41). The “called out ones” can be those who have been summoned by man, which then would make it the “church of man”, or they can be those who have been summoned by God, and hence, be referred to as the “Church of God”. In the Greek translation of the Old Testament, it was used in the place of the Hebrew word “kahal” which means “to call”. Turning to the Old Testament to understand the definition is extremely valuable for it is God who inspired the Old Testament writers to record details of what His people were to be. The word “kahal” was used of Israel to define them as those who were “called out from the nations” (Gen 12:3); of a council called out from each tribe (Gen 49:6); of local assemblies of Israel called out to worship God (Dt 18:16; 31:30; Josh 8:35; Judg 21:8); and of any congregation of worshippers of the true God . (Ps 22:22-25).

Hence, “church” is not just a building in which Christians gather apart from the world. The Church is the body of true believers who gather, assemble or congregate in a building, in an open field, upon a mountain, under a tree, or as Jesus said, “Where ever two or three have gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of you”. Whether the building has specifically been built to house the body of believers or not, such as a families house in which the believers meet, does not make the man made structure the Church. Rather than great amounts of finances and time being spent upon the physical building that houses the people, these should be spent upon the people who make up the Church. The physical building is something that is temporal; something that will decay, crumble or ultimately be consumed in the end time fires of judgment upon the earth. Whereas, the true believers who constitute or make up the Church will dwell for ever. It would be therefore far wiser to invest time, money and effort in that which has eternal value rather in that which is guaranteed to perish someday.

I am not saying that buildings should not be erected to house the gathering of God’s people. Most certainly the building of great shrines that end up as empty tombs except for the tourists who come to see them, is indeed, in eternal terms, fruitless. Expensive buildings erected to house a group of people for once, two or three times a week, may be a great misappropriation of funds. On the other hand, it is reasoned, if it is the earthly dwelling that will initially attract a person to come to a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, then it is most certainly worth it. It is my firm belief that not all the silver, gold and diamonds in the world can buy the eternal life of a single human being, not even if he or she was the poorest of beggars. It took the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ to redeem or pay for the eternal souls. (1Pt 1:18-19).

The Church then can be defined as any gathering of people who are the “called out ones of God”; God’s elect. It is an assembly of Christians gathered to praise, worship and adore God. (Acts 7:38; 1Cor 11:18; 14:4-5,12,19,23,28,35; Heb 2:12). While it can be a representative group or individuals from many different local churches who meet (Acts 15:22), it also describes a local company of Christians who regularly meet for services and to transact necessary activities for the proper functioning of the local work to reach a community for Jesus Christ. (Mt 18:17; Acts 2:47; 5:11; 8:1-3, 11-22, 26; 12:1, 5; 13:1; 14:23 27; 15:3-4; 18:22; 20:17,28; Rom 16:1, 5, 23; 1Cor 1:2; 4:17; 6:4; 11:18, 22; 14:4-5, 12, 19, 23, 28, 35; 16:19; 2Cor 1:1; Php 4:15; Col 4:15-16; 1Thes 1:1; 2Thes 1:1; 1Ti 3:5; 5:16; Phil 2; Jam 5:14; 1Pt 5:13; 3Jn 6-10; Rev 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14).

The Church or Churches can be referred to as being of God or of Christ in the sense that God is the Church’s true originator. (Acts 20:28; 1Cor 1:2; 10:32; 11:22; 15:9; 2Cor 1:1; Gal 1:13; 1Ti 3:35). Christ is the Foundation, the Chief Corner Stone, the Builder and the Head of the Church. He is the Foundation, in the sense that the Church is built upon Him. He is the main support of the Church. Christ has also made His apostles and prophets to be part of the foundation, and then the Christians are built into the structure that makes up the Church. He is the Chief Corner Stone, in that He is precisionally placed down and the very pattern of, we, the living stones that make up the temple of God. He is the Builder of the Church in that He places each and every Christian into his or her place in the building, which is His body, the Church, the temple of God. He is the Head in that He is the ruler of the Church. Christ is the ruler of the Church and as such He is Chief Shepherd, the Good Shepherd and the Great Shepherd of its people. He is the Christians Shepherd in that He tends to our needs, guards, guides and grants us gifts for our own well being. (1Cor 3:11; 12:28; Eph 2:20-28; Mt 16:18; 23:8-10; Jn 13:13; 15:1-8; Acts 2:33,36; Rom 8:29; 9;5; 1Cor 12:5; Eph 1:10,22-23; 4:15; 5:23-32; Col 1:13, 18, 24; 3:11; Heb 3:3,6; Rev 1:13;20; 2:1,12; Ps 23:1; Jn 10:2-18; Heb 13:20; 1Pt 2:25; 5:4).

The Church is or the Churches are understood to be universal in the statements, “My Church (Mt 16:18); The Church (Mt 18:17; Acts 2:47; 5:11; 8:1-5; 12:1-5; Eph 1:22; 5:23-32; Col 1:18, 24); The Churches of God or of Christ (1Cor 11:16; 1Thes 2:14; 2Thes 1:4; Rom 16:16); The Churches of the Gentiles or of the saints (Rom 16:4; 1Cor 14:33); The Church of the first-born (Heb 12:23).

Within the scriptures we see evidence of the Churches being regional in the statements The Churches of Galatia, Asia, Macedonia, Laodiceans or Judea (1Cor 16:1; Gal 1:2; 1Cor 16:19; 2Cor 2:8; Gal 1:22; Col 2:22; Rev 1:4, 11, 20).

Churches are local in the fact they are referred to as being within a town or house, The Church of the Thessolonians, of Ephesians or Ephesus, or the Churches in their house or her house (1Thes 1:1; 2Thes 1:1; Rev 2:1; 2:8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14; Col 4:16; 1Cor 16:19; Phm 2; 1Pt 5:14).

The Church is the body of Christ (1Cor 10:16; 12:27; Eph 12) and is made up of the members of the Christ (1Cor 6:15; Eph 5:30). Christians within the body can be known as ambassadors for Christ (2Cor 5:20), and as members of the Church of the living God (1Ti 3:15), the household of faith (Gal 6:10) or the family of God (Eph 3:15). There is no difference between the Church and the body of Christ - The Church, which is His body (Eph 1:22-23); He is the Head of the body, the Church (Col 1:18); His body’s sake, which is the Church (Col 1:24).

There is only one true Church, made up of many churches around the world, but there are also many false churches in which Jesus Christ may or may not be acknowledged. Jesus said to Peter, “I will build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Mt 16:18). The Church Jesus builds is what is referred to as “the body of Christ”. It is made up of those who are truly born again believers through the grace of God the faith of Christ and the faith of believer in salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. (1Cor 12:13; Eph 2:20-22; 4:13; Acts 15:13-18).

Church Membership.

The true Church, the body of Christ is made of born again believers. (1Cor 12:13; Eph 2:20-22; 4:13; Acts 15:13-18).

Christians, whether they be Jews, Greeks, male or female, bond or free are baptized, immersed or brought into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. No man or woman can baptize another person into the body of Christ, this is purely the work of the Holy Spirit. A servant of Jesus Christ, by the will of God may baptize another person into water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, but not into Jesus. Anyone claiming to be able to baptize into Jesus, is terribly mistaken. (1Cor 12:13).

Why Christians Go to Church.

Statements that spoke to my heart and corrected me when I found myself a little disillusioned by the church I was attending, were those made by king David. He said, “I will declare Your name to my brethren and will praise God in the midst of the congregation. (Ps 22:22, 25). I will give You thanks in the great congregation: I will praise You among many people. (Ps 35:18). I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation: I have not concealed Your loving-kindness and Your truth from the great congregation. (Ps 40:10). Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. (Ps 111:1). Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and His praise in the congregation of saints. (Ps 149:1).

Christians meet to pray together (Mt 6:11; Lk 11:3); to continue in one accord as they are taught, search and discuss the scriptures, preach Jesus, carry out duties to help one another and to encourage or exhort one another. (Acts 2:46; Mt 26:55; Lk 19:47; Acts 17:11; 19:9; 2Cor 11:28; Heb 3:13).

Regular meetings

The moment two or more people meet together around a given purpose, or even to establish a given purpose, they form an association. The moment they set out to accomplish their given purpose, they become an organization. No organization can function without the participants regular activity centered around the established purpose. Even if we prefer to refer to the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ as a living organism, there is still the need for order, structure and cooperative function. In fact there is nothing as organized, as structured or that functions quite like the human body. To function perfectly, it has to do so as a unit, each of the distinctive parts, cooperating at least with another distinctive part. Now for the different parts to function there has to be some kind of coordination. Coordination comes through organization. Organization requires regular communication. Communication is greatly dependent upon our willingness to fellowship or partake of one another. To partake of one another, we have to be willing to meet with one another, in one form or another. No group can accomplish anything, without regular willingness to meet with one another in agreement. As the body of Christ, we have to focus around and agree upon what He as the Head of the Church has determined for us. To hear what Jesus has determined for us, we have to be willing to meet with one another, accepting one another as members of the same body, group, association, organization or organism.

Jesus not only regularly gathered His disciples around Himself for verbal and demonstrative instruction, but also had them accompany Him upon His daily God given missions. Jesus summoned His disciples around Himself to instruct them before sending them out on specific missions. (Mt 10:1-7). He gathered them around Himself for reports after their missions. (Mk 6:30). He allowed the multitudes to gather around Himself, to teach them (Mt 13:2; Mk 4:1; 10:1; Lk 8:4; 11:29), to heal and deliver those who were bound (Mk 1:32-34), and to even feed those who had gathered around Himself (Jn 6:1-13).

After Christ had been crucified, the disciples met together. It was in one such meeting that the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to His apostles. In this meeting He revealed Himself as the resurrected Lord and opened their understanding. (Lk 24:33-52; Jn 20:19-26). We need the Lord Jesus to meet with us, to reveal Himself as the resurrected Lord. We need Him to open our understanding. He promises to meet with as little as two or three that will be gathered in His name. (Mt 18:20). This should be motivation enough to meet regularly with our brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus.

Obeying Christ’s instruction the apostles and disciples met together in an upper room and waited until the Holy Spirit fell upon them. Through their obedience and harmony with one another (being in one accord), the holy Spirit fell upon them and empowered them to be effective witnesses unto the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2).

Jesus went to the synagogue as was His custom

Now to answer, “Why Christians go to Church”, I think the greatest motivator is, the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let the scriptures say for themselves:

Luke 4:15-16

15 And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. (NKJ)

Going to the synagogues was not something Jesus started doing after He was empowered by the Holy Spirit during His baptism in the river Jordan. Through His life He was accustomed to going to the synagogues. As the disciples of Jesus, we are to follow His example. The term “synagogue” is equivalent to the Greek term “Ekklesia” which is in turn equivalent to our term “church”. Without getting into too much detail here, I feel that we as Christians should meet as the corporate temple of the Most High God, to praise, worship and adore Him. This would be fulfilled in our large Church gatherings, which we usually do on Sundays. Then, that which has become common practice, in many churches around the world, is to meet in the informal home fellowship meetings. The Home Cell groups are where the true “partaking of the Christ” within one another takes place. Sharing our experiences and allowing the gifts of the Spirit to flow, is what really brings forth the maturity within us that God so clearly desires. Then, something that is spoken of very little, and therefore not to widely accepted, would be the concept of fulfilling the “synagogue” type meeting. This is where the saints gather to be instructed: Where the actual teaching of the Word would take place. In some sense this is where the apostles began their evangelism for the beginning of the church, and now the need for the true servants of God has arisen, to go back to churches all around the world to preach the true Jesus. Why? Many churches have taken on the form of the religious synagogues. Locked in formalism or tradition, they are no longer in contact with the Head of the True Church, the Lord Jesus Christ. But, this is another matter.

Let us all come to that place of full surrender to the Lordship or the Headship of the Lord Jesus Christ, by acknowledging one another as members of His body. Surrender to the truth, “We as true born again believers or “dependers” upon the Lord Jesus Christ, belong to and are the Church of God and His Christ, our Lord Jesus Christ. God is more than capable of making Himself known to those who truly desire to know him as the True God. He is also more than willing to reveal the true Church to those who will ask Him. While in these days it is all too easy to set up churches of men, let us be determined to gather as the Church of God, waiting upon him for His instruction and manifested presence. He wants to meet with us. It is after all the meeting that He Himself has established for this purpose. He has called us to Himself. He supports us. He tends to our needs, guards, guides and grants us gifts for our own well being. Come gather with us. Be supported by Him. Receive His protection, guidance and gifts. Come live for Him through the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, the Great, the Good and the Chief Shepherd of God’s people.

LIFE IN THE MODERN CHURCH OF THE PEOPLE

LIFE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH OF GOD AND HIS CHRIST

PART I

AN INTRODUCTION

In the Book of Revelation, seven churches are addressed. In turning to Rev. 3:14-22 we see that the Church of Ephesus had lost its first love. Many messages have been preached on the first church Jesus Christ addressed - the church of Ephesus; the church that had lost its first love. We have heard that like the first church, many Christians have lost their first love. To some degree, we have all been guilty at some time or the other. Today, if we had to consider a more serious message which might be far more appropriate for our times, we would begin to look at the message for the last church: the Church of Laodicea; the Church of the Peoples Judgment; the Church of the people for the people. This church of the people operated by man made decisions; in all probability in a very democratic manner without any consideration for God's government.

This teaching will continue to serve as an introduction to the entire New Testament Church series.

READ: Rev. 3:14-22. Acts. 2:37-47

To illustrate how we can think we are helping God when determining the design for His Church, we might very well be hindering Him.

A church I was in, loaned an old car to an old man. Thinking he was helping us, he repainted the number plates. Number plates have a special reflective plate. He used an ordinary house hold paint, and his shaky hand made an absolute mess of the plates. If he was stooped by the law, it would have cost him a fine that he could not have paid. We’d have had to pay it.

Then there was a very helpful and considerate nine year old boy. At the beginning of winter this nine year old boy poured water from a kettle into his gold fish bowl to warm them up. After correcting him, he took ice-cubes and then proceeded to place them in the fish bowl.

What is the quickest way is to kill fish? - give them rapidly changing temperatures. In his absolute ignorance, this little boy was doing what he thought was best. His concern for his little fish was very misplaced. Through a lack of knowledge, he very nearly brought death.

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge:

Not every good intention is good.

Not wanting to be too harsh on their children, parents often allow them to continue as completely undisciplined, horrible little rebels.

A little bit of rod administered in love would go a long way to save a great deal of heartache in years to come. If your children will not or cannot obey you instantly on small matters, they will not obey you when it is absolutely imperative for them to do so.

Imagine telling your little boy not to walk in the road, and because he never listens to you anyway, he walks into the road when you are not around, or as many modern children are today, he stubbornly walks into the road before your eyes, but your reactions are a little too slow to save him from the speeding motor vehicle. Right before your eyes, you see your little boy smashed, broken and minced into the tar. When his life is snatched from him, it will be too late to say, "Oh my little dear, you should have listened to me".

Through a lack of knowledge we do things cost the ministry dearly. We bring about someone's death and destruction. All due to disobedience to God through not understanding His ways.

My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge. (Hosea 4:6-7).

Not every good intention is good.

God has given us His word, His laws, precepts, commands, statutes and principles.(Pr. 3:1-10). If we do not heed them, the consequence may not appear as rapidly as our little boy having his life snatched from him, nevertheless the reality of eternal punishment for failing to heed God's instructions is a lot more severe. His laws, or what ever you want to call them, are actually all for our protection. If we cannot obey God in the small matters as they are revealed in His word to us, we certainly will not obey Him in the bigger matters, especially those which might be for the benefit of eternity.

In my ministry today, I am very conscious that I do not know it all, and very aware that the flesh apposes the spirit. It is depending very much on the word, the Holy Spirit and the work of Christ in Me that I want to minister to you on facets of the New Testament Church. We are all Called to help perfect the saints that they may do the work of the ministry. Doing so we exhort and encourage, warn and break down and then restore and build.

Today, I have to minister to you in a very short time, realising that in myself, no matter how good my intentions may sound to be, I might be costing Jesus Christ a great deal of additional and unnecessary effort. On the other hand in Christ, we as His appointed servants have to deliver the very message He has given to us. His messages often have:-

I) to warn us of the consequences of disobedience, (Deut. 28)

ii) to exhort us not to take things into our hands, utilising our own understanding as we merely depend on doing what is right in our own eyes, (Pr. 3-4) and

iii) encourage us to depend on the work of Christ in us, and the teaching of the Holy Spirit as He opens to us God's word. The Holy Spirit may well use men and women who are given gifts by the Lord Jesus Christ for the perfecting of the saints. (Eph. 4:8-13).

I often hear, "I am a Christian, but I am also still human". Besides being a contradictory statement, it also reveals exactly how dangerous we are to the work of God. (2Cor. 5:17; Gal. 5:16-19). From the beginning of time, people have always forsaken the means and methods of God. Doing what was right in their own eyes, they did what was not right in the eyes of God. (Gen. 3-5; Judges).

Eve, our first mother, listened to bad words. She looked at what appeared good to eat, she desired and ate of the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. (Gen. 3:1-24)

Adam, our first father, passively stood by. He also looked, and seeing no apparent harmful death, disregarded God's word and listening to his wife's words, ate also. He died instantly in spirit, and 960 years later he died physically.

Cain, the first child of the first parents. He looked at the messy and bloody sacrifice offering, and feeling the horror of killing an innocent animal, decided to make an atoning offering according to what he imagined to be a far better method. He ended up killing his obedient brother, Abel, out of religious jealousy. (Gen. 4:1-16).

The Jews, in their promised land did what was good in their own eyes and went into idolatry.

You'll recall the great apostle and elder, Peter, how out of concern for Jesus Christ, rebuked the Master when He spoke of His own death. Jesus answering Peter said, "Get behind Me Satan; Get behind Me, My adversary, you have the mind of a man that does not perceive the things of God". (Mk. 8:31-33). What a terrible thing to hear the Lord Jesus Christ say to us.

If we were all really honest with ourselves, every single one of us would acknowledge that we are far worse than Eve, Adam, Cain, and a host of other Biblical characters like Judas Iscariot, the Pharisees and the Sadducees. We often conveniently think that it was Satan, the Jews and the Romans who crucified Jesus, when in truth, we crucified Him ourselves. We had every much to do with His crucifixion as those who physically nailed Him to the stake. Every act of disobedience targets His face with spittle, slashes the whip across His back, slams the crown of thorns into His head, places the nails in His hands and feet, and thrusts His side with the spear. Jesus permitted our doing all this to Him, so that He could save us.

Some would die for a friend. Others would never die for anyone. Still others would not give their sons. To my own horror, I'd send my son. Like Adam, Eve, Cain, Paul, I am a wretched man. My absolute necessity is to look to Jesus for deliverance. (Rom 7:25).

Recently, I attended a meeting, and the speaker said that he could not imagine giving his life to save another. Another man rose and said, that he might consider giving his life, but he could never bring himself to sacrifice his son. It was as I sat in this meeting I sat there in horror, for I realised, that I would certainly not give my life, and in every probability I would sacrifice my son, just to be safe and secure myself. In many areas of my life, I see the same disregard of God and His word, as the disobedient who are exposed in the scriptures.

Like Eve, there have been things that have looked good to me, I desired and partook.

Like Adam, I have blamed my failures on God and the woman He has given.

Like Cain, I have wanted to do things which I thought to be better, only to discover my intentions were unscriptural and therefore apposed to God.

I am no better. I could go on giving you a list of my absolute weaknesses. So I do not come to you today trying to prove my eloquence and superiority which I do not have. I have nothing outside of Jesus Christ to offer you but selfishness, pride, and religious jealousy.

I) When I consider who and what I am, I love myself. When I think of what I have done, I hate and despise my works. I am truly a wretched man. I deserve no good thing, and I sulk horribly when I don't get the good things.

ii) When I was first saved, I could not really appreciate what Jesus Christ saved me from. I was a walking expression of "self-righteousness". I thought I was a relatively clean living, peace loving individual. It took the years of being exposed to the light of God's word to realise my utter wickedness. Out of absolute necessity I look towards heaven and see Him Who is seated at the right hand of the Father, and I see My Deliverer. It is He Whom I depend upon to save me from myself. (Rom. 7:25).

If it were not for the crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, I would not be here today. My being here would also be in vain. (1Cor. 15:1-8). He is the reason I preach the gospel. I am not ashamed of preaching, Christ crucified, Christ buried and Christ resurrected. (Rom. 1:16). I preach the word of God, yet no I, but Christ in me. I have to preach all the word, and not just those parts that will make me a popular preacher. The Son of God given, had to empty Himself of all that was God, to become a child born. (Isa. 9:6; Phil. 2:5-11). He, very dependent on the Holy Spirit to teach and instruct Him in the way of the Father, had to live as a man. Completely obedient and therefore absolutely without sin, He only became sin as He took our sin upon Himself, which meant that He was crucified in our stead. (2Cor. 5:21). He had to be imprisoned for our own wrongdoing. (Isa 53:8; Ps 16:10; 86:13; Acts 13:35; 1Pt 3:19; Eph 4:8-10).

You ought not to be ashamed of the Gospel. Therein you are saved or you believe in vain. Christ died, was buried, imprisoned, and rose again. See Him in your lives, the self righteous will not. The lamb of God took away your sins. Led to the slaughter, He did not protest. He humbled Himself, and obeyed the Father. God highly exalted Him. He sits as a lion, crowned in glory. He was first willing to be a lamb. You are here today because of the crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the reason we ought to all preach the gospel. He had to be imprisoned for your own wrongdoing. (Isa. 53:8; Ps. 16:10; Ps. 86:13; Acts 13:35; 1Pet. 3:19; Eph. 4:8-10). Yet, so much of what takes place within the church today is due to our shame for the gospel, because we will not lay our lives down as lambs, but we demand our rights as kings.

Fortunately, death could not hold Him. His righteousness far exceeded all the sins of all the world. God, by the power of His Holy Spirit raised Him from the dead. Christ, the Lamb Who took away the sins of the world, was buried and imprisoned, only to be resurrected into glory, honour and splendour. (Rom. 4:24-25; Acts 2:22-32; 3:15-26; 4:10). Those who are His, imitate His example. They become as lambs, not demanding their own rights, they willingly lay their lives down. They permit themselves to be buried and imprisoned. Praise God, those who share in His suffering shall share in His glory also. Jesus resisted His own will to the point that He sweat as it were great drops of blood. His love for righteousness and hatred of evil compelled Him to obey His Father. (Rom. 8:17-18; 2Cor. 1:3-11; 4:8-18; Phil. 3:8-10, Lk. 22:44; Heb. 5:7-8; Heb. 1:9).

Imitating His example.

We should choose to become as lambs, not demanding own rights, we willingly lay their lives down for the brethren. We ought to permit our own desires to be buried and imprisoned. We should share in His suffering and in His glory also. We must love righteousness, hate evil and be compelled to obey the Father. (Rom. 8:17-18; 2Cor. 1:3-11; 4:8-18; Phil. 3:8-10, Lk. 22:44; Heb. 5:7-8; Heb. 1:9).

Now what of:

"LIFE IN THE MODERN CHURCH OF THE PEOPLE

LIFE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH OF GOD AND HIS CHRIST

In the book of Judges there is a reoccurring expression:-

They did what was right.

Sounds good. Except it sours when we realise what follows. To say it more completely then. "They did what was right in their own eyes. Still not too much of a problem. Except doing what was right in their own eyes, they did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord. This was the very problem with the church of Laodicea.

Life in the modern day church, like that in the book of Judges where there is a reoccurring expression they did what was right is filled with ordinary peoples opinions. We of the modern day church are as the Church in Laodocia. (Rev. 3:15-18).

The Church in Laodicea was a real church. It was 150km due East of Ephesus, and 75km South East of Philadelphia.

Jesus introduced Himself to them as:

I) the Amen - the Sure and Faithful One,

ii) the faithful - the Reliable and Trustworthy One and

iii) the true witness - He Who does not conceal His evidence, but Who opens and reveals His evidence,

iv) the beginning of creation - the One Who began the creation of all things.

Jesus really exists. We can rely upon Him. He has proved Himself to be trustworthy. He is not ashamed to call us His brethren. He presents the evidence before God that He has given Himself to die for us wicked sinners.

Other churches Jesus addressed, He was first able commend. However, Jesus cannot find anything in this church to commend. As hard as He tries to acknowledge their works, He realises that their efforts are half hearted and without real conviction or motivation. They want to be seen by God as a people who serve Him, but they also want to be very acceptable to the people in their community. The people in this church did what was right in their own eyes, only to be doing evil in His own eyes. They were like poison to His system.

Doing what was merely right in their own eyes, they were seen by Jesus to be doing evil in His own eyes. Not fully identifying themselves with Him, He found that they could not be part of Himself. Jesus had to spew them up. His system could not take them in. They were like "poison". So often we want Jesus in our life, when He really said that we have to be in His life.

The people in this church thought they were rich, having need of nothing. When in reality, as Jesus saw them, they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.

Jesus never brings us a hard word, without the encouragement to come to Him so that He can help us out of our dilemmas. "Come to Me. Come and buy of Me:-

I) Gold tried in the fire that you may be rich. The God-kind of life.

ii) White raiment that you may be clothed that the shame of your nakedness will not be exposed. Clothed in the righteousness of God.

iii) Eye-salve to anoint your eyes that you may see the real truth".

THE MODERN DAY CHURCH OF THE PEOPLE.

If in the modern church of the people, we will merely do what is right in our own eyes. We will merely depend upon our own understanding. Neglecting the Word, we'll inevitably end up doing what is evil in the eyes of the Lord. We might think that we are helping God; just as the old man who painted the number plates and just as the little boy trying to make it more comfortable for his little fish. We might think that we are being loving and gentle, just as the parents who through a lack of discipline ultimately see the mangled mess of their son. We might think like Cain that there is a better way of serving God, and because we want to make people happy, we will end up disregarding the Word of God. Disregarding the word of God for our own instruction, we will not be co-labourers with Jesus building a New Testament Church of God and His Christ, but we will be building another modern day church of the people.

Christians today feel they are called, not to serve, but to be served. Self- satisfied, they do not want the God-kind of life. Self-righteous, they have no need of the righteousness of God, and like the Jews of old, they go about establishing a righteousness of their own. (Matt. 9:12-13; Mk. 2:17; Lk. 5:31-32; Rom. 10:1-13).

They have lost their vision, the true image in which God created them. Tea, coffee, cake the comfortable seats, expensive equipment and elaborate buildings are important as "everyone is urged to get a cup... everyone is urged to come for dinner..." This to them, is the only way to get some people to come to fellowship.

The modern day church of the people do not like all this talk of Christ crucified. They cannot stand the thought of messy blood. Don't tell the proponents of this church that they need to share in the suffering of Christ and that it is therefore necessary for them to die; to be crucified. They certainly cannot stand the thought of blemishes or weaknesses in their own make up. They spend hours meditating to improve their self images. The converts of this church learn how to be positive and self-assertive and very self-confident; the very pictures of shear success. The leaders they choose for themselves have to fit this very mould. They demand to be what they want to be, and God help those who get in the way. They are called, not to serve, but to be served. To imagine themselves buried in a dirt filled hole is too horrible for them to contemplate. Their lives in Christ have to be absolutely perfectly comfortable. No place for suffering. No place for hardship. No necessity for enduring trials. Everything simply just has to fall in place.

The modern day Christian people hate all form of structure and order, and they believe that church is merely a spontaneous meeting.

They demand a modern day democratic hierarchy. Some are appointed to be "the first among equals". They issue authoritarian titles upon those who perform all the work of the ministry. The common laity must only labour in the "fields" to bring in the financial support. There are factions, sectarism, divisions and strife over doctrines or preferred leadership styles. Jesus has to stand at the door and knock.

Praising God, the teaching of the Word and discipline must be kept to a minimum.

Self-satisfied, they do not want the God-kind of life.

Self-righteous, they have no need of the righteousness of God, and like the Jews of old, they go about establishing a righteousness of their own. (Matt. 9:12-13; Mk. 2:17; Lk. 5:31-32; Rom. 10:1-13).

Self-acclaimed guides, they blindly stumble over the Chief Corner Stone which they rejected and are crushed and ground to powder by it. (Matt. 21:42-46; Ps. 118:22-23; Acts 4:11; Eph. 2:20; 1Pet. 2:7-9).

The following statements reveal what some still hope be the future church, which many refer to as the church of the people for the people.

In the modern day church of the people, tea, coffee and cake are important as "everyone is urged to get a cup... everyone is urged to come for dinner..." This to them, is the only way to get some people to come to fellowship.

In the modern day church of the people, a physical building is important. It must be an elaborate building that will attract the people in their thousands.

Then the church of the people takes on two different paths.

On the one path the people hate all form of structure and order, and they believe that church is merely a spontaneous meeting in which the Holy Spirit communicates through everyone present. There is no place for preparation or planning, and definitely no place for a program. There is no place for particular gifted people to lead, guide and teach as they depend on the Holy Spirit.

On the other path, the modern day church of the people has a modern day democratic hierarchy. Some are appointed to be "the first among equals". They, as the authoritarians, are to perform all the work of the ministry for they, and only they are the qualified holy priests. They and only they are the gifted. They do all the preparation, the planning and perform in all the programs. They determine who will pray, preach and present items of interest. In this church one is only recognised for his super ability. The more "airs" one has the better his or her position. The common laity must only labour in the "fields" to bring in the financial support.

In the matter of doctrine, we again see two paths that are taken by the church of the people.

On the one hand those in the church of the people will not fellowship with any other Christian who does not share their own understandings of the scripture. They are therefore like exclusive clubs. Any one who does not follow their own doctrines can have no part of them, for they, and only they drink of the cup of Jesus, while all others share in the cup of the devil. In this Pharisaical or legalistic church there is very little place for forbearance through love.

On the other hand, there are those in this modern church of the people who in their need for numbers will accept into their ranks any person and every person, even with his or her strange beliefs, and lack of Biblical adherence. They willing yoke themselves with unbelievers, and thus share in the cup of the devil. In this church of the New Age and false love, which cannot believe in the judgment side of God, there is no discipline, no correction and therefore liberty to do as one pleases.

In the modern day church of the people you can come and go as you please. Time means nothing, except woe upon the preacher who exceeds preaching for more than 20 - 40 minutes. If you come 10 - 20 minutes too late, just amble in. If you want to rush off somewhere, get up and go. After all you have only come to be seen, for it is very important in this church of the people that you be seen. Without your faithful attendance to every meeting being noticed by the pastor, you will never be called upon by the pastor to help. In this church, you can be asked to do something or volunteer your own services, and if you do not fulfil your commitment, that is alright, no-one really expected you to do it anyway. Thus, the peoples word has no value. You can all do just as you please. If you only want to fellowship with the saints once a month, that is also fine. If you flit around from one fellowship group to another, this is fine too. You are at least in fellowship.

In the modern day church of the people, Christ is not always welcome. He is seen outside of the Church, standing at the door, knocking. He is waiting to be invited in, even by any individual who might be in this church and who has an ear to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Churches. (Rev. 3:20-22).

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH OF GOD AND HIS CHRIST.

As true Christians, we ought do what is right in God's eyes. We depend His wisdom. We do not neglect the Word of God. We permit the Chief Corner stone to come upon us, and we conform to His image. We hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, and we heed the leading of the Holy Spirit as He helps us to understand the Word. The Holy Spirit reveals the Truth; the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit enables us to co-labour with God.

If in the New Testament Church of God and His Christ, we the people, will not do what is right in our own eyes. We will not depend upon our own understanding. We always do what is right in the eyes of the Lord. In Christ we do all things well. We exceed the standards of the world. Through knowledge we do things well. We apply discipline in a loving and gentle manner. Our children thus know that we say what we mean, and do as we say. The children thus instantly obey us, and they are trained to heed the voice of the Lord, and spared much agony later in life. We follow the example of Abel, who made the right sacrifice. We know that our salvation is through Christ and the forgiveness of our sins is through the blood He shed for us. We do not set about establishing a righteousness that is not of God. There is no better way of serving God than the way God has revealed through His word. We seek first the kingdom of God, for therein, we know, lies the true happiness for all people. We encourage them to heed the Word of God. Turning to the word of God for our own instruction, we will be co-labourers with Jesus building a New Testament Church of God and His Christ. (Pr. 3:1-12; 4:20-27; 24:3-5; Jos. 1:6-9; Jn. 10:1-18; 14:16-26 15:26-27; 16:7-15; 1Cor. 3:9; Mk. 16:20; 2Cor. 6:1; Phil. 4:13; Pr. 13:24; 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15, 17; 3:12; Duet. 8:5; Heb. 12:1-11; Gen 4:4; Phil. 3:7-10; Matt. 6:33; 2Tim. 3:16; Mat. 16:18).

We are sustained by doing the works of God:

- placing our trust in God's ability.

- praying without ceasing

- putting off the weight of sin.

- praising the Lord in the midst of the congregation.

- putting the devil on the run. (Heb. 12:1-11.).

We accept the Theocratic Hierarchy as we submit to the Headship of God, and Christ over all things, the church and over every man. We serve the Lord and His people, not as superior to them but as co-labourers with them.

We work together in the bond of peace, forbearing one another in love.

We acknowledge that we are saints; set apart or separated and consecrated.

We make the most of every opportunity to serve God to give our selves to hear and do His word.

If in the New Testament Church of God and His Christ, we the people, depend on Christ crucified. We have a very high regard for the blood He shed for us. Indeed we overcome the enemy by the blood of the lamb, and the word in our testimony. We endeavour to share in the suffering of Christ and we reckon ourselves to be dead to the law of sin and death working in our members. We know that to really live, it is necessary to die; to be crucified. We certainly cannot stand the thought of blemishes or weaknesses in our make up, for we want to be a holy people unto Him. Through faith in the work of Christ, we acknowledge that we have been sanctified; separated and consecrated - separated from sin and consecrated to service of God. We spend hours meditating on the Word, praying in the spirit to improve, not our self image, but the image that we have of our God. The converts of this church learn how to be positive, not in their own abilities, but in the strength, power, might, knowledge and wisdom of their God. There is no room for self-assertiveness and self-confidence. Our dependence is on our God. In Him is every good thing, all prosperity and abundance of life. The saints don't merely choose their own leaders, they wait upon and accept the appointments and the ordinations of the Lord. They know that man is given to select the tall, handsome looking "Saul's". God selects the men like David who was a man after His own heart. (Rom. 3:25; 5:9; 6:1-14; Gal. 2:16-20; Eph. 1:7; 2:13; Col. 1:14-20; 1Pet. 1:2; 19; Rev 1:5; 5:9; 7:14; 12:11; 2Tim. 2:15; Zech. 4:6; Eph. 3:16; 6:10; 2Cor. 10:4; Mk. 3:14; Jn. 15:16; Acts 14:23; 16:4; Rom. 1:1; 13:1; 1Cor. 1:1; 2Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:1,11-12; 1Sam. 9:2; 1Sam. 16:7).

God's leaders do not demand to be what they want to be. Laying down their own lives, they willingly become what God wants them to be. They do all they can to help others to know God in all His glory. Like their Master before them, they are called, not to be served, but to serve. To identify themselves with the death and burial of the Lord Jesus Christ, is one of their greatest privileges; an absolute honour to contemplate. Their lives in Christ have to be of absolute perfect obedience for they love righteousness and hate iniquity. (Heb 1:9). They rest in Him to lead them wherever He may want them. Even into the places of suffering, into hardship and if necessary into enduring trials, for they know, that no suffering can compare with the glory that is to follow which is in Christ. (Rom. 8:18). They know that everything simply just has to fall in place when God has His way, even though it may appear to be contrary. (Matt. 10:39; 16:25; 20:28; Mk. 8:35; 10:45; Lk. 9:24; 17:33; Jn. 10:10-17; 12:25; 13:37-38; 15:13; Rom. 16:3-4; 1Jn. 3:16; Rev. 12:11; Matt. 20:24-28; Lk. 22:24-30;

Unsatisfied with self, they want the God-kind of life.

Unrighteous in self, they have every need of the righteousness of God, and like the saints of old, they rest in the established righteousness of God through the faith of Christ.

Appointed and ordained by God, they help guide the people to the Chief Corner Stone which they had permitted to come upon them. (Matt. 21:42-44)

Very important to us is the body of Christ, each born again individual and each person whom Christ died for. Their well being in Christ comes long before an elaborate building, for it is not the elaborate building that attracts the people in their thousands, but the glory or the manifested presence of God. His presence in the believer is evidenced by their love for one another and their care of the weak, the poor, the widowed, orphaned and aged. (Mk. 14:58; Jn. 13:35; 2Cor. 4:18-5:1; Heb. 9:11).

In the New Testament Church of God and His Christ, our delight is not merely in tea, coffee and cake. "Everyone is rather urged to get into Christ... everyone is urged to partake of the word and the gifts of the Holy Spirit... every one is urged to pray and fast... everyone is urged to share the gospel" This, to them, is the only way to get some people to come to fellowship. (Ps. 18:30; 33:4-6; 56:4-10; 107:20; 119:11, 42, 50, 105, 140, 172; Lk. 19:46; Jn. 4:32-34; 5:24; Col. 3:16; 2Tim. 4:2; Tit. 1:9; 1Cor. 12:1-14:30; 1Thes. 5:17; Matt. 28:18-20).

In the New Testament Church of God and His Christ, it is not a physical building made with human hands that is important. What is very important is the body of Christ, each born again individual and each person whom Christ died for. Their well being in Christ comes long before an elaborate building, for it is not the elaborate building that attracts the people in their thousands, but the glory or the manifested presence of God. His presence in the believer is evidenced by their love for one another and their care of the weak, the poor, the widowed, orphaned and aged. (Mk. 14:58; Jn. 13:35; 2Cor. 4:18-5:1; Heb. 9:11).

In the New Testament Church of God and His Christ, the pattern, the structure and the order ordained of God is loved and appreciated. There is opportunity given for Holy Spirit inspired spontaneity for the which the Holy Spirit can and sometimes does communicate through everyone or anyone present. They acknowledge that there is place for preparation or planning, and thus place for a program. There is opportunity for particular gifted people to lead, guide and teach as they depend on the Holy Spirit. (Ex. 25:9, 40; Heb. 8:5; 9:23; 1Cor. 12; Lk. 14:28-33; 1Chr. 22:5; Pr. 16:1-9; Jn. 3:8; 16:13; 1Cor. 14:40; Col. 2:5).

In the New Testament Church of God and His Christ, the people acknowledge a Theocratic hierarchy. God is the Head of Christ, Christ is the Head of the Church, of every man, of all principalities and powers (authorities) and Head of all things, and a husband is the head of his wife. No man is the head of the Church. The members in the Church choose to submit to those who tend to them. None among the saints are appointed to be "the first among equals". None seek official titles. They are all equal. All are brethren (or sisters). All have the same rights and privileges in Christ. All who are in Christ are to perform all the work of the ministry for they are all holy priests unto their God. They are all gifted. They can all participate in the preparation, the planning and perform in all the programs. All may pray, preach and present items of interest, as they are led of the Holy Spirit to do so. They also understand that there are not to be too many teachers. In this church, one is recognised for Christ's super-ability in them. It's not "airs and graces" that makes way for their ministries, but the gifts and the callings of God as they are anointed of the Holy Spirit of God. Promotion is of the Lord. (1Cor. 11:3; Eph. 1:22; 4:15; 5:23; Col. 1:18; 2:10; Heb. 2:5-8; 13:17; 1Pet. 5:5; Eph. 5:21; Matt. 23:1-12; Jn. 13:4-20; Eph. 4:8-13; James. 3:1; Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6; Ps. 75:6).

In the matter of doctrine, we see in the New Testament Church of God and His Christ, that the people have the wisdom and the love of God. The people will welcome into their fellowship any other Christian, even those who do not share their own understandings of the scripture. The only way that they are exclusive, is that they are all born from above, of water, the Spirit, or the incorruptible seed, for only those who have received the Son are truly part of the family or household of God. Scripturally sound doctrines are appreciated, but not at the expense of the friendship of those in Christ. Those who are more mature do not offend the weak. (1Cor 1:30; Rom 5:5; Jn 3:3-12; 1Pt 1:23; Jn 1:12; Eph 2:19; 3:14-15; 1Cor 8:1-13).

In the New Testament Church of God, the people drink of the cup of the Lord Jesus; the cup of His obedience to the Father. They will not yoke themselves or be in any partnership with unbelievers, and thus share in the cup of the devil. They will not share in the cup of the devil; the cup of evil rebellion, lies, greed and murder. There is a forbearance through love, not for out right wickedness, but for those who genuinely want the way of God, who however might of stumbled into sin. Those who have fallen are encouraged to repent, not out of a superior attitude, but in a humble spirit, lest they fall themselves. There is a full appreciation that our God of love, is also a severe Judge Who punishes all wickedness. He is a God Who chastises or Who disciplines those whom He loves. There is discipline, correction and therefore liberty to do, not merely as one pleases, but to only do that which pleases God. (Matt. 20:22-23; 26:27, 39-42; Lk. 22:20; Jn. 18:11; 1Cor. 10:16-21; 11:25-28; Rev. 17:4; 18:6; Gal. 6:1-7).

In the New Testament Church of God, we the saints (those set apart) eagerly come to pray, praise and worship our God together. Time is important to us. We want to make the most of every opportunity to serve our Almighty, All-merciful and All-holy God. We come together to be seen of Him, not merely to find favour of Him but to show our love and appreciation for Him. We love to hear the word. We especially love to do the word. It is our bread of life. It is what washes and therefore cleans and refreshes us. It renews and revitalises us. We would never insult the State President by turning up late for an appointment, and therefore, because we choose to greatly honour our God, we show our deepest respect and reverence to Him by getting to the corporate meeting that He has with His people on time. We are faithful, committed and dedicated in our diligent service of God and His people. We do not offend, but we do all things to be at peace with all people as far as it is possible with us. Our faithfulness is not because we want to be noticed by the pastor, but because through our loyalty, members in the body can depend on us to be there when they might need help. They will know by our behaviour that we are a people of integrity. We say and do what we mean. (Neh. 13:1-3; Ps. 1:5; 22:22; 35:18; 107:31-32; 149:1; Jn. 9:4; Col. 1:10; 2Thes. 2:17; 2Tim. 4:5; Titus 3:1; Heb. 6:10; 13:21; Js. 1:22-23; 1Pet. 2:2; 1Jn. 3:18).

In the New Testament Church of God and His Christ, we welcome Jesus into His services, for we recognise that we are not our own. We have been bought with a price; His precious blood. He is the Head of His Church, and therefore He is welcome to manifest Himself in any way that He pleases. He can do with each of us, just as He pleases also. Therefore, our services are not our own, but His. Rather than Him standing outside, we want Him inside to invite us in. We should not want Him in our presence as much as we should want to be in His presence. It is He that is the All Important One. He deserves the highest honour, for indeed He is worthy of all power, all honour, all glory, all praise and all worship. In humble submission, let us always seek to see Him crowned as the Lord of all. (Heb. 13:17; Rev. 19:11-16).

TEACHING QUESTIONS

Please go through the teaching first. Look up the scripture references given. I assure you that I never placed one scripture reference down, without first reading it myself. I have set the example. Then answer the questions given here. Every answer is within this document and within the scripture references given. Please use the document, but most of all refer to the Bible and the teaching of the Holy Spirit within you. If you think of other things in addition to using this document, I'll praise God for your initiative.

1. Why do you think a teaching from the church of Laodicea is very appropriate for our times? In your answer explain what the church of Laodicea represented.

2. Do you think that every thing a man says is actually right? Who is able to give us far better counsel?

3. What is the advantage of teaching or training children to always obey their parents?

4. While the Holy Spirit is our teacher, who might the Holy Spirit use to instruct us towards maturity?

5. If from the beginning, people have always forsaken the means and methods of God, how can we be sure that we will not do so?

6. Why does the consideration of your weaknesses help you to look to and rely upon our Lord Jesus Christ for deliverance?

7. Why was Jesus Christ crucified and imprisoned, and where was He imprisoned? Why could death not hold Him?

8. What do those who are Christ's do to partake in His glory?

9. What was the problem with the church of Laodicea? and why do you think Jesus Christ introduced Himself to them in the way that He did?

10. Do you think the people in this "peoples church" were really honest with themselves? What would be benefit of us being honest with ourselves?

11. As you read through the details of the "church of the people" identify at least ten things they did wrong, and give scriptures to prove why they are wrong.

12. How can we be sure that we will not merely do what is right in our own eyes? What is the best way of serving God?

13. How do we overcome Satan and the demon powers? and how can we ensure that we can partake of the God-kind of life?

14. If we had the opportunity to select leaders, what should we be wary of when we appoint them? and what qualities do we look for in those we select for our leaders?

15. What is our prime concern when we meet together as Christians? Who are very important to us? What do we love and appreciate?

16. What type of government should we have in the Church? Describe this government.

17. Who performs the work of the ministry? Who make up the body of Christ? Who will they not join themselves to?

18. Why do we love the Word of God? Why are we not our own?

19. When we come to church, where do we want the Lord to be? How can we be sure to have Him there?

20. Who is the All important One? and what does He deserve?

The New Testament Church

The Full Counsel Of God

We have looked at the church of the people (Rev 3:14-22), and now let’s look at the church of God and His Christ (Acts 2:37-47; 28:18-38; Rom 16:16). Let us first consider the passage of scripture found in Acts.

Read: Acts 2:37-47

The apostles and disciples of the Lord had gathered in the one place when the Holy Spirit descended upon the people with the sound of a violent wind. Those gathered began to loudly praise God in different languages. A bewildered crowd, including God-fearing Jews that had come from different countries, gathered around. Some made fun, saying that the people speaking praises to God in the different languages were drunk. Others were deeply perplexed and amazed, and questioned one another. Peter stood up, while supported by the other eleven apostles, and began to preach. He explained that what the crowd was witnessing was a fulfilment of the prophecy delivered by Joel. (Joel 2:28-32). God had promised that He would pour out of His Spirit upon all people, so that children would prophesy, young men see visions and old men dream dreams.

Peter went on to tell the people of how Jesus Christ had performed many miraculous signs and wonders as God gave Him the ability. These signs and wonders were evidence that Jesus Christ had God's approval. Instead of receiving Jesus, the people had aligned themselves to wicked men, had apposed Him and then had Him crucified. The same Jesus they had crucified, God had raised from the dead as their Lord and Christ. They were therefore guilty of rejecting God's own Son. They thus proved themselves against the Almighty, All Knowing, All Wise and All Holy God that they had claimed to believe in and serve for centuries.

Peter’s preaching brought conviction and concern to the hearts of the people. They earnestly wanted to know what to do (v37). Those who are truly convicted by the Holy Spirit, desperately want to know what they are to do to put matters right between themselves and God. Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, gave them the correct answer. They were to repent; to have a change of mind. They were no longer to think of Jesus Christ as a mere man, but as their very Messiah and Lord Who had laid down His own sinless life for their own salvation. Their being submerged in water in the name of Jesus, would also symbolically declare their acceptance of being brought into our Lord Jesus Christ. They were encouraged to be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins (v38). They were to be immersed into the name of Jesus, meaning they were to become totally in agreement with Him. Being “overwhelmed with Jesus” they were to be fully saturated by Him and His blood. It is only through the shedding of blood that there can be remission of sins. Fully identifying themselves with Christ's death, burial and resurrection, they would be thoroughly cleansed of their sins by the blood that Jesus had shed for them. Fully identifying with Christ's work for them, they fully qualified for the gift of the Holy Spirit. They were entitled to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, which they were to do. They were to receive the gift of the holy Spirit (v38). Empowered by the Holy Spirit, they were to save themselves from this crooked generation (v40).

The people gladly received Peter’s instructions and were baptized. They then continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine, teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers. They were committed or dedicated to the way of Christ.

As a result of the commitment, dedication and faithfulness of the believers, many signs and wonders were done by the apostles which brought fear upon many souls. There was a deep reverence and respect for God; all had a wholesome dread of displeasing Him. All believed. All were united. All were joyful in singleness of heart. All were willing to share. They sold their possessions or goods and divided to all as they had need. All gathered daily in the temple and one another’s homes to eat their meals (and share the matters of God in fellowship); eating, praising and worshiping God. . Not only did they have favor with God, but they had favor with the people too.

This was the character of the first New Testament Church. Faith, joy, generosity and eagerness to learn of God.

And so we are in need of a people of this caliber today. A people who will be totally brought into and overwhelmed in Jesus. People who will give themselves to the word of the God, repenting from dead works, they receive the free gift of the Holy Spirit that enables them to live just like our Lord Jesus Christ Himself lived. He was willing to forsake all to bring many to the Father. For this to happen, we need people who are not ashamed of the gospel of God. (Rom. 1:16).

The early servants of God were diligent in their loyalty and service to God and His people. Paul, an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ was such a man. He had been party to Steven's execution. Although Paul initially fully gave his approval to the death of Steven, he may also have been extremely troubled by Steven's dying testimony. Steven held to the full counsel of God, even in his dying moments. Yet, Paul's heart was still set against the Lord's disciples. It took a life changing experience with Jesus Christ to set him on a different course. He rose up from being a staunch persecutor of Jesus Christ, to become one of His most loyal and dedicated followers and supporters. (Acts 6:8-9:30).

Peter had preached a very cuttingly accusing message. He did not spare upon laying the full judgement upon the people for having crucified the Lord Jesus Christ. They were cut to the quick. Under deep conviction the people made a quality decision to live whole heartedly for Jesus. Today, we tend to preach a very gentle message, and then we wonder why peoples commitment is also so light hearted and shallow.

Read Acts 20:18-47.

These are the words of Paul:

5. I have not shunned to declare - I have not withheld; not concealed. I announced in every detail.

6. All the counsel of God. I dug deep into the full advice, the full purpose or will of God.

7. Take heed therefore unto yourselves; Hold or control your minds. Pay particular attention. Be cautious as you apply yourself.

8. [take heed] to all the flock, the group of believers

9. Which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers: Not lords, but as one’s who peer about watching out for dangers or threats against them. Sentry or scout about to look after as an under-shepherd. The word “overseers^1985" means to peer over, watching as a sentry or scout; apply yourselves to the people entrusted to your care by the Holy Spirit; look to or shepherd - the group of believers you are closely related to. As each individual shepherd tends to his own flock, look after those Christians that the Holy Spirit has entrusted to you.

10. Feed the church of God. They belong to God, not to you. Shepherd or tend to their spiritual needs. (Christian Leaders are as shepherds who tend to their flocks). As a Christian leader, you tend to, feed and protect the Church of God (which is not your own).

11. God purchased it with His own blood; the blood of His very own Son. The people in Church therefore fully belong to God. Therefore, look after each and every member that is in the Church of God as though you fully understand that they are not your own, but His, and His alone. Understand that you are God's stewards. You have been entrusted to look after those who belong to Him; [the flock is that which] He has purchased with His blood. I didn’t. You didn’t. He paid for us all. We all belong to Him.

Ministry involves warning for the consequences of disobedience, strong exhortation against self-willfulness and exhortation to obey all that the Lord would require of us. Ministry encourages us to depend on Christ in us (Col 1:25-28), the Holy Spirit (Jn 16:7-15) and the gifted members within the body of Christ. (Eph 4:8-13).

Become a servant to the body of Christ, which is the church of God. Accept the commission of God to give one another the word of God in its fullness. God has given His saints, those who are separated from the evil ways of the world and who are now dedicated and consecrated to the will of God, revelation and understanding into His secrets or mysteries. Our God has chosen us to reveal the glorious riches which are in Christ to those who are still lost. The glorious riches we are to reveal to the lost, are the very full characteristics of God which are in us. These glorious riches are in us who believe by the very person of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Understand this, it is Christ in us which gives us the hope of glory. It is Christ in us that gives us the assurance that we have within us the fullness of God's own nature and character. By Christ in us, we can realize, recognize, and release the fullness of God's own love, God's own peace, God's own mercy, God's own might, strength and ability. Being a servant to one another, we willingly proclaim Christ. We admonish, strongly encourage and teach everyone with all wisdom. Why? Because Christ has been made unto us the very wisdom of God. He is with each and every one of us, and by the fullness of His wisdom within us, we are able to present to God and to one another everyone in our fellowship as being perfect in Christ. Labor in Christ fully energized by Christ's power within you to perfect one another's walk in Christ. As you do so, you fully heed the full counsel of God.

Each and every one of us in Christ Jesus, are no longer mere mortal human beings, sold under sin. We are new creations in Christ Jesus under the law of the spirit of life. Old things have passed away, are presently passing away, and are passing away in their totality. While the Greek text does not indicate this, we know that by the power of Christ within us, we can reckon ourselves dead to the old way, and we can therefore daily put off the old man and his ways. We can also daily put on the new man which is in Christ Jesus, so that we can partake of the new which has come, which is presently coming to us, and which will come to us throughout the eternal future.

Christ is in us by the person of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, not only comforts us, but also strengthens us to overcome our own sinful weaknesses. Working through us, the Holy Spirit convicts the world of their sinful guilt, of righteousness and of judgment. The Holy Spirit convinces the world that they stand condemned as long as they do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit helps them to understand that Jesus Christ has ascended to the Father, and that Satan, the prince or ruler of this world now stands condemned for all eternity. Those who'll respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, realize the futility of aligning themselves with the defeated devil. And responding to the working of the Holy Spirit through you even further, they will be guided into all the Truth: His name is Jesus. You yourselves, be convinced that the Holy Spirit within, is speaking only what is heard from the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit brings glory to Jesus, Who in turn always glorifies our Heavenly Father.

Praise the Lord, the Holy Spirit is given to each and every true Christian, and helps each and every one of us to witness with the true revelation that comes from those Jesus has given to mankind: the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. By the working of the Holy Spirit in us, we receive the instruction coming from God's servants, and therefore we as God's people are prepared for good, holy works of service. By the Holy Spirit within us, we respond to the Holy Spirit in the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, and are built up to attain the unity in the faith which we have in Jesus Christ, God's very own Son. Yes, it is by the working of the Holy Spirit, in us and through God's anointed ministers or servants, that we come to a greater revelation knowledge of Jesus. Growing in faith and the knowledge of Christ within us, we become more mature; we become more and more like Jesus. The work that God does in us becomes more and more evident to others, and soon they find it difficult to distinguish us from our own Lord, and Master. We become steadfast, faithful and dedicated to the full counsel of God. Fully established by the Holy Spirit, we are not tossed about by every wind of doctrine. We recognize the cunning and craftiness of men in their wicked scheming, and therefore we will not be drawn away from a life in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit within us empowers us to rise above the this very characteristic within us, and therefore we ourselves will only speak the truth in love to one another, and to those who are still in the world. Empowered by the Holy Spirit within us and those whom God has called to lead and guide us, we grow up into Christ. Through the witness of the Holy Spirit, we recognize and receive Christ alone is our Head. From Christ (and the working of His Holy Spirit) we remain inseparably joined, welded and cemented to each and every other believer. We support one another. We love one another. We build up one another. We help each other do what each has been called to do. This is good counsel. This is the counsel of God. And those in the Church of God, give themselves fully to the counsel of God. Not so the wicked, rejecting the counsel of God, they heed the counsel of men.

THE COUNSEL OF MEN

You’ll recall that the people in the church of the people, like the children of Israel within the book of Judges did what was right, not in the eyes of God, but what was right in their own eyes. The Laodecian church, the church of the last days, is the church of the people for the people, the church of the peoples decision making or judgment. (Rev 3:14-22). In this church the people are do what they think is right. They do not heed God at all. They do what they feel is right within their hearts, not understanding that Jeremiah, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit said, “The heart is deceitful above all things: It is swelled up. It allows itself to appear bigger than what it is. Hence, it is fraudulent. (Jer 17:9). The Church of the Laodicea; the church of the peoples judgment or the peoples government. In this church the people only did what they themselves felt to be right in their own hearts. How many times do you hear, "Do what you think or feel in your hearts"? How many young woman have followed this advice, married a man, and found him to be her worst enemy?

Jer 17:9 the heart is deceitful⁶¹²¹, swelled up above all things; appears bigger than what it really is; fraudulent

Just as the Laodecian church was a real historical church. It really existed. So today it really exists. We need to avoid being one of its members at all costs by understanding that Jesus to us:

1. Is our true and faithful One. As He says it is, so shall it be. He is real.

2. Is faithful. He is reliable and trustworthy. We can depend upon Him.

3. Is our True Witness. He does not conceal Himself, nor the evidence of Himself. He is not ashamed to make himself known to us, and neither is He ashamed to acknowledge us as His brethren [and “sisteren”].

4. Is the beginning of creation. He is not the first thing created, but He is the One Who began creation. (Rev 3:14).

Jesus really exists; we can rely on Him. He has proved Himself trustworthy; we can depend on Him. He identifies Himself with us. Thinking of Jesus in this way, is giving heed to sound doctrine; it is giving heed to the revealed will, purpose and counsel of God. However, we have to wonder why Jesus introduced Himself to this group in this way. Could it have been because the people in this church of the people were not steadfast, and faithful? Were they unreliable? Were you taking a risk by depending on anyone of them? What of their honesty? Were they truthful with one another? or did they constantly deceive one another? Were they ashamed or even fearful of being acknowledged as Christians? Did they think that they were a god unto themselves, and were therefore not answerable to God and to Jesus Christ through Whom all creation began while He was the Word? (Jn 1:1-3). One suspects that we would have to give an unfavorable answer to each of these questions. We would then realize that these people had forsaken the counsel of God. Hence, Jesus was trying to re-establish them in the faith. And really, until He had re-established them, He could not correct them.

Come to Him.

He has proved Himself trustworthy. He willingly identifies Himself with us.

Trusting in Jesus, we cast aside being neither hot nor cold. We don’t serve the devil, neither do we serve Jesus half heartedly, having no real conviction.

We reject being self sufficient. We don’t depend upon our own resources. Not depending upon our worldly wealth, we are not self reliant, self-confident and self-assertive. Our confidence is in Jesus.

We will have nothing to do with the behavior of the church of the people for where they will not repent, turn from their sin and bad understanding of God, being happy in their way, we will repent. We turn from our own understanding and ways, willing to learn and do the good things God has prepared for us.

Where the church of the people will not be baptized in the name of Jesus, merely accepting a ritualistic immersion into water and therefore not allowing themselves to be brought into Jesus, which is all water baptism symbolizes, we are baptized in Jesus name. We are not only immersed into the water, but we fully acknowledge that we are brought into the name (into agreement with) Jesus, overwhelmed with Jesus, and then willingly allow ourselves to be saturated by the water of His word.

Happy in their own ability, the church pf the people will not receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. We who are in Christ are not such. We know we are hopelessly useless without the Holy Spirit, and hence, we receive all of the Holy Spirit we can.

Not being humble, meek or teachable, the members of the church of the people will not receive godly instruction. They think they know what is best without consulting God and His word. Not so with us. It is only God’s word that we will depend upon. Not man’s opinions of the word, but God’s word itself and Himself.

Sadly the church of the people will only be taught when they feel like it. Not being dedicated or committed to Christ, His doctrines and fellowship, they only do what they themselves feel is OK.

Not so with us. We meet regularly. We pray. We fellowship. We allow ourselves to be taught and teach. We are committed. We are dedicated.

The church of the people, self-willed and selfish become men pleasers rather than God-pleasers.

Doing God’s will we determine to please first and foremost our God.

Determining to please Him, we do good for our fellow mankind.

vv15-16

Every other Church was commended by the Lord Jesus Christ. He commended the Ephesians, but the Church of the Laodiceans, He could not. They were neither hot nor cold. He could not stomach them, and would have to vomit them out. He was not so much against their efforts, not against their half-heartedness, not against their doing things without real conviction: But against their self-sufficiency.

When the city was destroyed, full of their own self-sufficiency, they had refused the Roman government assistance to rebuild. They relied on their own resources. They were a very rich, affluent city; trading textiles and medical products they also became the center of all banking and exchange. Laodicea lacked a good water supply, and the water they did have had to be canaled from hot springs. It arrived luke warm; not cool and refreshing; not hot and medicinal. If one visited this Laodicean church, they would not have been refreshed, revitalized or restored in their faith. If they had attended this church while ill, they would have left just as ill. There was no medicine for their flesh; in all probability the word of the Lord was not even being ministered. Through faithlessness, the elders were also not praying for the sick. Hence, as sick as one went to church, so as sick one left the church. This is evidence that instead of taking on the character and nature of the Lord Jesus Christ, the people in this church took on the character and the nature of the people in their city. Jesus said to them:

v17 You say, I am rich, increased in goods and have need of nothing.

This wreaks of their self-sufficiency. Self-reliant; self-confident; Self-assertive. They would be taken up with their own self image too. All of "self" was important to them. If any in their midst were not succeeding, it was because they had a poor self image. This meant that they would have to attend lessons on how to think more positively about themselves. There would be no idea that they should improve their image of God and His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Sound doctrine, is not looking to improve your own self image, but sound doctrine is looking unto Jesus Christ Who is the author and the Finisher of our faith. If we were to heed the counsel of God, we would come boldly into the throne room of grace to find help from the Lord Jesus Christ. (Heb 4:16; 12:1-2).

Pr There is a way that appears right to man, but the end of it is destruction.

The Church established after the out pouring of the Holy Spirit, heeded the apostles doctrine or teaching. They could do so, for the apostles teachings were inspired by the Holy Spirit. In other words, the apostles teachings were the same as the teachings of Jesus, which were and are the same as the teachings of God. Jesus warned His disciples against the doctrine of the Pharisees (Mt. 16:12). Doctrine, is very basically, instruction or teaching. When Jesus addressed the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, He called them hypocrites and quoted to them the words of the prophet, Isaiah. Isaiah had written that the people honored God with their lips, while their hearts were far from God. These people were worshiping God in vain for their precepts or teachings were merely the rules of men. Jesus confronted these religious leaders for He said they had forsaken the commandments of God to hold to the mere traditions of men. By holding to their traditions and customs, they were actually nullifying the word of God. (Mk 7:1,5-13). The Pharisees were the most influential of the Jewish sects at the time of Christ. They held to the orthodox teachings of the Old Testament, but their zeal for the laws of Moses led them to strict outward observances of their own interpretations of the law. They knew the scriptures, tithed, fasted and prayed. (Mt 23:2; Lk 18:12; Mt 9:14; Mk 12:40). However, they were also hypocritical - a people with two faces, self-righteous and great persecutors of Jesus and His people. (Mt 23:15; Lk 18:9; Mt 9:3). They thought that their knowledge of the scriptures, and having Abraham as their father was sufficient for them to enter the kingdom of God. Yet, when Jesus Christ stood before them and preached the will of God, they did not receive Him, but went as far as to reject all He said. People who are like the Pharisees hear the word of God, but they do not keep the word pure. They mix it with their own traditions, customs, understandings and interpretations. People are constantly overlaying the simple gospel message with statements that explain away the power of God: They have a form of godliness, but they deny the power of godliness, and therefore continue to practice sinful ways. These people love themselves, love money, are boastful in their own abilities, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents and all authority, ungrateful, unholy, unloving or inconsiderate, refuse to be at peace with others, malicious gossips, they lack control over their appetites and desires, they are brutal, cruel and harsh, they are haters of all that is good, treacherous, reckless and conceited. Their single most characteristic would be that they are lovers of pleasure rather than being lovers of God. (2Tim 3:1-5). These are the people we are to avoid. These are people who obviously hate the full counsel of God, and who are therefore prone to heed the doctrines, the instruction or teaching which seem right in their own eyes. These people collect to themselves those teachers that will only preach messages that will tickle their ears; preach what they want to hear. (2Tim 4:3-4). These people, just like those in the church of Laodicea failed to understand and accept their true condition. This is what Jesus had to say to them.

But you do not know that you are:

1. wretched⁵⁰⁰⁵, to bear, to endure trial and therefore afflicted; a test, i.e. attempt, experience misery; utterly distressed

2. Miserable¹⁶⁵², pitiable (needing compassion), tender mercy; deserving or arousing pity or contempt.

3. poor⁴⁴³⁴, crouching as a cringing beggar, a pauper - not a private but a public spectacle.

4. blind⁵¹⁸⁵, opaque (as if smoky) - enveloped in smoke; physical or mental inability to see clearly.

5. naked¹¹³¹, nude; unclothed - depicting the carnal condition of the church. Adam and Eve after sinning against God recognized their nakedness and attempted to cloth themselves with a fig leaf. That which man attempts for himself is never adequate to really deal with the issues at hand.

In the church of the people, the people will:

1. Not Repent; not turn from sin and the bad understanding of God. They are happy and content in their own way.

2. Not Be baptized in the name of the Jesus. They refuse to be brought into Jesus. They are happy to be without Him. They believe they do not need the cleansing power of His blood. In their opinion, the things they do are good enough to get into heaven.

3. Not Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit; they are quite happy to do all things in their own ability, and if they do fall short, they were certainly doing their best.

4. Not receive righteous instruction. They are not humble. Only they know what is best.

5. Not continue with the great commitment and dedication to the teachings. They are content to be taught only when they feel like it; content to fellowship in the way they think is O.K.; content not to regularly remember what Jesus did through the breaking of the bread and the communion of the cup of Jesus and content not to pray regularly.

Jesus never brings a hard word without providing the means to change.

v18 I counsel you to buy of Me:-

1. Gold refined in fire; come and receive the God-kind of life that comes out purer with every testing. Receive the gold of His righteous glory; the fullness of Him. In this way you will be rich.

2. White raiment (without spot, wrinkle or blemish); the very holiness of God; utterly separated from sin, the ways of the world, the flesh and the devil and consecrated to the will and the purpose of God; consecrated to God Himself. Be clothed in Christ Jesus that the shame of your nakedness may not be apparent. Clothed in Christ, there is no shame. There is no guilt.

3. Eye-salve to anoint your eyes. The anointing of the Holy Spirit enabling you to see the Author and the finisher of your faith. See Jesus, the Way the Truth and the Life. In seeing Jesus, see the Father. See your own poverty without Him. Then you will see your real need for Him. Receive Him, then see yourself in Him. See the others in Him. Then, you will have love for one another.

v19

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.

Is there no-one disciplining you? Then there is no-one who loves you. The writer of the book of Hebrews wrote why Christians are disciplined. (Heb 12:5-11). Quoting Proverbs 3:11-12, he wrote that we are not to despise (not to shrink back from) the disciplining of the Lord; we are not to grow weary or become disheartened when we are corrected by Him. The very people the Lord loves, He corrects. Even natural fathers, who love and delight in their children, discipline the children for their own good. Children left to themselves, usually end up destroying themselves. God's disciplining is proof of His genuine love that He has for those who are truly His children. We reverenced or respected our natural fathers who disciplined us, therefore we should appreciate and subject ourselves to the discipline from our heavenly Father, the Father of spirits. Subjecting ourselves to God's discipline, ensures our eternal life. While our natural fathers disciplined us, more, for their own satisfaction, God disciplines us for our own benefit. He disciplines us that we might be partakers of His own holiness. No disciplining is pleasurable at the time, but when received as correction, it yields obedience, peace and righteousness in our lives. Now how does God discipline us? There are many varied opinions, but from the full Bible account, there appears to be at least four basic methods.

1. The inward witness of the spirit.

2. The correction of the written Word of God.

3. Verbal correction from someone.

4. Natural circumstances, including afflictions, natural disasters, sickness, disease, famine and pestilence.

Those who are the children of God, are lead, guided, taught or instructed by the Holy Spirit. It is by the Holy Spirit of God that we have an inward witness that we are the children of God. As we are triune beings, spirit soul and body, we experience our lives on three basic levels. Our bodies are natural world conscious. It is through our bodies that we have direct contact with the natural world. We sense or feel with from senses or nerves distributed throughout our bodies. We see through the eyes, hear through the ears, smell through the nose, taste through the mouth, and feel from our skin surface and other areas. Of course these areas, only send impulses to our brain, which somehow makes up part of our soul. The soul interacts with the body. Through our souls, we also contact the psychological realm of thought, reason, intellect, knowledge and emotion. Now God may use our bodies and souls to communicate to us His displeasure. However, God's primary means of communicating to us, is by His Holy Spirit, within our spirit. So then, the very first place that we should sense that God is correcting us is from within our own spirits. With our spirit, we are spirit realm conscious. We communicate with God by means of our spirit. They who worship God, worship Him in spirit and in truth. God is a Spirit being. While our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit, dwells within our bodies by inhabiting our spirit. From our spirit we are God or spirit realm conscious; we have a conscience, meaning we are conscious of right and wrong, i.e. we have an inner knowing whether something is good or evil; we can sometimes know when to do something, even when there is no logical reason, i.e. we have like a sixth sense to act on a matter. As Christians, this knowing what to do is usually accompanied by a great sense of peace; we receive direction from our spirit. We have an inner knowing where we are going for all eternity, as well as often being led to specific places that God would have us go. Many times, I have followed an inward leading, and found myself before someone who God wants to communicate Himself to. Either to lead them to a salvation knowledge, to encourage them, and even to administer His healing and delivering power. Then, we are motivated from within the spirit. When we should be giving up, there seems to be an inward strength that keeps us keeping on. This motivation in some sense can be defined as faith. When everything in the natural appears to be against us, we seem to have an endurance coming from deep within us, that encourages us to determinedly succeed. Briefly then, the spirit of man receives revelation (insight into spiritual matters), instruction, direction, knowledge of right and wrong, wisdom (when to do something at the right time and the right place and when not to) and enduring motivation from God. And the first place that God gives us some sense that we have done wrong, is right down there in our innermost being; our spirit. We feel something is terribly wrong, and sometimes it necessitates our going before God in prayer to know why we are feeling uncomfortable. We loose our peace. The loss of our inward sense of peace is the easiest means of knowing that we are on the wrong course or that we have done wrong.

Should we fail to heed the inward correction from within our spirit, for one reason or another, ...maybe we are to busy, too caught up in what we are doing or not praying, then God will communicate to us through His written word. While we are reading the Bible, or some Christian book, magazine or newsletter, we will read something and be reminded that we did the very wrong that is being described. We will feel convicted. Sometimes, so strongly convicted, we tend to pass it off as condemnation. However, just as Jesus said that Satan had nothing on Him, if we have not stepped into Satan's territory, Satan will not be able to lay undue guilt upon us. Because Satan had nothing on Jesus Christ, Satan could never condemn Jesus. The very fact that you sense condemnation is usually because you have done wrong, and that you have not dealt with it effectively enough. You may not even have repented from your wrong doing. Hence, rather than just casting the condemnation aside, repent before God. Reckoning yourself dead to sin, put off the old man and his behavior, put on the new man which is Christ Jesus, and walk in the paths of righteousness. Those who are Christ's hate iniquity and love righteousness. You love righteousness so much that you take and make the most of every opportunity to produce the fruits of righteousness. Producing the fruits of righteousness, is heeding the sound counsel of God.

Now, not too many Christians are listening to the Holy Spirit, and nearly just as many are not reading their Bibles, or any other Christian literature. God, understanding this will bring someone to you, or take you some place, where you can hear His correction. Balaam had to be corrected by a "stubborn" talking donkey. Your pastor might say something that convicts you, or someone at work, who may not even be a Christian corrects you. God has instituted the governments, and while they are there primarily to protect the godly from the ways of the unrighteous, God may just need to use an official to correct you of your hard-hearted, stubborn and inconsiderate ways. Having mentioned a donkey, maybe God will use an animal, a plant or the stars to communicate His will to you. Abraham and Isaac were corrected by heathen kings. Abraham also had to look to the stars to get some kind of perception of how big a family God was going to give to Him.

Then, there are people who will just not listen to anyone or anything communicated to them. It is these very people that God has to use in what may appear to be natural circumstances or events. Often there are evil spirits behind these circumstances. Job was afflicted in numerous ways, and while Satan was behind these disasters, Job only saw or heard of the natural elements and thieving tribes. (Job was not being punished as much as he was being tested, tried and proved. He however did admit to fear and he blamed God for the loss of all his family, servants, livestock and goods). Now, having mentioned Job, we have to discern when we are being afflicted for rebellion against God, or for the sake of our righteous stand for God. This is not difficult. You are either living with all your heart, soul, might and strength for God, or you are not. You know when you are for God, and when you are not. Many Charismatic teachers of God's word, hate the thought of sickness, disease, failure and disaster through famine and sword being a means of God's chastisement. They place us Christians under a new dispensation and covenant and state that God's dealings with natural Israel were specific to them, and therefore not applicable to Christians. However, they tend to ignore so many scriptures clearly revealing that God's dealings with Israel, work in an almost parallel way with the way God deals with the all nations. We are warned not to displease God as the children of Israel had done, who were examples to us. Even the things that happened to them were for examples to us. (1Cor 10:1-13). Remember, no-one fully yielded to Christ would ever behave as the children of Israel had done. Sure a Christian may do wrong, but not as a norm. As sin comes natural to an unbeliever, or as sin tips the scales towards ungodly behavior in a non-Christian's life, so righteousness comes natural to a Christian, or we could say, the scales are tipped towards godly behavior in the life of a Christian.

v20

Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hears My voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.

Every word written in the Bible is there for a purpose. This is true for the word "behold". A well known preacher very often says, "Listen to me now". He is a real earnest preacher, and God has really blessed him. Now as earnest as this preacher may be, he is nowhere near as earnest as the Lord Jesus Christ is. There is an earnestness in Christ's voice as He appeals to the people to pay special and particular attention. And when the Lord calls us to really listen attentively, He usually does it because He knows the difficulty we have receiving what He is about to say. In this case, "I am standing at the door and knocking to be invited in". Here was this rich, wealthy, affluent, successful and "need for nothing church" probably believing that Christ had forsaken all the other churches to spend all His time in theirs. For they were so special; they had it together. Their plans and programs were really working well. They were a force to be reckoned with, not just in their local community, but throughout the world. All people were looking upon their success. But,.. Jesus was not inside with them. He was standing outside. To many within the church, this was impossible to believe. And Jesus knew this. He knew that there were people there who would never be able to accept that He was not in their midst. Hence, His appeal to them to heed what He was to say very closely, and to take it to heart. Maybe, your church is not as rich, organized and successful as the picture painted for you here. But then, are you content? Are you just happy to let things continue as they have been for the last five, ten, twenty years? Are you skillfully, week after week, stirring up the people in such a way that they believe that Jesus is there in their midst? You can do this because you know how to bring on the goose bumps. Week after week you mouth the promise, "Where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of you". Yet, deep down in your heart, you know that He has not been there with you for years. Then you also need to pay special attention. You also need to recognize that Jesus Christ may be standing at your church door. Jesus Christ, the very Founder, the very Original Builder of His church, has been at some time rejected by you and your congregation. Week by week you were drifting into complacency or passivity. Day by day your love for the things of God were growing cooler and cooler. It was not as if you made a determined decision to kick Jesus out. It was a gradual drifting away. Every week you made more and more of your own decisions. It was so gradual, you hardly noticed that our Lord Jesus Christ was no longer in your midst. You hardly noticed the transition from His Church becoming your church; you did not notice that what was once the Church of God and His Christ, had become the church of the people, for the people, ruled and controlled by the people. Gradually the full counsel of God was being replaced with your own counsel. God's plan for His Church grew dimmer and dimmer, as more and more of your own plans and purposes became the order of the day. And none of you can really determine the exact day, week, or year that the Lord ceased to be in your midst.

Some of you still do not hear His knock on the door. In fact some of you are becoming outraged at the mere thought of such a suggestion. Knowing this, Jesus Christ still seeks to be gracious. Charles Ryrie writes, "How incredible that Christ should be kept outside His own Church! How gracious that He should still seek entrance!" Even though we may mouth how dependent upon Him we are, He knows we still depend on our own abilities. He also knows that we should be depending upon Him, and Him alone. He knows what is best for us, and He constantly seeks for ways to get our attention to be focused upon Him.

Listen to His invitation: If any person,.. even if there is just one of you who hears My knocking, and who will get up and invite Me in, I will come in to him. Picture this, a whole congregation gathering week by week to praise, worship and bless the Lord around the table of communion and (some) of His word, and Jesus is looking for at least one person to invite Him in. I do not know what this does to you, but I literally shudder at the thought. Now look! It is one thing to hear the knock. It is quite another thing to get up to open the door. You might still get to the door, see Who is there, and then decide to either keep Him out or to invite Him in. So again, it is one thing to open the door, but it takes quite some hospitality to invite Him in. I hear the indignation of many, "Of course we will let Jesus in". Yes that is true, if you'll recognize Him. However, the word is very clear, "The world that was made through Him did not recognize Him, and those who were His own did not receive Him. This is because He usually comes in manner that we least expect Him. He also said as you treat the least of His, so you treat Him. If you will invite the least of His into your midst as a welcome and honored guest, the chances are you will also welcome the Lord Jesus Christ into your midst as a welcome guest. Many a time the Lord has a word for a congregation burning on my heart for them, but because of very strict religious protocol, the people will not give the opportunity. And so very many servants of the Lord are kept out. Myself, I have preached on the streets, in peoples homes, businesses. I have been to hospitals, mayors parlors, parliamentarian offices, town clerks, town councillors, township leaders, sangomes (withdoctors), to teachers, doctors, lawyers, nurses, and policemen, to Black, White, Coloured and Indian people. I have gone from city to city, town to town, and village to village, and very seldom has the Lord led me to minister in the peoples churches. Those who have opened the door, were really blessed. One AFM church I went to just to fellowship and be among the saints, a little boy ran to the pastor and said, "Pastor a disciple of Jesus is here". He invited to me minister that evening, and the Lord allowed me to give them some of His most treasured jewels from His word. The bottom line is this, "This is not written for me to come to your church as though I need your pulpit. This is an exhortation to hear the Lord's knock, to open your door and to invite Him in. He may come to you through one of the least of His; one of those you least expect to reveal or say something of Christ is already in your midst. Look past your own prejudices and invite the Lord to have His way".

Hear the Lord's knock. Open the door, and invite Him in. Even if you are in the minority. Even if you are the only one. Invite Him in, and He will come in to you. He is even prepared to take the time to eat with you as your honored guest. He will spend time with you around the most delightful sustaining meal you could ever get. Not only will He be with you, but you also will be with Him. There are some people you can spend time with, but they just don't seem to have any time for you. You get the impression the whole time that you are with them that they would just as soon be else where. Not so with Jesus. He will give you His undivided attention. He will make you feel as though you yourself are His own honored guest. You will never feel so loved, so comfortable, so at peace and so filled with joy as when He is seated with you around His word, the very bread of life.

v21

To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with My Father in His throne.

Jesus had said to His disciples many years previously, "In the world you will or you have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. There are general trials simply because we are in the world; tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril or sword, are all things Satan would use to rob, kill and destroy our faith. Satan hates the idea that we might really believe in God. He does all to resist any revelation of Christ we might have. Satan does not want us to appreciate how Christ is in us and we are in Him, for this will bring him to the end of his demise in our lives. Satan buffets us with difficulties lest we accept that we who are in Christ are more than conquerors. He does all to break us down so that we will not appreciate that in Christ, we are far above all principality, power, might and dominion; and hence, far above Satan and his evil works. The more Satan buffets us, the more we can depend on Christ within us. The more Satan exposes our own weakness, the more we can depend on the strength of Christ within to defeat Satan. Thus God permits Satan to attack us, knowing the nature of His own unfailing faith, love and assurance that He has placed within our hearts to work out our salvation. What Satan brings against us to destroy us, God uses to purge, purify and refine us that His glory may come forth radiant and triumphant through our lives. We who are in Christ are not overcome by evil, but we overcome evil with good. (Rom 8:31-39; 12:21; 2Cor 12:7-10).

Christ in us, the hope or assurance of glory. This is good godly counsel. Human advice would have us looking to ourselves. We would be advised to improve our own images through positive thinking. But there is no good thing in ourselves. We must overcome the self-sufficiency to become dependent on Christ within us. He has already overcome the world, and if we will come to recognize that we are in Him, we will see that we, who are born of God have already overcome, are presently overcoming and will continue to over the world until the world is utterly destroyed. (1Jn 2:13-14; 5:4-5). Knowing that in Christ we have overcome the world, we are encouraged to overcome the world. God shows us the end from the beginning. "Look, He says, My Son has overcome the world. You are in Him and He is in you. As you yield to all that He is by the power of My Holy Spirit, you are able to live as He lived. As He overcame, you overcome. As you keep on right to the end, you will come to realize as a reality the full victory that you have in My Son. This victory was established for you as a fact thousands of years ago. The way of it has been clearly defined for you. That way is in My Son; in deed He is the Way. Recognize, receive and remain in Him, and you cannot go wrong. You'll overcome the tendency to heed the mere doctrines, teachings or instructions of men. You will cease to depend on mere human decisions and judgment. Overcoming what you yourself think is right, you will hear My instructions, and hearing you'll heed My teaching. For in My words is the very energy, power and authority that equips and enables you to do all that which is right in My own eyes. All the gold in all the world cannot buy eternal life. Not the most beautiful garments made by any of the most skilled clothing suppliers can cover your nakedness. Not the best medicines on the worldly markets can provide you as an anointed eye-salve to enable you to see what you really need to see. Love of money is therefore futile. It cannot buy you what you need most. In My Son you'll have all the riches necessary to buy the pure gold of My righteous godliness, the white garments of holiness to cover your nakedness, and the anointed eye-salve that you may see, not only how wretched you are if you were apart from My Son, but all My will, purpose and plans for you: The very will, purpose and plans which make you the overcomer that I have made you to be: The very will, purpose and plans that enable you to overcome the tendency to slowly become more and more lukewarm, where because you are no longer as sensitive, you fail to recognize that My Son is no longer in your midst. No, you will all overcome the complacency and passivity working in so many, for the moment you sense I am displeased, you will rapidly repent. In My Son you will arise above every trial, test, affliction and all distress. In My Son you'll not be so miserable as to arouse contempt, but you will be filled with My joy. My joy shall be your strength to really meet, not only your own needs, but also the needs of those in the bondage of the enemy. For not only will you overcome the works of the enemy against you, but you shall be equipped to bring deliverance to others also. In My Son you are not a poor, cringing beggar. You have all the spiritual blessings and heavenly riches which are in Christ Jesus at your disposal, again not only for your own needs, but also for the needs of others. In My Son you have that which is more than adequate to deal with every issue at hand. And if you have missed it, stumbled and fallen into depending upon your own abilities again, at the slightest prompting by My Holy Spirit, you will rush to the door and keep it closed for another reason. Rather than keeping My Son out, you'll throw yourself down at the door in humble submission to keep Him in. Humble before Him you will be highly exalted in Him. As I gave Him a place in My throne, He will give you a place in His throne, and there you are far above all principality, authority, might and dominion. There nothing can separate you from My love".

V22

He that has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

The greatest, most wonderful gift any person can be given, is an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. (Jn 7:37-39; Acts 2:38-39; 15:8; Rom 5:5). The Holy Spirit, sent from the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ comes to dwell within the Christian. (Lk 11:13; Jn 15:26; 1Cor 6:19; 2Tim 1:14). The Holy Spirit teaches us the things of God, even bringing things to our remembrance (Lk 12:12; Jn 14:26; 1Cor 2:13), gives us an assurance within our hearts that we are the children of God (Acts 5:32; 20:23; Rom 8:16; 9:1; Heb 10:15), brings to us comfort, power and strength (Mic 3:8; Acts 9:31; 10:38; Rom 15:13). The Holy Spirit makes decisions, leads and directs us to minister and live the gospel (Mt 4:1; Lk 2:27; 4:1,14; Acts 11:12; 15:28; 16:7; Rom 8:14; Rev 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth Who helps us to obey the truth. As there is no lie on the Father and the Son, so there is no lie in the Holy Spirit. (Jn 14:17; 15:26; 16:13; 1Jn 4:6; 5:6; 1Pt 1:22). In deed the Holy Spirit is so separated from evil, and consecrated towards good, that the world (the people without God) cannot receive the Holy Spirit. (Jn 14:17; 16; Rom 1:4; 8:9). God raised Jesus from the dead by the power of His Holy Spirit, and it is the same Holy Spirit that dwells in us. (Rom 8:9,11; 1Pt 3:18). The Holy Spirit helps us to pray the perfect will of God (Rom 8:26), imparts the perfect life, liberty and love of God to us (Rom 5:5; 15:30; 2Cor 3:6,17; Rev 11:11) and works the healing and miracle power of God through the believers (Rom 15:19; 1Cor 12; Heb 2:3-4). The Holy Spirit gives us access to God and enables our fellowship with one another. (Eph 2:18; Phil 2:1). I would say that it would be very important to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to the churches. Hearing the Holy Spirit should be more important to us than our daily meal.

TEACHING QUESTIONS

1. What happened after the Holy Spirit descended upon the first believers? and when Peter preached, what did he explain to the people gathered around?

2. Who gave Jesus the power to perform signs and wonders, and what were these signs and wonders a sign of? What had the people done with Jesus?

3. When Peter preached that they were guilty of rejecting God's own Son, what happened to the people and what did they do?

4. If someone came to you and asked you what they were to do to receive eternal life, what would you tell them?

5. What should you do as a Christian?

6. What was the result of the believers great commitment?

7. How did Paul prove himself to be a dedicated person to the cause of Christ? Do you think Paul had more favor from God than any other believer?

8. When, not if, but when you become a leader in God's Church, how are you going to lead His people? What are some of the reasons that God has chosen us?

9. How can we as believers do what God wants us to do? Who do we depend on?

10. Since we have received Jesus, what have we ceased to be, and what have we become in Christ? In view of this, what should we do daily?

11. How is Christ in us?

12. What work does the Holy Spirit do for the believers? and who does the Holy Spirit use?

13. How can we know that what God's servants are ministering is really from God? What are God's servants required to do for the believers?

14. To what does the Holy Spirit enable us to become committed?

15. What is the good counsel of God?

16. When people think they are doing what is right, is it necessarily good? Give scriptural reasons why they may be doing wrong, even if they think they are doing good?

17. Why do you think Jesus introduced Himself to the people in the church of Laodicea the way He did?

18. Describe the church of Laodicea, i.e. give details of how the people in this church behaved.

19. What did the people in this church think of themselves? In what way did Jesus see them?

20. Give at least five reasons why you would not want to be identified as being a mere member of the church of the people. If you feel or if were to feel convicted, what five things would you do immediately to show God that you want to be identified as a member of His Church?

21. What did Jesus Christ tell the people to buy from Him? Explain exactly what He meant.

22. Why should we appreciate God's disciplining? In what ways does God discipline us?

23. Explain some of the differences between the body, soul and the spirit of a person.

24. Write and tell me of some of the ways that God has disciplined you.

25. Why is it so important for us to read the Bible about God's dealings with Israel?

26. Why did Jesus repeatedly ask His disciples to pay special or particular attention? Do you think you need to pay particular attention to His teaching? Explain why.

27. Why do you think the people never noticed that Jesus was no longer in their midst?

28. If Jesus was found to be knocking at your church door, do you think only the pastor must invite Him in, or do you think any person can invite Him in? If you were the person who would want Jesus to come in, how do you think you could go about it?

29. How do we overcome Satan, demons, the trials and tribulations that are brought to bear against us? Why does God allow Satan to attack us?

30. Compare the human counsel against God's counsel for dealing with your problems. Which is the better?

31. List at least ten reasons why the Holy Spirit is so important to you.

32. How are these teaching helping you?

The Benefit of Heeding the Full Counsel

Read Mt 9:12-13; (Lk 5:27-32).

Jesus saw a man named Matthew.

THE CHURCH OF THE PEOPLE

THE CHURCH OF GOD AND HIS CHRIST

HEEDING SOUND DOCTRINE

In the church of the people there are many false apostles, prophets and teachers, saying fanciful things to attract the masses. They usually control the television and film industry. As spiritual leaders, they usually also come disguised as shepherds or sheep, but they are really hirelings and wolves at heart; fleeing from the danger and devouring the wealth of the people. (Ez. 34:1-10; Mt. 7:15; Jn. 10:12-13; Acts 20:29).

Most of these bad leaders present messages of false hope, and false security, and they do it in such a way that people even willingly enrich them; for it is really the riches and the honour that these leaders are after. The people being blinded by their own selfishness and greed, willingly part with a small portion of their wages and salaries hoping to forget their troubles or to get rich in, what will sound to them to be, some get rich quick scheme.

READ: 1Tim. 4:1-3; 2Tim. 4:1-5

In his writing to Timothy, Paul appears to have had a great concern for Timothy and his teaching. Being a young man it was if Timothy might have been tempted to give into the pressures around him.

1. I besought you that you might charge some to teach no other doctrine than the grace, mercy and peace as being from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ and godly edifying which is in the faith. Do not give heed to fables (invented or fictitious misleading stories, legends, superstitions and myths), endless genealogies (that involved endless searching or investigation that just wasted time unnecessary) and other foolish, unlearned questions which gender (breed) strife, divisions and parties. (1Tim. 1:2-4; 2Tim. 2:23).

2. Turning aside from love out of a pure heart, a good conscience and unfeigned faith they have turned to vain jangling (empty arguments; many words with little sense or of little value). Some desiring to be teachers of the law, do not understand what they are saying. They do not know that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and the disobedient who do not heed the sound doctrine of the glorious gospel of the blessed God. (1Tim. 1:5-11).

3. Some have put away, been thrust aside, beat off and rejected faith and good conscience to blaspheme and make shipwreck of their faith; smashed and ruined they turn away from God and His word. (1Tim. 1:19-20).

4. Good sound doctrines include:-

a) preaching about the grace of our Lord, the abundant faith and love that is in Christ Jesus, and how He came into the world to save sinners;

b) encouragement to wage a good warfare while holding faith and a good conscience;

c) exhorting people to pray, intercede and give thanks for their leaders;

d) exhorting the women to modesty, to learn in silence without usurping their authority over men and without slandering but with subjection, faith, love holiness and sobriety;

e) instructing church leaders to lead and teach by the example of their good behaviour marked by their faithfulness, patience, vigilance, sober habits and hospitable lives and to the reading of the scriptures;

f) warning the believers against doctrines of demons given by false teachers who are proud, who dote about questions and strife of words and who suppose that gain is godliness, also warning them against lies, hypocrisy (play acting and thereby pretending to be something that you are not), observing certain abstinence from foods, profane and old wives fables or babbling, the deceitfulness of riches and a special warning of how the last days shall be perilous times in which people will be lovers of themselves, pursuing all sorts of wickedness.

2Tim. 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which you have heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

2:02 The things which you have heard of me among many witnesses, the same you are to commit to faithful men, who shall in turn be able to teach others also.

3:14 you must continue in the things that you have learned and have been assured of, knowing of whom you have learned them;

15 ...from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto the salvation which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Then we get what we read in 2Tim. 4:3-4, and dare we say the time has come in which the foolish people in the church of the people:-

I) will not endure sound doctrine

ii) following their own lusts, they attend the teachings that merely tickle their itching ears.

iii) who have turned their ears away from the truth

iv) who have turned to fables (interpreting, legends, myths, tales and stories of beasts, trees, rocks and other lower forms of creation as if they possessed human characteristics.

Ps. 14 Reveals some of the characteristics of fools. They:-

I) deny the existence of God, and failing to seek Him, they therefore ignore Him.

ii) live corrupt lives

iii) do disgusting things as workers of iniquity

iv) do not do good

v) are ignorant and without understanding

vi) have gone astray and aside; leaving God for the crooked ways of life

vii) have become filthy in their life

viii) eat up or destroy God's people

ix) do not call upon the Lord; they do not pray

x) shame the counsel of the poor

One of the Hebrew words for "fool", "nabal" means one who is stupid, a wicked and impious or vile, low breed, surely fellow. It is derived from another word meaning, to fall away or to lightly esteem. Hence, fools have fallen away from the true course of their God given lives, and they lightly esteem any counsel given to them to turn from their wicked ways. It certainly is not wise to condemn anyone as a fool. (Mt. 5:22). Yet, it would be wise to put aside and advise others to put aside foolishness.

While we might not always have someone instructing us in the same calibre as Paul, we always have a more sure word to heed, even more sure than hearing a voice come from the heavens; the sure word of prophecy of the scriptures, which did not come by the will of men, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (2Pt. 1:17-21). Every teaching, prophecy or message should be checked out against the truth of God's word and the peace of Christ which rules and reigns in your hearts. (Ez. 13:1-23; Phil. 4:5-9; 1Jn. 4:1-6).

There is no better way than serving God, than the way He has revealed in His word.

Read: Pr. 3:1-12; 4:20-27.

8 Commands yield many more Blessings.

1. God's child do not forget His law

2. Let your heart keep the Lord's commandments

3. Do not forsake mercy (loving kindness and grace) and truth

4. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

5. Acknowledge the Lord in all your ways.

6. Do not depend on your own wisdom, but fear (respect and honour) the Lord.

7. Honour the Lord by giving a portion of your income to His work. You have to be sure you are giving to God which is done in a number of different ways eg. the giving of your tithes to the church, the giving of offerings (over and above your tithes to other Christian works) and the giving of alms (helping those in need, which needless to say is also to be over and above your tithes).

8. Do not despise His chastening, nor be weary of His correction.

The Blessings.

1. Heeding God's laws and commandments you will have long days (to do all you need to in a day), long life and peace.

2. Keeping the way of mercifulness and truthfulness, you'll find favour and good understanding with both God and man.

3. Trusting the Lord and acknowledging Him in all your ways, He will give you the right direction or portion in life.

4. Rejecting your own human wisdom and shunning all evil to absolutely avoid participating in it through a deep reverence of God, you will receive and be nourished, refreshed and healed by His kind of life.

5. Honouring the Lord by giving to His work shall insure that you are prospered.

6. Receiving and heeding the discipline from God, means that you will really come to know and appreciate Him as a loving Father.

Conclusion.

Sometimes it can be tempting to preach messages of great power, prosperity and hope in Jesus Christ, without calling for the people to put their lives right with God first. Those who are the righteousness of God through the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ, also produce the fruits of righteousness.

Please pray for your own and my protection, firstly from our very own selves, from one another, from wicked ungodly men and ultimately from the demons and the devil.

May we be sensitive to the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit, who will help us to put aside the ways of the fools, and not to be taken in by the deceitfulness of riches. With the Holy Spirits help, we will not give ourselves to trust in anything or in any way which is not of God.

By faith in God, we trust Him to help us so that we do not look for teachers who will tickle our ears. We look to God for sound doctrine that we may continue in the faith out of the good consciences that He enables us to have.

REJECTED OF MEN, CHOSEN BY GOD

Sometimes for us to stand true to the church of God and His Christ, like Him, we might have to suffer rejection. However, there is also a marvellous acceptance because we are a chosen people.

Read: Mt. 21:33-46; Text: Mt. 21:42-46

Recall: Rev. 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.

Jesus Christ is standing outside of the Church of the peoples judgement or decision making. These people, although His people, have become self-confident, self-sufficient and selfish.

It is incredible that Christ should be outside His own Church! How very gracious of Him that He should still seek entrance!

Mt. 21:33 Hear another parable:

I) This is the 42^nd of 48 parables in the gospel of Matthew.

ii) Parables; something written or spoken to illustrate a moral or spiritual truth by comparison with something known.

a) They illustrate truth and make the truth clear by comparison with something that is already familiar.

b) They impart instruction and rebuke without causing offence. (2Sam. 12).

c) They create interest and hunger for further information or knowledge. (Mt. 13:10-17).

d) The historical background and the circumstances and occasions when uttered must be understood.

e) They conceal truth from disinterested hearers and rebels at heart. (Mt. 13:11-15).

f) While they add truth to those who love it and want more of it, they also take away truth from those who hate and do not want it. (Mt. 13:12).

The Parable.

1. The householder rents out his fully developed property and leaves for another country. Three kinds of leases were given in those days:-

a) Labourers received part of the fruit.

b) Full rent was paid in money.

c) A portion of the harvest was paid to the owner. The latter is relevant in this parable.

2. At harvest time, he sends his servants to obtain his share, who are beaten, stoned and killed.

3. After sending more servants, who are dealt the same fate, the householder sends his son, thinking they'll at least show him some respect.

4. The tenants rather seize their opportunity to kill the son so that the land, for want of an heir, will come to them.

Jesus turns to the chief priests and the scribes; the great religious leaders of the day, and asks them, "When the lord of the vineyard returns, what will he do to these tenants?"

The religious leaders respond, "He will miserably²⁵⁶⁰ destroy⁶²² those wicked²⁵⁵⁶ men, and will let the vineyard to other tenants, which will render to him the fruits in their seasons".

I) Their first response was, "Wicked, worthless, evil men".

ii) They recognise that the householder is miserable, grieved or feeling very bad; very low.

iii) They determine that the wicked tenants should perish, be punished or be fully destroyed.

This indicates that the chief priests and scribes fully understood the evil of the tenants, the grief the owner experienced, not only due to the death of his servants and son, but also because of the necessity of what he had to carry out, and they also recognised the full punishment deserved.

The Fulfilment Then.

1. God had taken the children of Israel from their captivity to the Egyptians to the land of blessing which He had prepared for them.

2. God then sent His apostles and prophets to these people that He might receive the righteous fruit of righteous lives, but His apostles and prophets are beaten, stoned and killed.

3. After God sends more of His apostles and prophets, who are dealt with in the same manner, He sends His Son to the children of Israel.

4. The people in Israel eventually seized the opportunity to kill Jesus Christ, God's Son, and in killing Him they thought they were doing God a favour.

Read: Mt. 21:42-46.

I) In v42, Jesus quoted Ps. 118:22-23, and in v44, He quoted a portion of Isa. 8:14-15. In scripture, Christ is referred to as:

a) The [building] stone of Israel. (Gen. 49:24).

b) The stone of stumbling. (Isa. 8:14; Rom. 9:33; 1Pt. 2:8).

c) The foundation stone. (Isa. 28:16; Mt. 16:18; 1Cor. 3:11; Eph. 2:20).

d) A tried stone. (Isa. 28:16).

e) A precious corner stone. (Isa. 28:16; 1Pt. 2:4, 6, 7).

f) A sure stone. (Isa. 28:16).

g) A rejected stone. (Mt. 21:42; Mk. 12:10-11; Lk. 20:17; Acts 4:11; 1Pt. 2:4, 7-8).

h) A living stone. (1Pt. 2:4).

I) A chosen stone. (1Pt. 2:4).

j) A chief corner stone. (1Pt. 2:6).

k) An elect (chosen) stone. (1Pt. 2:6).

l) The head stone. (Ps. 118:22; 1Pt. 2:7-8).

The chief priests and the scribes knew that Jesus, by referring to Himself as the stone, He was revealing to them that He was the Messiah, and that He was speaking of them as the ones who were rejecting Him. He was also predicting that they would kill Him, and they knew that they had judged themselves as wicked, worthless and evil tenants for doing so.

In the passage of scripture in Isaiah, there is the instruction to sanctify, set apart and revere the Lord of hosts, and let Him be their fear and their dread. If they were to do this, the Lord of hosts (of the mighty armies) would be their sanctuary. This scripture then amazingly goes on to add that the Lord Who would be a sanctuary to those who have revered, feared and dreaded Him, would be the very stone of stumbling and a rock of offence to both houses of Israel, and a gin and a snare to the inhabitants of the Jerusalem. It predicted that many of these people would stumble and fall and be broken and be snared, and be taken.

The chief priests and scribes standing before Jesus, knew that the kingdom of God entrusted to them was to be taken away from them and given to a nation that would bring forth the fruit of the kingdom of God.

In the book of Daniel, Daniel is standing before the king of Babylon, giving him an interpretation of a dream. In the kings dream was a great big image of gold, silver, brass, iron, and iron and clay. The different parts represented the different worldly kingdoms through time, and how a great big stone came from the mountain and shattered this great big image.

Dan. 3:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

45 Forasmuch as you saw the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God has made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain and the interpretation thereof sure.

From the passage of scripture in Daniel, the kingdom of God was not to be entrusted to the nations or kingdoms of the world, for they would ultimately be destroyed by the kingdom of God.

The Application Now.

Speaking to His disciples, just before His betrayal, crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection, Jesus says that it is to them that He has appointed a kingdom, as His Father had appointed a kingdom to Him. Jesus said that they would eat and drink at His table in this kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Lk. 29-30). This promise must certainly hold true to some degree for all those who NOW believe and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. All those who are in Christ, have become part of a holy nation. It is only this holy nation that could expect to receive the kingdom of God, taken away from the children of Israel. But first let us consider a number of points:-

1. God had taken us out from our captivity to sin and Satan's control and He has brought us our eternal inheritance which He had prepared for us.

2. God then sends us His Word, Holy Spirit, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers that He might through their instruction receive the righteous fruit of righteous lives, but His Word, Holy Spirit, apostles, prophets evangelists, pastors and teachers are often grieved, rejected, beaten, stoned or killed through our rebellion.

3. After God sends more of His Word, Holy Spirit, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers who are dealt with in the same manner, He sends His Son to us in a very real way.

4. Will we be like the people in Israel and eventually seize the opportunity to kill Jesus Christ, God's Son, and in killing Him think that we are doing God a favour? Our unbelief, is what puts Him on the cross afresh; we go back in time and personally drive the nails and spear into Him.

Read: 1Pt. 2:1-12 (Amplified).

The Holy Nation is made up of those Who:

1. Have come to the Lord Jesus Who was that tried and tested Stone which was rejected of men, and chosen of God. They believe, trust in and adhere to the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Have shown that they are done with every kind of wickedness, deceit, insincerity, hypocrisy, grudges, envy, jealousy, slander and evil speaking of every kind.

3. Having fed on the sincere milk of the word, they have obeyed it's instructions and have therefore grown to maturity, where they too are like living stones built into a spiritual house.

4. Display through their wonderful deeds and virtues the perfection of Him Who called us out of the darkness into His marvellous light, because they conduct themselves properly before the people of the world.

Now no-one, absolutely no-one can even begin to do what the Lord requires without having first fallen on the Stone.

Mt. 21:44 Whoever falls on this Stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom the Stone falls will be crushed to powder and scattered like dust in the wind.

Whoever throws Himself onto Christ, Who entirely puts their entire lives into his hands, fully leaning all their being on Him, will be broken and made contrite.

Ps. 34:18 The Lord is near to those that are of a broken [or burst] heart; and saves such as be of a contrite [crushed] spirit.

There is no self-will left. You recognise that there is only God's will for your life. There is no self-reliance in you. You have finally realised that only Jesus Christ can take you to heaven. There is no self-dependence on your own abilities to get you through life, for it is God's ability and His ability alone that is the source of your strength and endurance. You have nothing to be self-confident about because you have realised what a hopeless wreck of a wretched person you really are, and your confidence is in God and in God alone.

You have had it with being in the Church of the people. You have had more than enough of the mess your own judgments and decisions have caused you. You cannot stand keeping Jesus Christ outside for another minute. You willingly open wide the door and invite Him in.

STRUCTURED IN CHRIST

You can either be founded upon Christ and built up in Him, or you can be founded on man, and built up in the ways of man. "Man" is that creature that was created perfect, but who fell into sin; fallen, he is corrupted and condemned to eternal punishment. Christ, leaving the glories of heaven took on a low state, went even lower by entering the realm of the dead, but Who now is highly exalted and seated at the right hand of the Father. It should be obvious that it would be far better to be founded upon and built up in the exalted Christ than in fallen man.

Read: Eph. 2:13-22

I) But now... indicating something before?

in the past.., you were:-

a) Gentiles¹⁴⁸⁴ in the flesh; by natural decent, a multitude of people of the same nature or genus; in the N.T., a non-Jewish nation or tribe, usually considered to be heathen (one who has no religion) or pagan (one who believes in many gods).

b) called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

c) without Christ,

d) aliens⁵²⁶ from the commonwealth⁴¹⁷⁴ of Israel; one who is off of his own land or out of his own country and a non-participant in the community of Israel; a non-citizen of Israel.

e) strangers³⁵⁸¹ from the covenants¹²⁴² of promise¹⁸⁶⁰; one who does not know and therefore has no part in the contracts, agreements of assurance of good,

f) having no hope¹⁶⁸⁰; no pleasurable anticipation or expectation; these people have no confidence to face the future.

g) without God in the world:

h) far off

ii) But now... indicating something different?

you are:-

a) In Christ Jesus

b) made nigh by the blood of Christ.

c) [fortunate] to have Jesus as our peace

d) not separated from Israel by a middle wall of partition for this wall has been broken down

e) made one with Israel

f) no longer enemies of Israel, for Christ abolished²⁶⁷³ the enmity through the agency of His flesh; the enmity has been rendered entirely idle and useless. Note that it is the enmity that existed between true Israel and the Gentiles that has been rendered useless, for true Israel is in Christ.

g) made in Christ to be one new man together with Israel

h) reconciled by Christ together with Israel to God, in one body on the cross

I) [also recipients] together with Israel of the Christ's preaching of peace

j) together with Israel have through Christ access by one Spirit to the Father.

k) no longer strangers and foreigners

l) fellow-citizens with the saints

m) of the household of God

n) built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone.

o) a building that is fitly framed together with Israel and one another in Christ

p) a building that grows into an holy temple in the Lord.

q) built together with Israel in Christ to be an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Many people in the Church of the people hate anything to do with structure and order. While there are very many Christians who over emphasise the importance of a physical building which is incorrectly called a church, the people of the "loose order" hate all form of organised gatherings. They condemn all people who meet regularly in a building as "denominational abominations". And because all people in Christ are equal, there are to be no leaders; none with authority to lead, guide organise and protect. They believe that Church is merely a spontaneous meeting gathered together by the Holy Spirit and in which the Holy communicates through every one present. In this church of the people there is no place for preparation and planning, and definitely no place for a programme for the preacher. There is certainly no place for particular gifted people to lead, guide and teach. All is done by the Holy Spirit, and if they feel the Holy Spirit is leading them to go to church only once a month or once every six months, then that is all that is necessary.

In this church time therefore means very little, in that you can come and go as you feel the Holy Spirit is leading you. If you come ten, twenty, forty minutes late, just amble in. If you want to rush off somewhere, just get up and go. After all with God, there is no such thing as earthly time to consider.

Now if the Holy Spirit did communicate to every Christian, and say, lead them purely by inward witness to meet on the Strand beach at two o'clock on Saturday afternoon; every one who had a musical instrument brought it along, he who had a generator brought that too, or whatever was needed, without anybody saying anything to anyone else, we all found ourselves on the beach ready for a Holy Spirit fired up meeting, then I'd say Hallelluia, because I know I will be one of those God will choose to share a spontaneous message. All this is certainly possible. But in reality, who really listens to the Holy Spirit that well?

Generally we need someone to make arrangements and for someone else to do the organising, providing the preparations, and putting forth the plans and the purposes, others to do lead the praise and worship, and still another to prophecy, another to speak in tongues and provide the interpretation to it, and still another preach the word of God, proclaiming His desires, will and purposes. Hopefully, every person will be dependent on the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit anyway. Simply, God works with His people. In fact He even goes as far as saying, "You preach My word, I'll confirm it with signs and wonders following. Whatever work you do with your hands while heeding My righteous laws and trusting in Me, I will prosper it".

Notice the order or structure in the following scriptures:-

Read: Eph. 4:7-13

1Cor. 12:1-11

Rom. 12:1-8

People perform the work of the ministry. Different people have different gifts or functions. All of the people are to be dependent on the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit only speaks that which proceeds from the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit cooperates with the Father and the Son, and is in full agreement with the Word of God. The Holy Spirit also shows God's people those things which are to come. This means that the Holy Spirit, in the foreknowledge of God communicates future events to prepare God's people for these events. While the worldly people are often struggling to know where they came from, and to where they are going; doing all sorts of things to help them predict the future, those who are new creations in Christ Jesus, are given vital inside information. Those in Christ and led by the Holy Spirit, know from where they are, to whee they are going. This is not not just about matters that are eternal, by those which concern our lives on earth also. We have to understand though, that we are of a new order.

Text: Eph. 2:19-22

a) no longer strangers³⁵⁸¹ and foreigners³⁹⁴¹; no longer one who does not know or partake and no longer one who merely has a home nearby but..

b) fellow-citizens⁴⁸⁴⁷ with the saints; united with, fully associated with and companions of the saints; natives of the same town or community that is made up of saints, those people who are separated from satan and sin, and consecrated or dedicated to the service of God.

c) of the household³⁶⁰⁹ of God; those who are of the family of God; those who live with God as His relatives.

d) built²⁰²⁶ upon the foundation²³¹⁰ of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone; constructed and reared up upon the base made up of apostles, prophets and Jesus Christ. The chief corner stone is always laid down first.

e) a building³⁶¹⁹ that is fitly framed⁴⁸⁸³ together with Israel and one another in Christ; a constructed structure or dwelling that is united, closely jointed together and organised compactly with Israel and one another in Christ.

f) a building that grows⁸³⁷ into an holy temple³⁴⁸⁵ in the Lord; a building that enlarges or increases into holiest central sanctuary of the sacred (dedicated) place in the Lord.

g) builded⁴⁹²⁵ together with Israel in Christ to be an habitation²⁷³² of God through the Spirit; united in a closely constructed and confirmed association with Israel in Christ to be a permanent dwelling or resident place of God through the Spirit.

Read: Ex. 36:1-38

This chapter gives some specific details regarding the construction of the tabernacle. The Lord had instructed the children of Israel through Moses to make a sanctuary⁴⁷²⁰ (consecrated or holy place) that He might dwell⁷⁹³¹ (reside, stay or live) among them. The tabernacle⁴⁹⁰⁸ (residence) and all the instruments within it were to be constructed according to the patterns⁸⁴⁰³ (models or structures with similar form) shown to Moses by the Lord Himself. (Ex. 25:8-9).

i) The Lord puts wisdom and understanding in His people that they may know how to work for the service of the sanctuary. (v1).

ii) The people sense a stirring in their hearts to do the work to which they are called. (v2).

iii) Those who do the work in the sanctuary or in the service of God work with the materials and the wealth willingly given by the people of God. There are people who will even give towards the work of the Lord on a daily basis. (v3).

iv) When people are really motivated to their service and giving towards the work of the Lord, it could be necessary to ask the people to stop their giving. (vv4-7).

v) The wise hearted men made curtains and coverings; 10 fine twined linen curtains, embroided with cheribim angels (like those guarding the tree of life) were to be coupled and looped together with taches of gold to make one tabernacle (vv8-13), 11 goats hair curtains as a tabernacle covering, coupled and looped together with brass taches for the tent of the tabernacle which were covered by rams skins dyed red, and then another covering of badger skins above the rams skins (vv14-19).

vi) The wise hearted men also made boards from acacia wood (representing man, or the humanity of Christ Jesus; members in His body) for the tabernacle which each had two tenons to be jointed together (top and bottom) with one another, 20 on the south side, 20 on the north side, 6 for the west side and eight boards for the corners, each with their two sockets of silver (representing the redemption of the Christian through Christ) placed under the boards. 15 bars of acacia wood were also made; five for each side that were to go through the 20 boards on each side. These bars (representing the five fold ministry of apostle, prophet, evangelist pastor and teacher in the body of Christ and through the divine nature of God) passed through gold rings attached to each the boards, were to strengthen and hold the boards of the wall together. The boards were overlaid with gold (to fully illustrate how each Christian is in the body of Christ, Who is Himself God) (vv20-34).

vii) Two veils were also made, one for the outer and the other for the inner courts. The veil of the outer court was supported by five wooden pillars overlaid with gold on brass sockets (representing the books of the Pentateuch or again the five fold ministry). The veil of the inner court was supported by four pillars of wood overlaid with gold on silver sockets (representing the four New Testa manet gospels that are given by men in God and supported by the redemption that is in Christ) (vv35-38).

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

"I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH"

There are extremely important questions that the Lord Jesus Christ could ask each and every one of us. In deed He does ask them if we will listen attentively. How we answer is really vital to our own well being.

Read: Mt. 15:13-20

Jesus came to part of Caesarea, Philippi where originally a temple had been erected to a god of flocks and material substance, called Pan. Herod the Great rebuilt it and also built and dedicated a temple to Caesar. Phillip, tetrarch of Iturea (Lk. 3:1) enlarged it and named it Caesarea, adding Phillipi after himself to distinguish it from the place on the sea coast. While praying with the disciples, but apart from the masses, Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do people say that I the Son of man am? (Mt. 15:13; Lk. 9:18). After the disciples answered saying that the people thought He was John the Baptist or some other prophet raised from the dead, Jesus asked them Who they thought He was?

It is an important question. Who do you think Jesus Christ is? Is Jesus Christ some voice that comes to you out of the wilderness, or just some prophet come back from the dead? Is He merely a god of your work, helping you to produce material wealth? What you really think of Him, will be reflected in your life; in your faith or your lack of faith. It will depend on whether God can use you or whether He cannot use you as Christ builds His Church. Who you really believe Jesus Christ is, will largely depend on what you think a Church or a temple is; a place to praise and worship the Lord God, our gracious and merciful heavenly Father with the other saints or a place you come to give some allegiance to the god of your productivity and wealth?

Peter answered Jesus, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God".

Is the Almighty Creator of the heavens and earth a living God to you? or is He a lifeless dumb idol that refuses to answer your prayers? Again, what your answer is, will largely determine whether your life is one of righteousness, peace or contentment and joy, or one of sinfulness, chaos or confusion and misery.

Peter's answer was the right one to give. It was a confession that was as good as an immovable rock on which a foundation could be laid; the only foundation on which we can build our lives, and on which Christ can build His Church. Hence, the injunctions (the authoritive orders), "Hold fast the form of sound words and that which you have". (2Tim. 1:13; Heb. 3:5-9). Rev. 3:11). That "Rock" is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. (Isa. 26:18; Ps. 118:22). He is our Rock solid foundation. He is the Rock solid foundation of His Church.

Read: 1Cor. 3:8-17.

I) We reap a reward according to our own labour.

ii) We who serve God are labourers together with God.

iii) You who receive our labours are God's farm or garden and God's building.

iv) God gives the plan which is executed by His servants; one of whom lays a foundation, another erects part of a building and then the individual believer continues to build himself.

v) Those people who build their lives in obedience will receive a reward, but those who disobey the word will be punished.

vi) Build your life in Christ with the clear understanding that you are the temple of the living God, within you by the Holy Spirit in you.

The Word of God was with God, and was God Himself, and came and dwelt on the earth as the Son of man, Jesus Christ. The Word of God is also largely given by His apostles and prophets. In this sense Jesus Christ, the apostles and prophets make up the foundation of the holy temple in which God resides. (Eph. 2:14-22).

As we co-labour with the Lord Jesus Christ in the building of His Church according to the revelation given to us through the apostles and prophets, we build the Church on the foundation of Christ, the apostles and the prophets.

In the sense that we build our lives in conformity to the Word of God proclaimed by them, we build on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Speak the Word of God, and you give God something to build on. Speak the Word of God, and the gates of Hell will not be able to prevail against you. Speak words of death, and your life will be like the house that is built on the shifting sands; no stability and no security. Your life will change like the wind. The Lord Jesus Christ does not want to entrust part of His building program to those who cannot decide in their minds Who He really is.

CHURCH, AS A GENERAL TERM.

What is the Church? What the Church is has to be defined by the scriptures. The word "church occurs 108 times. It is translated from the Greek word, "Ekklesia" which is found 114 times, and means "a gathering called out from the masses", an assembly or congregation. Originally the word was used to signify a meeting, usually of political nature, but now a meeting of religious nature.

"Ek" - from; out of

"Kaleo" - call

Ekklesia has been translated as:-

1. Assembly. (Acts 19:32, 39, 41).

2. Church. (Mt. 16:18; 18:17; Acts 2:47; 5:11; 7:8; 8:1,3; 11:22,26; 12:1,5; 13:1: 14:23,27; 15:3,4,22; 18:22; 20:17,28; Rom. 16:1,5,23; 1Cor. 1:2; 4:17; 6:4; 10:32; 11:18, 22; 12:28; 14:4,5,12,19,23, 28, 35).

3. Churches. Acts 9:31, 15:41; 16:5; 19:37; Rom. 16:4,16; 1Cor. 7:17

Israel - A called out nation, used the word "synagogue" to describe the people who gathered to worship God. Therefore synagogue, Ekklesia, and Church are all words that describe a gathering of people.

Christians - A called out people from the different nations to become a holy nation.

The New Testament Church.

The New Testament Church is a called out body of people who:

1. are born again

2. live in and by faith

3. are alive in Christ

In the scriptures there are basically three different categories of church:

1. The Universal

2. The Country Churches

3. The Local and Temporal Churches.

1. THE UNIVERSAL

The Universal Church:

i) is made of the whole company of redeemed saints. (Eph. 3:11; Heb. 12:23). Whatever the nation, country or community they live in, the colour of the skin, the language the people speak, if they are born again and alive in Christ, they make up the Church. "The word "universal" is not found in scripture, but it is a convenient word to describe all those who have faith in Christ for their salvation.

ii) includes all the spiritual people who have been made members of the universal family of God.

iii) is the body or bodies of people who are indwelt by God through the Holy Spirit.

iv) is made up of all those who are in the body of Christ. All those who are in the body of Christ are those who are saved.

v) does not include the unsaved, is not a mere social club and neither is it a mere human organisation.

2. THE COUNTRY CHURCHES.

The Country Churches of the scriptures:

i) were made of all those Churches that operated throughout their respective region. eg. Paul wrote to the Churches of Galatia which was a province of Asia Minor.

ii) There was no city by the name, Galatia and how many churches were being addressed is not known. However, more that one church is addressed in this area.

ii) included all the true Christians who were living in this area.

3. THE LOCAL AND TEMPORAL CHURCHES.

The Local and Temporal Churches:

i) is made of the company or companies of redeemed people in any locality or community who voluntarily unite themselves to meet in the name of Jesus Christ.

ii) are God's people who establish themselves in the gospel of God and His Christ.

iii) may consist of any number of people from two or three to ten, a hundred or even thousands. (Mt. 18:15-20).

iv) are mentioned many times in scriptures. (Mt. 18:17; Acts 14:23; Rom. 16:5; 1Cor. 1:2; 4:17; 16:19; Phil. 4:15; Col. 4:15; 1Pt. 5:13; Rev. 1:11: 2:1,8,12,18; Rev. 3:1,7).

THE CHURCH AS AN ORGANISATION.

Fundamentally the moment two or more people meet around a common objective, an organisation is formed. An organisation is an organised body, system or society. The Church is a body; a highly ordered body at that. It is not in a state of chaos, nor is it ambling along an unknown course totally confused. The fact that a church is to have a common function based upon holy principles of procedure or orderliness, it identifies itself as a system. As far as it being an association of persons sharing a common aim or interest, it is a society. Now having said all this, we have to make clear distinctions between those organisations that are true New Testament Christian Churches and those that are not.

Organisations that are not True Churches.

Non-Christian Church organisations are those:

i) that are established solely by men and managed solely by men.

ii) that permit unsaved people in its membership.

iii) that do not have scriptural doctrines.

iv) that do not have the whole Bible as the rule of faith.

Organisations that are True Churches.

True Christian Churches are those that:

i) recognise the authority of the Bible, rightly divided as the rule of faith, practice of life and conduct. (2Tim. 3:16).

ii) have truly born again believers who bear the fruits of genuine Christian living for members. These members wilfully obey the ordinances, doctrines and laws of the Bible, not depending in their own ability, but on the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

iii) truly separated from the habit of sin, and are consecrated to the will of God.

iv) give each and every member a right to a voice in its government and discipline, provided each and every member adheres to the Biblical format. (Mt. 18:15-20; 1Cor. 5:1-7; Rev. 2-3).

v) permit its members freedom of conscience and personal responsibility to God.

vi) operate independently of the State. Where the State adheres to the laws of God and finds a Christian guilty of breaking this law, then it goes without saying that the Christian is to be punished by the State. However, where the laws of the State violate the laws of God, the Christian is to adhere to the laws of God, bearing in mind the possible consequences that could be brought to bear against them by the State. The reward for allegiance to God, far out weighs the State's punishment.

Conclusion.

The New Testament Church in not an organisation based upon the common brotherhood of man. It does not rest on purely humanitarian principals, but it is a supernatural body of believers filled with the presence and the power of God as its individuals conform to the gospel of Christ.

The New Testament Church is like a family in its social life, yet it is unlike a family in its formation. Each local Church is part of the Universal Church in the broad sense.

There are many local churches and many people that do not belong to the body of Christ, and therefore they are not part of the Universal Church, termed the "body of Christ" in the New Testament.

Christ, the apostles and prophets are the foundation of the Church and our very lives in Him. Learn the Word. Know the Word. Heed the Word. Live by the Word and build your life on the Rock solid foundation of obedience to all that God would have you do. Christ was fully obedient. Live in Him.

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

RELATING TO GOD THE SAVED AND THE WORLD

Understanding how the Church relates to God, the saved and the world, increases our appreciation for what the New Testament Church is. We will consider relating to God under three categories, The Body of Christ, The Temple of God and The Family of God.

THE BODY OF CHRIST RELATING TO GOD.

All the people who have called on the Lord and who believe that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, are saved. These saved people are all members of the body of Christ, with Christ as their head. The Head and the body make the complete Church and the complete Christ. The Church, as the body of Christ, speaks of the inseparable union of the saved with their Saviour and Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ. The saved are in Christ, and He is in them. Anyone who is in Christ is a new kind of being. The bodies of those in Christ are referred to as "members of Christ". Paul, writing to the Ephesians said that we are members of Christ's body. As members of His body, we are also members of one another. Generally this knowledge is imparted to encourage our good Christlike behaviour towards one another. (Rom. 10:8-13; 2Cor. 5:17; 1Cor. 6:15; Eph. 5:30; 4:25; Col. 1:27; 2:10).

The body of Christ is referred to in the following ways within the scriptures of the King James Version of the Bible:

1. One body. (Rom. 12:4-5; 1Cor.10:17; 12:12-13; Eph. 2:16; 4:4; Col. 3:15).

2. The body. (1Cor. 12:14-16, 18, 19, 22-25; Eph. 4:16; 5:23).

3. The whole body. (1Cor. 12:17; Eph. 4:16).

4. His body. (Eph. 1:23; 5:30).

5. The same body. (Eph. 3:6).

6. The body, the church. (Col. 1:18)

7. His body's sake, which is the church. (Col. 1:24).

8. All the body. (Col. 2:19).

Read: Rom. 12:1-8.

Paul, by the Holy Spirit of God, appeals to those in Rome, the brethren and those called to be saints, which can be extended to include each and every person who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ. He appeals to each and every one of us:-

i) by the mercies of God

ii) to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God.

iii) not to be conformed to this world

iv) to be transformed by the renewing of our minds

v) to prove that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God

vi) not to be highly opinionated

vii) to be sober minded.

Without the mercy of God, Paul would not have been able to make the appeal. Without the mercy of God we would not have what it takes to hear and heed his appeal. We would most certainly not be able to present ourselves to God without His mercy first being extended towards us. God has always and always takes the initiative for us to be drawn to Him. He enables us to be whatever He wants us to be, not because anyone comes to pressure Him (there simply is no one), but out of His own kind and generous intent.

We are to present ourselves to God, firstly as a body, and preferably one that is dead. We have to come to God, dead? without our own personality, character or nature including our own desires and will. Yet, we are to come to God, not as dead bodies, but as living sacrifices. We come alive in Christ. No one can approach God, except they be in Christ; No one comes to the Father, but through Jesus Christ. Christ is the only Way to the Father. You can only be in Christ if you have died to yourself, to your own abilities and your own goodness and therefore your own opinionated righteousness. Only in Christ are you holy. Only in Christ are you acceptable. Only in Christ can you hope to perform in what is to be your reasonable service; can you intelligently put your mind towards obedient worship of God in all that you do.

Only in Christ is it possible for you to ignore the example of the people living in this age who are without Christ. You do not have to pattern your life according to the ways of the ungodly. In Christ you have what it takes to transformed or supernaturally transfigured into the very image, pattern or example set before you by Christ Himself.

We are not to have too high an opinion of ourselves; not to be conceited and self-important, but to take a sane view of ourselves (soberly^1519,4993, continually or thoroughly sound minded, right minded or moderate in our estimation of ourselves). Hence, we are not to think too highly nor too lowly of ourselves. God considered us important enough to send His Son to die for us. Yet, without Christ, we are only fit for the eternal fires of Hell.

Paul compares the body of Christ with a human body which has many different parts; each part having its own particular function (office⁴²³⁴, practice, repeated or habitual performance). Just as each part in the human body has a different function, so each and every person who trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ, has a particular gift⁵⁴⁸⁶; divinely given spiritual ability or qualification to bring about some good). That which you have the faith to do, do it diligently, without outward show, with cheerfulness and by showing unfeigned love. The different gifts mentioned in this passage include:

1. Prophecy; speaking to people to edify (build up, improve benefit) and exhort (advise, urge, remind, reprove or scold to correct) them. (1Cor. 14:3-6; 2Tim. 3:16; 4:2).

2. Ministry; service rendered by someone like a deacon; one who executes the command of another. (1Tim. 3:8-13; Mt. 20:26).

3. Teaching; instructing others to impart information or doctrine. (Acts 13:1).

4. Exhortation; a calling aside, to invite or invoke, making an appeal by way of entreaty (begging earnestly), comfort, instruction or exhortation. (Acts 4;36; Heb. 10:25).

5. Giving; generously share with others without an outward show. (2Cor. 8:2; 9:11-13).

6. Ruling; one who is appointed to stand before (in rank) to preside (be chairman, to exercise control or authority) or practise (carry out action requiring skill), a leader and any one given responsibility over any business or function of the church. (1Th. 5:12; 1Tim. 3:4,5,12; 5:17; Tit. 3:8,14).

7. Showing mercy; tender compassion by divine grace shown in word or deed when visiting the sick, the poor or imprisoned; one who does charitable work.

Now these gifts may appear to be exercised by those in the body of Christ solely for the others who are in the body of Christ. Yet, the body of Christ should really relate to the people in the world.

Christ did not come to condemn the world. He came for a dying world; a world full of people that God loved so much, He sent His Son to come and save. Without the obedience of Christ, we ourselves would have no part in the plan of God. Each of the seven gifts listed from the portion of the letter to the Romans and given above, were all exercised by the Lord Jesus Christ as He reached out to the people in His service of God. While we were evil sinners following the dictates of the evil prince of the air as children of rebellion, Christ came and gave His life for us. Christ came for us, even while we were His enemies in the world. It is Christ Who came to reconcile the world to God. He came to change us from being God's enemies to being His friends. Those in Christ are to be imitators of Him. We are to follow His example. We who are in Christ will use our God given gifts to help those still in the world to come to Jesus. Therefore, it is those who are in the body of Christ who have been entrusted the word of reconciliation; we who are in Christ, have been given the ministry of reconciliation. We, the body of Christ, have been given the message by which we can change others from being God's enemies to being His friends. Hence we, each and every Christian, are to serve God by turning His enemies into His friends. We are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. As the light of the world, we reveal Christ in such a way to the people in the world that they, who are drawn to God, will desire to know Him. As the salt of the earth, we preserve God's truth; He desires all men to be saved. (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:10-11; Eph. 2:1-7; 5:1-2; Mt. 5:13,14; Jn. 6:44; 12:32).

As a Babe, Man or a Bride?

While every one who is in Christ is a new creation, not every one who is in Christ is mature or perfect in their development. It is necessary for all of us to grow in grace and the knowledge of the Son of God. Peter advises the Christian to desire the sincere milk of the word that he may grow by it in the same way that little babies need to drink milk to survive. Paul, somewhat perturbed by the behaviour of the Corinthian Christians, referred to them as being mere "babes in Christ". "Babes in Christ" is a term to describe the beginning stage of Christian living and of the person living, more in the natural than in the spiritual way of life. Paul also used the term "milk" saying that he had fed these Christians the "milk" instead of the "meat" of the word. He was indicating to them that because they were behaving as mere natural people and little babes in the things of God, he had to continue giving them the first principles of Christian living which included the simple truths of faith. He longed to address them as mature and therefore spiritual adults in Christ. He knew that people who lived according to the ways of natural men, could not begin to understand the things of the Spirit of God. Hence, when Christ ascended, after first descending into the lower parts, He gave gifts to mankind, that those who are separated from sin and dedicated to God would be perfected unto "a perfect man". (1Pt. 2:2; 1Cor. 3:1-3; Heb. 5:11-14; 6:1; 1Cor. 2:9-16; Eph. 4:13).

Describing how the Gentiles, who were considered to be aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the promises given to the children of Israel, we read how they are brought together with Israel in Christ to be made one new man, reconciled unto God in one body. Then, as we have already shown, to be made into the perfect man. Again these terms are to emphasise how those in Christ are united to the Lord. He that is joined to the Lord is in one spirit. (Eph. 2:11-16; 4:13; 1Cor. 6:17).

Now we have shown that the body of Christ is referred to as being that of a man. Now what of it being the bride? Before we consider how those in the body of Christ can be referred to as both a man and a bride, it is necessary to digress a little to consider another difficulty.

What does it mean to be in Christ, in one spirit or in God? Do we physically and bodily enter into God, the Spirit and Christ? Does God bodily and physically enter into each of us? How can we bodily and physically enter into one another? It simply is not possible, and yet there are scriptures which indicate that we can be in one another. Therefore, what is really meant to be in one another, Christ, the Spirit and God? It can mean we consider one another; we have a mind for each other; we have one another's interests at heart; we are in union with each other; we are consecrated and dedicated towards achieving the same end - one in mind, purpose, will and life; in full agreement with one another just as a husband and wife are to be one. We have already shown that we need to imitate Christ. We would not do so unless we fully agreed that His life was worth following. (2Cor. 7:3; Phil. 1:7; 2Cor. 5:19; Jn. 14:20; 10-14; 1Jn. 2:24; 2Cor. 5:17; Rom. 8:9,10; Col. 1:27; Acts 17:28).

Many Biblical scholars argue that it is impossible for the body of Christ to be both masculine and feminine. Therefore, they reject the idea that those in the Church are being prepared as the bride, the wife of the Lamb, our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rev. 21:9-10). Just as it was possible to find an explanation for the terms "in Christ, in the Spirit and in God", we have a possible explanation for the body of Christ being one moment, male and another time, female. Try and understand that spiritual truths are being conveyed by illustrations that are from the natural world; something which is very difficult to do. While by presenting the following explanation may stir up some to get into some theological division, those with any kind of heart for God will only be motivated to keep alert for Christ's imminent return.

Gen. 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: ...

27 So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.

2:07 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life: and man became a living soul.

18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and He took one of His ribs, and closed up the flesh thereof;

22 And the rib which God had taken from man, made He a woman, and brought her to the man.

First of all we are to recognise that God created both male and female simultaneously, but He formed Adam from the ground, and only after a time, He made Eve from Adam. In Adam, there was Eve. God took Eve out of Adam. Fundamentally, God took the bride out from the sleeping body of a man. Hence, the possibility of a bride been taken from a sleeping body is firmly established in the book of Beginnings.

Now, what of the sleeping Church, or the sleeping body of Christ as it is also referred to? Note the following:-

Rom. 13:11 Besides this you know what [a critical] hour this is, how it is high time now for you to wake up out of your sleep [and be] (roused to reality). For the salvation (final deliverance) is nearer to us now than when we first believed Adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Christ the Messiah).

Eph. 5:14 ... Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light.

15 Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),

16 Making the most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.

These scriptures indicate that there are those who are in the body of Christ who have fallen asleep, and it is necessary for them to awaken. Now turning to the Gospel of Matthew we find something else of significance. Again, if you want to find some theological argument about its appropriateness, you will loose the benefit of the eternal word of God that instructs, corrects and disciplines us. (2Tim. 3:16).

Read: Mt. 25:1-13.

Jesus, attempting to convey truths about the kingdom of heaven, likened it to ten virgins. Five of which were described as being wise for they had taken extra oil with their lamps, and the other five as foolish for they had taken no additional oil for their lamps. The ten virgins were to be prepared to meet the bridegroom who was delayed in his coming. All the virgins became sleepy and fell asleep. In Israel, the bridegroom set out for his bride with the rise of the evening star. But in this instance there had been a delay. As he started out from his home to the home of the bride he was accompanied by friends who would call out along the way, "Awake the bridegroom is coming!" When he finally got to the home of the virgins, those who had come prepared were able to accompany him. While those who were unprepared were left behind, and when they finally got to where the reception was being held, they were locked out. Now you will have noted that I have not identified any particular person or group of people as being the Lord Jesus Christ, or the Christians. However, if you look at v13, you will notice a similar instruction to that which we have seen in the epistles for us to be alert. Also note the referral to the coming of the Son of man, Who is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Without getting into some ridiculous theological argument, can we be drawn to certain similarities with which we as Christians are faced with?

I) Christians are involved in the Kingdom of God, of His dear Son, of Christ, of our Lord. While there are theological details about each of these kingdoms which are unique from each other, the King of the kingdom of heaven is Jesus Christ.

ii) Jesus Christ is coming for His people, and He may very well come in the night.

iii) When He comes for His people there are going to be some of those who are ready and prepared, while others will have put off what they have needed to do until another day. Caught unprepared they will not be accepted by Him.

iv) Whoever you feel this illustration is meant for, you should most certainly be aware that it could have great significance for those in the now awaiting the return of Jesus. Therefore, accept the warning and be prepared for His return.

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

RELATING TO GOD THE SAVED AND THE WORLD II

THE BODY OF CHRIST RELATING TO THE SAVED

All the people who believe, or trust, rely or fully depend on the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation, are members of the body of Christ, which has Christ as its head. The phrase "the body of Christ" reveals the inseparable union that the individual members have with Christ and with one another. It also reveals the inseparable union that exists between each different church, whether it be a local assembly, the churches within an area, a city, province or country, or the churches addressed on a continent. All the churches in Jesus Christ are in the one body of the Lord Jesus Christ, and they all form the whole body of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The members of the body of Christ have a threefold relationship:-I) Organically related (1Cor. 12:12-27; Rom. 12; Eph. 4).

ii) Cooperatively related (1Cor. 12:21-23).

iii) Sympathetically related (1Cor. 12:24-26; Rom. 12).

Read. 1Cor.12:1-31.

1. ORGANICALLY RELATED .

When we speak of the body of Christ, we are referring to its similarity to the human body. We are trying to use natural and therefore understandable terms to convey spiritual truths which are at times difficult concepts to understand. We have to understand that natural illustrations have their limitations.

Simply, an organ is a part of a plant, animal or human which serves a particular function. We have organs of speech, reproductive organs... We are looking at our relationship with another as though we were an organic body to help us understand that we are inseparably related to another as individual living organs in a highly organised physical structure. Each organ is in some way dependent on another organ. The "foot" cannot say, "I am only a foot, and because I do not appear to be as useful or dextrous as a hand, I am not of the body. Neither can the "hand" say, "I am not a foot that is able to take a body into different places, therefore I am not of the body". The body needs the hands, the feet, the ears, the eyes and the nose. Each body part has its own function.

1Cor. 12:18 God has set the members, every one of them, in the body, as it has pleased Him.

Read. 1Cor. 12:14-20.

I) The body is one.

ii) The body is made up of many different members or parts.

iii) Each part or organ is in some way dependent on another organ.

The "foot" cannot say, "I am only a foot, and because I do not appear to be as useful or dextrous as a hand, I am not of the body. Neither can the "hand" say, "I am not a foot that is able to take a body into different places, therefore I am not of the body". The body needs the hands, the feet, the ears, the eyes and the nose.. Can you imagine one big mouth? How would it get around? What about one big ear? All it will amount to is one big ornament. It cannot even hear of itself. It is dependent on other organs for us to perceive the sounds that surround us.

Each body part has its own function.

1Cor. 12:18 God has set the members, every one of them, in the body, as it has pleased Him.

If the Christians within the body would seek to please God in whatever role they have been given (whatever role they have the faith for), there would be no confusion or strife.

2. COOPERATIVELY RELATED.

Read. 1Cor. 12:21-23

I) The body has parts that appear to be less recognised and therefore less honourable.

ii) Then there are body parts, as those within the body which because they appear weak and delicate, we may be inclined to despise them.

iii) The feeble, shapeless parts are very necessary.

In the natural body the weak and delicate parts are surrounded by other stronger more durable body parts.

The weaker and more delicate members in the body of Christ are often despised, when in actual fact the whole function of the body is very dependent on them. Think of the importance of the unseen heart, the lungs, the kidneys and the liver - all vital organs for the continued function of the body, no matter how automatic or mundane their task. The liver and the kidneys have the terrible, yet very important, task of keeping the body clean. They are like the garbage disposers. The very health of the body is dependent on garbage disposers. We need people who will be as the kidney and the liver to keep us pure before the Lord. It is one thing to build us up as a godly people, and quite another to edify a wicked people. If we only give a position to the edifying mouth, that is what will happen; the development of an evil body. Therefore, what is not of God, must first be cleansed out.

We all have a role to play. Just today, I said to someone, "The people in Waterkloof Transit Camp do not appear to care whether their children are educated or not. They do not pay the fees which would help support the teachers. We could sit aside and ask ourselves why we should bother, if they are not interested. They in turn, could complain that we Whites do not care enough about them as being fellow human beings. We treat them as though they were animals, because we do not pay them enough to house, clothe, feed and educate their children. We would end up passing the blame, and in the meantime nothing would be done. Then while our children have been educated, they will end up being killed out of jealous rage of those who hungry and unable to find work for their idle untrained and therefore unskilled hands. Helping the poor, might just mean that we are securing a better future for our own children".

Now that is a very important message that needs to be communicated to the people around Somerset West, South Africa, Africa as a whole, and the entire world. But, I cannot do it alone. Call me what you will, a mouth, a pen in the hand, ... without the rest of the body, the message cannot be communicated effectively. One of the primary functions of the body of Christ, is to reach the world that those still locked up in commendation might be liberated from the terrors of Satan and the hell that has been prepared for him. We need to effectively communicate the Christ-like lifestyle.