Matthew 12: 33- 34 Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart In a generation with bloated egos and hyper hyped personas, its inevitable that the spirit of the age will seek to manifest through the Church of the Living God. The ultimate test for any tree is the nature of fruit it produces, every dispute concerning a tree will always be resolved by the kind of fruit it produces. Please note that its the tree that determines the fruit and not the other way around. Its instructive that the scandals and moral mishaps troubling the Church may have arisen when the Church left its divine mandate and began to see Herself as a corporate organisation competing with big global corporations. Lets take a look at the legacy of the Founder, Owner and Head of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ while in Ministry on Earth. 1. He used the same mode of transportation as the disciples - trekked when others trekked, traveled in a canoe with the ministry crew when sea travel became necessary. When he needed to fulfill prophecy about the triumphant entry into Jerusalem for His trial and crucifixion, He borrowed a donkey for ministry use. He did not even own one, God provided as needs for, arose. 2. He lived in the same dwelling situation as the rest of the disciples, His proximity to them was so obvious when they asked Him to teach them how to pray, why? they had seen Him pray several times often at night when the crowd surrounding Him had dispersed. 3. His ministry finances was huge but it was not for His personal use, How? When He requested for food for over 5000 men, not counting the women and children, the disciples were more concerned about where to get the food rather than whether the ministry could afford it. Today, rather than give such our, ministry will be more concerned about whether there will be enough offering bowls and ushers to harvest the large number of people present. 4. He gave His life and all for the Church John 10:11 - 12 - I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 5. His death and resurrection led to growth not decline, what do we see today, the Ministry usually goes into decline and when the founding Pastor passes on. After His crucifixion and resurrection, only 120 people were gather together to pray in His name without a building they could even call their own. But the 120 were so sold out to His testimony that the threat of death only propelled them to be more vocal in their crusades and desire to live for Him. Today, many generations and 2000 years later, we are numbered in Billions from a mere 120 disciples then. 6. He had a job, shocking for many of us to realize this, He was a Carpenter, people knew him with His trade. 7. His disciples had jobs too, why? they needed to live under the same conditions and set a living example for others in the Church. 8. While preparing for His departure, - John 20:21-22 And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you. And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. What do we have today, a lot of self appointed and self sent apostles masquerading as pastors, i believe that is why it is impossible for them to follow the template He left behind. but we have been warned to expect this - Matthew 7:15-16 - Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? Now before you open your mouth to complain and deride the Church of the Living God, know that majority of those in the limelight with the massive crowd are not necessarily representing God but have been able to discern what people wish to hear and are preaching just that to captivate the hearts of their gullible audience, How do i know? John 6:63 - It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. But there are some of you who do not believe. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. And He was saying, For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father. As a result of this MANY of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. So Jesus said to the twelve, You do not want to go away also, do you? (emphasis mine) Someone has said somewhere that the gospel is not preached clearly enough for the non elect to reject it The reason for this is ultimately all about money, the larger the crowd, the bigger the offering collection mentality. We must be careful to know that a ministry founded by God is the sole responsibility of God to sustain in all things including finances, Old testament prophets ministering under a covenant God said He did not like had more fruits than many of us can boast of today and guess what, they trusted God for daily provision and protection. What do we have today? Armed convoys and sirens all paid for with a continuous admonition to sow more in order for God to bless. An Atheist was on TV recently to attack that doctrine, Did God require an offering to create all things, why does He now need an offering to sustain His creation? Going back to the Tree and Fruit wisdom, where you are now, kindly look around and see what manner of fruits surround you in the ministry? This should open your eyes to the kind of tree you are standing under. Do not condemn the fruits rather blame the tree. Its just that simple. Luke 7:35 - Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children.
Posted on: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 09:09:29 +0000
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