TM20131118 TODAYS MESSAGE Oluwamuyiwa Okuseinde : Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language ... the wonderful works of God (Acts 2:6, 11) From inception, the church has always been in the news. The apostolic church was continually in the news for preaching the gospel, setting the captives free, healing the sick, growing amidst daunting opposition, refusing to compromise with the world, demonstrating everywhere the reality of the living Christ, and turning the world right side up. Todays church is also always in the news, but unfortunately mostly for the wrong reasons. Journalists are having a field day, reporting the atrocities of Christians, the fraudulent practices of pastors, the flamboyance of tele-evangelists, and other carnal matters that drag the name of the Lord in the mud. Even when the news seem positive, they are what I call positively wrong reasons, like a church has just completed the largest auditorium in world, or a pastor has just bought a private jet, or a pastor has just opened a third private university, and many other things that are incidental to the kingdom of God. All these things are good but we must be careful not to give the impression that the preaching of the gospel of Christ is a secondary assignment. Besides, it is high time we understood that heaven gains no profit when all we are known for as Christians are those same things unbelievers get done without involving Christ. When all a child of God is known for is the fleet of his cars, the magnificence of his mansion, or the weight of his bank account, be sure that all heaven weeps for such a Christian. It is strange that todays church is content to boast about the size of its candle rather than the strength of its light. Yet our mandate is not to let our candles be so large before men, that they may see our big size or beautiful lamps, for that will not be sufficient to bring glory to our God. Rather, the command given to us is to let our light (the Gospel) so shine before men, that they may see our good works. This is what will bring glory to God. For, no matter how big and beautiful a candle is, it is of little use except it produces light to guide people along the right way. Beloved, what is it that is being noised abroad concerning you? Is it your ungodly tendencies or your Christ-like virtues? Dear servant of God, what is the current news about you, your church or ministry? Is it the wonderful works of God or the dubious works of men? While I am not asking you to seek the praise of men, I want you to know that you owe God, yourself and the world a duty to ensure that it is those things that bring glory to God that are being noised abroad concerning you at all times. We need help, o Lord, and you will help us for the sake of your name, righteousness and glory. ~
Posted on: Mon, 18 Nov 2013 16:49:23 +0000
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