Working the Works of God Brethren and fellow ministers of the gospel, how are we doing the works of God? Who do we magnify in our sermons, teachings, messages, programmes etc? Who occupies the centre of our activities? On whose foundation are we building on? Are we building on the foundation that has already been laid which is the Lord Jesus or on the foundation based on human philosophies or ideologies? The Bible in 1 Corinthians 3:11 says “ For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” We are either building upon God’s foundation which is in Christ Jesus or building on our own foundation or on others. Works or ministries built on Christ are characterised by the following: 1. They are of God and will therefore seek to glorify Him The Bible says that whatever we do in word or deed, we should do in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through Him (Col 3:17). Anything we do that does not point people to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ is rubbish and a complete waste of time (Phi 3:5-8). These types of work shall be burnt with fire on that Day (1 Cor 3:13-15). God does not share His glory with man neither does He give His praise to graven images (Isaiah 42:8). In our exploits for the kingdom, do we ascribe all the glory to Him who has given us the divine ability to achieve or do we arrogate to ourselves what does not and will never belong to us? Brethren let us remember that we are unworthy servants, whatever we do for God, we have only done what was commanded us to do by God (Luke 17:10). 2. They are committed into fulfilling the end time assignment of God The main focus of the end time assignment of God for us in these last days is to preach the gospel to the lost, have them baptised and disciple them into being members of body of Christ (the Church) by teaching them to observe all that Jesus Christ and the apostles commanded (Mt 28:19-20; Gal 1:11-12). Anything short of this is unacceptable to Him who has called us. We are not called to teach people how to become millionaires like I heard recently from one of the big Bishops from Nigeria. Such teachings are not from the Holy Spirit but from the pit of hell. 3. They are devoted into propagating the teachings of Jesus Christ and those of the apostles Our ministries must seek to promote the truth as taught by the Lord Jesus and the apostles. Condemned are all they who preach any other gospel that is contrary to that which was preached by the Lord Jesus and as revealed to the apostles by the Holy Spirit (Gal 1:8-9). Our works should focus on defending the faith (Jude verse 3), correct false teachings in love (2 Tim 2:25-26), and to separate ourselves from teachers, ministers and others in the church who deny fundamental Bible truths (Rom 16:17-18; 2 Cor 6:17). 4. They fulfil the Holy Spirit’s ministry The Holy Spirit’s ministry as revealed in John 16:7-8 comprises of: The exposure of sin and unbelief in order to awaken a consciousness of guilt and need for forgiveness The revelation of Jesus Christ as righteous Son of God, resurrected, vindicated and now the Lord of all Awareness of God’s standard of righteousness in Christ, showing us what sin is and giving us power to overcome the world Convincing us of Satan’s defeat at the cross, God’s present judgement of the world and the future judgement of the entire human race Any work we do for God should therefore seek to bring about these Holy Spirit’s cardinal points for His Church. 5. They are dedicated into making disciples for the Lord Jesus and His kingdom As believers, we have been called out of darkness into God’s marvellous light (1 Pet 2:9). This is a holy calling that comes with responsibilities. The Lord Jesus says to us in John 15:16 “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain…” Part of the fruit the Lord desires that we bear is to lead people to Christ and nurture them into being His disciples. Our work should therefore be tailored into working for the conversion of others to Christ (John 12:24-26). 6. They are unswerving in building the kingdom of God Our work for God should be focused on building His kingdom and not those of men. We build God’s kingdom by first seeking it and the righteousness therein (Mt 6:33). As workers, we must seek earnestly to have the rule and power of God demonstrated in our lives and ministries. Secondly, we must pray that God’s kingdom will come in the mighty power of the Holy Spirit to save sinners, to destroy the demonic, to heal the sick and to magnify the name of the Lord Jesus. 7. They are focused on things above not on things on earth Being focused on things above involves a serious deemphasising on earthly riches and acquisitions. Our desire as ministers should be like that of Paul for the Ephesians brethren. He prayed that the Spirit might work in them in greater measure. This is necessary so that believers may receive more wisdom, revelation and knowledge concerning God’s redemptive purposes for present and future salvation and experience a more abundant power of the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:16-20). Brethren this is God’s highest desire for every believer in Christ. Conclusion Have you been called by God to minister, then remain in the ministry wherein the Lord has called you into. Have you been called as a teacher, seek not to be an evangelist or an apostle. Is your role in the church that of praying, then be faithful in it. Although nobody may recognise you, but there is God in heaven Who sees where no one sees. He will reward you on that Day. Brethren we must do God’s work based on His terms and not on our own terms and conditions. Anything short of this is unacceptable to Him. As people who bear the vessels of God, we must keep ourselves pure (Isaiah 52:11). Let us be reminded of what Paul the apostle said to Timothy his son in the Lord in 2 Tim 2:19-21 “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honour and some for dishonour. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” I beseech you to be faithful. Don’t play games with God and it shall be well with you. Have your totally surrendered your life unto the Lord Jesus Christ and made Him your Lord and personal Saviour? If not, then take the following steps of faith in order to be saved and receive strength to serve Him. A – Admit that you are a sinner (Rom 3:23) B – Believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is able to save you from your sins and sins’ problems (Mathew 1:21) C – Confess your sins and invite the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour (Romans 10:9-10) D – Depart from doing evil and live a righteous life in Christ Jesus (Titus 2:11-14) I will like to invite you to a conference that comes up on Friday 2nd - Sunday 4th August 2013. The theme of the conference is “Experiencing The Glory of God”. The venue is High Leigh Conference Centre, Lord Street, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 8SG. For further enquiries, please call Bro Lawrence on +44 (0)7505 318 049. This conference is being organised by the Moment of Truth Ministries. I encourage you to watch these ministers on YouTube: Leonard Ravenhill; David Wilkerson; Zac Poonen; Gbile Akanni; Keith Daniel and Samson Jebutu. Also you can watch Moment of Truth Ministries on Ustream every Sunday at 5:00 pm. Till we meet again on this platform, I remain yours in Christ Jesus, Bro Mike Dike @ Divine Seed Ministries. God bless you.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 11:20:15 +0000
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