Faith

Sunday Sermon: Faith

Published

7 years ago

May 13, 2018

Eric

By Bishop Isaac Idahosa

It is hard writing words you suspect will be misunderstood. My heart goes out to struggling saints who are prone to find fresh reasons to feel discouraged. I do not wish to harm them.

Jesus doesn’t break bruised reeds, nor quench faintly burning wicks (Matthew 12:19–20). Amen. And I don’t want to, either. My aim is not to take wheelchairs away from those who really need them, but to admonish the idle to stand and become strong in the Lord.

Blood on the Door

Good analogies go bad when taken in the wrong context. The analogy goes something like this: It doesn’t matter if the Israelite had weak faith: if the blood of the lamb was on the door, he was saved! The application? The issue isn’t how strong your faith is, but how strong the object of your faith is. It’s not about the power of your faith, but about how powerful Jesus is to save sinners.

The points worth championing are clear: Jesus Christ is mighty to save sinners, and his work, not our faith, is the only basis for our acceptance with God. We do not have faith in our faith to be justified. Our faith is in the person and work of King Jesus.

The analogy has done its job if it teaches the truth and beauty of justification by faith alone and lends courage to limping saints who — despite their best efforts and constant pleas for divine help — feel beaten down and bruised. It reminds them to look outside themselves to Jesus, “the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). It says that despite clinging to him with a wearying grip, he will uphold us with omnipotent strength (Psalm 63:8).

But this analogy betrays us when it’s used to say the strength of one’s faith is always of little consequence — when we move from the realm of justification to sanctification, from God’s sovereign acceptance to our everyday accountability as Christians. Instead of helping wounded saints find hope that leads to stronger faith, it can be used to protect idlers who are all too comfortable with their weak faith.

These idlers are spiritual lay abouts who do not wage war against their doubts — they even go so far as to tell us that harboring some doubt is healthy. It’s encouraged. They seem concerned to keep God’s appointed “means of grace” at arm’s length. They do not lose any (of their many hours of) sleep due to the fact that their doubts dishonor their Master — no, they grumble against God and feel free to keep doing so because, after all, there is blood upon their door. They live among wounded sheep to escape calls to faith, maturity, and repentance. They are professional bruised reeds that grow by the swamp of spiritual stagnancy.

Such do not need coddling; such need admonishment (1 Thessalonians 5:14). A lifetime of weak and wobbly faith is neither God-honoring nor safe. This “weakness,” unlike Paul’s in 2 Corinthians 12:9–10, is not a strength. It’s not a virtue. It’s not humility. It’s a very serious problem.

Don’t Be These Guys

To begin with, we cannot create the category of perpetually, enduringly weak faith from the exodus story. Those “saved” from Egypt by and large did not persevere in the wilderness. Both Old and New Testaments depict them as stone-hearted, unbelieving, unregenerate people with whom God was not pleased in the end.

We are explicitly told not to be like them in the faith they modeled after the exodus. They were idolaters (1 Corinthians 10:7). They were sexually immoral (1 Corinthians 10:8). They put God to the test (1 Corinthians 10:9). They incessantly grumbled (1 Corinthians 10:10). They heard the good news and didn’t believe it (Hebrews 4:2). They were baptized through the Red Sea, drank from the spiritual Rock of Christ, saw signs and wonders galore — and yet they rebelled against God, and he killed them in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:4–5).

Their original confidence did not endure to the end (Hebrews 3:14). Their weak faith did not grow, but proved to be false faith, a “despising” of the Lord (Numbers 14:11). Although their firstborn were saved that night, more would be required of them than this initial act. Soon their unbelief would provoke God to kill them by plague (1 Corinthians 10:8), kill them by fiery serpents (1 Corinthians 10:9), and kill them by the Destroyer (1 Corinthians 10:10). In the end, they did not enter into God’s rest (Hebrews 3:18–19).

True Faith Proves Stable and Steadfast

Stammering, stumbling, crawling faith — for one’s entire life — is not the depiction of saving faith in the New Testament.

Faith that saves is characterized as being increasingly stable, steadfast, and unshakable, never shifting from the hope of the gospel (Colossians 1:23). It endures until the end (Hebrews 3:14). It grows strong enough to shield us from Satan’s attacks (Ephesians 6:16; 1 Peter 5:9). It keeps us in the love of God (Jude 20–21). It matures to bear fruit (James 2:18). It gains us victory that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4).

Although different seasons can make us wobblier than others, the swaying legs of spiritual infancy is not to be perpetual (Hebrews 5:11–13). Jesus often rebuked the disciples for their little faith. Doubting God makes us wind-tossed and double-minded (James 1:5–8). “Weak faith” in Romans does not make allowance for doubting God or his gospel, but is about a misinformed conscience on matters of Christian liberty (Romans 14:1).

Stable and steadfast is the standard. The Holy Spirit in us never protects or encourages doubt. Standing firm in the faith is our calling (1 Corinthians 16:13). Imitation of Abraham’s eventual maturity is the goal: “No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised” (Romans 4:20–21).

And where weakness does exist, true faith humbly cries, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) — not meaning: Sustain my unbelief, or preserve it, or excuse it, or coddle it. Help my unbelief. Diminish it. Overcome it. Turn my unbelief into faith!

Doubt Dishonors God

Being content with doubt, suspicion, and weak faith is, as Luther says, the highest form of contempt we can muster against God.

There is no way in which we can show greater contempt for a man than to regard him as false and wicked and to be suspicious of him, as we do when we do not trust him. . . . What greater rebellion against God, what greater wickedness, what greater contempt of God is there than not believing his promise? For what is this but to make God a liar or to doubt that he is truthful? — that is, to ascribe truthfulness to one’s self but lying and vanity to God?

It is tragic to return distrust and suspicion to the God of steadfast love and truth. We slander him when we refuse to trust him. The Father of truth is not the father of lies. The God of love is not the God of cruelty. The Son who hung on a cross for sinners is not to be regarded as a deceiver.

Trust Him for His Grace

All truthfulness, justice, righteousness, and beauty belong to Jesus Christ. He has never lied, and never erred. “He is the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15), the radiance of his glory (Hebrews 1:3). He has never once failed any of his children, nor dealt in any inequity with any creature on the planet.

Survey the condemned in the deepest pits of hell, and not one will have any just complaint against him. Ask the martyrs in heaven, and none will think of anything but praise for him. Who can accuse him of wrong? His disciples couldn’t. His enemies couldn’t. Satan can’t. His Father didn’t. But after all of heaven stands silent, should the groans and complaints of professing Christians stand ready to accuse him?

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,

But trust him for his grace;

Behind a frowning providence

He hides a smiling face.

When doubt comes — and come it will — whispering that God isn’t true, the Bible isn’t reliable, and Jesus’s blood isn’t enough, do not make peace with such lies. Do not embrace them. Do not boast about them. Instead, confess them and cling more tightly to the Savior, crying, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Faith

Opinion: Why I Believe in Celebration of Christmas Despite What I Know About the Origin

Published

3 years ago

December 24, 2021

Eric

By Rev Enitan Shogbade

So many people have reservations about the proprieties or otherwise of celebrating Christmas, especially on December 25. Some Christian denominations even see those celebrating Christmas as endorsing paganism in another form, but should Christians celebrate Christmas or not?

While there can never be a common agreement on the issue of celebrating Christmas as knowledge and understanding differ, I have decided to pen down for my friends and followers, where I stand about the issue of Christmas.

WHAT I KNOW ABOUT CHRISTMAS

1. I am aware that Jesus was not born on 25th of December.

2. That 25th of December was the day that was used to celebrate the Sun god in ancient Rome.

3. That Constantine was the Christian leader who chose the day for the celebration of the birth of Christ and that even Constantine’s conversion as a Christian was suspected to be false.

4. That the Bible did not command the celebration of Christmas and that the only thing our Lord commanded to be done in his remembrance is the observance of the Holy Communion.

5. That the Word “Christmas” did not even occur in the bible.

6. That the celebration of Christmas has been bastardized and commercialized and that it should not even been associated with a Holy and moral person like our Lord Jesus’ Christ.

7. That the Christmas season promotes sin and immortality all of which the person being celebrated opposed.

These are some of the arguments that the opponents of Christmas celebration based their opposition on and I share in their concerns BUT I STILL BELIEVE IN CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS. Why ?

WHY I BELIEVE IN CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS

1. Though Jesus was not born on 25th December, no one can say accurately when he was born. Those insinuating an October date are only being speculative. And I think it is a divine arrangement that the Godhead kept that day away from mankind because of what it may engender among those who may share the same date with him.(Imagine how those who were born on 25th of December feel compared to those of us who were not).

2. I know of friends whose parents couldn’t give the accurate date of their birth but chose a day close to when their mates were born to celebrate their birthday and still feel special on their chosen dates.

3. That 25th December was once a pagan day to celebrate a pagan god and now chosing to celebrate the King of Kings and Lord of Lords only proves the superiority of our God over idols and proves to us who believe that an idol is nothing according to scriptures 1 Cor 8: 4.

4. I celebrate on 25th because it’s been chosen by Church leaders thousands of years before our time and if it was not divine, it wouldn’t be standing and it would have fiddled out over the years.

5. There is actually no date or months that does not have pagan origin in the past. For example, history teaches that in ILE- IFE, the ancient town in old OYO KINGDOM and in current Osun State of Nigeria, every day of the year but one is used to celebrate the 365 gods of the people and this applies to so many other cultures of the world for the whole world was of paganism until God began to introduce himself to mankind through Abraham after the fall of Adam.

6. I believe in celebrating Christmas even though the bible did not command nor does it forbids such celebration because there are some things the bible leaves to our sound judgement to decide, as it’s not everything the bible dictates. For example, the bible did not ask you to brush your teeth nor did it ask you to take your bath daily but you still do.

7. I celebrate Christmas as commemoration of the birthday of the Lord Jesus Christ because i appreciate that he came into the world on a day to begin the plan of our redemption for if he was not born, he could not have died and if he did not die for us, then we will still remain sinners, condemned to hell fire.

8. I celebrate Christmas because it affords me an opportunity to Minister to the dying world about the reason for the season, as almost everyone everywhere in the world remembers the day because of its association with the person of Jesus Christ.

9. I celebrate Christmas because birthday is an occasion to celebrate the one we love and since I love Jesus and he is my Lord and my friend, I will use the day to celebrate my Lord and Friend and take the advantage of the Holidays to reflect on his mission on earth and my response to him so far.

10. On commercialization and immorality associated with the day, this is the reality of our days and a sign of the end time foretold in the bible and does not in any way invalidate the morality of the celebration but rather a condemnation of those who choose to use the day to commit sins as they celebrate the birth of one whose reason for coming is to destroy sin and be born in every heart.

11. I celebrate because i deduct from scriptures that Jesus doesn’t mind being celebrated as we see in Mark 14 : 3 – 9 & Mark 5 : 29.

12. I believe in Christmas festivity because i realized that Jesus our Lord is not against festivity or social gathering, as he himself honours such with his presence at various feast in his days. Matthew 26 : 17, Luke 5 : 29, John 4: 45, John 5: 1 & John 7 : 2- 14.

13. I believe in celebrating Christmas because it afford me an opportunity to take after Christ who took advantage of such festival to teach, preach and advance the course of the kingdom. So i also celebrate by pointing people to why he came.

14. I join other Christ minded Christians to celebrate the coming of Christ to our world because i realize that the early disciples including the Apostles do join in the celebration of the feast of their days. Acts 18 : 21.

15. I celebrate because rather than restraining me from celebrating, the bible actually encourage me to do so truthfully, rightly and responsibly – 1 Cor 5 :8 & Jude: 12.

I can continue on and on and this is even becoming a long thesis many may not be willing to read so let me stop here on my reasons for believing in the celebration of Christmas.

I have presented my reasons because the bible commanded me so to do 1 Peter 3: 15. That I give reasons for my hope and reasons for my faith in Christ and to put to rest the questions often asked by my friends from other denominations who i will now refer to this write-up henceforth.

However, lets remember the bible says, he that regards a day regards it unto the Lord and he that regards it not, does so also unto the Lord – Romans 14: 6.

It is therefore necessary that we remind ourself of the biblical injunction that we put no stumbling block on each other’s path Romans – 14: 13.

He that believes in celebration of Christmas please celebrate responsibly and he that does not believe should still be himself or herself for we are brothers and sisters in Christ irrespective of our disposition to 25th December.

For those who are like me for the above started reasons or more I say HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL. May Jesus be born in every heart that gets to read this in Jesus Name.

Again, Merry Christmas and Happy Jesus Festival.

I am your Friend in Christ and a Friend of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Reverend Shogbade is the General Overseer of FOJIA, and writes from Lagos

Faith

MY ENCOUNTER WITH BISHOP OYEDEPO

Published

3 years ago

August 10, 2021

Admin

The Abuja based clergy and founder of Shiloh Word Chapel, Prophet Samuel revealed one of the missing links to greatness in life, in a brief chat our correspondent had with him at his Abuja office this morning.
He said many today will not fly to the height they are ordained to reach because they don’t regard the greatness in their chosen area of calling. He emphasized that God put some men and women ahead of us in life to lead us , midwife us so that we can birth the greatness God has deposited inside us. You will miss this pivotal guards if you don’t honour , respect and regard their place in your life, ministry and calling.
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He specifically relayed the visionary encounter with Bishop Oyedepo ( winners chapel) this morning. The clergy said
“Today September 10th, 2021 (Seven days to my birthday, 17th September).
I had a powerful encounter that came by way of vision in the night, in that vision ; papa ( Bishop Oyedepo) was on a dining table with me and he said samuel my son, you need a fresh oil from me and in vision, he said he needed to pour oil on me again,

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In that same vision, Papa Idahosa and Papa Adeboye and some other ministers I couldn’t really recognize too were present. Papa Idahosa was reading a big sized Bible , then Bishop Oyedepo roared in tongues; shortly, he said “ what branch of living faith church do you pastor now”,?
I responded, Papa, you have forgotten that I lead a ministry now called SHILOH WORLD CHAPEL IN ABUJA.
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He said kneel down, and he cried “wings of wisdom to make wealth and global healing rest on you in the order of Elijah and Elisha”
In that same vision, I dropped a huge seed at his feet, he looked and me and he prayed and said “kings shall seek for your counsel, souls shall flood your ministry like sand of the sea,”
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I jumped in gladness and began to give glory to God; and all the press people around were taking pictures. This same encounter happened twice between 5am to 6am today Friday September 10th 2021.
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You see, in whatever field of life you find yourself, until you have a point of reverence, you will not be revered. Your spiritual root is fundamental to how far you will fly in the journey of life, said the clergy.
@prophet_i_o_samuel

Faith

Fusion Concert: Hope David Set to Thrill Fans

Published

4 years ago

February 24, 2021

Eric

The bigesst and most colourful gospel concert that always create veritable platform for creativity and elicit tremendous infinite awesomeness as testimonies abound is set to thrill the world with the never-seen-before performances by globally acclaimed ministers.

The explosive concert is well articulated and designed to celebrate African and African-American heritage through gospel music and performances.
Fusion virtual Concert will showcase the best of gospel music and open door to creative and artistic expressions from around the globe.

Yes, as souls will be won and enriched for eternal glory, chains will be broken, lives will be transformed and many more.

Many people will be inspired/uplifted by exceptional artists Iike Joseph Benjamin of the famous TV show Green leaf, Ronke Adesokan, Wumi Abe, the McNatts and others together with the amazing Fusion Mass Choir.

Don’t miss the explosive 9th edition of Fusion Concert on February, it going to be Virtual . 27, 2021
1pm EST, 12 noon CST, 6pm WA, 5pm Uk
On Facebook live: Hope music
YouTube: pastor Hope David music tv