Kadalasan, kapag tinutukoy natin ang patotoo ng Iglesia, iniisip nating ito’y patungkol lamang sa pagbahagi ng ebanghelyo. Inutusan tayo ng Panginoong Jesus na gawin ito at dapat lamang na tayo’y sumunod! Ngunit hindi duon nagtatapos ang ating tungkulin. Pagkatapos natin silang mabahagian ng ebanghelyo at akayin sa kaligtasan, dapat natin silang patuloy na gabayan upang sila’y lumago sa kanilang pananampalataya. Madalas, dito sa tungkuling ito tayo pinanghihinaan ng loob.
Hayaan ninyong magbigay ako ng ilang mga paraan batay sa Salita ng Diyos na maaari nating magamit sa pagpapahayag ng ebanghelyo. Kung minsan ay natutukso na tayong gayahin ang mga banyagang kaparaanan. Ngunit hindi dapat. Dapat nating isaalang-alang ang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan. Oo nga’t tayo ay inutusan ng Panginoong Jesus na humayo at ikalat ang ebanghelyo. Ngunit dapat nating gawin iyon bilang pagsunod sa Kaniya at bunga ng ating pagmamahal sa Diyos at sa mga taong makasalanan.
Paano nga ba natin mamahalin ang mga makasalanang hindi nararapat ng Kristiyanong pagmamahal? Gaano katagal tayo dapat magtitiis sa mga taong itong hindi marunong kumilala ng paghihirap at sakripisyo ng iba para sa kanila?Naisip ko ang teksto natin sa Galaciang humihimok sa ating magpatuloy sa pagmahal at pagtulong sa kapwa bagama’t sila’y hindi tumutugon. Habang sinusunod natin ang paghimok ng Diyos na magpatuloy at huwag panghinaan ng loob sa paggawa ng mabuti, tayo’y bumubuo ng isang maka-Diyos na patotoo sa harap ng mga ‘di ligtas. Ating pag-aralan ang teksto upang matuto kung paano natin mapapaayos at mapapabuti ang ating patotoo.
Una, huwag tayong panghinaan ng loob sa paggawa ng mabuti (talata 9a). Ito’y nagtuturo ng kahalagahan ng pagkakaroon ng isang matatag na puso sa paggawa ng mabuti sa anumang uri ng tao. Madalas, kapag tayo o ang ating pagtulong ay tinatanggihan ng mga tao, kaagad tayong nasisiraan ng loob. Ito ang masamang gawaing nakasaad sa talatang ito. Hindi dapat tayong manghina sa paggawa ng mabuti. Ano man ang ating papel sa gawain ng Diyos, dapat tayong magpatuloy sa paggawa ng mabuti sa kapwa. At anuman ang gawaing itong ating ginagawa para sa Panginoon, hindi tayo dapat manghina batay sa mga resultang ating natatamo.
Pangalawa, mayroon itinakdang panahon ang Panginoon upang tayo’y umani mula sa ating maka-Diyos na gawain (talata 9b). Hindi ito maaaring hadlangan ng tao. Ito’y kusang darating sa itinakdang oras ng Panginoon. Kaya’t tayo’y magpatuloy sa paggawa nang may pagkilala ng pagdating ng pag-ani. Alalahanin natin ang hirap na dinaanan ng ating Diyakono sa pagkalat ng Salita ng Diyos at ang paglipas ng panahon na ‘di niya nababanaagan ang liwanag ng pagsagot ng Diyos. Ngunit isang araw, tayong lahat ay nagdiwang kasama siya habang nakikita natin ang paglago ng gawain sa kanilang lugar at ang pag-usbong ng isang iglesia. Tayong lahat ay nagtipid ng pera para sa ating mga misyonaryo. Sinikap nating maitabi ang bawat piso upang sa lumao’t madali’y magamit para sa gawain ng Diyos. Naisip nating talikuran na ang proyekto ng CAM dahil sa hirap ng pagtaguyod nito. Ngunit naniniwala akong ang ating pagpapagal ay pagpapalain rin ng Diyos. Nagtakda ang Diyos ng araw na makikita natin ang paglago ng ating pondo. Paano? Hindi ba’t kaya ng Panginoong paramihin ang magbibigay at ang ibibigay? Nakikita natin itong nangyayari sa mga negosyo. Kaya’t bakit hindi tayo tumulad sa mga langgam sa pag-iimpok at umasa sa Diyos na Siya ang magpapalago nito.
Umaasa ako at patuloy na naghihintay sa Diyos na Kaniyang pagpalain at palaguin ang mga ibinigay Niya sa atin. Alam kong magtataas Siya ng mga magiging katuwang natin sa gawain. At kung magkagayon, matutupad natin ang pagpapadala ng mas marami pang manggagawa sa loob at labas ng Pilipinas. Kaya’t mga kasapi ng Cornerstone, halina’t makisama sa mga kalalakiha’t kababaihang patuloy na gumagawa upang maitaguyod ang gawain ng Diyos!
At panghuli, magpatuloy sa paggawa ng mabuti sa lahat ng tao (talata 10). Ang talatang ito ay tiyak at sakop ang maraming bagay. Pagkatapos ang dalawang paghimok sa paggawa ng mabuti, ang manunulat ay nag-udyok sa kaniyang mambabasa na gumawa ng mga proyektong magiging kapaki-pakinabang sa ligtas o ‘di ligtas man. Ito din ay nagbigay ng paalala na unahin natin ang mga kapwa mananampalataya. Pakatandaan ang paalalang ito ukol sa prayoridad upang hindi magkaroon ng suliranin sa iglesia sa hinaharap.
Ang mga proyektong ilulunsad ng iglesia ay dapat maging kapaki-pakinabang sa mga kasapi ng iglesia. Pagkatapos ay maaari itong palawakin upang sakupin ang ligtas at ‘di ligtas. Kung ang proyeto ay maging matagumpay, tayo ay mag-aani ng maka-Diyos at ‘di-makukuwestiyon na patotoo. Hindi ibig sabihin na kapag nangyari ito’y hindi tayo mapupulaan ng iba. May mga taong magpupumilit na tayo’y sirain sa pamamagitan ng paghanap ng ating mga pagkakamali.
Kailangang gawin ng iglesia ang mga proyektong ito bilang pagkilala sa pagmamahal ng Panginoong Jesus sa mga tao. Kapag naramdaman ng mga tao ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng ating mga gawa, mas magiging madali para sa taong itong buksan ang kaniyang puso sa ebanghelyo. Maaring hindi siya maligtas. Siyang nakakakita ng pagmamahal ng Diyos at nakakarinig ng ebanghelyo ngunit tinanggihan ang alok ng Diyos na kaligtasan ay masusunog at maghihirap sa impierno. Wala silang dapat sisihin kung hindi ang kanilang sarili. Mabuti na lamang at hindi ganito ang lahat ng mga tao! Purihin ang Diyos dahil sinabi na Niya sa Bibliya na may mga taong tatalikuran ang mali at aakapin ang katotohanang nakahayag sa Bibliya dahil sa pagmamahal ng mga Cristiyano. Siya Nawa!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
The Causes of Loss of Church Witness
Revelations 2-3
Apostle John wrote the book of Revelation while he was at the island of Patmos enduring the wickedness of society. He was exiled there by the evil ruler who got offended at his preaching. However, under such circumstance, God revealed His will to the apostle. He wrote the last book of the entire word of God. He gave clear messages to seven local churches in Asia Minor. Unfortunately, all these local churches lost their witness and eventually their existence in that region of the world.
Regardless of the local church’s size and leadership, she can lose her stance and witness. The world will laugh at her demise from the place where she used to declare God’s word to the people. How did these local churches lose their witness? Why did they cease to exist in spite of God’s promise in Mat. 16:18? Let us study that we may all be forewarned by these messages to the churches.
As a local church can we lose our witness and existence at the present location? Can we lose our strong fundamental Baptist stance? Can we lose also our spiritual existence at the place where we are now? Can we become a church that exists but ceases to remain on old historical truths?
Of the seven local churches in Asia Minor, namely; Ephesus (2:1-7), Smyrna (2:8-11), Pergamos (2:12-17), Thyatira (2:18-29), Sardis (3:1-6), Philadelphia (3:7-13), and Laodicea (3:14-22), five of them were issued a divine rebuke. All of them were commended except Laodicea. All of them were also exhorted to do something. They were also given divine promise. I shall focus on the rebukes unto these five (5) churches. Perhaps the reasons for the rebukes were contributory to the death of these churches in that region.
My desire is that we may be forewarned from the possible death of our local church due to neglect in any of above causes which led them into oblivion, if not cessation.
First, the Ephesian church was rebuked for forsaking her first love (2:1-7). The saints there were of the second generation. They remained true to the sound doctrines and practice. However, they lacked deep devotion to the God of their forefathers. Their hearts were not on fire for God though they subscribed to fundamental doctrines and ways. They seemed to appear like the Israelites in the days of the prophet Amos. They were not devoted to God.
Cornerstone people of the second generation, this fits you all. You who are young people today, whose ages range from 20 years and below, listen very well! You are prone to this error and may need to heed the same rebuke if this is true. Even we of the current generation after having been 20 years or so in the Christian life, are inclined to lose our first love for the Lord. We may continue membership in this Cornerstone church, unquestionably militant fundamental Baptist church, but if our heart has lost great fire for the Lord, then we are in a similar situation as this local church. Beware as we may get lost soon!
Second, the Pergamos church was rebuked for allowing their members to hold false doctrines (2:12-17). Either their local pastor or the leadership has allowed the false teachings of Balaam and Nicolaitans to prevail in their midst. Balaam caused Israel to spiritually stumble. It is similar with any doctrine or way that may cause members to stumble over certain doctrines. It involves departure from once held belief or moving to a new belief. Either way will qualify for Balaam’s way. Nicolaitanism involves compromise with the world’s morality and pagan’s way. Such were also permitted in this local church.
As church pastor, leaders, and members, we are never to allow anyone in belief and behavior to cause our members to stumble over certain doctrine or manner by departing from our old cherished doctrines or moving into a new belief. That will cause the fall of this church. Let us not allow modern day Balaam and Nicolas in our membership. They must repent from such errors and embrace the true ones. Diligent teaching must be employed to counter their possible deterioration. Beware of departing from the cherished belief that God’s true word was preserved in the texts that underlie the KJV Bible. Embrace not the trend of moving into newer versions, i.e. NASV, ESV, NIV due to their superior scholarship. Remain in the old path and old way!
Third, the Thyatira church was rebuked for tolerating immorality and idolatry (2:18-29). God rebuked this local church as she allowed “modern day” Jezebel to corrupt her people with sexual immorality and pagan idolatry. In the OT Jezebel corrupted the nation and influenced even king Ahab to her side. This church’s members either remained in such worldly practices or tolerated others in such evil ways. God assured that her children will cease to exist as a divine consequence for such depravation.
God designed that church people who fell in such sins must be corrected. They must be shown the gravity of sins and its consequences. Tolerating them is wrong. Immorality is rampant today even among God’s people. Paul warned about it in Ephesians 5:3 that it should not be mentioned among them. Believers are increasingly materialistic today. Materialism is a sign of paganism. Idolatry is not only the mere possession of religious idols. The pursuit of more money for selfish reasons today is the measurement of success. Lottery is increasing and enticing more people. Beware of them, Cornerstone people! We must spew out the unrepentantly immoral and idolatrous church members! Else we will cease to exist. Younger Cornerstone people you are duty bound to do the same if you want this church to remain in your generation.
Fourth, the Sardis church was rebuked for being spiritually dead (3:1-6). She developed a façade of spiritual vitality. People and colleagues rendered them as an effective and alive local church. They were at the heart of a trading area. Thus they exercised influence over other churches. But Christ stripped them of their hypocritical robe. And the real condition was disclosed — a spiritually dead church. Why were they such? First, they actually did things not out of devotion to Christ. Second, they failed to complete their duty as believers to Him. Third, God was not pleased over their life and ministry.
I fear the coming bema judgment of the Lord. None of us could escape that day! Let us examine now our hearts’ motive of service to Him, lest our labors be burned for nothing! Let us ensure we do things in His way that we may not be rejected, too. Let us not strive to please people and be promoters instead of the Lord who will scrutinize our heart and labor. Let us go to the field out of devotion for Christ. Let us sacrificially give after having been impressed by Christ’s great sacrificial love. Let us give our young children to the Lord even with the thought of possible poverty and death because of the Father’s love and giving up the Son. Beware of getting busy out of a dead heart! Get busy for the Lord out of a convicted heart to love Him who loved us first.
Finally, the Laodicea church was rebuked for being lukewarm (3:14-22). This church was wealthy and blessed with greater resources. With that they became contented and complacent. They did not strive to spiritual growth. They did not labor to earn spiritual rewards in the heavens. Thus, they were spiritually poor, wretched, and blind. The water in Laodicea was piped from city of Hierapolis and reached the place lukewarm. Their physical environment affected their spiritual condition. They were not zealous for the Lord’s work there. Many local churches typify Laodicea. May it not be said of us, Cornerstone!
When we serve God at the local church without zeal and passion then we signify Laodicea. When we do things in church ministry without intensity we are lukewarm. How is your church attendance recently? Have you increased in tithes, mission offerings, or expansion fund offerings recently? What progress did you make in your academic studies CBMS students? Are you intensely growing in teaching ministry? Mission workers are you intensely in love with your ministry and the people you are reaching? Beware of the spirit of Laodicea in your life, in your work, in your family, and in our church.
All these local churches got lost throughout time. Christ’s warning to them was fulfilled. Let us seriously heed this warning. We may lose our entrusted ministry if we fail to listen to this message. Our church may cease to exist at the current place if we disobey God’s warning. Our cessation will not run contrary to Christ’s promise in Matthew 16:18 — church perpetuity. Rather such consequence will bring shame upon us servants of the Lord and members of Cornerstone! Amen.
Regardless of the local church’s size and leadership, she can lose her stance and witness. The world will laugh at her demise from the place where she used to declare God’s word to the people. How did these local churches lose their witness? Why did they cease to exist in spite of God’s promise in Mat. 16:18? Let us study that we may all be forewarned by these messages to the churches.
As a local church can we lose our witness and existence at the present location? Can we lose our strong fundamental Baptist stance? Can we lose also our spiritual existence at the place where we are now? Can we become a church that exists but ceases to remain on old historical truths?
Of the seven local churches in Asia Minor, namely; Ephesus (2:1-7), Smyrna (2:8-11), Pergamos (2:12-17), Thyatira (2:18-29), Sardis (3:1-6), Philadelphia (3:7-13), and Laodicea (3:14-22), five of them were issued a divine rebuke. All of them were commended except Laodicea. All of them were also exhorted to do something. They were also given divine promise. I shall focus on the rebukes unto these five (5) churches. Perhaps the reasons for the rebukes were contributory to the death of these churches in that region.
My desire is that we may be forewarned from the possible death of our local church due to neglect in any of above causes which led them into oblivion, if not cessation.
First, the Ephesian church was rebuked for forsaking her first love (2:1-7). The saints there were of the second generation. They remained true to the sound doctrines and practice. However, they lacked deep devotion to the God of their forefathers. Their hearts were not on fire for God though they subscribed to fundamental doctrines and ways. They seemed to appear like the Israelites in the days of the prophet Amos. They were not devoted to God.
Cornerstone people of the second generation, this fits you all. You who are young people today, whose ages range from 20 years and below, listen very well! You are prone to this error and may need to heed the same rebuke if this is true. Even we of the current generation after having been 20 years or so in the Christian life, are inclined to lose our first love for the Lord. We may continue membership in this Cornerstone church, unquestionably militant fundamental Baptist church, but if our heart has lost great fire for the Lord, then we are in a similar situation as this local church. Beware as we may get lost soon!
Second, the Pergamos church was rebuked for allowing their members to hold false doctrines (2:12-17). Either their local pastor or the leadership has allowed the false teachings of Balaam and Nicolaitans to prevail in their midst. Balaam caused Israel to spiritually stumble. It is similar with any doctrine or way that may cause members to stumble over certain doctrines. It involves departure from once held belief or moving to a new belief. Either way will qualify for Balaam’s way. Nicolaitanism involves compromise with the world’s morality and pagan’s way. Such were also permitted in this local church.
As church pastor, leaders, and members, we are never to allow anyone in belief and behavior to cause our members to stumble over certain doctrine or manner by departing from our old cherished doctrines or moving into a new belief. That will cause the fall of this church. Let us not allow modern day Balaam and Nicolas in our membership. They must repent from such errors and embrace the true ones. Diligent teaching must be employed to counter their possible deterioration. Beware of departing from the cherished belief that God’s true word was preserved in the texts that underlie the KJV Bible. Embrace not the trend of moving into newer versions, i.e. NASV, ESV, NIV due to their superior scholarship. Remain in the old path and old way!
Third, the Thyatira church was rebuked for tolerating immorality and idolatry (2:18-29). God rebuked this local church as she allowed “modern day” Jezebel to corrupt her people with sexual immorality and pagan idolatry. In the OT Jezebel corrupted the nation and influenced even king Ahab to her side. This church’s members either remained in such worldly practices or tolerated others in such evil ways. God assured that her children will cease to exist as a divine consequence for such depravation.
God designed that church people who fell in such sins must be corrected. They must be shown the gravity of sins and its consequences. Tolerating them is wrong. Immorality is rampant today even among God’s people. Paul warned about it in Ephesians 5:3 that it should not be mentioned among them. Believers are increasingly materialistic today. Materialism is a sign of paganism. Idolatry is not only the mere possession of religious idols. The pursuit of more money for selfish reasons today is the measurement of success. Lottery is increasing and enticing more people. Beware of them, Cornerstone people! We must spew out the unrepentantly immoral and idolatrous church members! Else we will cease to exist. Younger Cornerstone people you are duty bound to do the same if you want this church to remain in your generation.
Fourth, the Sardis church was rebuked for being spiritually dead (3:1-6). She developed a façade of spiritual vitality. People and colleagues rendered them as an effective and alive local church. They were at the heart of a trading area. Thus they exercised influence over other churches. But Christ stripped them of their hypocritical robe. And the real condition was disclosed — a spiritually dead church. Why were they such? First, they actually did things not out of devotion to Christ. Second, they failed to complete their duty as believers to Him. Third, God was not pleased over their life and ministry.
I fear the coming bema judgment of the Lord. None of us could escape that day! Let us examine now our hearts’ motive of service to Him, lest our labors be burned for nothing! Let us ensure we do things in His way that we may not be rejected, too. Let us not strive to please people and be promoters instead of the Lord who will scrutinize our heart and labor. Let us go to the field out of devotion for Christ. Let us sacrificially give after having been impressed by Christ’s great sacrificial love. Let us give our young children to the Lord even with the thought of possible poverty and death because of the Father’s love and giving up the Son. Beware of getting busy out of a dead heart! Get busy for the Lord out of a convicted heart to love Him who loved us first.
Finally, the Laodicea church was rebuked for being lukewarm (3:14-22). This church was wealthy and blessed with greater resources. With that they became contented and complacent. They did not strive to spiritual growth. They did not labor to earn spiritual rewards in the heavens. Thus, they were spiritually poor, wretched, and blind. The water in Laodicea was piped from city of Hierapolis and reached the place lukewarm. Their physical environment affected their spiritual condition. They were not zealous for the Lord’s work there. Many local churches typify Laodicea. May it not be said of us, Cornerstone!
When we serve God at the local church without zeal and passion then we signify Laodicea. When we do things in church ministry without intensity we are lukewarm. How is your church attendance recently? Have you increased in tithes, mission offerings, or expansion fund offerings recently? What progress did you make in your academic studies CBMS students? Are you intensely growing in teaching ministry? Mission workers are you intensely in love with your ministry and the people you are reaching? Beware of the spirit of Laodicea in your life, in your work, in your family, and in our church.
All these local churches got lost throughout time. Christ’s warning to them was fulfilled. Let us seriously heed this warning. We may lose our entrusted ministry if we fail to listen to this message. Our church may cease to exist at the current place if we disobey God’s warning. Our cessation will not run contrary to Christ’s promise in Matthew 16:18 — church perpetuity. Rather such consequence will bring shame upon us servants of the Lord and members of Cornerstone! Amen.
The Witness of the Local Church
Acts 4:1-37
As a local church pastor I always long to see our church members living up to the demands of the gospel of Christ. As such it means members must diligently fulfill local church duties. Our compliance with those obligations will enable Cornerstone to bring to fruition her unfinished businesses. There is great sadness in my heart, and much stress is created as well, when people of God fail to live up to the demands both of the gospel of Christ and that of the goals of Cornerstone.
As Paul said to the Ephesians in 5:3b, “...let it not once be named among you, as becometh saints…” There are matters we should never allow to occur as the witness of Cornerstone will be at stake. Specific actions must be done to prevent the occurrence of such witness-destroying events. When local church people are disunited, it will ruin their witness as God’s instruments. If they are uncommitted to the divine expectations and organizational goals then they shall be a hypocritical institution. When fear creeps in the hearts of its people, as critics mount intense attacks, then the devil laughs at them while the Savior grieves. These events are destructive of the local church witness.
Let me inspire everyone to the scriptural illustration on how a church strengthens her witness in the midst of fear-sowing society and critics. Consider the history of Jerusalem church in the first century, how she managed to intensify her witness while the criticizing world raged in anger against her. Look at Acts 4:1-37. As the Jerusalem church grew in great numbers (they reached more than 5,000 numbers already, v.4), the critics were worried about their increasing zeal and influence (vv. 2-3). Consequently, the critics launched attacks aimed at weakening their strength. In verse 13 they undermined their competence. In verses 15 and 18 they ordered the Christian leaders to cease from their ministry. In verse 17 they decided to threaten them. In this witness-damaging situation, how did the church respond?
First, they engaged in prayers to face the threat (vv.24-30). The leaders shared the critics’ attitude towards the church and indirectly agreed to assemble for prayers. In prayer they brought the matter before the sovereign Lord. Notice the content of their prayers in verses 25-26, these are paraphrased quotes from Psalm 2. This psalm is the psalmist’s response to the Lord while in distress. The psalmist called and rested upon the sovereignty of the Lord in that situation. Indirectly, they learned how to use OT scriptures for their situation’s need. Should we not likewise do the same?
Regardless of the environment’s intense negative dealings with the church we can still be victorious over them by similarly learning from this narrative. We must engage in diligent prayers for every need we face. We must plead before God for the monies we need to sustain our missionaries. We can also rely upon the generous Father to transform stones into precious jewels as His provisions for the work of the Lord. We can beg God to thwart the accusing people around us desiring only the fall of His servants and His people. If we fail to trust Him and labor in prayers then we become disheartened people unable to sustain our witness.
Second, they asked God for boldness to face the threat (v. 29). The early church realized that without God’s grace of boldness they could not stand up to this threat. This humble urgent request was divinely granted in verse 31b. By this attitude they nullified the humanistic tendency to rely on earthly and worldly resources. What do I mean by this? We tend to depend on our human contacts to bail us out of the mess we face in life. We are prone also to use money in overcoming such a situation. So others engage in bribery. We may also invoke our religious right or freedom to insulate us from such criticisms. However, the Jerusalem church taught us here to rely on God’s grace of boldness endowed upon our spirit. Why did they ask for boldness? Clearly they desired only to speak the words of God. They did not do any retaliatory action except to beg God for protection.
As God blesses us with resources for the ministry, let us be warned not to rely upon such earthly gains to make us victorious in the battle. Definitely, we will use every God given asset to advance His work with faith in God who controls the process. Let us learn also from the experience of Elijah who obeyed God to Zarepath even if it was illogical to be sustained by a widow in time of drought and famine. Our witness as a local church is under question when we shrink from our duties due to fear. We fear to serve Him in the full-time ministry because of fear of financial insufficiency or poverty. We fear to move to the right doctrinal position because of possible loss of ministerial network. Others could not overcome their pride. We shrink from zealous evangelism and discipleship as fear of rejection creeps. Some men withdrew from the ministry due to fear of rebellion from the people or the latter’s insensitivity towards the minister. We hesitate to financially get involved in church ministry as we see its least financial returns or it has no return at all.
Parents discourage children to engage in ministry as they are worried of their future. A relative seems less satisfied over my daughter’s interest to pursue a music career in the church ministry. Preachers tend to go to the States for a better life and ministry while the great cities and provinces of our nation are in dire need of mission workers. In all these cases, we need God’s grace of boldness.
Third, they united together to face the threat (vv.32-37). The church decided to become knit in dealing with the circumstance at hand. Their mind and spirit were together (v. 32a). They voluntarily gave a portion of their individual assets into a common ownership (v. 32b). Notice that they were not coached by the church leaders. This was a pure Spirit work in the people’s lives (v. 31). Thus, verses 34, 35, and 37 are consequential evidences of such great unity among the Jerusalem church members. Every need was well addressed. They did not construct a socialized system of economic leveling. They were faced with such great needs that out of their brotherly concern they volunteered to be a blessing to the brethren. What they did here is echoed by Paul in Gal. 6:10.
As a local church we must maintain our current strength in unity. Let us act as caretaker in every area of ministry where God has placed us to shepherd every person under our care towards contributing to the intensification of our church unity. For by this we shall together defeat the critics’ attacks to stop the fulfillment of the goals of Cornerstone.
When does a church lose her witness in this society? One, when its members have less concern for the welfare of fellow members in every area of human life. Two, such predicament exists when members see themselves only as associational and professional assembly. Three, when members fear the repeat of wrong practice thus leading them to inaction. Four, when people of God are self-centered and insensitive to the demands and needs of the church ministry. This last was addressed by the prophet Haggai in his book.
The local church can not ask the world to grant her cessation in opposing her at all fronts. But she can strengthen her witness before this world so the latter may be silenced by her illogical and invalid criticism. Let us continue on in the ministry of prayer both in private and in public. Cease not to pray for the pastor, his family, his ministries, the deacons and their families, the missionaries, the staff, the Sunday school teachers, the Samuels, the financiers, the partners abroad, and every leader and member. Beg the Lord to grant them boldness to speak the word, to lead us to higher grounds of growth, and to conquer territories for the church. Join the increasing unity in this local church by word and by deed. Lead other weak members to get involved in the growing unity. Paul spoke of assured victory we shall have in 1 Corinthians 15:57. Amen!
As Paul said to the Ephesians in 5:3b, “...let it not once be named among you, as becometh saints…” There are matters we should never allow to occur as the witness of Cornerstone will be at stake. Specific actions must be done to prevent the occurrence of such witness-destroying events. When local church people are disunited, it will ruin their witness as God’s instruments. If they are uncommitted to the divine expectations and organizational goals then they shall be a hypocritical institution. When fear creeps in the hearts of its people, as critics mount intense attacks, then the devil laughs at them while the Savior grieves. These events are destructive of the local church witness.
Let me inspire everyone to the scriptural illustration on how a church strengthens her witness in the midst of fear-sowing society and critics. Consider the history of Jerusalem church in the first century, how she managed to intensify her witness while the criticizing world raged in anger against her. Look at Acts 4:1-37. As the Jerusalem church grew in great numbers (they reached more than 5,000 numbers already, v.4), the critics were worried about their increasing zeal and influence (vv. 2-3). Consequently, the critics launched attacks aimed at weakening their strength. In verse 13 they undermined their competence. In verses 15 and 18 they ordered the Christian leaders to cease from their ministry. In verse 17 they decided to threaten them. In this witness-damaging situation, how did the church respond?
First, they engaged in prayers to face the threat (vv.24-30). The leaders shared the critics’ attitude towards the church and indirectly agreed to assemble for prayers. In prayer they brought the matter before the sovereign Lord. Notice the content of their prayers in verses 25-26, these are paraphrased quotes from Psalm 2. This psalm is the psalmist’s response to the Lord while in distress. The psalmist called and rested upon the sovereignty of the Lord in that situation. Indirectly, they learned how to use OT scriptures for their situation’s need. Should we not likewise do the same?
Regardless of the environment’s intense negative dealings with the church we can still be victorious over them by similarly learning from this narrative. We must engage in diligent prayers for every need we face. We must plead before God for the monies we need to sustain our missionaries. We can also rely upon the generous Father to transform stones into precious jewels as His provisions for the work of the Lord. We can beg God to thwart the accusing people around us desiring only the fall of His servants and His people. If we fail to trust Him and labor in prayers then we become disheartened people unable to sustain our witness.
Second, they asked God for boldness to face the threat (v. 29). The early church realized that without God’s grace of boldness they could not stand up to this threat. This humble urgent request was divinely granted in verse 31b. By this attitude they nullified the humanistic tendency to rely on earthly and worldly resources. What do I mean by this? We tend to depend on our human contacts to bail us out of the mess we face in life. We are prone also to use money in overcoming such a situation. So others engage in bribery. We may also invoke our religious right or freedom to insulate us from such criticisms. However, the Jerusalem church taught us here to rely on God’s grace of boldness endowed upon our spirit. Why did they ask for boldness? Clearly they desired only to speak the words of God. They did not do any retaliatory action except to beg God for protection.
As God blesses us with resources for the ministry, let us be warned not to rely upon such earthly gains to make us victorious in the battle. Definitely, we will use every God given asset to advance His work with faith in God who controls the process. Let us learn also from the experience of Elijah who obeyed God to Zarepath even if it was illogical to be sustained by a widow in time of drought and famine. Our witness as a local church is under question when we shrink from our duties due to fear. We fear to serve Him in the full-time ministry because of fear of financial insufficiency or poverty. We fear to move to the right doctrinal position because of possible loss of ministerial network. Others could not overcome their pride. We shrink from zealous evangelism and discipleship as fear of rejection creeps. Some men withdrew from the ministry due to fear of rebellion from the people or the latter’s insensitivity towards the minister. We hesitate to financially get involved in church ministry as we see its least financial returns or it has no return at all.
Parents discourage children to engage in ministry as they are worried of their future. A relative seems less satisfied over my daughter’s interest to pursue a music career in the church ministry. Preachers tend to go to the States for a better life and ministry while the great cities and provinces of our nation are in dire need of mission workers. In all these cases, we need God’s grace of boldness.
Third, they united together to face the threat (vv.32-37). The church decided to become knit in dealing with the circumstance at hand. Their mind and spirit were together (v. 32a). They voluntarily gave a portion of their individual assets into a common ownership (v. 32b). Notice that they were not coached by the church leaders. This was a pure Spirit work in the people’s lives (v. 31). Thus, verses 34, 35, and 37 are consequential evidences of such great unity among the Jerusalem church members. Every need was well addressed. They did not construct a socialized system of economic leveling. They were faced with such great needs that out of their brotherly concern they volunteered to be a blessing to the brethren. What they did here is echoed by Paul in Gal. 6:10.
As a local church we must maintain our current strength in unity. Let us act as caretaker in every area of ministry where God has placed us to shepherd every person under our care towards contributing to the intensification of our church unity. For by this we shall together defeat the critics’ attacks to stop the fulfillment of the goals of Cornerstone.
When does a church lose her witness in this society? One, when its members have less concern for the welfare of fellow members in every area of human life. Two, such predicament exists when members see themselves only as associational and professional assembly. Three, when members fear the repeat of wrong practice thus leading them to inaction. Four, when people of God are self-centered and insensitive to the demands and needs of the church ministry. This last was addressed by the prophet Haggai in his book.
The local church can not ask the world to grant her cessation in opposing her at all fronts. But she can strengthen her witness before this world so the latter may be silenced by her illogical and invalid criticism. Let us continue on in the ministry of prayer both in private and in public. Cease not to pray for the pastor, his family, his ministries, the deacons and their families, the missionaries, the staff, the Sunday school teachers, the Samuels, the financiers, the partners abroad, and every leader and member. Beg the Lord to grant them boldness to speak the word, to lead us to higher grounds of growth, and to conquer territories for the church. Join the increasing unity in this local church by word and by deed. Lead other weak members to get involved in the growing unity. Paul spoke of assured victory we shall have in 1 Corinthians 15:57. Amen!
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