THE CHURCH, A COMMON GROUND: God’s fellow workers
Preamble: In this part, I shall attempt to look at God’s fellow workers. They are stewards and ministers of God’s mysteries [1 Corinthians 4:2]. They are God’s carriers, God’s representatives, and God’s servants; God’s laborers, God’s reconcilliators and Temple Rebuilders. Apostle Paul went further to call them God’s workmanship, vineyard workers and God’s ambassadors. Who are these people and who do they represent? What does their calling entails? What is the source scope of their operations: strengths and weaknesses? Are there perfect people or just forgiven people? Despite their shortcomings, how do God relate with them and how do they answer to God’s commands and follow His leadings! These people are members of Christ Church, it does matter their denominations. They are God’s servants who are saved by grace and chosen by grace to serve God; bear his name, emblem and serve His kingdom. They are just forgiven people who are determined to tell the news of their redemption and testify to the daily goodness of the Lord. They can say like Apostle Paul woe to me if I do not preach the gospel.
The Church: is a gathering or assembly of those whom God has forgiven and saved, bought with a price – the life of His son, Jesus Christ; so that through them God shall be revealed to the world. It is a spiritual organism, a borderless community of believers. Believers are Christians who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior and Lord. Just like everything in the universe, every human being was created by God but not everyone is a child of God. You become a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ [Galatians 3:26]. When you place your faith in Christ Jesus, God becomes your Father and you becomes His child; other believers become your brothers and sisters and the Church becomes your spiritual family [Ephesians 1:5; 1 John 3:1]. The Church is the only thing God ever had to buy. This beautiful bride cost God the life of his beloved son, Jesus Christ. We are priviledged beyond measure to be part of the Church of the living God. The Church is the only thing that cannot be shaken. Individual saints slip and fall and local denominations may err or have problems but the Church is as solid as the Rock of revelation she’s built upon. But the Church cannot be shaken; the gates of hell cannot prevail against her because Jesus is building the Church [Matt 16:18-19].
The Church is a Spiritual hospital with Jesus Christ as Chief Physician. Some patients are in Critical care units, while others are in Psychiatric units and Maternity wards, etc; however some are just Outpatients. Attached to the hospital is a Mortuary unit that houses the dead. Every patient in the Church came for a particular care or more concerns. If you evaluate the Church from a denominational viewpoint, your finding may be erroneous. Again if you do assess her from the outward behavior and disposition of those in critical care or psychiatric unit, then your statistics are wrong. You dare not judge the Church from the disposition of the moving corpses in mortuary, they are done. You could mistaken the Ushers or Pastors for the Church, especially those who are not afraid to call the Church, my Church. The Church is bigger than individual saints or denomination/ local assembly and all the people she house.
A Christian: is someone who has accepted Christ as Personal Savior and Lord and in whom Christ is manifested. The life of a Christian is a replica of the life of Christ so people should see Christ in the life of a believer. Believers were first called Christians in Antioch because they were practicing the life of Christ; preached about Christ and great multitude believed and turned to the Lord [Acts 11:20-21, 26]. These disciples were called Christians because they manifested the life of Christ and further the vocation of Christ. These disciples were stewards of God and ministers of the Gospel of Christ.
A Steward: Literally a steward is a person who manages the affairs of a household or an estate of the owner. In a Christian sense, a steward is the manager of the affairs of God on earth. God has put in our possession the care of all His creation to give His glory as the Creator and God. Stewards are God’s ministers and ministering servants that manage the resources of their Dad. “ So then let a man so accounted of us as the ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God ………………….be found trustworthy and faithful [1 Corinthians. 4:1-2]. Stewardship is more than money; it involve time, talent and treasure [3 t‘s]. These three are inseparable and supportive of one another.
God’s Fellow Workers: [1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Ephesians 2:10].
When Jesus was here on earth, he saw the multitude and was moved with compassion towards them [Matthews 9:36]. Jesus came to this earth to reconcile people with God and reveal God, the Father. Jesus came to this earth to preach the Good News. He came to teach the will of the Father [John 6:38; 8:28-29]; had pity and healed the sick [Luke 13:10-17]. He was not indifferent to people’s predicament [Luke 13:16]. Jesus devoted His life to saving and serving people; was touched by the cry of the people and wept with them; He instructed and rebuked. Even before his birth, an angel informed Mary that she will give birth to a child and his name will be called Jesus for He will save the people from the curse of sin [Matthews 28:19-20]. God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself [2 Corinthians 5:19]. He strengthened the disciples [Acts 18:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; John 14:20] Jesus called believers to the ministry of Evangelism and Reconciliation. God has already forgiven us; we need to acknowledge and confess our sins, renounce them and we will experience the new life in Christ Jesus.
The greatest task of the Church is the harvest of souls. The ultimate assignment and great priority of any Christian activity is to bring people to God, through knowledge and relationship with Christ Jesus. Whether you sing in the chancel choir or a member of prayer band or serve as an usher or cleaner or a gateman of the Church; whatever you do in the Church is planned towards winning people to the Lord. Surprisingly, many are busy growing their ministries and forgetting the chief goal of the Church. The ministry is to serve the Church and bring people into the Church, furthering the course of God’s kingdom. Many Christians have taken the ministries out of the Church in pursuit of selfish ends; personal gain and power control as well as seek increase personal wealth. They’ve diverted synergies and talents meant for the Church into their individual enterprise.
When Christian assemblies begin to chase more wealth, more possession, God’s signs and miracles ceased. No wonder we find many Churches and ministries holding meetings in mansions and auditorium but lack source of faith, avenue for soul winning; demonstration of God’s power and glory. In some of those meetings and activities, the true gospel is hardly preached and misrepresented; it is simply an avenue for tax or revenue collection – [seed sowing, first fruit, and special tithe and appreciation offerings]. The Gospel message has been hijacked by the rich and the less privileged that cannot compete in sowing and giving game shown the way to the gate. Special prayers offered and great attention paid to high money givers while those who are rich in other virtues are passerbies. This practice that has become common place seems to suggest that the gospel that Christ paid with his blood is for the rich and wealthy. In our era men of God talk big, live outrageous even out of the reach of worshippers. Surprisingly, the early leader of the Church, Apostle Peter confessed, “silver or gold I do not have but what I have I give you: in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, rise and walk [Acts 3:6]. They had no money but had the manifestation of God’s power. This disparity is so open that some people often feel lonely and inadequate in the Church unnoticed.
Stewards/ministers: “Christians are not called to defeat Satan. Jesus already defeats Satan 2000 years ago. We are called to enforce his defeat.” We do this in thanksgiving to God for great things He has done. Apostle Paul writing to the Church in Colossi said that Jesus Christ disarmed Satan and made a public spectacle of Him at the Cross [Colossians 2:15]. When Jesus died on the cross and resurrected on the third day, He stripped Satan of his powers, snatched the key of the kingdom out of his hand and declared, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Go therefore……. [Matthews 28:18-19]. It means go in His power, go in His authority, go in His name, go in His dominion and go in His victory. The name is Jesus, a name above all names in heaven and on earth [Philippians 2; 9-11]. The power we need is in the name of Jesus. Everything that has a name must bow to the name of Jesus. Every kneel shall bow in worship while every tongue without exception confesses that Jesus is Lord. The power of Jesus is now endowed on us so we can go and represent Him, speak for Him and make exploit in His name for His glory and kingdom.
When Jesus sent the seventy to go and make discipleship, He only lent and shared His power with them for that specific assignment. That was why they could make such great impart and perform great miracles in the name and authority of Jesus. But far beyond that, the Savior died for us and redeemed us; thereby bestowed His powers and authority on us through His Spirit. His powers back His authority we now have in His name. What the seventy disciples had for a short period we now have a lifetime for eternity. “To who much is given, much is therefore expected.” We are therefore better equipped to go out there and demonstrate God’s power in the precious name of Jesus and obtain excellent results. Many ministers have a lot of talents and abilities inbuilt in them but do not know and hardly make use of them. They are quick to identify their weaknesses but scarcely talk about their strengths. Whenever God calls you, He shows and buttresses your strengths and empowers you to utilize them for His purpose. God is our creator; He created everyone in a unique way. You may not even know all your strengths; some will only pop up when you are passing through difficulties and trials or when you have been pressed to the wall or even knocked out. God knows things in you that neither you nor others see or know. Human beings see things in the present state but God sees things in their complete /ultimate state – include your falls and victories.
God’s stewards have no excuse not to make discipleship. God is not asking His stewards and ministers to serve without equipping them. Stewardship should be a way of life, a priority for all Christians. God called Moses to go to Pharaoh and cause the release of the children of Israel. Now therefore, go and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.” [Exodus 4:12]. Moses first remembered his weaknesses, so he made excuses. “Oh my lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since you have spoken to your servant: but I’m slow of speech and slow of tongues” [Exodus 4:10]. Moses said to god, you know Lord I stammer, I’m a murderer [unclean], and runaway from Egyptian palace. He forgot the mightiness of hid God. “Our impairments, our disabilities and handicaps are not accidents; they are God’s designed. God uses every one of our flaws for His glory.” God endows our weaknesses with strength and use them for ultimate good. He may not take away our limitations but energies and put them to use. God can do anything He decides to do and He has the whole world in his palm. He is the Creator of the universe and has sovereignty over it.
Again Gideon was afraid when the Lord appeared to him as he was threshing wheat in secret, hiding from his Midianites enemies [Judges 6:11]. The Angel announced to Gideon that God had chosen him to lead His people in battle [vs. 12-14]. God had already seen and known Gideon’s strengths and abilities; He then called him “a mighty man of valour.” God who is ‘the I am that I am’, knows his end from his beginning. Gideon, son of Joash, a native of Abiezrite after being assured of God’s presence was still fearful and losing breath. He asked God, “If the Lord is with me, why are we being defeated by our enemies?” Gideon reminded God; you delivered our forefathers from the land of Egypt but have forsaken us now. And God looked upon Gideon and said, go in this thy might and you shall save Israelites from the hand of the Midianties. Gideon said to the Lord, how can I deliver the Israelites, when my family is the poorest in Manasseh and I’m the least in my father’s house? Gideon asked God, if you will deliver Israelites through me, show me a sign to believe. [Judges 6:11ff]. God responded and reassured Gideon’s request. The Israelites were successful in the battle against Midianties and then enjoyed 40 years of peace. Fears do paralyze groom men from taking their rightful position and action. We have fears of all sorts and they constrained us from activities. Gideon was intimated and discouraged by his imperfections and inabilities, but forgets the dependability’s and capabilities of God. When God of all creation go with you, the heavenly host accompanies Him. Those who are for you are mightier and powerful than those against you. It does not matter whether you see them physically or not. We tend to believe what we see than what is of faith. Seeing becomes our believing. Yet what is unseen is mighty and permanent. We should keep our hope, not on what we see and trust God and not in sight. God who has asked us to do something will give us the strength and power to do it.
Apostle Paul whom God arrested on his way to Damascus and turned into his mouth-speak suffered many infringements and referred to them as “light affliction” and/or “thorn in the flesh.” He had repeated asked God to take them away from him. But God responded, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in your weakness [vs. 9]. Paul has to learn to take pleasure in his afflictions and troubles and ended up saying I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecuting in distress for Christ sake: for when I am weak then I am strong [2 Corinthians 12:10].
The implications of being God’s steward/minister: Pastors and ministers are people [men and women] who are called to manage God’s resources – human, labor, capital and relationship etc. They are people saddled with the responsibilities of care, whether Spiritual, social, physical or financial. Despite their imminent predicaments, they are challenged to provide these cares to their families, Church folks, and colleagues as well as outside world. They have the problems of trusting God even when they feel less of His presence and when they do not know the outcome. These stewards have the responsibilities to balance between times and season in their management of time, talents and treasures. They speak for God without knowing the outcome; twist God’s hand in perseverance; some results may appear delay in coming. They are exposed to and being daily inflicted by Satan in the course of discharging their duties. They are often being betrayed by those whom they have trusted as co-partners and served in faith and honesty. These stewards manage their ministries and callings that may interwoven with their household responsibilities; at the same time attempting to satisfy as many people as possible especially their follower-ship- household of faith. Since these servants live in the same capitalistic environment and buy from the same market, they work to meet up with their bills, make purchases, and pay mortgage, care for themselves and household and extended families as well as the less privileged member of the Church and society.
Even when they are depressed and going through some issues either in their family life or ministries, they are expected to encourage others and counsel them. Sometime when they are deeply challenged, it could seem as if they have failed but they are no failures. They think of how to pay their bills and make ends meet and yet people come to borrow from them. They do not believe them if they say they don’t have. They see them as a computer icon, when you click it. They see them as a computer icon, when you click it, it bring forth many programs. These people see them as God oracles and representatives who speak for God and should lack nothing. There’s the challenge of growing their ministries and keeping themselves in check; most importantly, having or creating time to call home, to be with the Lord. How do they react when things are not going their ways? Some are battered and distorted by the results of other steward’s activities; trying to compare themselves with other ministers. They appear to be a rat race or competition within the community of faith. Others try to balance between walking with God and satisfying men; who unfortunately are very insatiable.
How do they feel that they stood on the word of God and proclaim the truth of the Gospel; yet it appear there are not forth coming. They pray for people for healing and some keep coming back because they claim to have had no healing yet. The summer is gone and harvest is over but they people are not healed. Thy servant’s hearts are crushed because the people are crushed. They begin wonder: Is there no balm in Gilead? [Jeremiah 8:20-22]. The people may be tempted to put God to test saying: can God supply food and water and provide protection in the wilderness? [Psalm 78:18-20]. Do not forget most fathers of faith lived in obedience without knowing the outcome. They lived trusting God even when physical situations say the contrary. Our work as stewards is to pray in obedience to God’s word and God’s work is to answer prayers at His own time in His own ways in fulfillment of His promises and purpose. Servants should trust their master and put their faith to work. Do not allow few backfires to pollute your minds and weaken your faith. Their congregations look forward to them for encouragement, even when they’re saddled with greater/ heavier problems. Be strong and courageous; and do not loose your focus.
The consequences of stewardship: Apostle Paul said, it is a requirement that those whom God has called as stewards and ministers should remain trustworthy and faithful. [1 Corinthians 4:2]. The Lord Jesus said those who have responded to this call and backslide are not worthy to live. An author once wrote that being called to become a Christian means to come and die they way the Master died. It implies: come to know Jesus very intimately; die to the flesh and live a new in the Spirit. It means follow Me, I will make you a disciple, fishers of men. You cannot do it yourself because you do not know it and have not been walked this way before. You have to abide in Him who had died and risen and to whom God the Father domiciled in Him all powers in heaven and on earth. When you follow Him, He will direct your steps and guide you into the mysteries of servant-hood.
Jesus had early advised His disciples and Christians today that following Him will provoke persecutions, and enmity. The kingdom of darkness in which we were redeemed from will attempt to fight back to repossess us. They shall pose like angels of light to cause distractions, deceit and discouragement; could send arrows of sickness, procrastination, frustration, confusion and even delays as well as death. The underworld could send emissaries from the kingdom of hell through their agents: marine spirits, witchcrafts, monitoring spirit, evil enchanters, and destiny killers after us. Ministers and servants of God pray for people, lay hands and cast out demons. Some of these evil agents could turn around for counter attack, torment and afflict God’s co-workers who had cast them out or pursue members of their families. These are symbols of spiritual warfare servants of God face in their walk with God. It could be frustrating and disturbing at times but those things in themselves do not change or equal the choice to become God’s servant/minister. The devil can win a battle but not the war.
Christian Victory: The Church has better assurance in Christ Jesus than the world has in Satan. The Bible assures of Jesus’ confirmation: “All power is given unto Me in heaven and on earth” [Matthews 28:18]. It did not say limited power, some power, situational or circumstantial power but all power; all means without exceptions, total and complete. A Christian is not just only one whose sins are forgiven and granted the Holy Spirit power but more importantly one whom Christ lives in and behave like Christ. You then becomes God’s mouth speak, laborer, representative and ambassador. Because Christ lives in the servants, they can do what Jesus do. Jesus did not fear demons or backslides in the face of trails and persecution but in all things He sort the face of the Father whom He represented and obtain power and favor to overcome all difficulties including His death and resurrection. Jesus also said, “Fear not little flocks; for it’s your father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom [Luke 12:32]. The kingdom has been given to us and we are servants and co-laborers in it. We therefore possess the kingdom authority and power to pull down every stronghold. Persecution is no victory; just like temptation is no sin.
If Indeed Christ had given us victory, shall we also suffer persecution and hatred in this world? Of course, yes; the world hated our master and automatically transferred the hatred on us. Because we are not of this world; God had chosen us out of the world therefore they hate us [John 15:18-19]. Again Apostle Paul expanded on the source and type of hatred we shall suffer when he said, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of darkness of this world, against Spiritual wickedness in high places” [Ephesians 6:12]. Some of the things we fight physically have spiritual roots and undertone; the spiritual determines the physical. Jesus said, “These things I have spoken with you that in me ye might have peace. In the world, ye shall have tribulations but be of good cheer: I have overcome /conquer the world” [John 16:33]. Apostle Paul added, “ Nay, in all these things, we are more than conquerors [have complete victory] through Him that loved us” [Romans 8:37ff]. We have victory because of what Jesus did on the cross. All we do is not to fight Satan; he has been defeated by Jesus and we who are Christians [followers of Christ] enforce the defeat each time we acknowledge Jesus Christ as The Lord of life and make a step of faith in His name. We do this in praise and worship, in speaking and believing God in boldness and living in righteousness.
The writer Of Hebrews concludes, so that we may boldly say,”The lord is my helper and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” [Hebrews 13:6].
Everyone has a sinful nature from birth. All who live without God go to hell.
I know I’m a sinner; I can deal with them myself. Why do I need God when I can go to a good doctor?
Good doctors can cure people but only God can heal the soul, quickens the spirit, deliver from sin.
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Power source comes from God, the Holy Spirit and the Word of God [Gospel] [Acts 1: 8; John 6:63; Eph 6: 17]
4 types of unsaved non-believers [All need Christ].
- Moral sinners – nonbelievers who feel they are righteous. Self righteousness [Isaiah 53:6; Rom 3:10, 23; Gal 2:16; Rom 6:23; James 2:10].
- Righteous sinner – People who go to Church take communion but continue to live sinful lives. They had given their lives to the Lord and minister in churches and are leaders of some sort in the church but all the same live in sin. A person can have an anointing and work miracles but without holiness in one’s life; no one enters the kingdom of heaven. They can know the bible by heart, know everything about faith, about power and anointing of God, but God has his priorities: His children should have righteous life. People ruled by fleshly, sinful desires, etc. Saved person who continues to live according to these desires will fall into sin and are ruled by sinful desires and flesh except he/she repents [Matthew 7:22-23; Romans 8:1]
Some Churches do not even preach against sin so as not to offend some people – the mini gods and sponsors and high money givers. Some Churches cannot afford to offend certain people talk less of loosing them. They do not use the word sin because it will be offensive and embarrassing to some people. They call it mistakes, lapses, errors, etc. They hear sermons on faith, love and prosperity [about success stories] but nothing about sin and righteousness. They dip into what they want to hear and skip what God wants them to hear [Hebrews 12:14].
- Besetting sinners: Besetting sin is something you do repeatedly but it’s something you want to be set free from and you have confessed them before God. God sees the desire of your heart; He sees that you still haven’t gained victory over those sins.
- Rebellious sinner: These people are open opponents of the Gospel. They say I know what to do; I do not need your advice. I can deal with my problems. They openly contradict every word you speak about the Gospel [Proverbs 12:15; 14:12; 29:1; 30:12; Psalms 10:4-5; 53:1].
- Hypocrites: They think themselves clever but they are held by a spirit of contradiction. If you tell this group of people they are sinners, they would respond: you are a worst sinner. You should remove the peck in your eyes before you seek the peck in another person eyes [Romans 14:12]. They are full of pride, ego and do not humble themselves to accept the truth of the gospel. Yes all have sinned, we are sinners saved by grace, I mean just forgiven. [Romans 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11]. Repentance is turning away from a sinful lifestyle, turning to Jesus Christ, and changing our way of thinking.