17/07/2020
THE MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH
(The Extract of Last Sunday’s Message)
Preamble
This world is ruled by worldly people; as such it is easy to confuse what the world says regarding matters and the voice of the Church concerning the same. It is expedient, therefore, that before you respond to any situation find out what the Church is saying in that matter.
In this teaching we will understand how God looks at the Church, the wisdom that believers should adopt in unpleasant circumstances and the position of the Church in the world.
1 Corinthians 10:32
"Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:"
God sees three classes of people in the world according to this verse. These are the Jews, the Gentiles and the Church. When you study the Bible you will notice that some things are written to address Jews only and certain things are only accessible to you if you are part of the Church.
1. Jews
These are people who are descendants of Abraham, in other words, they have a natural or fleshly relationship with Abraham. Jews also have a covenant of law with God.
2. Gentiles
The term "gentile" used to refer to the Greeks, but during Apostle Paul's time the term was used to refer to someone who was not a believer of God. Gentiles not only lack faith but also lack God’s righteousness (they do not have a right stand with God).
3. The Church
This is a group of believers with faith and is righteous. This truth is very important for it will help you to know your stand when things are spoken. Any time a gentile speaks, you as a believer should not be easily shaken because they speak not from a faith point of view nor from a right stand with God. What is spoken may be intellectually correct, medically true or historically right, but you as a person with faith will error if you dare to conclude that it's over and begin to lose your language and conviction over the matter.
As a believer when you hear something, you should firstly ask yourself that: "what is the voice of God in this matter?" and "What kind of faith should I exercise pertaining to that information?"
2 Samuel 16:23
"And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom".
In the days of King David lived a man named Ahithophel. This man was the counsellor of David and Absalom. We all know that David was a king of great wisdom, but he spoke highly of Ahithophel's counsel.
Meeting with Ahithophel to inquire for counsel in those days never felt like having a conversation with a mere man, it was like hearing directly from God. In our time that's the position the Church stands with God, the Church is the voice of God.
1 Corinthians 1:21-24
"For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God"._
What Paul said when distinguishing the Jews and the Greeks in that verse is exactly what is happening among some Christians today. They follow what they understand with their minds; that's an error. Sometimes what God speaks may not make sense because your mind is too small to understand Him. God exists in your spirit because it's your spirit which got born again not your mind. As a believer live by what you sense in the spirit. If you begin to follow your mind you will reduce God to an idol.
What should you do when you Feel Overcome by Situations?
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you".
God can allow you to encounter certain unpleasant circumstances but the verse says resist the devil. You don't resist something that hasn't entered your camp. If you are asked to resist, it means you are to face the situation and win over it. Know that the situation has come as a trophy for your life. To have a testimony is to win over matters. Never conclude your faith has failed and give up, there is an ability in you to overcome.
Proverbs 20:5
"Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out”.
God buried wisdom within you. Engage your spirit to search out the wisdom buried in you. Do not be limited by your mind's capacity or follow what it tells you, you may be deceived because your mind will tell you of impossibilities.
Job 32:8
"But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding".
God has placed treasures within your spirit, if you put pressure within yourself you will search out the counsel of God in the situation you are passing through.
John 1:1-4
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was at the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men".
The words ‘light’ and ‘life’ in the scriptures can be used interchangeably. You cannot have the word of God and lack the light and life of God in you. When you have God's word in you, your voice becomes extraordinary. Your words release life and light to situations.
There is no situation that can overcome you unless you give up on your faith. Believe in what God has spoken and know that the victory is yours. You as the Church have a stand with God which makes what you say supreme above every situation.
I am sending you out to overcome the world with your mouth, in Jesus name!
Take note: Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible.
