Beautiful gate of zion

25/11/2020

CAUSES OF DISUNITY IN THE CHURCH 1 DESCRITION OF THE CHURCH. A. THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts1:14; Romans 15:6; Ephesians 1:11-12)
Go rhereore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing that in the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holly Spritt(Matt 28:29).
I. The church is Gods initiative Act20:28;1 Cor.4:9). founded and owned by Jesus Christ (Matt . 16:18) and directed and energised by the Holly Spirit(1Cor. 10:17.) Therefore , it is the church's joy to look to God to explain His design for the church and His mission for it. God's mission for the church proves to have several parts.
ii. Matt. 28:19-20a:The mission of the church is to make disciples. Jesus commissioned His disciple to make disciples. A disciple is a followed; one who attaches himself to his leader.As the church makesdisiples, people can admire, worship, trust , follow and obey Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Our joyful mission is to put Him on display to every nation.
iii. Eph.1:11-12: The church is to glorify Church. Christ designed his church to represent His supernatural, lifesaving work to the world. In His church, Christ shows to the world what a freed and forgiven people can be --people who are satisfied with God as the result of Christ's self-sacrifice.
iv. 1 These.5:11: The church is also to edify the saints (2Cor. 13:11;Eph.2:19-22; 4:4-25). Jesus deigned His Church t showcase God's family on earth, so that the pagan world can see how Hod builds His family around JesusChist and how that family carfes for one another(Mk3:35;jn 13 35)
v. With the church united , the above mission would be accomplished without stress; but disunity is a deterrent to its accomplishment;hence, the church must watch out for, and expunge it from her midst.

04/11/2020

B. STRUGGLE FOR LEADERSHIP POSITION(Mk.10:35-45)
The said to Him , "(v.37).
I. Over-ambition is a major cause of the dieunnity among believers. It manifests in unwholesome craving for positions of authority in the church. and is fuelled by tvribalism, nepiism and segregation(cf.has.2:1ff(.
ii. vv. 35-37: These disciples demonstrated what is not untrue of so many believers today; we don't want to work where the world would not be able to see and praise us . Many are like those pharisees who love hummanprais that God's assessment.
iii. v. 41: Such tendencies have caused a lot of disaffection and division song brethren. It has divided do many churches into so many group s , sects and factions thus hampering unity. Why pursuing what God is not giving? Only God promotes (PSM.75:6ff). Over-ambi tion destroys. Ask Absalom and Adonijah.
iv. Lat us be were of unnecessary politicking amonges us . It happened amongJesus disciples. It has been a potent tool in the hand s of the devil tocsusr disunity among believers . why should we allow the devil have his way in our midst(Eph.4;27)?
v. vv. 42-45: We must follow the warning and injunction of Church to His disciples. And most important, He is our perfectpdrl. He did not come to be served, but to serv, and to give His life a ransom forany(v.45)). He who is not ready for that is not ready for leadership, and can never unite the body. And surch a person should never aspire to leadership position among believers in order not to court God's wrarht

04/11/2020

Il. THE failure OF THE CHURCH (Mark 10:37;1Corinthians 3:1-4)
A. SQUABBLES OVER BELIEF S SND worship (1Cor.3:2-4)
For you are still carnal. For where there are envy , strife, and divisions among you , are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? (v3)
I. As the Church grew in age and generations after generation of leaders took over fr the predecessor, different kinds of modern method of worship were introduced with a view to making things easier for us.
ii. Placing images to be worshipped instead of Jesus Christ, the Son of God , is one of Dutch introduction to Christianity that has caused divisions among ud (ROM.1:21-27;cf.Exod.32:2-4).
iii. The differences in how we worship occasioned by denominationalism, has caused lot of division today , in no all way . Shouldn't the Bible be our role model and standard (2Tim.3:16-17)?
iv. There is also the unnecessary squabbles omver doctrines. Theological different have so widely torn apart different churches and denominations (cfEph.4:20)
v. 1 Cor.3:1-4: Thank God for the proliferation of churchs es . However, is denominationalism a blessing or a curse? Why all these sectarianism bringing disrepute to the mame of the Lord ? It is high time we took thegogly advise of Paul and humbly lay to rest our difference for God to do Hind works through us(vv.5ff).

27/10/2020

B. The DEVIL WILL ATTACK THE GOSPEL(1 PEER5:8-11)
Besober , be vigilant ; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may mdevour (v.8).
1. Division in the church,just like in any kingdom, is not the will of God . He is interested in unity , because the kingdom, or church divided against itself will not stand(Matt.13:25).
ii. 1pet.5:8: Any church that stand s on the guideline of God, and led by the Spirit of God. Like our gathers, should be reagyfor ssranic confrontations cf 2Tim. 3:12).
iii. One of such way s the drvilattacks the church is to vouse issues that can lead to conflicts and divion thus undermining the foundation of the church Christ's peace.
iv. Division and segregation in the church are products of misunderstanding (Acts20;30). Thank God for the early Church leaders who cooperaed with the Holy Spirit to MIP the crisis of Act6:1 in the bud before into festered into full blown division.
v. The question , Who is the greates? could have caused division whn Jesus was physically here on erth, but He was able to put it under control among His discipled(Matt.18:2-5;cf. Matt.,20:20-27; Lk.9:46-48).
vi. vv.9-11:Never you take with levity anything that can undermine the unity of the Church. God can never be favourably disposed to such . When the causer of disunity (the devil) amongst Hods people is vehemently resisted with the power of the Lord and His Scripture, God puts him under our feet, forever, so that nuity can continue in our midscf.ROM. 16:2).

27/10/2020

UNITY OF THE CHURCH
THE INFLUEENCE OF END-TIME PERILS (Timothy 6:20-21;1peter 5:8-11)
A. THE MULTIPLICITY OF FALSE DOCTRINES (1 Tim. 4:1,2;6;20-21) Now the spirit expressly say s that in latter times some will depart from the faith giving heed to deceiveing spirits and doctrines of demons (4:1).
1. In Tim.4:1, Paul told Timothy that , false teaching s would abound in the end .It is not far-fetched that false teachers were ln existence at that time and also , that they would multiply in the end -time.
ii. These false teachers/ prophets would be proponents of false doctrines, and would be led by unclean spirits.
iii. 4:2:They do not have the Sport of God . This is evident in the fact that their consciences have been scared with a hot iron , and thus dead(Tit.1:15-16).
iv. Diverse doctrine would emerge with different satdnic books sutvj as the sixth and seventh books of Moses, and other demonic materials that claim to have additional knowledge to the Bibles. Their aim is take Christians fall(Deut.4:2;Eccl3:14! Rev22;18-19).
v. Such false gospellers have crept into lives, homes and churchs and led people awayinto sin and divisive tendencies,(Tim. 3:5ff),thus undermining the unity of the church.
vi. 6:20,22: Gods word admonishes us to avoid such people like plague so that we can jealously guard the unity of the church that is very paramount in the heart of Christ

15/10/2020

B. THE EXTENT OF PRECIOUSNESS (line2)
It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard , the beard of Aaran, rning down on the edge of his ferments (v.2).
I The psalmist illustrates the message of line 2 in form of one consecrated and anointed (cf.psa .23;5;1ssm.15:1).
ii. This oil is described as a perfumer's fragrant blend of pure Olive oil spice, like myrrh, cinnamon fragrant came and cassia (Rxod.30:23-25).
iii. Its fragrance and colour reflect a holistic way of life that one's life is to portray . It is a sweet smelling ointmentEph.5:2).
iv. Oil, as anointing , and Jove for the family
v. The running down of the oil is to spread, until all are positively affected for unity(1Cor.13:1-2).

15/10/2020

UNITY IN THE FAMILY
1 THE BEAUTY OF FAMILY UNITY
ATHE PLEASANTNESS(line 1)
Behld, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unityv.1.
I. Psalms 133 is one of the shortest in the Book of psalms.
Ii. The exclamatory call ,"brethren living together in unity ", is timely and totally applicable to this generation of believers. This does not mean that all Christian would have to be living together under a single roof , or attending the same church/denominations. It goes beyond that (Act:2:42).
iii. Living together here connotes friendship, not devouring , but delighting in each other with mutual endearment (Lev.19:17-18;Epj5:22).
iv. It is an amiable thing which will attract our heart to brotherly responsibilities that will give peace and rest of mind (1pet.3:8).
v. It is the source of spiritual growth and maturity(Act21:8-9;1 pet. 2:1-5). It also stirs up hope against depression, to kindle faith when things se to stagger Rth.1:6)

26/09/2020

THE UNITY AT BABEL
1.THE MOTIVE OF THE UNITY
A. ONE WORLD;ONE LANGUAGE (Genesis 11:1-4) vv.1;2,4)
Now the whole earth had one language and one speech (v.1)
I. The whole world here indicates the descendants of Noah that survived the flood (Gen. 9:1). Tey came from the same father and thus had one language and one speech . Is there anything bad in that? No , of course, until godless motive began to spring up in them

ii. The pursuit of erecting the tower at BABEL originated and got developed from the oneness of the people's voice. They could hear themselves well . They could agree because of the same language they spoke . It was easy for whosoever that muted the idea to convince the others into buying into it, given that they spoke the same language.
iii. The city Babel was the first record of a strong centralsed society, self sufficient civilised world after the fall. But the privit of speaking the same language ran into their head to attempt to live independent of God , their Creator.
iv. Is God to be blamed for allowing them to be of one language? No it was a God -given instruments of unity among the, but the Adamiv nature that had become part of man (cf.Gen.6:5,6; ROM.3:23) moved them to abuse this privileges. The carnal mind can't please God
v. Their God-occasioned oneness became an instruments of conspiracy in the hands of the rebels, leading them to implementing the plan the devil dropped in their heart against God (cf.Matt12:34). They didn't want to be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth(v.4,c).agaistGod's desire for multiplication and subduing the earth.

31/08/2020

B. UNITY IN, AND AFTER JUDGMENT(3:14-21;4:1-2)
And Adam called his wife"s nameEve, because she was the mother of all living...Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain,and said, "I have acquired a man from the Lord" (3:20;4:1).
I. 3:20:Immediately after God had cursed Adam and his wife , Adam named his wife, Eve. It shows they stood together while the judgment lasted. Can you stand with your spouse in time of problem?
ii..Despite the terrible impact of the hammer of Hod's judgment on them, they remained "one" in bearing it. They didn't abandon themselves, breakup or divorce. No excuse for divorce. God hates it with passion (mal. 2:16). It is likely that this informed why God made the tunics for both of them(v.21)
iii. 3:23: Even when they were excommunicated, they both went out in unity from the Garden of Eden. Just picture Adam holding Eve in hands as they went away from the firry swords of those cherubimfor better for worse. With love , they took their crosses together and continued in their journey of life (cf.pro.10:12: In unity, they accepted their condemnation.
iv. 4:1-2: And Adam knew Eve...she conceived and bare Cain... I have gotten a man from Lord . Adam didn't abandon or keep quarrelling with his wife. Otherwise, how would he have been able to ,"know'her for her to conceived? The very child they begat was beginning of the fulfilment of the blessing God pronounced on them(1:28).
v. When there is unity in the home , the most terrible challenge can be overcome together, With Christ(cf.prov16:7).

24/08/2020

UNITY AFTER THE FALL(GEN 2:15-17;3:1-22)
A..UNITY IN DOWNFALL(3:1-7)
So when the woman saw that the tree was old for good. That if was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make me wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also ave to her husband with her , and he ate(3:6).
I. 3:1-6: Satan orchestrated the pwnfall of Adam and Eve .He incarnated the serpent t appear as hermless angel flight, and successfully deceived Eve (2 CPR. 11:14).
ii. In Gen3:1-5,Satan queried and tried to debunk and deny God's Word, and then , exchanged the divine injunction with his own fabricated lies to Eve.
iii. Eve believed Satan;she took of its fruit and ate , and ...gave to her husband with her , and he ate. Adam ntemtipnlly sinned and violated the law of God. He was the one who directly revealed the commend from God(2:15-17). He knowingly sinned with his wife in unity He could have rejected his wife:s godless offer, buy hr chose yp cooperate unite with her in her downfall(3:12;1Tom.2:14)
iv. It's like Adamdidn't Wang to leave his wife to surffer the consequence of the fall alone because they era of"one choice flesh".He didn't want her to "eat alone and die alone" But he soon realised that , that was not enough excise to get him off the hook of Hod"s judgement(3:17ff).
v. God have Adam theinstrution before Eve cr on board. Why didn't he investigate or think twice before accepting Eve offer well lest you be uniting with God's enemy(1jn4:1ff).
vi. After they had eaten the fruit, their eyes were opened amf they saw their nakedness that God's glory had earlier been covering. You can control your
choices , but you have no power over the consequences of your choices.
vii. Interestingiy, in all of these , there is no record of Adam quarrelling with his wife over her error , aside the blame he had earlier attempted shifting on her. Instead of quarrelling with her, Adam sewed fig keaves for both of them to cover their nakedness. What is your attitude to your spouse's mistakeRemembet:you have yourstop.

23/08/2020

B Part
UNITY WITH, AND IN GOD'S GLORY(2:25)
And they were both naked, the man and his wife and were not ashamed(v.25).
I. When God made the first couple, Adam and Eve, they were both naked but were not ashamed of themselves Why? The glory and holiness of God enveloped the and made them holy , perfect, and sinless , thus enabling them to cooperate with , and be in unity with God's presence radiated His glory (Shekinah) upon them(cf.PSA. 8:5;is a. 60:1).to the extent that they didn't even know they were naked.
ii. AF didn't speak the words recorded in verses24,25
They are God's words on the event of their joining ; His expression over Adam and Eve regarding His glory upon them , facilitated their being united in Him.
iii. Being naked and not ashamed shows a sinless life before the Lord. It is the state of integrity evidenced in being open to God and each other(cf. Acts24:16). When nakedness and shame are the order of each order of the day, it shows sin shas crept in and. the glory is gone(cf Gen.3:10). Are you still carrying the glory of God upon you through His Son?
iv.Complying with God in unity brings God's glory. Let us live and be in unity with God by being holy , living a sin-free life and cooperating with God.

InVision specializes in integrated brand experiences and communications programs designed to create more brand impact, stronger connections and measurable results.