Judgment Begins with the House of God

Author by James R. Davis

The judgment of God and the victory of the saints are the two major themes of Revelation. The theme runs throughout the book. It is in Revelation that John reminds us that the judgment of God begins with the house of God. To each of the seven churches of Asia, Jesus says, "I know your works . . ." and then he gives the proper commendation or rebuke.

Peter wrote, as he was preparing Christians for the suffering ahead: "However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." (1 Peter 4:16-19)

It seems the church today is being taken to the laundry by the godless.  We could shorten and simplify the process if we would judge ourselves. But if we don't, God will.

 

"I believe God is withdrawing His hand of protection from the church in judgment, but the church hasn't realized it yet.

It's a well-known fact that there are as many divorces today within the church as outside it. The pleasures and values of most people in the church are not much different from other people's, either.  The line that once distinguished Christians from nonChristians has become severely blurred.  Why has God not judged . . . ?

When God described in Deuteronomy the judgments He would bring if Israel disobeyed Him, the scattering of families was His final judgment. Because of America's high divorce rate--both inside and outside the church--children are being torn away from their families and being torn apart emotionally.  Yet the church seems to be mostly unaware that today's events may be part of God's judgment on the church in America.

The main problem is not so much secularism as it is the secularization of the church.  "The salt is losing its savor," he says. The purity of the church has been compromised, and we've lost sight of the value of a pure church. Persecution always cleanses and purifies the church wherever it occurs, but we don't have to wait for persecution.  We can repent now for violating God's Word, bringing the world's values into the church, and failing to obey God's voice."1

In our pluralistic society, which is willing to tolerate any philosophy, except one that claims to be exclusive truth, there is a strong tendency to dilute the proclamation of Christ as the only way to God.  This makes the message of Revelation especially relevant to the church's problems today. After each admonition to each of the seven churches John writes, " . . . Listen what the spirit says to the churches . . . (2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22) Although a different message was given to each church, each message was also directed to all the churches in Asia Minor. This implies that each message is a message that applies to every congregation of God's people today. If we have any doubt about God's judgment of Christians, we need to fully understand these two chapters. They give us insight as to how God deals with churches today.

Of the seven churches discussed in Revelation, five needed renewal, and that was only 60 years into church history! To each church John writes, "He who has an ear, let him hear . . . John is asking them to stop, look and listen to what Jesus Christ is saying.

Judgment upon the Churches in Asia

Ephesus the hateful church. (2:1-7) In Acts 19 & 20 we see Ephesus' response to the truth. Paul warned the elders of the false teachers that would rise in their own ranks. He commended them to God and the Word of his grace would build them up and give them an inheritance among all the saints. (Acts 20:32) In the book of Ephesians we see the church in all its glory. Yet, by the end of the centruy the church had become so militant against false teachers that their own hearts had grown cold toward the truth of God's Word. Ther was probably an attitude of witch hunting among Christians. It is great that churches hate error, but when they lose their love for the lost something has gone wrong. It is great to hate the sin that nailed the reigning Christ to the cross, but we must retain our love for the one committing the sin. We are not out to get vengeance but to extend grace.

Today many faithful Christian teachers are endeavoring to move away from a cold callused way of proclaiming the Word of God. Too many times they are accused of not having any backbone for telling it the way it is. We fail to realize that it takes just as much backbone to take one position as it does another, whichever it is. But we need backbones that will bend over and touch the man dead in sin. It just has to be more flexible. A bridge builder told me that a bridge must be flexible or it would collapse and fall. A bridge must be designed to expand and contract with the heating and cooling of the atmosphere. It must also be flexible in high winds. The right kind of flexibility is a sign of strength not weakness. Especially if it is intent on bringing one to Jesus Christ the judge of all.

Congregations that lose their love for the lost must repent or else Christ will remove them from his presence. The amazing thing about this cold-hearted church is that Christ pleads with them to repent and do their first works. Christ even gave hateful dead cold churches the option of repentance. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." (2:7) They were encouraged to return to the first works. We can rest assured that if we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us today through the Spirit breathed word, God will make us more than conquerors through the blessing he bestows. (2:1-7)

Smyrna the poor but devoted church. (2:8-11) The congregation in Smyrna was poor in this worlds goods but rich in their devotion to God. It is no wonder that Satan's agents in that city were attacking them more fiercely. They were winning their battle over difficult circumstances. Jesus only encourages them and finds no criticism for them.

The city of Smyrna had a strong movement toward emperor cult worship. A temple was built to the emperor Tiberius. Later Domitian pressed emperor worship as a sign of loyality to Rome. Smyrna was placed in the forefront of this cult movement. This brought extreme pressure upon the Christians who practiced monotheism. There was also a large Jewish population that posed a threat to the church. The persecution was about to increase.

Jesus indicates that they will be persecuted for a period of time. He promises them that if they continue to listen  to what he has said,  they would not be hurt with the second death. Remember it is Jesus who has the keys to Hades and death. They need not worry. Jesus will give the crown of life.

Revelation 2:9-10

I know your afflictions and your poverty-- yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

 

Pergamos the persecuted church. (2:12-17) Pergamos was Hell's headquarters, Satan had set up his throne in this city. Pergamos was the center of emperor worship, a shrine for emperor worship was erected in this city. Jews were exempt from emperor worship because everyone knew they practiced monotheism. But this was not so with Christians and inevitable conflict was a reality. Since they were not Jews, they were expected to worship the emperor of Rome. Antipas had already been martyred therefore great persecution was at their doors. There were also false teachers in the church that were placing a stumbling block before God's children.  They were eating food sacrificed to idols, which indicates that they were partaking in the fellowship feast with the idolatrous. We are not absolutely sure what the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitans were but we know it was the work of Satan.

Jesus warned them that he would come in judgment against them with sword of his mouth. Jesus coming is not just a foreboding reality, but it is also a message of encouragement to those who were endeavoring to remain faithful as martyrs are falling around them. He leaves no doubt that he is able to handle the situation.

Jesus promises them that if they remain faithful he will feed them with manna. That is he would sustain them just as he sustained the Israelites who were fed manna for forty years. He also promises them that he would give them a white stone with a new name written on it. A white stone in that era was given to a man who had been tried and acquitted of a crime. It was given to a slave who had been set free to be a citizen. It was given to the winner of a race. It was given to a warrior returning home victorious in battle. The sacred promise of Jesus Christ was one calculated to increase efforts of loyalty.2

Jesus promises them the sweet taste of victory. But they must remain faithful.

 

Thyatira the home of Jezebel. (2:18-29) In Acts 16, we see that Lydia was a seller of purple from Thyatira. Paul converted her as she visited the city. She perhaps, is the lady who started the church in Thyatira.

When Jesus comes to this church, he comes with eyes like a flame of fire and feet of burnished brass. This indicates that he comes searching the minds and hearts, but he comes with stern judgment to crush those who do wrong. Christ commends them in that their last works are greater than their first works. But there is a wicked Jezebel among them who is leading others astray. They have been tolerating her as she has led others to idolatry and fornication. Jesus warns that he will come in judgment on her children, that is, on those who follow her.

The faithful among them were doing a great work, in spite of the work of Jezebel. They had retained their love, service, faith and patience in difficult times. Their last works were greater than their first. So Jesus makes them a promise. "Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): Only hold on to what you have until I come. To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations-- 'He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery'-- just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 2:24-29)

Sardis a church that was a living corpse. (3:1-6) The church at Sardis had a name for being alive, but Christ told them they were dead. Christ told them that they needed to resurrected. They needed to repent and remember what they had received and heard. You have heard of people sleeping through church, they were dead. Preaching to this church would be like a fellow holding a sunrise service in a graveyard and no one shows up. He goes ahead and preaches to the dead. There were a few in this dead church that had not soiled their garments and to them he promised victory.

There was a lot of activity in the Church at Sardis. The organization was oiled and running smoothly.  This would be the place you would want to go if you were looking for a church. But there was no real life. Have you ever noticed how well organized a graveyard is. Maybe it is like that because there is no one there with enough life to disorganize it. Maybe it was one of those churches that had no problems, because there was no one there that cared enough to cause a problem.

Richard Ganz and William Edgar in their book Sold Out! wrote, "Churches want to hear nice, optimistic messages, free of mention of sin or a call for repentance. Churches want nice, lean programs, directed at nice, clean families, leading to growth without sacrifice.  They want their organization to become bigger and bigger, even as their God becomes smaller and smaller." 3

But there were a few names there that had remained faithful even in that dead church. It must be extremely hard to worship in a dead church. The songs and prayers don't get above the rafters but the faithful hang on and the Lord reminds them of his faithfulness.

 

Revelation 3:4-5

Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.

Philadelphia the faithful church with an open door. (3:7-13) This was a weak church that was strong in faith. They had not denied Jesus Christ. Jesus sets before them an open door that no one could shut. It is a door of opportunity. He is going to make those who belong to the synagogue of Satan come and bow at their feet because they have kept his word. He only encourages them to hold fast so that no one can seize their crown. Hell itself will not prevail against them. Really that has been the promise to all the faithful in the churches thus far.

Jesus promised them that he would make them a pillar in the temple of God. Of all the churches of Asia, Philadelphia was the only one that survived through the centuries. It remained a column among the ruins. God and Christ engraved their names on them and they stood through the centuries.

Laodicea a church with closed doors. (3:14-22) Laodicea was a city of trade and commerce. This city was built at the intersection of three major roads. It was a city that was a great banking center where riches were gathered. They had gold and didn't need much of anything else. The church had adopted the same lifestyle. They were lukewarm. Jesus was on the outside knocking to get into this church. But when you are prosperous and need nothing, why get up and open the door. The city was rich, lethargic and complacent. Riches have a way of deadening many to the realities of life.

Laodicea was like many churches today that are not concerned about spirituality as long as the economy is fine. They are trusting in their bank accounts.

 

Revelation 3:17-22

You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

Faith involves total commitment on a personal level, choosing to value the Lord Jesus above any other person.  In some ways persecution may be easier to handle than the materialism of our society that masks the issues.  Persecuted Christians have a clearer understanding of what is at stake, since they often have to risk their personal liberties or even their lives for the sake of their faith.  By comparison, we in the West have lost our first love. 4

Conclusion:

The judgment on the seven churches of Asia remind us of Jesus' teaching concerning the judgment.
 

Matthew 7:21-23

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
 

1. Ed Lewis,  The State of the Church  Pulpit Helps, Mar 1995 (Vol 20, No 3).  Pages 1-2 Via InfoSearch Database.

2. Ray Summers, Worthy Is The Lamb, Broadman Press, Nashville, TN. 1951. pg. 116.

3. Quoted in HELP for Christian Leaders,  Wint, 1992

4. Ross Paterson, Lessons from the Suffering Church. Charisma & Christian Life, May 1991. Pages 92-99.

What It Means To Be A Christian

Author: Jim Davis

Amidst our space age technology, millions are searching for meaning. Very few are finding it. Humanity has always sought fulfillment through knowledge, materialism, power and pleasure. Solomon explored these avenues and concluded, "All is vanity and a striving after the wind." (Ecclesiastes 2:11)

This is not to say that there is not a certain amount of joy to be had through an accumulation of knowledge, wealth, pleasure and power. It is not to say that there is no pleasure in the physical world. But if one or more of these areas become the chief goal in life, one is destined for disappointment. There is a legitimate place for each, but not as the central focal point of our lives.

If one is to find meaning and direction for living, one must understand that a meaningful life is bound up in relationships. A relationship with God, with one's neighbor, a healthy relationship with self and the material world.

The primary focus of Christianity is relationships. It has to do with a relationship with God, with one's neighbor, and with God's creation.

 

Life Is Unavoidably Tied to God

Psalms 139:7-14

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (NIV)

The Psalmist recognizes that there is no getting away from God. You could take a spaceship and travel 3 billion miles into outer space and God would be there.

It is when we lose sight of God that real trouble begins. This is seen as early as Eden. Notice the quality of relationship that Adam sustained with God, his wife, with the created physical world and ultimately with himself. They were both naked and knew it not, even as they walked and talked with God. When sin entered into the garden, flourishing relationships wilted through shame and pain.

Read Paul's description of the Gentile world, which had forgotten God.

 

Romans 1:20-32

It is little wonder that Jesus pointed out that a relationship with God was the first and greatest commandment.

 

Matthew 22:37-40

Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (NIV)

 

The word "salvation" in its broadest sense means to bring to wholeness. It's interchangeable with the word healing. We read, "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick." (James 5:15 KJV) The same Greek word rendered save here is translated heal elsewhere. The NIV says, "Will make the sick person well."

Jesus said, "Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice, and open the door . . . " (Revelation 3:20) When we open that door Jesus enters not as an intruder to an already ordered life, but as one who desires to help us bring about wholeness to our lives -- to our relationships -- to give meaning and wholeness to life.

 

In the word salvation, I see the word salvage. I see God salvaging Peter's life in order to bring about wholeness. Jesus told him "come and I will make you a fisher of men." (Luke 5:1-11) Peter started becoming what Jesus saw in him that day.

God wants us to become what he sees in us. I come to God just as I am. But I come for the purpose of becoming what God sees in me. There lies the secret to every meaningful relationship, and ultimately to a meaningful life.

 

The amazing thing is that God takes the initiative in the relationship by guaranteeing us that no matter what we have done his love is constant. When he forgives us, there will be no bitter taste left in his mouth. He promises us that we will be totally accepted without reservation. He guarantees us that no matter how miserably we fail or how blatantly we sin, unreserved forgiveness is ours for the asking.

The beauty of it all is that God has made us accepted in the beloved.

 

Ephesians 1:4-6

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (KJV)

 

Ephesians 2:4-9

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-- it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. (NIV)

 

A Relationship with God Affects All Our Personal Relationships

Once we have a relationship with God, there is no way that fellowship can be maintained apart from a relationship with our neighbors. If we breathe in air, we must exhale it in order to live. The same is true with our relationship with God. It is impossible to take God in without allowing him to affect every earthly relationship.

 

I John 3:16-17

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? (NIV)

 

In John's passage above, we see a relationship with Christ affecting one's relationship with material possessions and one's fellowman.

 

Jesus demonstrated this principle in his own life. He took God in and manifested him to the world. Philip came to Jesus asking to see God. Jesus said, "If you have seen me, you have seen the Father." (John 14:1-9) Christ demonstrated God's willingness to serve humanity. He came to serve, not to be served. (Matthew 20:28) That is why we see God on his knees in the upper room washing the disciples feet, even the feet of the one about to betray him. You see God talking to the Samaritan woman who had been married five times and is now shacked up the sixth man in her life. That is why you see God at the house of Levi, the publican. (Luke 5:27-31)

 

Luke 5:27-32

And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (KJV)

That is why you see God at the temple teaching the hypocrite.

This world leads us to love when we are loved. Even when we extend love, we expect it to be reciprocated. Too often, we look for what a relationship has to offer as we network our way through humanity. However, God's order of things is much different. God is focused on what he has to offer us. That was Jesus' mentality also. He is looking to help us reach our God-given potential. He wants to help us see what God sees in us, something of worth and value to a world which he created. God desires to enter our lives to make us whole.

God's kingdom love is much different from worldly love. It is something that operates independent of how we feel. In God's kingdom we first love. That love is the guiding force as we get acquainted. In the world, we first get acquainted and then decide if the person is worth loving. Most people have a few friends and many acquaintances but are starving for love.

When we have a relationship with God, our relationship with our fellowman takes on new meaning. We begin to look at others as God looks at us. It is then that we can begin to help others discover what God sees in them.

 

A Changed Relationship with Our World

Nothing changes our world view more dramatically than a relationship with God. It gives life a renewed meaning. Christianity does not isolate us from our world. Jesus said, " . . . I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them . . . my prayer is not that you would take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." (John 17:13,15)

Isolation is not the answer. It is making God the center of our universe that makes the difference. It is great that God has given us intelligence. Man is literally searching the far reaches of the universe for knowledge. But it is God that gives meaning to life. Jesus said, " . . . the only true knowledge is to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3 KJV)

 

Philosophers have sought to change our worldview. Yet, it is Christ revelation of God through himself that overshadowed all the sages of the past. Aristotle, Plato and Socrates pale into insignificance in shadow. The knowledge of God through his Son continues to overshadow all the philosophies since his coming.

We find ourselves studying psychology, monkeys, fish, reptiles, etc., in an effort to gain a better understanding of self. But the knowledge of God is the key to us understanding and knowing self and our world.

 

Philippians 3:7-11

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-- the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. (NIV)

 

A Changed Relationship with Ourselves

God has placed within each of us something much like a homing device to direct our thoughts toward our creator. And from within us, he calls us to work with him in making our lives, our relationships and our world what he intended them to be.

But we must cooperate with God in establishing his kingdom within our hearts, in all of our affairs, all of our personal relationships and our society.

It really matters little how much we accomplish during the years of our existence, because unless we have a relationship with God through Christ nothing else really matters. We must seek to do his will in all of life and test everything according to his purpose, in order to find healing and fulfillment.

It is in forming a right relationship with God, our fellowman and our world that we discover a relationship with ourselves. There is really no way to know oneself apart from God. There is no other way to discovering spiritual healing.

Conclusion:

God is asking us to give him our lives, relinquish control of our possessions and seek his will in all things.

This is what it means to be a Christian.!

Bon Voyage

The Departure of Rev. HELENA BERHITOE 
(Senior Pastor of GBI Fatmawati, Cilandak-Jakarta)

The Lord Gave and The Lord Had Taken Away, Blessed Be The Name of The Lord

My phone rang at about 8 pm from a friend in the GBI Fatmawat’s  services which  brought  a shocking news that we’d never thought the slightest. The day was May 23, 2010 when God took her life out of the  earth during the last service at GBI Fatmawati without any prior symptom of illness and the sky full of stars witnessing how we had lost one of whom we loved most.

Rev. Helena Herbitoe was  a perfect mother, a good wife, a friend, a faithful  observer  for  the congregation, a powerful prayer maker and a preacher who loudly proclaimed the truth of the Word faithfully. She has become a role model for us to dedicate life only for God's glory. 

God gave her  46 years (1964-2010) to live  in the world and she made life so valuable for His glory. Many things we could learn through her life; care to the needy, perseverance, loyalty and faith that were always burning to follow the calling. We believe she had fought the good fight and completed the good race (II Tim 4:7).

We spent crying and tears for days as if not willing to let her  go, but time with her and the testimony of her life speak so much about absolute submission for God, the King of Glory, and we are His servants who are obliged to fully surrender at God’s merciful hand.

My wife is one member of the church whom she really loved (therefore  my wife felt shocked extremely when she heard the news). Rev. Helena Berhitoe used to make a call to my wife several times  in a week and they prayed together in the middle of her tight ministry. Truly, God had been using her to abundantly bless us through the words which strengthened us despite not being in the same activity.


Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful ones.

Life is not just a matter of choice but an absolute responsibility before God no matter how long you live in the world. We as Christians believe that we have assurance of faith for resurrection after physical death. Physical death is not end of life but new beginning to enter into a perfect divine life. Rev. Helena Berhitoe had been carried by angels into the Abraham’s bossom (Luke 16:22) and she joined her righteous ancestors (Gen. 25:8) to forever praise and worship the God Father (Rev. 14:2-3, 15:3). She now is experiencing how great, passionate, just and merciful our God Father forever and ever, therefore Apostle Paul said.” Life is for Christ and death is gain to me” (Phil 1:21).

Moses said, “the days of our years are 70 years or if by strength they are 80 years …. Teach us to number each of our days so that we may grow in wisdom” (Psalm 90:10a,12). We may live longer or shorter than the 70, but whatever the number is God should be glorified through our life as we had been chosen before the foundation of the earth to bring His Light in the world whatsoever your calls or professions (Eph 1:4, Matt 5:14-16). In the end, May God always bless her beloved family (Bishop. Temmy Berhitoe, Yoel, Daniel, Ruth, Abraham), fellow relatives and their ministries more each day after her departure to the eternal home.

Bon voyage, Rev. Helena Berhitoe … hasta que nos encontramos otra vez (until we meet again) in His time at His kingdom.

I heard a voice from heaven saying, 
Write this:
From now on those who die believing in the Lord are blessed.
"Yes," says the Spirit. "Let them rest from their hard work.
What they have done goes with them." (Rev.14:13)

(NBG's)

The Effectual Prayer Of Moses

  By Richard Owen Roberts

    Let me endeavor to draw your mind and heart into a prayer of Moses found in Exodus chapters 32 through 34 that appears in four segments.

    The setting is disturbingly familiar. Moses was on the mountain of God. Down below, the murmuring people assembled about Aaron saying, "Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for this Moses, the man who has brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him" (Ex. 32:1). Hopefully, you have on former occasions already felt the horrifying shock of realizing that Aaron missed the chance of a lifetime in failing to call these wayward people to repentance. Instead, he wickedly commanded them to tear off their gold and to bring it to him, and out of their ornaments he fashioned a golden calf of which the people brazenly said, "This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt" (v. 4). Aaron then proceeded to build an altar before this wretched idol and they gave the next day to sacrificing, eating and drinking, and playing before their abomination (v. 6).

    The penetrating words of God to Moses in threatened final judgment against these vile people need to be noted: "I have seen this people, and behold, they are an obstinate people. Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them, and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation" (vv. 9-10).

First Segment – Bold Entreaty Based on God’s Reputation

    It is precisely here that we come to the first part of a remarkable prayer, for instead of stepping aside, Moses stands boldly before the Lord entreating and saying, "Why doth Thine anger burn against Thy people whom Thou hast brought out from the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?" (v. 11). Remember, God and Moses are on the mountain, and whereas God was also on the plain and fully aware of the wretched sin of His people, Moses, not having seen what God sees, has no means whereby to feel what God is feeling; yet, in the midst of his ignorance, Moses utters the first segment of one of the wisest and most effectual prayers on record.

    Have you ever wondered how to pray for revival? Take a lesson from the words that follow: "Why should the Egyptians speak, saying, ‘With evil intent He brought them out to kill them in the mountains and to destroy them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Thy burning anger and change Thy mind about doing harm to Thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Thy servants to whom Thou didst swear by Thyself, and didst say to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heavens, and all this land of which I have spoken I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever’" (vv. 12-13). Who would dare to ask God to spare the nations of today because of the plentitude of righteousness in them or because of some good they have done? Surely, if God destroyed the entire earth at this very moment, none could accuse Him of any lack of justice. But Moses’ entreaty is based not on what they deserved but on the fame and reputation of God Himself.

    It is reasonable, following the lead of Moses, to plead with God for America asking, "O God will You not spare this land? You Yourself raised up its peoples out of howling wilderness. You graced us with Your presence, power and protection. You enabled us to become one of the mighty nations on earth. Our founding fathers desired to establish a nation whose God is the Lord, and in official documents and even on coinage they declared our trust in Thee and proclaimed us ‘one nation under God.’ The peoples of the world have known at least something of our Christian heritage and early commitments to You. What will the heathen say if You destroy us? Will they not ask, ‘What kind of God is this who pours so much of Himself into a people, only to destroy them two hundred years later?’" And cannot those of you in the United Kingdom and in numerous other lands of the earth entreat the Lord, reminding Him of His bountiful mercies in seasons of the past, and plead with Him that, having already invested so much of Himself in your land, will He not do so once again for the glory of His name?

    Was God offended by Moses’ line of reasoning? Hardly! "So the Lord changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people" (v. 14).

    All who know this passage realize that as soon as Moses saw with his own eyes what God had already seen, feeling something of the anger and the anguish of God, he smashed the tables of stone and ordered the deaths of three thousand of the participants in this great evil.

Second Segment – Self-Sacrificing Intercession for God’s People

    On the following day Moses turned to the people saying, "You yourselves have committed a great sin; and now I am going up to the Lord, perhaps I can make atonement for your sin" (32:30). The next part of this remarkable prayer is immediately apparent as Moses returned to the Lord (vv. 31-32) and said, "Alas, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for themselves. But now, if Thou wilt, forgive their sin – and if not...." Do you recognize the significance of the long dash preceding the "if not" phrase? Can you imagine any godly man or woman carelessly praying such a prayer as "if not please blot me out from Thy book which Thou hast written"!

    But God did not demand this blotting out of Moses. Indeed, His word was, "The Lord replied to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned against Me I will blot out of My book’" (v. 33).

    Then the Lord, having waived His threatened final judgment against all the people, proceeded to impose a remedial judgment in which He refused to go before the people, as had been His practice. He offered instead to send an angel before them, plainly declaring that because of their obstinate ways or the stiffness of their necks He would not go with them lest He destroy them on the way (32:34 – 33:3).

Third Segment – Relentless Pleading for God’s Presence

    The next part of Moses’ prayer begins with an extraordinary action. The tent was pitched outside the camp and called "the tent of meeting." Everyone who sought the Lord was required to go out to the tent of meeting to do so (33:7). Then Moses said to the Lord, "See, Thou dost say to me, ‘Bring up this people!’ But Thou Thyself hast not let me know whom Thou wilt send with me. Moreover, Thou hast said, ‘I have known you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.’ Now therefore, I pray Thee, if I have found favor in Thy sight, let me know Thy ways, that I may know Thee, so that I may find favor in Thy sight. Consider too, that this nation is Thy people" (vv. 12-13).

    When God graciously asserts, "My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest," Moses immediately responds, "If Thy presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here. For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Thy sight, I and Thy people? Is it not by Thy going with us, so that we, I and Thy people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?" (vv. 15-16). Oh, the depth and power of such reasoning with God.

    Why is it billions of the world’s present-day people do not believe in Christianity? Surely, for multitudes of them, it is because they do not believe in Christians. And why do they not believe in Christians? Because the distinguishing mark of Christianity is absent – the manifest presence of God in the midst of His people! Do not try to argue that God is with us as He has always been. If He were we would be a holy people as He is a holy God. The sheer fact that morality is the morality of the world is overwhelming evidence of God having withdrawn His presence from us.

    Instead of pretending, let us reason as Moses reasoned and to plead with God saying, "If You do not go with us we are not going anywhere! The only way the world can distinguish us from themselves is when Your presence is manifested among us. When we tell them that You are our God and we are Your people they do not believe us for they cannot see evidence of Your presence with us. They believe we are just like themselves for the distinguishing mark of Your people is lacking among us. We beseech You therefore, our God, that You will return to us in manifest presence and power."

    And how does God respond this time? "I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight, and I have known you by name" (v. 17).

Fourth Segment – Passionate Desire to See God’s Glory

    Having gained so much, is Moses now content? No! Recognizing that he is on praying ground and that God is both hearing and answering he raises yet another petition: "I pray Thee, show me Thy glory!" (v. 18).

    Then God, in the magnificence of His mercy, invited Moses back to the mountain, where standing him in the cleft of a rock and covering him with His hand, the Lord God Omnipotent caused all His glory to pass before him (33:19 – 34:7). "And Moses made haste to bow low toward the earth and worship. And he said, ‘If now I have found favor in Thy sight, O Lord, I pray, let the Lord go along in our midst, even though the people are so obstinate; and do Thou pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Thine own possession’" (34:8-9).

    Oh, to pray as Moses prayed! Oh, to travail as Moses travailed! Oh, to be effectual in prayer as Moses was effectual! Surely, this is our duty! Amazingly, this is our privilege!

                                                                   Taken from www.sermonindex.net

Beware Of False Prophets And False Teachers

"And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many" (Matt. 24:11).

 

    "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you in advance" (Matt. 24:24-25).

    "…savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert..." (Acts 20:29-31).

Scripture warns us very clearly to be on the alert for false prophets and false teachers in the last days. The need for discernment is critical because such false leaders arise from among us (Acts 20:30; 2 Pet. 2:1), come in sheep’s clothing (Matt. 7:15), creep in unnoticed (Jude 1:4), secretly introduce their destructive heresies (2 Pet. 2:1), and can even show great signs and wonders to try to mislead God’s people (Matt. 24:24). They are deceitful workers and can disguise themselves as apostles of Christ and servants of righteousness (2 Cor. 11:13-15).

    The danger is compounded by the fact that in the last days many people "will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth…" (2 Tim. 4:3-4). The condition is similar to Jeremiah’s day: "An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule on their own authority; and My people love it so!..." (Jer. 5:30-31). Many people today, even within the church, are opening the door and welcoming, and even embracing, the ministry and message of false teachers.

    Thankfully, the Lord not only warns us about false leaders (teachers, prophets, shepherds and apostles), but He also shows us in His Word how to identify false leaders from the godly ones that He gives to the church.

    1. False leaders want others to serve them; true leaders desire to serve others. Jesus emphasizes that in God’s kingdom, the strong are to serve the weak: "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matt. 20:25-28). Likewise, after washing His disciples’ feet, He instructed them, "If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet…" (John 13:14). God gives leaders power and authority so that they might serve others.

    False leaders, however, abuse power by exploiting others to their own benefit. They mostly care about themselves (Jude 1:12) and "speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage" (Jude 1:16). They are similar to the bad shepherds in Ezekiel’s day: "Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock. Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and with severity you have dominated them" (Ezek. 34:2-4).

    Be suspect whenever you see a leader draw attention to himself and to his own needs rather than to the needs of others. A true leader is humble and considers others as more important than himself, giving special attention to those who are especially vulnerable, such as the sick, the poor, the oppressed and the lost. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11).

    2. False leaders focus on money; true leaders focus on ministry. A good indication that someone is a false teacher is when he focuses on money and material possessions, and teaches that godliness is a means to financial gain. This is such a widespread false teaching today, even though the Scriptures clearly warn against it. For example, the Apostle Paul, in the context of unsound doctrine, writes about "...men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world. So we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs" (see First Timothy 6:3-10).

    The same problem plagued God’s people in Old Testament days. Listen to Jeremiah, Micah and Isaiah lament the pathetic conditions: "For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for gain, and from the prophet even to the priest every one deals falsely" (Jer. 6:13); "Her leaders pronounce judgment for a bribe, her priests instruct for a price and her prophets divine for money" (Mic. 3:11); "And the dogs are greedy, they are not satisfied. And they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each one to his unjust gain, to the last one" (Isa. 56:11).

    Jesus warns, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed…" (Luke 12:15). We must be especially alert of false teachers in this regard because they have hearts "trained in greed" (2 Pet. 2:14) and "in their greed they will exploit you with false words" (2 Pet. 2:3). Of course, they cloak their deception by using (actually, misusing and twisting) biblical terminology, but in the end, their focus is still on money and material possessions.

    Consider how much this contrasts with a godly leader such as the Apostle Paul: "I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. In every thing I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’" (Acts 20:33-35). Paul also wrote, "For we are not like many, peddling the Word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God…" (2 Cor. 2:17). Godly leaders are to be "free from the love of money" (1 Tim. 3:3). And again, Paul’s words to Timothy: "If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content" (1 Tim. 6:8).

  
  3. False leaders whitewash sin; true leaders preach repentance. An integral part of the message of a man sent by God is the call to repent of sin and return to God. The prophet Micah, for example, contrasted his ministry with the false prophets and priests of his day who hated good, loved evil and led God’s people astray: "On the other hand I am filled with power – with the Spirit of the Lord – and with justice and courage to make known to Jacob his rebellious act, even to Israel his sin" (Mic. 3:8). In fact, the Lord sent all the Old Testament prophets to preach repentance: "I have sent to you all My servants the prophets, sending them again and again saying: ‘Turn now every man from his evil way, and amend your deeds, and do not go after other gods to worship them...’" (Jer. 35:15).

    Repentance is a major focus as well in the preaching and teaching in the New Testament. John the Baptist preached repentance (Matt. 3:1-2), Jesus preached repentance (Matt. 4:17), Peter and Paul preached repentance (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 26:20), and in the letters to the seven churches, Jesus continued to stress the necessity of repentance (Rev. 2:5, 16, 21, 22; 3:3, 19). Godly leaders do not skirt the issue of sin, but hit it head on and issue strong calls to repentance. They admonish people to forsake sin and return to the Lord.

    False prophets and false teachers, however, water down the seriousness of sin. The Lord declares of them: "They keep saying to those who despise Me, ‘The Lord has said, "You will have peace"’; and as for every one who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart, they say, ‘Calamity will not come upon you’" (Jer. 23:17). He also declares, "So My hand will be against all the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations.... It is definitely because they have misled My people by saying, ‘Peace!’ when there is no peace. And when anyone builds a wall, behold, they plaster it over with whitewash; so tell those who plaster it over with whitewash, that it will fall..." (Ezek. 13:9-11). Instead of rebuking sin, they actually encourage "the wicked not to turn from his wicked way and preserve his life" (Ezek. 13:22).

    False prophets and false teachers are more concerned with pleasing others and offering self-help than with stressing the need for each person to deny self, take up his cross and follow Christ. They do not treat sin seriously, and do not expose it to ward off judgment. They flatter others and promise favor with God without repentance and obedience.

4. False leaders misuse the Word of God; true leaders proclaim the whole counsel of God. Not only do true leaders preach and teach repentance, they are faithful to proclaim "the whole purpose of God" (Acts 20:27). They realize that "all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16). They do not distort the Word of God or water it down, but they "preach the Word" and "reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction" (2 Tim. 4:2). They are diligent to present themselves approved to God as workmen who do not need to be ashamed, "accurately handling the Word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). They do not preach nor teach their own word, but God’s Word, regardless of how popular or unpopular it may be. They set forth the Word of God plainly and powerfully. They do not follow the whims of popular theology, but "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints" (Jude 3).

    False prophets and false teachers, on the other hand, malign the way of truth (2 Pet. 2:2). They draw only from the portions of Scripture that serve their purposes, and even then they pervert and distort the Word of God to their advantage (Jer. 23:36; Gal. 1:7; 2 Pet. 3:16). They "speak a vision of their own imagination, not from the mouth of the Lord" (Jer. 23:16), "prophesy from their own inspiration" (Ezek. 13:2), and follow "their own spirit" (Ezek. 13:3).

    Of course, false teachers can be very deceitful and convincing. This is why God’s people must be alert, must take the whole counsel of God’s Word to heart, and must consider present-day teaching in light of the doctrine that has been passed down through the ages. Again, Jesus warns that many will be misled. We must grow up in Christ so that we are not "...tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by the craftiness in deceitful scheming..." (Eph. 4:14).

"I did not send these prophets, but they ran. I did not speak to them, but they prophesied" (Jer. 23:21).

    Just because someone claims to be a prophet or teacher from God, does not mean that he is. In fact, Jesus warns that "many false prophets will arise, and mislead many" (Matt. 24:11). We have a great responsibility, therefore, to be alert for false leaders.

    Last month, I described four ways to distinguish false leaders from the godly leaders the Lord gives to the church. I invite you to now consider three more distinguishing marks.

5. False leaders have a distorted theology of Christ; true leaders keep their focus on Christ. A central mark of a false prophet or false teacher is distorted theology regarding the Person and work of Christ. The Apostle Peter warns that there will "be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them..." (2 Pet. 2:1). Jude describes false leaders as those who "deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" (Jude 4). The Apostle John instructs us to "not believe every spirit, but to test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God..." (1 John 4:1-3). Likewise, the Apostle Paul exhorts us: "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form" (Col. 2:8-9).

    The theology of the Person and work of Christ is, of course, of utmost significance. In fact, the whole focus of the New Testament is upon Christ, from the beginning of Matthew, "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ…" (Matt. 1:1), to the end of Revelation, "The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen" (Rev. 22:21). In between, the pages of God’s Word highlight Christ’s virgin birth, His divinity, His powerful ministry, His sinless life, His sacrificial death, His resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and His promise to come again.

    In light of the centrality of Christ, it is not surprising that false prophets, false teachers and false religious groups distort the view of Christ. The spirit of the antichrist is very much at work in the world (1 John 4:3), and that spirit is opposed to all that God wants to accomplish through Christ. Beware of any person or group that in any way diminishes the Person or work of Christ, including His miraculous birth, His divinity, His death on the Cross, His resurrection or His Second Coming.

    On the other hand, true leaders keep the focus on Christ, exalting Him above everyone and everything else. Their preaching and teaching is centered in Christ (1 Cor. 1:23; Col. 1:28), and their theology about Christ is in harmony with the emphasis of the New Testament and long-standing church tradition. As the Apostle Paul declared, "For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake" (2 Cor. 4:5).

6. False leaders have ungodly character; true leaders are consistently godly. Another significant mark of false leaders is ungodly character. In the days of the Old Testament, the Lord lamented through the prophet Jeremiah: "…My heart is broken within me...‘For both prophet and priest are polluted; even in My house I have found their wickedness.... Also among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: The committing of adultery and walking in falsehood; and they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one has turned back from his wickedness. All of them have become to Me like Sodom…’" "[Jerusalem’s] prophets are reckless, treacherous men; her priests have profaned the sanctuary…" (Zeph. 3:4). How tragic that the leaders were so full of moral pollution, wickedness, falsehood, recklessness and treachery. And from them, pollution had gone forth into all the land (Jer. 23:15). (Jer. 23:9-14). The prophet Zephaniah added,

    The same was true in New Testament times. Jude describes false leaders as "ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness..." (v. 4), men who "defile the flesh, and reject authority" (v. 8), men who follow after their own lusts, and who speak arrogantly and flatter people for their own advantage (v. 16). The Apostle Peter likewise notes how they indulge the flesh, despise authority, practice deception and live in sin (2 Pet. 2:10-14). They promise freedom "while they themselves are slaves of corruption…" (2 Pet. 2:19).

    Such ungodliness and deception can be cleverly cloaked. For example, Jesus declared of the ungodly religious leaders of His day, "For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness" (Matt. 23:27-28). Of course, Jesus saw right through the disguise and pointed out that these men liked to draw attention to themselves (Matt. 23:5-6; Luke 20:46), did not practice what they preached (Matt. 23:3) and were not just, merciful or faithful (Matt. 23:23).

    Notice the stark contrast with godly leaders. The Apostle Paul, for example, shared how his exhortation did not come from "error or impurity or by way of deceit" nor "with flattering speech…nor with a pretext for greed," nor did he seek glory from men (1 Thes. 2:3-6). Instead, he conducted himself "devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly" (1 Thes. 2:10).

    He exhorted Timothy to set an example in "speech, conduct, love, faith and purity" (1 Tim. 4:12), and to uphold the highest standards for other godly leaders: "An overseer…must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, uncontentious..." (1 Tim. 3:2-3). In other words, the character of a true leader is consistent and godly in every aspect of his life. Whenever there are signs of inconsistency or ungodliness in a leader’s life, beware.

7. False leaders bear bad fruit; true leaders bear good fruit. An indication of a false leader is that he produces bad spiritual fruit. Jesus teaches, "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits…" (Matt. 7:15-16). On the outside they may appear innocent, harmless and meek, but the fruit of their ministry reveals that their ultimate concern is not the well-being of the sheep. They are "ones who cause divisions" (Jude 19). They are shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of God’s pasture (Jer. 23:1). They are "savage wolves…not sparing the flock" and they "draw away disciples after them" (Acts 20:29-30). The Apostle Paul warns, "…keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting" (Rom. 16:17-18).

    On the other hand, the true leaders that Christ gives to the church equip the saints, and build up the saints toward unity in the faith (Eph. 4:13). They use the authority the Lord gives them "for building up and not for tearing down" (2 Cor. 13:10). They give "no cause for offense in anything" that could discredit their ministry, but instead are commendable in every way: "in much endurance, in afflictions…in labors…in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth, in the power of God…" (see 2 Cor. 6:3-10). And through such faithful ministry, the Gospel produces spiritual fruit (see Col. 1:6-7).

Be Ever Watchful

    We can be very grateful for good leaders who keep careful watch over our lives as those who will give account (Heb. 13:17). But at the same time, we must be ever alert to the threat of false leaders who would in any way bring harm to the body of Christ. The Apostle Paul points out that "evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived" (2 Tim. 3:13). And the Apostle Peter warns that many will follow the sensuality of false teachers, and the truth will be maligned (2 Pet. 2:2).

    We must, therefore, be very discerning and protect ourselves from false leaders. Their condemnation is certain; for them, "the blackest darkness has been reserved forever" (Jude 13). We dare not come under their influence, but must see that no one misleads us (Matt. 24:4).

(Written by Rich Carmicheal in the Herald of His Coming magazine, Jan-Feb 2010 edition)

THE HEART OF WORSHIP

In churches all over the world in multiple languages people sing "Heart of Worship" by Matt Redman. The song has become something that thousands of Christians feel they can relate to. It has an honest, open and plain tune to it that leaves nothing other than an opportunity to worship the Lord.

In the late 1990's Matt Redman's hometown church was having a dry spell with their praise and worship. The Soul Survivor church located in Watford, England decided to get rid of it's high tech sound equipment for a season. Things had become so repetitious the members and leaders of the church were looking for something to spark the life back into the worship.

Matt Redman recalls "He decided (Pastor Mike Pilavachi) to get rid of the sound system and band for a season, and we gathered together with just our voices. His point was that we'd lost our way in worship, and the way to get back to the heart would be to strip everything away." Mike Pilavachi asked those in the congregation, "When you come through the doors on a Sunday, what are you bringing as your offering to God?"

Pastor Mike Pilavachi jokingly says he fired Redman "We needed to take drastic action. For a while, in order to truly learn this lesson, we banned the band. We fired Redman!" Pilavachi didn't know what needed to be done, but was desperate to stop what he felt like what the judging of the worship going on. "In our hearts, we were giving the worship team grades on a scale from one to ten: 'Not that song again,' 'I can't hear the bass,' 'I like the way she sings better.' We had made the band the performers of worship and ourselves the audience."

Matt Redman stated that at first everyone in the church was hesitant but slowly began singing without the music to back it up. Heartfelt prayers began all over the church. Everything was stripped away. Redman remembers writing the song coming to him quickly in his bedroom.

The song was not meant to be a Christian anthem. Redman says the song was simply to explain what had happened personally to him. Pastor Pilavachi suggested a few word changes so that it would fit the members of the congregation and the song was born.

The song appeared on Matt Redman's 1999 album "Heart of Worship". Redman recalls the song was made to sound much like the scene in the church. Nothing fancy added, just an honest song of praise. Since the song's release it has been rerecorded by numerous artists and sang in Churches all over the world.
The Soul Survivor church itself has spread as well as the song has. The church started in 1993 has spread to Canada, Holland, South Africa, Australia and The United States.

Download :  The Heart of Worship sung by Michael W Smith

When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart

Bridge:
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

Chorus:
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus

Verse 2:
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath

Bridge:
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

(NBG's: Jesus is looking into our heart when we are serving Him. Are we humble servants which could lead others to worship God or are we attracting others for our glory? I ever did such mistakes but Praise the Lord, HE changes me all the times. Let all the glory go the Holy one cause the worship is about Jesus alone)

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How does a worship leader lead people into worship?

Why is it that in some meetings the worship just flows and at other times the phrase 'You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink' seems to echo inside the worship leader's brain? I am afraid that I don't have any quick and easy answers but here are what I consider to be some of the requirements for leading God's people in worship.

Prepared 

The worship leader must be prepared. Perhaps that sounds obvious but I'm sure I'm not the only person who has rushed into a meeting desperately trying to think of an opening chorus and hoping that, while we're singing this half a dozen times, I'll come up with some more choruses. Freedom in worship doesn't mean that we turn up and see what happens. Yes, it is important that the Holy Spirit is in charge of the worship but the Holy Spirit will work with us in preparation for the meeting as well as in the meeting itself. Having said this we must, of course, be open to His leading during the meeting and be prepared to move away from what we have chosen if the Holy Spirit so leads. 

Prayerful 

The preparation of the worship leader must go beyond picking the choruses and deciding on the order in which they are to be sung. The worship leader must spend time with God, talking to Him about the worship, listening to God's voice and, of course, worshipping. A worship leader needs God's anointing on his or her ministry. Anyone can flick through a chorus book or a box of acetates and pick a few songs but, without the Holy Spirit's anointing, this will not lead to worship. The anointing will come upon us as worship leaders as we spend time in His presence and receive from Him all that He has for us. God has given us the ministry of leading His people into worship but we can not do it in our own strength or by our own abilities; it is only as we hand back that ministry to Him that He can fully use us as channels for His purposes and to the glory of His Name.

Part of a team

This may be only you and one other singer or musician, it may be a number of musicians and singers (although it's best to avoid having more people out the front in the worship team than are left in the rest of the congregation!). Don't forget to include in the team the person who puts the acetates on to the projector. They have a thankless task; nobody notices until they get it wrong and that's often the fault of the worship leader. The members of the team must practice together but, more importantly, they must pray and worship together. 

Protected

Satan hates it when God's people worship and he will seek to disrupt the worship in whatever way he can. It is essential that the worship leader and other members of the team are protected, not only in the meeting but also before the meeting and during preparation. You can and must pray for each other but it is good to get specific people from outside the worship team to pray for you. Keep them informed of practice sessions and other times when covering prayer is particularly needed.

Servant heart

The worship team is there to serve the rest of the church, not to dominate them. The worship leader is there to serve the worship team and the rest of the church. Avoid chorus marathons (as an antidote to hymn sandwiches) and leave time for free worship, but the worship leader and his team will need to lead in this, particularly if your congregation is not used to this type of worship. It is wonderful to have all the correct notes, some nice 'fiddly bits', four-part harmony etc. but, most importantly, the worship team should be seen to be worshipping and praising God ("not entertaining", NBGs). Above all else, a worship leader must be a worshipper. Like the Biblical shepherd a leader must lead from the front and so can not lead others where he has not already been.

 


(edited  from Mike Forrest's article)

IMAGE OF GOD (IMAGO DEI)

One day between 1995 -1996  I was introduced a religius song by a Christian fellowship on campus. At first, I could say there was no impression at all on this song, I only considered its notations; quite good and easy-received ear. Until one day through a long process of repentance, I often started singing the song and realized how theologically awesome the words in the song .... and yes, it touched me personally and it always does.

J.W. Peterson (Nov 1, 1921- Sept 20, 2006), the author, who composed the notations of the song was not just talented in music but a humble servant of God with a good theological knowledge as well because he knew the One whom he served and worshiped is the Almighty God, Master of the Universe.

May we always remember that we are His likeness.for His glory only.

(NBGs)

In the image of God, we were made long ago,

with the purpose divine, here his glory to show;
But we failed Him one day, and like sheep went astray,
thinking not of the cost, we His likeness had lost.

But from eternity, God had in mind,
the work of Calvary, the lost to find;
From His heaven so broad, Christ came down earth to trod,
so that men might live again in the image of God.

Now that I have believed, and the Saviour received,
now that I from the cry, of my guilt am relieved,
I will live for my Lord, not for gain or reward,
but for love thinking of, what His grace has restored!

I’ll never comprehend, redemption’s plan,
how Christ could condesend, to die for man;
Such a Saviour I’ll praise, to the end of my days,
as I upward, onward trod in the image of God.