BRINGING DOWN THE GLORY

BRINGING DOWN THE GLORY

Exod.25:8; Num.9:15-23; 2Chron.5:11-14; 7:1-11

In ancient Israel, the Glory of God appearing was evidence that God was with His people. It produced confidence and assurance among the people. God’s glory would display in the form of cloud or fire. When this happened, Israel understood it as the presence of God. The glory of God guided his people. It provided protection against their enemies (Exod.14:19-20). It showed up in the burning bush when there was a special assignment to Moses. It showed up when God accepted the sacrifice of His people. It showed up sometimes when there was need to judge between God’s people (Num.12:1-5). In the Early Church, a hint of the Glory was displayed on the day of Pentecost.

But today we concentrate on how and why the Glory of God came down when the Tabernacle and the Temple of God were completed.

1)  THE COMMAND TO BUILD THE SANCTUARY

 

     i.        The Purpose of the Sanctuary –

The Sanctuary was to be a “dwelling place” for God (Exod.25:8-9). The prospect of God dwelling among His people was very exciting to the Israelites. The prospect of God dwelling among us should excite us too. We even have better prospects. God is not just going to dwell among us but within each of us as children of God (2Cor.6:14-18; Lev.26:12). At that time God’s Spirit had not been poured out on all flesh, but today he has. Jesus promised faithful and obedient disciples that the Holy Trinity will dwell in them (John 14:21-23). The apostle Paul reminds us that we, as a Church, are the Temple of God, that is, of the Holy Spirit (1Cor.6:19-20). So God commands those who belong to Him to build a sanctuary for His dwelling. That Sanctuary is US! We are God’s Sanctuary.

    ii.        The Pattern of The Sanctuary (Exod.25:8-9, 40) –

Moses received the specifications for the construction of the Tabernacle on the Mountain from the Lord. Our GS used to tell us how the pattern of Deeper life Bible Church came to him by revelation, the type of Church, the type of ministry, the dressing, the great multitude that would be part of this Church. And he has stuck to what God showed him. God is particular about patterns. The blood sprinkled on the door posts by Israelites during the Passover night in Egypt represents the cleansing of sin by the Blood of Jesus. The Bronze serpent that Moses made and put up on a pole represents the importance of the Crucifixion of Christ. The sanctuary in the wilderness was a pattern of things to come. And if our body is the Temple of God today what pattern is it to follow (Deut.22:5; 1Cor.3:16-17; 6:19-20; 2Cor.6:16-20)?

   iii.        The Preparation for the Sanctuary – (Exod.25:1-9)

God commanded to take an offering for Him for the purpose of the Sanctuary. The resources for building the sanctuary were to be brought by God’s people. It is the people of God who will build the house of God. Non-believers cannot, are not called upon to build a house for God. Children of God are called to build a house for God

2)  THE COMENCEMENT TO BUILD THE SANCTUARY

     i.        The Collection of Gifts for the Sanctuary –

God has asked for offering and every person related to Him must stand up and give. As has been said, God can without the help of man provide for His sanctuary, but He offers the privilege of giving to His people. Giving is a form of accountability – it makes us to know that what we have has been given to us by God (Gen.22:1-12, 15-18)! Now we are required to give generously for the building of our Regional Headquarters. It is to be to us the Sanctuary of God. How will you give? What will you give on the 1^st of March and beyond? Will you give like Abraham? Will you give like David? Will you give like Abel or will you give like Cain?

    ii.        The Consciousness of the Givers to the Sanctuary –

When you become conscious of divine ownership, you will not withhold anything from the Lord. Notice how the Israelites had to be restrained from giving for the construction of the Sanctuary (Exod.36:2-7). Notice how King David provided much of what was needed to build the Temple of God (1Chro.29:1-13). That was the character of the man after God’s heart. He never held anything back from God Notice how much King Solomon offered towards the dedication of the temple (2Chron.7:4-5). See how God blessed them.

Are you conscious that God owns all you are and all you have (1Chron.29:1-17)? Do you know that God saved you for Himself? Can you give your Isaac to the Lord? I have heard people arguing whether to give tithe or not. Don’t think it is your talent that will make you to prosper It is God who make us prosper. Some people who were hailed as celebrities are now booed as criminals! God was not in their mind. They thought they have made it. But now they are jailed, they are vilified. If they spent their time serving God He would have rewarded them.

   iii.        The Cessation of Giving for the Sanctuary –

These people understood that storing treasures on earth is a fruitless effort (Mat.6:19-33). When we understand that things of this world will pass away, we will give everything necessary to the service of God! Jesus asked Peter a searching question which is very relevant to us today (John 21:15-17). What do you love? Your education of God? Your money or God? Your beauty or God? Your property or God?

3)  THE CULMINATION OF THE BUILDING PROJECT

     i.        God’s Glory Came Down (Num.9:15-23; 2Chro.5:13-14; 7:1-11) –

The Tabernacle has been completed. People gave generously for its construction. It was built according to pattern. God was satisfied with the work. This is what brought down the glory of god. For us to bring down the glory, God must find our work perfect (Gen.6:9; 7:1)

    ii.        God Accepts His People – (2Chron.7:12-16)

When the glory of God came down in the Tabernacle (Num.9:15-23), and in the Temple (2Chro.5:13-14; 7:1-3), it showed that God has accepted His people and their sacrifice.

   iii.        God Answers Their Prayers – (2Chron.7:12-14; Mat.7:7-9)

After the dedication of the Temple, God appeared to Solomon by night. That was the second time he had appeared to him. God was pleased with what they had accomplished in His name.

The ultimate goal of all our religious exercises is that God will accept us. He will accept what we are doing in His name. We will not be like Nadab and Abihu.

The Glory of God came down when the people obeyed the Lord and as He told them. The Glory of God will come down on our Church when we obey Him in giving to the building of our Regional Headquarters.

LOVEST THOU ME?

 

(John 21:15-17; 1Cor.13:1-13).

 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. After His resurrection He still had the same message – LOVE! When He comes back again He will have the same message (Mat.25:30-46) He will have the same message: “Simon, son of Jonas,” said Jesus, “lovest thou me?”

1.   A SOLEMN QUESTION: LOVEST THOU ME?

This question is not for Christ’s information but for Peter’s examination! It is also important that we so examine ourselves daily to learn where we stand with the Lord!

Ask yourself then, in the Saviour’s name, for your own profit, “Lovest thou the Lord? Lovest thou the Saviour? Lovest thou the ever-blessed Redeemer?”

(A) He Did not Ask About Other Graces – Faith, Hope, Fear, Adoration

This was a question concerning Peter’s love, not fearest thou me.” nor “Do you admire me? Do you adore me?” He did not say, “Simon, son of Jonas, believest thou in me?” but “Lovest thou me?”  

Love is one of the very best evidences and one of the easiest signs of discerning whether we are alive to the Saviour.

Note then these points, (i) He who lacks love, must lack also every other grace in the proportion in which he lacks love. (ii) If love is little, it is a sign that faith is little; for he who believes much loves much. (iii) If love is little, fear of God will be little, and courage for God will be little, giving to God will be little; and whatsoever graces there may be, though faith lies at the root of them all, yet do so hang on love, that if love is weak, all the rest of the graces most assuredly will be weak also. Hence the question,  “Lovest thou me?”

(B)He Did Not Ask About Peters Doings

Not, “Simon Peter, how much have you wept (Mat.26:75)? How often have you repented on account of your great sin? You can weep and not repent (Mat.27:3-5)! You can weep and not love! How often have you gone on your knees to seek mercy at my hand for the slight you hast done to me?

It was in reference to the state of his heart that Jesus said, “Lovest thou me?”  What is the lesson of this? It is that though works do follow after a sincere love, yet love excels all works, and works without love are dead works, they are not evidences worth having. Tears, works, ritual and outward observation of religion will not be acceptable to God if we do not love Him!

 Looking back at your actions this week how would you answer if Jesus asked you, “Lovest thou me?”

 Have I not wasted many hours within this week that I might have spent in winning souls to him (Mat.28:18-20)?

Have I not thrown away many precious moments in light and frivolous conversation which I might have spent in earnest prayer(Luke 18:1; 1Thes.5:17)?

Have my words this week ministered grace to my hearers (Mat.5:13-16)?

How many souls have I lifted with my words and my actions this week?

 How have you been occupied with the world, from Monday morning to this Saturday afternoon?

What corners have you pushed Jesus into, to make room for your studies, for your work and other daily occupation, for your bales of goods? How have you stowed him away into one short five minutes, to make room for your shift at work?  Imagine how little time you have given to him! Now answer the question, “Lovest thou me more than these”

2. A SENSIBLE ANSWER: Thou knowest all things?

“Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?” Simon gave a very good answer. He did not answer as to the quantity but as to the quality of his love. He could affirm that he loved Christ, but he would not claim that he loved Christ better than others. “Lord thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I do love thee”.

 Peter’s answer was wise; “Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.” Jesus knows all things. He knows things about me I don’t know! He knows a lot about you that you do not know.

Peter could not appeal to his works. “Yes, you may preach, and yet not love me; you may pray, after a fashion, and yet not love me; you may do all these works, and yet have no love for me (1Cor.13:1-13).

How Would You Answer?

Now if the Lord could come here this afternoon and ask us that question how would we answer? Would you say, “Lord, my pastor knows that I love you; Lord, the workers know that I love thee; they think I do, for they have given me a ticket to be a worker; the members think I love you; for they see me serving in the Church; my friends think I love you, for they often hear me talk about you.” You may say all that but your own heart is witness that your secret works belie your confession, for you are without prayer in secret; but you can preach a twenty minutes’ prayer in public. Are you not beggarly, miserly and parsimonious, stingy in giving to the cause of Christ?

You are an angry, petulant creature; but when you come to the house of God, you become pious and talk as if you were a gentleman, and never seemed angry. Lovest thou me? We need to let the Lord examine you today. So we can sincerely tell the Lord, “Thou Knoewst all thing!” Help me! Save Me! Help me to love you more than these!

3.   A SERIOUS DEMONSTRATION REQUIRED: feed my sheep.

(Mat.25:31-46; Haggai 1:1-10; 2:18-19)

“Feed my lambs: feed my sheep.” That was Peter’s demonstration. He must forgo fishing and feed the sheep and lambs of Christ.

It is not our way of showing our love but Christ’s. There are different ways for different disciples. All disciples cannot feed sheep or preach and teach, but there are other things they can do to show.

“Lovest thou me?” Are there little children in the Church that could be won to Christ? Sit down with them and teach them. Don’t try to sit with the elders and debate in the Temple. “Feed my lambs.”

Those young children, teenagers can someone with grace teach them Christ and His love, His salvation? Lovest thou me?

What about your own children? Are they truly being taught about Jesus Christ? Lovest thou me?

What about that new comer? Did you show them the love of Christ? That could be Christ visiting the Church in disguise. Lovest thou me?

“Lovest thou me?” What about the bible Study, The Revival, even the Sunday worship? Have you always been there to support the work, to encourage the pastor and the brethren by your presence? Lovest thou me?

Can you do more to serve the Lord? If you can, then do it. If you cannot do more, then God requires no more of you; doing to the utmost of your ability is your best proof that you truly love the Lord.

But if you can do more, and you keep back any part of what ye can do, in that degree ye give cause to doubt and distrust your love to Christ (Haggai 1:1-10).

 Do all you can to your very utmost; serve him abundantly; aye, and superabundantly: seek to magnify his name; and if ever you do too much for Christ, come and tell me of it; if you ever do too much for Christ, tell the angels of it-but you will never do that. He gave himself for you; give yourselves to him and that is not too much (1Tim.5:10)!

 

WALKING IN THE LOVE OF GOD

LIVING AND WALKING IN THE LOVE OF GOD

1John 3:1-24

1.   THE WONDER OF GOD’S LOVE TO US

1John 3:1; John 3:16; 1John 4:10-12; John 10:14-18

The love of God towards us is so great that it has a special name – AGAPE. Agape love is a sacrificial love. It loves and does not wait to be loved before loving (Rom.5:8). It gives and does not expect to receive again (John 3:16). It is ready at all times for the ultimate sacrifice.

Jesus was the Ultimate Shepherd, ready to lay down His life for the sheep of God (John 10:14-18). The love of God ‘elevated us from the position of guilty and death deserving sinners to that of divine sonship’^[1]

To understand the nature of God’s love for believers take a look at their names:

     i.        Sons of God (John 1:12; Rom.8:14)

    ii.        Members of Christ (Eph.5:30)

   iii.        New Creation (2Cor.5:17; Eph.2:10)

  iv.        Beloved of God (John 15:9)

   v.        Temple of God (1Cor.3:9, 16; 6:19-20) – demons are not allowed access to you. No demon is given power to hurt you (Luke 10:19)

  vi.        Kings and Priests of the Father (Rev.1:5-6; Eccl.8:4; Mark 11:23)

vii.        Heirs of God and Joint Heirs with Jesus Christ (Rom.8:17, 32)

viii.        Ambassadors of Christ (2Cor.5:20)

  ix.        God’s Peculiar Treasures Exod.19:5; 1Pet.2:9

    x.        Eagles (Isaiah 40:31)

  xi.        Sheep of the Great Shepherd (John 10:11-15; Psalm 23:1-6)

Any confession or attitude contrary to these is an unconscious declaration that God’s word is false or that our Heavenly Father is a failure! You dare not think or behave that way (W.F.Kumuyi)!

2.   THE WONDER OF THE UNIVERSAL IGNORANCE OF GOD’S LOVE

1John 3:1-3; Psalm 2:1-12; John 15:18-25

The world does not know the Father nor the Son nor the Holy Spirit. Therefore anyone who claims to be the son or daughter of God is rejected out of hand by the world (Psalm 2:1-12). Ask yourself why it is only Christians and Jews that are persecuted or marked for persecution the world over. Why not Hindus? Why not Buddhists? Why not Sikhs? Why not Satanists, etc.?

It is because of what we saw in section one of this message. We are special because God’s loves makes us special! We are not of the world.  That is why we are hated by the world (John 15:18-25).  Do not count it strange when you hear of the wickedness which world is perpetrating against Christians. This is according to Scripture. In such cases we will pray for those Christians that God will sustain them in the hour of temptation and affliction.

Importantly, if the world or your worldly friends love and appreciate you, it is a veritable sign that you are not of Christ. You are in danger. Come to Jesus today and be thoroughly saved so that when the wrath of God is poured out on all unbelievers you will not be swept away with them. Come out from among them (2Cor.6:17).

3.   THE WISDOM OF WALKING IN THE LOVE OF GOD

I.              WALKING IN SANCTIFICATION (1John 2:28-3:10)

There is a difference between the children of God and the children of the devil. God’s children do not persist in sin. Sin is no longer a habitual thing for them. They cannot persist in sin because they are born of God. Because we have the hope of Christ coming again, we children of God purify ourselves through the blood of Jesus.

Why must we purify ourselves? (i) Because of the nature of (1John 3:4); (ii) Because of the work of Christ (1John 3:5; Rom.6:1-7); (iii) Because of Christ’s sinlessness (1 John 3:5-6); (iv) Because of the significance of sin (1 John 3:7). If we practice sin we show that we are unrighteous (not saved). If we practice righteousness we signify that we are righteous (saved!). The false teachers (Gnostics) of John’s day taught that an ‘enlightened’ person can be pure (within) even though he practiced unrighteousness (without). But that is false! He that committed sin is of the devil. (v) Because of the source of sin (1 John 3:8a); (vi) Because of the Purpose of Christ (1 John 8b); —Christ came to expiate the sins of sinners, and to destroy the works of the devil (to destroy the sins that the devil himself commits and the sins that he inspires)^[2] . Finally (vii) Because of the new nature of the believer (1 John 3:9). The believer’s new nature is the nature of God. It is a holy nature. Though the believer will be subjected to trials and temptation, he or she must stand firm against Satan, self and sin the three great adversaries of the believer. He will overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of his/her testimony.

II.            WALKING IN THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD (1John 3:11-24).

Believers walk in the commandments of God. This commandment is love (1 John 3:11-24; Mat.22:36-40). Love in today’s language is the mother of all commandments. Some religious groups may claim that They practice love but that is a false claim. You cannot really know what love is until you have come to Christ. We can only love because He first loved us.

III.           WALKING IN BROTHERLY LOVE (1John 4:7-12)

How do we walk in brotherly love? (i) in giving of our lives for others (1John 3:16); Like Paul we should be ready to spend and be spent for our brethren (2Cor.12:15); (ii) In giving our material possession (1 John 3:17-18). Our love for the brethren should be practical, not empty talk.

The characteristics of agape love can be seen in 1Cor.13:1-13). This is risky love and this is the kind of live God is asking us to manifest among our brethren. Why is it risky? Because you stand to gain nothing from the subject of your love. Your reward is only from the Father of love. And He will reward you greatly.

Have you responded to the love of God? Have you been born into the family of God? Are you practicing righteousness now? Are you loving the brethren according to the commandment of God? What can you show to prove that you are now a child of God?

 

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^[1] Gingrich, R. E. (2005). The Books of I, II, II John and Jude (p. 18). Memphis, TN: Riverside Printing.

^[2] Gingrich, R. E. (2005). The Books of I, II, II John and Jude (p. 20). Memphis, TN: Riverside Printing.

 

WALKING IN THE LIGHT OF GOD

1John 1:1-2:29

The epistles of 1John 1-3 were written by the Apostle of Jesus Christ. They were written to Churches in and around Ephesus. At this time there were things happening in the Church according to Paul the Apostles predictions (Acts 20:17-23, 26-32). Some false teachers have recently departed from the Church (1John 1); some itinerant false teachers were still moving around (1John 2); an autocratic despot called Diotrephes (1John 3). John is using these epistles to encourage them to remain in their faith and walk in the light they had received.

Some of the key verses are (1John 5:11-12;  2 John 9-11; 3 John 4).

Light is a symbol of the presence of God in the world. Light is used to symbolize the word of God (Psalm 119:105), and the salvation God brings to the world in the person of Jesus Christ (John 1:1-5, 9). Therefore when we say we walk in the light, we need to understand it in this term.

Light is also the symbol of the people of God. They are called the children of light. Believers are called the light of the word, just like Jesus their Saviour is called the Light (with capital L) of the world.

God Symbolized As Light

The word of god tells us that God is light. He is called the Father of Light. This signifies (i) the absolute purity of God (1John 1:5, 7; 1Tim.6:16). In the burning bush, God described a perimeter beyond which Moses was not permitted to advance towards God’s presence. (ii) The Glory of God (Ps.84:11; Isa.60:19-20); (iii) God’s Knowledge (Ps.139:11-12); God’s Immutability (James 1:17)

God’s People Symbolized As Light

The bible also uses light as a symbol of God’s people, especially in the manner in which believers are able and required to reflect the glory of God in an evil world of sin (Mat.5: 14-16; Isa.62:1; Dan.12:3; Acts 13:47).

The world is lying in darkness and the only light that can come to people must come from God through believers. By practicing the principles laid out in God’s word, we can be the light of the world. 

God’s Children Walk in the Light (1John 2:1-29)

To walk in the light means that you LIVE every day with a firm belief in the one true God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; that you have received Christ as your Saviour from sin; and that you are continuing to live by the words and teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 8:31-32; Eph.5:14). To walk in the light means you are walking (living by) in the truth taught by our Lord Jesus Christ. Unless you are doing this, you are walking in darkness and the truth is not in you!

(1)        When we walk in the light, we have fellowship with God – fellowship with God is fellowship with the Light. Light will reveal the walks of darkness – sin. When sin is revealed, children of God will walk away from it. Those who have been caught in darkness unknowingly will be revealed by the light. So they can ask for forgiveness and receive cleansing by the blood of Jesus (1John 1:6-7).

(2)        We Walk in the Commandments of Christ (1John 2:1-6). The Commandments of Christ are the light that shows whether we have fellowship with him or not. We say according to Scripture, there is no truth in saying that we know Him (Jesus), or that we are saved if we do not keep His commandments (1John 2:4). Imagine for a moment a world where there is no law, where there is no Ten Commandments, Where everyone is free to do and act as they please, including steal, kill, rape, hate, destroy, etc. What kind of world would that be? Jesus wants us to show this light to the world, practicing living by His commandments, loving one another so that the world would know that we are His disciples!

(3)        We Love the Brethren and Keep His Commandments (1John 2:7-11). Many so-called bible scholars today would want to prove to you by different means that is not necessary to obey the commandments of God to be a true believer. But that is a false claim because Jesus Himself tells us otherwise (John 15:9-10; 14:15, 21-23). In fact John says here that anyone who claims to know Jesus or to be saved but does not keep his commandments is a liar (1John 2:3-5). By keeping god’s commandments and loving the brethren, we show that we know Him.

(4)        We Desist From Loving The World (1John 2:15-17). This is where many Christians are easily caught up – loving the world – lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, pride of life! There are many Christians who are covetous.

What their eyes see of the bright and shiny things of this world, they world have it, even if their money cannot buy it. If they have enough money to buy it, they rather buy it than commit those resources in the service of god.

Such Christians can argue or make excuses about giving their tithe to God but they don’t mind spending lots of money buying the latest gadgets, latest TV, latest clothing fashions.

Lust of the flesh belongs to the world. Those describe themselves as gay, lust after strange flesh. Those who describe themselves as straight, lust after the opposite sex.

The apostle tells us that all these lusts are not from God but of the world. The world is passing away with the lusts and the dazzling things in the world (2Peter 3:10-11). I pray that you will not build castle for the antichrist. You will not so your seed to the wind. We are charged to live soberly and godly in this present world.

Let us walk in the light, love the brethren, love Lord and keep His commandments. We are the children of light and not of darkness, children of God and not of the devil. We have passed from death to life. We love the truth and have falsehood. We expect Him to return any time to change us into His glorious image.