Breakages At Antioch

Breakages At Antioch

Acts 11:19-23

Up to this point since the launch of the Church in Acts 2, the center for Christianity was Jerusalem.  Jesus had said tarry in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit. He did not say tarry in Jerusalem forever. Sometimes we take a part of the instruction.  They kept the gospel in Jerusalem and among the Jews instead of taking it also to Samaria and the rest of the world (Acts 1:8).

The church at Antioch started well but progress stalled until they found themselves on the run. Their efforts hit an invincible barrier. They however were able to find their breakthrough. Breakthrough is when something standing in the way gives way. Break through is being able to reach a place God has been before to prepare it for you. Reaching the promised place despite resistance is breakthrough. God prepares a place for his people and leads them to that place. God’s word reveals the place. The promises in the word give the hope for which faith is substance (Hebrews 11:1).

The Antioch church refused to be stopped from living and sharing their faith. Opposition to them reached a peak when Stephen was martyred. They had settled in Jerusalem but God was on the move. The persecution made them move with God. They proved to be a people on the move, a people unstoppable.  Wherever they went, they took the gospel with them. In Old Testament times, all the enemy of God’s people needed to do to defeat them was to destroy Jerusalem or capture the ark where God’s presence manifested. Imagine the very ark of your God captured. In the New Testament, however the church was harder to deal with. Unlike a spider that can be killed by chopping off the head. The church was like a starfish that when cut to pieces, the pieces grow to star fishes. The more its cut the more starfish. Wherever the believers scattered to they took Gods presence and the gospel with them.

You need to apply Antioch lessons at a personal level. The lessons apply for your personal, business, family break through. Often you get excited about a revelation you receive and you take off to a great start.  Then setbacks come. Then you face barriers. Then you resistance intensifies until you are on the run or go into hiding. The aim of the enemy is to stop you. The Antioch believers refused to let the enemy win. Some lessons:

>> The Antioch church adopted a new mindset. They needed to think outside the box. They needed a new idea, or revelation that could take them out of their stalemate situation. For your break through God may want you to do something differently.  The Antioch church broke from the norm to accomplish the normal to God. They took the risk of being misunderstood.

They reached out to non-Jews and sparked the spread of the gospel far and wide.  They even sent support to Jerusalem instead of waiting for support from Jerusalem.

>>>Antioch church needed a Barnabas.  Thank God, the church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to investigate what was happening at Antioch. Baby Antioch church needed lots of oxygen of encouragement. You also need someone who will inspire and encourage you along the right way. 

>>>Antioch church needed a Paul. The Antioch church needed someone able to give them capacity. Lots of encouragement without ability leads to frustration. They needed Paul who had special grace for gentiles and for teaching and grounding in the faith. Thank God, Barnabas brought him to Antioch. He built capacity while Barnabas gave the motivation. Paul needed Antioch and Antioch needed Paul.

However, with all these in place nothing would have worked without breakages within. For your breakthrough, something will need to break. Something had to break in the people of God at Antioch. The church at Antioch was a people on the move because of breakages inside. There is something called breaking for break through.  Something of yours has to break in order for something standing in the way to be moved away. Something lesser has to break to give way to something greater from God. If you will not break, you will breakdown. If you break, you can no longer be broken.

Something will need to give way in and around you. The barriers you face will not go away on their own you will have to face them. You however overcome them by allowing something inside to break so that the lion of Judah inside can come out. Some things will not work unless something breaks inside for grace to be evident. The word of God states some breakages that must happen inside. The breakages relate to five life perspectives. 

1) Breaking of fallow ground. This breakage is in your relationship with yourself.  It is about what your heart is like. How willing you are to learn and change. How soft your heart towards God’s word.  The one thing that will determine fruitfulness in your walk with Christ is your attitude towards the word of God (Mathew 13:18-23). Many have exposure to the word but few experience transformation as a result. The word is reaching many from every direction by satellite, internet, literature, radio, pulpit, and even street corner. Yet many are only interested in experiences at meetings. They are looking for someone to blow over then and blow away all their problems permanently so they can go and live as they wish. Sustained victory comes from an on going learning attitude. A heart prepared to hear God’s word. A heart that readily receives and retains God’s word can produce 3000%, 6000% and 10000%. Your personal word choices determine how far you will go. You were called to a personal relationship. Determine in your heart that you do not want to be mediocre but dynamic. Cultivate a strong desire to grow in knowing and obeying God’s word (Hosea 10:12; Mark 9:23). The day you think you know all, you expose your pathetic ignorance.  Show your dependence on God by living a prayerful life. Sow righteousness for yourselves, and reap unfailing love.  Break up the unplowed ground.

2) Breaking of perfume jars. This breakage is in your relationship with God. How much do you love God?  Luke 7:37-48 mentions the woman who poured her perfume from an alabaster jar and wiped the Lord’s feet weeping and kissing his feet. . She was commended for giving her best. She loved so much because she understood how much she been loved and forgiven. Jesus commended her for prophetically anointing him for his death and for showing her love. You love the Lord because he first loved you.  To the depth you understand how much you were loved and forgiven you love back. Many love the Lord not for who he is but because of what they want from him. Jesus said the new commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and strength. That kind of love keeps you faithful when you face resistance. God has given you his very best. He therefore deserves nothing less than the very best from you. He held nothing back.  He gave himself. Time has come for seasons of fasting out of a hunger to know God not from wanting to demand things. Like the woman, you can demonstrate your love by your giving and your obedience. Whatever the past and whatever has not worked well you have an opportunity to demonstrate your love for God. Be sold out to Him. You can allow yourself to break and be poured out to him in worship.

3) Breaking of earthen vessels. This breakage is in your relationship with the world around you. What does the world see in believers? Believers have God’s treasure  in  earthen vessels so that it can be clear their power is of God not of them (2 Corinthians  4:6-7). For  God, who commanded  the light  to shine  out of  darkness,  has shined  in  our  hearts. Christ is in you for you to shine him out. The world’s cameras are zoomed on you. People are quick to see the earthiness of your ethnic backgrounds, and weaknesses through your outward visible aspects.   It is easy for them to miss the glory inside. You carry power to change and make things happen. The challenge is to allow people to see what is inside. Let Jesus inside be seen. Allow his love and attributes to be evident. Let your light shine. In other words it is your personal responsibility (Mathew 5:16). Allow your spiritual virtues to dominate your canal. Produce fruit of character and good works that people can come to eat (Galatians 5:20-23). Fruit trees do not eat the fruits they produce. Be his ambassador at work, in extended family and everywhere. Ask God for the wisdom to influence for Christ in your circles.  Often non-believers are not shunning Christ but the messengers of Christ. God is looking for those who are willing to break.  

4) Breaking of cultural barriers. This breakage is in your relationship with people of cultures different from yours.  This breakage links closely with the previous. We live in communities with mixed cultures. By living in such communities your progress hinges on how well you can get allow with other cultures.  Can people of other cultures see the Christ in you? Christ is the common denominator, common factor that brings people together in harmony. Antioch church was reaching out to non-Jews. Cross-cultural skills and the love of Christ that transcends cultural barriers are not luxuries any more. As believers, we need to redeem culture from the cult of the culture. When others can see less of your ethnic background enough for it to be immaterial in your association with them then God has moved. You have not loved God enough until others can experience God’s love through you. When they do, your ethnicity becomes immaterial. You will always be different. After all, your very best mastery of another culture will still be an improvised version of the genuine. Let the light shine through our socio relational barriers. Even if think, the light is little. As if a lighthouse let it shine bright enough so it can guide many to the harbor of hope.

5) Breaking of light pitchers. This breakage is in your relationship with the enemy.  What does the enemy see and hear.  Gideon and his army in their smallness used very unusual weapons to achieve victory (Judges 7v18-22).   They carried pitchers with light inside and trumpets. At the right time and positions, they blew their trumpets and broke the pitchers to let the light inside out. And shouted ‘The sword  of the LORD, and of Gideon.’  They celebrated their victory before it was in hand. That celebration became the means to the victory. As they did, God fought for them and they defeated the Midianites. The battle is the Lord’s but the victory is yours. It is your right time and you are in the right place of righteousness to blow your trumpet. Christ has won the battle for you. You have reason to break the pitchers and blow your trumpets.  You are more than a conqueror. You simply enforce and enjoy a victory already achieved and settled in heaven by the Lord. Whatever he died for, he gave to you as an opportunity and gift to receive by faith. It is dangerous for the enemy to break one like you because what comes out is bigger than he can handle.

The Breakages that were allowed inside at Antioch brought about a major break thru to missions. The church rediscovered the grand idea. The Church found its God intended direction (Mathew 28:19; Acts 1:8). Movement, emotion and commotion are not enough you need direction (Mathew 4:19).

Message shared at FMUK Faith Conference 2013

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa 

Beyond The Hype

Beyond The Hype

II Kings 4:8-17, 8:1-6

Elisha said to Gehazi,  “Tell her, ‘Look, you have treated us with such great respect.  What can I do for you? …’” She replied, “I’m quite secure.” So he asked Gehazi,  “What can I do for her?” (II Kings 4:13-14)

Many people are hopping from one event to another and from one public experience to another in search of solutions. When everything has ended, however the big question they are stuck with is 'so what?' Often excitement from events is for their duration. Afterward, the moment they are by themselves they feel lost.  Beyond the hype of the event or the public moment they suddenly wake up to the realities of their lives.

The deep-rooted life issues are often not obvious because life has taught that in public you put out your best appearance and performance. You put on a smile and a great outlook.  Life has taught not to disappoint the high-five opinions others extend to you. Life has taught the art of getting along with the wave of group mood even when you feel lonely in the crowd, so that you are not the odd one. As a result, you are often battling with the real issues and challenges inwardly and privately on your own. At that level, beneath the surface, you not only ask about challenges of life but grapple with existence - Who am I, why am I here and where am I going?

In addition to enjoying passing moments, you need also prepare for what you face on your own beyond the hype of the moments. You will have to deal with the sort of questions and issues the Shunammite woman faced (2 Kings 4:8-17; 8:1-6). Publicly she was prominent and self-sufficient. If anything, her problem would not be how to get sufficiency but how to keep it. Yet beneath the surface, she had to deal with life issues like everyone else and managed to overcome. 

1) She faced personal choices about God. These choices no one can make for another.   She decided to trust and please God in her life. She embraced God's view of life and found her purpose. She sought opportunities to serve God. Serving God is contributing godliness in your circle of influence with the means you have. She found her opportunity when she hosted, for meals, a prophet of God who passed through her home area. Later she and her husband built a room for the prophet to live with them. The personal choices you are making about God each day affect how you will cope with your life beyond the hype (Mathew 6:33). Another lesson from the woman is she maintained a healthy relation with her husband. Married people know how easy it is for spouses to put out each other’s fire. The husband was involved in decisions affecting both of them and was supportive. In fact, in face of other issues, God used someone to provide the woman’s solutions.

2) She faced her unmet needs. The woman had given up hope that certain needs in her life could be met.  You also may be facing mountains you cannot climb or move. You many have pitched your tent to settle next to the mountain and have ruled out victory. The woman felt the same. However, as she learnt obedience and the secreting of putting God first in life, God positioned her for a miracle that met a silent need she had. God unsettled the spirit of the prophet about doing something for the woman for her labor of love to look after him. Jesus is unsettled about your situation. God is moving someone’s heart for you. Instead of the woman asking for something, the prophet asked ‘what shall be done for her?’ She was so content and secure with what she already had that she did not ask for anything even when given opportunity. Just God's presence and grace was enough for her. Her motive for serving was just love for God and people. She was an all weather believer - One loving God with plenty or without (Phil 4:11-13). But her response only heated up the question what shall be done for her and a positive answer had to be found.  God used Gehaz to make the prophet aware that the woman needed a child. In one year, she had a child. If you are walking in love and obedience, get ready for what God is about to do for you. Something your imagination has lost. A longing you buried is coming your way.

3) She faced sudden setbacks. Just as she was full of praise that God exceeded her expectations. When she was a happy parent of a miracle child who was making good progress, a fatal headache hit and the boy died.  Whether it was meningitis or a blood vessel burst. Whatever it was God remained the caring, able and faithful. The woman retained her faith and confidence. She was consistent and steadfast. Though in distress, she repeatedly assured her husband and others that all was well. God used support people around her to enable her reach the prophet who was not at home. The set back ended in a great come back as the boy was brought back to life. 

4) She faced disappointments in her faith (2 Kings 8:1-6). She faced unanswered questions. Things did not always go the way her bible teacher taught. She had the kind of puzzle not easy to testify about for fear of being judged to be without faith. To avoid going through a drought, She had obeyed the prophet and went to live in a foreign land for seven years. She must naturally have developed attachment to her things over the years. Obeying must have been hard for her. It meant leaving her home comfort. To make matters worse when she came back her situation did not match her obedience. She came back to find out that she had lost everything she owned. She had done nothing wrong. However, despite all this she got promotion. While earlier she would need the prophet to seek favors from the king on her behalf now she went to plead her case before the king for herself. God’s providence went before her. While she was on the way God worked on the king’s heart to favor her. The king began a conversation with Gehaz about the works of Elisha. Gehaz mentions many exploits but just cannot get to the story of the shunammite woman. By the time, Gehaz talks about the woman she was at the door with her son to confirm for herself the story. The king moved story, restored to her all that she had lost. No situation you face is too hard for God. Even in the fire, you can experience God’s presence. 

One also needs to note that by this time the woman had most likely lost her husband who was old. While all her property was restored it is likely this was one of the things she did not get back. But what was restored was a testimony of God’s presence with her  and a source of comfort for things not restored. When things are not restored God still restores faith, peace and joy.  

Beyond the hype when you are by yourself, a healthy personal relationship with God through faith in the work of Jesus Christ to save will keep you going. What personal choices are you making daily about God? What personal challenges, setbacks and unanswered questions in your faith journey are you facing? Learn from the Shunammite woman, God will show himself for you and bring people around you who are pregnant with your solutions.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

The House of God VII: Conduct Fitting the House

The House of God VII: Conduct Fitting the House

2 Timothy 2:19 - 22

To end the series on the house of God let us examine how to live in the house of God. By the renewing of our minds, God is transforming us into his likeness. He is perfecting the vessels in his house for the house agenda (Ephesians 4:11-13).

Paul compared life in the house of God to that of a great house (2 Timothy 2:19 – 22). The house  is so great that you do not live in it anyhow. Being born into a great house puts you on the spot light.   The ‘paparazzi’ come after you. You have a reputation to keep, privileges to enjoy and responsibilities to carry out. Believers are born into such a house. Humanity is watching with high expectations (Ephesians 3:9).  Heaven is watching with great support. Hell is also watching helplessly, puzzled by the manifold wisdom of God (Ephesians 3:10).

A house can be great by its extraordinary nature,  by its history of significant contributions, by its destiny, by its wealth, by whose it is, by the children it raises, by its good governance, order and the remarkable experience it gives. The house of God has all these characteristics and more. It has qualities that are above ordinary.  Let us look at three highlights.

>> A Sure Foundation

Great architects design great houses. God does great things.  His house has a sure foundation (Isaiah 28:16; 2 Timothy 2:9) and is according to God’s plan. It is built to last. It  is able to withstand any pressure. God is the foundation, designer and builder. For no other foundation can man lay than that already in place, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11). Members of the house are born into it by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8). They live by faith in Gods word, and power from the name of Jesus, prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit.

>> A Holy Ground

Do you realize the greatness of the house to which you belong?   ‘Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil (Ecclesiastes 5:1; Habakkuk 2:20).’  We also learn from Exodus 3:5 that God meets with his people on holy ground. When Moses met with God at the bush that had flames but was not burning, God warned him not to get any closer without taking off his sandals for the place was holy ground. The house of God is holy ground where God’s presence abides.  It is the place where humanity can experience God. With his sandals on, Moses could only get close to God to a point and no further. In a similar way, we also can get to know God only so far without removing from our lives things that keep us from following God more intimately. Shoes represent the attitudes, sins and weights, which hinder you from drawing to God near enough (Hebrews 12:1-3). Taking off shoes can be laying aside pride. Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mathew 5:3).  Taking off shoes can also signify being careful to walk worthily before God. Paul wrote to Timothy the importance of learning how to behave in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth (I Timothy 3:15, 16). The great house has manners and protocols to be observed. Also, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3).

>> A High Value Opportunity

The realization of the greatness of God’s house is key in deciding worthy conduct in the house (Ephesians 2:19; 1 Corinthians 3:9). Your attitude and behavior in the house of God determines your role in the house. A great house does not have vessels of honor only. It has a wide range of vessels. Some are vessels of honor/high value and others are vessels of dishonor/low value to God’s agenda (2 Timothy 2:19-21).  Unlike the vessels in a lesser house that are only of low value. The house has vessels meet for the master’s use and unfitting vessels. People in the house are at different levels of maturity, faith, and knowing God. In a great house, there is opportunity to be of high value so why settle for less. All members of the house have the potential to be great but are not necessarily great. ‘The Lord knows those who are his. Let everyman who names the name of the lord purge himself from iniquity (2 Timothy 2:19; 2 Corinthians 4:6, 7).’  A great house has opportunity for honor and greatness that is non-existent in a lesser house. Members can determine what they become by their faith in the house especially their attitude towards sin. So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

Purify yourself from doubt, fear, worry, anxiety, and bitterness. ‘Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:20, 21).  How you live in the great house determines how much of its greatness you enjoy. You are called to greatness. God promised to Abraham with whom we share God’s blessing, ‘And I will make of thee  a great  nation , and I will bless  thee, and make  thy name  great  ; and thou shalt be a blessing’ (Genesis 12:2). He also promised, ‘I will be your exceeding great reward (Genesis 15:1)’. The promises we have in Christ are exceedingly great. ‘Whereby  are  given unto us  exceeding great and  precious  promises : that  by  these  ye might be  partakers  of the divine nature , having escaped  the corruption  that is in  the world  through  lust (2 Peter 1:4).’

You are safe and fruitful in the house with a sure foundation. God is inviting his people to take off their shoes and seek him. He is calling them to desire to be of higher value to God’s purposes, people who diligently endeavor to be vessels of honor, sanctified and meet for the Master’s use. Let your heart cry out like the Psalmist’s, ‘How lovely are your dwellings, Yahweh of Hosts! My soul longs, and even faints for the courts of Yahweh. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God (Psalm 84; 92:13).

[This message is the seventh and final among several in a series of messages on the house of God. The series raises awareness of the importance of belonging and fully participating in the life of a local church.]

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

The House of God VI: The House Agenda

The House of God VI: The House Agenda 

Text: Ephesians 3:7 – 11

That I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ ;  And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ (verses 8b, 9)

The house of God is about stewardship of the glory of God on earth. The Bible is about the loss and restoration of God’s glory on earth. Throughout the Bible, the glory of God distinguishes his house and his people from others. God’s glory comes from knowing him as revealed in his word. The agenda of the house is for God’s people to share God’s glory in the form of his tangible presence, character attributes and power with all people. The agenda is to share God’s goodness and love. The house is therefore not only a reservoir but also an attractive display and distributor of God’s love and a pillar of truth in the world (1 Timothy 3:15; Mathew 5:14-16; 28:19-20; Mark 11:17). God’s dream is an earth filled with the glory of the knowledge of him (Habakkuk 2:14).  Christ fulfills the glory by inhabiting his people. As stated by Paul, ‘Christ in you the hope of glory’ (Ephesians 1:27; 1 Corinthians 2:7-8). That is the mystery hidden from the foundations of the world. The glory was given to the church so that it can be to the world and to God.

The Hebrew word ‘kabawd’ refers to evidence of honor, praise, splendor and abundance. In reference to God, it is something of divine presence, divine encounter, divine nature or divine power. God’s presence provides his people with provisions for their needs and responsibilities. We need God all the time. For example, when in face of temptations and trials, when we are weary and need strength, when we need a hand to hold us, a shoulder to lean and a back to climb on.  Through his strength, even though challenged in life, we are neither corrupted nor conquered.

The relationship of God with humanity can be traced from the garden to the city - the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2, 3) to the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21).  From the garden to the city, God makes provisions to be on earth with the people he created. Let us trace the house:

In the Garden

God was present with Adam and Eve. In the cool of the day, they would fellowship (Genesis 3:8). Adam and Eve enjoyed God’s glory and it was their covering. The glory gave them dignity and marked right standing with God. They were very free to enjoy the fullness of God. They occupied a position of authority that gave them dominion over earth. They had ability to multiply and replenish. They were healthy and lacked nothing. Their experience gives us an idea of what God desires for his house.

Adam and Eve failed in their stewardship of the glory of God by disobedience regarding the tree of knowing good and evil (Genesis 3).  God however promised to restore the glory (Genesis 3:15).

As the Tabernacle

In exodus 25:8, God spoke to Moses ‘"And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them" (Ex. 25:8). Prior to this time God related to his people like Abraham through visitations for specific purposes. Now it would no longer be visitation but accompaniment. The tabernacles of Moses and that of David were tent structures that housed the Ark of the Covenant and were portable. It was designed for migration so that they could advance and take territory. When the tabernacle was dedicated, God’s glory came down in the form of a cloud (Ex. 40:33-35). The glory distinguished the house and marked it as of God. The tabernacle made it possible for God’s people to relate with God and to enjoy his prosperity (2 Samuel 6:12).

Stewardship of this glory was not without challenges. At times, the ark was taken to captivity and the glory lost – ikabod.

As the Temple

When the children of Israel had reached the promised land and were no longer migrating as before, they built a house for God in a fixed location. Araunah the Jebusite’s threshing floor occupied the location before David bought it. David regretted that he lived in a house of cedar while God lived in a tent. God appointed David’s son, Solomon, to build the house. Solomon built a magnificent temple whose splendor and that of his kingdom attracted the attention of the world.  When the temple was dedicated, God’s glory filled it endorsing it was God’s (1 King 7:51; 8:10-13).

This temple is best known for an era of peace and prosperity. The people of God at their destination were enjoying the land of promise. Gold was abundant and flowing in all the time from the nations and from the gold fields of Ophir. 

Stewardship of this glory was also a challenge. Israel lost the glory when they were taken to captivity because of sin and the temple had to be rebuilt two times – by Ezra, Zerubbabel and Joshua, and much later on by King Herod. 

As the Church

Each impression of God’s house seemed to serve a purpose and to enhance the evidence of glory from the earlier one. God promised through the prophets that a time would come when he will live in a house not made by human hands. In which his law will not be on tablets of stone but written on people’s hearts. The prophecies are fulfilled in the church collectively and as individual believers (Ephesians 2:2). In it, the purposes of the migration and temple eras are fulfilled with ability for much greater impact.  The ark can no longer be taken captive by the enemy and the people can no longer be taken away from a temple. God inhabits his people. The ark is no longer confined to one location.  It is no longer a time for visitations but habitation and no longer a time for migration but of exaltation. Believers are highly exalted to sit with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 1, 2) far above evil principalities. They are not seeking to conquer because Jesus Christ completed the conquest. Now it is time to receive from Father God.

The glory of God also came down at the launch of the church in the form of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2: 1-4).  The Glory did not exclude the priests from entering the temple but filled the priests for their work because they had become the temple.  Through Christ, believers gained the divine nature and God shared in humanity. The metaphors of the church all suggest closeness of relationship between God and his people - a body, a people of God, a family, a flock, a bride, the elect, a vine and branches, and other concepts.

The glory in the church far exceeds that of the tabernacles and temples (2 Corinthians 3:7-11).  The glory is however in earthen vessels and relies on the willingness of the earthen vessels to break (2 Corinthians 4:7).  Stewardship of the earlier houses faltered. How will we steward the greater glory we have as the church. Will all people see and hear the good news of Christ.

In the City

The dominion that was lost in the garden is to be restored fully in the great city. The New Jerusalem will fully express the final triumph we already have in Christ. The cross of Christ already has made the provision we can enjoy the abundant life of the New Jerusalem now. It will however reach its consummation at the end of time. It will usher in the final abode of God with his people for eternity (Revelation 3:11-12; 21:23. The glory once departed now restored.  We will dwell the house in forever with the Lord (Psalm 23:6).  It will be the city without limitations (Zechariah 2:2-5). The Lord will be wall of fire surrounding it and will be the light and sufficiency of it.

What will you do with what you have received from God? We have received in order to show and share - that all may see the goodness of God. That is the agenda of the house of God. What will you do to share Christ and show his love this week?

[This message is the sixth among several in a series of messages on the house of God. The series raises awareness of the importance of belonging and fully participating in the life of a local church.]

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa  

The House of God V: HOUSE DEDICATION

The House of God V: HOUSE DEDICATION

Exodus 40:33-35; 2 Chronicles 5:13-14

Learning to completely handover your life and issues to God is the secret to victory and fruitfulness. Handing over to God is always a gain. The principle is what you handover you gain enriched.  Anything you hold back from God is bound to be lost eventually. You are, and are a part of, God’s house. This message is about complete house handover for a glorious divine takeover. 

The Godhead has appointed the Holy Spirit to be in charge of the affairs of God’s house. He works through humanity to execute God’s business on earth, you therefore handover yourself to the Holy Spirit. He relies on the freedom and tools of the word and faith you provide to accomplish God’s wonderful purpose in and through your life.  When he takes over you become powerful for God (Acts 1:8).  He makes you an agent for revival and mighty works.  Are you maintaining your first love for Christ? Are you hungry to know him more? Are you humble enough to acknowledge you need him? Then ask him to fill you, that is let him have more of you. Handover all to the Holy Spirit and let him guide and direct your life. (Refer to http://spform.blogspot.com/2012/10/receiving-fullness-of-holy-spirit.html.)

The story of some people who occupied houses they found already built illustrates human life.  The people had no clue where the houses came from. They came up with outrageous theories to explain the origin of the houses. One explained that a thunder mysteriously produced the house. Another thought a wind must have blown some stones in a manner that produced the houses. And so on.

Eventually the builder appeared. By this time, the houses were dilapidated and could collapse anytime. Poisonous snakes, scorpions and bats had made parts of the houses their home. The builder offered to rebuild the houses at no charge. He also highlighted that their need was urgent because the houses would collapse, the snakes were a danger and a tsunami was on its way. He could make the houses tsunami proof again.  Some were humble enough to call for help. Others scoffed at the offer arguing that they had lived with the mess all along and so had their ancestors.

He reconstructed the houses offered to him. When he had completed the new houses, the master builder handed the houses to their occupants and said, “You will not be able to look after the new houses. On your own, you will reduce them to the state I found them. Can I maintain and supply for your needs in the houses? I will garnish, furnish and flourish the houses. I will not infringe on your freedom in the house. You will also use my name and goodwill with the bankers. I will underwrite all your bills and guarantee all your supplies. However, for me to be able to serve you well, dedicate/ handover the houses by giving me the house keys.”

People responded differently to the offer. Some rejected the offer outright.  Many only handed over keys to the gate and said you are welcome to come and keep us safe, and make us look good. Then there were those who handed over the kitchen keys and said come and feed us. Yet others gave the keys to the lounge and said please come and entertain us. Some surrendered keys to the bathrooms and said you are welcome to come and sort up our mess.  None handed over keys to the bedrooms and inner closets instead; they said please keep your distance and our private lives have nothing to do with you.  Before long, they raised an outcry about dissatisfaction with the work of the master builder in the house. The builder explained that according to the building’s design, the treasures he needs to do all his work are in the inner closets of the house.  Without access to those, he was unable to do much. For what he managed to accomplish with the keys he had, he deserved compliments not complains.

That is like the story of our lives as believers. Are you sensing there must be more God should be doing in your life? We are the house God has restored. Will you handover the house keys. Often all we want is to be fed, groomed and entertained. Where are the keys to the inner closets of life? God is waiting for the handover of the full set of keys. In the tabernacle and temple built in the Old Testament the ark was located in the most private areas of the houses. The best comes from total openness and a sincere relationship. You hold the keys God needs to unlock all his promises. You have the power to determine the measure of God’s dealing with you. Joyfully handover all the keys back to him, hold nothing back. If you do not handover, you will not receive the full benefit and enjoyment of the house. If you do not handover, you will not cross over you. You cannot make it with human strength.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13).   Caleb commended himself for wholly following God (Joshua 14:8, 9, 14). The commendation was confirmed by both Moses and God (Deuteronomy 1:35, 36).  As a result, he received a special inheritance in God. You can only receive more of him by giving more of yourself to him. He has already given everything of himself. The reason we hold back is ignorance of the love and ability of God. Seek to know him better in order to let go more of you into his hands. Do you not handover your cases to the lawyers and to the medical doctors because you trust their expertise. How much do you trust God?

Time for joyous house dedication is now. Adam and Eve lost dedication and forfeited glory (Genesis 3). Surrender is what you to do under force. Dedication is what you do by choice.

Dedication to God is inviting God to take over. It is committing yourself or something to God’s purpose. The tabernacle and temple in the Old Testament were joyfully dedicated to God and his glory came over them. ‘So Moses finished the work. Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled (Ex. 40:33-35).’ When Solomon worshipfully and joyfully dedicated the temple, the cloud filled the Lord’s temple.  The priests could not carry out their duties because of the cloud; the Lord’s splendor filled God’s temple (2 Chronicles 5:13-14).

In the same way, you need to dedicate yourself to God. Without dedication, there is no glory.

Handing over to God is the answer when you face your problems and enemies (James 4:7). Do not just hand over your problems hand yourself over. When you do so, you find peace and freedom. House dedication is complete house handover for glorious divine takeover.  His glorious takeover distinguishes the house of God from other houses. Whatever is dedicated to God attracts his blessing and glory. Without dedication, what you have is only tradition and a form of religion without power.  Pronounce the dedication with words of your mouth and with joy. Then receive the glory from above by faith.

[This message is the fifth among several in a series of messages on the house of God. The series raises awareness of the importance of belonging and fully participating in the life of a local church.]

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa 

The House of God IV: COME AND DINE

The House of God IV:  COME AND DINE

Listen!  I am standing at the door and knocking! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into his home and share a meal with him, and he with me. -  Revelation 3:20 (NET)

Meal times are a favorite in a healthy home. The Lord Jesus promised to share a meal with anyone who hears his voice and opens the door. Jesus wants to share a meal that He brings. When He is present, He takes care of all daily life supplies (Mathew 6:23-25). Jesus loves meal times with us because they are times when He shares His life and power with us. We also have an opportunity to fellowship with Him and receive from His all-sufficiency. Sharing a meal with Christ is participating at the highest table reserved for the most favored very important people.  What a privilege we have. 

There is no need to suffer from spiritual malnutrition in God’s house. With Christ, it is mealtime all the time. Avoid missing meals. All you need is a good appetite.  I was born in a family where if everyone were present we would be not less than fourteen children. Meal times were the main events for each day. We would go out to play plastic ball with other kids. When it was mealtime, my mom called out “You can now come!” or “It is time for you to come! [Chiuyai!]”.  That was enough; we would all know it was mealtime. We would leave whatever we were doing and in a flash be in the house ready to eat. 

You need to have a good spiritual appetite in the House of God.  Do you hunger for God’s presence, and to learn from Him? The table is always ready and there is no spiritual drip for those who do not want to eat.

Let us look at how meal times arrive and look like in God’s house. When you are ignorant of meal times, you will be depressed by circumstances when you could rejoice despite them. We will look at seven spiritual appetites every believer needs to maintain.

1. A meal to bring you back to the cross. This is a meal you need when you are becoming more conscious of other things than of Christ.  Christ shares a remembrance meal with you when you reflect and are grateful for what He accomplished at the cross. Jesus at His last supper with the disciples instructed that they often have meals to remember the benefits of His death, blood and resurrection. You cannot remember the cross and not be drawn to its assuring provisions. It speaks of Christ’s amazing love and sure hope. It says Christ gave up everything so that He could recover all to become everything to you. He has overcome everything that worked against you.

Sadly we are often more conscious of our past failures and hopeless circumstances than we are of the victorious cross. As a man thinks in his heart so is he (Proverbs 23:7). Fix your mind on Christ and His word. You will become more conscious of Him as well as who you are and your provisions (Philippians 3:10). How often do you remember Him? Thinking about His last supper/Passover meal precedes your cross over to victory and a bright future. When you remember the cross of Christ and receive its promise, ‘it is time to come!’

2. A meal to celebrate people returning home. The greatest delight in God’s house is when people return home through opening their lives to Christ (Luke 15:7, 24). This event sparks great celebration in heaven and on earth. Each person who comes back is like a goal in soccer and a try in rugby. That is what counts most. In sports, without goals everything else only ends up in a lost game. With goals, everything else you did poorly is mitigated.

The gospel is an invitation to hear Father God’s voice and return home. It demands a response. A feast is awaiting you in the house. when the prodigal son returned home, he found the Fathers arms open wide. To celebrate a welcome, a feast/meal was served. The Braai places became active.  When the organizers of the wedding at Cana of Galilee called on the name of Jesus, they witnessed His first public miracle (John 2). When Zacchaeus opened his life to Jesus they shared a meal and salvation came to his house (Luke 19:5). When you turn yourself and others from disobedience to Christ, ‘it is time to come!’

3. A meal of regular word intake . You need in take of God’s word. We regularly take the word of God in our lives corporately at church meetings and as individuals in our personal times of prayer and Bible reading. Believers become spiritually healthy and grow in faith by desiring the word of God as babies desire milk (1 Peter 2:2). One of our spiritual development goals is to learn quickly that people do not live by  whatever staple food alone but by God’s spoken word (Mathew 4:4). The aim of reading is to hear from God, that is receiving the ‘Rhema’ word or a word specifically for you and what you ae going through. Reading the Bible facilitates hearing from God. When you have a hunger for His word, it is mealtime. Simply pull out your hard or electronic Bible, warm your heart with prayer and enjoy (Psalm 19:7 – 10).

4. A meal unusual.. When the disciples brought food to Jesus in John 4: 34, He would not eat it and said, ‘my meat is to do the will of Him that sent me.’ This mealtime in the house of God means that the table in our physical houses are empty as we serve, fast and pray (Mathew 17:21; Mark 9:29). Biblical fasting is missing some physical meals in order to enjoy a special spiritual meal. The one purpose for prayer and fasting is for God’s will settled in heaven to manifest in the natural. Has the desire for God’s will ever dominated you so much that all other desires became subordinate. When that happens, a consecration meal is ready at the Master’s table and ‘it is time to come.’  How often do you enjoy this mealtime.  The house of God has times of fasting and times of feasting.

5. A meal in the presence of enemies.  Spiritual meal times do come against the odds. When situations are increasingly threatening, the temptation is to despair and be paralyzed by fear. But the Master’s table is set up for a defiance meal when enemies are almost overwhelming you. When enemies rally and the threat is real, ‘it is time to come!’(Psalm 23:5).  When the enemy plot thickens it is time for Esther’s banquet (Esther 5:6).   Gallows designed for you are about to be busy without you, instead your time for promotion has arrived.

6. A meal of miracles. This meal is served when your needs are much greater than your means. God cares for you so much that to Him, meeting your needs supernaturally is like providing children’s bread (Mathew 15:26). He serves compassionate meals. When we pray ‘give us our daily bread’, God hears us to be asking for miraculous provision. We daily breathe and live by miracles. Without God’s supernatural covering and provisions we would be devoured (1 Peter 5:8).  The bigger the needs met the greater the glory that accrues to God.  The disciples did not know what to do with over ten thousand hungry people when they only had five loaves and two fishes (Mathew 14:15 – 18). Thank God, the Master was there. When He is present and we hand over our little to Him, ‘it is time to come!’ He provided manna and supernaturally sustained a nation in the wilderness. He will not lead you where His grace is not sufficient.

7. A meal when you are down and all seems lost. We sometimes find ourselves in places where we see no hope and we are tempted to give up. God is a God of restoration and resurrection. The disciples were disappointed and sad that Christ had been crucified yet they had thought he was the savior. As two disciples walked to Emmaus Jesus appeared to them. He encouraged them and shared a meal (Luke 24:30, 31). In another case, Peter led his fellow disciples to go ‘a-fishing’ having lost hope in Christ (John 21:3).  Be careful of going ‘a-fishing’ you will end up going awol. Their ‘a-fishing’ was unfruitful the whole night. However, Jesus appeared in the morning and reassured them. He also prepared and shared a meal with them before renewing His commission to Peter. Do not lose heart Jesus is also saying to you, ‘Come and dine’ (John 21:12).   He is saying your loss is recoverable, and you are not forsaken (2 Samuel 9: 4-7; 1 Samuel 9:19-20). When Elijah was suicidal sleeping under a broom tree, behold, an angel touched him, and said unto him, arise and eat (1 Kings 19:2, 3). Mealtime is time to come. If you look up in faith today, Father God will reassure you with a sign, word, etc. He will re-comission and anoint you to do exploits. Father God is saying maintain a strong spiritual appetite.

[This message is the third among several in a series of messages on the house of God. The series raises awareness of the importance of belonging and fully participating in the life of a local church.]

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa 

The House of God III: Zeal for the House

The House of God III: Zeal for the House

Haggai 1:1–15; Malachi 1:6 -13; 3:7-10

We are no longer strangers but fellow citizens with members of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19).  Our well-being is connected to our attitude towards the house of God. We experience the house of God in the environment for spiritual growth provided within a community of believers, called the local church. While we enjoy worship and fellowship in the house, we are also to serve faithfully as pillars or ‘sons’. The attitude one has towards God’s house affects personal spiritual progress.

Often when things do not work out as expected we are quick to point to the good things we have done as if to suggest God is being unfair with us. The prophets Haggai and Malachi lived among people caught up in doing just that. The prophets had to clarify that God looks in disfavor not only when bad things are committed but also when good things are omitted. Demands of positive response from God based on selective obedience are often the pitfall in which many Christians fall. In Haggai and Malachi’s cases, disregard or lack of diligence in the business of God’s house deprived God’s people of God’s blessings. In one case, it was neglecting the business of building the house in the other it was withholding resources for ongoing operations of the house. The message of the prophets comprised three parts.

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A Rebuke – ‘consider your ways’

Several times Haggai exhorted God’s people to ‘consider their ways’. “You have sown much, and bring in little. You eat, but you do not have enough. You drink, but you are not filled with drink. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm, and he who earns wages earns wages to put them into a bag with holes in it … You looked for much, and, behold, it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?" says Yahweh of Hosts, "Because of my house that lies waste, while each of you is busy with his own house.” - Haggai 1:5, 6, 9. Does this describe your situation? Even to those for whom things were not yet as bad, the prophet was warning that they were worse off than otherwise and that their life pointed to the situation he described. The general principle is if you stop applying what you have to work for God; soon you will find that nothing works for you any more.

Our fruitfulness depends on that of the house. Zeal for the house is an opportunity, answer and strategy for fruitfulness. We are not only to be in the house but like Jacob (Genesis 28) to experience the house. He wants us not just to be alive in Christ but also to experience the abundance of the life – the life of the life (John 10:10).

A Remedy – ‘bring Me an offering’

“Go up to the mountain, bring wood, and build the house. I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified," says Yahweh (Haggai 1:8).   God provides for the business of His house through the faithful giving of His people out of what He gives to them. Giving is not always easy. It can be like going up a mountain to cut and bring wood.  Often the mountain is not the work we do in our professions for that is part of God’s provision. The hard part can be the mountain in our hearts we climb to bring the wood to the house of God when there are many other pressing needs.

When God wanted Moses to build Him a tabernacle so He could dwell among His people He had one source. He called for people to bring an offering (Exodus. 25:1, 2, 8).  As already stated, we give to God by giving to His work from what He has given to us. The easiness with which something leaves your hand to God’s business is a reliable indicator of how much you have given yourself to God. A steward is someone who has given himself to God first and therefore knows all he is and has belongs to God (2 Corinthians 8:5). Offering ourselves (Romans 12:1; Galatians 2:20), our praise (Hebrews 13:15) and our substance (Luke 8:3) to God ensures there is food in the house of God.

Malachi 3 the primary issue was not the often-preached subject of giving money but ensuring there was food in the house of God. With all other giving, remember the house of which you are a part. Charity is supposed to begin at home. Giving of the whole tithe and offering was therefore a strategy for food in the house not an end in itself (Malachi 3:10). Food in the house includes daily provisions for the operation of the church. The house of God has a ‘stomach’ – action plans need execution and budgets should be met. The ‘stomach’ of the house requires resources of effort, time and treasure contributed by members of the house.  The local church action plans and budgets are to fill communities with the teaching and presence of Christ. They are to bring many to the experience of Christ’s love and grace. They are for nurturing people in Christ to maturity and equip them to reach out to others. The mature believers shine the light of Christ in their worlds/circles. Mature believers must therefore increase in number and distribution so that their light can shine better to the whole world. 

A Reward – ‘Prove me now’

God will not fail to notice your labor of love (Hebrews 11:6).  He rewards those who diligently seek Him.

Ø      If you bring the wood from the mountain God promises to be with you (Haggai 1:12-13). Being with Him is life in His house where there is no lack and all curses are broken. ‘The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,' says Yahweh of Hosts (Haggai 2:8). God is not in need of a house on earth for His own sake but for our sake. .

Ø      If you bring your whole tithes and offering to His house. God promises to keep the devourer away and pour out a blessing such that you have no room (Malachi 3:10). God is also saying to us today, ‘Prove me now.’ This is not about a once off act but being consistent until you see fruit. “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Hebrew 6:12).”

Ø      If you love Gods house you control/transform circumstances (Psalm 84:1-2, 6; 122:1). To the Psalmist, God’s house was the preferred place. Such people even if they pass through the valley of Baca [trouble, adversity, weeping/tears] it is immaterial because they change it to a well [life source, door of hope, abounding grace] (Psalm 84:6).’ They grow from strength to strength and do not only go places but change/shake places.

Ø      If you care about the welfare of God’s house, God will build and establish your house. David had a heart to build Gods house. God would not let Him do so but promised to build him a house that whose rule would be established forever (2 Sam 7:11, 16, 19). His house would not fail to provide a king for God’s people.   He already had a temporal house of cedar but gained a house with dominion forever. Your house can also be established through obedience to God’s word (Matthew 7:24-25). 

Ø      If you are zealous for God’s house, you will be like Christ. May the zeal for the house also consume you (John 2:17). He declared the house should be a house of prayer (Luke 19:46). Prayer magnifies God above all else. In effective prayer, God is priority. God’s house is a place for serving God’s purpose not for selfish interests. Take a keen interest in what is going on in the house and zealously make your contribution to make things right. How you respond to needs in His house is a test of your love for God. With the zeal the Lord Jesus had for the house, it is not a surprise His life was so fruitful. He is the model of effective life and ministry.

[This message is the third among several in a series of messages on the house of God. The series raises awareness of the importance of belonging and fully participating in the life of a local church.]

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa