Hanging out with Jesus II: Power From On High

Hanging out with Jesus II: Power From On High

BIBLE reading: Mark 1:1-12, John 14:12

To be Disciple Makers we need to follow Jesus. Following Jesus, learning from him and becoming more like him is being his disciple. Being a disciple is joining him in his mission to make disciples. He taught discipleship, he modeled discipleship, he invited us to be disciples, and he commanded us to make disciples.  

Being a disciple and making disciples is falling into the strategic intent of God. It is an impossible mission as long as Impossible as long as things hold us back. It brings a breaking forth into the space of favor and power. It is rising up and taking territory.  Learning of Jesus is the formula to fulfilling your personal goals in God.  He is the best model of victorious life and ministry.  When you follow him, it is no longer by your merit for he becomes your merit. His yoke is easy and his burden is light (Mathew 11:29). For when you share a burden with him, you have none in comparison to what he bears for you. This also applies to the fellowship of his suffering (Philippians 3:10). Paul had to know him to have a message to preach – he preached Jesus. He determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified, he preached the cross (1 Corinthians 1:17, 18; 2:2).  Twenty fifteen is a year of walking with Jesus - a year of following Jesus. Follow whatever the cost. Falling afresh in love with him continually, being sold-out to him.  The longer I serve him the sweeter he grows. Love him and the more you want what he wants.  Know him by revelation and see his vision by catching it.

 It is not the perfection of your preaching but his grace. It is no longer about your commitment but his commitment.  It is not even the perfection of your prayers but the perfection of your God. For even your best confessions are imperfect.  After you have made all confessions, you would need to confess the confessions.  Something to which there would be no end. Some of the imperfections come from feeling now you deserve 1 2 3 because you have confessed x y z.  The point is we pray and confess not to earn but to tune in and relate.  We pray because of who we are, and what we already have. We pray to remove obstacles that hinder us from relating well.  As the relationship gets better all else gets better. When you pray, ‘In Jesus name’, you declare your authority is from your position of being in relationship with him. It is not just name-dropping.

The story of Christ is one that began and is continuing through your life. Even though how you begin does not guarantee how you finish it does position you for ending well. When you start well by putting priorities in right order, putting up a foundation and a structure in God you set the design and strength for the future.  Starting well prepares for trouble to come. To be effective disciples let us draw lessons from how Jesus was prepared in Mark 1:1-15.  His preparation was multifaceted… it included preparation of the way as well as preparation of the person. The word of promise by the prophets and the divine voice at baptism prepared Jesus for his task and tests, which further prepared him for his whole mission.

Preparing the way

>>> The words of the prophets prepared the way for Jesus.  God’s grace for his instruction comes through the instruction. The prophetic word that God watches over to perform cleared the way for the Lord. Nothing can stand in the way of his word.  What the prophets wrote happened. The Lord came after many years and immediately after 400yrs years of prophetic silence. The prophecy about the messiah also became our promise. In your prophetic word, there is a promise to many others.

God raises people to go before you and mentor you for what he wants you to do. John’s message prepared the way of the Lord. He did so by preparing people to turn from sin and be ready to receive Jesus for remission of sins and baptism of the Holy Spirit.  He preached to help people see their need for a savior.  Many came face to face with their sins as they responded to the call to repentance. Even Pharisees came forward clearly demonstrating that all had sinned.  If Pharisees had sinned ... what hope was there under the law.  John called on them to make the way to their hearts straight for the savior. He pointed people to receive Jesus who was after him. Like them, you also prepare for Christ’s work by making straight paths for him. He does not use crooked paths. He is the way for you now make way for him by repentance, hunger, willingness to obey him and responding in faith. 

The words of God affirming Jesus prepared the way for Jesus. It inspired confidence in him as well as credibility with the people. Believers would remember that if God trusted them with his Son whom he loved, he loved them as much. As a believer, you carry the ark of his presence. That ought to make a difference.

Preparing the person

>>> The word prepared Jesus.  He was an eager student of the word. He was so passionate for the word that at twelve he could sit with doctors in the temple listening, asking questions and astonishing them by his understanding and answers (Luke 2:46-47).   He was zealous to obey God’s word.  When John was reluctant to baptize him, he said to John it was important to fulfill all righteousness. Another example of his strong foundation in God’s word, later in the wilderness, his defense against temptation was God’s word. 

>>>> The Holy Spirit prepared him for his work and tests (Acts 10:38).  His desire to fulfill all righteousness facilitated the coming down of the Holy Spirit. He was filled with the Holy Spirit 30 years into life. He tarried that long no wonder he confidently advised his disciples to tarry in Jerusalem. He tarried that long so they would not have to tarry as long. The Holy Spirit anointed him for his mission. He brought increased awareness of God’s presence and experience of his power. Being a disciple and making disciples requires the power and enablement of the Holy Spirit. Like the Lord and as he instructed you need power from on high (Luke 24:49).

>>> The Trouble prepared him for break through.  Before his break through into powerful action by the Holy Spirit, he was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted.  Temptation comes just before a major break through.  God still uses the crucible of trouble or discomforts bring forth wonderful things through humanity. Being tempted is a sign you are in trouble. Jesus was in the wilderness and was fasting for forty days – that was trouble. Temptation comes when you are facing a trouble. Before you yield to temptation, think what the temptation could be trying to keep you from. 

The land of promise was the fulfillment of God's promise - a land of milk and honey. Nevertheless, it also had hills and valleys, walls and giants as part of the promise. Nothing worthwhile comes without challenges. The job you are asking for, the mission to make disciples, the spouse - even if you choose to be single – will require the word and the Holy Spirit to overcome challenges. Missions face unexpected storms, twists, turbulences, curves, milestones that demand opening and closure of life chapters.  In the world, there is trouble. Days of those born of women are full of trouble but Jesus overcame trouble to the end.  That is why ‘how to overcome challenges’ should be a basic life skill.  If not looking good ... It is not over yet.  Wait and see.

Fasting is a way to create own trouble to facilitate God’s purpose.  If not fasting, other troubles will come to you to position you for your tests

How prepared are you for 2015. How prepared are you to live for him and to serve him. Surely you would like to receive anointing, make faith commitments and dedicate yourselves to him and his commission afresh. 

PRAYER and DEDICATION

Read 2 Timothy 4:1-6   -  ‘I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ , who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;   Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;   And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.   But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.   For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.’

Prayer and DECLARATION

Holy Spirit I need you. You are my teacher, my strength, my comforter, my helper, my guide. You raise a standard when my enemy comes like a flood. Fill me afresh right now. I receive you right now by faith in Jesus' name.  I receive your fullness and anointing.

Reveal Jesus to me. Transform me to be like Jesus.  Teach me the word of God. Talk to me and lead me.   Raise your standard in my life.  Make me a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ, my savior and lord. Revive your work in our day. Make me a soul winner - of mighty deeds and wonders. Thank you for a powerful life and fruitful ministry and career.

I welcome you in your full glory and power. I declare that through you - I am a disciple maker. I am a fervent worshiper of Yahweh.  I am a soul winner. I am a mountain mover. I am a wealth creator. I am a world changer. I am a legacy builder.  I shall not die but live to declare and do greater works. It is done yes it is done through the precious blood of Jesus.

We receive power from high. We wait upon you.  We receive mercy. We receive our righteousness in Christ. We receive grace. We receive peace. We receive joy. You remember us oh mighty God. Thank you Lord.

Pray PSALM 16 for:

-  Workers, employers and businesses     

-  Unemployed - open doors, break curse, take away reproach

-  Students, matrics - Daniel 1

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 

Hanging out with Jesus I: Great Beginnings

Hanging out with Jesus I: Great Beginnings

We have set foot in a new year.  God promised Moses that whatsoever land he set his feet on he would give to him.  We have crossed over to cross through. The start of a New Year is about new beginnings. Expectations are high. Resolutions are made. Goals are set. It is a new start.  The year can also bring fears and anxieties. What is the year going to bring your way? Some tough circumstances of the previous year have not suddenly evaporated. Life may still be tough. At this time, the teaching to Joshua (Joshua 1:9) at the beginning of a new season without Moses is helpful: "be strong," "be courageous," "do not be dismayed." Because the Lord your God is with you, wherever you go. Song: Sweet is the promise I will not forget you or leave you. Understand that what he has done he can do more today and tomorrow. He has no favorites. He does not change.

The theme for the year - Making Disciple Makers.  We have identified the following five priority areas: Prayer, outreach, making disciples, sound relationships, and administrative excellence.

Disciples are learners and apprentices at Jesus’ feet. People who are in love with Jesus and keep falling in love with him over and over. People destined to see him as he is and be with him forever.  Disciples are ...  fervent worshipers, soul winners, disciple makers, wealth creators, world changers, legacy builders, mountain movers who accept no excuses.  As he is so are they in this world.  You cannot make disciples if you are not familiar with Jesus ... His life, teachings and purpose. Jesus the master disciple maker said as my Father sent me so I send you. 

Who was this man they called Jesus Christ? The book of Mark supported by the other gospel books will help us answer this question. We will track him as he taught and modeled disciple making. We want to grasp how and what made him do what he did as well as what his terms were. Some of his stated reasons were to please the father, so that the joy of believers may be full, so that people be free indeed, so that his followers would bear much fruit. 

Mark begins his book with God as the source of great beginnings (Mark 1:1). He wrote the good news of Jesus Christ a story that ended remarkably well. By the time Mark wrote, the word gospel had become a term that referred to the preaching about Jesus Christ and  saving power in for all who believe ( Rom 1:16). God not only controls the beginning but also controls the end. He is the alpha and the omega. To control both the alpha and the omega one has to also have control over the in between process. Without Him, nothing was made that was made (John 1:3). He is an able coach and captain through life’s unexpected storms, curves, and milestones. He manages the opening and closure of life chapters. God gives hope against all odds because He can begin with nothing or little to make something beautiful of your life. He can start with chaos and produce order such as exists in the universe.  In the book of Genesis humanity messed up (Genesis 3) but God brought new beginnings in the story of Jesus Christ. All he needs is himself (John 1:1, Genesis 1:1-5). If you wish, you could go back and start all over. You can begin again by entrusting your life into the Master’s hands.  You can begin again by allowing God to shape your life by His skilled, purposeful, and loving hands. He is the God of great beginnings as well as of good endings.

To set the stage for the wonderful story Mark began by highlighting three voices. All great beginnings in God feature the three voices.

I. Voice of prophecy (Mark 1:2). The coming of Christ was predicted in scripture. It was backed by a prophetic word.  The beginning of what God’s word proclaimed has a guaranteed end. God’s word is of effect. He hastens to perform his word.  It accomplishes what it says.  Even at the beginning of a year or a new season, remember God’s promise. The promise may seem unattainable. It has to be too good to be true to be the truth. It is not based on your effort or merit but your response.  Obey and meditate on God’s word. What informs you creates a mindset of what you believe about yourself and God. It programs your convictions about life. It configures your values and choices. It determines how you see situations/your perspective. A mindset sets your tradition/how you live.

The prophetic word about Jesus happened in the fullness of time. We live in that fullness of time. In other words, the story of Christ, which prophets proclaimed, became a reality and now is ongoing. It is continuing through the lives of believers.

II. Voice of faith (Mark 1:3-8).  The coming of Christ was announced by the vice of John the Baptist in the wilderness.  It took faith on John’s part. His utterance was the believers cry from wilderness. Not only was John’s voice a faith response it called people to faith.  It was a call to the sinners and the thirst to open their heart, and be willing to turn to God. He baptized as a symbol of acknowledgement of sinfulness and a willingness to turn. He prepared people for the one coming after him Christ who would provide remission of sin. The voice of faith is a response to the call to make the right choice in the opportune time. The choices we make today have an impact on the decisions we will be making tomorrow. They establish a pattern and a foundation for life.  At the beginning of a year or season set the tempo, and basic design on God’s word, commit to prayerfulness, give and be forgiving.

John’s voice was not the easiest to receive. His clothing, his meals, message and his location were not what experts would recommend for someone wanting to persuade people. His dress and food were very unusual. His message was a rebuke and a promise hard to imagine. He operated and called people to the wilderness.

III. Voice of power (Mark 1:9-12). When Jesus appears thirty years into life, he must have already known about John. In addition, their mothers would have shared about with them their miraculous conceptions, and the angels’ words about them. He persuaded John to baptize him to fulfill all righteousness. That indicates what his life would be like -one of obedience to his father.  Because of this attitude, the Holy Spirit came to reveal him and to anoint him. Jesus was revealed to humanity as the anointed one. A voice was heard from above endorsing him as the son of God and bringing the power he needed for his mission.   The RHEMA word brought the Spirit and the grace. When you begin anything with God, listen for the word of confirmation. It comes with all you need, grace. The RHEMA is the word of in John 1:1, which is Jesus. What you need is the word of The Lord - not just things, health, fruit, and power.

Begin with him not yourself.  Build on gains in hand. What ever you do, start well and finish well. Acknowledge God in planning, at the beginning, in progress/process and in celebrations at the end.    Do not just have year start prayers but yearlong prayers.  Keep him at the center and not just in the picture. You need him at the driving seat. Let him run the show.  He is the captain of the ship.   He is the key to solving your life puzzle.  Think not only what you want him to do for you but also what you can do for him.  Ask God to help those holding stuff against you to release you. Ask for forgiveness, and be like God ... your sin he remembers no more.  Release people who have caused you pain, give your pain to God. See his ultimate expression of love on the cross. He died for his crucifiers. Where there is unforgiveness, faith stops working. Be also like God … until you remember no more you have not forgiven. 

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 

Kingdom Response III: Structures II

Kingdom Response to Structures II

OURS IS A JUST CLAIM

Titus 3:5, 6; Luke 18:1-8

Leaders, policies, laws, symbols, practices, and systems necessary for social order make up authority structures. The structures mirror the general moral conditions in society and eventually influence the moral conditions. Unrighteousness embedded in structures is structural evil that concerns God, as is personal evil. Jesus came to redeem both individuals and communities. The model prayer seeks freedom from all evil (Matthew 6:13). Christ came to  transform the world for the better, improving people’s wellbeing and relationships with each other, challenging corrupt and unjust structures, supporting the poor and marginalized and healing the sick and troubled (Luke 4:18).

The light of God needs to shine through out structures.  Historically, slave trade and apartheid are examples of structural evil that took long to eradicate. William Wilberforce an evangelical sustained advocacy and argument for abolition of slave trade among the authorities of his day and culminated in its abolishment in the British Empire in 1833. So for example, not everything legal is righteous. Not every legal or permissible thing is expedient (1 Corinthians 6:12). Just as not everything widely practiced or publicized through the media is right. Not everything promoted or practiced by leaders, influential people and celebrities is godly. One still need the guidance of one’s own personal values. Young people frequent the cyberspace and need to hear this advice. The wise avoid imitating some stuff from the social networks such as ‘crushing’ which includes posting obscene pictures that are offensive to generally accepted standards of decency. The term itself should serve as warning that it is for those wanting to crush. What ever you post on internet is worse than a tattoo. You die with a tattoo but what you post will out live you and portray an image of you to prospective employers, people in general; your posterity will look at and determine impressions about you. Stuff posted when young can haunt you for the rest of life. Experts warn that even if deleted it is still there somewhere else or in a recoverable state.

How then do we respond to and/or influence authority in our communities and its structures. One way is by setting up conditions for sweeping revival that transforms structures and people under them. Believers can usher in revival by praying (2 Chronicles 7:14; Ephesians 3:20) and by personal obedience particularly in area of giving (Malachi 3:10). After all, still the two natures, new and old, will coexist in communities. The new will only sustainably dominate by multiplication of disciples and sustained teaching of God’s word and walking in the values of his kingdom. That will radically transform whole communities (Matthew 28:18-20).

As disciples of Christ, you can more specifically influence structures by:

1) Being faithful priests. Pray for people in authority (1 Timothy 2:1 – 4). At the heart, cultivate in believers a sense of identifying with their communities. True intercession is not just pleading on behalf of but taking the place of the one for whom you are interceding. Nehemiah is a good example. He interceded ‘we have sinned’. He included himself in the failures of his own people.  He also showed patriotism by answering the king, “Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” (Nehemiah 2:3; Also Paul Romans 9:3).  The kind of deep identification with the people you share community with goes beyond them being of your ethnicity or your standard of righteousness. It overrides sectional, tribal, ethnic and other loyalties. When some of the children of Israel in captivity just sat and wept by the rivers of Babylon when they remembered Zion (Psalms 137:1), God corrected them.  He exhorted them, “… seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace” (Jeremiah 29:4 – 7).

2) Engaging and participating in the affairs of the community in every sector as salt and light (Mathew 5:14-16). Dialogue, consultation and demonstration of relevance through love and good works for the common good earns attention and credibility (Ephesians 2:10; Luke 6:31). Participating in community life provides an opportunity to model righteousness, compassionate leadership and godly followership.  Believers influence societal structures when they walk the talk.

3) Mobilizing and equipping believers to occupy y positions of authority in the community and model excellence. God still raises modern day Esthers, Nehemiahs, Josephs, etc to serve and apply faith in the market place. One who opposes corruption and maladministration should be an example of the same.

4) Being a prophetic voice. Being a conscience, a voice for God and a voice for the voiceless. The Chapter 9 institutions in South Africa play the role Old Testament prophets played.  Kings need prophets to guide them and hold them accountable as well as priests to pray for them. Prophetically, you can be a voice for love, hope, godliness, justice and peace. Raise awareness of issues through writing and publishing books and articles in the media.  You can also play an advocacy role by raising awareness on issues, educating legislators and authorities through well-researched godly positions on important issues. Establishing think tanks encourages research and fosters informed contribution (2 Timothy 2:15).   

5) Being practical problem solvers.  Believers can be involved in a variety of social actions that include evangelism, relief, rehabilitation and development work. Believers have often been associated with relief work. Increasingly instead of mounting an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff churches  are involved in finding ways to stop people from falling over the cliff in the first place. Initiatives in line with the shift of strategy include educating and equipping people with skills, generating employment and business opportunities and advocating for fair policies that equitably give access to the training and livelihood opportunities. Such social action is not only the job of the church institution but of its individual members scattered in society as led by the Holy Spirit and God’s word working in their hearts. Christians do not always agree on how to respond to oppressive systems  that impose unrighteous laws and violate personal conscience and refuse to pay attention and take remedial action unless there is a stir of non-violent or  forceful protests.  

6) Preaching Jesus - in line with the principle that no personal or social problem fails to find an answer in him. He is the answer for the world today. When he appears on the scene things cannot remain the same. When he appears kindness and love of God our Savior appears (Titus 3:5, 6).  Amazing grace as sung. ‘How precious did that grace appear?’ He removed the weaknesses that would disqualify for he does not require works of righteousness but enables works of righteousness. He transforms from within and brings renewal by the Holy Spirit whom he has shed abundantly in the last days. Jesus appeared with solutions societies need. He came to replace sin with righteousness, sickness with health, infirmity/deformity with wholeness, poverty with abundant provision, little with multiplication,   loss with restoration, and broken relationships with reconciliation. He came to replace anarchy with order, void/emptiness with meaning, stagnation and decline with progress, confusion with direction, imprisonment with release, death with resurrection life, reproach with vindication,  rejection with love and acceptance, abuse with redress and comfort, prejudice with inclusion and equity, oppression with liberty,  slavery with freedom, and bondage with deliverance. For tyranny, he brought compassionate leadership/servant leadership, to impunity -accountability, depression - joy, blindness - sight, darkness - light, weariness – rest, and sorrow – great joy. Where there was violation he restored dignity and replaced bareness with fruitfulness, lack with fullness. Defeat with victory, loneliness with companionship, anxiety with peace and confidence, despair with hope, dysfunction with productivity, fear with faith, debt with repayment for every debt, and so that where there was shame there be honor, dignity/respect (Luke 4:18; John 10:10; 1 John 3:8; Psalm 103:2-5).

7) Standing in the gap through prayer.  Day and night bringing your just claim to God, the righteous judge.  The widow in the Luke 18:1-8 parable sought justice with an adversary. She went to a judge whose heart was so hard as to ignore the plight of widows. Nevertheless, she relentlessly lodged her request for justice until she got it. As a believer, you are like that widow. God’s favor is on your side (Exodus 22:22). You have an adversary that robs what belongs to you through Christ. Know what constitutes a valid grievance from God’s word. Your claim backed by the law of grace is just and receives a hearing because Christ died for you.  You therefore also need to seek justice with similar determination to the widow. Unlike the judge faced by the widow, your judge is also your father. He is caring and loving. Your persistence in prayer helps him to deal with your adversary, your own hardness of hard, slowness in learning, unpreparedness, ignorance of his timing, etc. However, if you persist and all things are ready he will grant you justice speedily.  In holy defiance, refuse to be silent until justice is done (Isaiah 40:25-31; 62:1). God is pleased with you because you have his son (Mathew 3:17; 17:5). He has endorsed, esteemed, branded, and empowered you. You are strong. You can make a difference.  Hold on to faith and prayer.   Pray fervently for righteousness and for his kingdom to come so all that Christ died for can be a reality (Matthew 6:10). 

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 

Kingdom Response III: Structures I

Kingdom Response to Societal Structures I

Habakkuk 3:2 Psalm 110:3 2 Chronicles 7:14

The mandate God gave to Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply to fill the earth meant increased number of people on earth (Genesis 1:28). It also was an indication that God had provided resources which if stewarded properly were enough to care for a population filling the earth. The prospect of growing numbers of people implied the need for social structures that would ensure equitable sharing, boundaries and order. Social structures are built around authority systems that include government, institutions, leaders, policies, laws, and institutions. 

-          Godly authority structures create and preserve social peace and order. Social strife can arise from perceived infringement on freedoms of some by others and from unequal access to resources.  The principle of common good requires that all social, political, economic structures, systems and processes be accessible to all. It requires that all possible measures be taken to see that there is economic sufficiency and each person’s basic needs are met.  Authority sets and enforces the rules for establishing relationships and boundaries.  Authority affords equal opportunities of for example education, employment, business, capital, etc sufficiency.

-          Godly authority structures provide protection and treat people justly/righteously. The two primary test for justice in a society are i) whether authority upholds the sanctity, dignity, and equality of all human life before God and ii) how the vulnerable members of society like children, orphans, widows, aliens and the poor are treated.   That was what Old Testament prophets demanded of authority bearers. Their cry was that the weak and socially disadvantaged were not being protected from abuse and that the poor were being neglected (Zechariah 7:9 -10; Micah 6:8).

-          Godly authority structures preserve righteousness. GOD will judge individuals as well as social systems/ Babylon (Revelation 17). Righteousness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people (Proverbs 14:34). God is interested in structural righteousness as he is in personal righteousness. The two interplay to either to reinforce righteousness virtuously among a group of people or to entrench evil viciously.  The quality of authority systems in a society reflects the values and moral conditions of the society. But the reverse is also true. Authority systems tend to promote and perpetuate moral conditions in a society. Evil embedded in authority systems is structural evil.  This evil is embedded into leadership norms, values, key positions, systems, laws, policies, culture, influential personalities, and symbols. Structural evil affects people shaping moral the direction and moral fiber of society.  It covers anything in societal structures that establishes, sustains and entrench unrighteousness. For example policies and practices that undermine the family unit, maladministration, corruption, oppression, gender violations, racism, and inadequate steps to alleviate ungodliness,  poverty, hunger, ignorance and disease. 

The Bible provides guidance on how believers ought to relate with authority and its structures.  Authority is encountered and various levels such as family, church, school, and workplace, social club or state. How one responds to an authority affects how well one lives and realizes one’s potential under that authority.  The elementary lessons on responding to authority are received in the immediate family as a child relating with one’s parents.  Teaching your child to obey you is meant to help them learn to obey their boss, the police and law of the land, and God.   If not grasped at home society has its often-harder ways to instill discipline and respect of its authorities. 

Believers respond to social authority structures by:

Respecting Authority:  Paul exhorted believers to submit to authority (Romans 17:1-6). His argument was that God from whom all authority comes ordains authority. God’s authority vested in leaders is for good governance that facilitates and rewards good works and uses the sword to punish evil doers. Therefore, such authority bearers are not to be dreaded but to be appreciated and given due tribute (also Matthew 22:21).  Interestingly, the Roman government often breached the divine mandate yet Paul still encouraged cooperation. He must have been dealing mainly with the general attitude and with specific issues not contradicting divine authority. The early church disobedience when it came to threats against preaching of the gospel is well known. Nevertheless, authority is necessarily. Even if you escape to heaven, you will still have to encounter authority in the glory of heaven. Authority is an indispensable asset in the kit to your destiny. In any community of people, quickly find out the authority structure.    Then know your position/rank and its  privileges and responsibilities. 

Ushering-in a Sweeping REVIVAL through Prayer:  Revival is the solution to structural evil and moral decadency in societies. Revival is a special move of the Holy Spirit. The Bible contains the principles and examples of revival. Revival is not a series of meetings organized by people. Revival is a  work of God. It is God on the stage and people in the background. It is  not something people organize but something people receive from God when they meet certain conditions.  While miracles are divine intervention in the ordinary course of natural things, revival is divine intervention in the ordinary course of spiritual things.  Revival is associated with unusual demonstration of God’s power, big meetings, great ingathering of souls, and radical transformation in social structures. All these associations are however not revival by themselves. Revival happens in lives of believers who have been operating below par. It is a divine move to refill with the Holy Spirit, renew faith, refresh, reinvigorate life and heighten zeal for obedience among believers.  True revival has happened when all this overflows to affect the church external environment. Hence, the associations of many turning to Christ, moral conditions in society raised and evil shaken out of social structures. Revival is therefore a renewal that happens among believers but produces something that non-believers cannot help but notice. Essentially, effective witness for Christ comes not from activities called ‘outreach’ but from the out/overflow and the visibility of what God has done and is doing inside the lives of his people. It is when the glory inside manifests externally in extraordinary practical forms that shake pillars of society for God revival has happened. Revival is internal spiritual percussion that has widespread and far reaching repercussions outside church walls.

The primary condition for revival is humility and thirst in prayer (kneework) and repentance.  In Acts 2 the believers prayed in one accord. Also God promised, ‘If my people , which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).  Through prayer we  can change the trajectory from the past that is pointing away from God. Prayer is not limited by time. It outlives its maker by continuing to operate and to manifest even after they are long gone.  Prayer reaches places such as offices, boardrooms, distances, etc to which you cannot be.

The church can expect revival because in these last days that began in Acts 2, God is pouring out his Spirit on all flesh.  Today is the day of God’s omnipotent power. God is calling his people to tap into it through prayer. Let us say to God as in Psalm 110:3, thy people shall offer themselves willingly in the day of thy power by banding together in cooperate prayer. Pray for God to revive his work in the midst of the year and remember mercy (Habakkuk 3:2) .

Revival makes things missions and ministry happen faster than otherwise. Revival is God’s favor poured out. A day of God’s favor is better in effect than years of labor.  When you pray and seek to know the Lord he prepares your way as the morning. As certain as dawn, things become brighter and brighter until the full day. Moreover, he comes as the rain to restore hope and replenish stores with his harvest (Hosea 6:3).  The things that have been elusive for a long time, things that you have been hopeful for but don’t happen when you expect will happen in revival.  The mirage shall become a pool and the thirsty ground springs of water (Isaiah 35v7).  

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 

Kingdom Response II: THINGS II

Kingdom Response to Things II

Mathew 13:44-46; 19:20-26

Horatio Spafford was a nineteenth century Christian lawyer credited for writing the hymn ‘when sorrow like sea billows roll whatever my lot.  It is well; it is well with my soul.’ He lost his son, a little later his real estate properties in the Great Chicago fire and had just lost his four daughters in a ship collision, all within about two years. He penned the song on a boat to see his wife who had survived the ship collision. This man had not only lost material wealth but also loved ones.  How could he dare sing ‘It is well’? How could he have such inner fortitude and uncommon perspective to his losses? We proved his attachment to God was stronger than to things the world could afford.  He did not always understand his situations but was always confident that God loved him and everything good came from God. That freed him from fear and buckling under loss. 

The key to stewardship is obedience to God. Obedience was the responsibility for Adam in the Garden of Eden. Believers’ primary responsibility is faith in Christ’s obedience. That faith produces transformation that facilitates their personal obedience. Some bondage in life will not go just by praying, having hands laid on you, attending meetings or church activities but by obeying God’s word and principles. Adam lost eternal life by disobedience regarding things. The last Adam, Jesus, regained eternal life by obedience regarding things (Mathew 4). 

You will never know true happiness until you live your life applying things completely for him. As George Beverly Shea song based on Rhea F. Miller poem says, ‘I would rather have Jesus than silver or gold, than houses and lands, than to be king of a vast kingdom.’    Attachment to Jesus requires detachment from all else (Philippians 3:8; Mathew 16:26). It requires love dedicated to God (Mathew 22:37; 1 John 2:15).  The reason being, everything else comes short of eternity’s requirements. Everything else disappoints in the end. Everything else fails to satisfy the quest of the soul for meaning and completeness.  Everything else is vanity as Solomon discovered (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Material things however are not evil in themselves otherwise; God who owns the earth including all the gold and silver would not be holy.  However they are the root of evil when they divert love for God (1 Timothy 6:10).

To be free from attachment to things and money you need to: 

1) Understand that what you gain in God is much more than all you have

Jesus likened the benefits of the kingdom of heaven with treasure and a pearl of such great value that a person sacrificed everything else he/she has to gain it (Mathew 13:44-46).  Gaining the treasure made every loss insignificant and losing it made every gain insignificant in comparison (Mathew 16:26). However, to find the kingdom treasure the person had to hunger and search for it. Those searching for kingdom treasure find it and prove its incomparable worth. They become aware of how God graciously allowed humanity to shortchange him infinitely. As a result, they voluntarily let go of everything they have to obtain kingdom treasure.  Attachment to tangible or intangible things is eyes closed to treasure the things keep from you.

Jesus tried to help a young man who wanted to know what else was required for him to inherit eternal life after having obeyed all the law (Mathew 19:20-26). Jesus said that he still needed to sell all he had, give it to the poor and be his follower. The young man went away sorrowful because he had great possessions (v 21-22). The young man had embraced the letter of the law but missed the spirit of it. He had the frame of the law but lacked the heart of it.  He had the bone and flesh without the life of the law. The lesson is if your religious and church commitments fail to detach your heart from things, you have missed the essence of it all.  

Jesus explained to his disciples how hard it was for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. His disciples questioned how, if it was that hard, anyone could be saved. Clearly not every person was rich. For their part, they had even forsaken all for Christ (v27). Yet could they also could not see themselves qualifying.  So why ask such a question. Their understanding went beyond the quantities of things one had but the heart attachment to or love for things one had.  Some are extremely rich with a few things and many imagined things, which have become their idols.  Yet some have so much but do not hesitate to steward them in obedience to God.   Their question also reminds that godly is not easy for people. Jesus however assured them that with God all things are possible.

2) Understand that what you do with things reveals your spiritual condition and prospects

What you do with your things:

-           Shows your thankfulness to God

-           Is a barometer of your love for God

-           Exposes your source of confidence

-           Reveals the level of your faith in God

-           Tells your level of commitment to God’s work

-           Governs what God can trust you with (Luke 16:8-13)

If you do not use your gold to build the tabernacle of God, you will build a golden calf with it. Exodus 32:24. 1 Timothy 6:17-19.

3) Understand that the power of aligning with God’s principles concerning things

God gave people things not to displace himself but to provide instruments for worship and tools for his service.  Things serve this purpose through the following principles:

i) Principle of common good. What God created was for the benefit of everyone. Land, vegetation, water, animals, atmosphere, space, minerals, sunshine, etc should benefit local communities. All created things and those produced by humans should be shared justly. Personal possessions give responsibility to share and should not serve self-interests only. 

Stewardship is looking at the interests of others also.  It includes giving to church and to community. God measures social justice where advantage interfaces with the poor, hurting and marginalized/disadvantaged in a society. Sharing should however not only be to give relief but to develop through training and giving access to opportunities. Bear in mind that most of politics and conflicts are about distribution and power to control resources/ideas.

2) Principle of investment and inheritance. What God created is to be cared for and increased for future generations. One of the marks of the righteous is that they leave an inheritance for their children and grand children (Proverbs 13:22a). Investing in God’s work,  includes wisely investing/applying what you have for example in business enterprise for a return.

Stewardship has implications going beyond one’s lifetime. You are either building something or digging graves for future generations.  Aim to leave something positive for future generations. If you destroy and waste the earth’s resources today, it will harm your children and grandchildren. Believers ought therefore to  care about environmental sustainability beginning with how they look after their possessions and immediate environments at home and office. Then be an example in contributing solutions to problems of global warming, atmospheric pollution, soil erosion, and other environmental concerns.

3) Principle of souls and eternity. Most importantly, one should steward things for eternal returns. You cannot trade your soul for anything else. Stewardship is deeper than giving your things and looking after things it is about giving yourself (2 Corinthians 8:5). It is about interest in the bigger scheme of what God is doing on earth – winning souls, building people in their faith, planting churches and transforming communities.

You enjoy kingdom economics by bringing the first, best and complete 10% of what you receive for the work of God’s house (Leviticus 22:22; Mathew 6:33; Proverbs 3:9-10; 1 Kings 17:13; Malachi 3:10). In God's economy sowing precedes reaping, and giving precedes receiving (Philippians 4:15). Aligning your economics with kingdom principles therefore activates kingdom dynamics/power for overflow (Malachi 3:10-12).  Kingdom economic principles release kingdom power. Giving is not only a sign of faith but also a way to release faith and blessings for all other areas. An open purse is an open heaven. Closed hand is a closed heaven.

The quality of giving to God is determined by the attitude and priority of the giver. God’s interest is not on the gift but the giver. He loves a cheerful giver - one without resentment, heavy heart, regret, and complaining. Kingdom economic principles work by sowing that brings a harvest. The law of giving and receiving is universal (Philippians 4:15). Jesus commends the degree of sacrifice not just the amount you give (Mark 12:43-44). It is about bringing what you have not the lots you do not have. God said ‘none shall appear before me empty’ (Exodus 34:20). Your gift to him paves the way for favor from him. When you give, your best expect his best harvest.

Economics in the world is about managing production and exchange of goods and services in an environment with scarce resources. Kingdom economics operates on the premise of seed faith in giving, receiving and investing in a spiritual environment where there is no lack. Faith is the currency in God’s  economy. Faith and natural resources only made Adam wealthy – he had no bank account, and  no credit card. The economy has no inflation, no deficit, no depression, no inefficiencies, no wastages, no corruption, no lack,  no exclusion, no risk, no depletion, and no decay. Jesus came not just to restore relationships but all things. That is why you can always recover and flourish (Psalm 92:12).  He turns your losses to profit. 

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 

Kingdom Response II: THINGS I

Kingdom Response to Things  I

Genesis 1:28 

God put rich deposits of natural resources on earth. People use the natural resources  to make goods and services that  meet their needs for survival, fulfillment and worship.   This message refers to the natural resources and the goods, experiences and services from them as THINGS. 

Why talk about THINGS instead of just helping people with their souls. The fact is what you do with things affects your soul. People easily are attached to things because in them  they see answers to their needs.  THINGS are not blessings unless accompanied with ability to use them responsibly. Things become resources to one with resourcefulness to put them to benefit. People relate with things in three ways, notably, things shared in a community, things in private possession and things in wishes and dreams. It is vital for believers to learn how to respond to things at these three levels in a godly way. The manner in which believers respond to things has a bearing on their spiritual and general well-being.  Unhealthy attitudes or responses to things possessed or desired provide landing and lodging for evil strongholds in life.  Curses that came on Adam rode on his attachment to things. He was attracted through the desire to satisfy his senses of sight, pleasure and pride.  In the end, he chose things to obeying God (Genesis 3). This diversion from obedience to things is what Jesus came to reverse. Jesus came to bring God back into the picture and correctly project him as the answer to all human  needs. When  attached to God nothing else can stick on you and nothing else is worth sticking to. Jesus’ message is if you let me set you free from attachment to things, you will be free indeed.    As long as you are not detached from things, you are not free to direct things towards the glory of God. Instead, they pull you away from glorifying him.

Money is a means to acquire things or a proxy for things. It is therefore sought after so passionately that the bible gives a caution (1 Timothy 6:10).  It is futile to attempt to solve the problem of money without addressing the issue of love for things because people do not eat, drive or live in money but love it for what it can afford.  Like money, things are good but loving things is the root of evil.  After God created things, he evaluated and saw that they were good (Genesis 1:31).

God is the owner of things (Psalm 24:1; Haggai 2:8; Colossians 1:16, 17).  God spoke natural things found on earth into being. In the same way, he can direct things to meeting your needs. What God says does not only communicate a message but carries self-fulfilling power.  He created them in their variety of  forms, abundance and renewability.  He created light, water, atmosphere, seas, sea creatures, land, minerals, rivers, vegetation, time, and birds, animals and birds with ability to reproduce  (Genesis 1:3-20).

He then created and placed Adam and Eve over what he had created to Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion  (Genesis 1:28; 2:15).  He gave them responsibility, rights/freedoms  and power over what remained his.  Their mandate was to:

-          To reproduce/multiply. What God gave was a beginning and a nucleus with ability to multiply. The instruction to Adam was to increase in number and to share all God given things and responsibilities. The increased numbers would need to be organized. This was therefore also a mandate to  develop social order.

-          To replenish.  What God gave was seed to be grown, cared for, and sustained. God gives seed and people are his multipliers. Adam was to maintain the original purpose for which things were created. He was to take care of the things.  God has interest in how people look after their environment and things they own. God instructed Adam do not let things go down and put in him ability to make things become better than when he found them.

-          To subdue / have dominion.  Adam and Eve were to bring out the potential benefit in things and combination of things. Natural resources are often not forms that meet all human needs. They were invited to go on a journey of discovering how to make their lives better. Everything God made presented an opportunity to find out the treasure hidden in it. God gave them wisdom, creativity and authority to make secondary forms of things. He gave them ability to understand the laws of nature and science and know how to produce what would meet human needs for survival and service to him. Dominion therefore is living without fear, working and taking care of things God has put under your personal and corporate care (Genesis 2, 15).

-          To enjoy and acknowledge God. All the things God created and gives so richly are to be enjoyed (1 Timothy 6:17b). 

Creation reveals God’s attributes such as:

His glory. All creation was made for the purpose of show the power and wonderfulness of God. They find their proper use in serving the purpose of God. Any other use is abuse.  By abusing things humanity created enmity between things and God but Jesus came to reconcile all things back to God (Colossians 1:20). God created the whole earth and its fullness to point to himself and bring people closer to him. Through things as seeing through a lens people ought to see God. As with a lens if all you see and are drawn to is the lens then the lens or your sight has gone dirty (Psalm 91:1-3).

His love/generosity.  All natural and other resources point to the providence/generosity of the giver. He gave it all for people to use. He must be a loving and caring God. 

His grace. He is also a gracious God because even after the fall he lets both the righteous and the unrighteous access his provisions (Luke 6:35).

His riches/abundance. God lacks nothing and can do all things. If he is able to give away so much how much more does he have?    

To respond to things in a godly way and fulfill the God given mandate:

1) Think like a manager.

Acknowledge that all things belong to God. He entrusts you with things and gives you power to make them so that you to invest and use them for his profit.  In the parable of the talents (Mathew 25:13-30), a man left talents to his three servants before going to a far country.   He gave them five talents, two talents and one respectively.  He also gave them ability to make profit (Deuteronomy 8:17-19; Job 1:10). On his return, he commended the two who had made profit for him.  Managers at some point give an account to the owners. The job of managers is to make profit for the shareholders. God as the owner of all things expects to receive his profit also when he comes. The profit is insignificant to his already existing wealth but significant to the wealth it brings faithful servant.

The servant who had received one talent thought evil of the master and hid the talent. He was so much afraid of losing the one talent and attached himself to it. He also had such mistrust of the master that most likely, even if he had invested the one talent he would not have presented it to the master suspecting he might just take it away. The master instructed that the one talent be taken away from him and be given to someone who made profit (Mathew 25:28).  Not only that it cost him his soul and landed him in outer darkness where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth (Mathew 25:30). As for those who made and presented profit to the master, they lost nothing. In fact, they were made rulers over many more things (Mathew 25:23).  From the context Mathew 25:29 reads, For unto every one that [has profit] shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that has [no profit] shall be taken away even that which he hath.

2) Think like a farmer.

A farmer understands the principle of faith, sowing and reaping. To raise his level of harvest he knows he must work on his level of sowing. In handling things, you also need to know that raising standard of giving comes from raising standard of giving.  Giving is like sowing. It brings a harvest. Sowing is releasing something from you for the cause of the gospel and your provision. Attachment to things is broken by giving. What you receive from God is seed. God gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater. The farmer is willing to put seed he could have eaten into the ground. He is willing to trust the weather will be favorable. He is willing to work and wait patiently through the process of cultivation.  Cultivation is a miracle happening over time through prayer, obedience, faith, investment, trade, work, relationships, etc. When you give therefore, be prepared to be patient and hold fast to your profession of faith without wavering, for he is faithful that promised (Hebrews 10:23). When you murmur and complain about your past ‘unfruitful’ giving or the delayed harvest, you dig out the seed and destroy the harvest.

The abundance in heaven is waiting for something to come from you to escort it to you. When you release your little God releases his much. Sowing is exchanging one thing for something better. When God wants to increase what you have, he talks to you about giving. If you sow sparingly, you will also reap sparingly (2 Corinthians 9:6).  If you sow bountifully God is able to make ALL grace abound to you so that ALL the time you will have ALL sufficiency in ALL things and abound in ALL good work (2 Corinthians 9:8). Being enriched in ALL things to ALL bountifulness (2 Corinthians 9:11).

Two basic ways to give to God’s work are tithes and offerings.   Tithe is the first, best and complete 10% of what God gives you, which belongs to him and ought to be returned.  Offering is any other giving to God’s work. Tithing is a Biblical principle from which Christians benefit immensely. Tithing was there before the law of Moses (Genesis 14:17-29; 28:22). Tithing was there under the law (Leviticus 14:17-20; 2 Chronicles 31:5; Malachi 3:8-12; Proverbs 3:9, 10).  Tithing is also there after the law (Mathew 5:17).  The reasons for which it was given in Old testament still apply – the church has financial needs. The principle of Gods work supported by the giving of God’s people still holds.  In addition, if under the law 10% was expected, under grace everything is expected. So tithe is only the minimum we should give to God’s work (Mark 12:43-44; Acts 5:3-4. Mathew 23:23).

Harvest is what you spend on your self and seed is what you give in obedience to God. The enemy wants you to think you have nothing. It is a lie. Everyone has seed. There cannot be a harvest when there has not been sowing.

      

3) Think like an stranger/alien/Ambassador.

This world is not your home and you do not have much time. You will leave all things behind. You however have the option to invest for eternal returns by giving especially to God’s work.  When billionaire John D.  Rockefeller died, many were curious to know the amount he had left behind.  When asked the accountant’s answer was, ‘He left all of it’.   Things are not yours. Naked you came naked you will go.  During the time of David, people gave generously and willingly for the temple of the Lord (1 Chronicles 29:9-15). Their secret was they acknowledged God, they submitted to him and new they were strangers/sojourners on earth. 

As Jesus taught, lay not for yourselves treasures on earth but in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Mathew 6:19-21).

THINGS will be destroyed. ‘But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night ; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise , and the elements shall melt with fervent heat , the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up (2 Peter 3:10).’ Use things to build people, please and serve God.  Peter warned that if you were attached to things you would burn with them.

This message is part of a series on how to respond to factors in your environment in a godly way. God wants you to have RESPONSE - ABILITY. The last message was about response to cultures. This message begins looking at response to resources. The response to resources is covered in three messages -  things/money (I and II) and time (III). This is message I.

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 

Kingdom Response I: Cultural Diversity II

Kingdom Response I: Cultural Diversity II

Every believer lives within a culture (s) and has to relate cross culturally. The 21st Century is characterized by high migration and mingling of people with differing cultures.    The challenge of harmonious co-existence of people from different economic, social, ethnic, religious, opinion or educational backgrounds is a reality here to stay.    Believers must therefore learn to shine the light of Christ and share his love to diverse cultures.  Do you struggle with relating to other people especially those unlike you? You are not alone. Many struggle but you have no choice but to win the struggle by developing good interpersonal and cross-cultural relationships.

We have an amazing story to tell that Jesus came to redeem not just individuals but their cultures as well (John 3:16; Revelation 5:8).  He commissioned his people to reach all people groups (Genesis 12:3; Mathew 28:18-20). He also promised that the gospel would be preached to all people groups before the end comes (Mathew 24:14; Revelation 14:6).  The end result will be the gathering of an innumerable multitude made up of all nations, kindreds, peoples and tongues all dressed in white robes worshiping before the throne of God in heaven (Revelation 7:9; Philippians 2:10, 11). The church of Jesus Christ builds bridges between people and cultures.

Culture is shared patterns of learned behavior distinguishing individuals, families, tribes, and ethnicities.  The people share a way of life that includes customs, language, and traditions of politics, economics or religion.  Cultures derive from shared values, beliefs and superstitions about life. The values influence how people view factors such as the existence of God, identity, origins, purpose, destiny, power, time, relationships, work and risk. For example, some cultures more readily believe in the supernatural than others do.  When a cow talks they listen to what it has to say than argue about whether cows can talk or not.  Other differences include that some cultures associate owls with witchcraft while others associate the bird with wisdom.  In some cultures, not looking someone in the eye is being respectful while to other cultures it is a sign of being a shy person.  Some remove shoes when they go into houses others do not have to.  The list of citable examples is endless.

The following are ways in which cultures affect faith practice and how believers can respond. 

In General - Follow the example of our Lord Jesus (Refer to http://wordoers.blogspot.com/2014/05/kingdom-response-i-cultural-diversity.html )

Adopt a positive attitude to the differences of people around you. Difference does not mean deficiency but the beginning of synergy.  Jesus broke down cultural barriers to reach down to humanity (Philippians 2:4-11).  You are called to share the love of God that transcends all cultures (Ephesians 4:15). 

In Witnessing – Draw lessons from the example of Paul when he preached in Athens to people of a culture different from his (Acts 17:22-34).  Jesus came to redeem sinners and their cultures. He reconciled people back to God and gave them the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18; Mathew 5:9).  Paul recognized this role and in response to God’s commission preached the good news of the cross and repentance in the power of the Holy Spirit and in contextually relevant ways (Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 9:22).  He viewed culture as a vehicle/tool for communicating the gospel.  Often the main barrier to effective communication of the gospel is the use of cultural forms that do not fit the culture of the intended audience.

Paul had just escaped danger to his life in Thessalonica and Berea. He found himself in Athens where he waited for his companions to join him. While there, he studied the culture. He observed carefully the norms and symbols of the Athenians. He learnt the city was home to renowned brilliant thinkers like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Sophocles. The people had an appetite for new ideas and had places and avenues to communicate and debate ideas. Athens was given to idolatry and immorality. Some say it was easier to find an idol than a person in Athens.  Unlike Yahweh, who is present everywhere presence of idols has to be improvised by producing many and placing them everywhere. 

Paul could have written his companions, Timothy and Silas to say, ‘Don't bother coming here. I am finding my way back because there are only idols in Athens.’ Instead, he sought opportunity to make the difference. Instead, he looked for bridges to connect with the Athenians. His interest was drawn to an inscription on one of their altars -  TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. He saw in the inscription a clue on how to reach the Athenians with the gospel. He announced that he shared the same God with them (Acts 17:23). The only difference was that the God was unknown to them and he was pleased to present him.  It may not have solved all his problems but it certainly got their attention and facilitated communication.  The witness for Christ is responsible for gospel clarity not the response of people watching or listening.

LESSON: The communication keys to solving the challenges of relating with a culture are found from within the culture. Similarly, the keys to solving relational challenges with a person different from you in any way is found in finding what in their life can bring a common understanding or ground. To relate cross culturally you need to be  a student of the cultures you interact with. Also, realize that key aspects of culture are language and leaders.  If you are foreign in a predominant culture, therefore, learn the language and raise leaders of the local culture. In fishing the correct bait is determined by knowledge of what the fish like not what the fisher likes.  To begin with, any form of appreciation, love, wisdom and service to the people will help to form common ground with them (Mathew 5:16; Luke 10:25-28).

In Faith Practice – Draw lessons from the example of Gideon in dealing with challenges from your own culture (Judges 6:22-27).   Believers have to deal with their culture in practicing their faith in Jesus Christ.  Some specific cultural issues are encountered at important junctures of life such as birth, passage to adulthood, marriage, and death.

On one hand, some throw away every semblance of their culture in search of a new godly culture. By doing so, they only end up embracing a culture from elsewhere such as the western culture instead of theirs.  They fail to realize that the gospel is seed to be expressed/grown in soil of any culture. That is why for example there is no ‘Christian Africans’ but ‘African Christians’. The sinful nature of humanity mars all human cultures.  Every culture is therefore tainted with sin and no cultures or people groups are superior to others.

On the other hand,  people hold on to everything from their cultures and profess to be Christians, but underneath they are still idol-worshippers who for example rely on ancestral spirits, traditional rituals, or charms for protection.  In the end, they are compromised. They lose the essence of both the new life in Christ and the old life in traditional worship forms. 

Therefore, while some go too far others fail to go far enough in embracing their cultures.  In order for Gideon to follow God’s plan for his life he had to do two things.

1) He was to destroy his father’s altars. These altars represented aspects in his culture that directed worship away from Yahweh.  He obeyed and had to face hostility from his own people for doing so.   Every culture has aspects that demand that believers take a stand for the truth in God’s word with boldness, humility  and love. Jude 3 instructs believers to earnestly contend for  the faith.  God gives wisdom and covering whenever you take a stand for the truth of his word. Be gracious when you are misunderstood.

2) He was to employ ashera poles from his father’s altar in making a new altar to the living God (Judges 6:26).   These poles represent features of a culture that are not inconsistent with God’s word and should be retained or redeemed. Such cultural practices are redeemed when their purpose is redirected towards worshiping God and serving his purposes. You can live differently while culturally you look similar.  Ashera poles take the form of clothing, Music forms and instruments, dance, drums, customs, etc

Every culture has both positive and negative features. God therefore expects his people to learn the errors in their cultures as judged by the word of God and avoid them while redeeming the other aspects of culture. It is important to focus on key issues of direction of worship and allow everything else to be a vehicle for worshiping and communicating Christ. Learn to appreciate those aspects of a culture that do not violate scripture.

Culture being learned behavior is  dynamic. Culture shapes people but  people also shape cultures. For example, some cultures had the practice of killing albino babies but with better knowledge, they stopped the practice.   If Christians do not influence the evolution of cultures, some other philosophy or religion will do so.     Unredeemed cultures make it hard to practice a redeemed life style. The converse is true, unredeemed lifestyles find it hard to redeem cultures.

In Fellowship among Believers -   Draw lessons from the teachings of Paul (Ephesians 4:1-6; Galatians 3:26-29).  Acknowledge your  cultural uniqueness but allow the love of Christ and the new identity in him to be stronger in bringing us together in our diversity. Being able to do so is a test of true faith in a shared identity in God, faith and destiny.   The kingdom of God operates on the principle of unity-in-diversity, or harmony not uniformity.

 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 .   There is one body , and one Spirit , even as ye are called in one hope of your calling ;  One Lord , one faith , one baptism ,   One God and Father of all , who is above all , and through all , and in you all .  Ephesians 4:1-6

 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.   For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ .  There is neither Jew nor Greek , there is neither bond nor free , there is neither male nor female : for ye are all one in Christ Jesus .   And if ye be Christ’s , then are ye Abraham’s seed , and heirs according to the promise . Galatians 3:26-29

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.    Philippians 2:3-4 

Exercise (For Cells)

1)         Think of a cross-cultural experience and come up with ways the experience could be used as a witnessing opportunity.

2)         Think of a situation when there was conflict between your own traditional culture and your faith. How did you or could you have handled the situation in a godly way.

3)         How has today’s multicultural composition of communities affected church life and mission?

4)         Make a comparison between the African worldview and cultural practices and the Western culture.  Mention specific perspectives and practices.

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