I want to start this post by typing “In a world where righteousness has fallen away from many churches” but then I am unsure if I ought to start that way. These things have always been. I am the one stepping out into that world and experiencing these things firsthand.
Or maybe it has become so widespread to meet each of us right at our doorsteps.
God! Where are the churches still teaching holiness and righteousness? I just searched on YouTube to download a certain message by brother Gbile Akanni, “Ordinary men who burn for God”, I typed that in and I saw a good number of messages by Gbile Akanni, and the strikingly familiar thing was the topics of these messages, which breed honest and pure desire for God.
Other topics: Burning perpetually for God, Ever-burning fire on our sacrifice, Plucked to burn for God, The blood provision for our deliverance, Preparing to become a pillar in God’s hand, Silent chapters that derail a man, Fields to burn, What postpones God’s rising on a man, Men who set the pace, Taking God by his word, God’s concentration on lives he intends to use, and many more.
The message I made reference to searching on Youtube, “Ordinary men who burn for God”, I had it on my laptop some years ago and its one of my all-time favourites, a strong blessing to my life. I recommend you listen to it. I remember days alone in my room while in 200 level, I would climb on my top bunk, and have beautiful communion with God through many of these messages.
I also remember the strict sermons in my home church, the instructions from my mission secondary school, The training from my immediate family and The Kingdom Project. These things have led me to have a personal encounter with God and I cannot do some things. Cannot. I cannot worship in some places that violate the sacred principles of the word of God. How many churches today do you still find topics like the ones I listed above?
It is beautifully powerful to teach on other relevant principles in the word of GOD including knowing who you are in Christ, understanding God’s provision for you in health and wealth etc. I teach these too. But, detailed and wholesome teaching of the word of God ought to combine everything. By the time we’re through teaching, we ought to realize everything is covered in good proportion for wholesome Christian living.
I read sometime two months ago on the trouble of topical sermons and I think this is prevalent in many churches today. I quote it below from www.relearnchurch.org :
“…topical teaching isn’t inherently bad. But since the bible has become more offensive to the culture, many pastors have opted for topical sermons to avoid unpopular or politically charged topics.
In contrast, the goal of an expository teacher is not to hear, “what an entertaining speaker” or “what an uplifting message” but to hear “thank you. Now I know what that passage means”.
Friend, if the church will hand pick topical sermons and teach you only appealing aspects of the scriptures, you better save yourself. Carry the bible and read. Open from Genesis and read through till Revelations. Do it again and again. Get a wholesome understanding of the word that can sustain you.
The query I have today is what have you fed on? What are you feeding on? What will sustain you for the days ahead? You need sound teaching of the word of God that makes you love God as he is and not look for a ‘God’ who will give you license to live like the world and still quote scriptures. Believe me, you don’t want that kind of God.
Acts 20:26, 27 “therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God”
Whats your take, friend?
As always, in truth and love,
Debby.
