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Legacy Continuity: Ministry Successions

Here's an expanded version with explanation: 1. Ministries built solely on the unique charisma or personality of the founder are at risk of collapsing when the founder passes away. It's essential to establish structures that can outlast any individual. 2. Ministries relying on unethical or immoral practices for sustenance are bound to falter without the presence of the founder unless successors are groomed within the same framework. 3. Husband and wife-led ministries face challenges in continuity if both partners pass away simultaneously without grooming successors. Transition plans are crucial to ensure the legacy endures. 4. Ministries funded solely by the founder's resources may struggle post-founder's demise if the congregation isn't trained in stewardship. Collaborative financial support ensures sustainability beyond the founder's lifetime. 5. Ministries tarnished by scandal or moral failings of the founder face difficulties in continuity. Reputational dama...

Sharing the Gospel

 The Gospel of Christ is not mere information but living news that becomes effective when shared. As stated in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, its power lies in its proclamation. Jesus' final words in Matthew 28:18-19 urge believers to teach all nations, emphasizing the proactive role in spreading the gospel. Mark 16:15 emphasizes the duty of believers to herald the gospel like town criers, making it available for all to hear. Failure to preach the gospel renders it ineffective (Romans 1:16), as its saving power lies in its dissemination. Matthew 5:13 illustrates the importance of maintaining the potency of the gospel message. It's not to be trivialized or turned into mere knowledge, for its effectiveness is in its spread (2 Corinthians 2:14). Jesus exemplified active evangelism in his ministry (Matthew 4:23, 9:35), emphasizing action over structures. Acts 10:37-38 highlights the widespread announcement of the gospel, emphasizing its universal relevance. Luke 19:10 underscores the passio...

Sharing the Gospel

When someone asked me what I do with the Gospel of Christ, I emphasized that it's not just for personal enjoyment or gathering information; it's for sharing. The Gospel isn't something to be discovered or sought out; it's a message of salvation, reconciliation, and unconditional forgiveness of sins. The Gospel is about spreading good news from a far country, as Proverbs 25:25 says, and it's a message that brings peace between God and sinners. It's not about condemning unbelievers but about inviting them to believe in Christ for salvation. Through faith, anyone can receive forgiveness of sins, as Luke 24:47 emphasizes. It's not about following creeds or legalistic requirements but about believing in Jesus for the remission of sins. We are commanded to preach this message of unconditional forgiveness of sins, as Acts 10:42-43 states. It's about opening eyes, turning people from darkness to light, and helping them receive forgiveness of sins through faith i...

Embracing Christ's Simplicity

 Reflecting on earlier lessons learned as a younger Christian, I recall an impactful moment during a school fellowship where a friend, adorned in trendy attire, was set to speak. His charismatic presence and fashionable outfits seemed to symbolize a new era of freedom from conservative Christianity. However, Pastor Sola Oladele offered a profound insight that we initially brushed aside: if one must borrow clothes to preach, their ministry risks becoming a facade of entertainment and deceit. Years later, the wisdom of Pastor Oladele's counsel became clear. A ministry built on hype can never stand on the foundation of Christ. The apostles exemplified a life of suffering and humility, not glamor or crowd appeal. Scripture underscores this principle in Galatians 1:10 and 1 Corinthians 4:9-11. While some may prioritize media hype and extravagant displays, true Christian life centers on the enduring truths of the gospel and allegiance to Christ alone. This message was reinforced during a...

The Legal and Vital Sides of Redemption

 The understanding of both the legal and vital aspects of redemption is crucial for a solid foundation in teaching and living. The legal side represents what God accomplished for us in Christ, as illustrated in scriptures like Romans 4:25 and 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. These passages highlight Christ's sacrifice for our sins and His resurrection, emphasizing the past work of redemption. On the other hand, the vital aspect, depicted in verses like Romans 8:1 and Colossians 1:14, reveals what believers possess now through the work of the Holy Spirit. Failure to grasp either aspect can lead to pitfalls: an overemphasis on the legal side may result in cold formalism, while focusing solely on the vital may lead to fanaticism. A deeper understanding of the legal side, as seen in 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Romans 3:21-26, demonstrates God's act of laying our sins upon Christ and making Him sin for our sake. This legal foundation of redemption is essential for comprehending our present righteou...

The Love of God

 The Gospel embodies the essence of God's grace, serving as a proclamation of His boundless love. It highlights the unmerited gift of God, devoid of any conditions. Its transformative power is unleashed upon those who simply believe and receive it. Through its intricate narrative, the Gospel delineates the step-by-step journey of grace and mercy. Unlike mere hearsay or emotional appeals, the Gospel represents the divine presence within humanity. It tells the story of God incarnate, who lived, died, rose, and continues to reign as the embodiment of humanity—Jesus Christ. In Corinthians 15:1-4, Paul articulates the Gospel as the foundational truth of Christ's sacrificial death for our sins, in accordance with the scriptures. The question arises: Why would someone die for our sins? Romans 6:23 elucidates that death is the inevitable consequence of sin, but through Christ, God offers the gift of eternal life. God's love is magnified in Romans 5:8, as Christ died for us while we...

CHRIST IN THE LIGHT OF THE PAULINE REVELATION

THIS is an unveiling of what we are before the Father, and how the Father looks upon us in Christ.  John 16:28: "I came out from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world and go unto the Father."  You remember Jesus said in John 3:3-5, "Except one be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God." The believer is born of God. He comes out of the very womb of God. "Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world." "For in one Spirit were we all immersed into one body, and were all made to drink of one Spirit." (I Cor. 12:13). Just as truly as Jesus came out from the Father, so we have come out from God through the energy of the Spirit. We are born of God. In I John 4:4 we read, "Ye are of God my little children." We are a part of the very Life of God.  God's very Nature has been poured into our spirits, for we are of God. Now we can understand Jesus' confession. It staggered the Jews. It startled the dis...