The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Secularism in the church (2)

    Secular preaching

    More than any single factor, secular preaching in the church has done much more damage to the spiritual life of the body of Christ. Today, preachers use their pulpit to talk about business, millionaires club, making profits, covenants of favour, planning, thinking and goal setting that could shame Harvard Business School!

    Harping on these topics week in, week out in the church has removed the sacredness and hallowness of the church in the hearts of the people. Preachers who believed they are called to preach secular subjects and not the whole counsel of God are chief secularists in the church of today.

    • Secular books and writings

    Secularism is being entrenched in the churches of today because Christian writers write secular books, devoid of scriptural passages because they want to appeal to all their audience.

    Preachers also make references to secular authors and encourage supposed Christians to read their books which have the capacity to damage their spiritual life. I have seen preachers referring to the Bible as ‘The Good Book’ and Jesus Christ as ‘The Wisest Man’ that ever lived!

    They do these so that they will not offend their audience but at the expense of the spiritual life of the people.

    • Emphasis on money and ostentatious lifestyle

    I was told by a friend recently that he spent N1.7 million (approximately $10,000) on a preacher for only one hour in his conference. Just as I was writing, I heard the report of a crusade and a ministers’ conference held by one of these preachers.

    Every sermon ended in fund raising and an American preacher came with his own printed seed faith envelope to collect money and went away with the money! People gave grudgingly but with loud complaint about the methods employed.

    All these and many evidences of extravagant lifestyles of preachers have enthroned the worship of mammon in the heart of the average church, and as such godliness has taken the very back seat in our scheme of things.

    • Spasmodic prayers

    The churches of today are not a praying church in the true Bible sense. Of course, we pray official, monotonous and lifeless prayers while some only pray against their enemies to die by fire.

    The truth is that real, heartfelt, sincere and fervent intercessions and prayers are not encouraged in the majority of today’s churches. Rather, selfish, self glorifying and self-centered prayers are the order of the day.

    • No spiritual growth and discipleship

    In most churches, there are no systems that encourage spiritual growth of the members. Yes, once in a while preaching might touch it but there is no concerted effort to use the system to develop the spiritual growth of the people.

    Therefore, you find people who have been in the church for years but who are still spiritual babes, carnal and immature in their lives and in the things of the Lord.

    The bitter truth is that most pastors of today are not comfortable with a spiritually growing Christian. They don’t want those who will be asking too many questions.

    They therefore keep them in perpetual state of babyhood in the Lord so that the pastors can do what they like and nobody will ask questions!

     

    • Akin-John (08023000621; akingrow@gmail.com) is President of International Church Growth Ministries.

  • Why Nigeria is still standing, by cleric

    God is interested in Nigeria and will always protect her destiny regardless of multiple satanic machinations, the Overseer, Hidden Manna Revival Ministry International, Apostle Hezekiah Agunbiade, has declared.

    He spoke with our correspondent at the sidelines of the 10th Overcomers’ convocation of the ministry at Oyun Baptist High School, Offa, Kwara State.

    According to him: “The word of God made it clear that God is interested in the affairs of men.

    “I believe if it had not been for God the country would have gone into piece but the grace of God has kept this nation till now.

    “I believe that the love that God has for this nation remains the same.”

    He called on Nigerians to support the current administration.

    “With the cooperation of everybody and the prayers of the saints, I believe that all things will work out to our benefits and for the progress of our nation,” Agunbiade stated.

    He applauded the rejection of gay marriage in the country, stating that God was pleased with such move.

    Going down memory lane, Agunbiade said the convocation was not premeditated but was born in the year 2005 through divine and prophetic mandate.

    The high points of the thanksgiving service were unprecedented testimonies, praises and special prayers.

  • James celebrates 30 years on pulpit

    The General Overseer of Glory Christian Ministries, Lagos, Pastor Iruofagha James, has donated items to the Ijeshatedo Police division as parts of activities marking his 30th anniversary in the ministry.

    The items, he said, will help to combat crimes within the neighbourhood and improve the morale of police officers serving in the division.

    Some of the items include a 6.5KVA generator set, 1.5 HP Split Unit AC, TV set, DSTV decoder with three months subscription, office refrigerator, laptops for the station officer and 20 bags of rice.

    The cleric also repaired two operating patrol vans for the division.

    Donating the items, James urged Christians to learn to live for others and give sacrificially.

    The DPO of the station, CSP Okoi Akpama, thanked James and Glory Christian Ministries for supporting and encouraging the police to combat crime in the society.

    He said: “We thank the church for believing in the Nigerian police through Ijeshatedo police station in their combat against crime in Ijeshatedo area and Lagos environ.

    “We will not relent in our effort to build on making our society crime free.”

    Akpam challenged other men of God and churches to emulate the gestures to make the society crime-free.

  • ‘Why some prophecies are delayed’

    ‘Why some prophecies are delayed’

    The general overseer of Omega Fire Ministries (OFM), Auchi, Edo State, Apostle Johnson Suleman, spoke with Adetutu Audu on leadership and the nation. Excerpts:  

    What’s your candid view of the current crop of leadership in Nigeria?

    Well, the current leadership, from President Muhammadu Buhari to the governors down to the local councils, couldn’t have been in power today but for God, which reminds me of the prophecy I made recently about God wanting to effect changes in the nation’s leadership at the center because He had decided to rescue the nation from the clutches of misrule of the past.

    I will thereby ask the current leadership not to tempt God; they should fight for people and not fight for their individual pocket and stomach. Their positions should not be seen as avenues to further choke the masses; they should work to rescue the ordinary people who defied the rain and scorching sun to cast their votes for them to be where they are today.

    How do you feel when you some of your prophecies don’t come to pass?

    I have always said this. The day every prophecy you give comes to pass 100 per cent, you have become God. I’m not God. I derive my messages from God. So, if I gave three messages and you see the three coming to pass does not mean there are none that are being delayed.

    Therefore, 45 coming to pass out of 50 prophecies is a fulfillment. I said some prophecies are delayed not that they will not come to pass because God does not speak in vain. You may have prophecies this year and you see them coming to fulfillment the next year or two. That is the dynamism God’s words.

    For example, I said recently that God told me that Mama HID Awolowo needed prayers to survive the month of September as well as the Boko Haram bombings that killed many in Borno about three weeks back before the latest Abuja bombing, which I even told my congregation would happen a day before.

    Far before the former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, started having troubles with the last government, I predicted that he would be made Kano king and it came to pass. But before the prophecy came to fulfillment, many unbelievers were skeptical of the message. So, you need to study prophecies before you can understand prophecies.

    What’s the uniqueness of Johnson Suleman as an Apostle of God?

    In Nigeria today, there are more than enough pastors who claim to specialize in performing miracles, prophecy, healing and more. But I, Johnson Suleman, stand out with uniquely divine powers that impact on lives of millions of people across the world.

    God speaks through me to not just Nigerians but to Africans and citizens of foreign nations. So, I want to say that God raised Johnson Suleman to wipe out tears, restore people to their destinies by the revelation of the word with manifestation of power and reality of the Holy Spirit.

    You spoke about charity. Tell us more about it and those who benefit from it

    This is something we have been doing since the church was born. We do transfer the donations that we receive from non-members of the church to the vulnerable members of church like widows and orphans. This is our primary responsibility.

    Yearly, we give out cars and cash donations to the needy within and outside the church. We don’t need to keep repeating that since the birth of Omega Fire Ministries, wonders of different versions have happened and it has always been testaments galore.

    Barren women have given birth to babies after attending miracle programmes with us while many have received healings, secured employment, financial breakthroughs, turnarounds in their respective businesses and deliverance from ancestral curses. These are what endear us to the multitudes that witness the church’s services across the 42 countries where we have branches.

    With branches in 42 countries, how far have you traveled the world to spread the gospel?

    Since the birth of Omega Fire Ministry eleven years ago, I have traveled to about 92 countries of the world preaching the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and I have met with more than twenty African presidents who I had prayed with and prophesied for their respective countries.

    We have a ministry that is fast growing. Presently, we have a new auditorium under construction that will house 70, 000 and be one of the biggest churches in the world. The launch of the multimillion dollars Celebration TV two years ago is also a testament of God’s grace that accompanies the ministry.

  • Olumba canvasses togetherness, sacrifice

    The founder of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star(BCS) Executive Council Worldwide, His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu, has canvassed for peace and love to have a safe world.

    He said strife and war will not do humanity any good but evil.

    He spoke last week at the annual edition of the Brotherhood All Youth Assembly (BAYA) International Conference.

    The four-day conference with the theme rewarding the remnants of God attracted thousands of youths across the nation.

    Obu said only those who live for God will henceforth occupy positions of authority in Nigeria.

    “Only those who will do the will of God will be enthroned. Akwa Ibom State should rejoice because God has taken over its leadership,” he stressed.

    The international chairman of BAYA and the Akwa Ibom State All leaders’ representative, Bishop (Hon) Ekpe James, said the central message of the conference was love, which he described as the ultimate in every dimension.

    His Lordship, Bishop Issac Ekeh, who is the only Field Marshal of the Brotherhood and Director of Evangelism, said the primary target of the conference was to build youths to be at the helm of affairs in their families, businesses, churches and communities.

    According to him: “The empowerment is first spiritual; reformation is eternal.

    “By the time the eternal mind is reformed, the outward activities will go well.

    “The world has targeted that any real change must start with an individual and it most often starts with the youths.”

    He added: “The essence of gathering the youths from across the nation is to tell them the truth.

    “Unless the youths are told the truth, they will be carried away and the negative messages everywhere will affect them.”

  • Be vessels of honour, Christians urged

    Christians have been encouraged to add values and be assets to the body of Christ.

    A former General Secretary of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), Rev. (Dr) Ademola Ishola, stated this last Sunday.

    He spoke at the dedication of the sanctuary, appreciation of past leaders, ordination of new deacons and 30th anniversary celebration as well as reunion with members in Diaspora of Victoryland Baptist Church Isolo, Lagos.

    Ministering on Household of God, Ishola pointed out a living church must be built on the Lord Jesus Christ.

    While noting it is good to beautify sanctuaries, he said churches must not neglect their communities as well.

    H lauded members of the church for a job well done but advised them not to relent as they have a long way to go in transforming the lives of people around them.

    Addressing the new deacons, he said: “Only the Bible can transform lives and strengthen the goodness of your lives so use the Bible as a model.”

    Ishola urged them to be committed to the various assignments committed to them and win souls for Christ individually and collectively.

    The church Pastor, Rev. (Dr) Femi Ajayi, noted that the church would be model of what God wants.

    Chairman of the anniversary committee, Deacon Deji Onifade, thanked members in Diaspora for their presence and contribution to making the four- in- one programme a success.

  • Baptist Seminary holds Independence prayer

    Over 1000 people including worshippers, Seminary students and visitors gathered at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary Chapel, Ogbomoso , Oyo State  last Wednesday to celebrate  the 55th Nigeria National Independence Day.

    The Guest Speaker, Mr. Kayode Idowu, in his paper titled, The Role of Spiritual Leaders in Nigerian Political Process’ said, “Spiritual leaders in the days of old exercised complete oversight on governance. Kings did not ascend to the throne of old in ancient Israel until they were picked out and anointed by priests, acting under divine unction. Because priests were God’s agents as ‘kingmakers’.”

    Idowu, who was represented by Mr. Olayinka Oyegbile, deputy editor, The Nation on Sunday, observed that although the age of priests as kingmakers was long gone, priests should be ready to reprimand kings as “even the most celebrated Israelites King, David was rebuked by Prophet Nathan, as the prophet declared God’s judgement.”

    He added, “Former President Goodluck Jonathan also professed the Christian faith and visibly …..But the church obviously failed  to rise to the need to provide guidance and oversight in the conduct of governance. Rather than spiritual oversight, Christian leaders concerned themselves with giving mere political support; leaving it to political jobbers to control the attention of the President and, thereby, influence the conduct of governance…  Church services and programmes became photo opportunities designed to enhance politicians’ electoral fortunes. Pulpits were turned to campaign platforms for the president, while Sunday worship services were disguised campaigns.”

    He called on religious leaders top shun yielding their pulpits and churches to politicians.

  • ‘Every preacher needs good training to last’

    ‘Every preacher needs good training to last’

    The Provost of Life Theological Seminary established by Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev (Dr) Cletus Orgu, spoke with Sunday Oguntola on the 60th anniversary of the institution as well as the challenges of theological education in Nigeria. Excerpts: 

    At 60, how far has Life Theological Seminary come?

    The institution started in 1955 by the White missionaries who bought Foursquare message to Nigeria. At that time, the school was in Yaba. It came to this ground in Ikorodu exactly 1958.

    Since then, it has developed in terms of the programmes we offer and enrolment as well as facilities.

    Who are some of the prominent gospel ministers the institution has produced in 60 years?

    We have quite a lot of them. One is the current General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev Felix Meduoye. We have Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo. We have had so many outside the country doing exploits for God.

    We have had students from Ghana, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic (CAR) and outside Africa. They are so many that it is difficult to mention all of them.

    Some believe theological education is becoming too expensive. Why is this so?

    I disagree with that because our experience here is to the contrary. Up to recently, for a whole session, which is two semester, students pay only N50, 000. My children paid more than that in Secondary Schools per term. Our tuitions are cheap because the church subsidies heavily. It was just last year that the tuition went up to N60, 000-N70, 000 in a session.

    We believe it is a mission school and we should give opportunity to as many people as possible to come. The church subsidies and that is what make it possible.

    We see so many erring pastors these days. Was it that they were not well equipped during their training years?

    You know there are many bible schools and seminaries. The first thing you realise is that many of them are not manned by well-trained theologians. You see many just starting bible schools without training. What do you expect them to produce?

    Here, we have been to several schools and we are proud of what we are teaching. We are proud of our products too. If you look at many seminaries, they are not methodical and practical in their approach to training pastors. They are hardly evangelical too.

    If their denomination gets things wrong, their bible colleges too will. Unfortunately, many of them believe they know what they are doing and are not open to corrections.

    Some preachers believe they don’t need theological training to do a good job for God. What will you tell such people?

    I will start by saying that is a product of ignorance. Many people believe they can just open the bible and begin to teach. There is no field in life without training.

    There are people who have devoted their whole lives to studying the bible and writing commentaries. For somebody to just come and dismiss all those resources is not being fair to himself. The bible, like someone said, is deep enough for the theologians and shallow enough for the untrained minds.

    But can you just become a doctor or lawyer without qualification? It is only in Christendom that you see that happening. Some of them do not attend bible colleges but when they start churches, you see them opening bible colleges. Is that not contradictory?

    I have also heard people say that the anointing is enough. I ask them why they still gather people for bible study. Why not just impart the anointing to people and leave them to study the bible on their own?

    That you still teach them is evidence that there are needs for experts to rightly divide the word of God. Many of who say they have not attended bible schools read widely. They read commentaries, theological works, dictionaries and resources. Those things were not produced by anointing but by the efforts of theologians.

    What kinds of programmes do you offer?

    We have Certificate in Christian Ministry in a year for those who may be qualified but do not have time for diploma and degree. It is also for those without formal education but are interested in ministry works.

    We have Diploma too for three years. The student must have not less than four credits. The part-time programme is for four years. We have Bachelor in Theology for four years for full time. Students must have five credits and it is five years for part-time.

    There is second B TH for those with secular degrees. They do three years for full time and four years for part- time. Here, you cannot find someone getting a PhD in four years. You have to really go through the mill.

    How has it been in 60 years?

    Anybody who has lived for 60 years will tell you it is tough and challenging. It is never smooth. Many students do not have money to pay and we have to source for scholarships for them.

    But God has been good. We have been able to develop some facilities that are making funding a bit easier. The church can only provide as it has resources.

    Many will say the institution is not doing well in terms in infrastructural development. How do you react to that?

    Of recent, God has been helping us. We didn’t have the administrative block as we have it now. We have modern hostels for males and females. We have modern classrooms. Someone just donated a clinic that we commissioned recently. We intend to commence operations very soon.

    In terms of infrastructures, we are not where we want to be but we are definitely not where we used to be.

    Theologians can be boring. Why is that so?

     Theologians could be boring if they take classroom discussions to the pulpits. That will bore the entire church. Several years ago, I attended a church where a student spent the first 30 minutes talking on the Pauline authorship of the book of Hebrews.

    What is the business of members with that? All they need to know is how the bible relates to their daily living. So, yes we could be boring if we take such issues to the pulpits. Our goal should be to make the fruits of theology relevant to people.

    At 55, what will be your advice to the nation?

    I believe there should be self-sacrifice. We just have to let go of our interests and look at how we can build a greater future for the nation. That is why I wrote a book on the roles of prophets for nation-building.

    Many of them faced difficulties but delivered the messages of God without blinking. I believe if we have courageous men of God who can call government to order, this nation will go places. We will have a better society. You cannot be a court prophet eating from the king and still call him to order.

    Christianity is not about what you can get; it is about service. It boils down to what we preach. To see people leaving churches because their needs are not met is ridiculous. That is why we have to teach the word of God rightly.

  • Cleric praises Buhari on anti-graft war

    The Shepherd of Locust Army Ministries Lagos, Rev Chris Christian has hailed the anti-corruption war of the current administration.

    He said President Muhammadu Buhari efforts against graft require the support of all.

    He spoke last Sunday at a parley with newsmen in the Surulere headquarters of the church.

    According to him: “Buhari as a leader is already creating a new image for the country, and if he continues the momentum without distraction, the whole country will be better for it.”

    He cautioned against sentiments in assessing the current administration.

    Christian stressed: “Former President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian from the South-south ruled this country for almost six years and his administration was said to have promoted corruption.

    “But now we have a Muslim President from the North that has taken constructive steps to fight this menace.

    “So, Nigerians must realise that it is not about the religion you profess but rather your capacity to do what is right.”

    He said Nigerians must support the present administration in its fight against corruption because eventual victory would benefit everybody.

    “President Buhari is taking his time; people must not mistake his quiet mien for cowardice. He is a strong willed man who knows what he is doing.”

  • Unveiling the Mystery of the Blood Covenant! (2)

    Last week, we began this teaching by examining what Kingdom Mysteries are and how to engage them in order to partake of the blessings attached to them. We also identified engaging the Blood in prayers, via the Communion and the Passover Blood of Sprinkling as the three dimensions the Mystery of the Blood covenant.

    This week, we will explore the Mystery of the Passover Blood of Sprinkling, how to apply same and what the benefits are.

    First, it is important to understand that our battles in life are essentially spiritual and until we engage the mysteries of scriptures, we will continue to fight a lost cause. For instance, the Israelites were not held captive by Pharaoh, but the gods of Egypt. However, at the instance of the Blood, they were set free. It is written:

    For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD (Exodus 12:12).

    Unfortunately, there are many captives in the body of Christ because we are not familiar with this mystery yet.

    Furthermore, we saw in scripture that the Blood of sprinkling is a forever ordinance to be practiced often. When Moses was passing God’s instruction to the Elders of Israel, he said:

    And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons forever And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service (Exodus 12: 24-25).

    This means the Blood of Sprinkling is an ordinance that will forever remain active.

    What does this mystery guarantee us?

    The Blood of sprinkling guarantees double restoration of all that we may have lost to the devil and his cohorts.  It is written:

    As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water. Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee (Zechariah 9:9, 11-12).

    As such, we are guaranteed restoration in the following aspects:

    • Business and Career Stagnations (Zechariah 1:17-21)
    • Sicknesses and Diseases (Luke 13:11-16)
    • All other satanic Oppressions and Bondages (Exodus 11:1; 12:12).
    • Marital Delays and Distortions (Psalms 68:6).

    How do we apply the mystery of the Blood of Sprinkling?

    It is worthy of note that the Passover Blood is not for drinking or for confession; it is for sprinkling. For instance, when a doctor or pharmacist prescribes medications, he tells you which one to inhale, drop in the ear or eye. The moment you swallow the one prescribed to be rubbed on your body, you have swallowed poison. Likewise, the Passover Blood is a sprinkling weapon of warfare against the devil and his cohorts.

    In applying this mystery, we must understand that everything of value to us is “sprinklable” and “purgable” by the Blood of the Covenant, including ourselves. It is written:

    For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission (Hebrews 9:19-22).

    From the above scripture, we understand that whatsoever and whosoever we apply this mystery on, are exempted from the woes of life because the Lord will watch over same and defend them. As it is written:

    As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water. …And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the LORD GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south. The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar (Zechariah 9:11-12, 14-15).

    The mystery of the Blood Covenant is so essential in this wicked world and the days that we live in. Thus, it is expedient that we receive, believe and engage the demands of this mystery in order to command mastery over every force of the wicked. As you engage this Kingdom mystery, I see God set you free from every form of oppression as He did for the Israelites in the name of Jesus Christ! Remain ever blessed!

    Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord? If you haven’t, you can do so as you say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!” For further reading, please get my books: The Blood Triumph, Miracle Meal and The Force Of Freedom.

    I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. respectively.

    I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org