The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Political correctness and the burden of the cross

    What should matter to a Christian in life? His career, his prosperity, his political connections, even, should it be his family, or Christ? What should matter to a Christian?

    2 Cor. 5: 15 provides an answer to the question. “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”

    On the cross, there was an exchange. Christ gives you His life in exchange for yours. From the moment you accept Christ, your life ceases to be yours. Your career, friends, connections, aspirations, ambitions, goals, all should disappear. Only one thing should matter, the interests of the Lord.

    Therefore, it is next to impossible for a Christian to be politically correct. There is no middle path. You are either a Christian carrying the cross or you are not a Christian at all, as far as heaven is concerned. You see, the cross represents three things: shame, suffering and death. A true Christian takes a stand for Christ even against his personal interest and he will refuse to budge.

    It is because we have lost Christianity that we have Christians who are politically correct. This group of Christians (unfortunately they are in the majority in the church) will keep quiet in the face of corruption, they will apply “wisdom” rather than confront evil and will apply logic rather than righteousness.

    How did the Nigerian church get to this point?

    We came so low because we embraced Christian nominalism. As pointed out earlier, in the past twenty years, or more, the Nigerian church has not been raising disciples. What has it been doing? It has been raising nominal Christians. These are Christians who will identify with Christ when things are all right but once being Christ-like threatens personal interest and ambition Christ takes the back seat immediately. The challenge facing the Nigerian church, primarily, is not overcoming the Islamic Agenda, but raising committed disciples. What we lack in the church are Christians committed to Christ.

    George Barna conducted a research on Christian response to the truth and discovered that only 14 percent Christian adults believe in absolute truth. The remaining 86 percent of Christians believe in relative truth. Whenever truth would produce opposition or rejection, they abandon the truth. Whenever speaking the truth would affect promotion, personal interest or make them unpopular, they would abandon the truth.

    Why is corruption galloping in Nigeria? It is because Christians in high places do not believe in absolute truth. What happened to extra – budgetary allocation in the government ministries? Ask the Christians in the civil service.

    Christian nominalism is responsible for our inability to raise missionaries, fund missions, fight corruption and evil in the land, evangelise and it manifested most horribly recently in the collective indifference of the mainstream churches in Nigeria to the plight of the persecuted Christians in the North. Almost every Christian in the South just looked the other way and continued life as usual. “So long as it has not affected us, it is none of our business”. This is Christian nominalism.

    It is manifesting now as political correctness. The facts on the ground were completely ignored. The reality of the situation was ignored because people believed that their personal interests should be protected.

    It is Christian nominalism that produces secular humanism in the church. You listen to people talk about serious issues that affect Christianity and you wonder if the person speaking is a Christian. They will apply logic, philosophy, psychology, sociology, science, politics, but they will not speak Christ. It is secular humanism that is the bane of the European church and cathedrals are being converted to clubs.

    THE APPREHENSION

    If God had not spoken, one would not have been worried. But, God spoke clearly and we see that what He said is coming to pass. God said:

    “If care is not taken, in 30 – 40 years, Nigeria will be like Turkey” – God, Sept. 14, 2013

    When God instructed Prof. Anigbogu to study what led to the collapse of the church in Constantinople, one the factors that the learned Professor discovered is: “The weapon used to destroy Constantinople was invented by a Christian”.

    Let us look carefully at what is on the ground in the Nigerian church today. It is an exact replica of what happened in Constantinople. Christians are supplying the weapon that the enemies of the cross of Christ are using.

    Today, battles are not fought primarily with cannons but with information because we live in an information age. That is the primary reason why God sent someone to provide the church with information and what is being fought vehemently is that information. The game plan is to discredit the information and render it ineffective. Unfortunately, Christian nominalism is helping to dilute the information thereby, strengthening those who are opposed to Christ and to His kingdom.

    Today, the messenger is being castigated, derided, abused and lambasted. All in an attempt to discredit the information that is meant to wake the church. Those in the forefront are Christians.  A Christian senator sent me an email and started by saying, “I am greatly ashamed of you”. Why is he ashamed? Because I am not politically correct.

    Come to think of it, which messenger of God has not been treated in this manner? Is it Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Moses, even Jesus Christ our Lord Himself. The virulent attack is actually the confirmation that the message came from God. If it came from the world, no one would oppose it.

    THE WAY OUT

    Please, consider this portion as an appeal. We must pray and seek the face of God. Let the remnant church arise and intercede for a backslidden church and a confused nation.

    The Christian Association of Nigeria has proclaimed 3-day National Repentance and National Re-dedication from 17th – 19th October.

    I wish to encourage all Christians in Nigeria to participate and more importantly, spread the information and persuade all Christian assemblies to observe it.

    I pray that Christian nominalism will not destroy the church of Christ in Nigeria.

    For those who might still be under the impression that one is crying wolf, when there is none, please consider the map below. This is how ISIS sees the world as from 2019. As far as radical Muslims are concerned, in five years time, there would be no trace of Christianity in Nigeria. God is even more generous. He gave us an ultimatum of thirty years.

    So, shall we continue to be politically correct, thinking it would save our faith?

  • Akinosun to FG: declare emergency on unemployment

    Political office holders should declare a state of economic emergency with a view to creating jobs for the army of unemployed youths.

    This was the submission of the President of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide, Pastor Abraham Akinosun, at a briefing to close the 2014 pastors’ conference of the church recently.

    Speaking on the theme of conference giving to receive from God, Akinosun told reporters at the Babalola International Miracle Camp, Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State that Nigeria is facing security, political and social challenges because of the inability of various governments to meet the needs of the people.

    According to him: “Our universities are churning out graduates every year in their hundreds of thousands without job openings to absorb them.

    “This is a time-bomb waiting to explode. But we can prevent this explosion if government declares a state of economic emergency in order to create jobs for the unemployed.”

    He advised politicians to embark on deliberate and concerted efforts to reverse the trend before it is too late.

    To reverse the trend, he suggested that government should liberalise award of contracts, embark on massive agricultural production by acquiring lands for farming in all states of the federation, institutionalise social security for the unemployed and encourage local production of goods.

    On the CAC crisis, he said the GEC, which is the authentic authority in the affairs of the church, has been extending its hand of fellowship to their brothers in the other camps to return to the fold.

    He added that those from their camps who returned to the fold were recently re-ordained by the mainstream of the church, assuring that whoever returns to the fold will be accommodated without discrimination.

  • Encounter with Destiny from His Book! (2)

    Welcome to your regular column. Last week, I started this teaching series by identifying the first picture of what we are from scriptures. I said we are first and foremost, as children of God, redeemed as Spiritual Eagle. Let us now examine the features of an eagle and sync it with the Spiritual Eagle, which is what we are His children.

    What does it take to manifest as an eagle?

    Based on the characteristics of eagles, let’s look at how to manifest our Eagle root.

    “The eagle has a unique strength developed through rigorous exercises: Through the unusual strength of the eagle, it has the ability to pick up any prey three times its weight. Concerning us as spiritual eagles, the Bible says that those who do know their God shall be strong and they shall do exploits. But, where is this strength coming from? According to scriptures, A wise man is strong, ye a man of knowledge increaseth strength (Proverbs 24:5). (See also Daniel 11:32).

    This means that we build strength by knowledge (insight and revelation). We don’t manifest as eagles by wishing, but by aligning with the rigorous exercises of searching the Word and other anointed materials, in order to build strength against the day of adversity. Therefore, the more insight we encounter from the Word, the more strength we gather to defeat our adversaries (Proverbs 24:10).

    “The eagle is a highly disciplined bird: Once every year, the eagle goes to the mountain and settles down for forty days to shed its old feathers and grow new ones in preparation for the next year’s flight.

    Concerning us as spiritual eagles, the Bible says: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).

    When the ‘Eagle Moses’ came, he waited on the mountain 40 days three times. Jesus came after the order of Moses the eagle and He also waited 40 days. We are coming after Jesus’ order and He said, “As My Father has sent Me, even so send I you.” Therefore, as spiritual eagles, we must be willing to pay the price of rigorous exercises (fasting), for the eagle in us to come alive (1 Timothy 4:8).

    “The eagle is a highly visionary bird: Eagles see beyond the moment. We are told that an eagle can sight any threat to her eggs in the nest five miles away. Similarly, it was said about David that he being a prophet knew afar off. To be far-sighted as spiritual eagles, we must engage in untiring exploration in the Word (Deuteronomy 32:10/12, Acts 2:30).

    “The eagle is explorative: I remember going to the mountain and asking the Lord to show me the secret behind the book of Ezekiel. I also remember engaging in a long fast to access the secret behind the Acts of the Apostles.

    As spiritual eagles therefore, we must not just study the Word, but explore the treasures hidden therein, which determines our placement in destiny (Deuteronomy 32:13).

    “Its flight is guided by the direction of the wind: The eagle waits on the mountaintop to study the direction of the wind before embarking on its flight. As the wind blows, it spreads its wings and flies to its destination. As a result, the eagle is free from struggles by following the direction of the wind.

    We understand from scriptures that the wind is the Holy Spirit and every child of God is entitled to the leading of the Holy Spirit; for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (Romans 8:14, John 10:27, Revelation 1:10, 1 Corinthians 2:14).

    Every eagle-believer must therefore, be one that is led by the Lord, because in the midst of the desert, by His leading, we continually experience a gushing. (See Isaiah 48:21, Deuteronomy 32:10, 12/Deuteronomy 18:15; Numbers 11:14, Exodus 19:4, Acts 3:21-22, John 5:30).

    I shall continue this teaching next week.

    Friend, the grace to encounter destiny through His Book is freely available to the redeemed. You become a child of God, by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. You can be God’s child now, by saying this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You, for saving me! Now, I know I am born again!”

    Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, please get my books: Walking in Wisdom, Ruling Your World, Commanding The Supernatural, and Operating The Supernatural.

    I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11.30 a.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

  • Nigeria’s future is bright-American evangelist

    The future of Nigeria is bright, American evangelist, Rev. Mike Moore, has declared.

    He spoke ahead of the annual Camp meeting programmes of Christ Chapel International Churches(CCIC) in Lagos from October 14-19 where he is expected to minister.

    Reverend Mike Moore has predicted that in spite of what would appear as setbacks, the year 2014 will turn out to be a good year for the country and its people.

    Asked what he has for Nigeria, Moore stated:  “The special Word for the people of Nigeria this year is that the power of the Holy Ghost is able to perform in any nation and in any crisis or condition and display God’s great grace has never has been seen before (for Nigeria). This is your year.”

    The preacher reputed for his versatility on the saxophone and healing anointing assured that camp meeting provides an opportunity for Nigeria to be blessed like never before.

    Mike Moore will be ministering on the subject of the Great Grace of God alongside other equally anointed men of God both local and foreign during the six days of Campmeeting 2014.

    Others who will be ministering include: Reverend Clyde Oliver from the USA; respected Ghanaian motivational speaker, Dr. Mensa Otabil and acclaimed televangelist, Apostle O.S.A Aiyemo.

    They will also be joined by founder of the Covenant Christian Centre, Poju Oyemade; Reverend Solomon Adebara who presides over Fountain of Grace Ministries Ibadan and Bosun Oke.

    The host is Dr. Tunde Joda.

  • CAN mobilises prayers for peace, transformation

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has announced a three-day fasting and prayer service for national repentance and rededication to God.

    The exercise holds from Friday 17th-Sunday 19, October across the nation.

    A statement by the chairman of the body in the South West, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, stated that all Christians are expected to converge at Hoares Memorial Methodist Cathedral Yaba Lagos on Sunday 19 October from 3pm-5pm.

    Some of the prayer points, according to him, include end to killing and insurgency, deliverance of persecuted Christians, good governance and violence-free 2015 general elections, among others.

    The preacher is the Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr Samuel Uche.

  • ‘Church leaders must prepare members for politics’

    The Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Christian Matters, Rev Sam Ogedengbe, has appealed to Church leaders to encourage their members to join politics and sanitise it.

    Ogedengbe spoke at a Leadership summit and book launch of the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Government Development Area Chapter and Parish Priest of St Alphosus Catholic Church Aboru, Rev Monsignor Livinus Ukoh.

    Tagged the unfinished business of the life and politics of power, the event attracted church leaders, politicians, captains of industries and laymen, among others.

    Ogedengbe stated that the solution to the nation’s problems rests on the church, stating that Christians must brace up for the challenges of active participation in politics.

    He said that the rot in the political system can only be addressed by Christians ready to beam the light of Jesus and His values in this dark world.

    Ogedengbe lamented that the Church has remained indifferent and aloof to governance, which has consequently drawn the country back.

    He said: “The church is the custodian of authority to rule. Governance belongs to the church and Christians who are god- fearing have to take charge of what belongs to them.”

    The cleric, who congratulated the author on his narrative on the church and politics, said: “We appreciate you for adding value to the system and God will greatly reward you.”

    The President, Eclectic Network, Rev Moses Iloh, stated that politics offers the best opportunity for Christians to demonstrate their virtues and convictions in politics, saying that politics is proper management of the affairs of men preferably by the righteous.

    He noted that it is sad that Nigeria with over 80 million Christians vote for thieves and people with questionable characters, who he stated have done more harm than good to governance.

    Iloh, who is over 80 years old, said that the church must go beyond building cathedrals but prepare, sponsor and support God’s people to take over governance at levels.

    “We have government over the years who have come to steal, kill and destroy the social fabrics and they are growing in leaps and bounds because the churches have refused to take active part in politics,” he explained.

  • ‘Terror cannot stop the gospel’

    ‘Terror cannot stop the gospel’

    The Bishop of Evangelism and Discipleship, Methodist Church Nigeria, Rt. Rev. Edoka Amuta, believes that no amount of terror or persecution will stop the gospel. He spoke with Sunday Oguntola on this and sundry issues. Excerpts: 

    Nigeria was 54 last week as an independent nation. How would you assess the country?

    When I was younger, I felt the impact of government even in the rural area where we lived. My father was a teacher in the primary school. The school was lively; education was very good. Even in the village back then, we had extra curricula activities such as agriculture, band and sports. Everything was impressive.

    We wrote common entrance and passed with our rural background. That formed the background of my life today. Those days were very good. As we grew, we saw there were unity, peace and progress. You could live in any part of this country without fear of molestation. Food was readily available and job seekers got employment.

    I’d say Nigeria has progressed in many ways but there are other sides that are not very pleasant. That we are still together as a nation is a plus. We have done fairly well but there is a large room for improvement.

    You just came on board as the Bishop of Evangelism and Discipleship. What has changed since your assumption of office?

    You know so much has changed. There is renewed vigour and zeal for evangelism in our work. We have travelled round doing crusades and seminars as well as retreats. We have seen that interest in the work of God among us has greatly increased. We see many people coming to Christ and those in the system are getting revived. I see that people are very eager and hungry to go the way for God.

    How much has the insurgency in the north-east affected the works of the church?

    We have been seriously affected. We have churches there. We have a main church in Maiduguri, which has been there since the early 80s. I have been involved in church-planting activities personally in the north-east. I recall a time we were there. We planted about 10 churches across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. They were growing but since this insurgency, they have been largely affected.

    A few of them closed down but again I got a report that one of them has been revived again. Among the abducted Chibok girls, we have it on good information that about eight or nine of them are Methodists. We feel the pain because we would have spread further but for the insurgency. Our growth there has slowed down.

    Don’t you think it is best for the churches there to close down pending when the security will improve?

    Well, the thing is that the message of the gospel must be preached. While people are affected, there are souls still living there. They need the gospel of Christ there. They need succour and hope to stay alive.

    Should that be at the expense of their lives?

    Well, you know we don’t use violence to promote the message of Christ. It is the gospel of love. It cost the life of Christ and if we want to really show the world the love of God, we should be ready to give it whatever it will take. Sometimes, it could be our lives. So, we have some Methodists who are standing there. Our ministers are there despite the crisis though many churches are folding up there. We don’t have plans to evacuate them though we move those who want to leave. Those who want to stay, we encourage and take care of them. We keep communicating, especially in terms of assistance for sustenance.

    If they can’t totally close down, shouldn’t they go underground and operate as cell groups instead of exposing themselves to danger?

    There are various approaches to God’s works. In some cases, people have the grace to operate openly while some have to operate underground. We are exploiting both to promote the gospel of love. Either way, the fact is no amount of terror will stop the church of God.

    How committed is the church to evangelism and discipleship?

    Evangelism and Discipleship is at the front burner of our operations. In 2006, the church took a serious decision to make evangelism its major focus. It adopted a vision to be one of the spiritually-vibrant and largest churches in Nigeria. Until then, we didn’t come out with a concrete decision on evangelism despite the fact that we are an evangelical church.

    So, the whole activities of the church now are geared towards evangelism. To make it stronger, the person heading the Directorate of Discipleship and Evangelism is a Bishop. I happen to be the second person in that office. That indicates our commitment. The church has decided that every budget at all levels from the local church, circuit, dioceses and archdiocese, twenty percent of it should be allocated to evangelism. So, the church is ready to fund evangelism while members and groups are also doing several things in this direction.

    The Council of Knights has adopted a particular state capital in the north as their mission ground. They have acquired a land, will build a church and hand it over to us. The women’s group is also doing something. I visited the youth wing of a Diocese in Rivers that has planted two churches.

    The exodus of youths from the Methodist is high. Is that a bother to you?

    Yes, that is a fact. The renewed interest of the church is meant to address that. We have policies of making our services youth-friendly. We have youth churches in some of our big churches. We have youth pastors now overseeing the youth wings of the church. These are stemming the tide in the church. It is a concern but we are addressing it.

    How about discipleship? Are there plans, beyond planting churches, to ensure that those in the system are real Disciples of Christ?

    We have put in place measures of re-focusing the clergy in this direction. This year, we have held retreats for the priests and presbyters, who are very serious ministers. Not long ago, we held retreats for others too. We are using these to revive ourselves and refocus ourselves on discipleship.

    We have a bible study guide which we prepared for our members. It is used for weekly bible studies in all our local churches. Sometimes, it is used on Sundays. We also have Daily Reflections, which is our daily devotional for members. We have the Young Minds’ Reflection for younger members. From next year, we want to put it on apps so that our youths can access it online for devotions.

    We also encourage mentorship, sometimes intentionally getting older Christians to look after younger ones through winning their respect and confidence. We are taking on that seriously.

    You are just starting but what would you think will be the highest point when you are bowing out of office?

    My prayer and desire is to see a church that is vibrant in the Spirit and righteousness. I want to see a church where the gifts of the Spirit will operate in all lives. I want to see a church where people will be hunger to know and serve God while placing their lives and resources in the hands of God for kingdom expansion.

    Will Nigeria survive the many challenges against it?

    Yes, I believe Nigeria will survive. You see this country is of God. God destined us to be together and no amount of human efforts to put us asunder.

    Two, we are working towards nation-building. We are holding our national convention next January where the theme will be Aglow in the Spirit. We intend to teach people how to be good citizens through impartation and prayers.

  • TREM fast, pray for Nigeria

    The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) worldwide has begun a 31-day prayer and fasting for the nation.

    The exercise, which started on October 1, has as its theme Enough is Enough.

    The Presiding Bishop of TREM, Dr. Mike Okonkwo, kicked off the exercise at the international headquarters in Anthony-Oke Lagos.

    All branches of the church worldwide have also joined the exercise.

    A statement by the General Manager Operations (TREM), Rev. (Mrs.) Oluwayomi Uteh, said the church will be specifically praying for a peaceful and united Nigeria as well as violence-free elections in 2015.

    She said there will also be prayer sessions for the President, Vice-President, Governors, National Assembly members, security operatives and other key stakeholders.

  • Shun violence, cultism, cleric begs students

    A cleric, Pastor Lawrence Olasehinde, has called on students to shun violence, drug abuse and cultism so as to become good citizens.

    He spoke in Abuja while delivering a lecture during the 2014 Pastor Lawrence Olasehinde Youth Development Foundation (PLOYDEF) annual essay competition.

    The competition featured contestants in junior and secondary school categories.

    Olasehinde expressed worries over the preponderance of drug abuse and cultism among students.

    He said: “Drug addiction among youths and teenagers is silently creeping into families and destroying the potential of many promising children in our society.

    “It is an issue that is of grave concern to the society as its consequences do not end only with the addicted children but its consequences affect our society now and in the future.”

    The cleric called on parents to get educated to be able to detect when their children and wards display signs of drug abuse while also monitoring the company their children keep.

    He explained the foundation was set up to help youths and teenagers imbibe Christian characters while developing positive spiritual and intellectual capacities.

  • $ 9.3m saga: TEKAN berates attacks on Oritsejafor

    $ 9.3m saga: TEKAN berates attacks on Oritsejafor

    The Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria (TEKAN) has condemned the series of attacks against President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, over the leasing of his personal private jet for a cash-for-arms trip to South Africa.

    TEKAN’s President, Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Dziggau, said the attacks against Oritsejafor were most unfounded and undeserving.

    He warned those condemning the CAN’s helmsman to desist.

    Dziggau, told reporters last week: “I struggle to understand the reasons why respectable publications and news outlets across Nigeria continue to allow quotes and release reports based on half-truths, hearsay and conjecture.

    “The facts surrounding the case- as far as the involvement of Pastor Oritsejafor goes – seem to be quite clear.

    “Although he has an interest in the plane, he has none in the company that operates the plane. He had no involvement in chartering the flight itself.

    “Indeed he does not even have an interest in the company which hired the plane and then chartered it to a third party.”

    The head of the 25-million member strong bloc with 13 denominations questioned the motives and timing of those attacking Oritsejafor.

    He added: “Pastor Oritsejafor is now trapped in a cacophony of accusation based purely on the dreameed up conspiracies of others.

    “Based on the facts of the case that have been made public so far, he is so far removed from the incident he surely cannot have had anything to do with it.

    “Next, these crackpots will be suggesting the flight attendants were part of the conspiracy, or maybe even the mechanics that refuel it.”

    He advised those calling for the head of Oritsejafor to allow investigations into the case concluded before crucifying him.