— By Dr. Abiye Hector-Goma.
Now, it has been said that INSANITY is doing things the same way and expecting a different result. In this our Year of New Beginning, we will do things differently in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
“What can we do for the Lord in 2014?” Brethren, there is so much to do. Hear the words of our Lord in John 4:34-35: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.”Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest ‘? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.”
Let’s quickly look at OUR WORLD TODAY. It is a reminder of the historical times of lawlessness as in Judges 21:25, 17:6. In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. We live in a valueless society, as outlined in Romans 1: 20 – 32. “… Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.” (vs.32)
The story of 28-year old MICHAEL ADEBOLAJO, Killer of Lee Rigby is a case in point. Born in London, to devoutly Christian parents from Nigeria, Adebolajo is believed to have converted to Islam in his late teens before becoming increasingly radical. Where did it all go wrong? Let s find solace in Isaiah 54:1- “All our children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace.”
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. (Matthew 24:12). For those who are steadfast, there is a different warning in Matthew 10:22: “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
Some of us are busy going through the motions of religion and have no understanding that this warning is being played out before our very eyes. The following projected slides courtesy of Christian Concern are examples of Christians being persecuted for their faith, right here in UK.
CHALLENGE
The challenge for Everlasting Father’s Assembly, this 12th day of January 2014 is to impact our world. From our Mission Statement as a church, the very first promise is:
“To have a positive impact on the lives of the people of Leeds and its environs”
James asks a pertinent question: Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (Chapter 3: 13, 17)
The whole purpose of the church (here defined as the body of Christ) is to preach the good news to a lost and dying world and if necessary as one preacher puts it, with words. We are the bible that unbelievers read. To impact our world for God we have to go back to Acts 1:8 and live the words of Our Lord Jesus before Ascension, “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
To be His witnesses, we must follow his prescribed order:
- The Holy Spirit
- Power
- Witnesses
But the Holy Spirit comes only after Jesus has come into our lives. That may sound like Christianity 101 but remember Matt 7: 21-23: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ May this not be our portion in Jesus name.
Today, brothers and sisters, I remind us that to make an Impact on the lives of the people of Leeds and its environs, you need to do two things:
- CHANGE YOURSELF, first on the INSIDE then it will show on the OUTSIDE. The evidence of change on the inside is this: We no longer conform to the pattern of this world, but we are transformed by the renewing of our mind. (Romans 12:2) We become Spirit-led, powerful Christians starting from our homes. On the OUTSIDE, as husbands, we love our wives, as wives we submit to our husbands, as children we honour our parents. There begins the loudest message we preach – the lives that we live. From that point, we exhibit a Spirit of Excellence. We begin to do common things uncommonly well and become extraordinary. We dare to be different and attract others to Christ, as we do all things as unto the Lord.
A Christian who does not witness to others is either a counterfeit or is like a car with flat tyre, a generator that has no fuel or an international traveler without his passport and ticket.
- Become SALT AND LIGHT: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven
Nicky Gumbel, the Pastor behind Alpha Course said, “in order to have influence on society it is vital for Christians not to withdraw from the world into Christian subculture but to get involved with our society.”
CONCLUSION:
Martin Luther King said: ‘A man has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his own existence to the broader concerns of all humanity.’
2014 will be a spectacular year for EFA. We will not be distracted by people who want to ‘do church’ as we submit ourselves to Spirit-led living. I am convinced that the numbers of true believers will double this year as everyone who has been changed from within, brings into church and disciples at least one person throughout the year. We will no longer practice Sunday-Sunday (Daraprim) Christianity. We will be soldiers of the Cross not only in the church building on Sundays and other meeting days, but become ambassadors of Christ, THE DAY AFTER Sunday, and every day of the week all year round!
Text of Message by Abiye Hector-Goma, Chairman, Board of Trustees, RCCG (Everlasting Fathers Assembly) Leeds on Sunday 12th January 2014.