Jesus is the Question

God speaks today. He speaks in various ways including; through the Bible, His anointed vessels, and even through the heavens which declare his glory and speaks of his handiwork (Ps 19:1). The way that God speaks is also varied; often in a still small voice but also we find that God speaks in the form of a question.

When we ask questions, it is usually with the intention of obtaining information. When God asks questions however, it is not to inform Him of something He already knows but rather to help His people. From the outset of the story of man, when he sinned, though God already knew what had happened, He asks Adam the question; “Where are you?” followed by two more questions. Then another to Eve; “What is this that you have done?” The Gospels record over 300 questions that Jesus asked and which, in His divinity, He already knew the answers to. Meanwhile, He is asked only 183 questions.

Since God already knew the answers to these questions, we are left wondering why God would ask them. Of course it is for their benefit; in that they would begin to think about their behaviour. Upon consideration of their actions, they would confess which is the prerequisite for salvation and they would take responsibility for their actions/lives, which again is the primary component of repentance. Underpinning all of these reasons is the glaringly obvious principle of free will. Could it be that God asks the questions, not only because of His gentle approach to man, but so that man in exercising free will would not be coerced, intimidated or manipulated into choosing God? His questions are more like invitations to us personally to consider our lives in relationship to God. His love invites and asks questions and it’s love that responds.

Growing up, we may have been reprimanded with the statement; ‘Don’t answer the question with a question.”I am convinced however that so often the answer to thequestions in our lives are found in the questions that God asks of us. Jesus asked His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Matt 16:15. They had to answer this question for themselves and the outcome of which would determine the trajectory of their faith.

I am convinced that God is speaking to us all everyday. The question is what question is He asking you today?Questions that would have you consider and furnish a response.

IFaith

The new year was welcomed by most with great hopes of a very different year to the history making one we experienced last year, for the better at least. While we looked forward with optimism to 2021, unfortunately the first few Sundays still saw us limited with our numbers of church attendance. Our hopes is that the ebb and flow of restrictions would soon begin to cease and settle to a more consistent normal.

However, the fact of the matter is that what we have learned from the pandemic is that there are some things that are beyond our individual power to influence and beyond the church’s capacity to control. We are truly finite creatures at the mercy of the elements, our physical restraints and to the will of God. 

What we do have and what is our responsibility is to have faith in God and His Word. Our theme for this year as a Church is IF. Such a small word that carries a hefty and profound implication. So much of what we are promised through God’s Word and the gift of His grace can only be unlocked and accessed by faith. Thus the blessings and provisions of God, though immense and ready to be poured out, are contingent, and conditional, to our participation in faith and works. I like to see the word IF as a simple acronym for ‘I Faith’. 

This year I want to challenge us to focus on our responsibilities; to believe, to pray, to fast, to act on our faith and unlock God’s promises to bless us, help and empower us. We’re believing God for revival and growth but they will not happen by God alone. No, He calls us into partnership with Him and to; preach the Gospel, make disciples of all nations, sacrifice, give, love others and all that is required of us. Then, I believe we will see the glory of God in our midst. Without faith it is impossible to please Him. 

IF My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chr 7:14

Have Faith In God

The end of the calendar year could not be more welcomed to many of us after such a life-altering, world changing and tumultuous 2020. It’s like the football team who’s first half has just been so disastrous that the half time break is a welcome reprieve in an effort to regain some composure and start again. My sentiments are not too dissimilar with the hope that the close of this year and the start of a new one would represent a regaining of some normalcy and improvement.

At the risk of sounding somewhat bleak and pessimistic, the fact of the matter is, there is no guarantee that next year will be much better or that it couldn’t be worse, if not for society at large, perhaps in our individual lives. There is one thing that we can count on however, and put our whole trust in… God’s goodness and promise to be with us and for us. And if God is with us, then regardless of the situation we find ourselves in, it will always… always be alright!

Faith is so simple, yet immensely and profoundly powerful that without faith it would be impossible to please God. Even though Abraham wasn’t perfect, yet he was considered righteous because he believed God, taking Him at His word. The ultimate demonstration of the trust that he had in God was when he called him to sacrifice his only son Isaac. Filled with such confidence that when speaking to his companions, Abraham declared that he and his son would return together from the sacrifice. No longer reluctant to take God at His word, Abraham proceeded to kill his son in obedience to God just before God’s command stayed his hand. You talk about trust. It was the lack of trust that ultimately kept Moses and Aaron from entering the Promised Land (Num 20:10). It was the lack of faith that kept David from realising his desire to build the temple of God. Not to say that these men were failures but they were human and missed certain experiences due to their failure to trust God.

In all that we’ve gone through, one thing we must hold steadfast; “That no matter what, I will trust you with my life”. Trust God!

“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.” Mark 11:22

March of Miracles

One of the first questions that a new Christian sometimes asks is; ‘Do miracles still happen today?’ This question is often borne out of a prevailing perspective in our world that anything that is not scientifically explainable, or part of the natural process of the material world, does not exist or can not happen, such as miracles.

That in itself is a misnomer because by very definition, miracles are occurrences that supersede the natural order of the physical world. That’s why they are called miracles. Let me add that there are many things that can not be explained by scientific means, including; morality, aesthetics, affection, the belief and evidence that humans have an immaterial component to them called the soul or spirit and other phenomena such as healings of the sick extraneous of medical treatment.

We are surrounded by miracles all the time. What about the miracle of a person becoming born again, having their sins washed away at baptism in Jesus name and the infilling of the Holy Spirit speaking in tongues? These things cannot be accounted for on a naturalist worldview and as such may be classified as a miracle.

The question then for the Believer is not whether miracles still happen today but rather ‘Why don’t more miracles happen today?’ The former question has already been addressed but the later question I believe can be answered by the Church. Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father,” (John 14:12) and that miraculous signs shall follow the Believers (Mark 16:17-18). James tells us that we have not because we ask not... (James 4:3)

We can expect signs and wonders to take place more and more. This month as we continue to walk ‘In His Steps’, let us pursue after what God has promised us through Christ Jesus our Lord, to see more miracles by praying, believing, working and doing what God has called us to do for his glory and Kingdom!

Words & Actions

Luke, as the writer of the book of Acts and the Gospel, begins his record of the life of Christ and the history of the Church by stating his intention to document both Jesus’ words and actions.

“….was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:” Luke 24:19

“The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,” Acts 1:1

The Evangelist was emphasising the importance of Jesus’ words and teaching. Jesus himself declared that his words are spirit and life, and that knowledge of the truth brings freedom. Ultimately it is Jesus’ words that brings the knowledge of salvation. 

The ministry and life of Christ however, was not just words or rhetoric but he backed up his words with his actions. Anybody can make all kinds of claims about themselves but to give evidence of those claims is a whole other matter. Jesus healed the sick, opened blind eyes and deaf ears, delivered the demon possessed and perhaps the most important deed of all was that he came back to life by God’s power after three days of having been dead. This is of utmost significance because he prophesied that he would do just that, proving that everything he claimed is true.

There is no claim that he ever made, that has been refuted or disproven but his resurrection stands as evidence that he is who he says he is. With that kind of compelling evidence, we would do well to not only pay attention to what he said but to DO what he commanded. 

In like manner let us preach and declare God’s truth to all. Let us speak words of truth and life, since words are profound and powerful. Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Pro 18:21). Let us speak with boldness, motivated by God’s love, but let us also act and step out in faith that our words and deeds match. This is a basic definition of integrity and I believe, this is how we can fulfil God’s great commission. Speak the truth and live it out!