THE GOSPEL LANDMARK

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” ( 2Timothy 3:16-17). Bible doctrines to the church are like what a foundation is to the erected building. It is the canon of faith on which a believer’s faith is firmly hold. A building with a weak foundation is likely to collapse under intense unfavorable weather and environmental conditions while a building with a solid foundation would weather through every storm (Mathew 7:24-27).

However, a believer’s steadfastness and stability in the Lord is dependent on a firm grasp of the truth revealed in the Bible. Whereas lack of knowledge of the fundamental truth leads to backsliding and destruction as stated in the book of Hosea 4:6. Likewise, Second Timothy 2:15 admonished every believer to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”. In a world of deceit and error which is engineered by Satan and his cohorts (John 4:44), a better needs to be well grounded in the truth in order to defeat every lie of Satan if He is to remain in faith..

The early believers perfectly understood the need to be grounded in the Bible doctrines of the truth. All believers without exception engaged in spiritual activities of the that built up their Christians characters and convictions. They study the Bible, prayed and celebrated the Lord’s supper (Acts 2:41-47). It should be observed that the study of bible doctrines took a place of pre-eminence in their life and ministry..

These spirit-directed programs of the church led to the phenomenal growth of the early church. With exception of this, it brought about boldness of faith, steadfastness of conviction, and growth to the extent that the whole of Jerusalem was filled with Christ’s doctrine of Jesus Christ. “Saying, did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us” (Acts 5:28).Not only that, Paul understood the uniqueness of Bible doctrines to Christian maturity; Hence, he counselled the Ephesians church that spiritual gifts were given them in order to teach doctrines of the Bible that would bring about Christian perfection (Ephesians 4:11-14). He told Timothy his son in the Lord was, “take heed unto the doctrine, continue in them; for in doing this thou shall both save thyself and them that hear thee” (1 Timothy 4:16). He also advised Titus who was left in Crete to set things in order there and hold fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers (Titus 1:9)..

As believers, workers, leaders, preachers/pastors, missionaries, and leaders like Paul, Timothy and Titus, our steadfastness to the end is dependent of on the understanding of the doctrines. Also, the salvation of the church members depends on the understanding of the doctrines. A thorough understanding of the doctrines then is essential to every believer in the church. The strength or weakness of the church depends on the member’s understanding of the doctrines (John 5:39; Colossians 3:16)..

The Bible clearly teaches on Repentance, Holy living, Heaven and hell, and the second coming of the Lord, among others. These Bible doctrines revealed treasures that a Christian cannot do without. The reason and hope of our faith are embedded in these doctrines (1 Peter 3:15). Every believer today, old and young needs to benefits from the doctrine. This can only come through in-depth studies and prayerfully imbibing its teaching and practicing. Neglect of Bible doctrines and the pursuit of superficiality have done in-calculable damage to the church in our generation. Significance on activities with the attendant and neglect of God’s word has ruined many lives. This ruinous effect has manifested in superficial Christian living, incessant backsliding, worldliness, lukewarmness, and entertainment of false doctrine..

We are in perilous times (2 Timothy 3:1-5), and to be able to hold our heads above waters for sustenance, it is imperative that we must earnestly contend for the faith. Believers (spiritual solders) are constantly on the battlefield and we must take it by force by doing violence with Satan and his hosts before we can have entrance into heaven (Matthew 11:12). Our chief weapon of warfare is the truth, which is embedded in the doctrines of the bible. Knowing the truth, we make us free from the lies of Satan and guarantee us true freedom (John 8:32). In order to counteract the devil’s strategies, we need to dig deep into the doctrines of the holy Bible.

The mission of the church as light to the world (Matthew 5:16) is only achievable with a grasp of the fundamental truth. A church that is ignorant of the fundamental truth cannot teach the world as the blind cannot lead the blind. Yet the mission of the church is clearly stated in (Matthew 28:19-20). The church is to evangelize the world and teach the world. The responsibility of this falls on individual believers within the fold today. It is the aggregate that makes the whole and without a well-informed congregation, the church would be unable to fulfill this goal. Knowledge of the fundamental truth greatly helped the early church to fulfill its mission. The early church was able to establish new converts in the faith, challenge the errors of the Pharisees and Sadducees and go through the persecution of adversaries..

The time has come to accomplish Christ’s mission to the world but the battle for the truth can only be fought by the enlightened believers. We as individuals’ members of the church ought to arise today and fill the gaps left by the saints of old. Lastly, Jesus said, “Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13).It is our sole responsibility to spread the gospel of Christ to every creature, and obedience to this call bring the blessings.

HIS DWELLING PLACE

JOIN THIS CHARIOT

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20). The need for every believer to reach out to the sinning relations, friends and neighbors cannot be over emphasized. The call of our Lord Jesus Christ is still biding on every believer today as a command, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” Mark 16:15). It is divine command which is compelling for every Christian without an exception. This assignment become easier when Christian reach out to their friends and peers who are not born again. Yes, Jesus as given us a mandate.

The exploits of converted saints of old like Joseph, Esther, prophets and apostles should be a challenge to us all, they stood out for God in their own generations. Furthermore, the age in which we are today demand that we should wake up to the holy calling of God and save our generation from destructions and evils around them through the gospel of Christ. If you are saved, you cannot afford to sit on the fence when millions of souls are going into a Christ-less eternity. The prevalence of false prophets and apostles who deceive and close the doors of the heart of the sinning people and the ever increasing vices such as drug addiction, thefts, brazen immorality, cultism and many others should arouse the sympathy of every believing Christian to join the chariot of mass evangelization. Be wise, the scriptures say “…He that winneth souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30).

In spite of the need and urgency to reach out to the sinning world, God cannot use sinners. God cannot work or entrust the divine command of evangelism to sinners. “Can two walk together except they be agreed” (Amos 3:3). The Bible makes it clear that, “the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs 15:18). The moment you are born again, you are called to join in this great commission. You do not have to wait until you know every verse of the scripture. The Holy Spirit is able use the little you have known to bring sinners into repentance. When God called the Philip to join himself to the chariot, he did not delay. “Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?” (Acts 8:28-29). In similar way, every believer should not delay answering this call because time is short.

It is the Lord’s desire to see that we are winning souls for His kingdom from time to time. To be a successful soul winner, we need to equip ourselves with the word of God after salvation. In addition, the life of a soulwinner should be pure and transparent. Such a person should be freed from shame and reproach otherwise., it will be a hinderance to the gospel. To live unblameably always, you need the sanctification experience. Holy Ghost baptism is also paramount for one to do exploit in the area of evangelism. All these Christian experiences are available for those who will earnestly desire and pray for it. Furthermore, a soul winner must pray for compassion for the perishing souls and passion for evangelism. There should be fervent prayer before and after witnessing to sinners. Prayer is a spiritual weapon with which we dislodge and defeat Satan’s hold on the lives of the sinners.

Various method of evangelism abounds. Direct preaching of the word of God alone or in the company of others as opportunities come or by creating the opportunities. Inviting friends and relations to church meetings and programs can work wonders in their lives. One can also send tracts and writer letters to unsaved friend. Buses and other means of transportation are also place where effective preaching can be done. In addition, phone calls, text messages, and other social media platform like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, etc. could be used as means of winning souls. The message must be Jesus the Savior of the whole world and not the church. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved…That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9). At the end of the message, the sinner must be led to make decision to follow the Lord as Phillip did to the Ethiopia Eunuch.

For every believer who will join the chariot of soul winning, there are rewards here for them on earth and crown awaiting them in eternity. Soul winning ensures self-preservation in God’s kingdom. “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Timothy 4:16). Soulwinners are special in God’s sight because they witness often and pray often which make the possibility of backsliding very remote. Their prayers receive quick answers and attention from the Savior. Apart from all these, there will be stars on their crowns on the last day.

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IN NEW CREATURES

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit…For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth” (Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 5:9). The Lord is concerned about the life and character of every believer. There is a great different between the work of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit.

Works are produced by human energy; why fruit is grown as a branch abides in the vine. The Christ likes qualities or virtues seen in new creatures are referred to in the bible as the fruit of the Spirit. God is glorified when the believer brings forth fruits. He derives joy and happiness in seeing Christ’s life in His Children. Fruit bearing is a mark of true discipleship. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). Believers are known by the kind of fruit they bear; Love tops the list which means there is a single fruit of the spirit -Love, is the very basic essential life of the living Christ which expresses itself in all the nine fruits listed in Galatians 5:22-23, the other eight are anchored in Love. The single-minded lifestyle called “The fruit of the Spirit”. This produced in God’s children as they allow the spirit to direct and influence their lives and work in the fellowship with God. Christ commends fruit bearing Christians and condemns the fruitless ones. The branch that does not abide in the true vine cannot bear fruit, such is cast forth, withered, branch cast into the fire and burnt (John 15:1-7).

A Christian who does not bring forth the fruit of the fruit is rejected, while the fruit bearings are replenished to bring forth more fruit. The bearing of the fruit of the fruit is conditioned upon the possession of the salvation experience. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:4-5). In addition to this, Apostle Peter counselled, “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-8). The fruit of the Spirit is the product of the Spirit. It is a gift from God the true vine.

A real living relationship and union with Christ is the only condition and qualification for fruit bearing. Church membership, tithing, good morals and water baptism are good, nut not good enough to qualify anyone for heaven or to bear the fruit of the Spirit; the bible declares: “All our righteousness are as filthy rags”. And Jesus said “Abide in me for without me ye can do nothing”. Have you be struggling to live a holy life., making resolution every time, yet living a defeat life, today you can make up your mind to come to Jesus the source of life and the gate into fruitful life. As you keep contact with Jesus and fellowship with people of like precious faith, your life will never remain the same. Have you been depending on the energy of the flesh? Today I tell you the grace of God is available for you. Abide in Christ constantly that is the secret of fruit bearing.

Meekness: The meek is gentle, plain, flexible but firm and frank. The meek is submissive, quiet, kind, soft and patience especially with the weak (Matthew 11:29).

Temperance: This is referred to as self-control, moderation or self -restraint. Temperance is the outward sign of a well-discipline life. It means bringing the total man (body, spirit, and soul); control.

Love (Charity): A caring for and seeking the highest good of another person without motive of personal gain.

Joy: The feelings of gladness based on the love, grave, blessing, promises and nearness of God that belong to those who believe in Christ.

Peace: Peace is the selfless, self-giving, self-loosing, self-sacrifice love that in manifest in spite of all adverse of life; Jesus the Prince of peace is the source of peace, it is calm in crisis, untroubled in trial and determined in disaster. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

Longsuffering: This is also referred to as enduring or patience. It is the strong ability of selfless love to bear all things and continue in adverse situations. It is a ungrudging willingness to understand an unwelcome difficult people disturbing events situation that God allows to come your way (Hebrew 12:2). The benefits of longsuffering are disciple, development and direction.

Gentleness: It is the fruit that comes from the life that has received God’s abundant grace.

A Christian whose life reflects goodness is one with noble purpose, strong character, reliable conduct and trustworthy lifestyle. He is good, gracious and generous, always in the business of making others happy (Acts 10:38).

Faith: (Hebrew 11:6), faith is our basis for belief. It is the divinely implanted principle of inward and whole-hearted confidence, trust and reliance in God and His word. The Christian who is full of faith loves to the point of trusting and yielding himself faithfully to the service of other follow men, and the church. There will be no demonstration of God’s love where there is no faith.

FAITHFULNESS IN GOD’S SERVICE

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own…Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (Luke 16:10-12; 1 Corinthians 4:2). Fingers are not equal. It is not a mistake, that is exactly how God created them. But each function in its own capacity faithfully doing its own part.

There are diversities of spiritual gifts and ministries in the household of faith. The Spirit of the Lord writing through Apostle Paul said, “For the body is not one member, but many…But now hath God set the members everyone of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him” (1 Corinthians 12:14-18). Whatever work you are doing for the Lord, whether small or great, the Lord expects you to be faithful.

Faithfulness, even when the duty does not suit your fancy or rhyme with your social status or spiritual standing faithfulness is all the Lord requires of you. For the Lord won’t accept any excuse for failure (Matthew 25:24-27,30).There is a clarion call for faithful, committed and dependable ministers in God’s vineyard. God is daily searching for men and women, young and old who are ready to serve Him selflessly, committedly, and faithfully. Unfortunately, many of those who take up appointments in God’s house are only after material or financial benefits they could acquire by serving the Master. But a faithful servant does whatever his hands find to do with all his might, knowledge and wisdom (Ecclesiastes 9:10). He does not tolerate sin, seek self-glory or reward from men. He is undeterred by affliction, persecution, want and initial failure. He holds fast that which the Lord has given him and labor on in hope.   He daily trims his lamp of service with the oil of faith, purified his heart of all doubts and ensures that his hands are continually on the plough (Luke 9:62). Jesus Christ our perfect example in all things. As servants in his service, we are called to follow His steps. “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (Titus 1:9).

Christ was faithful to the Father who sent Him, and He remained faithful to the end. Faithfulness glues the believer to his duty post. It moves him to do the task assigned to him rain or sunshine. Faithfulness is tenacity of conviction and commitment to purpose and practice. The faithful does not waver, cringe or recant. He remains unmovable in his conviction, firm in his confession and fixed in his commitment and consecration. He is ready to die at his duty post.The reason why many ministers fail in their service to God is lack of faithfulness. Those who doubt the power of God or unwilling to pay the price but rather look for help in Egypt using diabolical powers to deceive the unguided flock yest saying. “Thus saith the Lord” when the Lord has not spoken, are unfaithful.

If your convictions, commitment and consecration change with time and tide of prosperity and popularity, you are unfaithful. Whatever work you are doing for the Lord, whether small or great, recognized, or otherwise, it is faithfulness that God requires. Therefore, God expects you to be faithful. To do this, do the following:Magnify your office and put your best into it (Romans 11:13). Discharge your duties with a high sense of responsibility (2 Corinthians 2:16). Be bold, uncompromising, forthright and unsparing in the denunciation of evil and declaration of the truth (Acts 4:13; Titus 1:13).Adhere to the word of God who has called you (2 Corinthians 4:2). Live a challenging true Christian life (Matthew 5:16; Titus 2:8). Be determined to please the Lord , not surrendering to people’s whim and praise.“Therefore,my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). The work you do for the Lord, the office or position you hold in your church might not have a big name or great title attached to it, yet you need to be faithful, loyal, committed, and selfless in discharging your duties because your work shall be rewarded. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Faithfulness in a little office brings promotion to bigger office. If you are a faithful soul winner today, tomorrow, God will make you a dynamic preacher or evangelist. Whatever lowly position you think occupy today, if you would be faithful, higher position than you would ever dream of awaits you tomorrow. As in the case of David ( 1 Samuel 16:11), you might be the youngest and unrecognized but if you are faithful in little, God will bring you to the limelight for greater honor and service. Remember Joshua’s appointment after Moses’ death and Elisha’s appointment after Elisha’s appointment after Elijah’s transition. You should, however, avoid murmuring, bitterness and complaint which fill the service of some. These will block your chances of promotion to something higher and greater. Therefore, be faithful. Faithfulness will earn you favor of God and His untold blessings here on earth and in the life eternal.