Let All Things be Done unto Edification

[1 Corinthians 14:26 KJV] “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying”.

You come to church to be edified and not to be entertained. Please, go and tell them. We gather for edification and not for entertainment. The church is not a gaming center or an entertainment ground; the church is the house of the Lord and we gather for edification and not for entertainment. We come to church to be edified, so we must learn to do all things to godly edification.

Whether we are setting up, inviting many or following up those invited, reaching out to the maimed and halt and highways and hedges, or whether we are welcoming people, starting with prayer, singing in worship and praise, or ministering a song and dance and literary arts, preaching the messages, taking offerings, giving announcements, fellowshipping, dating, connecting, or greeting; let all things be done unto edifying of the brethren.

I hope by now you know that our churches are organized around;

1. Setting up the meeting place and the meetings
2. Inviting many and following up those invited,
3. Reaching out to the maimed and halt and highways and hedges, Welcoming people,
4. Starting with prayer
5. Singing in worship and praise,
6. Ministering a song, dance and literary arts,
7. Preaching the messages,
8. Taking offerings,
9. Giving announcements,
10. Fellowshipping, marrying, connecting, or greeting people;
11. Working and meeting life development goals.

We should endeavor to do all things unto the edifying of the brethren. This is what church is all about. When we are dancing, we dance to edify the church. Whatever we do should be done for one reason and purpose to edify the church. Our coming together should not be for meeting friends or to sell things or to poach men. Our gathering must always be to strengthen and encourage ourselves to press on in the faith to enter the kingdom.

Be blessed, I love you!

Noah Simpeh Bediako

Originally published at highcity.org

What the Bible Says About Sunday Gathering and Offering

[1 Corinthians 16:1-4 KJV] “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. [2] Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. [3] And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. [4] And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me”.

I believe so much has been taught concerning Sunday gathering and most Adventist claim that it is satanic to gather for worship. There are so many teachings making rounds that they are beginning to affect the faith of many. Inasmuch as many things may not have been taught as a doctrine, we can understand how such practices were handed down to us by the early apostles and church.

One of such practices that was handed down to us by the early church is the gathering on the first day of the week, which was referred to as the Lord’s Day. Our Lord Jesus Christ used to meet with His disciples on the first day of the week, and this day became known as the Lord’s day.

In the text above, there are three key things we observe.

1. The early church gathered on the first day of the week for fellowship:

Inasmuch as the church can meet on any other day, the early had a culture of meeting on the first day of the week (Revelations 1:1-10)

[John 9:16 KJV] “Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them”.

[Romans 14:1-8 KJV] “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. [2] For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. [3] Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. [4] Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. [5] One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike . Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. [6] He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it . He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. [7] For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. [8] For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.

2. There was a gathering anytime an apostle came around:

The early church also had a culture of gathering when an apostle or a delegate of the apostles visits (Acts 20)

3. Upon the first day of the week, everyone lay by him in store an offering as the Lord has prospered him:

Everyone ought to give as he has been prospered. You give what you have but according to your increase;

1. Don’t count offering in the full view of every one.
2. Don’t allow unauthorized persons to count offering.
3. Take all special offerings on the first day of the week.
4. Allow everyone to give as the Lord has prospered them.

4. The apostle always instructed what should be done to the offering:

The apostle Paul instructed on what should be done to the offering and that is what the church did. We should not be surprised when the senior pastor determined what the offerings should be used for.

5. Only approved persons were permitted to handle the offerings:

One of the grievious mistakes a minister can make is to make anybody at all handle offerings. Many churches have collapsed because of this.

6. The offerings were referred to as liberality:

Your offerings must be offered with a liberal spirit. You must give with love and not out of compulsion.

Be blessed, I love you!

Noah Simpe Bediako

Originally published at highcity.org

Why We Gather in Church

[Hebrews 10:24‭-‬27 KJV] “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries”.

Today, we want to emphasis the truth that meeting in church is not a social gathering. When we come to church, we have come to Zion; to the assembly of the first born and to an inummerable company of angels. The gathering of believers is a spiritual gathering and must be esteemed with fear, honour and dignity.

[Hebrews 12:22‭-‬24 KJV] “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel”.

If God is everywhere and seek true worshippers to worship Him in truth and in spirit, then why should we waste precious hours coming together in church? Why don’t we just stay home and pratice our faith there? After all, you can call upon God from wherever you are. Well, coming together as a church is so important because where two or three are gather in His name, God is there.

When we are alone God is in us but when we come together, God comes to be with us and among us.

Now, when we come together, there is a way we must behave ourselves in the house of God. This is simply household ettiquette. Apostle Paul taught Timothy to know how to behave himself in the house of the Lord if he (apostle Paul) delays in coming. Timothy needed to know how to behave himself in the house of God, which is the grounds and pillar of truth.

[1 Timothy 3:14‭-‬16 KJV] “These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory”.

How then should we behave ourselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God; the pillar and grounds of truth. We must all understand that when we are coming together, we are gathering to;

Pray:

Prayer is the key thing we must do together when we meet in the house of God. We come to church to pray together for more power and fortification “And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves” [Mark 11:17 KJV]

The house of the Lord shall be called of all nations a house of prayer. Praying is therefore one of the key things we must do together when we meet.

Break bread:

We come together to break bread; The Cup of Blessing which we partake is a means to recieve and inherit eternal life. We must honour the communion, which is the Lord’s Table. It is our secret to health, liberation, and prosperity.

“When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not” [1 Corinthians 11:20‭-‬22 KJV]

To be taught and edified:

We come to church to be taught and edified. We come to learn how to live by the way, the truth, and the life. The fellowship meetings are a great time to be taught, instructed, and to learn. A fool despises wisdom and knowledge but the wise honour it.

“If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God” [1 Corinthians 14:23‭-‬28 KJV]

Give:

We come to church to give our offering as the Lord has prospered us.
You must purpose and plan your offerings. We come to church to give to support the ministry. 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 teaches this clearly.

“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem” [1 Corinthians 16:1‭-‬3 KJV]

Praise and worship

We come to church to offer the sacrifice of praise together. Hebrews 13 teaches this clearly. We must come with thanksgiving in our hearts. The courts of the almighty is the best place to offer praises and thangiving.

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord , all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations” [Psalms 100:1‭-‬5 KJV]

I believe we will obey the scriptures and not forsake the assembling together of ourselves.

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries”. [Hebrews 10:24‭-‬27 KJV]

Stay blessed; I love you!

Originally published at highcity.org

7 Things We Need as We Gather Fruits unto Life Eternal

Today, we shall be studying seven things we need if we can gather fruits unto life eternal. The work of soul winning is a complex one. Please let’s take it seriously.

Faith

The very nature of soul winning is such that you need faith. You must have faith in Christ Jesus and in His words, if you want to be effective in soul winning.
“Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.” (Mark 16:14 KJV)

Wisdom

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16 KJV)

Prayer

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1‭-‬4 KJV)

Power

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 1:8 KJV

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Acts 10:38 KJV

Feedback

And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Luke 10:17‭, ‬20

And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.
Luke 9:49 KJV

Reporting

It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.
1 Corinthians 5:1 KJV

Reproving

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Ephesians 5:11 KJV

Originally published at highcity.org

Gathering Through Relentless Pursuit

“Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:   And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.   And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.   And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.   And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.   So that servant came, and shewed his Lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.   And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.   And the Lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.   For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper” (Luke 14:16-24 KJV)

Without radical pursuits the house of the Lord will be empty.

The time is now and the end of all things is at hand. The Bible tells us that blessed are those who shall sit at meat in the kingdom; but the truth remains that those who will sit at meat in the kingdom are sitting in the church now.

The meat is ready and banquet is on; however, many of those invited to the king’s banquet will miss it. Many are making excuses but the house must be filled. I hear the voice of the Lord calling His servants to hit the homes, the highways and the hedges to compel men and women into the banquet. The maimed and the halt, and the poor and homeless are to be compelled in to the banquet of life.

People won’t just gather to listen to the Word of God. Without radical and relentless evangelism, the house of the Lord will be empty. Arise and let’s hit the road running. Remember, the Lord has committed to us the ministry and the word of reconciliation. God works with generations. Some have laboured and now it’s our turn.

Casual indifference will make the harvest rot. We must be moved in our spirits to radically pursue lost souls. We must be ready to go to every village and hamlet.

Whosoever hears the greater love gospel must tell others about this greater love, and let the world know that God is ready to save them.

Stay blessed; I love you!

Gathering Through Relentless Pursuit was originally published on HighCity