As was echoed by the host of Heaven in praising God concerning the birth of the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12 vs. 2), our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (I John 4 vs. 14), so we say “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men” (Luke 2 vs. 14) as we converge in Lagos State on the occasion of the 84th Annual General Conference of our esteemed Sacred Cherubim & Seraphim Church of Nigeria and Overseas, a Church which was founded and continues to thrive on Jesus Christ the Solid Rock and Sure Foundation (Isaiah 28 vs. 16). We are rest assured in the words of the Bible that no other foundation can man lay other than that which has been laid which is Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 3 vs. 11). However, as a Church and individuals, the words of Paul the great Apostle should echo on in our minds as we journey on in Year 2014 – “But let every man take heed how he buildeth there upon” (I Corinthians 3 vs. 10). At this point in time, it is crucial to draw the attention of each and every one of us to certain things and divine expectations from us as individuals and the Church, as a God ordained institution.
We have over the past years given ourselves to so many events and activities to which we have been committing our precious God given endowments including time, money and knowledge. However, the big question is how much as individuals and Church have we been obedient sons and daughters in answering the call of our Lord Jesus Christ in respect of the “Great Commission”. For example, do we support the course of Evangelism with as much money and support we channel to Church Harvest activities among other engagements? The most important charge of Jesus Christ to us is “Go ye into the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16 vs. 15). Going into the world simply means leaving our comfort zone and doing all within our power to take Jesus Christ and the divine light of the truth to the ignorant ones in darkness. We need to persistently and continuously tell people about the love of God and the essence of believing in His son Jesus Christ, which is Salvation and Eternal life (John 3 vs. 16); that after this world shall come a place of no sorrow, no darkness and everlasting life (Revelation 21 vs. 1 – 4); that the signs of the end of the world are now with us and manifesting all around us (Matthew 24 vs. 3 – 41); that men ought to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and other things shall be added (Matthew 6 vs. 33); that if men confess their sins, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1 vs. 9); that there is no opportunity to redress our situation after death (Hebrew 9 vs. 27); that God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil (Ecclesiastes 12 vs. 14); that Jesus Christ shall come quickly with His reward to give to every man according to his work (Revelation 22 vs. 12); that men ought to heed the call of Jesus Christ standing at the door of their life and persistent knocking (Revelation 3 vs. 20) etc.
We need to focus our teachings in the Church and the world on repentance and salvation, not prosperity, blessings and miracles, as is the order of the day presently around us.
We call for the putting in place of reliable and sustainable mechanisms at all levels of the Church (Unit Church, Parish, Zone [Local Government Area], District, Joint District [State] and General Conference [National]) for the conduct and engagement in well organised, financed and supported evangelism drives, on all fronts possible, to win converts for the Church of God and ultimately His Kingdom. We should bear in mind that thousands of souls were added to the Church and the Kingdom of God Almighty upon hearing the divine message through the Apostles in times past (Acts 2 vs. 14 – 41; Acts 4 vs. 1 – 4).
The obedience to the call for evangelism – the act of soul winning – by the Church and individuals shall surely attract the Lord working with us and confirmation of His words with signs following (Mark 16 vs. 20) bearing in mind the words of Mark 16 vs. 17 – 18.
As individuals and Church, we need to also dwell on the Word of God which is the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6 vs. 17). The Word of God was the defining power with which our Lord Jesus Christ confronted and conquered the devil (Luke 4 vs. 1 – 13). The biblical charge to us is “resist the devil and he will flee from thee” (James 4 vs. 7). Without the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, it is impossible to resist and drive away the devil from his persistent tricks aimed at pulling us away from the path of Salvation. No wonder King David said “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119 vs. 11). The teaching and entrenchment of the Word of God in our Church members is important in view of the words of God in Hosea 4 vs. 6 that “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee…….”. The word to note is “My people” and that God rejects all those that reject knowledge in His Word.
Concerning this, we are appreciative of the introduction of a uniform Sunday School Manual for the Sacred C & S Church Worldwide by our Father in the Lord, the General Superintendent and Supreme Head (Baba Alakoso Imole II) – His Eminence Most Elder Apostle Prophet (Dr.) Solomon Adegboyega Alao (JP) several years ago. However, we have observed over the years that so many of our Churches are not taking Sunday School as important as they should, Sunday School in most cases is not regarded as part of the Sunday Service so that people would say, for example, that Sunday School starts by 9am and Sunday Service by 10am. We need to change this orientation and the generality of Church members need to know that Sunday Service starts with Sunday School. Leaders in the Church need to champion the course of Sunday School, lead by example and give all the necessary support for the maintenance and sustenance of Sunday School in our respective Churches. Mechanisms ought to be put in place at all levels of our Church to monitor and ensure the conduct of Sunday School in all our Churches.
Similarly, it would not be out of place to mandate all our Parishes to ensure the conduct of Bible Study, at least once in a week, to further entrench the Word of God in our life and daily activities. As members of the Sacred Cherubim & Seraphim Church, we need to “Study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2 vs. 15) and to rightly use the scripture as a tool for inspiration, profitability in the doctrine of Christ, reproof, correction and for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3 vs. 16).
Finally as individuals, members and the Church, let us all remember at all times that men ought to account of us as true ministers of Christ and it is required of us that we be found faithful (I Corinthians 4 vs. 1 – 2); that we are ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5 vs. 20); and that we are epistles of Christ written in the hearts of men, known and read of all men (2 Corinthians 3 vs. 2).
We wish you all a fruitful and highly rewarding deliberation in Conference 2014 and journey mercies back home. Remain blessed in the Lord.
- SACRED EVANGELISTIC MINISTRY (SACEM), LAGOS DISTRICT CHURCH COUNCIL (L.D.C.C.) AGEGE.