13th September, 2010
Recently, I had cause to re-visit the book of John Chapter 1. And in verse six, there was every reason for me to pause for a while and read it again and again. Come with me and please be patient.
The verse says… “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He (John) came as a witness to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.). And there were others ( false prophets ) that just went.
God never sent them. They just went. God never spoke to them. They just pretended that He did.
This is my question, when was the last time you saw a John the Baptist, in a pulpit, anywhere in Nigeria?
Today the average “preacher or Daddy†in the land is more like a slick talking politician; rather than a prophet of the Living God.
The problem, as I can see, is that the pulpits in our land are being occupied by men who are either mummy or daddy called—but, obviously, are NOT called and sent by God- as in the case of John the Baptist.. Maybe one day, long ago, mummy and/or granny told them that they would make a successful preacher. So, they took to “Bible School†and “Seminary†(mind you, I’m not against training for efficiency) and got the “proper credentials†and “their papersâ€Â which qualified them to get a wallet sized “ordination card†(you call it certificate) that fits nicely into their wallet. Then, lo and behold, because they had “all the qualifications†some church goers “elected “ them to be their “pastor†! Isn’t that shameful?
Recently I got to know of a particular pastor in my locality who had called his two sons into the ministry -even though it is not a one man church. Parents are replacing themselves with their children in God’s Vine Yard. Has it become hereditary?
Yet, there remains but a glitch in the whole thing. Problem being that God never called them, sent them, and as a result they have absolutely nothing to say. Oh, they are “fine speakers†(I’m sure of that). They can turn a bad joke, and tell a nice story. This is surely true. But, when it comes to knowing and speaking forth the WORD OF GOD ( Bible ) they are severely lacking indeed if one were to ask them to prove that they have been called of, and sent by, Almighty God.Well, I’m afraid all they have to convince anybody is the little “ordination card†found within their wallet. Maybe they could take you to their office and show you their ‘Degree’ framed nicely upon the wall. But, the power of God, the anointing of God, and the work of God that rightly divided cannot be found in them. They have got nothing to say; no word from God. Psalm 74:9 says: “We are given no miraculous signs; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be.â€
Satan is not so filled with glee and excitement because he has many houses of prostitution throughout the land; many bar rooms, drug houses, and gambling casinos…. Satan’s greatest joy, I believe and all true children of God also do, is that he owns most of the preachers and churches in the land.
How many of these self-called GOs can rebuke, reprove and encourage the brethren as commanded? I don’t like confrontation, and chances are that you don’t either. Daddy and Mummy GOs, when was the last time you reproved or rebuked anyone as directed in the Scriptures? There are many Bible references on this responsibility to correct one another, but these Daddy and Mummy-called and sent preachers usually hide and dodge from it. These are a few of the many scriptural examples of godly rebuke:
Titus 2:14 “Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.â€
2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.â€
Proverbs 24:24-25 “He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: …But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.â€
Proverbs 27:5 “Open rebuke is better than secret love.â€
The Greatest Stronghold of Satan today, don’t be amazed, is indeed the “Church House.†Look inside the Aso Villa. That’s bad ! Look inside the House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly. That’s bad !
Look inside our Senate. That’s horrible ! Look inside our Court Rooms. That’s terrible !
What could be any worse ?! Well, look inside the Church House. That’s really, really scary and frightening ! ! !
And we wonder why the Federal Republic Of Nigeria is in this sad, terrible and sorry shape?!
I emplore you to please read carefully— Jeremiah 23 and Ezekiel 34.
I want to ask again, Brother/Sister Pastor, who sent you -God or Godfather?
•Shallom Ufforth writes from The Apostolic Church, Shasha District, Oshodi Area, LAWNA Territory, Nigeria. You can reach him on [email protected]