DEAD CHURCH

Dead Church

Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14
"Can these bones live?" (Ezek 37:3)

Prophet Ezekiel was given a vision of the backslidden people of God. Nothing but a valley of "very many" and "very dry" bones could explain their awful condition. They seemed to have gone to a point of no return. The people themselves cried, "Our hope is lost!" (v11). God asked the prophet, "Can these bones live?" He threw back the question to God saying, "Lord, You only know!" The situation from a human viewpoint was i-m-p-o-s-s-i-b-l-e !
The Church is no better today. There is form but no power. "They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly" (2 Tim 3:5). There is a name but no life. Christ rebuked the Church in Sardis, "You have a reputation for being alive — but you are dead" (Rev 3:1). There is wealth but no vision (Rev 3:17). There are activities but no love (Rev 2:2-4). Instead of multiplication there are only divisions. In the words of the Preacher, "In the place of justice, wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, iniquity was there" (Eccl 3:16). Vance Havner pointed out, "We have comfortable homes to ride in comfortable cars to sit in comfortable Churches to hear comfortable sermons. What do we know about the reproach of Christ?"
An artist once was asked to paint a picture that would portray a dying Church, hoping if even that might inspire the congregation to realise their need forrevival. The painting showed a grand Church building with tall spires, magnificently carved-out pulpit stand, exquisite stained glass windows, huge wooden doors and glittering chandelier lights. Near the huge doors was a small offertory box, the mouth of which was covered by cobweb. Yes, any Church that does not send or support missionaries is a dead Church. As Dr. Oswald J. Smith (1889-1986) put it, "A Church that does not evangelize will fossilize!"
But God has not given up on the Church. The gates of hell will have to ultimately give in to the Church (Mt 16:18). On our part we must obey like Prophet Ezekiel and keep on prophesying (Ezek 37). "Cry aloud, spare not. Lift up your voice like the trumpet. Tell My people of their sins! Yet they act so pious!" (Isa 58:1). The Church will then come back to where it should be. It will stand up "like a great army" and conquer the world for Christ (Ezek 37:10). The world at its worst needs the Church at its best!
O Breath of Life, come sweeping thro' us.
Revive Thy Church with life and power;
O Breath of Life, come, cleanse, renew us,
And fit Thy Church to meet this hour!
                   (Bessie P. Head, 1850-1936)

DRY BONES ALIVE

Dear Friends and Partners in the Kingdom business,
The talk now in every local church is that we need revival and that we need a new baptism of the Holy Spirit and God knows we must have both.
 
The dry bones below are a picture of the Jews in captivity –scattered and dead. The 2 sticks [Ezek 37:15-17] represent the reunion of the entire nation of Israel which had divided into Northern and Southern Kingdoms after Solomon. Ezekiel probably felt he was speaking to the dead as he preached to the exiles because they rarely responded to his message. But these dry bones responded! And just as God brought life to the dead bones, He would bring life again to His spiritually dead people.
 
Ezekiel 37:1 The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out  in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. 3 And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord God,  You know.” 4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will  cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live.  Then you shall know that I am the Lord.” ’ ” 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. 9Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God:  “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ” 10So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.
 
If we want to see revival take place [revival is for the Church].
 
1] We need humble man and woman of God who are dependent upon God.
2] We need man and woman who hear God and speak forth what they have heard from God.
3] We need churches that recognize the need to hear God’s Word and receive the Spirit of God.
4] We truly need a change that touches the core of our lives, that goes deeper than our hair raising experiences.
5] We have a great need for the churches to unite and become ONE CHURCH of The LIVING GOD.
6] We need “The Army of God” to rise up to its full potential and fight a good fight and rescue and restore lives.
 
Oh God and our Father let your Pure Word and Spirit come and penetrate us and bring the change you desire in us. Send forth your man and woman who know you intimately to speak and serve your people.
 
Please pray for us that we may be full of the Holy Spirit and that we will speak the truth in love.
Please stand alongside us and pray for the coming meetings.
 
Malaysia
11/9/2008 Emmanuel Word Centre –Kulim -Kedah
14/9/2008 Emma Faith Naturing Centre –Penang
28/9/2008 Rivers of Water Church –BM -Penang
5/10/2008 Emma Faith Naturing Centre -Penang
 
India 5/8 to 30/8/2008 [Tiruvanthanathapuram / Thiruvalla/ Chenganur / Kotayam / Kochi / Kodanad]
 
Indonesia Sept 4/9 to 8/9 – 3rd Asian House Church Conference [Participant]
 
Chieng Mai -North Thailand Sept 22/9 to 26/9
 
October -Indonesia [Timor and Surabaya] 8/10 to 15/10/2008
 
1st November to 30th December 2008 –United Kingdom, Germany, Portugal…
 
We are a faith ministry. When you are lead by the Lord to give, do send your check to
 
KRISHNASAMY A/L RAMASAMY
 
I/C Number   -540303-07-5307
 
May Bank account number         : 107125195025
 
Home Branch number 07125      -KAMPONG BHARU
 
Swift Code                                       -MBBEMYKL
 
May the Father bless you with His favor as you walk in obedience to His Word.
 
Your friends and partners in the field of God.
 
Christopher and Vijaya.K.

TRIP TO INDIA

Dear Friends and Partners in the ministry of God,
As we seek to be like Jesus to serve the churches in building up godly leaders; specifically we desire to see leaders receive from the Father, who will serve the Father together with the Father and not seek to be served and specially treated. Today in our churches we have so many CEO’s and bosses, but we desire to see “shepherds who care for their flocks” and “fathers who pour out their lives into children” leading our churches. My friends please pray together with us that through us the will of God be done through the trainings we give in churches. Pray also for us that we who teach and train others will also finish this “race” [following the rules] marked out for us. As we receive the Father’s love we will pour it out freely to whoever and wherever the father takes us to.
Pray also for our churches that the hirelings be replaced with “shepherd hearted” leaders. Do give thanks to God for the good shepherds that some churches have.
 
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NKJV) 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
 
The son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister. Matthew 20:28.
Paul’s idea of service is the same as our Lord’s: “I am among you as He that serveth”; “ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” We have the idea that a man called to the Ministry is called to be a different kind of being from other men. According to Jesus Christ, he is called to be the ‘door-mat’ of other men; their spiritual leader, but never their superior. “I know how to be abased,” says Paul. This is Paul’s idea of service—‘I will spend myself to the last ebb for you; you may give me praise or give me blame, it will make no difference. So long as there is a human being who does not know Jesus Christ, I am his debtor to serve him until he does.’ The mainspring of Paul’s service is not love for men, but love for Jesus Christ. If we are devoted to the cause of humanity, we shall soon be crushed and broken-hearted, for we shall often meet with more ingratitude from men than we would from a dog; but if our motive is love to God, no ingratitude can hinder us from serving our fellow men.
Paul’s realization of how Jesus Christ had dealt with him is the secret of his determination to serve others. “I was before a perjurer, a blasphemer, an injurious person”—no matter how men may treat me, they will never treat me with the spite and hatred with which I treated Jesus Christ. When we realize that Jesus Christ has served us to the end of our meanness, our selfishness, and sin, nothing that we meet with from others can exhaust our determination to serve men for His sake.
[1]Chambers, O. (1993, c1935). My utmost for his highest : Selections for the year (February 23). Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House Publishers.
 
We pray that you also will rise up to disciple others that is pour out that love you have received from the Father.
 
Please pray for our India Trip
 
Cities and town covered during this trip.
 
India 5/8 to 30/8/2008 [Tiruvanthanathapuram / Thiruvalla/ Chenganur / Kotayam / Kochi / Kodanad and Kothamangalam]
 
5/8 to 10/8/2008        Thiruvananthapuram
11/8 to 23/8               Kochi / Kodanad / Kothamangalam
23/8 to 27/8               Thiruvalla / Kotayam / Chenganur
28/8 to 30/8               Kochi
 
We pray that God will continue to increase in you His revelation of His love.
 
In His Majesty’s Service
 
Christopher and Vijaya.K.

DARING DAVIDS!

Daring Davids!

Reading: 1 Samuel 17:32-51
"He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 Jn 4:4)

David before Goliath! A lad before a giant! A shepherd boy before a champion! With the armour Saul gave David, he could not even walk (1 Sam 17:38,39). David's brother got angry with him (v28). The King underestimated him (v33). The enemy cursed him (v43). But David had his strength and hope in the Lord (v45). He challenged Goliath, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear and with a javelin. But I come to you in the Name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied" (v45).
When we set out to do missionary work we might meet with intimidating powers, but we don't need to be terrified by the giants of science, technology and modern machinery. One man plus God is the maximum! There is no match for that. We need not be afraid of the Goliaths of today — oppositions that arise in the form of unfair "laws," direct and indirect intimidations and even attacks.
We need to be bold and daring. We must not give place to inferiority complex. Though a minority we are a significant minority. It is to the "little flock" the Father gives the Kingdom (Lk 12:32). The words of Benjamin Fernando are encouraging: "Crushing the Church is like smashing the atom: divine energy of high quality is released in enormous quantity and with miraculous effects!"
What David spoke sounded like an "unknown tongue" to Saul and his armies! True it was! He learnt it in the wilderness, alone with God. The Lord Himself trained David how to use the staff and the sling (1 Sam 17:40). He had five smooth stones but he had to use only one. The other four he kept for the future Goliaths! There is sufficient power in the Blood that oozed out from Christ's five wounds, to reach the five Continents. Let's not be afraid. God will cause our feet to be placed "on the necks of the five kings" (Josh 10:24,25).
Fear will only cripple us in our efforts to evangelise the world. He who has commanded us to go to the "ends of the earth" has also promised us that He would be with us till the "end of the age!" (Mt 28:19,20). Let's confess, "My God and I make an undefeatable team!" The fire of God cannot be damped out by the waters of man's persecution.
Ye Christian soldiers, rise against the foes in vales below;
Let all our strength be hurled;
Faith is the victory, we know, that overcomes the world !
                     (John H. Yates, 1837-1900)
 

JESUS TREATMENT OF WOMEN

Jesus' Treatment of Women
by John Kohlenberger

Two New Testament texts run radically counter to the culture of the early church. Unfortunately, they also run counter to the culture of much of the contemporary church, though they are foundational to the values and mission of Christians for Biblical Equality (CBE). The first is a statement from Jesus in the context of the disciples squabbling over their relative greatness. The second is from Paul to a church trying to live the Christian life by laws and traditions instead of by the Spirit and through faith
  Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matt. 20:25-28 TNIV; also Mark 10:42-45)
  There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 3:28 TNIV)
Scholars often point out that Paul’s statement reverses a well-known Jewish prayer that assigns blessedness (and lack thereof) to ethnicity, social class and gender: “Blessed be God that he did not make me a Gentile; blessed be God that he did not make me ignorant [or a slave]; blessed be God that he did not make me a woman” (Tosefta Berakoth 7:18). Paul may have had this blessing in mind when he wrote to the Galatians, while under attack by Judaizers, but he could have easily documented his dismissal of Jewish or Roman hierarchy by citing Jesus’ treatment of women.
Destined to Cause the Falling and Rising of Many
The birth of Jesus was surrounded by many unique and miraculous events, accompanied by wondrous words from angels and humans, both male and female. Simeon’s statement to Mary at Jesus’ circumcision, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel . . .” (Luke 2:34 tniv), is a lens through which we can view Jesus’ encounters with people. Interestingly, every woman that Jesus encounters is raised in her spiritual and physical state as well as in her social status.
Neither Jew nor Gentile
Though Jesus’ primary mission was to “the lost sheep of Israel” (Matt. 15:24), his love and redemption were not limited to one ethnic group. On the road from Judea to Galilee, Jesus encountered a Samaritan woman from the town of Sychar. She was amazed that a Jewish man would talk with a Samaritan woman (John 4:9); his disciples at that point were amazed that he would talk with a woman at all (John 4:27). Although Jesus pointed out her sins of adultery and promiscuity (John 4:17-18) and the ignorance of her religious beliefs (John 4:22), he accepted her as she was: a woman, a Samaritan, a sinner. He spoke to her with words of Spirit and truth, and revealed to her—first of all people in John’s Gospel—that he was the Messiah, the great “I am” (John 4:23-26). In that encounter she was raised from sinner to saint, and her social status skyrocketed as many in her village believed in Jesus through her testimony (John 4:29).
She was amazed that a Jewish man would talk with a Samaritan woman; his disciples at that point were amazed that he would talk with a woman at all.
Farther north, in the region of Tyre and Sidon, Jesus encountered a Canaanite woman who pleaded for her daughter, who was possessed by an unclean spirit. Addressing him as “Lord, Son of David” (Matt. 15:22), she acknowledged his social status and ethnicity, which were viewed as superior. At first he appears to dismiss her on the grounds of ethnicity (Matt. 15:24), but her persistence and wise interaction lead him to commend her great faith and grant her request (Matt. 15:28). In Matthew’s narrative, Jesus had just rebuked the Jewish leadership for their blindness, for having hearts far from God, for not understanding clean versus unclean (Matt. 15:1-20). But this Gentile woman saw Jesus for who he was and, with a word, Jesus made her and her daughter clean and brought them near.
Neither Slave nor Free
With a touch and a word, Jesus brought back to life the daughter of Jairus, the leader of a synagogue (Matt. 9:18-19, 23-25; Mark 5:22-24, 35-43; Luke 8:41-42, 49-56). But Jesus did not limit his contact to the upper classes of free people. On the way to Jairus’ house, he allowed himself to be touched by a woman who had been unclean for twelve years because of an unceasing flow of blood (Matt. 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48). Though cut off from normal society and public worship for more than a decade, this woman still had faith. The power that went out from Jesus healed her physically and restored her spiritual and social status.
While dining with a Pharisee, Jesus accepted the touch of a sinful woman, who washed his feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair (Luke 7:36-38). In the Pharisee’s eyes, this shocking display proved that Jesus was not a prophet (Luke 7:39). Jesus contrasted the actions of the Pharisee and the woman to reveal the man’s lack of love and social graces, causing his status to fall (Luke 7:40-47). But the woman, who demonstrated love and faith, was raised spiritually and socially and went away forgiven and restored (“in peace” Luke 7:48, 50).
But the woman, who demonstrated love and faith, was raised spiritually and socially and went away forgiven and restored.
In the patriarchal world of ancient Israel, women of the lower classes could not easily be self-sufficient. Widows were a needy group, especially widows with no other family. In Nain, Jesus encountered a widow who had just lost her only son: her only family and only means of support, as far as we know (Luke 7:11-12). Moved with deep compassion, Jesus raised her son from the dead, lifting her spirits and restoring her family (Luke 7:13-15).
Neither Male nor Female
Everything Jesus did with men, according to the Gospels, he did with women as well. While it is true that the Twelve, the apostles, were all male (Matt. 10:2-4; Mark 3:14-19; Luke 6:13-16), this group was assembled to constitute the New Israel, reflecting the twelve patriarchs of the historic Israel. Many women were counted among Jesus’ disciples (Matt. 27:55-56; Mark 15:40-41; Luke 8:1-3). In fact, the first witnesses of the resurrection were women, who were sent by angels and by Jesus as the first messengers of this good news (Matt. 28:5-10; Mark 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-11; John 20:11-18)—though the men did not accept their divine commission at first (Luke 24:11, 22).
Unlike the rabbis, Jesus regularly used women as positive examples in his teaching. He described the kingdom as being like yeast a woman mixed into dough (Matt. 13:33). He explained that prostitutes can enter the kingdom as believers ahead of the priests and elders (Matt. 21:31-32). He also pointed out that Elijah was sent to a Gentile widow (Luke 4:24-26). When speaking of his mission to save even one lost sinner, he used the example of a shepherd finding a lost sheep and a woman finding a lost coin (Luke 15:1-10). Further, Jesus used women as negative examples only two times, both in his teachings about watchfulness: the parable of the foolish virgins (Matt. 25:1-13) and the historical example of Lot’s wife (Luke 17:32). Finally, Jesus taught both men and women, whether in large public settings (Matt. 14:13-21; 15:29-39) or in a more intimate setting (Luke 10:38-39).
How wonderful it would be if the church sat at Jesus’ feet and learned from his example!
Jesus came not to be served, but to serve (Matt. 20:28). In the Gospels, no men ever offered service to Jesus, but angels (Matt. 4:11) and women did. In fact, Jesus’ major support group was made up of the women who followed him from Galilee and cared for his needs (Matt. 27:55; Mark 15:41), from Joanna the aristocrat to Mary Magdalene from the lower classes (Luke 8:1-3). Jesus accepted and even depended upon their service, though the closest he came to rebuking a woman was when he told Martha that it was better to sit at his feet and learn than to fret over the culturally-expected service of hospitality (Luke 10:38-45).
How wonderful it would be if the church sat at Jesus’ feet and learned from his example! Perhaps we too would develop the great faith of a Gentile woman, demonstrate the great love of a sinful woman, and devote our lives to proclaiming the good news of our risen Lord like the courageous women who witnessed the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Perhaps we would learn to agree with Paul that we must consider others as better than ourselves (Phil. 2:3), to submit instead of demanding submission (Eph. 5:21), and to reject the class system and hierarchy of the fallen world in favor of celebrating our oneness in Christ (Gal. 3:28).
 

GOD LOVES CHEERFULL GIVER

Ten then, but now?

Reading: Malachi 3:1-12
"God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor 9:7b)

One of the commonest questions of Christians is, Is tithing compulsory? This is the question of a thankless heart. For all that God has bestowed on us, the tithe, that is the one tenth, is the minimum we can give Him to thank and honour Him.
Abraham tithed when there was no law of tithing (Gen 14:20). His was a voluntary act of thanksgiving. His grandson Jacob voluntarily promised God, "Of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You" (Gen 28:22).
This voluntary practice became a law of God to His people when the Nation of Israel was constituted. The Law given through Moses says, "All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's. It is holy to the Lord" (Lev 27:30).
The Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus' day were tithing of even "mint and anise and cummin," but they left out justice and mercy and faith. So He taught them that the act of tithing must be done in the attitude of love (Mt 23:23).
We have the New Covenant following the death of Christ, and under this there is no legalistic teaching on tithing. Because the New Covenant is a "better" Covenant, better methods of giving are taught: Cheerful giving (2 Cor 9:7), Liberal giving (2 Cor 8:2), Sacrificial giving (2 Cor 8:3). Therefore for a Christian today tithing is a good place to "start," but he must grow in it. We must give and give and keep on giving until it affects us! That which costs us nothing is worth nothing (2 Sam 24:24).
A poor widow gave away all she had (Mk 12:41-44). Mary poured out all her savings (Mk 14:3-9). Jesus praised both of them profusely. Going from "tithe" to "total" is part of Christian growth (2 Cor 8:7). Those who don't even give a tenth of their income to God are called thieves and robbers (Mal 3:8).
We have entered second half of this year today. If in your life and family you don't have the habit of setting aside atleast ten percent of your income for God, begin today. Don't start spending immediately after you receive your salary. Kneel down before God, thank Him for His blessing, set aside His portion, and after that go ahead with your payments and purchase. This is a healthy habit.
 

TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE

Kings & Priests
________________________________________
Reading: Ecclesiastes 4:7-12
"Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work" (Eccl 4:9)
________________________________________
Some Pastors call all ministries outside the local Church as independent ministries. This is not correct. Individually all Christians must associate themselves in the worship and witness of local Churches, but there can be so many ministerial activities which may not be governed or administered by local Churches. Bible translation ministries, Bible societies, Relief agencies, medical ministries, pioneer missionary movements are some examples.
Whether it is a local Church ministry or a translocal ministry, if there's no accountability of ministers to one another, such independence is unscriptural. As far as local Churches are concerned, there can be no singular leadership. Pastors or elders or bishops or overseers are different names for the same office and they are always mentioned, in the New Testament, in the plural (e.g. Acts 20:17,28). Translocal ministries also must have plurality of leadership. Jesus sent His disciples two by two.
Independence in financial matters leads to corruption. Independence in message content leads to deception. Independence in ministerial methods leads to unscriptural practices. Independence in administration leads to misuse of power. Some independent ministers boast that they don't receive salaries but live in faith. Those who work in ministerial organizations also live in faith. They exercise "collective" or "corporate" faith that God would send in offerings from His people month after month for their needs.
We cannot accomplish much when we work independently. The ancient wisdom says, "Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labour" (Eccl 4:9). Independence may give us job satisfaction, but the Kingdom of God will not be benefitted much. Independent ministries result in duplication which wastes the Kingdom resources. Interdependence is the law of the Kingdom. All believers in Christ are "kings and priests," but no one should act like the King of kings or the High Priest who is above correction or accountability.
The observations I have made here, however, do not totally rule out the possibility of any minister of God functioning independently. There can be exceptions. Prophets may find organizational structures suffocating. Bible teachers may find denominational structures straitjacketing. Lions hate cages. However, it is safe for such ministers to voluntarily become accountable to senior and seasoned ministers of similar gifts.