THE CONTRADICTION OF MINISTRY WITHOUT THE CORRESPONDING LIFE’

CALVARY IS REAL BIBLE CHURCH

13 UKWANSI STREET, ABAKALIKI

EXPOSITORY BIBLE STUDY

FOCUS:         FURTHER WARNINGS FROM THE MASTER

TOPIC:          THE CONTRADICTION OF MINISTRY WITHOUT THE CORRESPONDING                           LIFE’  (Part 1)

TEXT:            MATT. 7:22-23

 ‘Prophesy in his name; devils cast out in his name; many wonderful works done in his name..’ (Mk. 16:15-20)

(A)  DISCUSS THE POWER IN HIS NAME; AND THE USE OF THE NAME

Why will name ever work?

Lk. 10:7-22; Heb1:2-4, 6-9; Col. 1:16-19; Phil 2:9-11

Jesus obtained his powerful name by inheritance. He was before all things and he is the heir of all things. Secondly, he obtained that name by his obedience in laying down his life and dying on the cross. Therefore his name has potency to work anywhere.

(B)  DOES THE FACT THAT THE AUTHORITY IN HIS NAME WORKS FOR A MAN SHOW THAT MAN’S (OR THE USER’S) PERSONAL STRENGTH OR HOLINESS ?

ACTS 3:10-13, 16; ACTS 4:10-12

Peter confessed that it was not by their own power or holiness that the lame man got healed, but through faith in the name of Jesus. Holiness or no holiness, faith in the name of Jesus works wonders. The name of Jesus is potent in itself to work miracles.

That clearly shows that performing or receiving miracles in the name of Jesus is not a sign of someone’s holiness or spirituality or a qualification to o to heaven. Let no one be deceived. If you do not work on your life even as a man or woman of God and allow the word of God to consistently change your character and shape your lifestyles, you will be surprised on that day.

CALVARY IS REAL BIBLE CHURCH

13 UKWANSI STREET, ABAKALIKI

EXPOSITORY BIBLE STUDY

FOCUS:         FURTHER WARNINGS FROM THE MASTER

TOPIC:          THE CONTRADICTION OF MINISTRY WITHOUT THE CORRESPONDING                           LIFE’  (Part 2)

TEXT:            MATT. 7:22-23

 (c) WHAT IS THE COMMON DECEPTION AROUND MEN THAT GOD GRANTS THE MIGHTY USE OF HIS NAME?

Acts 3:11-12; Acts 10:25-26; Acts 14:11-15, 18; ACTS 12;21-23; 1Sam 18:6-9; Num 20:7-12

When miracles and great works are done by a man in the ame of Jesus, men do not normally recognize the person behind the miracles. Spiritual things are spiritually discerned. Men are not always able to see that it is God working through his men to perform such miracles. Rather, they see the vessel as if he is the origin, the source of the miracle.

And every miracle is a clear demonstration of a power that is beyond man; so it cause men to bow down and worship. Incidentally, they only bow down to the man through whom the great work is done because he is the only one they can see. They do this in many ways, including giving men titles, praise signing etc. they can not see the God behind it all. But a man or woman of God must not be deceived as to collect the glory. Doing so means he is making himself equal with God. Moses did it and he perished in the wilderness. We must learn like Peter and Paul to speak out and direct the glory to God.

Are men beginning to give you titles and sing your praise because of great works you do in Christ’s name? Are you beginning to share his glory? Beware! Destruction is near. He will not share his glory with any man.

(d) WHAT OTHER GREAT MISTAKES COULD A MAN OF GOD HIMSELF MAKE NOWADAYS AS A RESULT OF MINISTRY IN THE NAME AND AUTHORITY OF JESUS?

i.          To rejoice in works done in his name rather than pay attention to a growing personal relationship with Jesus 

Lk 10:20; Exo. 33:1-3, 12-18

You will discover that the disciples were very excited because of the miracles they did in the name of Jesus when they were sent out to preach. But Jesus told them not to rejoice because of that. The miracles they performed were not a sign of their personal spiritually. Rather, if they would rejoice at all it must be because their names were written in the book of life.

Moses valued God’s presence and relationship more that miracles. In Ex 33:1-3, God promise them miracles; yet Moses requested for God’s presence to go with them.

It will be a great mistake to dance around and rejoice in miracles at the expense of a vibrant relationship with Jesus, no matter who you are. God is no respecter of person. It is not miracles but our relationship with God that will make people know that God is with us.

CALVARY IS REAL BIBLE CHURCH

13 UKWANSI STREET, ABAKALIKI

EXPOSITORY BIBLE STUDY

FOCUS:         FURTHER WARNINGS FROM THE MASTER

TOPIC:          THE CONTRADICTION OF MINISTRY WITHOUT THE CORRESPONDING                           LIFE’  (Part 3)

TEXT:            MATT. 7:22-23

ii.         To accept human praise, coronation, and awards for works of grace done in his name, rather than ascribe the glory to God

Dan 4:2, 25, 29-31; Dan 5:17,22-23; Acts 12:23; Isa. 42:8; Jn. 1:19-27; Jn. 3:26-30 Jn. 6:14-15; Acts 3:12; 10;26; Acts. 14:14-15, 18

How and with what did the men who escaped this snare prevail? What lesson can we learn for our lives today?

Nebuchadnezzar ascribed the glory of his kingdom to himself and he was driven to the mush by God to eat grass like oxen. Belshazzar made himself equal with God by drinking wine from vessels taken from God’s temple, and that very night, his kingdom was taken fro him and he was slain. Praise singers sang Herod’s praise and called him a god, but he did not open his mouth to give the glory to God; so he was struck immediately by an angel and was eaten to death by worms.

John the Baptist, Peter and John, Paul and Barnabas however all refused to receive glory ascribed to them by men. When great works were done by their hands. Evens Jesus Christ our Lord ran away from being crowned king by men when they saw the sign he performed by feeding five thousand men with five loaves of bread and two pieces of fish.

Somehow, every one that would be used of God in any generation will be faced with this same temptation to accept human praise, awards, and coronation. What will you do when confronted with such a temptation? What will be your own reaction? Or have you already fallen victim to his temptation? You can still retrace your steps and cry to God for mercy. He will abundantly pardon.

iii.        To eat and enrich one’s self with the offering of men due to work done in his name

Num 22:7; 2 Pet. 2:15-16; Jude 11; 2King 5:15-27; 2Cor 2:17; 2Cor4:2; 1Tim 6:5-11; Acts 20:33-35.

Analyze Christ’s instruction in Lk. 17:7-10. What lessons must we learn from that in our pilgrimage?

The offerings that men give to God are for God, even thought you a the vessel he is using to labour over their lives, receive them. Surely he that serves at the altar must eat from the altar. But such a servant must wait on God and on man, to give him his own portion. You must learn to pray as every other disciple’..give us this day our daily bread’.

What happened to Balaam, Ghazi, and the sons of Eli also for our example so that we not fall into the same error. Oiliness is not a means of making gain; but godliness with contentment is already the great gain for the servant of God.

Despite our labours in the field, we must continue to gird ourselves and still serve God whenever we return from there. We must allow the Lord to eat and drink first and be satisfied both from our labours and from the lives of his people. It is then that we can eat and drink.

CALVARY IS REAL BIBLE CHURCH

13 UKWANSI STREET, ABAKALIKI

EXPOSITORY BIBLE STUDY

FOCUS:         FURTHER WARNINGS FROM THE MASTER

TOPIC:          THE CONTRADICTION OF MINISTRY WITHOUT THE CORRESPONDING                           LIFE’  (Part 4)

TEXT:            MATT. 7:22-23

iv.        To assume that we have a place in heaven because of works done in his name and by his authority, is another great mistake that a man of God may make.

Matt.7:21-23; Eph. 2:8-10; 1Cor. 4:7; Tit 2:11-12

Salvation is by grace through faith; it is not by works. The grace that saved us goes further to teach us say ‘no’ to sin and to lawlessness; and to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present age. Doing the will of God must be our pursuit in life as we labour in his service.

We must no longer practice lawlessness and pursue selfish ambition. No matter the volume and the greatness of works we do in his name, that must never be our pursuit or our confidence. It is only those that do the will of God that will enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt; 7;21). They are the ones that will abide forever. What is your confidence for eternal life based upon? Do you suppose that because of the great work you have done in Jesus’ Name, and the fact that whenever you call that name, things happen, that will be your entry ticket to heaven? Do not be deceived; neither can God be deceived. May you not be standards in Jesus’ name?

CONCLUSION

The Lord’s warning on the great Day of Judgment is evident throughout the scriptures. He speaks with all the finality and gravity it deserves. What will you say to him on the day?

Sometimes we see the day as if it is so far away and not so near;  yet death terminates the opportunities for whatever improvement any man can make on his life. It makes men to only wait helplessly and fearfully for that great day…And death is as close to each of us as a step away. What is your preparation to meet with your Lord?

Again, spiritual gifts are given to men as a divine favor form God. The holy spirit gives them to every Christian severally as he wills. They are given by mercy, not by merit. It is therefore quite possible for a man to manifest spiritual gifts when his life is not yet correct.

Great works done in the name of Jesus are never true indications of a man’s personal strength or holiness. To accept man’s praise , coronation, awards, and rewards for works of grace done in his name rather that ascribe the glory to God, is erroneous. Divine abilities, gifts of the spirit and ministries extended to us by mercy, are never to become our personal credentials before God.

Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord even if that man be the greatest of preachers or miracles workers that ever lived. To grow inwardly in conformity to the image of Christ as we grow in outward ministry is God’s delight.

Therefore, take heed to your life, o man or woman of God, lest on that day, the master say to you, ‘honestly I know you give you deep understanding in Jesus’ name, Amen.