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Why You Shouldn’t Give Up On 2021

D. W. Brown
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Why You Shouldn’t Give Up On 2021
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I don’t know about you, but on New Year’s Day, I felt a sense of relief. 2020 was a tough year for obvious reasons and going into 2021 there was a sense of optimism and hope. Yet here we are in February, in another national lockdown. The news is still pretty bleak every day and we’re not so sure when things will be back to normal. Perhaps you feel a similar way to how I have sometimes felt in the last couple of weeks – a bit discouraged, lethargic, and fed up. Perhaps your new year’s resolutions which you were so hopeful of staying on top of, have disintegrated.

As we think about the year ahead, especially in light of the past 12 months, I want to share a few simple points which I’ve been reflecting on recently. In times of discouragement, I’ve found it helpful to remind myself of the following three scriptural truths, each from Paul’s letter to the church in Colossae. Bear in mind that in this short piece I am just going to pick out a few nuggets from the book of Colossians, I’d encourage you to read the whole letter to get the full context and be enriched.

Christ is totally sovereign.

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

Colossians 1:16-17

We find these wonderful verses in a section of the letter in which Paul is encouraging his readers by reminding them of Christ’s sovereignty – and just as the Colossian Christians needed this reminder, so do we, regularly. Nothing in your life has taken place outside of God’s sovereign will, which is perfect. We don’t know exactly how things will pan out over the next few months, but with this knowledge as a foundation, we can trust the one who does. Even in the midst of pain and confusion, we can look ahead to the rest of this year (and our lives) with hope and optimism. Whatever your circumstances, entrust them to Christ, who holds all things together. Rest in him, soak yourself in the word and be at peace.

We are to walk in Him.

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

Colossians 2: 6-7

Paul then goes on to encourage believers to continue walking with God. What does this involve? It means actively maintaining a relationship with him. Hearing him speak to you through his word, responding to him in prayer, and seeking to obey him in every area of your life. As verse 7 reminds us, it’s important that we are continually thankful to God, even in difficult circumstances – in Christ he has blessed us beyond our comprehension.

I’ve been challenged recently when thinking about how I’m using the extra time afforded to me by the lockdown. I’m aware that not everyone has more free time than usual, but if you do, it’s a unique and valuable opportunity to spend more time searching and meditating on the scriptures, and more time in prayer. As we do this, we become “built up” in him, growing in spiritual maturity. Be encouraged that although we naturally struggle to be disciplined in this area, we have the Spirit helping us as we exercise these means of grace.

As we walk with him, we become ever more equipped to deal with the challenges this year will throw at us.

We are to work for Him.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

Colossians 3:23-24

Think back to some of the goals and resolutions you set yourself for this year. One question is “how are they going?” A more important question is “what is your motivation behind setting these goals?” It’s so easy to slip into a mindset of achieving goals for the sake of self-improvement, or working to please others, or both – but Paul so clearly shows us that ultimately the one we ought to be striving to please is the Lord. With this mindset in place, our day-to-day work becomes so much more meaningful, and so do the goals and resolutions we set for ourselves.

You may find your work particularly mundane at the moment, especially if you’re working from home. However, I have personally found it really helpful to actively remind myself who I’m ultimately serving. It makes work feel more fulfilling when you know it is serving a heavenly purpose. As we stare at the remainder of 2021, whatever it holds, let’s consider afresh that Christ is totally sovereign. Let’s resolve to continually walk in him, and in whatever we do this year, to do it for him.

How to Support Your Parents During Lockdown

Oluwaseyi Sobogun
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How to Support Your Parents During Lockdown

Lockdown has been tough on a lot of us. It has been especially difficult on the family unit. We are hearing on the news and social media of families breaking down through divorce, separation and situations of abuse. This is not a pleasant experience. The effects of the pandemic mean that many people are confined to one space for a period of time much longer than usual. How do we manage the difficulty of maintaining relationships when we are either too distant or too close for comfort?

One house

When we were in lockdown for the first time, I never imagined the strain it would have on my family. All of us, in one place, at the same time, all of the time. We could not simply avoid problems or confrontation as easily as before. On the other hand, there are people who have experienced strain because of the extended separation from their families as a result of the restrictions. The typical means of escape of social outings for many had been removed. Figuratively and literally speaking, we were stuck, and we had to deal with the outcome of the situations we found ourselves in.

 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand

Mark 3:25

Whether near or far, we are one house and we need our house to stand. The experiences we have of this unit can transform our relationships as adults. Family is the first foundation we typically have for relationships. How we treat and engage with our parents can demonstrate our respect for authority (Colossians 3:20), in turn display our obedience to God. We have a role as Christians to be light, to share the gospel with those around us, our family included. 

God is about family relationships 

Our families, those within our household, should be the first place we seek to display the love of Christ. It may not be easy, but it is a challenge that could transform our home life for the better. We should have more grace for our family members. Our parents or carers are trying the best they can during this unprecedented period. It is a testing time for everyone. We can try to reduce the burdens. We can help out with the household chores and generally not choosing to engage in conflicting situations when they arise. In times of conflict, we can choose peace.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God

Matthew 5:9

It is the ‘turn the other cheek’ approach with our family, in hope of keeping the peace, that could be what is needed.  And our example is Jesus, son of God (Galatians 4:4) and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Even Jesus yielded His will to the will of the Father, understanding His authority, Jesus trusted that He knew what was best in the situation that He faced (Luke 22:42). Instead of completely overthrowing the authority, as Jesus rightly had power to do, He completed the plan for our salvation. The plans proposed by our parents may not always be what we want, however instead of automatically resisting, we can proceed with love.

Lay aside bitter words, temper tantrums, revenge, profanity, and insults. But instead be kind and affectionate toward one another. Has God graciously forgiven you? Then graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love

Ephesians 4:31-32

Through the manner and attitude in how we convey our points, we can diffuse tension during tough circumstances. Displaying the same grace that has been given to us by God, through Christ.

Honour your Parents, Honour God

As emerging adults, we have our own mind, our own way of doing things, however, we must remember under whose authority we submit and obey. Our quest for independence should not result in disrespect or dishonour towards our parents.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honour your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise) 

Ephesians 6:2-3

When we were younger, our parents looked after us and as we got older, we found ourselves having to look after our parents. It’s a natural cycle, one that should be taken very seriously. Respecting our parents should go above an expectation, it should be a delight to honour and respect the people who have looked after us. The scripture says that this is the first commandment that God gives with a promise, “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land” (Ephesians 6:3). A significant addition to emphasise the importance of honouring our parents. Understandably, there are situations where our biological parents have not been the main authority in our lives. However, whoever plays that role is equally, if not more, deserving of this respect.

Let’s try to be the best sons and daughters, honouring our parents and ultimately honouring God, our heavenly Father.

#CanChristiansBeFeminist? Three Reasons Why It’s Not So Simple

Emmanuel Ayoola
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#CanChristiansBeFeminist? Three Reasons Why It’s Not So Simple
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I recently scrolled through Twitter and saw a lot of disturbing tweets about a Clubhouse conversation titled “#CanChristiansBeFeminist”. As you can imagine, this stirred up much debate and frustration from people within the Christian community. I didn’t hear the conversation, but I saw many people afterwards questioning why it’s even debatable. Surely every Christian should be a feminist? Doesn’t every Christian want equality for women? Given there are so many kinds of feminism (I am no expert, but I am aware of at least Liberal Feminism, Radical Feminism, Marxist and Socialist Feminism, Cultural Feminism, Eco-Feminism, Womanism, I-Feminism, Equality Feminism and Difference Feminism) we should be careful to rush to add “Christian feminist” to our bios. I’m not settled on my thoughts about Feminism, but I want to give at least 3 reasons why for Christians, the question isn’t as simple as it seems.

Not all equality is the same

The most widely accepted definition of feminism that I have come across would be:

“the belief in full social, economic, and political equality of women and men.”

In a sense, very few people would say that this is a bad idea. The problem that arises, though, is how you define equality. If equality is defined the way God defines equality in scripture, then there’s no issue. But that isn’t always the case. When it comes to manhood and womanhood, biblical equality can be summed up by the cliché: the same in value, but not the same in roles. I hold a complementarian view of gender, where essentially men and women have been created to complement one another. A brief biblical survey will show this. And after this, we’ll take a look at what some notable feminists say which are at odds with God’s word.

In Genesis 1:27, we see that God created male and female equally in his Image. Imago Dei. Equal in creation. We also see in Galatians 3:28 that men and women are valued equally in salvation through Jesus Christ. This means that a man and a woman have the same inherent worth. God does not rejoice any more when a man turns to him than he does when a woman turns to him. A male life is not worth more than a female life, and both are to be protected, respected and celebrated. At the same time, the Bible also tells us that men and women are given different responsibilities, especially in the home and in the Church. Qualified, loving and responsible men are called to lead and protect in the home, and in the church. Women are called to be birth givers (though not every single woman will) and willingly submit to and help the leadership of qualified men in the home and the church (Gen 2:16, Eph 5:22-23, 1 Tim 2:12; 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9). Jesus doesn’t consider it sexist to suggest different people play different roles. Would we say that Jesus was sexist because his 12 disciples were all men? In the same way that churches are called to submit to pastors, that doesn’t make pastors any more valuable in God’s kingdom (Hebrews 13:17).

One important note is that the leadership God has called men to is not the same as domination. Men do not have the authority to treat women as slaves or maids, rather men have the responsibility to care for, protect and provide for women, and God will hold men accountable to whether they do or fail to do that (Ephesians 5:22-25). Jesus shows us that true biblical leadership is summarised in sacrifice, provision and service, not domination and abuse (Mark 10:42-45). If this was stressed more, we would see much healthier relationships between the sexes, and much less abuse taking place.

Although this is the biblical model given, many feminists hold opposing views, putting them at odds with God.

Teresa Younger, CEO of the Ms Foundation, says:

As long as we stay and assign task and duty, responsibility and opportunity to a particular gender, then we are not actually striving for true feminism.

Betty Dodson, the late American sex educator said:

In order for women to progress, we must question all authority, be willing to challenge any rule aimed at controlling our sexual behaviour, and avoid doing business as usual, thereby maintaining the status quo.

Clearly, when the bible talks about equality, this is different from what many feminists think of when using the same word. In God’s eyes, sexual promiscuity and rejecting every authority is not equality – that is rebellion. This may not be the opinion of every woman, but the fact that many professing feminists hold views of equality that reject God’s means that we should be careful to hold such close associations.

Feminist Extremes Reject the Bible

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Bible is God’s word, given by God for us to know him and know how to follow him. Manhood and womanhood were designed by God, which means the Bible is sufficient to teach us about good gender relations. Now, there are movements of Christians who try to reconcile feminism with a trust in the Authority of Scripture, but there are also movements of feminists rejecting the Bible based on their feminist values. A true reading of the Bible (and not just picking a few verses out of context to prove an already set-in-stone agenda) will teach men not to rape, to love women, to care for them, to protect them and teach women to love men, care for them and respect them. Even still, several feminists outright reject the authority of the Bible.

Rosemary Radford Ruether, American Feminist Scholar, said:

“Feminist theology must create a new textual base, a new canon. . . . Feminist theology cannot be done from the existing base of the Christian Bible.”

A leader of the US Women’s Rights Movement, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, wrote:

“The Bible and the Church have been the greatest stumbling blocks in the way of woman’s emancipation.”

Emma Green of The Atlantic says:

“Self-identifying feminists who don’t believe in God might be hostile to any kind of Bible-driven sexual ethics”

I know that there are plenty of Christian feminists who affirm the Bible. But we can’t overlook the fact that many (and I suspect the overwhelming majority) would either reject the Bible as God’s authoritative word or would see the scriptures as a misogynistic and barbaric collection of books. Instead of blurring the lines, we should aim to stand on the word of God and show people how following Jesus leads to radically different and beautiful pictures of equality between men and women.

Jesus is for Jesus

“Would Jesus support Black Lives Matter?”

“Is Jesus a feminist?”

“Would Jesus be a conservative or liberal?”

We’ve seen over recent months how divisive things can become when we turn Jesus into the face of our movement. The question we really should be asking is “what did Jesus come to do?” One great answer can be found in John’s gospel.

John 3:16-17

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him”

Ultimately, Jesus came to save sinners from judgement and bring us back to God. He then calls us to follow him. Of course, following him has implications for how we treat men and women, different colours of people and what we support, but fundamentally Jesus is for Jesus and his glory. Jesus himself treated women with the utmost dignity, denied social norms to speak with women and taught his disciples to see women as equal (but different) partners in the Kingdom of God. As his disciples, we should do the same. But Jesus did not come to be a figurehead for any movement other than bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to Earth (Mark 1:15). Many times, the Jews wanted to make Jesus the King of Israel because they thought he would overthrow the Roman Empire on their behalf. But Jesus would often withdraw because he will only be King on his terms, not on ours (John 6:15).

Before we are recognised as a Christian feminist or a Christian anything, we should be recognised as Christians. I’m sure many of you reading this will disagree on certain points, think that I was soft on other points or have a range of other opinions. All I ask is that Christians remember to be first known for our love for Christ, which flows into our love for people and ultimately brings the glory back to him. Whether you choose to identify as a feminist or not, let your understanding of equality and your fight for justice be rooted in a love for God, and hope in his word.

Absent Father, Present God

Tobi Oludipe
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Absent Father, Present God
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“To as many as received Him gave them the power to be called sons of God’ (John 1:12) here power refers to the right, privilege, and authority. As believers in Christ we have access to an all-loving, omnipresent, omnipotent God and in His mercy and grace, He calls us his children. For some of us the ability to receive Him as a father is clouded by our personal relationships with our earthly fathers. We either have limiting beliefs about God’s ability to father us or no understanding of the role of a father in earthly or Heavenly form and therefore no understanding of who God desires to be to us.

What is a father?

To understand what a Father should look like, the best place we can refer to is the Bible. One of my favourite verses to give insight into this topic is in Jesus’ last moments, in His distress He cries out: “Do you not know I could call on my father and a legion of angels would appear…’ (Matt 26:53) In simple terms Jesus tells his audience: “Don’t let me get my dad on you!” This brief conversation says a lot about the relationship between a father and a child.

  • Fathers should be reliable. Jesus was confident that if He really wanted Him to, God would show up in His time of need. (1 Corinthians 1:9, Psalm 34:4)
  • Fathers should have the ability to aid you. There should be space for one to be a child (meaning still in development) and have DEPENDENCY on the father. (Psalm 54:4)
  • Father should be protectors. We should know that as best as they can, our Fathers will defend us and fight for our best interest. (Psalm 18:2)
  • Fathers should be non-judgemental. Jesus was not frightened to call on His Father. He did not fear unnecessary admonishment. He knew His father would see His son’s plea and try to help. (Romans 14:4)
  • Fathers should be present. Jesus was able to call on His Father. Meaning God as a father was in a position to be called upon. Being present is not only about being present in proximity (although this is always positive). When closeness cannot be achieved in this way, being present in terms of attitude and availability speaks volumes. (Psalm 145:18)

Sometimes we don’t realise what we are missing till it is highlighted. 

Realising the need for a Father


And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered

Matthew 10:30

I will never forget the time a woman at church was praying for me. She suddenly stopped and told me that God was aware that my father had not been present and He wanted to be a Father to me. I was shocked because I thought: “But God I already know you are my father?” 

The Holy Spirit (who acts as our personal aid in our relationship with God) is a gentleman and will only go as far as you give access. If we limit God to just our friend or just our provider, or “just the man in the sky who loves everyone but not me”, that’s all we will see. 

The pain of having an absent father, whether that be physically or emotionally, can leave both a void and a barrier. It can leave so many questions: Why did he go? Was I not good enough? Was it something I did? How can I be a good parent with my background? Or just sheer anger. The reality is that God desired for us to have both a mother and father in our lives. He told both Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply. The Bible further emphasises the role of a Father when it states, “The Lord carried you, as a father carries his son”(Deuteronomy 1:29–31). When we do not have a relationship with our earthly father we are left feeling an array of negative emotions even nonchalant. It is God’s desire to step in and heal us.

The reality of my situation was that I had not come to terms with what an earthly father should look like so there was no launchpad for me on how to relate to my Heavenly one. I also had not searched the scriptures to understand what the Father-Daughter relationship I claimed to have with God should look like. 

For others of us, we indeed do have the knowledge of what an earthly father should look like. Unfortunately, we have decided in our hearts that we no longer want anything to do with ANY idea of a father due to disappointment. Some have become stiff-necked to the idea of fathers and consequently made idols of independence. 

The importance of a father

The importance of a Father can not be justified in a single article but I put forward two key aspects of it.

Having a father gives a sense of identity. As the world is increasingly calling us into independence, we are forgetting the benefits of having one we can rely on completely. “Bless Jehovah and forget not his benefits” Psalm 103:2. A father gives a sense of direction. African-Americans have had to go through the pain of not knowing their origin and some spend their lifetime trying to reconnect the dots so they can, in turn, know themselves. How much more us not knowing God as our father?

“Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

John 5:19

As well as this, knowing God as a Father takes the pressure off. When we do not know God as a father, we see His instructions (given to us in love) as hindrances, and our desires to please Him as futile. Knowing that God is our Father means we can walk in sonship, trusting in His love and obeying Him the best we can. Knowing that in our failures, there is no condemnation but conviction as He cheers us on to do better. 

Changing our lenses. 

 And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.

2 Corinthians 6:18

In order to grow in intimacy with God and see Him as a Father there needs to be a change of lens. This can be done by:

  1. Understanding. “A true image of God is not to be found in all the world and hence…His glory is defiled…whenever He is set before our eyes in a visible form” – Calvin. We do God a wholly unconceivable injustice when we think that He would in any way mirror the letdowns of our earthly father. In every way your Father failed you, God can restore and rebuild.
  2. Read the Word of God. One way to hear God is through His word. Let Him guide you through the scriptures and reveal Himself to be your personal Father.
  3. Pray. Let the Lord cleanse you of past disappointments, soften your heart and renew your mind as you learn to see God in His true form, as your Heavenly Father. 

God is by nature a Father and He wants to unleash a new level of relationship with you. Lockdown has for some opened up new/ old wounds when it comes to our relationships with our earthly fathers. However, in the Bible, we are encouraged to set our eyes on the things above (Colossians 3:1). God is the ultimate Father because He knows you in a way nobody ever could. (Jeremiah 1:5). To those who are struggling to see God as such, I would really encourage you to change your lens: pray and let your heart be healed, get in the Word of God and have faith in His ability to Father you. Be expectant of a deeper relationship with God THE Father and healing in your heart towards your earthly father; after all, He is able to do far more abundantly than all you ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).

Why you should commit to Spiritual Disciplines

Cole Shiflet
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Why you should commit to Spiritual Disciplines
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As the new year begins, many Christians throughout the world are in the first few weeks of their new Bible reading plans and are already struggling to keep up. They desire to become more like Jesus and obey His Word, but they are confronted with the reality that this journey is difficult. It’s not easy to wake up each morning and choose to spend it reading a book written thousands of years ago, but there is rest and comfort in the Word of our God. Over the past two and a half years, I have studied spiritual disciplines and Christian formation with the goal of helping Christians experience consistency in their walk with God.

What are Spiritual Disciplines?

If the word “spiritual disciplines” is new to you, these are simply practices that we, as Christians, commit to in order to grow spiritually. This can include Scripture reading, prayer, fasting, service, and many other practices that are ultimately about growing in our affection for the Lord. Oftentimes, these practices are done begrudgingly and eventually fall out of habit, but these are incredibly important for a healthy spiritual diet.

Why are Spiritual Disciplines Important?

As John Mark Comer puts it, spiritual disciplines are important because they form us to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did. They teach us to walk in the grace that we have already received and they fuel one another. For example, in a 2018 article entitled an Introduction to Theology Matters, I argued that a “correct understanding of God’s nature leads to delight in God (rather than merely in the gifts that come from God), which inevitably leads to a correct expression of praise to God, obedience to God’s commands, and a passion for others to ‘glorify God and enjoy him forever.’” 

Scripture reading produces joy which leads to worship, personal holiness, and evangelism. When we are depressed, we ought to turn towards God’s Word. When we are anxious, we should run to the Lord in prayer. When we are thankful, we should express our gratitude to God through worship.

Where Do We Start?

Far too many well-meaning Christians commit to spiritual disciplines only to fall away with them after a short time. Typically, they found they were “reading the Bible to check a box” or “praying for the wrong reasons.” Truthfully, I’ve felt these same concerns myself. For much of my high school years, I woke up at the crack of dawn to read my Bible because I knew I should, not because I wanted to grow in my love for Jesus.

Scriptural Foundation

Before making a spiritual discipline a part of your daily routine, it is important to establish a scriptural foundation. Scripture is the ultimate guiding light as you navigate practices within the Christian life. For example, the scriptural foundation for the practice of silence and solitude comes from Psalm 37:7 which says,

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

Defining the Purpose

When I speak of defining the purpose, I am not talking about your specific career or vocation or even the corporate commands that God has given the Church. Instead, I am talking about defining your purpose behind each spiritual discipline you commit to. 

You can define your purpose by answering the question, “Why am I committing to this spiritual discipline?” I write each of these out as a clear, concise statement. For example, my purpose statement behind prayer reads,

I commit to cultivating rhythms of prayer because God commands it, it stirs my affections for Jesus, and it is foundational to my walk with God.

Casting the Vision

In addition to defining the purpose behind each spiritual discipline, it is important to cast vision to yourself by answering the question, “How will this spiritual discipline transform me?” When we lack the motivation to complete basic spiritual disciplines, it is often because we lack an understanding of the purpose and vision behind why we are committing to it in the first place. My vision statement for Scripture memory reads,

When I commit to memorizing Scripture, I will understand God’s Word better, carry the words of God into battle each day, and have them ready to share with others.

While there are many spiritual disciplines that should be included in order to cultivate healthy rhythms, I believe all Christians should commit to reading their Bibles, spending time in prayer, fighting for personal holiness, and sharing the gospel with others. These four foundational spiritual disciplines are arguably the most important.

Is Christianity the white man’s religion?

On Mission
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Is Christianity the white man’s religion?

On this weeks episode of The Pulse Podcast, we look at the history of the Christian faith. Many people claim that the roots of the Christian faith within the African community is based on slavery and should be rejected. However, what does the Bible say about the origins of the Christian faith and its existence in Africa prior to the slave trade?

Join the discussion online by using the hashtag #ThePulsePodcast. 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Cj1o5iq1Je6Wa6q2iDs72?si=QcQ4CuIhRMSOKS3T-6KQyQ

Join the conversation online using the hashtag #ThePulsePodcast

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Online Church Cannot Replicate the Physical Church

Chude Obuaya
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Online Church Cannot Replicate the Physical Church

No matter how convenient online church is, there is so much more to gain by being part of a local physical assembly.

On the 19th of March 2020, the World Health Organisation announced that the Covid-19 outbreak had become a pandemic. Consequently, governments across the globe incorporated lockdowns into their guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus. For many of us, it was the first time we had seen churches being forced to close. With the pandemic now over, the online church has remained. However, should it stay and could it replace the physical church?

The accessibility of church

A huge benefit of not being able to meet physically is that many churches have developed an online platform which allows them to stream services online. This online streaming platform allows churches to remain connected with their congregation and their wider community. This is a major blessing and should not be undermined. Given that many churches still can’t meet physically, having an online presence allows for community, albeit online. Data suggests that heading into Easter 2020 churches experienced greater online attendance. Yet, by June 2020 71% of pastors report attendance to have either plateaued or decreased (See The ChurchPulse Weekly Podcast). Whilst there are a plethora of hypotheses as to why online attendance has decreased, I’ll focus on just one – the local gathering of the body was always meant to be physical.

We must meet in person

The word ekklesia is the Greek word translated as the church. It has two derived meanings from scripture. The old testament defines the ekklesia as the general assembly of Jewish people, particularly for a religious purpose (Deuteronomy 9:10, 18:16) and in the new testament the ekklesia defines the gathering of those who place their faith in Christ (Matthew 16:18), Christians who gather in a particular region (Acts 5:11) or of a congregational meeting in a particular place e.g. a house (Romans 16:5). What we glean from the last of these definitions is that the local church is a physical gathering.

Much of the new testament are letters written to churches, with the authors expressing the desire for the church to meet physically (Acts 2:46, 20:7; Romans 1:11) . Communicating by letter wasn’t enough then, and meeting online won’t be enough now. The Greek word for ‘one another’ occurs about 100 times in the new testament, with approximately 59 of these commands being how believers are to relate to one another. These commands, such as bearing with one another, are difficult to do online. Remember obedience to commands is not merely doing them with your hands, but also doing them with your heart. This is what Christ teaches us during the sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5). It’s easier to be kind to someone that you can’t see physically, can you extend that same kindness when you see that annoying brother face to face? Meeting physically creates an environment for interaction that can’t be replicated online.

Now, I’m sure there are those who will point out that in 10 AD, for example, there was no online option available. But that doesn’t mean that people weren’t growing apathetic towards meeting physically. The book of Hebrews has multiple themes but one that is particularly pertinent for our times is persevering in faith. Notably, the writer of Hebrews links our fellowship with other believers in our local church as an important weapon in our arsenal to persevere in faith.

22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:22-25)

Do you notice how many personal pronouns are in these verses? None. The writer of Hebrews continuously links the vitality of our faith within a church community. Meaning our growth in faith, in hope and in love is fundamentally tied to Christians globally and more specifically Christians locally. When we neglect or undermine the physical gathering of the body we are missing out on the encouragement that scripture declares meeting physically provides.

Rethinking Church

Nathan Nwanji wrote an excellent article on church history and how we as believers have an ancient faith. Whilst we certainly experience a variety of different challenges as time evolves, there isn’t anything new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

Covid-19 isn’t the first plague that the Church has had to deal with and if Jesus tarries it won’t be the last. How we continue to respond to post the pandemic will be critical. There is indeed much to think about allegiance to God, obeying our government, loving our neighbour, accessibility to church etc. Whilst there is some freedom in how accessible we can make church what we cannot allow is this notion that the online church can replace the local church. According to the scriptures, there is too much at stake to even consider that possibility.


The Great Commission is Our Great Concern

Chude Obuaya
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The Great Commission is Our Great Concern
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“He is no fool who loses what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose” -Jim Elliot. This now-famous quote was written on October 28, 1949, in a journal. During a time of deep intimacy with God, these words flowed from a then 21-year-old whose greatest passion was to see lost men and women receive Christ. The great commission was Jim Elliot’s greatest concern. Is it ours?

What is the great commission?

Before Jesus’ ascension to heaven, He commissioned (formally chose) His followers to make disciples of all nations throughout the world (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18). Before this, Jesus states that upon his resurrection all authority has been given to Him (Matthew 28:18; Philippians 2:9-11). Therefore, His charge to His disciples then, and by extension His disciples now, isn’t a suggestion but a command. Jesus lived, died and rose for sinners (1 Timothy 1:15) and now He commands us to go into all the world and tell everyone about it. So then why does data suggest that evangelistic efforts in the West are decreasing?

Am I concerned?

There have been plenty of conversations both on- and offline that have discussed the current and previous evangelistic efforts and their relative successes or failures. Some have suggested that we should move away from street evangelism and more towards ‘living out the gospel’. Whilst I understand the sentiment, I think this type of thinking has created a false dichotomy between preaching and living out the gospel. Also, data suggests that we aren’t preaching or living the Gospel enough with the number of people unreached (see Joshua Project & State of Theology).

Romans 10 gives us a fascinating insight into concern for others, preaching, and living the Gospel. Paul begins the chapter by expressing his heart’s desire was to see his kinsmen saved (Romans 10:1), is this yours? He goes on to state that it’s possible to be zealous about God and yet not know Him (Romans 10:2-3), do you know people like this? Paul declares that true righteousness is through faith in Jesus, the culmination of the law (Romans 10:4-8), and this authentic faith confesses true things about Jesus, namely his death and resurrection, with the mouth and heart that believes in it(Romans 10:9-13); have you done this? Finally, this confession of faith and belief in the heart comes from hearing the word of God. How can people hear unless someone speaks? But how can these people speak if they haven’t been sent? So, who has done the sending? Jesus. (Romans 10:14-17; cf. Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18). The question that remains then is why aren’t we going if we have been sent?

Get Going

So how can we make the great commission the great concern of our souls? I think we can find the answer in Romans 10:17 and Colossians 3:16. We need ears to hear the truth, we need mouths to speak the truth, and we need faith to believe the truth. When all these elements combine what will develop is a deeper affection for Jesus and the people He created in His image. There will be no deep desire to do the great commission if our affection for Jesus is low. Jesus makes it clear if we love Him, we will obey Him (John 14:15). What we don’t need to do is to create undiscipled Pharisees that treat evangelism as some sort of numbers game. Neither should we create apathetic Christians who use the sovereignty of God as an excuse to be inactive. What we do need is a high view of Jesus and the Gospel He proclaimed so that more people can be grafted into the Beloved by the power of God.

What is at Stake?

The Gospel is the good news that God, through Jesus, has come to reconcile the cosmos unto Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19). Why did God need to do this? Because since sin entered the world there is now hostility between God and His creation (Romans 8:18-22; Ephesians 2:3). As a result of sin, humans are under the wrath of God (Ezekiel 7:8; Romans 1:18, 5:1) and this world is passing away (Revelation 21:1; 2 Peter 3:10). But God is redemptive. He has a people that He is redeeming for Himself and He calls those people to go into all the world (cosmos) and make disciples. There is a world out there that needs to hear the Gospel that doesn’t just save them from the wrath of God but more than that makes them children of God. Being silent about the Gospel has less to do with preference about the methodology of evangelism and more about our heart posture towards Jesus and sinners. If we really believe what the Gospel promises, then how can we be silent?

The Same Faith as Jim Elliot

For those of us who bear the name of Christ, the great commission must be our great concern. If we want the same faith as Jim Elliot, a man who was so consumed by sinners hearing and receiving the gospel, that it governed how he lived, then we must be consumed by God’s word as he was. Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17) and when this faith fills your heart, hope and love will follow (Romans 5:4). This is what we need for the great commission to be our great concern.

Jesus The Bread Of Life

On Mission
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Jesus The Bread Of Life

Q. Who was the fastest runner in the race? A. Adam, because he was first in the human race.

Jesus, when speaking to the masses always liked to use metaphors that were familiar to His listeners. He would talk about the sun and the rain to explain God’s grace upon all mankind. He would talk about planting seeds or going fishing to explain the importance of reaching others with the truth of the Gospel. He spoke of a farmer, a king, a merchant, a vineyard, a pearl, a lamp, a son, a wedding, a treasure in a field… things that common men and women knew. Well, maybe not so much the treasure in the field but don’t give up hope… keep looking!

When we come to the I AM’s of Jesus we find they are no different and today’s subject is one that is very common to all of us. It is a particular tasty topic and that is bread! It is one close to my heart… quite literally. It is just a little bit south in my stomach. But before you start licking your lips it needs to be said that we will be focusing on the spiritual bread.

Discussion

  • What is your favourite parable in the bible and why?
  • What is the most confusing parable in the bible?

Unity and Grace

Today, we are in John chapter 6  and the whole chapter is about food really. While we won’t read it, the context of Jesus’ statement that He is the bread of life came one day after He performed the miracle with the bread and fish. Can you remember that?

There Jesus gave thanks to the Father and fed the great crowd on just 5 barley loaves and two small fish. You will hopefully remember that the bread and fish were multiplied so that everyone had enough. It didn’t matter if there were 200 or 200,000 people that turned up. There was always going to be more than enough for all. Even this is teaching us about the Lord Jesus who as the bread of life is multiplied to all.

The numbers are also instructive – 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread. In the Bible, the number 2 speaks of unity and 5 is the number of grace. When we come into unity with the Lord and experience His grace we are filled and have more than enough. So it is in this context that Jesus declares that He is the bread of life. Let’s read:

John 6:22-35 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. (23) Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.  (24) Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. (25) When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” (26)  Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. (27) Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him, God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” (28) Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” (29) Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” So they asked him, “What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? (31)  Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” (32) Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. (33) For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”  (34) Sir, they said, “from now on give us this bread.” (35)  Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. 

Discussion

  • What is our reflection from this passage?
  • What is surprising to us about this passage?

So why use the metaphor of bread? – Historial Lense

Let’s begin just looking at bread in the natural for a moment. Mankind has been baking loaves for thousands of years. The simple loaf feeds the poorest and the most well off amongst us. Where ever you go on this planet, bread, whether it is a bagel, a baguette or banana bread, is being consumed every day. And from a quick survey of the Bible, we see that it has been that way right from the very beginning. The first mention of bread goes right back to the fall of mankind:

Genesis 3:19 By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.”

The essential character of bread is also seen right smack bang in the middle of something as important as the Lord’s Prayer where Jesus taught His disciples to pray:‘Give us this day our daily bread.’ (Matthew 6:11)

It is used because it symbolises the essential sustenance of what we need, naturally speaking. This is how it has been seen and used throughout secular history as well. For example In Roman times, the leaders spoke of controlling the masses through ‘bread and circuses’. That is, they saw that if the masses had full bellies and were entertained, that is essentially all they cared for and they would look past all the corruption in the Roman leadership.

Bread being an essential requirement to life is also seen in its connection with another essential element – money. ‘Bread’ or ‘dough’ is another name for money. The one who earns a wage for the family is called the ‘breadwinner’.

They have the means to put bread on the table. In cockney rhyme ‘bread and honey’ is the name for money.2 So we have seen that bread goes back in time as far as the very Garden of Eden itself. It is common to the richest and poorest alike. It transcends cultures and nations. As a staple food, it often symbolises all that we need physically in the Bible. Hopefully, a few more light bulbs are going off as to why Jesus said I AM the bread of life! As bread feeds the whole world in a physical, natural sense, Jesus feeds and nourishes us spiritually.

The heart and desire of mankind

So did the people in Jesus’ day recognise how essential Jesus was to their very lives?

John 6:26 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.

Jesus said that the crowds followed not because of His words, not because of His miracles but because they got a free feed. That is the picture of fallen mankind right there. It is a picture of a creation whose connection with its Creator has been broken… snapped.

What does it care about? It cares about the natural not the spiritual. It cares about the temporal, not the eternal. It cares about a full belly, not a clean heart. Jesus knew this – He knew what was in the heart of man as He created them and had been dealing with them for thousands of years. The natural man is not interested in the spiritual. It can be quite frustrating when you are trying to give them real eternal food and they see no worth in it. If they have their food, their entertainment, their bread and circuses, that is enough.

Now I was like that too for a long time but thankfully I came to the point, in my first year at University, where I wanted to know why I was here. I wanted to know the One that created me. I wanted to know that my sins were forgiven. I wanted to know what was actually important in life. And quite frankly, I wanted to know where I was going when I died! Jesus said you are following me not because of any spiritual need or sight that you have seen but because you got received full bellies. One. Sad. Commentary. On. Mankind. Why are you following Jesus? Is it for Him? Because that is what He offers

Discussion

  • Have you seen this in action?
  • People coming after Jesus for the wrong reason?
  • Why and how does this happen?

The challenge of mankind


John 6:27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

Here is the challenge of the Lord to go beyond what natural man craves and lives for. It is the same type of challenge that the prophet Isaiah spoke to his people saying: 

‘Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. (3) Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. ‘ (Isaiah 55:2-3)

You can hear God pleading with the people!

The challenge is what do you live for?

Is it just for that which is temporal?

Is it just for that which doesn’t ultimately satisfy?

Jesus said there is a food that endures to eternal life. There is a bread that truly satisfies in this life and in the next. Mankind spends so much time and energy trying to obtain temporal things which don’t satisfy.

You can buy a bed, but you can’t buy rest. You can buy books, but not wisdom. You can buy entertainment, but not joy. Leisure, but not peace. Insurance, but not security or safety. You can buy your way to the top, but you can’t buy salvation. 

True rest, peace, joy, security and salvation are found only in the One who is rest, who is joy, who is peace, who is salvation. Have you found that?

How is Jesus as the Bread of Life pictured in the Old Testament?

This picture of Jesus as the bread of life is pictured in the Old Testament (because New Testament truth concerning Jesus is always pictured in some form in the Old). The Jews listening to Jesus touched on one example:

John 6:31-33 Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” (32) Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. (33) For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.

In the Old Testament God fed the children of Israel with a type of bread as they went through the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. It was called ‘manna’ and it pictured in a small way the true bread that was coming. What do we know about the manna?

Some questions -So the question is, what are you feeding on? 

What do you try to sustain yourself with?

If you are a born again Christian then you are a heavenly person. And a heavenly person needs to be sustained by heavenly things! God gives us many things to enjoy on this planet but devoid of Him they ultimately become meaningless. A.B Simpson hammers it home when he writes  

‘The reason why multitudes of Christians are famished and feeble is because they are trying to live upon the husks or the fruits of this world. They are longing for the flesh pots of Egypt or the quails of lust and are weary of the simple bread of God. They feed on man’s philosophies, materialism, the sensationalism of the novel… or the husks of the market and stock exchange, instead of the pure, sweet, sustaining word of God.’ 

I AM the bread of life


John 6:35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. 

What a big call this is! Notice Jesus doesn’t say ‘I will give you the bread of life’ or ‘I’ll show you the bread of life’ or ‘I will help you find the bread of life’. No, I AM the bread of life! If you feed on me you will never be hungry or thirsty again!

BBC –  ‘It would be folly for a sinful man to utter the words of verse 35. No mere man can satisfy his own hunger or thirst, much less satisfy the spiritual appetite of the whole world!’  

Who else would say that they themselves are what everybody needs! Has anyone ever spoken like this before? Did Buddha or Confucius or Muhammad? They would point to someone or something else. Jesus pointed to Himself. I AM what you need! And yet He actually is the bread of life. He was born into this world to meet the spiritual need that fallen humanity has.

In fact, His very birthplace is significant in this regard. Where was Jesus born? His birth fulfilled the great prophecy in Micah:

Micah 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Bethlehem in the Hebrew means ‘House of Bread’. The house of bread would bring forth its greatest ever, never to be repeated, loaf.

And look closer at the claim He makes – ‘He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty’.  He isn’t talking about natural thirst and hunger obviously but the deepest longings of human needs. They will be completely met. What are humanities deepest needs? It has said that our deepest needs are based on Identity, acceptance, security and purpose.3

How Do I Hear God’s Voice When I’m Making Big Decisions in Life?

Rebecca Dada
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How Do I Hear God’s Voice When I’m Making Big Decisions in Life?
Prefer to listen? Listen here!

When we become Christians one of the several challenges we face is; figuring out what God’s will is when we’re making decisions in life. How can we seek God’s voice and know the plans he wants us to make?

Many of us will go through the experience of having to make what seems like life-altering decisions. We will have to decide which University to go to, which career path to follow, or even who to marry. In fact, every single day we go through a process of making countless minute choices, that at times can also feel life-altering. When faced with such decisions, we are often left with the question; ‘what is God’s will?’

Whilst at university, I was faced with this exact conundrum. I had to make a decision that could shape the rest of my life. In the moment, I was worried that making the wrong decision could possibly be contrary to God’s will for me. At that time, it was vital for me to hear God correctly, otherwise, I would be at risk of disobeying him. The decision? Well, the age-old decision of every soon to be graduate, which job to apply for.

I spent some time “listening out” for God’s voice, looking for a sign, waiting for the correct path to be revealed to me. Eventually, I thought I got what I wanted. I felt as though I heard God tell me “Apply for this job, you’ll get it”. Excitedly, I applied with all the confidence and all the faith in the world just to find out a few months later that I didn’t get the job. You can imagine the disappointment that overcame me. Of course, I was disappointed that I didn’t get the job but I was even more disappointed I had “heard God wrong”. This led me down a journey of questioning and rediscovering how God speaks to us as Christians. I wanted to learn how I could be certain when God is speaking to me.

Don’t Look Up, Look Down

I discovered that, the surest way to know God is speaking is by opening the Bible. One of my favourite quotes is one by Justin Peters that says, “If you want to hear God speak, read your Bible. If you want to hear God speak audibly, read your Bible out loud”. I love this quote because it simplifies the idea of “hearing the voice of God” and makes it accessible. The wonder of hearing God speak personally to us is no longer reserved for a few but has been given to all through the Bible.

Oh, how precious is the Bible. It is the very word of God. In it God speaks in the twenty-first century.

John Piper

When we read the Bible, we are not just opening some old relic that has been passed down from generation to generation. Instead, we are reading the inspired word of God (2 Timothy 3:16)  that is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). God’s word in scripture is not dormant, dead or to be skimmed over. God’s word, is a source of life (Psalm 119:93); God’s word, when hidden in our hearts has the power to keep us from sinning (Psalm 119:11); God’s word, provides illumination and guidance, giving us the wisdom we need to journey through life (Psalm 119:105).

The Bible does not just contain the words that God has said, they also contain the words that God is saying. So when you are faced with a decision to make and you ask yourself what is God saying, don’t look up into the sky, look down on to the pages of the Bible.

Complete And Equipped For Every Good Work

The Bible may not tell us the specifics of which University to go to, which career path to follow or who to marry but the Bible always equips us to make godly decisions. In 2 Timothy 3 Paul speaks about how these inspired words of scripture do just that.

16All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Every good work! Not some, not a few but EVERY, including making decisions that glorify God. Where we can occasionally absolve ourselves of the responsibility of making decisions by saying “I’m waiting for God to speak”, the Bible tells us that God has already spoken the words that will equip us to make these decisions that we shy away from.

God’s will for His children has been revealed through Scripture. It is our duty then to devote ourselves to a life of studying these scriptures so that we may understand the will of God and ultimately make decisions that will bring glory to him.

The beginning of the year is the time where many make plans for the next chapter of life. Some of us are still yet to make these plans, waiting for God to speak before we commit to anything. Well, guess what, that closed Bible sitting on your bookshelf contains the very words of God you long to hear. Open it and enjoy the wonder of God speaking to you.

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