THE CALL TO A RESCUE MISSION

 

METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA

DIOCESE OF OSOGBO

TWENTY-SECOND (22^ND) SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME/TWELFTH (12^TH) SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY 30^TH AUGUST 2020.

GOD’S WORD TO GOD’S PEOPLE.

THEME: The Call to a Rescue Mission

Ipe si ise igbala

TEXT: Exodus 3:4&10

"So when the Lord saw that he (Moses) turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.

"Nigbati Oluwa ri i pe, o yipada si apakan lati wo o, Olorun ko sii lati inu aarin igbe naa wa, o si wipe, Mose, Mose. O si dahun pe, emi o si ran o si Farao, ki iwo ki o le mu awon eniyan mi, awon omo Israeli lati Egipti jade wa."

The mission of God (missio Dei), according to the World council of churches affirmation, is for the fullness of life for all creation (John 10:10). This mission is said to be too big, too large, too deep and too high for a particular people, race, group or religion to fulfill, hence our God has continued to recruit men and women, boys and girls, old and young, and rich and poor to participate in his mission for the fullness of life for all his creation. His aim is that all may be saved. Yes, I think this aim of God is what Rev. John Wesley, the father of Methodism, meant when he explained that certain aspects of the Christian faith required emphasis. And according to him the distinctive emphasis on Salvation could be expressed in four ways namely:

1. All people need to be saved (Rom. 3:23)
2. All people can be saved
3. All people can know they are saved
4. All people can be saved to the uttermost.

The issue here is that God wants all human beings to be saved, but the question is how can all be saved? Simple, faith in Jesus Christ and repentance from sin and wickedness can bring salvation to all as intended by God who so loved the world and gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Since then, our God has continued to allow privileged people to participate in his mission for salvation of others just as he called and recruited Moses in his rescue mission.

Moses who was saved at birth by God and brought up miraculously in the Egyptian palace (Ex. 2:1-10) later became an instrument of honour in God's hand (2Tim. 2:20&21). He had also spent about forty years in Midian serving as a shepherd (Acts 7:23; Ex. 7:7). There is therefore no doubt that Moses would have meditated on the hard experience of the Israelites, his own people, and what God could do to save them during these forty years he was going around in the field. Yes, he would have as well prayed for their deliverance without knowing that he was the man to be used by God to rescue the children of Israel from Egypt. It is important for us to note, today, that God calls people who are busy and hard-working to join in his rescue mission. For instance, Gideon was threshing grain when God called him (Judges 6), Samuel, the Prophet, was serving in the temple when he was called (1Sam. 3), David was shepherding his father's flock when he was called to be king over Israel (1Sam. 17:20). Elisha was plowing (1Kings 19:19-21). Simon, Andrew, John and James were doing their fishing business when Jesus called them (Mk. 1:16-20) and Matthew known as Levi was collecting and recording taxes when he was called into the rescue mission of God (Matt. 9:9). God, in his word, says nothing palatable about laziness (Prov. 24:30-34; Matt. 25:26-27, 2Thess. 3:10-12). Who are you and what are you doing? God needs people who are capable of rescuing the perishing and caring for the dying. Those who are strong enough to challenge the devil and his agents. He does not need lazy people who cannot rise to participate in any serious mission like the one we are talking about today. Moses was found available in the bush, and he was called and recruited into this all important mission of God. Moses' call was dramatic and systematic. His call followed an experience which can be simplified thus:

1)   What Moses saw (Ex. 1:1-4): Moses saw a bush which was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. It became a great puzzle to him at Horeb, the mountain of God. Yes, it is possible for God to take an insignificant bush, set it on fire, and turn it into a miracle in the eyes of his people to secure their attention. God used the scene to speak to Moses who though weak for God's mission of deliverance, but could be made strong and able by the empowering fire of God which we call the Holy Spirit today. (Ex. 19: 18; 24:17; Deut. 4:24; Judges 13:20; Heb. 12:29) God in his plan of Salvation had arranged that through Moses, he would rescue Israel, the light of God in the world, who was persecuted and afflicted as noted last Sunday in Exodus Chapter One, but not consumed like the burning bush seen by Moses in today’s Old Testament reading. Christians are the light of the world today (Matt. 5:14) who are being persecuted but not consumed. The Lord is looking for people who will rise and save his people so that he can have more people in his rescuing mission in the world, especially at this end time when Christians are being afflicted almost everywhere in the world. What are you seeing my dear brethren? Are you also seeing bush which is set ablaze, but not consumed in Nigeria? Open your eyes and look very well, you will see your brothers and sisters being persecuted, though not yet consumed altogether. Who knows the reason you are alive today? Who knows why God did not allow CONVID-19 to destroy or attack you? (Esther 4:14) God wants you to see a need in Nigeria and the world at large which will move you to rise and join others on a divine rescue mission. Join now, tomorrow may be too late.

2)   What he heard (Ex. 3:5-10): Having spoken to Moses in figurative expression through the burning bush, God also spoke to him in words. He assured Moses that he was the God of his fathers and that he had seen the oppression of the Jews in Egypt. He told him of his readiness to rescue his children from their afflictors and take them out of suffering to a land flowing with milk and honey. He then commissioned him since he had registered his availability to do God's will when he said, "Here am I" in verse 4 of Exodus Chapter 3. He told him to go and lead the children of Israel out of suffering in Exodus 3:10. God is also speaking to someone today to come and participate in his rescue mission for fullness of life. He wants people with genuine love (Rom. 12:9) and passion for others in this corrupt world. Men and women who will rescue the perishing and care for the dying, and tell the world that Jesus saves. Those who are not lagging in diligence, but fervent in spirit and ready to serve the King of kings (Rom. 12:11). God is calling you and me, did you hear him or his call?

3)   What he did (Ex. 3:11f): One would expect Moses to respond like Isaiah, "Here am I, send me." (Isa. 6:8), but instead of simple submission to God's will he argued and complained. He tried to escape God's call to go and rescue Israel from Egyptian slavery. You may recall that Moses had tried to use his position and self-power to rescue Israel from bondage about 40years ago while in Egypt (Ex. 2:11f), but it was not God's time. Now that God was ready to use him for what he had tried to do on his own but failed, he started giving reasons why he could not accept God's call like many of us are doing today. What are the excuses of Moses to escape God's rescue mission? Are they yours today or some other excuses?

a.    Who am I? (Ex. 3:11&12) Moses struggled with his identity. He felt he was not qualified for the job. However, what Moses thought of himself was not really important in God's mission. What matters is what God has said. Brethren, whenever God calls you to join in his mission for fullness of life for his Creation, do not hesitate. Don't look at yourself, because all you will see is insufficiency and failure, but look at Jesus Christ the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2), and rely on his promises for success and victory. (Josh. 1:5; Isa. 41:10; 43:5)

b.    Who are you? (Ex. 3:13-22) Here, Moses felt a lack of intimacy with God. He had not known God enough so as to determine or perceive what he could do. God can do beyond our imaginations, just trust him and join his army to fight Satan, sin and the flesh. The one calling you today is the God of all seasons, the beginning and the end (Heb. 13:8; Rev. 22:13).

c.    What if they don't believe me (Ex. 4:1f) Moses was concerned about his credentials before the Jewish leaders. He felt intimidated, but God assured him of his presence and gave three signs which convince the people (Ex. 4:3f). The rod in his hand was to do the miracles, because it has been filled with God's power unknown to Moses himself. Go ahead, answer God's call and be prepared to go on his mission, you will certainly see his power in action.

d.    I have never been a good speaker (Ex. 4:10). Never complain of your disability whenever God calls you. He created you and know what you don't know (Ex. 4:11&12).

e.    I know you can find someone else to go (Ex. 4:13). Moses felt inferior here as he compared himself to others. Men and brethren stop comparing yourself to others when he calls you, but believe him and answer his call. Definitely you will not regret you did. It is good to count the cost of participating in his mission (Matt. 16:24-28), but it shouldn't discourage you from accepting to go on rescue mission for the Lord because God will reward all our works of love (Heb. 6:10) Jesus Christ is calling you, he is calling me and he is calling all of us who see and hear him every day to come and go for him. He is calling us out of our own challenges of life. The divine call to God's rescue mission is summarized by Cecil F. Alexander (1823-1895) in hymn written in Methodist Hymn Book numbered 157 (YMHB 219)

Let us pray

Rt. Rev. A.K.O. Ogunrinde, JP, FICT.

Bishop, Diocese of Osogbo.

OS-CAN Chairman.

An Afflicted People

 

METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA

DIOCESE OF OSOGBO

TWENTY-FIRST (21^ST) SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME/ELEVENTH (11^TH) SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

23^RD AUGUST, 2020.

GOD’S WORD TO GOD’S PEOPLE.

THEME:An Afflicted People

(Iran eni a ti a hun pon loju)

TEXT: Exodus 1:10&11

“Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land. Therefore, they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pitom and Raamses.”

 “E wan naa, e je ki a fi ogbon ba won se; ki won ki o ma se bisi i, yoo si se nigbati ogun kan ba se won o dapo mo awon ota wa pelu won o maa ba wa ja, won o si jade kuro ni ile yii. Nitori naa ni won se yan akonisise le won, lati fi ise won pon won loju. Won si ko ilu isura fun Farao, Pitomu ati Ramesesi.”

The book, Exodus, contained the continued story of God's program of Salvation which he announced in the Old Testament to Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:15) and his chosen servant, Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3) No wonder the writer of Exodus begins his work with the word - "NOW" because every other thing which follows is the continuation of the story which started in Genesis. This second book of the Bible commonly called Exodus is referred to as "the book of names" simply because it opens with a list of the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob) who came with their families from Canaan to settle in the land of Egypt as a result of famine (Gen. 46). You may recall that throughout the years Joseph served as Prime-Minister (second in command) in Egypt, his family (family of Jacob) was greatly respected as they all lived in Goshen; and even when he (Joseph) was no more, his memory was venerated in the way his people (Hebrews) were treated by the Egyptians. It is obvious that the covenant between God and Abraham, their great grandfather was upheld by God who faithfully blessed his descendants and caused them to multiply greatly even in a strange land (Gen. 12:1-3, 15:5, 17:2&6, 22:17) In fact, the children of Israel had grown more than six hundred thousand (600,000) adult male as at the time of Exodus (Ex. 12:37, 38:26). Of course, when we add women and children who are always more in number at any given occasion, in short, the total population of Israel in Egypt might not be less than two million people. God actually kept his promise! But unfortunately for the Israelites, a new Pharaoh who did not know Joseph nor loved to hear his story became unhappy with the progress and rapid growth of the Jewish people in Egypt (Ex. 1:1-7), so he took a shrewd and hard steps to control their growth; hence the affliction of an innocent people in the land of Egypt took the following dimensions:

1. Afflicting the grown-up Hebrews (Ex. 1:8-14). The enslavement and maltreatment of the Jewish adults in a strange land of Egypt as seen in our Old Testament text (Exodus 1:8-2) today was the fulfillment of God's word (Gen. 15:12-14). He however promised to deliver them by his power at the right time. Note that Egypt had already been compared to a smoking furnace by God in Deuteronomy Chapter 4 verse 20, where the Bible says, "But the Lord has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be His people, an inheritance, as you are this day." They were meant to suffer great affliction in Egypt, but their affliction would transform them as a people into a mighty nation. (Gen. 46:3). Historically, Israel had seen many Egyptian dynasties in their successions, because they had lived there for about four hundred and thirty (430) years (Ex. 12:40&41). One may therefore ask, who could this new Pharaoh who did not know Joseph and his family be? And why did he try to destroy the children of Israel? It was agreed in the Old Testament scholarship that the Hyksos, who were foreigners like the Hebrews in the land of Egypt’s formed the 17th Dynasty, and that could provide the reason for their Sympathy for Israel during his reign. The 18^th Dynasty, however, was Egyptian, and during his reign, strangers were afflicted and expelled from Egypt. This could be the dynasty which began the precaution of the Hebrews in Egypt. It is an established fact that the children of Israel were not causing trouble in Egypt, rather they were sources of blessing in the land just as Joseph had been before their arrival (Gen. 39:1-6). The only reason for their suffering according to Pharaoh himself, was the rapid growth of Israel which became a security risk in the land (Ex. 1:10). He felt that Israel might one day join their enemies to fight against them. The spiritual reason why Israel was afflicted and persecuted by the Egyptian is what is written in Genesis Chapter 3 verse 15, which is about the enmity put by God between the children of Satan and the people of God, a conflict which is still very much with us in the world today. But one thing is certain, children of darkness can never overcome the children of light. Our God is long-suffering, he sees nations persecuting his chosen people today, especially in Nigeria where Christians are been persecuted on every side, even with some sections of CAMA as recently approved by our government. God will eventually cause his hand of judgment to fall on the oppressors as he did to the Egyptians (Ex. 14:24&25). Though the Israelites suffered great affliction in the hands of the Egyptian taskmasters who worked them ruthlessly (Ex. 1:13), but the blessing of God made them to grow rapidly and his anger fell even more on the captors/oppressors. The same can still happen today for our God is not asleep.
2. Murdering the Hebrew male children at birth was the next step (Ex. 1:15-21): The next step taken by the wicked king who forgot history of his people and how they were saved by Joseph, a Jew, was to wipe away the future generation of the Hebrews in Egypt. He ordered the killing of the Jewish boys at birth so that their girls would grow and eventually be married to Egyptian slaves and absorbed into the Egyptian’s race (Ex. 1:15&16). Glory be to God who did not allow Pharaoh's plan to succeed (Gen. 3:15 and 12:1-3) Darkness can never overcome the light. For the Bible says "If it had not been the Lord who was on our side," Let Israel now say – If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men (Egyptians) rose up against us, Then they would have swallowed us alive, when their wrath was kindled against us." (PS. 124:1-3). The two midwives attending to the Hebrew women at birth could not be used by the king to carry out this evil plan, because they both feared God. They probably witnessed God's miraculous acts of how the Hebrew women, unlike the Egyptian women, put to bed even before their arrival (Ex. 1:16&19) This seemed to be the first civil disobedience in the scripture, that is refusing to obey the command of the king which is just like disobeying the evil law of the society because of the high good lying side by side with the evil (Ex. 20:30 - "You shall not murder") Though the act of the midwives might looked contrary to what the Bible says in Matthew 20:21;  Romans 13:1 and 1Peter 2:11, but the same Bible in Romans 13:5 teaches us that our obedience to civil law must not violent the law of our conscience. Human beings ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29) This is why Christians in Nigeria must rise against the satanic section of the recently approved CAMA where the secular seeks to control the sacred and thus violate the fundamental human right to association. God however blessed the two leading midwives for putting their own lives on the line just to save the Jewish nation from affliction and extinction. He gave them his best reward (Ex. 1:21). Let us all say NO to the killings going on in the Southern Kaduna, Nigeria, today. Let pray it and work for it as well. We will not loose the reward from God.
3. Drowning the Jewish male children was the third affliction (Ex. 1:22) It is now obvious that Pharaoh had been deceived by the God fearing midwives and he knew it. The king then gave a general command to his people to ensure that every son born by the Jews in Egypt should be drowned in the sacred river Nile. What a terrible situation for the Jews! Surely, many Jewish babies who were boys drowned in Egypt as a result of the wicked law of the king. But according to chapter two of Exodus, a boy (deliverer, liberator, legislator and mediator) would be born and no one would be able to kill him or drown him in any river. This could give all Christians in Nigeria a hope of deliverance. Certainly, we know that our Redeemer lives (MHB, YMHB 134) Jesus Christ, our Saviour has promised to be with us at all times, even in the period of our afflictions (Matt. 28:20; John 16:33) If the church refuses, to conform itself to the world, but remained transformed, without blemish and winkle (Rom. 12:1&2), I am optimistic that our God will bring the words of his beloved Son to fulfillment that, "...on this rock I will build my Church, and the gate of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you (Church) the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven" (Matt. 16: 18-19) in short, children of God will not suffer affliction the second time (Nahum1:9).

Let us pray

Rt. Rev. A.K.O. Ogunrinde, JP, FICT.

Bishop, Diocese of Osogbo.

OS-CAN Chairman.

The Mercy of God

 

METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA

DIOCESE OF OSOGBO

TWENTIETH (20^TH) SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME/TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

16^TH AUGUST, 2020.

GOD’S WORD TO GOD’S PEOPLE.

THEME: The Mercy of God

(Anu Olorun)

TEXT: Matthew 15:22a & 28

"A Gentile woman who lived there came to him pleading, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! "Dear woman," Jesus said to her," your faith is great. Your request is granted." And her daughter was instantly healed."

"Si wo o, obinrin Kan ara Kenaani ti ekun naa wa, o si kigbe pe e, wipe, Oluwa, Iwo omo Dafidi, saanu fun mi; Nigba naa ni Jesu dahun o si wi fun un pe, Obinrin yii, igbagbo nla ni tire: ki o ri fun o gege bi iwo ti n fe A si mu omobinrin re larada ni wakati Kan naa."

Mercy is simply compassion, pity, benevolence or kindly forbearance shown toward other person in one's capacity or power. God's mercy, therefore, means his pity, compassion, and kindness toward people around us. The mercy of God is seen in believer's life at salvation, and he continues to show mercy to all his creation in forgiveness, healing, restoration just to mention a few. Surely, his mercy triumphs over judgement (James 2:13) God's mercy also, shows his patience, because it is something which extends in grace and kindness to the work of his hand (human beings) who never deserve it. The mercy of God which is our focus today is something beyond human understanding. It is an unmerited kindness shown by the Creator to his creatures, especially in his positive response to the needs of the Gentiles (unclean set of people).

In our text today (Matthew 15:10-28), Jesus Christ did not only teach what defiles human beings, but he practiced his teaching by moving his ministry into Gentile territory, where he had an encounter with a woman of faith from the area of Tyre and Sidon. Note that the Gentiles were uncircumcised people regarded as unclean (sinners) in the eyes of the Jews. In fact, the Gentiles were regarded as dogs by the Jews. It is however not surprising to find Jesus ministering to people in the Gentile region. This he did to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah the Prophet who says, "Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. He will not cry out, nor raise his voice, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed he will not break, and smoking flax he will not quench; he will bring forth justice for truth. He will not fail nor be discouraged, Till he has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands shall wait for his law. (Isa. 42:1-4 CF Matt. 12:17-21). The fulfillment of the prophecy notwithstanding, the fact still remains that the emphasis of Jesus' ministry was on ministering to the Jews (Matt. 10:5-6; 15:24), it was just his mercy that located the Syrophoenician woman and her demon possessed daughter in the gospel passage appointed for this 10th Sunday after Trinity (Matt. 15: (10-20), 21-28).

In our text, Jesus Christ was trying to remove himself from the sight of the crowd because he did not want anyone to know that he was in the region of Tyre and Sidon, but he could not be hidden (Mark 7:24). Secretly or openly, the Syrophoenician (Canaanite) woman heard where he was and came to him for help. Jesus' response, though not palatable to the woman, was not to destroy her faith, but to make her strong in her faith. The woman had faith in Jesus Christ's power to heal her daughter and as well show them mercy. So her own replies or response to Jesus showed that she believed so much in Jesus Christ and unwilling to let go without getting what she wanted. Such faith was described by Godly Samuel Rutherford as "faith's work to claim and challenge loving-kindness out of all the roughest strokes of God." Truly, this Gentile woman saw Jesus Christ as the Messiah (Matt. 15:22), whose mercy and loving kindness have no boundary. Though Jesus Christ remained silent initially, definitely he knew the woman's heart, and thus his silence encouraged her to continue to cry all the more, requesting for her need. She was indeed patient and persistent. She moved to the next level of her clarion call for mercy when she jettisoned the Messianic title of Jesus Christ and came as a sinner who needed help. She offered no argument but simply said; "Lord, help me!" (Matt. 15:25).

The next level of the woman's faith provoked a shocking and unexpected answer from the Saviour who said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs." Here, the Greek word used means a little pet dog or puppy and not the wild one which ran the streets and ate the garbage. Whereas the Children mentioned here only referred to the Israelites. This woman of faith and great wisdom quickly seized on the illustration of Jesus Christ about the children's bread and dog to show her acceptance of whatever she is called and her determination to receive mercy. She confessed that the Gentiles do not sit at table as Children and eat bread, but she knew that pet dogs (puppy) under the table can eat some of the crumbs and be satisfied. What a great confession of faith! Seeing the woman's high level of faith and her determination to obtain mercy, Jesus then had mercy on her and immediately healed her daughter. Men and brethren, no matter how far you have been from Christ as a result of sin, I want to announce to you today that Calvert has bridged the gap, when Jesus Christ died for the whole world and made reconciliation possible (Eph. 2:11cf). You can also access the mercy of God today, just believe in Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31) Remember the message of Paul to the Romans, when he said, "For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy, For God has committed them all to disobedience, that he might have mercy on all" (Rom. 11:30-32).

Do you know that all human beings are at the mercy of God? He once told Moses, "...I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion" (Ex. 33:19b). In his letter to the Romans, Paul also raised an important question which he as well answered thus: "What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! For he (God) says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whomsoever I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whomsoever I will have compassion." So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs but of God who shows mercy." (Rom. 9:14-16). Fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters in Christ, do you know that we all need the mercy of God to escape the ongoing attack of COVID-19 pandemic? We have to come to him in faith and accept his mercy without which we can do nothing. Our success, victory, healing, blessing, progress, deliverance, breakthrough, protection, and what have you depend solely on the mercy of God. Don't be discouraged by all your unanswered prayers or by what you see around you, just keep on calling on God through Jesus Christ, be resolute and trust him, very soon he will have mercy on you. Be patient but persistent at making your request known to him like the Syrophoenician woman and you will be amazed at his merciful disposition. Our God is a merciful God, trust him and always seek his mercy, for it is your turn to enjoy his mercy.

Let us pray.

Rt. Rev. A.K.O. Ogunrinde, JP, FICT.

Bishop, Diocese of Osogbo.

OS-CAN Chairman.

My Dream (Ala mi)

 

METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA

DIOCESE OF OSOGBO

NINETEETH (19^TH) SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME/NINETH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

9^TH AUGUST, 2020.

GOD’S WORD TO GOD’S PEOPLE.

THEME: “My Dream (Ala mi).”

TEXT: Genesis 37:5,19&20

"Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. Then they said to one another, "Look, this dreamer is coming! Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit, and we shall say, 'Some wild beast has devoured him'. We shall see what will become of his dream!"

The writer of the first book of the Bible commonly called Genesis now turned to a new section of the book dedicated to the generations of Jacob (Gen. 37:2). Here in the new section, which is dedicated to the family of Pa. Jacob, the son of Isaac (Gen. 25:19), the chief actor or character is no other person than Joseph the dreamer, whose name is mentioned twice as many times as that of his father in chapters 38 to 50 of the book, Genesis. For us Christians, the story of Joseph and his dreams is one of the richest Old Testament illustrations of Jesus Christ. Just like Jesus, Joseph the dreamer was the beloved of Jacob his father and he was obedient to his father’s will. He was hated and rejected by his own brothers who sold him into slavery. Joseph was also falsely accused and unjustly punished like Jesus Christ, but finally exalted from his low estate of suffering to a powerful position of prime-minister in Egypt, thus saving his father's household from death during famine. Joseph was indeed a man of clear and significant vision which came from God through dreams. His close and vital relationship with God made him dreamt about his bright future. As a young man of 17years old, Joseph knew that God had something special in mind for him in life. And because God was with him, his dreams of brighter future finally came to pass. Our focus today is, therefore, to see every Christian as a potential dreamer of a great and better future with Christ on our side. We shall do this by looking at the early life of Joseph as contained in Genesis chapter 37, the appointed Old Testament reading for this 9th Sunday after Trinity.

It is important to let you know that there was no unity in Jacob's house. We are all aware of how much Jacob loved Rachel, his second wife and how low his love was for Leah (Gen. 29:30 & 31). The rivalry of his first two wives, who were sisters, did not allow peace to reign in Jacob's family, and that of his other two adopted wives didn't diminish the tension in his house. Fellow Christians, what do you expect in a home where we have one father, four different mothers and twelve sons? Multiple problems of course. Well, the disunity in Jacob's home shouldn't be strange to us, Bible students, because Jacob himself came from a divided home, and thus brought the seed of disaffection with him into his own family. Hence, it is not strange to note the kind of hatred Joseph brothers had for him as a result of their father's special love for him and his boisterous dreams. Not only that, Joseph was hated for his integrity (Gen. 37:2). It was not easy at all for Joseph to work and walk alongside his half-brothers, because their way of life was different from his. He was always reporting the evil deeds of his brothers (Dan, Naphtali, Had and Asher) to Jacob their father (Gen. 37:2). Why was he doing this? If we may ask. Was he a spy? Later events did provide answer to our question. Though, Joseph was young, yet he has common sense and spirit of discernment. If what his brothers were doing was not terribly wicked, he wouldn't have told his father. We must also know that Joseph was not going to tell lie whenever his father asked him about his brothers' deeds on the field.

Joseph's integrity was further proved when he had dreams and did not hide any of them from his brothers. Despite their hatred for him, he was sincere enough that he told them the details of his dreams (Gen. 37:6-11). Could this be an evidence of Joseph's adolescent immaturity? Surely, his two dreams could not help to unite Jacob's family, rather they irritate his brothers all the more and made things worse for him. His brothers thought within themselves, how could it be that Joseph will become a ruler; and they would bow down to him? This of course seemed contrary to reason and totally absurd or ridiculous. "O doodi, ki baba lo dowo omo ohun lorun." It is contrary to reason for father to pray to his son in heaven. The dreams, however, could be God's way of confirming Jacob's choice of Joseph, his faithful son, especially his second dream, which also upset his father. Being confused and tensed by the report of Joseph second dream, Jacob rebuked him, but he pondered on the dreams in the private (Gen. 37:11). After all Jacob himself had received messages from God through dreams (Gen. 28:12f, 31:1-13). Obviously, the revelation of God was given in various ways in the Old Testament. For instance, God used dreams to speak when the Israelites were living in the land of pagans. He announced the Egyptian bondage initially to Abraham through dreams (Gen. 15:13). It was in a dream that God promised Jacob his protection and prosperity in his sojourn with Laban, his uncle (Gen. 28:12, 15). He as well predicted that Joseph would rule over his family in two different dreams as contained in our Old Testament reading (Gen. 37:1-28) today.

The background of Joseph's first dream was agricultural (Gen. 37:7) and as such we may derive some hint here of the manner in which his authority over his brothers would be realized. Certainly, his brothers bowed to him when they came for food in Egypt (Gen. 42:1-3) The second dream has to do with heavenly places (Gen. 37:9) The sun, the moon, and all stars bowed to Joseph. Culturally, these astronomical symbols represented 'rulers', and as such one may conclude that the dream is all about Joseph's elevation over the whole household of Jacob and even beyond (Gen. 37:10; 41:40; 47:5-11) (Gen. 37:10). Yes, God can select the young over the elder, and he can declare his choice in advance by a dream (1Sam. 16:7). However, God's choice of a leader often brings out the jealousy and hatred of those who must submit to such leader. Instead of recognizing God's divine choice of Joseph in our text (Gen. 37), his brothers looked for ways to destroy him so that he would not fulfill his destiny (Gen. 37:19&20). You and I will fulfill destiny in Jesus name, Amen. They later sold him without knowing that they were only helping him to arrive the place and center of his destiny more earlier.

If I may ask, does God still speak to his chosen people in dreams today? Or is it through the Holy Spirit that we Christians receive guidance using God’s word as we pray and ask the will of God? My answer to the two questions is both. God still speaks to his people through dreams and guides them through the Holy Spirit. After all the Bible makes it clear that “…it shall come to pass afterward that I (God) will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28). God as well spoke to Joseph, the husband of Mary, in dreams when he was thinking of abandoning her (Matt. 1:20:25; 2:12-13, 19-22). That notwithstanding, we must be very careful with dreams and the dreamers today, because dreams can be self-induced or even influenced by the Devil (Jer. 23:25-28) But still, God is sovereign and can use dreams to accomplished his purpose and will if he chooses to do so. However, his usual way of communicating his plans and will to us his children in this dispensation is through the Holy Spirit, and the teaching and preaching of his word (John 14: 25-26; 16:12-15). What is your dream in life? Do you desire a better tomorrow and fulfilled future? Be positive about the fulfillment of your dreams. Be selective about the people you tell your dream; avoid dream killers. Brethren, be courageous enough to pursue the fulfillment of your dreams by faith in Christ Jesus. Remember that Peter could not fulfill his dream of walking on the sea (water) like Jesus because he lacks courage and he as well doubted in his heart (Matt. 14:28-31). Your relationship with God is also vital in having a clear dream or thought of your future. Get connected to Jesus Christ now for without him you can do nothing (John 15:5). Know this, God will find it difficult to reveal himself or secret things of the kingdom to a sinner, so be a man or a woman of integrity like Joseph, who did not only expose all evil deeds of his brothers, but flee from doing what was evil in the sight of God and men. (Gen. 39:7-11). Men and brethren, I want to assure you today that when you remain different to the things of the world and be faithful to God and humanity, your dreams will never be thwarted and you will not be disappointed. Put your hand into the hands of Jesus Christ and he will help you realize all your life dreams.

Let us pray.

Rt. Rev. A.K.O. Ogunrinde, JP, FICT.

Bishop, Diocese of Osogbo.

OS-CAN Chairman.

Compassion

METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA

DIOCESE OF OSOGBO

EIGHTEENTH (18^TH) SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, 2^ND AUGUST, 2020.

GOD’S WORD TO GOD’S PEOPLE.

THEME: “Compassion.”

             “Iyonu (Aanu).”

TEXT: Matthew 14:14.

“Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick”

“Jesu jade lo, o ri opolopo eniyan, inu re si yo si won, o si se dida arun ara won”

Compassion is a noun which simply means “sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.” Among emotion researchers, it is defined as "the feeling that arises when you are confronted with another's suffering." Though the meaning of compassion and empathy looks alike, but their concept are not in any way related. Etymologically, the word compassion is from a Latin word "compati" meaning "suffer with" Compassion, therefore, in its original meaning is to say someone else's misfortune becomes your misfortune or another person's headache becomes your headache. It is obvious that stories of compassion filled the Bible, while that of compassionate people occupy the Bible, and stories of Jesus Christ, as a compassionate Saviour and Leader, inhabit pages of the gospel. Christ's examples of compassion are indeed a call and challenge to all Christians today, asking us to live and act compassionately like Jesus our role model. This is the focus of our message this first Sunday in the new month of August, 2020. 

When Jesus Christ heard the news of John the Baptist's death (the cousin of Jesus) in Matt. 14:1-12, he withdrew with his disciples to a remote place as seen in our gospel text for today, 18th Sunday in ordinary time, Matthew 14:13-21. Knowing too well that the time of his own death was also nearby, he focused his attention more on the training of his disciples, preparing them for the taking over of the ministry. His aim was probably to teach them in light of the fact that he would be leaving them soon. His ministry was therefore primarily directed toward his disciples. Other reasons we can suggest for the withdrawal of Jesus Christ with his disciples from the crowd might be the growing hostility of his enemies (Jewish leaders), perhaps to mourn the death of his cousin, John, and the need for physical rest because of his human nature. These period of withdrawal, however, was not time of inactivity, because the crowd never allowed him to be alone with his disciples. The crowd always followed him to wherever he went and he as well ministered to their needs inspite of his own need for rest and quiet time. (Mk. 6:31) Yes, Jesus needed rest and special time with his followers, yet the needs of the crowd, the oppressed and suppressed, touched his heart more. He has his inner being stirred toward the multitudes who walked with legs along the north shore of the sea of Galilee only to wait for him at the other side. He was moved with compassion when he saw the needy crowd and valued the efforts they had made to join him at the other side of the sea (Matt. 9:36) He saw them as sheep which had been brutally dealt with by the wickedness of human beings. He also saw them as hungry sheep, torn, wandering and exhausted (Matt. 14:14, 15:32). That was not the first time of him being moved with compassion in the gospel. He was moved with compassion when he saw how sorrowful the widow of Nain was after the death of her only son in Luke 7:13. His inner being was also stirred when he saw the two (2) blind men in Matthew 20:34 and the leper in Mark 1:41. The importance of the word, 'compassion', in Jesus Christ's dictionary can be seen at its usage in some of his parables such as:

 

a)   Parable of the unforgiving debtor (Matt.18:21-35) where the Master had compassion on his bankrupt servant and forgave him his debt.

b)   Parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 where the good Samaritan had compassion on the Jewish victim of robbers and cared for him.

c)    Parable of the prodigal son in (Luke 15:11-32) whose father showed compassion to and celebrated his return after he had wasted all his inheritance in a foreign land.

Obviously, the miracle of the feeding of more than 5,000 people by Jesus Christ, which appeared in both the synoptic gospel and the gospel according to John (Matt.14:13-21; Mark 6:35-44; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:4-13), was as a result of compassion. Truly, nobody comes to Jesus Christ and goes back empty handed. Even when the disciples wanted to send the multitudes who had come to Jesus away because there were no supplies to feed the people in the solitary place where they were, Jesus Christ objected and ordered his disciples to give them something to eat. Certainly, the disciples knew that Jesus was powerful enough to provide food for the crowd, but they failed to turn to him for help. Rather, they counselled Jesus Christ to send the multitudes away, based on the result of the inventory of their own food supply (two fishes and five loaves of bread) and their limited treasury. No one should limit our God with whom all things are possible (Matt. 19:26). For reasons best known to people nowadays, we limit and pegged God's power to perform miracles or cause transformation most of the times. We even help to fix time and place for God to work just like the disciples of Jesus, whereas our God is omnipotent and omnipresent. The whole world is his parish and he is at work 24/7. He only watches us as we try to solve life's problems with our own limited wisdom, resources and little power, but he knows what he wishes or intends to do with us, for us and through us at the time of our helplessness and hopelessness (John 6:6). There were three major things that Jesus Christ did for the crowd who came to him with expectation and faith in our text Matthew 14:13-21

1)   He healed their sick (matt.14:14) likewise, every Christian who comes to Christ by faith should expect healing, because our God has power over all diseases, even COVID-19.

2)   He provided spiritual food for them through his teachings about eternal life and the bread of life (John 6:26-40). This is the last food which everyone must desire.

3)   He as well provided bread and fish for their physical food. They all are and became satisfied with a lot of left-over (matt.14:20) Jesus is here today to provide for our needs. He will not cast anyone who comes to him away (Ps. 111:5, 34:10) Jesus's blessing is necessary upon everything we have and do, so seek for it. Trust Christ and come to him by faith; and you will never lack any good thing. (Phil. 4:19).

It must also be noted that Christians are expected to emulate their Master and Lord by showing compassion to other people around them. Let us note the following necessary steps to be taking from today's message of ‘compassion’, faith and total surrender as we attempt to solve life's problems as compassionate Christians in the household of faith:

     i.        Every Christian must start with what he/she has like the disciples of Jesus Christ, let us start to show compassion to others with what we have with us now. Remember that the disciples only had five loaves of bread and two fish, but when they released them to the Lord it became plenty. God usually begins his work where we are and uses what we have to accomplish his purpose (Matt.14:17-21)

    ii.        Let us learn to give whatever we have to Jesus. Clearly, the miracle of multiplication is in the hand of Jesus Christ. He took the available little food, blessed it and shared it. Note that every little thing is made big and much if God is in it. (John 6:9 & 11). Assist your church, pastors and less privilege people with what you have as an act of compassion and Christian giving (Luke. 6:38; 2Cor. 8:12-14; 9:6-9)

   iii.        Let us ensure we obey what the Lord commands. The followers of Jesus Christ directed the multitudes to sit down as ordered by their Master. They also shared the food to them, and gathered the remnant (Matt.14:19 & 20; John 2:5; 1Sam. 15:22)

   iv.        Do you know that Christians are distributors and not manufacturers of God's graces and blessings? If we surrender ourselves and what we have to God, he will add his blessings to them and give them back to us for use in taking care of ourselves and others (Gal. 6:2; 2Cor. 1:3 & 4)

"Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tender hearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insult when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it." (1Pet. 3:8 & 9). Just as you receive mercy from God through his compassion and by his grace (Ex. 33:19), you too should try as much as possible to show compassion to other people. Jesus Christ is requesting us to give him all that we have today so that he may use it as he dims it fit. Note that many people are suffering in this wicked world, especially at this trying time of COVID-19 pandemic. People are now feeding in empty substitutes, because we Christians, Pastors in particular, are depriving them of the Bread of Life (gospel of Christ). Let us show compassion on the lost souls who are about to perish and ensure we help to rescue them and make them fit for heaven.

Let us pray

 

Rt. Rev. A.K.O. Ogunrinde, JP, FICT.

Bishop, Diocese of Osogbo.

OS-CAN Chairman.