Preached by Apostle Andre Pelser in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria on 23 August 2009

Here are some ingredients that made up the purpose of Christ to help us understand our purpose in this world.

1.      He knew who He was, the Son of the living God, and what He came to do: to give His life as a ransom for many, to set up the Kingdom of God and to build the church.

2.      Course adjustments were needed to keep Him on track on His earthly mission in order to fulfill His divine purpose. For instance, on the Mt of Transfiguration in Luke 9 we read how Moses and Elijah appeared to remind Him of the death He had to accomplish when He was about to be received up.

3.      He came to take away the sins of the world.

4.      He came to destroy the works of the devil

5.      He came to glorify God and asked God to glorify Him

6.      The Eternal purpose however, is the church.

Eccl 3:11 - There is a time for every purpose under the sun

Eph 3:11 - Manifold wisdom of God revealed through the church

We are not purpose driven as some would propose, but we are led by the Spirit to express our eternal purpose in Christ.

Sin makes us miss the mark of our purpose. Mike Wood so clearly explains the true meaning of ‘hamartia' for sin that we miss our true identity as sons of God, created before the foundation of the world. Sin makes us operate in our mistaken identity, because we have a false image of the true God instead of a true image of our God. That idolatry has to be broken down so that we can have a true revelation of who God really is. When we see and know Him as He really is, we discover our own true identity in Christ and the Holy Spirit enables us to express our purpose in this world as sons of God.

Here are a few examples of ordinary people in the bible that fulfilled their purpose.

Tychichus - ‘chance happening'. He changed from being a charlatan or ‘chancer' to become a faithful and beloved brother to Paul and the other apostles.

John Mark - he caused a great dispute to arise between Paul and Barnabas because he did not have a finishing mentality but bailed out of his first missionary journey together with the two apostles. Later on Paul invites him back on the missionary team because he has become ‘useful' to Paul.

Onesimus- ‘useful'. He was a useless slave to Philemon and stole from him. This caused him to end up in the same prison Paul was being kept by the Romans. Paul led him to the Lord and sent him back to Philemon with a letter which became the epistle of Philemon. In the epistle he reminds Philemon that he actually owes his life to Paul and that he should receive Onesimus as a brother. If he still owed Philemon anything Paul was prepared to pay the deficit. Onesimus actually became useful to Philemon in the end and fulfilled his life's purpose.

When you know who you are in Christ, when your sins are forgiven, when you know your true identity in Christ and forsake your false identity, you can fulfill your divine purpose in this life like these men we mentioned in these examples.

By Apostle Andre Pelser

We are not purpose driven as some would propose, but we are led by the Spirit to express our eternal purpose in Christ.

Sin makes us miss the mark of our purpose. Mike Wood so clearly explains the true meaning of ‘hamartia' for sin that we miss our true identity as sons of God, created before the foundation of the world. Sin makes us operate in our mistaken identity, because we have a false image of the true God instead of a true image of our God. That idolatry has to be broken down so that we can have a true revelation of who God really is. When we see and know Him as He really is, we discover our own true identity in Christ and the Holy Spirit enables us to express our purpose in this world as sons of God.

By Apostle Andre Pelser

Luke 10:17-19

Here are a few insights into the kind of authority Jesus gives to believers. He sent out the 70 with authority to heal the sick and to announce God's Kingdom (Luke 10; 9-11). To their surprise the demons were subject to them in His Name.

1.      Demons are subject to advancing believers

Jesus saw Satan fall like lightning. He contemplated it and rejoiced by dancing in a sport like manner, twirling and leaping with much joy. He realized that a command has been issued in His Name to equip His followers with the same kind of authority as He had (Acts 10:38)

Demons marshaled themselves in obedience to the commands of Jesus' followers! Orders were sent down the ranks and they had no option but to obey.

2.      Jesus gave believers authority to advance

We do not have a command to defend our position. We are to be more than conquerors in His Name in our own situation and for the sake of others. He has won the victory for us and we have to enforce it in His Name. He has made a way of escape for us out of all temptation (I Corinthians 10:13). We are to trample on serpents and scorpions and nothing shall by any means hurt us as long as we advance. Avoid the trap of standing still and making no progress in your spiritual life. Self-consciousness, selfishness, selfish motives causes back-sliding and wrong attitudes.

3.      Christ Jesus gives you authority to advance in this life

Believing the Gospel gives you authority over Satan and all His cohorts (Matthew 28:18) Jesus said, Behold all power is given unto me in heaven and on earth. You should be further in God this year than you were last year. You should have more boldness, more wisdom, more authority, more knowledge of God, more joy and more peace. Your testimonies should be fresh. Paul told Timothy to meditate in the Scriptures so that everyone may see his progress (I Timothy 4:15). Whatever is born of God overcomes the world.

4.      The battle call for today: Advance in Jesus' Name!

There is no retreat in God. We do not have ‘pastor's retreats'. Jesus said, Go! I am with you!

By Apostle Andre Pelser

Isaiah 65

"Behold, My servants shall eat,

But you shall be hungry;

Behold, My servants shall drink,

But you shall be thirsty;

Behold, My servants shall rejoice,

But you shall be ashamed;

 ¹⁴         Behold, My servants shall sing for joy of heart,

But you shall cry for sorrow of heart,

And wail for grief of spirit.

 [1]

Christ did not crown himself. "God also hath highly exalted him." The crown was put upon the head of Christ by God; and there is to me a very sweet reflection in this-that the hand that put the crown on Christ's head, will one day put the crown on ours; that the same Mighty One who crowned Christ, "King of kings, and Lord of lords," will crown us, when he shall make us "kings and priests unto him forever." "I know," said Paul, "there is laid up for me a crown of glory which fadeth not away, which God the righteous judge, shall give me in that day."

Now, just pause over this thought-that Christ did not crown himself, but that his Father crowned him; that he did not elevate himself to the throne of majesty, but that his Father lifted him there, and placed him on the throne.... Man never highly exalted Christ.... Man hissed him, mocked him, hooted him. Words were not hard enough-they would use stones.... And stones failed; nails must be used, and he must be crucified.... Man did not exalt him.... Man dishonored him; "God also exalted him." Believer, if all men speak ill of thee, lift up thy head, and say, "Man exalted not my Master; I thank him that he exalts not me. The servant should not be above the master.... God will remember me, and highly exalt me after all, though man casts me down."[2]

1.  stephanos (stevfano" , (4735), primarily, that which surrounds, as a wall or crowd (from stephoµ, to encircle), denotes (a) the victor's crown, the symbol of triumph in the games or some such contest; hence, by metonymy, a reward or prize; (b) a token of public honour for distinguished service, military prowess etc., or of nuptial joy, or festal gladness, especially at the parousia of kings. It was woven as a garland of oak, ivy, parsley, myrtle or olive, or in imitation of these in gold. In some passages the reference to the games is clear, 1 Cor. 9:25; 2 Tim. 4:8 ("crown of righteousness"); it may be so in 1 Pet. 5:4, where the fadeless character of "the crown of glory" is set in contrast to the garlands of earth. In other passages it stands as an emblem of life, joy, reward and glory, Phil. 4:1; 1 Thess. 2:19; Jas. 1:12 ("crown of life"); Rev. 2:10 (ditto); 3:11; 4:4, 10; of triumph, 6:2; 9:7; 12:1; 14:14.

It is used of the crown of thorns which the soldiers plaited and put on Christ's head, Matt. 27:29; Mark 15:17; John 19:2, 5. At first sight this might be taken as an alternative for diadeµma, a kingly crown (see below), but considering the blasphemous character of that masquerade, and the materials used, obviously diadeµma would be quite unfitting and the only alternative was stephanos (see Trench § xxxii).¶

2.                                            diadeµma (diavdhma , (1238) is never used as stephanos is; it is always the symbol of kingly or imperial dignity, and is translated "diadem" instead of "crown" in the R.V., of the claims of the Dragon, Rev. 12:3; 13:1; 19:12[3]

stephanooµ (stefanovw , (4737)), to crown, conforms in meaning to stephanos; it is used of the reward of victory in the games, in 2 Tim. 2:5; of the glory and honour bestowed by God upon man in regard to his position in creation, Heb. 2:7; of the glory and honour bestowed upon the Lord Jesus in His exaltation, ver. 9[4]

CROWN. Prescribed for priests, Ex. 29:6; 39:30; Lev. 8:9. Worn by kings, 2 Sam. 1:10; 12:30; 2 Kin. 11:12; Esth. 6:8; Song 3:11; Rev. 6:2; by queens, Esth. 1:11; 2:17; 8:15. Made of gold, Psa. 21:3; Zech. 6:11. Of victory, 2 Tim. 2:5. An ornament, Ezek. 23:42; 16:12. Set with gems, 2 Sam. 12:30; 1 Chr. 20:2; Zech. 9:16; Isa. 62:3.Of thorns, Matt. 27:29; Mark 15:17; John 19:5.See Wreaths.

Figurative:

Isa. 28:5

1 Cor. 9:25

2 Tim. 4:8

Jas. 1:12

1 Pet. 5:4

Rev. 2:10

Rev. 3:11

Symbolical: Rev. 4:4,10; 6:2; 9:7; 12:1,3; 13:1; 14:14; 19:12.[5]

Glory' generally represents Heb. kaµb_oÆd_, with the root idea of ‘heaviness' and so of ‘weight' or ‘worthiness'. It is used of men to describe their wealth, splendour or reputation (though in the last sense kaµb_oÆd_ is often rendered ‘honour'). The glory of Israel was not her armies but Yahweh (Je. 2:11). The word could also mean the self or soul (Gn. 49:6).

The most important concept is that of the glory of Yahweh. This denotes the revelation of God's being, nature and presence to mankind, sometimes with physical phenomena.

In the Pentateuch the glory of Yahweh went with his people out of Egypt and was shown in the cloud which led them through the wilderness (Ex. 16:7, 10). The cloud rested on Mt Sinai, where Moses saw his glory (Ex. 24:15-18). No man could see God's face and live (Ex. 33:20), but some vision of his glory was granted (Ex. 34:5-8).

The glory of Yahweh filled the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34-35) and appeared especially at the hour of sacrifice (Lv. 9:6, 23). These passages seem all to be connected with a ‘thunderstorm-theophany', but there are also passages which suggest more the character of Yahweh which is to be made known throughout the earth (Nu. 14:21-22).

The historical books tell of the Temple's becoming the place where the glory of Yahweh was especially to be located (1 Ki. 8:11; 2 Ch. 7:1-3).

In the prophets there are both the quasi-physical conception of Yahweh's glory as seen in the visions of Ezekiel (Ezk. 1:28, etc.) and also a more spiritualized doctrine (Is. 40:4-5; 60:1-3, etc.). The vision of Isaiah in the Temple seems to combine both ideas (Is. 6:1-4).

There can be found, likewise, in the psalms all the imagery of the storm (Pss. 18; 29) and also the idea of the future display of God's character to the world (Pss. 57:11; 96:3).

II. In the New Testament

Here the lxx is followed in translating kaµb_oÆd_ by doxa. In secular Greek this means ‘opinion' or ‘reputation'. The former idea disappears entirely in the lxx and NT, and words akin to kaµb_oÆd_ are also rendered by doxa.

In certain places in the NT doxa refers to human honour (Mt. 4:8; 6:29), but its chief use is to describe the revelation of the character and the presence of God in the Person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the outshining of the divine glory (Heb. 1:3).

The glory of God was seen by the shepherds at the birth of Christ (Lk. 2:9, 14) and by his disciples during his incarnate life (Jn. 1:14). Particularly was it revealed in his seµmeia (Jn. 2:11) and at his transfiguration (Mt. 17:1-8; Mk. 9:2-8; Lk. 9:28-36). This recalls the ascent of Moses to Sinai (Ex. 24:15) and of Elijah to Horeb (1 Ki. 19:8) and their visions of the glory of God. Now Christ both sees and reflects the divine glory, but no tabernacle needs to be built because the Word of God has pitched his tent in the human flesh of Jesus (Jn. 1:14) and his glory is to be more fully revealed at the coming exodus at Jerusalem (Lk. 9:31) and finally at his parousia.

In the Fourth Gospel it is the hour of dedication to death which is essentially the hour of glory (Jn. 7:39; 12:23-28; 13:31; 17:5; cf. Heb. 2:9).

The resurrection and ascension are also seen as manifestations of the glory of God in Christ (Lk. 24:26; Acts 3:13; 7:55; Rom. 6:4; 1 Tim. 3:16; 1 Pet. 1:21). But above all it is to be revealed in its fullness at the parousia (Mk. 8:38; 13:26, etc.).

Man, who was made as the image and glory of God (1 Cor. 11:7) for relationship with him, has fallen short of his destiny (Rom. 3:23), which has been fulfilled only by Christ, the second Adam (Heb. 2:6-9).

The glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ is still to be seen and reflected by the church (2 Cor. 4:3-6). It is the glory of the new covenant (2 Cor. 3:7-11), and it is especially shared both now (1 Pet. 4:14) and hereafter (Rom. 8:18) by those who suffer with Christ. The object of the church is to see that the world acknowledges the glory which is God's (Rom. 15:9) and is shown in his deeds (Acts 4:21), in his disciples (1 Cor. 6:20) and above all in his Son, the Lord of glory (Rom. 16:27).

Bibliography. A. M. Ramsey, The Glory of God and the Transfiguration of Christ, 1949; A. Richardson, An Introduction to the Theology of the New Testament, 1958, pp. 64ff.; C. H. Dodd, The Interpretation of the Fourth Gospel, 1953, pp. 201ff.; S. Aalen, NIDNTT 2, pp. 44-52; G. Kittel, G. Von Rad, TDNT 2, pp. 233-255.     r.e.n.[6]

GLORY (3513, 1921, 3367, 6643, 142, 1935, 6286)

The Hebrew word kaµboµdh, denoting glory, honor (the most frequent word), literally means "weight," hence Paul's mention of the "eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17). The phrase "my glory" has referenee to the tongue, in Psalms 16:9 (compare Acts 2:26); 30:12 (margin); 57:8; 108:1. The tongue, as the interpreter of the soul, is the glory of man as superior to the brute; it is that by which he glorifies God, and therefore as associated with the soul, is man's highest glory.

The Hebrew word haµdaµr signifies that which is beauteous, excellent, majestic. It is rendered "glory" in Deuteronomy 33:17 (KJV;  majesty in R.V.); Psalms 90:16; Isaiah 2:10, 19:21; 5:14; Micah 2:9. The associated word heder is rendered "glory" in Daniel 1 1:20. The word t\oµhar signifying purity or brightness is rendered "glory" in the KJV of Psalms 89:44 (R.V "brightness"). The Aramaic word yeqa|-r, however, is rendered "glory" in Daniel 2:37; 4:36; 5:18; 7:14. Hebrew s\ebhéÆ denoting that which is prominent, conspicuous (like a roe, another meaning of the word) is rendered "glory" in Isaiah 13:19; 23:9; 24:16; 28:5; Ezekiel 20:6, 15; 25:9; 26:20. Hebrew Ôaddereth, signifying something ample, is rendered "glory," in Zechariah 11:3. Hebrew hoÆdh, "grandeur" (that is, an imposing form and appearance) is rendered "glory" in Job 39:20; 40:10; Psalms 45:3; 148:13; Jeremiah 22:18; Habakkuk 3:3; Zechariah 6:13. Hebrew tiphÔereth, an ornament, is rendered "glory" in several places, for example, 1 Chronicles 22:5; 29:11; Psalms 78:61; 89:17; Proverbs 4:9; 16:31; 17:6; 19:11; 20:29; 28:12; Isaiah 10:12; 20:5; 46:13; 60:7, and so forth.

A man's glory sometimes signifies his material prosperity (for example, Isaiah 61:6). So in regard to the glory of nations (Haggai 2:7) the glory of the king or a nation consists in the warriors that indicate his or its might (Isaiah 8:7; 17:3; 21:16). Glory may stand for reputation, as in 2 Samuel 6:20; Job 29:20; Psalms 4:2.

The glory of Jehovah signifies His Self-revealed Being and character (for example, Exodus 33:17-23; Isaiah 6:3, margin). Sometimes the glory of Jehovah denotes a physical phenomenon and indicates His presence (for example, Ezekiel 1:28; 11:23).

God is the glory of His saints (Jeremiah 2:11) and they are His glory (Isaiah 62:3;Jeremiah 13:11). [7]

[1]Spirit Filled Life Daily Devotional Bible, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1993.

[2]Spirit Filled Life Daily Devotional Bible, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1993.

[3]Vine, W. E., Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, (Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H. Revell) 1981.

[4]Vine, W. E., Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, (Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H. Revell) 1981.

[5]Swanson, James, Editor, New Nave's Topical Bible, (Oak Harbor, Washington: Logos Research Systems, Inc.) 1994.

[6]The New Bible Dictionary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1962.

[7]Vine, W. E., Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, (Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H. Revell) 1981.

By Apostle Andre Pelser

This is easier said than done! First of all we do not want to admit that we have enemies. Secondly we cannot ourselves being in love with them. Thirdly we have to learn to love all of them!

Jesus said in Matthew 5:44 that we should love our enemies, bless them that curse us and do good to those who despitefully uses us and persecutes us. In Luke 6:27 he also instructed his disciples to love their enemies and to do good to them that hate them and to pray for them who despitefully uses them.

In Luke 6:25 he gives an example of doing good to those who despitefully uses and persecutes us. Do good, lend, hoping for nothing again and your reward will be great, for God is kind to the unthankful and to the evil. In the sense that God allows the sun to shine and the rain to fall on everyone, good and evil, so we ought to treat people.

Our natural inclination would be to hate those who hate us and to be nasty to those who are spiteful towards us and to avoid those who persecute us. But if we have been born again into the family of God, into the household of faith, through Christ Jesus, there is a different nature, the nature of God that kicks in and begins to dominate our lives as children of the Most High.

Jesus prayed for those who crucified him, Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. He prayed for those who hurt him and he forgave them.

Forgiveness is not a natural inclination either. God forgives us for Christ's sake. Because Jesus died for our sins and because we believe in him, the Father forgives us. To imitate God would be to forgive by faith. We do not deserve forgiveness; neither do those who sin against us. But we can forgive, not because we feel like it, but because Jesus also died for them.

The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. We love because we are being loved. You cannot love until you have experienced love.

Love's definition is clear in I Corinthians 13:4-9 where Paul describes the actions of love as being patient and kind. In other words if we can be patient with our enemies and be kind to them, we are loving them.

We have confused the instruction to love our enemies with having feelings of being in love with them. If we simply do as he tells us to do in his word, life completely changes for us. We come to have an entirely new perspective and a new attitude towards life, things and people.

To practice patience and kindness will change our attitude towards our enemies.

An enemy is a devil. If someone treats you like a devil he or she is your enemy. Some people want to hurt you because they hate you or because they are jealous of you. Some people just don't like you, no matter how likeable you think you are!

There is a great reward awaiting those who will obey these commandments. Pray for those who hate you and for those who despitefully use you and persecute you. Do good to them. Lend things to them without expecting it back. Mention their names in prayer. Write their names in your bible to remind yourself to pray for them. You will be amazed how it will change your attitude towards them when you see them again.

Dr. Gray, our teacher at Miracle Valley in Arizona, where I studied the bible, used to say, prayer changes things and the thing it changes most is you! We tend to want to change everyone else through our manipulative prayers. We think prayer gives us control of our universe, but prayer actually softens your heart towards others. Prayer is a Jesus action that makes you more like Jesus. He prayed for those who persecuted him. He was patient with his enemies.

When they came for him in the garden he asked them, who are you looking for? When they said, we are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, he said, I am he and presented himself voluntarily knowing they came to crucify him. Peter took one of the soldier's swords and cut of the ear of Malchus. I am sure he didn't aim for the ear! He tried to kill him, but the guy must have ducked. But Jesus picked up the ear and stuck it back onto the man's head and it grew back again. He told Peter to put away the sword and then said, if his kingdom was from this earth he would order his followers to fight for it. But his kingdom is not from this earth, it is a heavenly kingdom and therefore the guiding principles and value systems are different.

He promised that his Father would give the kingdom for those who ask because it is his Father's good pleasure to give them the kingdom. It is a kingdom within us.

Romans 14:17 defines it as being righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Right standing with God, peace that passes understanding in the most trying circumstances and joy in believing (not receiving yet) are the trademarks of people who have ‘found' the kingdom of God.

If you can love your enemies you have found the kingdom.

Jesus promised to those who find the kingdom of God that all things would be added unto them. That is a great promise! Instead of seeking things, seek the kingdom first.

God is love and therefore his kingdom would be a place where love rules. Love is patient and love is kind.

Old King James Version

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth^a not itself, is not puffed up, ⁵ Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; ⁶ Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; ⁷ Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

⁸ Charity never faileth:

The Message translation

Love never gives up

Love cares more for others than for self

Love doesn't want what it doesn't have

Love doesn't strut

Love doesn't have a swelled head

Love doesn't force itself on others

Isn't always ‘me first'

Doesn't fly off the handle

Doesn't keep score of the sins of others

Doesn't revel when others grovel

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth

Puts up with anything

Trusts God always

Always looks for the best

Never looks back

But keeps going to the end

Love never dies

There is the list we ought to pray about. The love of God can operate in our lives if we believe it and begin to do exactly as he tells us to do in his word. All things are possible to them that believe. Believe that it is possible to love your enemies. Your reward will be great.

Preached by Apostle Andre Pelser

The Completed Works of Shakespeare includes all his written works: there are tragedies, comedies, songs and sonnets.

I love to read the great speeches in Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Much Ado about Nothing, The Merchant of Venice, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream. I have memorized some sonnets and still quote them: ‘love is not love which alters when it alteration finds, or bends with the remover to remove; oh no, it is an ever fixed mark that looks upon tempest and is never shaken. It is the star to every wandering bark, whose worth's unknown although his height be taken.'

I bought the completed works of Shakespeare in 1972 in a little bookstore in Springs, where my dad pastored his last Apostolic Faith Mission Church. The book has been my companion ever since. I often travel with my bible and the completed works of Shakespeare. There are such gems in Shakespeare. I often read it, quote it and refer to it.

How would your completed works read one day?

I have wonderful news for you: He who has begun a good work in you will complete it!

Paul says to the Corinthians, we are glad when we are weak and you are strong: in this we also pray for you that you may be complete! Even in his weakness the apostle prayed for them for comfort, unity, peace and love. Then he concludes his thought process by adding the doxology: now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all, amen.

Many churches quote that last verse in II Corinthians 13:9 as a ‘magic wand' at the end of a service as if everything will suddenly come right because they quoted it. It has a sanctimonious feel to it and sounds wonderfully religious. But if it is taken out of context we have no understanding regarding the practical outworking of that statement. We have to read the whole passage and know what our part is in receiving that wonderful blessing.

There has to be a participation in apostolic grace and we ought to operate in unity and peace as we enjoy the love of God to make us complete. The comfort comes because the apostle prayed it for the church. They are busy being made complete and he also commands them to become complete in Christ - only then will the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be a practical result.

Philippians 1:6 Paul tells the Philippians that he prayed for them so that more apostolic grace would be released in the fellowship of the Gospel. The Philippian church sponsored many of Paul's journeys and stood firm with him even when he was imprisoned. They were not ashamed of the apostle and they showed their fervent love by sending offerings to him, even when he didn't really need more support. Therefore he could be confident that ‘He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ', because they were partakers of the grace he received as an apostle to explain the mysteries of the Kingdom of God.

Colossians 2:10 tells us that the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Christ Jesus, bodily, and that we who believe are complete in Him. He is the head of all principality and power. Paul warns us to watch out that no one cheats us through philosophy of empty deceit, according to the traditions of men, according to the basic principles of the world and not according to Christ. They plunder people and take them captive by their vain philosophy and religious tradtions. People think they are serving God when they are simply serving man-made systems. This is often the case with various church growth systems too: they live and practice a system and not the LIFE OF CHRIST. They say things like, ‘here we live, eat and sleep church growth!' Christ is not at the centre.

There is a true north and there is a magnetic north. The old ship captains had to navigate the true north from the magnetic north that was slightly off to the left. It is so with many religious traditions - they seem to be right, but they will lead you astray. You have to calculate your way back to the truth.

II Timothy 3:17 says that all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine and reproof, correction and instruction in right living, training and discipline that the man and woman of God may be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work. That is why we preach the word and convince and rebuke and exhort with all longsuffering and teaching, because the time is here that people no longer want to hear the truth but they gather people to tickle their ears and to preach things they would like to hear.

Nola and I preached in a very prominent church in Gauteng, one of the largest churches in the country and when I mentioned the word ‘suffering' the elders were at me between meetings and told me very definitely: ‘our pastor will be very upset if you use words like suffering in our church. We are a positive faith church and we do not mention words like that in our meetings.' I told them to fetch their bibles. When they wanted to know why I said because I am going to tear out half of all your bibles. Needless to say we were never ever invited back although there were wonderful healings and deliverances that weekend. They do not believe in deliverance either. No prophecy is allowed either. They just speak positively and the whole church is involved in multi-level selling products. Yet the pastor has an international ministry among all the prominent ‘positive faith' churches around the world and those speakers frequent this church in South Africa.

Hebrews 13:21 reminds us that the God of Peace, the Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant makes us complete in every good work to do His will - working in us what is well pleasing in His sight through Christ Jesus to whom be glory forever and ever, amen.

The word ‘complete' in Greek is ‘pleroma' and it means, perfected, well-adjusted, properly fitted, to be made full, made plain and simple, to be whole, to have integrity and full understanding, to finish to bring to a conclusive end.

The picture behind the Greek word, ‘pleroma' is that of a full galley. There are enough oars and oarsmen, there is sufficient provision for the journey, the sails are set, the masts are strong, the anchor is ready, there is water and fresh fruit for the sailors and the oarsmen, the captain and all his officers are well able to navigate the journey, they have all the equipment they require, they have all the instruments they need to make their calculations, they have weapons to defend themselves if they have to and enough ammunition. There is nothing missing at all: they are complete. They are completely ready to undertake the mission. They have all it takes to reach their pre-determined destiny.

God is making you and I complete in Christ Jesus. He has given us everything it takes to live a godly life. We are ready to move on.

If anyone tells you what they think of you, just tell them: I am being made complete in Christ. God is not finished with me yet! Have confidence in the fact that He who begun a good work in you will complete it. Have faith today that the Lord has begun the good work and that He promises to bring it to completion.

He is compiling your complete works for you!

Sure enough there might be some tragedy, comedy, songs and poems but in the end it will be a volume full of wonderful treasures that others can read and be blessed. They can learn from your complete works!

God's warming love will mature the fruit in our lives.

By Apostle Aje Pelser; preached at Harvester Reformational Church, Cape Town

Scripture:

Learning these lessons in faith will give us a good testimony in Christ and help us walk in God’s promises for our lives.

By Faith we learn these lessons:

Hebrews 11:3. The unseen reality of faith in Jesus’ name shapes the visible world we live in today.

Don’t just go through the motions of religious offering and sacrifice, find out what pleases God (faith) and do all things by faith in honour of him. Abel and Cain both brought offerings. Abel prophesied about the Lamb being slain, about Jesus dying for our sins. Cain did not get it and thought his hard work to produce vegetables would do!

Look at Enoch’s testimony that he walked with God and pleased him. But the author of Hebrews gives us clue how to do that: believe God when he speaks to you and walk in faith from day to day. One day will come when God will take you and your life will speak to others forever. Immortality beckons.

Walking by faith is an amazing early warning system of intelligence and God’s Spirit leads and guides us into all truth throughout every phase of life. This will help us save our family in the times of trouble and tribulation coming over the earth.

Abraham believed God and it was accredited to his account for righteousness. But Noah also got it right when he built an ark, something that had never been seen before. God gives us ideas that the world has never seen and it saves us. But the ark also speaks of the church today, that is a safe place for souls in the storms of the end times before Jesus’ return.

Abram had to leave behind family traditions and move away from an idolatrous place to enter his promised land. He had to obey God’s voice and call old things obsolete.

I have paraphrased in plain English, a word study from Brown-Driver-Brigg’s Hebrew Definitions revealing the following:

We first need God to change our names and infuse us with His nature. Become a new creation in Christ. Old things have passed away, all things become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Don’t say it is too late in your life to do something for God, too late to receive God’s promises in your life. Be strengthened to give birth to God’s promises today! Abraham and Sarah as new creations agreed with God the Almighty on who strengthened them to birth His promise. We can do the same through faith in the name of Jesus Christ His Son.

Look forward to more amazing testimonies as a church, family and as people of faith. Like the elders obtained good report, and gave a good testimony to the benefits of faith in God. So our lives are already speaking to a world that has lost hope for the future. We have an eternal hope in Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour, so let’s share that testimony…

By Apostle Andre Pelser

You’ve heard the saying, ‘everything he touches turns into gold!’ People normally use this saying referring to very successful people.

Everything Jesus touches changes into something valuable. Whatever you give to him, will be given back to you in a more valuable form.

When Jesus asked Peter if he could use his boat to preach from, he gave it back to him full of fish! When he took a school boy’s lunch he fed 5000 men with it.

He turned a murderer into an emancipator of a whole nation: Moses fled into the wilderness because he murdered an Egyptian. But after his encounter with the Lord, he returned to Egypt and led the Jews out of slavery.

He turned a coward into a savior of a city: when Jonah refused to go to Nineveh to preach, he was thrown overboard into the sea and a great fish swallowed him and spat him out on the beach. He finally plucked up his courage and preached in the streets of Nineveh and a whole city repented and changed their ways.

He turned a slave into a Prime Minister. Joseph was sold by his brothers as a slave and ended up in an Egyptian prison. But because he could interpret dreams he was brought before Potifar and the Lord helped him to interpret the king’s dream. This got him promoted and eventually he became the Prime Minister of Egypt.

He turned a shepherd into a great king. David was a shepherd boy who protected his sheep from wolves, bears and lions. He killed Goliath with the same sling shot and shot up in prominence to become the beloved Psalmist that ruled Israel and Judah and taught them how to praise and worship the most High God.

He took fishermen and told them: follow me and I will make you fishers of men! From being unknown men, they became household names for centuries to come. Their fame outlasted all the other men of their time, because they gave their lives to the Master.

When ten lepers approached Jesus of Nazareth, he spoke a word that healed and cleansed them.

When the Master saw a man born blind, he put clay and spittle in his hollow eye sockets and sent him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam (which means ‘sent’) and he came back seeing.

When a woman caught in adultery was thrown at the Master’s feet demanding that she should be stoned according to the Jewish Law, he stooped down and wrote in the sand, and said, ‘whoever has no sin among you, let him cast the first stone!’ When he looked up, all the accusers had left. Then he said to the woman, ‘Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more!’

When Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue, came to the Master because his little daughter was at the point of death, Jesus immediately went with him. On the way they were interrupted by a woman who had an issue of blood for 12 years that heard about him and said, ‘If I can touch the hem of his garment I shall be made whole’. She pressed through the crowd and touched his garment. He said, ‘who touched me?’ because He felt virtue leaving Him. The woman confessed that it was her, and He commended her, ‘your faith has made you whole!’

But by this time the little girl had died. A messenger came to Jairus and told him, ‘don’t trouble the Master any longer. Your daughter is already dead.’ Jesus told Jairus, ‘don’t fear – only believe – she is sleeping.’ And Jesus went to ‘wake her up’. He took her by the hand, raised her from the dead and gave her back to Jairus alive!

Whatever is touched by the Hand of the Master changes – forever!

Friend, perhaps you need a touch from the Master’s hand today. One touch can change your life forever. Perhaps you need His mercy, His grace, His love, His forgiveness, His touch in your life today.

If you can believe, you can receive a touch from the Master’s Hand.

Let me tell you a story to illustrate what I am trying to tell you.