The Redeemed Church and It's Auditorium

The News of 11th December 2007 wrote an article under the above caption last week tuesday. The article has generated extensive debates and drawn significant ire from Nigerians who in typical fashion love to debate, deliberate and adjudicate. Nothing wrong with that and I will like to make my own contributions by stating what I consider to be the facts below:

1) I have tried to get the source of this N7.7b (which The News did not quote). I don’t have it yet. And so I realize that it is based on this unsubstantiated figure many have passed judgment already. (If you are reading and you have a verifiable source, please do let me know)

2) The report says, the auditorium is floored with Marble! I was there on Saturday; I looked for marble but found none. What I saw was - a few metres just in front of the altar floored with Interlocking stones. The rest of the auditorium (about 90%) wasn’t even floored at all; except to say it was floored with sand – red earth. How do I know, I had to wash my dusty feet when I got home.

3) The structure of the auditorium is simply – Pillars, holding up a roof, no walls, no partitioning. This same space has been used for the church convention for many years; the only difference is that now it is covered – at the top – to keep out the sun in the afternoon and some of the cold at night. Also there are enough lights for everyone to read and see clearly. I looked at the whole structure again; I am neither an architect nor a builder, so pardon me; but I did not see N7.7b.

4) Some people have said that RCCG and Adeboye do not need one million people to gather together for any sound reason…. And I tend to agree.

But Maybe God does have a reason. The world has the same millions who gather in the world today as they worship football, Hollywood idols, music stars, and other false Gods. These same millions that Revelation 4: 11 declares are created to worship God.

The only thing we can give to God is worship. In heaven that is what they do now, and that is what we will do when we get there. I strongly believe God is pleased when tens, hundreds, thousand or millions of those who love Him, gather together here and give him pleasure by worshipping him.

5) Whatever amount was used on this building, some believe it should have been used to feed the poor. That’s what they told Mary too when she bought expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus feet. They would have preferred if she had brought the money to them so they could give it to the poor. But Jesus immediately rebuked them and confirmed his right to receive worship, even if it costs money.

In addition to this, I am glad to say that the church does take care of the poor – scholarships, rehabilitation of Area boys/ prostitutes, rent and so on, are provided from the centre and by each Parish to the best of its ability.


I respect Pastor Adeboye for one major reason – his humility. I have heard him preach a message and come back months later to say that He now has a deeper understanding and retract what he earlier said. I have seen people give him gifts and have seen him immediately give them out to others who need them more. I see the simplicity of his lifestyle, his dressing and his possessions. Until I knew him, I thought a preacher had to shout and demonstrate before power can follow his messages; but this man speaks simply and gently and men are moved to repentance and seeking their creator.

No one is perfect and so I would rather pray for him,

• that God will keep Him from ever going astray;
• that God will give him more wisdom to execute the daunting task of leadership and
• that God will continue to make him a respected voice in this generation.

ONE GLANCE CAN BE DANGEROUS

Dele saw her smile at him across the room. He should have looked away but he didn’t. In a split second, he realised that she looked pretty in a homely way, had a beautiful figure and wore her braids elegantly.

He didn’t know her name but became pleasurably aware of her. However he wasn’t going to do anything about it because he was happily married, content and loved his wife dearly. He had been married for ten years and had never slept with another woman since then.

He left the restaurant and went back to work. As he lay beside his wife later that night, thoughts of her attacked and penetrated his peace. That smile, those braids, the pretty face, the slim figure! He indulged himself and let the thoughts roll. He slept off much later with a happy smile on his face.

Two weeks later, he sat at an empty table at the same restaurant enjoying his lunch. A shadow fell across his meal. “Do you mind if I join you?” she asked in a most sonorous voice. He couldn’t say no. He enjoyed their chat and wished he could prolong the lunch hour.

A month later, they had dinner together. If she had been a hunter, clingy, or demanding in any way he would have found it easy to resist the attraction. But she was nice, selfless and pleasant and he often wondered if she was innocent.

During the next 3 months he spent all of his free time with her. It was just like a dream. He loved his wife but he enjoyed her company. An expensive indulgence; but he allowed himself to enjoy it.

Then one day she confronted him. He was responsible for her pregnancy. It was a mistake. She wanted an abortion. Could he please give her some money so she could do it at a professional hospital? He remembered he had always preached that - abortion is a sin against God. What was he going to do??

At that moment, his thoughts were with his wife. He loved her and didn’t want anything to come between them ever. How would she feel? The joyful memories of the past 3 months instantly faded away. He held his head in his hands.

How he wished that three months ago, he had looked away.

Matt 5:28-29 – “But I say to you, whoever looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you…”

Absolutes Are Better

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. I Corinthians 10:23

Many years ago I took a decision to stay away from alcoholic drinks. That means whatever the case I will not drink. I didn’t take that decision because I felt it is a sin to drink alcohol. Obviously it is a sin to get drunk (tipsy is drunk!) or fall under the influence of alcohol; it is wrong to prioritize social drinking to the detriment of taking care of the family.

But then what happens if I take a little glass of wine at a corporate dinner – that’s where I often get faced with making a choice. I don’t think it would be wrong to drink a little, but I still say NO!

Why? Because I have long learnt that ABSOLUTES ARE BETTER.

In any situation where the flesh or mind can develop a strong craving that does not glorify God, then it is better to abstain; even where a little is okay.

Very few plan to get drunk at the first sip of wine; or to become lifetime drunkards at the first mouthful of beer….

Many never plan sex at the first passionate kiss outside wedlock;

When passing on the juicy details of friends affairs; it’s hardly clear that one day your friend will get to know where the rumor started from.

I used to have problems with soap opera’s. Once I started watching, it consumed my whole attention. I dedicated the one hour of the soap to the soap alone. That translated to postponing or canceling any other appointment – official or spiritual to make sure I don’t miss any episode. The day I realized the influence on my life was too strong, I decided to stop watching them.

In life we cannot make choices based on what is right or wrong alone, but also on what is expedient and what adds value to life. Whatever doesn’t add value is best avoided.

Here is a site with interesting christian quotes. I hope you find it useful
http://www.christianquotes.org/index.php

Called to be like Him

It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians. (Acts 11:26) Why? They were so much like Christ that it was unbelievable. In character, in words and in power, they lived just like Jesus. They did not call themselves Christians, the non-believers did!

How different this is from our generation. Today, we call ourselves Christians but the unbelievers do not believe. They hardly see the character of Jesus in us; they hardly see the power, they hardly see any difference.

I am not saying that we are not different: we are! But they do not see it and if they don’t, then how will they come to embrace the salvation of God. It is so sad, that some of us are comfortable with being worldly. Today, unfortunately, some Christians give and take bribes; steal from their employers; flout the laws of the land; get angry without restraint; fornicate; look down with pride on those that God has by His grace lifted them above; all without a second thought.

The world looks and sneers. How sad! Some Christians even join the world to make fun of others!

Many times I wonder how God feels. No one is perfect, but He has given us the power to live holy lives. Most often the decision on how we live day by day is ours.

Let us remember that Jesus called us the light of the world. If we don’t shine, the world cannot see Him. God forbid that our character or way of life should be a stumbling block to those who would otherwise have found Christ. Amen!

What's your Networth

Luke 12:15
And Jesus said… “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses

I read this yesterday evening and almost did a double take. If I wasn’t sure this was a direct word from Jesus’ lips I would have glossed it over and turned to the next page. Rather, I kept my finger on that page, closed the bible and stepped into thought land.

I would have thought otherwise, a person’s life does seem to consist of the things we have.

Don’t we wake up in the morning, with one thought in our heads of how we are going to make more money; build a new house; buy that classy car or get that new job? And once we achieve that level don’t we begin to desire the next salary raise, a better car, a larger house, the latest mobile phone. Don’t we respect those who display abundance of wealth without any regard for how they made it? Don’t we cut down on church fellowship and daily bible study because our work demands more of our attention? Don’t Christians sometimes lie, cheat and stab a close friend for the sake of some more ‘possessions’.

This is underscored by the story of a young man who decided to leave his lucrative joy and follow God’s clear leading into full-time Ministry. His Mother could not shed enough tears. She felt that in spite of her prayers her husband’s family had finally gotten through to her son’s star!
The way we go about it, it does seem that the more we possess, the more life we have. The more money the more power; and power can be sweet..

If the value of our lives is not based on the things we possess as Jesus said, then what should our daily priorities be? Should we take another look at how to calculate our networth?

What do you, think? I'll like to hear your views