Prof Ben Onyeukwu PULPIT INTRUDERS

PULPIT INTRUDERS:

By Prof Ben Onyeukwu 

   The alleged statement credited to one Sofo Kyiriabosom, who claimed that, after twenty-eight years as a pastor, now believes that JESUS CHRIST is not real, and that heaven doesn't exist, marks out an intruder in the Christian Pulpit, who was never called to preach the gospel. 

   In human world, before one assumes a duty in any place of work, one is expected to first know the employer, and the assignment one is hired to do. This is applicable to any DIVINE assignment. But, the ex- preacher under review, did not bother, or deem it wise, to first know JESUS CHRIST, as LORD and personal SAVIOUR, who he claimed to have preached in his vineyard for twenty-eight years? Probably, he may have been engrossed by certain human interests, which he believed the LORD may have granted him, as his earthly reward, with no idea that, JESUS CHRIST does not endorse anyone not called by HIM, nor does HE assign any portfolio to such individuals. 

   Having said this, it is important to biblically stress that, for one to be qualified as a preacher of the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST, one must first be called to repentance, which brings one to the experiential knowledge of CHRIST, that enables one know HIM in a personal way. The second calling, is the call to the ministry, which often comes when the prospective preacher must have had a deeper knowledge of the LORD, as well as a better understanding of the scripture, which is the principal tool for his work.

   In keeping with the above, the Holy Scripture says, "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. But how shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? Or, how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?"...

   Strictly speaking, only those with the above qualifications, or awareness, can really know, with certainty, that JESUS CHRIST lives, and that heaven is real. Without mincing words, the lack of the cited spiritual background was really the problem of Sofo Kyiriabosom. And, with all sense of fairness, he is not alone in such a spiritual blindness. REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL!

(See Romans 10:13-15).

   

Prof Ben Onyeukwu NEVER TOO LATE TO TRY AGAIN

NEVER TOO LATE

TO TRY AGAIN:

By Prof Ben Onyeukwu 

   The Apostle Peter's unsuccessful all-night fishing expedition, and subsequence day-break super-abundant catch, clearly shows that, it is never too late to try again, especially when JESUS CHRIST is in partnership with any person in business. The Scripture records that when JESUS CHRIST was at the Lake of Gennesaret for a gospel outing,..."HE saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at YOUR WORD I will let down the net." And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking".

   The simple brief in the scripture under review, is that fruitless efforts in business or ministry does not often signal DIVINE ABANDONMENT, but often a test of faithfulness that gives GOD the opportunity to reveal HIMSELF in a greater, or marvelous ways. Now, notice from the cited Scripture that, Peter was willing to continue with JESUS, despite all night failures, as well as willingly obeyed HIS WORD, when it mattered most. 

   In the same vein, it is expected that every believer, or Gospel Minister in CHRIST, must not allow the momentary setback they face in business or ministry to force them out of the faith or the services they render to GOD. This is because the LORD is faithful, and will always guide his people to the right point of success, if they are willing to obey HIS WORD and follow HIS FOOTSTEPS. Yes, with JESUS CHRIST, it is never too late to try again.  REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL! (See Luke 5:1-9).