The Burning Bush Vol 9 No 2.pmd - Far Eastern Bible College

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92 The Burning Bush 9/2 (July 2003) strategies like the support model, people’s emotional needs are taken more seriously than their real but unfelt spiritual deficiencies that Scripture addresses. But what does the Bible teach? How can a person find the peace of God? The only way is for him to be reconciled to God through the Lord Jesus Christ. So what we need urgently is not the support groups where people sit in circles and talk about their personal struggles, but pastors and teachers who are biblically and theologically trained to analyse people’s problems in the light of Scripture and tell them where they have gone wrong, and how they can be reconciled to God who is their only source of help and comfort. The church has the duty to support and counsel the weak but not in the ways of the world but in the ways of God. Sin must be confronted. Peace will not come until sin is dealt with. “There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked” (Isa 48:22). “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked” (Isa 57:20-21). Increasingly, today’s church leaders are becoming like the leaders of the ancient Israel of Jeremiah’s time. They assure people of peace without dealing with their sins. It is a false peace that they offer. In Jeremiah 6:13- 17 we read, For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD. Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. The Apostle Paul wrote likewise, “ And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Rom 3:17-18). Real lasting peace exists only when one comes to Christ on His terms. The Church needs to emphasise that it is only through Christ and His promises that peace comes. “I will hear what God the LORD will
A CRITIQUE OF MODERN CHURCH GROWTH STRATEGIES speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other” (Ps 85:8-10). “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them” (Ps 119:165). “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength” (Isa 26:3). Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). He also said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Rom 8:6). “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7). Real success is not getting results at any cost. It is not prosperity, power, prominence, popularity or any other worldly notions of success. Real success in ministry is doing the will of God regardless of the consequences. The following are biblical principles for genuine church growth in these last days. They are taken from 2 Timothy 4:1-5. (1) Remember your calling (v1) (2) Preach the Word (v2) (3) Be faithful in and out of season (v2) (4) Reprove, rebuke and exhort (v2) (5) Don’t compromise in difficult times (vv3-4) (6) Be sober in all things (v5) (7) Endure hardship (v5) (8) Do the work of an evangelist (v5) (9) Fulfil your ministry (v5) Rev Das Koshy is the pastor of Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church, and lecturer in Hebrew at the Far Eastern Bible College. 93
Page 1 and 2: The Burning Bush ISSN 0219-5984 Jul
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Page 9 and 10: A STANDARD RAISED fleet in Chesapea
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