Monday,Mar 30 2009, 03:49:41 PMThe teachers of the law and the Pharisees

The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulder, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
Everything they do is done for men to see: they make phylacteries (boxes containing scriptures) wide and the tassels on their garment long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them Rabbi [Bishop, Apostle etc].
But you are not to be called Rabbi, for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth father, for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called teacher, for you have one teacher, the Christ"
Jesus Christ of Nazareth
n the article on Slavery in Nigeria, I spelt out the ways our culture and many in current leadership of the Nigerian Church are keeping their flock in slavery of the mind, by some of their teachings and then taking advantage of the people's lack of knowledge (what the bible says). It is time that those who are called by the name of Christ, know the truth, so that the truth starts to set them free.
Worship of Leaders
"What, after all is Apollo? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe - as the Lord has assigned to each his task"
Apostle Paul
The cultures in Nigeria before Christianity respects elders (which separates us from many cultures of the world positively), however our definition of respects often elevate elders to the level of a god. For instance, it is believed that an elder has more experience (true), that an elder has more knowledge (not true), that an elder has more intelligence (not true) and that an elder has more wisdom (not true), so elders make all decisions and are never questioned even when they make mistakes as humans.
The definition of an elder is not necessarily based on age, in our religious and very cultural societies; it is often based on financial clout and perceived spiritual power. So if I'm a rich young pastor (with little experience), I will be more revered than a poor wise old man, because I can lay hands and also have some money to handout to people. What this thinking has done, is attract scrupulous people into starting churches, driving cars and living in homes that scream influence. In our society, younger generations are usually attracted to careers that gives power and money (consequently worship from your peers), during the military rule, every kid (including myself) wanted to be an officer, now every kid (I think everybody) wants to be a politician or be a pastor.
There is a difference between respecting someone because of the position they hold and respecting someone because of their character (earned over time). There is also a thin line between respecting someone and worshipping that individual. Rev. Billy Graham is retired from fulltime ministry (after 60 decades) but people still have great respect for him because of his character (not faultless). President Bill Clinton held the most powerful position in the world, but very few people respect him today because of character failure. In Nigeria, Chief Emeka Ayanoku is well respected even though he currently holds no political position, but President Obasanjo does not have the same level of respect, after ruling Nigeria twice and seen as an elder statesman abroad. Demanded respect is born out of fear, and earned respect is born out of willful reverence based on character.
The church (the people) need to realize and understand that while we must honor those in leadership over us, we cannot worship them (that is idolatry). When you cannot disagree with your leader or point out their mistake, then that is worship. When people around any leader are afraid of sharing the truth with him/her because they feel that is what he/she wants to hear, then something is wrong. Leaders don't demand respect they earn it. In my short years of full time ministry, I've discovered that as a leader develops and mature in communion with God, they become more humble and fearful of God's glory and majesty, so when I meet a leader who has been in ministry a while and it is still all about how you should treat him/her or what the protocol is, it gives me shivers.
I heard (cant confirm it) that a denominational leader in Nigeria once slapped one of his assistants (I don't care what that assistant did), another grapevine story is that another Christian leader require people to kneel when talking to him, this is nothing but worship. Leadership position or anointing is a gift of God, and each individual should be using their gifts (and position derived from it) to the glory of God, not to share the glory with Him [God]. Jesus said the purpose of our fruit is to bring glory to our Father (John 15: 8).
Religion Based on Emotion
As Jesus taught about the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, He gave some clear principles to us as fellow citizens. He said they that must worship the Father must do so in Spirit and in truth not emotionally. In another instance, Jesus said it is when we know the truth that it sets us free (Truth is personified in Him and also His words - you cannot comprehend His words without a personal knowledge of Him).
What we have in Africa and especially in Nigeria for the most part, is not Christianity based on kingdom principles but based on feeling good for a time or season. This type of model of course keeps the leader as a god, because without going to a service he or she is conducting, you cannot get what you want. So to make the leader(s) relevant and needed he/she conducts all night or all day services that keeps the people coming back. I've often wondered since we've been killing the devil in Nigeria, he should be really dead by now or all our enemies should be gone, the way we fast and go on the mountain for them? The problem with a feeling based religion is that the people lack knowledge (basic sound doctrine or theology), they rely on a leader (or whoever prays for them) for their dose of emotional jab and they are usually up and down, because feelings (emotion) change with time (because that's how God designed humans).
Using myself as an example, we had lots of church activities when I was growing up, but none of those activities did anything for me or a lot of people I know, in-fact as a teenager, such large gathering was the time to chat with girls. There was a particular program called "Temi nko (where's mine)" that attracted a lot of people in our church then, just like "demon killing nights" or whatever name they are called today. The problem is that too many leaders are concerned about saying this many people showed up for our program, than any real change in the people, knowing fully well that many people will have a placebo effect after a great service (there is always that few who would be really touched at such gathering based on their faith and expectation).
The greatest changes that have come in my life (and many of you), have come in Bible studies and times when we have insight or revelation into a particular scripture, which now help us pray intelligently (not amiss). One of the memory I cherish the most with my mom, was when we (any of her children) run into any trouble, she'll take us to the altar of the national church (when there is nobody present - like Hannah at the temple), she'll read a relevant scripture and we'll pray (usually prostrating at the altar) into whatever the problem is. That is a legacy I have done a few times with my own family.
As the body of Christ in Nigeria we have to start demanding, our churches and our pastors feed us with the truth of the word and not some denominational (traditions of men - Mark 7: 8-13) jargons or extra-biblical feel good message. For instance, instead of doing a special offering every Sunday (and irritating the people, or making them feel guilty or calling them money robbers), do a comprehensive study on giving, challenge the church to be obedient to Luke 6: 38 / 2 Corinthians 9: 6-8 and let them see if it works or not? What our churches need are teachings in sound doctrine, not eloquence of speech from an orator.
The only way we'll know the truth (Kingdom principles) is if we study the bible ourselves. Apostle Paul encouraged the Thessalonians church to be like the Berea churches who not only heard him speak, but went back home to study and make sure that what he said is true. Our authority as a Christian is not from our denomination or the leader of our denomination (as some might think) or any of the all night programs, it is in Christ, His name (Philippians 2), His Blood (Rev. 1:5) and His words (Hebrews 4: 12).
Wrong Teaching
When I resigned to go into full time ministry about 8 years ago, I got many advises from friends. One of the advices I got was from someone very close to me was "never give people your opinion, stick with what God says" I never really understood what she meant until about two years into full time ministry.
Christians are sometimes interesting people, they know what the bible say about their situation, be it forgiveness, anger or divorce, but somehow they believe if the pastor or someone they respect in ministry, say something else, that it overrides what the bible say. Unfortunately, they find allies in many pastors and ministry leaders, some willingly and some by having their words twisted. I have learnt to say, this is what the bible say and this is what I think in your circumstances based on my knowledge, but that the final decision is yours, however, I will recommend obedience to the word, regardless of how tough your circumstances is at the moment.
There are many erroneous teaching in the Nigerian church that keeps the people in slavery of the mind. I'll discuss only two in this article (I'm sure you all can think of more), Spiritual Warfare and Giving.
As a young man, we used to pray this prayer "I bind the devil and I throw him into the lake of fire"; some of you might remember praying that as well or even still praying it, if you do? may I suggest, you do a study of biblical authority and some eschatology (end time). If you have read any of my articles, you'll probably know I resent denomination(s) that teaches their members to shoot the devil or their enemy. To my knowledge and in my studies (which I've shared many times on Nigeriaworld.com) on spiritual warfare, our authority as Christians is derived from our relationship with Christ, the relationship gives us the right to use the name (see Acts 19) and it is the name (Philippians 2: 9-10, Matthew 28: 18b) that spiritual beings (demons) heed and tremble, not how much we yell, our theatrics or how long we pray. The use of the name Jesus, is not for a selected few or the highest bidder, however, it becomes very potent when the person using it has developed a life of intimacy with Christ and righteous living habits.
Regardless of our position on eschatology, most bible scholars agree that the devil and his demons are free to exist and do whatever they want on earth (until the final battle and defeat by Christ, Rev.20: 7-10), in-fact, Jesus recognized that Satan runs a system of governance in the world, calling him the prince of this world. We also know that the enemy and his demon, has nothing over a true Christian, except if given the permission (like in the case of Job or Jesus in Gethsemane - at His arrest) and like Apostle James said "the testing of our faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete lacking nothing". Unfortunately, many testing of faith in Nigeria has been seen and taught as a bad thing and many along with their pastors are fasting and praying that it goes away, so we have a whole bunch of people who are immature and lacks everything.
I have written on tithing and giving before and do not intend to start another debate with this article. It is clear that both Jesus (the author of a new covenant - Hebrew 8) and Apostle Paul (the mouth piece of the covenant to the gentiles), did what theologians called "argument from silence" on the issue of tithing. However, they both said a lot about money, arguing more from the angle of giving in good measure or bountifully (as each person has purposed in his/her heart). The only reason I personally have not joined the call against tithing is because Jesus did not outright discard it (see Matthew 23: 23 or Luke 11: 42), but it is clear that the type of giving for the Church age is "giving in good measure". Please do not believe the above because I wrote it, I challenge everyone to do their own study and ask to discuss your findings with your pastor (in private).
I have often wondered why many denominations (with highly educated people) do not teach on this, but choose to keep talking about tithing and using the curses that come with the law of tithing to scare their people into giving, when on the other hand, they tell the same people that Christ has become the sacrifice for the curses of the law? Rather than the bondage of the law, Christ is more concerned about your heart being in the right place, on Him, and from Him flow rivers of joy, abundance and sustenance. Jesus said, wherever our treasure is, there our heart would be. When you have your heart on Christ like the converts in the days of the apostles, you will have no problem, giving everything you own to the cause of the kingdom.
Works rather than Relationship
"For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of heaven"
Jesus Christ of Nazareth
"For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith - and not of yourselves, it is a gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast"
"For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose"
Apostle Paul
Doing works as a Christian is really not the issue here, because we are told all over the bible to work with our talents and the abilities given to us by God, rather the issue is, what is the source of our works? Is it our efforts? Or is it reliance on Him?
In Nigeria, to get people working "for God" we have shaped the teaching, that it directly ties a person's salvation or that person getting to heaven to how much work, he or she does. So you have people going to church when they should be at home with a sick child (with a contagious illness), or people staying in church all day and then doing visitation with the pastor till bedtime on a Sunday (for many under this bondage, their Sabbath - day of rest - are more busy than weekdays). Please understand that this activities are not the issue, but when done under a yoke of works (like the Pharisees), it becomes tiring and burn out occurs.
What we have now in Nigeria, are people who want to work there way to heaven, by carrying the pastors bible, being in the choir and whatever assignment that church have, then when they get tired (because it is human efforts) they move on to another church and start all over again, just in time for another church move. Works based on efforts is what the Pharisees do well, and Jesus of course has a lot to say about the work based salvation of the Pharisees. It brings self righteousness - traditions of men, attention to self and takes glory away from God.
One of the articles that has brought the most response, is the article "the true Vine, the Gardner and the Branches", I'll suggest that you re-read the article. In John 15: 1-8, like in other places, Jesus made it clear that it is not the job of the branch to bear fruit, but to remain in the vine. The true vine is Christ, the Gardner is God the Father and we are the branches. A branch according to Jesus "CANNOT DO ANYTHING WITHOUT THE VINE", in biological terms, a vine (or stem) gets nutrients from the soil via the root system; it then supplies the different branches with needed nutrients to survive, so a branch can NEVER bear fruit outside of the vine.
In other to work and not get weary (emotional and spiritually - and sometimes physically), we need to totally rely on God and His calling. This is my ninth (9) year in full time marriage ministry, for the first four years I brought corporate way of doing business to ministry, studying hard, cold calling, etc and I got tired. I called my former company in 2004 December to discuss available positions (a friend in NJ was at that meeting with me in Secaucus) and I was asked to pick any of the locations available nationwide. On my way to that meeting (on the plane), I really was not happy with God for asking me to come into ministry and leaving me cold turkey. While complaining on the aircraft, as gently as He [God] can, He scolded me for leaving Him out (even though He called me to do the work). I was then instructed to seat back and allow Him run the ministry (that was when John 15 became real to me) the way it should have been.
Today, what God has done in CCFI has nothing to do with me, if anything I'm praying that I continue to learn to get out of His way, and my job is to remain in the vine. My remaining in the vine is studying the bible and spending time in prayer either alone, with my family or with groups I meet with weekly (I have learnt from my Catholic friend, Mother Nadine, the importance of contemplative prayer - asking God for what to pray for, instead of just shooting in the dark). I have discovered that I'm more relaxed and bold while speaking and I'm not as anxious anymore about my calendar, or by income. I'm actually more active today in the Kingdom than at anytime (writing weekly is not as easy as it seems, but when the topic comes, instead of me freaking out for it, then it seems easy) and I can honestly say I'm not stressed out by ministry anymore (if I'm stressed, Ola says it is the garri that I drink too much off - my baby and I love our garri with peanut, fried meat and chicken).
Our works should be from our reliance on God for it to be sustainable. If works is being forced down your throat or someone says your salvation is based on your works or getting to heaven, just shares the words of Jesus and that of Apostle Paul above with them. Many times the devil uses good works as a distraction from intimacy with Christ (there are too many pastors caught up in church activities that they don't have a time of intimacy with God), which is the paramount thing. Should we work? Absolutely, but let Him flow through you.
My goal with this article is to point the Nigerian church (especially the follower ship) to the Bible and the principles therein. I'm not writing so that we become insubordinate to authority over us, but to present authority with our study and understanding and have them explain the denomination stand, if different (Apostle Paul actually encourages personal study). I hope the writing also challenge the Nigerian church leadership into speaking the truth even when it is not popular or draw crowds and more importantly I pray that change in the church will lead our country out of its current predicaments.
Yes, I still believe in the church.

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