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THE
HEART CONDITION AND ITS EFFECT ON THE CHURCH
HEART CONDITION AND ITS EFFECT ON THE CHURCH
Key
verses – Mark 4: 1- 20, Matthew 13: 19-23, Lk.8:8-15
verses – Mark 4: 1- 20, Matthew 13: 19-23, Lk.8:8-15
The
life we live is as a result of our heart conditions. Our external lifestyle
faith and believe is based on what kind of heart we have as a child of God.
This help to show how much of Christ, his spirit & His word we need. It can
be refer to as a thermometer which helps in testing, analysing and determines
our life and heart condition. The easier we are able to ascertain the category
we belong, the better for us to be able to work towards it. That we might
become a better person in character, personality, spiritual and physical wise.
life we live is as a result of our heart conditions. Our external lifestyle
faith and believe is based on what kind of heart we have as a child of God.
This help to show how much of Christ, his spirit & His word we need. It can
be refer to as a thermometer which helps in testing, analysing and determines
our life and heart condition. The easier we are able to ascertain the category
we belong, the better for us to be able to work towards it. That we might
become a better person in character, personality, spiritual and physical wise.
In
Mark 4:1 – 20, Jesus gave an
illustration regarding the different kinds of hearts that are present at the
place of the word of God. This illustration helps us to identity the various
classes of heart in the church and their characteristics.
Mark 4:1 – 20, Jesus gave an
illustration regarding the different kinds of hearts that are present at the
place of the word of God. This illustration helps us to identity the various
classes of heart in the church and their characteristics.
CLASSIFICATION OF
HEARTS
HEARTS
Remember
that the heart is what defines a man; we are what our heart is. No one can be a
better person more that what dwells in his/her heart. We are what our hearts
says we are. The heart is the centre core of our abilities, attitudes,
character and behaviour. The physical appearance of a man can be deceptive but
his heart can never live.
that the heart is what defines a man; we are what our heart is. No one can be a
better person more that what dwells in his/her heart. We are what our hearts
says we are. The heart is the centre core of our abilities, attitudes,
character and behaviour. The physical appearance of a man can be deceptive but
his heart can never live.
This
is why God does not look at the outward or physical displays but he looks in
the heart of every man to be able to determine who a man truly is. The spirit
in the heart of a man will always be truthful to the identity of a man. The
bible says “I am looking for a man…” most times we wonder, with our
population on earth, God still finds it difficult to find a man for himself, or
with the level of population that claims to be Christian and with a high
increase in churches all over the world, God still finds difficult to see men
that he will claim and declare as men after his own heart.
is why God does not look at the outward or physical displays but he looks in
the heart of every man to be able to determine who a man truly is. The spirit
in the heart of a man will always be truthful to the identity of a man. The
bible says “I am looking for a man…” most times we wonder, with our
population on earth, God still finds it difficult to find a man for himself, or
with the level of population that claims to be Christian and with a high
increase in churches all over the world, God still finds difficult to see men
that he will claim and declare as men after his own heart.
Now,
let us see the classification of heart to help us see why God is finding it
difficult to see men of his own choice. (I wonder why God is calling more into
Ministry when we already have a lot of men running errands for God).
let us see the classification of heart to help us see why God is finding it
difficult to see men of his own choice. (I wonder why God is calling more into
Ministry when we already have a lot of men running errands for God).
The
Classification of Christian Heart includes:
Classification of Christian Heart includes:
WAYSIDE HEART (Mark 4:4;15, Matthew 13: 19)
This
is one of the most dangerous hearts a man can ever have; it’s like fetching
water into a basket. The water never stays but wastes away. He hears the word
of God but it is as if the word never enters into his life at all.
is one of the most dangerous hearts a man can ever have; it’s like fetching
water into a basket. The water never stays but wastes away. He hears the word
of God but it is as if the word never enters into his life at all.
A
life that the word of God does not even exists. This is a heart that the word
of God makes no impact on. In fact, it is hard to see any traces of Christ –
like or Christ impact in such a life.
life that the word of God does not even exists. This is a heart that the word
of God makes no impact on. In fact, it is hard to see any traces of Christ –
like or Christ impact in such a life.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A
WAYSIDE
WAYSIDE
·
If you notice that
anytime you come to the house of God to hear the word, you can’t really make
sense of the word of God.
If you notice that
anytime you come to the house of God to hear the word, you can’t really make
sense of the word of God.
·
Anytime the word of God
comes to you, it does not make any impact in you.
Anytime the word of God
comes to you, it does not make any impact in you.
·
You find it hard to
point out one charge of character, attitude and habit that the word of God has
cause in your life; you might be operating a wayside heart.
You find it hard to
point out one charge of character, attitude and habit that the word of God has
cause in your life; you might be operating a wayside heart.
·
If the old man and old
nature still dominate your life. This is another symbol and signal that you are
having a road – side heart.
If the old man and old
nature still dominate your life. This is another symbol and signal that you are
having a road – side heart.
·
You still find it easy
to lie, cheat, steal, alcoholic consumption, womanize and you and it difficult
to change or stop despite hearing the word of God from time to time, you belong
to this class.
You still find it easy
to lie, cheat, steal, alcoholic consumption, womanize and you and it difficult
to change or stop despite hearing the word of God from time to time, you belong
to this class.
·
When you living a
hypocritical life style, you are one person when you’re in the midst of the
brethren and you’re someone else outside the church. You’re operating a road
side heart.
When you living a
hypocritical life style, you are one person when you’re in the midst of the
brethren and you’re someone else outside the church. You’re operating a road
side heart.
·
Sinful thoughts are not
far from you
Sinful thoughts are not
far from you
·
You easily turn away
from spiritual things; spiritual values don’t really last in your heart. You
feel discouraged and feel under pressure when spiritual things are thrown at
you.
You easily turn away
from spiritual things; spiritual values don’t really last in your heart. You
feel discouraged and feel under pressure when spiritual things are thrown at
you.
·
You fall at just any
little temptation and gives excuses for your backsliding state; you are a
candidate on the way side heart.
You fall at just any
little temptation and gives excuses for your backsliding state; you are a
candidate on the way side heart.
STAY
WITH CHRIST: A heart that only need Christ but does not want him. Believes in
what Christ can do and once what he/she needed is attained, off they go away from
Christ. They are miracle seekers because they are by the road side and they are
just passing through. They are not settlers but passing by.
WITH CHRIST: A heart that only need Christ but does not want him. Believes in
what Christ can do and once what he/she needed is attained, off they go away from
Christ. They are miracle seekers because they are by the road side and they are
just passing through. They are not settlers but passing by.
IMPLICATION AND EFFECT
ON A CHURCH
ON A CHURCH
A
church with high number of way side Christian will never grow. It will always
be a stagnant and struggling church. They are:
church with high number of way side Christian will never grow. It will always
be a stagnant and struggling church. They are:
·
Men not zealous in the
things of God. Pastor will only be labouring and labouring with little to show
for it.
Men not zealous in the
things of God. Pastor will only be labouring and labouring with little to show
for it.
·
They appear committed
when their desire is yet to be attained but once they achieve their heart
desire they become a proud, look warm Christian
They appear committed
when their desire is yet to be attained but once they achieve their heart
desire they become a proud, look warm Christian
·
They give several
reasons why they miss Sunday service. They claim busyness and lack of time to
seek God.
They give several
reasons why they miss Sunday service. They claim busyness and lack of time to
seek God.
·
They become a point of
discouragement for the church organization and to the leadership especially.
They become a point of
discouragement for the church organization and to the leadership especially.
·
They do not contribute
to the spiritual and physical growth of the church.
They do not contribute
to the spiritual and physical growth of the church.
·
They at times fuel
conflicts in the church. They can be referred to as baby Christians despite
claiming that they have been in church for more than 10years. What kind of
heart do you have?
They at times fuel
conflicts in the church. They can be referred to as baby Christians despite
claiming that they have been in church for more than 10years. What kind of
heart do you have?
MINISTERS WITH SUCH A
HEART
HEART
·
Will always be a victim
of ministerial errors, mistake. In fact he has nothing doing in ministry.
Will always be a victim
of ministerial errors, mistake. In fact he has nothing doing in ministry.
·
They claim to be in the
ministry for Christ but it is for their belly.
They claim to be in the
ministry for Christ but it is for their belly.
·
They are ‘it doesn’t
matter minister’, who does not see anything wrong in secret sins.
They are ‘it doesn’t
matter minister’, who does not see anything wrong in secret sins.
·
They see the church as
an industry where you are in it for profit sake.
They see the church as
an industry where you are in it for profit sake.
·
They are not called by
God but by their belly.
They are not called by
God but by their belly.
SOLUTIONS / REMEDY
·
Genuine Repentance
Genuine Repentance
·
Entire sanctification
Entire sanctification
·
Baptism of the Holy
Spirit
Baptism of the Holy
Spirit
·
Addicted Reader,
listener and doer of the word
Addicted Reader,
listener and doer of the word
·
Ask for a new and
consecrated heart.
Ask for a new and
consecrated heart.
THE RIGID HEART OR STONY
GROUND HEART (MK.4:5-6; 16-17)
GROUND HEART (MK.4:5-6; 16-17)
This
is another heart condition that is critical and difficult to handle it is a
hard to shape difficult to mould, stubborn to penetrate. No farmer wishes to
have such a ground or farm land. You sweat more, labour more and eventually
have your working tools damaged. In ministry they are kind of men that make the
preaching, teaching and labour of pastor look fruitless and difficult. This
kind of heart is called the harden heart and stubborn heart or mind. This heart
struggles to keep the word of God.
is another heart condition that is critical and difficult to handle it is a
hard to shape difficult to mould, stubborn to penetrate. No farmer wishes to
have such a ground or farm land. You sweat more, labour more and eventually
have your working tools damaged. In ministry they are kind of men that make the
preaching, teaching and labour of pastor look fruitless and difficult. This
kind of heart is called the harden heart and stubborn heart or mind. This heart
struggles to keep the word of God.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A
RIGID HEART
RIGID HEART
·
It is self – defensive.
It does not show any sign of meekness at the word of God
It is self – defensive.
It does not show any sign of meekness at the word of God
·
Difficult to convince
of the moves and operation of God
Difficult to convince
of the moves and operation of God
·
A heart of self
acclaimed righteousness.
A heart of self
acclaimed righteousness.
·
Unreachable,
un-teachable, proud of his achievements difficult when it comes to submission
to the church leadership.
Unreachable,
un-teachable, proud of his achievements difficult when it comes to submission
to the church leadership.
·
Believes he knows
better and he does suppose to be in power.
Believes he knows
better and he does suppose to be in power.
·
Even when you try to
plant any truth in his heart, he pretends to have accepted the truth only for him
to walk in the les he believes.
Even when you try to
plant any truth in his heart, he pretends to have accepted the truth only for him
to walk in the les he believes.
·
He often says “let me
just keep my heart to myself and be looking at them” he at times says that “I
won’t talk so that they won’t label me as the bad fruit”
He often says “let me
just keep my heart to myself and be looking at them” he at times says that “I
won’t talk so that they won’t label me as the bad fruit”
·
He believes that he
knows the bible, other people’s preaching and teaching is not anointed enough
to causes a change in his life.
He believes that he
knows the bible, other people’s preaching and teaching is not anointed enough
to causes a change in his life.
·
He is a man of proud
heart, proud look and proud voice. An empty barrel making trembling noise.
He is a man of proud
heart, proud look and proud voice. An empty barrel making trembling noise.
·
He is full himself and
does not ready to bow or subject to anyone else.
He is full himself and
does not ready to bow or subject to anyone else.
IMPLICATION AND EFFECT
ON A CHURCH
ON A CHURCH
In ministry, a church with many
members with the rigid heart will be very difficult to handle:
members with the rigid heart will be very difficult to handle:
·
The church will be a
power tussling church. It will be a church full of hatred; love will be alienated
and strange.
The church will be a
power tussling church. It will be a church full of hatred; love will be alienated
and strange.
·
The church will find it
extremely difficult to grow. The pastor will keep settling disagreements and
managing conflicts.
The church will find it
extremely difficult to grow. The pastor will keep settling disagreements and
managing conflicts.
·
Church service will be
based on eye service as one member will be trying to outshine the other. There
will be a high level of showmanship.
Church service will be
based on eye service as one member will be trying to outshine the other. There
will be a high level of showmanship.
·
The pastor will
struggle, labour and sweat with little or no result.
The pastor will
struggle, labour and sweat with little or no result.
·
Selfishness will be on
the increase in the life of the church members, they will be a set of
rebellious congregation always believing pastor’s opinion is not good enough
for them.
Selfishness will be on
the increase in the life of the church members, they will be a set of
rebellious congregation always believing pastor’s opinion is not good enough
for them.
·
They are never a giving
church but a congregation of stinginess.
They are never a giving
church but a congregation of stinginess.
·
A rebellious generation
any attempt to plant the seed of change in them, it bounces back at you.
A rebellious generation
any attempt to plant the seed of change in them, it bounces back at you.
MINISTERS WITH SUCH A
HEART
HEART
When
a pastor has such a heart he is far from ministry.
a pastor has such a heart he is far from ministry.
·
He is a hard, stubborn
minister that seeks to bend the bible to suit his own peculiar opinion.
He is a hard, stubborn
minister that seeks to bend the bible to suit his own peculiar opinion.
·
He is difficult to
teach minister, a man who does not subject himself to fathers or mentors that
can keep watch over his soul.
He is difficult to
teach minister, a man who does not subject himself to fathers or mentors that
can keep watch over his soul.
·
He is the alpha and
omega of his ministry. No one can convince him to drop an idea.
He is the alpha and
omega of his ministry. No one can convince him to drop an idea.
·
Believes that church
activity can replace true relationship with the father.
Believes that church
activity can replace true relationship with the father.
·
God is always
struggling and struggling over and over before he yields to God’s instructions.
A minister like Balaam, a stubborn minister who always sees the need for change
in others but ignores the changes his own life needs.
God is always
struggling and struggling over and over before he yields to God’s instructions.
A minister like Balaam, a stubborn minister who always sees the need for change
in others but ignores the changes his own life needs.
REMEDY
·
Ask for the brokenness
of heart
Ask for the brokenness
of heart
·
In filling of the Holy
Spirit
In filling of the Holy
Spirit
·
Ask for the spirit of
meekness
Ask for the spirit of
meekness
·
Cultivate the act of
responding instantly to God’s commandant
Cultivate the act of
responding instantly to God’s commandant
·
Ask the Lord for a
heart of sheep
Ask the Lord for a
heart of sheep
·
Be sober at the
spreading of the word of God.
Be sober at the
spreading of the word of God.
·
Humility is needed in
such heart
Humility is needed in
such heart
·
Spend more time walking
with God than working for him.
Spend more time walking
with God than working for him.
·
Don’t replace your time
with God with activity for him
Don’t replace your time
with God with activity for him
·
Mediate more the word
of God for it is the hammer of God
Mediate more the word
of God for it is the hammer of God
ENSNARE
HEART MK.4:7; 18-19, Matthew 13: 22)
HEART MK.4:7; 18-19, Matthew 13: 22)
Ensnare has to do with being perplexed, to entrap, or
to entangle as a birds caught in a snare (Eccl.9:12). This is a heart that
experiences the entrapments of this world. Mark 4:7; 18:19. These are receivers
of God and word but the care, longing, influences, lust and passion of and for
this world; deceitfulness of prosperity ensures entraps their heart for God and
makes them less effective for Christ. They have good intension towards God but
you know there are just too much entanglement with the love and desire of and
for the world.
to entangle as a birds caught in a snare (Eccl.9:12). This is a heart that
experiences the entrapments of this world. Mark 4:7; 18:19. These are receivers
of God and word but the care, longing, influences, lust and passion of and for
this world; deceitfulness of prosperity ensures entraps their heart for God and
makes them less effective for Christ. They have good intension towards God but
you know there are just too much entanglement with the love and desire of and
for the world.
This is the condition of the heart of most of us
today. Considering this type of heart are some interesting points:
today. Considering this type of heart are some interesting points:
·
This heart qualifies
for good planting and growth. The heart has a good soil component and fertile
for his heart truly long and desire the sincere milk of the word of God but
unstable due to environmental and situational factors.
This heart qualifies
for good planting and growth. The heart has a good soil component and fertile
for his heart truly long and desire the sincere milk of the word of God but
unstable due to environmental and situational factors.
·
There is no reason why
such a heart should not grow but for external influences.
There is no reason why
such a heart should not grow but for external influences.
·
He is a man of unstable
heart in decision making in relating to his faith and doctrines in Christ.
He is a man of unstable
heart in decision making in relating to his faith and doctrines in Christ.
·
A man of excess worries
and passion for the greatness that this world can offer even at the expense of
his God given faith and believers.
A man of excess worries
and passion for the greatness that this world can offer even at the expense of
his God given faith and believers.
·
The cares of this age,
deceitfulness of riches and lusts for other things are killing him softly; he doesn’t
even know that he is a dying Christian.
The cares of this age,
deceitfulness of riches and lusts for other things are killing him softly; he doesn’t
even know that he is a dying Christian.
·
He boasts of past glory
and struggles in his journey of faith.
He boasts of past glory
and struggles in his journey of faith.
·
This condition is terrible
to be, because he won’t grow and won’t wish others to grow.
This condition is terrible
to be, because he won’t grow and won’t wish others to grow.
·
He is surrounded by
deceitfulness, when he listens to messages and preaching, the devil will setup counsel
to rubbish what he/she has heard.
He is surrounded by
deceitfulness, when he listens to messages and preaching, the devil will setup counsel
to rubbish what he/she has heard.
·
It is the heart of the
mixed multitude whose passion for seeking Christ is because of the bread and
fish but finds it hard to swallow the deep and solid meal of the word of God
due to the strong hold of the lust of the eyes, lust of the heart and the pride
of life on their heart.
It is the heart of the
mixed multitude whose passion for seeking Christ is because of the bread and
fish but finds it hard to swallow the deep and solid meal of the word of God
due to the strong hold of the lust of the eyes, lust of the heart and the pride
of life on their heart.
There
is a high level of spiritual poverty strangling the life and heart of men in
the church more that physical poverty. Does your heart nurse several ambitions?
Are you easily deceived by the promises of riches that your ambition shows you?
Do you really even know that what God’s plan is for your life? Are you a day
dreamer and a pursuer of empty passion?
is a high level of spiritual poverty strangling the life and heart of men in
the church more that physical poverty. Does your heart nurse several ambitions?
Are you easily deceived by the promises of riches that your ambition shows you?
Do you really even know that what God’s plan is for your life? Are you a day
dreamer and a pursuer of empty passion?
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
·
Keep procrastinating
and loves to delay in their change towards their life and God.
Keep procrastinating
and loves to delay in their change towards their life and God.
·
Consecration is not
their watch ward
Consecration is not
their watch ward
·
They always say ‘God
understand’
They always say ‘God
understand’
·
They know more than the
bible and struggles with the word when it comes.
They know more than the
bible and struggles with the word when it comes.
·
They have been
Christians for a long time with no fruits.
They have been
Christians for a long time with no fruits.
MINISTERS WITH SUCH A
HEART
HEART
Running
a church with a pastor with an entangled heart is one of the major problems the
church is facing now. Many where truly called by God but because of the passion
for money, fame and riches losses their God given vision? Such Pastor or ministers are:-
a church with a pastor with an entangled heart is one of the major problems the
church is facing now. Many where truly called by God but because of the passion
for money, fame and riches losses their God given vision? Such Pastor or ministers are:-
·
Money oriented and
riches driven
Money oriented and
riches driven
·
Many of them were
called by their God but are led by their belly.
Many of them were
called by their God but are led by their belly.
·
They lose the message
and focuses on mammon
They lose the message
and focuses on mammon
·
They adopt and becomes
a motivational speaker
They adopt and becomes
a motivational speaker
·
Derailed from the
gospel of truth and salvation and misled others to destruction.
Derailed from the
gospel of truth and salvation and misled others to destruction.
·
They operate on human
intellectual acquired skills and methodology rendering the position of the Holy
Spirit useless.
They operate on human
intellectual acquired skills and methodology rendering the position of the Holy
Spirit useless.
·
They do not even know
anymore when God is speaking and when their lustful mind is speaking.
They do not even know
anymore when God is speaking and when their lustful mind is speaking.
·
They end up seeking for
alternative means of doing the ministry when they notice God has stopping
talking to them.
They end up seeking for
alternative means of doing the ministry when they notice God has stopping
talking to them.
·
They run the church and
ministry of God like their own personal business, family business.
They run the church and
ministry of God like their own personal business, family business.
·
They see the church as any
other money making venture, they are the minister with no mission, vision nor
message they are simply motivational speakers who cannot attend to the
spiritual needs of the church, no wonder the church s becoming more like the
world.
They see the church as any
other money making venture, they are the minister with no mission, vision nor
message they are simply motivational speakers who cannot attend to the
spiritual needs of the church, no wonder the church s becoming more like the
world.
The
church is not the world and the world is now the church. The word of God in
their mouth is shallow and life less. Are you a minister like that? Are you
more interested in the money collected then the souls won for Christ? What has
happen to your desire and passion for perishing souls? Are you adamant that you
must ride the latest care and exotic rides at all cost? Check yourself if you
are still standing.
church is not the world and the world is now the church. The word of God in
their mouth is shallow and life less. Are you a minister like that? Are you
more interested in the money collected then the souls won for Christ? What has
happen to your desire and passion for perishing souls? Are you adamant that you
must ride the latest care and exotic rides at all cost? Check yourself if you
are still standing.
SOLUTION
·
Break up your fallow
ground Jer. 4:3
Break up your fallow
ground Jer. 4:3
·
Uproot every ambition
and receive the vision of God for your life.
Uproot every ambition
and receive the vision of God for your life.
·
Stop postponing God’s
instruction, move now into action.
Stop postponing God’s
instruction, move now into action.
·
Guard your heart with
all diligence.
Guard your heart with
all diligence.
·
Have a mind focusing
only on what God can and will give to you in life.
Have a mind focusing
only on what God can and will give to you in life.
·
Trust in the Lord with
all your heart; lean not on your own understanding.
Trust in the Lord with
all your heart; lean not on your own understanding.
·
Be hungry for souls.
Be hungry for souls.
·
Worry less but be
prayerful and remain faithful.
Worry less but be
prayerful and remain faithful.
·
Break every form of
association that causes you to err.
Break every form of
association that causes you to err.
·
Ask for the spirit of
meekness, humility and the grace to be contented with whatever God gives you
the grace to achiever. 1 Peter5:7, Jer. 29:11.
Ask for the spirit of
meekness, humility and the grace to be contented with whatever God gives you
the grace to achiever. 1 Peter5:7, Jer. 29:11.
THE FERTILE HEART Mark
4: 8, 20; Matthew 13:23.
4: 8, 20; Matthew 13:23.
A
good fertile land ready for production; a broken heart a meek and honest heart,
God driven heart, heavenly conscious, evangelistic conscious minded heart.
good fertile land ready for production; a broken heart a meek and honest heart,
God driven heart, heavenly conscious, evangelistic conscious minded heart.
WHAT MAKES IT A
SPECTACULAR HEART.
SPECTACULAR HEART.
·
A cultivated heart and
conscious of the fact that it must be kept cultivated.
A cultivated heart and
conscious of the fact that it must be kept cultivated.
·
A righteous, sacred and
consecrated heart passionately thirsty for God.
A righteous, sacred and
consecrated heart passionately thirsty for God.
·
No deceitful not fraud
neither cumbersome with worldly desire.
No deceitful not fraud
neither cumbersome with worldly desire.
·
A ‘going’ heart seeking
for the lost soul and a growing heart.
A ‘going’ heart seeking
for the lost soul and a growing heart.
·
He thirst, receive,
consume and digest the word to yield produce in its hundreds, thousands etc.
He thirst, receive,
consume and digest the word to yield produce in its hundreds, thousands etc.
·
The word of God
prospers in his heart, hand and cannot be distracted or deceived.
The word of God
prospers in his heart, hand and cannot be distracted or deceived.
·
Earnestly contending
for the faith and guarding diligently his heart.
Earnestly contending
for the faith and guarding diligently his heart.
·
He has God as his
vision the church as his mission, the lost souls as his passion.
He has God as his
vision the church as his mission, the lost souls as his passion.
·
Heaven conscious in a
delimiting word.
Heaven conscious in a
delimiting word.
IMPACT ON THE
CHURCH
CHURCH
·
Conviction:
the word of God brings conviction which produces changes in the life of the
congregation and leadership
Conviction:
the word of God brings conviction which produces changes in the life of the
congregation and leadership
·
Capacity
building: the work of transformation in the life
of the individual by the church leadership in preparing them for the ministry
is made easier and possible
Capacity
building: the work of transformation in the life
of the individual by the church leadership in preparing them for the ministry
is made easier and possible
·
Confession:
the church becomes a ‘going church’
because their heart is willing and ready for the gospel.
Confession:
the church becomes a ‘going church’
because their heart is willing and ready for the gospel.
·
Control:
The church is a congregation of sheep, a congregation Christ can lead and
control.
Control:
The church is a congregation of sheep, a congregation Christ can lead and
control.
·
Correction:
A church that is full of meekness. This qualifies them for great manifestation
of the dealings and doings of God
Correction:
A church that is full of meekness. This qualifies them for great manifestation
of the dealings and doings of God
·
Continuity:
They become a church that change in leadership is not a problem as they are
addicted to the obeying the will of God for them. Power tussling is not an
option among them
Continuity:
They become a church that change in leadership is not a problem as they are
addicted to the obeying the will of God for them. Power tussling is not an
option among them
·
Contending:
they are the church that will always stand and defend the cross. They will
always contend for the faith at all times come what may.
Contending:
they are the church that will always stand and defend the cross. They will
always contend for the faith at all times come what may.
·
Commonality:
this is a church which has reached a state of high level of unity. They have
the same attributes and characteristics. A church that shares the same
features. A family church.
Commonality:
this is a church which has reached a state of high level of unity. They have
the same attributes and characteristics. A church that shares the same
features. A family church.
According to Jamieson,
Fausset and Brown (JFB), the goodness of this kind of heart consists in its
qualities being precisely the reverse of the other three soils: from its
softness and tenderness, receiving and cherishing the seed; from its depth,
allowing the word of God to take firm root; and from its cleanness, giving its whole
pure heart to digest the word very well which gives deep understanding to his
mind. In such a heart, the seed “brings forth fruit,” in all different
dimension, according to its capacity.
Fausset and Brown (JFB), the goodness of this kind of heart consists in its
qualities being precisely the reverse of the other three soils: from its
softness and tenderness, receiving and cherishing the seed; from its depth,
allowing the word of God to take firm root; and from its cleanness, giving its whole
pure heart to digest the word very well which gives deep understanding to his
mind. In such a heart, the seed “brings forth fruit,” in all different
dimension, according to its capacity.
In conclusion, Jeremiah 17:9-10 “The
heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who
can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his
doings”. Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy
heart with all diligence; for out of it are
the issues of life.”
heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who
can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his
doings”. Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy
heart with all diligence; for out of it are
the issues of life.”
