Welcome!
Today: Form of Godliness; without power!
Passage: Eph 3, Prov 20
2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. (Eph 3, NIV 84)
Apostle Paul emphasizes on two words: “mystery” and “revelation”
God reveals His mysteries/secrets to those who are choice/close to Him
He hides it from the wise and the strong of this world, and reveals it to the weak, the humble, the anointed
26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. (1 Cor 1, NIV 84)
We can only receive these revelations from God by humbling ourselves in God’s presence. We need to find some time for God
The greatest problem with the Church today is the ignorance in the things of God-especially the word of God. Being satisfied with all the emotional experience, many have become spiritually weak because of the lack of essential spiritual nutrients!
From the outside, one may look strong/fat, but that doesn’t mean anything;
“Having a form of Godliness, but without power”- defines most Churches today!
And that “form”/structure is what most people care about!
The question is: “Is anything happening inside (the Church)?”
Any new (spiritual) babies born? Are people getting delivered/ stronger spiritually?
Without revelation knowledge from God for the local Church, leaders cannot be effective; they cannot find and address the real problem
God told Jeremiah to ask God, so that God will reveal mysteries to him
1 While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the LORD came to him a second time: 2 “This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it—the LORD is his name: 3 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ (Jer 33, NIV 84)
Jeremiah was in a prison situation, while the Lord told him that he can hear mysteries from God. Paul wrote these letters (Ephesians) from the prison!
You need to step down/humble, to hear great things from God
God did not make a mistake, allowing you to go through this; instead, He just wanted to turn your attention to Him. That’s all!
God give you a blessed weekend. Jesus does not know yet, when He is going to come. We don’t know either. Let’s be ready, whenever He comes!
BG
Prayer: Lord Jesus, reveal to me your mysteries, so that I can live and witness effectively. Thank you Jesus! Amen
Proverbs for today – Proverbs 20 (verses from NIV 84)
3 It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
4 A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.
5 The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
6 Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?
7 The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him.