THEME:  THE CHRISTIAN FAITH REVISITED (THE TREE OF LIFE) 

PREAMBLE 

Praise ye the Lord. Peace be unto you. Thanks be to God for bringing us to the third discourse in the series The Christian Faith Revisited. Let me seize this opportunity to thank you for the prayer for me, for the heartwarming, agreeable response, and the holy desire you have exhibited to Know Christ, understand the Faith and get charged for the responsibilities involved in the High Calling.  

The Christian Calling, as we have learnt, is a Divine Calling of a high order, demanding death to self, the surrender and submission of will and desires to God and getting fully immersed or baptized in Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the God Heavenly Agenda on Earth. We have learnt in this regard of two basic pillars of the high calling: FAITH and LOVE of GOD.   

Faith, we learnt is a Spirit, derivable from the Divine Spirit in and behind the Word of God. This Faith is different from the faith in the natural human-spirit system, which by all standards is lower than the heavenly faith and, in any case, operates on a different level, and is incapable of fulfilling the Divine purposes and the supernatural Heaven Kingdom agenda on Earth. 

Similarly, LOVE in the Christian Faith is of a Divine supernatural nature obtainable in the New Divine Nature transmitted through the New Birth and impartation by the Holy Spirit. Yesterday, we learnt from the scriptures that not only is LOVE as espoused in the Christian Faith of Divine origin and supernatural in operation, but also that the Faith demands that the children and servants of God and disciples of Christ for that matter, be rooted, and grounded in Love, and seek to obtain full appreciation and Knowledge of the Love of Christ—which passes or is beyond human knowledge. 

We learnt further that the Christian Faith and with it the Church Mission is a Faith and Mission of Love. Without proper grounding in Christ, the Love of God, and the Holy Spirit, Christian Life, Christian Worship, and Christian Service will be difficult, non-attainable, non-rewarding, and non-fulfilling. “And now, abideth faith, hope, charity (love), these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE” (1st Corinthians 13:13). 

INTRODUCTION 

In other words, the Christian Faith implies not only a completely New Human Being with a different spirit nature from the first Adamic man—and life, set of values, perception, and world view built around Faith in Love of and Hope in Jesus Christ—but also Knowledge of God, knowledge of the love of Christ, and knowledge and full appreciation of the Faith and Church Mission on Earth. We need knowledge of the first Adam’s human nature, human life, and human society to have proper appreciation of the full dimensions of the Love of Christ, the Divine Human Redemption and the Heavenly Kingdom Mission on earth. We need full understanding of the Divine Will, Purposes, Plans, and Works of God towards man and creation, the world and the universe as a whole. 

It is pertinent to observe however that knowledge of the human nature—including the dynamics of the curse and hostility in the environment, the structure, properties and laws in nature and human adventures, assertions, enterprise, and speculations in the Arts, Philosophy, and Religion is different from knowledge of God and Christ, the Kingdom of God on Earth, the fullness of the Divine Reconciliation, Redemption, and Restoration, the working of and the walking and working relationship with the Holy Spirit for the pursuit of the Divine Will and Purposes in the Church Mission for the Praise and Glory on Earth.  

It is good and profitable to know and understand the human and natural order, if man can pursue the cultural mandate effectively, meaningfully, and beneficially.  However, this kind of knowledge cannot and must not be confused with Knowledge of God and Christ, the Nature, and Growth, Maturity and Glory of the new man and the new life, the Divine Will, Purposes, and the Heavenly Kingdom Order on Earth. 

There is one danger observable in this respect, the dependence of the human spirit-mind power to the negligence or side-steeping of the Holy Spirit-mind-of Christ performance and the pursuit of the Knowledge of the Human natural order in the name of Christ and the Faith. 

It is this kind of the promotion of human abilities and human glory in place of Divine nature and Divine imparted capacity and abilities and the glory thereof that has turned the Church into but another human institution and the Christian faith into but another human philosophical adventure based on human spirit-mind operation on one part and a religious system on another. Thus, without the Divine spirit-power, knowledge, and Holy Spirit directed operation and control, the Church has tended to put on the cloak of godliness but without the necessary Divine supernatural power to make her holy, righteous and Divine in character (2 Timothy 3:1-5).  

Further, in the absence of Christ accreditation and Holy Spirit power, some ministers and so-called churches have turned to the power, doctrines, and practices of the devil (1st Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 4:3-4). In this respect, the Church is under obligation to know and distinguish between and among the distinctive features of the Human Natural Order, the Elemental Power System, and the Divine Supernatural Order.  

There is this one truth though, the knowledge and wisdom of man and the world, and the knowledge, wisdom, and power of the familiar spirits, gods, goddesses, deities, angels, demons, principalities, and powers, the so-called masters and all, both are opposed to Christ and the Heavenly Kingdom Order. That which is of the flesh is flesh, and that which is of the spirit is spirit.  That which is of man and elemental power is of the earth, that which is of Christ and the Holy Spirit is from heaven. That which is of God and Christ is Divine, that which is of man and spirits is of Satan.  And spiritual things are spiritually discerned. We are Born of the Spirit of God not of the spirit of the world; hence we cry, Abba Father. 

By these brief observations, we have introduced the topic for today, Knowledge versus Knowledge. The goal of today’s discussion is to bring to us the Knowledge of God, the Word, the Holy Spirit and the Church Mission in Human Redemption, Reconciliation, and Restoration inherent in the Christian Faith. 

THE CHURCH AND HER MISSION 

The Book of Ephesians presents a comprehensive information and curriculum for Knowledge of Christ, the Christian Faith, the Church Mission, the New World Order, and the Christ (Messianic) Kingdom Order and its glory on Earth.  For example, in Ephesians 1, we are introduced to the concept of Election, Adoption, and Purpose of Redemption to the Praise and Glory of God (verses 1-4), the spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledge of God, Spiritual Enlightenment, and the Mighty Working Power of the Spirit of  God in the inner man of the Redeemed (verses 17-19) and the exalted and glorified position of Jesus Christ and His relationship with the Church (verses 20-23).  

Chapter Two calls to Knowledge and Understanding of the Old Man, the Grace of Salvation and the New Life in Christ, and the Reconciliation and Peace which the Faith brings to nations and the human race. Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards men being the end-goal. 

In Chapter Three, the Spirit of the LORD emphasizes the Knowledge of Christ, His Love and the Church Mission on earth and the New Divine Nature. Chapters 4,5, and 6 present the Church in service as CALLED OUT ONES for the New Life and God’s Kingdom Mission agenda on earth. These constitute major and compelling areas of knowledge, growth, and fulfillment of God’s Church and Kingdom Building Missions on Earth.  

In calling attention to the curriculum of studies for Knowledge of God, the Church, and her social transformation and Kingdom Building Missions on Earth, all we want to do is to emphasize that the Christian Faith presents a unique and different knowledge for life or human existence—the Pursuit of Happiness and Fulfillment, the God-Pleasing Way and the Truth of God’s Will, Purposes, and Relationship with man in the Ordering and Establishing the God Kingdom or Christ (Messianic) Order.  (Isaiah 9:6-7). 

It is in this respect, that we must view Apostle Paul’s holy desire to know and win Christ, counting all things, all knowledge, all power, all honors and all human glory but dung (Philippians 3:1-14). It is in this same vein that we must view the Lord Jesus Christ’s glorious mission spirit as stated in John 4:34: “My Meat is to do the Will of Him that sent Me and to finish His Work”. 

From the Ministry and lives of the Apostles, the Prophets, and Jesus Christ Himself, and from the challenges met and arising in the Church Mission on earth, and particularly in this our age and times, we will want to call attention to four main areas of special emphasis for personal, group, and church study—for Knowledge, Understanding, Enlightenment, and Wisdom for proper equipping, for God-glorifying, Christ-Exalting meaningful and fulfilling Life, of Worship and the Service of God and Man. In this regard, to know God and His Christ, to know our standing as Children and Servants of God, to Know the Church and the way to build effective relationship and fulfilling fellowship with the Holy Spirit are the key issues for the Church.  

The following deserve special mention: 

a. Knowledge of God and His Christ (John 1:1-4; 1 Timothy 3:16) 

b. Knowledge of the significance and import of the Word of God (John 1:1,14; 6:63; Romans 1:16-17; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 10:10-11; 1st Peter 1:22-25; Hebrews 4:7-14; 11:1-3) 

c. Knowledge of the Holy Spirit, His Mission, and walking and working with Him (Acts 1:8; John 14:26; 15:26-27; 16:7-16; 6:17-18; Jude 20-21; Ephesians 1:14-15) 

d. Knowledge of fellowship with God, the crucial and important significance of The Cross, The New Birth, and the supernatural Faith and Love. 

e. The Church Mission on Earth, Church body and the Faith. 

f. Knowledge of the God Kingdom Agenda on Earth – and how to build, establish, and defend the Kingdom of God and His Christ. 

g. The Church Mission with Spiritual Order, Cultural Transformation, and Social Reconstruction. 

Having stated major areas for study, knowledge, and experience we will conclude our discourse with a brief discussion of developments in the Church. 

The first observation is about knowledge of Christ and effective relationship with the Holy Spirit for personal life, the worship of God and the Church mission in the world. God is Spirit. Christ is Spirit. They that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. And they that serve Him must do it with the enabling grace of the Holy Spirit. “My sheep KNOW MY VOICE, saith the Lord…And where I am there will My servants be.”  This is an area where there is great need for scrutiny by Ministers and Churches. Human knowledge and human spirit-mind power, human wisdom, and worldly philosophies and practices have found their place and have virtually been allowed as it were to transplant Christ and the Holy Spirit from the Church.  

Second, the trend is that riches and wealth, power and fame, comfort and pleasure, have become the motivating and driving forces, the moving spirit that is, in the Church there now seems to be concentration on Power—the power of the word, the power of the Holy Spirit or elemental spirits for that matter, and power of position—the higher issues of growth, maturity, and perfection in Christ, Knowledge of the Cross, Truth, Love, Liberty on one part and Eternal Life on one part and the appearance before the Judgement Throne, the God Kingdom Order and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ on the other are receiving but scanty attention of the Church today. The whole teaching and preaching and ministry, Church programs and Christian outlook are geared towards money, wealth, power, material comfort, and pleasure on this side. 

Third, instead of leading the saints to enter the Open Door of Divine Nature, Graces, and Glory, through knowledge of God, meaningful, and effective relationship with Christ and the Father through the assistance of the Holy Spirit, so we can deepen fellowship through obedience, righteousness, and faithfulness, the Church is now engaged in compromising shouts of miracles and success and earthly methods and standards of conduct and social action. By such conduct, Christ, the Scriptures, and the Holy Spirit—along with Kingdom Truths and God Kingdom Agenda—are virtually thrown out of the Church, Christian life, and thus Christian worldview. 

The fourth and final observation is about the place and position of Christ in the affairs of men and creation as a whole. Christ as Spirit, Power, and Wisdom behind creation is a mystery.  

This is an area where the Church is expected to be an authority—with power to reveal, demonstrate, prove, and educate principalities and powers in heavenly places to come to the Knowledge of the Truth and partake in the promises in Christ (Acts 26:18). 

Beloved, it is time to seek Knowledge of God, the Love of Christ, and Effective and Meaningful fellowship with the Holy Spirit, and grow in the Truth, Love, and Liberty in Christ through the Faith. It is through this Knowledge buttressed by Obedience of the Commandments of God that we can obtain the Mercy of God and Right access to the Tree of Life.  

Let us flee from Trust in the Flesh, the Lust, and Love of the world and Pride of life. 

Let us seek the truth about God—grow and deepen our knowledge, trust, fear, and obedience of God and His Christ. Let us endeavor to enter, establish ourselves in the Kingdom of God order on Earth, ascribing strength and glory to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Let us worship God in Spirit and Truth and Give Him Glory. 

JESUS IS SOON COMING.  His Reward with Him. 

And the Spirit and the Bride say COME, LORD JESUS.