Be Careful How You Build
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Transcript of Be Careful How You Build
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Table of Contents Chapter 1: Bethel or Babel? Michael Toyin-Emmanuel ........................................................................ 3
Lets make Name for ourselves. .......................................................................................................... 4
I will make your Name Great. ............................................................................................................. 5
When God Scatters. ............................................................................................................................ 6
Chapter 2: Evangelism and the Kingdom of God - R. Alan Streett ........................................................... 9
Why the Gospel of the Kingdom? ....................................................................................................... 9
The Nature of the Kingdom Message ................................................................................................ 11
Chapter 3: Be Careful how you Build Michael Toyin-Emmanuel ........................................................ 13
The Power of Choice ......................................................................................................................... 13
Efforts dont Count, Quality Ultimately Does. ................................................................................... 14
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Chapter 1: Bethel or Babel? Michael Toyin-Emmanuel
Lets make Name for ourselves.
Then they said, "Let's build a city for ourselves and a tower with its top in the sky.
Let's make a name for ourselves so that we won't become scattered all over the
face of the earth." (Genesis 11:4)
In the account of the city of Babel we find the beginning of religion. That is, mans
way of satisfying the urge to worship without actually obeying the one true God.
The desire for men to settle down, build a town/city and make a name for
themselves has never left the heart of corrupt man, ever today.
The satanically driven desire to fashion for themselves their own ways of worship
[with all the glory going to man] is painfully obvious today. Ever tragically in what
passes for Church.
Without the guidance of the spirit of God the builder labors in vain. God called the
result of carnal mans religious efforts Babel [ Confusion ]. This is the reason for
the many confusion we see in the church today.
Men building religious camps and cities, yet no visible transformation evidence in
the lives of man, nor any impact in the society, other than apparent chaotic
situation world over. Yet church towers, prayer cities, Redemption camps, and
glory tabernacles are multiplying daily.
The Babylonians of course, like all good politician, put their own spin on the event
and declared Babel as the gate of God politically driven religious leaders always
seem to misread the obvious. God was not happy with the tower or the men who
constructed it.
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I will make your Name Great.
I will make you a great nation, I will bless you. I will make your name great, and
you will be a blessing. (Genesis 12:2)
Abraham, moved out to obey God, so as to establish us a perfect pattern of
worship, and become father of faith unto those to be latter called out of darkness
and chosen as sons of the kingdom. A way of worship based on obedience,
sustained by fellowship, and established by relationship. This pattern points
attention to God and draw focus ways from men.
A few chapters later, we find another account of an edifice constructed between
heaven and earth. [ this is the account of Jacobs leader. ]. This time the
construction was from heaven down, not earth up. This time an eternal picture was
given of Gods way to meet with man on the basis of friendship and fellowship.
On the contrast, the members of the city of Babel sort to make a name for
themselves, while Abraham sort to obey God and give way for God to make his
name great. Abraham had covenant with God to be scattered all over the earth but
the people of Babel insisted on staying together so as not to be able to propagate
the earth with the knowledge of God. Hence God confused them and scattered
their language.
In every generation, there are some, not many perhaps, but some, who accept
Gods way and simply bow in humility and gratitude. In every generation, there will
also be multitude who will reject Gods will, word, and ways, and seek to construct
their own Towers of Babel.
This will continue, we have it on Gods authority, until the time God will once and
for all destroy Mystery Babylon Revelation 18 19. For it is indeed a mystery, this
is why men and women will continue to pledge allegiance to doomed religion
rather than genuinely seek the truth and hunger after righteousness.
The greatest need in this hour is for the true church to intercede for herself that
she shakes off Babels influence and rest in Bethel. We must acknowledge that we
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have relied on the power of the flesh for too long and now its time to lean on the
Lord and Him alone.
It has been said of Abraham that one could trace his path by the altars he built. And
another writer stated: it is often said of Abraham and the apostolic fathers that
they built altars to the Lord, and established churches; it is never said they built
houses of themselves
When God Scatters.
In the early church, the spirit of Babel came upon them, if not that the apostles
were sensitive early enough to the Holy Spirit, they would have been led astray in
rebellion too. The Apostles were initially engaged in a system of structure
management and organization maintenance ministry, until confusion sets in. they
were gathering the disciples together in one place rather than scattering them in
spreading the Gospel to the ends of the world. But for their sincerity and genuine
intentions to always glorify Christ and not after making name for themselves, they
were able to expel the spirit of Babel and to a large extent and weakened his
influence.
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a
murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were
neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the
disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of
God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of
honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this
business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of
the word. Acts 6: 1-4
Babel consumes and dehydrates spiritual energy and ultimately kill vision and
diffuse mission. Every earthly based structure of men, especially in the religious
field brings confusion and judgment, while Heavenly engendered intervention
brings reconciliation and peace. God ways are beyond ours, and he uses all things
to realize his ultimate purpose and fulfill his grand agenda amongst men.
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God will always devastate every congregation of Babel, and scatter the people.
Having seen sincerity in the heart of the apostles, He providentially scattered them
so that the gospel may spread throughout the earth.
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great
persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all
scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the
apostles.
Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.
Acts 8: 1, 4
Scatter the Church, O Lord!
My prayer is that God should do to Us the Church today what he did to the early
church. The Gospel wouldnt have spread home and abroad if God did not
intervene with persecution and many scattering. May the divine will orchestrate a
scattering of todays religious camps and cities, so that the end time harvest of
souls can be realized.
The church will not realize its full potential until some scattering take place. Many
church folks will never know how much unction and power they possess until their
bed of comfort is taken away. Many will remain in Air-conditioned auditoriums with
bogus titles of Deacons, Reverends, Bishop, and Arch, such as Philip, without
knowing that many souls would have been saved and delivered from the gate of
hell, if they had stepped out into the world and stopped serving tables.
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake,
hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud
voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with
palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
And there was great joy in that city. (Acts 8:5-8)
May God scatter His people again. I pray that God will destroy every city and camps
that have held Gods people bound and brought upon them paralysis of divine
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assignments. Who knows, perhaps, God may use the global upsurge of terrorism to
awaken the church again.
Dear friend, hear the voice of the Lord saying:
"You have stayed at this mountain long enough.
Break camp, and get ready! Go to the mountain region of the Amorites, and go to
everyone living on the plains, in the mountains, in the foothills, in the Negev, on
the whole Mediterranean coast (the land of the Canaanites), and into Lebanon as
far as the Euphrates River.
I'm giving you this land. Enter, and take possession of the land the LORD swore to
give to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to you, their descendants."
Deuteronomy 1:6-8 GW
I perceive God is saying to you, break away from every religious gathering that has
held you down for this long. Destroy every hold and grasp of Babel, obey God and
advance with great grace and unction to conquer the world with the Gospel. Take
the gospel of the kingdom [ the gospel of the Saviour and Lord; Christ Jesus ] to the
domain of your influence; your office, campus, clubs, school, association etc.
May God be with you. Amen.
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Chapter 2: Evangelism and the Kingdom of God - R. Alan Streett
While the Kingdom of God was the central theme of all preaching in the New
Testament, it has been virtually ignored by modern-day evangelists, teachers, and
pastors. This absence of Kingdom-centered evangelism and preaching has had
devastating effects on the church and has now reached critical mass. A self-centric
gospel has replaced the God-centered gospel of the kingdom. The deficiency is
so great that most evangelists, pastors and teachers of the word would be hard-
pressed even to define the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 24:14; Mark 1:14).
The result has been a watered-down message that has no power to change lives.
Why the Gospel of the Kingdom?
When John the Baptist came preaching, Repent, for the kingdom of God is at
hand! (Matthew 3:2), his audience understood he was referring to the
eschatological age foretold by Old Testament prophets, a time when God would
send a promised messianic king to defeat Israels enemies and usher in a new age
of universal peace.
John called people to break with the past as a requirement to enter the Kingdom
and escape the coming judgment. After Johns arrest, Jesus came preaching the
gospel of the kingdom, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is
at hand (Mark 1:14-15). Luke tells us that when Jesus stood in the synagogue and
read a messianic passage from the prophet Isaiah, he concluded by saying, Today
this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing (Luke 4:21). Later, when asked if he were
the promised messiah, Jesus replied, I am (Mark 14:62). The waiting period was
over. The Kingdom had arrived in Jesus. It was no longer a distant hope, but it now
had a name and a face connected with it.
Soon after his synagogue discourse, Jesus told the crowds, I must preach the
kingdom of God to other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent
(Luke 4:43).
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Everywhere He went He proclaimed the glad tidings of the kingdom of God (Luke
8:1). The 12 apostles traveled with Him. Is it any wonder as He sent them out, He
commissioned them to preach the kingdom (Luke 9:1-2)? Marks parallel account
of the event says, So they went out and preached that people should repent
(Mark 6:12), showing the link between the Kingdom and the call to repentance.
Jesus then appointed 70 others to heal the sick there, and say to them, The
kingdom of God has come near you (Luke 10:1, 9).
Prior to His ascension, the resurrected Lord spent 40 days with the apostles
speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). Thus, He
ended His earthly ministry the way He began it -- declaring the Gospel of the
Kingdom!
On the mount, after assuring His followers that there would be a future dimension
to the Kingdom, He told them that in the interim they were to be His witnesses
(Acts 1:8). Therefore, it is not surprising to find them preaching the things
concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus (Acts 8:12). The Apostle
Paul, likewise, taught concerning the things of the kingdom of God (Acts 19:8). He
reminded the elders at Ephesus that he spent three years preaching the kingdom
of God (Acts 20:25, 31).
While under house arrest in Rome, Many came to him at his lodging, to whom he
explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God (Acts 28:23). The Book of
Acts closes, significantly, with these words, Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his
own rented house and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of
God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all
confidence, no one forbidding him (Acts 28:30-31).
There can be little doubt that the Good News of the Kingdom was the central theme
of first-century evangelistic preaching. Consequently, it should be our focus as well.
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The Nature of the Kingdom Message
The Gospel is not an invitation to invite Christ into your heart, although His Spirit
indwells every believer. Neither does the Gospel center on the eternal bliss that
awaits believers at death, although every follower of Christ will depart to be with
the Lord. Few, if any, New Testament sermons deal with heaven. Rather they focus
on the Kingdom and what it means to be part of it, now and in the future.
The New Testament kerygma announces what God has ultimately done in and
through Jesus and invites the hearers to become part of Gods great plan for
history. It is primarily about God, not us.
Additionally, the authentic Gospel is an historical, not an existential message.
Through the Old Testament prophets, God foretold a time when He would send a
mighty deliverer to establish a new covenant with Israel and bring all things in
subjection to Himself. All independent kingdoms to which people give their
allegiance, both spiritual and material, will be destroyed. The incarnate Jesus
announced that Gods Kingdom had arrived, and then He called people to submit
to His rule. On the cross He defeated Satan, offered His life as an atonement for
sin, and regained dominion over Gods creation which Adam had relinquished at
the fall.
Calvary was Gods death blow to Satans rule, sins power and deaths victory and,
hence, it became the hinge of history. At His resurrection, Christ emerged from
the cosmic battle victorious, proving that God, not the rebels, was in charge. After
all, if Jesus could enter the heart of enemy territory and not be defeated, then their
days are numbered!
From His exalted position at Gods right hand, Christ now rules from His throne until
His enemies become his footstool (Acts 2:35; 1 Corinthians 15:23-24). The powers
of evil may still function, but only under the authority of Christ (Colossians 2:15;
1:15-16; 1 Corinthians 2:6-8). As one theologian remarks, All kingdoms are
confronted with their rightful overlord.
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As sovereign Lord, Christ now directs the course of history toward its victorious
completion, i.e. the future establishment of His Kingdom on earth and the
judgment of all nations, which will take place at His coming.
Finally the Gospel is corporate in scope as well as individualistic. The Kingdom now
finds root in the church. Becoming a citizen of the Kingdom cannot be done in a
vacuum, any more than a foreigner can become a citizen of the United States
without rubbing shoulders with other Americans. There is a corporate or
community aspect to citizenship. It includes responsibility and privileges that
cannot be found by living in isolation. Likewise, it is incoherent to say one can enter
that reign of Christ and remain outside the church.
The church in turn, spreads the Gospel of the Kingdom to the entire world and
summons humanity to submit to Gods rule in Christ and align themselves with
other believers in His Kingdom. Whenever and wherever the victory of Christ is
proclaimed and obeyed, Satan must retreat. As Gods rule expands, Satans
recedes.
When asked what would be the sign of His coming and the end of the age, Jesus
replied, And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a
witness to all nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14).
As we preach and take the gospel to the ends of the earth, it is essential that we
re-examine the message we proclaim. Is it the same gospel of the kingdom
preached by Jesus and the apostles?
R. Alan Streett is chairman and professor of evangelism at Criswell College in Dallas.
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Chapter 3: Be Careful how you Build Michael Toyin-Emmanuel
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have Jesus
Christ.
But whoever is building on the foundation must be VERY CAREFUL.
God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For Gods temple is holy, and
you are that temple.
1 Corinthians 3: 11, 10, 17
It is important to sound this solemn warning Be careful how you build the Lords
temple, which you are. You have received by grace through faith the mercy of God
Jesus Christ. Having believed, you are saved from Gods wrath upon this present
world and the disobedient. You are sealed by his Holy Spirit, so that you may realize
the glorious and imperishable hope of salvation.
However, it is vital you pay attention to how you develop yourselves in Christ. It is
important you give care to how you are growing in the grace of God. What manner
of spiritual food or doctrine to which you expose yourself really matter. This is
critical to your ultimate reality in God.
The Power of Choice
There are variety of materials you can use in building up your faith in Christ, and
they all vary in quality and serve different purposes. We are all builders and we all
have the choice and privilege to determine how and what sort of materials we
desire to use in structuring our growth in Christ. But to every builder is this solemn
warning Be careful how you build, make your choices carefully
An expert and wise builder with a long term perspective will choose materials that
will be long-lasting. A foolish builder will go the easy and fastest way. But to every
builder God has provided varieties of materials with the power of freedom to
choose. Be careful how you build, he says.
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People may build on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay,
or straw. 1Corithians 3:12
A close evaluation and analysis of these materials reveals that they may require
different kind of efforts in fetching and obtaining them, and different amount of
work to get them into shapes and modes suitable for the construction work. For
instance, to get gold, you will have to dig the ground deep, and to refine it, you
have to pass it through the fire. The same foe Silver and other precious stones. On
the other hand, Wood, Hay, and Straw, could be near etched, and faster than Gold,
Siler and Jewel.
Nevertheless, the choice of what is used is left to the builder. Ultimately, something
must be built.
Efforts dont Count, Quality Ultimately Does.
Paul use this illustration to stress the truth that, the building is not what really
matters but the quality of what is built is the most essential. Every work will be
tested and revealed for what kind it is. The fire of judgment will show if a persons
work has any value.
Therefore, do not be lazy, go for gold, dig deep for long lasting treasures, and make
every effort to build what will withstand the storms, the fire, and the torrents of
life.
Are you making effort to build your faith on sound doctrine and accurate biblical
principles? Or you prefer the shallow and the diluted the bread and butter gospel,
name it and claim it materials?
Be wise like an expert builder, whose foundation cannot be shaken, because his
root and foundation is firmly established in sound and accurate teachings of Christ
Luke 6:48
Just as it take hard work to get Gold, so also you must labour in sound doctrine. It
is much more valuable than Gold. It never fades and it provides security for you in
this life and the life to come. No man will part easily with Gold, you have to pay its
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price to get it. So also with sound doctrine, you will have to pray and study the
scriptures for yourself. Thats the only way it comes. No man will give it to you.
Bread is cheap, wood, hay, and straw are everywhere and can easily be gathered.
But how enduring and durable are they? Milk understanding of the word of God,
how sustaining can it really be?
Do not forget this, God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple, the temple
which you are.
Will that person be you?
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