REPORT - CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP UPGRADE 2 - PART 3

Pastor Wole Olakunle of The Third Temple (Church of The Firstborn), visited the theme of the Leadership Upgrade - In The Days Of Famine - and defined famine as a period characterized by shortage or absence of food. He stated that the longer the period, the more severe the famine. Absence of food, he explained could be caused by drought, a season of no rainfall.

Painting a scenario, he made it clear that three things were crucial to the process of planting, growing and producing food. These include -

1)  Availability of soil.

2)  Availability of seed.

3)  Rainfall.

In his interpretation of the concept of spiritual "famine", he likened "soil" to the heart of man; the "seed” he called- the word of God; and "rainfall" - as the presence or ministry of the Holy Spirit. Whereas the word of God is available in letters of the bible, hearts of men (the soil) are equally in abundant supply all around. However, that which is needed to breathe upon the soil, the rainfall (of the Holy Spirit) so it could bring forth is said to be uncommon now. When the rain (Holy Spirit) falls abundantly on the soil (heart), it causes the seed (word of God) to become revelational and prosper abundantly. The absence of this phenomenon leads to famine. Revelational knowledge which gives life to the word of God (in the scripture) is in very short supply. When there is absence of rainfall (Holy Spirit), what we have are seed (word) flowing from the soil (heart) ladened with carnality and carries no life of God. That is what spiritual famine represents, Olakunle surmised.  

He contended that spiritual famine was currently ravaging the church. To him, this development had been predicted long before now that it was to happen to God's people. "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. V-12 "And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it." (Amos 8:11-12).

 From the scripture above, God promised a season of famine (of hearing Him) to His people because they did not only sin against the Lord but persistently took Him for granted.

The severity of famine occasioned by these circumstances is often almost tantamount to the degree of disobedience to God. This notwithstanding, the situation may be made worse if there is no conscious effort to turn away from the path of rebellion and also signpost the decision with concrete moves. Ordinarily, a lot of unpalatable occurrences do befall a people upon which the siege of spiritual famine is unleashed. In the book of 1 Samuel 3, God decided to starve the leadership of Israel of hearing Him due largely to the abominations of the priests- sons of Eli ( Hophni and Phinehas). Following this, Eli, the high priest and judge of Israel became blind spiritually; the lamp of the tabernacle, that houses the ark of God, was taken off; confusion hit the house of Israel; disorderliness reigned; and their enemies began to prey on them.

 “And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious (scarce) in those days, there was no open vision".  V-2 "And it came to pass at that time, when Eli  was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see. V-3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was ...." 

Once the light of the candlesticks in the "tabernacle goes off, the Holy place becomes dark, the Priesthood becomes blind and ministers in pitch darkness. This indicates the departure of the Holy Spirit disclosed Bro. Wole Olakunle adding that the situation with Eli in the bible days was quite similar to the state of the church today.  The candle light in the Holy Place symbolized access of the Priest to the Spirit of God and without it, the priesthood is blinded and dissillusioned. "They are cut off from truth, sound wisdom and godly direction". This spiritually unhealthy situation, Olakunle agreed, was being compounded by the reluctance of church leaders to quit certain practices perceived to be out of tune with God.  False prophecies and all kinds of gimmicks are often deployed by such leaders instead of embracing humility and repentance. Some also could employ ungodly means to attract and retain crowd.

Brethren in Christ must be more cautious and circumspect so they would not fall into error. It is not the time to assess "men and women of God" on the basis of material acquisition or physical asset. Longevity in ministry also is not equivalent to spiritual sanctity or healthiness. When God departed from Eli and his house, He revealed Himself to Samuel, a four-year old boy with a clean heart. 

The pastor noted that spiritual famine was a reality afflicting believers individually and corporately and as such, he reiterated that it was high time Christian leaders turned away from disobeying God so He might restore to them His grace.   

It is disheartening also that as spiritual famine is spreading on one hand, mankind is dangerously treading the path of rebellion against God. This also according to Pastor Olakunle was foretold by the scripture. "Man is at the precipice of God's judgment". Three issues were identified by the pastor as factors that predispose the earth to experiencing God's judgment. These are - Decay of humanity; Decay of Creation; and the preaching of The Gospel of the kingdom.

DECAY OF HUMANITY:

Pastor Wole explained that this occurs when man begins to traverse the boundary set by God for His creatures. It could vary from unfathomable deviant behaviours to deliberate abnormal extra-ridiculous, sub-human and despicable thoughts, actions and conduct (such as vile passion). In line with His purpose, God's creatures were made to co-habit and procreate after their kinds. For example, dog mates with dog and produce after their kind; a Tiger with a Tigress and so a woman with a man. Deliberate effort or attempt by man or any creature to alter these arrangements (such as the act of a man mating with a horse for whatever reason), had always provoked God's judgment upon the earth or the people. He went further to say that, one major reason for this is that it is viewed in the bible as pinnacle of pollution or sinfulness. This account was made clear in the book of Jude verse -6.”And the angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation "He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness, unto the judgment of the great day."  V-7 "Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire".

Pastor Wole further gave some stark-ling global developments. In Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, South-West, Nigeria, a Pastor of a popular church was caught raping a 12-year old girl last February. Another 60-year old Pastor with three others were arraigned in July before Ebute-Meta Court in Lagos for selling a 38-day old baby for 60,000 naira (about 400 dollars).

Gang-up against preaching of righteousness is rising in the world even as presidents, prominent individuals and leaders are promoting sexual perversion such as homo-sexuality, bestiality, lesbianism, human to horse intercourse etcetera, he revealed. A video was played at the Leadership Upgrade where two men were severely beaten publicly in the United States for displaying a placard calling for repentance from homosexuality. 

PREVIOUS REPORTS
Report: Christian Leadership Upgrade 2 - Part 1

Report: Christian Leadership Upgrade 2 - Part 2

(To be continued)