Top Banner
CREATED FOR GOOD CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) WORKS(EPH 2:10)
56

CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

Jan 16, 2016

Download

Documents

Abel McKenzie
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Page 1: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

CREATED FOR GOOD CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)WORKS(EPH 2:10)

CREATED FOR GOOD CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)WORKS(EPH 2:10)

Page 2: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION

1. Opening Prayer2. Bible Passage: Ephesians 2:103. The story of George4. Opening Quote5. Introduction5:1 Re-engaging with the creation story(Gen 1:5,8,10,13,19,23,25,26-27,30,31)5:2 Song of the Vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-4)6. Unpacking the concept of “Masterpiece”7. Where the Nigerian Church Lost the way: (New Birth-John 3;3,4,16),Sonship &

Contemporary Church as masterpiece(Gal 4:4, Romans 8:18-21,Eph 2;10)8. What Manner of good Works?8.1 Transformation as good Works(Conceptual clarification, transforming the 7

Spheres of society).Conclusion

Page 3: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

Opening Prayer

Page 4: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

Bible Passage(Eph 2:10)

Page 5: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

The story of George• One Sunday morning, a young filthy boy called George from one of the slums adjacent a local

church came with the crowd to worship. An usher put his fingers to his nose and said “Uh, I’m sorry, but I ‘m afraid we can’t let you in, you will distract the congregation”. George left dejected but as he was leaving a stranger touched his shoulders and said to him, “Don’t feel bad, my name is Jesus, and I have been trying to get into the same church for years and they won’t let me in either”. To what extent is the Youth Fellowship and indeed EPC engrossed in academic debates, dialogues, contentions, activities within the sanctuary shutting out the master even has He tries desperately to point us to the good transformative work outside the sanctuary that He prepared for us from eternity?(Ephesians 2:10)

•  

Page 6: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

OPENING QUOTE

“TRUTH IS HEAVY, SO FEW MEN CARRY IT”-

JEWISH PROVERB

Page 7: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

INTRODUCTIONAs we scan the Nigerian context and

observe on one hand the seeming robustness of the Nigerian Church co-existing comfortably with the decay and deterioration in the land, there is a sense in which we see that we are currently facing a crisis.

Page 8: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

INTRODUCTIONA.J Toynbee, the historian, said in his book, “A historian’s Approach to

Religion” that when a movement faces a crisis, it can take one of several ways out:

1. It can retreat into the past and glory in what it was.(This is archaism).

2. It can leap into the future and build castles in the air, it can dream of what it would like to do or that one day things may change, but make no attempt to change then now(This is futurism).

3. It can retreat into itself and give itself to mystical experiences and avoid facing the challenges of the moment( This is mysticism).

4. It can take hold of the crisis, transform it into something positive and make a fresh beginning(This is reformation).Only the last solution resolves the problem, the rest are short-lived. WHERE DOES ECWA PLATEAU CHURCH FIT IN THESE CATEGORIES?

Page 9: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

Re-engaging with the Creation story

1.Gen 1:5,8,10,13,19,23,25,26-27,30,312.Gen 1:26-27-”image & likeness”-In Genesis 1:26-28 we

read that Adam was created in the image & likeness of God and given “Dominion”. What is being created in the Image & Likeness of God?

The Hebrew for “Image” –(selem), means, in being created with the essential nature of God.

The Hebrew word for Likeness is “demuth” which “signifies the original after which a thing is patterned”

Page 10: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

Re-engaging with the Creation story

These words “Selem” & “demuth” define & describe our design, capacity, potential, and value as human beings made to reflect the personhood of our creator (Myles Munroe,2007).

We are “homo divinus”- created with a divine nature and having the capacity to embody the Kingdom of God on Earth as God’s earthy agency!

In essence we were designed as “masterpieces” to be like, act like and function like God in delivering good work.

Page 11: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

Big Question?If we were designed as “masterpieces” to be like, act like and function like God in

delivering good work, Why are we not delivering distinctive work that reflects the quality of work of the rock from which we are hewed?

Seed @ Eden(2007, Masterpiece, from a rock)

Page 12: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

SONG OF THE VINE YARD.

“I will sing for the one I love, a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside, he dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a wine press as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard, what more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it?(Isaiah 5:1-4), lets we come off thinking that the matter is an Old testament sentiment, we read in 2nd Peter 1:3 that “ His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness”. In other words, there hasn’t been a short supply of grace from heaven, preventing the Nigerian Church from being showcased as a masterpiece, the church simply has chosen to be wayward!

Page 13: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

UNPACKING THE WORD”MASTERPIECE”

What however is a “ masterpiece?1.An outstanding work of art or craft.2. The greatest work, as of an artist. Also called masterworK3. The most outstanding piece of work of a creative artist, craftsman,

etc.4. A “Poem”( is it not mind blowing that God refers to you as His Poem?).

Page 14: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

Where the Nigerian Church Lost the way:

(New Birth-,Sonship & Contemporary Church as masterpieces.)• Through being born again by receiving Jesus as Lord and Saviour

we become masterpieces.(John 3;3,4,16,Eph 2;10).• Through being born again we become sons and have the rights of

sons(Gal 4.4).• As sons, the heavens and indeed creation groans waiting for our

emergence to release it from decay and bondage.(Romans 8:18-21)

• Unfortunately, the Nigerian church mistook being born again for the totality of the kingdom(mistaking the door for the house) and so has been unable to be a living expression of the kingdom reflected in the demonstration of kingdom inspired good works in the Land.

Page 15: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

CHURCH AND THE NEED FOR A SHIFT IN THINKING

Page 16: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

“LOOSE THE CHURCH FROM ITS GRAVECLOTHES AND LET IT

GO”(John 11:44, Romans 12:2)• Grave clothes of human imposed limitations.• Grave clothes of human ideas and traditions

Page 17: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

A CRY FROM HEAVEN! In every generation we note that when heaven wants to do a

good, outstanding transformative work, the work is usually anchored on youths, only rarely does heaven commission Old men & women to do such work.

Page 18: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

DANCING THE “ALANTA”?

Unfortunately many Youths that heaven see as masterpieces today upon whom good, outstanding transformative work could have been anchored on their shoulders seem also to have lost their way. Dancing the “Alanta” & “Sagging up and Down” .

Page 19: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

SHOWING YOUR SWAG?

Page 20: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

5 Major Banana peels facing youths today?

• Spiritual in-difference• Carried away with the world’s definition of

success.(Hammer),”De Boy Don Hammer”• Unteachable• Pride& arrogance• Oblivious of the changing context

Page 21: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

What manner of good works?

• Transformation as good Works. Reflections on recent history.• God in year 2000 began to stir the hearts of the Church across Nigeria on

his agenda(transformation).• Through divine providence EPC was part of those reflections and very

strongly from year 2007(even before the present administration in Nigeria ever dreamt that it would emerge).

• However, the Nigerian Church seem to loose what God was trying to do by debating the concept of “transformation” at various church meetings.

• The tragedy was and is still that various Churches,denominations, groups, individuals began to pursue what they perceive as “transformation”

Page 22: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

What manner of good works?

• These scattered energies resulted in a situation whereby rather than being instruments in the discipling of Mr President on Transformation “now that he has shoes”,

• The church is huddled up within the four walls of Church buildings talking about transformation!

Page 23: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

What manner of good works?

• We are unfortunately facing a situation in which many within the Church in Nigeria say that they have to be transformed before going out as agents of transformation in the Society. This is obviously a misunderstanding of the concept of transformation. What is “transformation”, How is it outworked in concrete contexts?

Page 24: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

Unpacking the word ”Transformation”

The concept of “Transformation” in Ordinary English usage:Free-Online Dictionary:• A change or alteration, especially a radical one• The act of transforming or the state of being transformedThesaurus Dictionary:The act of transforming, or the state of being transformed;change of

form or condition. Specifically: -- (a) (Biol.) Any change in an organism which alters its general character and mode of life, as in the development of the germ into the embryo, the egg into the animal, the larva into the insect (metamorphosis), (b) (Physiol.) Change of one from of material into another, as in assimilation; metabolism; metamorphosis. (c) (Alchemy) The imagined possible or actual change of one metal into another; transmutation.

Page 25: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

Unpacking the word ”Transformation”

In this presentation, we define “Transformation” as “A change in disposition, heart, character, or the like; conversion”.

• This perspective recognizes that “Transformation” is not value free or Value neutral. This is because there are values, assumptions that are associated with it.

• In this sense, “Transformation” is not only about change, the question is Change in what direction, what is the content of change, what values and assumptions underlie change or are associated with change.

• The change in disposition, heart, character of the people being led results in change in their Values and Worldview and as these values driven transformed men & women engage the systems of society, the society is transformed.

Page 26: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

Transformation as a Progression

• The starting point of Transformation is to transform the agent of Transformation. This takes place at (New Birth) when a person accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord.

• The new birth brings about a change of values and Worldview.• A level of transformation takes place at new birth as the believer

accepts the Lord Jesus Christ.(it is not that someone will be born again for 20 or 30 years before he is transformed).

• Romans 12:1-2 & 2nd Corinthians 3:7-18(emphasis on 15-18) shows us that transformation is not a fixed point but a progression. This is so because the believer moves from one degree of transformation to another through the Word& Spirit of God.

• Balancing Mat 16:15 versus Mat 28:18-20 perspectives to Transformation.

Page 27: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

Transformation as a multidimensional

Process

Page 28: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

Transformation & the 7 Spheres of Society

In every society, it has been established that there are five to seven spheres of society which must be engaged for National transformation to take place. These seven Spheres are:

• Spiritual/Social, • Government/Politics,• Business/Economy• Education, • Media, • Culture/Entertainment/Arts, • Sports. 

Page 29: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

7Spheres of Society

Page 30: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

Transformation& the Clash of cultures

• BIBLICAL CULTURE VERSUS WORLDLY CULTURE

OR

Page 31: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

Brief Reflections on the Nigerian context

Page 32: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

Brief Reflections on the Nigerian context

• Nigeria is located in West Africa, bordered by Niger, Republic du Benin, Chad, Cameroon and the Atlantic Ocean. The total area of Nigeria is 923,768 km².

Page 33: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

Brief Reflections on the Nigerian context

1 in 4/5 Africans(SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA) is a Nigerian.

Page 34: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

WHAT MANNER OF PEOPLE?

• WINNERS OF ‘THE HAPPIEST PEOPLE ON EARTH AWARD 2006/2007)-BBC REPORT

• INCURABLE OPTIMISTS?

Page 35: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

GOD’S REDEMPTIVE PURPOSE VERSUS HUMAN PERVERSION

• Hausa: Pastoral/shepherd.

Page 36: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

GOD’S REDEMPTIVE PURPOSE VERSUS HUMAN PERVERSION

• Ibo:Apostolic nature.

Page 37: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

GOD’S REDEMPTIVE PURPOSE VERSUS HUMAN PERVERSION

• Yoruba: Priestly/Prophetic nature

Page 38: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

NIGERIANS & THE PASSION FOR A NATION

Page 39: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

NIGERIANS & THE PASSION FOR A NATION

Page 40: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

NIGERIANS & THE PASSION FOR A NATION

Page 41: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

NIGERIANS & THE PASSION FOR A NATION

Page 42: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

NIGERIANS & THE PASSION FOR A NATION

Page 43: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

DO YOU KNOW WHAT?

Page 44: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

DOWNSIDE?• TYRANNY OF GENERATORS?

Page 45: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

DOWN SIDE?• Nigerian society is a Society in Denial. In

2004, the U.N sent a human rights Pakistani lawyer by name(Asmau Jangir)(U.N Rapporteur). After speaking to diverse groups about the crisis in Jos,Kaduna Northern parts of Nigeria, she came up with the verdict that Nigeria is a country in Denial& that until we are ready to face the issues challenging us truthfully we would continue to have challenges. Take the Boko Haram challenge, and all the crisis in Northern Nigeria, what you hear is that it is due to politics,hunger, unemployment, poverty etc. even when we see other undercurrents! The Church as the pillar of truth should not join in the deception!

Page 46: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

DOWN SIDE?• Nigeria is 14 on the failed state index for 2010

just released recently, the index draws on some 130,000 publicly available sources to analyze 177 countries and rate them on 12 indicators(demographic pressures, Refugees/IDPs, Group grievance, Human Flight, Uneven development, Economic Decline, Delegitimization of the state, Public services, Human rights, Security apparatus, factionalized elites, external intervention) of pressure on the state during the year 2010 , Taken together, a country's performance on this battery of indicators tells us how stable -- or unstable the country is.

Page 47: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

QUOTE“ without Common standards and a Common

frame of reference, Society dissolves into nothing more than Contending Factions”-Christopher Lasch

Page 48: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

Nigeria: A case study of perversion in National

ethical structure.• The ethical structure of a nation is just like the human DNA helix, the

contest is about influencing the 7 spheres of Nigeria’s ethical structure from biblical perspectives, then we shall see biblical transformation. There is a current struggle to influence our ethical structure as we look now at how values are outworked concretely in the Nigerian context.

Page 49: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

Outworking of Values in the Systems of

society1. Islamic Banking/Non-Interest

banking.

Page 50: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

Outworking Values in the Systems of society

2. Halal foods& Products.Pushing the concept of Halal foods into the consciousness of the

public and weaving it gradually into statutory requirements for companies in Nigeria through Indomie. (De United Foods in Sango Ota, Lagos & Dufill Nigeria Ltd. Portharcourt), NASCO Foods, Lotus Capital

What is Halal foods?

Page 51: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

Outworking of Values in the Systems of

society3. United Nations and Same-sex

marriage.

Page 52: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

Outworking of Values in the Systems of

society4.Gay& Lesbian history as part of

the curriculum of schools.

Page 53: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

Outworking of Values in the Systems of

society5. Obama drinking a glass of

greatness) (Guinness Advertizing Strategy to attract youth).

Page 54: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

A Final Macedonian Call!

Page 55: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

• Democracy, Freedom, culture, Diversities etc

Page 56: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10) CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS(EPH 2:10)

CONCLUSION“God is an artist, and his creation is unspeakably magnificent. But it is

not his greatest work. God’s greatest work is His redemption of us. When we were still dead in our sins, He made us alive in his Son, Jesus Christ(Eph 2:1,5). God’s art museum is the Church, filled with millions of marvelous works-His people. Being God’s work of art, Paul said, should result in something from us. We are not supposed to sit silently in the Museum of fellowship. Rather, we are to show God’s love in practical ways through good works. Jesus said those good works glorify our heavenly Father ( Matt. 5:16). God did not recreate us in his son to be museum pieces. He redeemed us so that our good works would showcase the brilliant colors of His redemption and grace, and draw a world in darkness to the light of His love”-Marvin Williams, (‘God’s Masterpieces’ in ‘Our Daily Bread’, Sunday, July 10th 2011).