Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement
9500 Annapolis Road Ste A5, Lanham MD 20706
240-764-6582, wccrm-usa.org
EASTER RETREAT 2015
Thursday 04-03-15 to Sunday 04-06-15
THEME: An Ideal Christian Community
Text: Matthew 5:13-16; Philippians 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-8; Revelation 3:7-11
INTRODUCTION:
Historically, the early Christian community was first nick-named “Christians” in Antioch because of the life of Christ that was found in them (Acts 11:25-26). Today, there are a lot of so-called Christian communities and if you interviewed spokespersons for these so-called Christian assemblies and asked them to for marks of Christian authenticity that might be associated with their respective congregations, you will truly marvel at how much they have strayed from the standard of the early Christians. Some will hastily point at their age, numerical strength and influence [not due to Godliness] as positive proof of their authentic Christian walk; others would appeal to their regular vision of “angels” and the manifestation of “spirits”; a third category would consider themselves ideal Christians because of some Bible truths they haphazardly believe and keep; a fourth category would point to the miracles they have recorded and thus conclude themselves to be the genuine Christians. Yet, if those in Antioch who were nick-named Christians then were around today to comment, they would have certainly black-listed very many of these communities for the things they lack which were undoubtedly present within the early Christian church or for the things present in them which had no place in the early Christian church.
It is because of such a situation that the Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement—because of the ministry it has received (Isaiah 49:5-6)—cannot afford to be anything other than An Ideal Christian Community. Let us now consider and draw useful lessons from a few essentials of an ideal Christian community that we have been raised and ordained to be.
(A) A COMMUNITY WITH THE TRUTH: One of the cardinal marks of an ideal Christian community is the truth of God’s word which that community holds, disseminates and lives out. Truth is that which completely agrees with what Christ and his apostles did, said or intended [either expressly or impliedly] (1 Timothy 6:3-5; Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:15).
Although many conflicting voices are heard in our day, all claiming to be truth, yet the proof of truth is the freedom it works out [freedom from sin, fear, disease, all other works of Satan], as well as the godly attitudes that it yields. As the truth about God spoken by Moses stood as a yard-stick for testing truth in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 13), so the truth about God spoken by Jesus and His apostles stands as a yard-stick for testing truth in the New Testament (Galatians 1:6-9; 1 Timothy 6:3-5).
It is the truth that attracts the Lord (Mark 16:20; Hebrews 2:3, 4). It is the truth that God confirms (Mark 16:20; Hebrews 2:3, 4). It is the truth that enforces – “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:13-18).
It follows therefore that for us to be an ideal Christian community which we have been raised and ordained to be, everyone of us must speak the truth at all times, and embrace, apply or live by the truth that is dished out to us from the pulpit of many colors.
(B) A COMMUNITY FULL OF FAITH: FAITH can be described as that unwavering confidence and assurance in the heart of man that God exists (Heb. 11:6 ); that what He has declared will hold (Mathew 8:5-13); that what He has promised, He will fulfill (Romans 4:1, 3, 18-22); that what has been requested from Him has been already granted (Mark 11:19-24 ). Faith refuses to accept defeat or a “no” for an answer (Mathew 15:21-28). Without any doubt, FAITH is one of the great themes of the Bible. of which its significance cannot be over-emphasized (Hebrews 11:2, 3, 6; Matthew 17:19-20; Luke 1:20, 45). It is the key to the store-house of God Almighty.
Now for us to be the ideal Christian community that we are called to be, we must develop and put on faith [as described above] in all its ramifications:-
(i) Faith For Cleansing: Who can be saved [born-again, forgiven or regenerated] without believing that the death of God’s Son on the cross is for him personally and counting his confessed and forsaken sins completely forgiven and forgotten by God (Proverbs 28:13; Romans 4:23-25; Ephesians 2:8; 1 John 1:9).
Who can be sanctified [made holy, purified] without consecrating and yielding himself with the BELIEF [Faith] that the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross carries enough grace to purify the heart from dead works to serve the living God in righteousness (Hebrews 9:13, 14).
(ii) Faith for Charisma: The charism of the Pentecost could not have been received if they did not believe the master’s promise and wait for it (Acts 1:4, 5, 8). The same is true of the incident in Cornelius house (Acts 10:33, 34, 35, 44) as well as in Ephesus when Apostle Paul ministered the charism of God on those disciples (Acts 19:1-6).
(iii) Faith for Cures: Prophet Isaiah saw clearly that faith was indispensable for appropriating the blessing he was about to announce, so he exclaimed, “Who hath believed our report ……… (Isaiah 53:1). Evidence abounds to the fact that through faith the promise stipulated in (Exodus. 15:26; Psalm 103:1-3; Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16, 17; 1 Peter 2:24) has been realized by multitudes.
(iv) Faith for Circumstances: In our text, we realized that Peter only needed to hear Christ say “Come” and immediately he recognized that it was Christ’s voice, he stepped out on the waters on the basis of Christ’s word, notwithstanding the contrary wind (Matthew 14:28, 29). Contrary circumstances are passed through or even changed through faith (Romans 4:17-21; Hebrews 11:23, 29, 30, 32-35).
(v) Faith for Calling: Is anyone called an evangelist, a pastor, a teacher, or a WATCHMAN, faith is inevitable to fulfill one’s calling, else, the hardship, temptations and affliction inherent in gospel work will surely throw one down (1 Timothy 1:18, 19; 6:12; 2 Chronicles 20:20; Ephesians 6:16; 2 Timothy 1:12).
(vi) Faith of the Child— Son: The Faith under reference is the type that is manifested by a child who is also a son of the father. A stranger has no inheritance in the family and cannot manifest faith in a man that is not his/her father. Moreover, those that are not childlike toward the word of God cannot manifest any faith (Galatians 4:6, 7; Mark 10:14, 15).
(vii) Faith in Categories: There are great faith (Matthew 8:5-10; 15:22-28), little faith (Matthew 6:30; 8:26; 14:31; 16:8), mustard – seed faith (Matthew 17:20; Luke 17:6), child-son faith (Job 19:25-27), and no faith (Matthew 17:17; Mark 9:19; Luke 9:41; John 20:27). Men’s conditions – regenerate or non-regenerate, sanctified or not sanctified, baptized or not baptized, healed or diseased, victorious or not victorious, approved or not approved – are determined by the type of faith they have. It shall be unto you according to your faith (Matthew 9:22, 29).
Food For Thought: A Christian community WITHOUT FAITH is like a market place full of wares, but all those that came to obtain their needs came without a dime.
(C) A COMMUNITY WITH BROTHERLY LOVE: Known to us all is the fact that it is LOVE that drew salvation plan and executed it. Love is the force behind all that our Lord did and/or experienced – the manger-birth, the preparation for ministry, the early rising and sleepless nights, the sermons and teachings for the ignorant, the deliverance and healing for the oppressed, tormented and diseased, the provisions for the hungry, the forgiveness to the sin-sick, the tiresome journeys, the endurance of the contradictions of the ungodly, all the humiliation in the way to the cross and the cross proper (2 Corinthians 5:14).
For the Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement to be an ideal Christian community, all hands must be on deck to enthrone brotherly love. Brotherly love (Greek – agape) implies having unreserved and motivating affection or a deep tender feeling one for another. It is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the ending, the first and the last, the overriding old and new commandment and virtue that will outlive all (John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; 1 John 2:7-11).
It is brotherly love that stops the flippant lips and the critical mind; that covers a multitude of sins (Proverbs 10:12; 1 Peter 4:8); that sees only real errors; that creates consolation, comfort, tender-mercies and compassion for the afflicted and sorrowful; that accepts the less-privileged (Romans 15:7); that provokes fellowship with the Spirit of God (Romans 12:10; Philippians 2:1-2; 1 Corinthians 13:5). Besides, it is brotherly love that makes us spend time, talent, effort and other resources at our disposal for the benefit of the brethren (Galatians 5:13); sacrifice the costly for one another (John 3:16; Acts 2:44-45; 4:32, 34-37; 1 Corinthians 8:13; 1 John 3:16); encourage the feeble-minded or the weak (2 Corinthians 11:28, 29; 1 Thessalonians 5:14); intercede for one another (Romans 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 3:10).
From the above we realize that brotherly love is not that which is merely on the lips. God counts formalism and vain-religion sinful (Mathew 15:7-9). It is also not indifference, that is, “I don’t like him/her and I don’t hate him/her” (James 4:17). Besides, brotherly love is not that carnal or sensual feeling for the opposite sex based possibly on beauty, structure or stature, education, position, possessions, etc.
The following are some wonderful examples of brotherly love that must challenge and change us this Easter:- (i) that brotherly love between Jonathan and David (1 Samuel 18:3); that between apostle Paul and the brethren (Acts 20:38; Romans 16:4; 2 Corinthians 12:15; Philippians 1:8; 4:1); that between Onesiphorus and apostle Paul (2 Timothy 1:17). Finally, that YARD-STICK of LOVE seen in Jesus our Lord, THE SACRIFICIAL AND CONSTRAINING LOVE are the perfect examples of the love of the Master (John 13:34; 15:9, 12, 13; Romans 8:35; 2 Corinthians 5:14; Galatians 2:20; 1 John 3:16). Now hear this: Brotherly love will be generated in our hearts as we apply or meditate on the following points:
The Lord God, through our Lord Jesus commanded it in righteousness (John 13:34; Proverbs 8:8; Isaiah 45:23). If we keep the laws made by unrighteous law-makers, how much more readily and happily should we keep the commandment of our righteous Father in heaven (1 Samuel 12:2; Exodus 15:11; Habakkuk 1:13).
There is need to reciprocate the love He has shown toward us by showing the same to the brethren (John 10:11; 15:13).
We should be like our heavenly Father in every possible respect (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Matthew 5:44, 48; 10:25; Ephesians 5:1).
All other things will fail, but brotherly love will never fail. In that heavenly fellowship or kingdom which we want to enter, all other gifts are non-existent, with the exception of brotherly love (1 Corinthians 13:8). This being the case, ought we not to practice now that which will be practiced through all eternity?
We are children of the same Father, having the same indwelling Spirit of God (2 Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:13).
We are members of the same body of Christ (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:13, 27); members one of another (Romans 1:25), and members of the same Ministry.
Brotherly love makes for harmonious and peaceful living and working together (2 Corinthians 13:11; Ephesians 4:2, 32; 6:9; 1 Corinthians 13:7; Colossians 3:13).
Keeping this commandment of loving one another qualifies us for abiding in His own love and friendship (John 14:21; 15:10, 14), and for receiving answers to our prayers (1 John 3:22-23).
Bottom Line: Show me an ideal Christian community and I will show you a community with brotherly love —it is slander-free, hitch-free, gossip-free, resentment-free, party-spirit-free, back-biting-free, poverty-free, powerful, prosperous and militant. A Christian community without brotherly love is like an engine working without lubricating oil. Soon, friction will generate heat and burning, and the engine will pack up.
(D) A COMMUNITY OF THE LOWLY-MINDED: Still dealing with the essentials, or those qualities that are indispensable to an ideal Christian community, we come to the issue of lowliness or humility. Lowliness or humility is the state of having emptied oneself of what one is physically, materially, financially, academically or intellectually, socially, politically, spiritually or morally (Philippians 2:5-8; 2 Samuel 16:5-11). Indeed the child is a very suitable example of the lowly — unassuming, unbothered about recognition, hence the Lord’s illustration with him (Matthew 18:1-4). Lowliness is one of the Christian virtues to which God has attached a high premium (Luke 14:7-11; Philippians 2:5-11; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5).
The Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement has been raised to substantially represent Christ in characteristics, including His lowliness (Matthew 10:25; 11:29), and to execute a given objective (Isaiah 49:5-6). The Watchman community is therefore a community of the lowly-minded, notwithstanding the great stuff very many of them are made of. As we consider below the necessity of lowliness prior to salvation and after salvation, it will become conclusive that all who come to the Ministry must empty themselves of whatever that negates lowliness, so as to be saved and to fit into the Ministry.
LOWLINESS PRIOR TO SALVATION: Bible circumstances have shown that some substantial measure of lowliness must be manifested before a genuine experience of salvation can be had. Zacchaeus was a man whose wealth [an instrument of ego], and whose small stature and the climbing of the tree [an instrument of shame] could have prevented, but he defied them all and sought to know Jesus and became saved (Luke 19:1-6, 8-9; Matthew 12:41-42). Luke the physician was a professional, who would not allow his academic attainment stand in his way. He emptied himself of what he was and yielded himself to learn and follow the Lord (Luke 1:1-2; Colossians 4:14). The Centurion, a man of authority laid aside his authority to go to another man of authority to get what he needed badly (Matthew 8:5-13). Even the contempt woman of Canaan put off the shame generated by the Lord’s response to get the need of her life (Mathew 15:21-28).
On another note without lowliness, restoration from backsliding is impossible. The backslider must off load himself/herself of what he/she was before, resist shame and return to the Lord (Psalm 51:1-17; Luke. 15:11-19). These are lessons for some today, who behave like some people of old that were prevented from salvation because of exaltation of what they know (Acts 17:18-19; 1 Corinthians 1:22-23).
LOWLINESS AFTER SALVATION: The place of, and need for lowliness following salvation cannot be over-emphasized (Micah 6:8; Matthew 18:4). Who will be sanctified or Spirit-filled who is not lowly enough to agree to his uncleanness and insufficiency (Isaiah 6:1-7; 2 Corinthians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 4:7). New, but zealous believers have often backslidden for want of humility, not realizing that we, by ourselves can do nothing (John 15:5; 17:12; 1 Peter 1:5; Psalm 121:3-4). Without lowliness after salvation, obedience and submission are impossible and the church is in trouble therewith (Romans 12:3; Philippians 2:5-8; 1 Peter 5:5). Lowliness is the pre-requisite for leadership appointment by God (Matthew 18:4; 23:12; Mark 9:35; Luke 14:10). Lowliness guarantees growth in grace, gifts and knowledge of God (Proverbs 22:4; Isaiah 57:15; Philippians 3:13). Lowliness guarantees heaven at last (Matthew 5:3; 18:1-4).