NO VACANCY FOR POSITION SEEKERS
TEXT OF DISCOURSE: JOHN 11:1-END
WHAT MAKES YOU BROTHERHOOD?
Brethren, of all the teachings you receive here daily, how many of them have you put into practice or which of the injunctions have you practiced to prove that you have been listening to the word of God? Do you not know that if you wear a tattered garment in the midst of those who are well dressed, you will be will be ridiculed? And do you not know that as a member of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, you have to be well behaved always? You continue to steal, fornicate, lead an abominable life and afterwards, you will go out clad in white apparel calling yourself a member of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star. What in particular identifies you with this claim?
Read John 11:49-53
"And of them named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole perish not. And this spake he not of himself but being the high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; and not for that nation only, but that also, he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Then from that day forth, they took council together for to put him to death."
THE TRUE CAUSE OF PROBLEMS:
Of all the criminal activities going on in the world today, tell me which one of them that Our Lord Jesus Christ committed. For all the things going on in the world, have you ever stopped to ask yourself what their cause are or why Caiaphas made the above statement? A local adage says that if you forget the cause of something, there will be a revolution.
Read John 11:42-48
"And I knew that thou hearest me always; but because of the people which stand by, I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he had thus spoken, he cried out in a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees and told them what things Jesus had done. Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council and said, what do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone all the men will believe in him; and the Romans will come and take away our both our place and nation."
What lesson have you derived from this portion? Are these things not going on in the world today? From the time of Adam, to this age, man has been trying to create an empire for himself and that is the cause of all the problems on earth. The real war started from the time of Cain and Abel but the were Cain and Abel not of the same parents? Simply because God appreciated the offer made to Him by Abel, Cain became envious thinking that his pride of place as the first son would be denied him and given to Abel. What is wrong with you people, even you from the same parentage? Why can you not appreciate each other? Because Abel's wife and children were more appealing to the eyes than that of Cain, he became angry. This equally happens happens between son and father. If a son is given an exalted position that seems higher than him in any capacity, the father will fume and protest. This is the true cause of problem in the world. Everybody is struggling for power, everybody wants an empire where he can reign. So, it is always one man struggling against another man.
Is that spirit of animosity not still in you now? Remove the peg in your eye first so that you will see clearly the log in another man's eye. This animosity is so rife that if two friends embark on a trade and one of them makes more gain, the other friend will immediately develop hatred and start waging war against him. This same hatred applies where one friend or sister is taken in marriage. The one not married will no longer want to hear anything good or associate with the other friend any longer.
Read Matthew 2:1-3
"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that born king of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and we are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, He was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him."
Have you heard that? Is that not what is causing trouble in the entire world? If there is any one of you that is not plagued with this disease, he should indicate. LET ME TELL YOU NOW THAT AS SOON AS YOU KILL THAT DEVILISH SPIRIT IN YOU, YOU ARE FREE. In the fellowship set-up, if you are deposed as a chairman, and your friend is elected to take over from you, you will be annoyed. You will not be friendly with him again, and from that day, spiritual war has commenced. You will say, "I thought that you were my friend, I never knew that you were scheming to depose me." He will bet with the chairman-elect and will do everything possible to ensure that he does not stay in that office. That is the rivalry among men in the entire world. I now implore you to ostracise this canker worm.
BE CAREFUL:
Recall that the Jews were afraid to be conquered by the Romans hence their action against Christ but could they prevent the Romans from invading them and up till this moment do they have any territory? Consider the case of Joseph. Why did his brothers sell him out? Was it not because of hatred resulting from his dreams? He dreamt and saw eleven bundles of wood which belonged to his brothers falling down to worship his own bundle wood. That is why today you have to be careful of the discussion you share with your friends. If you have three issues to discuss, you may discuss only one. Even then, you will be called a cunning person, that you are not straightforward person. Why should you be? If you disclose everything to him, will he not plot to kill you? If you go to the market and on your return you share your experience with your friend, do you think you are saved? Would he not find ways of depriving you of your gains? He will surely do it. If you have a husband and you tell your friend how nice he is to you, would she not plot to snatch him from you? That is the problem we are facing in the world. Therefore we should decide now on a remedy to it because this dangerous canker worm has eaten deep into the fabrics of our system.
The experience of Joseph should be a serious lesson to us. The first time, he dreamt of how eleven bundles of wood belonging to his brothers bowed down to his. The second time, he dreamt how eleven stars, sun, and moon fell down and bowed down to him. The brothers understood these dreams and their connotations and wondered if he was actually sane? They asked, does it mean that we, the grown ups are those to bow to him? They vowed against such event. But could they prevent the will of God? To find out if that evil spirit was still in his brothers, Joseph told them to come with their last brother next time, if they wanted to buy corn.
However, they did not recognise Joseph nor knew his intentions but as they wanted to go for the purchase the next time, they informed their father of what Joseph said to them. Their father suspected they intended to sell the boy just as they sold Joseph. He did not release Benjamin to them. Consequently, they were starving to such a point that the father could no longer bear it. He had to release Benjamin to but warning them that they would be held responsible if anything happened to him. To further know if the brothers had repented completely, Joseph hid a piece of gold in one of their bags already filled with corn. He wanted to know if they will discover the gold and probably kill Benjamin so that he may not share in it.
POWER AND GREED, THE BANE OF THE WORLD:
So brethren, it is power and greed that is preventing you from entering this kingdom and there is no other problem facing the world more than this. If you do not cure this disease now, it is a pity for you. Immediately you are able to remove this dangerous spirit from you, all is well.
What do you think made Herod to mercilessly kill such a large number of innocent children? Was it not because of the same evil spirit? Immediately he heard that a the king to succeed him would be born, he ordered his men to watch over the city and report back to him should such an event take place. Accordingly, when the new king was born it was reported to him. He was to troubled that he had to send his soldiers to go and kill all the male children of that suspected age. Everywhere in the government, in your local government Council, and even here in Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, is it not the same problem of scrambling for power? But the one that baffles me most is the one in Brotherhood. If I dare to call on one sister twice, people will ask, "Who is this one again, where is she coming from? Problems has started. I do not want this thing to continue in this kingdom that is why I bring up this issue to you. Therefore be content with the position God has placed you in, else this kingdom will elude you.
Everything is given to us by God gratis. And is this not the same power struggle that Lucifer faced? All the angels were ordered to bow down to Our Lord Jesus Christ or man to be precise, but Lucifer protested because he was the most intelligent, and most handsome of all the angels, and of course the leader of all the angels. He was so influential that he saw himself as the next in command and the one to take over from God. Thus he vowed never to bow down to any man and it is this spirit that has been troubling man from time immemorial. NOW THE FATHER HAS COME. SO WHOEVER SUBMITS TO HIS COMMANDMENT WILL BECOME THE FIRST BORN OF GOD AND WILL DWELL WITH HIM FOREVER.
Read Matthew 7:5
" Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam from your eyes and then you will see clearly to cast out the mote from your brother's eye."
THE ERA OF PERFECTION:
The text read out to you is the centerpiece of our Bible lecture. This is an era of perfection, therefore what is worth doing is worth doing well, else, if another person come to improve upon your work, you will develop hatred for him. All forms of cunningness and counterfeit acts are not required again. THE RESULT OF EVERYTHING YOU DO SHOULD BE THE BEST. TO ATTAIN PERFECTION, LOVE IS NEEDED.
There is so much hatred in the world. Your grandparents and great grand parents were in it and you are still involved in hatred. But ever since you started expressing this animosity, what has been your gain? Now, know that if you do not do away with it, you will be condemned. It is because of the love that God has for us that He has assembled you here. Where in the world have you seen the rich mingling with paupers or sharing seats with the poor? Is it not only in Brotherhood of the Cross and Star? That is why it is common to hear somebody saying, "Look at somebody like me, since I joined Brotherhood I have been sitting on the floor as a common person." This is the love I am talking about. So anywhere you may be consider others one with you. Stop struggling with them for anything and be content with the position God has placed you in. God does not save us because we are wealthy but because we do not despise or hate one another. THEREFORE SHOW REMORSE FOR YOUR ANIMOSITY AND YOUR WAY TO THE KINGDOM IS SURE.
BE REMORSEFUL:
When Joseph hid in one of the brother's bags he wanted to tempt to see if they were still in their old habit. So when he later demanded it from them, he realised that it was still there and that they were still frank with him. That in essence means that they were remorseful of what they did to him and because of that he forgave them.
SO BRETHREN, RIGHT FROM THIS MOMENT IF YOU ARE REMORSEFUL OF YOUR INIQUITIES, YOU WILL OBTAIN THAT FORGIVENESS AND YOUR PROBLEMS WILL BE OVER, BUT IF YOU CONTINUE TO OCCUPY YOUR MIND WITH IT THEN, THEN YOU ARE VERY FAR AWAY FROM THIS KINGDOM AND YOU ARE NOT SAVED. IF YOU TURN A NEW LEAF AND BECOME LIKE A LITTLE CHILD, IF YOU HUMBLE YOURSELF AND AGREE TO BE USED BY OTHERS, AND EVEN PROSTRATE ON THE FLOOR, PLACE YOURSELF AS A CARPET FOR OTHER TO WIPE THEIR FEET ON, YOU HAVE A SURE WAY TO THE KINGDOM.
Read Matthew 18: 4
" Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
THE WEAPON FOR VICTORY:
ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO CONQUER MUST HUMBLE HIMSELF. THIS IS WHERE THE TEACHINGS OF CHRIST HANG UPON AND THIS IS THE WEAPON HE USED IN CONQUERING THE WORLD. IF YOU SUBMIT YOURSELF TO BE OF SERVICE TO OTHERS YOU WILL NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS AT ALL. If you learn from me you will find that I am not coming here to be served by anybody, I rather serve you. I hold water for you to wash your hands, I sweep, I do everything for you. So you who want people to do everything for you, who taught you that? As I am serving you, you too should serve others.
YOU PROBLEM BEGINS IMMEDIATELY YOU BEGIN TO ASPIRE FOR A BIGGER POSITION, WHILE YOUR GROWTH BEGINS THE MOMENT YOU BEGIN TO STOOP DOWN LOW AND CONSIDER YOURSELF AS A SERVANT AND ACCEPT TO BE USED AS A TOOL.
Read Matthew 20:28
"And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on your right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I drink of and to be baptised of the baptism that I am baptised with? They say unto him, We are able to. And he saith unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of my cup and be baptised of the baptism that I am baptised with: but to sit on my right hand and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. And when the ten heard it they moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them unto him and said, Ye know that the princes of gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you, but whosoever shall be great among you, let him be your minister. And whosoever shall chief among you let him be your servant. Even as the son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life as a ransom for many."
ONLY THE FATHER RULES:
It is a pity that anybody who comes here is seeking to be served. You are saying that nobody has ever done anything for you and so on. But were you coming here to hire your labourers or for people to serve you? Our motto here is: "Service unto others," thus we are all maids. So if, any of you came here to be made a Christ servant or Pastor, such a person is walking directly into hell.
There was a certain chief who got baptised into Brotherhood of the Cross and Star but on hearing that song which says, "Everything that flies in the sky and moves on earth is under the rulership of Olumba," he went back to his domain very angry. He quickly returned his membership card to the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star members in that village. He told them, "Let the rulership of your Father stop where he is ruling but as far as this my kingdom is concerned, he does not reign here. If it is because I have been baptised into his church, take your card." He dropped the card and left. But soon after he did that he was dethroned and even manhandled by his subjects. To his chargrin, before the new king mounted the throne, he rushed and got baptised into Brotherhood of the Cross and Star and even requested the government to come and erect a Cathedral for Brotherhood in that town.
SO THOSE WHO HAVE PROBLEMS ARE THOSE WHO ARE CONTESTING FOR POSITIONS WITH THE FATHER. THEY COME HERE WITH THEIR EYEBALLS REMOVED FROM THEIR SOCKETS, WANTING EVERYBODY TO RECOGNISE THEM AND FALL DOWN AND WORSHIP THEM WHERE AS THOSE WHO ENJOY THIS KINGDOM ARE THOSE WHO ARE HAVING A PEACEFUL LIFE. THEY ARE THOSE WHO COME AND SIT ON THE FLOOR, NOT LOOKING FOR POSITION OR CONTEST ANYTHING. THEY SUBJECT THEMSELVES COMPLETELY TO THE POWERS THAT BE IN THIS KINGDOM. YOU FIND THAT THOSE WHO COME HERE TO LOOK FOR POSITION ARE THOSE WHO ARE ALWAYS COMPLAINING AND OF COURSE, THEY DO NOT LAST HERE.
You will also find that those who come here with their wives and children are often surprised that their children no longer call them father except the Father here and their wives no longer call them those sweet names but refer them to the Father. So they begin to wonder if the Father was taking their wives and away from them. They say their children no longer recognise them and if that is the case they have to abandon this Church and go to another one. That is the problem the entire world is facing.
THIS IS THE TIME FOR EVERYBODY TO ACCEPT HIS RULERSHIP FOR HE HAS COME PERSONALLY, AND WHOEVER ACCEPTS HIM WILL NEVER HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. In Nigeria there is a political problem, economic problem, and social problems but these problems are not beyond God. He can stay right here and utter a word and another president is sworn in. He can stay right here and utter another word and there is economic boom, new oil discoveries, cash flow and everything will be well and the country will flow again with milk and honey. GOD IS CAPABLE OF DOING ALL THESE THINGS BUT THE CONDITION IS THAT EVERY MAN MUST ACKNOWLEDGE HIS PRESENCE. IT IS NOT YOUR POSITION TO STRUGGLE FOR POSITION FOR THE OWNER OF THE POSITION HAS COME. IT IS NOT YOUR POSITION TO SEEK TO BE SERVED BECAUSE YOUR SERVANT HAS ALREADY COME. HE HAS COME TO SERVE YOU BUT THE CONDITION IS FOR YOU TO ACCEPT THE RULERSHIP OF HE WHO HAS COME TO RULE.
WHY YOU ARE SAVED:
You are not saved because of your righteousness or anything whatsoever BUT BECAUSE OF THE HUMILITY IN YOU. ONCE YOU SUBMIT YOURSELF TO HIS RULERSHIP, YOUR PROBLEMS HAVE ENDED.
How can you be a Father when you cannot see? How can you be a father when there is no wisdom in you? Can you speak the simplest truth? HAVE YOU CREATED SOMEBODY OR CAN YOU OFFER ANY FORM OF PROTECTION? IS THERE ANYTHING WHOSE BEGINNING YOU CAN VIVIDLY EXPLAIN. THE ONE WHO IS THE FATHER IS THE ONE WHO TAKES CARE OF ALL OUR PROBLEMS. IF YOU SAY YOU ARE A FATHER CAN YOU PROTECT US OR WHAT IN PARTICULAR CAN YOU DO?
Read Matthew 23:8-12
"But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are Brethren. And call no man your Father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters, for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
NO VACANCY:
Have you heard that? The text vindicates our lecture. It is in fact, Judgement. It is said whoever humbles himself shall be exalted, but whoever exalts himself shall be abased.
What is the position you are looking for? THERE IS NO VACANCY LEFT FOR YOU TO OCCUPY NOW. THE ONLY REMAINING POSITION IS THAT OF A SERVANT. THEREFORE YOU HAVE TO SERVE OTHERS. WHOSOEVER DESIRES TO BE GREAT IN YOUR MIDST SHOULD BE A SERVANT. GOD IS THE ONLY TEACHER, HE IS THE FATHER, HE IS THE KING. SO WHICH POSITION ARE YOU CONTESTING FOR? WE ARE ONLY TO SERVE HIM DAY AND NIGHT.
You want to teach, who made you a teacher. If you are actually a teacher, why have you not taught yourself? You want to be a Christ Student and a Christ Servant, DO YOU KNOW THAT TO BE ANY OF THESE REQUIRES STRICT ADHERENCE TO THE WORD OF GOD? WHICH OF THE INJUNCTIONS OF GOD HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO PRACTICALISE? IF ABRAHAM, MOSES AND THE REST OF THEM COULD NOT CLAIM TO BE ANYTHING, WHY MUST YOU CLAIM TO BE ONE? GOD IS THE TEACHER, MASTER AND EVERYTHING, AND THERE IS POSITION LEFT FOR ANY MAN TO OCCUPY. THAT IS WHY YOU ARE ADVISED TO LISTEN TO HIM ALONE, OTHERWISE YOU WILL BE INVARIABLY MAKING YOURSELF HIS RIVAL AND THEREBY EXPOSING YOURSELF TO DANGER.
Read Luke 18:9-14
"And he spoke this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God I thank thee that I am not like as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican standing afar off standing afar off would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful unto me a sinner. I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
DO NOT CRITICIZE:
Brethren, to be victorious you have to be submissive to Him. There is no other perfect being than He is that is why you do not have to criticise or judge. You are here advised to do that which you can do and allow another man to do that which he can do, WHILE CORRECTION OR JUDGEMENT IS FOR GOD.
Read Luke 18:17-19
Verily, I say unto you whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. And a certain ruler asked him, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? None is good, save one that is, God.
Having heard this which position are you looking for? Have you not heard that there is only one perfect being? If He entrusts you with any position, He is doing that out of His grace. Whatever He declares to be good is good and perfect, and whatever He has not so declared, you have no right whatsoever to declare.
Therefore, wherever He keeps you, sit down humbly and worship Him, and then everything will be well with you. But when you come aspiring to occupy HIS POSITION YOU ARE NEGOTIATING WITH DANGER AND YOU WILL BE AT LOGGERHEADS WITH HIM.
GOD ALONE ELECTS:
I have taught you extensively on humility but you seem not to hear. You will say I have been in Brotherhood of the Cross and Star for forty years, we started Brotherhood and so on. WHAT HAS YOUR CLAIMS TO DO WITH YOUR KEEPING THE INJUNCTIONS OF GOD? Even if you are a hundred years old in Brotherhood, you still belong to Him because He created you. What happens to the furniture you keep in your house? Can they claim ownership of you? You are therefore God's instruments.
IF GOD CANNOT TEACH YOU YOU CANNOT COMPREHEND. IF HE DOES NOT EXALT YOU YOU CANNOT EXALT YOURSELF. ANYTHING HE DOES NOT APPROVE OF, NO MAN CAN APPROVE. HE IS THE ONLY ONE TO APPOINT YOU OR ELECT YOU. IF HE DOES NOT ELECT YOU INTO HIS KINGDOM, YOU CANNOT COME IN.
Read John 6:44-45
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets, They shall all be taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me."
THANK YOU HOLY FATHER.