The Church of the Living God

by Pastor Paul Offiong
(Nigeria)

Text: 1 Timothy 3:14-15: These things write I unto thee,hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

I sincerely pray that the Holy Spirit as never before enabling me to speak this word of life as I’m directed

There are some topics that God laid it in my heart to preach and I consider them just too big, but I quickly learn From Zechariah, the prophet, in Zechariah 1:5-6, which said that the Prophets and people do die but his words and statutes stand. However, by his great grace, I speak as I am commanded. The understanding is that the word of God is greater and bigger than any preacher.

The Church of the living God is a topic; I want us to take it with key interest and with an open mine especially these words “living God” and “the pillar and ground of the truth”, my definition of Church is a place or structure were the chosen and separated people gather together in worship to God, it does not matter who is the founder as far as the name of Lord God is mention, Jeremiah 7:11 (KJV) say “Is this house, which is called by my name” According to Colossian 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. The founder is just an overseer, who has no absolute power over the people. One of the saying in the Bible that I fear is when God said to King David is not because I have made you king over my people and this help me in my relationship with God’s people as I pastor them.

I am so afraid as am writing this Word of life because every one of us including me have missed it, left our first love because of materialism. In 1 Timothy 6: 11 “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” O man of God the things we are ask to flee is mention in verse 10 and have turned the Church of the living God to the church of man, this day in most Churches, there is no difference between the Church and social gatherings like town meeting, night club and old boy and girl association (nka mme eyene ufok) even the world is noticing that the happening in the Church of the living God today, is the ideology of men and we are not move none concern, human dogma and anti-Christ did not start today but the early Apostle were able to checkmate the worldly activities that were earning entry to the Church of the living God. 2 Thessalonian 2: 14-15 say “Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle” I wonder, when men could vote their tribe over their faith and see nothing wrong. I’m not a prophet but if care is not taking the freedom of worship grace had given to us will becomes a big issue for our unborn children because we have compromise and refused to uphold the traditions and stand fast in preaching the gospel of truth as we have heard and received. According to Colossians 2:6-7 say “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving”

I perceived, Apostle Paul, heard that the Church of the living God had been turned into something else and his visitation was so needed and important. He wrote them in 1 Timothy 3:14-15 (KJV) “These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” Apostle Paul was mindful of the word used in instructing Brother Timothy on the behaviour and activity of people in the Church as the kingdom of God on earth and ground of the truth, which supposed to be a starting point of light that will be lighting the whole world. We could choose to

behave anyhow anywhere everywhere but it is expected that our continue fellowshipping with the separated people, you will not know when your old Adamic nature will fall off and you will experience the renew of mine, which enable you move to perfection that Jesus Christ is coming back to meet. There is a particular standard that has been set down from the beginning. The Bible said in Mark 11:7 that Jesus taught the people saying is it not written, my house shall be called of all nations, the house of prayer? I want us to take note of “my house and of all nations” seriously telling his disciple to keep to the standard and standard that has been written how the Church ought to be. 2 Timothy 2:19 made nothing of man, but ye have made it a den of thieves.

The pillar and ground of the truth: when you cannot get the truth, justice, and fairness in the world today. The Bible describes the Church of the living God as the pillar and ground of the truth, which means that the preachers of the gospel of Christ are in great trouble. 2 Thessalonians 2: 10-12 say “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” I am sincerely sorry for those pastors who preach and defend man’s dogma rather than standing on truth doctrine of Christ.

Consider these two words 'PILLAR AND GROUND' and 2Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ departs from iniquity.

O! Man of God, your selective preaching has caused the world to mock the Church of the living God, Romans 2:24 “As it is written, "God's name is being blasphemed among the gentiles because of you."(ISV) the glory of the Lord has departed, which you know instead of you to run to the God of mercy, you switch to Satan for anointing to continue the fake miracle, 2 Thessalonians 2:9 say “ Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” have you ever ask yourself our church is large everywhere but crime and wickedness is still the order of the day, which some time your member is involved, are you not bother upon the number of Churches, yet the righteousness and light of God the Church of the living God is expected to give birth to, is not fund. The early Church, the Bible said they were just one hundred and twenty disciples that turned Jerusalem upside down. The Church of the living God, you are causing the Gentiles to blaspheme the name of Lord and this should bother you. 1 Timothy 6:1 All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against.
The youth of now day are bringing their foolish learning to the Church of the living God and the pastorate cannot draw a line and fence it between civilization and the doctrine of Christ in the name that we want our church to grow, grow to what? Grow worldliness, go and find out what happen to Israelite on their journeying to promise land when they allowed mix-multitude to follow them. Also learn why it was God that shut the door of Noah’s Art. With or without you God will build his Church. Matthew 16:18 “…. I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” This verse of the scripture means a lot of thing, which could mean if you stand or work against the truth in the Church of the living God, you could be replace and place with someone who will uphold the pillar and ground of the truth.
There is still room for you to amend your ways according to Jeremiah 26:13 “Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.” Preach the word of life as you have thought and received from the Lord.
God bless you really good, great ministers of the living God, called to uphold the truth.