Welcome to NECF sermons. Each message here is
designed to uplift and strengthen you in your
walk with God. Don't miss out. Stay with us until
the end for a rewarding experience. Let's dive
right in. Why reading scriptures contextually
is very key and important. And we saw a lot of
things yesterday. There's just some few things
I want to just start by way of introduction to
what we'll be looking at today and tomorrow.
If you want to write a topic, contextual reading
of the Bible. Contextual reading of the Bible.
where we got our theme for this conference and
of course for the year, greater works. He said,
most assuredly, I say unto you, he who believes
in me, the works that I do, he will do also,
and greater. Of course, which means greater works
than these He will do because I go to the father
now because We're dealing with context. So most
of our teaching from today to tomorrow will heavily
depend on interpretation context context context
because like man of God told us yesterday that
Once you remove a text out of context you already
remove it out of the will of God. Because the
will of God is communicated in the text. He read
to us 2 Timothy 3 that all scriptures are inspired.
So that means in their original form. the way
they came, they are already inspired. So every
word used is inspired. It's not my mistake. Are
we together? And that's why we will be very hard,
very strict, very meticulous in our intention
to understand the intent of the author, the intent
of God in a text. Because once we miss that,
it means we miss the will. Are we together? This
is how crucial it is. Now, most times when we
read this text, let's start from here. This John,
he looks as if he's talking to an individual
believer. If you read it, you understand? and
the way the rendition in English. Once he said,
most assuredly I say to you, he, by using the
word he who believes, that rendition, already
gives us a connotation that he's speaking to
a single believer or an individual believer.
But already, if you look at the context, the
discussion, that is not the case. Look at verse
8. Already he was talking to his disciple. Look
at verse 8. Philip said to him, Lord, show me.
Is it me? Are we together? He says, show what?
Us, the Father. and it is sufficient for us and
that's why Jesus started to discuss which means
that when Jesus was saying most assortedly I
said to you that you is not an individual that
you is the disciples the group the company are
we together hallelujah that means by interpreting
it that way is already have an impact in its
application He said, but I say to you, I see
to you. So understand that at this point, let's
agree before we even continue. Man of God, I've
already mentioned that greater works is Christ
expanding his ministry. Are we together? What
we're seeing now by the implication now reading
this text as, means you as collective, is that
greater works is not done in isolation. That
greater works is the works of the church, not
the work of a single believer. Greater work is
a work of a church. Now, let me show you one
thing again that emphasized this truth. Jesus
gave the reason why it's going to be possible
for us to do greater works. He said, because
I go to the Father. So greater works is hinged
upon I go to the Father. A man of God yesterday
mentioned that what I go to the Father is Christ
ascension. Is Christ ascension. Just go some
chapters ahead, a little bit. Chapter 20, look
at verse 17. This is after he resurrected He
said to her that he said to Mary Do not cling
to me For I have not yet ascended to where? to
the father but go to my brethren and say to them
I Am ascending to my father your father and to
my God and your God when Jesus talks about ascension
he now talks about a family he said now you are
my brother to my brethren there is a link between
ascension The reason is because it is in His
ascension that we receive the Spirit. They say
text that man of God read. Let's go to that place.
That is in Act chapter 3. In Act chapter 3. No,
Act chapter 2, sorry. Look at verse 27. Well,
let me read from verse 29 men and brethren, let
me speak freely to you of the patriarch David
that he is both dead and buried and his tomb
is with us to this day therefore being a prophet
and Knowing that God has sworn with an oath to
him that of the fruit of his body According to
the flesh he will do what? raised up the Christ
to sit on his throne. 1. He, for seeing this,
spoke concerning the resurrection of Christ,
that his soul was not left in Hades, nor did
his flesh see corruption. 32. This Jesus has
raised up of whom we are all witnesses. Therefore
being exalted he was raised being exalted that's
ascension being exalted to the right hand of
the of God and It's not him receiving the spirit
are we together is and You can put in there to
have understand. So when he said and meaning
that as He was exalted, we are the recipient
of the Spirit. Are we together? Oh, are we together?
So it's like, is Him exalted, we receiving the
Spirit. Are we together? Because He is a giver.
Amen. We are the receiver or the recipients.
Of course, John 7, 38, 39, already showed to
us that that's exactly that the Spirit was not
given yet. He spoke concerning those who will
receive the Spirit, but it has not yet been given,
because what? He has not been what? Exalted.
Are we together? Oh, show me that text, my brother.
John 7. Was 30. 38, look at 38. He said, he who
believes in me, as the scripture says, out of
his heart will flow. Now, that he is not the
believer. Out of his heart will flow rivers of
living water. I know that good song. That song
is wonderful. Out of my belly shall flow, flow
river. You know something? Very wonderful. But
you see, here he's not talking about that the
believer is the one that will give the spirit.
From where? You understand? Because where do
you have to give first? Because at this point,
go to 39, because 39 explains 38. He said, but
this he did what? He spoke concerning the spirit,
whom those believing will do what? will they
give or will they receive so that's why I go
back to 38 he who believe in me as the scripture
says out of his belly so it cannot be that it
is from the believer that the spirit will come
but that he will be the recipient that's why
verse 39 say if spirit concerning the spirit
those who believe will receive go to 39 yes will
receive for this holy spirit was not yet given
why because Jesus was not yet glorified so we
see here when Peter was speaking that he said
verse 33 in Acts chapter 2 verse 33 he said therefore
being exalted that is glorification that that
John was talking about he said when he was exalted
to the right hand of the Father and now we receive
the Spirit received from the Father the promised
of the Holy Spirit of course which you now see
because something happened when Peter was preaching
this event when you go down verse 34 for David
did not ascend that's the ascension that exaltation
into heavens he said but he sees himself That
this is talking about it is Christ that ascended
not David The Lord said to my Lord sit at my
right hand till I make your enemies your foes
too So what we are seeing is that we receive
the spirit By reason of his ascension in order
what what we're saying is that in ascension We
go where he went Are you with me? Are you with
me? That is, we go as He had promised, because
He said, go back to that John, because we are
from John, right? Remember, we are looking at
the reason why we will do greater works. That's
why He said, because what? I go to the Father.
Before then, in verse 2, He said, my father's
house are many mansions. We have explained these
texts over and over. If it were not so, I would
have told you, I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will
come again and receive you to myself that where
I am, dear, you may be what also. So in his ascension,
we be where he is. Are we together? So when we
say we receive the Spirit, what we are saying
is that now we are where He is. That's why Ephesians
would tell us. Ephesians 2, what? Ephesians 2,
6. You say that we are what? Raised. And raised
up together. And made us to sit together. In
where? Where He is, there we are. Are we together?
Are we together? To say it another way, He indwells
us by His Spirit. And in so doing, please note
the implication. When He say, I go to the Father,
it means that He indwells us. When He say, I
go to the Father, it means His ascension. He
means that He indwells us by His Spirit. Are
we together? That now He is in us and we are
in Him. And do you know the implication of that?
By so doing, Jesus replicated Himself. Let me
repeat it again. By so doing, Jesus did what?
Replicated Himself. So when he was telling the
disciples do not be sad I am going this for your
own good is not a replacement We together he
was not saying we will replace him Greater works
is not replacing Jesus Greater works is replicating
Jesus The reason we will do greater works is
that when man of God was talking about the global
ministry the reason why we will be global is
because now there are many Jesuses. Oh, you didn't
understand what I'm saying. Are you with me?
While one man is limited many Jesuses are not
limited. Did you understand what I'm trying to
say? That's why he said I go to the Father. Because
I go to the father Because I go to the father
This why I so I told you be note the implication
of what Jesus was telling me He said go and tell
my brethren. He didn't say there's a go and tell
my servants. No Now we have the same DNA One
tell my brethren now is a your father my father.
Are we together? Yes. In Romans 8 -29, we said
for those he foreknew, he also predestined to
be conformed into the image of his son, that
he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Hebrews 2 would tell us, bring in many sons to
glory. He was the only begotten now. He is a
first born among his brethren Are we together
now? It's not just only so you have to know now
in his race in resurrection and ascension He
replicated himself. Are we together? That's the
implication when you begin to see what we are
trying to say is that within the context of John
He was not talking about an individual believer.
Are we together? John 14. He is talking about
a community, a church. A church. So when you
read it, don't read it with an individualistic
mind. You will miss that which God is trying
to communicate there. You see some of the problems
we are having today in ministry. That now ministry
is turning to us industry, not ministry again.
Where everybody want to have a level. Nobody
want to stay under a church, under a pastor.
That is because of the error of reading. You
understand? And we're going to deal with this,
what we call the communal reading of the Bible.
If you miss the communal reading, you miss his
will. You understand what I'm saying? Hallelujah.
We were studying some time ago, look give me
Ephesians 3 verse 10. To the intent of God. The
intent and noun, the manifold wisdom of God.
The revelation of God. The ministry, the mystery
unfolds. Revealed be made known by an individual
by the church To the principalities and powers
in the heavenly places or heavens And this is
the reason why we are communicating So you want
to do the will of God is done in the church not
away from the church when you hear somebody said
no i don't need to go to the church that means
that person has not understood the will of god
understand the reaching to the nations to reach
the nation is not an individual work are we together
is a collective work So, you see, when Paul will
explain the issue of ministry, he will not speak
of one person. He will give analogy with the
body. He say, the eye can say, I am no need of
you. He is speaking because giving analogy. You
know, Paul has a way of communicating even to
babes. He will have to use all kinds of things
to communicate that truth. Are we together? Amen.
Therefore Greater Works is an expansion of Jesus'
ministry of salvation globally. Witnessing, not
just in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria, and
to the utmost part of the Earth. So when you
are thinking about reaching the wall, taking
the gospel to nations, don't be thinking about
you alone. Understand? Are we together? Are we
together? Amen. Tell your neighbor the will of
God is done in the church, is done through the
church. The will of God is done through the church.
Hallelujah. So greater works are the works of
God's family, not the work of an individual believer.
It's the work of an individual believer because
you are part of the family. You see, one of my
desire is to see how church will emphasize our,
you know, sometimes we have to correct some of
our songs. You understand that it seems to be
I, I to be what? We we the reason is because
we need to ingrain that theology because that
is the will of God My desire is that as you are
in this church or even after you leave Whether
you're online listening to me In the Sun the
will of God is that you become part of the chart
you see that you are a stakeholder You are stakeholder
Somebody must have founded the church, but that
is not his church. Do you understand what I'm
trying to say? I don't want that kind of dissent
that some people feel, no, it's not my place.
And that's why you see many people now want to
go and form their own, because they think that
churches are now personal properties. People
are not yet trained, they want to go and start
building something. You understand? The reason
is because they are feeling that they are outcasts
in some, or they don't belong. They feel that
they are visitors or they are, I don't know what
to say. Please understand that whatever place
you are serving in this church, that is part
of God's will to do ministry within the church.
This church is your church. Don't say it's their
own. It's not their own, it's your own too. When
you see things, you say, I know they are seen
now. No, who told you they are seen? Did you
see that Pastor Victor has eyes at the back of
his head? No, we are not seeing. Don't see things
and then just keep quiet and say, they are seen
now. No, they are not seen. That's why you are
here. Be part of the church. Understand that
is a joint venture. We are co -workers, we are
co -labourers. It's not for some people. It's
not for some people. So that's what Jesus wants
the disciples to do. That's why, look at that
Matthew chapter 28. What's 18? What's 19? He
said, go therefore. To where? To all the nations.
Again, here, he's speaking to how many people?
To a company. He said, go. He said, go. And he
said, go. But go with what? I say, I make disciples
of all nations, baptizing them near your Father,
the Son of the Holy Spirit. Look at verse 20,
he said, teaching them to observe all the things
that have commanded you. The only tool. When
Jesus was saying his disciples, he said, don't
go with anything. Are we together? He said, don't
go with anything. Black, no. Black, no. He said,
a laborer is what? He's worthy of his wages.
Even we're going to see that because this is
where many have recognized the Bible, in the
sand. Jesus now said, sell your desire and buy
a what? A sword. Hallelujah. The ministry is
the ministry of preaching. It's the ministry
of making disciples. It's the ministry of expanding
this kingdom. It's the ministry that the whole
world, the whole earth will be covered with the
glory of God. Are we together? As the waters
cover the sea. That is the ministry and our tool.
is the Word of God. That means nothing will be
accomplished without the Word of God. Men will
not be saved until you preach. Men will not be
matured in Christ until you preach. Are we together?
Men will not see the glory of God in the miraculous
until you preach. You want to see the glory of
God? You want to see the mighty things of God?
When we read in the book of Acts, it will always
show to us as it is they are preaching, then
the miracles are what? Are happening. Are we
together? They are preaching, the miracles are
happening. So this is where now we are coming
to the importance of the world That means everything
about our ministry rises and fall with the Word
of God Now you are now seeing why it is very
crucial to pay attention to this Word of God
Are we together? John chapter 20 Let's go back
to that John 20 look at verse 31 John 20 31 But
these we are reading That you may believe that
Jesus is the Christ the son of God and that Believing
you may have life in his name. You may have life
in his name. John is telling you why the word
was written, why he wrote this book. So John
is summarizing the design of the written word.
That the word of God is written that you may
believe. That Jesus is the Christ the son of
God and that by believing you might have life
in his name So this establish a fundamental truth
That error cannot birth new life Did you hear
what I said because he said it is written that
you my what believe and by believing you will
have what life. That means if what is intended
is not communicated well as it was written, devil
will cut a scripture. Jesus will say it is written.
Meaning that Jesus is bringing context. Devil
is taking out of context. So by bringing context,
the life, the power of the scripture is manifested.
again it was written that you might believe that
means when the what is written is twisted it
will not bring life so error cannot birth new
life without proper explanation of scripture
in it context There cannot be new birth You cannot
come and just preach a Jesus that is a healer
and you call people to Alter call and you expect
that what they say they have received is new
life Did you get what I'm trying to say because
there are many people who during Jesus time receive
his healing but not his life Are you with me?
So it's possible. So you cannot preach a wealth
message, a message of prosperity. Nothing wrong
to be rich. You understand? Nothing. It's just
a human affairs. Are we together? It's good.
I was telling my people, you understand? I said,
I wouldn't mind to have a private jet now. and
just fly to Nigeria and come back again here.
Nothing wrong. You understand? Don't do as if
you don't like it. In your heart you like it.
You understand? The only difference between us
and those who are, who doesn't understand is
that they, it becomes an idol. Did you get what
I'm trying to say? Yes. But there is nothing
wrong. to desire good things. It's part of human
nature. Don't cheat your humanity. It's not lost.
Why are you in school? Is it not that you want
to be great? Is that a sin? Did you understand
what I'm trying to say? So that is just part
of humanity to aspire to become better. Are we
together? So there's nothing wrong in that. So
you don't need scripture. Do I need scripture
to say that I want to become great? Do you understand
what I'm trying to say? Why are you looking at
me as if you don't understand? Did you get it?
You don't need to attach any scripture to say
I want to be great. Do you understand what I'm
saying? Amen. So what I'm trying to say is that
it is important to understand that. Romans chapter
6. Look at Romans chapter 6 verse 17 But so if
I thought on this scripture he said but God be
thanked That though you were slain of sin look
at what they were before They were what? Slave
Yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine
to which you were delivered. That means their
current states came about by obeying or by believing
the sound doctrine that saved them. What that
means is that the word there, form, is a word
two -pose. That is T -Y -P -O -O -S. T -Y -P
-O -S, sorry. T -Y -P -O -S is two -pose. It
implies figure, image, print, copy. Meaning that
you didn't invent it. Is somebody getting what
I'm trying to say? It means that you did not
invent it. It means copy. So that is why it says
that form of doctrine means that copy of doctrine
to which you were given. That word delivered
means they were given. Are we together? So the
doctrine was not an invention. they were delivered,
they delivered it to them. They were slave before,
now they become, slavery now is a thing of the
past because they obey, they believe the truth.
And that truth was a truth preserved and then
was passed to them. Are you with me? What we
are trying to say is that That the power to save
Cannot be make active in error Remember Romans
1 16. I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.
It is what the power of God onto what onto salvation
listen If the gospel is corrupted that power
does save cannot be activated a man only is saved
when he believes the truth not an error this
is why it makes it see if you know what that
means the ministry is the ministry of saving
lives this is why you handle the word of god
with all seriousness because it is a serious
business It has the capacity to keep a man in
deception forever because when you give error
This is why the issue of studying goes what in
the intents of the author is important You are
not to invent anything your problem starts When
you begin to feel the need to sound unique Remember
I said the ministry the greater works We are
talking about is the work of the church is not
your own unique ministry. I Are you with me?
Because of that there's nothing unique about
it is a common faith is our own precious faith.
Common salvation. Are we together? There's nothing
unique. The day you want to start sounding unique,
that's the day into your journey into error.
Are we together? That's why... Despite the fact
that Paul is an educated person, probably among
the Bible writers, those who can compare with
Paul probably is Isaiah. You understand? I mean,
these are the most educated people. You understand
what I'm trying to say? Yet, when he was talking
to the Corinthians, he said, when I come to you,
the second Corinthians, the first Corinthians
of the two, he said, I did not come to you with
an excellency of speech. You think he doesn't
even know how to speak excellently? Hey, hey,
hey. But when it comes to the gospel to communicate
the truth of God's Word, this is not about for
now. You understand? Oh, you get it me. You don't
understand what I'm saying. It's about the clarity
of the message of the gospel. That is its intent.
Are we together? So this document is written
to give eternal life This document is written
to do what? To give eternal life This document
is written to mature believers Are we together?
Is given to do what? To also mature believers.
Look at Colossians Colossians chapter 2 Verse
6 he said as you therefore have do what have
received Jesus the Lord he says so walk in him
Rooted and built up in him and what and established
in where in the faith As you have been what taught
as you have been taught abounding in it in it
in it with thanksgiving meaning what saves you
is what now you are rooted in it are we together?
so you have to understand that that this document
is meant to give eternal life these written records
of the gospel is meant to give eternal life,
is meant to establish you in the faith. This
cannot be truth unless they are communicated
accurately. So, in a notion, God is never glorified
when his word is taken out of context. God is
never glorified. when his words are taken out
of context. I want you to think about this. Have
you ever had your personal words pulled out of
context? I mean, that's not, you say something
and there's somebody, maybe you are standing
with your sister and you are discussing as a
sister. You need to love the Lord. And one brother
just passed. He didn't hear anything. That other
love is that you need to love. So he said, I
heard that brother say he love our... Do you
understand what I'm trying to say? When you hear
it, how will you feel? When someone twists your
word or somebody fragments, just like I said
now, it fragments your word and sets something.
That you never intended you is completely foreign
to your intent Definitely you will never feel
happy you will never feel honored You be frustrated
Infuriated annoyed Because that twisting of your
words already violate your character violate
your character and misrepresent your intents
because as you are saying something that means
if the brother say I hate him say he loves her
you say ah these brothers of this is I used to
see that brother say he's a serious brother now
did you see what happened that means that twisting
of your word already violate your character did
you understand what I'm trying to say? Yes, because
it makes you look like someone you are not And
because that was not your intent it also violate
and makes your intent crooked and That's not
true So if we demand Contextual respect For our
own words How much more must we bring discipline,
reverence, rigor, and contextual reading to the
sacred, life -giving, maturing, establishing
Word of God? How much rigor should we give? Please
burden, context is not a suggestion for us. It
is mandatory for accurate interpretation. It's
mandatory. Are we together? So what is context
or what is contextual reading of the Bible? What
is contextual reading of the Bible? It means
reading interpreting the Bible through its autos
intent simple and short no long grammar it means
to read and to interpret the Bible through its
autos intent and you see in the Bible Context
is multi -layered and that's what I'm going to
discuss now. Context is multi -layered. Meaning
that if you are going to come to the Bible, you
must understand that context is what? Is multi
-layered. Sometimes if you neglect any part of
this thing I'm talking about, you are likely
to move to error. Let's start with the first
one. We call it canonical Context. Canonical
context. Sometimes it's called broad context
or thematic context. Canonical context. Now the
first thing why we say this canonical is because
this one is a part of them all. Amen. For some
of us who are not from Nigeria, this one is the
top. Every other context is under this one. Are
we together? Are we together? Amen. First, we
are talking about that is the Bible itself. Are
we together? You remember, you know, the Bible
is a collection of 66 books, right? We can just
call it a library. It has one author, even though
it has many authors. And this one author is God,
which means that because in this canonical context,
The first principle we are holding is what we
call the divine autorship principle Meaning that
there is no how One God who wrote these things
will be contradicting himself. That means we
must understand what is the Entire intents or
the whole intent or what we call the broad intent,
the intent of the Bible itself. Any passage you
are reading, you must hold this at, is it front
of your mind, or back of your mind, or center
of your mind. I mean the whole of your mind.
You should hold this. By the inspiration of God
and is profitable plus is establishing divine
authorship You see that and is profitable for
Doctrine For giving evidence For correction correction
about what is not an open -ended thing you understand
same Doctrine That's his teaching Didaskalia
About who? It's not just teaching teaching mathematics
Teaching business is for teaching. No, it's not
for general subjects. It's not general the divine
author Given by the expression of God is specific
Are we together? specific Go to verse 15. And
that from childhood, Pastor Fred already taught
this, you have known the Holy Scriptures, right?
Which are able to make you wise. Remember, for
salvation. Are we together? If I will put it
better. it will be skillful that is wise in salvation
because in the subject of salvation are we together
because he is already a believer saying when
he first came to christ when he was small before
you have known the holy scriptures because you
don't know the holy scripture outside christ
You know the Holy Scriptures in Christ. And then
by so doing, it has made you skillful, you understand,
in the subject of salvation. And that salvation
is not by works. It's what? Faith, eh? Faith
in the Christ. is not the New Testament yet.
Are we together? Because when Paul was writing
this, they didn't put it together. He was talking
to what they were reading at that moment. Genesis
to Malachi. That means from Genesis to Malachi,
the subject is salvation through faith in Jesus
Christ. Genesis to Malachi. The subject is what?
Salvation through faith in what? In Jesus Christ.
Then V. 16 said that is exactly what it was all
taught. The inspiration to document that came
from God, not from man. And he said it is profitable
for teaching. Teaching about who? All within
the confines of salvation. You understand? Correction.
Correction about what? All within the confines
of the ultimate theme of the entire Bible. You
understand? Reprove, giving evidence about what?
About all the love of God. If you want to say,
if you don't want to use salvation, you can say
about the love of God, about the character of
God, about the intent of God and plan of God
for humanity. That's the sentence. Are we together?
So this is talking about the canonical context.
So please, if you are reading the astronomy,
sons of Solomon, we're just finishing. Are we
together? I know some people like that place.
Glory to Jesus. Amen. So whatever you are reading,
you must understand and put that. You remember
when we were reading Prover? You know, there
are some plays that he talks about when you want
to do... I think I like the way... I think which
version say that this way? He said, do you want
to see an important person? He said, take a bribe
with you. Proverb, you know some in fact that
scripture we normally could see it down a month
No, no, the the order one a man's gift make him.
Yes, I appear that what gift is not talking about
talent is Like physical something material gifts,
you know some You know when you read some of
my proverb and remove this Context you understand
you'll be making that place to be saying something
different remember if you read the beginning
of proverb already the preacher himself solomon
told you the intent why he was right he said
i was writing what i have observed so his writing
is observation not that he's some of those proverbs
are not revelation of god i hope you understand
what i'm trying to say he's just writing what
he observed among men That is do you want to
see an important person? Do you want a way to
be created which you just carry some gifts? Did
you understand what I'm saying? Is it not true?
Is it not true? Now we're not saying whether
it's a sin or not sin. He said that is what you
observe. Are you with me? That's what you observe.
I think when we are ready we have to come to
a place and answer this question. When we eclipses
of the tree. You understand? a time to kill,
a time to this, a time to this. You say, ah,
ah. Well, how can God kill? How can God have
a time for disaster? I say, ah, ah. I say, this
is what you observe. Did you understand what
I'm trying to say? You see, if you don't read
correctly, you're going to be moving with a different
thing, which is not the will of God. So, while
the Bible has more than 40 authors, human autos.
It has one ultimate divine author. 1 Peter 1,
20 to 21 also tells us that they were moved by
God, the Holy Spirit. It was not a man's initiative.
It has a singular unified plot line, storyline.
The Bible has a singular storyline a singular
storyline from Genesis to Revelation So because
of that you have to understand so if you interpret
even interpretation Of an Old Testament law or
a New Testament verse makes God To look a tyrant
to be a to look so crude who hates humanity that
interpretation must be wrong not me must be what
must be wrong because it contradicts the unified
team of the redemptive love of God because listen
if you hold this one is going to help you a lot
Whatever you are reading through the pages of
scriptures, you must have this in mind that this
Bible has a unified storyline. The intent of
the author is that salvation is made manifest.
The subject of salvation and that salvation is
through faith. Whatever you might say, listen,
you might agree, I don't understand this text
yet. But don't say Anything that you you will
study that will contradict the revelation of
God in Christ Is out of context Is what out of
context Out of context we have already read let
me just give you some of these texts in the song
John 5 39 you start the scriptures and in them
you think you have eternal life they are what
they did they say they are some they are what
they that do what testify of me look 24 we have
already read that place 25 oh you foolish ones
law of heart to believe all that the prophet
have what in all that the prophet have what spoken
ought not christ to have what suffer these things
and to enter into his glory and beginning at
Moses and in all the prophet hmm he explained
or expounded to them in all the scriptures not
some scriptures not some scriptures in all the
scriptures the things concerning himself that's
what we are trying to see that is divine authorship
and singular storyline and subject. The scripture
is about the Christ. Put it together. So canonical
context is defined by Christo -centricity. Canonical
context is defined by Christo - centricity of
scriptures this is a vital safety shield against
abuses this is vital we're going to look at later
on a number of the horrendous things that was
done through the Bible and that will also empower
for so many of us that are going for evangelism
as well while we are trying to encourage the
other ones to join. You understand what I'm saying?
You know, some of us, when they say, when they
give you some history of how the Bible we have
misused, you say, you start saying no. No, don't
say no. It happened. You understand? It happened.
And that's why we are teaching this. So, and
that's one of the things I want you to get in
this. So as you read the Bible, let's settle
this first every of your interpretation must
align with this one this first one canonical
context if it deviates you on your own It's already
a contradiction any interpretation of a verse
or a passage of the Bible that contradicts the
message of redemption the love of God the finished
work of Christ automatically out of context so
the supreme narrative of the cross is the ultimate
safety safety barrier against heresy against
heresy hallelujah amen okay so let's look at
another layer under this one which is what we
call the immediate context the immediate context
Now under this under the umbrella of the canonical
context we have the immediate context This is
reading and interpreting a portion That is the
reading and interpreting a portion or a passage
of scripture Within is surrounding verses and
authors line of thought Please note that order
one I said because most times many of us think
that when we say Immediate context we just means
you just go few verses on top few verses down
In a sign, it's not just only fever so we say
pretext postics, you know son it also In compasses
the autos line of thoughts Because the autos
line of thought as I will show you Sometimes
he might be speaking there But what is communicating
is also in another book. Did you understand what
I'm trying to say? Like Man of God taught us
about the efficient church. Sometimes some of
the things discussing about the efficient church.
You know, I've heard so many people say this
efficient church is one of the perfect church.
You know, when you read the Corinthians church,
most of their confusion is within the letter.
But when you read the book of Ephesians, you
don't seem to hear so much of correction of these
things. You just focus on these, understand,
which man of God I've already outlined for us.
But you see, you are missing it. You understand?
Because you miss all that two books that give
it immediate context. One is Acts chapter 19
and chapter 20. Another is 1 Timothy 2 and 1
Timothy and 2 Timothy. Because it was a pastor
that was sent to Ephesus. Did you understand
what I'm trying to say? And the confusion, the
heresy that is happening in that church, you
need to read Timothy. So don't think that when
we say immediate context, not just only, okay,
I'm reading 1 Corinthians, Ephesians chapter
5. It's talking about marriage, you understand?
Oh, you say this one, this one, this one. You
say go post -text, pre -text. Brother, you need
to read all the texts that are connected to that.
That's when you can have an understanding of
what your toy say. Are we together? Did you understand
now what I mean by immediate context? Amen Hallelujah
So this is what I want you to take note One of
God I've already talked about this good work,
but come let me show you something in first quarter
second Timothy go to second Timothy quickly 2nd
Timothy chapter 3 Look at verse 17 2nd Timothy
3 17 He said that the man of God may be complete
totally equipped for every good work for every
good work Now I want to show you that one of
the things you have to be careful when you look
at immediate context is verses and chapters Are
we together? verses and what? and chapters So
don't follow the author's line of thought, not
the verses. And today we even had addition, subheadings.
Subheadings, no. Because all these break that
we have today, they are helpful for referencing.
Like now, if I want to call 2 Corinthians 3 this,
you already know, you just go there. Right, that's
why you hear the Apostles then they don't they
don't normally see a circle Corinthians is disease
is you understand? They only say at is written
in the scripture then you quote the scripture
Because in their day, there's no these a thing
we have today. Did you understand brand Z? Good.
It's probably the only one we have, because we
have several authors is a psalm. They will say
the first psalm, the second psalm, as we'll see
in the second psalm. Are we together? Because
of the breaking of different authors. Amen. But
the point I'm trying to say is that if you are
reading, you have to understand that if you are
interpreting, you must follow where... Like if
you do, when you come to verse 17, he said, for
every good work, it looks like that is where
he stopped. Is that correct? Many of us, that's
where we stop. But you see, Paul, that's not
where he stopped. What's the next thing in chapter
four, verse one? I charge you what? Therefore.
What is therefore? What is therefore? Are we
together? That is for this reason. He's trying
to say that there is more for me. I'm trying
to bring. based according to what I am discussing,
eh? Are you with me? Are you with me? Now, to
understand good works, before you even go to
other passages of the text, I mean of, or maybe
Paul's letter, you need to read. You can see
that from chapter one, talking about perilous
time, right, of chapter three, sorry, verse one
of chapter three, and the confusion that will
happen in the in the last days or the last time
in the son and then you look at John to chapter
4 and you look at for time will come when they
will know in your son doctrine you know son they
are all he's talking about the same thing you
know son in fact he says some having a form of
godliness but denying the power he was talking
about before and then he was encouraging him
about first Paul acknowledged in this text, one,
what Timothy has learned from his foundation,
from where he's coming from, and from his childhood.
One. Two, he also told him what he has learned
from him. You understand? So he now told him,
all these things you have understood about the
Bible, and you have been trained, both from me,
from your background, are we together is that
you are trained you are taught you are corrected
the intent is good works are you with me now
so but what is this good work then he now said
therefore i charge you that is for the very purpose
of why you have established yourself in scripture
and you have obtained all these things you understand
therefore i charge you now Preach the Word. Be
ready in season and out of season. In 5, verse
5 says, be watchful in all things, in your afflictions.
Do the work of and fulfill your ministry. That
means when you look at the whole thing, there
are things that Paul is trying to tell him. There
are seasons of life that will come that it will
be tough. because we will have people who will
not endure sound doctrine, people who will be
wayward. But I don't want you to forget where
you are coming from. And I don't want you to
forget what you have learned from me. And the
essence why you have learned all these things.
Every man that is learned is taught he have evidence
is that he do good work so I want telling you
you should preach what he's trying to say is
that that the good works is talking about is
about the preaching the preaching the preaching
the preaching preach the word in the sun preach
the word that is every good work and so if you
have stopped here you will have to be inventing
something in your head or to move to other passages
of the scripture and start looking to where there
is good which is good but first start with the
immediate place first go through to the down
part where follow the author in fact if he had
mentioned something like now he has mentioned
and that from childhood yeah you must have you
have to go back to verse chapter one uh festival
t1 to see where paul has made mention of his
foundation from his grandmother and mother and
then you move to act chapter 16 where that was
mentioned you see all these are part of the immediate
context although they have been mentioned in
different places did you understand what i'm
trying to say so that is the point hallelujah
the thought one the thought layer now immediate
context please I want to in the name of God don't
follow the thought of the author the second or
the thought is literary context not literally
Those in literature. What this one is saying
is that you have to come to acknowledge that
the Bible does not speak in a single flat tone.
Let me say it again. The Bible does not speak
direct all the times. That means the Bible has
several different kinds of literature bundled
together. It comes with different distinct literature,
historical narrative, poetic expressions, pastoral
epistles, prophetic declaration, Apocalyptic
imagery, historical narrative, poetic expressions,
pastoral epistles, prophetic declarations, and
apocalyptic imagery. For example, when you enter
Revelation or Daniel, you cannot read every passage
of the Bible the same way. Because for some of
us in science who you think you have escaped
literature welcome back You are welcome You must
understand that Understanding literature is not
an option You have to is part of the context
you must learn listen this is you can say no
I don't want I don't care and this is one of
the things I don't agree with some of the Bible
translations because some of the Bible translation
are trying to translate the Bible I mean English
translation to translate especially those what
we call paraphrase to translate the Bible omitting
the original context to interpret to translate
the Bible according to the modern context. Did
you get what I'm trying to say? No, you can't
do that. Once you are doing that, you are stripping
the Bible to its own originality. Because God's
intent, He uses the culture and the way of life
of those people to communicate. If Jesus had
come from Swahili, it would have been Swahili's
culture. We would have to learn it. Because he
will use that to communicate So refusing to learn
the culture and the understanding of the ancient
way of life is actually rejecting the will of
God me I'm telling you the truth Because you
can say I don't care. I don't know you you must
care If you value the lives of God and the life
of people what we have mentioned you must care
You have to care You have to study how the author
communicates. Because different authors, these
over 40 authors, they are not in one generation.
The time of Moses is not the same with the time
of Paul. Are we together? Yes, they're not. So
you have to study to understand their times.
How do they communicate? For example, Jesus was
a Middle Eastern teacher. Don't make him a Nigerian
teacher. Don't make him an English teacher. Are
we together? He consistently used metaphors,
figurative language of their time. You know,
in Nigeria, we are also rich. Some of our cultures
are also rich in literature. Our culture is also
literature. If you have watched African Magic,
I don't know which magic is that, but African
Magic, you must have understood those sayings,
you understand? When you see a thought hoping
in the afternoon. is either something is pursuing
it or it's pursuing something. Did you understand
what I'm saying? What I'm saying is that you
have to be told there is something they are communicating
with that thing. And this is important. So you
will see a lot of these figurative expressions.
And these expressions, They actually communicate
spiritual realities Using imagery using everyday
imagery So you cannot take Jesus litra here and
just again decide whatever to do no Are we together
When Jesus said if your hand causes you to sing,
quote it, now you know it's not literal because
you know you can't lose your hand. But then you
go to another place and say, how can you do it?
What do you want to change the word of Jesus?
No, you have to understand how he communicates.
Are we together? Hallelujah. Amen. Now let me
give you an example which I'm talking about.
Let's see. Let's look at an example. John chapter
6. This one I'm giving you because it's a very
serious issue in the church that has to do with
Eucharist and communion. John 6. Are you with
me? John 6 what? 53. John 6 53 It says that and
Jesus said to them most actually I say to you
unless you eat the flesh of the son of man and
Drink his blood you have no life in where in
you You have no life in you Now many people miss
understood this metaphor and not just only many
people I'm talking about a whole church for many
and up to today we are still struggling with
this I don't know how we still want to defend
this as I said we want to take Jesus word here
literal but when you say cut your hand you refuse
to so over 2 ,000 years you can imagine now We
still read this place and struggle with it. What
is the background? Now as I told you, to understand
what Jesus is saying, you have to go to the background.
The first issue is that when you go back to verse
1 of this same chapter 6, right? From verse 1
to 13, you look at how Jesus fed the 5 ,000.
Is that correct? Are we together? He fed the
what? The 5 ,000. What did the crowd do? After
they finished, they enjoyed it. You understand?
So the crowd tracked Jesus down. Remember, not
because they like or they want to follow Jesus.
You understand? Because they want free food.
They enjoy that fish and bread. Look at verse
22. They followed Him. They tracked Him down.
They say, on the following day, when the people
who were standing on the other side of the sea
saw that there was no other boat there except
that one which his disciples had entered. And
Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples,
but his disciples had gone away alone. However,
another boat came from Tiberias near the place
where they had bread. after the Lord had given
thanks. When the people therefore saw that Jesus
was not there, nor his disciples, they also what?
They also got into boats and came to Kapano,
seeking who? Seeking Jesus. It looks like this
we would love to follow Jesus. Verse 25. And
when they found him on the other side of the
sea, they said to him, Rabbi, when did you come
here? 26 Jesus answered them and said most assuredly
I say to you you seek me not because you saw
the signs but because you ate of the loss and
you were filled verse 27 Do not labor for the
food which perish but for the food which endures
to everlasting life which the son of man look
at how the change will give you because God The
father has set his seal on him. Look at the flip
They they they came, you know sound for food
Jesus now use that opportunity to preach Listen
Paso Frese say something powerful Do not use
the problem we are facing today and and put it
inside Bible You read what was going on. During
this time, they found it on the way. They were
not taking communion. It's not Eucharist here.
Did you understand what I'm trying to say? Listen,
don't bring problem into yourself because this
is not how to study scripture. When you have
problem, leave the problem first and read and
understand what is happening. When Jesus was
telling them this, it wasn't issues of communion
he was trying to solve here. It was the people
who ate food, enjoyed it. They followed him for
more. And Jesus is telling them, look at this
one, don't follow this one. This is the one you
should follow. That is the context. That's the
context. These people, because Jesus now confronted
them, they now understood why Jesus is going,
you know, now do some tactics. You know what
tactics they did? Look at 28. 28. Then they said
to him, what shall we do? Because they seems
to think, This Jesus want us to is turning to
spiritual things to something religious. Let's
also let's also maxed out what we are our intent.
What shall we do? He said, what shall we do that
we may walk the walks of God? This is what Jesus
said. Jesus answered and said to them, this is
the walk of God that you believe in him, who
he sent therefore. They said to him, what sign
will you perform then? He's telling them to believe.
These people are safe sign. That we may see it
and believe you. What works will you do? Our
fathers ate manna. You see these people? Still
that issue of food, they don't want to live it.
They don't want to live it. Our fathers ate manna
in the desert. As it is written, He gave them
bread from heaven to eat. So Jesus used their
appetite, you understand, to just preach to them
this eternal truth. Because He saw these people
there, bread and wheat, lavada and bread, bread,
bread. He said, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay.
Then verse 33. Look at what He said in 33. He
said, for the bread of God is he. Did he say
eat or he? He said he who comes down from heaven
and give life to the world. This is no physical
bread. Is he? Are we together? Is what? He. Then
they said to him, Lord give us this bread always.
They still didn't understand what this is saying.
And Jesus answered them, I am the bread of life.
He who comes to me shall never hunger. And he
who believes in me shall never test. Are we together?
Did you see what Jesus said? He defines eating
and drinking there. He said he who comes to me,
comes to me shall not hunger. Meaning that he
said coming means eating. And he who believes
in me shall not test. That means believe means
drinking. That's why he said test. They mean
the same thing. Coming means believing. So that
means both the eating and the drinking means
to believe. Are we together? He's not talking
about eating his flesh. The problem is that even
that surface, the audience, the immediate audience,
they missed it. Because remember, when a people
is confused, remember those people didn't come
there to take communion. They came to eat bread.
Verse 41, he said, the Jews then complained about
you because he said, I am bread, the bread which
came down from heaven. And they said, is this
not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and
mother we know? How is it then that he says,
I have come from heaven? You see, again, they
started to get a problem. So they were thinking,
how can you say he come from heaven? Where we
know his family? And this is a problem again.
Our modern tradition, our modern... the our brothers
in the roman catholic in the sun the doctrine
of eucharist and transubstantiation right they
repeat this same error of teaching that bread
literally transform into physical flesh necessary
for salvation that is the eucharist you require
it to eat to have life that is a complete twist
of jesus words are we together jesus was not
discussing cannibalism no that's not what he's
discussing now let me even show you 63 to show
you jesus what jesus is saying he was not talking
literal in far downward he clearly said it he
said it is the spirit that do what that gives
life so when he's talking about you have life
is it flesh is it material thing no he says it's
a spirit that gives life and the flesh do what
it profit nothing so how can you say Eucharist
will give it a salvation how can you say you
will eat it no no no he said the word that i
speak to you they are spirits and they are life
that means jesus is not talking about literal
things he in his conclusion that's what he said
it is a spirit that gives life Not material things,
not bread and butter, bread and Rabinah, or bread
and wine, whichever one. That's not what this
life is. He himself is not literal. So John 6
perfectly illustrates in the son the intersection
of general, right? The intersection of a gospel
narrative recording figurative expression it
also tells us a intersection between immediate
context flow because to understand it you have
to read the entire thing the transition also
from physical to spiritual life and Jesus normally
does this it's common in his teaching he always
use an advantage whatever the discussion is He
would move it in that direction. Do you understand
what I'm trying to say? Yes. And that is one
thing I want you to get. Hallelujah. Let's start
introducing the next one before we go for break.
The next is a fourth one, which is historical
and cultural context. Historical and cultural
context. Romans chapter 15. It tells us already
past our friends who read this text, that those
things that were written before, you understand,
they are written for our learning. That is, they
were not written directly to us, but they are
written for us. Are we together? They are written
for us. So which means that no biblical author
was speaking in a vacuum. That is, they are men.
He was talking about a ledger, he's a man of
like -passion. Meaning they were real men, they
were not abstract men. This is what differentiates
Christianity and any other religion. Most of
the religion is only one person you have that
have an evidence. He's the one that met with
an angel that told him something. Nobody again
to prove that that's exactly true. Did you understand
what I'm saying? But you can't find that in Scripture.
They were written by men. You know them. You
know their houses. You know them. Even the Savior,
He came. You know Him. You know their family.
We just heard these people. They know Him. You
understand? They know Him. They live, these people,
authors of the Bible live real lives. In real
places. in distinct cultures and norms. In fact,
their names already bear where they are coming
from. Are you with me? Are you with me? Amen.
When you read, you study the names of the Bible,
you wouldn't know. You can never, you know there
are so many, every religion have a view of Jesus.
Some say he come from India. How can he come
from India? His name alone does not depict he
came from there because his name his parents
name has a Geographical location you can see
in the a Mecca and say he came from even do You
know something and say a Mecca he came from Sweden
That his grandfather that is his origin how Because
every name has an identity or has an attachment
to a location. These are people that have life.
They have families, they have cultures, we can
verify them. Are we together? So to understand
what the context means today, we must first discover
what it meant to the ancient audience. Traveling
back to their world, before we can now understand,
You understand? And how we can apply it today.
Romans 12. Romans 12, 20. Therefore, if your
enemy is hungry, feed him. If he's thirsty, give
him a drink. For in so doing you will keep coal
of fire on his head If you read it with our mind
today, what will you be thinking? That thief
is a vindictive thief Which means that you are
doing just do that It looks like a passive, aggressive
weapon. You know, we always want to deal with
our enemies. So Paul is saying now, give him
this thing, by so doing. You understand? They
will put that call of fire. Because when you
say call of fire today, that's what? That's fire.
You know what I'm saying? When you are carrying
call of fire, what do you think is happening?
You see? But you can't do that. It meant something.
You have to go back. This Paul was quoting Prover,
Prover chapter 25 verse 21 to 22. He was quoting
Prover 25, 21 to 22. And what was he doing? He
was pulling something. From an ancient Egyptian
and Near Eastern custom This thing you see this
issue of Hipping cold of fire on his head It
has a history It has a culture listen if you
don't understand this you will take it out of
context and It will not be the will of God because
this thing you see that Paul quoted is inspired
meaning that to understand the intent of the
author you must understand the cultural meaning
it is in the cultural meaning meaning that God
decided even in the culture of a people to communicate
his revelation so to be able to understand the
intent of God you must understand the culture
of the people of that day And that is why he
said, in those days, in the ancient Near East
culture, around that Egyptian site, when a person
wanted to show public repentance or remorse or
sorrow for the wrong he committed, they would
carry and walk through the street a clay basin
with a glowing hot coal. on top of their head
through the street. When people saw the person,
it's already indicating that what he did is already
sorry for it. It is from that culture, that meaning
that now Paul pulled from and said now, this
is what it means, that when your enemy is thirsty,
when your enemy is hungry, you understand? What
you are doing is that. You are giving him an
environment for him to be remorseful for what
he has done. Did you understand? Are we together?
It's not vindictive, but it is actually peaceful.
It's giving us a way of solving issues, peacemaking.
Are we together? this is why the issue of Historical
and cultural context is important. They are everywhere
just pick one These things are everywhere in
the Bible. So in understanding the will of God
Sorry, sir, you have to understand the Historical
or cultural context that is the way that's if
you want the will of God. Are we together? Did
you understand what I'm trying to say? Else you
would turn a scripture that's supposed to be
for salvation for fighting enemies. You understand
what I'm saying? We are coming to it because
in the next session I'm going to open us to a
dimension of how this Bible that the greatest
problem we have on the greatest horrific treatment
of men. We are not done by people that say they
are atheist. They are done by people who held
the Bible. And we are sliding, this generation
is sliding in that direction. You understand,
justifying evil using the word of God. We appreciate
you being here today. We hope you carry this
word with you throughout your week. Don't forget
to check the show notes for additional insights.
Stay connected with us through our website or
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Until next time, stay blessed.