Author Archives: Isaac Peter Okayo

Our Identity and Security is in Christ

Messages by Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako Posted on by

4th July 2015 Radio Message by Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako

TEXT: Ezra 4:1-3 Now when the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people of the exile were building a temple to the LORD God of Israel, they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers’ households, and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we, like you, seek your God; and we have been sacrificing to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us up here.“

But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of fathers’ households of Israel said to them, “You have nothing in common with us in building a house to our God; but we ourselves will together build to the LORD God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia has commanded us.“

INTRODUCTION: To be able to understand and interpret the text above, there is a need to understand the summary of the history of Israel from Abraham, the founder-father of the nation of Israel, to the time of Zerubbabel.

Israel was and is still a special people through whom God passed the blessing of redemption of man kind. They are specially chosen, and their choice by God is irrevocable: The church cannot completely replace Israel. The time is coming when Israel will be grafted back.

The descendants from Abraham became a nation in Egypt were they were oppressed but God delivered them and led them out to the Promised Land. God’s promises to Israel included:

   (i) Giving them Land Genesis 18:21 ; 17:8
   (ii) Make them a nation Genesis 12:2 ; 17:4
   (iii) Divine protection and blessings Genesis 12:3 and
   (iv) A seed referring to Christ Genesis 17:2-7 ; Galatians 3: 8,16

God deposed seven great nations and gave their land to Israel Deuteronomy 7; 1-5, but warned them that He will not spare them either if they went after the abominable practices of those nations Deuteronomy 4; 23-29

Israel entered the Land under God’s miraculous support; the Red sea splitting open, provision of manna, drying of river Jordan, collapse of Jericho walls etc. It is believed that Joshua marched into the Promised Land in year 1445.

Unfortunately Israel forgot the instruction from their God, and went after massive idolatry. God raised several prophets to warm His people but all in vain. In year 722 BC God removed the ten tribes of Israel and scattered them throughout the Assyrian Empire 2Kings 17:7-18; Jeremiah 2:7-25. The ten tribes were in the Promised Land for only 723 years.

The two tribes (Benjamin and Judah) constitute what is known as today’s Israel. 136 years after the deportation of the 10 tribes, God used Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem, destroyed the city and the temple in 587. Many people were taken into exile.

[To read the complete message, please click on this PDF file: 7-4-15-Our-Identity-and-Security-is-in-Christ]

The Christian’s Correct Attitude to Money

Messages by Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako Posted on by

27th June 2015 Radio Message by Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako

[Text of Radio – Discipleship Program – 92.1 FM OPMRadio Jinja, Uganda]

A.TEXT: 1 Timothy 6:3-11 If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves grief. But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

INTRODUCTION: The above is an extract from apostle Paul’s letter to his spiritual son Timothy who was overseeing pastoral work in the city of Ephesus. Paul wrote out of concern to instruct and caution the young church leader on the eminent danger the church was facing in a big city of about 200,000 residences. He himself was in Macedonia at the time he wrote to Timothy.

The Church in Ephesus was begun by Priscilla and Aquila, a devout and a gifted Christian couple. Paul joined them in Ephesus during his second missionary journey. Paul pastored the church in Ephesus city for three years before moving to another region.

Ephesus was a big city and was the provincial headquarters of the Roman administration in Asia Minor. It ranked with Alexandria in Egypt, and Antioch in Greece. The City of Ephesus was known for its famous Temple of Artemis or Diana, one of the seven wonders of the world by then. Paul wrote to instruct and caution Timothy to deal with four major problems the church in the community of Ephesus was facing:

(i) To counter false teachings some of the influential church elders had introduced. The key among the elders were Hymenaeus and Alexander who were attempting to divert the attention of Christians from the main doctrines to endless myths and genealogies. Paul disciplined them by putting them outside the church (1 Timothy 1:3.20) As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines. Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.

(ii) To put in order, the worship in churches, conduct, dressing of women particularly and generally family and other relationships in the church

(iii) To address the challenge of inadequate qualified church staff and their qualification and

(iv) Correct money related attitudes among believers and church leaders.

THEME: The Christian’s Correct Attitude to Money

Money and material things are necessities for livelihood and comfort of mankind, including Christians, on earth. Money is a means of exchange for material goods and services, therefore an inevitable commodity in life. Money, per se, is not an evil thing but the position it occupies in man’s life determines whether it is an idol or not. Money is meant to serve man by facilitating him and not to be worshiped and served him.

Apostle Paul’s advice to young and a bit timid Timothy is not only relevant here in Uganda, but long over due. A week hardly passes without money and sex-related scandal involving a pastor, a prophet, a bishop etc in the press. The title, ‘a Pentecostal preacher’ no longer sells, but is synonymous with scandals. For example, the newspaper (Sunday Red Pepper) of Last Sunday, on pages 14 and 15 carried nasty stories about pastors involving naked women, and drinking detergents and grass in the name of anointing.

From the advice of apostle Paul to pastor Timothy, contained in our text above, we can derive three applications a church of today needs to correctly adjust the attitudes about money and material possessions. I would like to split the text above into three main components:

[To read the complete message, please click on this PDF file: 6-27-15-Christians-Correct-Attitude-to-Money]

The Implication of Our Prayers

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20th June 2015 Radio Message by Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako

Isaac Peter Oyako in radio studio

Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako inside Radio Studio
OP Radio 92.1 FM- Discipleship Program 20.06.15

[Text of Radio Discipleship Program – 92.1 FM OPM Radio Jinja, Uganda]

TEXT: Mathew 20:20-24 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him.

And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left.”

But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.”

He said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.”

And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers.

The implication of some of our prayers

INTRODUCTION: At that time every one in Israel was expecting a ruler like King David who would deliver Israel from the foreign dominion. At that time Israel was no longer a sovereign nation, but under the Roman rule. The experts in the Law and interpretation of prophecies knew that a messiah would come to establish a theocratic leadership; far superior to any other kingdom on earth.

However, the intervening church era before Jesus Christ sets His Government was still a mystery. Yes, Jesus will come to establish a millennium rule on earth, but the details were not yet revealed.

Just like any worldly system where the leader lords it over the subjects, it was so in the minds of Zebedee and his family. Leadership in the worldly system is a position of privileges, honor and benefits. This concept is diametrically opposite according to the heavenly Kingdom in which leadership is a position of service and suffering.

Each of the twelve disciples was concerned about their future in the immediate coming Kingdom. The wife of Zebedee and her two sons carried it a bit too far; they had a family discussion on this and resolved that the mother approach Jesus. It was not a joking matter. In the book of Mark, the Bible says it were the boys who spoke implying what their mother did was a family resolution. It was something burning in James and in John, and probably the entire family.

In their own conception, they had been recruited and were being trained for the new and powerful Kingdom in which the sick were healed, food in abundance, demons quaking and the dead raised to life. The family knew that their sons had fallen into things (Blessings). But there was this Peter, a fellow fisherman who seemed to be a threat. He was always first in everything. Peter was a threat; a man of action and gifted in warfare. He promised to give protection to the Lord and delivered the promise: When the threat surfaced, in a matter of seconds the ear of enemy was slashed down.

[To read the complete message, please click on this PDF file: 6-20-15-Implications-of-Our-Prayers]

Women’s Conference in Kenya

Messages by Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako Posted on by

(April 20 25, 2015 – Pastor Isaac was the guest speaker)

The family is the unbreakable unit that constitutes any community. The quality of any community and society depends on the quality of the families that constitute it. The church is a community of saints; a people purchased and sanctified by the blood and through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Lord and savior of the world. The impact of the church in the communities of the world depends on the quality of family life in the constituent Units.

Satan is not ignorant of this, and the family has always been his top-most target, not only now, but from days of Adam and Eve in that beautiful Garden of Eden. The devil managed to ruin a relations and fellowship between God and mankind. Today he is wrecking havoc, not only in the heathen families, but also some of the families of the saints.

My experience as a Biblical counselor has helped me to understand the extent of the damage and weapons employed by the evil one. An effort is urgently required to help families of the saints to escape the onslaught of Satan against family.

National Women's Conference in Kenya

National Women’s Conference in Kenya

I was privileged to be invited as the main speaker in the nation women conference of Maranatha Faith Assemblies of Kenya which took place from 20th to 25th of April 2015. It was a big gathering which attracted about four thousand women from all corners of Kenya. A few women from Congo and Rwanda were also present. The meeting was held in a football field of a secondary school with eight tents pitched in a circular form. It is largest gathering I have ever talked to.

God moved that week, helping women to realize how the enemy had bewitched them to ruin their own marriages. It was a time of repentance with tears. Many wives wished their own husbands were present.

Pastor Isaac praying for women under conviction

Pastor Isaac praying for women under conviction

Before closing the seminar, I got an invitation from D R Congo to be the main facilitator in their National Women’s conference this year in July. This was recommended by the National women leader of Congo who was with us in Kenya. Below is the content of my messages to the women of Kenya.

Prayer Requests

I would very much appreciate your prayer support over two crucial needs in May 2015

School fees: Schools are opening in mid-May and we need tuition fees for our sons. We have an unpaid balance of fees from last term (January- April 2015). We need no less than what is equivalent to $1,800 USD.

Toyota Corsa in for repairs and paint job

Toyota Corsa in for repairs and paint job

Car maintenance: I drive a lot of mileage every month for the Ministry. This puts a heavy strain on the vehicle. My handy vehicle, a Toyota Corsa, is in a workshop undergoing repairs, painting and a thorough cleaning. I made a deposit of UGX 720,000. ($240.56 USD) Please pray that I get the balance of UGX 650,000. ($217.18 USD).

eBook: The Wife in Ministry for the Lord

These messages, that were so well-received by the four thousand women at the National Conference in Kenya, are in this short e-book. You may buy it now for just $3.00 USD or 8,978 UXG.

You may make your purchase through our International Agent, Ruth’s PayPal account for the $3.00 USD, or through this Payza Button in either amount, which goes directly into Pastor Isaac Oyako’s account.

You will be surprised at how it is both frank and full of godly wisdom!




When your purchase is complete you will receive a download link for the PDF book.

To open the e-book simply left-click on title of the message. It should open in your internet browser, or in Acrobat Reader.

To first save it to your computer or electronic device, right-click on the title in the message after purchase, and on the menu that pops up indicate where you want to save the e-book on your computer. Confirm-click, and then it will be there in moments.

Masai Pastors and Lion-killers

Messages by Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako Posted on by

(MINISTRY UPDATE August 23, 2014)

Dear friends,

attentive pastors

attentive pastors

Greetings in Jesus name! I am confident of your ever prayerful support always, and therefore obliged to update you.

I have an overwhelming burden for the church. Many times I have been driven into isolation to seek God for days or weeks with fasting and prayer.

The ever constant question in my mind is, “Is the Church ready for Jesus Christ’s Second coming?”

I believe that, to a larger extent the church in Africa may not be ready yet: The ‘Church’ Christ is coming for is pure, spotless and without wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27). The standard is very high.

Whereas the church in Africa is growing at breakneck speed numerically, the quality is not simply sustainable, and may not be worthy the effort unless a lot of investment is put in, not in terms of physical infrastructure alone, but in capacity-building for the church leadership. The African people have quite complex issues that have underrated the progress in spiritual and economic spheres.

This week, I was privileged to be invited to train pastors among the Masai tribal group in Kenya.

The Masai are probably the strongest cultural group in the world. The men are very strong and courageous: (I have video clippings of a couple of youth confronting pride of wild lions and killing some of them. It sounds like 18th Century. All of them using crude traditional weapons such as spears and arrows. A couple of them got badly injured, but a lion had to die and others fled with injuries. ).

Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako Training Masai Pastors in Kilgoris-Kenya

Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako Training Masai Pastors in Kilgoris-Kenya

There are many churches, Christians, and pastors in Trans Mara District. A majority of churches have a permanent building and social amenities courtesy of Trosgtostants of Sweden and Norway. However, a lot is still needed to arrive at the quality of the church that Christ is expecting. Though, the dominant practices of girl circumcision (Female Genital Mutilation) is said to be fading, it is still silently practiced even among church people. It has gone under cover. The conviction about its cultural importance are strong.

Pastor Isaac Interview university Masai girl about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Pastor Isaac Interview university Masai girl about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Masai People are wealthy people with tens and hundreds of cattle and sheep per individual. This means a Masai man cannot be away from home for any considerable time.

Besides this, as it is in most African rural areas, leaders have too little secular education, and too mamy wide family responsibilities to attend formal Bible College. Churches are served by semi-literate and untrained leaders.

I was strongly requested to establish a training center in this area. giving two weeks’ teaching over an extensive period, to arrive at Certificate and Diploma levels. Altogether, over 100 pastors are eager to have this start. I am prayerfully considering it.

Somehow I consider this request timely, because from September 10th to 16th, we Bible teachers are converging at Gloria Hotel in Dubai, led by Dr. John Paul 80 (PHD in Ministry), to draw up a relevant curriculum, and discuss issues for rural Pastors training for Africa and Asia.

Besides this, I need permissions from my local church in Uganda, and Trosgnistans Mission in Sweden. I need a team of facilitators, issues of International Bible College or University affiliations, to give an internationally recognized qualification. Most of these matters will be sorted out in Dubai shortly.

Thank you very much!
Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako
Executive Supervisor RTM
+256 772 475 720

Pruned to Bear More Fruit

Messages by Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako Posted on by

(2013 Recapped in Illustrations)

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.
(John 15:2)

One evening in May 2010, I saw quite healthy oranges by the roadside on my way from Soroti. The site was irresistible that I pulled by the side and bought a couple fruits. But the sales man also had the seedlings of the same variety of oranges on sale. I reluctantly bought just one seedling. When I got home in Jinja, I remembered to plant it in my compound.

The tree is hardly 4 years old and slightly shorter than me in its overall height but has put forth 230 orange fruits. It had taken me quite long to notice it, but one morning I noticed it with a lot of excitement and love for my lovely orange plant. My friend and neighbor, Paul is an agricultural expert with Bsc. Agriculture.

When I introduced my lovely tree to my friend, I expected him to praise my agricultural attempts. Instead, I received criticism for not pruning the plant in time. He assured me of poor quality (small) orange fruits. Pruning would have given me even more fruits with better quality ( bigger ) fruits.

Pastor Isaac and his lovely orange tree at home

Pastor Isaac and his lovely orange tree at home

The criticism from my friend reminded me of a popular scripture in the Bible about “Pruning” in John 15:2 above.

I can remember year 2013 for two major things; the fierce challenges and the harvest of revival meetings. The two flow together. There can never be any significant fruits minus tangible resistance.

The contrary winds lift up the aircraft. I hunted birds during my childhood. It is a common experience that whenever a bird senses danger, it immediately changes direction contrary to the winds to gain rapid altitude. Similarly, contrary circumstances push us higher spiritually, and Make the Man of God!

Resting in the Lord

Messages by Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako Posted on by

Sunday Message – Jinja Pentecostal Church

29th September 2013 – Sermon by Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako
(attended by 307 people)

Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako ministering in teaching

TEXTS: Psalms 131:2 “Surely I have composed and quieted my soul, like a weaned a weaned child within me.”

Psalms 37:7 “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him. . . .“

Mathew: 11: 28 ““Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest, . . . . .Take my Yoke upon you and learn from me. . . . You will find rest for your souls.”

THEME: Resting in the Lord

INTRODUCTION:

To rest in the Lord, or to be rested in the Him, implies a total surrender, trust and faith in God to solve a given challenge. It means that the problem, not only exists, but it is beyond your capacity to handle it. It also implies that you do nothing of your own to try to resolve it, but wait upon the Lord to show you the way forward.

There is a true story I came across many years ago that illustrates the principle of relaxing your efforts and completely depending upon God.

There was sports man who never believed in the existence God. He was a staunch Atheist who never believed in miracles or the existence of a supernatural power. One day, as he was mountaineering (climbing mountains was his area of specialty), he stepped on a loose rock and tumbled from a very great height.

Pentecostal Assemblies of God congregation at Jinja

Fortunately, he caught a firm protruding cliff and remained hanging on it. Down below him, probably a couple thousand feet, were a cluster of sharp rocks waiting to crush him.

There seemed be no way of survival: He could not stay in a hanging position forever. This man remembered what they used to tell about a miraculous God, in whom he never believed. Now he prayed, saying, “God if you are there, please save me, and I will serve you the rest of my life.”

A voice, replied saying, “I am God; I can save you, on one condition – that you release that rock cliff you are hanging on.”

He replied saying, “God, if I release this cliff, I will crush on the rocks below and die.”

God repeated, “The only condition is for you to remove your hands from that rock first.”

Finally, he said, “At your word am I am leaving this cliff.” He released the cliff, and the fall was so gentle as if the was using a parachute: he landed gently on the rocks below him without any harm or pain.

Our human solutions, worry, and the backlog of other human efforts inhibit God’s activity and obscure God’s miracle. God is delighted in taking full charge of everything that we cannot do, so that He magnifies Himself, as God, the El-Shaddai. God’s profound interest is that, His children get to know him intimately and deeply. Difficult situations He allows in our lives are better opportunities for us to know Him.He prefers to work out things as we patiently and restfully wait for Him (Isaiah 64:4).

Many times, I have been misled by a demonic version of this principle of waiting and resting on God. The demonic version says, “Pray while running,” implying that when you are struck by great difficulty, rely not on God alone, but use your effort to help God solve the problem.”

I see this quite contrary to the Scriptures, which clearly states that God helps the helpless. (Isaiah 40:29, Proverbs 3: 5-6).

God is known to bring us to our wits end first. Have you ever been to your wits end? The Bible tells us, “They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.” (Psalm 107:27). I love this Hebrew phrase. Biblical scholarship says “at their wits’ end” literally means: “all their wisdom and skill are swallowed up.” This makes sense because
the passage is referring doing business in great waters, God’s wonders in the deep, the raising of the stormy wind and waves, their soul suffering emotional “melt down,” until finally coming to their wits’ end. (Psalm 107:23-27). The Psalmist is saying, all my wisdom and innovative ideas for escape are being swallowed up like a water spout sucking everything into its black, watery hole along with my ship!

BODY:

There are two basic truths leading to a rested life in Christ. Living a rested life in Christ does not imply absence of physical activity, but emotional tranquil, that arises from absolute confidence in the Lord’s word amidst great turmoil.

1. Understanding our relationship as “sons” and “daughters” and not “slaves” in the kingdom (John 1:12)

In Christ, we belong to a family of God, and heirs together with Christ (Romans 8:16-17). We are described as members of the Kingdom of Priests, and a royal Priesthood (1Peter 2:9). We come from backgrounds where we are accepted on behalf of our works. So we work hard in order to be accepted by our parents. This is not the case with God. He loves and has accepted us on the basis of our faith in His son Jesus Christ. What we do, we do alongside Him, as part of a family assignment, but not to earn acceptance.

God has assigned the earth to Mankind (Psalms 115:16). Our first ministry is to the Lord. From the overflow of that worship and obedience and acknowledgment of our dependence on Him (Christ, who is our life) comes our ministry to others. To reverse the order is to rob ourselves of freshness, vitality and effectiveness – regardless of how well-intentioned we may be. We are a kingdom of priests. Not independently, but in unity, though we all have different gifting, callings and expressions of the life of Christ through us.

One of the Names for the Lord Jesus Christ is “King of kings.” Notice that He is not just the King of subjects. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. This doesn’t merely mean that He is the King that is better than all the other kings (though of course that is true). He is the King Who reigns over all the “little k” kings. Who are these “little k” kings?

I am! You are, if you are a born-again believer in Jesus! We are given the opportunity (and responsibility) of ruling and reigning “on the earth” with Him! Everywhere we go, we are ambassadors of the heavenly Kingdom. We carry heaven with us and fulfill the original mandate given to Adam and Eve to “…be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it.” In other words, we are to advance the agenda, the Kingdom of our Father God! We are a Priesthood of Kings! From our attitude and posture of humility, worship and delight in caring about those people and things that are on the Heart of God, we have been privileged by grace to partner with the Almighty!

Again, in Romans 8:22: “The entire creation groans and travails together in pain until now waiting for the unveiling of the sons of God.” God’s greatest goal is not to get us to heaven, but to get heaven into us and through us to His world, to conform us to the image of Christ! Arise and shine kings and priests of our God for your Light has come, and the glory of the Lord has arisen upon you.

2. The scoop of God’s love: God’s love is infinite in greatness, and therefore can meet all our needs (Romans 8:32)

Jesus says, “look at the birds, look at the grass: God takes care of them. Aren’t you more important than a bird? God is going to provide.” Now, that doesn’t mean that we don’t have to work. Obviously we do. The birds have to gather all their seeds, and make their nests, and do other bird chores, whatever those are, but they don’t worry about it. When was the last time you saw a worried bird, wringing its little wings in worry? You never see that.

Again, many times; we view God and rate Him according to the experiences from our totally limited and imperfect human parents. But God also deals with us as a father or mother deals with their children. He prunes us (John 15:2. The word, “prune”  is an agricultural term  meaning removal of unnecessary leaves and branches from a plant with the intention of obtaining maximum fruits. A lot of plant sap can be wasted on branches and leaves that could have been converted to more and better fruits. In the similar way, a Christian’s vital life could be used on less profitable ways if some things are not cut off. God removes outgrowth  in a person’s life in order to make them more suitable and available for his service. This process is likely to be hurtful and detestable, but finally beneficial. This does not reflect God’s hatred or incapability. At the end of the divine course, we are able to appreciate it.

Another area often misunderstood is God’s training: Training is God’s responsibility to ensure that His children and servants understand and know Him. Knowing and understanding God is more important than the service rendered unto Him (Jeremiah 9: 23-24). It is important to study the Bible and acquire knowledge of the Bible, Leadership and Theology from seminaries, but that does not guarantee the quality that God desires to achieve in the life of a person He intends to make use of. Real divine training is in the furnace of affliction, as prophet Isaiah puts it (Isaiah 48:10). We learn practical lessons of love, endurance, forgiveness, trust etc., through hard and painful times. A miracle would not be valid unless God has brought one to the end of himself (the wits end).

King David seems to imply the same scenario of intense challenges as a means of understanding God’s statutes (Psalms 119: 71). Another area is Discipline (Hebrews 12:3-11). In God’s kingdom, there is order, purity and spotlessness. As we strive to walk with God, human nature is constantly in opposition, and occasionally infiltrates, making us susceptible to error. We grow progressively into Christ-likeness, and along the way, both accidental and deliberate errors are made. Obviously as any loving father does, He makes a correction. In human terms spanking a child in a mistake becomes inevitable. A firm hand of discipline is a parental responsibility, which a wise child would appreciate.

SUMMARY:

God delights in our rested life. Rest comes as a result of understanding our relationship with God as sons and daughters. A miracle happens through our faith, sometimes after taking an action based on the rhema. He always acts in His perfect timing, not my own. He will fulfill His promise, giving glory to His name. He makes sure that all my human input is rendered futile first so that I am not eligible to receive any credit and tamper with His glory.

As long as I try to make it happen, my effort becomes rather a hindrance and the vision remains unfulfilled for as long as I still keep trying. Only when all my different alternatives and efforts are exhausted and all natural hope is gone (reach the wits end) can God supernaturally move, fulfill His promise and bring glory to Himself.

I should not worry about the possibility of hearing from Satan in the same way that I hear from Him. It is easy to distinguish the voice of Satan from His, because Satan’s thoughts are consistent with his name and nature. He is the “Accuser”, “A liar”, “Angel of Light”, “A Thief”, “Adversary” and “Enemy”. Therefore, judging of my journeying should be based on the above and the Word.

In a similar way, the thoughts from the Holy Spirit are consistent with His nature, names and characteristics. His names are diametrically opposite to the one of Satan. The Holy Spirit is, “Comforter,” “Spirit of Truth,” “Edifier”, “Exhorter”, and “Teacher”. His words are always calming, soothing and consoling. The words will always come to me with gentleness and solace and full of grace, compassion and hope. They will lift my heart and bring a breath of life to my entire being.

One Day Leadership Seminar Message

Messages by Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako Posted on by

by Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako
Miracle Center – Jinja on 12th September 2013
(25 Senior Church Leaders attended)

leaders attending one-day seminar by Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako

TEXT: 1 TIMOTHY 1:3-4 “As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculations rather than further the administration of God which is by faith. (NASB)

THEME: TAKING CARE OF THE CHURCH OF THE LORD

INTRODUCTION: The book of 1 Timothy is a pastoral letter in which Apostle is instructing his son in the faith, Timothy to take care of the church at Ephesus. This letter contains practical instruction that can be applicable to the church of today. After release from his first Roman imprisonment, apostle revisited several of the cities in which he had the churches including Ephesus. He had to hurry to Macedonia for reasons not specified in scripture. However, he had to retain Timothy to continue with the corrections he had begun.

The city of Ephesus was in the present day Turkey in Asia Minor. The city was best known for the magnificent temple of a goddess, Artemis (Diana) which was among the seven wonders of the ancient world. The city was idolatrous and highly wicked.

The Church in Ephesus was probably planted by a devoted couple, Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18:18-19, 26), Paul visited them to strengthen the work there, and pastor the churches in Ephesus for three years. After release from Prison, he visited them along with Timothy and found three major challenges which he partly dealt with, and left the task to Timothy to continue dealing with the problem, as he headed for Macedonia. The challenges found at the churches in Ephesus that compelled the apostle to retain Timothy there to deal with were;

  • (i) False doctrine (1Timothy 1:3-7;4:1-3;6:3-5)
  • (ii) Disorder in church service (1Timothy 2:1-15)
  • (iii) Inadequacy of qualified leaders in the churches(I Timothy 3:1-14;6:6-19)

Note: Apostle Paul had initiated correction by strongly dealing with the problem by excommunicating (Putting under church discipline) two leaders who had drifted into false doctrine. The two were Hymenaeaus and Alexander who were apparently leaders in the church (1Timothy 1:20). It seems, the problems in Ephesus did not get completely solved because thirty years later apostle John warned them of forsaking their first love (Revelations 2:1-7)

THE THREE INPORTANT THINGS THAT PASTORS MUST PAY CAREFULL ATTENTION IN WHILE TAKING CARE OF THE CHURCH:

(1) Sound Doctrine

A pastor must know, and always defend, a sound Biblical Christian doctrine. Some people had crept in among the leadership in the church in Ephesus and started to divert the attention of people from the sound Christian doctrine and apostolic teachings: They had introduced the following false practices to divert and replace the true Biblical learning and growth:

(i) Myths: Is a story or a legend which is believed by many people to explain something but does not have any real proof. There were so many legends about God, death, Angels that were not scripturally supported. Every generation and culture have such myths about occurrences to try to explain things of distant past, which are not Biblically supported.

(ii) Genealogies: The study of the family history and the ancestry of an individual or people groups. This was time consuming without any value. The devil uses such strategy.

(iii) Abstinence from Marriage: A false teaching that advocates total purity is attained when one is not married. Some people, even today, believe that having sex with their rightful and legal spouses makes them less holy.

(iv) Abstinence from some foods: This was trying to take the church back to the Jewish dietary restrictions which were abolished during the Jerusalem council (Acts 15:6-29). Salvation by works has always been man’s weakness ever since the inception of the church. Today is the same; people thinking of an additional work to the Grace of God through the atoning death of Jesus Christ.

(v) Undermining Scripture ( a strange doctrine) and Holiness: Any other teaching which is not Biblically supported and undermines purity and holiness ,unity, liberty ,peace, humility etc. is strange and is from the devil.

False doctrines, also known as doctrine of demons, are teachings that try to undermine the faith in Scripture and Jesus Christ’s accomplishments on the cross, His deity as God, salvation by Grace, and not a result of human effort. The Pastors should keep alert to protect the gospel’s central truth.

The pastor must be well conversant with the sound doctrine, full of discernment and wisdom to identify in time, and combat falsehood that tries to creep into the church. He must ordain immature and tested people into church leadership. He must not be a compromiser fearing man. Unfortunately Apostle Peter was caught up in this weakness, but we thank God Apostle Paul who saved the situation by publicly confronting him (Galatians 2:14). Peter was inconsistent. He had stopped living according to Jewish customs because he rightly believed that God accepted him because he trusted in Jesus alone for his salvation. But he was forcing Gentiles (non-Jews) to be circumcised and obey the Jewish food laws. He was wrong. But that was not just a private error in his personal life; it affected many other people and got in the way of the simplicity of the gospel.

 

Private sin should be dealt with personally and out of the public gaze; but when error infects other people, a public rebuke is necessary. Was Paul brave or foolhardy in challenging Peter in that way? Neither! Paul was simply being faithful to the truth of the gospel and pointed out Peter’s inconsistency to cause others to see that Peter had not set the right example. Those who followed him were foolish too.

 

(2) Order in the Church

Another problem to be dealt with in the Ephesians churches was the order during church service. The church was marred by disorder, bitterness and confusion, and therefore necessitated immediate straightening. Apparently the following seemed to be happening during the church service:

(i) Women had hijacked leadership positions during a church worship service. I do not really believe that the Scripture restricts women from preaching. Looking at context in which this strong instruction was given, women were living self styled lives which, was a common practice of showing off with gold woven in the braided hair, expensive clothes, jewelry. Because the cultures of that time marginalized against women, the women abused the newly found liberty in Christ and over shot turning the church serves into a mess, and full of disruption. Paul was urging men to take leadership position during church service to avoid dissentions and bitterness in the church as a result of the behavior of women. Paul was dealing with a similar problem in the Corinthian Church 1 Corinthians 14:34- .There was confusion as church services were disrupted by prophecies, completions and quarreling publicly among women. Although, the concept of women preaching and teaching in the church is a debatable issue, the principal truths are that women must exercise some restrain in public gatherings, most especially in the church. This, in any way, does not demean a female sex, but taking full consideration of their nature as a weaker and intuitive sex.

(ii) Because women in the church were living self centered and impure lives of showing off in dressings and hair styles carrying the worldly practice of wearing indecently with the underlying intention of attracting attention in the church (1 Timothy 5:6:11-15; 2 Timothy 3:6) strong corrective measures were inevitable to protect the poorer women from self pity, and men from lust. Paul was concerned about a woman and their nature vis-à-vis church leadership. In the Philippians church, women who helped Paul to begin a church in Philippi (Acts 16:13) later on clashed, dividing the church into two functions over personal issues (Philippians 4:2-3). Women are easily inflammable, and less temperate and prudent than their counterparts, the men.

Unsuitability of a woman in leadership is corroborated by the sad story of mankind, when Eva usurped the authority of Adam and led him to violate the law by eating the forbidden fruit.

A pastor must know that an account is required of him from the Lord over the stewardship given to him, the church. Therefore, he must be with enough authority to bring sanity where things may attempt to go in an opposite direction. Apostle had been very strong, to warn, rebuke and administer discipline wherever it necessary. Fear and timidity is not for a shepherd of God’s flock.

Church discipline: The church operates in the spirit of love and not revenge. The offender must be shown their faults in love with the main aim of restoration first. When the person shows remorse, there is no need of subjecting the offender into church discipline, but forgive and restore (Mathew 18:15-18). Excommunication (handing the offender to the devil) is the maximum sentence to be handed to hardcore, stubborn sinning brethren. Otherwise preliminary forms of disciplines do exist, and can be administered appropriately such as:

  • (i) Warnings (Titus 3:10)
  • (ii) Rebuke (1Timothy 5:19-20

    • (iii) Isolation (2Thes3: 14-15)

Note carefully that, you the restorer, do not also fall into temptation of hatred, competition and pride, but be in submission to the will of God always while dealing with a person caught in a trespass. (Galatians 6:1)

(3) Qualified church leadership (1 Timothy 3:1-7)

A church requires a tested and qualified staff ranging from pastors, elders and deacons (1Timothy 5:22; 3:10). The qualification meant here is not academic paper qualification, but proven character. Character, conduct and clear conscience are the pillars of church leadership and community approval. There are15 bible based qualification of a church staff:

(i) Above reproach or scandal: No valid accusation laid upon him either in a criminal case or otherwise.

(ii) A one-woman husband. This does not imply that singles do not qualify, but it simply means sexual purity with devotion to one legal wife.

(iii) Temperate: Behaving in a calm way in any situation.

(iv)Prudent: Sensible and careful while making judgments and avoiding unnecessary risks.

(v) Respectable: Considered by society as acceptable and good person.

(vi) Hospitable: A person pleased to receive guests; generous and friendly to visitors.

(vii) Able to teach: Ability to communicate the expound on the truth from God with the Spirit of Holy Spirit . This also includes counseling. This necessitates schooling but not limited to it.

(viii) Not addicted to wine: He must not be a drinker or the use of intoxicants such drugs, etc.

(ix) Not Pugnacious: Not having a strong desire to argue and fight with other people: Must be self controlled always.

(x) Gentle: Calm and kind. Behaving in a careful way and not pushing for recognition.

(xi) Peaceable: Not involving or causing arguments or violence.

(xii) Free from love of Money: contented in life, not craving to be rich. He is not suffering from the Love of the world (1Timothy 6:6-11).

(xiii) Manages his household well: He is on top of things bringing every one under control for Godly things.

(xiv) Not a new convert: He must have lasted in Christianity with proven experience and testimony.

(xv) A good reputation with outsiders: Must have unimpeachable testimony among unbelievers in the community.

Such men were rare in the church of Ephesus and are still rare in our days too.

( 4) Summary

The church of Christ is a very important asset in the sight of God. It cost God His own Son Jesus Christ to die in the cross to purchase it. It drew the Holy Spirit to dwell on earth to support it, till He hands it over at the rapture. God wants the church to conform to His nature of Holiness, love and united. Pastoral work is a stewardship given to an individual who must give accountability. Therefore, vigilance, discernment and God’s authority must be operational. Pastoral work is not for jokers or money minters. A church is not a commercial enterprise or employment base for job seekers. It is for men with a clear calling, fully trained with proven Character, conduct and clear conscience. Playboys and jokers should find some thing else but not the church of Jesus Christ, Amen!

No Blog Post for 3 Weeks

Messages by Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako Posted on by

Praise God!

Warm greetings in Jesus Name!

I am here sending an apology. There will be no new message in the blog for three weeks because I will not be doing ministry (preaching) as we are busy preparing for a national church leaders’ conference for two weeks, beginning next Monday, 22nd July 2013. We have chosen to hold it in our base (RTM Property), 4 Km from Soroti town, off Mbale-Soroti Highway.

It is our intention to develop this place into a training center.

We also need your prayers for many things which are still lacking.

Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako

Sunday Message – Jinja Pentecostal Church

Messages by Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako Posted on by

30 June 2013 – Sermon by Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako
(attended by 320 people)

TEXT: 2Corithians 8:1-5 “Now, brethren we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given to the churches of Macedonia that in great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality, for I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of saints, and this not, as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. (2 Corinthians 8:1-5 NASB)

THEME: The Anemic Churches

Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako preaching in Jinja Pentecostal Church - June 30th

INTRODUCTION: Macedonia was an impoverished region of Northern Greece. Apostle Paul was referring to the churches at Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea. This region was ravaged by many wars, and suffered the Roman policy of heavy taxation to keep the residence absolutely poor and submissive.

In spite of their suffering and severe economic depravity, people gave beyond their means to meet the needs of others whom they believed needed more help than they did.

The Macedonian people were selfless, having given their lives to the Lord first. They gave freely within and beyond their means. God does not set limits on our giving but expects people to give liberally. God’s people should not give under compulsion, manipulation, coercion or intimidation.

The Jinja Pentecostal Church on Sunday June 30th

Money is the blood (life) of the church. Without money, the church is likened to an anemic person. Anemia is described as condition when the number of red blood cells or concentrations of hemoglobin are low. Hemoglobin is a protein (metalloprotein) inside the red blood cells that contains iron and transports oxygen. Some of the characteristics of anemic persons are, easily fatigued and loss of energy, shortness of breath and headache, particularly with exercise, dizziness and insomnia. Such a person is considered a patient and is not worth to perform his or her duties effectively.

The purpose of a local church in a given locality: It is important for each believer in Christ to be part of the local church where he or she is nurtured and gets involved in building the body of Christ. God has two basic reasons for any local church in a given location. Each of the two reasons requires material resources (money). Without sufficient resources, the local church is rendered non-functional, redundant, or half-dead.

(i) Reason One: The local church functions as the arm of the Lord to meet the needs of the poor. The poor must be clearly identified and separated from the Lazy, who dread work, (Proverbs 6:6-11).

From the inception of the church after the descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, the Church immediately faced the dilemma of the poor. They did not simply ignore it, but worked out the solution of the problem, (Acts 6:1-5).

The poor should be top priority in any local church community. When Paul was coming to ministry, Pillars of the Church, (Peter, John and James) tried to caution him of the noble task of caring for the poor. Paul and Barnabas needed no reminder because the Lord had already revealed that to them, (Galatians 2:9-10).

From the beginning of the nation of Israel, God had given very clear laws and policies regarding the poor and the vulnerable in their communities. Such policies as gleaning were meant to benefit the poor. What is amazing is the day of final judgment of mankind. The Lord will consider the physical services rendered unto the poor as a criteria for deciding (Mathew 25:31-36).

Some people have begun churches as an income generation and call them their religions. I always joke with them to find out if their religion has met the Biblical standard of James 1:26.

Apart from the constant poor, there are natural catastrophes such as famine outbreak, conflict, earth quake and mudslides, floods, tornadoes, etc. In an event of such occurrence, immediate intervention is expected from the church first. These would require prayer, then intervention with material resources. As James puts it, practical faith is louder than professed faith devoid of action. (James 2: 14-20).

(ii) Reason Two: To win souls and make disciples for Jesus Christ. Evangelism and discipleship is a key factor in the existence of the church; that is the essence of the Great Commission (Mathew 28:18-20). The disciples were instructed to remain in Jerusalem waiting for the promises of the Holy Spirit to enable them have power to be witnesses of Jesus Christ throughout the whole earth, (Acts 1:8). The gospel has to reach the people. Some one has to take the gospel, and that some one must be sent – (Romans10:14-15). Besides taking the gospel, the believers have to be fed constantly in the Word and guided through counseling. All these are Biblically entitled to support. (1Corinthians 9:13-14, 1Timothy 9:13-14).

The Local Church Revenue Sources: If the local church has to fulfill her obligations above, then it has to have revenue sources as well as clear administration of the resources. This enhances confidence among the donors (congregation). Just like any institutional donor agency, accountability and effectiveness in dealing with money is a prerequisite to continuous flow of funding.

Biblically Clear Revenues are:

(i) Regular Offerings: These are thanksgiving offerings brought to God regularly each time there is a church meeting or fellowship. It is a love offering which should be given cheerfully as part of the worship to God, as directed to Israel not to appear before Him empty-handed. (Exodus 23:15, Dueteronomy 16:16-17). It should really be without blemish, (Exodus 12:5; Leviticus 19:3, Numbers 6:4).

(ii) Designated Offerings: This is not a permanent offering, but short term to meet a specific need, and there after it stops. It could be a response to emergency humanitarian need, or anything that need immediate intervention. Moses did fund-raising for specific projects given by God, (Exodus 25:1-9; 35:4-9). Again, in most communities in Africa, the enemy has hijacked this area of special offerings for elaborate marriage and graduation feasts, with total negligence of the poor, sick and vulnerable people.

(iii) Tithes (10%) of all Incomes. Although this is not a condition for salvation, many church leaders try to intimidate people into paying it. Tithing is Biblical, an expression of acknowledgment of God as the provider, (Malachi 3:8-12). This message was for Israel in their time of economic distress. I believe it is quite applicable to the church as well. There is tremendous blessing in correct tithing. By all means, if the tithe giver is in great need, the tithe may be borrowed from God and paid with interest of 20% (Leviticus 27:31). Tithes were taken to store houses, which in our case is to the church, not to an individual. Tithes supported the Levites and, the poor. Today the gospel ministers are not the exact parallels of Leviticus priests who must depend on the church entirely. Paul set an example of tent-building, which is a honorary example to Church ministers to work and earn a living somewhere else, (2Thessolonians 3:6-15).

(iv) First Fruits: Israel at that time was predominantly an agricultural economy. Every first fruit was to be given in honor of the Lord, (Proverbs 3:9-10). I believe this can be worked out even in a cash-income-earning community. Some people have devoted their entire first earning in honor of the Lord. This, however, should not be taken as a law, but the people who do it, should be allowed freedom to do it without compulsion, purely as loving honor to the Lord their God.

Management of Church Resources: One of the chief causes of lack of funds in many churches is because people have lost the morale of giving, due to poor management of resources and absence of transparency. In such cases, financial systems are quite opaque and only beneficial to the Pastor. Such churches seem like an economic enterprise for an individual. Deacon board or church eldership may exist, but dance to the tune of the pastor and members of his family. I believe this is not the function of the gift of administration mentioned in the Scriptures, (2 Corinthians 8:16-24, 1Corinthians 12:28).

I believe it is wise for the head of the church to concentrate on core spiritual matters, such as preaching, teaching, counseling, prayer and leave direct handling of financial resources to trusted people with a gift of administration, the way the early church apostles saw it. (Acts 6:2-5) .Administration of church funds should focus on Biblical areas, such as supporting workers (salary), the poor and evangelism.

By having some one else, rather than pastor, handle church funds, protects the pastor’s integrity, and boosts the confidence of church members. Administrative team need to give regular updates to the congregation of income, expenditure, debts and surpluses. Expenditure projections, budget and budget discipline are very crucial in administration of church funds.

Money is a very important factor in the church, for which a church leader must exercise restrain and live within his means, with much contentment. (1Timothy 6:6-11). Many times the devil has used this area of finances to break fellowships.

Summary: Money per se (by itself) is not evil, but very necessary for the operation of the church. A church with sufficient income is likened to a healthy person who is capable of work.