The God who Opens Doors

Over and over of again the Bible talks of the God who opens the door and you can read it in the following passages :

Revelation 3:8  See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.
Acts 14:27 On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

1Corinthians 16:9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

2 Corinthians 2:12 Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me,

 Colossians 4:3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

Passages like this make us to trust in God and depend on the Holy spirit as we proclaim the gospel even in the midst of crisis and oppositions.

The above verses are true of us. W we have seen Him opening doors for us in Nairobi. I remember some time back a pastor told me in his office that you are only fit to work in rural areas but not in towns. My answer to him was yes, and for many reasons. For one I was born and raised in a rural area. I went to high school in a place refereed to then as the hardship area North Eastern Province. For many years I preached in rural areas not knowing how we would survive day to day. We certainly did not have enough funds to start Church.

This statement reminded me of what Paul said that who is sufficient for these things, and the words of Peter, that God is no respecter of persons. One of my teacher’s, the late Musila told us, “Don't wait for people to promise you that they’ll back and then you go in to the ministry, but just go, and the Lord will bring people your way as you continue serving Him.

When we went to Tassia we did not know any person there, but the Lord opened the door for us through Brother Nixon and his wife Modester. They allowed us to meet in their small school at no cost.  We met for three weeks without any person from outside, it was only my household. Thanks be to God who has opened a door for us! We now have over 15 people attending each Sunday to hear the Gospel preached to them. Even now we have a mid-week meeting.

The door is open here for evangelism. We have been doing door to door, distributing gospel tracts. God willing, next year we want to start open air preaching. If George Whitefield preached in an open air, then I don’t see reason why we cannot do it. This is an area where many gospel centered Churches in Kenya are weak. Yet the door is open, for there is freedom to worship in our beloved country. Please pray for us that we may use all means the Lord has provided to preach Christ and Him crucified. 

We are grateful to God for opening to us the door of ministry among children and high schools in Nairobi. At one girl's high school I preach the gospel once a month. Recently the Lord opened to us a boy's high school. Here I have the opportunity to preach twice each week. When I first preached at the school, I preached on why Jesus Christ died (I Peter 3:8). The deputy principal told me this is the kind of preaching we need; not telling stories.

By the grace of God, the Lord has brought to us a young man from one of our Church in Kisumu, and he is gifted in preaching. He has the right understanding of the gospel and he is a great help to our Church plant efforts here in the Nairobi Tassia area.

The Lord also opened for us a door to distribute Third Millennium Ministries  resources to many of the pastors in Kayole. Some pastors who visit with me to watch training videos at my house. God willing, we may be taking these resources to Eastern and Western Kenya, where some church leaders have developed interest in them. Personally I am studying Biblical Theology. I the past I have only had the opportunity to read about Biblical Theology, but now I am able to study it as a subject.

Dear brethren, pray for us. There is a need for more Gospel Centered Churches here in Nairobi. The people are many and gospel centered Churches are few. There are more “man centered churches” all over. The massage of God's free offer of salvation needs to be preached in every corner of our city until this hymn is fulfilled in our midst, "We have heard the joyful sound Jesus save, Jesus saves.”  We lack many resources, but as William Carey said, “Attempt great things for God and expect great things from God.”  

We too may tempt great things for the gospel of our blessed Savoir the Lord Jesus. Pray that we may stand and say like Peter and John at the temple gate, “silver and gold have we none but what we give unto you in the name of Jesus Christ rise up and work.”

Even among other Bethesda Baptist Churches the Lord is working greatly and we thank Him for the opportunities He is opening for us.

Those of you brothers and sisters who are supporting us in one way or another, may the God of all grace and mercy richly bless you. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement and standing with us for Christ sake.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Michael Otieno

I Bow to the authority of the Bible Alone and not evolution theory.

I bow to the authority of Scriptures alone  that Adam and Eve were actual Historical Person created by God :
Paul the apostle takes Adam as actual historical person [ Rom 5: 12-21, 1 Cor 15: 20-23].
 Paul is drawing a parallel between the one man Adam and the one man Jesus Christ. Also Christ is refereed to as last Adam [ 1 Cor 15: 45].
Therefore I am not ready to listen to other voices. Man is a creature of God and accountable to Him.

Federal Headship by John Calvin Rom 5;12-19.

This is also called representative headship.
[a] Just as Christ is the representative of all believers, Adam is representative of all humanity.

[b] As our representative Adam can sign  agreements on  on behalf of all humanity and the agreements will be binding just as an MP, President or King who sign any agreement on the behalf of the people.

[c] Similarly when Adam broke God's covenant we all broke it hence we are all sinners.

Are you a trusted friend?

Are you a trusted friend?

Here is one who can be classified as a trusted friend:

“The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he arrived in Rome he sought me out very zealously and found me (2 Tim. 1:16-17).

Some observations

When Onesiphorus  zealously sought Paul and found him.  Paul was almost alone. “This you know that all those in Asia have turned  away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes (2 Tim. 1:15).  Things were not easy this time around even one of his trusted friends abandoned him.  “For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world and has gone to Thessalonica; (2 Tim. 4:10).

He expected Christians to stand with him but that was not the case.  “At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook  me.  May it not be charged against them.” (2 Tim. 4:16).

Another thing which comes out clearly is that Paul was experiencing poor living conditions. He was in prison.  It was dangerous to associate with him.  This is seen by the fact that Onesiphorus “sought him out very zealously (2 Tim. 1:17). “For which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. (2 Tim. 2:9). “Do your utmost to come before winter (2 Tim. 4:21). 

The last thing I want  us to observe is that when Onesiphorus sought for Paul zealously until he found him Paul was anticipating death.  This time death was inevitable. “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering and the time of my departure is at hand” (2 Tim. 4:6).

Here see that Onesiphorus was Paul's trusted friend, in other words, a friend indeed.  He stood with Paul when he was almost alone, when Paul was in prison and anticipating death

Today many people are willing to be your friend so long as things are good and they can benefit from you.  My friend let me ask you:  Do you have a friend like Onesiphorus?  Or are you  capable of being a friend like Onesiphorus?

Let us know turn to the main points which shows that he was a trusted friend. 

(1)  He often refreshed Paul (2Tim. 1:16).

Paul must have been encouraged by seeing Onesiphorus at  this difficult time.  Onesiphorus refreshed the apostle Paul by his kindness, words of encouragement, brotherly fellowship and praying with him.  He encouraged him when he was low.

He paid special attention to him when others were running away.  Maybe he gave his substance as the women did to our beloved Saviour (Lk 8:3).  Paul needed refreshment knowing that he was in a poor living conditions and anticipating death.  Do you remember how Latimen refreshed Ridley as they were in stake during the reign of bloody Mary.  “ Be of good comfort, master Ridley, and play the man; we shall this day light such a candle by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out:.  We are encouraged to minister to the saints and this what we are seeing Onesiphorus doing. “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labour of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints and do minister (Heb 6:10).  This is not the first time Onesphorus is extending a helpful hand to Paul but he also helped him at Ephesus (2 Tim. 1:18).

(2)  He was not ashamed of Paul's Chain (2 Tim. 1:16).

Paul here uses the negative “not ashamed” which shows that he is emphasizing or stressing the fact that Onesiphorus was proud of him.  He rejoiced in the apostle even though he was in chains.  The literal meaning of chain must be included here because Paul was in prison (2 Tim 2:9).  Note how Paul stressed the word "not ashamed" in this chapter. Timothy is exhorted not to be ashamed (2 Tim. 1:8), Paul is not ashed (1:12) and here Onesiphorus was not ashamed (1:16). 

Willing to suffer, if need be for the sake of Christ, and His people is one of the mark of a true Christian.  Hear what the Bible says: “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Tim 3:12), “ These things  I have spoken to you that in me you may have peace.  In the  world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33) and “If indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified with Him (Rom 8:17).

This phrase, “he was not ashamed of my chain" shows that Onesiphorus was a man of noble character.  Chains normally reduce the number of friends.  For example if you are poor many will stay aloof.  The poor man is hated even by his own neighbour but the rich has many friends” (Proverbs 14:20).  The fact that Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul's chains filled him with thankfulness and joy.

May the Lord grant us His mercy so that our feet may be swift to help those who are persecuted for the sake of the gospel.

(3)  He sought for Paul Zealously (2 Tim. 1:17).

We have already seen how Onesiphorus refreshed Paul and that he was not ashamed of his chains.  Now we are seeing that he sought for him zealously until he found him.  There were three possibilities  for Onesiphorus when he arrived in Rome.

One he could have avoided getting in touch with any Christian in Rome and lived a quite life.

Two he could have met with Christians secretly.  Without seeking for Paul because it was dangerous to associate with Paul and even Christians knew this.

Three to boldly identify himself with Paul by visiting him in prison and searching for him diligently.  This would put him in direct confrontation with the Roman authorities.  To God be the glory because this what Onesiphorus chose. “He sought Paul out zealously and found him”.

Being Paul's friend was not particularly a good thing to undertake at this time.  If Onesiphorus was not devoted and loyal to his persecuted brother.  Yes Onesiphorus took extra trouble to find Paul.  Maybe he didn't know Rome, or because Paul was treated like a criminal it was not easy to find where the Roman authorities were detaining him.  Onesiphorus was not scared of dungeon, he sought Paul out diligently and succeeded in his mission.  We can see this in verse 17 “and he found me."

Onesiphorus is an example of a true, sincere, devoted and a genuine friend that is why he sought out Paul zealously and found him. 

Some lessons we can draw from this passage.

(1)  Christian should seek ways of refreshing one another.  If the great apostle needed refreshment how much more do we need it.  God Himself is a great refresher and encourager. Hear what the Bible says: “Blessed be the God and Father of Mercies and the God of all comfort, who comfort us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Cor. 1:3-4).  Dear friends the entire Gospel is the message of refreshment and we need to refresh  one another.

There are many people who suffer discouragement and they don't know how to handle it and we need to go to them and refresh them.  All God's people need refreshment or encouragement and therefore there is a need for us to seek those who are need and encouraged them.  “Do good unto all men, especially unto them who are o the household of faith (Gal 6:10; Mt. 10:40-43).

We can refresh others just by seeing them the way Onesiphorus did.  Some of you have been sick and you know very well how visitation by a brother or a sister can be refreshing.  My beloved one we can refresh others by having a spiritual conversation or discussion with them.  We can refresh others by encouraging them (Rom 12:8) and bearing their burden (Gal 6:2).

We need to be consistent in refreshing one another not only once or occasionally “he often refresh me” (2 Tim. 1:16).  May the Lord help us not to be tired of doing good”.  You know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus (1:18).

Beloved, we need to refresh the saints. We can give them hope and put courage in them.  I remember in early 1990s there was advertisement saying that with AIDS there is no hope and we went around encouraging our members and friends who were H.I.V. Positive that even with AIDS there is hope because Christ in you the  hope of glory and even if you die you shall live again because you are in Christ.

How we need to refresh those having terminal illness, our persecuted brothers and sisters, those who are reaching the unreached people and living in hardship areas for the sake of the gospel.  My dear brothers and sisters are we refreshing the saints?  Can any person say of you or me that he has often refreshed me.

(2)  We must not be ashamed of Christians who are persecuted, ridiculed, mocked and despised because of their firm faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Sin brought shame into this world and it is now possible for a person to be ashamed of those suffering for good cause and we need to be alert or on the look out (Heb 12:2).

(3)  We need to be those who are looking for those in need.  Onesiphorus took the initiative to look for Paul in order to refresh him and we must not wait for others to come out asking for our help but we need to go out look for who need refreshment.  For example in a congregation you may have a sister or a brother who have only one pair of cloth and every Sunday he or she comes wearing  the same dress, we need to help  them without them begging  for help.

Beloved we cannot do these things through our own efforts but the God of all grace and mercy alone can enable and strengthen us to do all these things for the praise of His glory.

THE HUMANITY OF CHRIST:Text: Heb. 2: 14 -18

Main Points:

1.      The Lord Jesus Christ was fully human: “He too shared in their humanity”.

The gospels tell us that the Lord Jesus Christ went through all the experiences that we as human beings go through: He was born, He grew up, He related to other human beings, He was thirsty [John 4: 7, John 19:28 and Luke 4:2 and hungry [John 4:6] and sad and joyful; He suffered and He died. These are all ordinary, human experiences and the Lord Jesus went through all of them. In other words these are human traits belonging to a person with flesh and blood.

Therefore we maintain that:-

The Bible clearly teaches that the Lord Jesus shared fully in our humanity (flesh and blood). Two important verbs are used in Isaiah 9:6 concerning our Lord first advent “is born and is given. Paul writing to the church in Rome said “Concerning His Son who was descended from David according to Flesh and designated Son of God according to Spirit of Holiness by His resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 1: 3-4).

Writing to Timothy he said this “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David; this is my Gospel (2Timothy2:8)

The contracts between Adam and Christ (Rom 5:12-21). Our Lord’s favorite title also shows  that He was fully man. The Son of man. “Jesus replied foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests but the son of man has nowhere to lay his head” (Mt 8: 20).  “ The Son of man came eating and drinking “ (MT 11:19)

ii.      Why did the Lord Jesus have to be fully human?

This passage gives us five main reasons why Christ had to be fully human.

1. So that by His death He could destroy the enemy of all human beings, i.e. the devil (v.14)). On the cross of Calvary, the Lord Jesus defeated Satan and bound him so that he should deceive the nations no longer (Matt. 12: 29; Rev. 20: 1-3)

2. So that He should free those who were all their lives held in slavery by their fear of death (v.15). We are born slaves of sin and that is why we fear death, we know that after death there is judgment and hell. But the death of Christ frees us from this when we come to trust in Him. For the saved person there is no fear of death.

3. So that He should be a merciful and faithful high Priest (v.17) the Lord Jesus Christ today is seated t the right hand of the father on high as our High Priest. He represents us to the Father and prays for us and intercedes for us. The nation of Israel sometimes had a high priest who was wicked and cruel (see Jn 11:49; 18:4) this passage tells us that Christ is not a harsh and cruel, but one who is tender and merciful. Also there were times when the high priest in Israel was not a faithful man (1Sam. 2:12 -26) But the Lord Jesus is totally faithful in His work. We will never fail to have a priest to represent us before God because He is faithful.

4. So that He might make atonement for the sins of His people (v.17). The word atonement means reconciliation. Sinful man is separated from God who is holy and just. There is no fellowship between them because man is sinful and God is pure and holy. But the Lord Jesus by His death removes our sin and guilt and makes us righteous before God. He restores us to fellowship with God by meeting the requirements of God’s holy laws. [Romans 5:10; Eph 2:16; Col 1:21; 2 Cor 5: 18-21].

5. So that He might help us when we are being tempted (V.18). The Hebrew to whom this letter was written were suffering for their faith and were being tempted to return to Judaism and to not remain faithful to God. The writer of the letter tells them that Jesus was tempted in the wilderness and in the Garden of Gethsemane to not remain faithful to God but to give up on His mission. But He overcame the temptation and completed His work. Now He is able to sympathize with us when we are tempted to give up and return to the world. He has all power to hold us and keep us and make sure that we complete the work God has given us, just as He Himself did. (Heb 4:15 -16)

  

ABOUT BETHSEDA BAPTIST CHURCH TASIA ESTATE IN EMBAKASI AREA OF NAIROBI COUNTY NAIROBI KENYA

The church is situated about six kilometers from Jomo Kenyatta international Airport and about 12 kilometer from the Nairobi town in Tasia estate east of Nairobi and where the church is a cosmopolitan area which is highly populated since majority of the people living there are working as casual laborers at the Jomo Kenyatta airport.

The Bible study was started early last year by Pastor Michael Otieno and who has been involved in the most of Bible studies in the area which has a very big population, first we started with one lady called Diana who opened her house for us, She was fallowed by Gladys, Esther and then Denis. Denis have moved to Satellite area and now is attending Injili Bible Church Kawangware which in the western part of Nairobi.

Later the Bible study grew to ten adults and many children from the area in attendance.

The church is hosted at the private learning center which called valley of truth learning center which has given the church two rooms to meet in every Sundays for free, one room is used for adults Bible study and preaching and the other for children's Bible studies and the main challenge is that the rooms are too small and squeezed and cannot hold more than ten people but we are grateful to God that we have somewhere to meet in every Sunday.

For the last six months or so the church has been doing Bible study on a book called Christian Basics by Dr John Hall and each and every person has a copy and the main aim of the Bible study is to make the people understand the major doctrines of the Bible. This will help people to know the true gospel at the word go.This book is very simple and easy to understand and use.

Sister Darla has talked with their Pastor and the may soon send to us a work book on the doctrines of grace which we intend to use in our Bible study immediately we are through with Christians basic by Dr John Hall. May God give grace to this dear sister who has a heart for God's glory.

The main aim of the fellowship is to bring reformed faith to those who have not heard of true gospel before and to reach those who are not saved with the Gospel that Christ receives sinful men who flee to Him as their only hope of salvation.

EVANGELISM

 Proper evangelism in the area can help draw people to come to hear gospel of truth and if we can target twenty this year and grow in number next year then we can say that reformed faith is reaching many and do pray for the pastor to get people who will be ready to hear the gospel and take it out to others who are needy.

We thank God for Injili Bible Church for providing gospel tracts which we have been distributing as we go from one house to another. We also thank God Sister Christie in the U.S. A who sent to us seven Bibles which we gave out to those who could not afford.

We recently receive over 4000 Gospel tracts from Brother Noah Beach which we are going to use in Evangelism.

VISITATION

As a fellowship we are hoping to do more of visitations and visit some of those who were with us last year but have not been seen for about two months and encourage them to come and hear the word and in this we need to work as a team

CHALLENGES

The church is situated in a populous area which we can call a semi-slum in Nairobi and there is a need for bible studies to be done at least three to two times in mid week and if tracts can be available for a one to one bible study can be of great help.

The room in which the church is meeting is too small and congested and if a more spacious room with good chairs can be at hand there the brethren may not be squeezed in the church however getting a sizable room need resources which is not available at the moment since the main aim for now is to bring people to hear gospel. The availability of room can also make it possible for mid week Bible studies and if are started at the beginning of the year can be of good advantage.

There is also need of more hymn books and Bible both Swahili and English to help in reading and knowing really what is required of a Christian.

RECOMMENDATION

We do look forward for your prayers for us as a growing fellowship that we may be able to reach the unreached with the true gospel and we call upon anyone who may have free time to come and help us with evangelism.

We also need those with the gift of teaching children Sunday school and singing to come and join us one day and help us to strengthen where we are lacking.(That a volunteer may come to help us with singing and teaching and door to door ministry  etc).

That the church may be able to find a more spacious place to host more than ten people to about thirty.

That we may work on the children Sunday school class and involve them with activities during school holidays and invite their parents during VBS and this may be an opportunity for contacts:

Church Neighbourhood

Singing

 

Singing

Nicodemus Studying the Bible

Diana and her son Joe.

Faith & Calvin.

Part of the congregation.

Part of the congregation standing.

 Diana and Nicodemus

Debra, Skidie, Joe & Diana.

Margaret, Faith, Calvin, Daniel carrying Debra.

Fred Otieno leading Bible study.

Neighbourhood.

COME LET US REASON TOGETHER SAYS THE LORD

PASTOR MICHAEL OTIENO

TELL 0724394422