Matthew 28:17-20

     Matthew 28:17 conveys a very powerful and engaging message to the church of today. It states “When they saw Him they worshipped Him. But some doubted” (Matthew 28: 17). Seeing Him, they worshipped Him. Could it be that one of our serious problems today is that we do not see Him? We see everything else but the resurrected Lord of glory who still stands in the middle of the church and all our circumstances. Psalm 46:5 speaks most eloquently to this fact. With great confidence the Psalmist affirms as he depicts scene of epic and apocalyptic proportions – “God is in the midst of her . . . God shall help her . . .” (Psalm 46:5). 

     I pray that we can not only feel His presence, but see Him again in our midst, working, moving and directing things on our behalf. Right in our midst He comes and stands, emphatically reminding the church again that “. . . All power is given unto Him in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18). May God always help us to remember this, especially in these urgent and cataclysmic times of the Now. We are divinely connected not just to the powerful One but to the absolutely, All-powerful, Supreme Majesty of the Universe, who was simply reminding us that united to Him and empowered by Him, there is no way we could lose or be defeated. Just the vision of Him in their midst cause the believers to bow in true worship and adoration and to go do His bidding. That same risen Savior is in our midst today (Matthew 18:20).

     Let it then not be overlooked that the church’s “Great Commission” is given in a context of worshipful adoration. More than anything else they found it phenomenal that He who was ignominiously crucified a few days ago, was now standing in their very presence not only charging and  commissioning them but also reassuring them of His daily presence as they launched forth. What a cause for rejoicing  as we move forward and evangelize! As they worshiped, He responded and revealed His immutable will to them – to go make disciples of all nations. It could be that the more we worship, it’s the more He will continue to send us, empower us and give us the authority to go forth and replenish our twenty-first century world with the knowledge of Him.

     May we never forget that we are the sent ones, endowed with apostolic power, to be not just a Caribbean church or an American church but to be the real catholic church that He designed us to be, reaching men and women of every nation, kindred, people and tongue. As we draw ever so much closer to the coming of the Lord, let us be urgently reminded that “mission” is not just an activity of the church, but it is the very heartbeat and work of God. We must keep in mind that should the church cease to be missionary, it is really denying the true essence of what the church should be. Is it really the church of Jesus Christ if it ceases to be missionary?

      As we continue to worship, we purposefully keep in mind that we have been irrevocably sent to win and reach as many as we can by all means possible. In this we cannot fail! This last-days catholic, apostolic church of Jesus Christ can only succeed and prevail as we worshipfully obey this unchangeable commission of going into all the world and discipling all cultures and ethnicities for Him. It is not optional, but mandatory. We worshipfully go! AMEN!

Leroy V. Greenaway
Regional Bishop – Northeast Region
 

October 17, 2020

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                                                          PLEASE NOTE

          In collaboration with our District Overseers, the Church of God of Prophecy submits to the wisdom of continuing to ‘Shelter in Place’ for the safety and protection of the flock. This is to be observed until further notice and the present virus is better contained. Should the need arise to meet, we are advised to meet in groups of no more than 10, while we strictly observe the protocols of social distancing, wearing of masks and aggressive sanitizing of our hands and surfaces frequently touched.

          Please let us patiently observe these practices to keep each other safe and alive. We are reminded that we are indeed our brother’s keeper. Stay home! Stay Healthy! Stay Hopeful! We shall soon get through this! Premature re-openings of our churches seem not to be the wisest way to go at this point. Let us continue to pray, caring for each other and staying connected.

Leroy V. Greenaway
Regional Presiding Bishop — Northeast Region