By Rev JOHN OKWII
Beloved in the Lord, this Sunday, October 11, 2026, I bring a message concerning the spiritual health of the Church, the integrity of our leaders, the future of our children, and the destiny of Nigeria and Africa.
Our subject is not intended merely to excite the congregation, but to awaken our consciences, expose false assurance and call God’s people back to holiness.
There is a difference between fire that illuminates and fire that destroys. The question is not simply whether fire is burning in the church, but who authorised it, what gospel sustains it, and what fruit it produces.
In Leviticus 9:23–24, fire came from God’s presence and consumed the offering on the altar, demonstrating divine acceptance. Yet Leviticus 10:1–3 records a tragic contrast. Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s sons and priests of Israel, offered unauthorised fire which God had not commanded. Fire that had signified acceptance became an instrument of judgement.
Moses reminded Aaron that God would be proved holy among those who approached Him and honoured before His people. The central lesson is that God is not merely interested in being mentioned in the sanctuary; He demands that His holiness be honoured there.
Scripture does not explain every detail of Nadab and Abihu’s offence, so we must not claim more than it reveals. Nor should we conclude that every sickness, bereavement or personal tragedy represents God’s judgement. The passage instead calls those entrusted with sacred responsibilities to examine themselves.
Across Africa, a beautiful house may conceal a weak foundation. Similarly, a church may have magnificent buildings, crowded services, celebrated preachers and impressive programmes while neglecting truth, justice, accountability and compassion.
We must not confuse a crowded sanctuary with a converted community, a powerful microphone with a prophetic mandate, or spectacular manifestations with God’s approval. The drum may announce a king’s arrival, but its sound does not make the drummer a king.
Strange fire begins when human ambition replaces divine instruction. Religious leaders may invent doctrines to protect their wealth, manipulate vulnerable people or present personal ambitions as divine revelations. Congregations may substitute entertainment for discipleship, superstition for biblical faith and loyalty to personalities for loyalty to Jesus Christ.
The problem is not cultural expression or modern technology in worship, but practices that contradict God’s truth and character. A river that forgets its source eventually loses its direction. The church must remain accountable to Scripture and the lordship of Jesus Christ.
We must also reject the assumption that every apparent manifestation of spiritual power proves divine approval. Scripture commands us to test spiritual claims and examine their fruit (1 John 4:1; Matthew 7:16–20). Emotional intensity, popularity and wealth cannot replace the evidence of Christian character.
The real test is whether believers love God, tell the truth, reject corruption, care for the poor and live under Christ’s authority.
The gospel, the human heart, the responsibility of the Church
After the deaths of his sons, Aaron remained silent (Leviticus 10:3). Scripture does not reveal his private thoughts, but the scene reminds us of the profound grief that spiritual failure can bring to families and institutions.
Many families today have suffered through religious exploitation, financial manipulation and leaders who betrayed their trust. We must not tell wounded believers that their suffering proves they lacked faith. We must listen, provide care and investigate wrongdoing where necessary.
Respect for religious leaders must never become an excuse to silence legitimate questions or conceal abuse. The tragedy of a fallen altar is measured not only by what happens to the priest, but also by the suffering of those who trusted him.
God’s patience must not be mistaken for permission. Dishonest leaders and corrupt institutions may prosper for years, but the absence of immediate consequences does not make wrongdoing righteous. Romans 2:4 teaches that God’s kindness is intended to lead us to repentance.
Individuals, churches and nations must therefore correct wrongdoing while correction remains possible. We must return stolen funds, apologise to those harmed and reform institutions that enable exploitation. The hunter’s failure to return does not mean the forest contains no danger.
Jesus warned His followers to remember Lot’s wife (Luke 17:32). Her story reminds us of the danger of looking back towards what God has called us to abandon. A person may leave a corrupt institution physically while continuing to defend its practices emotionally. Churches seeking reform must change their structures and conduct, not merely their slogans.
We cannot build tomorrow while remaining attached to yesterday’s destructive ways.
Jesus also compared the days of Noah with the unexpectedness of His coming. People continued their ordinary activities without recognising the seriousness of the moment. Today, people postpone reconciliation, leaders postpone repentance and churches postpone reform because they assume there will always be more time.
Yet Jesus taught that no one knows the day or hour of His coming (Matthew 24:36). We must therefore live faithfully today rather than be manipulated by speculative predictions. The farmer who waits for a flood before repairing his roof has misunderstood the warning.
Religious language can also conceal disobedience. Jesus distinguished between saying “Lord, Lord” and doing the Father’s will (Matthew 7:21–23). A person may quote Scripture while exploiting a neighbour, and a church may celebrate prayer while ignoring injustice.
Our daily conduct must agree with our public confession. Nigerian and African public life needs Christians whose convictions are evident in honesty, compassion, responsible citizenship and respect for human dignity.
We must equally reject prosperity teaching that exploits the desperate. Scripture does not teach that poverty is inherently holy or wealth inherently evil. It teaches that resources must be handled with gratitude, generosity and accountability.
The danger arises when prosperity becomes the ultimate measure of God’s favour, suffering believers are condemned as spiritually deficient, or religious leaders enrich themselves through false promises.
Repentence, restoration, the future of the Church
A sermon about judgement must also proclaim repentance and restoration. In Psalm 51, David asks God for a clean heart and a renewed spirit. In Revelation 2, the church at Ephesus is called to remember, repent and return to its first works.
Repentance is more than public tears; it requires acknowledging wrongdoing and changing direction. Individuals may need to confess and make restitution, while churches may need to correct false teaching, protect victims, restore misused funds and reform structures that enabled abuse.
National renewal requires justice, responsible leadership, honest public service and respect for human rights.
Forgiveness does not mean that every leader must retain office or every crime escape investigation. Genuine repentance respects truth, safety, justice and the consequences of wrongdoing.
The wise farmer does not merely mourn a poor harvest; he examines the soil before planting again. Churches must identify the causes of their failures and take practical steps towards reform.
A necessary word must also be spoken to believers wounded by religious abuse. Some have lost money, suffered humiliation or watched family members become trapped in destructive religious environments. Their pain deserves to be heard.
Yet the failures of some religious leaders do not erase the truth of Jesus Christ. Many churches preach sound doctrine, serve their communities, protect the vulnerable and hold their leaders accountable.
Where a religious environment is abusive or unsafe, leaving may be necessary. Wounded people should seek trustworthy support, qualified professional help and appropriate authorities where required.
When one well is polluted, we should seek clean water rather than conclude that water no longer exists. We must distinguish Christ from the misconduct of those who claim to represent Him.
The future of the church depends on the foundation it builds for generations to come. In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul explains that the work built upon Christ’s foundation will be tested.
What will remain when the music stops, the building ages, the leader retires and the applause disappears? Will there be disciples grounded in Scripture, families shaped by love, young people equipped to resist corruption and communities strengthened by Christian faithfulness?
A church’s enduring legacy is measured not merely by its property or influence, but by its faithfulness to Christ and the fruit of its ministry.
A tree is remembered not only for its height, but also for the shade it provides and the fruit it leaves behind.
We must invest in sound teaching, responsible leadership, youth discipleship, family support and practical compassion. Nigeria and Africa need communities that demonstrate truth, holiness, justice, courage and Christian love.
Do not build a church that merely survives your lifetime. Build a faithful witness that guides generations after you.
Rev. Prof. John Brown Okwii, the
Serving Pastor, Assemblies of God Church, Hwolshe, opposite Model Academy, along Yakubu Gowon Way, Jos, writes via johnbrownokwii@gmail.com
I’m warned sir, very grateful I read