Rev. Dr. A. A. Obe (JP)
April 23, 2023
THE IMPORTANCE OF MEDIA IN THE CHURCH
TOPIC: THE IMPORTANCE OF MEDIA IN THE CHURCH
TEXT: Rev 3:7-13; Rev 1:1-2; Rev 2:1,8,12,18; Rev 3:1,7,14; Rev 4:1-2; Rev 5:1-2; Galatians 1:1-2; 1Corinthians 1:1-2; 2Corinthians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1
Rev 3:7-13 – 7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev 2:1 – 2 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
Rev 2:8 – 8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
Rev 2:12,18 – 12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
Rev 2:18 – 18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
Rev 3:1 – 3 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
Rev 3:7 – 7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
Rev 3:14 – 14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Rev 4:1-2 – 4 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
Rev 5:1-2 – 5 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
Galatians 1:1-2 – 1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
1Corinthians 1:1-2 – 1 Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their’s and our’s:
2Corinthians 1:1- 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
Ephesians 1:1 – 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Definition and Introduction:
Media plays an important role in the church because it gives publicity and information through the use of radio, television, adverts, handbills, posters flyers. Other Social media methods we use are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, telegram, media live streaming etc. Thus it creates awareness and serves as an invitation and way of information to many.
What is the Importance of media?
1. Media can help us convey our ministry vision.
“…if you can take your vision and strategically communicate it to your audience on social media, then people may want to help you accomplish that vision”
2. Churches can amplify ministry-related conversations to involve our community.
“Broadcasting information but not engaging in conversation is like holding up protest signs in a public place but never speaking to the people around you…”
3. Media can bring our own Church community closer, including our Church leaders.
“Media offers much more space for congregations to actively engage with sermons by tweeting along, asking questions, sharing photos of church activities, or continuing discussions throughout the week, not just on Sundays.”
4. Media can help us reach people in need.
“Churches can create and facilitate “special interest groups in an effort to reach a specific demographic” or “focus on real-time online communication with people struggling with family-related issues.”
5. Media can help our church to network and interact with others.
“Media allows churches to connect with their members, as well as people who may not attend church. Websites like Facebook offer a free, easy way to promote church events and strengthen your community outside of Sunday services.”
6. Meida helps reduce physical & social barriers experienced by Church members like the restriction of going out or anxiety to be in a room with hundreds of people.
“Media is a tool to overcome some of the barriers faced by church members in forming and maintaining positive social relationships.“
7. Churches use Media to keep members up-to-date with events and other church-related topics.
“There is always something on the calendar. Create a shareable graphic for your next service day, class, youth event, or worship night.“
“Your church probably has some pretty unfamiliar words in their belief statements or faith doctrines. Choose one of those tricky words and explain its meaning, or point followers to more resources.”
What to note:
God chose communication methods (media ways) suitable and effective for the time and person in question, for example:
1. Face to face with Adam and Eve – Genesis 3:8
2. In the form of an angel for Abraham – Genesis 18:1-3
3. In dreams and visions for Joseph – Genesis 37:5
4. With a burning bush for Moses – Exodus 3:1-9
5. The sound of a voice and appearance of a dove for the witnesses of Jesus’ baptism – Matthew 3:13-17
6. Tongues of fire for the Apostles – Acts 2:3-4
All God, all communication, but the methods (Media) were different based on the need of the hearers and the message in question. For example, God speaks of the future to Joseph in a dream. Moses’ doubts are overcome by the dramatic appearance of a burning bush – a dream would not have sent him back to face the Pharaoh. Tongues of fire confirm the anointing of the Apostles with the Spirit of God in a dynamic way.
The Bible demonstrates that even God uses various “Medias” in order to communicate with man. These Medias (burning bush, dreams, tongues of fire, etc.) are always well suited to the time and needs of the hearer.
Conclusion:
Media has always been the catalyst for change in culture. It is our desire to influence the masses for Christ. With media we can spread the message of God’s love to the ends of the earth. We use media for evangelism, discipleship, and Church planting.
The appropriate use of the social media for evangelization facilitates a fruitful encounter between the “Gospel” and “Gossip” in the world. It is an encounter between the Good News and the many fake news meant to manipulate multitudes especially the young ones.
Rev. Dr. A.A Obe