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Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.

Our mission is to equip young adults to discover and fulfil God's purpose towards achieving the kingdom mandate. Our core values are Vision Driven,  Integrity, Diligence, Innovation, Service and Godliness.
For I know the plans I have for you

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THE OFFICE OF A DEACON IN THE CHURCH 8_12.mp3

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The Office of A Deacon In The Church 

OTHER OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH 15 12 2020.mp3

Other Officers Of The Church

Weekly Bible Study 
Tuesday, 15th December, 2020

Topic: Other Officers of The Church.
Text: 2 Cor. 8:16-19.


INTRODUCTIONS
As we round of our study for this year, we shall consider today other officers in the church. In many churches today, there are other offices, such as secretary, treasurer, moderator (one responsible for chairing church business meetings), or trustees (in some forms of church government, these are people who have legal accountability for the property owned by the church). Moreover, churches with more than one paid staff member may have some staff members (such as music director, education director, youth worker, etc.) who are “publicly recognized as having the right and responsibility to perform certain functions in the church,” and who thus fit our definition of church officer, and who may even be paid to perform such functions as a full-time occupation, but who may not be elders or deacons in the church.


There does not seem to be any reason to say that these should not be offices in the church as well, even though all of them could probably be put in the category of either elder or deacon (most of those mentioned above could be deacons with specific responsibilities, or the moderator could also be an elder who simply moderates church business meetings). In the Baptist Church, the Pastor moderates the Church Council Meetings and the Church in Conference.


Nevertheless, if some offices seem helpful for the functioning of the church, there seems to be no reason why they should not be established. But when they are established, they must not overshadow the importance of the offices specifically named in Scripture, and that they must not have any authority that is not subject to the governing authority of those officers that are clearly named in Scripture. If significant influence or authority is gained by those who have offices not named in Scripture, then it is much less likely that people in the congregation or the office holders themselves will look to Scripture and find detailed descriptions of how they should act or how they should be chosen. This would tend to diminish the effective authority of Scripture to govern the church in the area of church leadership.


How Church Officers Should Be Chosen?
In the history of the church, there have been two major types of process for the selection of church officers—selection by a higher authority or selection by the local congregation. The Roman Catholic Church has its officers appointed by a higher authority: the Pope appoints cardinals and bishops, and the bishops appoint priests in local parishes. This is a “hierarchy” or system of government by a priesthood that is distinct from the lay people in the church. This system claims an unbroken line of descent from Christ and the apostles, and claims that the present priesthood stands as Christ’s representatives in the church. Although the Church of England (the Episcopalian Church in the United States) does not submit to government by the Pope or have cardinals, it does have some similarities to the hierarchical system of the Roman Catholic Church, since it is governed by bishops and archbishops, and its clergy are thought of as priests. It also claims direct succession from the apostles, and priests and bishops are appointed by a higher authority outside the local parish.


In distinction from this system of appointment by higher authority, we find in most other Protestant denominations, officers chosen by the local church, or by some group within the local church, even though the form of church government may vary from church to church. Since this is an area in which there is no absolutely decisive biblical text, we ought to be patient with some diversity among evangelicals on this issue. However, there are several reasons why it seems most appropriate that church officers (such as elder and deacon, and certainly including the “pastor”) should be chosen or at least affirmed or recognized in some way by the whole congregation:

In the New Testament, there are several examples where church officers were apparently chosen by the whole congregation. In Acts 6:3, the apostles do not themselves pick out the seven early deacons, but say to the whole church, “Pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty.” The initial selection of these men was done by the whole congregation under the supervision of the Apostles who gave the standards of those to be chosen. When a replacement was chosen for Judas to be numbered among the apostles, the whole congregation of 120 persons (Acts 1:15) made the initial selection of two, from whom the Lord himself indicated which one he would appoint: “And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias” (Acts 1:23).	 

At the end of the Jerusalem council, the whole church had a part with the apostles and elders in choosing representatives to convey the decisions to the other churches, for the choosing and sending was done by “the apostles and elders, with the whole church” (Acts 15:23; “in assembly,” v. 26).Moreover, when some of the churches sent an offering with Paul to be taken to the Jerusalem church, the churches also sent a representative to accompany Paul, one who, according to Paul, “has been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work.” (2 Cor. 8:19)

It may be objected that Paul and Barnabas “appointed” elders in every church (Acts 14:23), and Paul also told Titus to “appoint elders in every town” (Titus 1:5). Does this not seem more like the Roman Catholic or Anglican system than a system of congregational choice? Yet even those verses need not imply that the apostles alone made the selection, but could certainly include congregational consultation and even consent before an official appointment or installation was made (as with the appointment in Acts 6:3, 6). The word appoint may also mean “install.”

Another reason for congregational participation in the selection of church officers is that in the New Testament generally, final governing authority seems to rest not with any group outside the church or any group within the church, but with the church as a whole. The final step in church discipline before excommunication is to “tell it to the church” (Matt. 18:17). Excommunication, or the act of excluding someone from the fellowship of the church, is done when the whole congregation is “assembled” (1 Cor. 5:4), and is therefore apparently done by the entire congregation. One other consideration that is suggestive, but not conclusive, is the fact that the epistles that are written to churches are not sent to the elders or some other group of leaders within the churches, but are all written to entire churches, and the whole congregation is encouraged to read and expected to give heed to these epistles (Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1; 1 Tim. 4:13). This means that the apostles relate directly to the congregations, not to the congregations through the officers. If the entire congregation selects the officers of the church, there is more accountability to the congregation. Paul assumed some level of accountability when he provided for the fact that “two or three witnesses” could bring a charge of wrongdoing against an elder (1 Tim. 5:19). This accountability provides an additional safeguard against temptations to sin and excessive lust for power.


Government works best when it has the consent of those governed. This can also be seen in the Old Testament. (Ex. 4:29–31;1 Sam. 7:5–6; 10:24; 2 Sam. 2:4; 1 Kings 1:39–40) We also need to note the mistake of Rehoboam in 1 Kings 12:1, 15). These factors combine to indicate that although Scripture does not explicitly command one specific system of choosing church officers, it would seem most wise to have a system whereby the entire church has a significant role in the selection and recognition of the officers of the church perhaps through a congregational vote, or through some other process whereby congregational recognition is required before church officers can assume office.


There is room for wide variation but provisions could be made for election to limited terms of office, a requirement for a mandatory year of service (except for full-time pastoral staff members who are elders), a requirement for periodic reaffirmation of election, and a provision in the nominating process whereby nominations can be made by the members of the congregation even if most nominations come from the elders themselves. This would provide additional measures of accountability to the congregation without forfeiting any essential aspects of governing authority over the congregation once leaders are elected. These factors would also provide some arguments against a self-perpetuating group of leaders who are not subject to election or periodic reconfirmation by the congregation. Nevertheless, since there is no specific directives listed in Scripture, there is room for variation in the selection or election of leaders in the church.


Other Officers of The Church.

Weekly Bible Study 
Tuesday, 8th December, 2020

Topic: The Office of A Deacon In The Church 
Text: 1 Timothy 3:8-13

INTRODUCTION
The word deacon is a translation of the Greek word “diakonos” which is the Greek word for “servant” when it is used in contexts not dealing with church officers. Deacons are mentioned clearly in Philippians 1:1: “To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.” But there is no specification of their function other than to indicate that they are different from the Bishops/Elders/ Pastors. 

Deacons are also mentioned in 1 Timothy 3:8–13 in a more extensive passage:
“ Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for gain; they must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then if they prove themselves blameless let them serve as deacons. The women [or ‘wives’; the Greek (gyne) can take either meaning] likewise must be serious, no slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husband of one wife, and let them manage their children and their households well; for those who serve well as
deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (1 Tim. 3:8–13)

The function of deacons is not spelled out here, but the qualifications for deacons suggest some functions. For instance, they seem to have had some responsibility in caring for the finances of the church, since they had to be people who were “not greedy nor gain” (v. 8). They perhaps had some administrative responsibilities in other activities of the church as well, because they were to manage their children and their households well (v. 12). They may also have ministered to the physical needs of those in the church or community who needed help.  Moreover, if verse 11 speaks of their wives, then it would also be likely that they were involved in some house-to-house visitation and counseling, because the wives are to be “no slanderers.” It would do no good for deacons if their wives (who would no doubt also be involved in prayer and counseling with the deacons) spread confidential matters around the church. But these are only suggestions of possible areas of responsibility hinted at in this passage.

The noun deacon is not itself used in Acts 6:1–6, but a related verb (Gk. diakoneō, “to serve”) is found in verse 2: “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.” Here the apostles who ruled over the Jerusalem church found it necessary to delegate some administrative responsibilities to others. In this case, the responsibilities included the distribution of food to widows who were in need. It seems appropriate to think of these seven men as “deacons” even though the name deacon had perhaps not yet come to be applied to them as they began this responsibility, for they seem to be given tasks which fit well with the responsibilities of deacons hinted at in 1 Timothy 3:8–12.

There are other texts in which it is difficult to know whether the New Testament is speaking about a deacon as a special church officer or is simply using the word to refer to a “servant” in a general sense. This is the difficulty in Romans 16:1, where Phoebe is called a “servant” or a “deaconess” or “deacon” at Cenchreae. Because Paul’s requirement for deacons was that they be “the husband of one wife.” (1 Tim. 3:12), the translation “servant” seems preferable in Romans 16:1 (diakonos takes this sense in Rom. 13:4; 15:8; and 1 Cor. 3:5). In general, the verses on deacons show that they had recognized offices to “serve” the church in various ways. Acts 6:1–6 suggests that they had some administrative responsibilities, but were nevertheless subject to the authority of those who had rule over the entire church. It is significant that nowhere in the New Testament do deacons have ruling authority over the church exactly as the elders/bishops /pastors do, nor are deacons ever required to be able to teach Scripture or sound doctrine. Nevertheless, Bishops/Elders/Pastors and Deacons have leadership roles in the New Testament Church. The deacons are required to serve as assistants to the elders/pastors/ bishops of the Church. Probably, that is why the Baptist Church as a New Testament church holds that Pastors and Deacons are the two main offices of the new Testament Church. The Deacons are therefore next to the Pastors/Bishops/Elders in the leadership/government of the local Church.


Sunday Sermon 
Sunday, 6th December, 2020

Topic: The Extra Oil 
Text: Matthew 25:1-13.
Song: Give Me Oil in my Lamp.

INTRODUCTION
The parable of the ten virgins is one of the most popular parables of Jesus. In this parable of the Kingdom of heaven, the ten virgins were contrasted/divided into two by their characters i.e. “five were wise and five were foolish.” (vs 2) But let us note the similarities between them all. 
1.	They were all virgins and they had some knowledge of, and regard for the bridegroom, and desired to honour him by going forth to meet him as he led home his bride. 
2.	They all had lamps which at the moment were burning. 
3.	While the bridegroom tarried they all slumbered and slept. (v5) 

Not until his coming was announced did the difference between them manifested. In all outward things, the wise and the foolish virgins were alike; the difference between them was internal. To me what really differentiated them was the issue of the EXTRA OIL. (vs 4) NLT. They were genuine as far as they went; only they did not go far enough. The wise virgins carried extra oil while the foolish ones saw no need or probably cared less for it. The big question today is, do you have the extra oil? 

THE NECESSITY OF THE OIL
Oil is used for many purposes and in this parable is it used in connection with a lamp. However excellent an instrument a lamp may be, it is only an instrument. A lamp is useless without the oil.  No lamp is an end on its own just as the profession of Christianity is not its own end. Lamps are to give light for progress and duty and comfort. The trimming with fresh oil is necessarily to remove clogging from the wick. Therefore in the Christian journey;

1. Faith is a lamp; and yet faith may not save. It demands love which purifies the heart.(Jam. 2:26)
2. Knowledge is a lamp. It is only instrumental not its own end.
3. Experience is a lamp. But it needs the oil. 

The Holy Spirit is the oil in the life of the Christian. But our passage is not about the presence or absence of oil, but the need for the extra/reserve oil. Do you have the extra oil? Oil in Scripture, could also be the symbol of inward grace. It is what is required to make a successful Christian journey. It is that thing if you do not have enough, a good journey might end in regrets.  

From the parables of the ten virgins, whatever is merely outward in Christian profession is the lamp and light and whatever is inward and spiritual is the oil reserved in the vessels. The lesson here is that we need to be watchful and careful over the nourishing of our inner life. The foolish virgins were not hypocrites, but such who are easily satisfied with profession and become negligent with matters of the soul. It is what determines your failure or success when the waiting-time is over. All might be well now but can only continue to be well if you have the extra oil. The extra oil is not oil in the lamp, but oil in the vessels. How Jesus will find us when He comes depends on the “oil in our vessels.”

CONCLUSION
In the journey of life, you can never be too careful. You need the extra oil. The foolish virgins were animated by impulse, not by principle. Their religion did not go down to the lowest depths of their nature; it was a thing on the surface. It was like the seed that fell “upon rocky ground where it had not much earth,” etc. They commenced to build a tower, but without counting the cost (Luk 14:28). They fail to “add to  faith virtue ...” (2 Pet. 1:5-7) The truth is that character is a personal thing and is not transferable. It is in moments of surprise that a man’s true self comes out to view. Nothing will correctly reveal what is in a man, than the coming upon him of some crushing and unlooked-for crisis. 

Therefore, we must give allowances per adventure things  don’t go according to plan.  Our true  character is revealed by crisis and emergency. Our true religion is that which we command in the hour of trial. Therefore, having our lamp burning with oil is not enough, we need the extra oil, not to be disappointed, not to be disgraced and not to be downcast. The extra oil might mean extra effort, extra commitment, extra reading, extra hour, extra giving, extra work, extra income,  extra commitment, extra class and so on. 

For your spiritual journey, you need the extra oil. May the door of glory never shut against us. ( vs10) May the door of opportunities, the door of mercy, the door of hope, the door of promotion and the door of greatness be opened to us as this year ends. Those who have the extra oil will not have the door shut against them. The four tyres on a car are not enough, there is need for the extra tyre. Ensure you have the extra oil.  
Shalom.

Song
Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning. 
Give me oil in my lamp, I pray. 
Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning. 
Keep me burning till the break of day.


The Extra Oil

Seekers Breakthrough Service 
Wednesday 2nd December, 2020

Topic: SALVIFIC PRAISE.
Text: Psalm 50:22-23.

Songs
1. Almighty, God. Our Generation Shall Praise Your Name.
2. We bring our Sacrifice of Praise.


INTRODUCTION
We thank the Lord who has given us the grace to see the last month of the unusual year 2020. If the Lord has seen you thus far, I believe strongly He has not brought you into the 12th month just to abandon you. This month is our month of SALVIFIC PRAISE. No matter what you have seen in the first eleven months, I have GOODNEWS for you, in December you will see the salvation of God. God himself will show you His salvation. While I was asking Him what we shall do with this last Seekers Breakthrough Prayer Service, He said we should offer Him praise. And that is exactly what we are going to do this afternoon.  

The fiftieth psalm has for its theme the spirituality of all true worship. Asaph the writer of this Psalm reveals his imagination as he plays round this great theme. Asaph reaches his fine conclusion, that none but those who sacrifice thanksgiving, and dispose their ways aright, can truly serve and please the Lord. In our todays text, we find two conditions for seeing the salvation of God.

THE TWO CONDITIONS

1. OFFER PRAISE.
“Whoso offereth praise”, means he who truly honors me or a true worshipper of me. The Hebrew word here “zabach” rendered “offereth” is the same which is used in Psalm 50:14, and it means “he that sacrifices:” meaning, “he that presents the sacrifice of praise.” The Hebrew word for praise is “todah” which can also be interpreted “thanksgiving or sacrifice. The idea is that, the worship which God requires is his “praise.” It is not the mere external act of homage; not the presentation of a bloody sacrifice; not the mere bending of the knee; not a mere outward form, but that which proceeds from the heart manifesting a spirit of true thankfulness, adoration, and love. Praise therefore is the best sacrifice; a true, hearty, gracious thanksgiving from a renewed mind. It is the songs of redeemed men in the delightful ear of Jehovah. Sacrifice your loving gratitude and God is honoured by it.

2. ORDER YOUR CONVERSATION ARIGHT.
And to him that ordereth his conversation aright literally means “to him that “prepares” or “plans” his way;” i.e. to him who is attentive to his going; who seeks to walk in the right path; who is anxious to go in the road that leads to a happier world; who is careful that all his conduct shall be in accordance with the rules which God has prescribed. The Hebrew-“vesham derech”, that disposeth his way or manner of his life i.e. living orderly and according to rule. We must notice the two conditions of a blessed life here. Firstly, offer the sacrifice of praise-the fruit of our lips.(Heb 13:15) Secondly, we must order our behavior/way, aright. We dare not live haphazardly or just by chance. We must order our ways with prayerful deliberation. 

CONCLUSION
Our offering of praise will not be accepted unless it is accompanied with a conversation ordered aright. “Praise-giving is good, but praise-living is better.” There was a bird who lived in a desert, very sick, no feathers, nothing to eat and drink, no shelter to live in. One day a dove was passing by, so the sick unhappy bird stopped the dove and inquired "where are you going?" it replied "I am going to heaven". So the sick bird said "please find out for me, when my suffering will  come to an end?" The dove said, "sure, I will." and bid a good bye to the sick bird. The dove reached heaven and shared the message of the sick bird with the angel in charge at the entrance gate.

The angel said, "For the next seven years of its life the bird has to suffer like this, no happiness till then." The dove said, "When the sick bird hears this he will get disheartened. Could you suggest any solution for this." The Angel replied, "Tell him to recite this verse "Thank you God for everything." The dove on meeting the sick bird again,  delivered the message of the angel to it. After seven days, the dove was passing again and saw that the bird was very happy, feathers grew on his body, a small plant grew up in the desert area, a small pond of water was also there, the bird was singing and dancing cheerfully. The dove was astonished. 

The Angel had said that there would be no happiness for the bird for the next seven years. With this question in mind the dove went to visit the angel at heaven's gate. The dove put forth his query to the Angel. The Angel replied, "yes it is true there was no happiness for the bird for seven years but because the bird was reciting the verse "THANK YOU GOD FOR EVERYTHING"  in every situation, his life changed. When the bird fell down on the hot sand it said "THANK YOU GOD FOR EVERYTHING." When it could not fly, it said, "THANK YOU GOD FOR EVERYTHING" When it was thirsty and there was no water around, it said, "THANK YOU GOD FOR EVERYTHING.” Whatever the situation, the bird kept on repeating, "THANK YOU GOD FOR EVERYTHING" and therefore the seven years got dissolved in seven days. 

To such persons who will offer God praise and order his conversation aright, God will show His salvation which could be temporal, spiritual and eternal. The “salvation of God” means the salvation which God is the author; or which He alone can give. Our God is a lone wonder working God. (Psa. 136:4) God will not suffer you to wander away this month, but give you wonders to behold. You shall call Him wonderful as He shows you His salvation this month. Whosoever means it could be anybody. May it be you that will see the salvation of God. Amen. Shalom.


Salvific Praise

Sunday Sermon 
Sunday 20th December, 2020

Topic: ONLY IN CHRIST.
Text: 2 Cor 3: 12-18.

INTRODUCTION
Our golden Bible passage for the year 2020, our year of Increasing Glory is 2 Cor. 3:18 though the pericope begins from verse 12. I have no doubt that by now many of us have learnt this passage by heart. The topic of today’s message, “ONLY IN CHRIST” is a revelation I caught from 2 Cor. 3:14 in November on the first day of our Power Revival. Our guest minister read from the New International Version and as he got to verse 14, he read,  “But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away.” Two revelations I actually got here namely 
1. The reason why some veils could not be removed. 
2. The necessity for the veil to be removed in Christ only. 

No doubt a veil is an hindrance that prevents one from operating at the desired standards. 
May every veil hindering your glory be removed. Amen.

REMOVE THE VEIL
According to Paul, some Israelites still had their faces veiled from seeing the fading glory on Moses’ face. Today, many of us also have some veils hindering us from seeing the glory of God or fulfilling our divine purposes. Just as I said in a message earlier in the year, some of the veils we need to remove are veils of corruption, pride, tradition, lust, selfishness and so on. Each of us must ask, what is the veil that is hindering me from moving forward? The truth is that the only solution to the problem of the veil is its removal. The most dangerous veils are not the ones covering the physical eyes, but those covering the eyes of the heart. This Paul observed with the people of Israel as he spoke of the veil that covered their hearts. (14-15) 

The goodnews is that, “when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” Yes, it can be said of the Jews that a veil lies on their hearts. But the veil can be taken away only in Christ. Any attempt to remove the veil through any other means will be an effort in futility. Many of us have wondered why it is difficult to preach Christ to the Jews. This is because a veil lies on their hearts. Unless God does a work in them, they turn to the Lord and have the veil taken away, they will never see the fading glory of Moses’ covenant and the surpassing glory of Jesus and the new covenant. In the same vein, there are Gentiles who have “veils” hindering them from seeing Jesus and His work for mankind clearly. But Jesus is more than able to take those veils away. This points to the essential need of prayer in evangelism. Someone said  rightly, “it is more important to talk to God about men than it is to talk to men about God.” The truth is we should do both in missions and evangelism.

IN CHRIST ONLY
Definitely as the veil could only be removed in Christ, there are some other things that you cannot find no matter how you search for them unless you find them in Christ. Unfortunately some of these things people have looked for, all to no avail. No man is pitied like a man looking for something where it would never be found. Today, because of time, I want to mention just three things the Bible makes it clear that can only be found in Christ. 
These are

•	GENUINE SALVATION-(Acts 4:12 ) There is no salvation in anyone else, anything else nor anywhere else, but only in Christ. Only the blood of  Christ can wash away your sins says one of our hymns.
•	FREEDOM INDEED -(John 8:36) True freedom can only be found in Jesus Christ the   Son. True freedom from sin, satan and shame can only be found in Christ.
•	LIFE ETERNAL-(John 14:6) Eternal life is life with God. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. The true way to eternal life is Jesus Christ.

CONCLUSION
It shall be a great waste and a great loss to search for these in any other place or from any other person. Only in Christ. Do you need genuine salvation? Come to Christ for it. Do you want to be free indeed from your bondages? Only in Christ the Son of God. Do you want a place in heaven with the Father? Only in Christ. Just like the removal of the veil, just turn to Christ. ( 2 Cor. 3:16) Turn away from all others and turn to Christ only. Come to Jesus today and make no delay. He is also ready to save you. Do you need your veil to be removed? Turn to Christ only. Shalom.


Only In Christ 

Sunday Sermon 
Sunday 13th December, 2020

Topic: The Debacle At Meribah.
Text: Num. 20:1-13.

INTRODUCTION
 ‘The Debacle at Meribah’  is my own way of describing how a good journey could end badly, how a sweet experience could turn bitter and how a man destined to take God’s people to the promised was prevented from entering the promised land. My prayer for you is that your journey of joy will not turn sour in Jesus name. Amen. 
The journey from the land of Egypt, the land of bondage started well through the wilderness, the Red Sea, Elim-the place of 12 wells of water and 70 palm trees, (Exodus 15:27) Rephidim and Mount Sinai where they were given the Ten Commandments. 

After Mount Sinai, it was a galore of complaints, murmuring, dissensions and rebellion as the people moved from Hazeroth to the wilderness of Paran where spies were sent to spy the land of Canaan. (Num. 33: 5-36). But when they got to Meribah, there was a debacle. May your life journey not end in a debacle. Amen.

WHAT A TEMPTATION?
According to our passage, the children of Israel got to the wilderness of Zin and the people stayed in Kadesh where Miriam died and was buried. Because there was no water, the people gathered against Moses and Aaron  and questioned why he brought them out of Egypt.(vs3-5) Moses and Aaron then did what was expected of every leader in a time of crisis; they went into the presence of God and the glory of God appeared to them. God then told Moses to take the rod, gather the congregation and speak to the rock and it will yield water.(v.6-8) But Moses gathered the people, lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with the rod and water came out abundantly and the people drank.(9-11) But the Lord took an offense at his action and thereby barred him from entering the promised land. (12) The place of contention  was then called Meribah. May your journey to the promised land not comatose at Meribah. 

 THE THREE GRAVE ERRORS. 
One question among many, people have asked is what was the actual offense of Moses that prevented him from entering the promised land. Some have even asked why was it difficult for the Lord who had forgiven the children of Israel many times before to forgive just one misdemeanor of Moses. In my study of this passage, the sin of Moses was the sin of error. 
A man who was under the influence of the spirit of error on his first assignment for a Chicago newspaper as a rookie reporter drove the company car to a car-crushing plant, but parked in the wrong spot. He later returned from interviewing the manager of the car-crushing plant just in time to see the vehicle being compacted into scrap metal. The spirit of error when in operation, makes a man to commit blunder or mistakes that will make him regret later in life. A single error or mistake can lead to destruction, untimely death and loss of exalted position among others. For example, a mistake by a pilot on a flight or a surgeon on the operating table can cost the lives of many. According to our passage considering what God instructed, what Moses did and what God said, I could see three grave errors of Moses. These are, 

1.	PARTIAL OBEDIENCE. 
Moses had failed in strict obedience. He was told to speak to the rock, but he struck the rock though He gathered the people as instructed. This shows the danger of departing in the least jot or title from any law of God. Probably, he was misled by precedent which could be a perilous guide. Moses had struck the rock before by God’s command and probably he argued that what was right then could not be wrong now. (Exo. 17:5-6) But let us remember, that “circumstances alter cases.” A thing which is wise for one time may be folly for another. Obedience of yesterday does not cover for today. God desires daily and full obedience. 

2.	EMOTIONAL IMBALANCES. 
Though Moses was once described as the meekest man on earth. (Num.12:3) But here, He had shown temper and used hard language. He called God’s people rebels. (v.10) This points to the immense importance attached to temperate speech, the necessity of keeping a check on our temper and not letting ourselves be moved to hot and angry words. Even when we are pushed, we must watch what comes out of our mouth. He who is able to control his tongue is a master of himself. 

3.	SELF AGGRANDIZEMENT. 
The third error is that of self-exaltation. Moses had taken to himself the credit of supplying the Israelites with water even when God had said he will bring water for the people.(vs.10,8)But his error was that he took the glory that was meant for God. It was God that was bringing water for the people not Moses. God was using him to achieve His purpose and he must not take the glory that belongs to God. 

No doubt,  Moses erred. How often has his sin been repeated in our world today. There are errors of misjudgment, miscalculation, misrepresentation, misplacement etc. The spirit of error should be opposed and we must stop its progress as quickly as possible by persuasion and by prayer. We must beware of doing more than God commands as much as doing less. There are two opposite ways to sin namely, by defect and by excess. A child who in adding up a sum, makes it “come to too much,” blunders as completely as the one who made it “come to too little.” In the same vein, wrong-doing is possible spiritually by defect or by excess. We must not violate our duty as “followers of God,” by getting ahead of our Guide or by lagging behind that we could no longer see Him or follow in His steps. We must conquer the spirit of error be it that of impatience, self-aggrandizement, costly assumption or misguided precedence.

CONCLUSION
The summary of “The Debacle at Meribah” is that Moses did not attend carefully to God’s Word nor obey it, because he was angry. There was bitterness in his words. We must beware of the sin of anger. Galatians chapter 5 verse 20 tells us that “wrath” is one of the “works of the flesh.” In Proverbs 16:32, we are told that “he who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he that takes a city.” The more you conquer your sins no matter the deception, the more you will be growing like Christ. 

A Christian couple accidentally found their account credited with the sum of $120,000. Having consulted their lawyer, they took it as God’s blessings and went on a shopping spree. They purchased an SUV, a camper, and two four-wheelers in addition to paying off bills. Few weeks later, the bank discovered the error and told the couple to return the money. 

Unfortunately, the husband and wife had already spent it. They were then charged with felony theft. When the couple arrived at the local court, the husband said to a reporter, “We took some bad legal advice.” The two learned that following bad advice (and spending what wasn’t theirs) could lead to making a mess of their lives.  May your life be free from errors. Heaven will be full of conquerors. Rev 12:11 tells us how they conquered: “They overcame by the blood of the Lamb.” May you conquer by the blood of the Lamb. Amen. Shalom.


The Debacle At Meribah.

Midweek Sermon
Wednesday 9th December, 2020

Topic: Three Fold Blessings 
Text: 2 Cor. 13: 14

INTRODUCTION
Today, the topic for our meditation is “Three- fold Blessings” The Lord delights in blessing us. When our Lord was going up, He did so while blessing us. Luke 24: 50-51 When He got to heaven, He did not stop blessing us, He is at the right hand of God interceding for us. Heb. 7: 25, God delights in blessing us. The theology of blessing is not unique to the New Testament, in the Old Testament, God specifically told the priest how to bless His people Num 6:23-27 God wants His name on His own people.  

In our text today, Apostle Paul having addressed all the necessary issues in the Church at Corinth was rounding off and decided to pray for them. This is the prayer we read today. It is popularly called the Benediction, it was what we chorus sometimes and most importantly pronounced on us by our Pastor after our Worship Services. Many times we share this prayer thoughtlessly perhaps because we are tired during the service and we need to go home but it is so much important and that is why God is directing our attention again to this prayer. The last verse in the Bible is similar to this verse. In it, there are three folds blessing or prayers, the love of the Father, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the communion of the Holy Spirit.  May all these abide with you and I in Jesus name. We shall briefly examine these one by one. 

The Love of the Father
None of us is Fatherless as long as we have our Father in heaven. God is our Father and He loves us so much.  There are few things we need to consider about the love of our Father. 

1. Our Father’s love is incomparable. (1 John 3:1)  Is there anything that can be compared to the love of our God? The privilege of access into His presence, being the apple of His eyes? None. Indeed, it is God’s love that has helped us thus far.

2. Our Father’s love is eternal. Jer. 31: 3, Psalm 136, We are enjoying His love now, we will continue to enjoy it forever more. 

3. Love that passes all understanding Eph. 3: 19

The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
Our Lord is full of truth and grace.

1. The grace of God brought salvation to us by faith. (Eph. 2: 8)
2. It is unmerited favour. 
3. It is sometimes unsolicited - Look at the healing of the widow of Nain's son, she never approached Jesus but Jesus still met her needs.
4. The grace is able to make us who and what God wants us to be.
5. It takes grace to serve God acceptably. Heb. 12: 28



The Communion of the Holy Spirit
The koinonia is the fellowship. What Joy it is to have the fellowship of God Himself! When we have the communion of the Holy Spirit, we can never be alone and more importantly we can never be lonely. The Holy Spirit wants our friendship! We are His temple. He knows everything about everything

1. It is a proof that we belong to Him. Rom. 8: 16
2. There is joy in the Holy Spirit
3. He will reveal the deep things of God to us 1 Cor. 2: 10
4. He will reveal those things that are freely given to us. 1 Cor. 2: 12    
4. He will cause us to share His joy

CONCLUSION
There is no doubt that God’s love has brought us thus far this year. It is by His grace we have come thus far.  God be praised for the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. When God loves you, Rev. 3: 9, He makes people to know that He loves us and make the enemy to bow at our feet. May He do this for us and many more in Jesus name. He who Jesus loves is better than He who the Devil has made a king.   

Prayers
1.	Father, I thank You for Your love for me this year
2.	My Father, my Father, usher me into this coming year in your Love
3.	O God, Almighty focus your love specially on me in this coming year
4.	Let Your love abide with me continually in Jesus name.
5.	My Father, help me to always respond appropriately to Your love
6.	I receive grace to serve You acceptably in Jesus name
7.	Lord Jesus, let Your grace make ways for me in a special way in this coming year in Jesus name. 
8.	God of grace and God of glory, make me a carrier of your grace and glory
9.	Lord Your grace and glory abide with me in Jesus name. 
10.	Holy Spirit, fill me with Your joy this season and always in Jesus name
11.	Reveal to me deep things of God for a more meaningful walk with You O God.


Three Fold Blessings 

Weekly Bible Study
Tuesday 1st December, 2020

Topic: The Elder/Pastor/Bishop
Text: Acts 20: 17-19,28.

INTRODUCTION
As we continue our study on Church government, the next church office to be considered is that of “elder” called “presbuteros” in Greek. Although some have argued that different forms of church government are evident in the New Testament, a survey of the relevant texts shows the opposite to be true: there is quite a consistent pattern of plural elders as the main governing group in New Testament churches. 
For instance, in Acts 14:23 we read, “And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed.” This was during Paul’s first missionary journey, when he was returning through the cities of Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. It indicates that Paul’s normal procedure from the time of his first missionary journey was to establish a group of elders in each church shortly after the church began. We know that Paul also established elders in the church at Ephesus, for we read, “From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church” (Acts 20:17). 

Moreover, Paul’s apostolic assistants apparently were instructed to carry out a similar process, for Paul wrote to Titus, “This is why I left you in Crete, that you might amend what was defective, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you” (Titus 1:5). Shortly after a church has been established, once again we see elders being established in office, in “every town” in which there was a church. And Paul reminded Timothy of the time “when the elders laid their hands upon you” (1 Tim. 4:14).

James also writes, “Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14). This is a significant statement because the epistle of James is a general letter written to many churches, all the believers scattered abroad, whom James characterizes as “the twelve tribes in the Dispersion” (James 1:1). It indicates that James expected that there would be elders in every New Testament church to which his general epistle went that is, in all the churches in existence at that time. A similar conclusion can be drawn from 1 Peter. Peter writes, “So I exhort the elders among you. . . . Tend the flock of God that is your charge . . .” (1 Peter 5:1-2). 
Peter assumes that all the churches, whether founded by Paul or by others, whether predominantly Gentile or predominantly Jewish or evenly divided in their make-up, would have elders leading them. Moreover, there were elders in the Jerusalem church (Acts 11:30; 15:2), and, though the word elders is not used, there is a plurality of leaders in the congregation to which the epistle to the Hebrews is directed, for the author says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account.” (Heb. 13:17).

Two significant conclusions may be drawn from this survey of the New Testament evidence. 

1. No passage suggests that any church, no matter how small, had only one elder. The consistent New Testament pattern is a plurality of elders “in every church”. (Acts 14:23) and “in every town” (Titus 1:5). 
2. We do not see a diversity of forms of government in the New Testament church, but a unified and consistent pattern in which every church had elders governing it and keeping watch over it (Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:17; 1 Peter 5:2–3). 

In the New Testament, there are three words that could be used interchangeable with each referring to same office in the Church. These are Poimen (Pastor), episkopos (Bishop) and presbuteros (Elder). Elders are also called “pastors” or “bishops” or “overseers” in the New Testament. The least commonly used word is pastor (poimēn). It may be surprising to us to find that this word, which has become so common in English, only occurs once in the New Testament when speaking about a church officer. 

In Ephesians 4:11, Paul writes, “And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers.” The verse is probably better translated “pastor-teachers”(one group) rather than “pastors and teachers” (suggesting two groups) because of the Greek construction (though not every New Testament scholar agrees with that translation).

The connection with teaching suggests that these pastors were some (or perhaps all) of the elders who carried on the work of teaching, for one qualification for an elder is that he be “able to teach” (1 Tim. 3:2). Although the noun pastor (poimēn) is not used of church officers elsewhere in the New Testament, the related verb which means “to act as a shepherd” or “to act as a pastor” (Gk. poimainō) is applied to elders in Paul’s address to the Ephesian elders. He tells them “to shepherd the church of God” (Acts 20:28, literally translating the verb poimainō), and in the same sentence he referred to God’s people as “all the flock,” using another related noun (Gk. poimnion) which means “a flock of sheep.” 

So Paul directly charges these Ephesian elders to act as shepherds or “pastors.” The same verb is used in 1 Peter 5:2 where Peter tells the elders to “shepherd (poimainō) the flock of God that is your charge.” Then two verses later Jesus is called the chief pastor or “chief shepherd” (Gk. archipoimēn, 1 Peter 5:4), implying quite clearly that Peter also viewed the elders as shepherds or “pastors” in the church. 

Therefore, although the noun pastor is only used once to refer to elders, the related verb is used twice in passages that explicitly identify the task of shepherding with the office of elder. Another term used for elders in the New Testament is a Greek word episkopos, which is variously translated as “overseer” or “bishop,” depending on the individual passage and the English translation. But this word also seems quite clearly to be another term for elders in New Testament usage. For example, when Paul has called to him the elders of the church at Ephesus (Acts 20:17), he says to them, “Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers (Gk. episkopos)” (Acts 20:28). Paul quite readily refers to these Ephesian elders as “overseers” (or “bishops”).

In 1 Timothy 3:1–2, Paul writes, “If any one aspires to the office of bishop, he desires a noble task. Now a bishop must be above reproach. . . .” Furthermore, in 1 Timothy 5:17, we see that elders were ruling the church at Ephesus when Timothy was there, because it says, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor.” Now the “bishops” in 1 Timothy 3:1–2 also are to rule over the church at Ephesus because one qualification is that “He must manage his own household well . . . for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for God’s church?” (1 Tim. 3:4–5). So here it also seems that “bishop” or “overseer” is simply another term for “elder,” since these “bishops” fulfill the same function as elders quite clearly do elsewhere in this epistle and in Acts 20. In Titus 1:5, Paul tells Titus to “appoint elders in every town” and gives some qualifications (v. 6). Then in the very next sentence (v. 7), he gives reasons for those qualifications, and he begins by saying, “For a bishop, as God’s steward, must be blameless.” Here again he uses the word “bishop” to refer to the elders whom Titus was to appoint, giving another indication that the terms elder and bishop were interchangeable.

Finally, in Philippians 1:1, Paul writes “To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.” Here it also seems appropriate to think that “bishops” is another name for “elders,” because there certainly were elders at Philippi, since it was Paul’s practice to establish elders in every church (Acts 14:23). And if there were elders ruling in the church at Philippi, it is unthinkable that Paul would write to the church and single out bishops and deacons—but not elders—if their offices were both different from that of the elders. Therefore, by “bishops and deacons” Paul must have meant the same thing as “elders and deacons.” Although in some parts of the church from the second century A.D. onward, the word bishop has been used to refer to a single individual with authority over several churches, this was a later development of the term and is not found in the New Testament itself.

Biblical Functions of Elders
One of the major roles of elders in the New Testament is to govern the New Testament churches. In 1 Timothy 5:17 we read, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor.” Earlier in the same epistle Paul says that an overseer (or elder) “must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way; for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for God’s church?” (1 Tim. 3:4–5). Peter also indicates a ruling function for elders when he exhorts them: Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd is manifested you will obtain the unfading crown of glory. Likewise you that are younger be subject to the elders. (1 Peter 5:2–5)

The fact that they are to act as shepherds of the flock of God, and the fact that they are not to domineer (that is, not to rule harshly or oppressively) strongly suggest that elders have ruling or governing functions in the churches to which Peter is writing. They are to rule responsibly, not ruthlessly. Although Hebrews 13:17 does not name elders, certainly there are some church officers with governing authority over the church, for the author says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account.” Since the New Testament gives no indication of any other officers in the church with this kind of authority, it is reasonable to conclude that the congregation is to submit to and obey its elders. This conclusion is also consistent with the description of responsibilities Paul gives to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:28.

In addition to governing responsibility, elders also seem to have had some teaching responsibilities in the New Testament churches. In Ephesians 4:11, elders are referred to as “pastor-teachers” (or, on an alternative translation, pastors who are viewed as quite closely united to teachers). And in 1 Timothy 3:2, an overseer (elder) must be “an apt teacher.” Then in 1 Timothy 5:17, Paul says, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” Here Paul seems to imply that there is a special group of elders who “labor in preaching and teaching.” This means at least that there are some among the elders who give more time to the activities of preaching and teaching, and may even mean that there are some who “labor” in the sense of earning their living from that preaching and teaching. The same conclusions can be drawn from Titus, where Paul says that an elder “must hold firm to the sure word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to confute those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9). 
Elders/Pastors/Bishops then had responsibility to rule, preach and to teach in New Testament churches.


The Elder/Pastor/Bishop

Sunday Service Sermon 
Sunday 29th November, 2020

Topic: Let The Lord Be Magnified
Text:Psalms 35:27-28. 


Song: The Lord Be Magnified/Say Continually.

INTRODUCTION
Let me begin this message by wishing you all a happy birthday. Without any doubt, there are years and there are years and 2020 is a year no one in our generation will forget in a hurry. Without mincing words, if you survive the pandemic and the protest, you need to give thanks. This the Psalmist says, “Let The Lord be magnified.” This is lifted from Psalm 35:27 and also repeated in Psalm 40:16. Today, there are two questions we shall attempt to answer through this message namely why should the Lord be magnified and how should they Lord be magnified. Our topic is a call and a command that requires our prompt response. Let the Lord be magnified. 

(A)	LET THE LORD BE MAGNIFIED: WHY? 
Psalm 35 is a popular one especially for those who love to read the early part when confronted by the enemies. Here, the psalmist complained of unbelievers and ungodly enemies; prayed for deliverance and making a promise of thanksgiving if his prayer is granted. This  Psalm can be divided into three divisions namely, Psalm 35:1-10; 
Psalm 35:11-18 and Psalm 35:19-28. The first division reveals that every man has a battle to fight both physically and spiritually. We all have enemies within and without that threaten to destroy us. These are crafty and insidious foes using smiles and sophistries to conceal their real nature and designs. 
There is nothing like a good deal or compromise with the enemy. The second division shows that we must seek the help of God to be victorious in our battles. We must fight with Divine weapons namely the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, the helmet of salvation, etc. to win our battles. With God helping us, we are stronger than all our foes and sure of victory at last. The third division states that when we win each battle, we must be grateful to God for all the grace and help we have received in every stage of the conflict. We must magnify the Lord who has helped us to conquer our fears and foes. (Vs 11-27) If it is the Lord that has seen you though the turbulence of 2020, let the Lord be magnified.

(B)	LET THE LORD BE MAGNIFIED: HOW? 
The phrase, “let the Lord be magnified” means “let the Lord be regarded as great, exalted and glorious. It is a call to elevate our conception of the character of God by the fact that he has thus interposed in a righteous cause, and has shown that He is the friend of the wronged and the oppressed. The Hebrew word is “gadal” which means “to grow, become great or important, promote, make powerful, praise, magnify or do great things.” This the Psalmist says we must do CONTINUALLY ascribing greatness, honour and glory  unto God. Our loving and jut God deserves our unceasing praise.
Even those who could not render David active aid, but in their hearts favoured him, he prayed the Lord would reward most abundantly. The troubles of the godly might be many, but there is room for the prosperity of God’s servants as it may conform to His purpose and their good. When any of the godly are delivered from their persecutors, all the rest of the godly are bound as they understand of it, to set forth the power of God, and His love and bounty manifested to His people.(vs 26-27)

CONCLUSION
Let the Lord be magnified is a perfect call for us all considering what we have passed through and the grace and glory of God that has seen us thus far. One additional revelation of this passage is that God is interested in the welfare, prosperity or pleasure of his servants. It is a blessed privilege to have a God who is well disposed to His people. He delights to see us happy and growing in grace, and all good gifts. The Psalmist prays that his friends might have cause to rejoice and give glory to God,(Psa 35:27, 40:16-16) that they might join with him in His praises: “Let them say continually, the Lord be magnified”. 

A young woman named Anne Steele had encountered one trial and disappointment after another. Being a devout Christian, she continuously sought to praise God even in sorrow. She was engaged to be married, and had looked forward to her wedding day with eagerness. The big day finally arrived and so did the invited guests, but the groom was missing. After about an hour of waiting, a messenger brought the tragic news that Anne’s fiancé had drowned. The sudden shock was almost too much for her, but after a while she regained her spiritual composure.

Later Anne Steele penned the song that is still found in many hymnbooks: 
‘’Father, whate’er of earthly bliss Thy sovereign will denies. 
Accepted at Thy throne of grace, let this petition rise: 

Give me a calm, a thankful heart, from every murmur free!
 The blessings of Thy grace impart, and make me live to Thee.”

Surely, we ought to magnify God continually in all circumstances with our words and songs of praise; in our lives and example; in our characters and sacrifice. We should give our whole time and energy and strength to His work. 

Therefore, Let the Lord be magnified. Shalom.


Let The Lord Be Magnified

Day 4 Year End Revival
Wednesday, 25th November, 2020


Topic: Go and Show Forth His Glory. 

Text:John 15: 1- 8;
        Acts 12: 1 - 5 
        Acts 16: 25 - 31
        Galatians 1: 11 - 24

INTRODUCTION
The theme of this meeting is TRANSFORMED BY HIS GLORY.
We have established the fact that it is in the glory of Jesus Christ that our own glory finds root. That is, our glorying is in Christ. Whatever we do must be for Christ's glory. Even, whatever happens to us must be for Christ’s glory. Apostle Paul testified, “iba se nipa iye tabi nipa iku, a o gbe Kristi ga lara mi" (Phil. 1:20)
He further said, " So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. This is where we are ending today - to go and show forth the glory of our Father in the way we live, in the way we handle our life affairs, in the way we run the ministry of Jesus in our care, both individually and corporately. May the Holy Spirit help us.

A LOOK AT THE PASSAGES
1. Jesus is our Saviour, Master, Shepherd, Captain, Chief Soul Winner.
He has said when we abide in Him we sill bear much fruit, for that is His Father's glory, which further shows that we are His disciples.  

2. The miraculous escape of Peter from prison, being delivered by the angel of the Lord as a result of the Church fervent Intercession on his behalf

3. The imprisonment of Apostle Paul and also released miraculously. The eventual salvation of the jailer and his household

4. The testimony of Apostle Paul, that people glorified God on his behalf.

HOW WOULD YOU AND I LIVE TODAY TO SHOW FORTH CHRIST’S GLORY
1. By making it pure our aim that it is God’s glory we are after, John 8: 50  
That is, God must be the ultimate of all our actions

2. As said earlier, when we win souls for the Lord, John 15: 8

3, When we work out our salvation in fear and trembling, Phil. 2: 12

4. As we walk in the Lord with all cheerfulness, 2 Cor. 1: 4

"It brings glory to God when the world sees a child of God has within him that which can make him cheerful in the worst times."  Thomas Watson.

5. When we stand for the truth, Jude 5. 
6. When we praise Him, Psalm 50:  23; 86: 12.  Thomas Watson said, "praising God is one of the highest and purest acts of religion; in prayers, we act like men, in praise we act like angels"

7.  When we are zealous for His name, Numbers 25: 11; Rev 2: 2. "Zeal is being impatient for God’s honour. A Christian fired with zeal takes a dishonour done to God worse than an injury done to him or her"

8.  When we remember God in our eating and drinking, 1 Cor. 10: 31

9. When we labour to draw others to Christ, seek their conversion and consequently make them instruments of glorifying God, Gal 4: 19  

10. When we live a holy life, 1 Peter 2: 9   "though the main work of religion lies in the heart, yet our light must so shine that others may behold it "

11. When we give God the glory for all that we achieve, 1 Cor. 15: 10

Source
Thomas Watson “A Body of Divinity" pp 10-18. Watson was a former editor of ChurchLeaders.com.
 
HOW THEN DO WE KNOW WE ARE SHOWING FORTH THE GLORY OF GOD?
We will be more surrendered.

See Rev. 1: 17; (John the beloved)
See John 20: 24ff (Thomas Didymus when he saw Jesus)
See Luke 5: 1 - 11 (Peter and co, after they have caught much fish at the intervention of Jesus)

CONCLUSION
We are made and redeemed for God’s glory. The more of Christ we become, the more of His glory we show.

How we live will either glorify or dishonour God
The things we do and how we do them will show whose glory we are carrying.

Can we pray this prayer?
'Whichever way, glorify yourself in my life, Lord"


Go and Show Forth His Glory. 

Day 3 Year End Revival
Tuesday,  24th November, 2020

Topic: Surviving Challenges of Times to Show Forth Christ’s Glory.

INTRODUCTION
Apostle Paul said, “the suffering of the moment is nothing compared with the glory to be revealed" (Romans 8: 18). Please, note, when we talk of glory manifestation, that is not without the road to it. Remember that even the Lord our Saviour went through grave to resurrect. Hence we discover that there are situations of life that we must pass through to bring us to our land of glory. Incidentally, each is different from the other, and that is what we are dealing with today.

To that effect, we just look at some pictures today to see how the individuals involved evolved into glory manifestation.
 
PICTURE ONE
The Experience of Joseph  
 The man who dreamt/caught the vision of glorious exaltation and got there despite all odds
  A look at his steps or stages to his land of glory manifestation:
   1. Godly influence, Gen 39: 1-3  
   2. Business fidelity, Gen 39: 3-6
   3, Resistance of temptation, Gen 39: 7-9
   4. Divine favour, Gen 39: 21
   5. Providential circumstances, Gen 40: 5-8
   6. Honouring God, Gen 41; 16
   7. Divine revelation, Gen 41: 25-36
 
PICTURE TWO
The Experience of David
He was regarded as the greatest of the kings of Israel, (basically because he was "a man after God’s own heart”. 1 Samuel 13: 14
How he was located, even while he was in the bush with his father's sheep, 1 Samuel 16: 1-16
How David confronted the Philistine, Goliath, 1 Samuel 17: 17ff
How David encountered Saul and could not overcome him (David), 1 Samuel 24-28. Specifically note how David spared Saul's life, even twice (1 Sam 23: 14 - 24: 22; 26
Eventually, David became King over Israel instead of Saul. His was a glorious victory.
 
In summary
Joseph had his own family troubles, Gen 38: 1-30
But his glory manifestation came at last when he was exalted to the Egyptian Palace, Gen 39 to 45 and 46: 1-4
Joseph didn’t have it easy, but his was a glory story at last.
 
PICTURE THREE
The Experience of Esther, Mordecai and the deliverance of the Jews in Shusan.
1. Esther’s choice by the king - miraculous and glorious.
2. Mordecai's devotion to the God of Israel, not bowing down to wicked Haman
3. Haman’s plan and plot to destroy the Jews in the kingdom
4. Resolve of the Jews to fast at the instruction of Esther
5. The leaked secret of Haman that spelt his destruction.
6. The favour of the king upon Esther - to request for whatever she wanted, even to the half the Kingdom
7. And the victory of the Jews and destruction of all their enemies, leading to re- writing of the decree in the land.
  
PICTURE FOUR
Marriage Ceremony of Cana in Galilee
1. Jesus and His disciples were there together with His mother
2.. Their wine just finished abruptly.
3. Jesus' mother informed Him.
4. Jesus performed His first miracle there - turning water to wine, thereby bringing glory to God.
5. The marvel of the people.

PICTURE FIVE
The Experience of Paul the Apostle
1. His salvation was definite and dramatic
2. He was even told of the suffering he was going to suffer for the cause of the Gospel
3. He himself testified of it in defence of the genuineness of his apostleship. (2 Cor. 11: 16ff)
4. But in Romans 8: 31ff, he testified, "in all these things we are more than conquerors" v. 37.
 
CONCLUSION
The whole Bible is full of the manifestation of God's power depicting His glory.
It is our privilege that we partake of His divine mature
Our key to reflecting His glory is coming to terms with His condition - live within His will for your life.


Surviving Challenges of Times to Show Forth Christ’s Glory.

Day 2 Year End Revival
Monday,  23rd November, 2020

Topic: Experiencing the Transformation of Christ Leading to Glory Manifestation
 
Introduction
We ended up yesterday, looking at persons that had direct encounter with Christ and they ended up in glory.  We will continue there today as we look at a few more individuals and consequently be able to draw some lessons by we too will experience our glory manifestation.
 
Please, bear in mind that our glory and glorying is in Christ, that is why it is so pertinent that we remind ourselves that it is all about Christ; it is all in Christ; and it is all for Christ, for the scriptures reminds us that he who glories (boasts) must do so in Christ.

Let us see the following individuals. 
1.	Jacob the Suplanter, and Jacob the Israel, Genesis 28-32

2.	The Prodigal Son, Luke 15

3. Onesimus, Philemon  
 
JACOB
The man who encountered God in a unique way, not only leading to change of name but to a change of destiny – a glorious one for that matter.

Remember him for the following:
a. His sin (of supplanting) compelled him to flight (Gen. 27:41-45)
b. His experience of Luz where he possibly thought over his life
•	Deceiving his father and brother – Gen. 27:19, 36
•	Being at risk with his father (Gen. 27: 41)
•	His uncertain future (encounter with Laban and later his brother, Esau)
•	Divine mercy of God
•	saw God in a stairway
•	God’s angels going up and down
•	Seeing the Lord face to face
•	Waking up in his dream with impressions:
•	His Parents’ God would be his God
•	The stone on his head would be memorial – Bethel
•	That he would give tithes
c. Consequently, God’s promises (Gen. 28:13-15)
•	of His presence (see Is. 41:10) “I am with you”
•	of his protection (see Ps. 121: 3, 8) “I’ll watch over you”
•	of his guidance (Zech. 10:10) “I will bring back…”
•	of his faithfulness (Heb. 13:5 – “never will I leave you
d. By that encounter, Jacob got his renewal (Gen. 32:26-32)
•	A new name (Jacob to Israel) v. 27-28
•	A new blessing – vs 26, 29
•	A new day, the sun rose above him, v. 31
•	A new remembrance sign. V.31
•	A new way of walking -  v. 31
•	A new inner fellowship, with his brother Esau (33:4)
By this singular experience, see what has become of the nation of Israel till date.  See the implication for the spiritual Israelites today.  See what glorious experience encounter with God can afford one. I read the story of a University Professor recently. 
He said:
“I, who was doubted to survive till 8th day to be named, I am now 58.
I, who could not pass successfully my school certificate, now hold a Ph.D degree
I, who was from a poverty-stricken family background, had all my levels of education on government sponsorship.
I, who was programmed to be a blacksmith and a stark illiterate, I am now a professor.” (Prof. Yomi Alfred in Full Gospel Business Men’s VOICE, Nigeria ed. 43/2019, p.28)
Your encounter with God in a moment determines the rest of your life and generation yet unborn.
 
THE PRODIGAL SON
His was the case Yoruba people will call Omo-onile………
But see how he fell from glory of sonship to slavery
Reading from vs 11-16, we find him going down (out of God’s will) through:
•	Self-will – v. 12
•	Selfishness – v. 13
•	Separation – v. 13
•	Sensuality – v. 13
•	Spiritual Destitution – v. 14
•	Self-abasement – v. 15
•	Starvation – v. 16
But then, see again his steps back to glory of re-affirmation of sonship;
•	Realization – v. 17
•	Resolution – v. 18
•	Repentance – v. 19
•	Return – v. 20
•	Reconciliation – v. 20
•	Re-clothing – v. 22
•	Rejoicing – vs 23-24
 
Notice that the same seven steps he took away from the ground of glory was the same in returning order. This means
•	Everybody is born biologically and spiritually with a kind of glory
•	It is possible, along the way for such glory to be messed up or mis-used
•	But then, repentance is always the key
Apostle Peter said, “repent… that time of refreshing (glory) will come from the Lord”
 
ONESIMUS – PHILEMON
Note vs 10 – 16 (worth reading) 
This is the story of a man greatly changed by Christ – the difference conversion should make in the life of all.  
For Onesimus – he would be identified as a slave, a thief then, a saint, a friend, a brother and a fellow servant. Through Onesimus we know that Christ can take nothing and make something out of any person for His glory, we matter:
•	how low a person is
•	how far a person has sunk
•	how far a person has gone
•	what a person has done (2 Cor. 9:17)
Through the life of this man, we know that a Christian behavior is to make restitution, to right whatever wrong he has done in so far as it is humanly possible.  That is to say, no sincere Christian should ever try to escape from making restitution, from righting whatever wrong he has done.  The reason is, the very cause of Christ upon earth is morality and justice to make the earth as good a place as possible.
 
That Onesimus is now a changed person, and being returned to his master, implies that they both shall live forever with Christ, worshipping and serving Christ through all eternity.  

Though Onesimus ran away as a slave,
•	he’s now above a slave
•	he’s now a dear brother
•	he’s now of great value to Paul
•	he’s now much more valuable to Philemon
The point here is that when Christ changes a life, the life is changed eternally.  Earthly relationships are changed forever.  It does not matter what the relationship has been:
•	a master-slave relationship
•	a friend-enemy relationship
•	a victim-criminal relationship
•	a love-hate relationship
•	a marriage-divorse relationship
•	an abused-hurtful relationship
If the person has been truthfully changed by Christ, then he is to be renewed as a dear brother.  What a glory of relationship as a result of changed life.
 
CONCLUSION
This is what new life in Christ offers us.
Jacob became Israel and we are recipients of that till date
The Prodigal son gained his position back with celebration-denoting our position with God when we repent and return genuinely.
Onesimus graduated from a slave to a brother and then a fellow worker, with somebody like Apostle Paul, for that matter.
If you remain in sin, you are postponing your day of glory manifestation
If you remain dishonest, you are prolonging your destiny
As said earlier, there is a purpose for which you are mere born, and born again.
The time is now to move into the manifestation of that purpose for the glory of God.


Experiencing the Transformation of Christ Leading to Glory Manifestation

CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE
25th December, 2020
 
THE MIRACULOUS BIRTH.

Text: Matthew 1: 18-23.

INTRODUCTION
On behalf of my family, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and trusting God for an all round elevating 2021. This Christmas is unusual because it is taking place in an unusual year. May the Lord perform unusual deeds in our lives during this Christmas. Amen. The first Christmas began with the announcement of an unusual /miraculous birth and culminated in the performance or fulfillment of the miraculous birth of the one who is called Emmanuel. May this Christmas bring forth a miraculous birth for you and me. Amen. Looking into the Bible, you will find a rich heritage of unlikely pregnancies. It began with the story of Abraham and Sarah who were elderly and Sarah who was infertile, but she gave birth to Isaac in fulfillment of God’s promise (Genesis 17:15–19). 

Also, Isaac’s wife Rebekah was childless until God responded to Isaac’s prayer, resulting in the birth of Esau and Jacob (25:21–26). Jacob’s wife Rachel was unable to conceive (29:31) until God intervened and she gave birth to Joseph (30:22–24). Manoah’s wife was infertile but gave birth to Samson according to God’s promise (Judges 13). Hannah pleaded with God for a child and gave birth to Samuel (1 Samuel 1:1–20). In the New Testament, according to Luke 1, an angel announced that Elizabeth, who was elderly and unable to conceive (vv. 5–7), would bear a son named John (vv. 11–17, 57–60). These miraculous births produced significant people for the plan of God. It must be noted that John prepared the way for the most significant of all miraculous births, the birth of Jesus, born of a virgin, the most unlikely pregnancy of all. Miracles are God’s supernatural intervention in the affairs of men. At the end of this Christmas. May you have a testimony of a miraculous birth. Amen.

(A) THE ANNOUNCEMENT- Luke 1:26-33.
 According to the Bible, the miraculous birth of Jesus began with an angelic announcement. Angel Gabriel visited Mary and announced to her that what has never happened before was about to happen to her. She would conceive and bear a son. Actually, this was a follow up to an earlier announcement by the Prophets in the Old Testament. Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 7:14 had prophesied several years earlier the birth of a Son to be named Emmanuel, God with Us. The likely question is, can we truly say that God is with us with all these pandemic challenges? The true answer is God is definitely with us and may this be evident as we celebrate this Christmas. Amen. This also shows how God works, the operation of the Almighty i.e announcement before performance. I hereby announce a birth of a miracle for you and your household at this Christmas. There shall be a performance. (Luke 1:45) Amen.

(B ) THE BIRTH. Luke 2:6-7. 
In divine agenda, the performance is as important as the announcement. Whatever God announced is as good as performed by Him. Against all odds and inspite of all the challenges, Jesus was born according to the pronouncement of the divine messenger. Our celebration today therefore is not as a result of the announcement, but as a result of the fulfillment of the announcement of a miraculous birth. You and I can celebrate that our Saviours who is called Emmanuel is born to save us from all our challenges. Jesus Christ is miraculous! As someone said, “If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator; If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist; If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist; If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer; But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.” Our greatest need is God himself, so He sent us Himself, Emmanuel. God with us. Truly, joy to the world for the Lord of the world is born. Joy to the world, her savior is born . Only that the world should receive her King. The true King of the world is here. Halleluyah. Amen.

CONCLUSION: Christmas is unique for it is the celebration of the miraculous birth. I believe strongly that this Christmas is designed to give birth to a miracle for you. It begins with the miraculous birth of salvation for those who are yet to be saved. If you are yet to be born again, resolve to experience the greatest miraculous birth a man can have, to be born again and be saved from satan, sin and shame. This is the purpose of the miraculous birth at Christmas. But also, if you desire any other miracle, may you experience such at this Christmas. Truly, miracles do happen at Christmas to those who are expecting it. I came across the story of a woman named who experienced miracles at Christmas. A certain company has a tradition of holding a party and a lottery every Christmas Eve. The rules of the lottery draw are as follows: each employee pays ten dollars as a fund. There are three hundred people in the company. In other words, a total of three thousand dollars can be raised. The winner takes all the money home. On the day of the lottery draw, the office was filled with a lively atmosphere. Everyone as usual is expected to have written their names on a slip of paper and put them in the lottery box. However, a young man by name Karl, hesitated when he wrote. Because he thought that the company's cleaner has a frail and sickly son who was going to have an operation recently, but she did not have the money to pay for the operation. This made her very troubled. 

So, even though he knew that the chance of winning was slim, with only a three percent chance, Karl wrote the name of the cleaner on the note. The tense moment came. The boss stirred the slips in the lottery box, and finally drew out a note. Karl also kept praying in his heart: I hope the Cleaner can win the prize...Then the boss carefully announced the winner’s name. It was the cleaner. A miracle had happened! Cheers broke out in the office, and the Cleaner hurriedly came to the stage to accept the award. She burst into tears and said I am so lucky! With this money, my son has hope to live ! As the party was in progress, while thinking about this "Christmas miracle", Karl paced to the lottery box. He took out another piece of paper and opened it casually. The name on it was also the name of the Cleaner ! Karl was sincerely surprised. He took out several pieces of the slip of papers one after another. Although the handwriting on them were different, the names were all the same. All of them were the names of the Cleaner ! Then Karl's eyes were redtears of joy. He clearly understood that there is a Christmas miracle in the world, but the miracle will not fall from the sky. People are required to create it by co operating with God. Are you expecting a miracle at this Christmas, go ahead and be an agent of miracle for someone and God will send an agent of miracle to you as well. This Christmas season shall not end until you experience the birth of a miracle. Amen. Shalom.

The Miraculous Birth

Day 1: New Year Revival 2021
Sunday 3rd January, 2021

Topic: There Is A Lifting Up. 
Text: Job 22:26-30.

SONGS
1. (Verily)5x, the Lord Says Unto Me.
2. Lifted, I am lifted by the Lord.
3. We are Going Higher.
4. Gbe Mi Soke 

INTRODUCTION
To many of you that I am seeing for the first time in this new year, I say “Happy New Year.” Just like a woman said and I agree with her, let me also say “Happy Graduation.” What a year of strange examination the year 2020 was? It was an exam which questions were unpredictable, but by God’s mercy and grace we passed and graduated into the year 2021. May the lessons we have learnt make our lives better and stronger not just for this year but for many years ahead. Having graduated from last year’s examination, what the Lord has promised us for 2021 is PROMOTION which I prefer to call DIVINE LIFTING. 

I hereby declare to your life that no matter what happened to your life last year, there is a lifting up for you in 2021. If the challenges of last year brought you low or under, I declare there is a lifting for you. If the enemy has told you, you wont come out of that trial, say to him that he lied for there is a lifting up for you. You shall testify in Jesus name. Our theme for this year is “ OUR YEAR OF DIVINE LIFTING.” The text is taking from Job 22:29 reading from the King James Version. The Bible says, “where others are cast down, you shall say there is a lifting up.” So declare to you life today, “there is a lifting up for me.” You shall testify in Jesus name. Amen. As we go through this 7 days prayer and fasting revival beginning from today, there is a lifting up for you. Amen. 

DIVINE LIFTING
Our pericope is part of the utterances of Eliphaz, the Temanite, one of Job’s three friends that came to comfort Him during his trial and tribulations. Though he initially wrongly accused Job of sins as the cause of his calamity, he then spoke prophetically that “there is a lifting up for a man of pandemic.” The phrase, “when men are cast down means when people are usually cast dow in times of trial and calamity which prostrate them, you shall find support.”  The Hebrew word “shaphel/shaw-fale” means to depress, sink, humiliate, abase, debase, bring down, set in a lower place or make low. But at a time when others are brought low, you shall be enabled to say, “there is lifting up, or there is support.” Therefore, in 2021, there is a lifting up for you. 

How do you then respond to this declaration?

1.	HEAR IT- Let your ears be opened to this goodnews.

2.	PRAY IT- In your prayer times both private and corporate, mention it to God.

3. BELIEVE IT- Don’t just pray it, believe it in your heart and it will come to pass.
4. SAY IT- Confession is the mother of possession.Therefore, say it and declare it in all circumstances.

5. EXPECT IT- Have positive expectations and do not give up no matter how tough or rough things look like. Expect it. What you expect is what you shall experience. When wicked men are brought down from a state of prosperity to a state of adversity, you shall be exalted to a very high estate. (Psa 147:6) Therefore, you are not permitted to remain where you were last year, there is a lifting up for you in 2021.

CONCLUSION
I definitely have a strong witness in the Holy Spirit that there is a lifting for you, this year both physically and spiritually. I see you lifted materially, financially, maritally, academically, emotionally etc. The Hebrew word is “gêvâh” which could be interpreted lifting up or exaltation. Other related words are promotion, elevation or go higher. There is a lifting for you that no enemy can stop no matter how they try. The only condition I see here is that you need to be humble. The Lord will save the humble person. (v29b) 

Therefore, be humble to come to Christ for the Salvation of your soul if you have not done so. Be humble to seek forgiveness for your sins if you have missed the mark. Be humble to commit your situation to God in prayer. Be humble to make yourself available for service in the Lord’s vineyard. Be humble this year. (James 4:10) The Lord will definitely lift up your head and it will happen this year. Are you ready for the next level? If you are, rise up and let us pray. You shall testify. Amen. Shalom.

2021 DAY BY DAY DECLARATION
“In this year, whatever I decree, shall be established unto me. Divine light shall shine upon my ways. When others are cast down, there is a lifting up for me. The Lord will save me.” (Job. 22:28-29) 

PRAYER POINTS
1. My Father, my Father, I thank you for the grace to see the first Sunday of this year. I give glory to your name. 

2. O God my Father, help me to walk with you in righteousness and humility this new year.

3. My Father, my Father, grant me unusual strength and wisdom to excel in this year of lifting.

4. My Father, my Father, whatever I lost last year shall be restored to me in several folds in 2021.

5. Heavenly Father, I shall enjoy unequal peace this year in Jesus name. (v21)

6. O Lord my Father, let good things and good people run after me this year. (v21)

7. My Father, my Father, whatever was pulled down in 2020 shall be built up in 2021.(23)

8. God of wonders, be my defense in 2021.

9. Heavenly Father, whatever I decree this year shall be established unto me.
10. My Father, my Maker, shine your light upon my ways this year. I shall not walk nor work in darkness.

11. My Father, my Father, where and when men are cast down, there is a lifting up for me. 

12. Heavenly Father, as I walk in humility and in pureness  of heart this year, I shall not fall prey to the traps of the enemy.

13. Heavenly Father, let the oil of promotion and exaltation be poured on me this year. (Psa. 92:10)

14. My Father, my Father, what was difficult for me to achieve last year shall be made easy for me by your divine help this year.

15. My Father, my Father, let your love for me and my household be publicly displayed for honour and elevation in the year 2021. Amen.


There Is A Lifting Up. 

Day 2: New Year Revival 2021
Monday 4th January, 2021

Topic: Divine Lifting: All The Way To Rehoboth  
Text: Gen. 26: 1-22, Job 22: 28-29


I sincerely appreciate my father in the Lord, for this great privilege

PRAYERS
1. My Father, my Father, shut every gate of hades and death against us in Jesus name. (Rev. 1: 18)
2. Father, let no shadow of death come near me in Jesus name, lock every door against death for us in Jesus name. (Job 38:17)

3. Father, frustrate every agenda of the devil to kill, steal and destroy over me in Jesus name. (John 10: 10) 

4. This year, I shall not be a victim of devil’s attack in Jesus name. We barred satan and his cohort from stealing, killing and destroying anything from anyone in this church in Jesus name. 

INTRODUCTION
God’s Word came to us powerfully yesterday and assures us of divine lifting God told us that when men are cast down, then we will say there is a lifting up. We were admonished to hear it, pray it, believe it, say it and expect it. Today’s text begins with there was a famine in the land, and presently there is famine in our land.  Famine is common in our world, the patriarchs all experienced famine in the time, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and famine has a way of showing its face on this side of eternity. Famine has become like a recurring decimal in our world. Famine causes men to be cast down when even those who are not lazy are not finding things easy, when circumstances bring people down economically. 

But why would God allow famine in this world, what if we have a world without famine? If there is no cast down in our world, then we may not fully appreciate divine lifting. Our lifting is therefore not a function of the situation of our economy but of the power and ability of God, so that all glory will be to Him and Him alone.  Our text reveals how God caused one of the patriarchs to begin to prosper, prosper and became very wealthy in the time of famine. The Bible gave us assurance during famine. In Job 5: 20, He promised us He will redeem us from death. This year’s theme is an assurance for us at such a time as this.    

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THIS YEAR OF DIVINE LIFTING
The story of Isaac is a pointer to what God intends to do with His own covenant people when there is a casting down. Isaac, the heir of the promise God made to Abraham felt it was better to go to Egypt but He sought God’s face in and God answered him. God said, No. Isaac should stay right there in Gerar. What God did in the life of Isaac He is able to do in our life and much more in Jesus name. Because, it is our year of divine lifting, we can expect: 

1. Divine Presence
One thing that I discovered in the Scripture is that no matter how angry God was with His people, He does not deny them direction, throughout the forty years journey in the wilderness, He was angry, yes because they provoked Him but He never disinherit them, He identifies with them. He showed them the way to go. So He came to Isaac and told him vs. 3. May God’s presence make a remarkable difference in our lives this year in Jesus name.  

2. Expect divine multiplied Blessings: vs. 12 Isaac reaped 100 folds and the Lord blessed him. This year shall yield abundance to us in Jesus name. In this year of divine lifting, expect multiplied blessings. 25% 

3. Increasing Prosperity vs. 13. (Gen 26:13) The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous; If you are yet to begin, this year shall mark the beginning of your prosperity, if you have begun, then you will continue, and you and I will become very prosperous in Jesus name. In the text that my father in the Lord used on the last Sunday of year 2020, Psalm 115: 14, It is increase more and more and so shall it be in Jesus name. 

4. Envy (vs. 14) When we notice that people are envious of us, we are not happy but people only envy what is good in us. If you don’t want to be envied, you are not prepared for the lifting. Be prepared to be envied this year. 

Be prepared to
1. Counter the efforts of the enemy vs. 15. They stopped all the wells. Why not begged for the water of the well. They do not care if the well does not serve them but they do not want those wells to serve Isaac but Isaac was ready to reclaim what was rightfully belong to him. Now, when they pursued him away from them because of envy, they only succeeded in aiding him to reactivate the wells that he was not even thinking of. Any attempt to shift us from our base will result to unimaginable discovery of blessings in Jesus name.  

2. Never to give up- vs. 17. They pursued him to greater discovery in verses 15-16. Esek, “The Well of Argument” When people trying to put you down by saying that your space is theirs, and that you were crowding yourself upon their ground. Then they will either try to put you down, while you try to occupy your space. It could be in a family, where a mother in law is trying to fight with you because of perceived rights, you may be promoted and some may claim the space is meant for them, so there would never be anything good they will see in you, all because, they are people who have made their minds to strife with you. People striving because of position, promotion each of us will have to face this but more importantly we will pass through it until we get to Rehoboth. 
After, the strife there was another well it Gen 26:21 "The Well of Anger, or hatred. Don’t be surprised when people hate you; once they hear your name, then anger rose up. your name will be the signal for abuse. First, Isaac was opposed then he was hated;  In verse 17 to 19, they continue to contest with him, but he never gave up. It was his enemies that got tired at last because God is on the side of Isaac. They can only contest to the level that God allows. Don’t give up at the valley, don’t give up at don’t give up at Sitnah, don’t ever give up until you get to your Rehoboth. "The Well of Room Enough for Us at Last! At last room is made for you -- Rehoboth. You are recognized, looked for, and missed if you do not come.

In Conclusion, I believe very strongly that there is divine lifting for you and I but there was one thing that Isaac was supposed to do early which he refused to do and that is why even though he was in the land God told him to stay, he was there for a very long time before the blessings manifest. You can underline verse 8 in your Bible. He had been there a long time. God has promised but God will not activate the blessing when the owner is still living in hypocrisy and lies. I believe that God was waiting for Isaac to expose his sin of lying about his wife but because God loves him, when he did not expose his sin, God did it for him. What is that cover up that your Pastor may not know, your spouse may not know, your friend and family may not know, expose it to the Lord who turned strife and hatred to enlargement and ease for Isaac. 



PRAYER POINTS
1. I decree and declare that this is my year of progress and praise in Jesus name. 

2. I decree that this shall be another year of divine presence in my life in Jesus name

3. I decree that this shall be another year of mercies, faithfulness and grace, another year of gladness, of rest in the name of Jesus.

4. My Father, open my ears to divine instructions this year in Jesus name. 

5. In this year of divine lifting, Father, give me increase more and more in Jesus name. (Psalm 115: 14)

6. Father, whatever will push me to my Rehoboth, bring it on O Lord, in Jesus name.

7. Father, make room for me in high places in Jesus name. Set my feet on lofty places in Jesus name. 

8. Those who envy me shall have more reasons to do so this year in Jesus name. 

9. Disgrace and put to shame those who were incensed against me in Jesus name (Isai. 41: 11-13)

10. Those who fight with me shall be as nonexistent in Jesus name.     

11. I receive grace to never give up until my divine lifting is manifested in Jesus name. 

12. This year, I shall not lack divine help in whatever form, help from the East, west, north and south in Jesus name.  

13. Job 22:28 You will succeed in whatever you choose to do, and light will shine on the road ahead of you. New Living Translation I shall succeed in whatever I do and light will shine on my ways ahead in Jesus name.  

14. Isa 44:26 Father, perform your word of divine lifting in my life in Jesus name.

15. I enlist myself among those who will testify early to divine lifting in Jesus name


Divine Lifting: All The Way To Rehoboth  

Day 3: New Year Revival 2021
Tuesday 5th January, 2021

Topic: Divine Lifting: From Nonentity To Celebrity
Text: 1 Sam 16:7-11, 17:28-50


There is no doubt about it, God has been gracious to us as a church, and He has determined to do great and mighty things for us this year. Thanks to God for Sunday and yesterday. God will visit us also today in Jesus name. Amen.   Today’s focus is all about David. How the Lord bore him on His eagle’s wing and carried him from glory to glory. David’s story/experience is that of Divine lifting that was made known before all. It is all about how the Lord took him from nobody to somebody. His situation resembled that of Gideon, who from the lineage of Manasseh, from the poorest family and of course the youngest.
   
But David’s case was unique and very peculiar as we’ve all read from the Scriptures a while ago from 1 Sam 16:7-11. A young man, the last born who was not considered by his parents as someone with great destiny. Even, the prophet of the Lord would have missed it in a big way if not for the Divine presence. But Alas David was anointed in the midst of his brethren.

What a divine exaltation, what a blessing, what a promotion that is not natural (but supernatural). It was Gods programme for David to be a celebrity in it came to pass.

PRAYER POINTS
1. Heavenly Father, I thank you because your word is ye and Amen.

2. God of mercy and God of grace, cause your program, plan and purpose find fulfilment in the name of Jesus.

1 Sam 17:28-50
The few things that we will quickly highlight before we pray is in the chapter 17. The story is one of the very popular stories in the Bible. Just yesterday, my Father in the Lord was ministering somewhere, and the emphasis was so much on due season. That is, it is our due season of Divine lifting. I believe that the scene at which Goliath was harassing and threatening the children of Israel has been ordained to be when and where the divine lifting of David will take place.  David did not miss his due season, we will not miss ours also this year in the name of Jesus.

   Let’s learn four disposition of David that did not make the opportunity to elude him.

1. David ignored and discarded all forms of discouragements.
This was quite obvious from the reaction of his eldest brother Eliab. 1 Sam 17:28-29- clearly reveals this and David’s response was also captured by the verses. The eldest brother rebuked him strongly and considered him as being proud for attempting to involve himself in what the entire army of Israel had dreaded for days. But David, he believed it was not pride but courage and the love for God.
The second discouragement came from the King Saul himself. From vs. 31-33 When David’s words were reported to Saul, he sent for him and David assured Saul that he will fight with him. Vs. 33 records it that, Saul believed that David cannot fight the Goliath being a youth and Goliath being a warrior from his childhood. But David wouldn’t be discouraged, not because he was proud, or anything but for his dependence on the God of Hebrews.
Beloved, there might be visible challenges/matters that ordinarily, they are enough to weigh us down. But sirs /mas, this is the year to walk by faith not by sight 2Cor. 5:7. It is all about God.

2. He testified and boasted in the Lord of all the wonderful things the Lord has accomplished in His life. 
Vs. 34-37 is the download of God’s mighty works that He has done in the life of David even when no one was there. Testimony is very powerful, not only did it strengthen David, it equally convinced King Saul that, if such had happened in David’s life before, God can do it again. I have heard it before that testimony is the spirit of prophecy. If it can happen to one, it can happen to all, if it has happened before God can do it again. King Saul concur and David was unstoppable. Has God ever done you good in the past? Has He ever blessed/surprised you? Then be strengthened by the wonderful deeds of the past and believe that just as David became a celebrity, we will also

3. Being sure of the Divine Support, he refuse to rely on Human technology. 
 Truly and sincerely, King Saul had agreed with David to go ahead and confront Goliath but vs. 38-39 reveals to us how Saul offered him a support but David understand that the arm of flesh shall fail because, it is a divine lifting, and any form of human manipulation might end in catastrophe. Be careful not to bring others down because you want to shine. You will shine your shine, the other person will shine his/her shine and if yours is by divine hand you will out shine

4. He presented himself as an Emissary of the Lord of Hosts
 i.e. He presented himself as not coming on his own but as an agent representing the interest of the Lord of Hosts. He saw Goliath’s sword, javelin, spear and many other physical things. But he understands that the Lord of Hosts Has power far beyond any other weapon. For David, conquering the battle or killing Goliath is not for his personal aggrandisement, but for God’s glory to shine and show forth. So, he knows that, it is for the entire world to know that there is a God in Israel.
As we await the lifting, it is proper to be determined that as God turns us to celebrity, several others will equally be lifted through us. I am talking about divine lifting that will be contagious 
Before we begin to pray, let’s have this warning as the Lord brought it to my heart.

1. Please don’t for any reason make yourself an object of pity. 

2. Please, make God your focus. Don’t for any reason seek human attention, let God recommend you. That’s why my Father in the Lord called it Divine Lifting. So, worship Him, seek Him, serve Him, and please Him. 

3. Trust absolutely in His power. That is, never rely on your skill, human connection or your profile 
 
If the Lord resolves to use any of these let it be. But don’t depend on them. The just shall live by faith

 THREE BEAUTIFUL THINGS ABOUT DIVINE LIFTING
1.	It is sure because it is the mouth of the Lord that declare it. Is. 14:24

2.	It is permanent because whatever the Lord does remaineth forever Eccl. 3:14
3.	It is the best because over our lives, the Lord will not share His glory with anyone. Is. 42:8

PRAYER POINTS
1. My Father my father, show me mercy to maintain close walk with you this year and make my divine lifting a reality. Isaiah 59:1

2. King of glory, open unto me doors of opportunities that will result into my lifting beyond my reasoning and anybody’s imagination.

3. My Father my Father, this year, you will change my status for better, from back seat to the place of honour

4. My Father in heaven release upon me oil of gladness for exaltation and even manifestation. Heb. 1:9

5. God of mercy, because I fast, cause me to feast this year.

6. Lam. 3:37- who speaks what happens if the Lord Has not decreed it. NIV

7. Every demonic manipulation of near success syndrome, you will be frustrated over my life.


Divine Lifting: From Nonentity To Celebrity

Day 4: New Year Revival 2021
Wednesday  6th January, 2021

Topic: PROMOTION COMETH.
Text: Psalm 75:6-10. KJV.
Job. 22:29-30.

Songs
1. Lifted, I am lifted.
2. Gbe Mi Soke.
3. I Will Exalt You Lord. 
4. This Year, I am moving to my new level.
5. Thank you Lord, for Changing My Level.

INTRODUCTION
On this 4th day of our New Year Revival,  the Lord wants me to speak to us all on this very simple topic, " PROMOTION COMETH" The Hebrew word employed in Psalm 75:6 is 
"ruum" which can also be interpreted "to rise, rise up, be lofty, to be high, be set on high
to be raised, be uplifted, be exalted. This informs the usage of the word ‘exaltation’ in NKJV.

I prophesy to your life that in this year of our Divine Lifting, your promotion COMETH. If you have been expecting promotion, your promotion COMETH. If you are not expecting promotion, promotion COMETH. You may not see it coming, but promotion cometh. The opposition might be many, but it cometh.  It might not look like it, but it cometh. In our today’s English, Promotion is Coming. Promotion to one person may be different from promotion to another, but whatever it is to you and personal to you, I declare today, promotion cometh. 

PROMOTION COMETH: BUT
1. Not from the East
Literally, the outgoing/rising; that is of the sun. It means it would not depend on any natural advantages or sources you are banking on. Not in the usual way it should begin. So don't look up to the East.

2. Not from the West
The setting; that is, the place where the sun goes down. This also may refer either to the natural advantages of a Western country, or to some alliance which it was intended to form with the people there. Not necessarily from the angle you had zeroed on. 

3. Not from the South 
as in Hebrew, “desert.” The reference is to the rocky and barren regions south of Palestine. The allusion here also may be either to some natural advantages like the resources of the seas of those regions in the south. 

BUT SURELY, Promotion COMETH. One wonders why the North was omitted. Maybe because the North symbolizes the place of God’s throne, to which Satan aspires. (Isa 14:12-14, Job 26:7) This is where promotion comes from. Promotion therefore cometh not from abroad, but from ABOVE. 



CONCLUSION
He who trusts in God can wait for God’s workings. Illustrate three ways of trusting God, and find out which of the ways alone can honour him.

I. TRUSTING GOD, AND DOING NOTHING.

II. TRUSTING GOD, AND SEEKING HELP FROM FELLOW MAN.

III. TRUSTING GOD, AND DOING THE DUTY OF THE HOUR. 

This is acceptable to God. Simply doing present duty is leaving God’s providence to work out God’s "upliftings." As we approach this year, I can see all manners of promotion both physical and spiritual. I.e. Spiritual promotion, business promotion, professional promotion, academic promotion, social promotion, political promotion, financial promotion, marital promotion e.t.c. 

FOR promotion cometh, keep hope alive, remain prayerful, remain humble, remain committed, remain obedient, remain faithful and keep hope alive no matter the circumstances. Whatever may be bringing others down will lift you up. When men are cast down, your lifting/exaltation/promotion shall come. (Job. 22:29-30) A Christian lady had a wicked boss who denied her promotion because she would not sleep with her. But when a higher opening was available, he could not carry out his threat of stopping her because he had strange running stool on the day of her promotion. This year, your Promotion COMETH.
Amen. Shalom.


PRAYER POINTS
1. My Father, my Father, whatever is bringing others down shall lift me up in Jesus name.

2. Heavenly Father, grant all our young ones the strength, the will and the wisdom to do exploits in 2021.

3. My Father, my Father, all Shepherdhillians whose promotion have been denied shall receive double in Jesus name.

4. My Father, my Father, all those whose letter of promotion have been delayed, let it be released this year in Jesus name. 

5. My Father, my Father, use my lifting testimony this year to bring souls into your Kingdom and increase your church.

6. My Father, my Father, no one is permitted to steal my joy in the year 2021. 

7. My Father, my Father, create room for me in high places.

8. My Father, my Father, raise for me and connect me with destiny helpers that will take me to my next altitude.

9. My Father, my Father, whatever the enemy arranges to bring me down shall work for my promotion in Jesus name.

10. God of sudden miracles, just as you lifted the head of Modecai and Joseph on a single day, set my day of appointment with unstoppable promotion this year 2021. 

11. My Father, the Lone Wonder Working God, do in my life what only you can do in the year 2021.  

12. Every satanic gatekeeper keeping me from my blessings, I command you to  give up and flee. 

13. My Father, you are the Consuming Fire, let every demonic gadget put in place by the enemy to monitor my lifting catch fire and be destroyed in Jesus name. 

14. My Father, my Father, where others are cast down in 2021, there is a lifting up for me and my household. 

15. My Father, my Father, make me a source of blessings to my acquaintances, my family, my church and my nation this year in Jesus name. 

(Amen) 7X


Diving Lifting: Promotion Cometh

Day 5: New Year Revival 2021
Thursday 7th January, 2021

Topic: Divine Lifting: Forces On Lifting
Text: Job 22:29
“When they cast you down, and you say, ‘Exaltation will come!’ Then He will save the humble person.” (NKJV)
 
“When people are brought low and you say, ‘Lift them up!’ then he will save the downcast.” (NIV)
 
Introduction
Our theme and passage is so interesting, powerful and encouraging because:
a. It shows this year is different from last year that was ridden with all kinds of setbacks. 
b. It shows there is hope of upward trend movement for everyone.
c. It shows that God is still very much interested in our wellbeing.
d. It also shows that we can be the best we want to be this year by divine assistance.
 
1. Force that pulls down “When they cast you down … ” (v. 29a)
The first part of verse 29 made us to confront the reality of the world we live in. The truth is that there are powers that are not happy that you are lifted, exalted and promoted. It’s hard to accept that people not far away can be arranging for your casting down.
 
Apart from Satan other forces interested against your lifting include sin (intentional rebellion against God’s standards), self (doing things that please self against God’s pleasure) and World (conforming to operations that are not God glorifying).
 Wise Christians who truly desire lifting should never be ignorant about this first force. He or she must be ready to secure divine protection and fight with God’s power.
 
2. Force that resists pulling down “When they cast you down, and you say, ‘Exaltation will come!’” (v. 29 b)
 
You have a serious part to play in your lifting. Nothing good just happens. Intentional pursuit of godly goals, God-guided planning, prayerful execution etc are part of your contributions to resist any form of casting down from any quarters.
 Don’t allow anything or threat to shut your mouth. Pray, prophesy and confess your lifting and resist your opposition.
 
3. Force that lifts up “… Then He will save the humble person.” (v. 29c)
 All human efforts are good, but the ultimate understanding and discovery is that, only God can lift up. All efforts we end in futility when God isn’t there.This year involve God in your pursuit and fight. Be encouraged in the fact that God will fight for you.
 
Prayer Points
1. My Father thank you for the lifting that you have prepared for me this year.

2. My Father release upon me Your grace and power so that I will not fall into the hands of forces that pulls down this year.

3. My Father advertise your lifting in my life this year.

4. In the name of Jesus I cut off whatever is standing to hinder my liftingin the year 2021.

5. I decree and declare, “this year forces in my ancestry that hinders lifting will not be able to hinder my lifting in the name of Jesus.”

6. My Father in 2021 grant me access into great places. 

7. Holy Spirit of the living God give to me this year eyes that see and ears that hear this year.


Divine Lifting: Forces On Lifting

Day 6: New Year Revival 2021
Friday 8th January, 2021


Topic: There Is A Lifting
Text: Job 22:22-29
 
INTRODUCTION
The Lord will touch someone today 
It may be you; it may be me
It may be someone sitting by your side…
 
The book of Job is one of the mysteries in the Bible because it is both prose and poetry in nature.  At the same time, it is dialogical in its enigma.  It is permeated with conflicting life’s existential experiences.  The crisis of life experienced by Job were described in chapters 1-2.  Job’s responded in chapter 3, then His three friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zopha were responding in turns with Job’s response as interlude in between the dialogues.  That covers chapters 4-38 when God Himself responded to the 4 dialogues with His majesty.
 
Eliphaz was the lead speaker.  He spoke three times beginning with chapter 4, 15, and 22.  So our passage is an excerpt from the third dialogical discussion of Eliphaz the lead speaker among the three friends.  The three friends went to sympathize with Job, but for the depths of the grief, they could not utter a word for 7 days and 7 nights 2:13 before Job broke the silence with a curse of the day of his birth.  Then Eliphaz the lead speaker spoke in chapter 4,15, and 22 where our passage for tonight is taken.
 
The whole chapter is simply judgmental on the person of Job, but then there was a Rhema statement which is our concern today, and that is “There is a lifting.” KJV vs 29.  This Rhema is in the context of verses 22-29.  I saw two parts of the passage and that is 22-24, and 25-29.  The book of Job is all catalogue of miserable counselling for Job.  The grief was so much that the pain of the counselors was like it was more than that of Job himself.
 
There is somebody in the house tonight, the situation of life has really thrown you down flat with nobody to lift you up.  You have been wallowing inside the ocean of grief for quite some time.  Listen. “There is a Lifting,” I invite you to enter into the “Lift”.  When you enter a lift, you hold your peace, because the lift does not need your help to take you to your destination.  How can you now enter into this Divine lifting?

Oh! Ooooooooo Lifted……… 
I am lifted
I am lifted
I am lifted by the Lord
Above storms and sickness
Into the presence of the Lord…
 
How do you enter into Divine Lifting? 
You are called into the lift.

THE CALL INTO THE LIFT (Job 22:22-24)
1. Accept instruction from God
2. Lay His word in your heart (vs 22)
3. Return to God he will restore you
4. Remove wickedness from your life/tent, home (vs 23)
5. Assign your nuggets to the dust (vs 24)
6. Assign your gold to the rocks in the ravens
7. Wait patiently for Him.

RESULT OF LIFTING

Things God Will Do For You (Job 22:25-29)

1. Almighty God will be your Gold and silver (vs 25)
2. Almighty God will be your delight.
3. Almighty God will hear your prayer
4. You will fulfill your vows (vs 27)
5. You will decree a thing and it will be established
6. Light will shine on your way.
7. When, and where People are cast down, a lift shall be waiting for you to raise you up!


CONCLUSION
I call you now to rise up and enter into the lift waiting for you.  I literally carry you into the lift.  Some may find it difficult to get up because the situation is as if it is impossible to get up, but to you I bundle you into the lift.  We going into the Divine lifting.

I’m going higher yes, I am
I’m going higher today
I’m going higher yes, I am
Going with Jesus to stay
I’m going above the shadow
Into the presence of God…
 
PRAYER POINTS
1. My Father, my Father, thank you for the provision of divine lifting.

2. I enter into the lift by your grace Lord, take me to your designed destination

3. My Father my Father Lift me up above storm, sorrow and all obstacles of life

4. Whoever is standing on my way you are standing illegally.  I arrest you and get you out of the way in the name of the Lord of host Amen. 

Mo nlo si ibi  giga… 
Esu ko le di mi lono o 
Mon lo sibi giga  
Araye ko le di mi lono o 
Mon lo sibi giga … 

5. My Father, my Father, you lifted up Jacob by changing his name to Israel, Joseph in Egypt, you lifted up Moses from the river that would drown him, you lifted up Queen Esther… lift me up too.  It’s my time for lifting.

6. LORD, restore my waisted years … restore the money the enemy had stolen away from me.

7. Give me a new name with which I will be called and identified e.g Jacob to Israel

8. Teach me to pray and receive henceforth Rom8:26

9. Covenant keeping God let it be unto me according to your word hear my prayers

10. Lord, henceforth grant me the grace that I will desire what you desire and my desire shall become your decree.

11. Light begin to shine in my way now

12. Where people are cast down, lift me up higher amen, amen and amen.



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