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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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Seeking fathers, mothers and expecting parents are invited. You can also stand in the gap for your loved ones. 
The event will be on Zoom.
Details on the flier.

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The M.M.U Emphasis Sunday is a day set aside to look at the work of the M.M.U using their yearly theme. 

The Baptist Men's Missionary Union constitutes the Baptist Men Fellowship and the Royal Ambassadors. 
Our founding goals include to become a well informed responsible follower of Christ, to have a Christ-like concern for all people, to carry the message of Christ to all people, to work with others in sharing Christ, to keep myself clean and healthy in mind and body. Men who through faith subdued kingdoms.


This is a Special lunch time prayer meeting. 
Spend your lunch break every first Wednesday of the month. 

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The service will be in hymns with background information about the hymns and their relevance to our Christian live and times. 

Special Service marking the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. 

OTHER OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH 15 12 2020.mp3

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Other Officers Of The Church

DEFINITION OF ELECTION.mp3

Definition of Election

4. ELECTION AND REPROBATION..mp3

Election and Reprobation

Are You A Christian 2.mp3

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Are You Are Christian 2?

REVIVAL DAY 2 04-01-2021.mp3

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New Year Revival Day 2: All The Way To Rehoboth 

Are You A Christian 1 7 02 2021.mp3

Are You A Christian 1?

THERE IS A LIFTING.mp3

New Year Revival Day 1: There is A Lifting Up 

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

The Office of A Deacon In The Church 

The Mystery of Godliness.mp3

The Mysteries of Goodliness 

APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO THE DOCTRINE OF COMMON GRACE..mp3

Appropriate Response to the Doctrine of Common Grace

AUD-20210323-WA0000.mp3

What The Doctrine Of Election Does Not Mean

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMMON GRACE AND SAVING GRACE..mp3

Relationship Between Common Grace and Saving Grace

COMMON GRACE..mp3

The Doctrine of Redemption: Common Grace

REVIVAL DAY 6 08-01-2021.mp3

New Year Revival Day 6: There is A Lifting

REVIVAL DAY 5 7-1-21.mp3

New Year Revival Day 5: Forces On Lifting

REVIVAL DAY 4 06-01-2021.mp3

New Year Revival Day 4: Promotion Cometh

EXAMPLES OF COMMON GRACE..mp3

The Doctrine of Redemption: Examples of Common Grace

1. THE DOCTRINE OF ELECTION IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.mp3

The Doctrine Of Election In The New Testament.

REVIVAL DAY 3 05-01-2021.mp3

New Year Revival Day 3: From Nonentity To Celebrity

Message 11 04 2021 ( Acceptable Stewardship ).mp3

Acceptable Stewardshıp.

THE GOSPEL CALL-1.mp3

The Gospel Call: How It Becomes Effectıve

Message 18 04 2021 Excuses.mp3

Excuses

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.


New Year Revival Day 1: 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


New Year Revival Day 2: 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.


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


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.


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.



New Year Revival Day 6: There Is A Lifting

Day 7: New Year Revival 2021
Saturday 9th January, 2021

Topic: TRIPLE ELEVATION.
Text: Isaiah 52:9-13.

SONGS

1. Breathe.
2. Oluwa Jo, Wa Gbe Mi Soke.
3. I am Going Higher.
4. Lifted, I am Lifted.
5. I Will Exalt You Lord.
6. You Raised Me Up.

INTRODUCTION
We give glory to God as we conclude our 7 days New Year and Fasting Revival today. We glorify Him for the lives of all the ministers He has sent our ways and the messages they delivered. None of God’s promises to us shall fall to the ground in 2021. Remember, it is our year of Divine Lifting/Promotion/Exaltation/Elevation. Also don’t forget to declare daily, where others are cast down, there is a lifting up for you. You are destined to be lifted. No one is permitted to bring you down for any reason. When God exalts you, no one can humiliate you. When God elevates you, no one can abase you. Today, as we conclude, I want to expose you to the kind of lifting the Lord has in store for us all this year. It is a triple/threefold elevation. This I found in Isaiah 52:13 that we have read today, EXALTED, EXTOLLED and VERY HIGH.


DIVINE PLAN FOR OUR ELEVATION- (Isa. 52:13) 
Let us begin by examining how some versions of the Bible render this verse.


1.NIV/LB-Raised, Lifted Up and Highly Exalted.

2. RSV-Exalted, Lifted Up and Very High

3. Cont. Eng.-Great Praise and Highest Honour.

4. NLT- Highly Exalted.

5. AMP-Exalted, Extolled and shall stand very High.

6. GW-Respected,Praised and Highly Honoured.

7. MSG-Exalted, Tall and Shoulders above the crowd.


All these will happen to you in the year 2021. Amen. The Hebrew words employed are also worthy of note. These are,


1. Exalted- “Ruum”- go up, lift up, hold up, mount up, promote.

2. Lifted- “Naza”- advance, arise, honour, magnify.

3. Be High- “Gabar”- to soar, raise up, to raise high. This is also qualified with the word “meh-ode” which means exceedingly, greatly or very.

From the look of things, these three verbs describe the experience of Jesus and His exaltation as found in Phil 2:8-11. He was lifted high beyond humiliation. It was a triple elevation seen in his resurrection, ascension and glorification to the right hand of God. The three-fold emphasis is to underscore the magnitude and certitude. You will also testify to same in 2021. Amen.


REQUIREMENTS FOR TRIPLE ELEVATION.
Today, I shall speak briefly on two requirements for your triple elevation. The rest I will share at tomorrow’s service. Don’t miss it as I preach on the topic, “Your Pathways to Divine Lifting.” If you want to experience triple elevation.


1.	BE THE LORD’S SERVANT 
All versions are united in this. This is a promise for the Lord’s servant. The Hebrew word is “ebed” which means bondman or bond servant. This year, you must be the Lord’s servant and not the servant of sin, flesh or satan. Anyone advising you not to serve God is looking for ways to deny you, your triple elevation/lifting. Will you allow them?

2.	ACT WISELY
If you are going to experience triple elevation, you must act wisely. The Hebrew word employed here is “sawkal” which can be interpreted intelligent, deal wisely skillful or prudence. This informs why some versions call it prudent, deal wisely, prosper or do well in undertakings. You must act wisely in at least four ways this year.

a. Be diligent with God. Not a year for the foolish. Be wise in worship, service, obedience, submission and thanksgiving.

b. Be Dilligent with Men- Fellow men, your boss, your job, your friends and your foes. According to our passage, your diligence determines your prosperity.

c. Be Dilligent with the Devil- He will play many tricks to discourage you, dissuade you, distract you frighten you or confuse you. Do not listen to him, do not obey him. Do not let him talk you out of your elevation.

d. Be Dilligent with your opportunities- Ensure you are not losing time. A stich in time saves nine. Avoid procrastination in the year of your divine lifting. Act wisely.


CONCLUSION
The Lord is set to lift you up this year and it will be a triple elevation. You shall be exalted, extolled and be very high. You will rise, be more exalted and will stand high. The three verbs signify the commencement, the continuation and the climax of the elevation. It means you shall triumph powerfully and gloriously.

Just like Mordecai in Esther 6:10-11, God shall exalt you, men shall extol you and with both you shall be very high than the enemy. So shall be your testimony in 2021. Triple elevation is yours. Amen. Shalom.


PRAYER POINTS

1. My Father, my Father, I give you praise for giving me the grace to be part of this seven days prayer and fasting.

2. My Father and my Lord, help me to be a faithful servant of yours in 2021. My life will serve your purpose.

3. My Father, the giver of Wisdom, grant me wisdom to be diligent in all aspects of my life this year. O Lord breathe your excellent spirit on me. (Dan. 5:12)

4. My Father, my Father, establish my going out and coming in with your signs and wonders in 2021.

5. My Father, my Father, whatever I lay my hands upon shall prosper in 2021.

6. O Father of Light, by your power and by your grace, my star will rise and my light will shine in the year 2021.

7. My Father, my Father, raise my head this year above my compatriots.

8. My Father, my Father, provide resources that will meet the need of every hour this year.

9. Lord Jesus, break all parental covenants affecting the progress of my life in Jesus name.

10. My Father, my Father, my well of supply shall not fail this year in Jesus name.

11. My Father, my Father, this year I shall take my seat among the great; I shall be the head and not the tail in Jesus name.

12. Heavenly Father, change my status this year from nobody to somebody and from somebody to somebody special in Jesus name

13. Heavenly Father, let all Shepherdhillians abroad continue to enjoy the favour of God. None shall be sent home with shame in 2021.

14. God Almighty, let your peace reign in Nigeria in 2021. All those who plan to cause chaos shall be confounded in Jesus name.

15. My Father, the Great Provider, every door of opportunity and blessings meant for me this year shall remain open in Jesus name.

16. My Father, my Father, opportunities that will bring great turnaround will come my way this year in Jesus name.

17. Heavenly Father, my prayers these 7 days shall redound to glorious testimonies. I shall not pray and fast in vain.

18. My Father, the God of wonders, in your name I command divine solution this year to every problem that defy solution in my work and in my life last year.

19. My Father, the Lone Wonder Working God, perfect my lifting in the year 2021.

20. My Father, my Father, where and when men are cast down, there is a lifting up for me and members of my family.

21. My Father, my Father, anoint my head for triple elevation in the year 2021 and give me songs of lifting, promotion, exaltation and elevation.

(Amen) 21X

New Year Revival Day 7: TRIPLE ELEVATION. 

Sunday Sermon 
Sunday, 10th January, 2021


Topic: Your Pathways To Divine Lifting. 
Text: Isaiah 52:1-13
Songs
1. You Raised Me Up.
2. Lifted, I am Lifted.

INTRODUCTION
Yesterday as we concluded our seven days prayer and fasting, we discovered that the lifting the Lord has in store for us is triple: Exalted, Extolled and Very High. We also examined briefly two requirements for such a triple elevation namely, Service and Wisdom. I have no doubt that this year, you will definitely move forward. 
Some will move from “footwagen” to being a car owner, from joblessness to gainful employment, from childlessness to childbearing, from management to directorship, from fear to courage, from retailer-ship to dealership, from squatting to having your own apartment, from tenancy to being a landlord and from being single to being married. etc. But if our triple elevation would happen, we all need to cooperate with God as we try our best to follow Divine Pathways to our Divine Lifting. 

DIVINE PATHWAYS
If you and I would experience the divine lifting we desire and as God plans for us, there are few commands to obey. These are,

1. WAKE UP (Isaiah. 52:1a) 
It is a new year and God’s people must wake up, awake, awake. Romans 13:11-14 says we must awake for the night is over. So, wake up from slumber, it is a new dawn, and we must be seen to be up and doing. Wake up.
 
2. DRESS UP (Isaiah. 52:1b) 
Put on your strength, your splendor, your beautiful garment. This is not a year of, I can’t do it, but the year of I can by the strength of God. Dress up for the feast is about to begin. (Luke 15:22-24) You will have reasons to celebrate. If mine comes, don’t be envious, you will definitely get yours. 

3. SHAKE OFF YOUR DUST (Isa. 52:2a)
Shake off all hindrances. (Heb. 12:1)

4. RISE UP AND SIT ENTHRONED. (Isa. 52:2b)
Arise and sit down might look conflicting. But they refer to two different actions. Rise up to your next level and don’t be afraid to sit on your throne. Do not be shy for your lifting will come swiftly (2-6). God’s name will no longer be profaned through you, but rather glorified. 

5. LOOSE YOURSELF FROM CHAINS. (Isa. 52:2c) 
Stop saying the power of sin is too much, loose yourself from it. Don’t make the devil too big than he is. 

6. SPEAK UP (Isa. 52:7-10) 
Share the good news and testify to God’s faithfulness. You can’t stay silent. Your feet shall be beautiful this year.

7. DEPART FROM UNCLEAN THINGS (Isa. 52:11) 
This is not a year to eat sin like food nor drink it like water. Depart from unclean things. We cannot afford to live like the other nations. 


CONCLUSION
It seems all these seven things are encapsulated in the commands of verses 1 and 11 i.e. Awake, awake and Depart, Depart. According to our passage, if we are careful to do all these, we shall have no cause to go out in haste or go in flight for Jehovah will always go before us and also be our rear guard. (vs.12) Definitely in this year of Divine Lifting, you shall be exalted by God, extolled by men and be very high. See you at the next level. Amen. 
Shalom. 




Your Pathways To Divine Lifting.

Sunday Sermon 
Sunday, 17th January, 2021

Topic: Lifted From The Miry Clay 
Text: Psalm 40:1-5.
Song: Lifted, I am Lifted.

INTRODUCTION
This is our year of Divine Lifting and there is no limit to the kind of lifting you and I can experience in this unique year. 2020 was an unusual year, but this year shall be unique/significant for you. Amen. There is no doubt that the word “lift” can only go with “up” and not “down”. The other two words that are could be associated are “from/out” and “unto.” Lifted from where/what and lifted unto where/what? Today, we are looking at the topic, LIFTED FROM THE MIRY CLAY. This year, whatever your miry clay might be, you shall be lifted from it in Jesus name.

1.	THE TESTIMONY
In Psalm 40, the psalmist testified to how God delivery him from his great trial. It was a lifting from a horrible pit; the miry clay. This Psalm can be divided into three major parts. Part 1 (vs.1-5) contains praises to God. Part 2 (vs.6-10) speaks of God’s work of redemption while part 3 (vs.11-17) contains prayer for mercy and grace. Today, we shall focus on verses 1 to 5 which is a song of praise. There was a primary school teacher in a private nursery and primary school who was denied increment in salary because he refused to go out with the proprietress who was a widow. When the matter became tough, the widow threatened to sack him. A month after the threat, he got a letter of employment from Chevron with a monthly salary of N120,000 per month as against N5,000 he was earning monthly at the school. May you also be lifted miraculously, suddenly and timely this year. Amen. 

2.	 THE MIRY CLAY: Psa. 40:1-2
According to this passage, the psalmist was in a serious trouble and he cried out to the Lord with assurance and patience. He described the experience as that of a horrible pit; the miry clay. The Hebrew word used here for pit is “bowr” which can also be interpreted “cistern, prison, dungeon or grave.” 
This therefore speaks of a slim, horrible and dangerous pit. A pit full of mud and miry clay. Such a pit that the more you struggle, the more difficult it is to escape and the longer you stay, the deeper you sink. The psalmist was so helpless that he couldn’t bring himself out. This could be likened to the experience of Jeremiah in Jer. 38:6-13. This pit could be both spiritual and physical. Sin is a pit, hell is a pit, unbelief is a pit and doubt is a pit. It could also be a pit of finance and debt. It could be marital, economic or academic. 

Today, many are in the pit of despondency, despair, sickness, great difficulties, distress, danger and calamity. Anything that brings you down, shame, sorrow or weeping is a pit. How the psalmist got there, we are not told. Possibly, it could be sin, activities of the enemies out of jealousy, envy, wickedness or hatred just like the case of Joseph who was Pitted, Potted and Putted according to Marlene Garten or Beloved, Hated and Exalted according to F.B. Meyers. Whatever might be your particular case, there is a lifting up for you. 

3.	THE RESULT OF THE LIFTING.
When God lifts up or lifts out, there are many good things that will follow. When the Lord lifted the Psalmist from the miry clay, three major things happened. These are,

a.	God Sets his Feet on the Rock (vs2c)
A firm place of safety and strength to stand. It was a lift from the miry clay to the solid rock. From corruption to holiness, from hell to heaven, mourning to dancing, failure to success, demotion to promotion and struggling with sin unto victory over sin. Halleluyah. Jesus is that Rock.

b.	God Established his Steps (vs2d)
God enabled him to walk as on solid ground; he conducted him along safely, where there was no danger of descending to the pit again or of sinking in the mire. God secured him and made him unreachable by the enemy. 

c.	God Put a New Song in his Mouth (vs3) 
You will sing a new song this year. You shall sing that old song of sorrow no more in Jesus name. Amen. 

CONCLUSION
God is set to lift you up this year from whatever is your miry clay. Just like the Psalmist, you must learn to, 

1.Wait, 
2. Wait Prayerfully 
3. Wait Patiently. (vs1.) 
You are a diamond meant to shine. But a diamond cannot shine or shine enough when it is in the mud. Sin, hypocrisy, unbelief, jealousy or rebellion are muds that can prevent you from shinning. There is hope for you for God wants to lift you up from your miry clay. Will you allow Him to lift you up, cleanse you, give you a firm place to stand and a strong place to walk? You will testify. 
Amen. 
Shalom. 


Lifted From The Miry Clay 

Sunday Sermon 
Sunday, 24th January, 2021

Topic: Finishing With Joy.
Text: Acts 20:17-24.

INTRODUCTION
Today is WMU focus Sunday and the theme is “Moving Forward: Finishing the Race with Joy.” This is the theme for the coming NBC in session for 2021. The topic actually denotes the fact that it is not enough to begin, but very necessary to finish. But in addition, it is not good enough to finish, you must finish well which is called finish with joy. May you finish this year with joy. May you finish every assignment before you with joy. May you finish every good cause you have begun with joy. Say to yourself, I shall finish with joy and also say to your neighbor, may you finish with joy. Amen. 

TO FINISH WITH JOY
In Acts chapter 20, we find what kept Paul Apostle strong even in the face of great challenges. He knew so well that what was waiting for him was so grave, yet he was unperturbed. He did not allow anything to move him because he had the goal to finish his race with joy. (24) In the same vein, each of us has a race to run or we are already running, and our goal should be not just to run, but to run and end with joy. Therefore, if you shall finish your race with joy, these five things are necessary as observed in the life of Paul and stated in his words.

1.	BE COMMITTED (24b)
Commitment is crucial to victory. Commitment is more than mere words, but a matter of your willingness to totally surrender your life. He did not count his life dear to himself. He was sold out to the Lord and his work.

2.	BE CONSISTENT (24c)
He remained constant/consistent to his dreams and pursuit. Today, some of us try something once or twice or at most thrice and we give it up and we start another. Consistency is crucial to our victory. When we choose to be consistent, the greatest of our challenges will definitely give way. Paul’s goal was to finish the race with joy. May you also finish this year with joy.

3.	BE COURAGEOUS
Courage is the ability to look at the storms and still be willing to hoist your sail. (Joshua 1:6,7,8) It is the ability to remain strong at the face of strong intimidation/threat.

4.	BE CALM- 24a. 
Paul had a composure that none of the challenges moved him. If you and I will finish our race with joy, none of the things the devil throws at us should move us. (Psa.16:8)

5.	BE CLEAN (1 Cor. 9:26-27, 2 Cor. 7:1)
 Nothing makes a man peaceful like being clean and nothing makes a man joyful like having peace in his heart. If your hands are clean, you will be peaceful and you shall finish with joy. The first stanza of the popular hymn “Let others See Jesus in You” written by B.B. McKinney says, 

“While passing through this world of sin, 
and others your life shall view,
 Be clean and pure without, within, 
Let others see Jesus in you.” 

To finish your race with joy, strive to be clean as you run your race. 

CONCLUSION
To finish any race, you must begin. But the big question is, have you really started? Have you begun the journey of faith by giving your life to Jesus? If you have started, make it your goal to finish with joy. Also pray, that no one will deter your joy at the end of your race. If you run your race faithfully and lovingly, you shall finish cheerfully with joy and have abundant entrance. The phrase “finish my race with joy” could also be interpreted “to be welcomed with joy.” (Acts. 20:24). By the time this year ends, you shall sing songs of joy. May you finish this year with joy. 

Amen. 
Shalom



Finishing With Joy.

Sunday Sermon 
Sunday, 31st January, 2021

Topic: Lord, Help Me.
Text: Psalm 109:21–27

SONGS
1. It’s Me O’ Lord.
2. Draw Me Close to You. 
3. I Need Thee Every Hour.

INTRODUCTION
Today, as we observe our Power Sunday, (PRAYER & FASTING), the message the Lord is sending our way is simple and direct. Sometimes, the solution to a complex problem is simple and the way out of a difficult situation could be direct. Today’s message is a simple prayer which I am confident the Lord will not ignore. “LORD, HELP ME.” 

This was the prayer King David prayed while going through difficult challenges of life. Theologians believe that, it was during the trials of false accusers that David made this plea for judgment. (vs.1-5) The Psalmist was so overwhelmed to the extent that he almost lost the strength to fight on. Therefore, he resorted to pray a simple prayer that is the topic of today’s message, “Lord, Help Me.” (vs.26) Possibly, he had tried some other complex prayers and to no avail. (vs.6-19, 23-25) Then, he asked the Lord to help him and save him according to His mercy. Before we set out to pray, let us briefly look at four things concerning this simple prayer.

LORD, HELP ME: WHAT A PLEA? 
1. A PLEA OF SOMEONE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE OR IN DIRE NEED. 
There is no doubt that this was a prayer of a man who was in serious problem who needed desperate rescue. It was a prayer of a man who was at the end of his rope. Are you at the end of your rope? It is time to pray, Lord help me. 

2. A PLEA OF HUMILITY DEVOID OF PRIDE AND ARROGANCE. 
There are times when we are in need and pride and arrogance are not allowing us to seek for help. But the prayer, Lord help me is a prayer of humility. It is a prayer of someone who cannot help himself and has decided to seek fully the help of God. Therefore, humble yourself and pray, Lord, help me.

3. A PLEA OF CONFIDENT EXPECTATION OF DIVINE ASSISTANCE. 
This is also a prayer of someone who is confident of divine intervention. The fact that God has not responded does not mean He will not respond. It is a prayer to be prayed with confident expectation. 

4. A SIMPLE PLEA GOD HAS NEVER AND CAN NEVER IGNORE. 
Among the prayers I have discovered God does not ignore no matter who prays it, the prayer, Lord help me is topmost. I have never seen any man who prays genuinely and confidently, Lord help me and God ignores him. Even the man who lacked faith prayed for help in Mark 9:24 and Jesus did not ignore him. Also, the man who looked at the wind and began to sink prayed, Lord help me and was he was lifted and saved. (Matthew 14:30-31) As you pray today, Lord, help me, your prayer cannot and will not be ignored. Amen. Shalom.

CONCLUSION
David was at the end of his rope: “poor and needy,” his “heart was wounded” (vs. 22) and his body weakened. (vs. 24) He was fading “like an evening shadow” (vs. 23) and he sensed he had become an “object of scorn” in the eyes of his accusers (vs. 25). In his extreme brokenness, he had nowhere else to turn. But nowhere can also mean now here. It is only a matter of arrangement and rendering. He therefore cried out to the Sovereign Lord, “Help me, Lord my God” (vs. 26) Are you also at the end of your rope, in need of divine help? You also can pray, Lord, help me. It is a prayer of all persons, in all circumstances, in all places and of all seasons.

 In the classic film titled, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a man by the name Jimmy Stewart who acted the character called George Bailey whispered a simple but life changing prayer saying, “dear Father in heaven, I’m not a praying man, but if you’re up there, and you can hear me, show me the way. I’m at the end of my rope.” 
In that iconic scene, Bailey’s eyes were filled with tears. They weren’t part of the script, but as he spoke that prayer, Stewart said he “felt the loneliness and the hopelessness of people who had nowhere to turn.” The prayer brought God’s power on him and changed him. Are you in any problem, difficult situation, overwhelming circumstances or facing a demeaning tendency? You can pray today, Lord, help me. Your prayer, our Heavenly Father shall not ignore. You shall be lifted and you shall testify. Shalom.

PRAYER POINTS
1. My Father, my Father, I thank you for giving me the grace of seeing the last day of this month. 
2. Heavenly Father, let your blood avail for me anywhere I have fallen short of your standards for my life. 
3. O God who answers prayer, help me to give myself unto prayer this year. (vs.4)
3. Lord, in this year of my Divine Lifting, silence every tongue lying against me. (vs.2)
4. My Father, my Father, render powerless, every word of hatred spoken against me in this year of my lifting. (vs.3)
5. My God, my Defender, no one rewarding my good for evil shall go unpunished in Jesus name. (vs.5)
6. My Father, my Protector, no stranger shall plunder my labour this year. (vs.11)
7. My Father, the Great I am, anyone who delights in cursing me shall swim in the pool of his or her own curses in Jesus name. 
8. My Father, the Lifter of my head, I shall not be a reproach to family and friends in 2021.
9. My Father, my Father, as I humble myself in prayer, I shall be lifted in glory this year. 
10. My Father and my Creator, my God and my Lord, HELP me.
11. My Father, my Father, where others are cast down, there is a lifting up for me.
12. My Father, my Strength and my Joy, I shall greatly praise thee for my Divine Liftings this year. 
(Amen)7X



Lord, Help Me.

February Seekers Breakthrough Service 
Wednesday, 3rd February 2021

Topic: The Voices of Restoration.
Text: Jeremiah 33:10-14.

SONGS
 In a Little While.
We Bring Our Sacrifice of Praise.

INTRODUCTION
We give thanks to God for the grace to witness and be a partaker of the first SEEKERS BREAKTHROUGH PRAYER SERVICE of the year 2021, our year of Divine Lifting. Just according to the name of the Service whatever you are seeking, may you find in the name of Jesus. You shall not seek in vain. Amen. Today, this week, this month, this year and beyond, the Voices of restoration shall be heard in your territory. 

Restoration means whatever you have lost either physically or spiritually shall be returned back unto you. There is restoration for you in your year of divine lifting. Amen. Jeremiah 33 speaks of the excellence or glory of a restored nation. It reveals that our God is a God of restoration and when he restores, he restores excellently or gloriously. No matter how bad things seem to have gone, God can still bring the best out of the worst. May be your loss is so bad and you have lost hope of restoration, as the voices of restoration speak to your life, you shall experience glorious restoration. Amen. 

THE SIX VOICES. (vs 10-11)
From verses 4 to 9, Jeremiah spoke of the restorative turnaround God was bringing over Judah. But from verse 10, the scripture speaks of a change in voice that shall be heard in the camp of his people. Actually, this will be a voice of restoration that shall be broken into six voices. These are, 

1. THE VOICE OF JOY. 
It shall speak joy into your life, and you shall make it known.

2. THE VOICE OF GLADNESS. 
It shall speak gladness into your heart, and you shall amplify it.

3. THE VOICE OF THE BRIDEGROOM. 
Whatever is the joy of a man getting married to his lover, you shall receive such joy.

4. THE VOICE OF THE BRIDE. 
Whatever is the gladness of a bride getting married unto her lover, receive it. 

5. THE VOICE OF PRAISE. 
Your heart shall be delighted to sing praises unto God.

6. THE VOICE OF SACRIFICE. 
You shall offer unto God sacrifices with ease and Joy. No reluctance in your giving. The grateful heart does not hold back. 

Actually these 6 can be re-divided unto 3, i.e.

1. The Voices of Joy and Gladness.
2. The Voices of the Bridegroom and the Bride.

3. The Voices of Praise and Sacrifice. 

All these shall emanate when the voice of restoration has spoken into your life. 
The INFERENCES of this are,

1. What you lost shall be restored to you. 

2. What you thought you will not be able to achieve shall be achievable. 

3. There will be joy in your camp. 
At a time, you thought you could never sing again because of the tremendous blow that came upon your life, but you will sing again more cheerfully than you ever sung in any day of your life. If desolation has stollen your songs, divine restoration shall give you better songs to sing.

CONCLUSION
The summary of this passage is, that those who were carried into captivity shall return and upon their return, they shall be in their former state as to civil transactions, marrying and giving in marriage; and as to religion, they shall publicly praise the Lord with holy and spiritual joy far more than they ever did. The condition for this restoration is that you call on God who has promised to answer and show you great and mighty things. (vs3)

Suffice it to say that Jeremiah was still in prison when this word of prophecy came unto him. But God still performed His word. Things might not look as if restoration is possible. But God shall still make it happen for you. Call on him and believe him, you will testify. Amen. 


PRAYER POINTS
1. My Father, my Father, I give you praise for the opportunity of seeing today. 
2. Heavenly Father, cleanse me from all my sins and wash me by your blood. 
3. My Father, my Father, there shall be restoration for my desolation.
4. God of glory, as I call on you, reveal to me great and mighty things I do not know.
5. My Father, the Father of Light, in your name I shall not walk in darkness this month. 
6. My Father, my Healer, bring health and healing unto me this month.
7. My Father, my Provider, I will enjoy abundance of peace and truth this new month.
8. My Father, my Restorer, let the voices of restoration- joy, gladness, bridegroom, bride, praise and sacrifice be heard in my territory this month. 
9. My Father, my Father, where others are cast down, there is a lifting up for me. 
10. My Father, my Father, perform the good thing which you have promised unto me. It shall be evident.

Amen, amen, amen.

The Voices of Restoration.

Sunday Service
7th February 2021

Topic: Are You A Christian? (Part 1)
Text: Acts 11: 25-26.


INTRODUCTION
Today I shall begin a series that is focusing on the need for us all to really ask ourselves whether we are truly who we think we are or claim to be. The topic is “ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN?” The question looks so simple and to many of us in this house, our answer seems to be thesame, i.e. Yes. But are we truly Christians? The truth is that the word “Christian” today has lost much of its meaning and significance. 

Some assume that going to church, carrying the Bible, singing in the choir, serving as an usher, assisting the Pastor, donating to church building project, bearing a Bible name is all that makes one a Christian. But being a Christian is far more than all these. My friend, if I ask you again, are you a Christian and your answer is yes, what will your answer be if I go further to ask you, what makes you a Christian? I hope it will not be one of those I mentioned earlier. 

As we found in our passage today, it was at Antioch of Judea that the early disciples were first called Christians, (Acts 11:26,29) not Antioch of Pisidia. (Acts 13:14) 
The word Christian which means little Christ actually stands for someone who lives like Christ because lives in him. It means “Christ in one.” It begins with faith in Christ, a confession of Him as Lord and Saviour but does not end there. It means living like him when convenient and when it is not convenient. Today, I shall focus on the expectations of God on anyone who claims to be a Christian.

DIVINE EXPECTATIONS.
If you are a Christian, God has high expectations on you and you cannot continue to claim to be a Christian if you are not fuflfilling those expectations .Some of them are,

1. YOU MUST GROW (2 Thess. 1:3 ; 1 Peter 2:2 ; 2 Peter 3:18). 
Your growth begins from your birth. You can’t afford to remain what you used to be many years ago if you are a Christian. Growth is not an option, it is a must.

2. YOU MUST GO. (Mark 5:19 ;Acts 1:8). 
If you are a Christian, you mouth can’t be silent. You must share the gospel of Christ with others. Evangelism is non negotiable. Your resources must go as well for the purpose of the gospel.

3. YOU MUST GLOW. (Matt. 5:16, Phil. 2:15, Ephe. 5:8-9)
The true Christian is light and he or she must shine wherever he or she is found. If you are not shinning, you are yet to be a christian. You must live a separated life unto God to glow for him. While our lights are not necessarily of thesame size, each of us is expected to shine.

CONCLUSION
If your heart constantly doubts your salvation, it might mean your are not yet saved. With genuine salvation comes the assurance that you have the blessed hope of living with Christ in His Father’s kingdom eternally. You must know that you are saved, and you have a place in God’s kingdom. ( 1 John 5:13) But there is no doubt there are many people in Church today who are not saved and many bearing Christian names who are not Christians. The big question today is, are you a Christian? Are you sure that if Christ comes today, He will take you among the saints? Christ is coming for Christians not for those who attend church services regularly, but those who truly belong to him and He knows them. 

On a wall near the main entrance to the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, is a portrait with the following inscription: “James Butler Bonham—no picture of him exists. This portrait is of his nephew, Major James Bonham, deceased, who greatly resembled his uncle. It is placed here by the family that people may know the appearance of the man who died for freedom.” In the same vein, no literal portrait of Jesus exists today. But the likeness of the Son who makes us free can be seen in the lives of His true followers who are called Christians. Are you a Christian? Are you truly reflecting his likeness? 

Shalom.

Are You A Christian? (Part 1)

Sunday Service
14th February 2021

Topic: Are You A Christian? (Part 2)
Text: 1 Peter 4:12-16.

Song: O Jesus I Have Promised.

INTRODUCTION
Last week, we began this series calling our attention individually and collectively to the need to ask ourselves if we are truly who we think or say we are. The question is “Are You A Christian.” Answering that question, last week we discovered that it was at Antioch of Judea, not Antioch of Pisidia that the early disciples were first called Christians. We also examined three expectations of God from any man or woman who claims to be a Christian. God expects us to be a Growing Christian, Going Christian and a Glowing Christian. 

A few years ago a group of salesmen attended a regional sales conference in Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would be home on time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen mistakenly kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly-missed boarding. All but one paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings and had sympathy for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned. 

He told his friends to go on without him, waved good-bye and told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination to explain why he’s taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were. He was glad he did. The 16-year-old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled apples as the crowd watched with no one stopping, nor care to help her. The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. 

As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket. When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?" She nodded through her tears. He added, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly." 

As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister...." He paused and looked back into those blind eyes. She continued, "are you Jesus?" He stopped in mid-stride and wondered. He gently went back and said, "no, I am nothing like Jesus - He is good, kind, caring, loving, and would never have bumped into your display in the first place." The girl gently nodded: "I only asked because I prayed for Jesus to help me gather the apples. He sent you to help me, so you are like Him - only He knows who will do His will. Thank you for hearing His call, Mister." Then slowly the man made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus?" The big question is, do people mistake you for Jesus? A Christian is that man that people meet and see a little Christ in him.

WHO IS A CHRISTIAN?
Today, there are three things to be considered about the man or woman that can be called a Christian. 
These are,

1. A CONVERTED PERSON - (Matthew 18:3, Acts 3:19.)
The Christian is a converted man right from the heart. Conversion is a matter of the heart, the true spirit of repentance. Are you converted?

2. A CHANGED PERSON.(Acts 11:26, 2 Cor. 5:17) 
The conversion of the heart naturally produces the change in the life of the man that is called a Christian. Without the conversion of the heart, there is no genuine change in the physical and when there is no change in the physical deeds, we need to suspect lack of conversion in the heart. A Christian is a changed man in thoughts and deeds.

3. A COMMITTED PERSON.(Acts 26:28) 
The conversion of the heart also produces in the Christian a commitment to Christ that cannot be equated to any other. The Christian is the one who has made a definite choice for God in Jesus Christ. He is a man with a definite commitment, a dedication to the Kingdom of God (1 Peter 4:16), a commitment to serve others, a commitment to witness and save others. Are you a Christian?

CONCLUSION
The Christian is not only converted, but also a changed or transformed person. (Rom. 12:2) The conversion and transformation produces the commitment to give God his or her very best. Several years ago, an article was written about Queen Mary of England, who made it her practice to visit Scotland every year. She was so loved by the people there that she often mingled with them freely without a protective escort. One afternoon while walking with some children, she went out farther than she’d planned. Dark clouds came up unexpectedly, so she stopped at a nearby house to borrow an umbrella. “If you will lend me one,” she said to the lady who answered the door, “I will send it back to you tomorrow.” The woman didn’t recognize the Queen and was reluctant to give this stranger her best umbrella. Then she handed her an old umbrella she intended to throw away. The fabric was torn in several places and one of the ribs was broken. The Queen took the umbrella and went away. 

The next day a knock was heard at the door.  When the lady opened it, she was greeted by a royal guard, who was holding in his hand her old, tattered umbrella. “The Queen sent me,” he said. “She asked me to thank you for loaning her this.” For a moment the woman was stunned, then, she burst into tears. “Oh, what an opportunity I missed,” she cried. “I didn’t give the Queen my very best!” Are you a Christian? If yes, the Lord expects you to give him all of your very best. 

Shalom. 

Are You A Christian? (Part 2)

Weekly Bible Study
Tuesday, 9th February 2021

THE DOCTRINE OF REDEMPTION
Topic: Common Grace 
Text: Matt. 5:44–45.
 
 
INTRODUCTION
We thank the Lord for the opportunity to begin our weekly Bible Study again though we shall still observe this in each family until the coast is clear for us to go back to our various House Fellowship Centers. We shall start this year by examining the general doctrine of Redemption beginning with the doctrine of Common Grace. Today, we shall look at the doctrine of common grace.
 
COMMON GRACE: WHAT IS IT?
Common grace is the theological description of the undeserved blessings that God gives to all people, both believers and unbelievers. Today, there are so many questions to ask. Do unbelievers deserve the ordinary benefits of the world around them? Does God often use the blessings of common grace as a means to prepare people to receive the gospel? Should we be thankful for the good that we see in the lives of unbelievers? What are different examples of common grace that we can see around? How does that make us feel? If one is kind to an unbeliever and he or she never comes to accept Christ, has it done any good in God’s sight? What good has it done? Why do you think that God is good even to those who will never be saved? Do we have any obligation to give more effort to showing good to believers than to unbelievers?
 
When Adam and Eve sinned, they became worthy of eternal punishment and separation from God (Gen. 2:17). In the same way, when human beings sin today, they become liable to the wrath of God and to eternal punishment: “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). This means that once people sin, God’s justice would require only one thing that they be eternally separated from God, cut off from experiencing any good from him, and that they live forever in hell, receiving only his wrath eternally. In fact, this was what happened to angels who sinned, and it could justly have happened to us as well: “God did not spare the angels when they sinned but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of neither gloom to be kept until the judgment” (2 Peter 2:4). 

But in fact, Adam and Eve did not die physically the same day but the sentence of death began to work out in their lives on the day they sinned. The full execution of the sentence of death was delayed for many years. Moreover, millions of their descendants even to this day do not die and go to hell as soon as they sin, but continue to live for many years, enjoying countless blessings in this world. How can this be? How can God continue to give blessings to sinners who deserve only death, not only to those who will ultimately be saved, but also to millions who will never be saved, whose sins will never be forgiven?
 

The answer to these questions is that God bestows common grace. We may define common grace therefore as the grace of God by which he gives people innumerable blessings that are not part of salvation. The word ‘common’ here means something that is given to all people and is not restricted to believers or to the elect only. 

In distinction from common grace, the grace of God that brings people to salvation is often called “saving grace.” Of course, when we talk about “common grace” and “saving grace” we are not implying that there are two different kinds of grace in God himself, but only that God’s grace manifests itself in the world in two different ways. Common grace is different from saving grace in its results (it does not bring about salvation), in its recipients (it is given to believers and unbelievers alike), and in its source (it does not directly flow from Christ’s atoning work, since Christ’s death did not earn any measure of forgiveness for unbelievers, and therefore did not merit the blessings of common grace for them either). 

However, on this last point it should be said that common grace does flow indirectly from Christ’s redemptive work, because the fact that God did not judge the world at once when sin entered it was primarily or perhaps exclusively due to the fact that he planned eventually to save some sinners through the death of his Son.
 
EXAMPLES OF COMMON GRACE.
If we look at the world around us and contrast it with the fires of hell that the world deserves, we can immediately see abundant evidence of God’s common grace in thousands of examples in everyday life. We can distinguish several specific categories in which this common grace is seen.
 
1. THE PHYSICAL REALM. 
Unbelievers continue to live in this world solely because of God’s common grace— every breath that people take is of grace, for the wages of sin is death, not life. Moreover, the earth does not produce only thorns and thistles (Gen. 3:18), or remain a parched desert, but by God’s common grace it produces food and materials for clothing and shelter, often in great abundance and diversity. 

In Matt. 5:44–45 Jesus appeals to God’s abundant common grace as an encouragement to his disciples that they too should bestow love and prayer for blessing on unbelievers. Similarly, Paul told the people of Lystra, “In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways; yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:16–17). 

The Old Testament also speaks of the common grace of God that comes to unbelievers as well as to believers. One specific example is Potiphar, the Egyptian captain of the guard who purchased Joseph as a slave: “The LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had, in house and field” (Gen. 39:5). David speaks in a much more general way about all the creatures God has made: “The LORD is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made. . .. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand, you satisfy the desire of every living thing” (Ps. 145:9, 15–16). 

These verses are another reminder that the goodness that is found in the whole creation is due to God’s goodness and compassion. We even see evidence of God’s common grace in the beauty of the natural world. Though nature itself is in “bondage to decay” and has been “subjected to futility” (Rom. 8:21, 20) because of the curse of the fall (Gen. 3:17–19), much beauty still remains in the natural world. The beauty of multicolored flowers, of grass and woodlands, of rivers and lakes and mountains and ocean shores, still remains as a daily testimony to the continuing common grace of God. Unbelievers deserve to enjoy none of this beauty, but by God’s grace they can enjoy much of it for their whole lives.  
 
2. THE INTELLECTUAL REALM. 
Satan is “a liar and the father of lies” and “there is no truth in him” (John 8:44), because he is fully given over to evil and to the irrationality and commitment to falsehood that accompanies radical evil. But human beings in the world today, even unbelievers, are not totally given over to lying, irrationality, and ignorance. All people are able to have some grasp of truth; indeed, some have great intelligence and understanding. This also must be seen as a result of God’s grace. 

John speaks of Jesus as “the true light that enlightens every man” (John 1:9), for in his role as creator and sustainer of the universe (not particularly in his role as redeemer) the Son of God allows enlightenment and understanding to come to all people in the world.  God’s common grace in the intellectual realm is seen in the fact that all people have a knowledge of God: “Although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him” (Rom. 1:21). 

This means that there is a sense of God’s existence and often a hunger to know God that he allows to remain in people’s hearts, even though it often results in many differing man- made religions. Therefore, even when speaking to people who held to false religions, Paul could find a point of contact regarding knowledge of God’s existence, as he did when speaking to the Athenian philosophers: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. . .. 

What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you” (Acts 17:22–23). The common grace of God in the intellectual realm also results in an ability to grasp truth and distinguish it from error, and to experience growth in knowledge that can be used in the investigation of the universe and in the task of subduing the earth. This means that all science and technology carried out by non-Christians is a result of common grace, allowing them to make incredible discoveries and inventions, to develop the earth’s resources into many material goods, to produce and distribute those resources, and to have skill in their productive work. In a practical sense this means that every time we walk into a grocery store or ride in an automobile or enter a house we should remember that we are experiencing the results of the abundant common grace of God poured out so richly on all mankind.


Weekly Bible Study
Tuesday, 16th February 2021

THE DOCTRINE OF REDEMPTION
Topic: Example of Common Grace 
Text: Rom. 1:24-28

 
Today, we shall continue our study as we examine more examples of common grace
 
3. THE MORAL REALM. 
God also by common grace restrains people from being as evil as they could be. Once again, the demonic realm, totally devoted to evil and destruction, provides a clear contrast with human society in which evil is clearly restrained. If people persist hardheartedly and repeatedly in following sin over a course of time, God will eventually “give them up” to greater and greater sin but in the case of most human beings they do not fall to the depths to which their sin would otherwise take them, because God intervenes and puts restraints on their conduct. 

One very effective restraint is the force of conscience: Paul says, “When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them” (Rom. 2:14– 15) 

This inward sense of right and wrong that God gives to all people means that they will frequently approve of moral standards that reflect many of the moral standards in Scripture. Even those who are given up to the basest sin, Paul says, “Know God’s decree that those who do such things deserve to die” (Rom. 1:32). And in many other cases this inward sense of conscience leads people to establish laws and customs in society that are, in terms of the outward behavior they approve or prohibit, quite like the moral laws of Scripture: people often establish laws or have customs that respect the sanctity of marriage and the family, protect human life, and prohibit theft and falsehood in speech.
 
4. THE CREATIVE REALM. 
God has allowed significant measures of skill in artistic and musical areas, as well as in other spheres in which creativity and skill can be expressed, such as athletics, cooking, writing, and so forth. Moreover, God gives to us an ability to appreciate beauty in many areas of life. And in this area as well as in the physical and intellectual realm, the blessings of common grace are sometimes poured out on unbelievers even more abundantly than on believers. Yet in all cases it is a result of the grace of God.
 


5. THE SOCIETAL REALM. 
God’s grace is also evident in the existence of various organizations and structures in human society. We see this first in the human family, evidenced in the fact that Adam and Eve remained husband and wife after the fall and then had children, both sons and daughters (Gen. 5:4). Adam and Eve’s children married and formed families for themselves (Gen. 4:17, 19, 26). The human family persists today, not simply as an institution for believers, but for all people. Human government is also a result of common grace. It was instituted in principle by God after the flood (Gen. 9:6) and is clearly stated to be given by God in Romans 13:1: “There is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” It is clear that government is a gift from God for mankind generally, for Paul says the ruler is “God’s servant for your good” and that he is “the servant of God to execute his wrath on the wrongdoer” (Rom. 13:4). 

One of the primary means God uses to restrain evil in the world is human government. Human laws and police forces and judicial systems provide a powerful deterrent to evil actions, and these are necessary, for there is much evil in the world that is irrational and that can only be restrained by force, because it will not be deterred by reason or education. Of course, the sinfulness of man can also affect governments themselves, so that they become corrupt and actually encourage evil rather than encourage good. This is just to say that human government, like all the other blessings of common grace that God gives, can be used either for good or for evil purposes. 

Other organizations in human society include educational institutions, businesses and corporations, voluntary associations (such as many charitable and public service groups), and countless examples of ordinary human friendship. All of these function to bring some measure of good to human beings, and all are expressions of the common grace of God.
 
6. THE RELIGIOUS REALM. 
Even in the realm of human religion, God’s common grace brings some blessings to unbelieving people. Jesus tells us, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44), and since there is no restriction in the context simply to pray for their salvation, and since the command to pray for our persecutors is coupled with a command to love them, it seems reasonable to conclude that God intends to answer our prayers even for our persecutors with regard to many areas of life. In fact, Paul specifically commands that we pray “for kings and all who are in high positions” (1 Tim. 2:1–2). 

When we seek good for unbelievers it is consistent with God’s own practice of granting sunshine and rain “on the just and on the unjust” (Matt. 5:45) and also consistent with the practice of Jesus during his earthly ministry when he healed every person who was brought to him (Luke 4:40). There is no indication that he required all of them to believe in him or to agree that he was the Messiah before he granted physical healing to them. Does God answer the prayers of unbelievers? 

Although God has not promised to answer the prayers of unbelievers as he has promised to answer the prayers of those who come in Jesus’ name, and although he has no obligation to answer the prayers of unbelievers, nonetheless, God may out of his common grace still hear and grant the prayers of unbelievers, thus demonstrating his mercy and goodness in yet another way (Ps. 145:9, 15; Matt. 7:22; Luke 6:35–36). This is apparently the sense of 1 Timothy 4:10, which says that God is “the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.” 

Here “Savior” cannot be restricted in meaning to “one who forgives sins and gives eternal life,” because these things are not given to those who do not believe; “Savior” must have a more general sense here, namely, “one who rescues from distress, one who delivers.” In cases of trouble or distress God often does hear the prayers of unbelievers, and graciously delivers them from their trouble. Moreover, even unbelievers often have a sense of gratitude toward God for the goodness of creation, for deliverance from danger, and for the blessings of family, home, friendships, and country. 

In addition, unbelievers who come in close contact with the church and perhaps associate with it for a time can have some religious experiences that seem very close to the experience of those who are saved (Heb. 4:4–6; Matt. 7:22–23). Finally, even the proclamation of the gospel to those who do not ultimately accept it is a clear declaration of the mercy and grace of God, which gives clear witness to the fact that God does not delight in the death or condemnation of any of his creatures (Ezek. 33:11; 1 Tim. 2:4).


The Doctrine of Redemption: Example of Common Grace

Midweek Service 
Wednesday, 17th February 2021

Topic: DIVINE LIFTING UP: SETTING OUR EXPECTATIONS ARIGHT
Text: Acts 3: 1-10

SONGS
There is something that make me come into Your presence…
He has promised, He will never fail…


One good thing to do is to come into the presence of God with at least an expectation, many times, we come to God as a routine, meeting with God is more than a religious routine. Many people come without any expectation, Expectation is not faith, but it is part of faith, anyone can deploy it. Imagine a very rich man who is looking for someone to bless, only for another rich man like himself showing forth, both will enjoy fellowship, (1 Kings 9: 11-13 King Solomon and King of Tyre) but if he has another friend who is in need, such will not hesitate to ask. Expectation drives men to prayer. The Bible tells us the expectation of the righteous shall not be cut off. Prov. 23: 18. (KJV) 

David knew how to set his expectations. In Psalm 123: 1-3. He compared his expectations in God to that of a servant to the Master. The Bible also tells us that God is able to do above our expectations Eph. 3: 20, Isai. 64: 3, recently, I have seen this happening to me. God can do beyond my expectations.  He is able to do much more. Whatever, your expectation and prayers in this year of divine lifting up, may your expectations and mine be graciously granted in Jesus name. The expectation of the wicked concerning us shall be dashed in Jesus name. (Prov. 10: 28) 

In the text, for our meditation today, we are looking at the healing of a man who became a wonder and amazement to many. This man was born lame from his mother’s womb and was laid at one of the gates of the temple called beautiful. Perhaps, when Christ was here, he was expecting that Christ will heal him but Christ came and ascended back to heaven. This time it was two Apostles, Peter and John who were going to the temple at the time of prayer. When he saw them, he fixes his gaze on Peter but Peter replied “look at us, silver and gold I do not have but what I have I give unto you, in the name of Jesus, rise and walk,” Peter stretched his hand to him and lifted him up, the power of God located him and instantly, he was healed.  

We will consider three things about expectations. 

1. EXPECTATION REQUIRES PATIENT. (VS. 2) 
The writer of the song Order my step prayed ‘while you are working help me to be still’. God is at work on your behalf, you may feel that you have stayed too long on it. But, like my father in the Lord said, while you are waiting be dutiful. If your expectation is from God alone, then you must wait (Acts 4: 22) This man was over 40 years old. We are expecting diving lifting, we must wait for God and on God alone.   

2. FIXING OUR EYES JESUS (vs. 4-5). 
He directed his total attention with total expectation, the living Bible says it was an eager expectation. He was expectant. Heb. 12: 2 Looking unto Jesus

3. HE WAS NOT DISCOURAGED (vs. 6a) 
His attention was on Peter, but Peter began by saying, “look at us, silver and gold, I do not have” ... Kobo, you cannot get from me. Perhaps, John had money, but what the man needed was more than Naira, he needs total healing. Money has not changed his health even though that is what he was expecting but our God sees beyond what we call our need. When a man thinks he just needs someone to help him with little chores, God does favour him with a wife, doing beyond our expectations. Fix your eyes on Him with expectation.

FOUR THINGS DONE FOR HIM  
  
1. God’s word located him (vs. 6b) 
God’s word says to him, rise up and walk, it was particularly directed at him and because he was keenly anticipating receiving something from them. He received the word with faith and the word was profitable to him. God’s word is here. How much of it have your received with faith (Heb. 4: 2)

2. He was lifted up (vs. 7a) 
Deep called unto the deep, when his faith connected with God, Peter has no choice than to take him by the right hand and lift him up. May God release His hand to lift us up today in Jesus name. Can God see that you trust Him to heal you of headache? Do you really trust Him? If a child sees someone to carry him and he opens his hand for such, it is difficult to ignore such a child – Oluwa mo gbagbo o, ohun gbogbo ni sise, laye mi mo gbagbo   

3. STRENGTH RELEASE (vs. 7b) 
Immediately, his feet and ankle bones received strength. God performed a miracle so great in his life by strength to his ankle and feet that were cast down, and it enjoyed divine lifting. Our father in the Lord shared with us that God is going to set our feet in high place and establish our going. The strength that all that is cast down in us and about us need to rise be released now in the name of Jesus.   

4. WONDER AND AMAZEMENT (vs. 10). 
When the strength was released and he was divinely lifted up, he knew the right thing to do, not to celebrate with friends first but right there outside the temple, he started walking jumping and praising God and then straight to the temple with the apostles, walking and praising God. There are thanksgiving that cannot wait till the end of the month when you will be called to stand, may the Lord give that to you and me in Jesus name.  

  
CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION
I was privileged to serve as NCCF Zonal Coord in Agenebode in 2002, the Zonal NCCF was led to Uzzanu village for a three-day crusade. Evang. Femi Dairo was invited to minister and on the last day of the crusade, only few people attended. But among the few was a young boy who was crippled, we were praising God and the invited minister sensed that God want to heal the boy. As he prayed for the boy, the boy started walking and the village erupts with joy, the testimony brought people who are in the church to come to a church without building outside. Today, may the Lord reach out to you. Amen. 

PRAYERS
There is nothing, you cannot do, 
You are Yahweh, 
You are Yahweh

1. My expectations for this year shall not be cut off in Jesus name. 
2. Father, my hope and expectation for divine lifting is on You, O Lord, lift me up higher in Jesus name.
3. Father, I give You my hand, lift me up in Jesus name
4. Father, let this year of divine lifting be my year of glorious turnaround in Jesus name.
5. Every age long delays and barriers, I command you, give way in my life in Jesus name
6. This year, I shall arise and shine for the glory of the Lord has risen upon me
7. In the name of Jesus, the Lord will heal me and restore health, perfect health to me in Jesus name.
8. Father, places I never imagine I could reach; you will take me there in Your mercy in Jesus name. 
9. O Father, like the man who was jumping up and praising You, you will so fill my life with joy and praise in Jesus name.
10. This year, people will have reasons to celebrate divine lifting with me in Jesus name.
At every point of need, Father, bring men that will raise me up in Jesus name.

Song 
In Jesus name, every knee shall bow, 
every tongue confess


Divine Lifting Up: Setting Our Expectations Aright



Weekly Bible Study
Tuesday, 23rd February 2021

THE DOCTRINE OF REDEMPTION
Topic: Relationship Between Common Grace and Saving Grace
Text: John 3: 3-5


1. COMMON GRACE AND SAVING GRACE INFLUENCE EACH OTHER. 
Common grace, of course, influences and enriches the church, since apart from God’s common grace given to carpenters and other kinds of craftsmen, there would be no church buildings; apart from common grace given to printers and typesetters and bookbinders and even to those who work in paper mills or cut trees from forests to make paper, there would be no Bibles. 

In countless ways in everyday activities the church benefits from common grace. On the other hand, the special grace that God gives to those who are saved brings more of the blessings of common grace to unbelievers living in the realm of the church’s influence. Unbelievers benefit from the example of Christian lives that they see in society, from the prayers and the acts of mercy that Christians do for the community, from the knowledge of the teachings of Scripture and its wisdom in which they find some intellectual and moral benefit, and from the influence on laws, customs, and beliefs of a society that comes through the social and political activities of Christians. 

Historically it has often been the powerful presence of those whose lives were changed by the gospel that has resulted in freedom for slaves (in the British colonies and the United States), rights for women, widespread public education, technological and scientific progress, increased productivity in the economy, a high value placed on work and thrift and honesty, and so forth.

2. COMMON GRACE DOES NOT SAVE PEOPLE. 
In spite of all of this, we must realize that COMMON GRACE is different from SAVING GRACE. Common grace does not change the human heart or bring people to genuine repentance and faith—it cannot and does not save people (though in the intellectual and moral sphere it can give some preparation to make people more disposed toward accepting the gospel). Common grace restrains sin but does not change anyone’s foundational disposition to sin, nor does it in any significant measure purify fallen human nature. 

We must also recognize that the actions of unbelievers performed by virtue of common grace do not in themselves merit God’s approval or favor. These actions do not spring from faith (“Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin,” (Rom. 14:23), nor are they motivated by a love for God (Matt. 22:37), but rather love of self in some form or another. Therefore, although we may readily say that the works of unbelievers that externally conform to the laws of God are “good” in some sense, they nonetheless are not good in terms of meriting God’s approval nor of making God obligated to the sinner in any way. 

Finally, we should recognize that unbelievers often receive more common grace than believers—they may be more skillful, harder working, more intelligent, more creative, or have more of the material benefits of this life to enjoy. This in no way indicates that they are more favored by God in an absolute sense or that they will gain any share in eternal salvation, but only that God distributes the blessings of common grace in various ways, often granting very significant blessings to unbelievers. In all of this, they should, of course, acknowledge God’s goodness (Acts 14:17), and should recognize that God’s revealed will is that “God’s kindness” should eventually lead them “to repentance” (Rom. 2:4).

REASONS FOR COMMON GRACE
There could be at least four reasons why God bestows common grace on undeserving sinners.

1. TO REDEEM THOSE WHO WILL BE SAVED. 
Peter says that the day of judgment and final execution of punishment is being delayed because there are yet more people who will be saved: “The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief” (2 Peter 3:9– 10). 

In fact, this reason was true from the beginning of human history, for if God wanted to save any people out of the whole mass of sinful humanity, he could not have destroyed all sinners immediately (for then there would be no human race left). He chose rather to allow sinful humans to live for some time, so that they might have an opportunity to repent, and also so that they would bear children and enable subsequent generations to live and then hear the gospel and repent. 

2. TO DEMONSTRATE GOD’S GOODNESS AND MERCY. 
God’s goodness and mercy are not only seen in the salvation of believers, but also in the blessings he gives to undeserving sinners. When God “is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish” (Luke 6:35), his kindness is revealed in the universe, to his glory. David says, “The LORD is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made” (Ps. 145:9). In the story of Jesus talking with the rich young ruler, we read, “And Jesus looking upon him loved him” (Mark 10:21), even though the man was an unbeliever and would in a moment turn away from Jesus because of his great possessions. 

God showers untold blessings upon all men and also clearly indicates that these are the expressions of a favorable disposition in God, which falls short however of the positive volition to pardon their sin, to lift their sentence, and to grant them salvation. It is not unjust for God to delay the execution of punishment upon sin and to give temporary blessings to human beings, because the punishment is not forgotten, but just delayed. 

In delaying punishment, God shows clearly that he has no pleasure in executing final judgment, but rather delights in the salvation of men and women. “As I live, says the LORD God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn back from his way and live” (Ezek. 33:11). God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). In all of this the delay of punishment gives clear evidence of God’s mercy and goodness and love.

3. TO DEMONSTRATE GOD’S JUSTICE. 
When God repeatedly invites sinners to come to faith and when they repeatedly refuse his invitations, the justice of God in condemning them is seen much more clearly. Paul warns that those who persist in unbelief are simply storing up more wrath for themselves: “By your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed” (Rom. 2:5). On the day of judgment “every mouth” will be “stopped” (Rom. 3:19) and no one will be able to object that God has been unjust.

4. TO DEMONSTRATE GOD’S GLORY. 
Finally, God’s glory is shown in many ways by the activities of human beings in all the areas in which common grace is operative. In developing and exercising dominion over the earth, men and women demonstrate and reflect the wisdom of their Creator, demonstrate Godlike qualities of skill and moral virtue and authority over the universe, and so forth. Though all of these activities are tainted by sinful motives, they nonetheless reflect the excellence of our Creator and therefore bring glory to God, not fully or perfectly, but nonetheless significantly.

Sunday Service
28th February 2021

Topic: Complete Restoration
Text: EZEKIEL 37: 1 - 10

INTRODUCTION
For those of us that can still recall, as soon as February began my Father in the Lord sent a message (an inscription) on WhatsApp written “Voices of Restoration“ and God spoke to us through him at the Seekers Breakthrough Service on the same topic. It was an encounter for those that were present either virtually or physically.

WHAT IS COMPLETE RESTORATION?  
Restoration itself “is to return something that has been shifted, altered, tempered with stolen or taken away to its formal position”. It becomes complete when it is total or full restoration. It becomes complete when it is return or done absolutely or better still, when it is returned in such a way that it even becomes better than its previous position before it was altered, tampered with or removed (Naaman skin became like that of a baby having been healed from leprosy 1Kings 5).

Complete Restoration becomes an important matter because God Himself is interested in restoring to us our losses, - Joel 2:25 “I will restore back to you all the years that “I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds says the Lord” Jer. 30:17. The act of restoration is out of God’s mercy and His unfailing love for us as His people. And so, no matter, how much we have lost is, God is able to restore.

It is immaterial how long. It has been God’s hand can bring it – He’s got the time and seasons in His hand.   
   
Few Examples of those that Experience Restoration in the Scripture.

1. In 1 Samuel 30. When the Amalekites invaded the camp in his absence he recovered all, his two wives, children and all the family members of his soldiers were all alive. It was a complete restoration.

2. In Mark 8, the man that was blind received the touch of the Lord. Initially, he said “I see men like tree” after the second touch, he began to see clearly, what a mighty God we serve. It was another case of Complete Restoration.

3. Job had a terrible experience but when the Lord came for him, God doubled all his losses, and his end was far better. Blessed with wonderful children and enjoyed longevity.

4. In 1 Kings 5 Naaman skin was restored and became like that of newborn baby.

Now to the valley of the dry bones, which happens to be the focus of our study this morning, it was a case of complete hopelessness, as much terrible as the Lazarus case was, the valley of dry bones was more terrifying, but God came down to prove His sovereignty and to show again and again that He is the Almighty and the original Majesty.
 
THREE THINGS THAT GOD DID AT THE VALLEY. 
1 God remembered
2. God Visited 
3. God Spoke  

1. GOD REMEMBERED.
Dry bones were just there helplessly and hopelessly, scattered and all very dry in the valley, but somehow God remembered and got interested. Why? Something good can still come out of the bones. Left for God dry bones can still become somebody. And so, Jeremiah’s prayer is very key when it comes to Divine Remembrance. Jeremiah prayed Remember me and take note of me. Jeremiah 15:15. Hence, God took note of the dry bone
Psalm 106:4 says Remember me, o Lord in Your favour…
God will remember us today.  
God remembered Rachel, Hannah and their story changed. God remember Sarah and laughter came. If not for God’s remembrance, dry bones would have been there till eternity.

2. GOD VISITED 
There is nothing as wonderful as God’s visitation, God visited the valley of very hopeless and helpless dry bones, He visited, and the story changed. It all started with a conversation and the Master of the Universe reverse the irreversible. That was exactly the same way, God visited Manoah’s family and the family was blessed with God’s Nazarite (Judges 13:3 The Promise). You will recall that Manoah asked for the visitor’s name and he said, “since my name is wonderful, something gladdens my heart about Manoah’s case, when He first visited, Manoah was away and he missed Him but Manoah prayed to God for another visit (Judges 13:9) which he almost misses again but he didn’t. I don’t know how many times, you and I have missed divine visitation, this time around, the story is will be different.

3. GOD SPOKE. 
Whenever God speaks, a miracle happens, Psalm 29 says that the voice of the Lord is powerful, it breaks the cedars of Lebanon. King of glory thundereth. God s Voice always accompanied with great shaking
In Gen. 1: 3, when God spoke, darkness disappeared,
God instructed the prophet (Son of man) to prophesy.
Prophet Ezekiel says “I prophesied as I was commanded, then there was a shaking, bones came to bones, flesh came upon them, sinew/skin came upon them. Again, God instructed him to prophesy; the breath of life came upon them. The word of the Lord is coming upon every dry bone of our lives today in the name of Jesus
Finally, then arose an exceedingly great army.
Every good thing that is dead in my life today will come back to life in Jesus name.
 
In conclusion, who will experience Complete Restoration?

1. THOSE WHO ARE HELPLESS AND HOPELESS. 
Are you hopeless? That is why God is God. He is the Helper of the helpless. In Psalm 60:11 Give us help from trouble for vain is the help of man. Do you think all hope is gone, please remember this experience of the dry bones, it was a situation of lost hope but God remembered, visited and spoke back hope.

2. THOSE THAT WILL OBEY
At the Prophet’s Command, dry bones obeyed, flesh and skin obeyed, breath obeyed. If you have not given your life to Jesus or/and you are disobedient, it ruins. Please return
Complete restoration is real and sure, you and I will have it in Jesus name.
 
PRAYERS

1. Appreciate God of restoration, the Lord God of complete restoration, who doesn’t have an abandoned project.

2. Let us ask God for mercy to avail for our slackness, nagging, lackadaisical attitude that have robbed us.

3. Father, I refuse to be frustrated, I refuse to give up hope, I refuse to be depressed as I believe that it is never too late for me in Jesus name.

4. Heavenly Father, every success that enemies have recorded in my life; my family, my finance, my health, my destiny, reverse it today O Lord.

5. God of all possibilities, in Your mercy, remember me today for favour, miracle and restoration in Jesus name.

6. King of glory, visit me today in your all mightiness and attend to all my losses and thereby restore me in Jesus name.

7. Heavenly Father, this morning, speak into my life, movement into my stagnancy, fullness into my emptiness, life into my deadness in Jesus name.

8. Heavenly Father, You are the God of complete restoration, restore all that I have lost in life today in Jesus name.

9. Today, I say, Lord, restore my destiny, every glorious destiny of mine that I have lost in Jesus name.
10. Father, let something good, great come out of my Nazareth in Jesus name.

11. Every hopeless situation in my life, Help of the helpless, step in and let there be divine turn around in Jesus name.

12. Father, have mercy on me and don’t let my life be an abandon project in your hand in Jesus name.


Complete Restoration


Weekly Bible Study
Tuesday, 2nd March 2021


THE DOCTRINE OF REDEMPTION
Topic: Appropriate Response to the Doctrine of Common Grace
Text: Luke 6:32–36

In thinking about the varying kinds of goodness seen in the lives of unbelievers because of God’s abundant common grace, we should keep three points in mind:

1. COMMON GRACE DOES NOT MEAN THAT THOSE WHO RECEIVE IT WILL BE SAVED. 
Even exceptionally large amounts of common grace do not imply that those who receive it will be saved. Even the most skilled, most intelligent, most wealthy and powerful people in the world still need the gospel of Jesus Christ or they will be condemned for eternity! Even the most moral and kind of our neighbors still need the gospel of Jesus Christ or they will be condemned for eternity! They may appear outwardly to have no needs, but Scripture still says that unbelievers are “enemies” of God (Rom. 5:10; Col. 1:21; James 4:4) and are “against” Christ (Matt. 12:30). They “live as enemies of the cross of Christ” and have their “minds set on earthly things” (Phil. 3:18–19) and are “by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind” (Eph. 2:3).

2. WE MUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO REJECT THE GOOD THINGS THAT UNBELIEVERS DO AS TOTALLY EVIL. 
By common grace, unbelievers do some good, and we should see God’s hand in it and be thankful for common grace as it operates in every friendship, every act of kindness, every way in which it brings blessing to others. All of this—though the unbeliever does not know it—is ultimately from God and he deserves the glory for it.

3. THE DOCTRINE OF COMMON GRACE SHOULD STIR OUR HEARTS TO MUCH GREATER THANKFULNESS TO GOD. 
When we walk down a street and see houses and gardens and families dwelling in security, or when we do business in the marketplace and see the abundant results of technological progress, or when we walk through the woods and see the beauty of nature, or when we are protected by government, or when we are educated from the vast storehouse of human knowledge, we should realize not only that God in his sovereignty is ultimately responsible for all of these blessings, but also that God has granted them all to sinners who are totally undeserving of any of them! These blessings in the world are not only evidence of God’s power and wisdom, they are also continually a manifestation of his abundant grace. The realization of this fact should cause our hearts to swell with thanksgiving to God in every activity of life.

ELECTION AND REPROBATION
Election is chronologically the beginning of God’s dealing with us in a gracious way. Therefore, it is rightly thought of as the first step in the process of God’s bringing salvation to us individually. Other steps in God’s work of applying salvation to our lives include our hearing the gospel call, our being regenerated by the Holy Spirit, our responding in faith and repentance, and God forgiving us and giving us membership in his family, as well as granting us growth in the Christian life and keeping us faithful to Himself throughout life. 

At the end of our life we die and go into his presence, then when Christ returns we receive resurrection bodies, and the process of acquiring salvation is complete. Various theologians have given specific terms to a number of these events and have often listed them in a specific order in which they believe that they occur in our lives. Such a list of the events in which God applies salvation to us is called the order of salvation, and is sometimes referred to by a Latin phrase, “ordo salutis”, which simply means “order of salvation.” 

Here is the list of “The Order of Salvation”

1. Election (God’s choice of people to be saved)

2. The gospel call (proclaiming the message of the gospel)

3. Regeneration (being born again)

4. Conversion (faith and repentance)

5. Justification (right legal standing)

6. Adoption (membership in God’s family)

7. Sanctification (right conduct of life)

8. Perseverance (remaining a Christian)

9. Death (going to be with the Lord)

10. Glorification (receiving a resurrection body) 

We should note here that items 2–6 and part of 7 are all involved in “becoming a Christian.” Numbers 7 and 8 work themselves out in this life, number 9 occurs at the end of this life, and number 10 occurs when Christ returns. In connection with election in the order of salvation is the question of “reprobation,” that is the decision of God to pass over those who will not be saved, and to punish them for their sins. Election and reprobation are different in several important respects, and it is important to distinguish these so that we do not think wrongly about God or his activity. The term predestination is a broader term and includes the two aspects of election (for believers) and reprobation (for unbelievers). We will study some of the above this year by the grace of God.


Sunday Service 
Sunday, 7th March 2021


THE LAMB AND THE LION.
Text: Rev. 5:1-10.

INTRODUCTION
There are many images, symbols or names of Jesus Christ that we can find in the Bible. He is called the Messiah, Anointed One, Cornerstone, Master, Saviour, Teacher, Lord, the Lilly of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star, the Word, Son of God, Alpha and Omega, Good Shepherd, Great Shepherd, Chief Shepherd, the Holy One, Immanuel, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father, etc.
In our text, He is both the Lamb and the Lion. Truly, He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the whole world. (John 1:29) and the Lion of the tribe of Judah. (Rev. 5:5) What a contrast of descriptions for a single Personality. A lamb is gentle, quiet, approachable, and easy going. But the lion, the king of the jungle, is fierceful, forceful and very brave. (Pro. 30:30, Psalm 17:12, 22:13) Many of us might not have observed the contrast, but a man named John in Scripture saw these, Jesus the Lamb, Jesus the Lion. What a contrast?

(A) THE SCROLL AND THE SEALS (Rev. 5:1-4)
According to the revelation given to John, in the right hand of God, a scroll/book- an opistograph-recto & verso with 7 seals. This book or scroll must be the scroll of destiny and judgement. The seven seals signifies God’s final settlement of affairs of men. The seven seals signifies a profound secrecy. Hence, this is a book of secrecy where all human secrets are no secrets at all. 

According to John, there was no one who is worthy to open the scroll (v.3-4) and this made him to weep. No one, means Abraham, Noah, Moses, David, Elijah, Joseph, Deborah, Ruth, Elizabeth, Mary, Apostle Paul could open the scroll. Not even reputable angels like Michael and Gabriel could open the scroll. No one. John wept possibly because he desired judgement upon the Roman oppressors responsible for the Domitian persecution that sent him to the Island of Patmos. 

Then, the consolation came from one of the elders, “do not weep.” (vs.5) “Do not weep or weep no more” is a message of comfort to the weary that is not new on the pages of the scripture. (Luke 7:13, 8:52) Whatever is making you to weep, God says, ‘weep no more.’ Here it seems John’s tears were unnecessary for Jesus is worthy and able to open the scroll and loose its seven seals. Halleluyah.


(B)THE MYSTERY OF THE LAMB AND THE LION. (vs 6-10)
When John was comforted, he was told that the Lion of the tribe of Judah has prevailed to open the scrolls. (v.5) But when he looked out for the Lion, what he saw was a Lamb that was slain. (vs.6) But to show that the Slained Lamb is same as the Prevailing Lion, the Slained Lamb took the scroll out of the right hand of Him that sat on the throne. (v.7) Then the four living creatures with the twenty-four elders bowed down and sang a song of praise to the Lamb. Worthy of note here is how the Lamb became a Lion. 
According to verse 9, it was by humble submission to the will of God, paying the sacrifice for the redemption of mankind. Therefore, life can come out of what men call death, success out of failure, fame out of shame and glory out of derision. May you experience a divine turnaround. Amen.

CONCLUSION
Let us close today with five lessons from how Jesus, the Slained Lamb became a Victorious Lion. 

1. Humility goes before honour, sacrifices go before elevation, price before the prize. (Pro. 18:12)

2. Obedience, submission to God’s will make a Lamb become a Lion. 

3. Jesus is not only a Lamb but the Prevailing Lion that fights for His own. 

4. God can use our pains, torments, trials as an instrument of honour and success. 

5. God can and will definitely put a new song in our mouth. 

May the devil be put to shame in our lives as God puts a new song in our mouth. Amen. Shalom.





The Lamb and The Lion

Weekly Bible Study
Tuesday, 9th March 2021

Topic: Definition of Election
Text: Ephesians: 1:4–6


INTRODUCTION
Election is an act of God before creation in which he chooses some people to be saved, not on account of any foreseen merit in them, but only because of his sovereign good pleasure. There has been much controversy in the church and many misunderstandings over this doctrine. We will first cite a number of passages from the New Testament that discuss election. Then we will attempt to understand the purpose of God and see the way the New Testament authors see in the doctrine of election. Finally, we will attempt to clarify our understanding of this doctrine and answer some objections, and also consider the doctrine of reprobation.

Several passages in the New Testament seem to affirm quite clearly that God ordained beforehand those who would be saved. For example, when Paul and Barnabas began to preach to the Gentiles in Antioch in Pisidia, Luke writes, “And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of God; and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48). It is significant that Luke mentions the fact of election almost in passing. It is as if this were the normal occurrence when the gospel was preached. How many believed? “As many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” 

In Romans 8:28–30, we read: We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

When talking about God’s choosing Jacob and not Esau, Paul says it was not because of anything that Jacob or Esau had done, but simply in order that God’s purpose of election might continue. Though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad, in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call, she was told, “The elder will serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” (Rom. 9:11–13) 

Regarding the fact that some of the people of Israel were saved, but others were not, Paul says: “Israel failed to obtain what it sought. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened” (Rom. 11:7). Here again, Paul indicates two distinct groups within the people of Israel. Those who were “the elect” obtained the salvation that they sought, while those who were not the elect simply “were hardened.” Paul talks explicitly about God’s choice of believers before the foundation of the world in the beginning of Ephesians. “He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace.” Eph. 1:4–6, our text for today. 

Here Paul is writing to believers and he specifically says that God “chose us” in Christ, referring to believers generally. In a similar way, several verses later he says, “We who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory” (Eph. 1:12). He writes to the Thessalonians, “For we know, brethren beloved by God, that he has chosen you; for our gospel came to you not only in word but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction” (1 Thess. 1:4–5).

Paul says that the fact that the Thessalonians believed the gospel when he preached it (“for our gospel came to you . . . in power . . . and with full conviction”) is the reason he knows that God chose them. As soon as they came to faith Paul concluded that long ago God had chosen them, and therefore they had believed when he preached. He later writes to the same church, “We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth” (2 Thess. 2:13). 

Although the next text does not specifically mention the election of human beings, it is interesting at this point also to notice what Paul says about angels. When he gives a solemn command to Timothy, he writes, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without favour” (1 Tim. 5:21). Paul is aware that there are good angels witnessing his command and witnessing Timothy’s response to it, and he is so sure that it is God’s act of election that has affected every one of those good angels that he can call them “elect angels.” 

When Paul talks about the reason why God saved us and called us to himself, he explicitly denies that it was because of our works, but points rather to God’s own purpose and his unmerited grace in eternity past. He says God is the one “who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of our works but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago” (2 Tim. 1:9). When Peter writes an epistle to hundreds of Christians in many churches in Asia Minor, he writes, “To God’s elect . . . scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia” (1 Peter 1:1. He later calls them “a chosen race” (1 Peter 2:9). 

In John’s vision in Revelation, those who do not give in to persecution and begin to worship the beast are persons whose names have been written in the book of life before the foundation of the world: “And authority was given it over every tribe and people and tongue and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that was slain” (Rev. 13:7–8)

In a similar way, we read of the beast from the bottomless pit in Revelation 17: “The dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to behold the beast because it was and is not and is to come” (Rev. 17:8).


Weekly Bible Study
Tuesday, 16th March 2021

Topic: THE DOCTRINE OF ELECTION IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.
Text: Romans. 8:28–30

While the doctrine of election remains controversial among believers, there is no doubt that the doctrine is entrenched in the New Testament especially in the writings of Apostle Paul. The controversy surrounding the doctrine to a large extent is due to inadequate understanding of what the doctrine actually entails. Today, we shall examine briefly the manner in which the new Testament presents the doctrine of election.

THE NEW TESTAMENT PRESENTS THE TEACHING OF ELECTION,

1.	AS A COMFORT. 
The New Testament authors often present the doctrine of election as a comfort to believers. When Paul assures the Romans in our text for today that “in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28), he gives God’s work of predestination as a reason why we can be assured of this truth. He explains in the next verse, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son . . . And those whom he predestined he also called . . . justified . . . glorified” (Rom. 8:29–30). 

Paul’s point is to say that God has always acted for the good of those whom he called to himself. If Paul looks into the distant past before the creation of the world, he sees that God foreknew and predestined his people to be conformed to the image of Christ.  If he looks at the recent past, he finds that God called and justified his people whom he had predestined. And if he then looks toward the future when Christ returns, he sees that God has determined to give perfect, glorified bodies to those who believe in Christ. 

From eternity-to-eternity God has acted with the good of his people in mind. But if God has always acted for our good and will in the future act for our good, Paul reasons, then will he not also in our present circumstances work every circumstance together for our good as well? In this way, predestination is seen as a comfort for believers in the everyday events of life.

2.	AS A REASON TO PRAISE GOD. 
Paul says, “He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace” (Eph. 1:5–6). Similarly, he says, “We who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory” (Eph. 1:12). Paul tells the Christians at Thessalonica, “We give thanks to God always for you all. . .. For we know, brethren beloved by God, that he has chosen you” (1 Thess. 1:2, 4). 

The reason Paul can give thanks to God for the Thessalonian Christians is that he knows God is ultimately responsible for their salvation and has in fact chosen them to be saved. This is made even clearer in 2 Thessalonians 2:13: “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved.” Paul was obligated to give thanks to God for the Christians at Thessalonica because he knew that their salvation was ultimately due to God’s choice of them. 

Therefore, it is appropriate for Paul to thank God for them rather than praising them for their own saving faith. Understood in this way, the doctrine of election does increase praise given to God for our salvation and seriously diminishes any pride that we might feel if we thought that our salvation was due to something good in us or something for which we should receive credit.

3.	AS AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO EVANGELISM. 
Paul says, “I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory” (2 Tim. 2:10). He knows that God has chosen some people to be saved, and he sees this as an encouragement to preach the gospel, even if it means enduring great suffering. Election is Paul’s guarantee that there will be some success for his evangelism, for he knows that some of the people he speaks to will be the elect, and they will believe the gospel and be saved. It is as if someone invited us to come fishing and said, “I guarantee that you will catch some fish—they are hungry and waiting.”


Sunday Service 
21st March 2021

Topic: From Doubt To Faith
Text: John 20:24-29

INTRODUCTION
When you take a look at the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ, you would have one word or the other to describe each of them. Peter will be known for his boldness and denial of Jesus, Judas Iscariot is known for betraying Jesus, Matthew/Levi for his profession as Tax Collector and John as the beloved of Christ. 

Without any doubt, Apostle Thomas is often described as the doubter. But his life as we shall understand today shows that anyone can move from doubt to faith. Though he began as a doubter, but he ended as a faithful. To me, a summary of Thomas’ life can be described with the phrase, “From Doubt to Faith.” May your Christian pilgrimage and its testimony be that of progression and not retrogression in Jesus name. Amen.

(A)	THOMAS: A UNIQUE DISCIPLE.
The name of Thomas is mentioned among Jesus’ disciples in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, but it is in John’s gospel that we have a better view of this unique disciple of Jesus. In John’s gospel, Thomas appears in about five scenes from chapters 11 to 20. He first speaks in 11:16 after the death of Lazarus. Jesus’ well-known words in John 14:6— “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” were spoken in response to Thomas’ query, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (v. 5).
In the gospel of John, we see Thomas as 

1. A Pessimist and A Realist.

2. An Inquisitive and Honest Human-being. 

But he will lastly be remembered as a man who progressed from doubt to faith.

(B) FAITH IS VICTORY OVER DOUBT.

Apostle Thomas is commonly referred to as “doubting Thomas” because of his words in John 20:25 and Jesus’ response to him in verse 27. But his last recorded words reveal that he was convinced of who Jesus is: “My Lord and my God!” (v. 28). No other Apostle got this unique revelation of Jesus as Lord and God. The doubting Thomas moved from doubt to Faith. His life revealed that though he was a pessimist, he was also a realist and though an inquisitive person, he ended up a man of faith. 

Worthy of note is the fact that after the ascension of Jesus, Thomas also called Didymus became a missionary to India. He has a fairly straightforward tradition surrounding his death. The Acts of Thomas says he was martyred in Mylapore, India, where he was stabbed with spears by angry Indian priests. The Syrian Christian tradition specifies that Thomas was martyred in Mylapore on July 3, 72 AD. An early ecclesiastical calendar entry reads: “3 July, St. Thomas who was pierced with a lance in ‘India’.” He was a man that died for the cause of the gospel.

CONCLUSION
The life of Thomas has shown us that any man can move from doubt to faith. There is nothing wrong with being a realist but end up as a man of faith. In the year of Divine Lifting, there is an opportunity for everyone to progress. You can move from being a sinner to a saint, from a member of the crowd to becoming a disciple, a mere worshipper to church member, a bench warmer to a church worker and so one. The door of positive movement is open if only you are willing to go through it. The change you desire can manifest if you can only respond to the divine call. Shalom. 


From Doubt To Faith

Weekly Bible Study
Tuesday, 16th March 2021

Topic: WHAT THE DOCTRINE OF ELECTION DOES NOT MEAN 
Text: Eph. 1:4–6


1. Election Is Not Fatalistic or Mechanistic. 
Sometimes those who object to the doctrine of election say that it is “fatalism” or that it presents a “mechanistic system” for the universe. Two somewhat different objections are involved here. By “fatalism” is meant a system in which human choices and human decisions really do not make any difference. In fatalism, no matter what we do, things are going to turn out as they have been previously ordained. Therefore, it is futile to attempt to influence the outcome of events or the outcome of our lives by putting forth any effort or making any significant choices, because these will not make any difference any way. In a true fatalistic system, of course, our humanity is destroyed for our choices really mean nothing, and the motivation for moral accountability is removed.

In a mechanistic system the picture is one of an impersonal universe in which all things that happen have been inflexibly determined by an impersonal force long ago, and the universe functions in a mechanical way so that human beings are more like machines or robots than genuine persons. Here also genuine human personality would be reduced to the level of a machine that simply functions in accordance with predetermined plans and in response to predetermined causes and influences. 

By contrast to the mechanistic picture, the New Testament presents the entire outworking of our salvation as something brought about by a personal God in relationship with personal creatures. God “destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ” (Eph. 1:5). God’s act of election was neither impersonal nor mechanistic but was permeated with personal love for those whom he chose. Moreover, the personal care of God for his creatures, even those who rebel against him, is seen clearly in God’s plea through Ezekiel, “As I live, says the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel?” (Ezek. 33:11)

When talking about our response to the gospel offer, the Scripture continually views us not as mechanistic creatures or robots, but as genuine persons, personal creatures who make willing choices to accept or reject the gospel. Jesus invites everyone, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). And we read the invitation at the end of Revelation: “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let him who is thirsty come, let him who desires take the water of life without price” (Rev. 22:17). This invitation and many others like it are addressed to genuine persons who are capable of hearing the invitation and responding to it by a decision of their wills.

Regarding those who will not accept him, Jesus clearly emphasizes their hardness of heart and their stubborn refusal to come to him: “Yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life” (John 5:40). And Jesus cries out in sorrow to the city that had rejected him, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!” (Matt. 23:37). 

In contrast to the charge of fatalism, we also see a much different picture in the New Testament. Not only do we make willing choices as real persons, but these choices are also real choices because they do affect the course of events in the world. They affect our own lives and they affect the lives and destinies of others. So, “He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (John 3:18).

Our personal decisions to believe or not believe in Christ have eternal consequences for our lives, and the Scripture is quite willing to talk about our decision to believe or not believe as the factor that decides our eternal destiny. The implication of this is that we certainly must preach the gospel, and people’s eternal destiny hinges on whether we proclaim the gospel or not. 

Therefore, when the Lord one night told Paul, “Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man shall attack you to harm you; for I have many people in this city” (Acts 18:9–10), Paul did not simply conclude that the “many people” who belong to God would be saved whether he stayed there preaching the gospel or not. Rather, “he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them” (Acts 18:11)—this was longer than Paul stayed in any other city except Ephesus during his three missionary journeys. 
When Paul was told that God had many elect people in Corinth, he stayed a long time and preached, in order that those elect people might be saved! Paul is quite clear about the fact that unless people preach the gospel others will not be saved: But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? . . . So, faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ. (Rom. 10:14, 17) 

Did Paul know before he went to a city who was elected by God for salvation and who was not? No, he did not. That is something that God does not show to us ahead of time. But once people come to faith in Christ then we can be confident that God had earlier chosen them for salvation. This is exactly Paul’s conclusion regarding the Thessalonians; he says that he knows that God chose them because when he preached to them, the gospel came in power and with full conviction: “For we know, brethren beloved by God, that he has chosen you; for our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction” (1 Thess. 1:4–5). 

Far from saying that whatever he did made no difference, and that God’s elect would be saved whether he preached or not, Paul endured a life of incredible hardship in order to bring the gospel to those whom God had chosen. At the end of a life filled with suffering he said, “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory” (2 Tim. 2:10).

2. Election Is Not Based on God’s Foreknowledge of Our Faith. 
Quite commonly people will agree that God predestines some to be saved, but they will say that he does this by looking into the future and seeing who will believe in Christ and who will not. If he sees that a person is going to come to saving faith, then he will predestine that person to be saved, based on foreknowledge of that person’s faith. If he sees that a person will not come to saving faith, then he does not predestine that person to be saved. In this way, it is thought, the ultimate reason why some are saved, and some are not lies within the people themselves, not within God. 

All that God does in his predestining work is to give confirmation to the decision he knows people will make on their own. The verse commonly used to support this view is Romans 8:29: “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Foreknowledge of Persons, Not Facts: But this verse can hardly be used to demonstrate that God based his predestination on foreknowledge of the fact that a person would believe. 

The passage speaks rather of the fact that God knew persons (“those whom he foreknew”), not that he knew some fact about them, such as the fact that they would believe. It is a personal, relational knowledge that is spoken of here: God, looking into the future, thought of certain people in saving relationship to him, and in that sense he “knew them” long ago. This is the sense in which Paul can talk about God’s “knowing” someone, for example, in 1 Corinthians 8:3: “But if one loves God, one is known by him.” Similarly, he says, “but now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God . . .” (Gal. 4:9). 

When people know God in Scripture, or when God knows them, it is personal knowledge that involves a saving relationship. Therefore, in Romans 8:29, “those whom he foreknew” is best understood to mean, “those whom he long ago thought of in a saving relationship to himself.” The text actually says nothing about God foreknowing or foreseeing that certain people would believe, nor is that idea mentioned in any other text of Scripture.

3. Scripture Never Speaks of Our Faith as the Reason God Chose Us.
In addition, when we look beyond these specific passages that speak of foreknowledge and look at verses that talk about the reason God chose us, we find that Scripture never speaks of our faith or the fact that we would come to believe in Christ as the reason God chose us. In fact, Paul seems explicitly to exclude the consideration of what people would do in life from his understanding of God’s choice of Jacob rather than Esau: he says, “Though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad, in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call, she was told, ‘The elder will serve the younger.’ As it is written, ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated’ ” (Rom. 9:11–13). Nothing that Jacob or Esau would do in life influenced God’s decision; it was simply in order that his purpose of election might continue. 

When discussing the Jewish people who have come to faith in Christ, Paul says, “So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works” (Rom. 11:5–6). Here again Paul emphasizes God’s grace and the complete absence of human merit in the process of election. Someone might object that faith is not viewed as a “work” in Scripture and therefore faith should be excluded from the quotation above (“It is no longer on the basis of works”). Based on this objection, Paul could actually mean, “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, but rather on the basis of whether someone would believe.” 

However, this is unlikely in this context: Paul is not contrasting human faith and human works; he is contrasting God’s sovereign choosing of people with any human activity, and he points to God’s sovereign will as the ultimate basis for God’s choice of the Jews who have come to Christ. Similarly, when Paul talks about election in Ephesians, there is no mention of any foreknowledge of the fact that we would believe, or any idea that there was anything worthy or meritorious in us (such as a tendency to believe) that was the basis for God’s choosing us. Rather, Paul says, “He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved” (Eph. 1:5–6). 

Now if God’s grace is to be praised for election, and not human ability to believe or decision to believe, then once again it is consistent for Paul to mention nothing of human faith but only to mention God’s predestining activity, his purpose and will, and his freely given grace. Again in 2 Timothy, Paul says that God “saved us and called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of our works but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago” (2 Tim. 1:9). Once again God’s sovereign purpose is seen as the ultimate reason for our salvation, and Paul connects this with the fact that God gave us grace in Christ Jesus ages ago—another way of speaking of the truth that God freely gave favor to us when he chose us without reference to any foreseen merit or worthiness on our part.

4. Election Based on Something Good in Us (Our Faith) Would Be the Beginning of Salvation by Merit
Yet another kind of objection can be brought against the idea that God chose us because he foreknew that we would come to faith. If the ultimate determining factor in whether we will be saved or not is our own decision to accept Christ, then we shall be more inclined to think that we deserve some credit for the fact that we were saved: in distinction from other people who continue to reject Christ, we were wise enough in our judgment or good enough in our moral tendencies or perceptive enough in our spiritual capacities to decide to believe in Christ. But once we begin to think this way then we seriously diminish the glory that is to be given to God for our salvation. 

We become uncomfortable speaking like Paul who says that God “destined us . . . according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace” (Eph. 1:5–6), and we begin to think that God “destined us . . . according to the fact that he knew that we would have enough tendencies toward goodness and faith within us that we would believe.” When we think like this we begin to sound very much unlike the New Testament when it talks about election or predestination. 

By contrast, if election is solely based on God’s own good pleasure and his sovereign decision to love us in spite of our lack of goodness or merit, then certainly we have a profound sense of appreciation to him for a salvation that is totally undeserved, and we will forever be willing to praise his “glorious grace” (Eph. 1:6).

In the final analysis, the difference between two views of election can be seen in the way they answer a very simple question. Given the fact that in the final analysis some people will choose to accept Christ and some people will not, the question is, “What makes people differ?” That is, what ultimately makes the difference between those who believe and those who do not? If our answer is that it is ultimately based on something God does (namely, his sovereign election of those who would be saved), then we see that salvation at its most foundational level is based on grace alone. 

On the other hand, if we answer that the ultimate difference between those who are saved and those who are not is because of something in man (that is, a tendency or disposition to believe or not believe), then salvation ultimately depends on a combination of grace plus human ability.d to the divine call. Shalom. 


What The Doctrine of Elections Does Not Mean.

Sunday Service
28th March 2021

Topic: His Need and My Needs.
Text: Mark 11:1-10.


INTRODUCTION

Today is our POWER SUNDAY and also PALM SUNDAY, the day Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem. May you also triumph this week as we enter the new month of April. Expect something different from something common. Before I set out for todays message and prayers, let us briefly consider the event of the Passion Week beginning with the Palm Sunday.

1. Sunday- Five days before the Passover, Jesus entered Jerusalem on an ass, cleansed the Temple and in the evening returned to Bethany. (Matthew 21:1-17).

2. Monday- Four days before the Passover, He went to Jerusalem again; cursed the unfruitful fig tree (Matthew 21:18; Mark 11:12) and in the evening returned again to Bethany.

3. Tuesday.- Three days before the Passover, Jesus went again to Jerusalem and His disciples observed how the fig tree was withered (Mark 11:20). In the evening going back to Bethany, and sitting on the Mount of Olives, He foretold the destruction of the Temple and city. (Matthew 24:1-51)

4. Wednesday-He passed the day in Bethany.

5. Thursday- He sent two of His disciples to get ready the Passover. He Himself entered Jerusalem in the afternoon. In the evening, he ate the Passover and instituted the Lord’s Table and was later arrested.

6. Friday- In the afternoon, Jesus was crucified.

7. Saturday- Jesus kept the Sabbath in the grave.

8. Sunday- The Lord’s Day, Jesus rose from the grave. Halleluyah.

The triumphant entry which is recorded in all the four Gospels (Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-10, Luke 19:28-40, John 12:12-19) can be viewed from different perspectives. One area is that of the conduct of the disciples. They obeyed the command without hesitation. It seemed a wild errand; looked like robbery with result that is improbable. How of us today have consistently disobeyed the master because we considered the command or assignment too big/great/unreasonable to carry out. 

This is a major area many of us are missing divine appointment for divine lifting. We should do well to imitate their obedience in our walk. But this is not what the Lord wants me to impress upon your mind today. It is the conduct of the owner of the colt who readily released his or her donkey to the Lord to meet the Lord’s need. Therefore, fasten your seat belt as we examine the topic, "HIS NEED AND MY NEEDS."

(A )THE LORD HAS A NEED.(Mark 11:1-3)

The Bible does not tell us the relationship of the owner of the colt with Jesus. Some theologians opine that probably he or she was acquainted with the miracles of Jesus and favorably disposed toward him. The mere mention of Him as the Lord was enough to let go of the Colt for the Master's use. One thing is sure about this man or woman, he/she understood that he or she was a steward of the colt and not the proprietor. How I wish many will truly understand this principle of divine blessings. One thing that baffles my mind here is that the Lord has a need. 

Here the Bible speaks of the Lord's need just as that of man. He who could see all things and controls all things confesses to His personal needs. This seems to be a strange mixture i.e. Lord and need in the same sentence. But this is the paradox of divine establishment. Rather than wondering at the Lord's needs, why not spend time to ascertain that it is the Lord. When you are sure that it is not an impostor, then release it to Him just as this man did. If He is your Lord, there is nothing He requests from you that you cannot surrender to Him. No one else should give to the cause of the gospel like those who profess to belong to the Lord. When those who do not know the Lord give more than those who claim to be Christians, it is a sign that they do not truly know the Lord. Do you know the Lord? The Lord hath need of it calls for entire consecration. The Lord has need of you, your Life, your Talents, your cherished Possessions, your Praises and your Prayers. The Lord has need of it.

(B) MY NEEDS

While the Lord has a need, I as a human being has many needs. The good news is that whatever my needs are, the Lord has the ability and He is willing to meet them. (Phillipians. 4:19) Those who focus on meeting the Lord’s need will see God meeting their needs timely and regularly. 

There are some trifling principles in this passage that can apply to our needs as well. These are, the Principle of Reverence, the Principle of Obedience and the Principle of Providence. May all these work for your needs today and always. (Psalm 34:10) When we walk with the principle of reverence and obedience, the principle of providence naturally sets in. God is still in the business of preserving and guarding our being and well-being. He knows where our needs could be met and will direct us there. He also knows who He will use and He will direct him or her. I see divine providence working for you as you walk with God in reverence and obedience. Amen.

CONCLUSION

When we choose to meet His need, we find Him meeting our needs beyond our imaginations. Divine providence can turn our loss to profit, failure to success and shame to fame. A man who was the only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up by water to a small uninhabited island. He cried out to God to save him, and every day he scanned the area for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a rough hut and put his few possessions in it. 

He lived under that hut for days without any help only to go round hunting for food. But one day, he returned home after hunting for food to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; he was stung with grief. “God why did you make me loose my hut?” was the question on his mind. Early the next day, suddenly a ship drew near the island and rescued him. “How did you know I was here?” he asked the crew. “We saw your smoke signal,” they replied him. God had used his unpleasant experience to rescue him. May God use your present difficulty as an instrument to your future happiness and lifting. Amen.

PRAYERS

1. My Father, my Father, thank you for giving me the grace to see the last Sunday of the month of March.

2. O Lord, help me to release unto you whatever you need from me.

3. O God, my Father, let the principles of reverence and obedience work in me.

4. Almighty God, on this Triumphant Sunday, I receive grace to triumph over all my challenges.

5. My Father, no one shall be able to throw me away from my possession/inheritance in Jesus name.

6. O God, where my enemies observe my powerlessness, show forth your power to disgrace them.

7. My Father, my provider, order my steps to where my blessings are waiting for me.

8. O Lord, my Father, help me to engage in the work which you have completed.

9. My Father, my Helper, meet me specially at the point of my needs both physically and spiritually.

9. My Father, my Creator, let there be songs of dancing and rejoicing in my family in the new month.

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

12. My Father, my Father, I shall praise and worship you in an unusual way and you will give me rest all around.

His Need and My Needs.

Sunday Service
4th April 2021


Topic: The Mystery Of Godlıness.
Text: 1 Timothy 3:14-16.
Song: Worthy is The Lamb.

INTRODUCTION
On this Glorious Easter Morning, I say Happy Easter to you all. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a mystery just as God in the form of Man Himself is a mystery. Therefore, Christianity is a mystery that cannot be found out by reason or the light of nature. It cannot be comprehended by reason, because it is above reason, nevertheless it is not contrary to reason. Christianity is a mystery, not of philosophy or speculation; but of godliness. This was the revelation given to Apostle Paul which he shared with us in 1 Timothy 3:16. On this resurrection morning, let us examine briefly the topic, “THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS.”

THE SIX THINGS
According to Apostle Paul, this is a revealed mystery, not shut up and sealed. Nevertheless, it does not cease to be a mystery though now in part revealed. But what is the Mystery of Godliness? It is Christ Jesus who was, who is and will be forevermore. He was born, he lived, was crucified, was buried, he resurrected and ascended. There are six things which make up the Mystery of Godliness. These are;

1.	THE MANIFESTATION OF GOD IN THE FLESH. 
This was well echoed by Apostle John in John 1:14. That God, the Eternal Word was made flesh and manifested in the flesh is a mystery. When God was to be manifested to man, he was pleased to manifest Himself in the incarnation of His own Son. Hallelujah.

2. THE JUSTIFICATION IN THE SPIRIT. 
In the mystery of Godliness, Jesus was justified in the Spirit. Though he was reproached as a sinner, and put to death as a malefactor, he was raised again by the Spirit, and therefore justified from all the calumnies with which he was loaded. He was made sin for us, and was delivered for our offences; but being raised again, he was justified in the Spirit. This means His sacrifice was accepted, and so He rose again for our justification just as he was delivered for our offences. (Rom 4:25) He was put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit, (1Pe 3:18) Hallelujah. 

3. ANGELIC WITNESS
The mystery of Godliness includes angelic witness. Paul says, He was seen by angels. They worshipped him (Heb 1:6) Angels attended his incarnation, his temptation, his agony, his death, his resurrection and his ascension. This shows his honour and the high place he holds. Jesus is the Lord of angels. Hallelujah. 

4. THE PREACHING UNTO GENTILES.
Jesus as the mystery of godliness is preached unto the Gentiles. This is a great part of the mystery of godliness, that Christ was offered to the Gentiles as a Redeemer and Saviour. Earlier, salvation was of the Jews, (Rom. 1:16) but the partition-wall was now taken down, and the Gentiles were taken in. The light of the gospel must reach the Gentiles. (Act 13:47) Hallelujah.

5. FAITH AS THE RIGHT RESPONSE.
The fifth mystery of godliness is that Christ was not preached in vain, but was believed on in the world. Many of the Gentiles welcomed the gospel which the Jews rejected.  The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. (Luke 20:17) It is by faith that we can tap into the mystery of godliness. (Romans. 5:2) Hallelujah. 

6. GLORIOUS EXALTATION
 At the sixth level of this mystery is the fact that Jesus was received up into glory during his ascension after his resurrection. (Phil. 2:9) This indeed is the tip of the iceberg. Though this was before he was preached and believed on in the world; but it is put last, because it is the crown of His exaltation. Jesus did not only resurrect and ascend, but He is sitting at the right hand of God, where He ever lives, making intercession for us, and has all power, both in heaven and earth. (Rom. 8:34, 1 Pet. 3:22) Hallelujah

CONCLUSION
According to Apostle Paul, this is a mystery without controversy. Also, it is a mystery that is designed to produce, provoke and promote godliness in us. The Greek word for godliness is “eusébeia” which can be interpreted godliness, holiness or piety towards God. That means those who have truly known this mystery shall walk in godliness. This mystery should empower us to walk in godliness. There is no controversy that Jesus has resurrected, but the big question is, is Jesus alive in you? Therefore, relate with him by faith and you will experience the mystery of godliness.

 Let me close this message with a story of an Easter morning miracle. The citizens of Feldkirch, Austria, didn’t know what to do as Napoleon’s massive army was preparing to attack them. His soldiers could be spotted on the heights above the little town, which was situated on the Austrian border. A council of citizens was hastily summoned to decide whether they should try to defend themselves or display the white flag of surrender. It happened to be Easter Sunday morning, and the people had gathered in the local church. The pastor rose and said, “Friends, we have been counting on our own strength, and apparently that has failed. As this is the day of our Lord’s resurrection, let us just ring the bells, have our services as usual, and leave the matter in His hands. 
We know only our weakness, and not the power of God to defend us.” The council accepted his plan and the church bells rang. When their enemies, heard the sudden peal, they concluded that the Austrian army had arrived during the night to defend the town. Before the service ended, the enemy broke camp and left. As you walk by faith during this Easter and embrace the Mystery of Godliness, I see your enemies breaking camp. Amen. Shalom.



The Mystery Of Godlıness.

Tuesday Bible Study
6th April 2021


Topic: Election and Reprobation
Text: Jude 3-4

When we understand election as God’s sovereign choice of some persons to be saved, then there is necessarily another aspect of that choice, namely, God’s sovereign decision to pass over others and not to save them. This decision of God in eternity past is called REPROBATION. Reprobation is the sovereign decision of God before creation to pass over some persons, in sorrow deciding not to save them, and to punish them for their sins, and thereby to manifest his justice.

In many ways, the doctrine of reprobation is the most difficult of all the teachings of Scripture for us to think about and to accept because it deals with such horrible and eternal consequences for human beings made in the image of God. The love that God gives us for our fellow human beings and the love that he commands us to have toward our neighbour cause us to recoil against this doctrine, and it is right that we feel such dread in contemplating it. It is something that we would not want to believe, and would not believe unless Scripture clearly taught it. 

But are there Scripture passages that speak of such a decision by God? Certainly, there are some. In our text today, Jude speaks of some persons “who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly persons who pervert the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ”. Moreover, Paul, speaks in the same way of Pharaoh and others: For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “I have raised you up for the very purpose of showing my power in you, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then he has mercy upon whomever he wills, and he hardens the heart of whomever he wills. . .. What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the vessels of wrath made for destruction? (Rom. 9:17–22)

Regarding the results of the fact that God failed to choose all for salvation, Paul says, “The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened” (Rom. 11:7). And Peter says of those who reject the gospel, “They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do” (1 Peter 2:8). 24 In spite of the fact that we recoil against this doctrine, we must be careful of our attitude toward God and toward these passages of Scripture. We must never begin to wish that the Bible was written in another way, or that it did not contain these verses. Moreover, if we are convinced that these verses teach reprobation, then we are obligated both to believe it and accept it as fair and just of God, even though it still causes us to tremble in horror as we think of it.

In this context it may surprise us to see that Jesus can thank God both for hiding the knowledge of salvation from some and for revealing it to others: “Jesus declared, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was your gracious will’ ” (Matt. 11:25–26). Moreover, we must recognize that somehow, in God’s wisdom, the fact of reprobation and the eternal condemnation of some will show God’s justice and also result in his glory. Paul says, “What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the vessels of wrath made for destruction” (Rom. 9:22). Paul also notes that the fact of such punishment on the “vessels of wrath” serves to show the greatness of God’s mercy toward us: God does this “in order to make known the riches of his glory for the vessels of mercy” (Rom. 9:23).

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ELECTION AND REPROBATION
We also must remember that there are important differences between election and reprobation as they are presented in the Bible. Election to salvation is viewed as a cause for rejoicing and praise to God, who is worthy of praise and receives all the credit for our salvation (Eph. 1:3–6; 1 Peter 1:1–3). God is viewed as actively choosing us for salvation, and doing so in love and with delight. But reprobation is viewed as something that brings God sorrow, not delight (Ezek. 33:11), and the blame for the condemnation of sinners is always put on the people or angels who rebel, never on God himself. 

So, in the presentation of Scripture, the cause of election lies in God, and the cause of reprobation lies in the sinner. Another important difference is that the ground of election is God’s grace, whereas the ground of reprobation is God’s justice. The sorrow of God at the death of the wicked (“I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live,” (Ezek. 33:11) helps us understand how appropriate it was that Paul himself felt great sorrow when he thought about the unbelieving Jews who had rejected Christ. Paul says: I am speaking the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen by race. They are Israelites. . .. (Rom. 9:1–4) 

We ought also to feel this great sorrow as well when we think about the fate of unbelievers. But it might be objected at this point, if God genuinely feels sorrow at the punishment of the wicked, then why does he allow it or even decree that it will come about? The answer must be that God knows that this will ultimately result in greater glory for himself. It will show his power and wrath and justice and mercy in a way that could not otherwise be demonstrated. Certainly, in our own human experience, it is possible to do something that causes us great sorrow but which we know will result in long-term greater good. And so, after this faint human analogy, we may somewhat understand that God can decree something that causes him sorrow yet ultimately will further his glory


PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THE DOCTRINE OF ELECTION IN TERMS OF OUR OWN RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

The doctrine of election does have significant practical application. When we think of the biblical teaching on both election and reprobation, it is appropriate to apply it to our own lives individually. It is right for each Christian to ask of himself or herself, “Why am I a Christian? What is the final reason why God decided to save me?” The doctrine of election tells us that I am a Christian simply because God in eternity past decided to set his love on me. But why did he decide to set his love on me? Not for anything good in me, but simply because he decided to love me. There is no more ultimate reason than that. It humbles us before God to think in this way. It makes us realize that we have no claim on God’s grace whatsoever. Our salvation is totally due to grace alone. Our only appropriate response is to give God eternal praise.


Sunday Service
11th April 2021


Topic: Acceptable Stewardshıp.
Text: 2 Cor. 8:1-7
Song: My Lifetime.

INTRODUCTION

Stewardship is the art of giving back to God what we originally received from Him. (1 Cor. 4:7) It is the art of being responsible for and responsive to what we have received from God. No doubt, we all know we ought to give back to God. The truth is that we give differently. How we give and what we give to a large extent can determine the acceptability or lack of acceptability of our gifts to God. 

This could be seen in the story of Cain and Abel recorded in Genesis 4:2-7. Cain and Abel were farmers i.e., arable and pastoral respectively. The Bible says, the offering of Abel was accepted by God while that of Cain was rejected. Today, some of us give bountifully while some give sparingly. Some give cheerfully while some give grudgingly. Some give out of obligation while some give out of love to the Master. 
(2 Cor. 9:6-7) Unfortunately, some would only give when they are pressured and cajoled. The question today is, what are the marks of acceptable stewardship to God, not necessarily to men? Men can accept our gifts while God rejects it. 

FIVE MARKS OF ACCEPTABLE STEWARDSHIP. 
A good look at 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9 will give us a comprehensive teaching on giving in the New Testament. The believers in Jerusalem were suffering in poverty because of a severe famine (Acts 11:28–29; Romans 15:26). At the same time, the Macedonians, who themselves were “in extreme poverty,” responded with generous aid (2 Corinthians 8:1–5) while the wealthy Corinthians who had promised financial help didn’t follow through. Paul therefore urged them to fulfill their pledge. (2 Corinthians 8:6–11; 9:1–6). 
For our stewardship to be acceptable, it must honour God. Here are some of the marks of a stewardship that is acceptable to God. 

Acceptable Stewardship is

1. VOLUNTARY, NOT DONE OUT OF COMPULSION. 
Acceptable stewardship is done FREELY at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, NOT FORCEFULLY. (2 Corinthians 8:3; 9:5; 7)

2. GENEROUS, NOT TIGHT-FISTED (8:2; 9:6, 13) 
It is a product of a generous heart, not a finger that is tight. When you give what you would as readily throw away, that is not generosity for “the essence of generosity is in self-sacrifice. “Sir Henry Taylor. 

3. CHEERFUL, NOT BEGRUDGING
It is giving with joy, not with sad countenance. (8:11–12; 9:7)

4. PURPOSEFUL, NOT ARBITRARY
For your stewardship to be acceptable, it must be done purposefully, not arbitrarily. (9:7)

5. NOT A FUNCTION OF PLENTY, BUT GIVING WITHIN YOUR MEANS AND ABILITY (8:2-3). 
According to George Mueller, “God judges what we give by what we keep.” We must give according to our income, lest God make our income according to your giving. -Peter Marshall. Therefore, you don’t have to wait till you have plenty before you give what will be acceptable to God.  God blesses us materially so we could be a blessing to His kingdom and others. When our giving is acceptable to Him, He blesses more. ( 2 Cor. 9:9, Psalm 112:9).

CONCLUSION
Andrew Fuller, an English preacher and theologian went back to his hometown to collect money for foreign missions. One of his contacts was an old friend. When presented with the need, the man said, “Well, Andrew, seeing it’s you, I’ll give you five dollars.” “No,” said Fuller, “I can’t take your money for my cause, seeing it is for me,” and he handed the money back. The man saw his point. “Andrew, you are right. Here’s ten dollars, seeing it is for Jesus Christ.” 

Therefore, let us remember, it is not just the amount we give towards the Lord’s work that matters; but also, the motive. When we have the opportunity to contribute to some worthy Christian cause, let us do so with the right purpose in mind. We should never give just because we feel obligated to organizations or persons, nor because we desire to receive selfish recognition or reward. We should honestly say, “I am doing this for the Lord!” Only then will it be acceptable unto Him. Shalom. 



Weekly Bible Study
13th April 2021

 Week 1
Topic: THE GOSPEL CALL: HOW IT BECOMES EFFECTIVE
Text: Romans 8:29-30, 1 Peter 2:9
 
 INTRODUCTION
When Paul talks about the way that God brings salvation into our lives, Paul points to a definite order in which the blessings of salvation come to us, Paul lists justification and glorification, showing that these come after calling. We will begin our discussion of the different parts of our experience of salvation with the topic of gospel call. We will begin with Effective Calling; what is it? 

THE ELEMENTS OF THE GOSPEL CALL AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE GOSPEL CALL.
 
A. Effective Calling is an act of God. 
It is specifically an act of God the Father, for he is the one who predestines people “to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Rom. 8:29). When God calls people in this powerful way, he calls them us out of darkness into his marvelous light, he calls us “into the fellowship of his Son” (1 Cor. 1:9; Acts 2:39) and “into his own kingdom and glory” (1 Peter 5:10).  People who have been called by God “belong to Jesus Christ” (Rom. 1:6). They are called to “be saints” (Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2), and have come into a realm of peace (1 Cor. 7:15), freedom (Gal. 5:13), hope (Eph. 1:18; 4:4), holiness (1 Thess. 4:7), patient endurance of suffering (1 Peter 2:20–21; 3:9), and eternal life (1 Tim. 6:12).
This calling is rather a kind of “summons” from the King of the universe and it has such power that it brings about the response that it asks for in people’s hearts. It is an act of God that guarantees a response, because Paul specifies in Romans 8:30 that all who were “called” were also “justified.”
 
1 This calling has the capacity to draw us out of the kingdom of darkness and bring us into God’s kingdom so we can join in full fellowship with him: (1 Cor. 1:9).

2 This powerful act of God is often referred to as effective calling, to distinguish it from the general gospel invitation that goes to all people and which some people reject. This is not to say that human gospel proclamation is not involved.

3 We may define effective calling as follows: Effective calling is an act of God the Father, speaking through the human proclamation of the gospel, in which he summons people to himself in such a way that they respond in saving faith. It is important that we not give the impression that people will be saved by the power of this call apart from their own willing response to the gospel.
 
Although it is true that effective calling awakens and brings forth a response from us, we must always insist that this response still has to be a voluntary, willing response in which the individual person puts his or her trust in Christ. This is why prayer is so important to effective evangelism. Unless God works in peoples’ hearts to make the proclamation of the gospel effective, there will be no genuine saving response.
 
An example of the gospel call working effectively is seen in Paul’s first visit to Philippi. When Lydia heard the gospel message, “The Lord opened her heart to give heed to what was said by Paul” (Acts 16:14). This gospel call is offered to all people, even those who do not accept it. Sometimes this gospel call is referred to as external calling or general calling. By contrast, the effective calling of God that actually brings about a willing response from the person who hears it is sometimes called İNTERNAL CALLİNG.
 
The gospel call is general and external and often rejected, while the effective call is particular, internal, and always effective. However, this is not to diminish the importance of the gospel call—it is the means God has appointed through which effective calling will come. Without the gospel call, no one could respond and be saved!




Sunday Service
18th April 2021

Topic: Excuses 
Text: Luke 14:16-24

INTRODUCTION
Among the great enemies of human progress/success are excuses, not witches and wizards. Through excuses, many destinies have been truncated. How many great men have remained small because of excuses? May you be delivered from excuses. The negative power of excuses cannot be over emphasized. A man who readily gives excuses can never be ready for something great. A radio station in America running a series about honesty stated that people use three types of excuses when they are guilty of wrongdoing.

These are:
1. @I DID NOT DO IT.”
This is outright denial, a rejection of any involvement. Sometimes this is done even though the person is obviously guilty.

2. “IT’S NOT MY FAULT.” 
The person looks around for someone to blame. Sometimes, it is a loved one be it a husband or wife or parent or the boss. 

3. “I DID IT, BUT... “
In this instance the person blames circumstances for his shortcoming. It is either he’s been struggling with some illness or the assignment wasn’t clear or the car’s been giving him trouble. That is why most flat tires occur on Monday mornings and Friday afternoons according to statistics. Why these times? Monday mornings are when most people don’t want to go to work and Friday afternoons are when most people don’t want to go back home directly. Excuses are dangerous to both our physical and spiritual wellbeing. Beware of excuses.

THE THREE FOOLISH EXCUSES. (Luke 14:18-20)
In the parable of the Great Supper Jesus shared in Luke 14, the Lord seems to show that the temptations of life lie in three directions. It is also clear that what hinders us are not necessarily bad things. Good things can hinder the man or woman who loves to give excuses. The three excuses here concern,

1. OUR PROPERTY. (vs18) 
As Christians, we are pilgrims and strangers, with no settled piece of land to call our own, with no stake in the country, with no accumulation in the bank, we reach out our hands towards the city that hath foundations (Heb 11:10,13-16). But when we buy a field, we are often preoccupied and engrossed with it, and all it stands for. It is very possible that good things like buildings or properties can hinder us from focusing on God. If we are not careful, our affections can be on our possessions rather than on things above. (Col 3:1-4).

2. OUR ACTIVITIES. (vs19) 
There is nothing wrong in having a team of oxen; on the contrary, it is a great and noble thing to plough up the virgin soil, and to make corn grow for the sustenance of millions of our fellow men. But all these can preoccupy our minds and become the basis of our excuses. We can become so deeply interested, that we have no time or energy for anything else. These are not negative things but building urbane and polite excuse around them can lead to a practical refusal, "I pray Thee have me excused."

3. OUR HOME AND FAMILY LIFE. (vs20)
 Jesus did not say we need no home and family. He honoured a wedding feast with His presence and his first miracle? But He knows that we are apt to set aside the claims of the spiritual life when we are surrounded by all the joys and comforts of material happiness. (Luke. 14:26-27) The big question is what is hindering you from following Christ or doing the will of God?

CONCLUSION
Without any doubt, the excuses which were offered by these men were very shallow and simply foolish. The land of the first man would not have disappeared if its owner had postponed visiting it for a day. Also, the cattle of the second man had surely been proved already, or they would not have been bought. As to the newly married wife of the third man, there was no reason why she should not have accompanied her husband for there was plenty of room for both. 
An “excuse” is an entirely different thing from “a reason.” “A reason” comes to mind before a conclusion while “an excuse” follows after a conclusion.” “A reason” is a reality; an “excuse” is, generally, an invention: or, at the best the second or inferior “reason.” It is not the primary thing, actuating motive. For example, the “reason” Adam ate the fruit was that he liked it but his “excuse” was, “She gave it me.” (Gen. 3:12) The “reason” why the man with one talent “hid his talent,” was, that he was indifferent, lazy, wicked and slothful, but his “excuse” was, “I knew you to be a hard man...” (Matt. 25:24) 

The “reason” the Jews killed Jesus Christ was, because they were jealous of Him and hated Him for His holiness and His rebuke. But their “excuse” was that He spoke against Caesar, and uttered blasphemy. The “reason” why all the men who were invited to the great supper” refused to come, was because they were not prepared. But the “excuses” were the same, they had more important engagements. But what could be more important than an invitation to dine with the King? If you know God and all the things He has prepared for them that love Him,” all “excuses” would be flung to the winds. (1 Cor. 2:9) Excuses look little, but they possess great power to hinder. Therefore, put away excuses if you want to be divinely lifted. 

Without any doubt, excuses will never cease till earth ceases, but do not let excuses cease your destiny. May you be delivered from your excuses today. At the judgment-seat of Christ, no excuse will be tenable. Beware of excuses. Shalom.


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