Members of Christ Apostolic Church across the globe on Sunday January 2, 2022 gathered for the first Sunday Service of the year. CAC News brings you compilation of first sermons of the year by some selected CAC Ministers
Read and meditate on the message for your spiritual growth and fulfillment in year 2022.
Below are the ministers and their messages:
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| Pastor Simeon Oladokun, Regional Superintendent, Anosike Region |
Message: I Know Who I am!
Text: 1 Peter 2:9 -10.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. [10] Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9 -10. NIV
Sinach sings:
We are a chosen generation
We've been called forth to show His excellence
All I require for life, God has given me
And I know who I am
We are a chosen generation
We've been called forth to show His excellence
All I require for life, God has given me
For I know who I am
[Chorus]
I know who God says I am, what He says I am
Where He says I'm at, I know who I am
I'm working in power, I'm working miracles
I live a life of favour, for I know who I am
Many people in various churches sing this song, but the question is: ‘Do you know who you are?For your life to have meaning in 2022 and for you to feel fulfilled at the end of the year, it is crucial to know whom God says you are and what He says about you. It is not what people say about you that matters but what God; your Creator and Sustainer say about you that does really matter and that settles evertything. Let us to look at five things that God says about you and I from the above passage:
I. GOD SAYS I AM ACCEPTABLE.
Most of us spend our entire lives trying to earn acceptance. We want to earn it from our parents, peers, partners in life, from people we respect ourselves, from people we envy. The drive to be accepted is a deep drive that drives us to do all kinds of things. It can influence the kind of clothes you wear, the kind of car you drive, the kind of house you buy, even the career you choose. But when you are chosen that does tremendous things for your self-esteem.So, the first thing Peter said is, "You are a chosen people. You have been chosen by God."1 Peter 2:9 (LB) Christ has accepted you and there's no condition listed there. It's not based on your performance or on something that you earned. You'll never deserve it. God simply says, "I chose you." Get that right in 2022.
II. GOD SAYS I AM VALUABLE.
God says, not only are you accepted,but you’re also valuable. Let me ask you this crucial question: ‘How much do you think you're worth?’I'm not talking about your net worth. I'm talking about yourself worth.Don't ever confuse your valuables with your value as a person. You can be rich or poor, but it has nothing to do with your value as a person. What determines value? There are two things that determine value in life:
1. It depends on what somebody is willing to pay for something.
2. It depends on who has owned it in the past.
Based on these two things, what's your value? To help you answer the question appropriately, ask yourself: “Who owns me?” and “What was paid for me?” "you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NIV) Moreover, ‘how much are you worth?’ Ask yourself: “Who do I belong to?” Peter says, "You belong to God."What was paid for you? Jesus paid for you with His life, He bought you back from the devil. Therefore, let your value as a person, guide your conducts and speeches in 2022.
III. GOD SAYS I AM CAPABLE, AND COMPETENT TO HANDLE WHATEVER HAPPENS IN MY LIFE IN 2022
Peter uses this term, "You are a royal priest". God says I'm a priest. Depending on your background that may be scary or confusing. Peter is saying that the two benefits that priests have are now available to everybody who is a believer.In the Old Testament, priests did two of the following things:
a) They had the right, privilege and responsibility to go directly to God. They could pray to God, talk to God, worship God, and fellowship with God. Everybody else had to go through a priest.
b) The priest had the privilege and responsibility of representing God to the people and ministering (serving) to the needs of other people. As for you, you have a right now to go directly to God -- direct access. You don't have to pray through anybody else,there is no more veil that separates.Secondly, God says you have been gifted for ministry to serve other people. Every Christian is a minister. Anytime you're using your talents and gifts to help others you're ministering. If you want to feel fulfilled in 2022, put your talents, your gifts to work by serving others, that is your ministry.
IV. GOD SAYS I AM LOVABLE.
That one sure feels good when you have had a broken heart. When you've been rejected you don't feel too lovable. When somebody has rejected you – a girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/wife/parent/ whatever -- you don't feel lovable, you feel useless. "Nobody loves me! I'm not worth anything! I'm not loved by anybody."The fact is: you're wrong. The Bible says "`Though the mountains be shaken, and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isa. 54:10 (NIV)God's love will never end.
There are two characteristics that make God's love different from human love:
(1) God's love is consistent. It's never going to end.
(2) God's love is unconditional. It's not based on performance. It's not based on you measuring up. It’s not based on your appearance; how good looking or not good looking you are. God says, in Christ, I am acceptable, I am valuable, and I am lovable. Even when I don't feel very lovely, He still loves me and His love is consistent.
V. GOD SAYS I AM FORGIVABLE.
He says "You have received mercy."Some of you are still feeling guilty over the sins of the previous years which God has forgiven you of. God doesn't hold a grudge. The Bible says that non-believers who don't know Christ will go through the judgement but that if you put your trust in Christ, salvation means you've passed from death unto life -- bypassed the judgement. Isn’t that a Good News? Yes! Does that mean you are perfect? No, it means you are covered with His love. Dr. Charles Cooley is the Dean of American Sociology. He says this, "Your self-esteem, your self-worth or image is determined to a large degree by what you think the people or the person that matters most to you thinks about you." Friends, I want to suggest to you in 2022, that you make Jesus Christ the most important person in your life. Once you’ve done that, the question comes to you: Do you know who you are?God says by GRACE you're acceptable, you are valuable, you are capable, you are lovable, and you are surely forgivable. If you've never opened your heart to let Christmake His home there, do so right now.
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| Pastor Joseph Omolola, Superintendent, Agbara DCC |
Message: The Reward of Sin.
Text: Rom 6:23
Introduction:
Reward is what you get for an action or inaction. Both nature and the Bible teaches that
1. There are rewards for every action either good or bad.
2. Reward is inevitable.
3. Reward can be positive or negative; the action or inaction will determine (Gal 6:7, Gen 8:22)
The Theme for 2022 speaks of the two kinds of rewards; good and bad, hence we must be mindful of every action we take this year because we shall receive the rewards in due season. ( Rom 2:6, 1Cor 15:58, Gal 6:9, 1Cor 2:9).
Today we shall be considering The Rewards of Sin
1.For the Wages
A wage is a fixed regular payment earned for work.
Fixed: it cannot be altered
Regular: it follows a pattern ( Time)
Payment: it is what is due ( Deserved)
Earned: you are responsible for it
Work: what you did
II. Of Sin
A. Definition
1. Sin is missing the mark. The mark is the standard of perfection established by God and evidenced by Jesus Christ- Rom 3:23
2. Sin is Transgression against divine law ( 1John 3:4, John 4:17)
3. Sin is rebellion against God ( Deut 9:7, Joshua 1:18)
B. Sin is committed by the soul. The soul is responsible for its actions ( Ezekiel 18:4), but the body receives the physical peris of the ill actions of the Soul, because it is one with it, same with the spirit- anytime your soul sins your spirit man is weakened.
III. Is Death
Death means separation it could be physical or spiritual. Whenever a person sins, there exists a gap between such and God, that gap alters the fellowship and relationship at times between such and God. Anytime you sin something dies in you.
Sin does not leave you the way it met you.
Sin takes away something from you.
Death is the reward of sin- when you sin you die ( Rom 6:23)
Note the following:
1. Sin causes death
2. The best way to handle sin is also to die ( Rom 6:2)
3. God handled our sin by dying on the cross (Rom 5:8)
To die to sin means you do not allow sin to control you.
When you sin you die- that is you are separated from God and attached to Satan that is why he controls the sinner
Becareful!! There is grave consequence anytime you sin.
IV. Deal with that Sin
If you must live, you must flee sin.
1. Reckon yourself dead to sin ( Rom. 6:11)
2. Submit yourself to the Holy Spirit (James 4:7-10)
3. Examine yourself (2Cor 13:5)
4. Pay attention to every step you take (1Cor 10:12).
5. Confess sin immediately it is committed ( 1John 1:9) Do not allow Sin to tarry .
Conclusion: The best way to start this year of unprecedented rewards is to deal with the issue of Sin.
No matter how we look at it, the wages of sin is death, anytime you sin, something dies. Avoid sin and live for God to avoid the reward of Sin.
SHALOM.
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Pastor J. Olu Akinyomi, Superintendent, Somolu-Olaleye DCC |
MESSAGE: THE MOUNTAIN TAKER
Joshua 14:6-15
INTRODUCTION
Attempt great things for God in 2022 and expect great things from God. Learn how to attempt (seeming) impossibility this year if you want to experience greatness.
Our grand business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.
Caleb were among the twelve spies Moses, the man of God, sent to the Promised Land to explore it.
I. THE ATTRIBUTE OF THE MOUNTAIN
What made Caleb desire for the mountain was because of the attributes of the mountain.
A. A Place Where God Had Promised – v. 12
1. You must believe in the promises of God concerning your life.
2. Your faith in God will make you receive the promises of God.
B. The Anakites Dwell in the Land – v. 12
1. Don’t be discouraged of the present dwellers.
C. The Land Flows with Milk and Honey
1. See the prosperity of the land.
D. The Cities Were Great and Fortified – v. 12
E. The people of the Land Were Strong
II. THE ATTITUDE OF MOUNTAIN TAKER
A. A Man with Different Spirit – Num. 14:23,24
1. He was not among the crowd.
2. He has a spirit that stands out from the crowd.
3. He was unique and he distinguished himself.
B. Follow God Wholeheartedly – A Devoted Man – Num. 14:24; Jos. 14:8
1. Mountain takers do not waver.
2. They are fully committed unto God.
3. They serve God, not the devil – Rev. 9:20,21
C. Confidence in God – Jos. 14:9
1. He trusts God to His word.
2. He has no confidence in self.
D. Bold in the Lord – Num. 13:20
1. He did not fear the threats of the enemy.
2. He did not see impossibilities.
3. He did not see difficulty – because he looked at difficulties through God’s glass view.
E. A Fighter – Jos. 14:10,11
1. He does not retire
2. He always refire
3. He fights discouragement, self and Satan.
4. He fights stumbling block – sin.
F. He Was a Believer – Jos. 14:12
1. He believed he would drive out the enemy.
2. He was not defeated (from the) inside.
III. HINDRANCES FROM TAKING MOUNTAIN
A. Unbelief and Doubt
B. Disobedience
C. Living in Sin – deceit, stealing, unfaithfulness, evil desires, etc.
D. Ignorance – lack of information
E. Mediocrity
F. Settling for the Rest and Not for the Best
CONCLUSION
You are going to experience greatness this year if you can make up your mind to be a mountain taker like Caleb. Make use of this year from the beginning.
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| Pastor S.E.A. Oludare, Superintendent, Yaba DCC |
MESSAGE: Let your light so shine.
TEXT: Matthew 5:14 Prov 4: 18
INTRODUCTION: Happy 1st Sunday to you, we thank God who has kept us alive to see this day. We were faced with so much evil and threat to life in 2021 yet God kept us alive to see this day. Hallelujah
The world is getting darker daily, wickedness is everywhere
1st John 5 :19. People do evil and they do it mostly at the dark time. We
install security lights in our houses in order to avoid evil people coming
around us Isaiah 6: 2 The world is full of darkness Psalm 82: 5
NOTE:
Darkness operates naturally but we have to create light.
Evil happening without any instructor, no teacher teaches
evil but we have to teach people how to do good.
Light needs a conscious effort but darkness does not.
Darkness already existed before God created light Genesis
1:1-3
Darkness is a king and a ruler in his capacity Genesis 1: 5, 16 &18
LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE
The light is the need of our world today.
Light brings joy and happiness
Light shows the way
Light gives us speed and progress
Light brings warmth
Light brings healing
Light exposes evil
Lights makes things work
HOW DO YOU BECOME THE LIGHT? John 13:36
Jesus is the light John 8:12 He is the light which darkness cannot overcome.
He told his disciples after they accepted him that they are the light.
Therefore to become the light we have to;
A. Accept Jesus Psalm 18:23
B. Be his disciples.
C. Live our lives for him.
D. Tell others about Jesus Acts 13:47 Gal: 2: 20
Conclusion: Ephe 5: 8 - 9 If you are the light, You must leave as children of light and Bear the fruit of light. The fruits of Light are GOODNESS, RIGHTEOUSNESS &TRUTH
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| Pastor Israel
Babajide Ajanaku, Superintendent, Calvary DCC |
MESSAGE: Things You Must Do That You’ll Be Rewarded.
Lesson: 2 Chronicles 15 :1-7
Texts: 1 Corinthians 13 :1-7. Luke 18: 1. James 3:1-7. Hebrew 12: 14
Introduction: you are welcome into the New Year 2022 the year of success, breakthrough and testimonies for those that can follow the principle of God
It is a year we must depend on God be connected with God, seek his face, fast and pray and do the necessary so that God will reward us as he has promised. We must play our role wholeheartedly and for God to reward us.
The things you must do for you to be rewarded this year are as follows:
v Don’t Let Your Past Mistakes Cripple Your Creative Power
Always remember: That the major key to a great future is to create it with:
1. Your mind
2. Your time
If you have not made a mistake at all, it means you have taken risk enough.
We all make mistakes but everyone make different mistakes (so it is a foolishness on anybody who busy criticize other people’s mistakes destructively)
A man who cannot make mistake and will be far from achieving success in life.
It is not a mistake to make a mistake but it is a great mistake to repeat same mistakes.
Do not fear mistakes, for it will only make you wiser.
Mistakes are the springboards for accomplishment: even monkeys sometimes fall from the trees and still climb it again until stability is maintained.
Obedience To Gods Command Of Love: 1 Cor. 13
· Love is patient
· Love is kind
· Love does not envy
· Love does not boast
· Love is not proud
· Love does not dishonor or relegate others
· Love is not self-centered
· Love is not easily offended
· Love does not keep record of offence or wrong
let the love of Christ govern and rule your life as we are preparing to enter into the new year 2022. Jesus commanded that we should:
Have Purpose For Your Life Eccl 3:1
Your purpose is the foundation of your excellence and the platform on which to build your life.
Your purpose is what you say it is, and your mission is the mission you give yourself, in the New Year.
When purpose unknown, abuse is inevitable.
No man is fit to live except he has a purpose for which he is ready to die for.
Many people has failed for lack of purpose than for lack of talent- Billy Sunday.
Ignorance of purpose does not cancel a purpose
The poorest man is not he who does not have money but he who is without a purpose driven. Mental or mind poverty is more deadly than financial poverty
Desire A Quality Life:
The quality of a person’s life is in direction proportion to his commitment to excellence life, regardless of his chosen field of endeavor.
You must elevate your personal standards of quality life. Endeavor to improve your standards both spiritually and career wise to greater productivity & profitability in 2022.
Develop A Strong Faith In God,His Words, His Promise To Make It:
The book of Hebrews 11:1 clearly spells out that: (Faith without work is dead)
1. Faith is to believe what we do not see, as the reward is to see what we believe.
2. Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward is to see what we believe.
3. Faith is daring to do something good regardless of its consequences.
4. Faith is putting all your eggs in God’s basket, then counting your blessings even before they manifests.
5. Faith sometimes is a risk: Faith circumstances in the year, but refuses to be intimidated.
Faith will refuse to be intimidated
Faith will refuse to be limited
Faith will refuse to be ruled by circumstances
Faith will rewrite your story
Faith will rewrite your future
Always Create Avenues That Will Make You Happy Psalm 144: 15b:
“Happy are those whose God is the Lord”
v God will make you experience happiness throughout this year 2022; Therefore:
v Don’t wait for anybody to make you happy but just be happy in the lord always.
Better is the bread with a happy heart than wealth with vexation.
Somebody said:
When you share with people’s sorrow, it divides. And when you share happiness, the happiness multiplies one of the ways to happiness is to one of the ways to happiness is to be impactful to transmit happiness into others for multiplier concept.
v John C .Maxwell said : “ the happiest people in the world are those who have invested their life & resources in others”.
Learn To Pray Always: Luke 18:1:
Jesus Christ said: men ought to always pray
The secret of praying is praying in the secret. Time spent with God in prayer is never lost – so learn to pray to God
If you want your prayers to reach heaven, then send them through your heart
Prayer is the soil in which hope and healing grows best.
Make The Bible Your Daily Companion: Psalm 119:11:
v The bible is a book of faith; that sustain every redder & believers.
v It is a divinely inspired book that contains: Doctrine, morals and special revelation from God
v The greatest catalyst of all ages is the sacred word of God. (Just read it and apply them, it will work for you).
v Queen victory during industrial revolution said “ The Bible is the secret of England’s greatest”.
Work On Your Character:
v No man can climb beyond the limitation of his character.
v When you see a person who is deficient in Character – Just look at his/her friends. They will certainly be birds of the same feather that flocks together
v Talented people are gifts to the world, but it is the character that will protect & sustain that gift.
v A bad character is the greatest enemy in the dark
Beware Of Anger: Prov 16: Vs 32.
Proverbs 14:vs 29 says: “he that is slow to Anger or wrath is of great understanding; but he that is hasty of spirit exalts folly”
Everything a man does in Anger will at the end be done wrong” (with errors)
He who Angers you, has already conquers you
Every Anger begins in folly and ends in regrets”
No matter how just your words may be you ruins everything when you speak with Anger.
Always Try To Avoid Foolish Argument:
A misunderstanding is never ended by an argument. Instead of foolish argument, try to see the other person’s viewpoint, If can be tolerated.
Abraham Lincoln said “No amount of argument that can make the wrong to be right.
So, the best way to overcome argument is to avoid it.
Learn to work hard in this New Year Proverbs 6:4-8
The passage is teaching us that the ants were well organized and always committed to community service, building projects, time conscious, diligent at work and productive at hand yet without supervisor
Therefore everyone should learn to be hardworking and be diligent at work in this New Year for our world to be highly rewarded. There should be no room for laziness, idleness and non challant attitudes towards daily work if we truly want to be rich by making money for living.
Take Definite Decision:
John C. Maxwell said “Decisions are made in a moment, but growth comes from daily discipline”.
Inability to decide, is to decide not to decide, in the journey of life. In a time like this, when every hope is high:
Nothing is so exhausting as indecision.
And nothing is futile as indecision
And nothing is sodestructive as indecision
And nothing is so hazardous as indecision
And nothing is so life’s cripple as indecision
And nothing is so annoying as indecision
And nothing is so foolish as indecision
And nothing is so disastrous as indecision
And nothing is so calamitous as indecision
And nothing is so damaging as indecision
And nothing is so humiliating as indecision
Have Self-Discipline Romans 12:1-2:
Self-discipline is part of life of fulfilment he who lives without discipline will die without honor.
Self-discipline is the ability to do what is right, even when is not convenient
Self-discipline is the refining fire in which talents becomes ability.
Discipline is the hidden ingredients that turns a nobody to somebody
Conclusion:
In this New Year you should have faith in the living God, His word and His promises in other to do the right thing knowing fully well that our work shall be rewarded for success and breakthrough in this New Year.
Ecclesiastics 12: 13-14 , revelation 22 : 11-13
God bless you and wishing you happy New Year
From: Pastor Israel Babajide Ajanaku
Zonal Superintendent
Christ Apostolic Church Victoryland Calvary Zonal Headquaters
20 Joel Ogunnaike Street Gra, Ikeja Lagos.
08065615213
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| Pastor Mich 'Tunji Oladapo, Superintendent, Life and Power Zone |
MESSAGE: Facing the New Year with Confidence
TEXT:Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 10:35.
Introduction
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” - Hebrews 4: 16
Confidence means strong faith, trust, self-assurance, believing in one's ability or in the ability of someone.
It means Reliance or to be certain of something.
It is believing in God's ability and being certain of His ability to cause certain things to take place or not to take place.
THE NEED FOR CONFERENCE
You need confidence to face new year for the following reasons:
1. The journey ahead is full of uncertainties.
The new year's journey is one that has never been taken before.
So, no one knows what will happen and to embark on such journey, confidence and strong faith is needed. We need to have strong faith in the ability of God to see us through.
2. Every day of the year is
full of good and evil.
The Bible admonishes us to redeem time because all dayd are evil. This is why we need confidence to forge ahead.
3. Confidence provides courage to move and to forge ahead in the midst of fear and uncertainties.
It will provide you with courage to forge ahead where there are fears dismay.
In Numbers 14:1-4, we saw the Israelites losing their faith and their confidence in God and they murmured as a result of the reports of the majority of the spies. They opted to go back to Egypt because they lost their confidence and courage to continue with their journey. The Bible admonishes that we should not lose our confidence because it has a great recompense of reward - Hebrews 10:35.
BASIS FOR OUR CONFIDENCE IN GOD
1. We are confident that we have Christ's delegated authority. In Matthew chapter 28:18.
Jesus declares that all power, all authority belongs to Him. In Luke 10:19, Jesus transferred the authority to us.... "I give you the authority... " This means we receive the confidence to forge ahead on the basis of Christ delegated authority. Psalm 91:13 also speaks of the same delegated authority.
2. We have the assurance of His ever presence. He is Jehovah Shammah – The ever present God. In Matthew 28:20, He gave the assurance that He is with us always. In Exodus 33:14 He declares that His presence would always go with us. David,in Psalm 23:4 confidently affirmed God's presence which allays his fears in turbulent times. All these are assurances that we have nothing to fear for His presence is with us in all circumstances of life - Isaiah 43:2.
3. We have the assurance of His ability to secure us against all evil. Psalm 91: 1-10. He fences us against all evil, including pestilence - Zechariah 2: 8; Psalm 105:14.
Whoever makes you his enemy makes God his enemy.
4. We have the assurance of God's ability and willingness to answer us when we call upon Him.
1 John 5:14; Jeremiah 33: 3
5. We are given the blessed assurance that His angel is always going ahead of us - Exodus 23:20-23. The assignment of the angel of God going ahead of us is to cut off all our enemies so that we can have a smooth and successful journey.
6. We have trust in God's ability to keep whatsoever is committed to Him - 2 Timothy 1:12.
All you need do is to commit yourself, your ways and your work to him - Psalm 37:5; Proverbs 16: 3.
7. We are precious in His sight - Isaiah 43: 4, and so He promises to replace our lives with those of whoever hunts us.You only stop being precious to Him when:
a. You continue to dip your hands into sins.
b. fail to walk in obedience.
c. You find it too difficult to keep the commandments of God.
All these will create a gulf between you and God or make Him feel unconcerned about whatever happens to you.However, as long as you obey Him, He will not allow anything to hurt you.
8. We have confidence in His faithfulness to keep His promises. Isaiah 26: 3. He promises to keep us in perfect peace.
YOUR OWN PART
1. Trust in Him wholeheartedly
2. Walk in humility
3. Be sincere and loyal to constituted authorities.
4. Be honest, and
5. Seek counsel where necessary.
IN CONCLUSION
Despite all the uncertainties in this COUNTRY - financial, economic, political and socio political, we His children have the assurance of operating in the special economy of God and He will never allow His children to run into trouble. He secures His children from all evil and provides for their needs.
This is why you have to give your life to Him totally. Severe yourself from companies that do not bring God's glory into your life. Evil communications corrupt good manners, says the Bible - 1 Corinthians 15: 33. Stay away from all unfriendly friends that do not impact your life positively.
Drop every sin that can easily beset you.
Find enough time to pray and worship God.
Give more time to study the Bible.
Make sure you make someone happy every day.
Make yourself a shoulder that people can climb to the top.
And by His grace, we all will gather here to thank God together by the end of the year.
PEACE BE UNTO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
ENJOY YOUR NEW YEAR TO THE FULLEST.
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| Pastor Amos Dada, Superintendent, Bethel Canada Zone |
What is Spiritual Growth?
In our year of Growth and Development it is important that I start with the definition and some explanation on what spiritual growth it’s about.
Growth is a stage or condition in increasing, developing, or maturing. Growth is the act or process, or a manner of growing, development and gradual increase. Spiritual growth is the process of becoming more and more like Jesus Christ. When we place our faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit begins the process of making us more like Him, conforming us to His image. Spiritual growth is perhaps best described in 2 Peter 1:3-8, which tells us that by God’s power we have “everything we need” to live lives of godliness, which is the goal of spiritual growth. What we need comes “through our knowledge of Him,” which is the key to obtaining everything we need. Our knowledge of Him comes from the Word, given to us for our edification and growth.
There are two lists in Galatians 5:19-23. Verses 19-21 list the “acts of the flesh.” “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God”Gal 5:19-21.These are the things that identified our lives before we came to Christ for salvation. The acts of the flesh are the activities we are to confess, repent of, and, with God’s help, overcome. As we experience spiritual growth, fewer and fewer of the “acts of the flesh” will be evident in our lives. The second list is the “fruit of the Spirit” “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!(verses 22-23). These are what should characterize our lives now that we have experienced salvation in Jesus Christ. Spiritual growth is identified by the fruit of the Spirit becoming increasingly evident in a believer’s life.
A group of tourists visiting a picturesque village walked by an old man sitting beside a fence. In a rather patronizing way, one tourist asked him, “Were any great men born in this village?” The old man replied, “Nope, only babies.” Every person who is a born-again believer starts life as a baby in Christ. Whether the new convert is six or sixty, that person is still a new Christian and needs to grow in the Lord. A baby Christian who has been saved for forty years is a tragedy. God intends for us to grow and mature so that we can be a positive influence in the lives of others. Until we learn to dig into the meat of the Word for ourselves, we will never grow.
Personal development is very important for a Christian who wants to fulfill all that God has deposited inside of him. Christians are to be making progress. 1 Peter 1:5. I pray that this year you will grow and develop in Jesus’ name.
Evidence of lack of growth:
1. Deliberate involvement in sinful activities as a Christian. “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sin” Heb 10:26
2. Desiring milk instead of meat like babies. “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready, 3for you are still worldly” 1 Cor 3:2 (Heb 5:12)
3. Unwillingness to change or to press forward.” I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me”. Phil 3:12
4. Being early relevant and heavenly irrelevant. “Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.” Phil 1:27
5. Lack of Joy in the Lord.” Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” Phil 4:4
6. Unconcerned about the coming of the Lord. “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.” Rev 1:7
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| Pastor Festus F. Daramola, Superintendent, Oshodi Zone |
MESSAGE: HOW TO BREAK INTO A FRESH SEASON WITH GOD IN 2022
Text: 2 Chronicles 15:7. “But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”
INTRODUCTION
King Asa was a good and godly king. He sought the Lord when trouble came upon the land, and he experienced firsthand the power of God in battle. After a trademark victory over the massive Ethiopian army, Asa was confronted by a prophet named Azariah. He told Asa to seek the Lord. “The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you,” Azariah said. He went on to describe past seasons in Israel’s history when they and their leadership wandered from God. Always, dark days followed, for “in those times there was no peace.” So, the prophet said, “Take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”
Asa knew what Azariah meant. Quickly, he acted as the spiritual leader of Israel, bringing them into a fresh season of dependence upon the living God. He forged a path for Judah to seek the Lord. Perhaps, as we observe his story, our modern minds can glean a thing or two about how to seek God today in 2022.
HOW TO BREAK INTO FRESH SEASON WITH GOD THIS YEAR 2022?
1. Take Courage
2 Chronicles 15:8 (ESV) “As soon as Asa heard these words, the prophecy of Azariah the son of Oded, he took courage and put away the detestable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities that he had taken in the hill country of Ephraim, and he repaired the altar of the Lord that was in front of the vestibule of the house of the Lord.” The prophet had told him to take courage, for boldness and conviction and power were all there for the taking, but Asa had to reach out and grab them. Take courage, the prophet said. Asa did. He became bold for the task. If we desire to seek the Lord this year 2022, we must also take courage. Set the alarm clock to give yourself some time for prayer. Set down the remote control to give yourself time for reading. Confront the lie that you will start next week, especially if you have said it a thousand times before. Take courage. Grab it and let the Spirit put it in the marrow of your soul. Tackle the project. Become bold for the task of seeking your God this year.
2. Put Away Idols
2 Chronicles 15:8 (ESV). As soon as Asa heard these words, the prophecy of Azariah the son of Oded, he took courage and put away the detestable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities that he had taken in the hill country of Ephraim, and he repaired the altar of the Lord that was in front of the vestibule of the house of the Lord.Before approaching the altar of God for worship, Asa knew there were idols in the land he had to destroy. He recognized Israel's worship was convoluted, intermingled with the gods of the nations around them. What a picture of our modern day! When a believer sets the priorities and convictions and status symbols of the world right next to God and his word, they have introduced modern idolatry. “Little children,” John wrote, “keep yourselves from idols”(1 John 5:21). Cast out that which must be destroyed.
3. Repaired the Altar
2 Chronicles 15:8 (ESV). As soon as Asa heard these words, the prophecy of Azariah the son of Oded, he took courage and put away the detestable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities that he had taken in the hill country of Ephraim,and he repaired the altar of the Lord that was in front of the vestibule of the house of the Lord.With haste, Asa then repaired the altar. For them, the altar was the place they would daily interact with God. The worshipper would come and there, at the altar, offer sacrifice and praise unto God. For the altar to be in a state of disrepair meant they could not even take the first step in seeking the Lord. The thousands of beautiful gifts God had for them would remain undiscovered as long as the altar lay in a state of disuse. To me, the sacrificial altar of Israel is representative of the relationship with God the cross of Christ has enabled. Cursed for us on his tree, Jesus made the way for us to enter into countless avenues of blessing from God. When I sit to engage with God, I feel enabled to do so by the blood of Jesus.
4. Gathered People
2 Chronicles 15:9–12 (ESV). And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who were residing with them, for great numbers had deserted to him from Israel when they saw that the Lord his God was with him. 10 They were gathered at Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa. 11 They sacrificed to the Lord on that day from the spoil that they had brought 700 oxen and 7,000 sheep. 12 And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul,Asa then rounded up the people of God for worship. They came and sacrificed and vowed to seek the LORD. They decided to be a generation which loved and pursued God. Sometimes the spiritual leader must gather. The church is to spread but is also to gather. We are to go into the highways and byways, as Jesus taught, and invite people to his great feast. We are to go into all the world with the aim of making disciples. We are to meet from house to house, spread throughout our community. But we are also to gather. We are to come together for times of praise and prayer, study and Scripture, service and generosity.
5. Removed the Queen Mother
2 Chronicles 15:16 (ESV).Even Maacah, his mother, King Asa removed from being queen mother because she had made a detestable image for Asherah. Asa cut down her image, crushed it, and burned it at the brook Kidron. One final, and challenging, task remained. Asa’s own mother had introduced the worship of Asherah into Judah. It was, as chronicled, a detestable image. Asa cut down that idol and removed her from her position as queen-mother. Her authority was rescinded. Sometimes, in seeking the Lord, there is a major obstacle which, though tough to deal with, must eventually be touched.
It might be a sin to breakthrough or a relationship to break off, but it must go.Asa would not always do the right thing as Israel's king, but this was a great start to a good king's reign. Let us emulate him and take up the boldness the Spirit has for us and allow him to revive our bodies and souls for the glory of God this year.
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| Pastor Isaiah O. Afolayan, Superintendent, Christ Family Zone |
MESSAGE: A NEW HEART FOR A NEW YEAR
Text: Ezekiel 36:25-30
Note : God loves new things. When God wants to start a fellowship or relationship with someone he first gives him a new heart and new spirit. 2Cor 5:17, Rom 6:6, Rom 12:1-2, Eph 4:22, Col 3:9
For a man to truly have a new life, he most posses a new heart and a new mind.
THE SALVATION OF ISRAEL: Ezekiel 36:8-38, 37:1-28. It is divided into five parts:
A. The Sin (36:16-17); Israel defiles her own land by shedding blood and worshipping idols.
B. The Scattering (36:18-19); For the sin committed the people are then scattered among the nation's.
C. The Slander (36:20-21); However, this gives rise to a problem, for the pagans are defaming God's name saying he cannot take care of his own people.
D. The Solution (36:8-15, 22-38);God determines to vindicate his great name through the following actions;
1. He will give Israel crops (36:8-12). The ground will be tilled and planted.
2. He will keep other nations from devouring Israel 36:13-15). Other nations will no longer sneer at her.
3. HR will regather his people from among the nation's (36:22-24). He will bring them back to honor his name.
4. He will regenerate his people and give them a new heart (36:25-27). Their sin will be washed away.
5. He will restore his people, allowing them to rebuild their cities and harvest their crops (36:28-38). They will be his people and he will be their God.
When God wants to give you a way out he gives you a new heart.
E. The Symbols (37:1-28) Ezekiel is given two symbols to illustrate all this;
1. The symbol of the skeletons illustrating Israel's resurrection (37:1-4)
a. The miracle of the dead bones (37:1-10)
b. The meaning of the dead bones. (37:11-14)
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| Pastor T.O.A. Yerokun, Superintendent, Amazing Grace Zone |
MESSAGE- The Mystery of Grace
Text - 2 Cor. 12:9; Eph. 2: 8-9; Esther 2:7-9.
Introduction - First and foremost, a mystery is a hidden secret but potent in delivery to actualize destiny. God’s kingdom is a kingdom of mysteries. Grace is the most important concept in the Bible, Christianity, and the world. It is most clearly expressed in the promises of God revealed in Scripture and embodied in Jesus Christ.
Grace is the love of God shown to the unlovely; the peace of God given to the restless; the unmerited favour of God. Grace is the opposite of karma, which is all about getting what you deserve. Grace is getting what you don’t deserve.
Christians live every day by the grace of God. We receive forgiveness according to the riches of God’s grace, and grace drives our sanctification. Paul tells us, “the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self- controlled, upright, and godly lives “ Titus 2:11-12.
Spiritual growth doesn’t happen overnight; we “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ “ ( 2 Pet. 2:18). Grace transforms our desires, motivations and behaviour. In fact, God’s grace grounds and empowers everything in the Christian life.
Grace is the basis for:
i. Our Christian identity- “ By the Grace of God I am what I am” 1 Cor. 15:10.
ii. Our standing before God - “ this grace in which we stand “ Rom. 5:2.
iii. Our serving - “ serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” 1 Pet. 1:10.
iv. Our future - God, and his grace, is everlasting - 1 Pet. 1:13.
v. Our hope beyond death - “grace (reigns) through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” - Rom. 5:21.
Nature of Grace
i. Grace is God’s disposition of kindness, compassion, goodwill and enabling power for us to be perfected in His love. Eph. 2:4, 2:7.
ii. Grace is the only thing that can do everything because grace is the only sufficient thing.
Everything is do - able when grace is available. 2 Cor. 12:9; 2 Cor. 3:5. Man is never sufficient in anything by himself.
iii. Your calling in Christ is for your establishment - Grace enables the unable. 1 Cor. 3:10; 2 Cor. 9:8.
iv. Grace takes you beyond natural limitation and insufficiency - Your connection (attachment) to grace enables your escape from bondage- Acts 26:22; 1 Cor. 15:10.
v. Nothing works by might in God’s kingdom but by grace. Zec. 4:6-7.
Access to God’s Grace
1. Salvation (starting up Grace) - Your first contact with Grace is salvation - Titus 2:11.
Grace is the foundation of redemption - John 1:17.
Mercy opens the door for grace to answer in your life - Eph. 2:4; Psalm 84:11; Eph. 2:5-8.
Salvation delivers you from the grip of sin and grace enables you to fully do the will of God.
A changed life is evidence of Grace. Titus 3:3-7; Rom. 5:20.
2. Consistent Prayer - Grace multiplies with prayer - Acts 4:31,33.
The house of prayer is the house of Grace...
To be prayerful is to be graceful - 2 Cor. 9:14.
Prayer is not effectual until it culminates in the release of grace - 2 Cor 12:8-9.
When you are in prayer, you are topping up the grace. After Elijah prayed, grace come upon him. Prayer pushes grace into action. Heb. 4:16.
3. Consistent Word Study
The word access facilitates graceful manifestations - 2 Pet. 1:2-4; Acts 20:32; Col. 3:16. The revelation of God’s word serves as a booster to provoke the outflow of God’s grace into your life.
Conclusion
The gospel is all about God’s grace through Jesus Christ. That’s why Paul calls it “the gospel of the grace of God” - Acts 20:24 and “the word of His grace “ - Acts 14:3.
The gospel of the grace of God is the message everyone needs. The word of grace is proclaimed from every page of the Bible and ultimately revealed in Jesus Christ. The last verse of the Bible summarizes the message from Genesis to Revelation: “ the Grace of the Lord Jesus be with all- Rev. 21:22. Through Jesus “we have all received grace upon grace “ - John 1:16 - the gratuitous and undomesticated grace of God.
The message grace should be preach this year, in order to win soul to the kingdom of God’s.