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| Pastor Festus A. Oyebade |
By Boluwatife Oparinde
After the following the directives of the Authorities of the Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas, to observe the National Prayer of the Year earlier at the beginning of the year; Christ Apostolic Church Sabo District Headquarters, Abeokuta has also held another week's Special Prayer for across her various assemblies.
The powerfully packed one-week Annual Special Prayer themed "Doing the Master's Work" held at different assemblies of the District from Monday, 10th January to Sunday, 16th January, 2022 and also featured Bible teachings and prayer sessions.
At the Grandfinale of the Annual District Prayer held on Sunday, 16th January at the District Headquarters, CAC Oke Itunnu, Gaa, Sabo Abeokuta, the Preacher, Pastor Festus A. Oyebade, declared that when a man has no service and work in God's vineyard, God has nothing to reward the individual.
Speaking on the topic, "For Thy Work Shall be Rewarded" culled from 2 Chronicles 15:7, the cleric defined reward as an outcome or result of the handiwork of an individual; stating that no one runs a trade or starts a business without the intention of making profit and obtaining a reward.
The Cleric emphasized that, "God is expecting that we will make multiple profits at the work and office He has placed everyone of us. When there is no work, there is no reward. When you have nothing to offer in the house of God, you should not expect a reward from Him."
Quoting and making inference to the CAC 2022 Watchword, the cleric encouraged the congregation to "be strong in the Lord. Hold fast. Don't be weak. Don't get lazy in the work of God. Let your focus be ahead, on Christ."
"God will not give you what you are not capable of. He will only give your what to do according to your capacity. And what He hasn't given you, He would not ask you to give account of.
Also noting the need to wholeheartedly work in the vineyard of God, the cleric said that, "God is expecting reward and profit from the office He has placed us. God did not create a lazy man. The first man Adam was given the responsibility to tend and keep the garden of Eden. God is always joyous when individuals make profits physically and spiritually in His Kingdom."
Pastor Oyebade highlighted some of the rewards in the service of God as, "spiritual and physcial covering, the crown of faithfulness and glory, and your name will be written in the book of life."
Pastor Oyebade concluded the sermon with Revelation 22:12,13, stating that, "there's nothing a man does without its consequences. We must remember that Jesus is the Rewarder and your rewards will only be a result of your work on earth."