Bible Passages: Psalms 139: 14-18, Ephesians 2: 10.
Psalms 139 - 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.
Ephesians 2 - 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
What is Destiny?
This is your appointed or ordained future as determned by God. It is Gods will for your life. The greek word for destiny is 'Poema' which means your life is thought out by God.
All through the bible we can see different people whom God had destined and preordained their lives, but somehow missed it along the way. Lets look at the lives of a few of them.
Saul - 1Samuel 9 -17 When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the LORD said to him, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.” God had already spoken to Samuel about Saul even before Samuel met Saul without Saul knowing anything. God had chosen Saul to lead his people, he was destined to be a deliverer just like Moses. We all know what happened to Saul eventually as he fell out of favor with God. He lost his focus and took his eye off his destiny.
Samson - Angels spoke about him to his parents and gave them his blueprint. He went about doing exploits for about 20yrs, but he didn't work on his character and eventually gave in to his lusts. Even in his death he still didn't understand his destiny as he asked God to avenge him against the people who gouged his eyes out.
Solomon - The richest man that ever lived according to the bible. He was destined by God to restore Israels faith in God. Solomon had purposed in his heart to rid Israel of its idolatry and sodomism. As we all know Sheeba knew the glory he had and she ensured he got entangled with her. He also ended many women of whom were priestesses of idols and he himself started worshipping idols. The very thing he was against was what he ended up practicing.
Demas - Philemon 1: 24, Colossians 4: 14, 2Timothy 4: 10. Demas was an aposle that was focussed on God and was with Timothy all through their journeys. But in 2Timothy 4: 10 it is said that he was no more in the company of Timothy.
The truth is God has pre-destined us even before we were born. In the new dispensation God changed the rules and he has one destiny for all of us believers. We can see from the following scriptures what truly our destinies should be:-
Colossians 1: 15-18 - This in summary says you are created by God and for him alon. You consist of Christ and he is pre-eminent in your life.
Romans 14: 7 - We are of God
1Corinthians 6: 20 - You belong to God
Psalms 22: 9-10 - You were cast to God froyour mothers womb
Ephesians 1: 10 - Gathering all in Christ
To sum up what our true destinies are, lets look at Ephesians 1: 4-6, 11
4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.
Our destiny is to 'live blameless and to be to his praise and glory unto his name'. You need to realize that you are an adopted child of the most high God. Be a soul winner by reason of your conduct. Any other agenda that we might have like building a massive church, or gathering the best choir, or starting a big christian charity - these are the burden of the Lord, and he drops them in our laps as we go along in his will for our lives.
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Showing posts with label teachings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label teachings. Show all posts
Friday, 23 September 2011
Friday, 2 September 2011
I Didn't Wait For Nothing.
Bible passages for the sermon Mark 11: 1-11, 2 Timothy 2: 20-21
Mark 11- 1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; 2 and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. 3 And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.” 4 So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. 5 But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?” 6 And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. 8 And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:
“ Hosanna!
‘ Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’
10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David
That comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!”
11 And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.
This life is a cycle. There is a process that defines your purpose. The trainings you get determines what you will be used for. We are vessels, carriers of Gods word and works.
2 Tim 2 - 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
According to the text in Mark 11, the colt that Jesus asked the disciples to get had been tied at one spot for a long time. The colt was at a place where it couldn't go anywhere apart from round in circles. Other colts came and went by and this colt was always at the same spot. A colts normal lifespan is about 25yrs and this particular colt has not been used for anything or for what it's purpose is. This can be likened to our lives, our gifts sometimes need to be tamed in preparation for it's maturation, so as to fulfil it's full purpose.
Proverbs 22 - 29 Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.
For Jesus who is the King of Kings to enter into Jerusalem, he had a enter in a unique way. He ordered the disciples to go and get the colt which everyone else had looked down upon as useless. Jesus stated the colts exact position, it's location, and it's exact coordinates.
Even though it seemed that the colt was good for nothing and tied down for years, when it's purpose was at hand, the cycle it had been known to was broken. It was used to transfer the King of all Kings into Jerusalem. Whichever way you look at it, the colt was in the picture with Jesus. The colt was not tied there for nothing.
In conclusion, for God to place his glory upon you, you need to go through the process to achieve your purpose. Delays is not denial.
Mark 11- 1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; 2 and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. 3 And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.” 4 So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. 5 But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?” 6 And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. 8 And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:
“ Hosanna!
‘ Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’
10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David
That comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!”
11 And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.
This life is a cycle. There is a process that defines your purpose. The trainings you get determines what you will be used for. We are vessels, carriers of Gods word and works.
2 Tim 2 - 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
According to the text in Mark 11, the colt that Jesus asked the disciples to get had been tied at one spot for a long time. The colt was at a place where it couldn't go anywhere apart from round in circles. Other colts came and went by and this colt was always at the same spot. A colts normal lifespan is about 25yrs and this particular colt has not been used for anything or for what it's purpose is. This can be likened to our lives, our gifts sometimes need to be tamed in preparation for it's maturation, so as to fulfil it's full purpose.
Proverbs 22 - 29 Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.
For Jesus who is the King of Kings to enter into Jerusalem, he had a enter in a unique way. He ordered the disciples to go and get the colt which everyone else had looked down upon as useless. Jesus stated the colts exact position, it's location, and it's exact coordinates.
Even though it seemed that the colt was good for nothing and tied down for years, when it's purpose was at hand, the cycle it had been known to was broken. It was used to transfer the King of all Kings into Jerusalem. Whichever way you look at it, the colt was in the picture with Jesus. The colt was not tied there for nothing.
In conclusion, for God to place his glory upon you, you need to go through the process to achieve your purpose. Delays is not denial.
Friday, 26 August 2011
I Am Rewriting My History.
Bible Passage for Sermon Mark 4: 26-29, 1Corinthians 13:11
Mark 4
26 And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, 27 and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. 28 For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. 29 But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
Everything in life follows a growing process. They grow in stages just like the seed, which first sprouts out the blade, then the head, then the full grain in the head. When you see this happening then you immediately know that growth is taking place and what follows is the ripening and then the harvest (when it has fully come to maturity).
1Corinthians 13
In conclusion, be adventurous and do some extreme things so that when God calls and speaks to you about what he wants you to do, you will not be phased as you are used to stepping outside the box. Then you will freely do his will for your life.
Mark 4
26 And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, 27 and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. 28 For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. 29 But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
Everything in life follows a growing process. They grow in stages just like the seed, which first sprouts out the blade, then the head, then the full grain in the head. When you see this happening then you immediately know that growth is taking place and what follows is the ripening and then the harvest (when it has fully come to maturity).
1Corinthians 13
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Deuteronomy 2 - 3 ‘You have skirted this mountain long enough; turn northward.
You have aged enough, so it's time to now mature. Pursue your destiny, break the band of tradition, loose the strangle hold of routine. You should not yield to every desire but find the right balance, do what the Lord has put into your heart. Stagnation causes atrophy. God wants you to move forward, to progress, to advance in the things he has laid in your heart to do.
You have aged enough, so it's time to now mature. Pursue your destiny, break the band of tradition, loose the strangle hold of routine. You should not yield to every desire but find the right balance, do what the Lord has put into your heart. Stagnation causes atrophy. God wants you to move forward, to progress, to advance in the things he has laid in your heart to do.
7 growth choices that you need to make as a Christian
- Choose A Life Of Growth - Almost everyone have similar and equal chances and opportunities. The difference between successful and unsuccessful people is their desire to achieve much more and progress. It's never too late to make a change. You can't discover new territory until you are ready to loose sight of shore. Peter dared to do what the others wouldn't do by walking on water, and we all know he went on to become a great apostle
- Choose To Start Growing Today - Someday is no day. Anytime means no time. Everyone who is someone started out in a day. Everything you do today, joins with yesterdays to become something tomorrow. Anything you can do for 1hr a day, for 5 days a week, in 5 yrs you'll be an expert at it.
- Choose To Adopt The Posture Of A Learner - Don't be afraid to go through the learning process even when surrounded by experts. Learn something new every year. Isaiah 50 4“ The Lord GOD has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear To hear as the learned.
- Choose A Few Areas Of Your Life And Focus On Changing Them - 1Corinthians 9- 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. Make a conscious effort to make changes in certain areas of your life and mature in them.
- Choose The Price You're Willing To Pay For Growth - No price comes without pain. Nothing good comes cheap. Invest a little in yourself. Life is a trade-off. For everything you want to get you must be willing to invest something (time, moeny, focus). Everything in life requires an exchange. If you choose not to pay, you will fail.
- Choose The Right Environment For Growth - Your environment affects your life. A goldfish can't grow bigger that the bowl it's in. Make room for growth. There is a saying that goes 'if the shoe fits, wear it', but i say 'if the shoe fits, don't wear it'. Make room for growth.
- Choose To Relate With Growing People - Expose yourself to things that will help increase you. 1Corinthians 15- 33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”. Proverbs 13- 20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed. I say to you that your 3 closest friends will determine where you'll be in 5yrs time.
Friday, 19 August 2011
The Vision For Your Purpose.
There is a purpose for everything and it is up to you to find out what that real purpose is. Sometimes you need to ask for wisdom from God if you don't understand a purpose.
To understand the purpose of man, let's have a look at some scriptures.
Gen 1:26
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
Rev 5: 9-10
9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
The passage in Genesis makes you understand that the sole purpose for God making us in his image and likeness is so that we can rule over all things that was created. The passage in Revelation makes you understand that you owe everything to Jesus as he died for your redemption and has made you kings and priests to reign on earth. In essense both scriptures talk about you and i having "Dominion" over all things here on earth. Jesus himself has placed us back to dominion by his death and resurrection.
Victory is here on earth for us, and we can take issues concerning the earth and present it to God. We are priests and the job of a priest is to hear from God and present the message to the people. As priests, every forest is a blessing waiting for you to discover.
You can notice that it is not made mention that we are "princes", and that is because princes don't carry as much power and dominion as kings and priests.
Galatians 4:1
1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all
Ecclesiastes 10: 5-7
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error proceeding from the ruler: 6 Folly is set in great dignity, While the rich sit in a lowly place. 7 I have seen servants on horses, While princes walk on the ground like servants.
As long as you are a prince, you are still operating and perceived to be in the same position as a slave or a servant.
The mental ability to solve a problem must be greater than the ability to create it. You must trust solely on God who is the one that gives us the wisdom we need.
1Kings 20: 3-4
3 ‘Your silver and your gold are mine; your loveliest wives and children are mine.’” 4 And the king of Israel answered and said, “My lord, O king, just as you say, I and all that I have are yours.”
1Kings 20: 13
13 Suddenly a prophet approached Ahab king of Israel, saying, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand today, and you shall know that I am the LORD.’”
There is a huge difference between having an Ambition and having a Vision that you need to know about. A vision is a picture of a need for a desirable future not just for yourself but for a mass of other people. An ambition is a selfish need for yourself. Your vision must be big enough to ensure that it includes other people who will also be able to benefit from that which you birth. Jacobs vision saw him build a "city" of which his sons, poeple all around him, and the generations after them have enjoyed ever since.
In conclusion, you must have a vision, a picture of a better life not only for yourself but for others around yourself. You must set yourself values by which you abide by so that when confronted with various instances, you know which ones to pursue based on these values. Your vision defines your purpose.
To understand the purpose of man, let's have a look at some scriptures.
Gen 1:26
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
Rev 5: 9-10
9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
The passage in Genesis makes you understand that the sole purpose for God making us in his image and likeness is so that we can rule over all things that was created. The passage in Revelation makes you understand that you owe everything to Jesus as he died for your redemption and has made you kings and priests to reign on earth. In essense both scriptures talk about you and i having "Dominion" over all things here on earth. Jesus himself has placed us back to dominion by his death and resurrection.
Victory is here on earth for us, and we can take issues concerning the earth and present it to God. We are priests and the job of a priest is to hear from God and present the message to the people. As priests, every forest is a blessing waiting for you to discover.
You can notice that it is not made mention that we are "princes", and that is because princes don't carry as much power and dominion as kings and priests.
Galatians 4:1
1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all
Ecclesiastes 10: 5-7
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error proceeding from the ruler: 6 Folly is set in great dignity, While the rich sit in a lowly place. 7 I have seen servants on horses, While princes walk on the ground like servants.
As long as you are a prince, you are still operating and perceived to be in the same position as a slave or a servant.
The mental ability to solve a problem must be greater than the ability to create it. You must trust solely on God who is the one that gives us the wisdom we need.
1Kings 20: 3-4
3 ‘Your silver and your gold are mine; your loveliest wives and children are mine.’” 4 And the king of Israel answered and said, “My lord, O king, just as you say, I and all that I have are yours.”
1Kings 20: 13
13 Suddenly a prophet approached Ahab king of Israel, saying, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand today, and you shall know that I am the LORD.’”
There is a huge difference between having an Ambition and having a Vision that you need to know about. A vision is a picture of a need for a desirable future not just for yourself but for a mass of other people. An ambition is a selfish need for yourself. Your vision must be big enough to ensure that it includes other people who will also be able to benefit from that which you birth. Jacobs vision saw him build a "city" of which his sons, poeple all around him, and the generations after them have enjoyed ever since.
In conclusion, you must have a vision, a picture of a better life not only for yourself but for others around yourself. You must set yourself values by which you abide by so that when confronted with various instances, you know which ones to pursue based on these values. Your vision defines your purpose.
Friday, 12 August 2011
Gleanings By The River.
Message passages. Ezekiel 1: 1-3, Psalms 137: 1-9.
Ezekiel 1
1 In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. 2 On the fifth of the month—it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin— 3 the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians. There the hand of the LORD was on him.
verse1 - The heavens can open unto you no matter where you are and what situation you are in. Ezekiel was in exile and possibly under harsh conditions but still the heavens above him opened to him so that he can be used by God.
For God to use you, you need your mind and spirit to be right. You need to see the things you want in the spirit and then let your mind to start operating in that capacity. When you allow your spirit to be in the place of God, he will open the heaven above you and pour you out rivers of water. The river that comes from the presence of God is that which waters your soul and refreshens your life. There also is a river that comes from the enemy that causes you to desire unholy pleasures. This river is the ways of the world.
In the passage Ezekiel also mentions that "in his thirtieth year". 30 is the year of maturity, and in the Jewish tradition it is only when you attain that age that you are alowed to become a priest. So no matter what you might be facing in your life, when it is time for God to use you he will reach out to you where you are. When God is about to use you he will open your heart, your eyes and your ear unto him.
Psalms 137
1 By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. 2 There on the poplars we hung our harps, 3 for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 4 How can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a foreign land? 5 If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. 6 May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy. 7 Remember, LORD, what the Edomites did on the day Jerusalem fell. “Tear it down,” they cried, “tear it down to its foundations!” 8 Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is the one who repays you according to what you have done to us. 9 Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.
The desire of the enemy is that when you are in trouble that you do not open your mouth to praise God. As we can see from the above passage the tormentors of the israelites mocked them to sing them songs of zion knowing fully well that their spirits are already downcast. The israelites remembered all the Lord has done for them and vow to sing praises to him. That is what is required of you when you find yourself down and under, rejoice and sing praises to the good God for he is able to deliver you.
Paul and Silas praised God even in their captivity and their prison doors were opened unto them and they even received the favor of the guard.
In conclusion, you should understand that no matter the condition you are in, when God wants to use you he will cause open heavens above you, and your heart, eyes, and ear will be yielded unto him.
Ezekiel 1
1 In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. 2 On the fifth of the month—it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin— 3 the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians. There the hand of the LORD was on him.
verse1 - The heavens can open unto you no matter where you are and what situation you are in. Ezekiel was in exile and possibly under harsh conditions but still the heavens above him opened to him so that he can be used by God.
For God to use you, you need your mind and spirit to be right. You need to see the things you want in the spirit and then let your mind to start operating in that capacity. When you allow your spirit to be in the place of God, he will open the heaven above you and pour you out rivers of water. The river that comes from the presence of God is that which waters your soul and refreshens your life. There also is a river that comes from the enemy that causes you to desire unholy pleasures. This river is the ways of the world.
In the passage Ezekiel also mentions that "in his thirtieth year". 30 is the year of maturity, and in the Jewish tradition it is only when you attain that age that you are alowed to become a priest. So no matter what you might be facing in your life, when it is time for God to use you he will reach out to you where you are. When God is about to use you he will open your heart, your eyes and your ear unto him.
Psalms 137
1 By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. 2 There on the poplars we hung our harps, 3 for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 4 How can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a foreign land? 5 If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. 6 May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy. 7 Remember, LORD, what the Edomites did on the day Jerusalem fell. “Tear it down,” they cried, “tear it down to its foundations!” 8 Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is the one who repays you according to what you have done to us. 9 Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.
The desire of the enemy is that when you are in trouble that you do not open your mouth to praise God. As we can see from the above passage the tormentors of the israelites mocked them to sing them songs of zion knowing fully well that their spirits are already downcast. The israelites remembered all the Lord has done for them and vow to sing praises to him. That is what is required of you when you find yourself down and under, rejoice and sing praises to the good God for he is able to deliver you.
Paul and Silas praised God even in their captivity and their prison doors were opened unto them and they even received the favor of the guard.
In conclusion, you should understand that no matter the condition you are in, when God wants to use you he will cause open heavens above you, and your heart, eyes, and ear will be yielded unto him.
Friday, 5 August 2011
How To Define True Christianity.
To all created by God in his image, were created to have dominion over all things of the earth, just like God is the ruler and has dominion over the heavenly things.
What God wants us to do as true Christians.
Lets look at Mathew 5:-
What God wants us to do as true Christians.
Lets look at Mathew 5:-
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
verse 44 says to love your enemies, bless those who curse you, to do good to those who hate you, and to pray for those who use and persecute you. It further goes on to say that our heavenly Father makes his sun rise on both the evil and the good. He also sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
God expects you as a Christian to be the absolute best you can to those who are against you and your ways. It seems a very difficult thing to do, but this is what the word commands you to do at every situation so that you may be son of your Father in heaven. Luke 6: 27-36 also further buttresses this point:-
27“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32 But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
Instances of the God kind of mercy that has no parallel
1Kings 21: 19-29 - In this passage God had made judgement over Ahab because of his wicked way and how he sold himself to do evil. When Elijah told Ahab about Gods judgement over him, he humbled himself before God and God promised to avert the judgement to the days of his son. This passage how us that God only judges us only in the new dispensation after repentance.
Genesis 4: 1-16 - Cain brought an offering to God which was not accepted unlike Abels offering which was accepted. Cain became angry and ended up killing his brother Abel. God pronounced judgement on Cain but Cain asked that his punishment be reduced. Cain could have averted his punishment by confessing sin. Cain drew on the mercy of God but he didn't want to submit to his mercy way. God yet still reduced his punishment due to his merciful nature.
In conclusion, you should show mercy unto others even in all situations good or bad.
Saturday, 30 July 2011
The World Is Waiting For You.
Main Passages for sermon. Acts3:1-10, 1Kings 18:30.
Acts 3 - Peter Heals a Lame Beggar
1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Jesus said in the scriptures that "no man comes to the father except by me". Jesus practiced the principle of Prioritisation. To get ahead in daily life you need to stop wasting your resources on things that aren't necessary and important. The understanding of your purpose will determine your focus.
Knowing your purpose and what God says is a very crucial thing in your life. Jeremiah 1:7
7 But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you."
Jesus sent his disciples to the lost sheep of israel to preach the gospel. They brought redemption to the lost. So also you are a solution to a problem, don't let the solution walk past the problem.
From the text we saw that Peter and John went "together" to the temple. The emphasis here is the togetherness. They probably had been going to the temple individually in the past and walked past the lame begger who we know from verse 2 is always at the temple gate. But because they were together they connected and saw the problem, which is the lame man at the gate. There is power in togetherness. Acts 1:6, Acts 1:14, Acts 2:4, Acts 2:44, Acts 2:46.
Verse 1 says they went "Up" to the temple. This implies that they were now operating on a higher level with God, gone to the next level, to the next dimension. Only then could they be sensitive to the things around them. You need to go higher, rise above the vicissitudes of everyday life.
When you start to go higher you start to lose people and friends (i'm not talking about death), God starts to prune you of the unnecessary things holding you down.
Why should we go up higher i hear you say?
Peter and John saw the lame man and said "look at us". They were able to say this because they have been spending time with God and looking to God. When you look to God, then people can look to you and see God because he lives in you. The man looked on them expectantly, they stirred up an excitement in him. They said to the man “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”. They were not complaining about their lack, but they were magnifying who they have. How awesome is that!
In conclusion, it is time to come together as there is power in corporate gatherings and also to move to the next level with God. When you do this you are able to go further, see further, and reach further to the people who desperately need to know God. The World Is Waiting For You.
Acts 3 - Peter Heals a Lame Beggar
1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Jesus said in the scriptures that "no man comes to the father except by me". Jesus practiced the principle of Prioritisation. To get ahead in daily life you need to stop wasting your resources on things that aren't necessary and important. The understanding of your purpose will determine your focus.
Knowing your purpose and what God says is a very crucial thing in your life. Jeremiah 1:7
7 But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you."
Jesus sent his disciples to the lost sheep of israel to preach the gospel. They brought redemption to the lost. So also you are a solution to a problem, don't let the solution walk past the problem.
From the text we saw that Peter and John went "together" to the temple. The emphasis here is the togetherness. They probably had been going to the temple individually in the past and walked past the lame begger who we know from verse 2 is always at the temple gate. But because they were together they connected and saw the problem, which is the lame man at the gate. There is power in togetherness. Acts 1:6, Acts 1:14, Acts 2:4, Acts 2:44, Acts 2:46.
Verse 1 says they went "Up" to the temple. This implies that they were now operating on a higher level with God, gone to the next level, to the next dimension. Only then could they be sensitive to the things around them. You need to go higher, rise above the vicissitudes of everyday life.
When you start to go higher you start to lose people and friends (i'm not talking about death), God starts to prune you of the unnecessary things holding you down.
Why should we go up higher i hear you say?
- The further you go, the further you see. When you go to the place of God, you start to see the needs of others. God wants you to see more so that you can start to pursue things other than yourself.
- The further you can see, the further you can reach. Mathew 9:25 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.
Peter and John saw the lame man and said "look at us". They were able to say this because they have been spending time with God and looking to God. When you look to God, then people can look to you and see God because he lives in you. The man looked on them expectantly, they stirred up an excitement in him. They said to the man “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”. They were not complaining about their lack, but they were magnifying who they have. How awesome is that!
In conclusion, it is time to come together as there is power in corporate gatherings and also to move to the next level with God. When you do this you are able to go further, see further, and reach further to the people who desperately need to know God. The World Is Waiting For You.
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Get Off The Circle Line - Pt 2
This is the continuation from pt 1 of the message.
The effects of change:-
18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
You change by vacating one position to occupy a new and higher position. Taking steps is the way to move to the next level. A step is a walk into something new and a new environment. As with climbing steps, releasing your standing leg is difficult because it is already on familiar ground and quite comfortable there. When you refuse to change, you result in irrelevance.
Basic things about maturation:-
Change - With maturation comes change. You get tested which results in being shown approved to move to the next stage. If you get promoted without a test you become a danger to yourself and others. The higher you go, the greater your influence.
With every test comes a temptation. Hebrews 12:1
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us
John 15:2
2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
Things to consider:-
Maturation or Growth is a choice. 1Corinthians 13:11
The effects of change:-
- Aging - This is about growing old
- Maturation - Growing up, being fruitful, multiplying.
18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
You change by vacating one position to occupy a new and higher position. Taking steps is the way to move to the next level. A step is a walk into something new and a new environment. As with climbing steps, releasing your standing leg is difficult because it is already on familiar ground and quite comfortable there. When you refuse to change, you result in irrelevance.
Basic things about maturation:-
Change - With maturation comes change. You get tested which results in being shown approved to move to the next stage. If you get promoted without a test you become a danger to yourself and others. The higher you go, the greater your influence.
With every test comes a temptation. Hebrews 12:1
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us
John 15:2
2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
Things to consider:-
- How have i changed recently?
- Can you be very specific about the things in your life over the last month, year?
- Do i make daily adjustments?
Maturation or Growth is a choice. 1Corinthians 13:11
11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Time To Wake Up
Message Bible Passages: Isaiah 52:1-2, Isaiah 56:10, Romans 13:11-14.
Isaiah 52 (NIV)
1 Awake, awake, Zion, clothe yourself with strength! Put on your garments of splendor, Jerusalem, the holy city. The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again.
2 Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck,
Daughter Zion, now a captive.
God wants us as his true followers to operate in our optimal ability and capacity. To do this we need to be sharp and alert, and not allowing anything to impair our state of mind. Hence that's one of the main reasons we as Christians should not be given to wine. We are not expected to be drunk on wine but instead filled with the holy spirit. Drowsiness robs you of the capacity to make correct judgements. Also there are times when a drunk person can look as if they are ok, but just because they have their eyes open doesn't mean that their spirit is not slumbering.
The text in Isaiah 52:1-2 was written to the 'saints', meaning prophet Isaiah was talking to Christians, the followers of Christ. So in other words he was saying that those in the world are held down captive by the chains on their necks, but you as a christian need to start operating on a higher level by being 'awake'.
Ephesians 5 (NIV)
13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
From the above verses it is imperative that we must be awake as Christians so that Christ can shine on and in us. For Christ to shine in us we must be aware that everything about us becomes visible for all to see. Our character, our attitude, our intentions, the lot. So do not allow anything in your flesh make you asleep to the light of Christ.
The following are 9 functions of an awakened spirit:-
1. Enables you to enter into a corporate worship with other Christians, and to fill the environment with Gods presence. Your worship begins in the spirit and flows to the soul. A slumbering spirit is not awake to usher in the presence of God as the spirit itself is not alert.
2. Enables you to have personal devotion with God. You are able to freely experience Gods love which is ever present for us.
3. Enables you to listen to God. You become someone who is able to hearken onto Gods words in the form of dreams, visions, and getting revelation through reading the scriptures.
4. Enables you to receive inspiration. An awakened spirit is able to be still to be inspired by God, and these inspirations can come in the form of songs, poems, new ideas, teachings of the word.
5. Enables you to transcend time. You are able to be in Gods presence without ever taking notice of time. You are engrossed in the awesome presence of God and time is of no significance.
6. Enable true communication. As the awakened spirit is aware and conscious of its maker, it is in one accord with Gods voice and Gods with yours. You are then able to tell God as it is, pouring yourself out so he can fill you up again.
7. Enables you to enjoy the pleasures of marital sex. This can be explained by Proverbs 5:15-20 (NIV):-
Isaiah 52 (NIV)
1 Awake, awake, Zion, clothe yourself with strength! Put on your garments of splendor, Jerusalem, the holy city. The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again.
2 Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck,
Daughter Zion, now a captive.
God wants us as his true followers to operate in our optimal ability and capacity. To do this we need to be sharp and alert, and not allowing anything to impair our state of mind. Hence that's one of the main reasons we as Christians should not be given to wine. We are not expected to be drunk on wine but instead filled with the holy spirit. Drowsiness robs you of the capacity to make correct judgements. Also there are times when a drunk person can look as if they are ok, but just because they have their eyes open doesn't mean that their spirit is not slumbering.
The text in Isaiah 52:1-2 was written to the 'saints', meaning prophet Isaiah was talking to Christians, the followers of Christ. So in other words he was saying that those in the world are held down captive by the chains on their necks, but you as a christian need to start operating on a higher level by being 'awake'.
Ephesians 5 (NIV)
13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
From the above verses it is imperative that we must be awake as Christians so that Christ can shine on and in us. For Christ to shine in us we must be aware that everything about us becomes visible for all to see. Our character, our attitude, our intentions, the lot. So do not allow anything in your flesh make you asleep to the light of Christ.
The following are 9 functions of an awakened spirit:-
1. Enables you to enter into a corporate worship with other Christians, and to fill the environment with Gods presence. Your worship begins in the spirit and flows to the soul. A slumbering spirit is not awake to usher in the presence of God as the spirit itself is not alert.
2. Enables you to have personal devotion with God. You are able to freely experience Gods love which is ever present for us.
3. Enables you to listen to God. You become someone who is able to hearken onto Gods words in the form of dreams, visions, and getting revelation through reading the scriptures.
4. Enables you to receive inspiration. An awakened spirit is able to be still to be inspired by God, and these inspirations can come in the form of songs, poems, new ideas, teachings of the word.
5. Enables you to transcend time. You are able to be in Gods presence without ever taking notice of time. You are engrossed in the awesome presence of God and time is of no significance.
6. Enable true communication. As the awakened spirit is aware and conscious of its maker, it is in one accord with Gods voice and Gods with yours. You are then able to tell God as it is, pouring yourself out so he can fill you up again.
7. Enables you to enjoy the pleasures of marital sex. This can be explained by Proverbs 5:15-20 (NIV):-
15 Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. 16 Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? 17 Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. 18 May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. 19 A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love. 20 Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?
Your awakened spirit helps to keep you with your husband/wife and ensures that the pleasures that are to be benefited in marriage are kept alive. It helps you to understand that you will receive everything from your partner and not from anyone else that's not married to yourself.
8. Enables you to maintain good health. Proverbs 18 (NIV)
14 The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
Proverbs 17 (NIV)
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
A spirit that is slumbering, that is crushed, that is not alive and active is susceptible to being sick.
9. Enables you to have a true good working conscience. We have 2 types of conscience -
a remorseful conscience and a good conscience.
A remorseful conscience is one that acts without thinking of the consequences. Then once the act has been done, it becomes sad and remorseful at whats been done.
A good conscience is one that is alert to the speakings of the holy and is led by it to do the right thing at all times.
How to heal a slumbering spirit: -
1. Open your eyes and see it. Most times we are aware of the fact that our spirits are in a slumbering state, and all we have to do is make a conscious effort to return to the presence of God. Then it becomes a matter of choice whether you want to awaken your spirit or leave it in its slumbering state. We all know what the choice should be.
2. Check your history in your family. Sometimes just checking the background of family members can reveal the reasons why a person has a slumbering spirit. If the family members you were used to growing up all have slumbering spirits, it's quite possible that you take after what they do hence why you also have a slumbering spirit. You now need to know God for yourself, and believe in Jesus Christ as your personal savior. In the process of knowing God more and more, your spirit will become awakened.
3. Begin again to read children's fantasy books, go to places that incite excitement. This is because when we were in the womb and even when we were born, we came with an awakened spirit. So doing these activities will help to rediscover the child in you. Laugh more and more and become sensitive.
This message was preached by my pastor who is more than a pastor, but a teacher. The above is what i got from the message. Thank-you Pastor O.
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