Righteousness (Bro. Kefas Amos Tang'an) 05- 07-1998

SUNDAY SERVICE

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki-Abuja, Nigeria

5th July, 1998

SERMON

* Speaker: Bro. Kefas Amos Tang'an

* Topic: [no data]

* Theme: Righteousness

* Text: John 6:47-63

* Unless you eat the 'flesh' of Jesus and 'drink' his blood, yon have no part in Him

* The Word of Jesus is bread - it gives strength, life, and righteousness. It nourishes our spirit

* Only the Word of God can establish you (firmly) so that you are not toasted around by the issues of life

* Life is in the blood; anyone who 'drinks' Jesus' blood will have eternal life

* Any servant of God that takes His (Jesus) Word, also takes authority with Him

* If the Word of God dwells in anyone, it shall show in his/her relationship with God and others - not living only as hearers of the Word (but doers)

* God (in Leviticus 11:1-12) commanded this people not to eat some categories of meat.

* The cloven foot is compared to worldliness - any foot that is not cloven (or hoof-divided) cannot stand its ground firmly when trials arise.

* Chewing the cud is compared to those who revise the Word after they have received it meditatively

* God is seeking those who will worship Him in Spirit and in truth

* The world is like water. we live in the world, but we are not of the world

* Fishes with scales are compared to those protected by the Word of God from the staining world of sin

* Fins are compared to those that have the Sense of Direction (wisdom). These are the "non-compromisers" in a perverted world

★ Haggai 2:15,18-19

★ Colossians 3:12-16

The Consequences of heeding Another Gospel 28-06-1998

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA)

(Now, Evangelical Church Winning All)

Airport, Abuja - Nigeria

28th June, 1998

SERMON

* Topic: The Consequences of heeding Another Gospel

* Speaker: [no data]

* Text: Galatians 1:6-9

* Every Christian is specially commissioned to spread/preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ

* Some Christians forsake the time Gospel message and follow other 'gospels' - such people should be eternally condemned

* God would add to his/her plaques or will take away his place from eternal rest (Revelation 22:19) of him who perverts the Gospel of life

★ Matthew 7:21-23

→ God will curse and deny knowing Christians/those who pervert His Word

★ Genesis 17:5

★ 1 Kings 21:19

→ The Lord stands by His promises. He who perverts His glory will face wrath

* God blesses those who are faithful (just like He blessed Abraham)

* God's judgment is sure and just. He pours His wrath on the rebellious

* All other ground is sinking sand; Only Christ is the solid rock

* The Word of God is true;

the Judgement of God is Sure;

Only Jesus is the true way

Godlessness in the last days (Bro. Alexandra E. Sule) 26-06-1998

★ MY SERMON NOTES
@ Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS)
Government Secondary School (GSS)
Airport, Abuja - Nigeria
26th June, 1998

SERMON
* Topic: Godlessness in the last days
* Speaker: Bro. Alexandra E. Sule
* Text: 2 Timothy 3:1-5

* Love should be manifested in the body of Christ (among believers)

* Christians should draw near to Christ and at last attain Heaven.

* Christians should also draw others to Christ

* The signs of the end times are already being manifested nowadays - should we continue in sin that grace may abound? (Romans 6:1)

* Christians should constantly watch and pray and live in peace and meekness - not as hypocrites

* Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse us from all unrighteousness and set us free

* The Word of God should be our blueprint (for life)

Race/Competition (Pastor Williams Nyashi) 21-06-1998

★ MY SERMON NOTES
SUNDAY SERVICE
@ Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA)
(Now, Evangelical Church Winning All)
Airport, Abuja - Nigeria
21st June, 1998

SERMON
* Topic: Race/Competition
* Speaker: Pastor Williams Nyashi
* Text: 2 Timothy 4:6-8 → "(6) I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for my departure has come. (7) I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. (8) The victor’s crown of righteousness is now waiting for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on the day that he comes, and not only to me but also to all who eagerly wait for his appearing."

* The most important thing in any race or competition is the ending part

* Every one in life is in one form of race/ competition or the other

* Verse 7: Paul lived and examplary life, which young people should emulate

* A good begining is not a guarantee for a successful ending

* NOTE: Paul wrote this passage while in chains (in prison custody)

* Christians engaged in the race should endeavor to initiate others also, like Paul did

* The secret of death is hidden to every mortal. We all must carry on the good race of faith if not so, we'll face the judgement

* Our spiritual competition is with our arch-enemy, the devil who fights to keep us from worshipping God

* The Holy Spirit will help us win (the race before us)

* NOTE: It is not over till it is over

When the Saints Go Marching in (Mr. Yilwada lbi) 19-06-1998

★ MY SERMON NOTES
@ Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS)
Government Secondary School (GSS)
Airport, Abuja - Nigeria
19th June, 1998

SERMON
* Topic: When the Saints Go Marching in
* Speaker: Mr. Yilwada lbi
* Text: 2 Corinthians 5:10 →"For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of the Messiah, so that each of us may receive what he deserves for what he has done in his body, whether good or worthless."

* Every soul must appear before God in judgment, big or small, and shall give account of themselves

* The Lord shall come like a thief in the night (unexpectedly)

* Those that are incorruptible will be caught up with Jesus in the air and their bodies will change, having one heavenly language

* 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 →"With a shout of command, with the archangel’s call, and with the sound of God’s trumpet, the Lord himself will come down from heaven, and the dead who belong to the Messiah will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever."

What Satan is doing in the World Today (Mr Jonathan Achimugu) 15-06-1998

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Evangelical Church of West Africa

(now Evangelical Church Winning All) (ECWA),

Airport, Abuja - Nigeria

15th June, 1998

★ BIBLE STUDIES

* Topic: What Satan is doing in the World Today

* Speaker: Mr. Jonathan Achimugu

* Almost all news media today report nefarious acts of Satan: famines, fraud, theft, massacres, cult activities, and the like. Satan is the root of all these social evils

★ Revelations 12:9 → "The huge dragon was hurled down. That ancient serpent, called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world, was hurled down to the earth, along with its angels."

* Satan and his angels (demons) join forces to fight against God's people

* Satan is the adversary of the Children of God who seeks day and night to destroy them

* The Children of God Should not take the activities of Satan lightly!

* Satan is cruel, clever, hungry and always looking for an opportunity to destroy the Children of God

* Satan is a deceiver. First, he deceived himself (wanting to exaIt himself above the stars of God) then, he deceived the creatures of God [Isaiah 14:13-14] but God humiliated him

* Satan hates anyone who does not believe in his lies. That is why He accuses believers.

★ Revelations 12:10 →"Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say, “Now the salvation, the power, the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah have come. For the one who accuses our brothers, who accuses them day and night in the presence of our God, has been thrown out."

★ 1 Thessalonians 2:18 →"That is why we wanted to come to you. Certainly I, Paul, wanted to come time and again, but Satan blocked our way."

* Satan always tries to hinder Christians from following Christ

★ Matthew 16:21-23

→ Satan opposes the will of God in our lives through (willing) relatives, friends, associates, colleagues etc

★ 1 Thessalonians 3:5 →"But when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out about your faith. I was afraid that the tempter had tempted you in some way, and that our work had been a waste of time."

* Satan is a tempter. His primary aim is to frustrate the work of God's Ministers

* The devil's power is limited. He is not everywhere and does not know everything - unlike our Almighty God who is omnipresent and Omnipotent. That is why Satan uses demons to carry out his evil deeds.

(Ephesians 6:12)

★ See: Exodus 7:11, Matthew 12:22, Acts 4:7

* Demons cause havoc (Luke 7:27)

* NOTE: It is a mistake to attribute the cause of every sickness to the devil; Although many cases of sicknesses, famines, injuries etc. are caused by him.

* Satan uses man's sinful nature to accomplish his will, eg: kidnappers, murderers, armed robbers, liars, fraudsters, smugglers, drunkards, the sexually immoral, and the like - they are helping Satan, but most of them do not realize this fact

* People who are demon-possessed can be delivered through the blood of Jesus Christ

* Spiritually matured Christians Can pray for people who are possessed (by demons) and help them to be restored to God's love

* Satan should not be feared; his demons Should not be dreaded - Jesus has overcome them. Praise be to His name!

☆ PRAYER

1. Pray that God will protect as and our families from the attacks of the devil

2. Praise God for Jesus (He has won eternal victory over Satan and the forces of darkness)

☆ MEMORY VERSE

☆ John 10:10 →"The thief comes only to steal, slaughter, and destroy. I’ve come that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

The Gospel of Jesus Christ (Mr Jonathan Achimugu) 14-06-1998

SUNDAY SERVICE

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA),

(now Evangelical Church Winning All)

Airport, Abuja - Nigeria

14th June, 1998

* Topic: The Gospel of Jesus Christ

* Speaker: Mr Jonathan Achimugu

* Text: Mark 1:14-15 →"Now after John had been arrested, Jesus went to Galilee and proclaimed the gospel about the kingdom of God. He said, “The time is now! The kingdom of God is near! Repent, and keep believing the gospel!”

* God's heart is to reconcile the sinful world to himself using the Gospel

* Jesus preached the Gospel Saying the Kingdom of God is at hand

★ Mark 1: 1-13

→ Jesus' primary mission is to save the world

★ Matthew 1:21 →"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."

* There is no any other 'gospel' that can save man from sin and eternal condemnation

★ Acts 4:12 →"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

* Men can only be saved through the name of Jesus

★ 2nd Timothy 1:10 →"But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel."

* Darkness shall disappear because the Gospel of Jesus is the Gospel of Light

* The New Testament (Covenant) is centred around Jesus

★ Revelation 22:13 →"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."

★ John 17:4 →"I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do."

* Jesus accomplished His mission of planting and spreading the Gospel of goodness

★ Matthew 28:19-20 →" Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

☆☆CHALLENGE:

→ Go and also spread the Gospel of the Lord, bringing the lost back to the WAY of life

Rescue the Harrased and the Helpless (Pastor D. D. Sakoma) 07-06-1998

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA),

(now Evangelical Church Winning All)

Airport, Abuja - Nigeria

[Missions Week]

7th June, 1998

* Speaker: Pastor D. D. Sakoma (from ECWA Karu)

* Topic: Rescue the Harassed and the Helpless

* Text: Matthew 9:35-38

★ Romans 12:18 →"If possible, so far as it depends on you, live in peace with all people."

★ Romans 10:13-15

★ Romans 6:9-10

* Our God is a "seeking God''. The Bible is a record of the Shepherd seeking the lost sheep

★ Genesis 9:6 →“Whoever sheds human blood, by a human his own blood is to be shed; because God made human beings in his own image."

→ Man was made in the image of God

★ Exodus 3:7-9

★ Matthew 9:35 →"Then Jesus began traveling throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every illness."

* God sent His Son into the world to rescue men. He sent His Word to bear witness

* The harassed and the helpless are those that are the sinners and those under the bondage of the enemy; those that have not yet heard the Gospel

★ Matthew 24:14 →"And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

* Jesus will not come unless the Word (Gospel) has been heard by everyone

* If you cannot go out to the rescue mission, then you can pray, or give to support missionary efforts

★ Philippians 2:10 →"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth."

* Jesus humbled himself to become man. He was afflicted and brutally murdered but eventually, He rose from the dead.

* Poser: What are you doing (as a Christian) to share in the suffering of Christ?

★ 1st Thessalonians 2:1-2 →" For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a waste of time. As you know, we suffered persecution and were mistreated in Philippi. Yet we were encouraged by our God to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition."

★ Romans 1:14 → " Both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to foolish people, I am a debtor."

* The Gospel is an obligation that Christians are indebted to

★ Romans 5:6 →"For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, the Messiah died for the ungodly."

* If we don't preach the Gospel, our brethren will be left to die in darkness

★ Ezekiel 33:8-9 →" If I should say to a certain wicked person, ‘You wicked man, you’re certainly about to die,’ but you don’t warn him to turn from his wicked behaviour, he’ll die in his guilt, but I’ll seek retribution for his bloodshed from you. However, if you warn the wicked to turn from his behaviour and he does not do so, he will die in his guilt, and you will have saved yourself.”

* Unless you tell the lost about the love of Christ, if they die in darkness, God will require their blood from you

→ See: Romans 1:16-17

☆ HOW TO ENGAGE IN MISSIONARY WORK

1. Let people see the light of God in your life

2. Pray for the progress of God's work and the workers

3. Support the work through generous giving

4. Go out and tell others that are lost and are in darkness about the love of Christ

 

* Many Christians have turned from evangelism to back-biting and grumbling

* The lost cannot be found unless someone goes and tells them;

* God will require their blood from you if you relent in spreading the Word of truth that gives life

* NOTE: Missions is the heartbeat of God

Danger of Impatience (Bro. Innocent) 03-06-1998

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS)

Government Secondary School,

Airport -Abuja, Nigeria

3rd June, 1998

* Speaker: Bro. Innocent

* Topic: Danger of Impatience

* Text: Hebrews 10:36 →"For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."

* Worldly desires trigger impatience in the man that cannot wait upon the Lord

* What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?

* Those who are patient receive great blessings from God

★ 1st Samuel 13:5-14

* Saul is a classic example of a man who was chosen by God because of his righteousness, but was later rejected because of his impatience

* God opposes those who are proud

James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5

☆ Practical Examples of Impatience

1. When accusing others of wrongdoing

2. When choosing friends

3. During and after fellowship or Church Service

4. When waiting at the Bus stop

5. During breaks

6. During examinations

☆ Consequences of Impatience

1. It leads to the sin of covetousness

2. It leads to making unwise decisions that are contrary to tie word of God

3. It may lead you into trouble

4. It is the pavement of failure

* One filled with the Holy Spirit knows that God's time is the best

What is My Spiritual Gift? (Mr. Achimugu Jonathan) 01-06-1998

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA),

(now Evangelical Church Winning All)

Airport, Abuja - Nigeria

1st June, 1998

☆ BIBLE STUDIES

* Topic: What is My Spiritual Gift?

* Leader: Mr. Achimugu Jonathan

* Text: 1st Corinthians 12:4-11

* All the Spiritual gifts listed in the above passage are by the Holy Spirit

★ Ephesians 4:11-13

* Unless God gives you a gift, man cannot forge it out of his own strength - and once given, it must not be left to waste away. Use it profitably

* If one does not know his gift, he should pray and ask God that the Holy Spirit should show him and read the Scriptures

★ Romans 12:3-8

★ 1st Corinthians 12:1-11

* Gifts are given to all Christians so that they can help strengthen others in their faith

* How to discover your gifts

(a) Pray for the Holy Spirit's revelation

(b) Try helping others grow to love God

- teaching Sunday School

- leading Bible Studies

- helping those in need

(c) Ask other members of your Church what they think your Spiritual gift is - they should be able to tell you

 

* Once you have discovered your Spiritual gift, you must use it without wavering. If you do not use your gift, you are like the unfaithful servant who did not use the talent his master gave him

* Do not feel inferior because you do not have a particular gift

* If you use the gift God has given you, He will be pleased

* The spiritual gifts are equally given by the same Spirit to glorify God

* Do not feel superior because you have a gift that others do not have

* If you do not speak in tongues, do not doubt your salvation. Salvation is by faith and not works

☆ Memory Verse:

★ 1st Peter 4:10 →"As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."

Prayer (Pastor Allahyayi) 31-05-1998

SUNDAY SERVICE

@ Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA),

(now Evangelical Church Winning All)

Airport, Abuja - Nigeria

31st May, 1998

* Speaker: Pastor Allahyayi

* Topic: Prayer

* Text: Isaiah 38:1-6

* Prayer is communicating with God.

* God has commanded His Children to pray continually

* Through prayer, Hezekiah touched the throne of God and he was healed from sickness

* Prayer is the medium by which the impossible become possible

★ Romans 8:26-27 →"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

* Prayer can change the hand of God

★ 1st John 5:14-15 → "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."

★ Matthew 7:7 → "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

★ John 1:12 → "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."

* God has given us rights and promises that can only be appropriated through prayer

★ 2nd Chronicles 7:14 → "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

★ John 14:13 →"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

★ John 16:23-24 →"And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."

* You should always pray quoting important verses of the Scriptures

Spiritual Maturity (Rev. Gyang Moses Chuwang) 25-01-1998

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN)
(Now Church of Christ in Nations)

Gigiring, Hwolshe, Jos

Plateau State-Nigeria

25th January, 1998

SERMON

* Speaker: Rev. Gyang Moses Chwuang

* Topic: Spiritual Maturity

* Theme: Christian Maturity

* Text: 1st Corinthians 2:15-16 → "The spiritual person evaluates everything but is subject to no one else’s evaluation. For “Who has known the mind of the Lord so that he can advise him?” However, we have the mind of the Messiah."

* Spiritual maturity concerns the improvement of one's relationship with God

* A spiritual man is one who has the mind of God

- Such a person has a relationship with the Holy Spirit and He controls Him

* Characteristics of the unspiritual man is found in Romans 8:9

→" You, however, are not under the control of the human nature but under the control of the Spirit, since God’s Spirit lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of the Messiah, he does not belong to him."

* The Characteristics of the spiritual man are found in Galatians 5:22-23

→" But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things."

★ James 1:2 →"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you are involved in various trial."

* Suffering helps you to mature spiritually

★ 1st Corinthians 10:13 →" No temptation has overtaken you that is unusual for human beings. But God is faithful, and he will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength. Instead, along with the temptation he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to endure it."

* Spiritual maturity entails consistently walking in the Spirit

* If you walk in the Spirit, you will not gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16)

* The spiritual man experiences victory because of Jesus in Him

★ 1st Corinthians 2:14-15 →"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man."

★ 1st John 3:2 → "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

Concepts of Following Christ's Footsteps (Rev. Gyang Moses Chuwang) 04-01-1998

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN)

(now, Church of Christ in Nations)

Gigiring, Hwolshe, Jos

Plateau State - Nigeria

4th January, 1998

 

SERMON

* Topic: Concepts of Following Christ's Footsteps

* Speaker: Rev. Gyang Moses Chuwang

 

* Footsteps are the marks left when you walk. They are also the sounds and memories that linger after you have died

 

★ Proverbs 23:7 →"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee."

 

* The devil knows how valuable your thoughts are, that is why he fights to arrest and manipulate them to his liking and will, till he is able to subdue you totally

 

★ Genesis 6:5 → "And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."

 

* If you don't have the thoughts of the Lord, you'll find it hard to follow in His footsteps

 

* Because of the evil in man's thoughts, they planned to build the tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9)

 

* Those who follow the Lord's footsteps will find life

 

★ Proverbs 6:18 → "a heart crafting evil plans, feet running swiftly to wickedness."

 

* Our generation is full of those whose hearts are devising evil and shed blood 

 

* From the mind of the man, his ways are determined

 

* Through Jesus, we have a new mind (1st Corinthians 2:14-16)

 

★ Romans 12:2-3 → ''Do not be conformed to this world, but continuously be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God’s will is—what is proper, pleasing, and perfect. For by the grace given to me I ask every one of you not to think of yourself more highly than you should think, rather to think of yourself with sober judgment on the measure of faith that God has assigned each of you."

 

* Your mind is renewed when you give your life to Jesus Christ

 

* Your attitute should be the same as that of Christ - follow in his footsteps

 

★ Philippians 4:8 → "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—keep thinking about these things."

 

* Your thoughts should be godly thoughts and they should edify you. This will produce the right life

* God will judge each man's thoughts and motives

 

★ Proverbs 14:15 → "An unthinking person believes everything, but the prudent one thinks before acting."

 

★ Romans 6:8 → "Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him."

* Your life should be guided by the thoughts of God

 

☆ Challenge:

→ Will Christ think the thoughts I am thinking?

 

 

Concepts of Following Christ's Footsteps (Rev. Gyang Moses Chuwang) 04-01-1998

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN)

(now, Church of Christ in Nations)

Gigiring, Hwolshe, Jos

Plateau State - Nigeria

4th January, 1998

SERMON

* Topic: Concepts of Following Christ's Footsteps

* Speaker: Rev. Gyang Moses Chuwang

* Footsteps are the marks left when you walk. They are also the sounds and memories that linger after you have died

★ Proverbs 23:7 → "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee."

* The devil knows how valuable your thoughts are, that is why he fights to arrest and manipulate them to his liking and will, till he is able to subdue you totally

★ Genesis 6:5 → "And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."

* If you don't have the thoughts of the Lord, you'll find it hard to follow in His footsteps

* Because of the evil in man's thoughts, they planned to build the tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9)

* Those who follow the Lord's footsteps will find life

★ Proverbs 6:18 → "a heart crafting evil plans, feet running swiftly to wickedness."

* Our generation is full of those whose hearts are devising evil and are eager to shed blood

* From the mind of the man, his ways are determined

* Through Jesus, we have a new mind (1 Corinthians 2:14-16)

★ Romans 12:2-3 → ''Do not be conformed to this world, but continuously be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God’s will is—what is proper, pleasing, and perfect. For by the grace given to me I ask every one of you not to think of yourself more highly than you should think, rather to think of yourself with sober judgment on the measure of faith that God has assigned each of you."

 

* Your mind is renewed when you give your life to Jesus Christ

* Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ - follow in his footsteps

★ Philippians 4:8 → "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—keep thinking about these things."

* Your thoughts should be godly thoughts and they should edify you. This will produce the right life

* God will judge each man's thoughts and motives

★ Proverbs 14:15 → "An unthinking person believes everything, but the prudent one thinks before acting."

★ Romans 6:8 → "Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him."

* Your life should be guided by the thoughts of God

☆ Challenge:

→ Will Christ think the thoughts I am thinking?