Dangers of Pride (Reverend Maxwell Dayok) 12-11-2000

★MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN)

(Now Church of Christ in Nations)

Hwolshe, Gigiring, Jos

Plateau State, Nigeria

12th November, 2000

SERMON

* Speaker: Reverend Maxwell Dayok

* Topic: Dangers of Pride

* Theme: Jesus Christ & Mission

* Since we as a Church are not praying, the devil has occupied us with himself

* The prayerless Christian is at the mercy of Satan

* If you are not filled and empowered by the spirit of God, then you are filled, empowered and controlled by the devil

* There is no neutral ground in spirituality - either you are with Christ, or with Satan

* Everyone filled, empowered and controlled by God's Spirit manifests the fruits of the spirit of God

* When you are not filled with the Spirit of God and yon think you are, then there is danger

* One of the dangers of prayerlessness is that pride comes in

* Many Christians consider themselves as giants, and are filled with pride, but inside, they are empty

* God opposes those who are proud

★ Isaiah 29:13

★ Matthew 15:8-9

★ Proverbs 12:22

* You need to adjust yourself and who you are in reality

* Come back to God and humble yourself and ask God to help you

★ Proverbs 8:13

* Some Christians, instead of hating evil, plan and encourage evil to God's disgrace

→ If you fear God, you'll hate evil

★ Proverbs 11:2

* Unless you understand this, you'll soon be disgraced

* Stop thinking you are big, and humble yourself before the Lord

★ Proverbs 13:10

* Pride only breeds querells but wisdom is found in those who take advise

* Begin to think of yourself as nothing

★ Proverbs 16:18

★ Proverbs 29:23

* Pride is a demoter

* There is nothing that you have that has not been given to you by God

* The reason why you are growing in pride is because you are not praying much - you have become powerless; flesh becomes prominent in all you do and tradition surpasses the things of God (the Christian tradition)

Walking in the Spirit (Dr. Wilfred Haggai) 18-10-2000

MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN)

(now, Church of Christ in Nations)

Area 1, Garki – Abuja, Nigeria

18^th October, 2000

 MID-WEEK SERVICE

 SERMON

* Speaker: Dr. Wilfred Haggai

* Topic: Walking in the Spirit

* Text: Galatians 5:16-18

 

* The Holy Spirit is a member of the god-head

* John 16:5-16; 4:15-17, 26 (the Spirit of God comforts us)

 

* Acts 2:1-4 (he comes with power)

* Genesis 1:2 (He was present at the creation of the earth)

* Genesis 1:26 (He was present during the creation of man)

 

* The Person of the Holy Spirit

* The Holy Spirit is not an object, He is a person

 

* Other names of the Holy Spirit include: Holy Ghost, Spirit of Christ, Spirit of His Son, Spirit of Promise, Spirit of truth, Spirit of life (Romans8:2), Comforter, Counselor, etc.

* Acts 19:2 – many have not understood the working of the Holy Spirit

 

* The Ministry of the Holy Spirit is very diverse

1. The Holy Spirit was involved in the creation process (Genesis 1:2, 26)

2. Spirit means life – He is always in the process of revealing the Father

3. He inspired the writing and compilation of the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16)

4. He was responsible for the supernatural conception of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:35)

5. He confirmed the divinity of Jesus during His baptism (Matthew 3:16)

6. Jesus preached, and worked many miracles in the power of the Holy Spirit

7. Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice through the power of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 9:14)         

8. Jesus was raised from death by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11)

9. The Holy Spirit seeks to glorify God in our lives

10. Without the Holy Spirit, we can do nothing

 

Attributes of the Holy Spirit

1.    He convicts us of sin, if not so, our hearts will be insensitive to God’s presence (John 16:8)

2.    He is our comforter (John 14:20)

3.    He is our teacher, guide, leader and helper

4.    He gives us insight into what our being is all about, our purpose on earth to God’s glory

5.    He is our Spirit of discernment

6.    He gives power and anointing to all those who acknowledge Him (1 Corinthians 12:2)

7.    He has been sent by God to live in us

8.    He shows us the will of Christ

9.    He bears testimony with our spirits that we are God’s children

10.  He has intellect and he knows the thoughts of man

11.  He has a will, thought and emotions – He can love and be loved (John 3:16)

12.  His office is to glorify Jesus Christ

13.  He is God omnipotent, omniscient

14.  He is the witness of God (Acts 5:32)

15.  He is easily grieved by sin (Ephesians 4:30)

16.  He can be resisted (1 Thessalonians 5:19)

17.  He is a harmless & gentle person

18.  He can be blasphemed – by attributing His works to Satan

19.  Sin committed against Him cannot be forgiven (Mark 3:29)

20.  He is the might of God

21.  He always announces His arrival, but not His departure

22.  He assists us in prayer (Jude 1:20)

23.  He walks with us from everlasting to everlasting

24.  He is the power of the Church

25.  He empowers us and makes us strong, bold and courageous

26.  He can produce fruits – these fruits are a clear manifestation that He is in us (Galatians 5:22-23)

27.  He is holy – He cannot be found in darkness. He comes upon us only when we have cleansed and purified our lives 

  

  

The Kind of Revival we Need (Dr. Ferdinand Nweke) 02-07-2000

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Chapel of Faith,

University of Jos, Plateau State

Nigeria

Revival Weekend

2nd July, 2000

SERMON

* Speaker: Dr. Ferdinand Nweke

* Topic: The Kind of Revival we Need

* When gold is replaced by rags, then it is time for revival

* It is time for revival:

→ when you are not responding to spiritual stimulus;

→ when secret sins abound in your life;

→ when sin is becoming tolerable in your soul;

→ when spiritual things no longer appeal to you;

→ when fasting becomes a problem;

→ when the plight of sinners means nothing to you;

→ when you are a bruised tree;

→ when you are like a dry bone;

→ when the joy of your heart is not your master;

→ when you want to copy this generation

* In the time for revival, there is joy

* Joy is the oil that runs the Christian's 'engine'

* NOTE: A joyful Christian is a good advertisement

* Revival brings fruits that last

* Revival comes with persecutions

* NOTE: An army of lions led by a goat will be defeated by an army of goats led by a lion

* Revival brings boldness

* when there is revival, there are judgements

→ NOTE: Judgement starts in the house of God

★ 1 Peter 4:17 →"For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. And if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who refuse to obey the gospel of God?"

* Those who come to the house of God carelessly will attract God's Judgement because of God's move.

* In revival, there are Sacrifices to be made

* We need the revival that God brings in the midst of His people

★ Habakkuk 3:1-3 →"A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth.^a Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran.^b His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth."

* The world is perishing for the want of God's knowledge; The Church is perishing for the want of God's presence

* When God comes, there is light, power and healing

* We need a revival of the power of God's Word

* The revival we are looking for is like a sound from heaven (not environmentally generated sounds)

* God's revival swallows the works of men

* God can fight for himself and manifest his power

* We need a revival that will turn the hand of the enemy

★ Esther 9:1 →"On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, when the king’s order and edict was about to be carried out, on the day when the enemies of the Jewish people expected to prevail over them, things were turned around so that the Jewish people themselves prevailed over those who hated them."

* Revival will give you the upper hand against those who hate you (cults and all forms of the powers of darkness)

* We need a revival of a sound preaching in our Churches, not heresy

* Sound doctrine is not enjoyed. It is endured

* We need a revival that will produce genuine repentance in the Church

* We need the revival of the landmarks of righteousness, of Christianity

* We need a revival of divine hunger in the hearts of men

* we need a revival of the revelation of Jehovah

→ we need to see God as God

→ Today, men set God to be used by them for their purposes

* The Church needs a revelation of the God we are serving

* The bigger God gets in our eyes, the smaller mountains would become

* We need the revival of the fear of God

★ Job 31:4 →"Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?"

⇒ God counts all your steps!

* Question: Do you fear God?

* Those who commit sin do so because they don't see it as a great wickedness against God

* If Satan catches your coat, don't let him catch your covenant

(See: Genesis 39:7-9)

★ Revelation 15:4 →"Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest."

★ Proverb 16:12 →"It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness."

* We need the revival of consuming zeal in the heart of believers

* We need a revival for the passion of the soul of men (evangelism)

* We need the revival of the love of God that would be characterized by sacrifice:

→ In terms of revival, brethren will sell anything for the sake of the Gospel

* We need the revival of the mighty miracle of God's power

→ That is what God will use to silence the mouth of the devil

* We need the revival of the 'stranger mentality' while here on earth

→ A revival of eternity in the hearts of men

→ It is only what we do for eternity sake that will last

→ Do the things that have an eternal value

→ God wants His people to line in time for the eternal things

* NOTE: Until the Holy Spirit is poured upon you, you have no life

★ Ezekiel 47:1-12 [The River of God that gives Life]

* When revival comes, it will flow into every part of your life

What is a Holy Marriage? (Rev. Silas Yako) 29-04-2000

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN)

(Now Church of Christ in Nations)

Hwolshe, Gigiring - Jos

29th April, 2000

☆☆Wedding Solemnization between:

Mr. Patrick Mancha & Theresa Mancha

SERMON

* Speaker: Rev. Silas Yako

* Topic: What is a Holy Marriage?

* Text: Ephesians 5:15-33

* A holy marriage is one entered with wisdom

* Wisdom is the adhesive element that preserves the marriage union

* A holy marriage is one that the husband and wife are filled with the spirit of God

* If we allow God's Spirit to fill us, there will be peace in the home

* The one who gets drunk is under the dictates and influence of alchohol

* Taking care of the family is very important; He who does not live up to this responsibility is worse than an infidel & has denied the faith

(1 Timothy 5:8)

* Problems arise in the home when couples do not obey God's Word and they allow themselves to be controlled by other strange spirits/influences (apart from God's Spirit)

* Grumbling, complaining and strife are signs of a 'Spirit of God- less' life

* Submit yourselves to one another; share ideas; help each other; humble yourselves; and tolerate each other

* Wives, obey your husbands - The husband is the head of the house

→ Husbands are God's servants (Priests)

→ The Bible emphasises this obedience

* Some women are wiser, richer and stronger than their husbands, but it does not hinder obedience & reverence

* Husbands must love their wives as Christ loves the Church . . . He who loves his wife loves himself . . . for this (reason) they left their parents to stick to each other

* Love can be demonstrated and also verbalized - this strengthens the bond of unity (among the couple)

* The way a wife comports herself reflects the husband's love for her

* A man who beats his wife is likened to a mad man

→ She is his body (only a mad man beats himself)

→ He is not fit to be called a 'man'

* A man must separate from his father and mother and stick to his wife

* There are many people who dislike a true union of love than those who like and support it

* Be careful as regards the kind of advice or counsel you receive about marriage

* Many men love their cars more than their wives and family

* Living holy lives is supreme

* You cannot deal with the issues of marriage with your bare hands - let bygone be bygone

The Purpose in our Problems and Human Limitations 07-05-2000

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN)

(Now Church of Christ in Nations)

Hwolshe, Gigiring - Jos

7th May, 2000

SERMON

* Speaker: [no data]

* Topic: The Purpose in our Problems and Human Limitations

* Text: 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

* Jesus says you must take up your cross if you must follow Him (Matthew 16:24)

* Jesus is not against pleasure, but afflictions MUST come our way

* When Jesus called the 12 disciples and the first believers to follow Him, He did not pretend it was going to be easy

★ 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 (Paul's testimony)

* Paul admitted that he was fragile, but God in his infinite mercy keeps him strong

* God has an incredible plan for each one of us

* Satan was not making it easy for Paul, because he was effective for Christ

★ 2 Corinthians 11:23b → " . . . in labours more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths often."

* God may call us to suffer something. It's humanly meaningless to us

" My life is full of weaving

From God and me;

I cannot choose the colours . . ."

* Our human limitation brings some benefits. He uses such situations to bring glory to Himself

1. The reminders of Christ's suffering for us

★ 1 Peter 2:21-25

* Christ suffered because our sins were on Him

★ Hebrews 4:15

* Satan tries to isolate us in our affliction and make us feel that no one cares - BUT GOD KNOWS

2. Our weaknesses Keep us from self-sufficiency

* Sometimes when you are doing all right, you tend to forget Christ and don't depend on Him for anything

* It doesn't take God a moment to tell us how vulnerable we are

* In our weaknesses, He makes and shows Himself strong

★ Proverbs 3:5-7

* When God humbles you through suffering, you should learn to appreciate him and TRUST HIM

3. Our suffering causes us to look beyond this brief life

* When we see the tragedy and suffering around us, we long for a better life beyond

★ Romans 8:18-19

★ Revelation 21:4

★ Hebrews 11:13-16

4. Suffering proves our faith to others

* God doesn't promise us to always be healthy, or wealthy as many hold claim

★ Romans 8:35-39 → Suffering should not separate us from God

* In the end, God takes the glory - even in the sight of those that keenly observe us

* Satan tries to make us concentrate on some specific problems we face and in fact, the glory and His light is blurred out in that process

* We must demonstrate our faith as God's children, and that it is vital

5. Suffering gives God the opportunity to demonstrate His power and omnipotence

★ Philippians 4:13 →"I can do all things through him a who strengthens me."

* When God asks you to do something, He also gives you the power (and grace) to accomplish it

* When you depend on God, He proves His power and honours his words

☆ Refer to the story of Gideon in Judges Chapters 6 - 8

* It is not by power, but by God's Spirit

* When God asks you to do something and you know you naturally can't do it, praise Him because he will demonstrate His power

* The more you admit your need of Him, the more He releases His power through you

Berom Outreach Ministries (Bro. lstifanus Gyang) 04-05-2000

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Berom Outreach Ministries (BOM)

4th May, 2000

Exhortation

* Speaker: Bro. lstifanus Gyang

* Text: Ecclesiastes 7:7 → "Surely extortion makes the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroys the understanding."

★ Joshua 17:14-18

* You must be the one to work out your own portion

* You have what it takes to get the kind of portion you have

* The portion you desire shall be yours

★ Ecclesiastes 10:16-17

Seek the Lord (Rev. Silas Yako) 30-04-2000

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN)

(Now Church of Christ in Nations)

Hwolshe, Gigiring - Jos

30th April, 2000

☆ MUSIC CONCERT by Mrs. Ann Sunwar

* Theme: Seek The Lord

EXHORTATION

* Speaker: Rev. Silas Yako

* Topic: Seek the Lord

* Text: Isaiah 55:6 → "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call you on him while he is near."

* Many Christians are suffering from 'religious inoculation' - they have built in immunity against having a real experience with God

* Now is the right time to seek God and find salvation; tomorrow might be too late

* The youngest candles shine the longest.

→ The Lord has put something in you that seeks expression

* Prayer: "This generation will not pass away unless the world knows that the calling of the Lord is upon me."

☆ Three things that will make you fail in Life:

1. Partial sanctification

2. Unconscious decadence and detoriation

3. Compromising God's standards

Living a life of Abundance in Christ (Rev. David Fakolade) 30th April, 2000

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN)

(Now Church of Christ in Nations)

Hwolshe, Gigiring - Jos

30th April, 2000

☆ COCIN Week

SERMON

* Speaker: Rev. David Fakolade

* Topic: Living a life of Abundance in Christ

* Text: Deuteronomy 28:1-11

* One who does not deposit anything in his bank account cannot derive interest on it

→ You need to abide by the rules of the bank

* The Lord will bless you only if you obey Him

* Jesus has come to give not life, not just an ordinary life, but abundant life

★ Isaiah 43:18-19

→ God can make ways for you where hope is lost

* To have abundant life means having an ample quantity of it; spending out of plentiful

→ You have to sow a seed before you can reap out of it

* The Lord has invested much on you and He wants you to remember your home above

* You can't live a complete life if you don't know Him

* Living a positive and perfect life in Christ is living in abundance

→ Only those who know Him will recognize His voice

→ Those who recoqnize His voice are those who yield to His demands

* Many people want God's blessings on their work, but they do not Want to give

* All you do, you do for yourself

* God has blessed you so that you can be a blessing to other people

* Living a life of service (Romans 12:1) is to live a life of abundance

* You cannot live a life of service when you are dead. This is your opportunity

* Alive to serve and not to be served - Jesus served till calvary, when He laid down His life for us. Jesus was obedient and He expects us to do the same

* Many people think that they do not need God because they "have everything that they want."

★ Romans 1:1 →"From: Paul, a servant of Jesus the Messiah, called to be an apostle and set apart for God’s gospeI."

→ Dedicate your life to live sanctified for His service, separated from sin unto service

* You may be identified with Christ by name, but you'll not have true fellowship because of sin

* Many 'Christians' are moving with Him without achieving anything

★ Ephesians 5:18 → "Stop getting drunk with wine, which leads to wild living, but keep on being filled with the Spirit."

* Living a Spirit-filled life with power to witness and to withstand persecution is living an abundant life

* Take your mind back to when you first believed in Jesus . . .

★ 1 Peter 3:18 → "For the Messiah also suffered for sins once for all, an innocent person for the guilty, so that he could bring you to God. He was put to death in a mortal body but was brought to life by the Spirit."

→ Living a matured Christian life is living in abundance

* In simple obedience, surrender yourself to God and ask Him to fill you up

★ John 12:25 → "He who loves his life loses a it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life."

* You can live an abundant life in Christ if only you:

→ Set apart your life for Him;

→ Make yourself ready for His Service;

→ Surrender yourself to Him; and

→ Obey His Words