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