5 Keys to a Happy New Year (Rev. Tongsmang T. Dasbak) 28-12-2014

SUNDAY SERVICE
★ MY SERMON NOTES
@ Jesus Revelation Assembly (JRA)
Tudun-Wada Ring Road,
Jos, Plateau State
28th December, 2014

* Speaker: Rev. Tongsmang T. Dasbak

* Topic: 5 Keys to a Happy New Year

* Text: Philippians 3:12-16

→ INTRODUCTION

- In Philippians Chapter 3, Paul used the power of imagery and illustration to portray himself as three (3) different persons:

(a) In Philippians 3:1-11, Paul portrays himself as an Accountant.

- Key words: "I have new values"

- If you do not have any godly values, you have nothing to live for

(b) In Philippians 3:12-16, Paul portrays himself as an Athlete

- Key words: "I press towards the goal"

- In other words, Paul is saying "I have a new vigour"

- Without the discipline and the vigour of an athlete, you cannot pursue your values in order to attain your goals

(c) In Philippians 3:17-21, Paul portrays Himself as an Alien

→ Key words: "I look"

- This world has everything that you need to become what God wants you to become, but you have to look for them diligently

- If you do not look, you will not discover

☆The 5 Keys to a Happy New Year

★ Key #1: Dissatisfaction

→ Philippians 3:12-13

"It’s not that I have already reached this goal or have already become perfect. But I keep pursuing it, hoping somehow to embrace it just as I have been embraced by the Messiah Jesus. Brothers, I do not consider myself to have embraced it yet. But this one thing I do: Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead."

- Paul was satisfied with Jesus as his Lord, but he was dissatisfied with his life & achievements

- You must be careful of entertaining a false estimate of your own spiritual condition

- When you become satisfied with your present condition, you will not grow

- If you want more out of life, You must be dissatisfied with your present condition

- Whatever you are doing, try to be the best that you can possibly be

- Stop comparing Yourself with others

- Do whatever you can to improve your lot in life

- Regardless of what you have achieved so far, there is always room for further improvement and growth

★Key #2: Devotion

→ Philippians 3:14

"I keep pursuing the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly call in the Messiah Jesus."

- You need to have a definite Focus for your life

- Your focus must be defined

- You must be determined to avoid anything that may distract you from your goal(s) is life

- Set time aside everyday to prayerfully evaluate your life's purpose

- If you aim at nothing, you will achieve nothing

- You need to persist and focus on your goals

★ Key #3: Direction

→ Philippians 3: 13b

"But this one thing I do: Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead."

- In order to forge ahead in life, there are some past experiences that you must forget

- Do not allow yourself to be controlled by your past experiences of failure, discouragements, betrayals, weaknesses and rejection

- Do not be weighed down or discouraged by the many times you have failed at achieving your goals

- Have a genuine direction for your life

- "Do not cry over spilled milk" - if you fail at succeeding at something, ensure that you recover as fast as you can and try again

- There is a greater future ahead of you than your past (unpleasant) experiences

★ Key #4: Determination

→ Philippians 3:14:

"I keep pursuing the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly call in the Messiah Jesus."

- The two (2) extremes you must avoid in life while pursuing your goals include the misconceptions that:

(a) "God must do all"

(b) "I must do all"

- You must not achieve all that you have set out to achieve all at once

- Aim at 'winning' small territories at a time, gradually

- Use the resources at your disposal to do the best you can possibly do

- You don't have to be a 'great person' to make it in life.

- You must realise that greatness is in categories and levels. Do not despise the days of little (small) beginnings

- Don't be jealous of anybody, but work hard on your goals

- Be satisfied with what God is about to do in your life

★ Key #5: Discipline

→ Philippians 3:14-15

"I keep pursuing the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly call in the Messiah Jesus. Therefore, those of us who are mature should think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will show you how to think."

- Without discipline, an athlete can be disqualified from a sporting event

- You can learn from others, but don't argue with them

- If you want to be great, you must make friends with great people and seek great ideas

- Work gradually towards getting to where you want to be and God will Surely bless you

- You must be consistently diligent and disciplined at maintaining focus on your life's goals

- Without the discipline of diligence, it would be impossible to achieve anything meaningful in your life

- Discipline will enable you to overcome any weakness that may potentially hinder you from reaching your goals in the coming year(s)

SUMMARY

☆The 5 Keys to a Happy New Year

★Key #1: Dissatisfaction

★Key #2: Devotion

★Key #3: Direction

★Key #4: Determination

★Key #5: Discipline

Good Tidings of Salvation (Rev. Chrysanthus John Bala) 25-12-2014

CHRISTMAS SERVICE
★ MY SERMON NOTES
@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)
Area 1, Garki-Abuja
25th December, 2014

* Speaker: Rev. Chrysanthus John Bala

* Topic: Good Tidings of Salvation

* Text: Luke 2:8-14 

* In Biblical times, Shepherds were considered to be unclean due to the nature of their profession & interaction with animals.

* God chose to herald the first message of the birth of Christ to lowly shepherds who were isolated on fields while guarding their flock at night

* The reason why the Christmas message was first broadcasted to Shepherds

1. They were poor. God does not discriminate between the rich and the poor

2. Jesus came through the lineage of David who was also a Shepherd before He was anointed as King of Israel. His birth was Symbolic and a fulfilment of Biblical prophesies 

* What is your perception of Jesus Christ?

- to some people, He is their Saviour, to others, He is just a "good man".

* If Jesus is not your Saviour, Christmas has no relevance for you

* Even today, many people reject the Salvation that Jesus came to offer freely

* The primary reason for Jesus' birth was for the Salvation of all men. Including you.

* Question: Who is Jesus to you?

* As a Christian, You have a duty to tell others about the good tidings of the Saviour and the Salvation He offers. 

* You must always use every opportunity to speak to others of the love of Jesus and the free gift of this Salvation

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

* Quotes & Bits During Service:

→ "When you celebrate Christmas in a God-glorifying way, the power of Satan over your life is paralyzed. But when you celebrate it with sex, alcohol, and other forms of ungodliness, Satan is empowered." 

- Rev. David Kwamkur. 

Redemption as one of the Blessings of Doing the will of God (Pastor Victor Amos) 21-12-2014

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki-Abuja

21st December, 2014

* Speaker: Pastor Victor Amos

* Topic: Redemption as one of the Blessings of Doing the will of God

* Theme for 2014: Knowing the will of God (Colossians 1:9)

* Text: Ephesians 1:3-7

* Redemption is the basis of our lives as Christians

* We are Christians today because we have been redeemed by Christ

* Redemption cannot be separated from the Cross of Christ; without to Cross of Christ, there will be no Gospel; without the Gospel, there is no Christianity

* No man can say "I am free from sin" - we were all born into the sinful nature; the sin of Adam has contaminated all of us from birth

★Romans 3:23 → "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"

* Sin separated man from God.

* God does not take sin lightly. Whenever God looks at man (pre-redemption), he sees a sinful entity

* Christ was offered up as an atonement for our sins in order to redeem us

* Redemption is salvation from sin

* "Redemption" may be defined as: "rescue (something or someone) upon the payment of a ransom".

* Redemption entails "buying back" what originally belonged to you; or what you are entitled to, subject to payment of a ransom

* The Biblical concept of Redemption: The firstborn child or an animal belongs to the Lord: To retain it, you must "buy it back" through an act of redemption.

★ Exodus 13:2 → " Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine."

★ Exodus 34:19-20 → “Everything firstborn belongs to me: all the males of your herds, the firstborn of both cattle and sheep. You are to redeem the firstborn of a donkey with a sheep, and if you don’t redeem it, you are to break its neck. You are to redeem every firstborn of your sons, and no one is to appear before me empty-handed."

* The stories of our lives changed when Christ went to the cross and paid the ransom for us with His blood in order to translate us from darkness into light.

8 Benefits of Redemption

1. We were translated from darkness into light

★ Colossians 1:13 → "God has rescued us from the power of darkness and has brought us into the kingdom of the Son whom he loves"

★ See also: Ephesians 5:8 and 1 Peter 2:9

2. You have eternal life in Christ.

3. You have forgiveness of Sins

4. Righteousness

- You have the Spirit of God to help you live right.

5. Adoption into God's family

- Redemption makes it possible for you to be adopted into God's family

- If you have not been redeemed, you cannot claim to a part of God's family

6. Deliverance from Sin

★ Titus 2:14 → "He gave himself for us to set us free from every wrong and to cleanse us so that we could be his special people who are enthusiastic about doing good deeds."

- Sin places you under the bondage of Satan. The atonement of Christ on the Cross of Calvary makes it possible to be delivered/liberated from the power of sin

7. Peace with God:

- When you were in sin, you were an enemy of God

- If you have no relationship with Christ, you have no peace

8. The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

★1 Cor 6:19-20 → " You know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God, don’t you? You do not belong to yourselves, because you were bought for a price. Therefore, glorify God with your bodies."

- The Holy Spirit helps you to live a life that is pleasing to God

* NOTE: Those who have been redeemed must live differently from those who are still living in darkness

* At this Christmas Season, the redeemed in Christ will not do anything in the course of the celebrations that will grieve the Holy Spirit

* The freedom of the redeemed is not for his/her own benefit, but it is to be utilized to serve and glorify the Redeemer!

Do not give or take Bribes (Pastor Gyang Chollom Sambo) 14-12-2014

 

MY SERMON NOTES
Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)
Kugbo, Nyanya - Abuja

14th December, 2014

* SERMON

* Topic: Do not give or take Bribes

* Theme: Knowing the Will of God

* Sub-theme: Knowing the will of God in Giving

* Speaker: Pastor Gyang Chollom Sambo

 

Pastor Gyang Chollom Sambo

 

 

* Text: Ecclesiastes 7:7 - "Unjust gain makes the wise foolish, and a bribe corrupts the heart''.

* A bribe is anything given (or taken) in order to obtain or bestow unjust advantage in any given circumstance

* A bribe is a gift that is given in a corrupt way

★ Exodus 23:8 - "Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent."

* A bribe makes people blind - such a person cannot see what he/she ought to see. It paralyzes a person's will from taking due action

* Reasons why people give bribes:

1. To corrupt the morality and the will of persons in authority

2. To obtain an unjust advantage or favour

3. To turn a truth into a lie

 

* The Bible condemns giving and receiving of bribes in any form whatever

* All bribes are evil, regardless of whether you give or receive it

★ Job 15:34 - "For the company of the godless is desolation, and fire consumes the tents of those who bribe"

* Many public officers are corrupt because many of them gained employment through bribery and therefore, they still discharge their official duties by demanding and accepting bribes

* Bribes have the capability to turn the right thing to become a wrong thing

* Sometimes as Christians, we find ourselves under pressure to give bribes in order to obtain some undue favour or advantage, but we must trust God to help us to honour Him under all circumstances

 

★ 1st Samuel 8:1-3 - "When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders. The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice."

* Even some religious leaders indulge in collecting bribes in order to twist justice among their followers

* God does not condone or support those who take or give bribes

* Child of God, trust God for every thing you need in life. There is nothing that God cannot do for you.

* Some of the things given as bribes:

(a) Money (or money's worth)

(b) Valuable things or materials

(c) Sexual favours

* NOTE: Anything you obtain through bribery or any corrupt practice does not have the blessings of God and is susceptible to the attacks of Satan (because it was obtained through his evil principles)

★ Psalm 26:9-10 - "Do not group me with sinners, nor include me with men who shed blood. Their hands are filled with wicked schemes, and their right hands with bribes."

* The giving and taking of bribes is actually a sign that you do not trust God to favour you, bless you or promote you

* The current security challenges prevalent in Nigeria is persisting because most of those who are charged with the responsibility of handling the situation have been "blinded" by bribes.

* A bribe separates a man from God

* God knows the heart of every man. Many people we know and call "Honourable" today in our society are actually considered by God as fools because they willingly engage in bribery and corruption

 

★ Isaiah 33:15-19 - "Those who walk righteously and speak what is right, who reject gain from extortion and keep their hands from accepting bribes, who stop their ears against plots of murder and shut their eyes against contemplating evil— they are the ones who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. Their bread will be supplied, and water will not fail them. Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar. In your thoughts you will ponder the former terror. “Where is that chief officer? Where is the one who took the revenue?

Where is the officer in charge of the towers?” You will see those arrogant people no more, people whose speech is obscure, whose language is strange and incomprehensible."

 * Those who collect or give bribes are enemies of God regardless of whether they are Christians or not

★ Ezekiel 22:12 - "They take bribes among you to shed blood. You’ve taken usury and exacted interest. You’ve gained control over your neighbour through extortion. And you’ve forgotten me,” declares the Lord GOD"

* Whenever you take or give bribes, you show evidently by your conduct that you have forgotten that God is the ultimate way-maker, and that only He makes a way where there is no Way!

* You must not give or take bribes Just because every one is doing it.

★ Exodus 23:2 - "You are not to follow the majority in doing wrong, and you are not to testify in a lawsuit so as to follow the majority and pervert justice."

* If you are obedient to God, He will prosper You. If you choose to prosper yourself (through bribery and corruption), God will surely punish you

* NOTE: People who believe in collecting or giving bribes usually find it difficult to give freely and generously - without expecting anything in return

* When you do not take or give bribes, you are in a better position to make just and right decisions and maintain your integrity

* Action Point:
Make up your mind to consistently trust God for every single thing that you need in life. Refuse to obtain unjust gain or undue advantage by either giving bribes, collecting bribes or engaging in any other corrupt practice.

Knowing God's will in Christ Jesus (Rev. Festus S. Dashem) 07-12-2014

SUNDAY SERVICE

MY SERMON NOTES
@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)
Jiyep-Hwolshe, Jos
Plateau State - Nigeria

7th December, 2014

SERMON

* Topic: Knowing God's will in Christ Jesus

* Theme: Knowing the will of God

* Speaker: Rev. Festus S. Dashem

* Text: Luke 2:1-14

* So many people do not know the true meaning of Christmas, even though they celebrate it every year

* The common expression "as weak as a baby" does not apply to Jesus Christ - He is God; He is the Centre of Power

* It was the Roman Government's tradition to conduct population census every 14 years.

* Bethlehem means "house of bread". Note: Jesus is the bread of life. → John 6:35 "Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

- Therefore, the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem was symbolic.

* The announcement of the Messiah's birth was given by an angel to some anonymous Shepherds. Why shepherds, not Priests or Scribes?

* Reason: The Grace of God was revealed to all men, regardless of status or position.

→ Romans 2:11 - "For there is no partiality with God."

* Their work (as shepherds) made them ceremonially unclean, and kept them away from the temple for weeks, so they could not be made clean

* God does not only call the rich and mighty, but also the poor and lowly

* The shepherds were conscripted as heralds and evangelists of the Saviour's Coming

* The Massage of the Angels:

→ Verse 10: "fear not, we bring good news"

* As a Christian, you must not be afraid to preach the good news of Christ anywhere you go

 

* The Hebrew word "Shalom" means more than peace (absence of war), but total well-being, security, soundness and completeness of mind.

* NOTE: Outside Jesus, you cannot experience genuine peace/Shalom

* Shalom has more to do with character, more than circumstances

* At the time of difficulty for the Israelites (taxes were high, there was unemployment, and poverty) God Sent his Son to usher in a reign of lasting peace

* During the period of Jesus' birth, High Priests and Priesthood was controversial for the following reasons:

→ No person/worshiper could see the Priest except through his Captains;

→ A Priest must marry a virgin of not more than 12 Years old;

→ A Priest must not eat in public;

→ A Priest must not touch any woman except his wife;

→ The temple was segregated according to levels of Holiness. Only the High Priest can enter into the Holy of Holies once a year to offer atonement on behalf of the people;

→ A Priest must not come near a corpse

→ The crippled, lame, leper can not enter the temple for any reason

→ A Priest must wear 18 garments to heal 18 ailments

* Jesus Came to deliver people from the old order of things

* Jesus is the High priest that sets the captives free

* In Jesus Christ, Priesthood is no longer dependent on garments and the fulfilment of strict religious criteria, but by faith in Jesus Christ

* In Jesus, healing is a matter of faith, not of garments or religious ceremonies and rituals

* The mission of Jesus is to rescue all men from darkness and translate them to the light of God

* The coming of Jesus is absolute good news to all of us

* Question: is your life a source of good news to your family, office, colleagues, community, Church, etc.?

* You should live a life that portrays good news to the world

* If your life is not a source of good news, the solution is simple → Repent and accept Jesus Christ the Messiah as your Lord and Savior.

Growing up in Christ (Mr Ishaya Manji) 30-11-2014

SUNDAY SERVICE

MY SERMON NOTES
Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)
Garki Area 1 - Abuja, Nigeria
30th November, 2014

* SERMON

* Speaker: Mr Ishaya Manji

* Topic: Growing up in Christ

* Theme: Knowing the Will of God

* Sub-Theme: Blessings of Doing God's Will

* Service Leaders: Mr Timothy Pam

* Text: Ephesians 4:14-15 - "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."

★ Round up & Summary of the COCIN Community Missions Week 2014

* The problem of the Church today is that many Christians still remain as infants even after many years after becoming believers.

* The desire of God is that we all grow up to become mature believers

* The Church has a bunch of Christians who are physically growing older, but remain Spiritually immature

* Spiritual maturity cannot be measured by your eloquence, or Physical appearance. It can only by demonstrated by displaying the Characteristics of Jesus (that is, the fruits of the Spirit).

* Growing in Christ entails the following:

1. A Continuous willingness to develop & display the character traits of Christ

2. To remain Connected to Christ

3. To be rooted and grounded in order to bear fruit that will last

4. To hold onto the truth and share it boldly, regardless of the consequences.

* The genuine Christian life is magnetic.

- You will automatically attract people to Christ if your life radiates the love of Jesus

* The difference between a mature and immature Christian:

→ A mature Christian produces the fruits of the spirit, the immature Christian does not

→ Galatians 5:22-24 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

* Every mature Christian is a missionary.

* Anywhere you find yourself is your primary mission field (office, family, community, etc.)

* Essential Elements for growing up in Christ:

1. The Character of Christ

→ Galatians 5:22-23

* God's plan is for you to be transformed into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ

2. Commitment

- This entails a willingness to work hard and to give your energy to the discharge of a given duty

- God requires Christians to be committed in missions and support it by all means possible.

* As a Christian, You are expected to grow not only physically, but also spiritually.

*When you spend time with God and His Word, you will grow in love and Spiritual knowledge of God's Will.

* You must be ready to give every fibre of yourself as an instrument to honour and Serve God

* Everything you have been entrusted with (e.g.. Your job, talents, resources, possessions, opportunities, experiences, etc.) are tools for serving Christ and advancing His kingdom here on earth.

* You must show the love of Christ to everyone, especially those who are under Satan's bondage

* If you must grow spiritually, you must study to know the mind of God so that you can project that same mind through mission work and liberate those in darkness and translate them into the Light of Christ.

* It is expected that once you give your life to Christ, you must grow spiritually, just as a new born baby is naturally expected to grow and become strong & independent

* The Church cannot be able to grow into a holy temple if every Christian are not ready to play their parts in God's plan

* Encouragement: we need to encourage each other (especially the Missionaries) by prayer, visitations, generous giving etc.

* Three things that the devil will never ask you to do:

1. give (in support of the advancement of Christ's kingdom)

2. pray

3. preach

* Causes of Spiritual Immaturity:

1. Sin

2. lack of Self-Control

3. lack of humility

4. lack of Spiritual balance-diet

   - This results in Spiritual stunted growth

   - God's word is our spiritual food (the balanced-diet)

   - You cannot give what you have. You must know the word for yourself

5. lack of submission to authority

6. lack of Spiritual discipline (e.g. through prayer and fasting & Bible Studies)

* If you really want to be effective in God's scheme of things and influence your generation for Christ, you must determine to grow Spiritually and be committed to knowing God's Word

* Allow God to work in you and through you

* Your life should sparkle (for Christ) like a diamond

* Spiritual infancy results in lack of effectiveness on the part of a Christian

* Practical ways by which you can be involved in Missions:

1. You can go to the Mission fields to preach personally

2. You can Support Missionaries through:

   -   Your financial gifts

   - Your consistent prayers for the success of Missions & Missionary endeavours

The Use of Gadgets in the Home (Dr. Patrick Dakum) 27-11-2014

Christian Couples Fellowship (CCF)

Combined Meeting (Abuja Zone) 

@ Sasha's Garden,

Area 11, Garki Abuja

27th November, 2014

EXHORTATION

* Speaker: Dr. Patrick Dakum

* Topic: The Use of Gadgets in the Home

* Couples should make every effort to maintain communication in every situation - even where there is a conflict between them

* Some of the issue of use of phones in the family that causes friction between couples:

- Phones that are switched off or unreachable when the other spouse needs to be reached/contacted

- delayed reply to SMS/missed calls

- checking of phones of the other spouse (messages, picture gallery, call logs, etc)

★ Tips on the use of Communication Gadgets

1. The internet world contains a lot of good and bad - ensure you know how to benefit from the good and avoid the bad

2. Learn about communication gadgets better so that you Know how to use them positively

3. Never allow any gadget to get in between your relationship with your spouse

★ The Commitments that Christian Couples must make:

(a) Commitment to God by the spouses

- Know that God will require you to account for how you use the gadgets that you have

- Biblical stewardship is all encompassing (including use of our possessions, time & money)

- The telephone & other gadgets Should never replace physical intimacy

- Your commitment to God will determine how you use your gadgets

(b) Commitment to use your gadgets for building and not for tearing down each other

- It is possible to make a commitment to encourage, say kind words, build love, etc

- If your love for your spouse does not affect your pocket, you are only joking!

- Every commitment will cost you Something

(c) Commitment to respect for each other

- It is a sign respect to create time for each other and not allow gadgets to get is the way

(d) Commitment to each other

- Don't replace your physical contact with gadgets

- Don't measure your love for each other with communication quantum over gadgets

- Don't make a big issue out of the usage of gadgets

* Note: No family can ever have a perfect scenario of communication but there must be a definite commitment among spouses to love and build each other all the time

Inner Strength (Pastor Victor Amos) 23-11-14

SUNDAY SERVICE

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki - Abuja

23rd November, 2014

SERMON

* Speaker: Pastor Victor Amos

* Theme: Knowing the Will of God

* Topic: Inner Strength

* Text: Philippians 4:10-13

→ Deuteronomy 33:26-27

* Six Facts Concerning Inner Strength:

1. You cannot possess inner strength if you are not connected to Christ.

2. Inner Strength for a child of God entails peace from God

★ Isaiah 9:6 →"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

* Note: Jesus is our prince of peace & genuine peace can only be found through Him.

3. Inner Strength has nothing to do with your physical (muscular) build or material possessions.

4. Inner strength is only available to those who are interested in having a relationship with Christ.

5. Victory in Christ comes as a result of possessing inner strength.

6. If you enjoy sin, you cannot benefit from inner strength & genuine peace will continue to elude you.

* Happiness does not depend on your present circumstances or by having material possessions

* Life is not a party, but a race & a trust

* To utilize the Lord's purpose for your life, you must possess inner strength.

* If you know the will of God and are doing it, you will enjoy the peace of God.

* Enjoying the peace of God does not mean that you will not face challenges in your life.

* Paul's letter to the Philippians is full of the theme of joy.

→ Assignment: Take time to read the book of Philippians and understand the concept of having joy in the face of challenges.

* NOTE: Paul's letter to the Philippians was written from the Prison!

→ He gave what he had.

→ You cannot give what you do not have

→ Paul demonstrated the fact that with inner strength from God, he can adjust to any situation in life and still be victorious.

* Paul depended on Christ for the grace to be victorious.

* Inner strength has a lot to do with your (mental) state of mind and who you are connected to.

* Inner strength equips you to face the issues of life with confidence.

* You must realize the fact that making it in life is not by your might.

* Where is your strength? What is your source of confidence in life?

★ Psalm 34:5 → "They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed."

* God is the source of your radiance.

* When you think all hope is lost, that is when God is at his best!

* The problem with many Christians is that we do not believe God's Words.

* Biblical Characters that Operated with Inner Strength:

→ King Hezekiah (2nd Kings 20)

→ David: Consistently relied on the Lord for victory over difficult situations and ever-present enemies

→ Joseph: forgave His brothers in spite of their deep betrayal (Genesis 50)

→ Samson: repented and regained inner strength to overcome his enemies thereby accomplishing his mission. (Judges 16:23-30)

→ Abraham: He walked closely with God by faith (Hebrews 11:8)

→ Esther: Stood up and defended her people who were about to experience genocide, at the risk of her own life (Esther 4:14-17)

* If you know your God, you will not be subjected/ defeated by any situation in life.

★ Jeremiah 29:11 →"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."

* God's plan for you is to live a victorious Christian life.

★ John 15:5 → "I am the vine, you are the branches. The one who abides in me while I abide in him produces much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing."

* When you remain (abide) in God, He will help you to accomplish much more than your own strength and human effort can achieve.

* Sin is your enemy: It drains your spiritual strength and makes you vulnerable.

* Every sin you commit is an evil seed that will germinate and haunt you latter in life - unless God has mercy on you when you return to him in genuine repentance.

* Sin is a burden that weighs you down and hinders you from fulfilling God's purpose.

Interactive Session on family Issues (Pastor 'Lola Owotumi) 19-11-2014

NDIC-DMO Chapel,
Central Business District,
Garki-Abuja, Nigeria
19th November, 2014

* Speaker: Pastor Owotumi
* Topic: Interactive Session on family Issues
* Text: 2nd Timothy 4:18 → "The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will take me safely to his heavenly kingdom. Glory belongs to him forever and ever! Amen."

* NOTE: There are many men that initially did not set out to cheat on their wives, but there are 'wicked' women out there who will stop at nothing in their quest in seducing the men the lust after

* Except you trust God to keep your spouse, there will always be trouble

* 2nd Timothy 1:12 →"That is why I suffer as I do. However, I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I’m convinced that he is able to protect what he has entrusted to me until the day that he comes."

* Always commit your home unto to the Lord & He will preserve you

* Question: How do we handle the issue of difficult in-laws?
★ Ruth 1:10-12

* we should be patient with them

* we should always seek to maintain peace

Interactive Session on family Issues (Pastor 'Lola Owotumi) 19-11-2014

NDlC-DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki-Abuja, Nigeria

19th November, 2014

* Speaker: Pastor 'Lola Owotumi

* Topic: Interactive Session on family Issues

* Text: 2nd Timothy 4:18 →"The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will take me safely to his heavenly kingdom. Glory belongs to him forever and ever! Amen."

* NOTE: There are many men that initially did not set out (or intend) to cheat on their wives, but there are 'wicked' women out there who will stop at nothing in their quest in seducing the men they lust after

* Except you trust God to keep your spouse, there will always be trouble

* 2nd Timothy 1:12 →"That is why I suffer as I do. However, I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I’m convinced that he is able to protect what he has entrusted to me until the day that he comes."

* Always commit your home unto to the Lord & He will preserve you

* Question: How do we handle the issue of difficult in-laws?

★ Ruth 1:10-12

→ You should be patient with them

→ You should always seek to maintain the bond of peace [as long as it depends on you] 

Interactive Session on Family Issues (Pastor 'Lola Owotumi) 18-11-2014

★ MY SERMON NOTES 

NDIC/DMO Chapel

Central Business District, Abuja 

18th November, 2014

* Speaker: Pastor 'Lola Owotumi

* Topic: Interactive Session on Family Issues

* Text: Psalm 33:6-11

* It is not possible to downplay the importance of family to the Church

* When the family is not strong, the Church cannot be Strong

* We must not allow anything to divide our families.

* Let wisdom be your watch word in making decisions in the family

* Wisdom can save your family from disgrace and breakup

★ Philippians 2:3 →  "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves."

* Do not pursue vain glory

★ Philippians 4:4-5 → "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near."

* Be careful to ensure that everything you do is done with moderation

* Do not borrow money in order to embark on any celebration. This will impoverish your family eventually 

* Do not enslave your family with debts

★ Question: Whose responsibility is it to finance family projects?

* There must be consensus and agreement among the couples

* Note: The two have become one (Genesis 2:24)

- Christian couples must see themselves as partners, not rivals 

* Final Caution: "Do not bite your nose to spite your face!"

Interactive Session on Family Issues (2) (Pastor 'Lola Owotumi 17-11-2014

NDIC/DMO Chapel

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

17th November, 2014

* Speaker: Pastor 'Lola Owotumi

* Topic: Interactive Session on Family Issues (2)

* Text: Psalm 24:7-8 →"Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle."

* Question: What are you to do when one of the parents do not have interest in the fanfare of naming ceremony?

★ Amos 3:3 → "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"

* Both parents must have a consensus/ a common ground

* Any difference in expectations or opinion must be settled in the place of prayer

* Compromise (finding common ground between couples) is always important in life

* Always seek and go after peace in the home.

* Always focus on things that unite you as a couple

* Downplay things that divide you

* Make every effort to come to an express agreement, not just permissive agreement on any issue

Life of Victory (Elder Simon Bunshak) 16-11-2014

SUNDAY SERVICE
★ MY SERMON NOTES
@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)
Area 1, Garki-Abuja, Nigeria
16th November, 2014

SERMON:
* Speaker: Elder Simon Bunshak
* Topic: Life of Victory
* Text: Romans 6:1-14
* Theme: Knowing the Will of God
* Sub-theme: Blessings of Doing God's will
* Service Leader: Mrs. C. Mangut

* When you are walking with God, the Seed of God is deposited in you. That seed produces the life (fruits of the Holy Spirit) that sets you apart from people who do not walk with God

☆ Effects of Sin in the life of a man:
1 . Sin dishonours the name of God in Your life

2. Sin can rob you of the joy and the power of God in your life
- The joy of the Holy Spirit is the source of your victory

3. Sin destroys your Christian testimony
- Satan's aim is to ensure that you never fulfil God's purpose in your life by being constantly under the bondage of sin

☆ How to overcome sin and live in victory:
- Note: Sin is the primary cause of failure in the life of a man

* Victory is an act of God
- You cannot attain victory on your own or by your own personal effort(s)

* Victory can only be attained by consistently living in obedience to God's Word
★ Deuteronomy 28:1-14

* Jesus has already won the victory for us; that is what we are standing upon

★ 1st John 1:8 → "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."

* The victorious life entails:
- Overcoming sin (including the so-called "little sins" such as anger, fault-finding, irritability, complaining, lack of love, wrong thoughts, worry, anxiety,)

* The "small" victories you get by overcoming in "small" areas of your life translates to bigger victories eventually

* There is nothing like a "small sin". Before God, sin is sin and He hates it.

*Every sin is a major obstacle in your quest to attaining victory in Christ

* Many people have overcome the temptations and tendencies of falling into "sign-board" sins (ie, the known "big sins") and neglect the more subtle ones

* The trick of Satan is to magnify the power of sin in your life to such an extent that you are constantly kept in fear and bondage and therefore, fail to be liberated.

* Overcoming the power of Sin can only be possible in Christ Jesus.

* As soon as your faith in Christ dies, genuine victory will always elude you

* When you are defeated in your mind, you cannot attain victory
→ Victory proceeds from a mind that is transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God

* The life of Heaven begins with a life of holiness

* Holiness is the Key to attaining constant victory

* Here on earth, you will constantly struggle with sin, till you get to Heaven where sin and death lose their power

* Three (3) Blessings that accompany a victorious Christian life:
1. Unbroken fellowship with God
→ Genesis 3:8-10
* When sin comes into your life, it breaks your relationship with God

2. The power to do the work of God.
- Sin robs you of the confidence to serve God effectively
- Holiness enables you to receive massages from God and to also deliver them with power and confidence
★ Philippians 4:13 → "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

* You share in the privilege of reconciling people back to God (through evangelism)

3. It opens you up into a life of prospect to the possibilities of being used by God for honourable and noble purposes

* Ephesians 3:20-21

* Victory in Christ is a gift, just like salvation & eternal life

* You cannot get victory in Christ through your merits, achievements and human effort

* Grace is God's omnipotent power working through us, in us, and for us

* Living in constant victory is only possible when you depend upon God's grace to live a holy life

★ Romans 5:17b → "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ."

* How to live a life of victory in Christ:
1. Dedicate your life to Christ totally & allow Him to sustain you
★ 2nd Timothy 1:12 → "That is why I suffer as I do. However, I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I’m convinced that he is able to protect what he has entrusted to me until the day that he comes."

2. Drop your burdens and challenges at the feet of the Lord
★ 1st Peter 5:7 →"Throw all your worry on him, because he cares for you."

3. You must take Christ as your Victory

4. When you fail, don't accept defeat & remain subdued.
- Anytime there is a challenge, run to the Saviour for support

*NOTE: Victory is not just trying, but trusting
→ 'Trying' is what you do on your own, by your own strength and wisdom (self-sufficiency)
→ 'Trust' entails looking up to God to do for you what you cannot do for yourself

_____________________________________________________________________
* HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE
EXHORTATION

* Speaker: Rev. Chrysanthus John Bala
* Text: Luke 22:39-46

* Anguish & pain caused Jesus to prevail in prayer at Gethsemane

* Jesus Submitted Himself to God's will in prayer.
- What He wanted at that point was immaterial because His desire was for God's will to be done in His life

* Today, many Christians tend to 'command' God to do what they wish, whenever they desire. This is not supposed to be so.

* Jesus encouraged His disciples to also pray along with Him in His hour of need & trial. (v. 46)

* NOTE: Prayer is the believer's sheild against falling into temptation

* Temptation will not overtake you if you consistently prevail in the place of prayer