How to grow in Faith (7) (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 29-12-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

29th December, 2015

Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu

Topic: Prevailing by faith (How to grow in Faith) (7)

Text: John 7:48 →"Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?"

★ Romans 10:17 →"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

☆ Components of Effectively Hearing God's Word:

1. Listening

2. Agreement (assent)

→ The agreement must be a personal thing

* The word of God is something that you must believe personally.

→ Don't wait until someone in power or authority believes

3. Meditate on and Obey God's Word

→ It will be very difficult for a man to obey God's word if there is no meditation

→ Mediation entails thinking about something actively and deeply as it relates to you

★ Joshua 1:7-8 →''Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

* Much of the fear that Christians entertain comes as a result of a lack of meditation

* You should not waste your time meditating on discouraging news in the media that is being churned out everyday

★Psalm 119:78 →"Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts."

* If you want your faith to increase, you must be committed to meditating on God's Word everyday

* The word of God takes preeminence over everything

* You must not allow anyother thing to preoccupy your mind

First things First (Pastor Dangana Nyazan) 27-12-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Jiyep - Hwolshe, Jos;

Plateau State - Nigeria

27th December, 2015

SERMON

* Speaker: Pastor Dangana Nyazan

* Topic: First Things First

* Text: Matthew 6:33 →"But first be concerned about God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all of these things will be provided for you as well."

★ ILLUSTRATION

A man went to a motor park early in the morning hoping to catch a taxi to Jalingo, Taraba State of Nigeria from Jos, Plateau State. Other passengers arrived and tickets were sold. At the time for boarding, no seat was reserved for the man and he started making trouble that he was the first to arrive the park and therefore, should be given a seat in the taxi. On further investigation, it was discovered that the man possessed a ticket for the previous day and was prevented from boarding. His ticket was not valid.

* There is a destined date attached to everything and every event in the world

* In the Nigerian educational system, before you proceed to the next level, you must show a certificate evidencing that you had passed the previous level(s) as a prerequisite (Eg: the Secondary School Certificate is a prerequisite for gaining admission into University)

* As you make your plans for the next year, there are uncertainties that may affect the success of your plans

★ Jeremiah 29:11 →"For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for well-being, and not for calamity, in order to give you a future and a hope."

* God has a good plan for his sons and daughters.

→ Excellent blessings for the present and the future

* Before you will enjoy God's blessings in the coming year, you have to seek the Kingdom of God as a prerequisite

* You should subject ALL your plans to the Lord's will as you seek him earnestly

* God desires to bless you, but you have to choose to access these blessings by faith

* As you prepare to step into 2016, realize that God is the owner of every day and every year

* Life is full of uncertainties, and only God knows the end of every person

* Many of us make plans without God - like the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 who erroneously assumed that he controlled his own life

* Ensure that you plan with God every step of the way

* Make it your priority to seek God today and in the coming years

* The wise who always seek God have wonderful testimonies because He will always bless them

* As you continuously seek God earnestly, He will grant the desires of your heart

* If you walk alone, you will never reach your destiny

→ If you walk with God, he will guide and prosper you

Be Merciful When Your Spouse Fails (Rev. Dinfa Lamda) 26-12-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Jiyep - Hwolshe;

Jos, Plateau State - Nigeria

26th December, 2015

WEDDINGS:

☆ GAMPAN & NANMAN HAGGAI

☆ MUSA & FLORENCE SAMBO

SERMON

* Speaker: Rev. Dinfa Lamda

* Topic: Be Merciful When Your Spouse Fails

* Text: Exodus 32:11-14

* God was angry with the Israelites and wanted to destroy them.

→ He wanted to break the covenant that existed between Him and the Israelites due to their unfaithfulness;

→ Moses interceded for them & God relented in his intention to destroy

* Remember that there may be failures on the part of your spouse as long as you live

⇒ Offenses are inevitable

→ Even best friends offend each other periodically

* Note: Israel was not the best nation on earth, but God decided to chose and love them

→ Similarly, out of all the men and women in the world, married couples have decided to choose each other - this is a good thing, regardless of what happens (good or bad)

* Sometimes, what you are expecting from your spouse is not what you will get, but you must continue to love him/her - because you have vowed before God to do so

* Many people do not understand the implication of Christian marriage which is meant to be permanent

* NOTE: Though Moses was a motal man, but God listened to him when he interceded for Israel

→ Some people are adamant when their spouse offends them and is seeking reconciliation

* As a believer, you must give allowance for the shortcomings of others who offend you

→ You must always forgive freely

* Refusal to forgive is a sign of spiritual immaturity

* Divorce should not even be an option in Christian marriage

* Don't listen to the voices of men when bad advices come

* Always weigh every advice in the light of God's Word

* As a child of God, the Scripture must be your standard

* Always remember that people around you are observing your conduct

* The only secret of success in marriage is to do all things as unto God and for His glory

* When you take the vow "for better for worse", NO EXCUSE will suffice as justification for breaking your sacred covenant with your spouse, taken in the presence of God and the Church

★ Revelation 2:10 →"Don’t be afraid of what you are going to suffer. Look! The devil is going to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested. For ten days you will undergo suffering. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the victor’s crown of life."

* Your faithfulness to your marriage vows must be unconditional - even to the point of death

* There is a difference between patience and longsuffering!

→ longsuffering starts where patience is totally exhausted

* You cannot 'soften' God's Word to suit your circumstance when things are not going your way in marriage

* Remember your covenant and always try to fulfil them as long as you are alive

* As a Christian, your life must be governed by the Scriptures, not your emotions, societal expectations or your culture

* You must keep your marriage covenant even when it hurts you

→ Psalm 15:4

☆ Marriage is a choice: You must accept the good or bad consequences of your own choice for the rest of your life

* NOTE: Marriage would bring extra problems to you

→ A person who does not want extra problems in his life should not get married at all!

* Marriage is a test of your patience and your ability to withstand challenges in life

How Not to Talk to An Angel (Rev. Tongsmang Dasbak) 25-12-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Jesus Revelation Assembly,

Tudun Wada Ring-Road

Jos - Plateau State

25th December, 2015

SERMON

☆ Speaker: Rev. Tongsmang Dasbak

☆ Topic: How Not To Talk To An Angel

☆ Text: Luke 1:5-20;

* Luke 57-64

Rev. Tongsmang Dasbak

 

☆ Question: Why do we bother celebrating (Christmas & New Year) when things are not going the way they should go?

* Zachariah asked angel Gabriel a question that got him into trouble.

★ Verse 18: Then Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?”

→ In other words, he doubted the information passed on to him from God

* NOTE: Gideon asked a similar question but 'escaped' God's wrath

→ See: Judges 6:12-21

* Many times, we are also skeptical of the efficacy of God's Word, especially in challenging circumstances

* How long you have walked with God is not an automatic ticket to know all of God's ways

→ those 'experienced' in God's ways and knowledge also doubt Him sometimes

* Many people doubt God's Word by believing that nothing will work out fine because of the unfavorable circumstances around them

* Many people will never access what God has in store for them because their unbelief acts as a barrier.

→ They want concrete proof before they believe God

* Compare Zachariah's response with Mary's response to the angel's message (Luke 1:34-38)

→ Mary submitted to God's will in faith

* God does not bless people that hoard

→ They do not release blessings to others

→ God blesses people that are liberal and generous in everything

* Many people treat God as if he is a man. They do not trust him

☆ What is so Special about Christmas?

→ Historically, Jesus was not given birth to on the 25th of December

→ Jesus never requested to be celebrated on the 25th of December of every year!

* NOTE: The only thing Jesus expressly requested that we should frequently remember is his death and suffering (through communion), not his birth! (1 Corinthians 11:24)

→ Unfortunately, this is what we do infrequently and without as much excitement which is always associated with Christmas

* There are certain situations in your life that cannot be reversed without God's divine visitation

* There is nothing too hard or too late when it comes to God

★ Luke 1:37 →"Nothing is impossible with respect to any of God’s promises.” (lSV)

* Maybe God allowed you to see today so that you can trust him for the reversal of your (negative) situation

→ But you must believe that He is capable of doing anything

* Maybe you are in that particular difficult situation so that you can learn to believe in God for deliverance

* God is the "impossibility specialist"

(a) an old couple giving birth;

(b) a virgin giving birth without intercourse

* It is easier for younger people to give birth, not old couples. This expains Sarah & Abraham's scepticism when God promised that Sarah will give birth to a child in her old age

→ See: Genesis 17:17; 18:12-13

★ POINTS TO NOTE:

1. Even very strong believers can stumble in an area of unbelief

→ You will have what God has already ordained for you, regardless of what happens

→ If the Lord said it, it will definitely happen

2. Sometimes, long delays can cause you to have unbelief

→ no matter how dire your condition is, you must never accept what God has not ordained for you

→ When it comes to God, he does not have 'time'. He is limitless!

→ Do not be tired of trusting God

★ Luke 1:10 →"And the entire congregation of people was praying outside at the time when the incense was burned."

* There may be times in our lives when we feel as if God does not hear our prayers and everything looks hopeless

* There are times that it seems God does both good and bad at the same time:

→ He answers Zachariah's prayer by promising him a baby, but he made him dumb (See: Luke 1:13, 20)

★ My Confession:

"My own life will not remain like this; In the next few years my situation will this around for good"

3. Man's Unbelief will not cancel God's plan

☆ Luke 1:19-20 →"The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you. But because you did not believe my announcement, which will be fulfilled at its proper time, you will become silent and unable to speak until the day this happens.”

* Your celebration will not be complete till your situation is turned around

→ Trust Him for something definate today!

Rev. Tongsmang Dasbak

The Church Band ministering

How to grow in Faith (6) (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 23-12-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

23rd December, 2015

Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu

Topic: Prevailing by faith (How to grow in Faith (6)

Text: Acts 14:8-10

* Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17), but you must listen with both ears

* As you listen to God's Word, faith is built up in you

★ Proverbs 8:34 →"Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors."

* You must listen to God's word to the point that you become deaf and dumb to every other voice

* The 2nd component of hearing (after listening) is acceptance of what you are hearing

★ 1 Thessalonians 2:13 →"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."

* As long as you do not accept the Word of God, it will never be effective

* For faith to come, you must receive the word, accept it, welcome it, agree with it and embrace it, knowing that God's word does not fail, regardless of what happens (Mathew 5:18)

How to grow in Faith (5) (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 22-12-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

22nd December, 2015

Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu

Topic: Prevailing by faith (How to grow in Faith (5)

Text: Romans 10:17 →"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." (NIV)

* The major way to Grow in faith is by hearing God's Word

☆ Hearing has three (3) main Components:

(a) Listening

* The object of hearing and listening is the Word of Christ

* listening entails giving your full concentration and rapt attention

☆ Psalm 62:11 →"God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God." (KJV)

* Luke 10:38-42 →"Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

* Listening entails sitting at the feet of the master to learn what he has to say. Nothing else matters

* In this life, so many things can encumber your life and rob you of concentrating on listening to God's Word

* One of the problems that Christians have about listening, is that, when they are hearing the word of God, they have no passion

* Whenever you hear God's Word, you must drown in what you are hearing. Soak it in

* You must listen to God's word like your life depends on it. Indeed, it does

☆ Prayer:

Father I thank you that I have ears;

help me to utilize my ears in hearing you;

Grant me the grace to shut my ears to what the devil is saying;

Open the ears of my heart to listen to what you want me to hear from your Word

How to grow in Faith (4) (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 21-12-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

21st December, 2015

Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu

Topic: Prevailing by faith (How to grow in Faith) (4)

Text: Mark 9:14 - 24

* When you develop your faith you will be able to withstand the challenges of life

* Unbelief is a major issue for many people, including Christians

* Unbelief can be defined as:

(a) Questioning the ability of Christ

→ this takes place subtly in the heart

(b) Questioning the ability and power of Christ in you

 ★ Luke 10:19

(c) Questioning the potency of your own faith

(d) Wondering if what you are believing God for is His will

→ This is the greatest sign of unbelief

→ God wants you to have that thing you are desiring

→ Every good and perfect gift comes from God

* Faith takes you to a realm where nothing is impossible

★ Luke 1:37 → ''Nothing is impossible with respect to any of God’s promises.”

★ Mark 9:23 → "If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for one who believes."

☆ Effects of Unbelief:

1. Unbelief hinders people from receiving God's promises and blessings that could be theirs

★ Jonah 2:8 → "Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God's love for them."

2. Unbelief prevents people from becoming what God has destined them to be

→ Many people cannot accomplish what God created them for

★ Judges 6:12-15

3. Anyone afflicted by unbelief cannot please God

★ Hebrews 11:6

→ It takes faith to please God

How to grow in Faith) (3) (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 16-12-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

16th December, 2015

Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu

Topic: Prevailing by faith (How to grow in Faith) (3)

Text: Matthew 17:14-21

* The power or potency of faith is not a function of its size

* The potency of faith depends on its genuineness, completeness and authenticity

→ It must not be tainted by fear or sin

* The very situation that men could not handle, Jesus can handle

* We need to make an honest self-examination of your self

* Unbelief is the greatest thing that undermines the potency of faith (verse 20)

* Except unbelief is dealt with, faith cannot grow

* You must get to the point that you can confidently say: "I know that my redeemer liveth." 

☆ What is Unbelief?

1. Unbelief is doubting the ability and the power of Christ to do what he said he will do

★ Isaiah 40:28 →"Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The LORD is the eternal God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not grow tired or weary; and his understanding cannot be fathomed."

* There is nothing that God cannot do

* Once you doubt the power of Christ to do anything, unbelief is at work

★ Matthew 9:22 →"When Jesus turned and saw her, he said, “Be courageous, daughter! Your faith has made you well.” And from that very hour the woman was well."

2. Unbelief is doubting the power of Christ within you, yourself

★ Luke 10:19 →''Look! I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to destroy all the enemy’s power, and nothing will ever hurt you."

* You must not diminish or downgrade the power of God which is invested in your life

* You must not live a powerless life

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

★ Psalm 27:1-3 →"The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom will I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom will I be afraid? When those who practice evil, my enemies, and my oppressors come near me to devour my flesh, they stumble and fall. If an army encamps against me, my heart will not fear. If a war is launched against me, I will even trust in that situation."

★ Proverbs 18:10 →"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; a righteous person rushes to it and is lifted up above the danger."

How to grow in Faith) (2) (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 15-12-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

15th December, 2015

Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu

Topic: Prevailing by faith (How to grow in Faith) (2)

Text: Luke 17:1-6

* It is your responsibility to grow by faith

* God expects you to keep growing in faith

* Take care about what you think, say and do so that you do not cause offense

* Many Christians do not want to be rebuked for any sin they commit

* It requires a high level of faith to forgive offences, especially repeated offences

★Proverbs 15:3 →"The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good."

* There is no offence that anyone does to you that the Lord is not aware of

* Many will misconstrue your forgiveness be weakness

* NOTE: Forgiveness is an act of meekness

* It takes faith to remember that vengeance is God's prerogative

* The efficacy of faith is not dependent on the size of faith

→ You do not need a very big faith in order to do what God desires

* NOTE: As small as a mustard seed is, it is still a real & complete seed that, given the right conditions, it will become a fruitful and productive tree! 

* As long as your faith is genuine, true, complete, credible, active and real, it will overcome every challenge

★ Mark 4:35-40

* Because the Lord is in your boat, he expects that you activate your faith in the face of every storm instead if panicking 

How to grow in Faith) (1) (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 14-12-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

14th December, 2015

Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu

Topic: Prevailing by faith (How to grow in Faith) (1)

Text: Luke 17:1-6

* The most important thing in our relationship with God is faith

* Every thing you do as a believer revolves around faith

* Anywhere man is found, sin is in abundance

→ Market, hospitals, hotels, Churches, etc

→ It is virtually impossible to run away from sin

* But woe onto the man by which the sin comes

* Jesus requires that despite the abundance of sin, you must always forgive

* NOTE: It takes faith to walk in perpetual victory and to live the Christian life  

☆ You need Faith to forgive:

1. Knowing that God indeed saw the offence

2. Knowing that God has already forgiven you also (Matthew 6:14)

3. Knowing that God holds exclusive monopoly of vengeance (Hebrews 10:30-31) 

→ Many people decide to revenge due to a lack of faith

* Prayer:

"God I thank you because you are a forgiving God and that no matter how heinous my sins are, you will always forgive me."

Cleanliness (Elder Simon Bunshak) 06-12-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki - Abuja

6th December, 2015

☆ SERMON

* Speaker: Elder Simon Bunshak

* Topic: Cleanliness (How to Maintain the Balance between Physical and Spiritual Cleanliness)

* Theme: Growing up in Christ

* Sub-Theme: Wholistic Growth

* Service Leader: Joyce Ahmadu

* Text: Mark 7:1-23

* 'Cleanliness' is defined as the careful avoidance of dirt

* Dirt is a parallel symbolism for sin

★ Psalm 51:7 →"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."

* When you want to maintain spiritual cleanliness, you have to ensure that your 'inside' is clean

* The cleanliness on the inside is what brings cleanliness on the outside

* Many people place a lot of emphasis on outward cleanliness while forgetting (or neglecting) inner cleanliness

☆ How does inner cleaniness affect outward cleanliness?

→ when you are clean on the inside, every physical activity you do reflects the glory of God

→ what is on the inside determines what is produced on the outside

☆ How does God view cleanliness?

★ 1 Peter 1:15 →"But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation."

→ the virtue of cleanliness originates from God himself and He expects you to be clean/holy in every area of your life

☆ Four (4) Aspects of Cleanliness that God wants You to Imbibe:

1. Spiritual Cleanliness

→ This has to do with the prospect of having eternal life and maintaining a vibrant relationship with God

→ This is the most important aspect of cleanliness; but it is also the most neglected

→ To be spiritually clean means that you never cross the line between true worship and false worship

☆ 1 Corinthians 7:14 →"For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy."

☆ James 1:27 →"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

→ You must ensure that what you allow into your life (through sight, sound and thought) is glorifying to God

☆ Jeremiah 32: 35 →"And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin."

→You must avoid involving yourself in any form of untrue worship to God

★ Mathew 23:25 →"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess."

→ NOTE: The less time you take in cleaning your inside, the less your glory on the outside will be evident

2. Moral Cleanliness

→ This involves keeping your mind & your heart clean before God

★ Ephesians 4:17-19

→ (the world is alienated from God, because of the prevalence of immorality)

→ when you constantly reflect on bad/unclean things, it eventually becomes your reality

→ Most nagative physical acts begin with bad or unclean thoughts

→ Sin is generally defined as the violation of God's moral standards

→ Anytime you constantly think about a particular sin & meditate upon it, it will surely manifest as a reality in your life

→ What you see, read or hear affects your mind directly or indirectly

→ Christians must always be on guard against any form of moral uncleanliness

☆ On the issue of Dressing:

→ when your 'inside' is clean, you will not need anybody to tell you to dress decently

→ Indecent dressing is a sign of inner uncleanliness. It also has the capacity to project unclean thoughts in others and causing them to lust

☆ NOTE:

→ People are observing you!

→ You are a model to someone. You might encourage somebody to either go to heaven or hell

3. Mental Cleanliness

→ The secret recesses of your mind must not be a repository of negative thoughts

★ Mathew 5:28 →"But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."

→ Addiction to pornographic films and pictures or suggestive lyrics of songs polutes your mind

→ The type of music you play in your car, house or place of business reflects who you really are (either as a godly or carnally minded person)

→ People take their car to the car wash because they want people to feel comfortable when they enter into it.

* Question: Will people be comfortable when they come in contact with the contents of your heart & mind?

4. Physical Cleanlines

→NOTE: Spiritual and physical cleanliness go hand in hand

★ 2 Corinthians 7:1 →"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

* Physical cleanliness dictates keeping your surrounding clean and avoiding anything that defiles your body such as tobacco, alchohol, drugs etc.

* You must always surmon the courage to help others around you who are dirty by telling them the truth in love

* Cleanliness is next to godliness

* The hallmark of true Christianity is physical cleanliness and decency

★ Causes of Spiritual Uncleanliness

1. Evil thoughts

→ when a unclean mind conjures up evil thoughts, the evil mind has no choice but to it out Carry

2. Pride

3. Foolishness

4. Sexual Immorality (in all its ramifications)

5. etc

☆ Meditating upon God's word and frequent meeting with other believers can help you live a spiritually clean life

* Cultivating a clean life is an indication that you trust in the unfailing promises of God

★ Jeremiah 17:9 →" The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

→ Only God can dean up the heart of any man

★ 1 Samuel 16:7 →"But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."

* You must pay close attention to the state of both your physical and spiritual cleanliness at all times

* NOTE: Maintaining cleanliness is a choice that you have to consciously make today

→ Choose Jesus today as your Lord and Savior

☆ MISSION CHARGE

"I have learned to use the word 'impossible' with the greatest caution . . . if one advances confidently in the direction of one's dreams, and endeavors to live the life which one has imagined, One will meet with success unexpected in common hours."

→ Henry David Thoreau

☆ QUOTE

"I will! I am! I can! I will actualize my dream. I will press ahead. I will settle down and see it through. I will solve the problems. I will pay the price. I will never walk away from my dream until I see my dream walk away; Alert! Alive! and Acheived!"

→ Robert H. Schuller

Fight the good Fight of Faith) (10) (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 01-12-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

1st December, 2015

Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu

Topic: Prevailing by faith (Fight the good Fight of Faith) (10)

Text: 2 Timothy 4:7-8 → "I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. 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."

* Faith is the only means, method or strategy by which we become victorious in life

★ Why must I fight this good fight of faith?

1. It is a fight appointed, commissioned and commanded by God

☆ Job 23:12 → "I haven’t wandered away from the commands that he has spoken; I’ve treasured what he has said more than my own meals.”

* You have no authority to deviate from the command of God

2. It is one fight

→ There are two classes of fight: the good and the bad fight

→ Now is the only chance we have to fight the good fight; You have only one life to live

→ After this life, you have no other opportunity

☆ John 9:4 →" I must do the work of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is approaching, when no one can work."

3. It is One faith

☆ Ephesians 4:4-6 →"There is one body and one Spirit. Likewise, you were called to the one hope of your calling. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, through all, and in all."

* John 8:56 →"Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad."

* We have been entrusted with the Same faith that the Patriarchs upheld and were commended for

☆ Genesis 14:18-20 (Abraham saw a preview of the glory of Jesus)

→ NOTE: The "King of Salem" was actually Jesus!

☆ Hebrews 11:7 →"By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, reverently prepared an ark to save his family, and by faith he condemned the world and inherited the righteousness that comes by faith."

4. That is the only way we Can take hold of the eternal life

☆ 2 Timothy 4:7-8

→ Many people, without fighting the good fight of faith entertain the hopes of securing eternal life. This is not possible! 

→ Notice the certainty by which the Apostle spoke

→ We all do not start the race at the same time. But how you start, how you run it, and how you complete it matters

* Satan has no right to deprive any man of eternal life. 

→ This is entirely your choice

Fight the good Fight of Faith (9) (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 30-11-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

30th November, 2015

Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu

Topic: Prevailing by faith (Fight the good Fight of Faith) (9)

Text: 1 Timothy 6:11-12 →"But you, man of God, must flee from all these things. Instead, you must pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the faith. Keep holding on to eternal life, to which you were called and about which you gave a good testimony in front of many witnesses."

* NOTE: Our fight is against:

1. Sin its all its ramifications

2. Satan in all his manifestations

3. World systems

☆ Why Should we fight the good fight of faith?

1. Because it is the Good fight

→ It is a command, not a suggestion

→ It is appointed and recommended by God

2. Because it is one fight. It is fought only once

→ You have only one opportunity to fight it

→ You have only one life to live

3. Because it is one Faith

★ Ephesians 4:4 -6 →"There is one body and one Spirit. Likewise, you were called to the one hope of your calling. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, through all, and in all.

→ It is the same faith that Abraham upheld that we are called to contend for

★ Genesis 15:6 →"Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness."

★ Hebrews 11:1-2 →"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval."

* We have the same faith with the Ancients (Patriachs) such as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob  

* Question: What will you be commended for?

★ Hebrews 11:29 →"By faith they went through the Red Sea as if it were dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do this, they were drowned."

* This is the same faith that many people of old trusted it and got deliverances, healings, victories, miracles, breakthroughs

* You can only overcome the challenges of life only through faith in God and nothing else

* When you stand before God, you will not be asked about your material posessions, but your quality of faith in Christ  

4. Because that is the only way you can lay hold of eternal life

★ Hebrews 6:12 →"Then, instead of being lazy, you will imitate those who are inheriting the promises through faith and patience.''

★ Jude 3 →"Dear friends, although I was eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I found it necessary to write to you and urge you to continue your vigorous defense of the faith that was passed down to the saints once and for all."

★ 1st Timothy 6:12 →"Fight the good fight for the faith. Keep holding on to eternal life, to which you were called and about which you gave a good testimony in front of many witnesses."

★ Revelations 3:11 →''I am coming soon! Hold on to what you have so that no one takes your victor’s crown."

* You are expected to fight to finish so that when you stand before God, you will be commended