Love for God (Elder Yunana Malo) 23rd August, 2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki - Abuja, Nigeria

23rd August, 2015

Elder Yunana Malo

SERMON

* Speaker: Elder Yunana Malo

* Topic: Love for God

* Theme: Growing up in Christ

* Sub-Theme: Growing in Love

* Service Leader: Mr. Paul Domsing

★ Text: Deuteronomy 6:1-5

★ Matthew 22:34-40

★ 1 John 4:7-21

* The only debt you have, is to love

* If you know love, you know God, because love is the heart of God

* Love is powerful!

* Love has the ability to keep you alive

* What is love?

→ Love is a very strong liking or passionate affection for another person or thing;

→ Love entails: adoration, attachment, friendship, relish, tenderness and even worship

* The opposite of love include: hate, dislike, ill-feeling, etc.

☆ Questions to consider:

(a) Can you love your enemies passionately?

(b) Is it possible for a mortal man to love God?

* If you have to love God (whom you do not see), then you have to do it in the Spirit

* Abraham loved God and obeyed him even when he could not see Him physically. Many people thought he was crazy (to love and obey one he could not see)

* Noah also loved God and obeyed Him genuinely 
 (See: Genesis 6:9)

* Naturally, man is incapable of showing genuine love towards God or anyone.

→ The default tendency of men is selfishness and wickedness

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

* Every heart that does not have the love of God is wicked and is incapable of loving

* A wicked heart cannot experience God's love and enjoy His mercies

* It takes a person who has a new heart to genuinely love God & others
 

☆ Ezekiel 36:26 →"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." [KJV]

* Your heart has a door through which the 'seed' (God's Word) comes in to do the operation

→ (see: Revelation 3:20)

* You must allow God's Word to transform your mind and heart

→ Hearing the Word has to do with the issue of life itself

* NOTE: The 'seed' is very critical

→ 2 Peter 1:4 →" According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." [KJV]

* If you open your heart to God's word, (the seed) it will transform you

* NOTE: Love is God's DNA

→ That nature is given to you when the 'seed' enters your heart at conversion from darkness to light

* Every seed has the nature of the main tree from which it proceeded

☆ Question: what is the nature of Jesus?

* Galatians 5:22-23 →" But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things."

* If you have the seed of God, then you can love just as Jesus does!

* The moment your heart does not have the Spirit of God, there is no difference between you and a wild animal

* It is the Spirit of God that constrains you from manifesting animalistic tendencies

* If the 'seed' has not entered you, you cannot love anyone!

* Romans 1:18 → "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness."

* There are people who cannot do anything for God because they do not love Him

→ A man in love can do anything for the one he loves!

* A person who is in love is passionate about is loved one

* One of the features of love is fellowship

→ A person in love always wants to be in the presence of the one he loves; it is not a disturbance; and it is never a burden

☆ 1st John 1:7 → ''But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."

* Some people treat the things of God casually

→ This is a sign of a lack of love for Him

☆ Matthew 6:21 →"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

☆ Questions to consider:

(a) What occupies your attention?

(b) what captures your Imagination?

* When you do not genuinely love God, it is easy for you to fall prey of lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life

☆ 1 John 2:16 →"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."

→ what you 'see' dominates & controls your life

* Flee all appearances evil because it destroys every trace of the love of God in your life

(1 Thessalonians 5:22)

* Romans 14:17 →"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

→ If you are in the kingdom what is required of you is righteousness, peace and joy

→ Whenever you yield to sin, your peace & joy is diminished

★ The Benefits of Loving God:

1. If you have the love of God, then the fruit of the Spirit will manifest in your life (See: Galatians 5:22-23)

2. You will be willing and obedient

→ You will hear definite instructions from God

3. If you have the love of God, you will see many opportunities to make an impact (as they present themselves in the Church, the society etc)

4. If you love God, you will not hesitate in investing in advancing God's kingdom

→ Giving for the work of God will not be a burden

5. It will be easy for you to have compassion on others

→ Do you empathize when others are in trouble?

6. It will be very easy for you to fellowship with God through his Word.

→ Acts 2:44-45

→ Philippians 3:8

☆ Questions to Consider:

* what is your treasure in life?

* what takes the most of your time?

* what is your heart like towards God?

* The love of God is the highest and The greatest love.

→ Don't miss it, don't play with it 

 

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★ MISSION CHARGE

"Your life is your message to the world. Make it inspiring . . . I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him."

→ Pythagoras

★ QUOTE

"The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter. A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child."

→ Mark Twain

Raising Godly Children (Mrs. Yinka Adeboye) 16-08-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

Christian Couples Fellowship (CCF)

Couple's Annual Retreat

@ Miango Rest Home (MRH), Miango,

Plateau State, Nigeria

16th August, 2015 (Day Four)

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE/PRAYER FOR COUPLES

* Speaker: Mrs. Yinka Adeboye

* Topic: Raising Godly Children

* Text: Psalm 127:1 →"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labour uselessly. Unless the LORD guards the city, its security forces keep watch uselessly."

* If you leave the aspect of the mercy of God out of your life, nothing will work.

* You can't leave God out of child upbringing

→ nothing will work regardless of the moral and academic principles that you employ outside God

* You cannot push the aspect of prayer aside when it comes to raising children.

→ You cannot raise godly children without prayer

* As you pray for your children, the power of God will transform them and they will become godly

* NOTE: This message is not only for those who have biological children:

→ God expects even mature Christian to have spiritual children (disciples)

→ If you are raising only biological children, then you are operating at less than your full God-given potential!

☆ Matthew 15:21-28

→ Note, that in the above passage, though it was the woman's daughter that was possessed, the woman asked Jesus to have mercy on her (as a parent) and she did not relent in making her request in spite of the discouragements she encountered

→ Jesus commended her faith on behalf of her daughter

* All that Jesus is looking for in a father or mother is faith, regardless of the state of their children

→ There is nothing that God's mercy and faith (in Him) cannot do

* What you say to your children is very important especially (when you are angry or disappointed with them)

→ Ensure that you speak positive words into their lives consistently

★ Proverbs 18:21 →"The power of the tongue is life and death— those who love to talk will eat what it produces."

 

⇒"Your words can kill or give life. They are either poison or life."

(the Massage translation)

* NOTE: What you say (to your children) is totally your choice & there are consequences

* Speak only positive words into the life of your children

★ SOME SCRIPTURES YOU CAN USE TO PRAY FOR YOUR CHILDREN:

☆ Luke 2:40 →"Meanwhile, the child continued to grow and to become strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor rested upon him."

☆ Luke 2:52 →"Meanwhile, Jesus kept on growing wiser and more mature, and in favor with God and his fellow man."

☆ 1 Samuel 2:26 →"And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men."

☆ 1 Samuel 3:19 →"And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground."

☆ Isaiah 8:18 →"Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion."

☆ Isaiah 54:13 →"And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children."

☆ Isaiah 11:1-2 →"And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD."

Journey off the Map (Vocation Bible School) (VBS) 2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki - Abuja, Nigeria

9th August, 2015

Rev. David Kwamkur 

SERMON

* Speaker: Rev. David Kwamkur

* Topic: Vocation Bible School (VBS) 2015

* VBS 2015 Theme: Journey off the Map

* Sub-theme: Growing in Love

* Service Leader: Dr. Mrs. Zipporah Kpamor

* Text: Isaiah 30:19-22

☆ Isaiah 30:21 → "And whether you turn to the right or turn to the left, your ears will hear a message behind you: “This is the way, walk in it.”

* Whether you realize it or not, life is a journey

* As Christians, we are not citizens of the world; we are only 'passing through' to Heaven, our ultimate destination

* There are many ways, but for us as Christians, there is only ONE WAY

* The most important thing (in communication) is not the "saying" aspect, but the "listening" aspect

* Many people have encountered serious problems in life because of their failure to listen properly

* Your ears are not merely for decoration

→ It was not a mistake that God created you with two ears and only one mouth!

* The act of hearing has nothing to do with the size of your ears

→ It has every thing to do with your listening ability

* To listen properly, you must be silent

* Meditating on God's Word is an excellent way to listen to what He has to say

* A guide is person that leads travelers or tourists through an unfamiliar location

→ If you know your destination, you will not need a guide

* As a traveler, you must rely on your guide and you must:

→ trust your guide

→ realize that you do not know your way

→ remember that you do not know more than your guide

☆NOTE: Jesus is our guide through our journey through the unfamiliar terrains of life

☆ Summary of the Week-Long VBS Teachings:

DAY 1 - Monday:

→ Jesus is our guide.

→ Your journey begins with Him if you accept Him as your Lord and Savior

DAY 2 - Tuesday:

→ Daniel chose to obey God no matter what

→ God wants you to follow Jesus no matter what, even when you don't understand it

DAY 3 - Wednesday:

→ Shedrack, Meshak & Abednego did not obey the King's ungodly orders

→ God wants you to obey our guide even in difficult circumstances

→ Jesus is your guide and you must trust in Him always

DAY 4 - Thursday (Stay on track):

→ This is the major problem for many Christians

→ Staying focused on the right track to the end is a personal choice

→ if you are in a race, no one will reward you if you derail from the stipulated approved tract

→ You must be consistent in your walk with God

→ Keep your focus on God no matter what happens in life

→ When you remove your eyes off Jesus, you will begin to sink

DAY 5 - Friday (Keep Watching)

→ Daniel received a vision of things to come

→ Jesus also revealed to us in His Word the things that we are to expect in the future

→ If you are not watching, you will miss out on the promises in God's Word

☆Matthew 26:41 → "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

☆ NOTE: Our journey is a part of a much bigger story. God gave Daniel a promise of things to come. God has promised to complete our journey with Him through life

* Many times, even when we are sure that Jesus is talking to us, we attempt to 'convince' Him that our own way or plan is the best

→ this is the source of our problems in life!

★ MY SERMON NOTES
@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)
LCC Hwolshe Ring-Road,
Plateau State, Jos
2nd August, 2015

YOUTH WEEK & DEDICATION OF YOUTH BAND ALBUM "KURSIYIN GAFARA"

★ SERMON
* Speaker: Pastor Sunday Daleng
* Topic: Growing Like Jesus in the 21st Century
* Theme: Growing up in Christ (Ephesians 4:15)
* Service Leader: Regina John
* Text: Luke 2:52  →"Meanwhile, Jesus kept on growing wiser and more mature, and in favor with God and his fellow man."

* To understand how to grow up like Jesus, you need to carefully study His life

★ 3 Steps of How Jesus Christ Grew Up:
1. Jesus knew and embraced His ldentity
→ The understanding of your true Identity paves the way for your growth

2. Jesus had passion for the father's business
→ You must also love what He loves

3. Jesus was obedient to His parents
→ Obedience is the key to gaining God's favor

* As young Christians, we need to connect to Jesus even in the 21st Century

* NOTE: Everything Jesus went through (in His time on earth) is still beneficial to your growth as a Christian

* Question: How do we grow like Jesus in an environment that is hostile to the Gospel of Christ and sin and evil are increasing astronomically?

* Jesus went through all he went through to show us how we should grow in Him
→ Though tines have changed, the basic principles remain the same

* Today people are attempting to redefine the values & principles that Jesus lived by while here on earth in order to suit their sinful and selfish tendencies

* Prevailing issues in the world today:
→ Growing acceptance for homosexuality and other peversions
→ Compromising Christians in the business place
→ Rising state of evil & wickedness
→ Everything in the economy seems to be crumbling
→ Unfaithfulness in marriages
→ The school systems (academic) do not recognize hard work
→ Domestic violence & oppression of women
→ Rising cases of divorce
→ etc

* NOTE: Most of the above listed issues also existed in Jesus' time

★ How Jesus dealt with the issues of His time:
1. You can keep growing like Jesus if you are focused on Him
☆ Matthew 22:15-22
→ There are people that are seeking to get you entangled & twisted and will try to place you in difficult circumstances
→ What do you do if you find yourself in tight situations that are complicated and inescapable?

* NOTE: Not every praise is good praise (Matthew 22:16)

→ You need to grow to a level where you are able to distinguish between true praise and an act of hypocrisy and temptation

* Whose image are you carrying? (Matthew 22:20)

→ If you must grow like Jesus, you must give to God what belongs to Him (Matthew 22:21)

* You cannot be in this world and grow like Jesus if you do not carry the image of God

* What makes you think you can make it in life without Jesus?

* If "they" tempted Jesus, be sure that "they" will do it to you too
→ They will always seek to entangle and tempt you

* Those used of the devil to entangle others usually take religious forms that you will not easily suspect
→ See: Matthew 22:15

* When others are doing wrong, will you also compromise?

* Whose image will you represent when you find yourself in difficult circumstances?

* You cannot afford to go the way you are going if you must grow like Christ
→ You must develop your own spiritual countenance and stop depending on your own human wisdom

2. Know, apply and use the Word of God
→ NOTE: In the world, your wisdom cannot help you. You need to operate by God's wisdom
* Matthew 4:1-4

* NOTE: even the man that is full of the Spirit of God can face temptations

* The first thing the devil does to destabilise your growth in Christ is to sow doubt in your heart regarding your identity

* Temptations usually come at your greatest moments of need, weakness and vulnerability

☆ Matthew 4:3 →"Then the tempter came. “Since you are the Son of God,” he said, “tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

* The temptation of food is one of the greatest avenues where you begin to degenerate
→ This is the cause of many corruptions, hoardings and sinful compromises among Christians

* God's Word should be your standard for life's decisions
→ What proceeds out of the month of God is all that you need to survive
(Matthew 4:4)

* What you need may not be another academic degree to sail through in life. You need God's Word

☆ Psalm 19:7 →"The Law of the LORD is perfect, restoring life. The testimony of the LORD is steadfast, making foolish people wise."

*NOTE: The Word of God makes you wise
→ The word of God is power!

* The Word of God is all you need to overcome EVERY challenge in life

* There is nothing that the Word of God cannot achieve

* NOTE: Just like fish cannot survive once taken out of water, a child of God cannot survive without God's Word!

* The Word of God is the most effective weapon you have against Satan

* You cannot afford to remain a child spiritually, because, sooner or latter, your instability will be obvious to everyone

* Today, there are so many misleading teachings regarding God's Words and many 'Christians' are falling victims to it
→ You can only distinguish false teachings when you grow (and mature) in the Word of God

5 Things to Note about Worship (Mr. Ellison Domkap) 02-08-2015

 

MY SERMON NOTES

WORSHIP SERVICE

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN),

Hwolshe Ring-Ring Road

Jos, Plateau State - Nigeria

2nd August, 2015

 

 

SERMON

* Speaker: Mr. Ellison Domkap

* Topic: 5 Things to Note about Worship 

1. The Role of the Church Leadership in Worship

→ Worship cannot be left in the hands of just a unit in the Church 

→ It is the duty of the whole Church

→ The Church should appoint those who will be in charge of Worship

 

* 1st Chronicles 25:1 → "Along with officers in his army, David consecrated to assist in service to the descendants of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun those who prophesy with lyres, harps, and cymbals."

* Church leaders and elders should not be spectators and leave worship to only young people

* 2 Chronicles 5:1-14

* Leadership should provide the needed support and atmosphere

2. The role of the worship team

→ The hearts of the worshipers should be connected to God as they worship

→ 2 Kings 3:14-15

* Worship is all about bringing the glory of God down

 

* Worshippers need to sanctify themselves at all times

 

* 2 Chronicles 5: 11-14 (Worship at the dedication of the Temple)

* Acts 16:25-26 (Paul and Silas worship in jail)

 

* Worshippers need to understand the prophetic dimension of worship

* People come with diverse problems and they need to access God's glory for solutions

* 1 Kings 8:6

* Worship is prophesy, not merly singing

* Worshippers need to dwell in the place of prayers

3. Response of Congregation to worship

→ Many people are familiar with worship and therefore, they take it for granted

* There were things that cannot happen unless there is worship

* When you come into the presence of God, do not be just a spectator. Be an active, spirit-filled worshipper

*2 Chronicles 20:13-14

* Worship is all about a whole family, Church and nation

* When you allow the spirit of God to take charge of worship, there will be great manifestation of the power of God  

 

4. Your worship must impact on your Community

→ It starts with your life

→ Worship is communicable: It affects people around you

* John 4:28-29

* when you are not pretending, you are transformed in worship

5. You must be disturbed if the glory of God departs

→ 1 Samuel 4:19-21

* If God had used you in time past,

* Are you still carrying God's presence or has God's presence left you?

* Your life must impact those around you

* 2 Kings 13:21 (Man resurrected by bones of Elisha)

* Even after you have left a group or a Church, your impact should still be felt, and ensure that you are connected to God's presence at all times