Growing in Forgiveness (Rev. Chrysantus John Bala) 20-09-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES
@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)
Area 1, Garki - Abuja
20th September, 2015

☆ SERMON
* Speaker: Rev. Chrysantus John Bala
* Topic: Growing in Forgiveness
* Theme: Growing up in Christ
* Sub-Theme: Growing in Love
* Service Leader: Mrs. Patience Jelka
* Text: 1 Corinthians 13:5-7

* What does it mean to grow in forgiveness?
→ it is a progressive commitment to abide in the act of forgiveness & letting go of offences

*QUOTE: “The first to apologize is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. And the first to forget is the happiest.” > Unknown

* Verse 5: "Love does not keep record of wrongs."

* When you don't record every single wrong done by others against you, it is easy to let go

* Forgiveness is not only about others, it is about your own spiritual growth & wellbeing

* Love and forgiveness can never be separated; they work hand in hand

★ Matthew 18:21-22 →"Then Peter came up and asked him, “Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I have to forgive him? Seven times?” Jesus told him, “I tell you, not just seven times, but 77 times!"

* Jesus was teaching Peter that forgiveness has no limit and no specific break-point number

* For there to be harmony between you and others, you must be ready to forgive

★ John 13:1 →"Now before the Passover Festival, Jesus realized that his hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end."

* Jesus is our perfect model for love-based forgiveness
→ He loved till the very end!

* Are you ready to love others to the very end?
→ If you are truly following the footsteps of Jesus, then you must be ready to accomodate wrong

* Forgiving others is a precondition for obtaining forgiveness from God

* Many marriages have crumbled due to the incidence of unforgiveness

★ Matthew 5:23-24 →" So if you are presenting your gift at the altar and remember there that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and first go and be reconciled to your brother. Then come and offer your gift."

* Acts of love and forgiveness are preferred by God above sacrifices
→ Sacrifices offered with wrath in your heart are not acceptable!

* NOTE: Jesus did not count your sins against you; why should you hold other people's wrongs against them and refuse to Iet go?

* As a believer, you must be ready to forgive those who injure you and accomodate every wrong done to you

★ MISSION CHARGE:
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do. Hate cannot drive out hale; only love can do."
→ Martin Luther King Jr.

★ QUOTE:
"Nothing builds intimacy between people like words of love and appreciation . . . Love expressed draws people together."
→ Bob Gass

Growing in Patience (Mr. Simon Bunshak) 13-09-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES
@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)
Area 1, Garki - Abuja
13th September, 2015

☆ SERMON
* Speaker: Elder Simon Bunshak
* Topic: Growing in Patience
* Theme: Growing up in Christ
* Sub-Theme: Growing in Love
* Service Leader: Mrs. Adeline Fompun
* Text: 1 Corinthians 13:3-5 →"Even if I give away everything that I have and sacrifice myself, but have no love, I gain nothing. Love is always patient; love is always kind; love is never envious or arrogant with pride. Nor is she conceited, and she is never rude; she never thinks just of herself or ever gets annoyed. She never is resentful."

* Patience is a virtue that is rare and difficult to possess

* Patience is something that will grow if God plants it in you

* Patience is listed first in the qualities that love can produce (that is the fruits of the Spirit)

☆ Importance of Patience:
* Patience serves as an outward proof of love
→ without love, it is virtually impossible to be patient

* Patience springs out from the abundance of the deposit of the love that is in your heart

* If you love anyone, you will be patient with that person

* When you love God, you will be patient and confident in his will and timing

★ Galatians 5:22-23

* The Bible did not tell us anywhere that patience will be easy

* Quote: "Teach us to be patient, for to wait is more difficult than to work."
→ Peter Marshal

* To carry the cross of Christ is not easy, even for matured believers

* Patience is important
→ It is an outward sign that we are living in love

* Patience is the suffering of afflictions with a kind of calm disposition or temper which bears without discontent or discouragement

* Patience is not really easy

* Every day, your patience will be tried & tested

* When you love God and those around you, you will find reasons to bear their burdens and show love

* Patience is an active endurance of opposition; not a passive resignation in the face of challenges

* If you have the Spirit of Christ in you, you will find it easy to imbibe a patient disposition

* Who initiates patience?
→ It is the virtue of God
→ God initiates it himseIf because love is his attribute

★ Exodus 34: 6-7
→ NOTE: God's love lasts a thousand generations; but His wrath is limited in scope!

★ 2 Thessalonians 3:5 →"And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ."

→ The love of God in you will direct you to the patience of Christ

* If you love God, the the virtue of patience will flow out of your heart naturally

* Patience is aimed at transforming you from the life of sinfulness to a life of righteousness

* When you love God, you are kept away from sin

* Usually, sin is as a result of impatience

* Patience that springs forth the love of God enables you to love those around you, including your enemy!
★ Jonah 4:2 →"So he prayed to the LORD, “LORD, isn’t this what I said while I was still in my home country? That’s why I fled previously to Tarshish, because I knew you’re a compassionate God, slow to anger, overflowing with gracious love, and reluctant to send trouble."

* Love demands that you pray for your enemies and pray for those who hate you (See: Mathew 5:44)

* God's virtue of love is what makes Him to be patient with sinners even at the instance of the worst provocation!
★ 2 Thessalonians 3:5 →"May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the endurance of the Messiah."

* We must emulate God as the perfect example of patience and love

★ 2 Chronicles 7:14 →"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

* Jesus manifested love and patience by going to the cross

* patience demands that you remain humble, even when you have the opportunity to display your power

* Sometimes patience demands that you keep quiet in to face of extreem provocation

★ 1 Timothy 1:16 →"But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the worst sinner, the Messiah Jesus might demonstrate all of his patience as an example for those who would believe in him for eternal life.''

* Jesus displayed patience by not counting our sins against us

* Regardless of the kind of life you might have lived in the past, note that God is patient with you and is ready to accept you

* Jesus was patient with his disciples (even when they displayed spiritual immaturity, lack of faith, etc.)

* Some people take pride in their ability to be impatient

* Christians must practice patience here on earth by following the example of Christ
→ There will be no opportunity in heaven to display the fruits of the spirit!

* Your level of patience shows your level of spiritual maturity

* Sometimes the manner of impatient driving on Abuja roads makes one wonder if there are any Christians in the city!

* People filled with the love and wisdom of God overlook offences and they sacrifice their comfort and rights for the benefit of others

* Colossians 3:12-14

★ Consequences of impatience:
☆ 1 Samuel 13:8-14

1. It causes you to loose the favor of God
→ when you are not patient for God's timing, you will loose your blessings
→ Saul lost his Kingdom

2. You run the risk of being disqualified, discontent and disgruntled

3. It makes us not to thank God (ingratitude)

4. It causes lawlessness

5. It makes you pessimistic about life (you see a haIf-empty cup instead of a half-filled cup)

★ How to develop the right kind of Patience:
1. You have to stay focused on your ultimate goal (that is, conforming to the image of Christ)
→ You should focus your mind on the promise of Christ's coming
(James 5:7-8)

2. You have to think before you act
→ fools rush in where angels fear to tread
☆ Proverbs 15:1-2 →"A gentle response diverts anger, but a harsh statement incites fury. The wise speak, presenting knowledge appropriately, but fools spout foolishnes."

3. You have to look for Ways to give your time and resources to others
→ NOTE: Impatience is rooted in selfishness
☆ EccIesiastes 7:8 →"The conclusion of something is better than its beginning, and a patient attitude is more valuable than a proud one.''

4. You have to work out your conflicts with others
→ Do not allow conflicts and disagreements to linger or fester for a long period of time
→ Romans 12:18 →"If possible, so far as it depends on you, live in peace with all people."

5. You need to walk closely with Christ and learn from His example

* when you develop the patience of Christ, nothing can make you impatient

* One clearly noticeable quality of a believer is patience!

★ 2 Thessalonians 3:5 →"May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the endurance of the Messiah."

★Conclusion
* Patience will not guarantee that your challenges will go away. It only makes the act of waiting more bearable

* The blessing's of patience are not necessarily outward, but are spiritual and emotional

☆ Questions:
→ What is your position today?
→ do you still live a life of impatience?

* NOTE: Christ can help you overcome the tendency to be impatient


☆ MISSION CHARGE
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do."
→ Martin Luther King Jr.

☆ QUOTE
"Nothing builds intimacy between people like words of love and appreciation . . . Love expressed draws people together."
→ Bob Gass

★ MY SERMON NOTES
@ The Capital Assembly (TCA)
Plot 600, off Independence Avenue,
Beside Bolingo Hotel,
Central Business District,
Abuja → Nigeria
30th August, 2015

FOUNDER'S DAY CELEBRATION

SERMON
* Speaker: Pastor Femi Adun
* Topic: A Season of Increased Favour
* Text: Luke 2:52 →" Meanwhile, Jesus kept on growing wiser and more mature, and in favour with God and his fellow man."

* Everything that the Scripture reveals to you should be your eternal pursuit

* What you have in your hand determines your reach

★ Proverbs 8: (the benefits of wisdom)
→ Jesus possessed wisdom for a reason

* If Jesus had wisdom and favor (with both God and men), It means that they are critical for your existence & prosperity today

☆ Why did Jesus need to increase in favour?

★ Psalm 89:17 →"For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.

* NOTE: the horn symbolises strenght and capacity
→ You need all this to be all that God says you will be

* what you will be is not determined by the economy of your nation
→ it is determined by whether or not you possess wisdom and favour

* In the battle for destiny, the enemy you need to defeat is that of false identity
→ Satan leveraged on false identity to cause the fall of Man
(See: Genesis 3:5-7)

* The greatest battle is that people face today is the battle of false identity

* Luke 4:1-13 (The temptation of Jesus)
→ Satan tried to tempt Jesus by confusing Him with a false identity
→ Today, many people (including Christians) are falling into Satan's trap because they want to attain some 'false' identity as presented by Satan

* You cannot base your value on what you are presently going through

* The prosperity of a child of God is not based on facts:
→ it is determined by the favour of God

* There is nothing like a self-made man, only "helped-made men"
→ Every man is a product of help

* NOTE: Even Jesus benefited from the favour of both God and men!

* Facts (that is, the reality of things 'on ground') only increase the possibility for miracles; but they do not determine the outcome of your life!

* Your qualification is not based on 'what is on ground, but on God's favour

* What is on ground does not matter:
→ look away from what is on ground or how long its been on ground

* Genesis 39:1-6
→ Favour can re-write your-story

* What is written becomes a fact:
→but favour can re-write it.

* The favour of God can speak on your behalf regardless of what you are experiencing

* When the favour of God locates you, it changes your story, and makes it sweet

* Exodus 3:19-21
(God's plan for restoration)
→ When you encounter favour, you will not go away empty handed

* Unfruitful toiling is not a package of the Kingdom you are a part of
→ Galatians 3:13-14 (Jesus has delivered us from every curse)

* Favour translates your toil to blessing

* When God's favour locates you, you will not need to toil fruitlessly any more

→ When Jesus steps into your boat the ushers you into favour
(see: Luke 5:1-7)

* Favour can enable you to catch what you cannot catch by yourself

* Favour can end your season of fruitless toil

* Favour will bring you into the place of divine abundance and prosperity

* The power of God can deliver you (from curses), but it is the favour of God that brings you into the wealthy place

* The favour of the Lord will help you accomplish great things

★ What happens when God shows you favour?
☆ See: Leviticus 26:9

(a) You will be fruitful
(b) You will experience multiplication

★ Exodus 34:10 →"And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee."

* God's favor makes the impossible possible

* Esther experienced all-round favour and she was promoted to the rank of Queen: (See: Esther 2:15-17)
* Among all equals, favor sets you apart
→ NOTE: Before Esther's interview, she found favor before the king's eunuch, Hegai (Esther 2:15)
→ there are people that you need to find favor before for you to move ahead

* Nehemiah's testimony→ Nehemiah 2:18 →"Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work."

☆ It is time to begin to base your expectations on the favor of God not on the facts of life

* When the hand of God comes upon you, it will cause a change of status in your life

☆ Acts 12:10 →"They passed the first guard, then the second, and came to the iron gate that led into the city. It opened by itself for them, and they went outside and proceeded one block when the angel suddenly left him."
→ When you encounter the favor of God, doors will open to you of their own accord

☆ Three things you need for you to experience God's favor:

1. Obedience
→ when God gives you any instruction, do not analyze it. Just obey!
* See: Luke 5:4 →"When he had finished speaking, he told Simon, “Push out into deep water, and lower your nets for a catch.”

2. Keep seeking the favour of God
→ do not waste your the seeking the hand of man without seeking God's favor first

3. Generosity
→ Be a gift to humanity and the body of Christ
→ Go all the way for others;
→ Ensure that you spend all your calling, spend all your money, spend all your talent, without asking for anything in return
→ Use everything in you to be a blessing to those around you
→ You cannot get to where God wants to take you unless you are willing to be generous & sacrificial
→ Be generous in your worship
→ Never get to a level in life where you cannot do anything (sacrificially) for God

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★ Words of Wisdom from Bishop Bob Alonge

* Your motives give birth to your actions

* As a Pastor, people will respond more to what you do, not what you say; because people are influenced more by your example, rather than you instructions

* Help people to know that the blessings of God upon the lives of those who love & obey Him is real

* If you want something that not everybody has, you have to do something that not everybody does