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

Evangelistic Mindset (Rev. J. E. Dakom) 29-11-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

CC Nyanya, LCC Nyanya, RCC Karu,

Abuja - Nigeria

29th November, 2015

Annual Thanksgiving for 

Gindiri Old Students Association (GOSA)

Rev. J. E. Dakom

☆ SERMON

* Speaker: Rev. J. E. Dakom

* Topic: Evangelistic Mindset

* Theme: Growing up in Christ

* Sub-Theme: Benefits of Growing in Christ

* Service Leader: Mr. Walbe

* Text: 2 Kings 7:9 →"But then they told each other, “We’re not doing the right thing. This is a day of good news, but if we keep quiet until morning, we’re sure to be punished! So let’s leave and go tell the king’s household!”

★ Luke 13:5-9

* Illustration: Story of a woman who died saving a child that is not her's from a river. 

* The risks of engaging in evangelism: 

→ Time

→ Death 

→ Opposition 

→ Finances

* We serve a God that is an Evangelistic being

* Genesis 2:25 →"Even though both the man and his wife were naked, they were not ashamed about it."

→ God's glory was the covering of both the man and the woman

* Genesis 3:6-11 (The fall of man)

→ Sin separated man from God

* NOTE: Nothing you do can cover the shame of sin

* Sin is dangerous: 

→ It destroys man's relationship with God

→ It removes God's cover over the life of a man

★ Genesis 3:21 →"The LORD God fashioned garments from animal skins for Adam and his wife, and clothed them."

* No matter how expensive your physical clothes are, they cannot cover the shame of sin

* When God covers your sin, He does it permanently and gloriously

* Your shame cannot be covered by your material possessions, your secular or religious position

★ Genesis 6:1 →"When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them" 

* Man cannot save himself. Only God can do that

* God is a God of mission

→ He came seeking man even though they hare rejected him and turned their backs against Him

★ Romans 13:14 → "Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh."

* Today, Jesus takes the place of the garment that God used to cover the shame of Adam and Eve

★ Romans 3:23, 26

* Romans 8:1 →  "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"

* Only Christ can give you rest

* If you are not connected to Jesus, you are living in shame, regardless of your political, social, academic or religious position

* Romans 1:16 →  "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."

* The power of God that can bring true change is found in the Gospel of Christ

* Only those who evangelize will find rest at the feet of the Lord

→ they will shine as stars (Daniel 12:3)

* We cannot bring change through our human wisdom or carnal weapons, but only through the Gospel of Christ

* Jesus gave himself up for the Gospel of Salvation

* It is Jesus that gives true transformation and change

★ John 8:11 →"No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you,"Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

* The center of the Gospel is the Cross of Christ

→ If the cross is removed from the Gospel, it becomes useless

* Sinners must find grace in the Gospel that we preach

→ We must not scare people away

* The Gospel is a good news and it must remain so towards Sinners.

→ It is not a message of judgement and condemnation

★ Luke 5:31 → "Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." 

★ Luke 15:7 → "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

★  John 21:15-17

* How much does it cost you to bring a lost soul to Jesus?

→ It can cost you your life! 

* Every day you have a task to preach the Gospel to everyone around you

* If you refuse to evangelize, punishment will come on you

* Question: What is making you feel ashamed of the Gospel of Christ?

→ Jesus can transform your life

→ Jesus can never refuse to accept you

* Question: Are you mission minded in everything you do?

★ 2 Timothy 4:2 → "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction."

A Cross-Section of GOSA Abuja Branch Members singing the GOSA Anthem 

Joint Heirs to the Kingdom of God (Dr. Patrick Dakum) 26-11-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

Christian Couples Fellowship (CCF),

End of Year Combined Fellowship,

Abuja Zone,

@ Mungo-Park Garden, off Gimbiya Crescent, Area 11,

FCT - Abuja, Nigeria

26th November, 2015

☆ EXHORTATION

* Speaker: Dr. Patrick Dakum

* Topic: Joint Heirs to the Kingdom of God

* Text: 1 Peter 3:1-7

* NOTE: Yourself and your wife are joint heirs of the Kingdom of God

* This means that you both have a responsibility to uphold each other spiritually

 

* You would not be happy if you see your spouse in hell

* The problem that couples face is a global one

* At the point you become married, you have become one

→ NOTE: Becoming one is a process because marriage involves two different people that must adjust to each other

* If you have to properly adjust to each other, you must be able to understand each other, complement each other and uphold each other

* A man must take his place and discharge responsibility as the Priest & provider of the home

* A wife must comport herself in such a manner that her life is attractive to God

* Wives: learn to trust God for the change that you want to see in your husband

→ Place emphasis on developing inner beauty

* Wives: If you want your husband to treat as a queen, you must treat Him as a King

→ You must not disrespect Him [Esther 1:9-18]

* Husbands: You must treat your wife with consideration

* Violence against women is one of the worse things that a man can ever do!

→ A Christian man must never disrespect a woman by beating and oppressing her

* NOTE: Your wife is not your servant or your cook.

→ She is your partner and a helpmate

* You must not use your wife in a harsh way, but you must help her and treat her with

★ Joel 2:28 → "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions."

→ The same spirit that is in you is the same spirit that your wife has

★ Assignment: Evaluate your family:

1. How has this year being?

2. Have we been able to achieve our goals for this year?

3. What are the goals we want to achieve next year?

4. What are your spiritual plans for the family?

5. Do you have any plans for academic advancement?

→ Do not go into the next year accidentally without a plan.

* NOTE: Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance

Fight the good Fight of Faith (Pastor 'Lola Owotumi) 25-11-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

25th November, 2015

LEADER'S PRAYER MEETING

Speaker: Pastor 'Lola Owotumi

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

Text: 1 Timothy 6:11-12 →"But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."

★ Proverbs 24:6 →"For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety."

* You need counsel from the word of God in order to fight the good fight of faith

* Comfort, guidance and healing comes from God's word

★ Proverbs 24:10 →"If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small."

* You must never lose sight of why you are fighting

* Lord, grant me intimate Knowledge of your counsel

Fight the good Fight of Faith (9) (Pastor 'Lola Owotumi) 25-11-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

25th November, 2015

Speaker: Pastor 'Lola Owotumi

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

Text: 1 Timothy 1:13 →"I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession" .[KJV]

* As a Christian, whether you realise it or not, you are faced with a battle

* What is your confession?

→ I am a casualty?

→ I am a victor?

* We are fighting against:

1. Self

2. Sin

3. Satan

* You must arm yourself with the confession of life → that the Lord is good

★ Nahum 1:7 →"The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him." [KJV]

* If you must be victorious in the battle of faith, you must realize that the Lord is good

* On your own you have no power over self, sin or Satan

★ 1st Corinthians 9:25-26 →"And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air." [KJV]

* You must be temperate in all things

* Must be certain in the victory you want to win

* If you can win the battle over self, you can win other battles presented before you

* You must be determined to keep self under control and subjection

* Sometimes if you are fighting the good fight of faith, we will be wounded but there is healing & comfort in our God!

☆ 2 Corinthians 7:4-6→ "My boldness of speech [is] great toward you; my glorying on your behalf [is] much. I have been filled with comfort, I am overflowing with joy on all our trouble. 5  For, indeed, coming into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but being troubled in every way, [with] fightings [on the] outside, and fears [on the] inside. 6  But He who comforts the lowly comforted us by the coming of Titus." [MKJV] 

Giving is an Result of Grace (Rev. Markus M. Musa) 22-11-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES
@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)
LCC Ungwan Paul Gindiri,
Tudun Wada, Jos
Plateau State
22nd November, 2015

RETIREMENT SERVICE IN HONONR OF REV. EPHRAIM HAGGAI

SERMON
* Speaker: Rev. Markus M. Musa
* Topic: Giving is a Result of Grace
* Text: 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
* Theme: Growing up in Christ (Ephesians 4:15)
* Service Leader: Rev. Gideon Kannap

* Paul wanted the Corinthian believers to know the unusual way by which the grace of God was demonstrated through the Macedonian Church by which they excelled in giving

* If there is no generous giving in the Church, that congregation should grieve And morn because they lack the special grace of giving that is vested through the Holy Spirit

* Many people do not give, not because there is no money, but because they have not given the Holy Spirit His due place in their lives

* God's grace enables you to give generously and cheerfully

* Multiply grace and distribute it

* The policies of the Roman Government had impoverished the people of Macedonia
→ Many believers were persecuted
→ The source of living of many people were confiscated by the Roman Government

* In spite of their peculiar disadvantage they excelled in the grace of giving

* What was the secret of the Macedonian Church?
→ the Holy Spirit in their hearts
→ they gave themselves to the Lord (verse 5): We did not expect that! They gave themselves to the Lord first and then to us, since this was God’s will.

* A person who gives himself to the Lord does not hesitate when he is required to give for the sake of the Gospel of Christ

* Question:
→ Have you surrendered yourself to the Lord?
→ Are you totally submited to your spiritual leaders?

* Only the power of the Holy Spirit can empower a man to give beyond his (natural) ability

* Many people have been blinded by the things of the world that they do not realize that they lack the Holy Spirit in their lives

* The example of the Macedonian Church:
1. Total commitment to the Lord
2. Unconditional submission to Church leadership

* One of the biggest problems of the Church today is a widespread lack of commitment to God and to spiritual leaders

* The Church must place more emphasis on [disciplining] believers to become more like Christ

* Discipleship is the best way to keep Satan and the flesh at bay

* You need to examine yourself to see whether you are still in the faith

* Believers are interested in seeing practical Biblical living in their spiritual leaders

* Every Minister of the Gospel must work as if he/she has only one day to live.
→ The time is short and we need b be faithful

Fight the good Fight (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 18-11-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES
@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,
Central Business District,
Garki - Abuja
18th November, 2015

Leader's Prayer Meeting

Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu
Topic: Prevailing by faith (Fight the good Fight) 

Text: 1 Timothy 1:18 -19→"Timothy, my child, I am instructing you in keeping with the prophecies made earlier about you, so that by following them you may continue to fight the good fight with faith and a good conscience. By ignoring their consciences, some people have destroyed their faith like a wrecked ship."

* Faith in God is very important for all of human endeavour

* Galatians 5:6 →"for in union with the Messiah Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision matters. What matters is faith expressed through love." (ISV)

* The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love

* As a child of God,  you are expected to pursue faith.
→ Do not keep your eyes on people
→ People will fail you

* Those who walk by faith in life experience an unexplainable joy

* Fixing your eyes on people will not promote the fight of faith

* You must have desires that:
→ promote the Kingdom of God
→ have eternal value

* Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6)

* 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."