The Power in Fellowship (3) (Mr. Johnson Amadi) 19-07-2017

★ MY SERMON NOTES 

NDIC/DMO Chapel 

Central Business District,

Abuja, Nigeria 

19th July, 2017  

* Speaker: Mr. Johnson Amadi 

* Topic: The Power in Fellowship (3)

* Text: Hebrews 10:24-25 → "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

* There are some 'believers' who are in the habit of staying away from fellowship

→  this should not be so 

→ they should be encouraged to be joined together with other believers in fellowship

* Some stay away for many reasons, including the fact that they are not appreciated for their contributions

* NOTE: Every thing Jesus did was in the interest of the public (Acts 10:38), yet He was persecuted and crucified! 

→ this did not deter Him from fulfilling His destiny

* You must not emulate those who stay away

★ Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 →"Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labour.  For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.  Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

* There is strength in uniting with others

* There is a limit to what one person can achieve 

→ When there is collaboration, fruitfulness is multiplied geometrically

* Do not allow your denominational affiliation or personal sentiments to prevent you from fellowshiping with other believers

Faithfulness to the Local Church (Pastor Bunmi Ladipo) 15-02-2015

SUNDAY SERVICE

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Hospital Chapel, National Hospital,

Central Business District,

Abuja, Nigeria

15th February, 2015

SERMON

* Topic: Faithfulness to the Local Church

* Speaker: Pastor Bunmi Ladipo

* The Common connotation people use for 'Church' is: "a group of Christians" or an association of believers in Jesus Christ

* The term 'Christian' was first mentioned in the Bible in Acts 11:26

☆ NOTE: Jesus himself never used the term "Christian" during his earthly Ministry to refer to His followers or disciples

* The original plan of God was for the believers in Jesus to live as a "community of light" in the dark world. He never intended for them to become 'religions' individuals fragmented into various isolated denominations

*Matthew 16:13-19

→ The Church is the gate of Heaven!

→ The Church is the place where men get access to the power of God

* The "Universal Church" is the community of ALL BELIEVERS in Jesus Christ, regardless of denominational affiliations, doctrinal beliefs or modes of worship

→ Jesus is the rallying point (of the Universal Church). He is the center of reference. He unites everything and everyone that belongs to "the Church"!

* The "Universal Church" transcends the common (mis)understanding of the Church as a building reserved for the religious worship of Christians

* One of the distinguishing characteristics of the "Universal Church" is that it is INVISIBLE. It cannot be seen with physical eyes

★ 2nd Timothy 2:19 → "However, God’s solid foundation still stands. It has this inscription on it: “The Lord knows those who belong to him,” and “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from evil.”

* The members of the "Universal Church" are known only to God.

* Many (religious) Christians will be surprised on the judgment day when they see those whom God accepts as His own, while many of them are rejected and turned away

* The 9 (nine) Characteristics of the "Universal Church" are listed in Hebrews 12:22-24

★ Matthew 18:15-20

→ Christians must always learn to settle their differences & internal disputes without hurting the unity of the Church, thereby undermining the potency of the blood of Jesus

* Note: In the two instances the term "Church" was used in the Bible by Jesus, He gaves it authority to operate with supernatural power

→ Matthew 16:18

→ Matthew 18:17

* The minimum number (of persons) that can "form a Church" is two (2).

→ Matthew 18:19

* You must belong to a local Church before you can access the power that was promised by Jesus to the Church

* NOTE: the authority of Heaven (and earth) lies with the Church

* You cannot isolate yourself for any reason (as a believer) and still claim to be part of the community of believers (the Church)

* God's plan is for the local Church to be "territorial", and not "denominational". Thus, we find references to phrases is the Bible such as:

→ "the Church which was in Jerusalem" (Acts 4:22)

→ "the Church that was at Antioch" (Acts 13:1)

→ "the Church that is in their house" (Romans 16:5)

→ "the Churches of Galatia" (1st Corinthians 16:1)

→ "The Churches of Asia" (1st Corinthians 16:19)

→ etc.

* The purpose of God is that wherever the believers gather, they should take charge of that territory spiritually

→ Anyone who controls the spiritual realm also controls the physical territory!

* The Church is a community of different people with different backgrounds, beliefs, personalities, expectations and outlook:

⇒ We can be divided on opinions and doctrines, but as long as Jesus Christ is concerned, we MUST be united

* If the Church is united and in charge spiritually, it cannot be contradicted or undermined by any person, authority or power!

* Over time, the Church has lost its potency, and evil in our society has become entrenched, defying "the Church"

* Today, the Church has become divided along doctrinal lines and has become carnal and ineffective in meeting up with God's expectations

* The Church is meant to take charge of territories for Jesus, and not to be isolated/divided

* Christians are meant to always live together in unity and operate in the power of Jesus wherever they are found

→ Acts 4:32-34

* Satan knows that if he succeeds in dividing the Church, he can make it lose its power and place of authority

* The more fragmented, the Church is, the less potent and efficient it becomes

* Today, the Church and its Ministers have lost the respect of "the world" and have become an object of ridicule and political manipulation

* The major characteristic of the local Church is relationship (among believers)

☆ Marks of the Local Church:

1. "Ecclesia" → This is a Greek term which means "the assembly" of called out ones.

→ We were called by God to fellowship with his Son, Jesus our Lord (1st Corinthians 1:9)

* 1st John 1:1-3

→ The fellowship in a local assembly is a fellowship with Jesus Christ Himself

→ In other words, members of the Universal Church do not glorify any building, thing, doctrine or person above Jesus Christ!

2. "Koinonia" → This Greek term means "comminuion & joint participation."

→ It identifies the idealized state of relationship, fellowship and unity that should exist within the body of Christ (the Church).

* As we share together (as believers in Jesus), His blood becomes potent and that potency liberates us from the shackles of sin and the dark powers of Satan

☆ What the Church stands for:

★ Colossians 2:18-19

→ The Church grows together as one body in Jesus

★ Ephesians 4:1-16

* The Local Church is a place where every one is FUNCTIONAL - we are inter-dependent

→ As a believer in Jesus, you have a role to perform in advancing the Kingdom of God on earth, through the Church

* Note: in the human body, no part/ organ is inferior or less useful.

→ Similarly, Every believer is important and should be functional in the Church

* You have the responsibility to maintain the bond of peace (as a believer in Jesus)

* Things that must never be found in the Church:

→ envy, malice, fights, offences, backbiting, jealousy, gossip, sectionalism, unhealthy competition, grudges, etc

* It is unfortunate that many 'Christians' are ignorant of the mode of operation of Satan, and they offer themselves willingly to be used to undermine the unity of the body of Christ and disstabilise it for their own selfish purposes

* The Church of God does not operate by partiality or favoritism

→ The Church is the pillar of truth

 

                        ****************************

★ Quotes & Bits During the Service:

" When you serve God faithfully, He will take you to heights that you never imagined."

→ Dr. Jaff Momoh,

Chief Medical Director (CMD), National Hospital Abuja

★ Psalm 72:7

Home Management (Rev. David Kwamkur) 28-09-2014

SUNDAY SERVICE
★ MY SERMON NOTES
@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)
Area 1, Garki-Abuja, Nigeria
28th September, 2014

* Speaker: Rev. David Kwamkur
* Topic: Home Management
* COCIN Community Development Project (CCDP)/Kyautatawa Zaman Iyalin Kristi (KZIK) Week
* Theme: Knowing the Will of God
* Sub theme: Excelling in the Grace of Giving
* Service Leader: Mr. Boniface Katlong

SERMON
* Without a Home, you cannot have Home Management

* Anywhere you are living with your family is your home

* A home is any institution or place of refuge, love, shelter, care, rest, protection, security, comfort, & nourishment

* A Christian home is a place where everyone relates with each other in a Christ-like manner

* You must know Christ first before you know how to relate in a Christ-like manner

* In order to relate in a Christ-like manner, there must be Love

* A Christ-like relationship is self-less

* The home is very essential to the existence of the Church

★ HOME ESTABLISHMENT
* Marriage is essential in establishing a viable home

* Usually, marriage begins with courtship

* Courtship is a key foundation of a marriage. It is a crucial period

★ COUNSELLING
* This involves getting guidance on any issue from a more experienced person

* Marriage is not just an idea, it is a living thing and you need Knowledge & godly counsel to keep it alive

★ WEDDING AND WEDDING CEREMONY
* Make up your mind from the start that you will keep your vows

* As a Christian, the wedding ceremony must be done in a godly way, not as one who is god-less

★ BALANCE
* For you to be godly Man/Woman, you must have a measure of balance in your life

* You must balance your social life, spiritual life with your marriage

* Balance career with marriage

* Balance inner beauty with physical beauty

* Take your marriage as seriously as you would take your career

★ THE INFLUENCE OF CULTURAL VALUES ON MARRIAGE
* Some cultural beliefs are contrary to God's standards

* Under God's standard, men and women are equal and they are required to submit to each other out of fear for God
→ (Ephesians 5:21)

★ PRAYER
* You must be prayerful as a Christian

* Instead of talking about your problems, pray about it
→ Luke 18:1 "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."

* Every shortcoming in your spouse, or family is a prayer request

* Every Christian family must have a vibrant prayer altar where worship and prayer become ingrained as part of the family tradition

* Children Must learn how to pray and trust God from the Home

★ BROKEN HOMES
⇒ Some causes of broken marriages
1. Wrong choices
2. Parental, friends, in-laws (external) influence
3. lack of genuine love among couples
4. Communication breakdown
5. Sexual unfaithfulness
6. Stinginess - couples starve their partners

★ COMPLEX ISSUES IN HOME MANAGEMENT
* Some of the Complex issues that confront Christian families include:
→ Impotency
→ Infertility
→ Divorce
→ Management of aged relatives
→ Betrayal among family members

* These must be handled with wisdom, if not, they have the potential of causing disaffection among couples and breaking up the marriage

* There is nothing that God cannot do
→ Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing shall be impossible."

★ THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHIILDREN TOWARDS PARENTS
* Children must obey their parents

* Children must take care of their parents, especially where they are aged, sick or poor

* Children must trust God for wisdom in handling unrealistic expectations from parents

★ HANDLING CONFLICTS AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS
* Acts 15:36-41

* Conflicts must be managed & resolved so that they do not affect family harmony

* Conflicts are usually a test

* We are expected to be peace makers as children of God

* A healthy & godly family is a product of hardwork and positive decision

Watch Out for False Prophets (Rev. S. Andrew) 25-05-2014

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki - Abuja, Nigeria

25th May, 2014

★ SERMON:

*Speaker: Rev. S. Andrew (Pastor, COCIN Kubwa, Abuja)

* Topic: Watch Out for False Prophets

* Theme: Knowing the Will of God

* Text: Matthew 7:14 → "How narrow is the gate and how constricted is the road that leads to life, and there aren’t many people who find it!”

* Matthew 24:3-8 → "While Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things take place, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered them, “See to it that no one deceives you, because many will come in my name and say, ‘I’m the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many people. You’ll hear of wars and rumors of wars. See to it that you aren’t alarmed. These things must take place, but the end hasn’t come yet, because nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are only the beginning of the birth pains.”

* A false prophet is one who speaks prophesies that are not from God

*How to know false Prophets

1. Do their predictions come true?

2. Are their predictions consistent with God's word?

3 . Where does their massage come from?

4. What is the substance of the massage

5. What is the benefit to be derived from the massage?

* Counterfeit believers always follow and tolerate false Prophets

*2nd Peter 2:1-3 →" Now there were false prophets among the people, just as there also will be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves.Many people will follow their immoral ways, and because of them the way of truth will be maligned. In their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words. The ancient verdict against them is still in force, and their destruction is not delayed."

* Characteristics of False Prophets:

(a) false Prophets always try to pressure you into doing things you would ordinarily not do

(b) they use guilt to manipulate people

(c) they generalize all issues (they speak ambitiously)

(d) they have fake holiness

(e) they use various gimicks to attract people to themselves and their "Churches"

(f) they use personal power to convince people, instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to bring conviction

(g) they will continue to repeat things over and over again (the use mind control techniques on their audience)

(h) They have traces of materialism in their conduct (this may be evident in their choice of clothes, buildings, friends, insatiable desire for luxury living, etc)

(i) they come in sheep clothing but they are actually wolves (only with spiritual eyes can you discern them)

★ Matthew 7:15 → “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are savage wolves."

* The wolf is the greatest enemy of sheep

* Wolves are very deceptive

 

★ Matthew 24:4 → "Jesus answered them, “See to it that no one deceives you."

★ 2nd Peter 2:1 → " Now there were false prophets among the people, just as there also will be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves."

* Whether we realize it or not, there will always be false prophets amongst us disguised as genuine Men of God

* NOTE: There is no totally 'pure' Church on this side of heaven. Not every body that comes to Church is a true believer in Christ. The Church will be perfected when we are finally raptured into the presence of the Lord

* Satan is a counterfeit

* False Prophets know what you desire in life and they will try to exploit your sentiments using biblical Justification (used wrongly)

* They are tricksters

* They make emphasis on messages of increase and prosperity, ignoring or relegating other equally important doctrines of Scripture

* In every meeting, they demand for money (directly or indirectly)

* They live in luxury while most of their members/followers live in abject poverty

★1st Timothy 4:1→ "Now the Spirit says clearly that in the last times some people will abandon the faith by following deceitful spirits, the teachings of demons."

★1st Kings 18:20-21 → "Ahab sent for the Israelis and brought the prophets together at Mount Carmel, where Elijah approached all the people and asked them, “How long will you keep hesitating between both sides? If the LORD is God, go after him. If Baal, go after him.” But the people didn’t say a word."

* Food, power & authority are the main areas of temptation for most people, including Christians

* It is greed that makes people subsceptible to false teachings

* The antidote for falling prey to false prophets is to know God for yourself

* False prophets see and treat the Church as a commercial business

* When you fully yeild and submit to the Holy Spirit, no one will lead you astray and decieve you

★ Romans 7:13-25

* Do not allow yourself to be mastered by any false teaching

* You must invest in knowing God's word for yourself and having a solid personal relationship with Jesus