Jesus Believes in Prayer (Elder Yunana Malo) 17-01-2016

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki - Abuja

17th January, 2016 

 

☆ SERMON

* Speaker: Elder Yunana Malo

* Topic: Jesus Believes in Prayer

* Theme: Imitating Christ

* Sub-Theme: Imitating Christ in Prayer

* Service Leader: Elder Simon Bunshak

* Text: Matthew 21:18-22

★ 2 Chronicles 20:1-24

★ Matthew 6:5-13

* Prayer is the live-wire of every believer. It is the believer's primary source of spiritual strength

★ Genesis 2:17 →"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."

* Sin caused the critical part of man that relates to God to die

→ Your communion with God is affected every time sin is present in your life

* If you do not have God's Spirit, you cannot communicate with Him

* Jesus came to restore the lost relationship between man and God through the shedding of his blood

★ 1 Peter 1:23 →"For you have been born again, not by a seed that perishes but by one that cannot perish—by the living and everlasting word of God."

★ Isaiah 59:1-3 →"See, the LORD’s hand is not too short to save, nor are his ears too dull to hear. Instead, your iniquities have been barriers between you and your God, and your sins have concealed his face from you so that he won’t listen. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your tongue mutters wickedness."

* Sin hinders God from hearing your prayers

* Communication is very critical to our spiritual survival, welfare and warfare

→ You cannot afford to be cut off from your Central Command Centre as you engage in the battles and issues that life throws at you

* It is the nature of Jesus inside of you that energises you to pray in line with God's will

* In most cases, we do not listen to God's spirit

→ If you are sensitive in the Spirit, you will always sense His promptings to pray

* Laziness prevents believers from praying

* Through prayer, you are able to remove what is dirty in your life so that you are able to receive the nature of God

* Prayer enables us to have fellowship with God

* Whenever you encounter challenges on your way, always remember the promises of God

☆ Prayer entails:

(a) Asking (making petitions)

(b) Seeking (engaging God's word to find his will concerning an issue)

(c) Knocking (praying God's Word back to Him)

* You must remain consistent and persistent in prayer

* Jesus is our best model for prayer

* Jesus prayed:  

→ privately (Matthew 14:23)

→ publicly (Matthew 14:18-19)

→ all night (Matthew 14:23)

★ What is prayer?

"an address (as a petition) to God in Word or thought."

* NOTE: prayer does not only involve speaking words, but also thoughts.

→ That is why it is important to ensure your thoughts always glorify God;

→ Your thoughts are clear and echo powerfully in Heaven as your words!

 

★ Forms of Prayer:

1. Adoration (Psalm 144-150)

2. Confession (Psalm 51)

3. Thanksgiving (Psalm 75)

4. Conversation (Genesis 18:16-33)

* Christian prayer has been essentially been essentially petition in nature

* Your worries persist because you have not understood and unlocked the provisions of God through prayer

★ Benefits of Prayer

1. You recieve strenght

2. It builds your trust in God

→ It deepens your faith

3. You receive salvation

4. You obey God

5. You seek God's face

6. You recover all

7. You receive direction

8. Your character is transformed

9. You are able to overcome temptation

10. You recieive nourishment and encouragement

11. It prepares you for heaven

12. You receive ability to deal with situations

13. Deep secrets are revealed

14. Bondages, yokes, curses are broken

15. It transforms the weak into the strong

16. It restores the sick

17. It purges away your faults and guilt

18. It governs the rich

19. Upraises the fallen

20. It gives you access to God's presence

☆ Question:

→ Why are your prayers not heard by God?

* You must always ensure that you are connected to God so that your prayers will be heard

★ Romans 10:13 →''Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

* If the communication line between you and God is broken, you need to take deliberate steps to restore it today!

★ MISSION CHARGE

"I profess and claim to be by the grace of God a sound Christian and while there is breath in my body, I will speak forth and defend the law of it. I am ready to defend my convictions even unto death."

→ John Wycliffe

★ QUOTE

"Don't tiptoe into God's presence, trying to find the secret of attracting his attention. Just call home and say 'Hello father' and know that He loves you and loves to hear your voice. Pray."

→ Bill Hybels

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

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

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 

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

Holiness (Rev. John Longhor) 11- 10 -2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki - Abuja

11th October, 2015

☆ SERMON
* Speaker: Rev. John Longhor
* Topic: Holiness
* Theme: Growing up in Christ
* Sub-Theme: Wholistic Growth
* Service Leader: Elder Boniface Katlong
* Text: 1 Peter 1:16-18

★ Hebrews 12:10-14

* We serve a God that is Holy, in Him there is no darkness or impurity

* God created man to pursue holiness

* Believers are called to Holy living

* Only those who are Holy will see Him

★ Romans 1:18 → God was angry with man because of man's godlessness and consistent wicked lifestyle

★ Genesis 6:9 → God wiped the earth because of man's wickedness

* Today, many believers are falling into the trap of sexual sins. This has become a major problem in our society and the Church at large

* NOTE: Sexual sins polutes the entire body and makes you vulnerable to the control of evil spirits

★ 2 Timothy 3:1-2 →" You must realize, however, that in the last days difficult times will come' People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy."

★ Galatians 5:19-21 →''Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

* Sexual immoralty is listed as the first fruit of the flesh (which is in opposition to God's nature)

★ Hebrews 12:14 →''Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."

→ Those who will inherit God's kingdom are those who are holy & pure

* Question: Are you growing in Holiness?

* The Holy Spirit grants you the grace to be Holy

★ Colossians 1:2 → "To: The holy and faithful brothers in Colossae who are in union with the Messiah. May grace and peace from God our Father be yours!"

* The desire of those who are holy is to share in God's nature of holiness continually

★ Revelations 21:1-2 →" And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."

☆ NOTE: Heaven is a holy city, not a poluted city

* Your responsiblity is to live a holy life and avoid anything that grieves the Spirit of God

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

★ HOLY COMMUNION

☆ EXHORTATION

* Speaker: Pastor Victor Amos

* Topic: Divorce & Double Dating

* Text: Malachi 2:10-16

* Many children of God understand Him only is one part - as a loving God. We tend to forget that God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29) 

* A loving and obedient child will always obey God

* Today many Christians take the Lord for granted. This is evident in the rising incidences of divorces in the Church

* If the Church is not whole, what will happen to the Society?

* Those who engage in double dating are playing on the emotions of others and this is wickedness in the sight of God

* Before you make any commitment in a relationship or marriage, rely on the leading of the Holy Spirit

* Disobedience to God hinders His blessings in our lives

* You cannot take the Lord for granted. His consuming nature will destroy you

* Understand that divorce and double-dating are sins against the Lord

* God desires that you build and maintain godly relationships that will glorify Him

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

★ MISSION CHARGE

"All I have to do is keep my Spirit, feelings and conscience like a sheet of blank paper, and let the Spirit and power of God write upon it what He pleases. When He writes, I will read; but if I read before He writes, I am very likely to be wrong."

→ Brigham Young

★ QUOTES

"At the moment of commitment, the universe conspire to assist you . . . Always do more than is required of you."

→ George Patton

"Good works is the evidence of our growth in Christ. You cannot do good works and hate your brother."

→ Rev. Dr. Dachollom Datiri (COCIN President)



Cross-section of Worshippers at COCIN LCC, Garki, Abuja

Rev. Dr. Dachollom Datiri, COCIN President visited the Church in company of the entire Executive Council of COCIN

The Blood of the Martyrs (Pastor Victor Amos) 04-10-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES
@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)
Area 1, Garki - Abuja
4th October, 2015

☆ SERMON
* Speaker: Pastor Victor Amos
* Topic: The Blood of the Martyrs
* Theme: Growing up in Christ
* Sub-Theme: Wholistic Growth
* Service Leader: Mr. Japheth Chrysantus
* Text: Revelation 6:9-11; John 16:31-33

* WhoIistic growth is growth in Christ that is all-encompassing

* Eschatology deals with the study of future events that are recorded in the Scriptures (eg: the Book of Revelation)

* A martyr is a person who is killed because of his/her beliefs
→ the first martyr in the New Testament is Stephen (See Acts 7:54-60)
→ On a daily basis, people are dying due to the worsening state of security in the world. Many more are dying out of persecution because of their faith in Jesus Christ

* Persecution is to treat a person in a cruel or unfair manner because of their race or beliefs etc
→ Persecution is not only from outside the Church but also inside the Church! (Many faithful Christians were persecuted and Killed by Church authorities in the past, eg, John Wyclilfe (for translating the Bible into English) and John Hus

* John the Apostle who authored the book of Revelation was a direct victim of extreem persecution and later became a martyr.
→ He was exiled to the island of Patmos where criminals and outcasts were barnished and left to die
→ Revelation 1:9

☆ Lessons to learn:
1. God will avenge the blood of all those who are martyred because of Him
→ We should comfort ourselves because God will avenge us in due course
2. Anyone who dies in Christ will have power over the second death

* Sometimes, simply bearing a Christian name is enough reason to attract persecution

* What are you being persecuted for?

* Are people comfortable to commit sin around you?

* What is your essence of following Christ?

* Our persecutors have God to contend with
★ Acts 9:4-5 →" He dropped to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The voice said, “I’m Jesus, whom you are persecuting."

* NOTE: The Church is Christ himself, not the physical building that we see
→ Anything done to the Church (true believers in Christ) is personally felt by Jesus

* The last Judgement will be a blessing for Children of God, but for those who antagonise Christ and His people, It will be a dreadful experience

* Do not take vengeance against those who hate you because you believe in Jesus

* Some famous Christian Martyrs
→ John Wycliffe
→ John Hus
→ Polycarp

* Be strong and focussed in your faith, regardless of persecution and opposition

* This is not the time to abide in division in the Church and to advance other personal agenda, but to serve God faithfully and be alert

☆ MISSION CHARGE
"I profess and claim to be bythe grace of God a sound Christian and while there is breath in my body, I will speak forth and defend the law of it. I am ready to defend my convictions even unto death."
→ John Wycliffe

☆ QUOTE
"I desire to be as Balaam's ass. Because the prelates sit on me, wishing to force me to go against the command of God to stop preaching. I will press the feet of their desire and will not obey them, for the angel of the Lord stands before me in the way,"
→ John Hus

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