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

Old Minds Can't Hold New Blessings (Rev. Mrs Christy Ngasony) 26-04-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Jesus Revelation Assembly (JRA)

Tudun Wada Ring-Road,

Jos - Plateau State

26th April, 2015

JRA WOMENS' CONVENTION 2015

Theme: Excelling Through Every Season of a Woman's Life

SERMON

* Speaker: Rev. Mrs Christy Ngasony (International Praise Church, Yola)

* Topic: Old Minds Can't Hold New Blessings

* Text: Matthew 9:15-17 (NLT)



Rev. Mrs. Christy Ngasony

* When God wants to change your season, He first changes your pattern of thought

* What you think determines what you get

* As children of God, we face different kinds of 'examinations' in life

* The content of your mind determines your victory, blessings and prosperity

* Your mind is a very powerful tool

* Women that love fashion take new cloth to tailors and ask them to sew it for them

→ If they like the design on an old dress, they take it and use it as a sample

→ They don't sew the new cloth on the old one!

* The bottle (wineskin) is you:

→ the inside space is your mind

★ 2 Corinthians 5:17 → "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, new things have come."

* The tradition of men makes the Word of God unproductive

→ Mark 7:8

→ Colossians 2:8

* Many people (including Christians) exalt traditional & cultural beliefs above the Word of God

* The word of God can never be productive if your mind is feeding on negative things

* Until your mind is renewed with God's Word, the season of breakthrough that you desire will always elude you

★ 1 Corinthians 13:5

→ Keeping a records of wrongs in a relationship is a sign of the existence of 'old wineskin'

→ Love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8)

* What you have in your mind can either limit you or cause you to breakthrough into prosperity

* What you hear and see matters a lot

→ Watch what you feed your mind on

* A man who does not have regard for women will always be limited in life - He will not go far!

* You must do your best to keep a clean mind towards every one you meet in life

* Even body that comes through your 'road' comes for a reason or for a season

* When your season comes, God can orchestrate events to usher in your season

* It takes just a Word from God to change your season for the better, and you can't tell who God will use to bring that Word

* God can use anybody to change your season

* Anytime you come to Church, don't come with a prejudiced mind (towards the person preaching)

* Many people come to Church for different reasons, not because they want to hear from God

→ Some people just come to socialize with their friends; some come to display their skills & be recognised, etc.; not to 'meet' God

* God knows why you meet with people

* When you are filled with bitterness, pride, hate, dislike, etc. your season for change will come and pass you by (without you recognising it)

* You cannot be blessed if you are not happy with the one God sent to bless you

* An old wineskin will always break because of pressure

→ It cannot stand the test of time

* You must understand times and Seasons

→ (See: 1 Chronicles 12:32)

* Words carry power!

→ Women: Be careful with what you say to your husband; Don't force your husband to also hate those you hate

* God is not a respecter of persons

(See: Acts 10:34 and Romans 2:11)

* God's leadership style is different from those adopted by men

* It is not about how long, but about how committed and loyal you are (to God and to those whom God has set over you)

* Disloyal people never go far in life

* Your key to breakthrough is through faithful and loyal service

* Loyal people never expose the weakness of their leader

* Note: You can't buy favor

* Be careful with what you say about others (in gossip) - it can rob you of your blessings

* whatever you are going through in service, it is only a matter of time; you will experience breakthrough

* Seek opportunities to serve in your local Church

* Whatever you do in secret, one day, it will surely show up in the public (See: Luke 8:17 and 12:2)

* The spirit of covetousness limits and destroys many Christians

* Live a life of forgiveness

* Learn to love the even the unlovable

* When you receive a Servant of God that He has set over you, you receive covering, because a Word from Him will change your Season for the better

* The day a leader gets a good prophet, things change for good

* Unfortunately, there are so many covetous 'Prophets' that are misleading our (political) leaders today

→ They 'corner' them for the advancement of their own selfish ambition

* God Knows why He Kept you in that 'fold'

★ John 6:5-7

★ Matthew 26:8-11

→ There are people who are always critical of the giving of others and are saddened when they see Ministers of the Gospel looking good and prospering

* The motive you do things would either make you prosper or limit your chances of growth

* If you are a member of a Church, giving to the Church can never be too much; It is your investment

* You can't be blessed if you are always possessed with a critical spirit

* Your season will change if you begin to do the right thing

* It is high time for Christians to the right things

→ If you are budgeting also take cognisance of your tithes, offerings and gifts to those who need help around you

* Always ensure that your mind is renewed with God's Word → (see: Romans 12:2)

* When the opportunity to engage in gossip presents itself to you, your response determines whether you will prosper or not

→ Shun gossip and backbiting

 

☆ NOTE: Unless You open your eyes to see and do what God wants you to do, you will remain in one place

 




Cross - section of Jesus Revelation Assembly (JRA) women in song ministration  

 







Men Growing in Christ (Evangelist Bedima Gonzwak) 22-03-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki-Abuja

→ Mens' Fellowship Day

22nd March, 2015

SERMON

* Topic: Men Growing in Christ

* Speaker: Evangelist Bedima Gonzwak

* Theme: Growing Up in Christ

* Sub-Theme: Intentional Growth

* Service Leader: Mr. Danlami Jelka

 



Evangelist Bedima Gonzwak



 ★ Text: Ephesians 5:18-20

 

* It is impossible for anyone to grow without the enablement of the Spirit of God

* You must understand the role of the Holy Spirit in spiritual growth

* You must understand the Holy Spirit and His role the Church today

* Anyone who is drunk with wine is controlled by wine and anyone filled with the Spirit of God is controlled by the Spirit

* You cannot be controlled by the Spirit of God and be controlled by sin at the same time

* You cannot afford to allow yourself to be ruled by any ungodly influence as a believer in Jesus Christ

→ You are destined for dominion, not oppression

* There are people who are controlled by gold (money and the things money can buy) not by the Spirit of God

* NOTE: On earth, people exalt gold and place it above themselves, but in Heaven, the Streets are made of gold and are trampled underfoot

* The deliverance you need in your life is so that 'gold' will be under your feet and God will be in control of your life

* The Holy spirit has not only come to give you help in times of need, but to be in charge (to take full control) of your life

* The Church in Ephesus was one of the most powerful and efficient churches in the Testament (Acts 19).

→ They evangelized the whole of Asia for Christ and there were manifestations of the power of God. But Paul encouraged them to be filed with the Holy Spirit

★ Revelations 4:5 →"And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God."

* The Seven torches/lamps of fire burning before the throne of God are the 7 (seven) dimensions of the Spirit of God

* The 7 (seven) dimensions of the Spirit of God are listed in Isaiah 11:1-2 and they include:

1. Wisdom

2. Understanding

3. Counsel

4. Might

5. Knowledge

6. The fear of the Lord

7. Judgement

* NOTE: The 24 Spiritual gifts revealed in the Scriptures can be compressed into these 7 (seven) dimensions if the Spirit of God

* NOTE: Jesus delighted in the fear of the Lord

→ But, the Nigerian Church to a large extent delights in the manifestation of power (prophesies & miracles)

* It is an abomination for us as believers to take delight in anything that Jesus is not delighted in.

* The fear of the Lord is the empowerment that will take you to heaven

* When you fear the Lord, you will not only know the Holy Spirit as a gift, but as a person!

* The usage of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to believers in Jesus Christ for the promotion of the fear of the Lord in our lives

1. Faith

2. Hope

3. Love (fear of the Lord)

★ 1 Corinthians 13:13

★ Matthew 7:21 →"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

* In the kingdom of God, there are things that are 'major' and some that are 'minor'.

→ The devil is well aware of this fact and he would prefer you to major on the minors

→ there are people that operate in spiritual gifts with great effects and impact, but are not recognized by God

* Many Christians 'major' in great spiritual gifts, but are lacking in godly character

→ God looks at your character

* The fear of the Lord will:

(a) deliver you from living in sin

(b) deliver Nigeria from corruption and other vices

(c) help you to live in obedience to God consistently

* How to know that you are filled with the Spirit of God (Ephesians 5:18)

1. You will have a 'singing heart' regardless of what you experience in life

2. You will always give thanks to God

→ Thanksgiving delivers you from grumbling

3. You will always submit to lawful authority

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

* Many Christians are not sure of making it to heaven because they have allowed sin to thrive in their lives

* As a Christian, you must be serious about dealing with the issue of sin and removing every trace of it from your life

* Don't allow sin to take you down ...

→ deal with it (before it deals with you)


★ MISSION CHARGE

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall . . . the only man who never make mistakes is the man who never does anything"

→ Anonymous

★ QUOTES

"I shall pass through this life but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness. Let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall never pass this way again"

→ Etienne de Grellet 

 

Picture credit: Mr. Gideon Bewas

 

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

Use Your Spiritual Gifts (Rev. David Kwamkur) 14-09-2014

MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Holy Communion Service

14th September, 2014

* Speaker: Rev. David Kwamkur

* Topic: Use Your Spiritual Gifts

* Text: Romans 12:4-8

* Note: One person is not a 'Church'

* The Church is a corporate entity made up of Separate individuals

* Everybody is expected to utilize his/her gifts in order to edify the body

* There is no single believer without a spiritual gift...

* As a believer, you don't have to ask for spiritual gifts . . . They are freely invested in you by the Holy Spirit

* Your responsibility is to discover and utilize Your gifts

* Opportunities to serve the Church are good avenues to discover your spiritual gifts

 * It is not a Crime not to have the type of gift that someone else possesses

* Your spiritual gift is given to you based on what God has purposed you to do

* If you do not use your gift, the Church will suffer and God Will hold you responsible for that lapse

★ My Additional Thoughts:

→ When you refuse to utilize your God-given gifts and talents, God will one day hold you accountable

→ God will always raise other people to fill up the vaccum you created by failing to use your spiritual gifts for the advancement of God's kingdom on earth, the benefit of other believers, and the edification of the Church

* NOTE: You are important to God, but you are not indispensable

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

Dangers of Pride (Reverend Maxwell Dayok) 12-11-2000

★MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN)

(Now Church of Christ in Nations)

Hwolshe, Gigiring, Jos

Plateau State, Nigeria

12th November, 2000

SERMON

* Speaker: Reverend Maxwell Dayok

* Topic: Dangers of Pride

* Theme: Jesus Christ & Mission

* Since we as a Church are not praying, the devil has occupied us with himself

* The prayerless Christian is at the mercy of Satan

* If you are not filled and empowered by the spirit of God, then you are filled, empowered and controlled by the devil

* There is no neutral ground in spirituality - either you are with Christ, or with Satan

* Everyone filled, empowered and controlled by God's Spirit manifests the fruits of the spirit of God

* When you are not filled with the Spirit of God and yon think you are, then there is danger

* One of the dangers of prayerlessness is that pride comes in

* Many Christians consider themselves as giants, and are filled with pride, but inside, they are empty

* God opposes those who are proud

★ Isaiah 29:13

★ Matthew 15:8-9

★ Proverbs 12:22

* You need to adjust yourself and who you are in reality

* Come back to God and humble yourself and ask God to help you

★ Proverbs 8:13

* Some Christians, instead of hating evil, plan and encourage evil to God's disgrace

→ If you fear God, you'll hate evil

★ Proverbs 11:2

* Unless you understand this, you'll soon be disgraced

* Stop thinking you are big, and humble yourself before the Lord

★ Proverbs 13:10

* Pride only breeds querells but wisdom is found in those who take advise

* Begin to think of yourself as nothing

★ Proverbs 16:18

★ Proverbs 29:23

* Pride is a demoter

* There is nothing that you have that has not been given to you by God

* The reason why you are growing in pride is because you are not praying much - you have become powerless; flesh becomes prominent in all you do and tradition surpasses the things of God (the Christian tradition)

The Use of Spiritual Gifts 09-11-1997

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN)

(Now Church of Christ in Nations)

Gigiring, Hwolshe, Jos

Plateau State-Nigeria

9th November, 1997

SERMON

* Speaker: [No data]

* Topic: The Use of Spiritual Gifts

* Text: Romans 12:1 →"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

* The only way you can judge whether a Church is growing is by the way spiritual gifts are being used by members

* The use of spiritual gifts depends on one's personal/intimate relationship with God

* Spiritual gifts should not be used to test "spirituality" over others

★ How is one Supposed to Relate to God?

* Relate with God in intimacy through personal study of the word of God

* Spiritual gifts cannot be used in isolation, but through contact with other believers

* You must regulate (through humility) the use of the gift given to you by God in order to avoid pride

* You must offer Every member of your body to the service of God

* God is a God of mercy, that is why He has lavished us with several spiritual gifts

★ 1st Corinthians 6:20 →"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

* You need to surrender your mind and affection to God

* Your relationship with God can be affected by sin if you do not surrender the whole of your body to God

* The Holy Spirit cannot be effective in a body used for sin

★ Romans 12:2 →"Do not be conformed to this world, but continuously be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God’s will is—what is proper, pleasing, and perfect."

★ Psalm 119:9-10 →"How can a young man keep his behaviour pure? By guarding it in accordance with your word. I have sought you with all of my heart; do not let me drift away from your commands."

★ Romans 12:3-6

* Paul expressed concern for the (stunted) growth of the Church in relation to the world's standards

* You must come to terms with the Holy Spirit, if not, you cannot be effective in utilizing your spiritual gifts

* Christians are supposed to relate effectively with God

★ Romans 13:14 → "Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, and do not obey your flesh and its desires."