Be strong in the Lord (Rev. Christopher Nosike) 08-10-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

Funeral of Late Alfred Mwantok

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

LCC Duhur, Kombun,

Mangu Local Government Council,

Plateau State,

8th October, 2015

Rev. Christopher Nosike

SERMON

* Speaker: Rev. Christopher Nosike (of Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, (AVMCC))

* Topic: Be strong in the Lord

* Text: Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

★ John 14:6 →"Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

* The world would want to show you 'ways' and not 'way'

* NOTE: If you are in Christ, there is only one way!

★ Luke 16:19-31

* You must always live with the consciousness that hell is real, and Heaven is real

* Question: Are you taking care of your 'Lazarus'?

→ They are needy people around you and you have responsibilities toward them

* Your life must be lived in a way that you impact others

* You might live a good life, but if you are not making a positive impact in the lives of those around you, then you are not living optimally to God's glory

★ Proverbs 28:27 →"Whoever gives to the poor will never lack, but whoever shuts his eyes to their poverty will be cursed."

* If you are not giving to the poor, you are living under a curse

★ Isaiah 38:3 →"Please, LORD,” he said, “Remember how I have walked before you faithfully and with a true heart, and I have done what pleases you.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly."

→ NOTE: If you are a good child of God, you can challenge Him and hold Him to His Words

* You cannot live in disobedience and still claim the benefit of His promises

* When you live by faith in God you will receive answers to prayers

★ 2 Corinthians 5:17 →"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

★ Galatians 2:20 →"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

* You have been sent to the world to represent Christ & make disciples for Him

* Question: Are you truly a disciple of Christ?

→ If you are not a disciple of Christ and you attempt to handle God's Word, Satan and His agents will disgrace you

* Acts 19:14-16

★ Question:

→ who are you in Christ?

→ are you a child of God?

→ are you taking care of your Lazarus?

★ Revelation 22:12 →"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."

* You must be ready for your day of death. It may come suddenly and without warning

* You must utilize every opportunity to live a life that is God-honoring

* Christ has assured us that He is coming very soon

* lf there is anything you can do for Christ, do it while you have the chance

★ Revelations 3:20 →"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."

* Ensure that you live a Holy life and that you are a person of integrity

★ Call to action: Give your life to Christ today. Tomorrow might be too late

★ Ecclesiastes 12:13 →'' Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

A cross-section of sympatizers at the funeral service

Late Mr. Alfred Mwantok

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

Help us to Help them (Rev. David Kwamkur) 24-05-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki - Abuja, Nigeria

24th May, 2015

★ WIDOWS, ORPHANS &

VULNERABLE CHILDREN WEEK

 

Rev. David Kwamkur

★ SERMON

* Speaker: Rev. David Kwamkur

* Topic: Help us to Help them

* Theme: Growing up in Christ

* Sub-Theme: Add to your Faith

* Service Leader: Mrs. Jessica Adams

* Text: Matthew 9:35-38

★ Psalm 10:17-18 → "LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress."

* God does not want anyone to be alone (Genesis 2:18)

* The major problem that widows, widowers, orphans and vulnerable children face in life is the issue of loneliness

* The loss of the breadwinner puts a lot of pressure on the surviving members of the family

* Jesus Saw 3 things (in Matthew 9:36):

(a) He saw the crowd

(b) He saw their condition

(c) He saw the reason for the suffering (there was no shepherd to take care of them)

* NOTE: Jesus did not only stop at pity, he had compassion on the crowd (by meeting their needs)

→(see: Matthew 9:35)

* Every genuine Church should meet the needs of people as much as it can

→ Many Church organise evangelism programmes & embark on expensive projects but they do not care for people's welfare

* NOTE: people don't care About how much you know, unless the know how much you care!

* There is no way to engage in genuine evangelism and not 'see' the needs of the people you are ministering to

* Any time God sees anyone in need, His heart is moved

* God desires that His people should be concerned about the condition of widows, orphans and vulnerable children in the Church and society

* Many people do not even want to imagine what being a widow, orphan or widower entaiIs

* The major problem is not death, but the unforeseen circumstances that death throws people into when it suddenly occurs

* Imagine going through life without the presence of loved ones around you . . .

→ Things are not usually the same after their untimely exit

* Sometimes widows, widowers, orphans and vulnerable children wish that someone will understand what they are going through

* Widows usually suffer rejection and are stripped of their husband's assets and put under a lot of pressure and unpleasant circumstances

→ Unfortunately, even their so called Christian relatives and friends are involved in this evil, instead of protecting them

* Most widows, widowers, orphans and vulnerable children are:

→ Physically abused

→ Financially defrauded

→ Spiritually neglected

→ Nutritionally malnourished

→ Emotionally harrassed

* Many people (including some Christians) maltreat these set of people

★ Why do we have widows, widowers, orphans and vulnerable children in our midst?

1. Widows:

* The sudden untimely death of a husband is the loss of the breadwinner and it is a serious thing

2. Vulnerable Children:

* In our society today, children are being raised by other children because parents are too busy to invest in quality parenting

* Busy parents procure the services of other children (househelps) to raise and take care of their children while they pursue material things

* If parents do not take care of their own children, there will be more vulnerable children in the society

★ What is the Way out?

→ God is the answer and the Church is the channel!

* The Church is the primary means of support for widows, orphans and vulnerable children

★ James 1:27 → ''A religion that is pure and stainless according to God the Father is this: to take care of orphans and widows who are suffering, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."

* NOTE: The care & help you render to widows, widowers, orphans and vulnerable children determines whether or not you are truly a godly person (this is the ultimate test).

* Do you care whether widows, widowers, orphans and vulnerable children:

→ eat decent meals everyday?

→ have clothes to wear?

→ are protected from oppression?

→ are able to acquire basic education?

→ are reached with the Gospel of Christ?

→ have access to basic medical care?

* Caring for widows, widowers, orphans and vulnerable children is a command from God

→ It is not an option

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

★ PASTOR'S CORNER

God's heart is greatly moved by the plight of widows, orphans and vulnerable children. Most of us cannot imagine going though a day without food, clean water, shelter, education or the presence of loved ones.

Most often, the widows, orphans and vulnerable children experience loneliness, hunger, insecurity, rejection, discrimination, anxiety, depression, suppression, distress, discouragement, injustice etc.

God is the answer and the Church is the means by which He will change The lives of widows, orphans and vulnerable children. Because God cares for those in need. He wants His children to care for them as well.

 

★ MISSION CHARGE

"We are all in life potential widows and widowers. Be mindful of what you do and the way you treat those with that status today. You might as well receive the same treatment soonest."

→ Pastor Victor T. Amos

★ QUOTE

"What most people need to learn in life is how to lone people and use things instead of using people and loving things."

→ Annonymous

It is Finished (Rev. David Kwamkur) 03-04-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki - Abuja, Nigeria

Easter Friday

3rd April, 2015

SERMON

* Speaker: Rev. David Kwamkur

* Topic: It is Finished

* Text: John 19:28-30

* Question: Why do people die?

→ You must know why people are born

→ The same reason why people die is the reason why they live

→ Every person is born with a specific purpose

* As believers in Christ, we must realize that we are merely ambassadors on this earth. At the end of our 'Diplomatic Mission', we will return back to Heaven, our home country

* On earth, people who have material possessions made of gold always brag about it, but in heaven, gold is trampled underfoot on the streets (Revelation 21:21)

* Note: Heaven is far better than even the most beautiful part of the earth!

* Why does God not rapture a person the moment he or she becomes born again?

* The same reason why Jesus came to the earth is the same reason why God leaves believers to walk and work on the earth!

* Question: Was Jesus happy knowing that He Was about to face a terrible death?

→ Ordinarily, people fear the prospect of dying and dread it with all their heart

* Jesus' death was a death with a difference!

→ Yes, Jesus was happy to die for your sins because that is the will of His Father

* Question: is Jesus still happy that he died?

→ By continuing to live in sin, you show that you do not appreciate the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, and this displeases him

* Jesus prayed for (and still desires) the unity of the Church

→ John 17:11

* If a person dies, he or she is eulogised on a tombstone, remembering what the person lived for

→ If you die today, what do you want to be remembered for?

★ 2 Timothy 4:7 - "I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith."

* Before the Lord returns, the gospel must be preached to the whole world

(Matthew 24:14)

* The 2nd coming of Jesus is dependent on the work and efforts of believers (reaching the unreached and those in darkness)

* Just like a good father would not want anything bad to happen to his children, Jesus preferred to die in the place of his children, the believers

* John 10:10b → Jesus came to give us abundant life

* The purpose of Jesus' coming is to bring salvation

→ He knew the will of God for His life and He was determined to fulfil it

* though It was not easy to fulfil God's will, yet Jesus obeyed and endured till the very end, even to death

* The miracle in the death of Christ is more spectacular than his resurrection

☆ The Significance of the death of Jesus:

1. It marks the end of the era of agony and ushers us into the period of triumphant victory

2. It marks the end of bondage from sin

3. It marks the end of the era of fear, and ushers in the era of peace and victory

4. It marks the end of the era of Law and the beginning of the era of grace

* The purpose of Jesus' coming is to bring salvation to mankind

* Jesus left us on earth to:

1. Preach the Gospel of Salvation

→ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 →"But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation."

2. To be a blessing to others

3. To bring rebels back to Christ

→ Anyone who does not accept Christ is a rebel

* The work of spreading the gospel is not only for Pastors but it is the duty of every believer

* If you cannot go (out to preach the gospel), then, send someone

* life is very short. Stop waiting and start doing something (about what God has called you to do)

* Death is sure, either you die, or the person you were sent to dies

* You should have an urgent disposition towards preaching the gospel

* There are many people who are ready to hear the Good news

* Do not be discouraged by those who do not accept the gospel

* Remember as you preach, that you are not responsible for ensuring that people repent and turn to Christ. Your duty is just to TELL them the good news; the Holy Spirit will do the rest

QUOTE

* "The value of your life does not depend on the money in your bank account or the degrees you have, but on the relationship you have with Jesus Christ"

→ Rev. David Kwamkur

Prayer Meeting (Pastor John Kayode Abiodun) 27-02-2015

NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Abuja, Nigeria

Prayer Meeting

27th February, 2015

* Speaker: Pastor John Kayode Abiodun

* Text: John 10:10 →"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

→ Jesus has came to recover and restore what the devil has stolen and destroyed  

* Jesus has come to give life where Satan has caused death and destruction

→ 'Death' means separation (physically or spiritually)

→ The most serious death is spiritual death (separation from God)

* The devil has come to destroy, but Jesus has came to restore everything that was destroyed

* 1st John 3:8 →"He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."

→ Perpetual bondage is the cause of sin

* John 11:25 →"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."

PRAYER

Psalm 69:1 - 15

Verse 6: → Lord, take away reproach from me  

Verse 14: → Deliver me from sinking  

Verse15 → Let me not be swallowed up by the deep

God with us (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 27-01-2015

NDlC/DMO Chapel

Central Business District,

Garki, Abuja - Nigeria

 

* Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu  

* Topic: God with us

* 27th January, 2015

★ WHY JESUS CAME

* John 10:10 →"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

* Jesus came to give us life

- What is life?

- What kind of life?

1. Life is the force, energy & power of being

- Anyone that lacks that Cannot be said to be alive

2. life Is the opposite of death/perishing

- It is the Cessation of destruction & death

* John 5:24 →"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."

* NOTE: The cessation of death and decay can only be through Jesus

3. The life that Jesus gives is eternal

* Genesis 3:22 →" And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever."

* Eternal life Was deprived Adam & Eve because of their sins

* John 17:3 → "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

* Many people today are holding on to Something that is false and will not give them eternal life - they will be disappointed in the end

* Every soul will live eternally (both Saints & Sinners)

* The Kind of eternal life Jesus is speaking about & offering is not one of duration, but one of quality and bliss

4. This eternal life is found only in Christ. No one else.

*1st John 1:2 →" (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)"

* John 1:4-5 →"In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."

* There is no two-way about It: outside Christ, there is no life

★ PRAYER:

"I want this eternal life;

Give me your eternal life;

let nothing deprive me of it"

Finding Genuine Rest (Rev. Dr. Pandam Yamsat) 30-08-2013

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

LCC Pushit, Mangu LGA,

Plateau State, Nigeria

30th August, 2013

Funeral Service of Mrs. Rauta Haggai

(My Paternal Grand Mother)

*Speaker: Rev. Dr. Pandam Yamsat

* Topic: Finding Genuine Rest

*Text: Revelation 14:6-13

* When someone dies, you should also think of your own day of death

* Two great things that God brought into the world - work and rest

* Rest is very important (physically, bodily and spirituality)

* When you work without resting, you will get sick

* Good doctors encourage their patients to take time to rest

* Sleeping pills are not always the best solution to rest

* Genuine rest is dependent upon genuine work

* Work is not a curse. It is a blessing. When we work, we are aligning with God in the development of His world

* The world is suffering today because Men are engaged in selfish work

* There is no rest where there is no genuine work

* There is great blessing in genuine work

* You are the product of someone's genuine work

*Verse 6: The Gospel is the primary work that God expects you to do

* The Gospel is eternal! It will stand the test of time

* The Gospel the angel declared: "Fear God, Worship God"  - We are called to worship God and Honour Him

* When you recognize God's sovereignty, you will not rest. You will fear God and Honour Him

* God created you with the ability to fend for yourself

* Brain is money. Your ideas are given for your enrichment. When you have ideas, money will come

* Many are poor because they refuse to work with their God given ideas

* Verse 8-10: Rest of mind and the spirit is not gotten through sin

* Seek genuine prosperity through genuine work

* It doesn't take a rich man to raise rich and prosperous children. It takes a man who fears God

* Rest is not gotten through ill-gotten riches

* Sin robs you of rest

* GENUINE work involves sweat

* Challenges and trials and pressures are good for helping you stay on track

* Pray, work, think

* The problem of Nigerian Christians is that they do not want to pray, work and think. They are mentally and spiritually lazy

* Verse 11: If you do not work, you will not rest

* Those who work and die in the Lord will find rest

* Works are not enough, character is important

* Character cannot be separated from you. It will accompany you everywhere you go

* Without good character, you cannot do genuine works

* You will take your character with you to eternity

* No one who does not work will ever find genuine rest

* Begin to work and God will give you rest

* Do everything to God's glory

* Train your children in character, in faith, to appreciate hardwork and you will find rest

The Spirit of God and Character 31-08-1997

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki -Abuja, Nigeria

31st August, 1997

SERMON

* Speaker: [No Data]

* Topic: The Spirit of God and Character

* Text: Isaiah 54:6-8

* Charisma opens the door; Character keeps it open

★ 1st Corinthians 16:9 →"For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries."

* Sin is an adversary

* Sin kills dreams and visions

★ 1st Corinthians 15:56 →"The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law."

* The anti-venom of sir is repentance

★ 1st Corinthians 15:33 → "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners."

★ 1st Corinthians 15:36 → "Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:"

* watch what you see, hear and talk

* Ways of wickedness defile the mind of the Christian, his body and soul

* Unless you die to your will, the will of God cannot be done in your life