Heroine of Faith: Rahab (Pastor Yakubu Yola) 30-07-2017

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Family Worship Centre (FWC)

Wuye, Abuja 

2nd Sunday Service     

30th July, 2017

Picture credit: FWC Media

☆ SERMON: 

* Speaker: Pastor Yakubu Yola 

* Topic: Heroine of Faith (Rahab) 

* Text: Joshua 2:1-14

★ Hebrews 11:30-31

★ James 2:24-26

☆ Facts about the City of Jericho: 

→ Jericho was a part of the land of Canaan (which was promised to the children of Israel) 

→ It was the gateway into Canaan

→ It was a metropolitan city that engaged in a lot of commercial activity and attracted many visitors   

→ It was full of evil practices and idolatry

☆ Facts about Rahab: 

* Rahab was a prostitute in the city of Jericho

* Her house was built into the city wall and also served as a brothel

* The spies sent by Joshua lodged in Rahab's house 

* She lived in a busy house in a busy city

* She lived in an evil house in an evil city

* If Rahab could be counted as a heroine of faith, then you have hope!

→ NOTE: No situation is too bad for God to turn around

★ Ecclesiastes 9:4 → "For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion." (KJV)

☆ Reasons why the Spies Chose to Go to Rahab's House: 

→ Rahab's house was strategically located in the wall of the city. This helped them escape without being detected; 

→ Many travellers visited her house. It was virtually impossible to be detected;  

☆ How Was It Possible for Rahab to Develop Faith in God considering her location, profession and background? 

→ NOTE: God did not show her any supernatural sign like he did for Moses, Gideon or Mary the mother of Jesus.  

★ Joshua 2:9-11

→ All it took for Rahab to have faith in God was that she HEARD of God's wonders through third-party accounts  

* There is no greater prescription for contacting faith than what the Bible provides - faith comes by hearing. 

★ Romans 10:17 →"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

* Rahab's knowledge of God was meagre but she acted on it!

→ Some Christians were born into godly homes and have access to God's Word but their lives remain un-transformed

* NOTE: Whatever you hear affects the level of your faith - positively or negatively   

* Unless you defeat your 'Jericho', you cannot enter your promised land 

* 'Jericho' may represent a negative mindset or attitude, a setback, a challenge, or a physical enemy, etc.   

★ Joshua 6:1 →"Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in." 

→ As fortified as Jericho was, its inhabitants HEARD about the Children of Israel! 

* NOTE: The devil is afraid of you!  

→ You must realise that the devil knows about your exploits and he is fortifying his defences because he knows that he cannot defeat you!

* Jericho looks fortified from the outside but was scared and trembling on the inside

→ Do not let outward appearances to intimidate you

* NOTE: Your 'Jericho' is getting melted on the inside and if you stand your ground in faith, it will eventually give way. 

☆ How did Rahab Demonstrate her Faith?  

1. She declared what she believed 

★ Joshua 2:10 → "We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed." (NIV)

* NOTE: Faith has a voice! 

→ Your consistent confession of faith is your key to victory 

→ Your confession of faith in connection with your belief will produce results. 

2. She had knowledge of God's ability 

☆ You must know and be convinced!

★ Joshua 2:9 → "and said to them, "I know that the LORD has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you."

⇒ Everyone in Jericho 'heard' the wonders that God performed, but Rahab 'knew' His ability. 

* Only those who are willing to pay the price of faith by coming to an intimate knowledge of God's power can experience His divine intervention.   

★ Hebrews 10:23 → "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

* Rahab was a solitary champion of a righteous cause

→ she was saved by what she believed

☆ What Actions Did Rahab perform:

* It was Rahab's action of faith that drew God's action to her 

* Even though it required faith to be saved, it takes action for faith to be expressed.   

★ James 2:24 → "You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone." (NIV)

1. She hid the Spies 

→ This was actually an act of treason which would have cost her her life. She took a risk by deceiving the King's messengers and misleading the army of Jericho.   

→ NOTE: Every time there is an opportunity to fear, is also an opportunity to trust God.  

★ Hebrews 11:23 → "By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict." (NIV)

2. She orchestrated the escape of the Spies 

→ She gave the spies the strategy to escape from the military scouts of Jericho 

★Joshua 2:16 → "She said to them, "Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way."

3. She negotiated the deliverance of her entire family (Joshua 2:12-13)

→ She was not intimidated by the spies nor felt disqualified to make big demands.  

→ She negotiated big! She wanted ALL members of her family to be saved. 

→ She did not look at her qualification, but on their ability. 

☆ Three (3) Conditions the Spies gave Rahab:

1. She must hang a scarlet rope over her window (verse 18)

→ this represented the blood of the Passover & a foretelling of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross of Calvary  

2. Every member of her family has to be in her house (verse 18-19)

→ She had control over all members of her family 

3. They must not tell anybody (verse 20) 

→ There are things that you must keep to yourself till God comes through for you 

→ this represents self control

NOTE: The Bible's description of Rahab as a harlot was not to discredit her. It was to demonstrate the grace of God that was upon her life. 

☆ What held Rahab's House in Place even when the wall of Jericho was crumbling? 

★ Luke 1:37 → ''For with God nothing will be impossible.”

* NOTE: Rahab's house was a solitary fragment in the midst of a universal wreck 

→ This was a type of the rapture

* After the children of Israel conquered Jericho, Joshua honoured the oath that the spies made with Rahab.   

★ Joshua 6:22 → "But Joshua had said to the two men who had spied out the country, “Go into the harlot's house, and from there bring out the woman and all that she has, as you swore to her.”

★ Only those who trust God till the end shall be saved

☆ NOTE: God can change your situation and your story regardless of your background. 

→  There in no person that God cannot use for His glory! 

→ Only God has the capacity to do this

* If Rahab made it, you can make it!

Heroes of Faith: Joshua (Pastor Wilson Akubo) 23-07-2017

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Family Worship Centre (FWC) 

Wuye, Abuja 

2nd Sunday Service 

23rd July, 2017

Picture credit: FWC Media 

☆ SERMON: 

* Speaker: Pastor Wilson Akubo

* Theme: The Just Shall Live by Faith 

* Topic: Heroes of Faith (Joshua)

* Text: Joshua 1:1-5

★ Hebrews 11:30 →''By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days."

* Faith is personal

☆ Who is Joshua:

→ He was Moses' assistant

→ He Was the Son of Nun

→ He was one of the 12 spies sent to spy Canaan, and brought a good report

→ He took over from Moses 

→ He died at the age of 110 

☆ Joshua's Walk of Faith:

→ This walk of faith distinguished Him and he became the leader of  the tribe of Ephraim

★ Numbers 27:18 → "So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership,^a and lay your hand on him." (NIV)

→ God testified that His Spirit was in Joshua

★ Deuteronomy 34:9 → "Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit^b of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses." 

→ God chose Joshua to lead the people to the promised land

☆ Expressions of Joshua's faith:

1. He obeyed every thing Moses Instructed him 

★ Exodus 17:9 → "Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” 

→ He trusted his leader

→ He was a faithful follower

2. Joshua gave a good report of the promised land by faith  

★ Numbers 14:37-38

* NOTE: Faith says what God says in spite of the enemies that abound 

* Faith is agreeing with the report of God

3. He Sent spies to Spy out Jericho

★ Joshua 2:1 → "Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. "Go, look over the land," he said, "especially Jericho." So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there."

→ Though Moses was dead, he carried out the mission given to Moses (of leading the Israelites to the promise land)

* Faith is carrying on God's work in spite of the casualties on the way

* Faith is holding on to the promises of God, even if the human messenger is no more, knowing that God never fails

4. He led the people to cross over the Jordan  

⇒ The tides were high at that time and could have discouraged the Israelites from crossing.   

* Faith is to ask boldly 

* If you are able to ask, God is able to do exceedingly (Ephesians 3:20-21)

* Faith is knowing that God is able to still every storm in life!

★ Isaiah 59:19 → "So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him." (KJV)

 

5. He Circumcised every man as Soon as they got to Canaan

→ Faith is obeying God even when it is painful to your flesh

★ Jeremiah 33:6 → "'Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security."

* Sometimes, the walk of faith is painful, but if you obey, you will see the glory of God. 

6. When He met the Commander of the Host of Heaven, He Worshipped  

★Joshua 5:14-15 → "He said, “No; rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the LORD.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, “What has my lord to say to his servant?” The captain of the LORD’S host said to Joshua, “Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so." 

* Faith is knowing that anytime You come in contact with God, worship is the right response 

7. He went back to Ai after being defeated the First Time 

* Faith is refusing to give up no matter how many times you were defeated

* It takes faith to rise after a defeat

★1 John 4:4 → "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."

8. When He was Deceived by the Gibeonites, he left the outcome to God  (Joshua 9)

* Faith leaves the outcome in the hands of the Almighty God

* He was a man of integrity and did not renege on his promise or revenged, even after he discovered the deception 

9. He Commanded the Sun to stand still 

* Joshua 8:8-13 

* Faith is saying "until I get God's promise, every other thing is suspended''

* It is possible to 'suspend time' till God's word is fulfilled in your life

* Every child of God has authority over the creation of God! 

★ Luke 10:19 → "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."

→ Until you exercise your authority by faith, you will remain where you are

10. He Killed 5 Kings 

★ Joshua 10:16-27  

* Faith is refusing to fret at the sound of the drums of your enemies

* The only place for the enemy is under your feet (Joshua 10:24)

* The 'least' child of God is superior to the kings of devils!  

★ Romans 16:20 →''And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen."

→ NOTE: Soldiers of ancient Rome stomp when they are matching and are commanded not to stop for anything

★ Luke 10:19 → "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."

* As a child of God, you are unstoppable! 

11. He took over all the Cities promised by God by the edge of the SWORD

★ Ephesians 6:17 → "Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

* God's Word is the weapon by which you get victory

★ Hebrews 4:12 → "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

* If only you will settle down, read and meditate upon and obey God's Word, you will become invincible! 

→ NOTE: There has never been any devil that has been able to withstand the Sword of the Spirit!

12. He pulled down the walls of Jericho by faith 

★ Hebrews 11:30 →''By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days."

* The city of Jericho was the gateway to be promised land

→ NOTE: Until you subdue 'Jericho', the key of the promised land is not yet with you! 

* Though He was a fine army general, he obeyed God to use an unorthodox technique of warfare in the battle against Jericho 

→ Faith is dropping your experience, your connections, your wisdom and following God's instructions

* Faith is sitting still and allowing God to work, even if there is no immediate evidence of victory

* Faith is taking risks for God 

→ NOTE: The Israelite soldiers were at risk of being shot by archers from the wall of Jericho, yet they matched around the city several times

★Isaiah 1:9 →''Unless the LORD Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah."

→ All that God is requiring from you in order to deliver your victory is your obedience

* NOTE: There is nothing that God did for Joshua that He cannot to for you!  

☆ Were there Rewards for Joshua? 

1. He became a Servant of God

* By His faith, God changed Joshua's identify from 'servant of Moses' and called Him 'My Servant' 

2. He fulfilled divine purpose (Joshua 14)

→ He divided the promise land in accordance with the command of the Lord

3. He got his own inheritance in the promised land

★ Joshua 19:49 → "When they had finished dividing the land into its allotted portions, the Israelites gave Joshua son of Nun an inheritance among them, as the Lord had commanded. They gave him the town he asked for—Timnath Serah^d in the hill country of Ephraim. And he built up the town and settled there."

 

Heroes of Faith: Moses (Pastor Wilson Akubo) 16-07-2017

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Family Worship Centre (FWC) 

Wuye, Abuja 

1st Sunday Service 

16th July, 2017

Picture credit: FWC Media

☆ SERMON: 

* Speaker: Pastor Wilson Akubo 
* Theme: The Just Shall Live by Faith 

* Topic: Heroes of Faith (Moses) 

* Text: Exodus 3:9-11 → "Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”   But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (NKJV)

★ Exodus 4:18-20 → "So Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, “Please let me go and return to my brethren who are in Egypt, and see whether they are still alive.”  And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.”   Now the Lord said to Moses in Midian, “Go, return to Egypt; for all the men who sought your life are dead.” Then Moses took his wife and his sons and set them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the rod of God in his hand." (NKJV) 

★ Hebrews 11:23-29

* Moses was the son of Amram and Jecobed and became the adopted son of Pharoah and married Zipporah

* He was born at a critical time when boys of his age were massacred at birth 

* Moses lived for 120 years 
(which can be divided into three parts):

(a) During his 1st 40 years in Egypt: 
- he thought he was somebody (because of his royal privilege)

(b) During his 2nd 40 years in the wilderness:   
- he thought he was nobody (dejected as an exile)

(c) During his 3rd 40 years as a deliverer: 
- he knew that God can transform a nobody into a somebody

☆ Lessons to be learnt from the Life of Moses:  

1. How He began His journey of faith

★ Hebrews 11:23 → "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command." (NKJV)

* NOTE for Parents: You must create an atmosphere of faith for your children

→ At this point, Moses was not operating by his own faith yet

★ Exodus 2:3 →"But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river's bank." (NKJV) 

* It was the faith of the parents of Moses that kept him afloat in the river as a helpless baby. 

* If you exercise faith, what drowns every other person will not drown you! 

* God began to raise a deliverer for his people through the faith of parents

* The faith of parents can go a long way to help children fulfil their destiny in Christ

2. His own personal Journey of Faith 

★ Hebrews 11:24-26 

* NOTE: When you come of age, the faith of your parents cannot sustain you any longer. You have to work out your own faith 

★ Philippians 2:12 → "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling." (NIV)

★ Hebrews 5:14 → "But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (NKJV)

☆ When does a person come of age? 

a. When a person chooses to live in truth instead of living a lie
* Moses did not forget his background in spite of being raised in Pharaoh's palace.   

★ Hebrews 11:24 → "By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter."

b. When a person chooses God's word over the pleasure and privileges that could be gained through disobedience

* NOTE: God will hold you accountable for your decisions 

3. When a person decides to disconnect from the Privileges that accompany Sin: 

★ Hebrews 11:27 → ''By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible."

→ He forsook Egypt and incurred the wrath of the king

→ If you see the 'invisible', there is no punishment that any man will mete against you that can deter you from obeying God 

★ Acts 5:29 → "By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter."

* Faith sees the invisible and it helps you to endure every reproach.

4. He Kept the Passover 

★Hebrews 11:28 →"By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them."

* NOTE: this practice was never done in Israel before

→ Moses did not doubt God. He did not negotiate and He did not proffer any personal solutions 

* NOTE: This was the tenth (10th) time he was stepping out in faith against Pharaoh. The other nine (9) times and did not 'work', but he was willing to step out again in faith

5. Passing through the Red Sea 

★ Hebrews 11:29 → "By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned."

★ Exodus 14:13 → "Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again."

* As long as you walk in faith, your faith will be strengthened

* The enemy will not allow you to step out into your God given destiny without a fight! 

* If faith got you thus far, God will make a way though the 'Red Sea' confronting you 

☆ Conclusion:

* No matter your background and pedigree, if you decide to walk with God in faith, He will make a way for you

* Deny yourself of any pleasure that makes you an enemy of God
 

* You must consistently choose good over evil
 

* Every man of faith becomes great! 

* Every man of faith reaches his/her destiny 

☆NOTE: Though Moses did not get to the Promise Land physically, He got there spiritually! 

★ Matthew 17:1-3 → "Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him." 

Forgiveness: A Sure Sign of Faith (Pastor Sarah Omakwu) 19-03-2017

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Family Worship Centre (FWC)

Wuye, Abuja

First Sunday Service

19th March, 2017

☆ SERMON:

* Speaker: Pastor Sarah Omakwu

* Theme: The Just shall live by Faith.

* Topic: Forgiveness: A Sure Sign of Faith

* Text: Mark 11:25 →"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”  

* Faith is connected to forgiveness

★ Hebrews 10:38 → "Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”

★ Hebrews 11:6 → "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

* "There can be no spiritual progress without faith" - Derek Price

* If you are not willing to step out in faith, you have come to the end of your spiritual progress

* The spiritual life is a series of plateaus and at every step, you need to take a step of faith at every level

* Whenever you get to the point where you feel as if you are not making a headway, just know that you have take a step of faith

* The Holy Spirit stirs your heart to take a step of faith

* Unforgiveness and bitterness can block your faith

* Unforgiveness will make your faith to be rubbished

* When there is genuine forgiveness there will be:

⇒ Reconciliation

⇒ Peace

⇒ Harmony

⇒ Fellowship

⇒ Joy

⇒ Restoration

* Where there is NO genuine forgiveness, there will be:

⇒ Alienation

⇒ Discord

⇒ Fights

⇒ Sadness

⇒ Disharmony

⇒ War

★ Genesis 13:1-14:16

* NOTE: Lot got blessed by his association with Abram

* The Spirit of Christ is not a spirit of fighting, wrangling and strife

* Brethren are not supposed to fight

* You must eschew anything that will truncate your journey of faith

* NOTE: Abram did allow himself to be cheated by Lot (who took the best part of the land) Genesis 13:9-10 

* When you let go of that person who hurt you, then God will take over

* NOTE: Choosing the best part of the land was not the worse mistake that Lot made, but that He left Abram. 

→ There are people in this life that you should never leave

→ NOTE: On the other hand, there are people that you should separate from if you must make progress in life. 

* The people you must never abandon: your parents & your spouse.

→ You MUST never leave anywhere, any business or association without a blessing! 

* NOTE: Ruth held on to Naomi even when there was no reason to do so. She perceived that Naomi was a carrier of God's blessings. (Ruth 1:16-18) 

* There are certain things and people you need to let go so that God can give you forever blessings

* Live your life in such a way that generations that come after you can live off your legacy

* People who let go (forgive) go back to God

* Lot fell into trouble because the left the covering of the anointing (of Abraham)

* Any thing outside the God of Israel has no blessing

* When you hand over a matter to God, He takes over

* Before you claim Abraham's blessings, ask yourself if you can do what he did.

* Many people are vindictive because they place priority on money and material things

★ 1 Corinthians 6:1-7

* Abraham forgave Lot a lot!

* Believers should be able to settle their matters among themselves without resorting to legal action.  

* Have the Abraham's kind of life

⇒ It is better to allow yourself to be cheated than gain undue advantage over others. 

→ NOTE: You bring a curse on yourself when you cheat others

* Faith And unforgiveness cannot work together

* Forgiveness is a sign that you are wise and that you trust God to vindicate you

* Do not chain yourself to a person who has hurt you

* That person you are fighting with has something from God that you can be blessed with!

* Recommended Book:

→ Unbroken Curses (by Rebecca Brown)

Thankful for Salvation and Heaven (Pastor Sarah Omakwu) 27-11-2016

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Family Worship Centre (FWC)

Wuye, Abuja 

2nd Sunday Service  

27th November, 2016 

Pastor Sarah Omakwu
Picture Credit: FWC Media

☆ SERMON: 

* Speaker: Pastor Sarah Omakwu 

* Topic: Thankful for Salvation and Heaven 

* Text: Psalm 103:1-22 

* Thanksgiving is an act of rendering appreciation or gratitude for God's goodness 

* Thanksgiving can be done as an individual or as a family 

* Thanksgiving should not be a casual thing

→ It must be done deliberately  

* You should not allow yourself to be cajoled or manipulated before you give thanks to God for His blessings and goodness to you 

* Genuine thanksgiving involves emotions (singing, dancing, jumping, crying, shouting, etc) 

* Thanksgiving has a voice! 

→ If you are really thankful about something, you will express it 

→ NOTE: Your silence may be mistaken for ingratitude 

★ Psalm 116:12 → "What shall I return to the LORD for all his goodness to me?" (NIV)

* Thanksgiving must be internal 

→ It must proceed from within your heart 

* When you look back at what you use to be and what you are now, you cannot remain silent 

* When you are grateful, you spare nothing to show appreciation 

* Thanksgiving is a command from God

★ Psalm 100:4 → "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." 

★ Psalm 107:8 → "Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind." (NIV)
★ Psalm 107:15
★ Psalm 107:21 

* When you do not testify of God's goodness, you are in disobedience

* You owe it to God and to God's people to testify 

* Thanksgiving is not a function of what God has done, it is a function of what you remember and the value you choose to place on it 

*NOTE: People respond to issues and experiences in life differently 

* In thanksgiving, you do not give according to what you have, 

→ You give according to the value you place on what God has done for you 

* Thanksgiving is a private thing (it is between you and God) 

* You should thank God for and rejoice because of your salvation 

★ Luke 10:20 → "However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

★ Luke 17:11-19 (The Story of the 10 lepers) 

* Nothing on earth is more important than your name being written in Heaven 

→ Heaven is an eternal inheritance 

* What should give you the highest joy is that as a child of God, you are entitled to eternal inheritance in Heaven 

* "Rejoice because your name is written in Heaven." 

⇒ Earthly accolades, acquisitions or achievements cannot be compared with Heaven!  

* No matter the breakthroughs or the disappointments you have experienced in life, thank God! 

☆ Why should you give thanks to God? 

1. Because the Lord has justified you! 

2. Because God does not input sin unto you 

3. Because you have passed from death to life 

4. Because we have access into God's presence 

5. Because you have been delivered from the power of darkness 

→ Satan's plan was to kill you, steal from you, and destroy you totally. But God delivered you.  

6. Because you are not dead today!

→ You deserved to die because of the sinful lifestyle you had lived, but mercy Said "No"

☆ Questions to Consider: 

→ Will you return like that one healed leper and give thanks to God?

→ Will you be like David who gave God His best dance of Praise?

→ Will you be like Hannah who gave her only son to God's service as a sign of her appreciation? 

→ Will you be like Solomon who gave sacrifices of praise till it became grotesque?  

* NOTE: You are expected to give thanks for all that God has done for you

☆ The Demons who Undermine Thanksgiving:

→ Ungratefulness 

→ Lies 

→ Sadness

→ Pain 

→ Depression 

→ Pride and arrogance 

→ Discouragement 

→ Ingratitude 

→ Taking God for granted 

→ Deception 

→ Lack, need and poverty 

→ Recession