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

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

God with us (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 25-03-2015

NDIC/DMO Chapel

Central Business District,

Abuja

25th March, 2015

* Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu

* Topic: God with us

* Text: Luke 19:1-5

* Zaccheus found himself on top of a tree in his quest to see Jesus

* Jesus should be the only person people should always strive to see - not any celebrity or politician  

* NOTE: Jesus looked up an saw Zaccheus, in spite of the crowd and He identified him by name!

* How did Jesus know the name of Zaccheus?

* Jeremiah 1:4-5

* John 1:42 

* John 1:48

* Isaiah 43:1-3

* 2 Timothy 2:19

* God knew you before you were born

* NOTE: While Jesus was waiting for Zaccheus to climb down from tree, he stood still

→ Jesus will 'suspend everything' just to attend to you!

→ Jesus is never too busy for you

* Zaccheus came to just catch a glimpse of Jesus, but he got more than he expected - Jesus called him by name and went to his house

* Ephesians 3:20 - "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us"

 

→ Jesus is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, much more than you can ever ask or imagine

* Remain faithful and steadfast in serving the Lord, in due course, you will see the reward

Chaplain's, Patrons, Captains, FCT Executive, Battalion and Group Executives Workshop (Exhortation) 28-02-2015

BOYS' BRIGADE

Chaplains, Patrons, Captains, FCT Executives, Battalion, and Group Executives Council Workshop.

@ All Saints Anglican Church,

Zone 5, Abuja - Nigeria  

28th February, 2015

EXHORTATION

* Topic: Faithful leader

* Speaker: Mr. Emmanuel Sabo

* Text: 1 Peter 5:1-4

* One of the greatest challenges in the Church is that of leadership

* Where there are good and committed leaders, the organization flourishes

* Christian leaders are supposed to be like Christ

* One of the key issues in Christian leadership is faithfulness

* There is no faithfulness in:

- Service

- Commitment

- Disciplining the followers

- Making necessary sacrifices

* As Christian leaders, God will one day hold us accountable for our stewardship

* "Willingly" → There is no compulsion in serving God in leadership

→ those who were compelled to serve God in any leadership capacity are usually not committed

→ Don't do it with compulsion

→ Don't do it expecting to get something out of it (think of what you will give to make the Boys' Brigade better)

* Where the leader does not grow, the followers are affected - they will not grow

* Christ expects exemplary leadership

→ lead the way so that others will follow

→ Children learn more by observation

* Do not lord it over your followers

PRAYER

"Father, help me to be a faithful leader;

Help me to be committed in doing what you Want me to do;

Increase my zeal and passion"

The Christian Woman in Her Home, Workplace & Neigbourhood (Mrs. Gutip) 22-04-2001

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN)

(Now Church of Christ in Nations)

Hwolshe, Gigiring, Jos

Plateau State, Nigeria

22nd April, 2001

* Women Fellowship Day

SERMON

*Speaker: Mrs. Gutip

*Topic: The Christian Woman in Her Home, Workplace & Neighbourhood

* Text: Acts 1:8 → "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

★ Matthew 5:13-16

* Today, it is hard to know those who are Christians because there is no distinction between them and unbelievers

* A Christian is one who has repented of his/her sins and has accepted Jesus to be his/her Lord and Saviour; he/she has a new nature; Christ lives in that person's heart.  

* You have to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and if you don't develop it, it will die out

* God has bestowed his righteousness on us and He demands that we keep our garment white; we must submit to the Holy Spirit to guide us

* If you don't develop your relationship with Christ, every thing you do would be in vain - this will enable you to be true witnesses of our Lord

* We must learn to spend time to pray, study His Words

* Jesus' ministry on earth depended solidly on His personal relationship with the Father

* Without Jesus, you can do nothing

(John 15:5)

* Jesus Christ demands that we must walk with Him. A servant is obedient and listens to his master. This is what is expected of us

* Our first place of witnessing is in the home - it is our immediate Environment. It is the most hardest place (to be a witness for Christ). You can't pretend at home; no one fears you

* God intends the home to be a very peaceful place. It is a shelter from the outside harsh environment

☆ The Woman's Responsibility in the Home

1. She is a helpmate and partner

2. She is a mother

3. She attends to social and religions services

4. She accommodates visitors

* The natural tendency for some women is to grumble because of these responsibilities

→ but, let peace reign; have the same attitude as the Lord Jesus Christ [Philippians 2:5]

→ The home is the laboratory for the woman to prove her faith

☆ Things to Note:

1. Make sure you plan your time; have time for God, husband, children and any extra work and activities

2. Don't involve yourself in too many activities

3. Make time for God so that you listen, get from Him

→ Your relationship With God should be your first priority

4. Uphold the man and children in prayers

→ It is unfortunate that many women encourage their husbands to do evil

→Women must help and advise

5. Make allowance for other social interaction

6. Manage family resources well and with patience, kindness and humility

→ When you fail to perform your responsibilities in the home, you have no right to stand outside and do other things

7. Train your children in the fear of the Lord

(a) If you are to train anyone successfully, have yourself trained by God

(b) Be an example. They are watching you.

→ There is power in being an example.

→ Children copy their parent's conduct. They are very observant

8. Be loving, kind, have good attitudes towards people

→ Children learn things very fast

9. Our lives must be open and transparent

→ Don't do things in secret. The results will surely be revealed in the open one day!

10. If you want your child to know and love God, you must yourself love God

* No amount of teaching will replace your prayer for your children

★ Proverbs 31:10-31 (The virtous woman)

→ This should be the standard of any Christian woman who wants to please God and live as a good example

* Let's not be hindrances to other people from coming to Christ

* The office and neighbourhood is our Judea, Samaria and the ends of the world

* Without the right relationship in the home, we cannot face the world

* We must be faithful witnesses of Christ

→ Do not compromise; stand for the truth

* If you are not living a godly life outside the home, you will not have any testimony

* God expects us to have the right attitude to work

→ Have love towards others & embibe godly patience

* Questions to Consider:

→ What is your attitude to work?

→ Do you bless others with your position?

→ Do you potray Christ?

* Let people see the love of God in all you do

* Note: God is marking all you do

☆ Conclusion: 

* You need to be faithful in doing everything

* God has called us to be fuII-time Christians and not to be lukewarm

* These are not days that we'll play with Christianity

* God is available for you to overcome all your problems

* Return to your first love if you have gone astray

The Gospel Musician in God's Ministry 12-06-1999

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Elratam Network Ministry, Jos

Plateau State - Nigeria

12th June, 1999

ARTS & SPEAKERS

* 2nd Speaker: [no data]

* Topic: The Gospel Musician in God's Ministry

* NOTE: The musician is God's musician and the ministry is God's ministry

* God operates on a full scale of completeness and He expects you to function thus (that is, on 'full current')

* God will not accept partially done work

★ 1 Samuel 15:1-35

* Like Israel, what are you asking God concerning your music ministry?

 

* Most Gospel musicians today are secular musicians with a Gospel tag

 

★ 1 Samuel 15-17 (Saul does God's instructions his own way)

* Some Gospel musicians carry God's command in a worldly fashion. They engage in quest for fame, money, properties, especially through modifying God's Word to fit worldly styles (So that it would be 'more acceptable' or less offensive to their audience)

→ This should not be so

* When you obey God, you must do it completely

* NOTE: God is grieved when His servants fail Him

★ John 15:14 →"You are my friends, if you do what I command you."

* Questions to Consider:

→ Who occupies the centre stage in your music ministry?

→ How does God see You?

→ Does He regard you as a rebellious servant?

* God will not accept any form of partial confession of your sins (verse 24)

* God can honour someone temporary for the sake of another faithful servant of His

* NOTE: God will always accomplish his prophesies (Words) in spite of your sins or act of disobedience

* If you don't do what God asks you to do, He will get someone else to do it

* Question: Has God been blessing your ministry because of someone else's faithfulness?

* There are so many unfinished songs that are been produced and sold today as Gospel Music.

⇒ Most of these come from unfruitful and unscriptural minds. God will reject them.

* Question: Are you harbouring any partially confessed sins in your life?

* Question: Who are you more like?

→ Saul (the partial worker)?

→ Samuel (the thorough worker)?