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

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