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!

The Baptism of Jesus (Pastor Yakubu Adamu Yola) 19-06-2016

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Family Worship Centre (FWC)

Wuye, Abuja

2nd Sunday Service

19th June, 2016

Pastor Yakubu Adamu Yola
Picture Credit: FWC Media

☆ SERMON

* Speaker: Pastor Yakubu Adamu Yola

* Topic: The Baptism of Jesus

* Theme: Our Jesus

* Text: Matthew 3:13-17

* Baptism is an outward demonstration of a person's faith in Jesus

→ It entails complete immersion in water (which signifies being buried and raised with Christ)

☆ Points to Note about Baptism:

1. Voluntary:

→ Baptism should be a voluntary act and not out of compulsion

Note: "Jesus Came to be baptized' (verse 13)

→ He was deliberate about it

→ Was not forced to do it

2. Submission:

* Jesus submitted Himself for baptism as a model of obedience

→ As a Christian, you must follow the example of Jesus in all things

3. Sign:

* Jesus' baptism was a sign to John the Baptist which authenticated his ministry and prophesies

★ John 1:30

→ Baptism signifies our death and resurrection with Christ Jesus 

4. Humility

→ Jesus' baptism is a demonstration of His humility

→ He went to John (despite the fact that He is God)

→ Humility preceded the ministry of Jesus

→ It shows His commitment to doing what was right (Jesus traveled 90 Kilometers from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized)

★ Verse 15:

→ Jesus did not need to be baptized, but He still submitted Himself for it

→ NOTE: Jesus did not need to be baptized in order to be righteous. [He is the righteousness of God].

* He went through baptism so that the entire plan of God prophesied through John the Baptist will be fulfilled

* It doesn't matter how the plan of God is.

→ It is always fitting

5. It affirmed John the Baptists' Ministry

★ John 1:26-27

6. It is the fulfillment of the righteous requirement of the law as required at that time

★ Matthew 5:17

☆ Lessons to Note from Jesus' Baptism:

* Doing the will of God was Jesus' priority

→ At the beginning of your Christian life, ensure that you are baptized

→ There is a big picture for your life and you must be ready to make the necessary sacrifices to bring it to pass

→ Having the big picture in mind helps you keep focus in life

→ Every Christian should always have something greater than him/her that he/she is living for

* There is nothing wrong in being humble:

→ Men: There is nothing wrong in serving your wife, your children or others

→ Humility does not make you less of a man

* NOTE: Jesus did not introduce Himself (as the Son of God) when the got to the river Jordan

→ It was not important!

* Even when Jesus started making going to the Temple his custom (between age 12-30), He humbled Himself under the instruction of the Pharisees, Sadducees and the Priests

* There is nothing wrong in learning under the authority of those who do not know more than you

* You must always obey instructions that are prescribed in Church, at your workplace, in the Nation etc

* Being Humble will not make you cease to be who you are

→ Humility is very powerful

→ Humility makes you more honorable

* NOTE: David respected order, authority and processes [and that is why he excelled as a shepherd, soldier and later as a King].

→ This is our model as Christians

→ Humility is the key to honor (Proverbs 18:12)

* (verse 16) There is a 'coming up' for every humble person

→ there is honor and elevation in humility (see: Matthew 23:12, 1 Peter 5:6)

☆ 3 Things that Happened when Jesus became baptized:

(a) The Heavens were Opened

(b) Spirit of God came upon Him

→ this is anointing; empowerment

→ There is an anointing of God for every assignment on earth

→ Jesus affirmed this truth in Luke 4:18-20

(c) God's approval

→ God does not approve proud people

* Everything in life has a foundation

★ Hebrews 3:4 →"For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God."

* One day, everything in your life will be tested

→ If the foundation (of your works) is not solid, it will not endure

★ Matthew 7:23

* Before you start any business or endeavor, ensure that you start right

* It is fitting to fulfill all righteousness

☆ Prayer:

Father, help me to be humble,

I realize that what you have

called me to do is greater than me,

Therefore I need your empowerment 
Reveal your love to me anew;

I need you in every area of my life

The Plan of God is that You Move Foward (Pastor Yakubu Yola) 27-05-2016

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Family Worship Centre (FWC)

Wuye, Abuja

27th May, 2016

FRIDAY PRAYER SERVICE

* Speaker: Pastor Yakubu Yola

* Topic: The Plan of God is that You Move Forward

* Text: Mark 11:1-6

★ Proverbs 4:18 → "The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day."

★ 1 Peter 2:9 → "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

* Not only do living things grow, the things that accompany them also grow

* Time cannot pass and living things will not grow

* NOTE: stagnation is not of God

* The will of God for your life:

→ Advancement

→ Growth

→ Movement

* When things do not change, it is an indication that something is wrong and it is a good cause for concern

★ Matthew 7:11 → "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

* Our God is a progressive God

→ He is a God of advancement

* God wants you to move forward, advance and progress

* He does not want you to stagnate in one position for a long time, doing the same thing

⇒ That is not His plan

* When you plant a seed, it grows with time

★ Proverbs 4:18 → "The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine. But the road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker — travellers can’t see a thing; they fall flat on their faces." The Message Version [MSG]

* God's plan is that life will get better for you

★ Mark 4:30-32 →"And He said, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it? “It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is smaller than all the seeds that are upon the soil, yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches; so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR can NEST UNDER ITS SHADE.” 

★ Luke 2:52 → "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man."

* God is interested in increase that it has become His exclusive preserve & job description

★ Acts 2:47 → "praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." 

★ 1 Corinthians 3:6 → "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow." 

* God delights in your increase

* If increase is God's job, and you are not increased, it is an indictment on His person

★ Luke 13:9 → "If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down."

→ God is not impressed when you stagnate and do not grow or increase

☆ Function of God's Word in your Life:

★ 1 Timothy 4:15 → "Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress."

→ Your progress by the reason of God' word should be evident to everyone that comes in contact with you  

★ 1 Peter 2:2 → "Like new-born babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation"

★ Joshua 1:8 → "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."

* God's word in your life should cause you to progress and be successful

★ 2 Corinthians 3:18 → "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

→ God's word transforms us from one degree of glory to another

* Anything in life for you to acheive progress has already been provided by God

* All you need to do is to exercise your faith

* If you are not making progress, it is not God's fault

* It does not take God anything to move you from one level to another

* Ask yourself:

→ Why am I not making progress?

→ Which area of my life is not growing?

* Destiny is a function of time

* The devil's plan is that if he cannot do anything about your past, he delays and frustrates your future through delays and stagnation

* Many Christians give up when they experience delays & they loose their faith

★ James 1:6 → "But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."

* The tied donkey in Matthew 21:2 was designed for glory, but limited in one place by a rope by the road.  

* NOTE: Even though it was tied and restricted, Jesus knew about the donkey!

→ God is mindful of your present condition

→ God knows where the knots are and he is willing to untie you

* God is also aware that whenever he is about to untie you, there are always contentions and oppositions (Mark 11:4-5)

* Progress is the plan of God, but delay is the strategy of the devil to:  

→ make you discouraged

→ make you loose faith

→ make you doubt God

* NOTE: Every delay & stagnation responds to the command of the Master

★ Luke 5:5 →"Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." 

★ Matthew 8:8 → "The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed."

☆ Declarations:

★ Isaiah 43:18 →"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past."  

★ Isaiah 61:7 →"Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours."

★ Hebrews 13:20-21 →''Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen."

★ 1 Peter 2:9 →"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

★ Philippians 1:6 →"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

★ Proverbs 4:18 →"The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day."

★ As you declare God's word, something will give way!  

☆ Things to do:

1. Continue these declarations

2. Start doing that thing that will enable you make progress

Except as otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (NIV)

Heavenly Places (Pastor Yakubu Yola) 13-05-2016

★ MY SERMON NOTES 

@ Family Worship Centre (FWC), 

Wuye, Abuja 

Friday Prayer Meeting

13th May, 2016 

* Speaker: Pastor Yakubu Yola 

* Topic: Heavenly Places 

* Text: Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-22; 2:1-9

★ John 17:14 →"I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world."

* NOTE: As a child of God, you are not of the world 

* One of the ways to study how to live as 'not of the world' is to study the life of Jesus 

→ Nothing could conquer Jesus; the things of the world could not overcome Him because He was not of the world 

* God designed your life as a Christian to overcome every situation

→ Difficult situations can only challenge you, but they cannot overcome you 

* The life of Jesus is testimony of the fact that no situation can challenge and overwhelm you

→ There was always a way out for Jesus under any circumstance 

* As long as you follow and trust in Jesus, there will always be a way out 

* The plan of God is that there should always be provision for your needs & that you'll never be stranded because of the power of God that is at work in you

* God did not design you to be stuck 

* You must not accept and confess anything negative concerning your life 

→ Your confession must always be based on God's finished work of grace in your life  

★ 1 Corinthians 10:13 →''No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." 

→ NOTE: There is always a way out of every situation

* NOTE: You must realize that every difficult situation comes with an imbeded way out!

* We serve a God who always makes a way out of every difficult situation 

* If you are stuck in any difficult situation, God will show you the way out 

* It is wrong for a door to be closed and you give up, thinking that there is no other door of escape 

→ there is always a way out of every situation 

* NOTE: As a child of God, you have the Power of God embedded in you to represent Him properly on earth 

★ 1 John 5:4 →"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." 

* If you are not operating in the power and might of God (as a Christian), something is wrong 

* Every time you are confronted with any situation, (realize that) you have overcome it already - by virtue of the power of God in you! 

* A child of God must never panic, fear or be discouraged when faced with difficult situations 

* God's power invested in you is your empowerment tool to overcome every situation 

★ Ephesians 2:6 →"and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." 

* The design of your ability to overcome in life is determined by where you are 'seated' 

⇒ Christ is not seated there alone; You are also there with Him! 

* NOTE: The moment Christ was raised from the dead, your victory was sealed 

→ He has already accomplished it and you are expected to exercise it by faith 

* You do not have to fight and struggle through demons. You are already seated above them 

→ You don't have to pray about it. It is already yours  

* If you know your position in Christ, there are certain prayers you do not need to pray 

* There is nothing the devil can do about your spiritual position 

→ It has been given by a higher spiritual power - Jesus 

* Many Christians are not aware that spiritual forces recognize and obey authority! 

→ Spiritual powers and forces respond only to spiritual authority 

* There was an election for you to sit in heavenly places: 

→ God was the only electorate, and He voted in your favor! 

→ It was an incontestable decision 

* NOTE: The devil is not in charge in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3)

★ Ephesians 1:22 →"And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church." 

* When one General shows up, He can command an entire legion of soldiers

→ If you are a General in God's army, your orders cannot be contested by Satan, his demons or his agents. They must obey! 

→ One with God is majority 

★ 1 John 4:4 →"You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." 

* As a child of God, you need to be aware of your spiritual position and authority at all times 

* You must take your place and the Lord will make a way for you

☆ What is your limitation?

→ Times and seasons 

★ Ecclesiastes 3:1 →"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven." 

→ A true child of God is not limited by times and seasons 

→ Anytime you like, you can get your breakthrough 

* There were men that entered the place of God and determined time:

→ Joshua makes the sun stand still (Joshua 10:13) 

→ Elijah proclaims drought (1 Kings 17:1)  

→ Aaron's staff budded, blossomed & produced fruit overnight (Numbers 17:1-8) 

→ Elizabeth's supernatural conception in old age (Luke 1:18-25) 

* There is no level that faith cannot take you to in life

* There are no limitations to a man who walks by faith and in the power of God  

* You must refuse to be like every other person & fit into a mold of mediocrity 

* You have the grace to: 

→ complete any abandoned project

→ walk in victory 

→ live in perpetual good health 

→ experience financial breakthrough