My Be-Attitude 9 - Blessed are those who are persecuted for Righteousness Sake (Pastor Sarah Omakwu) 23-10-2016

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Family Worship Centre (FWC)

Wuye, Abuja

2nd Sunday Service

23rd October, 2016

Pastor Sarah Omakwu
Picture Credit: FWC Media

☆ SERMON:

*   Speaker: Pastor Sarah Omakwu

* Topic: My Be-Attitude 9 (Blessed are those who are persecuted for Righteousness Sake)  

* Text: Matthew 5:1-12

 

★ 1 Peter 3:13-17

 

* NOTE: Ironically, the reward for imbibing the be-attitudes (humility, meekness, peace, righteousness, etc) is persecution!

→ The world will not praise or applaud you for being Christlike.

→ The world persecuted, oppressed, opposed, mocked and even killed Jesus only because He was fully pleasing to God. You should not expect anything less

 

☆ Meaning of 'Blessed':

* 'Blessed' here connotes the joy that comes from knowing that God is for you, in you and that He will help you

→ 'Happiness' is an emotion that is conditional and dependent on circumstances.

⇒ Jesus did not promise us happiness, but JOY

→ Joy is not dependent on circumstances. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that bubbles in the heart of a child of God regardless of what he/she is experiencing (see: Galatians 5:22-23)

 

* Joy enables a child of God to endure difficulties and challenges

★ Job 13:15 →"Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him." 

 

★ Philippians 4:4 →"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again! I say rejoice." 

 

* This blessing cannot be diminished or undermined by anything - even extreme suffering and death!

★ Acts 7:54-60

 

* Happiness comes and goes, but joy stays!

 

☆ Meaning of 'Persecution'

* Persecution is like an enemy pursing you

→ it means 'being vexed'

→ it is an all-out act of violence

→ it entails cruel mocking

→ Reproachful language or attitude

→ imprisonment

→ unjust punishment

 

* If as a Christian, you are not persecuted, something is wrong

→ You must brace yourself for persecution and pray for the grace to overcome

 

☆ Meaning of 'Revile'

→ It is is to be shamed

→ it is contempt

 

☆ Why would I be persecuted?:

1. The world is fallen and you (as a Christian) oppose its values  

→ The world oppresses anything that does not conform to its values

★ 2 Timothy 3:12 →"Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution."

 

2. Because your righteous life judges them

→ If unbelievers or people feel free to sin around you, this is a sign that you have compromised

 

3. Because you are attached to Christ

→ If the world persecuted Jesus your master, they will persecute you too (see: John 15:20)

 

4. Because you have refused to be a hypocrite

 

5. Your stated belief in the articles of the Christian faith and your adherence to it will make the world hate you

 

6. Because you have been separated from the world and you do not belong to them

 

* NOTE: If you have never been persecuted as a Christian, it means you are compromising in some area of your life

 

* There are many Christians that are so determined to be loved and accepted by the world that they lower their standards

→ this is bad Christianity

 

* NOTE: What you compromise to keep, you will lose!

 

* You must reject anything that God did not give you

→ Take a stand for righteousness

→ If you must compromise your faith in Jesus to get something, then such a thing is not worth it (see: Matthew 16:26)

 

* We live in a generation that is flippant and does not believe in righteousness or integrity

 

* Today, many Christians are not persecuted for their faith

→ This is because they behave like the children of the devil

→ The devil will not oppose what is his own!

 

* The Church is not making any impact because of its many compromises

→ Question: When was the last time you told anyone about Jesus?

 

* NOTE: All religions, sects and beliefs are united in their attack of our Lord Jesus Christ

→ This is because Jesus is the Rock of Offense (See: 1 Peter 2:8; Romans 9:33; Isaiah 8:14)

 

* The time has come for Christians to stand out for Jesus

→ You were not called to blend in but to stand out

 

* Jesus was a 'one man riot' and could not be convicted of any sin or wrongdoing (see John 14:30; Luke 23:4)

→ with God, you are a majority

 

* When you compromise, you cannot freely talk about Jesus to those who know you have no integrity

 

* NOTE: A true Christian ought to be a standing rebuke to the world

 

* Unfortunately, no one wants to persecute the Church because there is nothing to oppose.

→ The Church and Christians have 'blended in'

 

* To be persecuted for righteousness sake is to be 'punished' or 'victimized' for doing what is right, for the right reasons and for the sake of Christ

 

* Righteousness means moral uprightness

→ A child of God must be above board (a person of integrity)

 

* If you are not persecuted for being a Christian, check you life, something is wrong

★ Luke 6:26 →" Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets."

 

* If you are causing trouble for yourself, and they punish you, repent. This does not qualify as persecution

→ A Christian must not go looking for trouble

→ What God expects of you is to preach the good news and take a stand for righteousness

 

* Be meek and humble about your persecution

→ Do not go about bragging, complaining or whining

 

☆ When you are persecuted, You must not:

→ retaliate

→ sulk

→ lick your wound like a dog

 

* You should not allow injustice, oppression or suffering (that arises as a result of your belief in Jesus) to separate you from the love of God (see: Romans 8:35-36)

 

☆ Advantages of Persecution:

1. It brings you into fellowship with Jesus

2. It builds up your character

3. When you are persecuted, you will know how strong you are

4. It exposes areas of weakness in your life

5. It produces Christian character and virtues in your life

6. It tests your loyalty, faith and trust

7. It is accompanied by a glory

 

* Caution: Always ensure that you are not suffering for wrongdoing, but for righteousness (see: 1 Peter 2:20; 1 Peter 3:17)

 

* Every Christian must expect persecution

→ You cannot pray it away

→ If Jesus suffered, you will also suffer! (unless you are compromising)

 

☆ PRAYER:

Lord, I repent for compromising

And for not standing out for you

Have mercy on me

I want a new life that comes from you

I need to make things right today

Help me to be the kind of man/woman

that you want me to be

Help me to be bold

Help me to stand out for you

All the days of my life

Amen

Pastor Sarah Omakwu
Picture credit: FWC Media

Flourish like a Palm Tree (Pastor Victor T. Amos) 01-03-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki - Abuja, Nigeria

1st March, 2015

SERMON
* Topic: Flourish like a Palm Tree
* Speaker: Pastor Victor T. Amos
* Text: Psalm 92:12-15
* Theme: Growing Up in Christ
* Sub-Theme: Intentional Growth
* Service Leader: Elder Katlong Boniface

* The basic notion of being righteous refers to a person who is sinless or morally upright

→ Those who are righteous have Christ's nature in them and it empowers them to overcome their Adamic nature.

→ The primary focus of those who are righteous is to worship and serve God at every opportunity, and with every resource they can get; They are totally surrendered to God.

* A righteous person does not entertain sin in his or her life.
→ His/her heart bleeds whenever he or she falls into sin and there is always immediate repentance and restitution

* NOTE: Coming to Church will not take you to heaven; You need to have a personal relationship with Christ

* CAVEAT: Unless you have a personal relationship with Christ, this Sermon will not make any meaning to you

* No matter the situation you are facing in life, you can get an answer in God's Word - especially in the book of Psalms

* God will not rest, until your case is settled

* As a Christian, believe that God has made every provision for you to flourish in every area of your life

* 'Flourishing' here does not mean that you will never face problems or challenges in life. It refers to the peace of God that rules your heart regardless of what you experience

* The two trees mentioned in Psalm 92:12
(a) Palm Tree
(b) Cedar of Lebanon

☆ THE PALM TREE
* Palm trees are evergreen, ever showing signs of life;
→ The longer the righteous is in the way and will of God, the more the Lord will beautify his/her life
→ Proverbs 3:5-6

* The Lord uses those who are righteous to beautify the world by influencing the lives of other people for good

* If you are righteous, you will not only stand tall, but you will stand taller than all your peers

* Palm trees have a reputation of living longer
→ God blesses those who love and serve Him with long life

* A palm tree grows straight and upwards:
→ The righteous person's focus is heaven

* The palm tree casts the least shadow among other trees in the forest
→ Those who are righteous do not overshadow others in their quest for prosperity
→ They focus on depopulating the kingdom of Satan and building others to become what God wants them to be
→ They are not threatened when those around (or even under) them succeed and prosper

* Unlike other trees, the palm tree is soft:
→ the heart of the righteous man is tender and filled with God's mercy & love

* The Palm tree is resilient
→ Persecutions, afflictions etc cannot hinder the growth of the righteous child of God; instead, they make him/her strong

☆ THE CEDAR OF LEBANON
* They were usually found on mountains, not on the low lands
→ Nahum 1:5
→ Righteous people are mountainous people: they are people of prayer
→ They understand the call of the Lord to wait on Him

* Cedars are the strongest woods in the forest
→ King Solomon used the Cedars to build the pillars of the temple (See: 1st Kings 6:9)
→ Righteous people are dependable, durable, consistent, committed and have both spiritual and physical vitally

☆ FLOURISH
→ God is committed to beautifying the lives of those who are righteous and are faithful in serving Him

* NOTE: You can not flourish by your own strength; You are a product of God's grace and mercy

→ You are what you are today (experiencing success and prosperity) because the Lord said "Amen" to your prayers

* The Psalmist did not make reference to other trees, because they are not evergreen; during the dry season, they shed their leaves and withered away
→ the Lord does not want His people to look dead (wither), but to flourish consistently (physically and spiritually)

* Even in old age, those who are righteous will still flourish and continue to bear fruit
(Psalm 92:14 → "They will still bear fruit even in old age; they will be luxuriant and green.")

* If you are not flourishing in life, don't blame any body; blame yourself!
→ Stop building barriers and limitations for yourself

* Young people must realize that God has provided all that is needed for them to flourish in life

* Christian couples should not live in division and compete with each other
→ Let people see the grace of God upon your marriage & family
→ Learn to be proactive in your marriage by always seeking out how to make your marriage union work
→ You are supposed to love your spouse to the extent of dying for him/her

* The children of God are the most priviledged people on earth!

→ Christians must always pray, instead of complaining and grumbling

* When you flourish, realize that it is not by your power
→ God helped you
→ God used other people to help you; therefore, you must also help others to be strong

* Do not allow pride to govern your life
→ Everything you have belongs to God

* Remember that one day you will be required to give an account of God's blessings upon your life

                    **********************************************************

☆ PASTORS CORNER
Palm trees are known for their long life. The stately date Palm and Cedar are highly valued by people in the Near East, the palm is known for its fruit and the cedar for its wood. Both were appreciated for their beauty and both trees can survive for many years.

For the righteous to flourish like a palm tree means to stand and stand tall and also live long. The ceders of Lebanon grew 120 feet in height and are up to 30 feet in circumference, thus, they were solid, strong and immovable. To stay fresh and green in old age and not spend one's life complaining and demanding is a mark of God's Special blessing and grace.

The Psalmist saw the believers as upright, strong unmoved by winds of circumstances. Those who place their faith firmly in the Lord Can experience this divine strength and vitality. The question is, do you have a relationship with the Lord Jesus?

☆ MISSION CHARGE
"Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important and the best years of your life are the ones in which you decided your problems are your own. You don't blame them on your mother."
→ James Mason

☆ QUOTE
"Oh believer, learn to reject pride, see that you have no basis for it. Whatever you are, you have nothing to make you proud. The more you're in debt to God, and you have no reason to be proud of what makes you a debtor."
→ Charles Spurgeon