Easter/Praise Sunday (Pastor Victor Amos) 05-04-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki - Abuja

5th April, 2015

SERMON

* Speaker: Pastor Victor Amos

* Topic: Easter/Praise Sunday

* Theme: Growing up in Christ

* Sub-Theme: Intentional Growth

* Service Leader: Mr. Igwe Augustine

* Text: John 20:1-23



Pastor Victor Amos

* Many people depend on their intellectual prowess to understand the Bible, but it keeps eluding them

* They do not realize that the understanding of God's Word comes through the power of the Holy Spirit

* If you want to properly understand any book, you need to consult the author of that book

→ Through prayer, you can 'consult' God to give you divine insight into His Word

* You have to depend solidly on the Holy Spirit to help you understand the Bible

* Many people have tried to use their own understanding to interpret the Bible, and in the process, they have misinterpreted many portions it

* To the Romans & the Jews, in Jesus' time, there was no supernatural power behind the resurrection

→ But to us as Christians, we know that it was the power of God that raised Him up from death

* The mystery of the resurrection of Jesus can only be revealed to us through the Holy Spirit

* Easter, is a period of pertinence & reflection and not of aimless celebrations

* There is a lot of doubt about the authenticity of the resurrection of Jesus

→ The carnal mind cannot understand it, because the impossibilities are just too much!

* Only God can do what Jesus experienced

(See: Luke 1:27 → For with God nothing will be impossible.)

* You need to be able to be personally convinced (about the truth of God's Word) so that you can be able to stand by yourself

→ Study God's word for yourself

→ Have a personal relationship with Jesus

* The earthy ministry of Jesus is replete with many convincing miracles

★ John 21:3-4

* Even when you detach yourself from God, He is still thinking about you and reaching out to you

* If you doubt the resurrection of Jesus, then:

→ You cannot defend it

→ You cannot believe in your own resurrection

→ You doubt the essence of your faith as a Christian

→ You constitute a hindrance to the growth of the Gospel of Christ

* The Significance of Jesus' Resurrection:

1. It is a fulfilment of the Scriptural prophesies

→ It shows that His word is true and dependable; you can take Him by His Word

2. The resurrection of Jesus validated all that was said about you, about the Church, about God and Himself

3. Because of His resurrection, you can be certain of your own resurrection

→ Many people today are tormented by the fear of death

→ Jesus' resurrection gives us hope of eternal life

4. The resurrection of Jesus is our message to the dying world

→ without it, the gospel message is not complete

5. His resurrection empowers you to face spiritual battles that abound around you

→ It is the evidence of victory over Satan and all the forces of darkness

(See: Colossians 2:12-15)

* Everything that God gives you is for you to serve Him

* How many times have you lost Jesus? (like Mary in John 20:13)

→ Are you looking for Him?

★ In John 20:19, when Jesus appeared to the disciples, he declared: "peace be with You"

→ This is what Jesus declared and He is still declaring peace concerning you

→ In your turbulent moments, believe Jesus' peace is available for you

→ Your situation may be difficult, but not impossible for God to intervene

* You must avoid doing God's work with your own strength

* The victory of Jesus on the cross was not just for Him, but also for you!

* Do not isolate yourself from the Church of God & from fellowshipping with other believers

→ Isolation opens you up and makes you susceptible to defeat by Satan

* Who are the people sent by God to help you?

→ Do not look down on them

* Jesus is ready to forgive you all your sins if only you will confess and forsake them

(See: 1 John 1:9)

* If you continue living in your sins, it means that you do not appreciate Jesus' sacrifice and you are still nailing him to the cross all over again

* Where is Christ Jesus in your life?

→ Is He on the cross or in your heart?

* He cannot be in the two places at the same time - He is either living and reigning in your heart, or to you, He is still dead on the cross

PASTOR'S CORNER

Do you really think you know how much it cost to see your sins nailed to the cross? There are two things about our Lord Jesus that I do not completely comprehend yet, and I daily seek Him for a better illumination. The questions are, why would Jesus die such a terrible and painful death for my sins and how can anyone who hears this glorious message still reject the saviour? Frankly speaking, these questions still mystify my very soul. The cross of Christ is the heart of the gospel message, "Jesus' life was His message to the whole world and He made it so inspiring." What is the significance of the cross of Christ to you? What would have been the story of your life by now if Christ had not resurrected? All hope of eternity would have been gone and Satan would have rejoiced over our lost souls.

But praise be to the risen Lord who promised life and eternity and He resurrected to give life and eternity. He is a trustworthy King and a Saviour worth having. The Lord has risen, be joyful, the Lord has risen, be hopeful, the Lord has risen, proclaim His Holy name, victory to the dying world - HAPPY EASTER

MISSION CHARGE

"I bring you message of HOPE in our RISEN LORD JESUS. Let this be HIS encouragement to you in this glorious Easter period. He says all that which I said about you, I will certainly do. I have crushed the world with its principalities and power with my blood, I have defeated death with its sting on your behalf, I have established you in my authority and victory by my Word, I have risen to grant you a divine and purposeful living and I have risen to beautify your life. "I 'am the Lord, and I have spoken."

→ Pastor Victor T. Amos

QUOTE

"Blessed are those who can give without remembering, and take without forgetting . . . Your life is your message to the world, make it inspiring."

→ Lorrin L. Lee

☆ Picture Credit: Mr. Gideon Ishaku Bewas

Make Every Effort (Rev. Chrysanthus John Bala) 29-03-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki -Abuja

29th March, 2015

SERMON

* Speaker: Rev. Chrysanthus Bala John

* Topic: Make Every Effort

* Theme: Growing in Christ

* Sub-Theme: Intentional Growth

* Service Leader: Rev. David Kwamkur

* Text: 2 Peter 1:5-8

 




Rev. Chrysanthus John Bala

 

* You have something to do (for Christ), but you have to strive to get it done

* 2 Peter 3:1 → This 2nd Epistle was written by Peter because He knew his time was short; the Church of Christ was facing persecution; false teaching was prevalent; believers were falling away from the true faith

→ He was encouraging them to not only remain steadfast in their faith, but to add certain godly virtues to it (that is, their faith)

* Laziness should never be part of God's children

→ Our God is not a lazy God.

* The 7 (seven) virtues that must be ADDED to your faith as a believer in Christ to enable you become effective and productive include: 
 

1. Goodness

→ The quality that makes a person friendly to all people

→ A believer is supposed to be amiable and accommodating. You must not be an irritable person

2. Knowledge

→ Enables you to decide between right and wrong

→ Having a solid knowledge of God's word delivers from the scourge of false teachings and heresies that are prevalent

3. Self-control

→ This is not only the ability to bring your emotions and instincts under subjection, but it entails a total submission to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in you

→ When a man submits to the Spirit of God, he is divinely empowered to become what God wants him to be

4. Perseverance

→ This is regarded as the queen of all the other virtues

→ It is patience mixed with courage

→ Without the virtue of perseverance, a believer can easily give up in the face of the slightest challenge to his faith

5. Godliness

→ This entails words and actions of piety towards God and love towards others

★James 1:27 →"A religion that is pure and stainless according to God the Father is this: to take care of orphans and widows who are suffering, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."

6. Brotherly kindness

→ This entails an undiluted love for the brethren

→ When we genuinely love each other, the world will be convinced that we are disciples of Christ

★ John 13:35 →"This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

7. Love

→ God's unconditional love is seen clearly in Jesus (John 3:16)

→ As a believer, you must show love to everyone, including those who hate you

★ 1st John 3:16 →"This is how we have come to know love: the Messiah gave his life for us. We, too, ought to give our lives for our brothers."

* The 7 virtues listed above must be seen in the life of EVERY child of God who desires to be effective and productive for Christ

★ Titus 3:8 →"This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have put their faith in God may devote themselves to good actions. These things are good and helpful to other people."

* The Christian life is a 'working' life

→ to be successful in your Christian walk, you must work hard and be focussed

* Faith alone is not sufficient to make you effective and productive as a Child of God

★ James 2:17 → "In the same way, faith by itself, if it does not prove itself with actions, is dead."

★ 2 Peter 1:8:

→ As a believer, you are required to imbibe these virtues in your life by making all necessary effort, through discipline & hard work as you trust in God to help you become like Christ

★ 2 Peter 1:9:

→ If you don't have these 7 virtues, it means you are short-sighted & blind

→ The blindness here refers to spiritual blindness

* The knowledge of Jesus Christ will not be barren in your heart if the 7 virtues abound in you & you will continue to grow in him and become efficient and productive in His Service

Men Growing in Christ (Evangelist Bedima Gonzwak) 22-03-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki-Abuja

→ Mens' Fellowship Day

22nd March, 2015

SERMON

* Topic: Men Growing in Christ

* Speaker: Evangelist Bedima Gonzwak

* Theme: Growing Up in Christ

* Sub-Theme: Intentional Growth

* Service Leader: Mr. Danlami Jelka

 



Evangelist Bedima Gonzwak



 ★ Text: Ephesians 5:18-20

 

* It is impossible for anyone to grow without the enablement of the Spirit of God

* You must understand the role of the Holy Spirit in spiritual growth

* You must understand the Holy Spirit and His role the Church today

* Anyone who is drunk with wine is controlled by wine and anyone filled with the Spirit of God is controlled by the Spirit

* You cannot be controlled by the Spirit of God and be controlled by sin at the same time

* You cannot afford to allow yourself to be ruled by any ungodly influence as a believer in Jesus Christ

→ You are destined for dominion, not oppression

* There are people who are controlled by gold (money and the things money can buy) not by the Spirit of God

* NOTE: On earth, people exalt gold and place it above themselves, but in Heaven, the Streets are made of gold and are trampled underfoot

* The deliverance you need in your life is so that 'gold' will be under your feet and God will be in control of your life

* The Holy spirit has not only come to give you help in times of need, but to be in charge (to take full control) of your life

* The Church in Ephesus was one of the most powerful and efficient churches in the Testament (Acts 19).

→ They evangelized the whole of Asia for Christ and there were manifestations of the power of God. But Paul encouraged them to be filed with the Holy Spirit

★ Revelations 4:5 →"And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God."

* The Seven torches/lamps of fire burning before the throne of God are the 7 (seven) dimensions of the Spirit of God

* The 7 (seven) dimensions of the Spirit of God are listed in Isaiah 11:1-2 and they include:

1. Wisdom

2. Understanding

3. Counsel

4. Might

5. Knowledge

6. The fear of the Lord

7. Judgement

* NOTE: The 24 Spiritual gifts revealed in the Scriptures can be compressed into these 7 (seven) dimensions if the Spirit of God

* NOTE: Jesus delighted in the fear of the Lord

→ But, the Nigerian Church to a large extent delights in the manifestation of power (prophesies & miracles)

* It is an abomination for us as believers to take delight in anything that Jesus is not delighted in.

* The fear of the Lord is the empowerment that will take you to heaven

* When you fear the Lord, you will not only know the Holy Spirit as a gift, but as a person!

* The usage of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to believers in Jesus Christ for the promotion of the fear of the Lord in our lives

1. Faith

2. Hope

3. Love (fear of the Lord)

★ 1 Corinthians 13:13

★ Matthew 7:21 →"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

* In the kingdom of God, there are things that are 'major' and some that are 'minor'.

→ The devil is well aware of this fact and he would prefer you to major on the minors

→ there are people that operate in spiritual gifts with great effects and impact, but are not recognized by God

* Many Christians 'major' in great spiritual gifts, but are lacking in godly character

→ God looks at your character

* The fear of the Lord will:

(a) deliver you from living in sin

(b) deliver Nigeria from corruption and other vices

(c) help you to live in obedience to God consistently

* How to know that you are filled with the Spirit of God (Ephesians 5:18)

1. You will have a 'singing heart' regardless of what you experience in life

2. You will always give thanks to God

→ Thanksgiving delivers you from grumbling

3. You will always submit to lawful authority

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

* Many Christians are not sure of making it to heaven because they have allowed sin to thrive in their lives

* As a Christian, you must be serious about dealing with the issue of sin and removing every trace of it from your life

* Don't allow sin to take you down ...

→ deal with it (before it deals with you)


★ MISSION CHARGE

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall . . . the only man who never make mistakes is the man who never does anything"

→ Anonymous

★ QUOTES

"I shall pass through this life but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness. Let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall never pass this way again"

→ Etienne de Grellet 

 

Picture credit: Mr. Gideon Bewas

 

Ought to be Teachers (Rev. David Kwamkur) 08-03-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki, Abuja

8th March, 2015

SERMON

* Topic: Ought to be Teachers

* Speaker: Rev. David Kwamkur

* Theme: Growing up in Christ

* Sub-Theme: Intentional Growth

* Text:

★ Hebrews 5:11-14

★ Hebrews 6:1-12

* Isaac Newton's 1st law of motion states that: "An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force."

* Isaac Newton made reference to "inertia" which is the resistance an object has to a change in its state of motion.

* Inertia is the tendency for an object to remain unchanged as long as nothing moves it (if it is static) or stops it (if it is moving).

* In order to overcome inertia, you have to apply force

* Force will make something that is static or still to start moving; and it will stop a moving object by applying/engaging resistance

* Many Christians have remained in the same condition since they gave their lives to Christ - They were experiencing "spiritual inertia".

* A person who becomes a believer is expected to grow to a level that he or she will become a teacher or mentor to others.

* Spiritual laziness is the main cause of spiritual inertia.

* Laziness may be defined as:

→ idleness;

→ sluggishness (or slothfulness);

→ procrastination;

→ carelessness;

→ forgetfulness;

→ negligence,

→ disorganisation.

* The features of Christians who are 'infected' by Chronic Spiritual Laziness (CSL) include the following:

1. They major on minor things; and minor on major things.

→ Earthly things should not be the major things for a Christian. Similarly, acquiring many educational degrees, building houses, having money are not as important as knowing God and having a personal relationship with Him

★ Matthew 6:33

2. They are inactive over active; and active over inactive

→ There are things that believers are expected to be active in and some others that they are expected to remain inactive

→ Spiritually lazy Christians always reverse expected roles just to please themselves, not God

3. They are satisfied with dissatisfaction and dissatisfied with satisfaction

4. They value short term gains over long term gains

5. They do nothing about spiritual their spiritual condition

6. They undermine spiritual things

7. They don't want to engage in spiritually oriented activities (such as Bible studies, fellowships, prayer & fasting, evangelism, etc.).

8. They are afraid to engage spiritual things because they feel they are inadequate.

* E.g.. They prefer to 'contract' other people (like their Pastor) to pray for them on every single issue

☆ Symptoms of Chronic Spiritual Laziness (CSL):

→ Feeling sluggish to get out of bed to pray;

→ Too busy to read Bible and pray;

→ They are tired of coming to Church (especially for weekly activities);

→ They are perpetual late comers to Church;

→ They don't want to give offerings or tithes

→ They sleep during Church services, especially when preaching is in progress;

→ They are insensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit (the Comforter)

* Warning against Laziness

→ Proverbs 6:6-11

→ Proverbs 10:4

→ Proverbs 18:9

→ Proverbs 26:13-16

* It is better to know your condition (that is, your true spiritual state) so that you can diagnose it properly

☆ The Solution to Chronic Spiritual Laziness:

1. Study your Bible frequently and diligently (Joshua 1:8)

2. Pray fervently (James 5:16b)

3. Maintain a close relationship with God.

* God is more interested yon being with Him, Than you serving or doing things for Him (Luke 12:41-42)

4. Give frequently and generously for the work of God

(2 Corinthians 9:7)

* Your father's business is also your business and it must be your priority

5. Attend church Services regularly and on time

* Be doers of The Word, not Just hearers (James 1:22)

* Unless you deliberately apply 'force', your condition will remain unchanged

* You have to do something about your spiritual condition

* Personal discipline is the antidote for laziness

* You must make a definite commitment to overcome spiritual laziness in your life

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

PASTORS' CORNER

The writer of Hebrews had many things to say of Christ but the Christians were spiritually lazy. This is very sad but often, this is the deplorable condition obtained among many Christians today.

* The Symptoms of spiritual laziness are:

1. Feeling sluggish to get out of bed to pray

2. Very busy to read the Bible and pray

3. Being tired of coming to Church

4. Perpetually coming to Church late

5. Slack in giving offerings and tithes

6. Sleeping during Church Services

7. Insensitivity to the voice of the Holy Spirit

* Solutions to Spiritual laziness are:

1. Diligence in studying God's Word

2. Fervent in prayer

3. Maintaining close relationship with God

4. Spending time with God and his word

5. Giving generously for God's work

6. Attending Church regularly and on time

* Are you okay being a lazy Christian?

 

* Be determined to follow Christ no matter the matter!

Dealing with the Natural Man (Rev. David Kwamkur) 22-02-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki - Abuja, Nigeria

22nd February, 2015

* Colossians 3:5-14

SERMON

* Topic: Dealing with the Natural Man

* Speaker: Rev. David Kwamkur

* Theme: Growing up in Christ

* Sub-Theme: Intentional Growth

* Service Leader: Elder (Mrs) Royina Lot

* Text: John 3:1-18

★ 1 Corinthians 2:14 → " But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

* People are generally divided into three (3) groups.

* The way you respond to the things of God determine the category you belong to:

1. The natural man

2. The carnal man

3. The spiritual man

* Every one in Church belongs to either one of these categories.

→ The categorization is personal. Every one knows exactly which group he belongs to, without being told.

* Today's focus is on the Natural man.

* The "Adamic nature" (in man) is the result of the fall of man (Adam) in the Garden of Eden when he disobeyed God

* Everyone born of a woman is subjected to the Adamic nature (by default)

* Romans 3:23 → 'For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.'

* We inherited this Adamic nature at birth but it was not originally what God planned for man (at the creation)

* Adam fell from God's original plan for him willingly (through the choices he made) and we were affected by it

* The different terms used in the Bible to refer to the Adamic nature:

1. "Law of sin & death" (Romans 8:2)

→ The Adamic nature operates like a law that must be obeyed by the natural man who is bound to it

* No matter how hard the natural man tries to stop sinning, he cannot. He is dominated by the power of sin and he cannot liberate himself

* The end of the natural man is eternal death

* Jesus came to get rid of this nature and to liberate us from the power of the law of sin and death

2. "The Flesh" (Romans 8:8)

→ This is the physical manifestation of the Adamic nature in man

3. "The Old Man" (Romans 6:6)

→ A man who yields to sin is living in accordance with the old order of things

★ 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."

* How to Identify the natural man:

→ He is not born again

→ He is not transformed

→ He is not liberated from the power of sin

→ He does not access divine revelation (because he does not have connection with God)

→ He knows nothing about the things of God

→ He operates in the realm of the natural (within His 5 physical senses)

→ His choices are controlled by his fleshy impulses (not by the Spirit of God)

→ He is the Servant of rebellion. (He antagonizes God at every opportunity)

* What Causes people to have this Adamic nature?

→ We were born with this nature

★ Romans 5:12 →"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned."

* Consequences of living in Sin (indulging the Adamic nature):

→ Eternal condemnation

→ Subjected to the wrath of God

→ Alienation from God

* How to Overcome the Adamic Nature:

★ 2 Corinthians 5:21 →"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

* NOTE: It takes God to save a man from the nature of sin. God has already made that provision through His son, Jesus Christ

* Jesus Christ has made the sacrifice. All you need to do is to accept Him as your Lord and Saviour

* Jesus has already declared you "not guilty", but you must believe and accept Him

★ Acts 4:12 → "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

* It is possible for a "natural man" to believe in Jesus Christ and be saved.

→ No matter your sin, there is hope for you in Jesus

* As a Christian, are you bothered that some people around you are still living in sin?

→ What are you doing about it?

* NOTE: If you are not born again, you will not see the Kingdom of God

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☆ PASTOR'S CORNER

Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Corinthians divided the whole human race into three, according to their responses to the things of God (the natural man, the carnal man and the spiritual man). Every person in Church falls into one of these categories.

The natural man does not access divine revelation; he knows nothing of the things of God. He lives life under the sense of flesh. He sees spiritual things as foolishness. He lives according to Adamic nature. He is lost.

The natural man remains God's enemy unless he yields to the conviction of the Holy Spirit by accepting Jesus as his personal Lord and Saviour. What kind of man are you?

☆ MISSION CHARGE

"Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved."

→ Charles H. Spurgeon

☆ QUOTE

"Jesus himself did not try to convert the two thieves on the cross; He waited until one of them turned to him."

→ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Like Newborn Babies (Rev. John Lohor) 18-01-2015

SUNDAY SERVICE
MY SERMON NOTES
@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)
Area 1, Garki-Abuja
18th January, 2015

★ SERMON

* Speaker: Rev. John Lohor

* Topic: Like New-born Babies

* Text: 1st Peter 2:1-3

* Theme: Growing up in Christ

* Sub-Theme: Intentional Growth

* Service Leader: Miss. Alheri Mutashi

* 1st Peter 2:1-3

"Therefore, rid yourselves of every kind of evil and deception, hypocrisy, jealousy, and every kind of slander. Like new-born babies, thirst for the pure milk of the word so that by it you may grow in your salvation. Surely you have tasted that the Lord is good!"

* Peter wrote this epistle out of concern for the Christians who have refused to grow in Christ regardless of the fact that they have been Christians for a long time

* If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you are expected to grow - there must be a positive change

* There are evil/ungodly virtues that must not be found in your life as a Christian

* Your life and character must undergo positive (godly) transformation as you grow in Christ

* When you come to Christ, you are expected to conform to His character and image. Your Christ-likeness must be evident to everyone around you

* When you give your life to Christ, you have to learn and take positive steps to be mature. This entails making deliberate effort

* The first step to spiritual maturity is taking the 'milk' of the Word of God

* The "milk" has to be pure, not diluted

* Mental growth is more difficult than physical growth

 - whatever you feed your mind on becomes a part of you. For instance, If You feed Your mind on sexually explicit materials, you are likely to manifest such in your life unconsciously

* As a Christian, It is very important to always study the Word of God. Take advantage of the availability of Bibles, and the various avenues to study God's Word.

→ NOTE: In some counties, it is a crime to even be in possession of the copy of a Bible!

* The basic ingredient you require for a balanced spiritual growth is the Word of God

* You must deliberately make time to study God's Word regardless of your tight schedules and diverse commitments

* If you do not study the Word of God, how can you grow?

* Joshua 1:8

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

*You must not only desire to 'ingest' God's Word at every opportunity, you must be crave for it with absolute passion

★ Additional Notes from Mr. Badung Gyang☆☆

* Milk Satisfies the hunger of a baby, nothing else would do

* Milk has all the nutrients that a baby requires for growth

* Milk contains the essential ingredients to protect the child from sickness

* Milk does not need any additive or it would be adulterated. The word does not need any addition or supplement

★ MISSION CHARGE

"There is a difference between interests and commitment. When you are interested in doing something, you only do it when it is convenient. When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results . . . Lack of decisiveness has caused more failures than lack of intelligence or ability. "

- John Mason

★ QUOTE

"Character is something you either have or not. It is the real foundation of all worthwhile Success. A good question to ask Yourself is: 'what kind of world would be if everybody were just like me?' You are Simply a book telling the world about its author . . . Never be ashamed of doing, you need not choose evil; but only to fail to choose good."

- John Mason

Growth is not Automatic (Rev. Chrysanthus B. John) 11-01-2015

SUNDAY SERVICE
★ MY SERMON NOTES
@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)
Area 1, Garki - Abuja
11th January, 2015

★SERMON

* Speaker: Rev. Chrysanthus B. John

* Topic: Growth is not Automatic

* Text: Mark 4:26-29

* Theme: Growing up in Christ (Ephesians 4:14)

* Sub-Theme: Intentional Growth

* Service Leader: Mr. Mark Chollom

* "Growth" means a process of growing, development, increase & maturity

* "Automatic" means a process that takes place "without human control or intervention"

* The first stage in the growth process of a seed is germination.

- The 'seed' that is planted in the hearts of men is the Word of God

- The 'farmer' is the evangelist (and through evangelism of the Gospel of Christ, "seeds" are planted)

* The farmer does not know how the seed grows from the moment it was planted, till it is mature for harvest. This is the law of nature. So as it is with crops, so also is it with every person

* God expects that the seed(s) of the Gospel that is planted in your heart will germinate, mature and become ripe for harvest

* You have to undergo a systemic process before you attain the level of spiritual maturity. It does not occur immediately or within a day.

* Spiritual growth is an intentional process that is activated and maintained by a personal choice to be surrendered to God; to know & obey His word and to serve Him faithfully

* The process of becoming like Christ starts with a decision

* It takes a lot of changes to ensure growth

* Things to help you grow spiritually:

(a) Prayer (and fasting)

(b) studying God's Word; and

(c) Fellowship with other believers

* Spiritual growth is a collaborative effort between you and the Holy Spirit

* The commitment you choose to make in life shapes your life

* You become what you are committed to

* 1st Corinthians 13:11

" When I was a child, I spoke like a child, thought like a child, and reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up my childish ways."

* Christians should grow up, and stop thinking or doing things like children

* God expects every Christian to attain spiritual maturity and become like Christ

 ★ SEE: Romans 8:29 → "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that the Son might be the firstborn among many brothers."

* God has made all necessary provision to ensure that you grow up and become spiritually mature

 ★ SEE: 2 Peter 1:3 → "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the full knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence."

* If you deliberately refuse to grow, you will be cut off from God's eternal inheritance when the 'harvest' comes

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

EXHORTATION DURING HOLY COMMUNION

* Rev. David Kwamkur

★ Romans 6:13-14

"Stop offering the parts of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness. Instead, offer yourselves to God as people who have been brought from death to life and the parts of your body as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin will not have mastery over you, because you are not under Law but under grace."

* As long as you are living in sin, You cannot grow in Christ

* Christians are susceptible to temptations, but living in sin is the personal choice of each individual

★ Galatians 5:25 → "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

* Christians that desire Spiritual maturity must eschew drunkenness and other vices

 ★ Ephesians 5:18 → "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit."

* God expects you as a Christian to behave decently in all circumstances

* Instead of being drunk with alchohol, you must be filled with the Holy Spirit

★ Romans 13:13-14

"Let’s behave decently, as people who live in the light of day. No wild parties, drunkenness, sexual immorality, promiscuity, quarreling, or jealousy! Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, and do not obey your flesh and its desires."

"Growing up in Christ" - (Rev. David Kwamkur) 04-01-2015

SUNDAY SERVICE
★ MY SERMON NOTES
@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)
Area 1, Garki-Abuja
4th January, 2015

★ SERMON

* Speaker: Rev. David Kwamkur

* Topic: Introduction of Theme for 2015 "Growing up in Christ" (Ephesians 4:14)

* Text: Jeremiah 17:7-8 → "Blessed is the person who trusts in the LORD, making the LORD his trust. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by a stream. He won’t fear when the heat comes, and his leaves will be green. In a year of drought he won’t be concerned, nor will he stop producing fruit.”

* Ephesians 4:15 → "Instead, by speaking the truth in love, we will grow up completely and become one with the head, that is, one with the Messiah."

* Christianity in Africa is like Africa itself - it is very wide, but very Shallow. The same situation is reflective of Christianity in Nigeria

* Questions that we must ask Ourselves:

→ Why is it that there are no developed Counties on the African continent?

→ Did God create Africa to remain 'undeveloped' or 'developing'?

→ For how long will Nigeria remain a 'developing' Country?

→ What have we been doing as a nation that has caused us to stagnate on the level of underdevelopment?

→ What can we do differently as a nation to enable us move from the status of "developing" to "developed"?

→ Is Nigeria too comfortable to develop?

→ Who is not telling the truth: the leaders or the masses?

* The Definition(s) of Growth:

1. Growth entails the process of adding value to your life or to something

2. to Increase in size or quality

3. to begin to do something

4. to improve on something

5. to develop emotionally, spiritually or mentally

* Two types of Growth:

   (a) positive growth

   (b) negative growth

* Growing in Christ is the desired positive growth. Anything outside Christ is like a cancerous growth that eventually leads to death

* Every negative growth in the body kills its host, if it is not removed in time

* 10 Facts about Growth:

1. Nobody is born an adult - (both Physically and spiritually)

- At birth, every living thing starts off as an infant

2. Every one can grow

- Growth is not limited to a few people

- Every living thing has the natural potential to grow

3. The right time to grow is now

- When you fail to do what is required of you, your growth process would be stunted

4. To grow is not easy

- It involves discipline and numerous sacrifices

5. Growth is not accidental

- Growth is purely a deliberately planned and strategic process

6. Babies are immature but they are expected to grow eventually

7. Healthy things grow

- Sicknesses hinder the normal process of growth

8. There is no short-cut to growth

- there is nothing like an "instant growth"

- Growth is a process which must be allowed to take its course

9. We were born babies so that we can grow into maturity

10. Growth is always needed

- Regardless of the level you are presently, there is always room for improvement

* 7 Steps to (Spiritual) Growth

1. Have a desire to grow

- Growth depends on you

- For you to grow, you must be dissatisfied wits being a "baby Christian"

2. You must keep your desire to grow alive

3. Always see the need for growth in your life

4. Eat spiritual balanced diet (God's Word) regularly

★ Matthew 4:4 → “It is written, ‘One must not live on bread alone, but on every word coming out of the mouth of God.”

★ Joshua 1:8 → "This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success."

★ Acts 17:10-11 → " That night the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue. These people were more receptive than those in Thessalonica. They were very willing to receive the message, and every day they carefully examined the Scriptures to see if those things were so."

5. Exercise and practice your faith

- Failure to exercise your faith will cause it to become weak and ineffective

6. Be patient

★ James 1:4 → " But you must let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing."

* Growth is a tedious process that takes time

7. Don't be discouraged

★ Joshua 1:6-7 → "Be strong and courageous, because you’ll be leading this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Only be strong and very courageous to ensure that you obey all the instructions that my servant Moses gave you—turn neither to the right nor to the left from it—so that you may succeed wherever you go."

* You need courage to be able to grow

* NOTE:

- Genesis 1:28-29

- When you became born again, you were given seeds, not fruits

- You must maintain a right spiritual balance in order for the 'seeds' to grow into 'fruits'

- You were born to blossom & boom

- Spiritual growth is optional. It purely depends on your personal Choice

* Quotes & bits During the Service (Pastor Victor Amos):

→ "When you take God seriously this year, you will see the difference"

→ "Responsible people always do the right thing at the right time"