Heroes of Faith: Gideon (Pastor Wilson Akubo) 06-08-2017

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Family Worship Centre (FWC)

Wuye, Abuja 

2nd Sunday Service    

6th August, 2017

Picture credit: FWC Media

☆ SERMON: 

* Speaker: Pastor Wilson Akubo 

* Theme: The Just Shall Live by Faith  

* Topic: Heroes of Faith: Gideon 

* Text: Hebrews 11:32-34 →''And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens."

★ Judges 6:11-16 

★ Judges 8:28 →' 'Thus Midian was subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted their heads no more. And the country was quiet for forty years in the days of Gideon."

☆ Background of Gideon: 

* He was the son of Joash the Abiezrite from the tribe of Manasseh 

* His name means 'destroys', ' the hacker', 'a cutter-down', 'the one who bruises' 

→ Even though he was a great man, he lived in hiding, threshing wheat in a wine-press because of fear 

* He was the 5th judge of Israel

* He succeeded Deborah 

* He Judged Israel for 40 years 

* He was a soldier, a farmer and commander 

* His father was a worshipper and priest of Baal

☆ How Did He Begin His Journey of Faith? 

* Israel was oppressed by the Midianites for 7 (seven) years

→ The Israelites cried out to God and He heard them.  

→ God located Gideon in hiding and commissioned him to deliver Israel

→ After that first encounter with God, his faith began to rise  

→ Even though he initially doubted God, God carried Him along till he fulfilled purpose  

→ Gideon stayed faithful to God even in his weakness and doubt. He kept hanging around God.

★ Judges 6:22 → "Now Gideon perceived that He was the Angel of the Lord. So Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God! For I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face.”  

☆ How Did Gideon Express His faith?

1. He built an altar of peace to God in the face of great oppression (Judges 6:24) 

⇒ the altar signified the fact that he handed control of the situation to God 

→ He recognised God as the God of Peace (Jehovah Shalom)

→ The building of the altar signified his reconciliation to God

2. God Tested His Faith (Judges 6:25-26) 

* God instructed him to tear down the altar of Baal and he obeyed (even though he did it at night) 

⇒ He showed people the uselessness of idols 

→ Faith is finding a way to do what God instructed you, even when you are scared or confused!  

* When you begin to walk with God, He will raise people to fight for you (Judges 6:31)

* NOTE: When you obey God and Walk In faith, you set others free! 

* He raised an army of 32,000 fighting men

* After raising the army, a new challenge arose

→ Faith will always be tested

→ God does not want anyone to take the glory with anyone (Judges 7:2)

3. He blew the trumpet to gather them for War (Judges 6:34-35) 

→ He became bold 

→ Faith makes people bold 

3. He Obeyed God's Instructions every step of the way 

→ Faith is refusing to argue with God even in the face of contrary instructions

* Faith is saying 'yes Sir' to God all the time - even when some of the instruction does not make sense!  

→ Gideon knew as a military man that the wisdom of his commander will never fail

* God choose for himself 300 men (Judges 7:7) 

→ God can save by many or by few (See: 1 Samuel 14:6)

→ By faith, Gideon let God trim his army from 32,000 to 300 to face a vast army (Judges 7:3-4)

* You must take your faith off things and people that you think can save you 

⇒ NOTE: Nothing is impossible with God!

* Faith is obeying God's instructions even in the face of completely confusing or conflicting commands, and against every wise judgement 

→ God is a strategic fighter and He knows what to do

4. He went into the camp of the enemy and heard the Revelation that encouraged Him

→ NOTE: Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17)

★ Judges 7:9-14

→ The enemy is afraid of you! 

* As you walk in faith, your enemies will be confounded

* As you rise In faith, God will cause confusion in the camp of the  enemies

5. He made Confessions of faith (Judges 7:17-18) 

* Faith is trusting God and speaking in a corresponding manner

* Gideon made confessions of faith even when  the situation seemed otherwise 

* NOTE: What you confess is what will come to pass!  

6. He gained a great victory against his enemies using uncommon military strategies 

★ Judges 7:22 →" When the three hundred blew the trumpets, the Lord set every man's sword against his companion throughout the whole camp; and the army fled to Beth Acacia, toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel Meholah, by Tabbath."

5. He pursued even When He was Exhausted (perseverance) 

★ Judges 8:4 →''When Gideon came to the Jordan, he and the three hundred men who were with him crossed over, exhausted but still in pursuit."

* When it comes to dealing with the enemy, no remnant is permitted to survive 

→ If you leave the remnant, they will regroup and attack you

* If you put your hand on the plough of faith, you are not permitted to stop unless you have total victory 

→ Half victory is not acceptable

* God does not want any enemy area unconquered

* If you don't finish enemy, it will come back for you and your children

* You must use the heads of your 'enemies' as your trophies

* Every man of faith who does not give up will one day return with a trophy

6. He was still speaking faith even though he was tired and exhausted

★ Judges 8:7 →"So Gideon said, “For this cause, when the Lord has delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers!”

★ Judges 8:9 →"So he also spoke to the men of Penuel, saying, “When I come back in peace, I will tear down this tower!”

* A man of faith knows that when you begin with God, your end is certain

* Things were not adding up for Gideon but he still spoke in faith

* As a man of faith, keep declaring God's Word till you see the tangible results 

→ As long as you have a mouth, the devil will never have victory over you

* Whether you see it or not, keep speaking!

* Faith speaks what it believes 

→ when you keep speaking, it will answer to you

7. He Revenged for those who were Unjustly killed 

★ Judges 8:18-19 → "And he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor?”  So they answered, “As you are, so were they; each one resembled the son of a king.”   Then he said, “They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. As the Lord lives, if you had let them live, I would not kill you.”

* Faith, when it is fully matured, defends the weak 

* Strong faith carries the burdens of the weak

8. He Totally Subdued the Enemies of Israel 

★ Judges 8:28 → "Thus Midian was subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted their heads no more. And the country was quiet for forty years in the days of Gideon."

* The Hebrew word for 'subdue' כָּבַשׁ (kabash) means to bring on bended knees

★ Philippians 2:10 → "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth"

7. He displayed that his Faith was rested solely in God by refusing to accept Glory that was Due to God  

→ He pointed the people to God - their King

★ Judges 8:22-23

* A true man of faith will always give glory to God in spite of his victories and achievements

☆ Conclusion:  

* The faith of Gideon is the faith that:

→ Obeys completely without questioning 

→ Placing all that you have in the hands of God even when it does not look like much 

→ Makes positive confession based on God's Word 

→ Subdues its enemies (negative circumstances) totally 

→ Defends and delivers others

→ Gives glory to God for every conquest 

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 Power in Fellowship (2) (Mr. Johnson Amadi) 18-07-2017

★ MY SERMON NOTES 

NDIC/DMO Chapel 

Central Business District,

Abuja, Nigeria 

18th July, 2017

 

* Speaker: Mr. Johnson Amadi 

* Topic: The Power in Fellowship (2)

* As a believer, you are a winner

→ To win connotes the fact that you must have contended for something

* As we gather together as believers in Jesus, there is power in our midst

* Together, we are invincible 

→ The Most High God has put a mark of victory upon us

* If you consider yourself as a believer in Jesus, you must not stay away from the gathering of other believers

★ Psalm 133:1 →''Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!"

* As believers in Jesus Christ, we are brothers and sisters (brethren) because we have the same Father

★ John 14:1 → "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

* One of the reasons why we must fellowship together is because we are expectant of the second return of the Lord Jesus Christ

* After the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, believers will be reunited with Him and any form of 'fellowship' (on earth) will not be to His glory any longer - and may be done under stringent conditions

* Fellowship is important because we are members of the same family

* There is strength in united fellowship

★ Deuteronomy 32:30 → ''How could one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Unless their Rock had sold them, And the Lord had surrendered them?"

The Diety of Jesus 4 (Immanuel - God With Us) Pastor Sarah Omakwu 05-05-2016

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Family Worship Centre (FWC)

Wuye, Abuja

2nd Sunday Service

5th June, 2016

Pastor Sarah Omakwu  Picture Credit: FWC Media

* Speaker: Pastor Sarah Omakwu

* Topic: The Deity of Jesus 4 (Immanuel - God With Us)

* The birth of Jesus was not an ordinary event:

→ Nature was involved in His birth

→ When the shepherds heard about His birth, they rejoiced

→ Wise men brought Him symbolic gifts

→ When people met Jesus, their lives were transformed for good

* Jesus' name is His Assignment:

→ Immanuel (God with us)

→ Yahweh (Savior)

* He came to lead us to God

→ If you come in contact with Jesus, you have encountered God (because He is God)

☆ Important Scriptures that Talk about the Birth of Jesus Christ:

★ Matthew 1:18-25

→ The Holy Spirit can make a person pregnant! Nothing is impossible with Him

→ The Holy Spirit brings to manifestation things that were pronounced by God's Word

★ Matthew 2:1-23

→ NOTE: It was not fools that came to worship the baby Jesus: They were wise men

→ Sometimes it is okay to be afraid: Wisdom and common sense may dictate that you run away from trouble (verses 13-15)

→ Not all boldness is good

★ Luke 1:5-25

→ Because you did everything right does not mean that everything will happen to you right

→ NOTE: Bad things also happen to good people (verse 7)

→ When you remain faithful to God's service, you will be transformed

→ As long as you are alive and you trust God, you will experience His goodness

→ God will send a 'sign of reference' through somebody you know so that you understand that if He did it for them, He will do it for you.

→ The key to receiving from God is believing His Word (verse 45)

→ God is committed to fulfilling His promises

→ You cannot be in Christ and not have a testimony: Your mouth cannot be shut (see Mary's praise in verses 46-55)

→ You must not forget the mercies of the Lord towards you

→ There are some things that happen to you that you need people of 'kindred spirit' to encourage and support you (verse 56)

★ Luke 2:1-52

→ If God says it, He will do it; it may not be now, but He will do it

→ Every first child belongs to God and must be dedicated to Him (verse 23)

→ Nothing will happen to you until all the plans of God concerning your life are fulfilled (verse 26)

⇒ when you love God, you will take everything He wants from you seriously. No sacrifice is too much for God. (verse 41)

☆ Things to Note from the above verses:

* Joseph was a good & decent man: he obeyed God's Words and instructions to the very end

* As a child of God, you are supposed to be a person of integrity, totally subject to the will of God in all things

* When God gives you an instruction concerning your sexuality, you must obey Him.

→ Do not rationalize or analyze it with your intellect

→ Joseph did not violate Mary sexually while she was pregnant with Jesus (Matthew 1:25)

* When God is to work with and through you, He looks at your heart

* The attitude of ingratitude is blocking many people's blessings

→ Learn from Mary who praised God for all that He did for her

→ Learn from the shepherds and the wise men who looked for Jesus and worshiped Him, bringing praise and valuable symbolic gifts

* You must never get to the point that you take your salvation for granted

* If wise men followed Him, you must do same!

* NOTE: The Shepherds told others about Jesus (Luke 2:17):

⇒ when was the last time you told somebody about Jesus?

* Herod was jealous of Jesus

→ There are people that will always seek to antagonize and undermine God's blessings upon your life

* The main reason Jesus came to the world was to deliver you from your sin (Matthew 1:21)

→ This is His primary mission

☆ Question: When it is all said and done, will Jesus be an offense to you?

→ Jesus was an offense to Herod and He sought to suppress and eliminate Him by killing all of Jesus' peers (Matthew 2:16)

* You must respect the anointing of God upon His servants and ministers, regardless of their age, gender or status in life (Luke 1:43)

* Question: What will you do with the Son of God?

* NOTE: Jesus Christ has neutralized the power of sin

→ You must appropriate that victory in every aspect of your life and live daily as an over-comer! 

PS: This message and other messages 

by Pastor Sarah and other Pastors of Family Worship Centre 

may be downloaded via the Church's Website 

Fight the good Fight of Faith) (10) (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 01-12-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

1st December, 2015

Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu

Topic: Prevailing by faith (Fight the good Fight of Faith) (10)

Text: 2 Timothy 4:7-8 → "I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. The victor’s crown of righteousness is now waiting for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on the day that he comes, and not only to me but also to all who eagerly wait for his appearing."

* Faith is the only means, method or strategy by which we become victorious in life

★ Why must I fight this good fight of faith?

1. It is a fight appointed, commissioned and commanded by God

☆ Job 23:12 → "I haven’t wandered away from the commands that he has spoken; I’ve treasured what he has said more than my own meals.”

* You have no authority to deviate from the command of God

2. It is one fight

→ There are two classes of fight: the good and the bad fight

→ Now is the only chance we have to fight the good fight; You have only one life to live

→ After this life, you have no other opportunity

☆ John 9:4 →" I must do the work of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is approaching, when no one can work."

3. It is One faith

☆ Ephesians 4:4-6 →"There is one body and one Spirit. Likewise, you were called to the one hope of your calling. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, through all, and in all."

* John 8:56 →"Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad."

* We have been entrusted with the Same faith that the Patriarchs upheld and were commended for

☆ Genesis 14:18-20 (Abraham saw a preview of the glory of Jesus)

→ NOTE: The "King of Salem" was actually Jesus!

☆ Hebrews 11:7 →"By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, reverently prepared an ark to save his family, and by faith he condemned the world and inherited the righteousness that comes by faith."

4. That is the only way we Can take hold of the eternal life

☆ 2 Timothy 4:7-8

→ Many people, without fighting the good fight of faith entertain the hopes of securing eternal life. This is not possible! 

→ Notice the certainty by which the Apostle spoke

→ We all do not start the race at the same time. But how you start, how you run it, and how you complete it matters

* Satan has no right to deprive any man of eternal life. 

→ This is entirely your choice

Fight the good Fight of Faith (9) (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 30-11-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

30th November, 2015

Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu

Topic: Prevailing by faith (Fight the good Fight of Faith) (9)

Text: 1 Timothy 6:11-12 →"But you, man of God, must flee from all these things. Instead, you must pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the faith. Keep holding on to eternal life, to which you were called and about which you gave a good testimony in front of many witnesses."

* NOTE: Our fight is against:

1. Sin its all its ramifications

2. Satan in all his manifestations

3. World systems

☆ Why Should we fight the good fight of faith?

1. Because it is the Good fight

→ It is a command, not a suggestion

→ It is appointed and recommended by God

2. Because it is one fight. It is fought only once

→ You have only one opportunity to fight it

→ You have only one life to live

3. Because it is one Faith

★ Ephesians 4:4 -6 →"There is one body and one Spirit. Likewise, you were called to the one hope of your calling. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, through all, and in all.

→ It is the same faith that Abraham upheld that we are called to contend for

★ Genesis 15:6 →"Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness."

★ Hebrews 11:1-2 →"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval."

* We have the same faith with the Ancients (Patriachs) such as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob  

* Question: What will you be commended for?

★ Hebrews 11:29 →"By faith they went through the Red Sea as if it were dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do this, they were drowned."

* This is the same faith that many people of old trusted it and got deliverances, healings, victories, miracles, breakthroughs

* You can only overcome the challenges of life only through faith in God and nothing else

* When you stand before God, you will not be asked about your material posessions, but your quality of faith in Christ  

4. Because that is the only way you can lay hold of eternal life

★ Hebrews 6:12 →"Then, instead of being lazy, you will imitate those who are inheriting the promises through faith and patience.''

★ Jude 3 →"Dear friends, although I was eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I found it necessary to write to you and urge you to continue your vigorous defense of the faith that was passed down to the saints once and for all."

★ 1st Timothy 6:12 →"Fight the good fight for the faith. Keep holding on to eternal life, to which you were called and about which you gave a good testimony in front of many witnesses."

★ Revelations 3:11 →''I am coming soon! Hold on to what you have so that no one takes your victor’s crown."

* You are expected to fight to finish so that when you stand before God, you will be commended

Fight the good Fight of Faith (9) (Pastor 'Lola Owotumi) 25-11-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

25th November, 2015

Speaker: Pastor 'Lola Owotumi

Topic: Prevailing by faith (Fight the good Fight of Faith) (9)

Text: 1 Timothy 1:13 →"I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession" .[KJV]

* As a Christian, whether you realise it or not, you are faced with a battle

* What is your confession?

→ I am a casualty?

→ I am a victor?

* We are fighting against:

1. Self

2. Sin

3. Satan

* You must arm yourself with the confession of life → that the Lord is good

★ Nahum 1:7 →"The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him." [KJV]

* If you must be victorious in the battle of faith, you must realize that the Lord is good

* On your own you have no power over self, sin or Satan

★ 1st Corinthians 9:25-26 →"And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air." [KJV]

* You must be temperate in all things

* Must be certain in the victory you want to win

* If you can win the battle over self, you can win other battles presented before you

* You must be determined to keep self under control and subjection

* Sometimes if you are fighting the good fight of faith, we will be wounded but there is healing & comfort in our God!

☆ 2 Corinthians 7:4-6→ "My boldness of speech [is] great toward you; my glorying on your behalf [is] much. I have been filled with comfort, I am overflowing with joy on all our trouble. 5  For, indeed, coming into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but being troubled in every way, [with] fightings [on the] outside, and fears [on the] inside. 6  But He who comforts the lowly comforted us by the coming of Titus." [MKJV] 

Inner Strength (Pastor Victor Amos) 23-11-14

SUNDAY SERVICE

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki - Abuja

23rd November, 2014

SERMON

* Speaker: Pastor Victor Amos

* Theme: Knowing the Will of God

* Topic: Inner Strength

* Text: Philippians 4:10-13

→ Deuteronomy 33:26-27

* Six Facts Concerning Inner Strength:

1. You cannot possess inner strength if you are not connected to Christ.

2. Inner Strength for a child of God entails peace from God

★ Isaiah 9:6 →"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

* Note: Jesus is our prince of peace & genuine peace can only be found through Him.

3. Inner Strength has nothing to do with your physical (muscular) build or material possessions.

4. Inner strength is only available to those who are interested in having a relationship with Christ.

5. Victory in Christ comes as a result of possessing inner strength.

6. If you enjoy sin, you cannot benefit from inner strength & genuine peace will continue to elude you.

* Happiness does not depend on your present circumstances or by having material possessions

* Life is not a party, but a race & a trust

* To utilize the Lord's purpose for your life, you must possess inner strength.

* If you know the will of God and are doing it, you will enjoy the peace of God.

* Enjoying the peace of God does not mean that you will not face challenges in your life.

* Paul's letter to the Philippians is full of the theme of joy.

→ Assignment: Take time to read the book of Philippians and understand the concept of having joy in the face of challenges.

* NOTE: Paul's letter to the Philippians was written from the Prison!

→ He gave what he had.

→ You cannot give what you do not have

→ Paul demonstrated the fact that with inner strength from God, he can adjust to any situation in life and still be victorious.

* Paul depended on Christ for the grace to be victorious.

* Inner strength has a lot to do with your (mental) state of mind and who you are connected to.

* Inner strength equips you to face the issues of life with confidence.

* You must realize the fact that making it in life is not by your might.

* Where is your strength? What is your source of confidence in life?

★ Psalm 34:5 → "They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed."

* God is the source of your radiance.

* When you think all hope is lost, that is when God is at his best!

* The problem with many Christians is that we do not believe God's Words.

* Biblical Characters that Operated with Inner Strength:

→ King Hezekiah (2nd Kings 20)

→ David: Consistently relied on the Lord for victory over difficult situations and ever-present enemies

→ Joseph: forgave His brothers in spite of their deep betrayal (Genesis 50)

→ Samson: repented and regained inner strength to overcome his enemies thereby accomplishing his mission. (Judges 16:23-30)

→ Abraham: He walked closely with God by faith (Hebrews 11:8)

→ Esther: Stood up and defended her people who were about to experience genocide, at the risk of her own life (Esther 4:14-17)

* If you know your God, you will not be subjected/ defeated by any situation in life.

★ Jeremiah 29:11 →"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."

* God's plan for you is to live a victorious Christian life.

★ John 15:5 → "I am the vine, you are the branches. The one who abides in me while I abide in him produces much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing."

* When you remain (abide) in God, He will help you to accomplish much more than your own strength and human effort can achieve.

* Sin is your enemy: It drains your spiritual strength and makes you vulnerable.

* Every sin you commit is an evil seed that will germinate and haunt you latter in life - unless God has mercy on you when you return to him in genuine repentance.

* Sin is a burden that weighs you down and hinders you from fulfilling God's purpose.