How to grow in Faith (5) (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 22-12-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

22nd December, 2015

Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu

Topic: Prevailing by faith (How to grow in Faith (5)

Text: Romans 10:17 →"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." (NIV)

* The major way to Grow in faith is by hearing God's Word

☆ Hearing has three (3) main Components:

(a) Listening

* The object of hearing and listening is the Word of Christ

* listening entails giving your full concentration and rapt attention

☆ Psalm 62:11 →"God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God." (KJV)

* Luke 10:38-42 →"Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

* Listening entails sitting at the feet of the master to learn what he has to say. Nothing else matters

* In this life, so many things can encumber your life and rob you of concentrating on listening to God's Word

* One of the problems that Christians have about listening, is that, when they are hearing the word of God, they have no passion

* Whenever you hear God's Word, you must drown in what you are hearing. Soak it in

* You must listen to God's word like your life depends on it. Indeed, it does

☆ Prayer:

Father I thank you that I have ears;

help me to utilize my ears in hearing you;

Grant me the grace to shut my ears to what the devil is saying;

Open the ears of my heart to listen to what you want me to hear from your Word

How to grow in Faith (4) (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 21-12-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

21st December, 2015

Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu

Topic: Prevailing by faith (How to grow in Faith) (4)

Text: Mark 9:14 - 24

* When you develop your faith you will be able to withstand the challenges of life

* Unbelief is a major issue for many people, including Christians

* Unbelief can be defined as:

(a) Questioning the ability of Christ

→ this takes place subtly in the heart

(b) Questioning the ability and power of Christ in you

 ★ Luke 10:19

(c) Questioning the potency of your own faith

(d) Wondering if what you are believing God for is His will

→ This is the greatest sign of unbelief

→ God wants you to have that thing you are desiring

→ Every good and perfect gift comes from God

* Faith takes you to a realm where nothing is impossible

★ Luke 1:37 → ''Nothing is impossible with respect to any of God’s promises.”

★ Mark 9:23 → "If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for one who believes."

☆ Effects of Unbelief:

1. Unbelief hinders people from receiving God's promises and blessings that could be theirs

★ Jonah 2:8 → "Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God's love for them."

2. Unbelief prevents people from becoming what God has destined them to be

→ Many people cannot accomplish what God created them for

★ Judges 6:12-15

3. Anyone afflicted by unbelief cannot please God

★ Hebrews 11:6

→ It takes faith to please God

How to grow in Faith) (3) (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 16-12-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

16th December, 2015

Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu

Topic: Prevailing by faith (How to grow in Faith) (3)

Text: Matthew 17:14-21

* The power or potency of faith is not a function of its size

* The potency of faith depends on its genuineness, completeness and authenticity

→ It must not be tainted by fear or sin

* The very situation that men could not handle, Jesus can handle

* We need to make an honest self-examination of your self

* Unbelief is the greatest thing that undermines the potency of faith (verse 20)

* Except unbelief is dealt with, faith cannot grow

* You must get to the point that you can confidently say: "I know that my redeemer liveth." 

☆ What is Unbelief?

1. Unbelief is doubting the ability and the power of Christ to do what he said he will do

★ Isaiah 40:28 →"Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The LORD is the eternal God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not grow tired or weary; and his understanding cannot be fathomed."

* There is nothing that God cannot do

* Once you doubt the power of Christ to do anything, unbelief is at work

★ Matthew 9:22 →"When Jesus turned and saw her, he said, “Be courageous, daughter! Your faith has made you well.” And from that very hour the woman was well."

2. Unbelief is doubting the power of Christ within you, yourself

★ Luke 10:19 →''Look! I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to destroy all the enemy’s power, and nothing will ever hurt you."

* You must not diminish or downgrade the power of God which is invested in your life

* You must not live a powerless life

★Philippians 4:13 →"I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

★ Psalm 27:1-3 →"The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom will I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom will I be afraid? When those who practice evil, my enemies, and my oppressors come near me to devour my flesh, they stumble and fall. If an army encamps against me, my heart will not fear. If a war is launched against me, I will even trust in that situation."

★ Proverbs 18:10 →"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; a righteous person rushes to it and is lifted up above the danger."

How to grow in Faith) (2) (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 15-12-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

15th December, 2015

Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu

Topic: Prevailing by faith (How to grow in Faith) (2)

Text: Luke 17:1-6

* It is your responsibility to grow by faith

* God expects you to keep growing in faith

* Take care about what you think, say and do so that you do not cause offense

* Many Christians do not want to be rebuked for any sin they commit

* It requires a high level of faith to forgive offences, especially repeated offences

★Proverbs 15:3 →"The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good."

* There is no offence that anyone does to you that the Lord is not aware of

* Many will misconstrue your forgiveness be weakness

* NOTE: Forgiveness is an act of meekness

* It takes faith to remember that vengeance is God's prerogative

* The efficacy of faith is not dependent on the size of faith

→ You do not need a very big faith in order to do what God desires

* NOTE: As small as a mustard seed is, it is still a real & complete seed that, given the right conditions, it will become a fruitful and productive tree! 

* As long as your faith is genuine, true, complete, credible, active and real, it will overcome every challenge

★ Mark 4:35-40

* Because the Lord is in your boat, he expects that you activate your faith in the face of every storm instead if panicking 

How to grow in Faith) (1) (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 14-12-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

14th December, 2015

Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu

Topic: Prevailing by faith (How to grow in Faith) (1)

Text: Luke 17:1-6

* The most important thing in our relationship with God is faith

* Every thing you do as a believer revolves around faith

* Anywhere man is found, sin is in abundance

→ Market, hospitals, hotels, Churches, etc

→ It is virtually impossible to run away from sin

* But woe onto the man by which the sin comes

* Jesus requires that despite the abundance of sin, you must always forgive

* NOTE: It takes faith to walk in perpetual victory and to live the Christian life  

☆ You need Faith to forgive:

1. Knowing that God indeed saw the offence

2. Knowing that God has already forgiven you also (Matthew 6:14)

3. Knowing that God holds exclusive monopoly of vengeance (Hebrews 10:30-31) 

→ Many people decide to revenge due to a lack of faith

* Prayer:

"God I thank you because you are a forgiving God and that no matter how heinous my sins are, you will always forgive me."

Cleanliness (Elder Simon Bunshak) 06-12-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki - Abuja

6th December, 2015

☆ SERMON

* Speaker: Elder Simon Bunshak

* Topic: Cleanliness (How to Maintain the Balance between Physical and Spiritual Cleanliness)

* Theme: Growing up in Christ

* Sub-Theme: Wholistic Growth

* Service Leader: Joyce Ahmadu

* Text: Mark 7:1-23

* 'Cleanliness' is defined as the careful avoidance of dirt

* Dirt is a parallel symbolism for sin

★ Psalm 51:7 →"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."

* When you want to maintain spiritual cleanliness, you have to ensure that your 'inside' is clean

* The cleanliness on the inside is what brings cleanliness on the outside

* Many people place a lot of emphasis on outward cleanliness while forgetting (or neglecting) inner cleanliness

☆ How does inner cleaniness affect outward cleanliness?

→ when you are clean on the inside, every physical activity you do reflects the glory of God

→ what is on the inside determines what is produced on the outside

☆ How does God view cleanliness?

★ 1 Peter 1:15 →"But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation."

→ the virtue of cleanliness originates from God himself and He expects you to be clean/holy in every area of your life

☆ Four (4) Aspects of Cleanliness that God wants You to Imbibe:

1. Spiritual Cleanliness

→ This has to do with the prospect of having eternal life and maintaining a vibrant relationship with God

→ This is the most important aspect of cleanliness; but it is also the most neglected

→ To be spiritually clean means that you never cross the line between true worship and false worship

☆ 1 Corinthians 7:14 →"For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy."

☆ James 1:27 →"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

→ You must ensure that what you allow into your life (through sight, sound and thought) is glorifying to God

☆ Jeremiah 32: 35 →"And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin."

→You must avoid involving yourself in any form of untrue worship to God

★ Mathew 23:25 →"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess."

→ NOTE: The less time you take in cleaning your inside, the less your glory on the outside will be evident

2. Moral Cleanliness

→ This involves keeping your mind & your heart clean before God

★ Ephesians 4:17-19

→ (the world is alienated from God, because of the prevalence of immorality)

→ when you constantly reflect on bad/unclean things, it eventually becomes your reality

→ Most nagative physical acts begin with bad or unclean thoughts

→ Sin is generally defined as the violation of God's moral standards

→ Anytime you constantly think about a particular sin & meditate upon it, it will surely manifest as a reality in your life

→ What you see, read or hear affects your mind directly or indirectly

→ Christians must always be on guard against any form of moral uncleanliness

☆ On the issue of Dressing:

→ when your 'inside' is clean, you will not need anybody to tell you to dress decently

→ Indecent dressing is a sign of inner uncleanliness. It also has the capacity to project unclean thoughts in others and causing them to lust

☆ NOTE:

→ People are observing you!

→ You are a model to someone. You might encourage somebody to either go to heaven or hell

3. Mental Cleanliness

→ The secret recesses of your mind must not be a repository of negative thoughts

★ Mathew 5:28 →"But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."

→ Addiction to pornographic films and pictures or suggestive lyrics of songs polutes your mind

→ The type of music you play in your car, house or place of business reflects who you really are (either as a godly or carnally minded person)

→ People take their car to the car wash because they want people to feel comfortable when they enter into it.

* Question: Will people be comfortable when they come in contact with the contents of your heart & mind?

4. Physical Cleanlines

→NOTE: Spiritual and physical cleanliness go hand in hand

★ 2 Corinthians 7:1 →"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

* Physical cleanliness dictates keeping your surrounding clean and avoiding anything that defiles your body such as tobacco, alchohol, drugs etc.

* You must always surmon the courage to help others around you who are dirty by telling them the truth in love

* Cleanliness is next to godliness

* The hallmark of true Christianity is physical cleanliness and decency

★ Causes of Spiritual Uncleanliness

1. Evil thoughts

→ when a unclean mind conjures up evil thoughts, the evil mind has no choice but to it out Carry

2. Pride

3. Foolishness

4. Sexual Immorality (in all its ramifications)

5. etc

☆ Meditating upon God's word and frequent meeting with other believers can help you live a spiritually clean life

* Cultivating a clean life is an indication that you trust in the unfailing promises of God

★ Jeremiah 17:9 →" The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

→ Only God can dean up the heart of any man

★ 1 Samuel 16:7 →"But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."

* You must pay close attention to the state of both your physical and spiritual cleanliness at all times

* NOTE: Maintaining cleanliness is a choice that you have to consciously make today

→ Choose Jesus today as your Lord and Savior

☆ MISSION CHARGE

"I have learned to use the word 'impossible' with the greatest caution . . . if one advances confidently in the direction of one's dreams, and endeavors to live the life which one has imagined, One will meet with success unexpected in common hours."

→ Henry David Thoreau

☆ QUOTE

"I will! I am! I can! I will actualize my dream. I will press ahead. I will settle down and see it through. I will solve the problems. I will pay the price. I will never walk away from my dream until I see my dream walk away; Alert! Alive! and Acheived!"

→ Robert H. Schuller

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

Evangelistic Mindset (Rev. J. E. Dakom) 29-11-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

CC Nyanya, LCC Nyanya, RCC Karu,

Abuja - Nigeria

29th November, 2015

Annual Thanksgiving for 

Gindiri Old Students Association (GOSA)

Rev. J. E. Dakom

☆ SERMON

* Speaker: Rev. J. E. Dakom

* Topic: Evangelistic Mindset

* Theme: Growing up in Christ

* Sub-Theme: Benefits of Growing in Christ

* Service Leader: Mr. Walbe

* Text: 2 Kings 7:9 →"But then they told each other, “We’re not doing the right thing. This is a day of good news, but if we keep quiet until morning, we’re sure to be punished! So let’s leave and go tell the king’s household!”

★ Luke 13:5-9

* Illustration: Story of a woman who died saving a child that is not her's from a river. 

* The risks of engaging in evangelism: 

→ Time

→ Death 

→ Opposition 

→ Finances

* We serve a God that is an Evangelistic being

* Genesis 2:25 →"Even though both the man and his wife were naked, they were not ashamed about it."

→ God's glory was the covering of both the man and the woman

* Genesis 3:6-11 (The fall of man)

→ Sin separated man from God

* NOTE: Nothing you do can cover the shame of sin

* Sin is dangerous: 

→ It destroys man's relationship with God

→ It removes God's cover over the life of a man

★ Genesis 3:21 →"The LORD God fashioned garments from animal skins for Adam and his wife, and clothed them."

* No matter how expensive your physical clothes are, they cannot cover the shame of sin

* When God covers your sin, He does it permanently and gloriously

* Your shame cannot be covered by your material possessions, your secular or religious position

★ Genesis 6:1 →"When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them" 

* Man cannot save himself. Only God can do that

* God is a God of mission

→ He came seeking man even though they hare rejected him and turned their backs against Him

★ Romans 13:14 → "Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh."

* Today, Jesus takes the place of the garment that God used to cover the shame of Adam and Eve

★ Romans 3:23, 26

* Romans 8:1 →  "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"

* Only Christ can give you rest

* If you are not connected to Jesus, you are living in shame, regardless of your political, social, academic or religious position

* Romans 1:16 →  "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."

* The power of God that can bring true change is found in the Gospel of Christ

* Only those who evangelize will find rest at the feet of the Lord

→ they will shine as stars (Daniel 12:3)

* We cannot bring change through our human wisdom or carnal weapons, but only through the Gospel of Christ

* Jesus gave himself up for the Gospel of Salvation

* It is Jesus that gives true transformation and change

★ John 8:11 →"No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you,"Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

* The center of the Gospel is the Cross of Christ

→ If the cross is removed from the Gospel, it becomes useless

* Sinners must find grace in the Gospel that we preach

→ We must not scare people away

* The Gospel is a good news and it must remain so towards Sinners.

→ It is not a message of judgement and condemnation

★ Luke 5:31 → "Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." 

★ Luke 15:7 → "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

★  John 21:15-17

* How much does it cost you to bring a lost soul to Jesus?

→ It can cost you your life! 

* Every day you have a task to preach the Gospel to everyone around you

* If you refuse to evangelize, punishment will come on you

* Question: What is making you feel ashamed of the Gospel of Christ?

→ Jesus can transform your life

→ Jesus can never refuse to accept you

* Question: Are you mission minded in everything you do?

★ 2 Timothy 4:2 → "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction."

A Cross-Section of GOSA Abuja Branch Members singing the GOSA Anthem 

Joint Heirs to the Kingdom of God (Dr. Patrick Dakum) 26-11-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

Christian Couples Fellowship (CCF),

End of Year Combined Fellowship,

Abuja Zone,

@ Mungo-Park Garden, off Gimbiya Crescent, Area 11,

FCT - Abuja, Nigeria

26th November, 2015

☆ EXHORTATION

* Speaker: Dr. Patrick Dakum

* Topic: Joint Heirs to the Kingdom of God

* Text: 1 Peter 3:1-7

* NOTE: Yourself and your wife are joint heirs of the Kingdom of God

* This means that you both have a responsibility to uphold each other spiritually

 

* You would not be happy if you see your spouse in hell

* The problem that couples face is a global one

* At the point you become married, you have become one

→ NOTE: Becoming one is a process because marriage involves two different people that must adjust to each other

* If you have to properly adjust to each other, you must be able to understand each other, complement each other and uphold each other

* A man must take his place and discharge responsibility as the Priest & provider of the home

* A wife must comport herself in such a manner that her life is attractive to God

* Wives: learn to trust God for the change that you want to see in your husband

→ Place emphasis on developing inner beauty

* Wives: If you want your husband to treat as a queen, you must treat Him as a King

→ You must not disrespect Him [Esther 1:9-18]

* Husbands: You must treat your wife with consideration

* Violence against women is one of the worse things that a man can ever do!

→ A Christian man must never disrespect a woman by beating and oppressing her

* NOTE: Your wife is not your servant or your cook.

→ She is your partner and a helpmate

* You must not use your wife in a harsh way, but you must help her and treat her with

★ Joel 2:28 → "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions."

→ The same spirit that is in you is the same spirit that your wife has

★ Assignment: Evaluate your family:

1. How has this year being?

2. Have we been able to achieve our goals for this year?

3. What are the goals we want to achieve next year?

4. What are your spiritual plans for the family?

5. Do you have any plans for academic advancement?

→ Do not go into the next year accidentally without a plan.

* NOTE: Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance

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

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

25th November, 2015

LEADER'S PRAYER MEETING

Speaker: Pastor 'Lola Owotumi

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

Text: 1 Timothy 6:11-12 →"But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."

★ Proverbs 24:6 →"For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety."

* You need counsel from the word of God in order to fight the good fight of faith

* Comfort, guidance and healing comes from God's word

★ Proverbs 24:10 →"If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small."

* You must never lose sight of why you are fighting

* Lord, grant me intimate Knowledge of your counsel

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] 

Giving is an Result of Grace (Rev. Markus M. Musa) 22-11-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES
@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)
LCC Ungwan Paul Gindiri,
Tudun Wada, Jos
Plateau State
22nd November, 2015

RETIREMENT SERVICE IN HONONR OF REV. EPHRAIM HAGGAI

SERMON
* Speaker: Rev. Markus M. Musa
* Topic: Giving is a Result of Grace
* Text: 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
* Theme: Growing up in Christ (Ephesians 4:15)
* Service Leader: Rev. Gideon Kannap

* Paul wanted the Corinthian believers to know the unusual way by which the grace of God was demonstrated through the Macedonian Church by which they excelled in giving

* If there is no generous giving in the Church, that congregation should grieve And morn because they lack the special grace of giving that is vested through the Holy Spirit

* Many people do not give, not because there is no money, but because they have not given the Holy Spirit His due place in their lives

* God's grace enables you to give generously and cheerfully

* Multiply grace and distribute it

* The policies of the Roman Government had impoverished the people of Macedonia
→ Many believers were persecuted
→ The source of living of many people were confiscated by the Roman Government

* In spite of their peculiar disadvantage they excelled in the grace of giving

* What was the secret of the Macedonian Church?
→ the Holy Spirit in their hearts
→ they gave themselves to the Lord (verse 5): We did not expect that! They gave themselves to the Lord first and then to us, since this was God’s will.

* A person who gives himself to the Lord does not hesitate when he is required to give for the sake of the Gospel of Christ

* Question:
→ Have you surrendered yourself to the Lord?
→ Are you totally submited to your spiritual leaders?

* Only the power of the Holy Spirit can empower a man to give beyond his (natural) ability

* Many people have been blinded by the things of the world that they do not realize that they lack the Holy Spirit in their lives

* The example of the Macedonian Church:
1. Total commitment to the Lord
2. Unconditional submission to Church leadership

* One of the biggest problems of the Church today is a widespread lack of commitment to God and to spiritual leaders

* The Church must place more emphasis on [disciplining] believers to become more like Christ

* Discipleship is the best way to keep Satan and the flesh at bay

* You need to examine yourself to see whether you are still in the faith

* Believers are interested in seeing practical Biblical living in their spiritual leaders

* Every Minister of the Gospel must work as if he/she has only one day to live.
→ The time is short and we need b be faithful

Fight the good Fight (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 18-11-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES
@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,
Central Business District,
Garki - Abuja
18th November, 2015

Leader's Prayer Meeting

Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu
Topic: Prevailing by faith (Fight the good Fight) 

Text: 1 Timothy 1:18 -19→"Timothy, my child, I am instructing you in keeping with the prophecies made earlier about you, so that by following them you may continue to fight the good fight with faith and a good conscience. By ignoring their consciences, some people have destroyed their faith like a wrecked ship."

* Faith in God is very important for all of human endeavour

* Galatians 5:6 →"for in union with the Messiah Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision matters. What matters is faith expressed through love." (ISV)

* The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love

* As a child of God,  you are expected to pursue faith.
→ Do not keep your eyes on people
→ People will fail you

* Those who walk by faith in life experience an unexplainable joy

* Fixing your eyes on people will not promote the fight of faith

* You must have desires that:
→ promote the Kingdom of God
→ have eternal value

* Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6)

* Matthew 6:33 →"But first be concerned about God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all of these things will be provided for you as well."