Sunday, 10 January 2016

Seek the Kingdom of God (Pastor Sarah Omaku) 10-01-2016

MY SERMON NOTES
@ Family Worship Centre (FWC),
Wuye - Abuja, Nigeria
First Service
10th January, 2016

SERMON
* Speaker: Pastor Sarah Omakwu
* Topic: Seek the Kingdom of God
* Theme for 2016: Our Jesus, His Command, Our Vision
* Text: Mathew 6:24-34

* If you are always thinking of what to eat, drink or wear, you are of little faith

* God wants you to disconnect your mind from the world
→ He wants you to follow Him

* The message of the Lord to all believers is for everyone to seek his kingdom

* Read: Matthew 5-7 [Sermon on the mount]
→ Jesus outlined how the Christian life should be
→ The sermon was directed at his disciples, not the multitudes

* Jesus emphasised severally that you should not worry about anything
(verse 25, 31, and 34)

* Worry is a sign that you do not trust God

* The resources of God are limitless
→ He is the fountainhead that does not dry up!

* Worry takes your focus away from God and redirects it to yourself

* Many parents care about their children more than God cares for them. This is not supposed to be so
→ NOTE: children do not have sleepless nights out of worry. Only adults do

* Worry is torment

* Many people think that if they stop worrying there is nothing else to do

* Effects of Worry:
→ causes you to lose your joy in Christ
→ It dampens your countenance
→ causes you to be sick
→ gives you sleepless nights

* Many of the things we worry about are the goals we have set for ourselves (not the things God really wants us to do)

* It is not possible to devote all your attention to seeking the things of the world and God at the same time with the same intensity

Psalm 37:25 →"I once was young and now I am old, but I have not seen a righteous person forsaken or his descendants begging for bread."

Psalm 27:4 →"I have asked one thing from the LORD; it is what I really seek: that I may remain in the LORD’s Temple all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD; and to inquire in his Temple."

* You must set your priorities right

* You cannot be neck deep in pursuit of success and claim to be seeking God at the same time

* When you place other things first, you are:
→ driving God to jealousy
→ showing that you doubt God's love
→ doubting the ability of God to provide for you
→ showing where your heart really is

* NOTE: you are always on God's heart and he cares for you

* If you are not busy doing what is on God's heart, you have lost your purpose

* There are two Kingdoms that you must seek:
→ God's Kingdom on the earth and the one in Heaven

Matthew 6:28 →"And why do you worry about clothes? Consider the lilies in the field and how they grow. They don’t work or spin yarn, but I tell you that not even Solomon in all of his splendor was clothed like one of them. Now if that is the way God clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and thrown into an oven tomorrow, won’t he clothe you much better—you who have little faith?"

* Something must be wrong with your thinking if you suppose that God will beautify lilies and birds and overlook you

* NOTE: clothes, cars, money, houses, etc are supposed to support you - they are not the main assignment

* God has sent us to the earth for an assignment
→ You are not meant to make deals with the world

* If a soldier is in a war, it is not his responsibility to take care of himself.
→ The Government provides all the logistics he needs and pays him adequately

* Jesus examplifed seeking after God's kingdom
→ He should be your model
→ He was in the temple all the time
→ He communed with God all the time
→ His priority was God's kingdom

* You must put God first at all times

* Young people: this is the time to Know God
→ Your talent & passions must point people to Jesus if not, you are wasting your time

* You must make being in God's presence your priority everyday

* You must serve God

Matthew 5:13 (MSG) → "Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've host your usefulness and will end up in the garbage."

* Your primary purpose is to display the beauty and the colours of God to the world

* Everything that you see is temporal

* NOTE:
→ you must love people,
→ you must do right and live right
→ you must help those that are in need


Sunday, 3 January 2016

Our Jesus, His Command, Our Vision (Pastor Sarah Omakwu) 03-01-2016

MY SERMON NOTES
@ Family Worship Centre (FWC),
Wuye - Abuja, Nigeria
First Service
3rd January, 2016


SERMON
* Speaker: Pastor Sarah Omaku
* Theme for 2016: Our Jesus, His Command, Our Vision

Matthew 6:33 →"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

* It is important to start the year right

* If you get this message and obey it, you are guaranteed a good life on earth and a greater life in heaven

* Aim at seeking the eternal treasures by setting your mind on things above

* If you substitute your desires for having material possessions with the desire for having eternal treasures, your life will change for the better!

* You must ask yourself how these things that consume you now will affect you in the next 1,000 years

* What does it mean to 'set' something?
→ It means to position something immovable in one place
→ To put into a specific state

* If you set your mind on heaven, no matter what goes on around you, your mind is programed by heaven and nothing else matters

* When heaven is your thermostat, your desires, are conditioned by God's standards

* Setting your mind on heaven means that:
(a) you do not seek the accolades of the world
(b) you have positioned your mind on God's promises

John 4:34 →"Jesus told them, “My food is doing the will of the one who sent me and completing his work."

* NOTE: The worst thing in heaven is better than the classiest thing on earth

James 4:13-15 →"Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town, stay there a year, conduct business, and make money.” You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead you should say, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live—and do this or that.”

* No matter how long your life is, it cannot be compared with the lenght of eternity
→ Many people exhaust the whole of their lives on earth chasing vapor

* You must only mind and pursue things that are eternal

Hebrews 11:8-10 →" By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who also inherited the same promise, because he was waiting for the city with permanent foundations, whose architect and builder is God."

* Abraham must have seen something that is still eluding many people on earth today
→ He lived life very light, with eternity in might

* If you live right on earth, you will be entitled to rewards in heaven
→ Not everyone in heaven will get the same rewards

* You must get to the point that the things of earth are not your primary motivation

* You cannot set your mind in two places at the same time

* Where you set your mind determines:
→ how you live
→ your priorities
→ how you spend your resources (time, money, intellect, etc)

1 John 2:15 -17'' Stop loving the world and the things that are in the world. If anyone persists in loving the world, the Father’s love is not in him. For everything that is in the world—the desire for fleshly gratification, the desire for possessions, and worldly arrogance—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world and its desires are fading away, but the person who does God’s will remains forever."

* When your mind is set on heaven:
→ it is easy to forgive, be humble, to give, to be kind or help, etc.
→ loving everyone comes easily
→ you do not you struggle to acquire things on earth at all cost
→ sin will not be a problem


* Love is the greatest and it is the lifestyle of heaven

* How you respond to the issues of life (good or bad) is determined by where your mind is set

* Your response in love to every situation is what gets you great rewards

* Seek every opportunity to be kind and loving

* You must purpose to do something good for someone everyday

* When any one ask you for help, do not turn them down if you have the capacity to help

* Ensure that your life is not controlled by temporal things

* NOTE: You cannot set your mind on heaven if you are not born again


★ Quotes:
* Fasting does not change God, it changes you

Tuesday, 29 December 2015

How to grow in Faith (7) (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 29-12-2015

MY SERMON NOTES
@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,
Central Business District,
Garki - Abuja
29th December, 2015

Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu
Topic: Prevailing by faith (How to grow in Faith) (7)
Text: John 7:48 →"Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?"

Romans 10:17"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

☆ Components of Effectively Hearing God's Word:
1. Listening

2. Agreement (assent)
→ The agreement must be a personal thing

* The word of God is something that you must believe personally.
→ Don't wait until someone in power or authority believes

3. Meditate on and Obey God's Word
→ It will be very difficult for a man to obey God's word if there is no meditation
→ Mediation entails thinking about something actively and deeply as it relates to you

Joshua 1:7-8 ''Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 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."

* Much of the fear that Christians entertain comes as a result of a lack of meditation

* You should not waste your time meditating on discouraging news in the media that is being churned out everyday

Psalm 119:78 →"Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts."

* If you want your faith to increase, you must be committed to meditating on God's Word everyday

* The word of God takes preeminence over everything

* You must not allow anyother thing to preoccupy your mind

Sunday, 27 December 2015

First things First (Pastor Dangana Nyazan) 27-12-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES
@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)
Jiyep - Hwolshe, Jos;
Plateau State - Nigeria
27th December, 2015


SERMON
* Speaker: Pastor Dangana Nyazan
* Topic: First Things First
* Text: 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."

ILLUSTRATION
A man went to a motor park early in the morning hoping to catch a taxi to Jalingo, Taraba State of Nigeria from Jos, Plateau State. Other passengers arrived and tickets were sold. At the time for boarding, no seat was reserved for the man and he started making trouble that he was the first to arrive the park and therefore, should be given a seat in the taxi. On further investigation, it was discovered that the man possessed a ticket for the previous day and was prevented from boarding. His ticket was not valid.

* There is a destined date attached to everything and every event in the world

* In the Nigerian educational system, before you proceed to the next level, you must show a certificate evidencing that you had passed the previous level(s) as a prerequisite (Eg: the Secondary School Certificate is a prerequisite for gaining admission into University)

* As you make your plans for the next year, there are uncertainties that may affect the success of your plans

Jeremiah 29:11 →"For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for well-being, and not for calamity, in order to give you a future and a hope."

* God has a good plan for his sons and daughters.
→ Excellent blessings for the present and the future

* Before you will enjoy God's blessings in the coming year, you have to seek the Kingdom of God as a prerequisite

* You should subject ALL your plans to the Lord's will as you seek him earnestly

* God desires to bless you, but you have to choose to access these blessings by faith

* As you prepare to step into 2016, realize that God is the owner of every day and every year

* Life is full of uncertainties, and only God knows the end of every person

* Many of us make plans without God - like the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 who erroneously assumed that he controlled his own life

* Ensure that you plan with God every step of the way

* Make it your priority to seek God today and in the coming years

* The wise who always seek God have wonderful testimonies because He will always bless them

* As you continuously seek God earnestly, He will grant the desires of your heart

* If you walk alone, you will never reach your destiny
→ If you walk with God, he will guide and prosper you

Saturday, 26 December 2015

Be Merciful When Your Spouse Fails (Rev. Dinfa Lamda) 26-12-2015

MY SERMON NOTES
@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)
Jiyep - Hwolshe;
Jos, Plateau State - Nigeria
26th December, 2015

WEDDINGS:
☆ GAMPAN & NANMAN HAGGAI
☆ MUSA & FLORENCE SAMBO

SERMON
* Speaker: Rev. Dinfa Lamda
* Topic: Be Merciful When Your Spouse Fails


* God was angry with the Israelites and wanted to destroy them.
→ He wanted to break the covenant that existed between Him and the Israelites due to their unfaithfulness;
→ Moses interceded for them & God relented in his intention to destroy

* Remember that there may be failures on the part of your spouse as long as you live
⇒ Offenses are inevitable
→ Even best friends offend each other periodically

* Note: Israel was not the best nation on earth, but God decided to chose and love them
→ Similarly, out of all the men and women in the world, married couples have decided to choose each other - this is a good thing, regardless of what happens (good or bad)

* Sometimes, what you are expecting from your spouse is not what you will get, but you must continue to love him/her - because you have vowed before God to do so

* Many people do not understand the implication of Christian marriage which is meant to be permanent

* NOTE: Though Moses was a motal man, but God listened to him when he interceded for Israel
→ Some people are adamant when their spouse offends them and is seeking reconciliation

* As a believer, you must give allowance for the shortcomings of others who offend you
→ You must always forgive freely

* Refusal to forgive is a sign of spiritual immaturity

* Divorce should not even be an option in Christian marriage

* Don't listen to the voices of men when bad advices come

* Always weigh every advice in the light of God's Word

* As a child of God, the Scripture must be your standard

* Always remember that people around you are observing your conduct

* The only secret of success in marriage is to do all things as unto God and for His glory

* When you take the vow "for better for worse", NO EXCUSE will suffice as justification for breaking your sacred covenant with your spouse, taken in the presence of God and the Church

Revelation 2:10 →"Don’t be afraid of what you are going to suffer. Look! The devil is going to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested. For ten days you will undergo suffering. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the victor’s crown of life."

* Your faithfulness to your marriage vows must be unconditional - even to the point of death

* There is a difference between patience and longsuffering!
→ longsuffering starts where patience is totally exhausted

* You cannot 'soften' God's Word to suit your circumstance when things are not going your way in marriage

* Remember your covenant and always try to fulfil them as long as you are alive

* As a Christian, your life must be governed by the Scriptures, not your emotions, societal expectations or your culture

* You must keep your marriage covenant even when it hurts you

☆ Marriage is a choice: You must accept the good or bad consequences of your own choice for the rest of your life

* NOTE: Marriage would bring extra problems to you
→ A person who does not want extra problems in his life should not get married at all!

* Marriage is a test of your patience and your ability to withstand challenges in life




Friday, 25 December 2015

How Not to Talk to An Angel (Rev. Tongsmang Dasbak) 25-12-2015

MY SERMON NOTES
@ Jesus Revelation Assembly,
Tudun Wada Ring-Road
Jos - Plateau State
25th December, 2015

SERMON
Speaker: Rev. Tongsmang Dasbak
Topic: How Not To Talk To An Angel
Text: Luke 1:5-20;

Rev. Tongsmang Dasbak
 
Question: Why do we bother celebrating (Christmas & New Year) when things are not going the way they should go?

* Zachariah asked angel Gabriel a question that got him into trouble.
Verse 18: Then Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?”

→ In other words, he doubted the information passed on to him from God

* NOTE: Gideon asked a similar question but 'escaped' God's wrath
→ See: Judges 6:12-21

* Many times, we are also skeptical of the efficacy of God's Word, especially in challenging circumstances

* How long you have walked with God is not an automatic ticket to know all of God's ways
→ those 'experienced' in God's ways and knowledge also doubt Him sometimes

* Many people doubt God's Word by believing that nothing will work out fine because of the unfavorable circumstances around them

* Many people will never access what God has in store for them because their unbelief acts as a barrier.
→ They want concrete proof before they believe God

* Compare Zachariah's response with Mary's response to the angel's message (Luke 1:34-38)
→ Mary submitted to God's will in faith

* God does not bless people that hoard
→ They do not release blessings to others
→ God blesses people that are liberal and generous in everything

* Many people treat God as if he is a man. They do not trust him

☆ What is so Special about Christmas?
→ Historically, Jesus was not given birth to on the 25th of December
→ Jesus never requested to be celebrated on the 25th of December of every year!

* NOTE: The only thing Jesus expressly requested that we should frequently remember is his death and suffering (through communion), not his birth! (1 Corinthians 11:24)
→ Unfortunately, this is what we do infrequently and without as much excitement which is always associated with Christmas

* There are certain situations in your life that cannot be reversed without God's divine visitation

* There is nothing too hard or too late when it comes to God
Luke 1:37 →"Nothing is impossible with respect to any of God’s promises.” (lSV)

* Maybe God allowed you to see today so that you can trust him for the reversal of your (negative) situation
→ But you must believe that He is capable of doing anything

* Maybe you are in that particular difficult situation so that you can learn to believe in God for deliverance

* God is the "impossibility specialist"
(a) an old couple giving birth;
(b) a virgin giving birth without intercourse

* It is easier for younger people to give birth, not old couples. This expains Sarah & Abraham's scepticism when God promised that Sarah will give birth to a child in her old age

POINTS TO NOTE:
1. Even very strong believers can stumble in an area of unbelief
→ You will have what God has already ordained for you, regardless of what happens
→ If the Lord said it, it will definitely happen

2. Sometimes, long delays can cause you to have unbelief
→ no matter how dire your condition is, you must never accept what God has not ordained for you
→ When it comes to God, he does not have 'time'. He is limitless!
→ Do not be tired of trusting God

Luke 1:10 →"And the entire congregation of people was praying outside at the time when the incense was burned."

* There may be times in our lives when we feel as if God does not hear our prayers and everything looks hopeless

* There are times that it seems God does both good and bad at the same time:
→ He answers Zachariah's prayer by promising him a baby, but he made him dumb (See: Luke 1:13, 20)

My Confession:
"My own life will not remain like this; In the next few years my situation will this around for good"

3. Man's Unbelief will not cancel God's plan
Luke 1:19-20 →"The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you. But because you did not believe my announcement, which will be fulfilled at its proper time, you will become silent and unable to speak until the day this happens.”

* Your celebration will not be complete till your situation is turned around
→ Trust Him for something definate today!

Rev. Tongsmang Dasbak


The Church Band ministering

Wednesday, 23 December 2015

How to grow in Faith (6) (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 23-12-2015

MY SERMON NOTES
@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,
Central Business District,
Garki - Abuja
23rd December, 2015

Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu
Topic: Prevailing by faith (How to grow in Faith (6)

* Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17), but you must listen with both ears

* As you listen to God's Word, faith is built up in you

Proverbs 8:34"Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors."

* You must listen to God's word to the point that you become deaf and dumb to every other voice

* The 2nd component of hearing (after listening) is acceptance of what you are hearing

1 Thessalonians 2:13 →"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."

* As long as you do not accept the Word of God, it will never be effective

* For faith to come, you must receive the word, accept it, welcome it, agree with it and embrace it, knowing that God's word does not fail, regardless of what happens (Mathew 5:18)

Tuesday, 22 December 2015

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

Monday, 21 December 2015

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)

* 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

3. Anyone afflicted by unbelief cannot please God
→ It takes faith to please God

Wednesday, 16 December 2015

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)

* 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."

Tuesday, 15 December 2015

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)

* 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


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

Monday, 14 December 2015

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)

* 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."