The will of God (Evangelist Lewis Dam) 07-05-2016

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Ecumenical Christian Centre,

Central Area,

Behind Central Bank of Nigeria - Abuja,

7th May, 2016

☆ Marriage Between

Barr. Prizing Binwai & Grace Barde

Evangelist Lewis Dam

SERMON

* Speaker: Evangelist Lewis Dam

* Topic: The will of God

* Text: 1 John 2:17 →"And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." (NKJV)

* In this generation, many marriages are 'upside down' because they do not understand nor walk in the will of God

★ Ecclesiastes 12:13 →''The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what he tells you." (MSG)

* The most damnable thing in life is not death

→ It is life outside the will of God

* It is impossible for a man to find fulfilment outside the will of God

* Foolish people think they are free to do whatever they like outside of God

* Gone are the days whereby young people travel into marriage on their knees. Today, they travel into marriage on their feelings

* Many people do not take the time and the pains to discover God's will for marriage before they make the commitment

* Many marriages in Church are founded on deciet

* One of the most foolish questions in life is "what will people say?"

→ Because of other people's opinions, many become frustrated and even kill themselves

→ The people whom you worry about their opinions do not really care about you

* Fulfillment and genuine success does not come from man's ingenuity, but by walking in God's will

* You must be mindful of what God says, not what people think

★ Hebrews 10:36 →  "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."
 

* There is a promise for those who do and obey the Word of God

★ 1 John 2:17 → "The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever."
 

* Most Church marriages end in divorce (or separation) because of selfishness  

→ Many people enter into marriage only to please themselves.

→ They lie to themselves, their friends, their families and the Church that they are God's will for each other

★ John 6:38 → "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me."
 

★ John 16:13 → "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."

★ Jeremiah 23:21 →  "I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message;I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied."  

* God was upset at Priests that ran with messages when they have not heard from God

* A good sermon is comprised of a message from God delivered to a targeted audience by a faithful messenger

* There is no marriage that succeeds without the ability to hear God clearly  

* Each day you will be confronted with decisions either to do your will or God's will

* The Holy Spirit helps us to hear and obey God always

* The best and most successful couples are those who wake up every day, ready to die to themselves and submit to God's will

★ Is doing God's will easy?

→ It is not easy, but it brings the best rewards in the end

* God rewards a believer for doing what asks him/her to do

→ You cannot decide to do what you want to do and expect God to reward or bless you

* The greatest pleasure in life is to know and do God's will

 

* Some people live through life only labouring for their stomachs

* Do not allow the history of your life to be written on the lives of others

→ Allow God to write your own history for you

* You can hear what people say, but do not listen to them

* NOTE: Anything done with the spirit of unforgiveness does not have God's blessings

 

Barr. & Mrs. Prizing Binwai

 

Responsibilities of Spouses (Husband) 05-05-2016

★ MY SERMON NOTES

Christian Couples Fellowship (CCF)

Lugbe Group, Abuja Zone

5th May, 2016

* Topic: Responsibilities of the Husband

* Leader: Barr. Panshak Haggai

 

1. The Husband as Father:

(a) Training (Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:1-6)

- Training is a process of inculcating moral, spiritual, physical and economic (etc) values in children

- The difference between teaching and training is that teaching involves passing of information (whether learning occurs or not) while training is a sort of continuous discipleship whereby the character of a child is transformed

 

* For training to be effective: 

- It must be practical (children learn more from what they observe in their parent's lives)

- It must be consistent

- It must be done with a specific goal in mind

(b) Discipline (Proverbs 13:24; Ephesians 6:4)

* Discipline is a process of correcting a child when a wrong occurs

 

* Principles to note in Child Discipline:

- do not discipline a child to the point that he/she becomes provoked or discouraged

- ensure that you explain why you are disciplining the child

- discipline must be done in love

- always consider the age and temperament of a child in choosing an appropriate form of discipline

- a parent must not always over-react when children does wrong

- both parents must be one while disciplining their children. They must always be on the same side!

 

(c) Encourage & Exhort (Colossians 3:21)

- Children need to be constantly encouraged

- Parents must be wary of the words they use against their children especially when they fail in school or are not performing as good as their peers

- Your words should always be gracious towards your children

- When a parent is harsh, a child may be pushed to rebellion

2. The Husband as Head and Provider

(a) Hardwork (1 Timothy 5:8)

- It is the sole responsibility of the Husband to provide for the home

- A man must not be lazy

- When the husband's income or job is affected, the wife should support him if she is able

- A woman who becomes the breadwinner of the family  must not look down on her husband and she must not cause the children to disrespect him

(b) Pastor of the House (Deuteronomy 6:1-6; Job 1:1-5; Joshua 24:14-15)

- The husband is the Priest of his own home and he is expected to take the lead in spiritual matters  

- The spiritual wellbeing of the family is the husband's primary responsibility.

- He must always take the lead in family worship

- He must not abandon that duty to his wife, though she may support him  

- His goal should be to ensure that everyone in his house makes heaven

How to get over a broken Relationship (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 03-05-2016

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Fellowship

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

3rd May, 2016

Intern's Fellowship

 

Pastor Ambrose Nwogu

* Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu

* Topic: Questions & Answer (How to get over a broken Relationship)

★ Question: How to get over a broken Relationship

★ Text: Proverbs 3:13 →"How joyful is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding."

★ Proverbs 4:13 →"Hold on to instruction, do not let it go! Guard wisdom, because she is your life!"

☆ Answer:

→ The best way to get over a broken relationship is to find out what caused the breakage in the first place

* NOTE: There is no need for a young person just starting out in life to put himself/herself in a situation where heartbreak is inevitable. 

- But if it ever happens, it must be managed with wisdom 

☆ Practical Tips for Overcoming Heartbreak:

1. Cut off further communication

→ You'll never heal if you keep in touch with a person you have broken up with

2. Stop seeing or visiting the person

3. Forgive the person who hurt you

→ This is not a suggestion. It is God's command

→ If you carry the hurt, you wll be miserable

4. Release them from your mind

→ realize that you still have a life to live after that relationship

5. You may wish to give out anything that reminds you of the person

6. Stop talking about them in every conversation

7. Be yourself

→ Don't be nasty to the person who comes when you are ready for a relationship

→ Don't suspect that you'll be hurt again

→ Let the wounds of the previous relationship heal

* Getting over a broken relationship is a decision that you must make yourself

☆ NOTE: it is not everybody that will get married

Love Forgives Always (Pastor Sarah Omakwu) 01-05-2016

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Family Worship Centre (FWC) 

Wuye, Abuja 

2nd Sunday Service 

1st May, 2016 

☆ SERMON 

* Speaker: Pastor Sarah Omakwu 

* Topic: Love Forgives Always 

* Text: Matthew 18:21-35  

★ Mark 11:25-26 →"Whenever you stand up to pray, forgive whatever you have against anyone, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins. But if you do not forgive, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins.”

★ Psalm 133:1-3 →"Look how good and how pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil on the head, descending to the beard— even to Aaron’s beard— and flowing down to the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon falling on Zion’s mountains. For there the LORD commanded his blessing— life everlasting." 

* Forgiveness is the intentional and voluntary process by which a victim undergoes a change in feelings & attitudes regarding an offence, let's go of negative emotions like vengefulness and wishing the offender well 

* Repentance literally means to turn, reviewing one's actions and feeling contrition or regret for past wrong. It involves a commitment to personal change and to be more responsible and humane   

* You have not repented unless you have made a decision 

→ repentance always involves a decision to do something definite & positive and stick to it  

* Only a foolish person would refuse to forgive and keep score of every offence 

→ It is futile and stressful to keep counting every offence done to you by a single person every time 

→ it is easier to forgive and let go

* NOTE: You offend God many times daily, yet He forgives you every single time! 

* Whatever we owe one another, can never be compared to what God has done for us 

* NOTE: when it comes to the issue of forgiveness, God does not deal with us in groups 

→ He holds each person personally accountable 

→ God is angry whenever you forget what he has done for you and you refuse to forgive anyone who offends you - no matter the gravity of the offense 

* Usually, it is those who had been forgiven much that are more vindictive and judgmental

* The basis of Christianity is forgiveness

→ God had to forgive us in order to relate with us

→ You cannot be like God if you walk in unforgiveness 

* Leave the issue of vengence to God [Romans 12:19, Deuteronomy 32:35] 

→ It is not your duty to fight for God!

* NOTE: Every offence is forgivable! 

→ Every sin can be forgiven

* All the offences we have committed are nothing compared to the measure of forgiveness we have 

* You have to forgive in order to remain a Christian 

→ unforgiveness is unchristian 

* There can be no love without forgiveness

★ Psalm 99:8 →"LORD our God, you answered them; you were their God who forgave them, but also avenged their evil deeds." 

* Anytime you refuse to forgive, you become the victim of unforgiveness 

* If you don't forgive, you tie your life to it - and you carry the burden everywhere you go 

* There are certain things you forgive, but you should allow the consequences take their natural cause   

* NOTE: The fact that you have been forgiven does not mean you will escape the natural consequence of what you have done 

★ Hebrews 8:12 →"For I will be merciful regarding their wrong deeds, and I will never again remember their sins.”

* You must learn to forgive like God

→ when you forgive, you must forget the source of the offense and you must not remember it afterwards [see: Isaiah 43:25] 

* Forgiveness is not optional 

→ God demands and requires you to live and walk in forgiveness 

* Forgiveness is the glue that holds every relationship together 

→ There is no relationship where there are no offences 

→ The longer a relationship has lasted, the more the parties involved have had to forgive each other! 

* Even in your relationship with God, you must keep forgiving, and  trusting Him [regardless of the times you feel God has hurt/offended you] 

→ NOTE: God will not apologise for offending you 

→ The only time God was sorry was because He made man [see: Genesis 6:6] 

★ Job 13:15 →"Even though he kills me, I’ll continue to hope in him. At least I’ll be able to argue my case to his face!" 

* Unforgiveness causes men to lose out on God's prepared blessings for them 

★ Luke 17:3-4 →"Watch yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. Even if he sins against you seven times in a day and comes back to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

☆ NOTE: when you walk in forgiveness, you are taking heed to yourself & preventing yourself from becoming a victim of the devil

* Forgiveness should be unconditional and devoid of self-justification 

* True repentance should be without conditions and pride 

* Every time you say "sorry" genuinely, you get bigger and stronger 

* An unforgiving person is a weak and vulnerable person 

* When you don't forgive, you are:

→ separated from God 

→ separated from people

→ vulnerable to all manner of  diseases & health issues 

→ subjected to demonic oppression and torment 

→ unable to 'shine' and make progress in life 

→ cut off from enjoying peace, joy and freedom 

* Fighting with people and refusing to humble yourself to forgive them  is the devil's way of cutting you off from your [physical and spiritual] supplies 

* Pride and arrogance robs people of getting their share of blessings from God and from people who had offended them! 

* You know you have truly forgiven when you relate with the person(s) that offended you without any iota of bitterness  

* You must forgive: 

→ everyone 

→ everything  

→ everytime 

* You must refuse to take offence at the blessings of others

* You must release everyone of your personal judgement 

Mischievous Madness (16) ( Pastor 'Lola Owotumi) 10 -04-2016

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Fellowship

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

11th April, 2016

* Speaker: Pastor 'Lola Owotumi

* Topic: Mischievous Madness (16)

* Text: Proverbs 23:33 →"Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things." (KJV)

★ Proverbs 23:23 → "Buy the truth and do not sell it-- wisdom, instruction and insight as well."

* Those who are under mischievous madness, will speak perverse things

★ 1 Timothy 3:13-14 → "For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long."

* You must know how to comport yourself in the house of the living God

★ 1 Peter 4:17 → "For the time has come for judgement to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?" (NKJV)

* Those who preach the Word of God must bring themselves under the control of the Holy Spirit

★ James 3:1-2 → "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgement. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well."

* When you utter perverse words against the minister of the Gospel, you will incur the wrath of God

★ Leviticus 10:1-3 → "Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. Then Moses said to Aaron, “It is what the LORD spoke, saying, ‘By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, And before all the people I will be honored.’” So Aaron, therefore, kept silent." (NIV)

* Ministers of the Gospel who offer 'strange fire' will come under the judgement of God

* When judgement starts in the house of the Lord, no one can question Him

* The Lord must be sanctified in your life and service

Mischievous Madness 15 (Pastor 'Lola Owotumi) 19-04-2016

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Fellowship

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

19th April, 2016

*  Speaker: Pastor 'Lola Owotumi

*  Topic: Mischievous Madness (15)

* Text: Proverbs 23:33 →"Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things."

★ Luke 6:45 →"A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of."

→ Question: What is in your heart?

* What is in your heart controls your life and eventually determines your destiny

* What is in your heart is revealed when you are under duress or pressure

* One would not expect anything in the heart of a believer other than Jesus and the thoughts of Heaven

* When you open your mouth and speak, many things are revealed about you - consciously or otherwise

★ 2 Peter 2:10 →". . . and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries. . . "

* Whenever you come in the house of the Lord, you must watch what you utter with your mouth

→ Gossiping, cynicism, complaining and backbiting must be far from you

* Leave the judgement of dignitaries and those in authority (spiritually and physically) to God [See: Romans 2:1;]

★ Romans 14:4 → "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand."

* You must not be a talebearer in Church

* A minister of the Gospel must not misuse his privileged position to discourage others by his utterances or attitude

* You must bridle your tongue. 

★ James 1:26 → "Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless."

* Covenant Confession:

"My mouth shall not speak perverse things. 

Help me O God!"

The Sacrificial Giving of a Disciple (The Sacrificial Giving of a Disciple) 24-01-2016

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Family Worship Centre (FWC),

Wuye - Abuja, Nigeria

First Service

24th January, 2016

SERMON

* Speaker: Pastor Sarah Omaku

* Topic: The Sacrificial giving of a Disciple

* Theme for 2016: Our Jesus, His Command, Our Vision

* Text: Malachi 3:8-12

 

★ Matthew 19:16-22

★ Matthew 16:24 →"Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."

★ Acts 4:32-37

★ Acts 2:44-45

* This life we are living in is far inferior compared to where we are going to [Heaven]

★ Matthew 6:19-21

* All your treasures should be stored in heaven, not on earth

* The main aim of a disciple is to please his/her master

* Being a disciple is not your end in itself; your body is not your end.

→ Heaven is your ultimate end!

 

* There is something in-built in a man that propels him to give to God

★ Genesis 8:22 → "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease."

→ When you give to God, you release a divine emotion

* You must get to the level of Abrahamic giving when the only thing that matters is total obedience to God

* Giving to God existed even before the Law

→ It is no longer fashionable not to give to God

* NOTE: The Law did not come through Moses, but through God

→ The Law has not and it will not pass away.

→ Many Christians use the excuse that they are in a dispensation of grace and not of law, therefore they will not give. This is wrong.

* Tithes, offering and first-fruits, are used to run the Church and expand the Kingdom of God on earth.

★ Matthew 5:17-18 → "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished." 

* Until Jesus comes, nothing in the law will be removed

* Jesus brought a more superior law

★ Matthew 23:23 → "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former."

* What you get is dependent on how much you give

* If you are still [stuck at the level of] giving tithes & offerings, you still lack one thing - total surrender

* NOTE: Jesus never mentioned tithes & offerings. He required that believers should give generously.

 

★ Luke 6:36 → "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

★ Acts 4:32-35

* The early Church lived selflessly and met the needs of all the believers

★ Acts 2:44-45

★ 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

* Today, many believers do not want to share their possessions with others that are in dire need.

 

* Until you give yourself totally to the Lord, you cannot give anything that is acceptable to God. (See: 2 Corinthians 8:5)

* Jesus did not come to earth with the lifestyle of heaven

* A man who is totally surrendered to God will not hesitate to give every thing when he is required to do so.

* The Disciples give everything when there is a need

* You must realise that your blessings are not all about you

* Many believers are distracted the moment then get some blessing from God

* You have to live a high life: Beyond tithes and offerings (which is the minimum)

* Everything that God gives you is in trust

* Until you give everything, you have not given at all

* Jesus expects you to give all because He knows the value of the exchange

* Another house or another car is not what you need. You need to live a sacrificial life and help people around you

* Prayer:

"Father, de-materialize and de-world me"

The all Sufficient God (2) (Pastor 'Lola Owotumi) 20-01-2016

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

20th January, 2016

* Speaker: Pastor 'Lola Owotumi

* Topic: The all Sufficient God (2)

* Text: Psalm 90:12 →"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

* God is willing to teach you all that will benefit you

★ The reason why God will teach you:

→ He wants you to apply your heart unto wisdom

* Solomon asked for wisdom

★ Proverbs 4:7 → "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."

★ Joshua 3:4-7 →"Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore. And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you. And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people. And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee."

* God is willing and able to guide you

* You need to set yourself aside for the service of the Lord

★ Psalm 115:3 → "Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him."

★ Psalm 115:12-18

* God does whatever He pleases.

→ He has the final say

* NOTE: God is mindful of you

 

* Psalm 90:12 → "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

* God is willing to teach you all that will benefit you

★ The reason why God will teach you:

→ He wants you to apply your heart unto wisdom

* Solomon asked for wisdom

★ Proverbs 4:7 → "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."

★ Joshua 3:4-7 →"Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore. And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you. And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people. And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee."

* God is willing and able to guide you

* You need to set yourself aside for the service of the Lord

★ Psalm 115:3 → "Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him."

★ Psalm 115:12-18

* God does whatever He pleases.

→ He has the final say

* NOTE: God is mindful of you

Imitators of God (Barr. Joseph Ayiaka Embugushiki) 19-01-2016

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

19th January, 2016

IT STAFF FELLOWSHIP

* Speaker: Barr. Joseph Ayiaka Embugushiki

* Topic: Imitators of God

* Text: Ephesians 5:1-3

* Christ is our primary model

* There are many people that we want to imitate and there are those who want to imitate you

* Your calling as a Christian is to become like Christ in every aspect of your life

★ Acts 11:22-30

* The term 'Christian' came about as a result of the early Christians imitating Christ (Acts 11:19-26)

* As a believer, you must carry the 'brand' of Christ everywhere you go 

★ Philipians 4:8-9 → "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—keep thinking about these things. Likewise, keep practicing these things: what you have learned, received, heard, and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you."

* When the above listed virtues abound in your life, it will become evident to all that you are a child of God

★ Romans 8:15 → "For you have not received a spirit of slavery that leads you into fear again. Instead, you have received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba! Father!”

★ 1 John 3:10 → "This is how God’s children and the devil’s children are distinguished. No person who fails to practice righteousness and to love his brother is from God."

★ Ephesians 5:1 → "So be imitators of God, as his dear children."

* Every father wants to model his child into his own likeness

* There are things that only a father can do for a son/daughter

→ We have become children of God through adoption

★ John 8:44 → "You belong to your father the devil, and you want to carry out the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and has never stood for truth, since there is no truth in him. Whenever he tells a lie, he speaks in character, because he is a liar and the father of lies."

* Becoming like Christ is critical to our faith as Christians

* Sin will always compromise your potential and capability to become like Christ

The All Sufficient God (1) (Pastor 'Lola Owotumi) 19-01-2016

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

19th January, 2016

Speaker: Pastor 'Lola Owotumi

* Topic: The All Sufficient God

* Text: Psalm 90:12 →"teach us to keep account of our days so we may develop inner wisdom."

* God will teach you because:

→ He is all-knowing

→ He is all sufficient

→ He loves you

→ He wants you to be victorious

* God is not selfish or self-centred and is willing to teach you

→ He will not hoard knowledge

★ Psalm 32:8 → "I will instruct you and teach you concerning the path you should walk; I will direct you with my eye."

★ Joshua 3:2-3 → "Three days later, the officers went throughout the camp, giving orders to the people. They said, “When you see the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then get up, leave where you are, and follow it."

* Many people covet God's blessings but they do not want to obey God's Word

* There is a special blessing reserved for those who obey God

* It is wisdom to obey God's commands

★ 2 Corinthians 2:16-17 → "To some people we are a deadly fragrance, while to others we are a living fragrance. Who is qualified for this? At least we are not commercializing God’s word like so many others. Instead, we speak with sincerity in the Messiah’s name, like people who are sent from God and are accountable to God."

* God wants to guide you

→ don't depend on your strength

* Many people only do things that are convenient and regard those who do not do [similar things] it as sinners

* Your relationship with God must proceed out of sincerity

☆ Prayer:

→ Father, give me the grace to be dependent upon you

Jesus Believes in Prayer (Elder Yunana Malo) 17-01-2016

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki - Abuja

17th January, 2016 

 

☆ SERMON

* Speaker: Elder Yunana Malo

* Topic: Jesus Believes in Prayer

* Theme: Imitating Christ

* Sub-Theme: Imitating Christ in Prayer

* Service Leader: Elder Simon Bunshak

* Text: Matthew 21:18-22

★ 2 Chronicles 20:1-24

★ Matthew 6:5-13

* Prayer is the live-wire of every believer. It is the believer's primary source of spiritual strength

★ Genesis 2:17 →"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."

* Sin caused the critical part of man that relates to God to die

→ Your communion with God is affected every time sin is present in your life

* If you do not have God's Spirit, you cannot communicate with Him

* Jesus came to restore the lost relationship between man and God through the shedding of his blood

★ 1 Peter 1:23 →"For you have been born again, not by a seed that perishes but by one that cannot perish—by the living and everlasting word of God."

★ Isaiah 59:1-3 →"See, the LORD’s hand is not too short to save, nor are his ears too dull to hear. Instead, your iniquities have been barriers between you and your God, and your sins have concealed his face from you so that he won’t listen. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your tongue mutters wickedness."

* Sin hinders God from hearing your prayers

* Communication is very critical to our spiritual survival, welfare and warfare

→ You cannot afford to be cut off from your Central Command Centre as you engage in the battles and issues that life throws at you

* It is the nature of Jesus inside of you that energises you to pray in line with God's will

* In most cases, we do not listen to God's spirit

→ If you are sensitive in the Spirit, you will always sense His promptings to pray

* Laziness prevents believers from praying

* Through prayer, you are able to remove what is dirty in your life so that you are able to receive the nature of God

* Prayer enables us to have fellowship with God

* Whenever you encounter challenges on your way, always remember the promises of God

☆ Prayer entails:

(a) Asking (making petitions)

(b) Seeking (engaging God's word to find his will concerning an issue)

(c) Knocking (praying God's Word back to Him)

* You must remain consistent and persistent in prayer

* Jesus is our best model for prayer

* Jesus prayed:  

→ privately (Matthew 14:23)

→ publicly (Matthew 14:18-19)

→ all night (Matthew 14:23)

★ What is prayer?

"an address (as a petition) to God in Word or thought."

* NOTE: prayer does not only involve speaking words, but also thoughts.

→ That is why it is important to ensure your thoughts always glorify God;

→ Your thoughts are clear and echo powerfully in Heaven as your words!

 

★ Forms of Prayer:

1. Adoration (Psalm 144-150)

2. Confession (Psalm 51)

3. Thanksgiving (Psalm 75)

4. Conversation (Genesis 18:16-33)

* Christian prayer has been essentially been essentially petition in nature

* Your worries persist because you have not understood and unlocked the provisions of God through prayer

★ Benefits of Prayer

1. You recieve strenght

2. It builds your trust in God

→ It deepens your faith

3. You receive salvation

4. You obey God

5. You seek God's face

6. You recover all

7. You receive direction

8. Your character is transformed

9. You are able to overcome temptation

10. You recieive nourishment and encouragement

11. It prepares you for heaven

12. You receive ability to deal with situations

13. Deep secrets are revealed

14. Bondages, yokes, curses are broken

15. It transforms the weak into the strong

16. It restores the sick

17. It purges away your faults and guilt

18. It governs the rich

19. Upraises the fallen

20. It gives you access to God's presence

☆ Question:

→ Why are your prayers not heard by God?

* You must always ensure that you are connected to God so that your prayers will be heard

★ Romans 10:13 →''Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

* If the communication line between you and God is broken, you need to take deliberate steps to restore it today!

★ MISSION CHARGE

"I profess and claim to be by the grace of God a sound Christian and while there is breath in my body, I will speak forth and defend the law of it. I am ready to defend my convictions even unto death."

→ John Wycliffe

★ QUOTE

"Don't tiptoe into God's presence, trying to find the secret of attracting his attention. Just call home and say 'Hello father' and know that He loves you and loves to hear your voice. Pray."

→ Bill Hybels