Church Construction 2013

May 2013 - Planting the Garden

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SOLOMON, THE WISEST MAN, OCTOBER 13TH, 2024

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SOLOMON, THE WISEST MAN, OCTOBER 13TH, 2024

CENTRAL THOUGHTThe fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. TEXT: 2 SAMUEL 12:24-25, 1 KINGS 3:1-15 INTRODUCTION:Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived. His father was Kind David; he was the third king of Israel. God gave him an unsurpassable wisdom. His name, Solomon, means God’s peace, He was really loved by God from childhood, 2 Samuel 12:24-25. When God gave him opportunity to make a request of anything he needed at the beginning of his reign as king, he requested for Wisdom and a discerning heart. God was pleased with him and granted his request alongside great riches and power. He rose to fame with his first judgment in a dispute between two women who claimed to be mothers of one child, and the building of the first temple in Jerusalem.Solomon was renowned for his God given wisdom, writings and wealth. He maintained most peaceful relationships with his neighbors in his forty years reign as king of Israel. He was credited with writing Ecclesiastics, Proverbs, and the Song of Songs (Song of Solomon). His undoing was his lust for women and the pride of life. He married so many foreign women from pagan nations of whom the Lord had instructed the children of Israel not to marry their women nor give their daughters in marriage to their men. These strange women turned Solomon’s heart from following the Lord. In this study, we shall consider the rise and fall of this wisest man that ever lived. LESSON OBJECTIVES To understand what Solomon did that attracted response. To note the challenges posed to us by Solomon’s life. To understand how Solomon utilized his God-given wisdom. To identify what led to Solomon’s fall and guard against it. BIBLE TRUTH: QUESTION 1A) WHAT DID SOLOMON DO THAT ATTRACTED GOD’S ATTENTION AND WHAT WAS GOD’S RESPONSE? 1 Kings 3:3-5When the kingdom of Israel was firmly established in the hand of Solomon as promised by God, he whole heartedly loved God and continued in the footsteps of his father David. In appreciation to God for establishing him as king over Israel, he went to Gibeon to offer sacrifice to God. He offered a thousand burnt offerings unto God; for which God was pleased and in response, God appeared to him and gave him opportunity to ask for whatever he wanted God to do for him. QUESTION 1B) ANALYZE SOLOMON’S REQUEST AND GOD’S REPLY TO IT, NOTING THE CONDITION ATTACHED.Being a young man, Solomon considered himself un-equipped to rule as King over Israel, a people he considered as great and too numerous to number. So, He asked God for a discerning heart to be able to distinguish between right and wrong. God considered Solomon’s request, unselfish but a demonstration of integrity of heart and God promised to give him what he asked for and much more, including wealth, honor and long life, if only he would continue to walk in the ways of the Lord and obey all His statutes and commands as his father David did. God fulfilled His promise and Solomon became the wisest, wealthiest and most honorable king in Israel’s history. He was glad and offered burnt offering and peace offerings and made a feast for all his servants in thanksgiving unto God, 1 Kings 3:9-15. QUESTION 1C) WHAT...

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THE POWER OF APPRECIATION, OCTOBER 6TH, 2024

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THE POWER OF APPRECIATION, OCTOBER 6TH, 2024

CENTRAL THOUGHTGratitude expressed from the heart produces joy and attracts more blessings. TEXT: LUKE 17:11-19, MARK 14:3-9 INTRODUCTION:Our Lord Jesus Christ commended the only man who came back to give thanks to Him for cleansing him of leprosy out of the ten that were healed of the same ailment. According to Matt. Henry’s commentary “The rest were made whole by the power of Christ, in compassion to their distress, and in answer to their prayer: but he was made whole by his faith, by which Christ saw him distinguished from the rest”.…Temporal mercies are then doubled and sweetened to us when they are ferried in by the prayers of faith and returned by the praise of faith”. We are living in a world where many humans are very selfish and self-centered. It is a part of the signs of the end time to fail to appreciate the good done to us for any reason. The fact remains that Christ as our example appreciated Peter for allowing Him the use of his boat to preach, by making him to catch “a great multitude of fishes” after an earlier fruitless effort. Part of the Lord’s reasons for this could be to teach the lesson of appreciation. A local adage has it that “if appreciation is given to the worker, his cutlass becomes sharper”. Others have it that “if thanks are given to a person for freely offering part of his chicken for food, he is encouraged and would be most desirous to share out of his goat-meat at his nearest opportune time”. Appreciation has the positive power to effect goodness by way of influencing the giver to do more. In other words, appreciation empowers the benefactor to be more helpful and enables the beneficiary to be better enriched. It should be pointed out also that the benefactor also receives from God for his giving. LESSON OBJECTIVES To understand the power of appreciation To know what it means to appreciate To know why we should appreciate To show the consequences of not appreciating To understand the benefits of appreciation BIBLE TRUTH: QUESTION 1) WHAT DO WE UNDERSTAND BY “POWER OF APPRECIATION”?By power we mean energy of strength, opportunity, capability, potency, influence, or ability of the body or mind to act or do something. Appreciation means to express or show happiness, thankfulness, or gratitude with the words of our mouth, gesture, favorable reaction or parting with our material substance, belongings etc. to somebody of authority who did us good, or favor or extended grace and forgiveness to us.Power of appreciation, therefore, is the capability of our expression, out of a heart full of gratitude to induce, or cause, produce or generate more atmosphere for future benefits as a result of the previous done to us. Thus, power of appreciation does not only make both parties to be happy but invokes more love between them.It is that zeal to do more good to someone who expresses satisfaction over our help or goodness to him. QUESTION 2) WHO SHOULD SHOW APPRECIATION AND TO WHOM?Gratitude should be expressed from our hearts to all persons whether older or younger and or any authority or body who has done us good. Even if such good deed is our perceived right, we could generate a more cordial atmosphere for...

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BUILDING GOD’S HOUSE, SEPTEMBER 29TH, 2024

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BUILDING GOD’S HOUSE, SEPTEMBER 29TH, 2024

CENTRAL THOUGHTChristians should not only build houses for God but be well built up as God’s temple. TEXT: EZRA 5:1-5, 6:13-22, 1 COR. 3:6-17, 6:19-20INTRODUCTION:God’s house is also referred to as a temple. It is a house where people worship God from time to time. It is usually different from other buildings because it serves as a sacred purpose. King David planned, and gathered some materials to build God a temple. God however, warned him not to do so through the prophet Nathan because he had shed much blood as a man of war. (2 Sam.7:4-5; 1 Kgs 8:17-19).Solomon his son thus built a very magnificent house for the Lord from 1012 BC to 1005 BC. He used a period of seven years to build it. It was sitted on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem and the Israelites worshipped gladly in it for many years.This beautiful temple was destroyed and the worshippers then, the Israelites, were carried away. LESSON OBJECTIVES To know what God’s temple is. To know what necessitates building houses for God. To know why the first temple was destroyed. To know believer’s responsibilities in building God’s house. To encourage believers to participate in building God’s house BIBLE TRUTH: QUESTION 1) WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE TERM GOD’S TEMPLE? Hos.8:14; Lk.19:45-47; Acts 2:46; 3:3; 1 Cor.3:16-17; 2 Cor.6:16The word temple was translated from the Hebrew word Heykai which means a palace or tabernacle of worship. Temple therefore, means a large public building where people worship. There could be some apartments in them where the priests could live-in to allow for nearness to it and quicken calls on them for service in their daily ministration.However, temple could mean two major things in Christianity. The first instance, it means a place or house of worship of our God Almighty. In other words, it is a building or tent where believers gather to have fellowship and render praise and thanks to the LORD regularly.The more significant meaning of the word temple is the body of the Christian person. 1 Cor.6:19-20. God made it clear that every believer should keep his body clean and free from pollution because he (God, the Holy Spirit) dwells in it. It is clear that God does not live in buildings made with hands (Acts 17:24). He lives in a purified human body which He made and cleansed Himself for His daily use. Right from the time of old, God has always emphasized the need for man to sanctify himself before He moves in man. QUESTION 2) WHAT BROUGHT ABOUT THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM?Deut. 7:25-26; 11:16-17; 2 Chron.7:21-22; 28:21-25God does not just punish people for committing sins or offences. He usually spells out first what and what one must and must not do. When men commit evil, God usually warns them to correct their ways. If such warning is not heeded, He punishes the offender (Deut.28).God applied these same principles in dealing with the Israelites. He did forewarn them and called them to repentance. The temple was built in seven years under the leader-ship of King Solomon (1 Kgs 6). It was destroyed by the Babylonians led by the great King Nebuchadnezzar. (2 Kings 25). The reason for which God allowed the heathen Babylonians to succeed in destroying the temple was sin in...

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THE ARK OF THE COVENANT (PART 2), SEPTEMBER 22ND, 2024

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THE ARK OF THE COVENANT (PART 2), SEPTEMBER 22ND, 2024

CENTRAL THOUGHTAligning with God’s will, plan and purpose remain the only way for an individual to receive and enjoy God’s blessings. TEXT: 1 CHRONICLES 13:1-14; 15:1-16. INTRODUCTION:We saw in the first part of this lesson how the children of Israel assumed that the presence of the Ark of God with them in the battlefield would guarantee them victory despite their life of sin. They learned the hard way that God cannot (and should not) be taken for granted. They were defeated in the battle and God allowed the Ark of the Covenant to be captured by the Philistines. Thus, believers today should learn from their experience that we cannot make a practice of sin and expect God’s presence to remain with us. The responsibility is ours to walk before God in holiness so that His presence with us can continuously be guaranteed.In this second part of the lesson, we will discover what befell the Philistines while the ark was with them. They soon found out that the God of Israel is the Almighty God and He alone deserves worship. The experience of the Philistines forced them to carry the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel on their own. Let us prepare our hearts to appropriate the truths derivable from this lesson. BIBLE TRUTH: QUESTION 1) HOW DID THE PHILISTINES TREAT THE ARK OF GOD AND WHAT WAS GOD’S REACTION TO THEIR ACTION? (1 SAM 5:1-12).When the Philistines captured the Ark of God, they brought it first to the city of Ashdod. In Ashdod, they brought the Ark to the house of Dagon, the god of the land and set the Ark of God by it. It appears by their action that they were equating the God of Israel to the god of their land. They went to sleep but when the priests and the people of Ashdod woke up in the morning, they found to their amazement that Dagon, their god “ was fallen upon his face to the earth before the Ark of the LORD….” (1 Sam 5:3). The people, rather than understand the inferiority and nothingness of their god before the Almighty God of Israel, decided to set Dagon in his place again. When they woke up the following morning, they found out that a worse thing had befallen their god. “…. Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hand were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him” (1 Sam 5:4).Apart from what befell Dagon, it is written in Scripture that the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod. God destroyed them and smote them with hemorrhoids. Sickness came upon Ashdod and its environs (1 Sam 5:6).The people of Ashdod cried out that the Ark of God cannot stay with them. The Lords of the Philistines met and decided to take the Ark of God to the city of Gath, A worse situation befell the people of Gath. (See 1 Sam 5:9)The Ark was then taken by the Philistines from Gath to Ekron. The “Ekronites” cried out saying “… they have brought the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people”...

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September 18th, 2022
The Excellency of God’s word ( Part 1)
Central Thought: God’s word is forever settled and will prosper.
Hymn: Thy word is a lamp to my feet, O Lord.
Text: Psalm 119; Isaiah 55. (Reading Text Psalm 119:1-24)
Introduction:
Men who recognize the efficacy of the word of God by allowing His will to
be done in their lives have always beaten all odds and excelled. Joseph
went from slavery to be an important leader in Egypt because he preferred
the way of God, obeyed Him and was testified of by Pharoah to be “a man
in whom the spirit of God is” (Gen.41:38). Daniel ruled in Babylon and
prospered because he believed and trusted in the word of God continually:
“an excellent spirit was found in him” (Dan.6:3). Hananiah, in obedience to
Mishael and Azariah refused to worship any other gods besides the God of
Israel and rose from the fiery furnace to governorship position. Moses
forsook Pharoah’s palace and against all odds obeyed God’s word to
deliver Israel from Egypt. Each of these personalities portray the
supremacy of God’s word. Obeying God’s word always produces result that
far exceed the highest that can be achieved through any other way, thought
or decision. No wonder God says in Isa.55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not
your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the
heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts”.
The bible is God’s written word and will, Jesus Christ is His word made
flesh, being “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6). God’s spoken word
brought the world into being. It’s forever the same, immutable and
inexhaustible. The psalmist was persecuted by men of rank and authority,
who ridiculed his beliefs, seeking to put him to shame and make him give
up his faith. But he strengthened himself by meditating on the word of the
Lord, which to him was comfort, his prized possession, his rule of life, his
resource for strength-all of which drove him to desire it now as it was then.
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe.
Lesson Objectives:

Posted by on 10:44 am in Uncategorized | Comments Off on September 18th, 2022
The Excellency of God’s word ( Part 1)
Central Thought: God’s word is forever settled and will prosper.
Hymn: Thy word is a lamp to my feet, O Lord.
Text: Psalm 119; Isaiah 55. (Reading Text Psalm 119:1-24)
Introduction:
Men who recognize the efficacy of the word of God by allowing His will to
be done in their lives have always beaten all odds and excelled. Joseph
went from slavery to be an important leader in Egypt because he preferred
the way of God, obeyed Him and was testified of by Pharoah to be “a man
in whom the spirit of God is” (Gen.41:38). Daniel ruled in Babylon and
prospered because he believed and trusted in the word of God continually:
“an excellent spirit was found in him” (Dan.6:3). Hananiah, in obedience to
Mishael and Azariah refused to worship any other gods besides the God of
Israel and rose from the fiery furnace to governorship position. Moses
forsook Pharoah’s palace and against all odds obeyed God’s word to
deliver Israel from Egypt. Each of these personalities portray the
supremacy of God’s word. Obeying God’s word always produces result that
far exceed the highest that can be achieved through any other way, thought
or decision. No wonder God says in Isa.55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not
your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the
heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts”.
The bible is God’s written word and will, Jesus Christ is His word made
flesh, being “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6). God’s spoken word
brought the world into being. It’s forever the same, immutable and
inexhaustible. The psalmist was persecuted by men of rank and authority,
who ridiculed his beliefs, seeking to put him to shame and make him give
up his faith. But he strengthened himself by meditating on the word of the
Lord, which to him was comfort, his prized possession, his rule of life, his
resource for strength-all of which drove him to desire it now as it was then.
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe.
Lesson Objectives:

To understand what God’s word is.To know why the written word of God should be appreciated.To appreciate the relevance of God’s word.Bible Truth:Q1. What is God’s word?The bible is God’s written word and promise to men. It has been given toguide, instruct and comfort man in life’s journey. From the varioussymbols with which the Bible has been illustrated we see the need tostudy, know and do the word of God. Like a two-edged sword (Heb.4:12)the Bible pierces the heart of the hearer; like a hammer (Jer.23:29) it ispowerful and breaks the resistance of the hearer; like a fire (Jer,20:9;23:29) it is a burning word consuming the dross in the hearer; while likea seed (1 Peter.1:23) the Bible is a living word regenerating the hearer.Moreover, in branding the Bible a mirror, its ability to faithfully reveal theindividual to himself is portrayed (James.1:23-25). This same word issaid to be a lamp and a light (Ps.119:105), illuminating and guiding thebeliever day by day. As food, (1 Peter.2:2; Heb.5:12-14; 1Cor.3:2), theBible is nourishment feeding the soul. The word of God thereforeconvicts, regenerates, reveals, illuminates and nourishes the individual.It is profitable for doctrine, for reproof , for correction, for instruction inrighteousness (2Tim.3:16).There is need to study to show oneself approved as Paul instructedTimothy (1Tim.2:15-16). Until you “receive with meekness the engraftedword which is able to save your souls” (James.1:20) you remain “dead insins and trespasses” (Eph.2:1). Therefore, the word of God could besaid to be that eternal will, which when we know and obey, we stayalive, grow and all the works of our hands prosper.The word which was at the beginning, which was with God and whichwas God (John.1:1) “…. Was made flesh and dwell among us….full ofgrace and truth”. This is the personification of the word of God and isJesus Christ our Lord. God has magnified this word above His name(Psalm.138:2). The Lord says of His word in Isa.55:11 “…. It shall notreturn unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and itshall prosper in the thing whereto I send it”. This is infallibility which isGod’s exclusive preserve. “Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled inheaven” (Psalm.119:89). Therefore God’s word is God.Q2. Why should the Bible be appreciated?The Bible, also called the Scriptures or the writings, or the word of Godis an authoritative revelation, written form of God’s nature and purpose.It comprises sixty-six books from Genesis to Revelation; 39 in the oldtestament and 27 in the new testament. They are all written by the sameauthor, the Holy Spirit, and have one message. There is no other booklike it. It is believed that between 36 and 40 different writers were used,written over a period of some, 1,600 years by all sorts of men, includingshepherds, kings, fishermen, and philosophers, they never contradictedone another, but all are in perfect agreement and harmony. The Biblewas originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. Moses, writing1600 years before the last book of the Bible was penned, was just asmodern and scientific as Paul’s, John’s or any other author or presentday investigator. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God”(2Tim.3:16), man by himself could not have written the Bible. Yet manhas tried to ban, burn and bury the Bible. It is alive and available topreach the funeral of any person or nation who wants to do away...

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THE ARK OF THE COVENANT (PART 1), SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2024

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THE ARK OF THE COVENANT (PART 1), SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2024

CENTRAL THOUGHTKeeping to the terms of a covenant is the major guarantee of its effectiveness. TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 4:1-22 INTRODUCTION:It is a well-established fact in the Scripture that God’s presence is with His people. In the Old Testament, the Ark of the Covenant was a symbol of God’s relationship with His people and His presence with them. However, God’s continual presence with His people is not to be assumed. Such presence is only guaranteed when His people live in obedience to His word. Therefore, it is the responsibility of every believer to be conscious of God’s presence and consciously avoid anything or any situation that will rob him of God’s presence and the attendant blessings. LESSON OBJECTIVESThe objectives of this lesson are to: Understand the structure, contents and purpose of the Ark. Examine the relationship of Israel with God before the battle with the Philistines. Know what happened to Israel’s first encounter with the Philistines and Israel’s reaction. Examine Israel’s wrong assumption following the defeat by the Philistines and the consequences. Know some of the ways we make similar wrong assumptions today; and Teach us what to do to ensure God’s continual abiding presence in our lives. BIBLE TRUTH: QUESTION 1) WHAT WERE THE STRUCTURE, CONTENTS AND PURPOSE OF THE ARK OF THE COVENANT? Ex 16:33-34, 25:10-22, Heb.9:3-5As written in the Wycliffe Bible Dictionary, the Ark was a chest made of acacia wood, about four foot long, two and half feet wide, and two and a half feet high. It was overlaid with gold inside and out (Ex 25:11) and had a ring of gold at each corner or foot through which posts were passed to carry it. The lid of the ark, the Kapporeth or “Mercy seat” (Ex 25:17) was made of pure gold. At each end of the mercy seat was a Cherubim made of hammered gold.The ark served as the container of the covenant stones which were a continual reminder of the covenant between God and Israel (Ex 25:16, 21).It also contained the pot of manna symbolizing the bread of God (Ex 16:33; Heb.9:4). Aaron’s rod was placed in it later, as a witness to Israel of God’s choice of the Priesthood.The ark seems to have served various functions during its history. It was built by Moses (Deut.10:5), or actually by Bezaleel (Ex 31:2, 6-7; 37:1-9) at Sinai. According to Num.10:33-36 it served as a guide to Israel in the wilderness.The whole ark symbolized the Divine presence in all places (1 Sam.4:3-22, 5:1-11, 6:1-21 etc). The total absence of any figure or symbol of God on the mercy seat was most significant. It testified of His invisible presence and discouraged all idol making. (Information obtained from Wycliffe Bible Dictionary and Dake’s Annotated Bible). QUESTION 2) WHAT WAS THE RELATIONSHIP OF ISRAEL WITH GOD BEFORE THE BATTLE WITH THE PHILISTINES.1 Sam 2:12-17, 22-36; 3:10-18The Priests in the land had seriously gone astray from the way of the LORD. In 1 Samuel 2:12 we read “now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial, they knew not the LORD” and in verse 17 of the same chapter we read “wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD”.The nation had backslidden from the way of the...

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THE BELIEVER’S STAND IN TIMES LIKE THIS, SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2024

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THE BELIEVER’S STAND IN TIMES LIKE THIS, SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2024

CENTRAL THOUGHTChrist is the believer’s sure anchor. TEXT: ESTHER 3:1-6; 4:1-14. INTRODUCTION:As believers, we face a number of challenges that put a demand on our faith. These challenges may come to us in all areas of life- socially, politically, economically and spiritually, for which we must take a stand for Christ and be resolved to run the race to the end.Thus, in this study, “The believer’s stand in times like this” we shall be looking at the happenings around us and how a believer should respond to them. LESSON OBJECTIVESThe objectives of this study are to: Understand what “The believer’s stand in time like this means; Know the characteristics of the time we are living in; Discuss how some characters in the Bible stood in the time they lived in; Discuss how a believer should respond to the happenings in the time he/she lives in. BIBLE TRUTH:QUESTION 1) WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE PHRASE “THE BELIEVER’S STAND IN TIME LIKE THIS”.The believer in the context of this study refers to someone who believes in Christ Jesus. Such an individual must have accepted the Lord as his personal Lord and Savior; he/she is someone ready and willing to live his/her life in obedience to the word of the Lord.It is common knowledge that we live in hard times; the Bible calls it, ‘Perilous time’. It is the end time. It is therefore how the believer can go through these perilous times, keeping the faith without compromise that is under discussion.QUESTION 1B) DISCUSS THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TIME WE ARE LIVING IN.(i). Economically, Matt.24:7One of the characteristics of the end times, which is the time we live in, is financial hardship. The Bible clearly states that, there shall be famines, pestilences and earthquakes. This is scarcity of resources, food and basic necessities which is a cumulative effect from the kingdoms and the nations rising against themselves.As never before, the cost of living daily has become very expensive; availability and affordability of most basic needs now seem a luxury.The economic crunch/meltdown is not limited to our nation, it is global, and nations that were world economic powers have not been exempted.-(ii) Politically, Matt.24:6, 2 Tim 3:12The times we live in, have witnessed increase in wars and rumors of wars. Nations that had hither to be peaceful, are now involved in various forms of unrest. Also, there is increase in internal crisis and wars with a heightened local unrest. Insecurity of lives and properties is a challenge. All these should remind the believer that we are in the end times. A characteristic that also mark the end time is, the different forms of persecution the church is undergoing. It is indeed a perilous time.(iii) Socially, 2 Tim.3:1-4; Matt 24:7There is an increase in all the vices stated in the above passages; same sex marriage, self-centeredness, greed and covetousness, quest to make money at all costs, pride, worldliness and worldly standards, disobedience to parents, un-thankfulness and unholiness, ungodliness, inordinate affection, breaking of vows, false accusation, betrayal by loved ones, self-gratification.In Matt 24:7, the nations of the world shall equally rise against themselves and kingdoms against kingdoms, so there is also a global aspect of the social characteristics of the end times. It is a time witnessed by nations departing from blocks/unions for self-interest....

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Total Wellbeing-Divine Healing, SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2024

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Total Wellbeing-Divine Healing, SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2024

CENTRAL THOUGHTTotal Wellbeing is our inheritance in Christ. TEXT: EXODUS 15:26; DEUT.7:13-15; ISAIAH 53:3- 5; 3 JOHN 2. INTRODUCTION:A careful study of the scriptures will reveal that God’s original plan for man is for him to enjoy total wellbeing. Divine healing is God’s intervention where situations and challenges of life speak otherwise. We can boldly say that there is no healing without God’s intervention, whether through orthodox medicine, herbal medication or prayers. It is God’s prerogative to determine the method by whichan ailment could be healed. Some drugs are manufactured from herbs and God created the herbs and specifically said that some of them are for man’s healing. The scriptures contain numerous promises of God concerning healing and a wholesome life for man. Healing is part and parcel of the salvation package procured by our Lord Jesus for us on the cross. He borne our sickness when He died for our sins.In this study, we shall examine among other things how to appropriate God’s promises to bring about our healing and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. LESSON OBJECTIVESTo Know: How sickness entered the world. That it is God’s will for us to receive healing. The condition that should be met before we can receive divine healing. The hinderances to receive divine healing. How to appropriate God’s promises to us for divine healing and remain in health. BIBLE TRUTH: QUESTION 1) HOW DID SICKNESS ENTER THE WORLD? GEN.2:17, 3:5-10; ROM.5:12; JN.5:14; LUKE.13:11-16; ACTS.10:38; MARK 1:23; 9:25.God made man in His own image and likeness and placed him in the garden of Eden to dress and keep it. He instructed man not to eat the fruit of a particular tree in the garden because the day he eats of the fruit he will die. However, man could not keep the commandment and ate of the fruit and ‘died’. Through this disobedience, man became subject to the manipulation of the devil of which sicknesses and diseases are by products. So, sickness and suffering are the product of curses God placed on man as a result of sin against God. QUESTION 2) IS IT GOD’S WILL FOR US TO BE HEALED AND BE IN GOOD HEALTH? DISCUSS: EXOD.15:26; DEUT.7:13-15; MARK 16:17-19; JAMES 5:13-15; PS.103:3-5; 3 JOHN 2.Yes, it is God’s will for us to be healed and be in good health during our sojourn here on earth. This is obvious because, at the point He placed the curse on man, He also put in place a plan not only to heal man from the sickness that would emerge as a result of the curses, but a perpetual remedy to the effect of the sin against Him (God). (Gen.3:15). In addition, He declared in His word, that He is our healer. He cannot lie, so He is willing at all times to heal and keep us in good health. (Exod. 15:26; Ps.103:3; Jer.30:17). QUESTION 3) WHAT CONDITION SHOULD BELIEVERS MEET TO BE HEALED? PS.66:18; MARK 9:23; 11:24; JN.15:7; ROM.12:1; EXOD.15:26.Healing is a part of the package in the salvation Christ procured for us on the cross with his blood. Therefore, the first condition a believer should meet to qualify for divine healing is to ensure that he/she is born again (has received Jesus Christ into his/her heart as Lord and personal Savior), thereafter,...

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RETURN TO FIRST LOVE – PART 2 ,AUGUST 25TH, 2024

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RETURN TO FIRST LOVE – PART 2 ,AUGUST 25TH, 2024

CENTRAL THOUGHT Return, ye backsliding children to the LORD. TEXT: REV. 2:1-7 INTRODUCTION: Backsliding can happen to any unsuspecting and unguarded Christian. It might not be outright return into sin, but according to Gal. 3, whenever the believer stops depending on the Holy Spirit to relying on flesh, such an individual is sliding back (i.e backsliding). God is not interested in the death of the sinner/ backsliding, so if such an individual repents, he shall have the Lord’s pardon and surely live. LESSON OBJECTIVES 1. To know what is backsliding 2. The identify the things that cause backsliding and possible remedies 3. To consider our attitude to backsliders 4. To examine how the backslider can return to his first love. BIBLE TRUTH: QUESTION 1) WHAT IS BACKSLIDING? Rev. 2:4-5; Prov. 14:14; Gal. 3:1-4; Ezek. 18:20-28, 33:11-16 The word backslide means to turn back or turn away. In scriptures, it means turning away from God, from our first love or from the gospel, unto satan, evil, or the world. It is turning back from following God and returning to the life and things of the world. It may not occur suddenly, but it is gradually over a period of time (1 King 11:9-10; Rev. 2:14; Gal. 1:6-7, 3:1-5; 1 Tim. 5:15; Ps. 125:5; 2 Tim. 4:10).The amplified Bible version puts Rev. 2:4b “… that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first”. You have deserted your first love. Backsliding by this scripture means deserting Christ by turning aside from His ways and instructions. God instructed the Israelites that they must keep His commandments and must not turn to the left or to the right (Deut. 5:22, 17:20). Prov. 14:14 says that backsliding is from the heart. The backslider in heart shall be filled with the fruit of his own ways and a good man shall be satisfied with the fruit of his ways (with the holy thoughts and actions which his heart prompts and in which he delights) (Amplified version). The implication of this is that backsliding is only evidenced by men and becomes obvious to men, after it had already taken place in the heart i.e backsliding starts from the heart before it becomes manifest by actions. The emphasis here is the heart. To be satisfied, one’s heart must be right with God and not in a state of backsliding. The nature of backsliding includes turning aside from God and from fearing God. Whenever an individual begins to compromise in his/her fear for God, it indicates the onset/outset of backsliding.In Gal. 3:1-4, the Galatian church was reproved for starting in the spirit and attempting to gain perfection by dependence on the flesh. Though this church started well as spiritual people they veered off to depending on the flesh. It tells us that backsliding is a state that the believer must watch against. It is not enough that one is saved today, backsliding comes in carious subtle ways, hence the warning in 1 Cor. 10:12 that he who thinks he stands should take heed i.e we should be on guard against falling. Being saved is different from having titles in church. (Ezekiel 18:20-28, 33: 11-16) Ezekiel vividly told us the dangers of backsliding. Verse 24b “… all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned:...

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RETURN TO YOUR FIRST LOVE – PART 1, August 18th, 2024

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RETURN TO YOUR FIRST LOVE – PART 1, August 18th, 2024

CENTRAL THOUGHT Believers should continue in their first Love. TEXT: REV. 2:1-7 INTRODUCTION: It is expected that at the point of giving one’s life to the Lord and accepting Him as personal Lord and Savior, there is a total turnaround in the life of an individual. To most believers, as should be to all, the newfound love and Lord becomes the center of their lives. This drives them with commitment to live, please, and do His biddings. The resulting effect is manifested in the individual’s commitment, dedication, and faithfulness to the Lord. The zeal is subject to dwindle and wane with time.The church at Ephesus started very well. They kept the Christian standard and were zealous for the work of God. However, a time came when they failed to love God above every other thing. They were admonished to return to their first love. In this study, we shall examine very closely this church vis-à-vis our lives with a view to derive some lessons. LESSON OBJECTIVES 1. To know the meaning of the words ‘ first love’ 2. To discuss the marks of a believer who has left his first love 3. To appreciate the possible hope of returning to one’s first love 4. To discuss the implications of not returning to our first love BIBLE TRUTH: QUESTION 1) WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE WORDS “FIRST LOVE”? Rev. 2:2-3, 4; Jer. 2:1-3 The words ‘first love’ connotes the very beginning, starting point, the initial commitment, dedication, faithfulness, and joy that an individual had at the point of giving one’s life to the Lord. There is usually great zeal towards God and the things of God. This drives the individual to be totally and completely sold out to the Lord and His service. There is a desire to please God above all odds, even at the risk of being ostracized, rejected, and called names for this newfound way (The love of God). There is a deep hunger to know God, hence, such an individual is not forced/ compelled to attend Christian meetings and activities but finds great joy and delight in being in the presence of God. In the pursuit of knowing God, such an individual studies and searches the scriptures for himself, prays and holds his relationship and fellowship with God at a high esteem. Such an individual’s life is in consonance with the word of God. In this state, such an individual does not partake in condole/ tolerate sin, but promptly rebukes it. QUESTION 2) WHAT WAS THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS COMMENDED FOR? Rev. 2:2-3 In Rev. 2:2-3, the Lord Jesus said, “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.” The church at Ephesus was commended first for their works, i.e they were not lazy brethren but were busy for the kingdom. Amplified version described their efforts as laborious toil and troubles, which imply that their works and deeds were not trouble-free, i.e even amid their troubles, they worked laboriously for God. They endured patiently in their labor and were not...

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