Church Construction 2013

May 2013 - Planting the Garden

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A HEART THAT IS STAYED ON GOD, JANUARY 21ST, 2024

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A HEART THAT IS STAYED ON GOD, JANUARY 21ST, 2024

CENTRAL THOUGHTA heart that is stayed on God has perfect peace. Hymn: Peace perfect peace. TEXT: 1 SAM. 30:1-8; JOB 14:1, 7-9,14; ISA.26:3-4; MATT.6: 25-34.INTRODUCTION:It is common and natural to see people panic and fret when problems of life confront them. However, the believer ought to go beyond the natural state of man. Job knew this when he declared that “man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble…all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.” (Job 14:1; 14). David also suffered invasion, but he encouraged himself in the Lord. It is refreshing to know that God is not only interested in our spiritual well-being but also in our physical well-being. Our Lord Jesus taught us not to worry or be troubled about life challenges… but to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all other things will be added to us. For He will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him because he trusted Him. Isaiah 41:10 also says, “fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” LESSON OBJECTIVESThe lesson objectives are to: Know what it means to have a heart that is stayed on God. Know some features of a heart that is stayed on God. Highlight the dangers of not having our hearts stayed on God. Enumerate the benefits of a heart that is stayed on God. Know how to have our hearts stayed on God. BIBLE TRUTH:QUESTION 1) DISCUSS WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE A HEART STAYED ON GOD?The heart is a place of communication between God and man. For the heart to stay on God, the person has to know God as a Father and his word to direct his life endeavors. He should have knowledge of God’s wonders and faithfulness of old and trust Him even more. He must have determined to trust and depend on God whether life treats him well or not. QUESTION 2) FROM LUKE 15:14-16, IDENTIFY THE DANGERS OF BACKSLIDING.Backsliding means turning away from the truth of the gospel. It begins when a believer starts living presumptuously i.e being insensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. The scripture says that he that breaks the hedge, serpent will bite. The dangers of backsliding are:i. Exposure to the devil’s attack.ii. The backslider makes the sacrifice of Jesus Christ of no effect to himself.iii. The person loses fellowship with God.iv. The person also loses fellowship with brethren.v. The backslider ultimately faces eternal destruction if he/ she refuses to repent.God in His infinite mercy is calling all sinners and backsliders to return to Him. The careless ones are also warned to be careful with their lives. God says in Jer. 3:22, “return ye backsliding children and I will heal your backsliding”. God is not interested when a sinner or backslider dies hence, He calls all to return to Him QUESTION 3A) IDENTIFY THE STEPS TAKEN BY THE PRODIGAL SON IN HIS EFFORTS TO RETURN TO HIS FATHER’S HOUSELUKE 15:17-21Having realized his error, the depravity of his lifestyle, his father’s enormous wealth, his suffering and abominable acts (feeding with swine), the prodigal son...

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IMPATIENCE, JANUARY 14TH, 2024

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IMPATIENCE, JANUARY 14TH, 2024

CENTRAL THOUGHTOur true character is revealed when we are under pressure in the affairs of life. TEXT: EXODUS 32:1-10; 1 SAM.13:5-14 INTRODUCTION:The Israelites in our passage above became terrified and hid themselves when they saw the Philistine army. They forgot that God was on their side and that He couldn’t be defeated. When we are under pressure, we often forget that God is on our side and see only our own insufficient resources. We tend to panic.Under pressure of the approaching Philistines, Saul became impatient and took matters into his own hands. Rather than waiting for the priest- Samuel, he offered the sacrifice himself, which was against the law of God.We are in an age when people glamor for instant result wanting to get rich quickly. This study therefore seeks to highlight how anxiety for immediate or instant fulfilment of life desires has become the order of the day resulting in crippling of the faith of some believers. It will also highlight the need for believers to desires to live a life of patience. LESSON OBJECTIVESThe objectives of this lesson are to: Understand what impatience means. Know how King Saul and Aaron exhibited impatience. Highlight some practical ways people exhibit impatience today. Identify the consequences of impatience. Identify ways Christians can overcome impatience. BIBLE TRUTH: QUESTION 1A) WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE WORD “IMPATIENCE” ?The Dictionary defines impatience as the inability to wait patiently. In our context, it is an ungodly feeling/character that makes one act against God’s will. It is a character devoid of long-suffering, endurance, and forbearance. It also represents an attitude of restlessness coupled with great eagerness and a feeling of wanting something to happen as soon as possible. In all cases, God is ruled out of such feelings. For anybody to please God in this journey of life, impatience must be dealt with. QUESTION 1B) DISCUSS HOW KING SAUL EXHIBITED IMPATIENCE. (1 SAMUEL 13:5-14).The Israelites were drawn in battle against the Philistines. They needed to call upon God, offering to Him burnt offerings and peace offerings before going to battle. These offerings were to be performed by the Priest Samuel alone. Saul became pressured when he saw that many of his few armies had fled, coupled with his perceived delay of Samuel the priest. Therefore, he said “Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offering” and he offered them contrary to God’s commandment. Impatience resulting from fear made him to disobey God. Unfortunately, the moment he finished offering the sacrifices, Samuel arrived. His actions robbed him of his continual reign and that of his descendants over Israel. (1 Sam.13:13, 14). QUESTION 2) WHAT LESSONS CAN WE DERIVE FROM AARON SUCCUMBING TO THE GODLESS PRESSURE AND IMPATIENCE OF THE PEOPLE. EXODUS 32:1-6.The people’s perceived delay of Moses for forty days agitated them to ask for a god they can see, feel, and carry about. This was a carryover from Egypt where they had seen bull or calf worship. Their action shows impatience. It was also an affront to Moses’ leadership.Aaron as a leader of the people ought to have counseled them against idolatry and to wait patiently for Moses’s return. As leaders of God’s people, we should not succumb to any pressure from the people to act contrary to God’s word/will. Also, those...

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TRAIN YOURSELF TO BE GODLY, January 7th, 2024

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TRAIN YOURSELF TO BE GODLY, January 7th, 2024

CENTRAL THOUGHTIt is expected that every child of God should train him/herself to be Godly. Hymn: “When we walk with the Lord”. TEXT: 1 TIM 4:7-8, 2 PET 1:5-8 INTRODUCTION:To train (as a verb) means to respond to instruction and discipline for one’s good. It also implies growing up in a good and specific direction that would make somebody responsible. It equally involves focusing one’s attention on what the individual wants to learn and increasing or adding new knowledge to what the individual already knows and a constant check to access how well the individual has fared in the desired skill. Training also means to shape, or condition, or discipline, oneself to practice an ability. That is, to teach and form by practice. Though Timothy had been a co-laborer with Paul for many years, he deemed it necessary to write on the need to train himself in godliness. The main text also shows that there is no such thing as “instant godliness”. Godly character does not come at once hence we need to train for it. LESSON OBJECTIVES To discuss what it means to be godly. Know how to train yourself to be godly. Discuss the consequences of living a godless life. Identify the reward of godliness. BIBLE TRUTH: QUESTION 1) WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE GODLY? TITUS 2:11-12; 1 TIM 4:7 To be godly has been defined by the dictionary as godly manner, pious, devout, and righteous. Paul defined godliness in 1 Tim. 3:16 as Jesus who was manifest in flesh, justified in the spirit…and taken up in glory. So, Jesus is the essence of godliness. To be godly means to be more like our Lord Jesus Christ. The word godly is from God, it entails being like God, in character and behavior. It is a man demonstrating or living out the qualities of God for others to see. It involves being peaceful, holy, gentle, loving, patient, good, kind etc. A man is therefore godly when he lives out the character of God for others to see. It is the fear of God in a man’s heart that constrains him to be godly. In essence, it is a good and holy life that emanates from a deep reverence for God, to be like God, to exhibit the character and nature of God.Before the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, only the Jews could claim to be godly. With His coming and upon His death on the cross and resurrection, grace came. It is grace that enables man to become godly. His divine power has given us all that pertains to life and godliness. (2 Pet.1:3). QUESTION 2A) HOW DOES ONE TRAIN ONESELF TO BE GODLY?2 COR.3:18; JAMES 1:19-25; 1 TIM 4:12-16; 1 COR.15:33; TITUS 2:11-12; PHIL 2:12; ROM.12:2; PHIL.2:6The starting point of training oneself to be godly is by giving one’s life to God. It is a deliberate act of acknowledging one’s sins and asking the Lord Jesus to forgive one’s sins and make one His child. It is surrendering one’s old life of sin at the altar of grace and accepting the redemption offered by Christ Jesus. From that point, the individual becomes a part of the family of God, redeemed from sin and darkness into the kingdom of the light. The believer must then renew...

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NOT NEGLECTING GOD’S GREAT SALVATION, December 31st, 2023

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NOT NEGLECTING GOD’S GREAT SALVATION, December 31st, 2023

CENTRAL THOUGHTGive earnest heed to the Word of God. TEXT: HEB. 2:1-4; 3:16-19; 1 COR. 10:1-12 INTRODUCTION:There is no period in the entire history of the church when we stand the danger of departing from the faith more than these times. A lot of casualties are being recorded along the path to heaven.Although many people profess to be saved, the earnest believers know that an awful lot is wrong with the church in our generation. Many are careless with their faith. In this study, we shall be looking at how some people of old lost the great opportunity given to them for salvation and its consequences. LESSON OBJECTIVES:The objectives of this lesson are: To understand what it means to neglect God’s Great Salvation To know the acceptable day of salvation and repentance from sin To understand the lessons learned from the children of Israel made To know the subtle dangers to watch against as believer BIBLE TRUTH: QUESTION 1a.) WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY NEGLECTING GOD’S GREAT SALVATION?To neglect God’s Great Salvation means to pay little attention to the instructions and teachings of the Bible. God’s Salvation is what is provided in the redemptive work of Christ and the demand it places on us who believe. To neglect it is when our commitment to the body of beliefs we hold begin to wane and we now live unmindful of them. In this state, we begin believing in what we once condemned. This is in agreement with Paul’s admonition to the Galations in Gal. 2:18, “for if I build again the things which I destroyed I make myself a transgressor.” QUESTION 1b.) WHEN IS THE ACCEPTABLE DAY OF SALVATION AND REPENTANCE FROM SIN?In Heb. 3:7-8 the scriptures say that today is the day of salvation. The grace of God is still available to everyone that comes to Him. There is no need to postpone the issue of salvation. As His word is being preached as many that hear it should heed the message and be saved. QUESTION 2.) EXAMINE BRIEFLY HOW THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE LOST OUT OF THE RACE.a.) Judas Iscariot (John 13:2 & 27)The Scriptures made us understand that Judas as a disciple was unfaithful in the keeping of the purse (John 12:6), and ultimately ended up betraying the Lord Jesus. The opening or loophole in Judas’ life was his greed for money and wealth. Believers should be careful on how they go about looking for money because if not checked, could lead to being pierced with many sorrows.b.) Saul (1 Samuel 10:24)King Saul lost out of the race when he disobeyed God’s command to utterly destroy the Amelekites.c.) Demas (2 Tim. 4:10)Demas initially was a faithful witness for Christ, but due to the love for the pleasures of this world he decided to forsake gospel work.d.) Lot’s wife (Gen. 19:24-26)Lot’s wife disobeyed a command that was expressly given not to look back. For her disobedience, she became a pillar of salt. QUESTION 3.) THE CLASS SHOULD EXAMINE THESE OTHER SUBTLE DANGERS TO WATCH AGAINST IF WE MUST MAINTAIN OUR FAITHFUL TO THE END.a.) The peril of itching ears. 2 Tim. 4:3-4b.) Dangers of being hearers only. James 1:22c.) Being deceived by erroneous teachings. Matt. 7:15; 1 Tim 4:1-3d.) Joining the company of many whose love is waxing cold....

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UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN, December 24, 2023

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UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN, December 24, 2023

CENTRAL THOUGHTThe celebration of the birth of Christ, should be a time of sober reflections, re-dedicating our lives for more services unto God. TEXT: MATT. 1:18-25; MATT. 2:1-23; LUKE 2:1-20INTRODUCTION:The birth of Jesus Christ was so important that Prophets in the Old Testament prophesied about the way and manner of His birth, (Isa. 7:14; Micah 5:2). God the Father, in confirming the prophesies, sent forth angel Gabriel in the New Testament to the earthly “parents” of Jesus Christ (Joseph and Mary) (Matt. 1:18-25).The birth of Christ was for the purpose of saving the sinful man. Before the birth of Christ, man, due to his fall from grace in the garden of Eden (Gen. 3), was in total bondage in the hands of the devil. For the purpose of deliverance, restoration, and salvation, Jesus was born (John 3:16-18). Many today have divers’ definition for Christmas: to some, it is a time to acquire new and latest design of clothes, for others it’s a time of merry making. Jesus is the reason for the season (Christmas). It should be a period of sober reflection of the newness of life that the birth of Jesus brings and his amazing grace. LESSON OBJECTIVES: To comprehend the purpose of Christ’s birth; To know the importance of the birth of Jesus Christ; To review the unfruitful attempt of the devil on the child; To know that there is nothing impossible to God. BIBLE TRUTH: QUESTION 1.) WHY WAS JESUS CHRIST BORN?When men fell in the garden of Eden, God said to the serpent (Gen. 3:14), that the seed of the woman (Jesus Christ) shall bruise the head of the devil. God had in mind of sending forth His Son through a woman, holy and virtuous to come and destroy the works of the devil and to save man from sin and its consequences. Before man fell, there was a divine fellowship between God and man. When this fellowship between God and man was willfully broken by man, God sought for a way to deliver man from sin.Anyone who lives in sin is in bondage and a slave to it. “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness.” (Rom. 6:16). Consequently, the sinner cannot do the works of God, neither can he do that which pleases God. Thus, he is a slave to sin and evil. The only way of escape from him is God’s provision in Jesus Christ.Jesus Christ was born to be the go-between man and his maker, for the restoration of fellowship between him and his maker (John 14:6; Heb. 9:14,15). Through Him, man can be restored back unto fellowship with his creator, God. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). His birth brought God down to man, so as to take man back to his proper place/position of dominion on earth.It is not the will of God that anyone should perish, but all should come to repentance and accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour (2 Peter 3:9b). many have accepted Christ as their saviour but have not surrendered all to Him. Accepting...

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COME BEFORE HIS PRESENSE WITH THANKSGIVING, December 17, 2023

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COME BEFORE HIS PRESENSE WITH THANKSGIVING, December 17, 2023

CENTRAL THOUGHTThanksgiving in an acclamation that we recognize the grace of God, and are grateful to Him. HYMN: “Blessed Assurance”. TEXT: GEN 4:2-7; PSALM 95:1-7; LUKE 17:11-19 INTRODUCTION:Thanksgiving is an expression of gratitude for favor received. It involves a grateful thought, expressed verbally or by action in relation to an occurrence. It is a testimony to the benevolence of a person or an authority, intended to lubricate the wheel of good relationship and to promote further acts of favor. Absence of thanksgiving can dampen the enthusiasm of the benevolent.Giving thanks unto God is an integral part of our relationship with our God and Maker. All the patriarchs of old and heroes of faith had this understanding and they never played with it. The Bible is an embodiment of a rich culture of thanksgiving as part of the worship of God. Be that as it may, it is sad to note that this subject has also been greatly abused today. This study is the enlighten believers on the scriptural standards expected in thanksgiving. LESSON OBJECTIVES:This lesson will: Explain what it means to come before God with thanksgiving. Establish why and when we thank God. Discuss how we should thank God. Enumerate some abuses to thanksgiving today. List the benefits of thanksgiving BIBLE TRUTH: QUESTION 1a.) WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO COME BEFORE GOD’S PRESENCE WITH THANKSGIVING? Psalm 95:2Coming before His presence with thanksgiving is symbolic of an existing cordial relationship between God and His people. This is only possible through the mediation of Jesus Christ. It begins with genuine salvation, which comes through the acknowledgment of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. This can then be followed by heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to God for who He is, what He has done, and who we are in Him. It is an action that recognizes God as the source of all our victories and the hope of our expectations. QUESTION 1b.) WHY SHOULD WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD?We give thanks to God because He deserves it as the Supreme Majesty. It is in His perfect will and expectation that we should show gratitude for His blessings. It is a mark of cordial relationship that we give Him thanks; and by thanksgiving, we express our faith in His ability to do more for us. By thanksgiving, we publish His greatness and we invite others to join us to glorify His name. QUESTION 2.) WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF AN ACCEPTABLE THANKSGIVING TO GOD?Psalm 51:17; Lev. 22:19-20; 2 Cor. 9:6-8There are clear Scriptural guidelines to follow if our thanksgiving is to be acceptable. Just like any other form of Christian giving, thanksgiving must be with a broken and contrite heart (soaked in grace and overwhelmed by the love of God). The motive must be pure, devoid of arrogance and not intended for self-publicity. It should be done with a willing and grateful heart, out of personal conviction and cheerfully. The substance offered at the thanksgiving must be of quality, painful to part with, and unblemished (2 Sam. 24:24). More emphasis must be placed on appreciating God than on the feasting as we observe in many instances. It is not wrong to invite friends, relations, and well-wishers, but aim should be evangelic, to proclaim the love and mercy of God through Jesus Christ. QUESTION 3.)...

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A FULFILLED LIFE, December 10th, 2023

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A FULFILLED LIFE, December 10th, 2023

CENTRAL THOUGHTGodliness with contentment is great gain. HYMN: “I need Thee every hour” TEXT: Mark 10:17-31 INTRODUCTION:A rich and zealous young man came to Jesus to inquire about the ways of the kingdom of God. With apparent humility and seemingly religious fervency, he engaged the Lord Jesus in a conversation about the requirements for eternal life. Jesus loved him and told him the whole truth, but he became offended, and left sorrowfully.Though he was wealthy and kept the basic commandment of Moses, he felt his future was still bleak as far as eternal life was concerned. He came with a mindset that had a limit on what he was willing to entertain from the ‘good master’. He decided to opt for his wealth instead of eternal life.Fulfillment in life means different things to different people, depending on one’s understanding of the purpose of life. LESSON OBJECTIVES:The objectives of this lesson are: Discuss the attitude of the rich young man to his wealth; Identify some things in life that can possibly compete with our love for God; Examine the ideal Christian attitude towards wealth; Identify the rewards in serving God; and List the hallmarks of a fulfilled Christian life. BIBLE TRUTH: QUESTION 1a). WHAT WERE THE MORAL QUALITIES OF THE RICH YOUNG MAN?Mark 10:17-20The rich young man had some striking moral qualities. He was very mindful and eager about eternal life. He was also a conscious keeper of the basic commandments given through Moses. He was very sensitive to the extraordinary nature of Jesus, hence he called Him, ‘Good Master’. He presented himself as one who was desirous of knowledge and zealous to do more. QUESTION 1b.) WHAT LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM THE LIFE OF THIS RICH YOUNG MAN?The young man was very religious and he carefully observed the letters of the law, but within him, there was still a big vacuum and a measure of doubt as to his access to eternal life. We need more than a routine set of laws to be at peace with God. He expected Jesus to advise him along his parochial mindset, and when that was not the case, he left with offense. We must learn to approach God with openness, and we must not set bounds on God in our life. His excessive attachment to his wealth was his major obstacle to eternal life. There is no prize too great to pay to have the kingdom of God. QUESTION 2a.) WHAT WAS LACKING IN THE LIFE OF THE RICH YOUNG MAN? Mark 10:21Though the young man had some credits of morality in his store, he lacked some basic ingredients needed to relate effectively with God for a fulfilled life.First, he lacked knowledge of the source and purpose of wealth. He did not realize that he was a custodian of wealth from God for the services of God and humanity. His openness to God was limited, and so was his trust in God as the provider of the resources. In conclusion, he was rich in material items but very poor in matters of the soul. QUESTION 2b.) IDENTIFY SOME THINGS IN LIFE THAT CAN POSSIBLY COMPETE WITH OUR LOVE FOR GOD? John 21:15-17Our indulgences, ambitions, pains, possessions, and affiliations all have the capacity to interfere with our love for God if not...

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LESSONS FROM THE EPISTLE OF JUDE, December 3rd, 2023

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LESSONS FROM THE EPISTLE OF JUDE, December 3rd, 2023

HYMN: “Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!” CENTRAL THOUGHTContend earnestly for the faith. TEXT: JUDE 1-25 INTRODUCTION:The epistle of Jude was written to warn all those “who have been called by God the Father” about the activities of ungodly men who had wormed their way into the churches, teaching that God’s marvelous grace permits Christians to live immoral lives. Jude set out to appeal to the Christians to reject this firmly and hold on tightly to the faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that was delivered to them. This is even worse in our time and the need to stand firm is more urgent. We look up to the Lord to teach us eternal lessons from this study. LESSON OBJECTIVES: To understand who Jude was. Examine why the epistle of Jude was written. Understand the characteristics of the ungodly men that Jude is warning the Church about. Understand how we should contend for the faith. Understand some specific things we must do daily to avoid the influence of ungodly people who may be in the church. BIBLE TRUTH: QUESTION 1.) WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE WAY JUDE INTRODUCED HIMSELF?JUDE 1, JAMES 1:1; ROMANS 1:1Jude introduces himself simply and had no grandiose ideas about himself. The introduction captures his own estimation of himself…. “Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James”. It is widely believed that Jude was the younger brother of the Lord Jesus Christ; why did he not brandish this relationship to the brethren? Could it be because he realized that biological relationship with the Lord Jesus did not make him “exactly like Jesus”, or translate to spiritual authority or make him unusual or super? Indeed, our biological relationships do not automatically confer any superiority upon us. Being related biologically to one who occupies one of the fivefold ministry gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, or teachers does not confer on us any spiritual stature of gifts. Each individual is unique in God’s scheme, and must, by a close walk with God, find his/her place in Christ and fulfill it.The mother of a pastor is not a pastor and the son of a prophet may not have any prophetic gifts. Jude had willingly pledged himself to slavery and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ and lived to do His bidding. He was not ashamed of this and did not pride himself in whatever he was via earthly relationships. Paul and James introduced themselves similarly. How do you see yourself? How do you introduce yourself to the world? We should not esteem ourselves above others nor more highly than we ought to.Like Jude, we must have proper estimates of ourselves based on the measure of grace we have received from Christ. QUESTION 2.) WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM JUDE VS 5-7?A. The experience of Israel (Verse 5; 1Corinthians 10:1-12): God worked wonders and delivered Israel from Egypt. He guided them by day and night, protected and provided for them but those who did not please Him were destroyed in the wilderness.B. The fallen angels (Verse 6; 2 Peter 2:4): God created the angels as wonderful beings and endowed them with great wisdom and power to serve His purposed, but those that joined Lucifer in rebellion are bound in outer darkness waiting for eternal judgement. We...

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MOSES: THE LORD’S SERVANT PT. IV, November 26th, 2023

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MOSES: THE LORD’S SERVANT PT. IV, November 26th, 2023

CENTRAL THOUGHTGod requires absolute obedience to His instructions. HYMN: “I am Thine, O Lord…”. TEXT: Numbers 20:1-13 INTRODUCTION:In Moses, we see a man described as the meekest man on Earth, who in the course of his walk with God, manifested his weak point at a time when God expected greater commitment from him. Moses was not a perfect man and God did not change who Moses was (i.e a man slow of speech), He did not give Moses new abilities and strength. Rather, he took Moses’ characteristics and remolded them until they suited His purpose. God found Moses a man good enough to discuss face to face with. However, this did not stop God from unfolding his anger when Moses faltered. So, we should not take God for granted, or feel that we have become too familiar with God that we cannot undermine His instructions.As we conclude our series of study on the life of Moses, a great servant of God, we shall focus on his strength and weakness demonstrated in the course of his walk with God. LESSON OBJECTIVES:This study aims at helping us:a. Identify the core quality of Moses and the costly mistake he made.b. Identify and examine the challenge/ obstacle faced by the children of Israel in their journey to the promised land.c. Understand God’s expectation of anyone who works in his vineyard.d. Identify the lessons derivable from the error or Aaron and Moses. BIBLE TRUTH: QUESTION 1) DISCUSS MOSES’ REACTION TO THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS IN THE WILDERNESS:A. WHEN THE ISRAELITES FACE OBSTACLES.There were several occasions when the children of Israel were faced with obstacles in the wilderness. In Ex. 14:10-14 they were faced with imminent destruction at the hand of the Egyptian army. Moses’ reacted to the situation by crying unto God and encouraging them, not to be afraid but to stand still, assuring them that the Egyptians they were seeing that day, they would see no more forever, that God would fight for them and they would hold their peace. Ex. 15:22-25. They were confronted with a lack of drinking water. It was so severe that they complained bitterly against Moses. Again, Moses cried to the Lord for help and the Lord provided them with drinking water. Ex. 17:1-4. At Rephidim, as the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed towards the promised land, they were again faced with shortage of drinking water, and as usual they complained and accused Moses of bringing them to die in the wilderness. On this occasion, Moses reacted by accusing them of tempting God, he then in turn complained to God that the people were about to stone him. God told him what to do to provide water for the people. B. WHEN THEY SINNED AGAINST GOD.Ex. 32:11-14, 30-33; Num. 11:1-2; 14:10-20. When Moses delayed in his journey to the mountain where he received the ten commandments, the children of Israel made themselves a god of calf, built an altar and worshipped it and sinned against their God. In His anger, God said He would destroy the entire congregation and raise another generation through Moses. Moses’ initial reaction to this act of the people was a demonstration of righteous anger, by breaking the two tablets of stone containing the ten commandments. Next, he went up to God and...

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MOSES: THE LORD’S SERVANT PT. III, November 19th, 2023

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MOSES: THE LORD’S SERVANT PT. III, November 19th, 2023

CENTRAL THOUGHTAs God’s people, let us learn to trust Him always and to deal with criticisms objectively. TEXT: NUMBERS 11:1-35 INTRODUCTION: Moses received God’s call to deliver the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. Through him God delivered Israel with a mighty hand (Ex. 5:1, 6:13) and led them out of Egypt through the Red Sea; he sang songs of praises (Ex. 15:1-18), received various instructions from God for his people, and interceded for them at various times.However, at a point, Moses became overwhelmed by the murmuring, complaints, and unguided criticism of the Israelites that were around him, to the extent that Moses himself had to complain to God even though he was a very meek man “above all the men which were upon the face of the earth” (Num. 12:3). The enormity of the work God gave to Moses was so much that he cried to God for help. God, in his infinite wisdom, gave him men to work with and gave them the enablement. God endowed the seventy elders with the same spirit that was upon Moses (Num. 11:25). The relevance of this event and how to handle criticisms as leaders is the focus of this study. LESSON OBJECTIVESAt the end of the lesson, we should be able to: Identify and explain the reason(s) why Moses complained and blamed God for putting him in leadership position. Comment on God’s response to Moses’ complaint and accusation. Discuss Moses’ reaction to God’s promises to supply meat to His people. Identify and discuss the contention Miriam and Aaron had with Moses. Find out and discuss the warning for us concerning how to treat true men of God today. BIBLE TRUTH: QUESTION 1.) WHAT GAVE RISE TO THE COMPLAINTS IN NUMBER 11:1-9?The complaints among the children of Israel arose from their perceived monotonous diet of manna that God had provided for them.This incident is one of several cases of murmuring and complaining against God and Moses. As a result, God’s anger was kindled against them, and the fire of the LORD burnt among them and consumed some of them. They cried to Moses who prayed unto the LORD for them, and the fire was quenched. Soon after this deliverance, the mixed multitude wept and complained against God and Moses because they lusted after meat, in addition to the regular manna from heaven. This made Moses complain and blame God for fostering on him the leadership of these difficult people. Is the lust and greed we exhibit today actually different from what we read about the Israelites in the passage under consideration?The answer is no, because we most often think that God is unfair to us by what He allows at some point in time in our lives. We must come to understand that He alone has the perfect view of life and what He allows may just be what we really need at that time. QUESTION 2A.) WHAT WAS GOD’S RESPONSE TO MOSES’ COMPLAINT?NUM. 11:16-20God’s response to Moses’ complaint was not judgmental. To help him with the enormity of the job, God requested him to appoint 70 competent elders from among the people. The elders were selected from those who were already functioning as leaders among the people. God took the spirit that was on Moses and put it on the 70...

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