Church Construction 2013

May 2013 - Planting the Garden

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RUTH, THE WOMAN STEADFAST IN PURPOSE (PART 1), FEBRUARY 5, 2023

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RUTH, THE WOMAN STEADFAST IN PURPOSE (PART 1), FEBRUARY 5, 2023

CENTRAL THOUGHTSteadfastness in purpose should be borne out of godly convictions. HYMN: “Nearer; my God to thee!” TEXT: Ruth 1 INTRODUCTION:We begin the tender story written about 1000 BC, which is a prime example of Christian love in action, and its powerful effects on people. The book gives an account of one particular family, that of Elimelech – a Jew from Bethlehem – Judah. The family left Bethlehem because of famine that came on the land and went into the heathen country of Moab for subsistence and to sojourn there for a time. Moab was the land east of the Dead Sea. It was one of the nations that oppressed Israel during the period of the Judges. Friendly relations with the Moabites were discouraged in Deut. 23:3-6 and intermarriage opposed (Deut.7:1-4). During the exodus from Egypt, the Moabites did not allow the Israelites to pass through their land. However, Elimelech, the head of his family, died in Moab, and his wife Naomi became a widow. After their father’s death, the two sons Mahlon and Chilion, settled down and went on to marry daughters of Moab. Thus, Naomi was a mournful widow and mother-in-law in the territories of the heathen. But during the dark and evil times, there were still some who followed God, Naomi and Ruth are beautiful examples of loyalty, friendship, and commitment to God and to each other. This is the picture before us; as we study the challenging characteristics of the young woman, Ruth and how she fitted into the Jewish family. LESSON OBJECTIVES To know who Ruth is To appreciate the circumstance & challenges before Ruth; and To appreciate from the life of Ruth the need to hold on to godly convictions today. BIBLE TRUTH:Q1. WHO WAS RUTH?RUTH 1:4 Ruth was a young woman, living in the country of Moab, when she encountered and married one of Elimelech’s son (a Jew) in her own country. She accepted to marry a foreigner/ stranger. Who was living in her land, by name Mahlon. She was married to this Jewish man for less than ten years before his demise in her native land. Q2. DISCUSS THE CIRCUMSTANCE IN WHICH RUTH FOUND HERSELFRuth, wife of Mahlon, soon became a widow without any issue in her fatherland. She was faced with a situation that words cannot aptly describe: – her mother-in-law Naomi, a widow, now bereaved of her two sons, was deeply sorrowful and determined to return back to Israel. Although Naomi had decided to return to Israel, she encouraged her two daughters-in-law (Ruth and Orpah) to stay back in Moab and start their lives over again in remarriage. Ruth’s mother-in-law’s words at vs.11 were quite persuasive; there were no other sons of Naomi that the law on-the care for the widow (Deut. 25:5-10) permits to marry. Thus, Naomi encouraged her daughters-in-law to remain in their homeland and remarry, while she returns to Israel. After the second sorrowful weeping by the three of them, Orpah submitted/ yielded to the plea from Naomi, their mother-in-law, and changed her mind thereby leaving Ruth to either change her mind too or be steadfastly minded concerning Naomi. Verse 14 says” … Then, Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye, but Ruth clung to her.” A Gospel tract was titles, “Others may, I cannot”, with the call...

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CHRISTIAN SERVICE, Jan 29th, 2023

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CHRISTIAN SERVICE, Jan 29th, 2023

CENTRAL THOUGHTGod has called all believers to active Christian Service. HYMN: Must I go-and empty handed? TEXT: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. INTRODUCTION:Service can be defined as the action of helping or doing work for someone. Christian service entails being totally committed to Kingdom business and always ready to render one form of service or the other in the name of the Lord. Every born again child of God has been called by God to render one form of service or the other. We have been saved to serve. As believers, God has given each one of us gifts to serve in His vineyard. God expects us to render our services faithfully realizing that it is a privilege to be chosen by Him. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, He may give it to you” (John 15:16). It must be clearly stated here that the believer has been commissioned by God to serve. We must endeavor therefore to be diligent in our service. “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall not fall” (2 Peter 1:10).We should know that every service we render has its own reward. This should prompt us to put in our best in our Christian service as empowered by the Holy Spirit. God’s blessings await those who render their services faithfully. LESSON OBJECTIVES To explain the phrase “ Christian service” and highlight the various ways Christ showed us His example. Identify the qualities in the lives of some brethren in the scriptures and how they served faithfully. Discuss the opportunities available to us to serve God and humanity. Identify some hinderances to our service to God. BIBLE TRUTH:Q1A. WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE PHRASE “CHRISTIAN SERVICE”?Service means the act of providing, offering labor or work. It can also mean performing a function or playing a role in a group in order to achieve a defined purpose. Christian service therefore entails carrying out these services in accordance with Christ’s example and injunction. Christian service rendered by the believer can be seen as an expression of our love for the Master and by extension for fellow men. Q1B. IN WHAT WAYS DID CHRIST SHOW US HIS EXAMPLE IN SERVICE WHILE ON EARTH? (JOHN 4:34-38; 9:4, 13:1-9). Doing the will of the Father was Christ’s focus. He carried out the father’s will in total obedience. During His life here on earth, Jesus Christ lived an exemplified life. Some of the ways are discussed below.He considered service to God compulsory, whether it was convenient or not. Christ likened doing the will of God to food people eat daily for continuous growth and sustenance. In John 4:34 “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work”. Every believer must be totally committed to doing the will of God at all times with a view to accomplishing every duty.Jesus Christ saw the Father’s business as a matter of urgency. To Him, the work must be attended to without delay. The work must be done and not...

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COVENANT NAMES OF OUR GOD, Jan 22nd, 2023

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COVENANT NAMES OF OUR GOD, Jan 22nd, 2023

CENTRAL THOUGHTGod’s Names reveal His covenant relationship with His people. HYMN: Take the name of Jesus with you. TEXT: EXODUS 6:1-8 INTRODUCTION:Jehovah or Yeweh is the covenant name of God most prominent in connection with His relationship with the nation Israel. The name Jehovah is combined with other words which form what we know as the Jehovah titles. They are of great significance and our desire to understand their meaning will help in knowing that our God is limitless. These names do not only serve as revelation of what God can do and did on different occasions but show the various covenant relationships with His people.From our text we find God becoming interested in our individual situations. He is not a “distant” God sitting there in heaven but can become involved in our individual needs each day. It is therefore our prayer that as you go through this study you will get these revelations which canhave a life-changing impact upon your life. LESSON OBJECTIVESThe objectives of this study are: To list the compound names of God. To know the meaning and significance of each of the names. To know that each of these names describes the covenant relationship between God and His people. To know that each believer can partake in this covenant relationship. BIBLE TRUTH:Q1. WHAT ARE THE COMPOUND-NAMES OF GOD? JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU-THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS:This compound name refers to God as “The Lord our Righteousness”. It also means “The Lord does what sis right”. (Jer.23:6; 33:16).The context of Jeremiah’s message is gloomy with the imminent fall of Jerusalem to the army of Nebuchadnezzar and the subsequent carrying away many of the Hebrew people into exile in Babylon. Despite this gloom which was coming to them because of their sins, God reaffirmed His covenant with them that no amount of their unrighteousness will change His righteous relationship with them. God’s nature is so righteous that nothing we do can change it, but that righteousness can gloriously change us. We can never defile God, but He can, and will make us holy.The Lord does what is right tells us that all the ways of God are just and upright. Moses sang, “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he”, (Deut.32:4). His thoughts towards us are pure, His purposes are permanent, and His love is constant. His righteousness is never subject to situational ethics, (Jer.29:11). The righteous nature of God was a constant source of rejoicing to David, (Ps. 96:11-13). God being a righteous God also implies that He always makes righteous provision. For Jesus Christ has become our righteousness before God and man.God has never revealed any aspect of His nature to hinder our worship. He wants us to know that He is available to us. When we are made aware of our unrighteousness, He invites us to approach the Throne of Grace in His righteousness. When we cannot come to Him in righteousness, we should come to Him for righteousness. He is a loving God who is touched by our inadequacies. Q2. JEHOVAH-RAPHA (THE LORD YOUR PHYSICIAN)This name also means “I am the Lord that heals you” (Exodus 15:25-26).Here God reveals Himself as our healer and in a healing covenant with...

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DEPENDING ON GOD, Jan 15th, 2023

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DEPENDING ON GOD, Jan 15th, 2023

CENTRAL THOUGHTDependence on God guarantees our safety and success in life. HYMN: My faith looks to thee TEXT: DAN. 3:8-30; PSA. 62:5- 12. INTRODUCTION:The Almighty God is the Creator of all things visible and invisible. “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” ( Ps.24:1). All things were made by God and without Him was not anything made that was made. Our God has all the resources that we need to live a fulfilled life. He is all powerful and with Him there is no impossibility. Believers must have trust and confidence in God’s ability because He can never fail.Whatever God has promised, He is also able to accomplish. Lesson Objectives: To explain the phrase “depending on God. State why we should depend on God. Discuss how one can depend on God. Identify the dangers of not depending on God. Discuss some Biblical examples of those who depended on God. Discuss the promises for those who depend on God. (Q1). WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE PHRASE “DEPENDING ON GOD”?(PROV.3:5-7; PSA. 27:1; 28:7).The phrase “depending on God” means to have absolute confidence in God’s word and His power. It also means total reliance on God in all areas of life and situations. We need to depend on God in order to succeed and live a fulfilled life. The Psalmist was very conscious of this truth and acknowledged this in Ps. 28:7a “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him and I am helped”. Depending on God connotes trusting God completely, believing absolutely that He is able to take us through all life’s issues. (Q2). WHY SHOULD WE DEPEND ON GOD?(ISA.26:4; Ps.20:7-8). The scriptures says “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” ( John 1:12). Therefore, as children of God we must depend on our Father for everything. The following are some of the reasons why we must depend on God:-One of the commandments God gave to the children of Israel in the wilderness expressly demands that we must depend on God alone. When we put our trust in anything or any other being other than God we are breaking the second commandment which states “Though shall not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth” (Exodus 20:4). We should depend on God fully in complete obedience to His word.-God is the only one who has enough strength to support us in all circumstances. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” (Psa.46:1-2). God has all the resources needed to sustain us through life’s journey, therefore we must depend on Him because in Him is everlasting strength.-Another reason we must depend on God is that He is the only one who hears and answers prayers. “O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come” (Ps.65:2). In prayers we bring our requests to Him and are fully assured...

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NEW ASPIRATIONS FOR THE YEAR, Jan 8th, 2023

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NEW ASPIRATIONS FOR THE YEAR, Jan 8th, 2023

CENTRAL THOUGHTOur aspirations should be guided by our focus on Christ. HYMN: O God, our help in ages past. TEXT: Philippians 3:10-16. INTRODUCTIONAs humans, we expect that a new year will offer us opportunity to prosper and live happily throughout the year. God also expects us to prosper in every area of life: spiritually, physically, and materially; and He is willing to provide us with all that is necessary to achieve this. It has become customary in every society for people, believers, and unbelievers alike, to make resolutions at the beginning of a new year, for the purpose of doing better in whatever activity they may engage in, during the year. Resolutions are good, if only they came as a result of a review of the previous year’s performances, and with a view to stand by them to do better. For the unbelievers, it is an opportunity to resolve to become a new creation, with entirely a new life-style, by accepting and receiving Jesus Christ as his/her personal Lord and Savior. For the believer, it is an opportunity to resolve to commit oneself to a new service relationship to God and humanity, with the hope for the grace to please God and realize the accompanying blessings. BIBLE TRUTH: Q1(A). EXPLAIN THE PHRASE “NEW ASPIRATION FOR THE YEAR”.The phrase, “New Aspiration for the year,” is an expression that must have come from an observation, or opinion that the life activities of an individual was not in conformity with his expectations for the previous year. The dawn of a new year therefore, becomes an opportunity to make a change and start a lifestyle that is entirely different from the one the individual was used to. In other words, the beginning of a new year, to him, should also be the beginning of life with a fresh aspiration. Q1(B). READ EPH 4:17-32; PHIL 3: 10 AND POINT OUT SOME POSSIBLE ASPIRATIONS OF CHRISTIANS.The given passage above contains ministries and standards of life that should be the aspiration of any serious Christian. They are so many that we are constrained to mention but a few.(I) To be used by God in any of the ministry gifts, for the perfecting of the saints and edifying of the body of Christ;(II) Grow in the knowledge of Christ, which will make a Christian to mature to the full and complete standard of Christ;(III) Grow strong in faith and belief in the true and living God, to avoidbeing deceived by Satan and false prophets;(IV) Always live and walk in the Spirit and be able to resist Satan and his deceits;(V) Be a faithful and true witness for Christ;(VI) Be fervent in the service of God, always showing good examples in Christian virtues;(VII) Develop true love for God and walk in His fear at all times.Class to mention others. Q2. EXPLAIN HOW THE FOLLOWING CAN HELP US ACHIEVE OUR ASPIRATIONS: (A) FORGET THE PAST.Phil. 3:13; Isa.43:18-19. If we must achieve our ultimate desire or aspiration, we must as a necessity forget the past failures. When we continue to dwell on the past events, we will have no time to focus on our new aspirations. Let us not forget that what has passed cannot be reversed to the present or future. We must allow the past to remain in...

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INTERCEDING FOR THE NATION, Jan 1st, 2023

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INTERCEDING FOR THE NATION, Jan 1st, 2023

CENTRAL THOUGHT God will answer and heal our land if we faithfully intercede for our country. HYMN: What A Friend We Have In Jesus. TEXT: Dan. 9:1-27. INTRODUCTION To intercede means to act as peace maker between persons, groups or nations. In the context of this study, to intercede refers to the act of making earnest pleas to God on behalf of the nation. It includes realizing that the nation has fallen short of God’s standard or expectation and asking God to have mercy.      It should be said that only people who know God and belong to Him are qualified to intercede.      The examples of people recorded in the Bible who interceded show that they are those who know God and appreciate the value of intercession or prayer to God on behalf of the people. People of God like Moses (Num.14:11-20), Ezra (Ezra 9:1), Esther (Esther 4:12-17), Daniel (Dan.9), and others were notable intercessors in their days. Jesus Christ interceded for the Church ( Jn 17) and His ministry of intercession continues forever (Heb.7:25).      It is only pertinent to say that a major duty of every child of God is to intercede for the nation. The purpose and importance of intercession are clearly spelt out in 2 Chron.7:13-14. God will surely intervene in any unpleasant situation in our nation if Christians will intercede faithfully. National calamity, catastrophe, epidemics and even war can be averted when the children of God pray to God in faith and with earnestness. In interceding for the nation, we are in essence praying for all sorts and conditions of people in our land. LESSON OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are: To explain the meaning of intercession. To appreciate the importance of interceding for the nation. To identify the qualifications of an intercessor. To identify the hinderances to effective intercession and how to overcome them. To develop a consistent life of intercession. BIBLE TRUTH Q1.) WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY INTERCESSION? Intercession means pleading the case of someone before another with the intent of obtaining favor and making peace. In the context of our study, intercession would mean making a plea to God on behalf of a person, group or nation. Anyone who pleads on behalf of another is interceding for that other person. In 1 Tim.2:1-2, intercession is mentioned as one of the ways of talking to God on behalf of all men. A priest is a type of intercessor since he pleads for the people before God. Jesus Christ who is our great high priest is the greatest intercessor both while He was on earth and even now, “since He always lives to make intercession for those who draw near to God through Him” (Heb.7:25). In his time, Daniel interceded for the people of God with regard to what God has said to Jeremiah the Prophet concerning the nation of Israel. We too can be intercessors in our time concerning the issues that plague man in our world. Q2.) WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO INTERCEDE FOR THE NATION? 2 Chron.7:14; Prov.14:34; 1 Tim.2:1-4 Praying or interceding for the nation can bring about God’s forgiveness, healing, and peace to the people. Intercession can cause righteousness to reign in the land. This will make the nation to find favor in the sight...

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THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST, December 25th, 2022T,

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THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST, December 25th, 2022T,

CENTRAL THOUGHT Celebrating the Lordship of Jesus Christ. HYMN: JOY TO THE WORLD THE LORD IS COME TEXT: Luke 2:1-20 INTRODUCTION The birth of Jesus Christ is the essence of the Christmas celebration. Ironically, many people celebrate Christmas without recourse to the significance of the celebration. In other words, many celebrate the birth of whom they do not know. Worse still they are not even willing to consider the purpose of the celebration or how it affects their personal life, even when someone tells them. To some, Christmas is just an annual Christian festival, an opportunity to wine and dine. This study will help us look beyond the glamor of the season and get hold of the essence of the birth of Jesus Christ. LESSON OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are: Understand God’s ability to fulfill all His promises. Understand Christ’s humble nature. Understand the purpose of Christ’s birth. Learn what is expected of Christians at the season of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.   BIBLE TRUTH Q1A. WHAT DO WE LEARN ABOUT GOD AS THE DECREE OF CAESAR AUGUSTUS HELPED TO FULFILL HIS PREDICTION CONCERNING CHRIST? Lk.2:1-5; Micah 5:2 The decree of Caesar Augustus went out by the will of God in order to fulfill His plan to bring His son into the world. In the garden of Eden, God made a promise that the seed of the woman would bruise the head of the serpent and this was accomplished in the birth of Jesus Christ. In Micah 5:2, the Prophet predicted that the Messiah (Jesus Christ) would come from Bethlehem in the city of David. At the time of the decree, Mary whom God ordained to give birth to Jesus Christ was living outside Bethlehem with Joseph her espoused husband, and she was already pregnant of the child. Caesar’s decree directed everyone to go back to his home town for registration. Q1B. “THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR THEM IN THE INN”. WHAT DOES THIS TEACH US? Lk.2:7b When all the citizens of Bethlehem returned, accommodations reserved for them were fully occupied and Mary and Joseph could not be accommodated and the time for the birth of Mary’s child was due, so there was no room for them to stay. Eventually the child was born in a manger because “There was no room in the inn”. This teaches us that God’s purposes and plans must always be accomplished with or without human provision. God is all sufficient. There is no limitation with Him. He is able to do whatever He says He will do. We should therefore learn to believe and trust Him to accomplish those things He has promised us. He is trust worthy and faithful to see us through all our challenges Q2. DISCUSS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRIST’S BIRTH IN HUMBLE SURROUNDINGS. Christ was born in a manger- a stall for feeding cattle. The prophesy in Isaiah 42:1-3 described the Messiah as one who “shall not cry nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall He not break and the smoking flax shall he not quench” “for He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: He hath no form nor comeliness and...

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THANKSGIVING – THE BIBLE WAY, December 18th, 2022

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THANKSGIVING – THE BIBLE WAY, December 18th, 2022

CENTRAL THOUGHT When thanksgiving is done as recommended in the scriptures, God accepts and pours His blessings on the people. HYMN: WHEN UPON LIFE’S BILLOW YOU ARE TEMPTED TOSS. TEXT: Ps.100:1-5; Psalm 136:1- 26; Lk.17:11-19. INTRODUCTION Most people through personal experience, acknowledge that the Lord is good, loving and merciful. His love was manifested in its fullest when He offered His only begotten Son for our redemption. His goodness is manifested in several ways in the entire universe. The entire creation reveal the goodness of the Lord. The Bible also declares that “it is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed” (Jer.3:22). It is therefore imperative that we give thanks to God. We are in fact enjoined to do so always (on a daily basis) in the scripture. Apart from the daily expression of thanksgiving to God by the individual, some congregations (church, denomination, fellowship) have the practice of setting aside a day in the year in which individuals are expected to give thanks to God sincerely for His love, goodness, mercy etc. throughout the year. Usually, such thanksgiving occasion goes with the presentation of diverse offerings (gifts) to the Lord in appreciation of what He has done. Also, we are expected on such a special day to enter into God’s presence in humility with our hearts full of thanksgiving/ appreciation for whom He is, what He means to us and what He has done for us. In some instances, however, such occasions have been turned by the organizers into fund raising ceremonies and in the process a lot of damage is done to the entire purpose of the program. Also, the behavior and mannerisms of those (ministers) entrusted with the use of the offerings (gifts) presented to the Lord makes some people question the very essence of the program. The aim of this lesson therefore is to teach us to appreciate God and His Sovereign Hands in our lives so that we will develop an attitude of giving thanks to Him always. We are also expected to learn what a special occasion such as thanksgiving day ought to be like and what we should do on such occasion. LESSON OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are: To understand what thanksgiving (day) means. To know why a Christian should give thanks to God always. To know some of the things we are to give thanks to God for and how we can give thanks. To understand why it is necessary for a congregation to set aside a day to render thanks to God. To know who should be the center of attraction in a thanksgiving service. To identify practices that ought not to be accommodated in a thanksgiving service. BIBLE TRUTH Q1. WHAT IS THANKSGIVING? Thanksgiving simply means showing appreciation, either in the form of the expression of the words of mouth, or in kind, or with our substance, to someone who has done us good. In the Christian context, it is the physical and spiritual expression of gratitude to the Lord for His work in our lives. A practical example is the event recorded in our reading text for this lesson. Ten lepers called on the Lord Jesus to heal them. He granted their request. However only one of them who was a Samaritan, acknowledged the...

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SPIRITUAL FAMINE, December 11th, 2022

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SPIRITUAL FAMINE, December 11th, 2022

CENTRAL THOUGHT Seek the Lord and be blessed. HYMN: MORE ABOUT JESUS WOULD I KNOW. TEXT: Amos 8:11-12; Lam.2:9; Jer.6:10 INTRODUCTION The church needs preachers today like prophets of old, with power and honesty on our pulpits. Sadly, men like Amos, Jeremiah and Habakkuk are rare indeed. When we give ourselves to please the crowd we soon whittle away to zero effectiveness. But we don’t just put preachers who will preach the truth with great boldness, we also need people who will hear the truth and obey it with the same courage and zealousness. When prophets Amos spoke of famine in the land (Amos 8:11- 12), he was talking about a failure to proclaim the truth to a generation that was on the verge of bondage in a heathen land. And when we fill our pulpits with unpalatable intellectual nourishment, we fall in the same category. We are not in a popularity contest neither are we called to soothe the masses but we are in a very serious struggle for the souls of men. Israel, instead of bearing fruits in the service of God, became spiritually barren (2 kings 19:30). Any time God speaks to us, we should give Him the needed attention so that we can be used by Him. BIBLE TRUTH Q1. WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY SPIRITUAL FAMINE? Spiritual famine is a term used to describe a period of spiritual dryness, hunger, and absence of true worship as a result of outright rejection of God’s word and His presence. This is a feeling of emptiness or spiritual blindness where one is no longer seeing or hearing from God. A state of spiritual famine arises from a failure to appreciate the presence and the joy of God. It is the absence of God’s presence and His words in a community even when the ministers may still be preaching. According to Amos 8:11-12, “Behold, the days are coming says the Lord God, that I will send a famine on the land; not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water. But of hearing the words of the Lord. They shall wander from sea to sea and from north to east, they shall run to and forth seeking the word of the Lord. But shall not find it.” There are very serious consequences when fellowship becomes routine, academic, and merely religious. Q2. DISCUSS THE REASONS FOR SENDING SPIRITUAL FAMINE TO ISRAEL. Isa.59:1-2; Judges 2:11-20. As a good father speaks to his children, so does God speak to us. But when we live in disobedience and fail to honor Him as our Creator thereby making God’s word ineffective. He withdraws His word from us. In Isaiah 59:1-2, the scripture reveals to us “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save, nor His ears heavy, that He cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God. And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He will not hear.” The Israelites experienced spiritual famine when they refused to obey the voice of the Lord. Therefore, spiritual famine results from disobedience of God’s words. Another reason is self- satisfaction. Rev.3:17 “Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing- and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor,...

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BE THOU AN EXAMPLE OF THE BELIEVERS – IN PURITY, November 27th, 2022

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BE THOU AN EXAMPLE OF THE BELIEVERS – IN PURITY, November 27th, 2022

CENTRAL THOUGHT Purity of life is God’s command to the believer. TEXT: 1 Tim 4:12; Eph. 5:1-11; Rom. 6:12-14; Matt. 5:27-32 INTRODUCTION Purity is God’s gift at conversion to the believer, who is called out of the world and made pure in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is expected to walk and grow in this purity. In 2 Peter 1:5-7, we read, “but also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self- control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love”. This passage deals with Christian character; those qualities and attributes the Lord desires and requires of is as Christians. When we add these mentioned qualities to our lives, we will be maturing in relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, this becoming more like Him. LESSON OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are: Help us understand what purity means. Help believer realize that purity is practicable today. Identify things that defile the believers. Help to identify the dangers of not living in purity. Identify the factors/ activities that will help believers maintain purity in life. Help believers appreciate the benefits of Christian purity. BIBLE TRUTH Q1A. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE WORD “PURITY”? Purity is absolute cleanliness of Body, Soul, and Spirit, expected of anyone who will want to “ascend to the hills of the Lord” (the presence of the Lord) Ps. 24:3-4. It is the only condition to see God and dwell where He is Matt. 5:8. It as a springboard for charity and other Christian Virtues (1 Tim. 1:5). Therefore, purity is God’s gift to His people who are called out of the world by the gospel and made pure in Jesus Christ. Since we are made pure by the blood of Christ, we need to practice godliness in our thoughts and actions. Q1B. IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIVE A LIFE OF PURITY IN TODAY’S WORLD? (GEN. 6:9-12; DAN. 6:4-6, 2 PET. 2:6-8) Purity is possible for the believer. We are born again to a life of purity. The Spirit of God that comes into us at new birth enables us to obey the truth and have sincere love for others in Christ. More so, we have been born anew by the abiding word of God. Since purity is God’s gift to His people, it is possible and essential for all believers. We read in Gen. 6:9 “… Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God”. Also, in Dan. 6:4 “… but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him”. If it was possible in the days of old, it is possible and much more necessary now that we are under grace, as we see the day of the Lord approaching. Therefore, every believer should live the life of purity. Q2. IDENTIFY THOSE THINGS THAT TEND TO DEFILE THE BELIEVER AND SUGGEST SOLUTIONS. 1 COR. 15:33; PROV. 6:27; 1 TIM. 6:6; LUKE 8:14; GAL. 5:13; 1 THESS. 5:22 Sin causes a separation between God and man (Isaiah 59:1-2). For nothing unclean shall enter into the kingdom of heaven (rom. 3:23). This, sin in all its ramification, is at...

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