Church Construction 2013

May 2013 - Planting the Garden

[img src=https://mzgtiglobal.org/wp-content/flagallery/may-2/thumbs/thumbs_dsc_0127.jpg]180
[img src=https://mzgtiglobal.org/wp-content/flagallery/may-2/thumbs/thumbs_dsc_0108.jpg]240
[img src=https://mzgtiglobal.org/wp-content/flagallery/may-2/thumbs/thumbs_dsc_0107.jpg]160
[img src=https://mzgtiglobal.org/wp-content/flagallery/may-2/thumbs/thumbs_dsc_0105.jpg]150
[img src=https://mzgtiglobal.org/wp-content/flagallery/may-2/thumbs/thumbs_dsc_0103.jpg]180
[img src=https://mzgtiglobal.org/wp-content/flagallery/may-2/thumbs/thumbs_dsc_0096.jpg]170
[img src=https://mzgtiglobal.org/wp-content/flagallery/may-2/thumbs/thumbs_dsc_0095.jpg]170
[img src=https://mzgtiglobal.org/wp-content/flagallery/may-2/thumbs/thumbs_dsc_0136.jpg]130
[img src=https://mzgtiglobal.org/wp-content/flagallery/may-2/thumbs/thumbs_dsc_0134.jpg]160
[img src=https://mzgtiglobal.org/wp-content/flagallery/may-2/thumbs/thumbs_dsc_0133.jpg]230
[img src=https://mzgtiglobal.org/wp-content/flagallery/may-2/thumbs/thumbs_dsc_0083.jpg]480
[img src=https://mzgtiglobal.org/wp-content/flagallery/may-2/thumbs/thumbs_dsc_0115.jpg]230
[img src=https://mzgtiglobal.org/wp-content/flagallery/may-2/thumbs/thumbs_dsc_0110.jpg]230
[img src=https://mzgtiglobal.org/wp-content/flagallery/may-2/thumbs/thumbs_dsc_0099.jpg]290
[img src=https://mzgtiglobal.org/wp-content/flagallery/may-2/thumbs/thumbs_dsc_0094.jpg]270
[img src=https://mzgtiglobal.org/wp-content/flagallery/may-2/thumbs/thumbs_dsc_0092.jpg]220
[img src=https://mzgtiglobal.org/wp-content/flagallery/may-2/thumbs/thumbs_dsc_0090.jpg]320
[img src=https://mzgtiglobal.org/wp-content/flagallery/may-2/thumbs/thumbs_dsc_0086.jpg]460
[img src=https://mzgtiglobal.org/wp-content/flagallery/may-2/thumbs/thumbs_dsc_0084.jpg]390


IT IS GOOD TO GIVE THANKS, December 20th, 2020

Posted by on 11:09 pm in Sunday School | Comments Off on IT IS GOOD TO GIVE THANKS, December 20th, 2020

IT IS GOOD TO GIVE THANKS, December 20th, 2020

CENTRAL THOUGHTThanksgiving is appreciating GOD for His blessings. HYMN: PRAISE MY SOUL, THE KING OF HEAVEN TEXT: Genesis 4:2-7; Psalm 92:1-3; Luke 17:12-19 INTRODUCTIONIt is good to give thanks unto the Lord. An act of thanksgiving from a recipient of a favor naturally gladdens the heart of the one who had demonstrated the act of kindness or favor. It is really good and pleasing to give thanks unto the Lord, but our insatiable and greedy nature hardly allows us see reasons to give thanks to God. Sometimes, we allow a seemingly unanswered prayer or unrealized ambition to becloud our brow. When we realize that we exist by the grace of God, we will then understand that giving thanks to God is a necessity. We do not favor to God when we give Him thanks. He does not need us to exist; but without Him, we cannot exist. It behooves us therefore, to give Him thanks always for our existence. Apart from this, there are innumerable reasons why we need to give God thanks; for example, the salvation of our soul, which also is a free gift from God. The Scripture clearly made us to understand that everything that pertains to life and godliness have been given to us by God, 2 Peter 1:3. That we are yet to access those things, should not be a reason why we should hesitate to give thanks to God for His goodness. To refuse to give thanks to God is not only a sign of ingratitude by an act of wickedness. In this study, we shall be discussing what thanksgiving is and its relevance in our Christian life. LESSON OBJECTIVESThe objectives of this study are: To understand what thanksgiving is.To know why it is necessary to give thanks.To know the features that make thanksgiving acceptable.To know the way thanksgiving should be expressed. BIBLE TRUTHQ1. WHAT IS THANKSGIVING?Thanksgiving is an expression of a good feeling for help or favor received; a grateful thought expressed orally or by action in relation to an occurrence; showing gratitude for mercy or benefit enjoyed. It is also an expression of appreciation for an existing condition or privilege being enjoyed by someone. Thanksgiving acts as an intuition to make people repeat or extend the scope of acts of kindness they have done. It is a product of a merry heart. Absence of thanksgiving can dampen the enthusiasm to show or continue to show kindness. It testifies of the goodness of the person to whom it is directed. Thanksgiving acts as a lubricant to the wheel of good relationship with God. Q2. WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO GIVE THANKS?Thanksgiving is necessary because it is God’s expectation from us, 1 Thessalonians 5:18. If we consider it necessary to show appreciation for a kind gesture, to give thanks becomes imperative. It is the will of God that we should give thanks always, and our obedience to the will of God increases our chances of obtaining His promises, Hebrews 10:36. Thanksgiving sometimes gives us opportunity to grow in understanding the role of our faith in receiving blessings from God, Luke 17:16. Q3. WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF AN ACCEPTABLE THANKSGIVING?For a thanksgiving to be acceptable to God, it must conform to the standard of the Scripture; it must come from a grateful and...

read more

MARY’S PLACE IN THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST, December 13th, 2020

Posted by on 11:38 pm in Sunday School | Comments Off on MARY’S PLACE IN THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST, December 13th, 2020

MARY’S PLACE IN THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST, December 13th, 2020

CENTRAL THOUGHT Only the chosen of God can fulfil God’s purpose. HYMN: ALL TO JESUS I SURRENDER TEXT: Luke 1:26-56 INTRODUCTION Being chosen by God for special use is an honor. Mary certainly had a unique role in God’s plan. Though she may have known that the Savior would come, she did not know that she would be the vessel by God to fulfil that purpose. She was taught God’s commandment as all other Jews, she obeyed and sincerely followed the precepts of the Lord until this visitation. A poor understanding of God’s word and will for His people can weaken and shatter the hope of achieving God’s purpose on earth. Mary determined to please God with her life and like Esther, Deborah, and Ruth, was able to fit into God’s purpose and fulfilled it. LESSON OBJECTIVES To identify the lineage of Mary the mother of Jesus and Joseph her espoused husband.To understand why Mary was troubled at the greeting of Angel GabrielTo understand the difference between the question of Mary and that of Zacharias.To appreciate the value of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth and the lesson to derive from it. BIBLE TRUTHQ1A. FROM WHAT LINEAGE DID BOTH JOSEPH AND MARY COME?Luke 1:26-27; 2:4Both Joseph and Mary were of the lineage of David the king of Israel, from the small city of Nazareth in Galilee. Q1B. WHAT WAS MARY’S RELATIONSHIP WITH JOSEPH AT THIS TIME?At the time Angel Gabriel visited Mary, she was espoused to Joseph. This means that Mary had given her consent for the proposal made by Joseph to marry her. They were not yet husband and wife; they were only preparing for marriage hence the response of Mary “…. how shall this be seeing I know not man”. Luke 1:34, Matt. 1:18-19 which says “… when as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost…. And Joseph not willing to make her a public example was minded to put her away “privily”. Mary was a virgin and both of them were about to contract marriage when she became pregnant by the Holy Ghost. Q1C. COMMENT ON THE CHARACTER OF JOSEPH AND MARY AND THE LESSON DERIVABLE THEREON.Matt. 1:18-24, Luke 1:34, 38JOSEPH was described as a just man, who was not willing to make Mary a public example when he discovered that she was pregnant; this shows that he was a man that feared God, and had respect for human being, humble and disciplined. Obedience is seen in his character. He obeyed the Angel and still accepted Mary to be his wife.MARY was a holy woman who feared God and kept HIS word. Though she grew in a place where the youth were living any how; she determined not to corrupt herself. She was not promiscuous but maintained her virginity even when she was espoused to Joseph. She accepted the message of Angel Gabriel and submitted that the will of God be done in her life. The lesson we can learn from their characters is that we should have right standing with God all the time, be obedient to God and His word, and humble for we know not the time of God’s visitation. Q2A. WHY WAS MARY TROUBLED AT ANGEL GABRIEL’S GREETINGS? Luke 1:28-29Mary never...

read more

DWELLING IN GOD’S HOLINESS, December 6th, 2020

Posted by on 11:59 am in Sunday School | Comments Off on DWELLING IN GOD’S HOLINESS, December 6th, 2020

DWELLING IN GOD’S HOLINESS, December 6th, 2020

CENTRAL THOUGHT“…. holiness without which no manshall see the LORD”. Heb 12:14 HYMN: NEARER, MY GOD, TO THEE TEXT: 1 Peter 1:13-17 INTRODUCTIONHoliness is one of the major themes of the Bible. It is in fact the very nature of God. He is completely and totally holy. His presence carries with it HIS holiness. HIS presence therefore in any life brings HIS holiness into that life. Thus, dwelling in HIS presence means beholding and reflecting HIS holiness. The individual who so dwells in His presence is commanded in scripture to be holy even as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16).It is our walk-in holiness that reveals the presence of God in our lives to the world. Holiness can only come from God. It is not a process of reformation that comes with an individual making up his mind at the end of the year to live by some moral resolutions in the ensuing new year. Holiness is God’s nature imparted to man through the LORD JESUS CHRIST bythe working of the HOLY SPIRIT.It is therefore of utmost importance and necessity that the believer in CHRIST must dwell in God’s holiness. LESSON OBJECTIVESThe objectives of this study are:1.) To make us understand what holiness is and what it means to dwell in God’s holiness.2.) To help us appreciate the fact that it is possible to live a holy life in today’s world.3.) To examine the characteristics of the person who dwells is God’s holiness.4.) To identify those factors that can help the believer live a holy life. BIBLE TRUTHQ1A. WHAT DOES HOLINESS MEAN?“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23. In Psalm 51:5 we also read “Behold I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me”. It follows therefore that man was born with a sinful nature, making it impossible for the natural man to manifest or exhibit holiness.When an individual genuinely repents of his sin (that is, turns away from his sin) and invites CHRIST into his life, he is given a new nature and declared righteous by God (that is, he is put in right standing with God). This new state of being in right standing with GOD is expressed in holy living, that is, doing things that are pleasing to God. As stated in Wycliff Bible dictionary, holiness is separation from sin (Isaiah 52:11; 2 Corin 6:17) and conformity to God’s standards (Lev. 20:7-8; Matt 5:48; 1 Peter 1 :15-16).In very simple terms, someone once said that “holiness is loving what GOD loves and hating what GOD hates”. Holiness therefore describes a life lived for God, expressed daily in the manifestation of the fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT in a believer’s life (Gal. 5:22-23). Q1B. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO DWELL IN GOD’S HOLINESS?It is written in scripture that our God “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises that by these we might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” 2 Peter 1:3-4. From the above, dwelling in God’s holiness implies relying absolutely on...

read more

CHRIST OUR ETERNAL REFUGE, November 29th, 2020

Posted by on 8:45 pm in Sunday School | Comments Off on CHRIST OUR ETERNAL REFUGE, November 29th, 2020

CHRIST OUR ETERNAL REFUGE, November 29th, 2020

CENTRAL THOUGHTBelievers security in Christ Jesus is all-encompassing and endless. HYMN: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE TEXT: Num. 35:24-29,Josh. 20:1-6, Heb. 6:17-20 INTRODUCTIONRefuge is a place of shelter or a hiding place of safety in times of trouble or adversity. A place of safety from life storms (Isaiah 25:4). Before a city can be known as a “City of Refuge” it must be one that has security adequate enough to perform that function reasonably. It should be able to withstand to a very great extent, all weapons of attacks and logistics launched against it even without notice. As such, it should be forfeited enough to secure anyone who runs into it for safety at any time.From human point of view, a refuge could be likened to a tunnel, a cave or any hide out from danger of any sort. Thus, man has intervened numerous objects that tends to serve the above purpose. It should be pointed out at this juncture, that the more man tries to fortify himself, the less he achieves safety reasonably.Many types of equipment thus, serve as a refuge to man depending on the need or the purpose it is put into use.Thus, people build bunkers, safety tunnels, buy bulletproof vehicles, bullion vans and build even bomb proof houses etc. Man developed all these things to secure himself. Yet he is unable to secure himself adequately enough outside God.This lesson therefore, is meant among other issues to remind us of the foolishness in trusting in things other than Christ Jesus our only Savior and eternal refuge (Psalm 9:9). LESSON OBJECTIVESThe objectives of this study are: To examine the significance of places of refuge.To understand what qualifies someone to enjoy the Eternal Refuge in Christ.To appreciate the benefits in having Christ as our Refuge. BIBLE TRUTHQ1A. EXAMINE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE “CITIES OF REFUGE” IN JOSH 20:1-6, NUM 35:24-29God gave serious concern to security that He instructed in Moses in Numbers 35:24-29 and repeated same instruction to Joshua in the book of Joshua chapter 20:1-6 about Cities of Refuge for the unsafe Israelite to get them succor.The “Cities of refuge” are meant to save the lives of persons who killed their fellow brothers in error or accidentally and fleeing from angry mobs retaliating actions and dangers. The place of refuge is meant to save such from instant justice or at times injustice as the mobs may not know the circumstances and painstakingly determine if the seeming offender deserves punishment and to what extent he should be punished.The refugee however, must be interviewed at the gate by the elders to establish that he did not kill intentionally in the first instance, before he is admitted into it and granted protection. The reason for this is because God does not want blood to flow unnecessarily among His children, thereby polluting the land (Numbers 35:31-34).As such a one confesses his sins before the elders, so are people today, expected to repent before God to start to enjoy the Refuge Christ provides. Q1B. REFLECTION ON PSALM 46:1-7, 62:8A good meditation on the above Psalm would enable us understand that God Himself is the believers hiding place (Refuge). No matter the situation that confronts one, He is well able to make out something very beautiful out of them for the believer’s...

read more

JEREMIAH’S COMPLAINT, NOVEMBER 22th, 2020

Posted by on 4:49 pm in Sunday School | Comments Off on JEREMIAH’S COMPLAINT, NOVEMBER 22th, 2020

JEREMIAH’S COMPLAINT, NOVEMBER 22th, 2020

CENTRAL THOUGHT Serving the Lord faithfully may not always be complementary; still persecutions are not uncommon. HYMN: STAND UP! STAND UP FOR JESUS! TEXT: Jeremiah 20:1-18 INTRODUCTION: In this fourth and final part of the lessons on the book of Jeremiah, we observe Jeremiah being persecuted by the priests and the people of the land of Judah. He was tortured not only physically but also psychologically and emotionally to the point that he had to complain to the one, the Lord, who sent him. Jeremiah was in a dilemma. Although he was being persecuted, he could not stop doing what was responsible for his persecution. His persecution continued and, in fact, increased as he continued to preach the truth of the word of God to the people of Judah. Indeed, Jeremiah was unrelenting in his service to the Lord. In serving the Lord, persecutions are bound to come our way. We may complain, like Jeremiah, but they will not let off. When the Lord takes us through persecutions, He provides enough grace to go through them. Instead of complaining, we should rest on His grace to come forth as overcomers. LESSON OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are: 1.           To examine the persecutions that Jeremiah faced. 2.           To know the complaints of Jeremiah for his persecutions. 3.           To appreciate that, despite the persecutions, Jeremiah continued preaching the word. 4.           To understand the grace of God to face every persecution. BIBLE TRUTH: Q1. WHAT WERE THE PERSECUTIONS THAT JEREMIAH FACED? During the ministry of Jeremiah to the nation of Judah, he faced many persecutions from the leaders (kings), religious leaders (priests) and the people. His message was not a comforting one for the ears. It spoke to their evil ways and the consequences thereof that will culminate in their exile to the foreign land of Babylon. The response was a string of persecutions. Plots to persecute and kill Jeremiah are found in Jer. 11:18-20,  18:18, 20:1-2,  26:7-9,  and 37:11-20. With specific reference to Jer. 20:1-2, the priest Pashur initiated the attack against Jeremiah. “He had Jeremiah the prophet beaten and put in the stocks at the Upper Gate of Benjamin at the Lord’s temple” (Jer. 20:2). The priest Pashur could not stand the prophecies of Jeremiah any longer, particularly that they were made on his own turf-the court of the Lord’s temple (Jer. 19:14-15). Pashur’s ego got the better of him, and he felt the need to silence Jeremiah permanently. It is sad to note that the behavior of the priest Pashur is replicated by some of our Christian leaders. They think that the church is their turf and so lord themselves over everyone. They fail to recognize the lordship of Christ over their lives, and they become agents of the devil in persecuting other believers. There is every opportunity for such leaders to repent and humbly serve the people of God. Jeremiah’s persecutions were not only physical torture but also psychological and emotional abuses. “I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me…. So, the word of the Lord has brought me insult and reproach all day long” (Jer. 20:7b, 8b). Sometimes the abuses that are directed at the soul are more painful than those that inflict the body. These persecutions raise questions in our minds about the authenticity...

read more

Jeremiah visits the Potter’s Workshop, November 15th, 2020

Posted by on 4:37 pm in Sunday School | Comments Off on Jeremiah visits the Potter’s Workshop, November 15th, 2020

Jeremiah visits the Potter’s Workshop, November 15th, 2020

CENTRAL THOUGHT Making ourselves amenable to the Great Potter brings forth character, faith, and a life that glorifies the risen Christ. HYMN: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE, THOU LAMB OF CALVARY TEXT: Jeremiah 18:1-23 INTRODUCTION: In this third part of the lessons on the book of Jeremiah, we draw valuable lessons from Jeremiah’s visit to the Potter’s workshop, as instructed by the Lord. By Jeremiah’s observations of what the Potter did, a divine message came forth. Sometimes, what is seen by the eyes makes a deep impression on our hearts. There are many testimonies of individuals who came into a saving relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ through observing the lives of believers. What they saw was as good as a sermon. The humble workings of the Potter on the clay and his wheel reflect what the Lord does with anyone willing to submit to Him. The ultimate outcome of the finished product is not one conceived by the clay but the Potter. The clay is not expected to struggle with the Potter as it is being worked on the wheel, but only to be available to be worked upon. The clay is not expected to dictate to the Potter to be like another finished pottery. That is the plight of some Christians who want to be like “Brother great Evangelist”, or “Sister great Prophetess”. When we leave ourselves in God’s hands, He makes us into His very image to fulfil His purpose for our lives. LESSON OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are:1.To know what Jeremiah saw from his visit to the potter’s workshop.2.To learn from the obedience of Jeremiah to the Lord.3.To learn from what Jeremiah observed of the potter.4.To know the response of Judah to the allegory of the potter and the clay.5.To know the futility of attacking the messenger instead of responding to the message. BIBLE TRUTH Q1. WHY DID GOD SEND JEREMIAH TO THE POTTER’S HOUSE? Jeremiah 18:2 provides the answer to this question. God wanted to give Jeremiah a message. It was a message that Jeremiah could not have gotten otherwise. He needed to see the potter at work to receive the message that truly reflects the message that truly reflects the mind of God. There are many instances in our walk with the Lord when certain event or individual. From the scene, a message from the Lord arises. In these instances, the natural sense of sight triggers an awakening in our spirits which the Lord uses to bring forth a message. Such a message could be directed at our personal lives and those of others. One can only conjecture why the Lord chooses this way of revealing things to His children. It may be because of being too accustomed to our comfort zones that is becomes necessary to have a different scenery for us to clearly understand what the Lord is saying to us. Q2. WHAT WAS THE RESPONSE OF JEREMIAH? Jeremiah’s response was one of obedience. Obedience is the key to a glorious walk the Lord. It was a very simple, unassuming command from the Lord to Jeremiah: “Go down to the potters house, and there I will give you my message”. It could have received such responses from Jeremiah as- “why the potter’s house of all places? why not...

read more

Jeremiah Rebukes Judah’s Unfaithfulness, November 8th, 2020

Posted by on 4:10 pm in Sunday School | Comments Off on Jeremiah Rebukes Judah’s Unfaithfulness, November 8th, 2020

Jeremiah Rebukes Judah’s Unfaithfulness, November 8th, 2020

CENTRAL THOUGHT There is no amount of religious camouflage that can make up for sin and unfaithfulness to the Lord. HYMN: WHEN ALL THY MERCIES, O MY GOD TEXT: Jeremiah 2:4-13, 7:1-15 INTRODUCTION In this second part of the lessons on the book of Jeremiah, we observe the unfolding of the ministry of Jeremiah to the nation of Judah. For about 40 years, Jeremiah served as God’s spokesperson to the kings and people of Judah (Southern Kingdom) during the reigns of Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. As alluded in the first lesson the task was not a mean one, but was characterized by opposition and fierce resistance from the people and kings who had sold their hearts to foreign gods, abomination, wicked and oppressive ways. It was a case of if “the people-would-heed-the-word-of-the- Lord”, then hope and restoration will be theirs from the Lord. It will avert the imminent judgement of God from the Babylonian empire. The response of Judah in the days of Jeremiah to the word of the Lord is very similar to what we observe today. Instead of repentance, there was an increase in sophisticated religious practices; instead of a return to righteous ways, people chose to trust in emblems of religion-the magnificent temple built by king Solomon. Today, we pride ourselves in our “mega churches” of thousands of members and the accompanying huge offerings. These religious camouflages cannot serve as substitute for holiness. LESSON OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are:1.To know the sins of Judah in Jeremiah’s time2.To draw parallels of Judah’s sins and those of our times3.To identify the consequences of Judah’s sins4.To know the only remedy for sin5.To be like Jeremiah, the voice of hope for a dying world. BIBLE TRUTH Q1. WHAT WERE THE SINS OF JUDAH? Through Jeremiah the Lord asked rhetorically the nation of Judah, “what fault did your fathers find in me, that they strayed so far from me?”. He went further and stated, “they followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves” (Jer. 2:5). One of the sins of Judah was that they left following after the God who saved them from Egypt and took them miraculously through the desert into the Promise land, and began to worship the gods of the surrounding nations. Because the gods were worthless idols, they also became worthless. Jeremiah further elaborates by stating the two sins of Judah of forsaking the “fountain of living water,” and taking on “broken cisterns that cannot hold water”. (Jer. 2:13). That is very typical of the baits the devil offers till this day. Sadly, many clamors for these baits only to find utter emptiness and disillusionment. Paul made a similar point about the state of those who fail to retain the knowledge of God in their hearts in Romans 1:28. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient”. Israel had experienced the glory and power of God in the 10 plagues in Egypt, culminating in the death of the first born of every Egyptian (Ex. 12:29-30), the provisions in the desert so that their sandals did not wear off (Deut. 29:5), the Red sea parted so they could cross on dry land (Ex. 14:21-22),...

read more

The Call of Jeremiah, November 1st, 2020

Posted by on 3:49 pm in Sunday School | Comments Off on The Call of Jeremiah, November 1st, 2020

The Call of Jeremiah, November 1st, 2020

CENTRAL THOUGHT A godly conditioned heart is of far greater value to the Lord than charisma and eloquence. HYMN: WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS TEXT: Jeremiah 1:1-19 INTRODUCTION It is not unusual to be overwhelmed by circumstances and challenge that a new venture presents. After proper assessment of our capabilities in relation to the imperatives, demands and responsibilities of such a venture or project we either decline or proceed with it. The call of God on Jeremiah to present His divine perspective to the kings and people of Judah (Southern Kingdom) during the reigns of Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah was an enormous task. It meant that Jeremiah will be the voice of God to the nation. The task would not have been overwhelming if it was nation whose people and leaders followed the Lord, but for most of the time that was not the case. When Jeremiah began his ministry, the Northern Kingdom of Israel had already been in captivity to Assyria for nearly one hundred years. Of the five kings during whose reigns Jeremiah prophesied, two ruled only for 3 months. These were Jehoahaz (2 Kings 23:31-33) and Jehoiachin (2 Kings 24:6-16). They were both evil kings who perpetuated the evil deeds of previous kings like Ahaz (2 Kings 16:1-4), Manasseh (2 Kings 21:1-6) and Amon (2 Kings 21:19-22). During Josiah’s reign when Jeremiah began his ministry, an attempt was made by the king to restore Judah to the true worship of God. This was after the evil reigns of Manasseh who ruled for 55 years and Amon for 2 years. The state of moral decay the nation was in can only be imagined. Called as a young man at this time of reformation, Jeremiah could only see his limitations. He knew the enormity of the task ahead of him as it relates to a nation that had largely forsaken the Lord. Jeremiah needed the reassurance form the Lord to take up the responsibility of being the spokesperson for God in a depraved nation. The depravity of our times is truly daunting. To speak the mind of God that reflects His holiness is certainly not popular, hence few do so. The call of the Lord is not to swim with the tide of wickedness and moral bankruptcy but to join with the redeemed of the Lord to declare his righteousness. LESSON OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are:1.To know how God called Jeremiah.2.To learn from the response of Jeremiah when God called him3.To understand the implications of God’s call on His children4.To know that excuses have no place in the scheme of God’s plans5.To appreciate how God’s grace and provisions overcome every excuse we may have BIBLE TRUTH Question 1.) WHEN DID THE LORD START TO PREPARE JEREMIAH FOR THE MINISTRY? WHAT DOES THIS TEACH US ABOUT THE ENDOWING GRACE OF THE LORD? Every human being comes forth to the earth through the womb of a woman. Although this process of birth is a natural one, all persons in the medical profession who have deeper insight into it know that it is a most fascinating and intriguing process. The Psalmist’s insight into it comes from Psalm 139:13-14. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because...

read more

The Challenges of our Times, Covetousness and Greed, October 25th, 2020

Posted by on 3:44 pm in Sunday School | Comments Off on The Challenges of our Times, Covetousness and Greed, October 25th, 2020

The Challenges of our Times, Covetousness and Greed, October 25th, 2020

HYMN: I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR CENTRAL THOUGHT: No covetous or greedy person shall inherit the kingdom of God. Text: Exo 20:17; Prov 1:10-19 Luke 12:15-30 Introduction: Covetousness and greed have remained serious challenges over time. These two vices have manifested in the lives of both the rich and the poor, the high and the low. David the king prayed to God to keep his hear from covetousness, Ps 119:36. Many believers manifest covetousness and greed under the guise of claiming whatsoever they desire by faith. The word “desire is noted to be common in the definitions of covetousness and greed. As children of God, we must always check our desires and ourselves and be sure that these desires are those that will be pleasing to God and that they are in line with the will of God for our lives. Many Christians measure their level of spirituality by how affluent they are and so they go to any length to acquire material things just because they want to be like others. The word of God admonishes us that the life of a man does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses, Luke 12:15. We must daily look up to God as His dear children to meet our daily needs. He is our source, provider and our all in all. The Word of God instructs us to cast all our cares upon Him for He cares for us, 1 Pet 5:7. Moreover, Paul prayed for the Philippian Church that God will supply all their needs “according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”, Phil 4:19. This, we can lay claim to as we meet the conditions of this prayer. In this study, we shall examine the dangers in covetousness and greed and learn how to overcome them. LESSON OBJECTIVESThe objectives of this study are: To understand the meaning of covetousness and greed.To know the causes of covetousness and greed.To identify the ways covetousness and greed manifest.To examine the consequences of being covetous and greedy.To know how to overcome the challenges of covetousness and greed Q1. WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY COVETOUSNESS AND GREED?Covetousness is defined in the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary as having or showing a strong desire to possess something especially something that belongs to somebody else. The NIV Bible dictionary defines covetousness as a strong, excessive, inordinate desire to have what belongs to another.Greed is defined in the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary as “an excessive desire for food, especially when one is not hungry or an excessive desire for wealth, power, etc., for oneself without consideration for the needs of other people. One vice that clearly manifests in both cases is selfishness. As children of God, we should abhor what is evil, cleave to what is good; be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another, Rom 12:9-10.A believer should neither be covetous nor greedy. We should appreciate God for what He has given us and trust Him for whatever we need instead of being covetous or greedy. Q2. WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF COVETOUSNESS AND GREED?The word of God specifically instructs us not to love the world nor the things that are in the world, 1 John 2:15. Covetousness and greed are of the world. The desire...

read more

THE POWER OF VOWS (PART 2), October 18th, 2020

Posted by on 6:31 pm in Sunday School | Comments Off on THE POWER OF VOWS (PART 2), October 18th, 2020

THE POWER OF VOWS (PART 2), October 18th, 2020

  CENTRAL THOUGHT The strength of vows demand that they should be performed HYMN: THY LIFE WAS GIVEN FOR ME Text: Gen 28:10-22, 35:6-7; Num 21:1-3; Judges 11:27-39; Ps 50:14, 76:11; Eccl 5:1-7; Matt 5:33   The Great illustrated Dictionary defines vow as an earnest promise or pledge that binds on to perform a specified act or belief, in a certain manner. In the first part of this study, it was mentioned that the use of vows were common in Bible times, that vows are sacred and important in Christian service. When Jacob went into Mesopotamia he vowed to God the tenth part of his estate, and promised to offer it at Bethel to the honor and service of God, Gen 28:20-22. This concluding part will highlight some excuses men give for not fulfilling their vows, the consequences of such act, the resultant effect of performance of vows.   LESSON OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are: To consider some reasons why believers fail to fulfil their vows. To know the dangers of not fulfilling vows. To know that there are blessings associated with fulfillment of vows.   Bible Truth Q1. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE REASONS WHY CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS DO NOT REDEEM THEIR VOWS? There are several reasons why some believers fail to fulfill their vows. Some of them are poverty, greed, unfaithfulness, selfishness, unbelief and lukewarmness to the things of God. Poverty: Poverty or lack should not hinder an individual from fulfilling his or her vow to God, He will always make a way to help us fulfill our vows. For example, a sister who vowed to give a drum to her church if she delivers safely, gave a testimony of how God miraculously provided for her the money she used in buying a drum set; by making her to be among the people selected form her school to attend a seminar for ten days, where she was paid one thousand naira daily. As if that was not enough, she was asked if she needed a soft loan from her school staff welfare fund. She then collected the loan and added part of her salary for that month and she was able to fulfil her vow to the Lord. If God sees that the vow maker is really willing, God will equally make a way even when there seemed to be no way. Greed: At times some people will feel that what they have used in vowing is too much for God. They will listen to the suggestions of the devil to use the money for some other “useful” things; after all, nobody knew that they made such vows. A sister who vowed to give God a ceiling fan if God gives her the job she applied for, when she came to fulfil the vow, narrated how she went to market three good times to buy the fan only to heed to the devil’s advice that she should go back because the money involved could buy her a wrapper and a hand bag to match; until according to her, she overcame the devil and finally bought the ceiling fan and presented it. Unfaithfulness: Some people because of share unfaithfulness quickly forget the favors of God in their lives. As soon as their requests are granted they forget...

read more