Church Construction 2013

May 2013 - Planting the Garden

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PERSECUTION, September 22nd, 2019

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PERSECUTION, September 22nd, 2019

CENTRAL THOUGHT All children of God would suffer persecution.   Text: Mark 13:9-13, John 15:18-25, Acts 8:1-3   INTRODUCTION The Lord Jesus Christ forewarned His disciples that since the world of His days did not love Him; did not know or accept Him, they would not love, accept or even know them. It is common to have falsehood contend with genuine. In the same way, darkness contends with light, although it cannot overpower it (John 1:4-5). In the history of Christianity, God’s children have experienced severe persecutions in the hands of kings and kingdoms, politicians, religious organizations, even Christian professors! In our days in this part of the world, anyone who would like a godly life would be persecuted in different forms (2 Timothy 3:12). Moreover, the bible warns against suffering for evil doing. The child of God should be fully convinced and aware that he is living in a place where his life pattern is not accepted in totality. In all he does, he should avoid falling into error. And we should differentiate between suffering as a result of our errors and suffering as a result of following the Lord (1 Peter 3:17, 4:15-16). There is a class of people in the church that do not look different, live different or even talk different from the rest of the world. These people embrace worldly slangs, dressings; they love vanity and they do not mind holy things. This class of people, though live all their lives in the church, they may never experience persecution because they are not different. Persecution is for the different; the obviously different, like the Lord Jesus Christ was. Persecution is for those that the world hates because they hate the ways of the world. These are persecuted so as to divert, dissuade and prevent them from following the Way in which they walk.     LESSON OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are: To know what persecution means To know why Christians are persecuted To know the Lord’s mind about persecution To know how to handle persecution     Bible Truth: Q1. WHAT IS PERSECUTION? To persecute generally means to harass with cruel or oppressive treatment, especially because of race, religion or opinions. Persistent annoyance or harassment is persecution. This could take any form; verbal or physical attack, or a combination of these. It ranges from severe scolding and/or threatening to deprivation (of food, drinks, shelter, promotion, etc.), neglect, scorn, to public beatings and even killing. Persons who profess Christianity but do not live the life of Christ are not usually persecuted. The would accepts its own (John 15:18-21). If we are rebuked for wrongdoing, this is not persecution. It is instructive to avoid suffering for wrong. If we do right and we suffer for it, then we are persecuted, and the Lord’s name is glorified. When men revile us and call us names because we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior; it is persecution.   Q2. WHY ARE CHRISTIANS PERSECUTED? Christians are persecuted because they are a different people. They are not of this world. They belong to Jesus Christ, the rejected, crucified, buried but risen and ascended Master of the Christian faith. He is ascended to heaven but He would come again, just like He said He would. All...

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THE JOY THAT IS SET BEFORE US, 9/16 – 9/21, 2019

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THE JOY THAT IS SET BEFORE US, 9/16 – 9/21, 2019

Memory verse: Hebrews 12:3 “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds”.   Daily Devotional Guide: Monday: There is a race to be run. 1 Corinthians 9:16-27   Tuesday: Fight the good fight of faith. 2 Timothy 4:1-8   Wednesday: There are persecutions along the way. 2 Corinthians 11:23-33   Thursday: It is worth dying for. Acts 7:54-59   Friday: There is a glorious reward in view. Revelations 21:1-7   Saturday: Have your eyes fixed on the Lord Jesus. Hebrews...

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THE JOY THAT IS SET BEFORE US, September 15th, 2019

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THE JOY THAT IS SET BEFORE US, September 15th, 2019

CENTRAL THOUGHT There is no crown without a cross.   Text: Hebrews 12:1-15   Introduction: The cross was an object of shame and ridicule. It was meant for the worst and vilest criminals in the then Roman empire. The cross did not just involve physical pain and torture, but also mental and emotional pain and anguish which were thrust by vile and sinful men on the Lord Jesus Christ- a man who knew no sin. Despite all the ugly connotations that went with the cross, the Lord Jesus willingly endured the cross, and put aside its shame and ridicule. As Matthew Henry’s commentary beautifully puts it, “he was infinitely about them (the reproaches that were thrown at him); he knew his own innocence and excellency, and despised the ignorance and malice of his despisers”. The Lord Jesus went the full ordeal of the cross because He was propelled and motivated by the vision of the joy that would follow- the redemption of the whole human race from the power of sin and bondage to the devil. It is this motivation and drive that should be an example for all who follow Him. He not only taught us but also gave us an exemplary path to follow. What many of us consider to be distractions for not actively serving the Lord are our crosses which we need to endure and be propelled by a godly vision. For such a vision to be perpetually relevant to us, our circumstances and community, we must have our eyes permanently fixed on the Lord Jesus, and be motivated by His promises to us who endure to the end. It is so crucial in our time to have our eyes fixed on the Lord because of the many things competing for our attention and time. The competition is fierce, but God’s grace is sufficient for all those who set their hearts to be fixed on the Lord Jesus. It is worth having this godly vision because there is joy and glory of unquantifiable measure ahead. Every time we are reminded of the reward of faithful service, a renewed momentum overwhelms our hearts for greater service. It is hoped that this will be your experience as you go through this study. LESSON OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are: To identify some of the joys set before every faithful believer. To know some of the “crosses” that the believer has to bear here on earth. To draw lessons from the lives of brethren who successfully ran the race. To know that the “joy set before us” is worth dying for.     Bible truth: Q1. EXPLAIN THE FOLLOWING FUTURE GLORY THAT AWAITS THE FAITHFUL BELIEVER IN CHRIST. To be with Christ and behold His glory. John 14:3, 17:24, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Revelations 22:4 Throughout the ministry of Christ on earth, it was never in doubt that He specifically loved those the Father had called and made His own (disciples). He desired that these ones would be with Him always and share in His glory. Of primary importance to Christ, as recorded in the prayer of our Lord, was that the disciples would share of His glory: “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory,...

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SALT AND LIGHT OF THE WORLD, 9/9 – 9/14, 2019

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SALT AND LIGHT OF THE WORLD, 9/9 – 9/14, 2019

CENTRAL THOUGHT Only Christians can season and give light to the world, thereby making it more habitable.   Memory Verse Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”     Daily Devotional Guide Monday: Salt of the earth by intercession.  Genesis 18:22-33 Tuesday: Called to preserve a posterity.  Genesis 45:1-8 Wednesday: Salt the earth by a godly lifestyle.  Ephesians 4:22-33 Thursday: Children of the light.  Ephesians 5:8-20 Friday: Walk in God’s light.  1 John 1:5-10 Saturday: Awake from sleep.  1 Thessalonians...

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SALT AND LIGHT OF THE WORLD, September 8th, 2019

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SALT AND LIGHT OF THE WORLD, September 8th, 2019

CENTRAL THOUGHT Only Christians can season and give light to the world, thereby making it more habitable.   Text: Matthew 5:13-16   INTRODUCTION This lesson draws inspiration from two all too common features of our existence. They are salt and light. Though only a minute fraction of the world’s population understands their chemical and physical composition and characteristics, all humans have need of them. Salt is a commodity, while light is a form of energy. According to Compton’s Interactive Encyclopedia, salt was so valuable in ancient times that it was used for money. In-fact our modern word salary is derived from it. The Latin word salarium means “salt money” and referred to the allowance of salt that was paid to Roman soldiers. “Salt is valuable as a preservative and it is essential to the health of humans and animals. Light on the other hand, is not a commodity that is tangible to the sense of touch but a form of energy like fire, wind, etc. Though it cannot be handled, humans, animals, and plants cannot do without light for a sustained period of time. Its use for plant growth via the process of photosynthesis, and our dependence on plants for our existence underscores the importance of light. It is these two features of our existence one that is physically tangible and the other that we can feel and sense that the Lord Jesus used to draw some secrets of the kingdom. Of salt, Vine’s Expository Dictionary states, “In the Lord’s teaching it (salt) is also symbolic of that spiritual health and vigor and counteractive of the corruption that is in the world. “Light is used of the Christian in relation to his capacity to illuminate the earth and eliminate spiritual darkness caused by sin and evil works. In essence then, when Jesus indicated that we are the salt and the light of the world, he was emphatically stating that we are the only ones who can reverse the social and moral decay of modern civilization. How many believers recognize this fact? When we do, all in and around our places of residence, work and worship will notice our preserving and illuminating influences.     LESSON OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are: To know common uses of salt To know how the Christian can be the salt of the earth To know common uses of light To know how the Christian can be the light to the world To know the consequences of failing to be salt and light to our world   Bible Truth: Q1. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COMMON USES OF SALT? Salt serves as a preservative in the food industry, it has been utilized by many peasant farmers in our villages for preserving fish and other animal products. Its use arises from its ability to destroy a wide variety of micro-organisms that attach and promote decay and degradation of their host. Salt also serves as a valuable condiment in flavoring a wide variety of edible food items. It is an item that no household can afford to do without. (Remember those embarrassing, moments when you have to t, call your neighbors across the way to give you some) We must add that like every substance of use to humans, when it is applied out of...

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ALIVE IN THE SPIRIT, 9/2 – 9/7, 2019

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ALIVE IN THE SPIRIT, 9/2 – 9/7, 2019

CENTRAL THOUGHT Being alive in the Spirit is a life lived in obedience to the Holy Spirit.     Memory Verse: Galatians 5:16 – “This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh”.     Daily Devotional Guide: Monday: Contrasting lives.  Romans 8:5-11 Tuesday: Set free from the web of the sinful nature.  Romans 7:14-24 Wednesday: Walk in the Spirit.  Galatians 5:14-18 Thursday: God’s demands fulfilled by life in the Spirit.  Romans 8:1-4 Friday: Put on the new man.  Ephesians 4:17-32 Saturday: The Spirit of sonship.  Romans...

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ALIVE IN THE SPIRIT, September 1st, 2019

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ALIVE IN THE SPIRIT, September 1st, 2019

CENTRAL THOUGHT Being alive in the Spirit is a life lived in obedience to the Holy Spirit.   Text: Romans 8:1-17, 12:9-12, Galatians 5:16-18   Introduction: There is a life in the Spirit which is unmistakably different from the life in the flesh. It is a life of faith and absolute dependence on the Holy Spirit for guidance and His leading. Being alive in the Spirit means that we are in continual and uninterrupted fellowship with the Lord. Being alive in the Spirit does not mean that we are always speaking in tongues, but tongues helps to boost the life in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:2). It does not necessarily mean jumping frantically in every worship service, but that could well be a part of it if it is done from a deep love for the Lord. Being alive in the Spirit is motivated by a deep love for God. It is motivated by a desire to live to honor the Lord and to please Him. There are some external manifestations of being alive in the Spirit which involves being zealous to share the gospel, giving Christian service in the local body of believers, yearning always to be in the will of God, and living in holiness. It is a counterfeit life in the Spirit when one does not abhor sin and yearn to live in honor of the Lord. Being alive in the Spirit ultimately brings glory and honor to the Lord. The world is challenged by such a life because it stands to judge the world for its ungodly way of living.     LESSON OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are: To know what it means to be alive in the Spirit. To know how one begins the life of the Spirit. To contrast the life in the Spirit with that in the flesh. To know some of the manifestations of being alive in the Spirit. To know how to sustain the life in the Spirit. To know the benefits of being alive in the Spirit.     Q1. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE ALIVE IN THE SPIRIT? Being alive in the Spirit is Spirit is to be led by the Holy Spirit. The world cannot be led by the Holy Spirit because “the world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him” (John 14:17a). But those who have received Jesus Christ into their hearts and repented of sin are led by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14). The experience of the new birth by an individual, therefore marks the beginning of the work of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-5). Thereafter, the Lord continues His work of grace int hat individual with the experience of the Holy Spirit baptism (immersing or overflow) that is accompanied with tongues (Acts 2:17-21). Deeper work of grace by the Lord could involve impartation of gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:1-11) which could enable such an individual occupy an office of ministry. As all these landmark experiences are taking place, the Holy Spirit forges His nature and character in such an individual such that the fruit of the Holy Spirit becomes evident (Galatians 5:1). We may point out that these landmark experiences may take place in this sequence for some believers, while in others they may...

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INTEGRITY, August 25th, 2019

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INTEGRITY, August 25th, 2019

CENTRAL THOUGHT The Christian life is a life of integrity.   HYMN:  OVER THE RIVER, FACES I SEE   Text: Psalm 15:1-5   Introduction: Integrity is uprightness of character, honesty, unimpaired state or soundness. It is an undivided or unbroken state or completeness. This is a virtue, which should characterize every born-again person. The Lord Jesus Christ came to give abundant life (John 10:10) to everyone who would believe in Him. Life in its fullness means favor with God; it means peace with God, blamelessness, righteousness, truth in the inward parts: it means integrity! Many people claim to know the Lord; one way to separate the professors from the children of God is probity or morality or integrity. Integrity is for the disciplined and renewed; the born again. This virtue makes a man to guard his heart from thinking evil and his lips from speaking deceit. It keeps a man’s steps in the path of righteousness. The world can speak of good but lacks the strength to do good. Everyone can speak of what is good, but few people follow up their words with good actions. Integrity makes a man to follow up his pronouncements even when it hurts him. He does this because he knows that it tells on his goodness and honor. The man that lacks integrity does not mind what he says or does because he is not too mindful of fulfilling promises, nor is he bothered about protecting his integrity. He can afford to say anything and not do it; he has nothing at stake. He can indulge in shameful acts and defend or ignore it; you often hear them say things like “everyone does it….”. One characteristic of such people is their zeal to compare themselves with the rest of the world and conclude that they are not too bad after all, the old lie of the devil. The man of integrity has much at stake! He has a garment of holiness or uprightness to maintain. He has the name of the Lord to defend by his lifestyle. He has a point to make in life; he wants to prove that he is virtuous by practice and not by words only. He lets these and many other considerations guide his every action. He is a man of principle, honesty, and perfection. He would not find himself doing wrong; he has regard for his God-given life and does not want to hurt his life with stains of sin. In public and in his closet, he maintains a trustworthy lifestyle. As the time for the return of the Lord draws nearer, more and more people would be slipping away from integrity, drifting into corruption and infidelity because of the hard times and the deceit of the devil, the deceitfulness of riches and the zeal to show off, etc. In spite of this, the servant of the Lord must let integrity guide him. He must be clear minded and self-controlled so that he can pray and live for God (see 1 Peter 4:1-11).   LESSON OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are: To know the implications of integrity To know what the Lord says about integrity To know how integrity affects our daily lives To know the ills of living without integrity   Q1.  WHAT, IN PRACTICE,...

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INTEGRITY, 8/26 – 8/31, 2019

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INTEGRITY, 8/26 – 8/31, 2019

Memory Verse: Proverbs 10:9 “He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.”   Daily Devotional Guide: Monday: Living in truth. Ephesians 4:21-27 Tuesday: Minding your business.  Leviticus 19:16-18 Wednesday: Integrity restrains from joining a multitude to do evil. Exodus 23:1-3 Thursday: Integrity in keeping your words. Leviticus 5:4 Friday: Improve daily.  1 Peter 1:4-11 Saturday: We are debtors to live for God.  Romans...

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THE CRUCIFIED LIFE, 8/19 – 8/24, 2019

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THE CRUCIFIED LIFE, 8/19 – 8/24, 2019

Memory verse: Romans 6:6 “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin”.     Daily Devotional Guide: Monday: Resist Temptation, Genesis 39:7-12 Tuesday: Stand for God, Daniel 1:8-16 Wednesday: Watch and Pray, Luke 22:39-46 Thursday: Walk in the light, Ephesians 5:8-14 Friday: Keep the Faith, Colossians 1:19-23 Saturday: Be complete in Christ, Colossians 2:6-10...

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