Church Construction 2013

May 2013 - Planting the Garden

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The Prodigal Son, September 2, 2018

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The Prodigal Son, September 2, 2018

Central Thought: Be God’s instrument to restore the lost.   Hymn: “Amazing Grace” Text: Luke 15:11-32; Matthew 18:12-14     The parable of Jesus regarding the prodigal son could be likened to a Christian who yielded to the attractions of pleasures of the world. The young many took his share of inheritance prematurely and bolted out: to be seen or heard from no more!  He then lived riotously until he came to himself, and decided to return home.  The Father received him joyfully and used very strong language, as in Luke 15:24, “…for this my son was dead, and is alive again, he was lost, and is found…”  Satan is a killer and those under his strong grip are actually “dead”.  The redeemed of the Lord should therefore see the unbeliever and the backslidden as “dead” that need to be brought back to life.  When we, Christians, see the unsaved or those wanting to return to the carnal world from this perspective, we would have love and compassion for them.  Even when they snob us let us embrace them, minister to their needs and bring them back to the sheepfold. This illustrates the depravity and depth of misery which sinners and backsliders slump into through disobedience. It also portrays slump into through disobedience.  It also portrays God’s love for those who are lost in trespasses and sins.  As His children, we should receive instruction and be guided.     Lesson Objectives: To explain the behavior of the prodigal son. To explain how we can combine the love of God with circumstances of life to win souls to God. To discuss the attitude of the Father to the prodigal son.   What category of people can be likened to the prodigal son in our contemporary world? From the text read, we can easily point out two groups of individuals that belong to the same class as the prodigal son in our contemporary world. These are the unbelievers who are yet to know Christ, and those Christians in backslidden state.  The spectrum of this group of people spreads from those that Satan has stolen to the ones he has killed including the ones ready for final destruction.  We must not allow them to perish.  We must strive to win them back.   What could have made the young man to abandon his rich home and country for a strange land? Luke 15:13 Probable reasons include: -Adventurous Spirit -Immaturity and youthful exuberance -Family disunity -Lack of parental control -Deep inner dissatisfaction The class should mention and discuss others.   What are some steps taken by the prodigal son in his efforts to return to his father? Luke 15:17-21 The first thing that strikes one in this passage is that the prodigal son ‘came to himself’. In other words, all the time he was doing all that he did, he was out of his senses. He realized that he was perishing with hunger while his father’s hired servants had enough to eat and spare. He was empty and could not find satisfaction in the things around him, so he decided to go to the one who can satisfy his hunger and need.  Many people today are under one negative influence or the other, but instead of “coming to themselves”, like the prodigal son...

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Effective Follow Up, August 27- September 1, 2018

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Effective Follow Up, August 27- September 1, 2018

Memory Verse: Acts 15:36 – “….Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they do”   Daily Devotional Guide   Monday: Follow up: Part of the Christian calling Galatians 6:1-2, Romans 15:1-3 Tuesday: The need for follow up Galatians 1:6-7, Matthew 13:18-22 Wednesday: Be ye one another’s keeper Genesis 4:9-12, James 5:14-16 Thursday: Obstacles of follow up Acts 15:37-39, Matthew 13:24-28 Friday: Benefit of follow up Luke 19:12-19, 2 Chronicles 15:7, John 4:35 Saturday: Place of prayer in follow up Matthew 9:37-38, Luke...

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Effective Follow Up, August 26, 2018

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Effective Follow Up, August 26, 2018

Central Thought: Effective Follow up is essential for true Discipleship.   Hymn: Guide me O Thou great Jehovah   Text: Matthew 13:24-27, Acts 15:36   An expectant mother adequately prepares for the care of her expected baby before delivery. The mother begins from the first day to ensure that the baby is fed with the appropriate food that will make it grow to maturity. In the same way a new convert (a newly born again believer) can be likened to a new-born baby and has to be cared for. There is need to pay attention to the process of helping our new converts to become matured Christians, using every good means possible to ensure that this is achieved. A good follow-up goes a long way to determine the stability of a new convert. A person who is well tutored in the word of God and tenet of his/her new faith and belief at the beginning is likely to be more serious in his/her walk with the Lord Jesus. So we will in this study, examine what effective follow up entails, and how it will enhance discipleship.   Lesson Objectives: To enlighten our minds on what follow up entails. To rekindle and reawaken in us the attitude to effective follow-up. Acknowledge the benefits of effective follow up.   Question 1.A) What is follow up? Follow up in the context of our study, is a systematic program put together to enable a new convert understand what his/her new found faith entails. This usually includes teaching the new convert the Basics of our faith, visitations, prayers, counseling, words of encouragement and ensuring that the individual is involved in regular fellowship with the Lord and the brethren. The exercise starts from when the individual accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and personal Savior and continues until such individual is considered to have understood the tenet of the Christian faith.   Question 1.B.1) Who else should be followed up? In our discussion above we referred to new converts as persons who should be followed up. In a broader sense, there are some old members in the church who should be followed up in addition to new converts- those who have become weak in faith as a result of series of persecutions, temptations and other life challenges. Such brethren should be followed up to reassure them that God still loves them and is interested in their well-being.   Question 1.B.2) Who should do the follow up? As much as it is advisable to have a follow-up group in a church, every genuine Christian who is interested in the welfare of other members and the growth of the church, should engage in follow up exercise. The scripture enjoins all Christians to be their brothers’ keepers (Romans 15:1, 2, Galatians 6:2, Philippians 2:4). In addition, any believer who engages in witnessing/evangelism should of necessity follow-up his/her converts.   Question 1C.) Why is it necessary to do follow up? Matthew 13:18-21, 24-26 Reasons abound why we should do follow up. To enable new converts fully understand the decision they have made. That the word they have received will take root in them. To enable them stand in the face of trials/challenges. That they may be able to confess Jesus boldly in the presence of their old friends, and every...

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Lesson From the Ants, August 20-25, 2018

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Lesson From the Ants, August 20-25, 2018

Central Thought: God will always bless those who diligently do their part and rely on Him.   Memory Verse: Romans 12:11 – “Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.”   Daily Devotional: Monday: Practical life of the Ants.  Proverbs6:7-8 Tuesday:  Lessons from the ants.  Proverbs 30:24-28 Wednesday:  Principles of hard work.  Romans 12:11; Deuteronomy 8:17-18 Thursday:  Being diligent in the Word.  Psalm 1:1-3; Joshua 1:8 Friday:  Blessing of hard work.  Proverbs 30:35 Saturday:  Keeping to one’s plan.  Proverbs 3:5-6,...

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Lesson From the Ants, August 19, 2018

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Lesson From the Ants, August 19, 2018

Central Thought: God will always bless those who diligently do their part and rely on Him.   Text: Proverbs 6:4-11   Introduction: As big as the elephant is, it is not mentioned in the Bible.  As small as the ant is, however, it featured prominently in Scriptures.  It was used as an instructional aid to drive home fundamental lessons on wisdom about orderly lifestyle and diligence.  The ants are indeed small living creatures that could be observed to obtain knowledge.  A close observation of the living pattern of the ants reveals an orderly community of creatures doing their things diligently without supervision.  They are time-conscious beings that provide for the “rainy day”.  In this study, we shall examine these creatures with a view to deriving pertinent lessons from their living pattern.   Lesson Objectives: This lesson is intended to accomplish the following objectives: Describe some physical features of the ants. Draw salient lessons from the life pattern of the ants. Explain the principles of hard work and prayers in life endeavors. Discuss how a Christian can remain diligent among the slothful.     1.  What would one observe while watching the ants?  Proverbs 6:6-7 Ants are small insects that live in highly organized groups.  They are social insects.  There are many types of these ant but they share some characteristics in common – among which are: They have six legs They are divided into three parts bodily. Some even have wings.  There are various species of the ants. The first observation that one could make while watching a colony of ants is that they have no captain or commander or overseer.  Each of them has a divinely-coded instinct for survival.  Secondly, ants are sensitive and punctual to every available opportunity that comes across their way.  For instance, they quickly reach out to any crumb of food.  Also, ants display a high sense of diligence in the pursuit of set goals such as that displayed in the pulling of food or building materials into their holes (anthills).   2.  What lessons can we draw from the ants and other small creatures listed in Proverbs 30:24-28? Some basic lessons that can be derived from the behavior of the ants and other small creatures are Believers should sharpen their survival instincts by catching every opportunity that pass them by daily. The ant is a very punctual creature.  Believers should take a cure from this.  Today many Christians go late to school, work, Church, etc. The ant is very diligent in all it does.  This virtue should characterize the life of the believer.  We should be known to be very dutiful in our offices, schools, private business, home and in church, Proverbs 12:24 For the ants, there is no tree too tall, no ground too hard to build its home.  Similarly, the believer should be determined to succeed no mater the prevailing economic and environmental conditions. The ants display a high sense of resilience.  Even when their “house” is destroyed due to human activity they quickly regroup to reconstruct it.  Believers should be determined never to give up no matter the obstacles.  The righteous is not immune to setbacks.  He may fall seven times but rises again seven times. These tiny ants pull their little strengths together to form a large pull of power. ...

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Seeking His Glory, Part 2, August 13-18, 2018

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Seeking His Glory, Part 2, August 13-18, 2018

Central Thought: God will not give His glory to another. Memory Verse: Isaiah 42:8 – “I am the LORD; that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images”   Daily Devotional Guide: Monday:  Seek not self-glory.  John 8:50, 7:18 Tuesday:  Christ in you, the hope of glory.  Colossians 1:27; Hebrews 2:10 Wednesday:  God will not share His glory with any man or graven image.  Isaiah 42:8 Thursday:  We will share in Christ’s glory if we suffer with Him.  Romans 8:17-18; 2 Timothy 2:10 Friday:  God’s glory outweighs the sufferings.  2 Corinthians 4:17; Ephesians 1:18 Saturday:  Purify yourself if you have this glorious hope.  1 John 3:2-3...

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Seeking His Glory, Part 2, August 12, 2018

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Seeking His Glory, Part 2, August 12, 2018

Central Thought: God will not give His glory to another.     Text: Exodus 20:3-5; Isaiah 42:8; 2 Corinthians 4:16-17     Introduction: God demonstrated how much He loved us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s”, 1 Corinthians 6:20.  The believer, therefore, is expected to seek to please and give glory to God in every situation of life because He (God) created man and redeemed him from sin to his first state of glory.  This should give hope to the believer; though his outward man perishes, yet his inner man is renewed day by day, 2 Corinthians 4:16, as he seeks God’s glory.  Moreover, our present light affliction, which is for a short time, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 2 Corinthians 4:17.  Thus the believer must endeavor to give God the glory due to His name because He does not give His glory to another (graven images, demons, etc.).  This mindset is capable of attracting God’s blessings in all ramifications.       Lesson Objectives: The objective of this study is to comprehend: God’s attitude towards His glory. That the believer in Christ has the hope of sharing in His eternal glory. The source of the believer’s glory. The consequences of not seeking God’s glory. The benefits of seeking His glory.       Bible Truth: What is God’s attitude towards His glory? Isaiah 42:8, 48:11; Exodus 20:45; Deuteronomy 4:24 In Exodus 20:3-5, the Almighty God instructed His people not make unto themselves and worship/serve 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:  because He is a jealous God.  As the Creator of the earth and everything in it, He demands total loyalty from His children and cannot give His glory to any man or graven image.  He desires that His children should seek His glory at all times so that the heathen will not glory over them when they do otherwise.  Indeed, God guides and guards His glory jealously.     Is there any glory for the believer? Romans 8:17-18; 1 Peter 5:6 When a believer attains the spiritual state of seeking to please and give glory to God in every circumstance of life, the Lord allows him to have a glimpse of the splendor and bliss of heaven while on earth.  Much more, when he gets to heaven, he will experience an eternal and unspeakable glory, which cannot be compared with the present suffering. The Lord Jesus suffered many things in the hands of Jewish leaders, humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, despite His sonship position in the Godhead.  After His resurrection, God exalted Him and gave Him name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father, Philippians 2:5-11. “For which cause we faint not:  but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,...

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Seek His Glory, Part 1, 8/6 – 8/11, 2016

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Seek His Glory, Part 1, 8/6 – 8/11, 2016

Central Thought: Man was created to glorify God.   Memory Verse: John 7:18 – “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh His glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him”     Daily Devotional Guide: Monday:  Made in His image and after His likeness.  Genesis 1:26-31, 5:1; James 3:9 Tuesday:  Made a spiritual being.  Job 32:8; Probers 20:27; Ecclesiastes 12:7 Wednesday:  The fallen man cannot fulfill God’s purpose.  Genesis 6:5-8; Isaiah 66:1-4 Thursday:  Christ redeemed man so that he can fulfill God’s purpose.  Colossians 1:12-23 Friday:  Those who fulfill God’s purpose please Him.  Deuteronomy 28:1-14 Saturday:  Seek God’s glory. John...

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Seek His Glory, Part 1, August 5, 2018

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Seek His Glory, Part 1, August 5, 2018

Central Thought: Man was created to glorify God.   Text: Psalm 8:1-9; John 7:18   Introduction: The Almighty God, who made the heavens and the earth is a glorious God.  When He had finished creating the heavens and the earth (including animals and plants both in the seas and on the land).  He proceeded to create man in His own image and likeness to have dominion over all other creatures that were created.  God said unto the man “Be fruitful, and multiply and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth”, Genesis 1:28.  Thus, man was exalted over all other creatures on earth.  He also had the privilege of fellowshipping with God and naming all that were created, Genesis 3:8, 2:20, as an intelligent being. Unfortunately, man could not keep this exalted, glorious, position as he disobeyed God and thus fell from His grace.  This fall of man resulted in the break of communication and fellowship with his Creator, diseases, sickness, poverty and even the fear of other creatures he was supposed to subdue and rule. However, God remained unshaken in His desire for man to continue in his glorious position to subdue and rule over the earth.  To achieve this purpose, He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to redeem man from his lost state so that he might fulfill the purpose of his creation.  Therefore, any sinner who receives Christ as his Lord and personal Savior enjoys the privilege of being restored to his original estate. Furthermore, being restored to his original estate puts a responsibility on man to fully display and manifest God’s sovereignty and supremacy over the earth just as Christ did when He walked upon the face of the earth.  He is also expected to continue to seek God’s glory in his daily living no matter the situation.  When the believer is steadfast in seeking God’s glory, he attracts His blessings in all ramifications.   Lesson Objectives: To understand what it means to “seek His glory”. To highlight why the believer should seek God’s glory. To know what the attitude of the believer should be in seeking God’s glory. To identify what the believer should do in seeking God’s glory. To discover how God’s glory can be given to another.     Bible Truth: What does the phrase “seek His glory” mean? According to Reader’s Digest Great Illustrated Dictionary, to seek means to try to locate or discover or search for.  It also means to endeavor to obtain or reach.  The work glory means exalted honor, praise, or distinction accorded by common consent.  It could also mean adoration, praise, and thanksgiving offered in worship.  Furthermore, it means the splendor and bliss of heaven; a state of perfect happiness; or a height of achievement, enjoyment, or prosperity. To seek God’s glory, therefore, means to endeavor to use every opportunity in our daily living to exalt, honor and praise the name of our God.  On no account should the believer relent in seeking God’s glory in his walk with Christ, secular work and human relationships.  He must seek to please and give glory to the Almighty God in every area of his...

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Praising the Lord, Part 2 – July 30 – August 4, 2018

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Praising the Lord, Part 2 – July 30 – August 4, 2018

Memory Verse: Psalm 100:4 – “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name!”     Daily Devotional Guide: Monday:  How to praise God. Psalm 9:1, 103:1, 147:7; 2 Chronicles 29:30 Tuesday:  How to praise God.  1 Chronicles 16:12, 24 & 29 Wednesday:  Praise God with your life.  Romans 12:1, 15:1, 2, 5 & 6; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Thursday:  Praise God with songs and musical instruments.  Psalm 95:1-2, 105:3-5 Friday:  When is the time to praise God?  Psalm 92:1-2; Hebrews 13:5 Saturday:  See the power of Praise to God.  2 Chronicles 5:13-14, 20:21-23; Acts...

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