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


Jesus: The Good Shepherd, 7/7 – 7/12, 2014

Posted by on 5:09 pm in Weekly Devotional | Comments Off on Jesus: The Good Shepherd, 7/7 – 7/12, 2014

Jesus: The Good Shepherd     Memory Verse: Psalm 23:1 – The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want.”     Daily Devotional Guide: Monday:  Jesus the Good Shepherd.  Hebrews 13:20-21 Tuesday:  Rewards by the Chief Shepherd.  1 Peter 2:4; 1 Timothy 4:8 Wednesday:  The Pastor as the shepherd.  Jeremiah 3:15; Ephesians 4:11-12 Thursday:  Deliverance for sheep in danger.  Isaiah 43:2; Psalm 34:19 Friday:  The sheep must follow the shepherd.  John 10:27-28 Saturday:  Jesus the all-sufficient shepherd.  Psalm 34, 37:25...

read more

Jesus: The Good Shepherd, July 6, 2014

Posted by on 5:05 pm in Sunday School | 1 comment

Jesus: The Good Shepherd     Central Though: The LORD Jesus who is the good shepherd guaranteed guidance, provision, protection and prosperity for the believer who is obedient to Him.     Text: John 10; Psalm 23     In a general sense, a shepherd is one who looks after sheep which may or may not belong to him.  Such a shepherd is expected to lead, protect and provide for the sheep.  The shepherd may put his life on risk for the sheep if need be. The Lord Jesus by His unique and voluntary death brought the Jews and the Gentiles into one sheepfold (the Church).  In demonstration of His love and mercy, He gave his life for man who had gone astray form God.  Anyone who through repentance yields his/her life to Him becomes His sheep and a member of His sheepfold.  His main desire now is to continue to nourish and perfect the sheep for whom He has made so big a sacrifice, John 10:28-29.  Thus He is the only Good Shepherd today who cares for, nourishes preserves, protects, leads, guides, guards, and provides for the totality of the sheep. Moreover, it is written that “God anointed Jesus Christ of Nazareth who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil for God was with Him”.  There is no evil in Him.  In the midst of afflictions, such as sickness, diseases, scarcity of basic essentials of life and family upsets which are all the handiwork of the devil, the Lord Jesus as the Good Shepherd provides for the sheep, John 10:10.  He is not a hireling who would flee when storms of life are blowing against the sheep. The believer who is obedient to the word of God is the sheep that is planted in the hands of the Shepherd.  Consequently, abundant provision, security and divine guidance for such a believer are the primary responsibilities of the Good Shepherd.     1. Who is a shepherd? A shepherd is on who takes care of a flock of sheep.  He takes keen interest in feeding the sheep, Jeremiah 23:4, and ensuring their safety even at the risk of his life.  In a derived sense, a shepherd is also on who cares for a group of persons such as a priest, teacher, pastor. Certain qualities are expected of a shepherd.  He must have love for the sheep.  Without love it will be difficult for the shepherd to risk his life in defense of the sheep.  David demonstrated this live for his flock, when a lion came to take one sheep and he put his life in jeopardy to rescue the sheep and he slew the lion, 1 Samuel 17:34-35.  A shepherd motivated by love will tenderly care for his sheep.  He stays with them no matter the weather.  Form the fore-going, it follows that a shepherd must also be fearless and must be ready at all times to defend the sheep.  In addition, a shepherd should have the ability to provide food for the sheep.  A shepherd goes in search of places where there is abundant supply of food an to which he may lead the sheep to feed.   2. What makes Jesus the good shepherd? In John 10:11, the Lord Jesus said, “I...

read more

Overcoming Challenges, June 29, 2014

Posted by on 1:50 pm in Sunday School | Comments Off on Overcoming Challenges, June 29, 2014

Overcoming Challenges Central thought:  Challenges are allowed by God for our overall spiritual development.     Text: 1 Samuel 30:1-8; 2 Corinthians 12:1-10     Quite often, these days, you hear brethren talk of either this or that, “challenges”.  It has become a modern parlance for problems, difficulties, etc. of life about which solutions have been sought to no avail.  Surely these problems are real and have been borne by many from year to year, forcing some to resort to seeking for answers from one “miracle center” or the other when they feel that their supposedly “more spiritual” brethren and local congregation have failed.  In discussing this topic we shall retain the word “challenge”, identify some of these challenges and see whether solution is still obtainable with Him about whom it is said, “with God nothing shall be impossible”, Luke 1:37.  Herein lies the thrust of this stud – has God truly heard of my “challenges” and if yes what has He said about it/them?  Therefore, this study is designed more for the individual Christian than the congregation, to bring us back to the benefit of assessing God (our Father) on the basis of our purchased Sonship and with a view to learning how to deal with circumstances that are, perhaps, becoming obvious reproaches in our lives and service to God.     1. What do you understand by the phrase “overcoming challenges”? It is the ability to identify a challenge and finding a lasting solution to it in such a way as befits a child of God.  It is “to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free and that ye break every yoke”, Isaiah 58:6 on your individual lives and on those around us.  It is like the Lord saying, after chiding His disciples for faithlessness and failure to deliver a lunatic child, “bring him hither to me.  And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour”, Matthew 17:14-21.  Thus it is a divine intervention that brings relief to the individual and to the people around him for the sole purpose of glorifying and exalting the name of the Lord.  It therefore involves a pathway that has the approval of God.   2. From the experiences of David and Paul in 1 Samuel 30:1-8 and 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 respectively, suggest a possible way for overcoming immediate and long term challenges. For David, it was a life threatening challenge, “for the people spake of stoning him”, 1 Samuel 30:6.  Eventually he resorted to consulting God on what to do, “And David said to Abiathar the priest . . .I pray thee bring me hither the ephod. . . . And David enquired at the Lard, saying, shall I pursue after this troop . . ., 1 Samuel 30:7-8. For Paul it was a sustained humiliation, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of satan, TO BUFFET ME . . . for this thing I BESOUGHT  the Lord TRICE, that it might depart from me. . ., 2 Corinthians 12:7-9. For the child of God that wants a divine intervention...

read more

Overcoming Challenges, 6/30 – 7/5, 2014

Posted by on 1:49 pm in Weekly Devotional | Comments Off on Overcoming Challenges, 6/30 – 7/5, 2014

Overcoming Challenges     Memory verse Numbers 23:19 – “God is not a man, that he should lie, neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it?  Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?”     Daily Devotional Monday:  We are born to overcome challenges.  1 John 5:4 Tuesday:  With His blood the Lord Jesus fully paid for our ability to overcome.  Revelation 12:11 Wednesday:  The ability to overcome transcends the physical realm not by might.  Zechariah 4:6 Thursday:  The secret place is the place of strength and favor, dwell there.  Psalm 91:1-2 Friday:  Your body is the dwelling place of the Holy Ghost.  Keep it holy so the He can stay. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Saturday:  In all that you do, consult the Holy Spirit in you, have fellowship with Him.  Philippians...

read more

Being An Example of the Believer, 6/23 – 6/28, 2014

Posted by on 11:06 am in Weekly Devotional | Comments Off on Being An Example of the Believer, 6/23 – 6/28, 2014

Being An Example of the Believer   Memory verse 1 Timothy 4:12 – “Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”     Daily Devotional Monday:  Who is to be an example of the Believers?  John 1:12, 3:3-8; Acts 1:8 Tuesday:  Why should we be an example of the Believers?  Matthew 5:16; 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 Wednesday:  Why should we be an example of the Believers? 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9; 1 Peter 2:12 Thursday:  Be an example of the believers in word and convocation.  2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:24, 29; Colossians 4:6 Friday:  Be an example of the believers in love and Spirit. John 13:34-35; Galatians 5:16, 25. Saturday:  Be an example of the believers in faith and purity.  Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 11:6; Matthew 5:8; Psalm...

read more

Being An Example of the Believer, June 22, 2014

Posted by on 11:04 am in Sunday School | Comments Off on Being An Example of the Believer, June 22, 2014

Being An Example of the Believer     Central thought:  Live the life of Christ for others to emulate.     Text: 1 Timothy 4:12-16; 1 Corinthians 11:1-2; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9     When Apostle Paul was writing to Timothy and instructing him to be an example of the believers, he was equally speaking to us, having at the back of his mind that those embracing the faith will normally look up to those who have been there before them and emulate their ways of life. Being an example of the believers connotes that the believers’ lifestyle ordinarily should be far higher in standard than those of unbelievers.  That is why a believer should not in any way compare themselves with unbelievers.  When the Lord Jesus commanded the disciples in Matthew 28:20 to teach them to observe all things whatsoever that He has commanded them, it includes teaching them with their lifestyle. Jesus said in John 14:9, “he that has seen me has seen the Father”.  This He said because He was the express image of the Father in all His ways.  This is what the lesson is all about, to be an example of our Lord Jesus Christ to others.     1. What do you understand by the word “example”? The Oxford dictionary of current English defines “example” as a person or thing seen in terms of their suitability to be copied.  The above definition set the tone of what the topic is out to address.  Naturally, a man always looks up to those ahead of him to copy their way of life and develop their character along that line. Apostle Paul writing in Philippians 4:9 said, “those things which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me do”.  He set himself before the people to be copied. There are positive examples and also negative examples.  If your lifestyle is contrary to the word of God and profess to be a Christian, you are setting yourself as a negative example to other Christians.  But if your lifestyle is in consonance with the word of God and live in obedience to the Lord, serving Him diligently, then you can say like Paul, “be ye followers of me as I am of Christ”.   2. Who is to be an example of the believers? The word believer here means a disciple of Jesus Christ, so the person who can be an example to other disciples must himself be a disciple. The first step to being a disciple is to be born again, John 3:3-8.  The process is for you to accept Jesus Christ into your heart as your Lord and personal Savior, believing that He came to die for your sins and rose again from the dead and lives for evermore, John 1:12.  You must continue in His word as it is written in John 8:31, “if you continue in my words so shall you be my disciples indeed”.  This shows us that only those who continue in His words are His disciples indeed.  You must also seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that you can be effective in your discipleship, Acts 1:4-5,8.  Only those who are disciples INDEED can be examples to other believers.   3. Why should we be examples...

read more

The Demands of the Kingdom, VII, 6/16 – 6/21, 2014

Posted by on 2:30 pm in Weekly Devotional | Comments Off on The Demands of the Kingdom, VII, 6/16 – 6/21, 2014

The Demands of the Kingdom, VII   Memory verse Matthew 7:22 – “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves”     Daily Devotional Monday:  Beware of false prophets. Matthew 7:16-23; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1 Tuesday:  Reasons for above caution. Matthew 7:15; 2 Corinthians 11:13-14; Romans 16:15 Wednesday:  Who is a wise builder?  Matthew 7:24-25; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Isaiah 28:16 Thursday:  The foolish builder and his foundation.  Matthew 7:26-28 Friday:  “Their buildings subjected to the same test”.  Matthew 7:25 Saturday:  Be a doer of the word of God, you hear/study.  James...

read more

The Demands of the Kingdom, VII, June 15, 2014

Posted by on 2:27 pm in Sunday School | Comments Off on The Demands of the Kingdom, VII, June 15, 2014

The Demands of the Kingdom, VII     Central thought:  By their fruits you shall know them.     Text: Matthew 7:15-29     Rounding up His sermon on the mount, the Lord Jesus cautioned about false prophets. He gave us vivid descriptions of their activities and how to identify them: emphasizing that their outward appearance is a far cry from their inward disposition.  Our Lord Jesus is more concerned about our walk than our talk.  Thus He exposed those who sounded religious but had no personal relationship with Him. He also posited that we should build our faith on a solid foundation by hearing and obeying God’s word. Unless and until we put the word of God into practice by allowing it to bear on our lives and character, it will not benefit us.  We would then be including ourselves among the ‘fools’ in the text, who build their lives on sand without any solid foundation.  All these and many more is the focus of this study.     1. How can we know false prophets and what is their end?  Matthew 7:16-23; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1 Our Lord Jesus said that false prophets come in sheep’s clothing while inwardly they are ravenous wolves.  You can identify them by their life style.   You will know them by the way they live and not by their talk, claim or attire. Just as trees are consistent in bearing fruits of their kind (good tree bearing good fruit bearing, and bad tree bearing bat fruit); so do true prophets consistently exhibit holiness and righteousness, while false prophets consistently exhibit impurity and unrighteousness. Their teachings may look reasonable, harmless as sheep, but in the end they prove dangerous and destructive.  It is even possible for them to perform miracles and claim to be using the name of Jesus in doing so, yet they are not known by the Lord, Matthew 7:23. Performance of miracles, signs and wonders are good but are not sufficient evidence of divine approval of the “miracle worker”.  False prophets are often motivated by money, fame and power.  They have the talk but not the walk.  They minimize Christ and exalt self. Some of these false prophets put undue emphasis on the use of candles, holy water, handkerchiefs, olive oil, sand, slat, stones, photographs and other material things.  Others invoke fallen angels, lay emphasis on dreams, visions and prophesy rather than the word of God. They often pronounce blessings on the disobedient to the word of God, but hardly preach repentance from sin. Some of them may have started very well, but along the line pride and selfishness overtook them.  They fall away from faith and start serving other gods including their own belly.  Others may have never been genuine Christians at all. They are just there planted by the devil, using devilish power, their eloquence and charisma to deceive. The end of all false prophets and their followers is eternal destruction.  On the judgment day, these false prophets will roll out their credentials before God.  They would claim to have used the name of the Lord to prophesy, cast out devils and perform many wonderful works.  However, they would be disappointed when the Lord will say, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work...

read more

The Demands of the Kingdom, VI, 6/9 – 6-14, 2014

Posted by on 1:48 pm in Weekly Devotional | Comments Off on The Demands of the Kingdom, VI, 6/9 – 6-14, 2014

The Demands of the Kingdom, VI   Memory verse Matthew 7:13 – “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and may there be which go in thereat.”     Daily Devotional Monday:  Judging others and discipline. Matthew 7:1-2; 1 Corinthians 5:1-12 Tuesday:  First examine yourself.  John 8:3-11; Matthew 7:3-5 Wednesday:  We need to persevere in prayers.  Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 18:1-8 Thursday:  Foundation for good neighborliness.  Matthew 7:12: Micah 6:8 Friday:  The Broad way and its end.  Matthew 7:13-14 Saturday:  The Narrow way and its end.  Isaiah 35:8; Hebrews 3:14; Revelation...

read more

The Demands of the Kingdom, VI, June 8, 2014

Posted by on 1:46 pm in Sunday School | Comments Off on The Demands of the Kingdom, VI, June 8, 2014

The Demands of the Kingdom, VI     Central thought: Judge not, that ye be not judged, Matthew 7:1.     Text: Matthew 7:1-14     In Matthew chapters 5-7,  the Sermon on the Mount as taught by the Lord Jesus Christa was recorded.  Chapter 7 which is the last in the series focuses on Christ’s teaching on the dangers of judging others, and how we can live and run our Christian race here on earth successfully.   1. Differentiate the following concepts: judgment, correction and discipline.  Matthew 7:1-2; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 2:15; 1 Corinthians 5:1-12 Judgment can mean the ability to make considered decision or form sensible opinions based on facts available to one.  It can also imply assuming the right to criticize someone.  Correction is seen as the action or process of direction aright.  It can also be viewed as a change that rectifies an error or inaccuracy.  Discipline refers to the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviors, or a resulting from such training.  It can also mean training someone to obey rules or a code of behavior by punishment or rebuke, punish or rebuke formally for an offense.   2. What are the consequences of judging others? Matthew 7:1-2 The major consequence of judging others is that the one who is judging will also be judged.  Also with what judgment he judges, he shall be judged: and with what measure he metes, it shall be measured to him again.  However, it is worthy to note here that we should correct or reprove our brethren when occasion warrants.  We should do this with all sincerity and in love, in order to deliver the soul of a dear one that Christ died for.   3. Explain with examples how some people criticize others while ignoring their own faults.  Matthew 7:3-5, John 8:3-11 In many instances some people are prone to criticizing others while ignoring their own faults.  These acts are referred to as acts of hypocrisy by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  For example there are many so called believers in the Church today who indulge in one form of sin or immorality and are always critical about other people’s misdeeds yet they are neck deep in such vices.  Some individual may be involved in adultery in church but will be the first to accuse others of the same crime even without verifying the truth of the matter.  We must first examine ourselves before criticizing others.  Even when we think we are upright and without any sin, we must learn to correct our brethren in love.   4. Discuss perseverance in prayer and its attendant promises.  Matthew 7:7-11 God expects us to persevere in our prayers. We are enjoined to ask, seek and knock.  We must be men and women of prayer who must never give up until our requests are met.  It is commonly said that if there are people to pray there is a God to answer.  Manifold blessings attend our ways when we persevere in prayers.  God promises us that when we ask we will receive, when we seek we shall find and when we knock it shall be opened unto us.  The Lord Jesus Himself promised us this as He said thus, “Hitherto have ye asked...

read more