How to pray

TEXT: LUKE 18:1-8

INTRODUCTION:

Prayer is the responsibility of every Christian. God’s word tells us to pray. But we don’t pray just because we have to; we pray because talking to God is a privilege. Prayer is entering into relationship with God so we can determine His will in any matter and call His will into existence upon the earth. Prayers and references to prayer appear in sixty-two of sixty-six books of the Bible, all except the Song of Solomon, Obadiah, Haggai, and 2 John. Generally speaking the Old Testament contains more information about prayer, and the New Testament stresses the importance of prayer. We can divide prayers into two groups, those in which we ask God for something and those in which we tell Him something.

 A. THE KINGDOM PARTNERSHIP OF PRAYER    
Prayer makes a way for God to act sovereignly on earth. Jesus said to pray, “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt.6:10). God has chosen to work through people, not around them. Therefore, He also says, “Truly I say to you, whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven” (Matt. 18:18). The obvious inference is that God has limited some of HIS activities on the earth and will respond only to the prayers of His children. Heaven waits for those of us on earth to pray for things to happen. (see Isa. 43:26; Jer. 1:12).

Question: What do you understand by the Sovereignty of God? Discuss Hebrew 4:14-16

B. THE MINISRY OF PRAYER

Ministry to God must come before ministry to people. First Peter 2:9 says that you are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellences of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light”. The role of the priest is to minister first to God; then to the people. The way that we minister to God is by praising, worshiping and communing with Him in prayer and meditation. The way that we minister to the people is by allowing the overflow of what we have received in our time alone with Him to pour out into the lives of others (Prov.15:8; 1 pet.2:5; Eph. 1:4-5; 2Cor.5:21; Heb. 4:16)

C. THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER
Prayer was a priority in Jesus’ life. He considered it more important than physical rest, and He was commonly pictured praying all night (see Luke 6:12). Talking with the Father took priority over His social activity. Scripture often refers to Jesus going off alone to be with the Father (see Matt.14:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16; 6:12). And finally, Jesus made prayer a priority over His physical appetite. He fasted for long periods of time, withdrawing from physical food to spiritual power (Luke 4:2; Matt.6:18,25-31; Heb. 7:25). Prayer was the primary communication link between Himself and the Father. Every major event and every minor decision in Jesus’ life was shrouded with prayer. If we are to be Christlike, or like Christ, we must follow His example. Jesus did not pray because He had to; Jesus prayed because He wanted to be obedient to, united with and empowered by the Father. Prayer is to be our priority for those same reasons. Prayer is the way that we, His branches, draw the nutrients we need from God the Vine to produce the fruit of His Spirit in our lives. And we do this because, as believers, prayer has to be our primary ministry.

Pray without ceasing.

                                                 PRIORITY OF PRAYER

1. Without prayer you receive nothing from God.
2. Without prayer you have no fellowship with God.
3. Without prayer sins cannot be forgiven.
4. Without prayer there will be no revelation for direction from God
5. Without prayer you easily fall in times of temptation Matt.6:13
6. Without prayer you are disobeying God
7. Without praying for others you are sinning against God
8. Pray because it is a command.
9. Pray because it leads away from sin
10. Pray because it is a lifestyle
11. Pray because prayer cancels calamity
12. Pray in all the seven areas of life
13. Pray in all steps of prayer-Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication.

MEMORY VERSE: Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you…….. (1Samuel 12:23b).

Church of Eternal Life Jos Plateau State. 

Dealing conflict situations

TEXT: JOSHUA 22:7-34

INTRODUCTION:

Conflict is serious disagreement and argument about something important. If two people or groups are in conflict, they have had a serious disagreement or argument and have not yet reached agreement. Sometimes these quarrels result from evil desires battling within us-we want more possessions, more money, higher status, more recognition. When we want badly enough to fulfil these desires, we fight in other to do so (James 4:1-3). Instead of aggressively grabbing what we want, we should submit ourselves to God, ask God to help us get rid of our selfish desires, and trust Him to give us what we really need.  According to the Bible there is nothing inherently wrong with conflict.  Disagreements happen.  But the manner in which we are to resolve our conflicts is extremely important. Conflict can become the catalyst to greater understanding, intimacy, and depth of relationship; or it can bring anger, bitterness, and broken relationships.

HOW CAN CONFLICTS BE AVOIDED?
 CONFLICTS CAN BE AVOIDED THROUGH NEGOTIATION.

When the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an altar at the Jordan River, the rest of Israel feared that these tribes were starting their own religion and rebelling against God. But before beginning an all-out war, Phinehas led a delegation to learn the truth, following the principle taught in Deuteronomy 13:12-19. He was prepared to negotiate rather than fight if a battle was not necessary. When he learned that the altar was for a memorial rather than for pagan sacrifice, war was averted and unity restored.  As brethren as individuals, and even as nations, we would benefit from a similar approach to resolving conflicts. Assuming the worst about the intentions of others only brings troubles. Israel averted the threat of civil war by asking before assaulting. Beware of reacting before you hear the whole story. When you face conflict, step back from the hostilities and consider whether you and your brother and/or sister have common goals that are bigger than your differences. Appeal to those interests as you work for a settlement.

-DISCUSS how mere assumptions and gossips cause and aggravate conflicts among brethren

-READ 2 Samuel 16:1-4 and compare it with 2 Samuel 19:24-30.

What do these passages teach us about hasty judgments or condemnation of our brethren?

-Read & Discuss 1 Cor. 6:1-7. Should brethren drag each other to court of law? Also read 2 Tim.2:24-25.

What offence may be so hurtful that a believer can never forgive another believer of it?

Conflict begins when good confronts evil. The two cannot peacefully coexist. One must triumph.

Proverbs 13:10 . . . Pride leads to arguments.

Proverbs 28:25 . . . Greed causes quarrels.

Proverbs 30:33 . . . Anger causes quarrels.

Pride, greed, anger-these are all aspect of our sinful human nature, and these are the things that bring us into conflict with other people.

MEMORY VERSE:

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tight to what is good (Romans 12:9 NLT).

 Church of Eternal Life Jos, Plateau State.

Operating at Divine speed

TEXT: PSALM 18:25-36

INTRODUCTION: The speed of something is the rate at which it moves or travels. It is the rate at which something happens or is done. When something is provided by (coming from) or relating to God, it is said to be divine. DIVINE SPEED therefor, is speed (progress) that is provided by God, regulated (controlled) by God and associated with God. When a child of God allows God to determine when and how he “moves”, he is said to operate with divine speed. For maximum blessing, we all must move with divine speed in 2014 and the rest of our life.

A. HIND’S FEET: This is a commonly-used phrase that derives from the Bible, and it is used in the Holy Text to describe a person’s ability to overcome a challenge that has been affecting them or worrying them with ease and success (Ps.18:33). A hind is a female red deer. This kind of deer is able to move easily and rapidly across the rocks and uneven terrain of the mountains and mountainous landscape. It will leap from rocks without losing footing, suggesting that those with hind’s feet are able to overcome things easily, and elegantly. Thus the bible verse means that God has inspired his believers and empowered them to overcome the obstacles which confront them, doing things that would otherwise be difficult or impossible without divine aid.

Question: According to Psalms 18:33, who secures our feet? Compare this with Proverbs 3:1-12. 

B. DIVINE TIMING: The reason God likes to make us wait from time to time is to not only test our faith in Him and to properly prepare us for what He is making us wait for, but to also develop the fruit of patience and determination in us. The fruit of patience is one of the 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit, and it is one fruit that He loves to try and develop in all of us, especially in the fast-pace world in which we all now live. This very valuable quality lines up with God’s own character and how He likes to work things out. In His dealings with us, God considers The Timing Factor. It is very important when He will want to make something specific happen.

Discuss: The following verses: Galatians 6:9; 1 Peter 5:6-7; Lamentation 3:25-26; Psalm 130:5-6; Psalm 145:1; Psalm 27:14; Psalm 31:15; Psalm 62:1-2, 5-6; Psalm 39:7-8; Psalm 40:1-2; Psalm 37:34; Psalm 37:7; Psalm 25:5, 21; Habakkuk 2:2-3; Ecclesiastes 3:11, 17; Isaiah 8:17, 40:31; Proverbs 27:18; Titus 1:2-3; John 7:6; Mark 1:14-15; Acts 1:7; 1Tim. 6:14-15; 2Thessalonians 2:6-8.

As you can see from reading each one of these verses, God does like to work on a specific set timetable – and even Jesus Himself had to wait for God’s timing on some of the things He ended up doing. And not only did Jesus, the apostles, and many in the old testament have to abide by God’s specific timing on when He wanted them to do something, but there are verses showing that God will still continue to run things according to His own set timetable in the years ahead, including how He will work your life and when He will want to make certain things happen in your life.

C. SPECIFIC EXAMPLES: Jesus Himself had to wait until He was 30 years old before God baptized Him with the Holy Spirit and anointed Him with His power to go on His three and half year miracle ministry before He went to the cross to get all of us saved. Jesus had to wait again for 40 days before He ascended to the Father after His resurrection from the grave. Moses was in the back side of a desert for 40 years before when was sent in by God to rescue the children of Israel from the Egyptians. The Israelites had to wait for 430 years before God delivered them from the Egyptians. David had wait for 13 years before he became King of Israel. Abraham had to wait 25 years for the birth of his son Isaac. Noah had to wait for 120 years from the time God told him to build the ark until the time of the flood actually occurring. The apostles had to wait 10 days after Jesus had ascended before they had received the Holy Spirit in the upper room.

As you can see from these specific examples from the Bible, God likes to make us wait for some of the major chess moves He will be making in our lives.

MEMORY VERSE:

In God’s strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall (Ps. 18:29 NLT)

Church of Eternal Life Jos- Plateau state.

Preaching the gospel; elements of gospel

 TEXT:  1 COR. 15:1-22

INTRODUCTION: God gives a very solemn warning in Ezekiel 33:8 and 9. He says “if thou dost not warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thy hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.” If you profess to be a true Christian today, when was the last time you witnessed to an unsaved person? Have you ever told them what Christ has done for you and what He can likewise do for them? When was the last time you passed out a Gospel tract? It is easy for us to criticize the cultists (who erringly claim to be Christians) who knock on our doors from time to time, but could teach us something about zeal. We’re the ones who should be knocking on doors to tell the unsaved of their need of Christ as their own and personal Saviour.

ELEMENTS OF THE TRUE GOSPEL

When you preach, these are some of the most important message God expects you to communicate…..

A. CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED FOR OUR SINS….

In love God offers His Son as a “propitiation” (sacrifice) for our sins! (1 Jn.4:9-10). This is fundamental to the gospel Paul preached (1 Cor.15:1-3). It was as foretold by the Old Testament scriptures (Isa.53:4-6). Why did Jesus die for our sins? Because we are all sinners! (ROM.3:23) and the wages of sin is death! (Rom.6:23).

B. CHRIST WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD….

Raising Jesus verifies the justification offered on the cross! (Rom.4:25). This also is fundamental to the gospel Paul preached (1 Cor.15:5-8). It was also proclaimed by Peter in the first gospel sermon (Acts 2:22-32). Christ was seen by many eyewitnesses (1 Cor. 15:5-8).

C. CHRIST IS EXALTED AS KING AND SAVIOR…..

God has made Jesus ruler over the kings of the earth! (Rev.1:5). He is now both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:33-36). He is head over all things (Eph. 1:20-23). All authorities and powers are now subject to Him (1Peter 3:22).

D. CHIST IS COMING AGAIN…..

His coming will cause many to mourn, while others rejoice (REV. 1:7; 22:20), as promised when He ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9-11). Christ is coming to offer both rest and tribulation (2Thess. 1:7-10); rest to those who responded to the call of the gospel (2Thess.2:13-14) and tribulation to those who obeyed not the gospel (2Thess.1:8-9).

YOUR FIRST LOVE…. What Happened?

In Matthew Chapter 10 and verses 32 and 33, Jesus said, “Whosoever, therefore, shall confess Me before men, him shall I confess also before My Father, which is in Heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in Heaven. “Perhaps the reader of these words is a professing Christian who was once noted for their spiritual boldness in witnessing for their professed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, but today you are silent. For various reasons, known but to you, God and Devil, you’re no longer a faithful testimony to God’s love, mercy and grace expressed in His dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember what the Lord said in Revelation 2:4, “Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” HAVE YOU LOST YOUR FIRST LOVE?

Discuss: Why many Christians do not evangelize. What are the practical ways out of this?

MEMORY VERSE: 1 Corinthians 9:16.

Church of Eternal Life Jos, Plateau State.

Husband and wife; oneness in marriage

TEXT: GENESIS 2:18-25

INTRODUCTION: The union of husband and wife merges two persons in such a way that little can affect one without also affecting the other. Oneness in marriage does not mean losing your personality in the personality of the other. Instead, it means caring for your spouse as you care for yourself, learning to anticipate his or her needs, helping the other person become all he or she can be. The creation story tells of God’s plan that husband and wife should be one (Genesis 2:24), and Jesus also referred to this plan (Matthew 19:4-6). A study of the Bible pattern for the home is important. How should husband and wife treat one another? What are the duties of the husband, wife? How important are love and commitment in marriage? For what cause may spouses divorce and remarry? Who should exercise authority as head in the home? Who should provide family income and who should care for the home? How diligent should parents be in teaching and training the children? Who should care for elderly parents? God’s word gives inspired instruction to guide us to happy homes. If we are to enjoy God’s blessings in our homes, we have to know what the Bible says about God’s purpose for husbands and wives. In order to   experience matrimonial happiness, we have to live according to his plan. What instructions does God’s word provide to help us have homes that please Him and accomplish His will?     

THE ROLES OF THE HUSBAND

1. He must NEVER take wife for granted, but will honour and respect her as his equal (Read 1Pet.3:7) God commands the husband to treat his wife as an equal and grant her the highest honour! If not God says he will not answer your prayers! Selfishness is a marriage killer. For many men they think they are better than their wife simply because they are men. These men have made a serious judgment error. Husbands, tell your wife how important and valuable she is to you. Watch for the loving smile on her face when you do! The Proverbs writer said “An excellent wife, who can find? (Read Prov.31:10-12). Notice how the wise husband trusts his wife’s judgments and realizes how fortunate he is to have her.

(A) DISCUSS why many men disrespect their wives. (b) How may this be corrected? (c) Let the men in attendance at this meeting freely say what they expect their wives to do or be, to gain their respect.

2. The husband’s highest allegiance, except God, shall be his wife, not his relatives or friends (Gen.2:24)

Many husbands honour their blood family over their own wife. Such is a recipe for disaster! In-law problems are often the result of a husband who allows his mother and father to interfere in his relationship with his wife.

DISCUSS the limits the in-laws should be allowed in husband-wife affairs

3. The Husband should frequently tell his wife how important &valuable she is to him (Phil.2:3; Prov.31:10-12).

Selfishness is a marriage killer. For many men they think they are better than their wife simply because they are men. God gave women the authority to make important decision too: They are workers in and managers of the home (1Tim.5:14; Tim. 2:5). A wife’s judgment can be better than her husband’s. For example, Nabal and Abigail: 1Sam.25. Men should learn to express their appreciation to their wives.

When someone’s saying  “I love you,” he always ought to give a lot of details: Why does he love you? How much does he love you? When and where did he first begin to love you? And even though he insists it would take forever to count the ways he loves you, let him start counting.                                

 MEMORY VERSE: …..rejoice in the wife of your youth (Prov.5:18c NLT)

Church of Eternal Life Jos, Plateau state.

The World and the Church Part 2

                                                              

TEXT: Jn. 17:6-19

INTRODUCTION: God’s first requirement of Christians in this world is that they be different from those around them, observing God’s moral absolutes, practicing love, avoiding shameful license, and not losing their dignity as God’s image-bearers through any form of irresponsible self-indulgence (Rom.12:2; Eph.4:17-24; Col.3:5-11). A clean break with the world’s value-systems and life-style is called for, as a basis for practicing Christlikeness in positive terms (Eph.4:25-5:17). Christians are to involve themselves in all forms of lawful human activity, and by doing that in terms of the Christian value system and vision of life they will become salt (a preservative that makes things taste better) and light (an illumination that shows the way to go) in the human community (Matt.5:13-16). As Christians thus fulfil their vocation, Christianity becomes a transforming cultural force.  

A. IN THE BIBLE, SEPERATION USUALLY MEANS DIFFERENCE RATHER THAN DISTANCE (Read Lev.18:1-5)

In the Bible, separation usually means “Difference” rather than “Distance”. The Israelites move from one idol-infested country to another. AS God helped them form a new culture, he warned them to leave all aspects of their pagan background behind. He also warned them how easy it would be to slip into the pagan culture of Canaan, where they were going. Canaan’s society and religions appealed to worldly desires, especially sexual immorality and drunkenness. The Israelites were to keep themselves pure and set apart for God. God did not want his people absorbed into the surrounding culture and environment. Society may pressure us to conform to its way of life and thought, but yielding to that pressure will (1) create confusion as to which side we should be on and (2) eliminate our effectiveness in serving God. Follow God, and don’t let the culture around you mold your thoughts and actions.

Discuss some of the cultural practices of our day that the church should avoid. Why?      

B. SEPERATION, FOR A CHRISTIAN, MEANS STAYING CLOSE TO GOD

Separation from the world involves more than keeping our distance from sinners; it means staying close to God (see 2 Cor. 7:1-2). It involves more than avoiding entertainment that leads to sin; it extends to how we spend our time and money. There is no way to separate our self totally from all sinful influences. Nevertheless, we are to resist the sin around without either giving up or giving in.

“Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can goodness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?” (2Cor.6:14). Discuss this command from God.

C. GOD INTEND FOR US TO BE SEPARATE FROM THE WORLD AND STILL REACH OUT TO UNBELIEVERS?

1 Corinthians 5:9-11. . . When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or who are greedy or are swindlers or idol worshipers. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that What I meant was that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a Christian yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or abusive or a drunkard, or a swindler. Don’t even eat with such people.

Living in isolation from unbelievers is impractical and undesirable. God loved the world and so should we. But we must avoid becoming one in heart and spirit with the ungodly.

Comment on Mark 2:15-17

D. WHAT IS GOD’S PURPOSE OF SETTING HIS PEOPLE APART? Read Exo.19:5-6; Deut.14:2; 1 Pet. 1:1-2, 15

God wants us to have a covenant love relationship with him. To have it, we must obey him, accept Jesus Christ as Savior, and live godly lives on earth. By doing this, we set ourselves apart as being different from those who don’t know the Lord. Some people will want to know what makes us different, and we will be able to tell them about the love of god and our future with him in eternity. We must live like Christ on earth!

MEMORY VERSE: James 4:4

Church of Eternal Life Jos, Plateau state.

What the bible teaches about the world and the Church Part 1

   TEXT: EPH. 5:1-21

A. CHURCH                                                          

The word “church” is used in the New Testament to refer to the people of God who have obeyed the gospel by immersion into the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. In the New Testament the word “church” is used primarily to God’s people who have been called out (Greek : ecclesia) of the world. The church is God’s special holy nation of redeemed people whose citizenship is in heaven (Acts 20:28; Ph. 3:20-21; Tit.2:14; 1Pt. 1:18-19; 2:9). The church is made up of those on earth who have submitted to the reign of Jesus from heaven. The church is composed of those in whose hearts Jesus now reigns (Lk.17:20-21). Wherever the will of God is done on earth in the hearts of men as it is done in heaven (Mt.6:10), then the church exists. As a body filled with the Spirit of God (1Cor.6:19), the church is a vibrant community in this world to accomplish the work of God to bring men into eternity through obedience to the gospel.   

B. WORLD

World in the New Testament sometimes means what it means in the Old Testament, namely, this earth, the good natural order that God created. Usually, however, it means mankind as a whole, now fallen into sin and moral disorder and become radically anti-God and evil. Occasionally, the two senses seem to blend, so that statements about the world carry the complex touch of perverse people incurring guilt and shame by their misuse of created things.

C. THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD

Christians are sent into the world by their Lord (John 17:18) to witness to it about God’s Christ and his kingdom (Matt. 24:14; cf. Rom. 10:18; Col. 1:6,23) and to serve its needs. But they are to do so without falling victim to its materialism (Matt.6:19-24,32), its unconcern about God and the next life (Luke 12:13-21), and its prideful pursuit of pleasure, profit, and position to the exclusion of everything else (1 John 2:15-17). The world is at present Satan’s kingdom (John 14:30; 2Cor.4:4; 1John 5:19; cf. Luke 4:5-7), and the outlook and mind-set of human societies reflect more of the pride seen in Satan than the humility seen in Christ.

Christians, like Christ, are to emphasize with people’s anxieties and needs in order to serve them and communicate with them effectively. They are to do so, however, on a basis of motivational detachment from this world, through which they are momentarily passing as they travel home to God and in which their single-minded purpose must be to please God (Col. 1:9-12; 1Pet. 2:11)

Discuss: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Also discuss 1 John 2:15-17

MEMORY VERSE: Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you (1 John 2:15 NLT).

Resource by Church of Eternal Life Jos, Plateau state.

THE IMMINENT RAPTURE, BE WARNED!

Do you care for the Rapture? How often do you think about the Rapture? Or rather, are you prepared for the Rapture? Better still, do you have clear understanding of what Rapture is all about? It’s unpopular topic in churches today, and so many Christians care less about it because it’s not as sweet and motivating as prosperity, breakthrough, new things, favors, blessings and earthly success.
But Rapture is a daily expectation and thought for the wise Christians while prosperity and earthly blessings are the focus for the foolish Christians. Rapture is the catching away of the saints, which will happen within seconds and any moment from now. It’s the first event of the end time advents when the angels of God will blow the trumpets, only Christians who are waiting for it, expecting it and preparing for it will make it. The simple clarification for self-examination here is that if you are thinking, waiting, preparing or expecting prosperity, miracle or anything more than Rapture, you will not make the Rapture. Only those who earnestly, eagerly wait and prepare for His appearance more than anything else will eventually make it, just like the 5 wise virgins in Matthew 25. Rapture is a glorious event of all generations; it’s going to be splendid, wonderful and rewarding for the saints more than any event in the history of the world. But then it will leave behind grooming, dooming and destructive reign of the Anti-Christ (666) for all who miss the Rapture. Jesus Christ gave us the signs which will show that Rapture is very near, that should warn the wise to be more prepared.  

The two major signs are already present: CARE OF THIS WORLD through false preachers & GLOBAL WARMING. Read what Jesus Christ said: CARES OF THIS WORLD, “And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.” Luke 17:26, 27. “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” Matthew 24:11, 12. The cares of this world has overcome
many preachers, many churches and many Christians. It’s not just the work of the devil; it is the sign of end time. The syndrome of prosperity, breakthrough, earthly blessings, and focus on being rich, having cars, houses, big businesses, etc; the care for money, mansion, make-ups, partying, obsessing football are signs of end-time. It takes being wise to be warned. GLOBAL WARMING & CRISIS, “And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” Matthew 24:6-8. 

The global crisis, massive weapon building are not just political or matters of misunderstanding, and it’s to be naive and ignorant to see the present global warming of flooding, overheating, weather irregularities, earthquakes, etc as just scientific; but it’s a global “warning” of the eminent rapture. The physical will see it global warming, the spiritual will see it “global warning”; the ordinary will call it scientific but the wise calls it prophetic.
Are you ready and prepared for the rapture? You can become wise from here by repenting and totally
rededicating your life to Jesus. Surrender all, be a different Christian of old, biblical standard in your
family, your church, your place of work, your business, your school, everywhere. Let your primary purpose be to please God, your primary focus to make heaven and your primary expectation to be raptured. Even if you can’t remember when last your pastors preached about the Rapture
and Second Coming of Jesus, you should remember Lot’s wife. MATTHEW 24:42-44 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed
his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you
do not expect.

The Final Great Awakening

THE GREAT WHITE THRONE — The Final Judgment of the Unsaved.

We read these interesting words in ‪Revelation 20:14, 
“And DEATH AND HELL were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”

How can Hell be cast into the Lake of Fire? How can death be cast into the Lake of Fire? There are two different Greek words used here. The Lake of Fire is the Greek word Gahanna. The word “hell” in #Revelation 21:14 is the Greek word Hades. So we learn from the Bible that Hades will be cast into Gahanna. Hades is a temporary place, but Gahanna will be the eternal home of the damned.

Hell is a jail where the unsaved await trial and sentencing before being cast into the prison of the Lake of Fire. Please understand that if you are not a Believer—you are already condemned! ... “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is CONDEMNED ALREADY, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (‪#‎John 3:18)

Death is man’s great enemy! All the wealth, fame and worldly enjoyments a person may experience in this lifetime CANNOT go with them beyond the grave. Once you're dead, it’s over! It’ll be too late to live for God when your six-feet-under.

Death means SEPARATION. The first death is the SEPARATION of body from soul and spirit. This is true of the saved and of the unsaved because we must ALL experience the first death. Only the unsaved must experience the second death. If you’re a Believer, you will receive your resurrected incorruptible body at the Rapture (before the Tribulation Period); If you're NOT a Believer, then your body will be resurrected after the Millennium to stand before God at The Great White Throne of Judgment. “And the sea gave up THE DEAD which were in it; and death and hell delivered up THE DEAD which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works” (#Revelation 20:13)

There will be a reuniting of the body, soul and spirit at The Great White Throne of Judgment. Body, soul and spirit will all be cast into the Lake of Fire.

The Bible makes reference to the body being destroyed in Hell... “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy BOTH SOUL AND BODY in hell” (‪Matthew 10:28). Those in Hell will be cast into the Lake of Fire. The second death is a SEPARATION of your body, soul and spirit from God for ALL ETERNITY! How sad. If man will not accept the gift of eternal life from God, then he will receive the only other alternative—eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire. God never created mankind to be put in such a horrible place, but there is no other place for him. Hell was created for the Devil and his angels. I take it that this is a place where God never goes. The second death means eternal and absolute separation from God.

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Hell is real!

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The following article appeared in the well respected Finland newspaper, # Ammenusastia "As a communist I don’t believe in heaven or the Bible but as a scientist I now believe in hell," said
Dr. Azzacove. "Needless to say we were shocked to make such a discovery. But we know what we
saw and we know what we heard. And we are absolutely convinced that we drilled through the gates of hell!" Dr. Azzacove continued, ". . .the drill suddenly began to rotate wildly,
indicating that we had reached a large empty pocket or cavern. Temperature sensors showed a dramatic increase in heat to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit." "We lowered a microphone, designed to detect the sounds of plate movements down the shaft. But instead of plate movements we
heard a human voice screaming in pain! At first we thought the sound was coming from our own
equipment." "But when we made adjustments our worst suspicions were confirmed. The screams weren't those of a single human, they were the screams of millions of humans!"

Sin and its connections

What is sin? People call sin by various names. Some call it mistake , some call it failure, and some call it human weakness or error. Whatever name you may decide to give to sin, every Christian must know that the immediate or remote destination of act of sin is death.

Sin means disobeying God and anyone who disobeys the Almighty God is in great danger. Sin also means violations of the perfect holiness of God. Sin started with satan Isaiah 14:12-14. Sin entered the world through Adam and Eve. Sin results to spiritual death, Romans 6;23. Unrepentant sinners  will forever be separated from God. Not only will a sinner be separated from God, he  will be tormented forever in hell, - Matthew 25:46.

Sin is vain talk- Proverb 10:19; foolish thoughts - Proverbs 24:9; unbelief - Romans 14:23, all unrighteousness. 1st John 5:17. Sin against the Spirit of God is unpardonable, Isaiah 63: 10, Mark 3:29. Sin is bondage, Proverbs 5:22. Concealment of sin is vain. Genesis 3:8. The Bible enjoins us to confess all our sins to God. Leviticus 16:21.

Sickness is an agent of death. Sin leads to sickness because sin provides sickness with a very conducive atmosphere to operate in the life of the sinner. Demons are also agents of death. Any one who lives in sin is a slave of satan - Romans 6:16. Sin always connects the sinner with Satan. Poverty and hunger are agents of death. 2nd Kings 6:24-29.   Sin separates from God. Matthew 7:23. It is repugnant to God Genesis 6:6.

Conclusively, Sin facilitates sickness, demons, poverty, death and so on while holy living facilitates healthy living, freedom, long life e.t.c. Are you still connected with sin? Pray that the blood of Christ will cleanse all your sins and break every power of sin ruling in your life.

The RCCG Sunday School

Searching scriptures;diligent search

            

TEXT: 2 TIMOTHY 3:10-17

INTRODUCTION

There are many passages in God’s word that emphasize the importance of our studying the scriptures. Among them are these: “Search the scriptures.” John 5:39. “Study to show thyself approved unto God.”  2 Tim. 2:15. “Giving all diligence, add to your faith . . . knowledge.” 2 Peter 1:15. Why has God given us these commands to study? Since God never commands man   to do anything that is not for his own good, must be value in our studying the scripture or God would not have commanded it.

A. SCRIPTURES

“All scriptures is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). We see first that we should study the scriptures because they are inspired of God. The word scripture, or scriptures, is used in specific sense to refer to those books written by the direction of God. If the Bible were the work of mere mortals, it would not matter whether you studied it or not. It might help you, but studying it would be left to your own discretion. The Bible, however, is not the word of man but is inspired of God. (Carefully read 2 Peter 1:21). Since the Bible is the word and work of God, and since it contains commands from Him to study, we must give diligence to do so. If the God of heaven spoke to us directly would we not give heed? Why then should we fail to study His written word?

“All Scripture Is Profitable”. There is in the scripture something that is profitable to us. When we have an opportunity to make a profit in a business venture, we seldom, if ever let the opportunity pass by. In the scripture we have opportunity upon opportunity to profit spiritually, yet we let the opportunities slip by. Remember opportunity means responsibility. Someday we must give an account to God as to why we let the opportunity pass us by.  

The Scripture is Profitable for Doctrine Or Teaching. The person who is seeking can find the true doctrine of God. Instead of going to the Bible to prove a certain doctrine, we need to study the scripture to learn the doctrines that God would have us believe.

 The scriptures then become our only standard of faith and practice.  

“If any man speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.” 1 Peter 4:11. Discuss this scripture. How is it possible?

It is only then through Careful and Constant Bible Study that we can be assured of remaining in doctrine. If we are not to be “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine,” we must search the scriptures. A knowledge of the Bible will protect us from false teachers. Any Christian or congregation that depends entirely on the preacher to “spoon feed” them the doctrine of Christ is liable to the deception of men and to false teachers who would make merchandise of them (Carefully read 2 Peter 2:1-3).

Scripture is Profitable for Reproof. We need to study that the mistakes and wrongs in our lives may be reproved. Regardless of how loud the cry may be for “positive” sermons, reproof is still a part of God’s way of making men fit for heaven. Timothy was told to “reprove, rebuke.” 2 Tim. 4:2. One cannot read many verses in God’s word without receiving a rebuke for his manner of living or thinking. Perhaps this is why some do not enjoy searching the scriptures.

DISCUSS why many believers do not diligently study the Scriptures today. What are the implications?

MEMORY VERSE: Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89)