TheGodkindChurch

1. In service to God or in the service of God, your creativity is subject to God's instruction. God blesses his own plan and purpose not your creativity. Your execution must never spotlight your ingenuity in delivery, rather the focus must remain on the task. The Lord says preach the gospel, that is the instruction. Your mode of delivery is not as important as your delivery. Most will preach it in its traditional form like Jesus and the apostles handed down to us. Others will employ other means such as music and drama etc. While it is not sinful to use music and drama, the creativity becomes useless if these means does not preach the gospel as in the traditional method. Where God in instruction gives methodology, fidelity to God would not just be in the delivery of the assigned task, but also measured in methodology he gives. Amalek was under God's judgement and to this end should be destroyed. Saul and the people got creative, they thought they could worship God with items He has condemned to destruction. No, it does not work that way! 2 Samuel 6:1-11, 2. The object of your service is God not the people. Your service to the people is measured by your fidelity to God's word that entrusted you with the people in the first place. You cannot love people more than God to whom the people belong. Who sent Saul on a mission? God. Who does Saul owe accountability to? God. But Saul showed fidelity toward the people, hearkening to their voice in flagrant disobedience and rebellion to God. In this world, sovereignty belong to people. But in the kingdom of God, sovereignty belongs to God. Power of leadership derives from him not the people. Exodus 32:21-23 And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them? And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief. For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. 3. Definition of terms belongs to God. His definition must guide your operations. What is sin to God must be sin to you, abomination to God must be abomination to you. What is holy to God must be holy to you. 1 Samuel 15:9, 15 & 18-19 Saul's definition 1 Samuel 15:9 But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. 15 And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed. God's definition 1 Samuel 15:18-19 And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD? 4. With God,the end does not justify the means. Rather the end is validated by the means. In sacrifice, Saul probably considered all the spared animals will die after all but the good ones by his definition should die in worship and the word of God ultimately fulfilled. God's method is to achieve his will using his preferred modus. 2 Timothy 2:3-5 Thou therefore endure hardness , as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. If the Bible has said, by the works of the flesh no one will be justified, going about to establish your own righteousness with good deeds will mean nothing before God. Galatians 2:16, 21 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Philippians 3:4-9 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.mBut what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 5. You cannot gain by sacrifice what you lose by disobedience. Saul, having been found in rebellion and confronted with his sin thought he could simply rectify the error by sacrifice and all things return to normal. He was mistaken. This last episode was the last straw that broke the Carmel's back. Meanwhile, his heart was not right about the sacrifice, it was not in repentance, it was to save him some honour before his people. 1 Samuel 15:22-23 And Samuel said , Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 6. To offer your sacrifice in obedience is better than offering sacrifice for disobedience. 7. God is long suffering but His long suffering can be eroded. 2 Peter 3:9, 15 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; This longsuffering is salvation for the unbelieving. However, there comes a time when the longsuffering lapse. Failure to accept the outstretched arm of fellowship from God would lead to judgement. Judgement of the ungodly. Amorites example, Genesis 15:13-16 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. Judgement of the man in Christ. The Church at Corinth, 1 Corinthians 11:27-32 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 8. Disobedience of God's word is rebellion, total rejection of God. 1 Samuel 15:22-23 And Samuel said , Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. Samuel earlier told them, disobedience is rebellion. 1 Samuel 12:14-15 If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God: But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers. Caleb and Joshua told Israel the same. Numbers 14:6-9 And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not. Moses said the same. Deuteronomy 9:7, 24 Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD. 24 Ye have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you. 9. Repentance cannot take place without godly sorrow. One major sign post of repentance is godly sorrow, when you're gutted for your actions and terribly sorry you acted in indiscretion, in disobedience to God. Just like rebellion and every evil that man does originates in the heart, godly sorrow also takes place in the heart. Matthew 12:33-35 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. Matthew 15:17-20 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. When God would execute his work of redemption, he target the heart for regeneration. 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Godly sorrow leads to repentance and leaves no regret. 2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. After denying for a while, Saul admitted his sin but wanted the worship to proceed to cover his honour before the people. He cared more about his public image than a right heart before God. 1 Samuel 15:30 Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God. This is just as Esau who sort his father's blessing with tears from an unrepentant heart. Genesis 27:30-41, Hebrews 12:16-17 Hebrews 12:16-17 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. But compare the man David, who was confronted with his sin and immediately admitted guilt and repented. 2 Samuel 12:11-14 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. 10. Supernatural guidance or spiritual instruction trumps intelligent but independent thinking. Saul's creative thinking to take what he considered good in the land of the Amalek and sacrifice them to God was ruinous eventually de-institutionalized him and his family as king in Israel because it was a flagrant contravention of God's order. 1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. Your idea may be naturally desirable, logical and by every matrix of human ingenuity beneficial but it is not what the Lord commanded - that is enough to shed it. Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

In the Spirit of Faith As you well know, you belong to the kingdom of God through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This means that you have been removed from your association with darkness, being an enemy of God in your mind and in action by wicked works and reconciled to God. Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22, Ephesians 2:1-3, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 While waiting for the full disclosure of the kingdom, we continue as men but livings as those who do not belong in this world. Philippians 3:20, 1 Peter 2:9-12, Hebrews 11:8-16, 1 Peter 1:1. Israel was an early example of a people separated unto God. Acts 13:17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers , and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt , and with an high arm brought he them out of it. We were sometime strangers to God and friend with the world, Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ , being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel , and strangers from the covenants of promise , having no hope , and without God in the world: but now, people of God and stranger to the world. Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners , but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God. Eternal life given to us in Christ qualifies us for God's kingdom and it's reality. 1 John 5:11 Eternal life is God's life (life that God has in him) given to us. John 5:19-29 (v19, 21, 24, 26), John 6:37-40, 44-58 This life is the vitality of existence. It is life, only life, without time limit and without death. 1 Tim 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen That this God life is eternal is natural. 1 Timothy 6:15-16, Psalm 90:2, 145:13, Jeremiah 10:10a, Daniel 2;44, 7:14 How does he communicate life to dead people? By putting his Spirit in them by the word. John 6:63, Romans 8:8-16, 1 Corinthians 15:45, 2 Corinthians 3:6, 1 Peter 3:18 The Father does it by his word. Romans 4:17, John 6:68, 12:49-50, 1 Corinthians 2:9-14, James 1:18, 1 Peter 1:23 Even under the law, life was given by the word. Deuteronomy 32:47, Psalm 19:7-10, 119:50,93,130. God's kingdom functions by words, instruction. In creating the seen and unseen world, He spoke words calling the things that be not as though they were. Romans 4:17 The is no chance that God's word can fail. Luke 1:37 Psalm 33:9 (Psalm 33:6, 145:5-6, 119:90-91, Hebrews 1:3, For he spake , and it was done; he commanded , and it stood fast. Luke 1:37, 18:27, Genesis 18:14 Numbers 11:23 Jeremiah 32:17. 27 His word can never fail. Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. How do we bring this God reality into our space, earthly environment? First, we must know the earth belongs to us. Psalm 115:16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. In fact, the Lord willed the earth to Abraham and his seeds. Romans 4:13 (Genesis 12:3, 17:4,5,16, 22:17-18, 28:14) For the promise , that he should be the heir of the world , was not to Abraham , or to his seed , through the law , but through the righteousness of faith. We believers of Jesus are the seed of Abraham. Galatians 3:26-29 Not only this, God gave us all things that pertain to life and godliness. In this glory we are given liberty to be partakers of the divine nature. 2 Peter1:2-4 The currency of the kingdom of God is faith and in bringing its reality to our present space, we must deploy it. Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is , and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Ephesians 2:4-10, This faith is communicated to us when we receive God's word. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing , and hearing by the word of God. Those who lived in time past framed their times and years to come by their words through faith. Out of nothing and stark impossibility, they created their reality. Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. When God is working in our space, He uses words spoken by Him or by men on His behalf. Ezekiel 37:1-14 Abraham - Gen 22:1-19 David - 1 Sam 17:1-51 Woman healed of the issue of blood - Mark 5:25-34 (Matt 9:20-22) The centurion - Matt 8:5-13 Jesus and the fig tree - Mark 11:12-14, 20-24 This is the manner in which the people of eternal life operate. 2 Cor 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Heb 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

In this lesson, we examine the apostolic instruction of Romans 12:11 "Not slothful in business; fervent in Spirit; serving the Lord". It will fire the zeal and urgency of your service to the Lord. Amen.

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; Every believer owe the Lord Jesus the duty of knowing the gospel sufficiently to make a defense for it scripturally, yet intelligently. The purpose of this lesson and others to follow is to equip the man in Christ with biblical explanation for the exclusive devotion to the Holy Bible in defense of the gospel of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. The Lord taught the gospel out of the Holy Scripture, the apostles gave evidence of the Lord's resurrection from the Holy Scriptures. It is safe to conclude that the Bible remains the dependable official account of God on what He is doing in this world and must remain our go to evidence book to explain the kingdom of our God. Grace.

The Voice of People When Civilization is Subject to the (Mis)rule of the Majority The governance system of this world vary from nation to nation and time throughout history. Many nations started out with hereditary autocratic/absolute monarchy in their early history. Where these rulers had privy councils, they were mostly a group that advices the ruler on policy and in so many cases nothing beyond. Today, absolute monarchies have faded in most part of the world, mostly giving way to representative democracy. Some jurisdiction still have the vestige of their monarchial system but greatly curtailed, only having ceremonial role in government. Representative democracy in its various shades is a system of government in which the power of state is vested in a person or group of persons by majority of the voting public to represent their interest. In other words, the people elect their preferred leaders to represent their interest. While it is usual to have divergent views on matters, all views cannot be executed simultaneously necessitating the supremacy of the majority. So, all democracies in its ordinary sense are a rule of the majority. The question now is, can the majority be right always? Certainly no! The implication of this is grave, the entire nation is surrendered to the (mis)rule of the majority every time they are wrong. There are biblical evidences for this in scripture throughout all ages, that people, the majority don't always make the best decision and in the most vital issues of life, the wisdom of the majority cannot be trusted. 1. The Majority of Noah's Era Genesis 6:1-12 offers an example of the large scale depravity on the scale of an entire civilization. The Bible says the thought of men's heart was evil continually, and that involved everyone. Genesis 6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:11-12 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. So, God instructed Noah to build an ark because a flood would come upon the earth in judgement and every life, man and animal not found in the ark will perish. The entire civilization that was about 1600 years old with mammoth population was at risk. Noah preached for 100 years warning people to escape the coming judgement by coming into his ark, but no one heeded his call except 8 people who were all members of his family including himself. Genesis 7:13-16 In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife , and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark; They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort. And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life. And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in. An entire civilization bet against God to their destruction. Flood came, it rained forty days and nights to flood the entire planet and the water remained for 150 days ensuring every living thing drowned. Genesis 7:21-24 And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died. And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days. 2. The Majority of the Days of Babel In Genesis 11:1-4, we see a large scale mass of people coming together to decide on an important matter, to build a city and a tower whose top reaches the heavens, that is, a temple that grants them a seat in the heavens, abode of the gods. Genesis 11:1-4 And the whole earth was of one language , and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone , and slime had they for mortar. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. This was a conspiratory operation of the majority, the gravity of which necessitated God's judgement, confounding the language leading to a scatter and an abandonment. Genesis 11:5-9 And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. 3. The Majority of Sodom and Gomorrah Another example we find in Genesis 18, in the story of Sodom and Gomorhha. It would be fair to say here the majority was an absolute one. Everyone in Sodom and adjoining cities had corrupted their ways. Genesis 18:20-21 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. God gave them the benefit of the doubt, visiting Sodom on a fact finding mission as though he could not have found out from heaven. But the men of the city were going to rape the angels of God, even ignoring Lot's offer of his two virgin daughters. Can you find depravity of a greater sort elsewhere? A whole culture in the firm grip of Satan! Genesis 19:4-10 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof. And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door. Homosexual lifestyle is symptomatic of the depravity of this land and it attracted judgement of God. This is another indiscretion of the majority. Genesis 19:24-25 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. 4. The People's Perception of John the Baptist and Jesus If John did no miracle, had no validation from the religious elite, and his work did not set him apart, it would be okay for any one to have a twisted opinion of him. But John was born to a ministering priest who prophesied his son's ministry. They accepted him in his early days, attended his meetings and baptism, only to turn on him later accusing him of having a devil, the same man Jesus called the greatest of all born of women outside the kingdom era. Jesus, on the other hand was not a recluse like John, he went out from city to city, house to house, preaching. Every event he was invited to, he went using the opportunity to reach the lost with miracles, signs and wonders. But he got the label glutton, drunk and friend of sinners. The Saviour of the world now labelled by the world a glutton, drunk and friend of sinners. Matthew 11:18-19 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. 5. The Majority Rule at the Arrest of Jesus The religious elite with a large crowd came to arrest Jesus just because they did not like his opinion on issues relating to God and how he is worshipped. Conniving with one of the Lord's apostle, they arranged his arrest. The large crowd notwithstanding, confers no greater validity. In fact, Jesus called their operation to arrest him the work of darkness. Luke 22:52-53 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. 6. The Majority Opinion at the Trial of Jesus The verdict at the trial of Jesus was predicated not on law and justice but on the sentiments of religious elite and a mob. Jesus was delivered to the will of the people who will have him crucified on trump up charges and have Barabbas who was arrested on sedition and murder charges released in his place. But thanks be to God the will of God was achieved by the lawlessness of the people. Luke 23:18-24 And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas : (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.) Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go. And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will. In fact, in Matthew's account, Pilate withdrew from the case, delivering Jesus to the will of the people who took full responsibility for Jesus' crucifixion on themselves, their children and generations unborn. Matthew 27:24-25 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. What should you take away from this? 1. People do not know what truth is unless they are taught, correctly so by those who are the custodian of knowledge. And many civilization have a fair knowledge of some portion of history. However, the version of history authorized by God as accurate and consistent with what God has been doing in history is the Hebraic account. Romans 3:2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. 2. The people are a tool of certain selfish leaders who uses them as pun for their own gain. Moses pointed finger at the giants of Noah's era as the arrowhead of the depravity of that time. Babel was championed by Nimrod, the conspiracy against David was led by his son Absalom, the religious elite in the days of the Lord, the Pharisees and Saducees were responsible for the conspiracy and rebellion that led to the Lord's death. 3. While popular actions can be traced to a few persons who champions the cause, they are usually inspired, sponsored and facilitated by dark spiritual forces. In other words, popular human activities are the work of behind the scenes acts of dark forces. Luke 22:52-53 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. John 14:30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. For the most part, the masses may not realize the popular action they are participating in is part of an operation of darkness. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. Ephesians 6:10-18 (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Daniel 10:12-13,20 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. 20Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. 2 Chronicles 18:19-22 And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner. Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the LORD said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so. Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee. 4. The work of Satan is to ultimately destroy lives, ensuring they have no opportunity to entertain the gospel of Jesus Christ. Satan has had great success of devastating proportion under a cover cloak of populism but to people's destruction. The depravity of Noah's era became common place and normal. It was the same with Babel, Sodom and Gomorrah and others that people could not recognize the truth to their own destruction. John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 5. In God's judgement of the nations, people will severally and individually be responsible for their actions notwithstanding Satan's deceptive work among men.

To Obey is Better than Sacrifice 1 Samuel 15:22 KJV And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to hearken than the fat of rams.

Delivered from the Fear of Judgement God, being the unquestionable supreme Lord of the heavens and earth has jurisdiction over the world as indeed all creation and inherent power to seat as judge over it. This power he naturally acquired since he created all of it by his power. This also presupposes that prior to judgement and its execution, he must have set boundaries of interaction among the member species that inhabit creation. This is in exercise of his legislative powers as creator who determines the purpose of his creation and defines their limits. The Bible teaches and we believe that God created the world and everything in it. Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Psalms 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people , and the sheep of his pasture. Not only is God (the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ) the creator, this role confers on him legislative power to guide its operations. The clearest demonstration of this power is in Genesis 2:15-17 where God commanded the limit of mankind, restricting access to the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Psalm 115:15-16 Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth. The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. Deuteronomy 32:7-8 Remember the days of old , consider the years of many generations : ask thy father , and he will shew thee; thy elders , and they will tell thee. When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. Daniel 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. Acts 17:24-28 The God role also gives him exclusive judicial power to judge those who contravene his set order perfectly complementing his legislative power. The one who has power to create must possess power to set boundaries and punish contraventions. Don't you think so? These powers of the invisible Most High God is manifestly seen in his Son Jesus Christ. Whether it be the creative power, legislative or judicial, all is visible only in the Son of God. Creative power - John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:15-19, Hebrews 1:1-3, 10 Legislative power - Judicial power - John 5:21-30, Acts 10:42, 17:31, Romans 2:12&16, 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, Hebrews 12:23 2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God , and the Lord Jesus Christ , who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, The focus of this lesson is the exercise of God's judicial power, to judge at a set date in the very near future those who broke his will. This power to judge exercised in his Son who has made an appearance, the first time not to judge the world but to save it from God's righteous judgement - John 3:17, 12:44-50, Luke 9:56, but will appear a second time, this time to bring judgement on disbelievers. 2 Thessalonians 1:5-9 This righteous judgement has been announced. We know what it is. Death! Death is the wages of sin. Sin is contravention of God's set order. The soul that sin shall die! Apart from the knowledge of this offered in religion, that people die is the most significant indication of judgement. Natural death (a state in which the breathe of God is taken from man and ceases to be a living being) is a pointer to eternal death, a state of perpetual separation from God without any hope of redemption. People who die naturally on earth and does not have their names written in (or rather their names are blotted out of) the Son of God's book of life, will be subject to second death. Why would their names be blotted out of the Lamb's book of life? Because they did not do the Father's will. What is the Father's will? To believe in His Son, Jesus Christ whom he sent. John 6:28-29 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. This offer of salvation by Jesus Christ grants eternal life to those who believes but the offer itself as I often say is not eternal. The offer lapse some day. He offers everyone a certain shot at eternal life not needing any effort from the recipient other than to believe the message he brought, that if you repent turning away from satan and darkness towards the Lord to put your trust in Jesus the Son of God, whom is approved of God through His death, burial and especially resurrection, he will give you His Holy Spirit, a foolproof your inadequacies are forgiven, and in fact, taken away, leaving you with power to lead life under the will of God. If you subscribe to this message, you are born again and saved from the judgement of the ungodly to come. Jesus is the one authorized by God the Father to execute this judgment on the world. It would however profit you to know that there are precedents of God's judgement on global, national, city and personal scale. The global flood of Noah's era. Genesis 6-8, Hebrews 11:7, 2 Peter 2:4-5 The destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha. Genesis 18:16-33, 19:1-29, 2 Peter 2:6-8 The destruction of Ninevah. Jonah 1:1-3, 3:1-4, 5-10 ( Ninevah repented), 4:1-4, Nahum 2:8, 3:7, Zechariah 2:13 The death of Belshazzar. Daniel 5:1-30 While the world ought to panic at the severity of what is to come and justifiably so as the Bible teaches us (Romans 2:4-5, we as believers have confidence in the day of judgement because there is nothing to worry about. Of course, the judge is ours, he is for us and we are for him. He paid the price of our redemption and we believe him. Hebrews 9:27-28, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16, 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 1 John 3:2. Hebrews 9:27-28 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. This confidence is unique to Christianity. There is no other way in this world that offers the certainty of your status in the afterlife. For others, you will have to wait till then to find out. What if you realize at the gate of eternity that you were wrong? Can you retrace your steps? You confine yourself to an eternal future in hell for refusing the goodness of God that cost you nothing! For the unbelieving, as long as you have life, the choice is yours. Unfortunately, we are not able to determine how long we live. So, every day of indecision is a risk you are willing to take on your eternity. Too much of a risk I would say though. For those of us in Christ, our heart of full of thankfulness to God for his indescribable gift.

Delivered from the Fear of Judgement God, being the unquestionable supreme Lord of the heavens and earth has jurisdiction over the world as indeed all creation and inherent power to seat as judge over it. This power he naturally acquired since he created all of it by his power. This also presupposes that prior to judgement and its execution, he must have set boundaries of interaction among the member species that inhabit creation. This is in exercise of his legislative powers as creator who determines the purpose of his creation and defines their limits. The Bible teaches and we believe that God created the world and everything in it. Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Psalms 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people , and the sheep of his pasture. Not only is God (the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ) the creator, this role confers on him legislative power to guide its operations. The clearest demonstration of this power is in Genesis 2:15-17 where God commanded the limit of mankind, restricting access to the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Psalm 115:15-16 Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth. The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. Deuteronomy 32:7-8 Remember the days of old , consider the years of many generations : ask thy father , and he will shew thee; thy elders , and they will tell thee. When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. Daniel 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. Acts 17:24-28 The God role also gives him exclusive judicial power to judge those who contravene his set order perfectly complementing his legislative power. The one who has power to create must possess power to set boundaries and punish contraventions. Don't you think so? These powers of the invisible Most High God is manifestly seen in his Son Jesus Christ. Whether it be the creative power, legislative or judicial, all is visible only in the Son of God. Creative power - John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:15-19, Hebrews 1:1-3, 10 Legislative power - Judicial power - John 5:21-30, Acts 10:42, 17:31, Romans 2:12&16, 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, Hebrews 12:23 2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God , and the Lord Jesus Christ , who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, The focus of this lesson is the exercise of God's judicial power, to judge at a set date in the very near future those who broke his will. This power to judge exercised in his Son who has made an appearance, the first time not to judge the world but to save it from God's righteous judgement - John 3:17, 12:44-50, Luke 9:56, but will appear a second time, this time to bring judgement on disbelievers. 2 Thessalonians 1:5-9 This righteous judgement has been announced. We know what it is. Death! Death is the wages of sin. Sin is contravention of God's set order. The soul that sin shall die! Apart from the knowledge of this offered in religion, that people die is the most significant indication of judgement. Natural death (a state in which the breathe of God is taken from man and ceases to be a living being) is a pointer to eternal death, a state of perpetual separation from God without any hope of redemption. People who die naturally on earth and does not have their names written in (or rather their names are blotted out of) the Son of God's book of life, will be subject to second death. Why would their names be blotted out of the Lamb's book of life? Because they did not do the Father's will. What is the Father's will? To believe in His Son, Jesus Christ whom he sent. John 6:28-29 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. This offer of salvation by Jesus Christ grants eternal life to those who believes but the offer itself as I often say is not eternal. The offer lapse some day. He offers everyone a certain shot at eternal life not needing any effort from the recipient other than to believe the message he brought, that if you repent turning away from satan and darkness towards the Lord to put your trust in Jesus the Son of God, whom is approved of God through His death, burial and especially resurrection, he will give you His Holy Spirit, a foolproof your inadequacies are forgiven, and in fact, taken away, leaving you with power to lead life under the will of God. If you subscribe to this message, you are born again and saved from the judgement of the ungodly to come. Jesus is the one authorized by God the Father to execute this judgment on the world. It would however profit you to know that there are precedents of God's judgement on global, national, city and personal scale. The global flood of Noah's era. Genesis 6-8, Hebrews 11:7, 2 Peter 2:4-5 The destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha. Genesis 18:16-33, 19:1-29, 2 Peter 2:6-8 The destruction of Ninevah. Jonah 1:1-3, 3:1-4, 5-10 ( Ninevah repented), 4:1-4, Nahum 2:8, 3:7, Zechariah 2:13 The death of Belshazzar. Daniel 5:1-30 While the world ought to panic at the severity of what is to come and justifiably so as the Bible teaches us (Romans 2:4-5, we as believers have confidence in the day of judgement because there is nothing to worry about. Of course, the judge is ours, he is for us and we are for him. He paid the price of our redemption and we believe him. Hebrews 9:27-28, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16, 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 1 John 3:2. Hebrews 9:27-28 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. This confidence is unique to Christianity. There is no other way in this world that offers the certainty of your status in the afterlife. For others, you will have to wait till then to find out. What if you realize at the gate of eternity that you were wrong? Can you retrace your steps? You confine yourself to an eternal future in hell for refusing the goodness of God that cost you nothing! For the unbelieving, as long as you have life, the choice is yours. Unfortunately, we are not able to determine how long we live. So, every day of indecision is a risk you are willing to take on your eternity. Too much of a risk I would say though. For those of us in Christ, our heart of full of thankfulness to God for his indescribable gift.

Delivered from the Fear of Judgement God, being the unquestionable supreme Lord of the heavens and earth has jurisdiction over the world as indeed all creation and inherent power to seat as judge over it. This power he naturally acquired since he created all of it by his power. This also presupposes that prior to judgement and its execution, he must have set boundaries of interaction among the member species that inhabit creation. This is in exercise of his legislative powers as creator who determines the purpose of his creation and defines their limits. The Bible teaches and we believe that God created the world and everything in it. Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Psalms 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people , and the sheep of his pasture. Not only is God (the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ) the creator, this role confers on him legislative power to guide its operations. The clearest demonstration of this power is in Genesis 2:15-17 where God commanded the limit of mankind, restricting access to the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Psalm 115:15-16 Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth. The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. Deuteronomy 32:7-8 Remember the days of old , consider the years of many generations : ask thy father , and he will shew thee; thy elders , and they will tell thee. When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. Daniel 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. Acts 17:24-28 The God role also gives him exclusive judicial power to judge those who contravene his set order perfectly complementing his legislative power. The one who has power to create must possess power to set boundaries and punish contraventions. Don't you think so? These powers of the invisible Most High God is manifestly seen in his Son Jesus Christ. Whether it be the creative power, legislative or judicial, all is visible only in the Son of God. Creative power - John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:15-19, Hebrews 1:1-3, 10 Legislative power - Judicial power - John 5:21-30, Acts 10:42, 17:31, Romans 2:12&16, 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, Hebrews 12:23 2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God , and the Lord Jesus Christ , who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, The focus of this lesson is the exercise of God's judicial power, to judge at a set date in the very near future those who broke his will. This power to judge exercised in his Son who has made an appearance, the first time not to judge the world but to save it from God's righteous judgement - John 3:17, 12:44-50, Luke 9:56, but will appear a second time, this time to bring judgement on disbelievers. 2 Thessalonians 1:5-9 This righteous judgement has been announced. We know what it is. Death! Death is the wages of sin. Sin is contravention of God's set order. The soul that sin shall die! Apart from the knowledge of this offered in religion, that people die is the most significant indication of judgement. Natural death (a state in which the breathe of God is taken from man and ceases to be a living being) is a pointer to eternal death, a state of perpetual separation from God without any hope of redemption. People who die naturally on earth and does not have their names written in (or rather their names are blotted out of) the Son of God's book of life, will be subject to second death. Why would their names be blotted out of the Lamb's book of life? Because they did not do the Father's will. What is the Father's will? To believe in His Son, Jesus Christ whom he sent. John 6:28-29 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. This offer of salvation by Jesus Christ grants eternal life to those who believes but the offer itself as I often say is not eternal. The offer lapse some day. He offers everyone a certain shot at eternal life not needing any effort from the recipient other than to believe the message he brought, that if you repent turning away from satan and darkness towards the Lord to put your trust in Jesus the Son of God, whom is approved of God through His death, burial and especially resurrection, he will give you His Holy Spirit, a foolproof your inadequacies are forgiven, and in fact, taken away, leaving you with power to lead life under the will of God. If you subscribe to this message, you are born again and saved from the judgement of the ungodly to come. Jesus is the one authorized by God the Father to execute this judgment on the world. It would however profit you to know that there are precedents of God's judgement on global, national, city and personal scale. The global flood of Noah's era. Genesis 6-8, Hebrews 11:7, 2 Peter 2:4-5 The destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha. Genesis 18:16-33, 19:1-29, 2 Peter 2:6-8 The destruction of Ninevah. Jonah 1:1-3, 3:1-4, 5-10 ( Ninevah repented), 4:1-4, Nahum 2:8, 3:7, Zechariah 2:13 The death of Belshazzar. Daniel 5:1-30 While the world ought to panic at the severity of what is to come and justifiably so as the Bible teaches us (Romans 2:4-5, we as believers have confidence in the day of judgement because there is nothing to worry about. Of course, the judge is ours, he is for us and we are for him. He paid the price of our redemption and we believe him. Hebrews 9:27-28, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16, 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 1 John 3:2. Hebrews 9:27-28 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. This confidence is unique to Christianity. There is no other way in this world that offers the certainty of your status in the afterlife. For others, you will have to wait till then to find out. What if you realize at the gate of eternity that you were wrong? Can you retrace your steps? You confine yourself to an eternal future in hell for refusing the goodness of God that cost you nothing! For the unbelieving, as long as you have life, the choice is yours. Unfortunately, we are not able to determine how long we live. So, every day of indecision is a risk you are willing to take on your eternity. Too much of a risk I would say though. For those of us in Christ, our heart of full of thankfulness to God for his indescribable gift.

In the Spirit of Faith As you well know, you belong to the kingdom of God through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This means that you have been removed from your association with darkness, being an enemy of God in your mind and in action by wicked works and reconciled to God. Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22, Ephesians 2:1-3, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 While waiting for the full disclosure of the kingdom, we continue as men but livings as those who do not belong in this world. Philippians 3:20, 1 Peter 2:9-12, Hebrews 11:8-16, 1 Peter 1:1. Israel was an early example of a people separated unto God. Acts 13:17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers , and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt , and with an high arm brought he them out of it. We were sometime strangers to God and friend with the world, Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ , being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel , and strangers from the covenants of promise , having no hope , and without God in the world: but now, people of God and stranger to the world. Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners , but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God. Eternal life given to us in Christ qualifies us for God's kingdom and it's reality. 1 John 5:11 Eternal life is God's life (life that God has in him) given to us. John 5:19-29 (v19, 21, 24, 26), John 6:37-40, 44-58 This life is the vitality of existence. It is life, only life, without time limit and without death. 1 Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen That this God life is eternal is natural. 1 Timothy 6:15-16, Psalm 90:2, 145:13, Jeremiah 10:10a, Daniel 2;44, 7:14 How does he communicate life to dead people? By putting his Spirit in them by the word. John 6:63, Romans 8:8-16, 1 Corinthians 15:45, 2 Corinthians 3:6, 1 Peter 3:18 The Father does it by his word. Romans 4:17, John 6:68, 12:49-50, 1 Corinthians 2:9-14, James 1:18, 1 Peter 1:23 Even under the law, life was given by the word. Deuteronomy 32:47, Psalm 19:7-10, 119:50,93,130. God's kingdom functions by words, instruction. In creating the seen and unseen world, He spoke words calling the things that be not as though they were. Romans 4:17 The is no chance that God's word can fail. Luke 1:37 Psalm 33:9 (Psalm 33:6, 145:5-6, 119:90-91, Hebrews 1:3, For he spake , and it was done; he commanded , and it stood fast. Luke 1:37, 18:27, Genesis 18:14 Numbers 11:23 Jeremiah 32:17. 27 His word can never fail. Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. How do we bring this God reality into our space, earthly environment? First, we must know the earth belongs to us. Psalm 115:16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. In fact, the Lord willed the earth to Abraham and his seeds. Romans 4:13 (Genesis 12:3, 17:4,5,16, 22:17-18, 28:14) For the promise , that he should be the heir of the world , was not to Abraham , or to his seed , through the law , but through the righteousness of faith. We believers of Jesus are the seed of Abraham. Galatians 3:26-29 Not only this, God gave us all things that pertain to life and godliness. In this glory we are given liberty to be partakers of the divine nature. 2 Peter1:2-4 The currency of the kingdom of God is faith and in bringing its reality to our present space, we must deploy it. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is , and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Ephesians 2:4-10, This faith is communicated to us when we receive God's word. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing , and hearing by the word of God. Those who lived in time past framed their times and years to come by their words through faith. Out of nothing and stark impossibility, they created their reality. Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. When God is working in our space, He uses words spoken by Him or by men on His behalf. Ezekiel 37:1-14 Abraham - Genesis 22:1-19 David - 1 Samuel 17:1-51 Woman healed of the issue of blood - Mark 5:25-34 (Matthew 9:20-22) The centurion - Matthew 8:5-13 Jesus and the fig tree - Mark 11:12-14, 20-24 This is the manner in which the people of eternal life operate. 2 Corinthians 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

In the Spirit of Faith As you well know, you belong to the kingdom of God through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This means that you have been removed from your association with darkness, being an enemy of God in your mind and in action by wicked works and reconciled to God. Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22, Ephesians 2:1-3, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 While waiting for the full disclosure of the kingdom, we continue as men but livings as those who do not belong in this world. Philippians 3:20, 1 Peter 2:9-12, Hebrews 11:8-16, 1 Peter 1:1. Israel was an early example of a people separated unto God. Acts 13:17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers , and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt , and with an high arm brought he them out of it. We were sometime strangers to God and friend with the world, Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ , being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel , and strangers from the covenants of promise , having no hope , and without God in the world: but now, people of God and stranger to the world. Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners , but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God. Eternal life given to us in Christ qualifies us for God's kingdom and it's reality. 1 John 5:11 Eternal life is God's life (life that God has in him) given to us. John 5:19-29 (v19, 21, 24, 26), John 6:37-40, 44-58 This life is the vitality of existence. It is life, only life, without time limit and without death. 1 Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen That this God life is eternal is natural. 1 Timothy 6:15-16, Psalm 90:2, 145:13, Jeremiah 10:10a, Daniel 2;44, 7:14 How does he communicate life to dead people? By putting his Spirit in them by the word. John 6:63, Romans 8:8-16, 1 Corinthians 15:45, 2 Corinthians 3:6, 1 Peter 3:18 The Father does it by his word. Romans 4:17, John 6:68, 12:49-50, 1 Corinthians 2:9-14, James 1:18, 1 Peter 1:23 Even under the law, life was given by the word. Deuteronomy 32:47, Psalm 19:7-10, 119:50,93,130. God's kingdom functions by words, instruction. In creating the seen and unseen world, He spoke words calling the things that be not as though they were. Romans 4:17 The is no chance that God's word can fail. Luke 1:37 Psalm 33:9 (Psalm 33:6, 145:5-6, 119:90-91, Hebrews 1:3, For he spake , and it was done; he commanded , and it stood fast. Luke 1:37, 18:27, Genesis 18:14 Numbers 11:23 Jeremiah 32:17. 27 His word can never fail. Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. How do we bring this God reality into our space, earthly environment? First, we must know the earth belongs to us. Psalm 115:16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. In fact, the Lord willed the earth to Abraham and his seeds. Romans 4:13 (Genesis 12:3, 17:4,5,16, 22:17-18, 28:14) For the promise , that he should be the heir of the world , was not to Abraham , or to his seed , through the law , but through the righteousness of faith. We believers of Jesus are the seed of Abraham. Galatians 3:26-29 Not only this, God gave us all things that pertain to life and godliness. In this glory we are given liberty to be partakers of the divine nature. 2 Peter1:2-4 The currency of the kingdom of God is faith and in bringing its reality to our present space, we must deploy it. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is , and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Ephesians 2:4-10, This faith is communicated to us when we receive God's word. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing , and hearing by the word of God. Those who lived in time past framed their times and years to come by their words through faith. Out of nothing and stark impossibility, they created their reality. Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. When God is working in our space, He uses words spoken by Him or by men on His behalf. Ezekiel 37:1-14 Abraham - Genesis 22:1-19 David - 1 Samuel 17:1-51 Woman healed of the issue of blood - Mark 5:25-34 (Matthew 9:20-22) The centurion - Matthew 8:5-13 Jesus and the fig tree - Mark 11:12-14, 20-24 This is the manner in which the people of eternal life operate. 2 Corinthians 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Delivered from the Fear of Judgement God, being the unquestionable supreme Lord of the heavens and earth has jurisdiction over the world as indeed all creation and inherent power to seat as judge over it. This power he naturally acquired since he created all of it by his power. This also presupposes that prior to judgement and its execution, he must have set boundaries of interaction among the member species that inhabit creation. This is in exercise of his legislative powers as creator who determines the purpose of his creation and defines their limits. The Bible teaches and we believe that God created the world and everything in it. Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Psalms 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people , and the sheep of his pasture. Not only is God (the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ) the creator, this role confers on him legislative power to guide its operations. The clearest demonstration of this power is in Genesis 2:15-17 where God commanded the limit of mankind, restricting access to the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Psalm 115:15-16 Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth. The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. Deuteronomy 32:7-8 Remember the days of old , consider the years of many generations : ask thy father , and he will shew thee; thy elders , and they will tell thee. When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. Daniel 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. Acts 17:24-28 The God role also gives him exclusive judicial power to judge those who contravene his set order perfectly complementing his legislative power. The one who has power to create must possess power to set boundaries and punish contraventions. Don't you think so? These powers of the invisible Most High God is manifestly seen in his Son Jesus Christ. Whether it be the creative power, legislative or judicial, all is visible only in the Son of God. Creative power - John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:15-19, Hebrews 1:1-3, 10 Legislative power - Judicial power - John 5:21-30, Acts 10:42, 17:31, Romans 2:12&16, 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, Hebrews 12:23 2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God , and the Lord Jesus Christ , who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, The focus of this lesson is the exercise of God's judicial power, to judge at a set date in the very near future those who broke his will. This power to judge exercised in his Son who has made an appearance, the first time not to judge the world but to save it from God's righteous judgement - John 3:17, 12:44-50, Luke 9:56, but will appear a second time, this time to bring judgement on disbelievers. 2 Thessalonians 1:5-9 This righteous judgement has been announced. We know what it is. Death! Death is the wages of sin. Sin is contravention of God's set order. The soul that sin shall die! Apart from the knowledge of this offered in religion, that people die is the most significant indication of judgement. Natural death (a state in which the breathe of God is taken from man and ceases to be a living being) is a pointer to eternal death, a state of perpetual separation from God without any hope of redemption. People who die naturally on earth and does not have their names written in (or rather their names are blotted out of) the Son of God's book of life, will be subject to second death. Why would their names be blotted out of the Lamb's book of life? Because they did not do the Father's will. What is the Father's will? To believe in His Son, Jesus Christ whom he sent. John 6:28-29 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. This offer of salvation by Jesus Christ grants eternal life to those who believes but the offer itself as I often say is not eternal. The offer lapse some day. He offers everyone a certain shot at eternal life not needing any effort from the recipient other than to believe the message he brought, that if you repent turning away from satan and darkness towards the Lord to put your trust in Jesus the Son of God, whom is approved of God through His death, burial and especially resurrection, he will give you His Holy Spirit, a foolproof your inadequacies are forgiven, and in fact, taken away, leaving you with power to lead life under the will of God. If you subscribe to this message, you are born again and saved from the judgement of the ungodly to come. Jesus is the one authorized by God the Father to execute this judgment on the world. It would however profit you to know that there are precedents of God's judgement on global, national, city and personal scale. The global flood of Noah's era. Genesis 6-8, Hebrews 11:7, 2 Peter 2:4-5 The destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha. Genesis 18:16-33, 19:1-29, 2 Peter 2:6-8 The destruction of Ninevah. Jonah 1:1-3, 3:1-4, 5-10 ( Ninevah repented), 4:1-4, Nahum 2:8, 3:7, Zechariah 2:13 The death of Belshazzar. Daniel 5:1-30 While the world ought to panic at the severity of what is to come and justifiably so as the Bible teaches us (Romans 2:4-5, we as believers have confidence in the day of judgement because there is nothing to worry about. Of course, the judge is ours, he is for us and we are for him. He paid the price of our redemption and we believe him. Hebrews 9:27-28, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16, 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 1 John 3:2. Hebrews 9:27-28 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. This confidence is unique to Christianity. There is no other way in this world that offers the certainty of your status in the afterlife. For others, you will have to wait till then to find out. What if you realize at the gate of eternity that you were wrong? Can you retrace your steps? You confine yourself to an eternal future in hell for refusing the goodness of God that cost you nothing! For the unbelieving, as long as you have life, the choice is yours. Unfortunately, we are not able to determine how long we live. So, every day of indecision is a risk you are willing to take on your eternity. Too much of a risk I would say though. For those of us in Christ, our heart of full of thankfulness to God for his indescribable gift.

Striving for Eternal Excellence John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Labour /ergazomai/ here literally means to work, toil, do business, earn by working, to trade for gain. Meat /brosis/ means food, something that can be eaten or the act of eating. The quality of this meat is the point of the verse because there are such food that are corrosive, has not eternal effect and the one that gives everlasting life. Sealed /sphragizō/ to set a seal upon, mark something/someone with a seal, to attest to, prove or confirm, to authenticate a person or thing. 1. Question is, what food is lacking the everlasting effect? In fact, food is a benevolent but common supply of God. Acts 14:15-17, 2 Corinthians 9:10, Genesis 1:29-30 This unique thing about this food is that it perishes, indicating it is an earthly thing because corruption is of the earth. Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Nonetheless, people still crave it tremendously, many times trading things with long term value for it. The most prominent example was Esau. Hebrews 12:16 (Genesis 25:29-34) Hebrews 12:16-17 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. Forgetting that food as indeed everything of this earth shall pass away with this earth. Matthew 16:26-27 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. The bible further teaches that food does not commend us to God, it does not make us acceptable to God more or less. In other words, food or supply of food is not a measure of spirituality. 1 Corinthians 8:8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. The plan of God for work was not to create an idol that we worship. The purpose of work is simply God's excuse to "earn" your bread and provide support to those around you and not to accumulate elusive wealth for the most part as it is the case in this world presently. Acts 20:33-35, 1 Thessalonians 2:9, 4:11-12, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 The point of labour is for man's insatiable appetite. Ecclesiastes 6:7 The emptiness of human travails for his own sustenance. Ecclesiastes 5:11-16, Habakkuk 2;13 Why spend money for what is not eternal? Isaiah 55:2, John 4:14 Why labour for what is not eternal? Luke 10:40-42, 1 Corinthians 6:13, 7:29-31 The race before us is for an eternal reward. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 2 Corinthians 4:18 2. The natural supply is limited in effect because you have to continually seek and eat it. On the other hand, anyone who eats this special food will have eternal life. John 4:10-14 The food that impacts eternal life The bible teaches that the kingdom of our God is not food and drinks. Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Yet, there is food (a non carnal supply) that has effect onto eternal life. John 6:55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. Only one person in all history has the power to give this type of food, the Lord Jesus Christ because he is the one the Father has sealed/authorized to do it. John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. His validation from the Father comprising of: i. The work that He does, miracles and other ministry activities. John 4:48, 5:36, 10:25, 32, 37, 38, John 14:10-12, 15:24 ii. Testimony of the Father. He spoke publicly from heaven twice and once more before select apostles. Matthew 3:17, John 12:27-30, Matthew 17:5 (2 Peter 1:17) iii. His resurrection from the dead. John 10:14-18, Matthew 12:38-42, 16:1-4, John 2:18-22, Romans 1:4 Anyone who receives the testimony of Christ has subscribe to God's testimony about his son that it is true. John 3:32-35, John 6:40, 51, 54, 58, 68 To do the work of God - Believe in the Son of God. John 6:28-29 Such people (who believes the Son) also receive a mark, a seal of God's approval because they received his testimony concerning his son. 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13, 4:30. While eternal life is the gift of God, to understand it and live its reality is not a gift, it requires learning. This is where the labour comes in. Now that you are in Christ, you bestow labour in the things that matter, to learn the scriptures, to pray with fastings, share the gospel with others, attend church meetings where the scripture is taught. Participate in the virtues of the faith. 1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am : and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain ; but I laboured more abundantly than they all : yet not I , but the grace of God which was with me. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Charge them that are rich in this world , that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches , but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. This labour is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58, Philippians 2:16, Hebrews 6:10 There is nothing wrong with attending prayer meetings where needs are met afterall God cares for our needs. But if you only attend prayer meetings where needs are met, you are laboring for something that is nothing. Because the reward of that prayer is that need that was ministered to, which at the end of the age has no eternal value. God is bigger than you, so, focus on the big picture. You quantify the goodness of God (fully demonstrated in eternal life he has given to us) in material supply or possession, forgetting that a man's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Striving for Eternal Excellence John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Labour /ergazomai/ here literally means to work, toil, do business, earn by working, to trade for gain. Meat /brosis/ means food, something that can be eaten or the act of eating. The quality of this meat is the point of the verse because there are such food that are corrosive, has not eternal effect and the one that gives everlasting life. Sealed /sphragizō/ to set a seal upon, mark something/someone with a seal, to attest to, prove or confirm, to authenticate a person or thing. 1. Question is, what food is lacking the everlasting effect? In fact, food is a benevolent but common supply of God. Acts 14:15-17, 2 Corinthians 9:10, Genesis 1:29-30 This unique thing about this food is that it perishes, indicating it is an earthly thing because corruption is of the earth. Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Nonetheless, people still crave it tremendously, many times trading things with long term value for it. The most prominent example was Esau. Hebrews 12:16 (Genesis 25:29-34) Hebrews 12:16-17 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. Forgetting that food as indeed everything of this earth shall pass away with this earth. Matthew 16:26-27 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. The bible further teaches that food does not commend us to God, it does not make us acceptable to God more or less. In other words, food or supply of food is not a measure of spirituality. 1 Corinthians 8:8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. The plan of God for work was not to create an idol that we worship. The purpose of work is simply God's excuse to "earn" your bread and provide support to those around you and not to accumulate elusive wealth for the most part as it is the case in this world presently. Acts 20:33-35, 1 Thessalonians 2:9, 4:11-12, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 The point of labour is for man's insatiable appetite. Ecclesiastes 6:7 The emptiness of human travails for his own sustenance. Ecclesiastes 5:11-16, Habakkuk 2;13 Why spend money for what is not eternal? Isaiah 55:2, John 4:14 Why labour for what is not eternal? Luke 10:40-42, 1 Corinthians 6:13, 7:29-31 The race before us is for an eternal reward. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 2 Corinthians 4:18 2. The natural supply is limited in effect because you have to continually seek and eat it. On the other hand, anyone who eats this special food will have eternal life. John 4:10-14 The food that impacts eternal life The bible teaches that the kingdom of our God is not food and drinks. Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Yet, there is food (a non carnal supply) that has effect onto eternal life. John 6:55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. Only one person in all history has the power to give this type of food, the Lord Jesus Christ because he is the one the Father has sealed/authorized to do it. John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. His validation from the Father comprising of: i. The work that He does, miracles and other ministry activities. John 4:48, 5:36, 10:25, 32, 37, 38, John 14:10-12, 15:24 ii. Testimony of the Father. He spoke publicly from heaven twice and once more before select apostles. Matthew 3:17, John 12:27-30, Matthew 17:5 (2 Peter 1:17) iii. His resurrection from the dead. John 10:14-18, Matthew 12:38-42, 16:1-4, John 2:18-22, Romans 1:4 Anyone who receives the testimony of Christ has subscribe to God's testimony about his son that it is true. John 3:32-35, John 6:40, 51, 54, 58, 68 To do the work of God - Believe in the Son of God. John 6:28-29 Such people (who believes the Son) also receive a mark, a seal of God's approval because they received his testimony concerning his son. 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13, 4:30. While eternal life is the gift of God, to understand it and live its reality is not a gift, it requires learning. This is where the labour comes in. Now that you are in Christ, you bestow labour in the things that matter, to learn the scriptures, to pray with fastings, share the gospel with others, attend church meetings where the scripture is taught. Participate in the virtues of the faith. 1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am : and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain ; but I laboured more abundantly than they all : yet not I , but the grace of God which was with me. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Charge them that are rich in this world , that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches , but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. This labour is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58, Philippians 2:16, Hebrews 6:10 There is nothing wrong with attending prayer meetings where needs are met afterall God cares for our needs. But if you only attend prayer meetings where needs are met, you are laboring for something that is nothing. Because the reward of that prayer is that need that was ministered to, which at the end of the age has no eternal value. God is bigger than you, so, focus on the big picture. You quantify the goodness of God (fully demonstrated in eternal life he has given to us) in material supply or possession, forgetting that a man's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Striving for Eternal Excellence John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Labour /ergazomai/ here literally means to work, toil, do business, earn by working, to trade for gain. Meat /brosis/ means food, something that can be eaten or the act of eating. The quality of this meat is the point of the verse because there are such food that are corrosive, has not eternal effect and the one that gives everlasting life. Sealed /sphragizō/ to set a seal upon, mark something/someone with a seal, to attest to, prove or confirm, to authenticate a person or thing. 1. Question is, what food is lacking the everlasting effect? In fact, food is a benevolent but common supply of God. Acts 14:15-17, 2 Corinthians 9:10, Genesis 1:29-30 This unique thing about this food is that it perishes, indicating it is an earthly thing because corruption is of the earth. Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Nonetheless, people still crave it tremendously, many times trading things with long term value for it. The most prominent example was Esau. Hebrews 12:16 (Genesis 25:29-34) Hebrews 12:16-17 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. Forgetting that food as indeed everything of this earth shall pass away with this earth. Matthew 16:26-27 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. The bible further teaches that food does not commend us to God, it does not make us acceptable to God more or less. In other words, food or supply of food is not a measure of spirituality. 1 Corinthians 8:8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. The plan of God for work was not to create an idol that we worship. The purpose of work is simply God's excuse to "earn" your bread and provide support to those around you and not to accumulate elusive wealth for the most part as it is the case in this world presently. Acts 20:33-35, 1 Thessalonians 2:9, 4:11-12, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 The point of labour is for man's insatiable appetite. Ecclesiastes 6:7 The emptiness of human travails for his own sustenance. Ecclesiastes 5:11-16, Habakkuk 2;13 Why spend money for what is not eternal? Isaiah 55:2, John 4:14 Why labour for what is not eternal? Luke 10:40-42, 1 Corinthians 6:13, 7:29-31 The race before us is for an eternal reward. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 2 Corinthians 4:18 2. The natural supply is limited in effect because you have to continually seek and eat it. On the other hand, anyone who eats this special food will have eternal life. John 4:10-14 The food that impacts eternal life The bible teaches that the kingdom of our God is not food and drinks. Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Yet, there is food (a non carnal supply) that has effect onto eternal life. John 6:55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. Only one person in all history has the power to give this type of food, the Lord Jesus Christ because he is the one the Father has sealed/authorized to do it. John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. His validation from the Father comprising of: i. The work that He does, miracles and other ministry activities. John 4:48, 5:36, 10:25, 32, 37, 38, John 14:10-12, 15:24 ii. Testimony of the Father. He spoke publicly from heaven twice and once more before select apostles. Matthew 3:17, John 12:27-30, Matthew 17:5 (2 Peter 1:17) iii. His resurrection from the dead. John 10:14-18, Matthew 12:38-42, 16:1-4, John 2:18-22, Romans 1:4 Anyone who receives the testimony of Christ has subscribe to God's testimony about his son that it is true. John 3:32-35, John 6:40, 51, 54, 58, 68 To do the work of God - Believe in the Son of God. John 6:28-29 Such people (who believes the Son) also receive a mark, a seal of God's approval because they received his testimony concerning his son. 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13, 4:30. While eternal life is the gift of God, to understand it and live its reality is not a gift, it requires learning. This is where the labour comes in. Now that you are in Christ, you bestow labour in the things that matter, to learn the scriptures, to pray with fastings, share the gospel with others, attend church meetings where the scripture is taught. Participate in the virtues of the faith. 1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am : and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain ; but I laboured more abundantly than they all : yet not I , but the grace of God which was with me. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Charge them that are rich in this world , that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches , but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. This labour is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58, Philippians 2:16, Hebrews 6:10 There is nothing wrong with attending prayer meetings where needs are met afterall God cares for our needs. But if you only attend prayer meetings where needs are met, you are laboring for something that is nothing. Because the reward of that prayer is that need that was ministered to, which at the end of the age has no eternal value. God is bigger than you, so, focus on the big picture. You quantify the goodness of God (fully demonstrated in eternal life he has given to us) in material supply or possession, forgetting that a man's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

One of the reality of life in Christ is our adoption into God's family through the finished work of Jesus Christ as children. This is one of the most vital truth a believer is first exposed to because it rests on identity. It is a unique calling specific to the Christian faith as this concept is not found in any other world religion. This calls for a study so that we properly identify, classify and carry ourselves with the dignity of the Lord our God.

Fear is a torment the Bible teaches. Any believer who lives in fear has not been perfected in the love of God. This is a first line bible teaching on dealing with fear. It will open your consciousness to the love of God the Father. Amen.

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; Every believer owe the Lord Jesus the duty of knowing the gospel sufficiently to make a defense for it scripturally, yet intelligently. The purpose of this lesson and others to follow is to equip the man in Christ with biblical explanation for the exclusive devotion to the Holy Bible in defense of the gospel of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. The Lord taught the gospel out of the Holy Scripture, the apostles gave evidence of the Lord's resurrection from the Holy Scriptures. It is safe to conclude that the Bible remains the dependable official account of God on what He is doing in this world and must remain our go to evidence book to explain the kingdom of our God. Grace.

In our previous lesson, we establish that one incontrovertible fact of the life in Christ is that we are the sons of God. We examined the life of Christ, as son of God, being the firstborn of our type, whose coming was prophesied in scripture by several prophets and at different times, validated by several miracles, signs and wonders begining with his supernatural conception, divine confirmation at his baptism by a reputable prophet. Furthermore, he went out performing several miracles, healing sick folks, casting out devils, raising the dead etc, etc, and the ultimate of them all, his resurrection from the dead. Yet, Jesus was not accepted by his own family, his kinsmen rejected him, and his nation condemned him to death despite the great things written about him. But in all, he arrived at his place of glory, the right hand of God. Tonight, we add to the lesson. Another incontrovertible fact of the life in Christ is that we are loved, loved by God, love we have not earned, will never be able to pay for and would never be separate from. 1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 1 John 4:9-10 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world , that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 8:31-32 (Read 31-39) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us , who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Ephesians 2:4-7 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. This extent of love is the rocky foundation on which our opinion of God must be built. So Paul prayed for the church Ephesians 3:17-19 (Read 14-19) That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. When your heart is assured in the love of God, you will not have misgivings about the disposition of God toward you regardless of what the world throws at you. You will consider God faithful to the declaration of His love for your, which he demonstrated with the highest level of sacrifice to prove (as we have seen in all the passages we have read). 1. So, when things are quiet and it seem God is not hearing you let alone answer you, still you judge God faithful. 2. When the world works against you, every element thereof not working in your favor or to your advantage, you judge God yet faithful. 3. When people treat you like scum of the earth, treat you unfairly, rejected by men on every turn, you account God loving and faithful still. 4. When you have poor reward for your labors, doing much with little to show for it, doing all that you can to progress but result shows failure, you account God yet faithful. There is nothing more for God to do to prove to you that he loves you so dearly that can be greater than the sacrifice of his son, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:8 You cannot sacrifice a reality in Christ such as the love of God on the altar of life's difficult experiences.

One of the reality of life in Christ is our adoption into God's family through the finished work of Jesus Christ as children. This is one of the most vital truth a believer is first exposed to because it rests on identity. It is a unique calling specific to the Christian faith as this concept is not found in any other world religion. This calls for a study so that we properly identify, classify and carry ourselves with the dignity of the Lord our God.

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; Every believer owe the Lord Jesus the duty of knowing the gospel sufficiently to make a defense for it scripturally, yet intelligently. The purpose of this lesson and others to follow is to equip the man in Christ with biblical explanation for the exclusive devotion to the Holy Bible in defense of the gospel of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. The Lord taught the gospel out of the Holy Scripture, the apostles gave evidence of the Lord's resurrection from the Holy Scriptures. It is safe to conclude that the Bible remains the dependable official account of God on what He is doing in this world and must remain our go to evidence book to explain the kingdom of our God. Grace.

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; Every believer owe the Lord Jesus the duty of knowing the gospel sufficiently to make a defense for it scripturally, yet intelligently. The purpose of this lesson and others to follow is to equip the man in Christ with biblical explanation for the exclusive devotion to the Holy Bible in defense of the gospel of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. The Lord taught the gospel out of the Holy Scripture, the apostles gave evidence of the Lord's resurrection from the Holy Scriptures. It is safe to conclude that the Bible remains the dependable official account of God on what He is doing in this world and must remain our go to evidence book to explain the kingdom of our God. Grace.

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; Every believer owe the Lord Jesus the duty of knowing the gospel sufficiently to make a defense for it scripturally, yet intelligently. The purpose of this lesson and others to follow is to equip the man in Christ with biblical explanation for the exclusive devotion to the Holy Bible in defense of the gospel of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. The Lord taught the gospel out of the Holy Scripture, the apostles gave evidence of the Lord's resurrection from the Holy Scriptures. It is safe to conclude that the Bible remains the dependable official account of God on what He is doing in this world and must remain our go to evidence book to explain the kingdom of our God. Grace.

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; Every believer owe the Lord Jesus the duty of knowing the gospel sufficiently to make a defense for it scripturally, yet intelligently. The purpose of this lesson and many to follow is to equip the man in Christ with biblical explanation for people's disposition towards God. It is a Biblical answer to denial of God by those who outrightly deny the existence of God or those who have modified God into their preferred shape, a God of their of their own making, by striping him of his cardinal attributes and truth. We also examine the descent of God deniers into lawlessness, the evidence that they derive their definition of standards and ethics away from God. Grace.

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; Every believer owe the Lord Jesus the duty of knowing the gospel sufficiently to make a defense for it scripturally, yet intelligently. The purpose of this lesson and many to follow is to equip the man in Christ with biblical explanation for people's disposition towards God. It is a Biblical answer to denial of God by those who outrightly deny the existence of God or those who have modified God into their preferred shape, a God of their of their own making, by striping him of his cardinal attributes and truth. We also examine the descent of God deniers into lawlessness, the evidence that they derive their definition of standards and ethics away from God. Grace.