We are still on the series, “God and the Integrity of His promises”. Last week, we looked at “The nature of God”. This week, we are going to look at “The nature of God’s promises”. Be blessed as you read.

Part 2: The Nature of His Promise

  a. What is a promise?

To promise means to say, to speak, to covenant or to swear . Every promise is a debt that must be paid.

  b. The nature of God’s promises

God’s promises can be in form of: covenant, Gen. 9:12-15. Swearing, Gen. 22:15-18. Promise, Gen. 12:1-2. Agreement, Isaiah 1:18-19. Pledge, Mal. 3:10. Oath, Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 6:16-17. Statement, Habk. 1:5.

What is the nature of God’s promise from these scriptures?

• Titus 1:2: In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began. Non forfeitable eternal life is now a hope. Why do we hope for it if we have it as stated in Titus 1:2? The truth is that, it is now given to everyone who is in Christ on the condition of remaining in HIM, Gal.1:6-8. Heaven is a promise if you have it in view and work towards it. This is the implication of the promise in the passage.   
• Heb 6:18: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: This refers either to God’s oath and promise, Heb 6:13 – For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself; Or to the two oaths of God confirming the promise to Abraham as in above. Our consolation is in Christ.

To lay hold upon the hope in this passage, we have an allusion to the cities of refuge, and the persons who fled to them in safety. Num.35:9-12. The sinners can flee to Christ and find eternal refuge and safety (Jn. 3:16).

•  2 Cor 1:20: For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. This is a double assurance that any of His promises, covenant, oath, swearing, statement concerning you – He will perform them.

Introduction

In the last part of the series, we saw that since man is a trinity of body, soul and spirit, to obey the command of God to love ourselves involves taking good care of our bodies, souls and spirits. It also involves being wise i.e. fearing God and winning souls. In this part of the series, we shall dwell on loving ourselves in detail. God is concerned about what we eat and digest, Joshua 1:8, and our being wise too – Proverb 5:1-2. May the Lord Himself teach us today in Jesus Name. Amen.

 Jesus is the Bread of Life: Eat Him and Live Forever

Your body needs plenty of pure water, protein, calcium, minerals and vitamins more than fat. Beans, peas, lentils, nuts (almonds, groundnut, walnut). Onions, milk, tomatoes and sunshine are good for you. Many of the so called dainties of the rich are deceitful meals. More than the physical foods, Jesus is the Bread of life: eat Him, drink Him, digest Him thoroughly and you shall live forever.

Dan. 1:5,8, 11-16, Isaiah 23:1-3, John 6:27, 48-51, 53-57, Psalm 119:15,99, Psalm 143:5,  1Tim. 4:15, Phil. 4:8.

 The Fool has certain Characteristics: Do not be One

A fool despises wisdom and instruction because he is right in his own eyes. He makes a mockery of sin, hides hatred by lying and slander and does mischief for the fun of it because he does not really believe there is God. The fool has a perverted mouth, utters of his mind and he’s ultimately ruined by his own lips. He walks in darkness because he trusts his own understanding. When he makes a vow he does not pay it. No wonder God does not take pleasure in fools. Love yourself. Don’t be a fool.

Proverb 1:7, Proverb 12:15, Proverb 10:23, Psalm 14:1, Luke 24:25, Proverb 19:1, Proverb 29:11,   Eccl 10:12, Eccl 2:14, Proverb 28:26, Eccl 5:4.

Introduction

So far in this series, we have learnt that disobedience is a compound sin because it is the fruit of doubt and unbelief; that half obedience is worse than disobedience; that there could be a church in your home so as to allow your fruits to remain and that God can use women too. In this study, we want to look at another area in which we have either been disobeying God outrightly or have been living in half obedience. It is in connection with the great commandment in Mark 12:31. May God speak to our inner man tonight in Jesus Name. Amen.

You have no Choice in the Matter: You must Love your Neighbour

There are three groups of people you must love passionately: God, yourself and your neighbor in that order. It is a command from God that you must love Him, love yourself and then love your neighbor as much as you love yourself. There is no greater love that you can show to a neighbor than to bring him to Christ.

Mark 12:30-31, Lev. 19:18, Mathew 9:19,Mathew 22:39, Gal 5:14, Jam 2:8, John 15:12, 17, Roman 13:8, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 John 4:2.

 Genuine Love Bears other People’s Burden

It is your duty to look out for those in need and help them to meet their needs through Jesus Christ. Many people who are in Christ today are brought to Him by problems. Once you get them to your house-fellowship or church, it is your duty to keep close to them and care for them. You should care not only for your relations, but to strangers too. God will surely reward you with miracles.

Jam.2:14-18, Roman 12:13, I Peter 4:9, Hebrew 13:2, Roman 13:10, Roman 15:1-2, lev. 19:34, Deu. 31:12, Proverb 22:2, 1 kings 17:8-16, 17-23, 2 Kings 4: 8-10, 18-20, 32-36, Acts 9:36-41, Luke 6:38, 1 corin. 15:58

Introduction

In the first of this study, we saw how disobedience is a compound sin since it is the outworking of doubt and unbelief. We also saw how every sin is actually disobedience to the commandment of God. Moreover, we saw that God gave us clear instructions to avoid sin. For years, we have been living in half obedience to this commandment. Now, we shall begin to look at how we can obey God completely in this regard. May God quicken our understanding as we study in Jesus Name. Amen.

 There can be a Living Church in your Home

In the beginning of the church of Christ, there were many homes that housed living churches where prayers were answered, God spoke to people, and people got saved and filled with the Holy Spirit.

Healing took place and many people who were baptised in water then got converted in home churches. Examples include the house of Cornelius, the Jailor, Priscilla and Aquilla, Lydia, and Philemon. The same Head of church then is still our Head today.

Rom. 16:3-5, Acts 10:25,30,33,44,48, Acts 11:12-15, Acts 16:14-15, Acts 16:40, Rom. 16:3-5, Phile. 1:2, Mk.2:1-4, 9-12, Lk. 5:27-32, Acts 20:7-12, Acts 20:7-12, Acts 12:12-17, Acts 20:20, Lk. 10:38-48, Acts 1:12-14.

God can use a Woman too

A particular instruction of Paul to Timothy concerning women ministry has not only been misunderstood, but also interpreted in isolation of the scriptures. The same Paul highly recommended the ministries of several women. Some are Phoebe, Priscilla and many Tryphena & Persis. The Scripture is full of women who prophesied, such as Mariam, Deborah, Huldah, Noadiah, Anna and the daughters of evangelist Philip. There is of course scriptural proof that Paul is not against women prophesying and we know that the office of a prophetess is higher than that of a teacher. Paul wrote the epistle to the Galatians too!

I Tim.2:11, Rom. 16:3, 5-6, Exo. 15:20, Jud. 4:4, II King 22:14, Neh. 6:14, Lk. 2:36, Acts 21:9, I Cor. 11:5, Acts 2:17, Gal. 3:27-28.

Introduction

Every sin is the outworking of disobedience. In fact, another word for sin is simply disobedience. For example, pride is a sin because God commands us to be humble Jam 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6. Adultery is a sin because God commanded us not to commit adultery, Ex 20:14. Failure to evangelise is a sin because God commanded us to evangelise, Mathew 28:19-20, Mk 16:15. May the Lord quicken our understanding as we meditate on this important topic of disobedience. Amen.

Disobedience is a Compound Sin

Disobedience is not simple sin; it is a compound one because it is the fruit of doubt and unbelief. The original sin in the Garden of Eden came because Eve doubted the Word of God. That is why up to today the punishments for disobedience are very severe and involve God Himself in their executions. For example, these punishments include

• Curses from God
• Divine Opposition
• Divine Wrath
• Divine Vengeance
• Terrible rewards from the Almighty

Gen. 3:1-6, Deu. 28:15, 1 Sam. 12:15, 1 Sam. 28:18, 1 King. 13:21, Jer. 12:17, Eph. 5:6, 2 Thes. 1:8, 1 Tim. 1:9, Heb 2:2-3.

Half Obedience is Worse than Disobedience

There is no half-measure with God. You are either totally for Him or totally against Him. That is why He regards half obedience as being worse than disobedience. In fact, those who have suffered terribly after Adam and Eve are those who obeyed half-heartedly. They include among others, King Saul, Ananias and Sapphira and the disciples Mark 12:29-30, Rev. 3:16, Gen. 12:1-3, Gen. 15:10-11, 22-23, Acts 5:1-10, Mark 16:15, Act 8:3, 8:4-8.

An admin secretary is urgently required.
The person must be proficient in the use of Microsoft word, excel and power point applications.
Secondary School Certificate or Ordinary National Diploma (OND) holders are the minimum educational requirements.
Interested persons should send their CV’s or Resume to vacancy@rccgmiraclecentre.org or to Church Administration Office.
Receipt of applications closes at 12 noon on December 7th 2013.

There will be Holy Ghost Congress rally on 7th December 2013 at 7.00am, spreading from Miracle Centre.
All workers should endeavour to report at the Church premises at 7.00am prompt. We will walk through Ketu, Lagos to advertise the forthcoming Holy Ghost Congress.

Volunteers for the church holy police and traffic team are required to register with Deacon Akinyemi Akindele. God bless you as you do so.

Volunteers for sanitation work during Holy Ghost congress are required.
Interested persons should see Mummy Matilukuro or Church Administration department to register their names. God bless you.

There will be 3 days Prayer and Fasting for all parish members from Monday 25th November 2013 to Wednesday 27th November 2013.
There will not be prayer session in the church due to the on-going renovation in the church.
Break your Fasting at home at 6.00pm daily. God bless you.