BLESSINGS OF OBEDIENCE

RBT: 2 CORITHIANS 10-13

TEXT: DEUTERONOMY 5:1-3; 12-13; 28:1-2

HYMN; BH 260: Trust and Obey

1. When we walk with the lord
In the light of His word
what a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

 

Chorus: Trust and obey, for there’s no other way,
To be happy in Jesus
But to trust and obey.

 

2. Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay,
Not a grief or a loss,
Not a frown or a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.

Chorus: Trust and…

 

3. But we never can prove
The delight of His love
Until all on the alter we lay;
For the favour He shows
And the joy He bestows
Are for them who will trust and obey.

 

Chorus: Trust and…

 

4. Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do,
Where He sends we will go,
Never fear only trust an obey.

 

Chorus: Trust and…

GOLDEN TEXT: Observe the LORD’s command and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good. Deuteronomy 10 verse 13, NIV

Some people view obedience to God as losing one’s will or self-esteem. They choose when to obey God while they do what appeals to their imagination at other times. To them, obedience is not a virtue they can cultivate at all times because they are not sure if it is rewarding.

          In today’s texts, Moses recounted how God made a covenant with the Israelites on Mount Horeb. However, the covenant He made with them is attached to a condition - obedience. God’s requirements for blessing the Israelites include fearing Him, walking in obedience to His laws, loving Him, serving the Lord with all their heart and soul, and yielding to God’s commands and decrees which is for their own good. Moses emphasized that the Israelites should obey the Lord totally. He said, “It you fully obey the Lord and carefully follow all his commands” God would set the high above all the nations of the Earth. He emphasized that by obeying God, they will not miss any blessing of God.

          Obedience is the key to unlock the blessing. Access to God’s blessings is hinged on obedience to Him. But do we fully obey him to gain access to His blessings? What God requires of you is a relationship premised on willing obedience not a forced compliance. Your obedience to God should be loving and spontaneous. God’s relationship with us is on two factors: Obedience on our part and blessing on God’s account. We may not access God’s blessing until we learn to fully obey God in all things.

WISDOM: Complete obedience is God’s requirement for blessing us.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Do you obey God totally?

FOLLOW-UP-ACTION: Be decisive to obey God’s word totally.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to obey you in all things.

I choose to obey you in all my endeavors today and always, in Jesus’ name.

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COUNSEQUENCE FOR DISOBEDIENCE

 RBT: 2 CORITHIANS 5-9

TEXT: DEUTERONOMY 27: 14-26

HYMN; BH 187: The Heavens Declare

1. The heav'ns declare Thy glory, Lord,
In ev'ry star Thy wisdom shines;
But when our eyes behold Thy Word,
We read Thy Name in fairer lines.
2. The rolling sun, the changing light,
And nights and days Thy pow'r confess;
But the blest volume Thou hast writ
reveals Thy justice and Thy grace.
3. Sun, moon, and stars convey Thy praise
Round the whole earth, and never stand:
So when Thy truth began its race,
It touched and glanced on ev'ry land.
4. Nor shall Thy spreading gospel rest
Till through the world Thy truth has run,
Till Christ has all the nations blest
That see the light, or feel the sun.
5. Great Sun of Righteousness, arise,
Bless the dark world with heav'nly light;
Thy gospel makes the simple wise;
Thy laws are pure, Thy judgments right.
6. Thy noblest wonders here we view
in souls renewed and sins forgiv'n;
Lord, cleanse my sins, my soul renew,
And make Thy Word my guide to heav'n.

GOLDEN TEXT: Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out. Deuteronomy 27 verse 26, NIV

The law of curse and effect is a constant universal law. This law states that actions have consequences, whether good or bad. A consequence is a result or effect of an action or condition. Positive actions results in positive consequences while outcomes of bad actions are negative.

          While Moses was declaring God’s instructions to the Israelites, which they should keep, he directed the Levites to pronounce curse on whoever disobeys the laws of God. The Pronouncements came on the basis that an action which is not in line with God’s law would result in punishment. The assembly of Israelites was to respond to the curse by saying “Amen” . Anyone who is idolatrous; disregards their parents; perverts justice, commits sexual immoralities; murders, accepts bribes and disobeys other laws of God was cursed.

          All actions which God detest in today’s text have bad consequences. God cannot tolerate ungodliness. An unholy lifestyle is detestable to Him. God cannot stand sin irrespective of how humankind categories it, whether great or small. It is important not to involve in the sin. The consequence for sin is God’s wrath. Is there any act of disobedience which you have to repent of to escape God’s wrath? Obedience to God in all things should be your lifestyle.

WISDOM: You will reap what you sow

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Are you doing the will of God?

FOLLOW-UP-ACTION: Do away with anything that can make you attract God’s wrath.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to always above all form of perversion in Jesus’ name.

Father, give me grace to obey You in all situations, in Jesus’ name.

 

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Brief Story About Men Missionary Union

 

During the 62nd session of the Nigeria Baptist Convention in 1977, a call went round for the Baptist Brotherhood Society in Baptist Churches to transform by adopting a new name and changes in activities in all local Baptist Churches to “Baptist Men’s Fellowship (BMF).”
The Baptist Men’s Fellowship was thus established at the First Baptist Church Lagos in 1982 with the following aims and objectives:

• To pray for the mission
• To teach mission and
• To embark on mission and evangelism work

Membership was drawn from all existing church societies in the church,
The first president of Men’s Mission Union was Mr. Emmanuel Ogundipe thereafter Chief J. Akin-George, Messrs A.O. Oyediran, S.O. Akiode and E.A. Ayoade (current president).
The following members have been called to glory: Bro. J.J.A. Akinleye, Bro. E.A. Adeleye, Pa. T.A. George, Bro. S.A. Akinola and Bro. Abayomi Fajobi.
The Men’s Missionary Union of the Church took responsibility to draw roster for Church societies to visit newly planted churches. The Men’s Missionary Union also supervises the Royal Ambassors. Counselors are nominated from the Men’s Missionary Union namely Bro. Oshodi, Bro. E.A. Alawode, Bro. Bode Idowu and Bro. Kehinde Amao.
The Men’s Mission Union also takes responsibility for the needs of the Royal Ambassador’s Camping, Conference programme, Nigeria Baptist Convention in session, even intercontinental programmes.

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JESUS FULFILS THE LAW

RBT: 1CORITHIANS 1- 4

TEXT: MATTHEW 5: 17 – 20

HYMN; BH225: Jesus Paid It All

1. Would you be free from the burden of sin?
There's power in the blood, power in the blood;
Would you o'er evil a victory win?
There's wonderful power in the blood.

Chorus:
There is power, power, wonder-working power
In the blood of the Lamb.
There is power, power, wonder-working power
In the precious blood of the Lamb.

2. Would you be free from your passion and pride?
There's power in the blood, power in the blood;
Come for a cleansing to Calvary's tide;
There's wonderful power in the blood. [Chorus]

3. Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow?
There's power in the blood, power in the blood;
Sin stains are lost in its life-giving flow;
There's wonderful power in the blood. [Chorus]

4. Would you do service for Jesus your King?
There's power in the blood, power in the blood;
Would you live daily His praises to sing?
There's wonderful power in the blood. [Chorus]

 

GOLDEN TEXT: Do you think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Matthew 5:17, NIV

The satisfaction in a Jigsaw puzzle is when the last piece completes the picture. Without that, it remains an unfulfilled potential. To fulfill something is to meet its requirements, supplying what is missing.

          Jesus taught with clarity and authority to the extent that the audience around him wondered how his teaching relates to what they have been taught all their lives. He began by redirecting His audience’s mind from thinking that he came to break the law. He stated explicitly that He came to fulfill the Law and Prophets. The Law represents Moses while the Prophets stands for Elijah (Matthew 17: 3). Emphasizing on the importance of the law, Jesus assured that even if Heaven and Earth pass away, every piece of the Law will be fulfilled. However, He warned that Law breakers would be punished while Law keepers would receive rewards. Jesus advises His audience to live above human standards so that they can make heaven.

          Christians should not be Law breakers to both God’s law and Human’s law which are not contrary to our faith. We should not make excuses for disobeying rules and regulations that guide our society. All true believers should resemble Christ, as Law keepers. We must be obedient to God no matter what. Are there laws of God which are difficult to keep by you? Ask Jesus for grace to delight in the Law of God.

WISDOM: Christians are not lawbreakers.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Are you a law keeper or law breaker?

FOLLOW-UP-ACTION: Make obedience to God your lifestyle.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to be obedient to you in all things.

I am victorious by the power in the blood of Jesus; I triumph over the enemy in the name of Jesus.

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About Women's Missionary Union

 

The Women’s Missionary union of the First Baptist Church, Lagos was started after the meeting of the Nigerian Baptist Convention on March 14, 1919, where Adeotan Agbebi was appointed the First President of the WMU. Two members of the First Baptist Church; Miss Janet Fadipe and Mama Hannah Williams were present at the Inauguration service where they were charged to continue the WMU in their individual churches.
The Women’s Missionary Union is the most important women organization in all Baptist Churches as it is one of the conditions for the recognition of a standard and fully fledged Baptist Church.

The aims of WMU are:-

1.     To stimulate private and public prayer

2.     To stimulate daily reading of God’s word (The Bible)

3.     To spread the gospel among people

4.     To encourage stewardship, personal service and giving to the needy and working in the Vine yard.

The WMU is saddled with the spiritual development of children and women in all Baptist Churches.
The WMU comprises four organizations:
1. Women’s missionary union (WMU) which comprises married women only.
2. Lydia Auxiliary (For girls age 16 and above/until married)
3. Girls Auxiliary (This comprises of two groups)
a. Junior age: 10-12
b. Intermediate age: 13-16
4. Sunbeam band (This comprises of two groups)
a. Beginners class ages: 4-6
b. Primary class ages: 13-16
The WMU is the Overall head/Supervisor.

WMU’s unwavering focus is making disciples of Jesus who live on mission.

We carry out this mission by

·         providing missions discipleship resources for churches and individuals,

·         offering opportunities to engage with compassion ministries, and

·         Equipping people through leadership development experiences.

WHAT GUIDES WMU?

WMU IS

·         Biblically rooted
Scripture guides us in knowing God, His ways, His character, His mission, His redemptive acts, and His purpose for the church.

·         Missions focused
Jesus commissioned His disciples to proclaim the good news disciple people of all nations, and teach them to live out the truths He taught.

·         Church based
Jesus gave the church authority to act on His behalf. Teaching all ages prepares the church to fulfill His mission.

·         World aware
God is always at work among all peoples, and we join Him where we discern He is calling us.

·         Denominationally supportive
No one church can do alone what many churches can do together. Our voluntary cooperation extends the missions reach of the local church. 

WHAT IS WMU’S STORY?

WMU, an auxiliary of the Southern Baptist Convention, began 133 years ago in the hearts of visionary leaders to pray and systematically raise money for missions. 

Since that time, WMU has helped lead Southern Baptist churches across the country to give $6.6 billion through the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering—efforts begun by WMU to support missionaries. 

WMU’s unwavering focus on making disciples of Jesus who live on mission happens through missions discipleship, leadership development, and compassion ministries, with kingdom impact in every state and 39 countries.

Based in Birmingham, Alabama, national WMU is not a part of the Cooperative Program allocation budget and receives no funds from the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering or Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. National WMU is supported through the sale of magazines and products and from investments and charitable contributions.

 

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GOD’S WORD, GOD’S PRESENCE

 

RBT: 1 CORINTHIANS 14 - 16
TEXT: DEUTERONOMY 10: 1 - 11
HYMN; BH 184: I Know the Bible is true

I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. Then you are to put them in the ark.       Deuteronomy 10: 2, NIV

In his sermon, practicing His presence James Goll asserts that the Christian faith is a journey that requires assurance of being guided by God. True intimacy with God is an inward journey proceeding into His presence through His word.

This part is virtually unseen and ignored by vast majority of Human beings.

This is why Moses reminded the Israelite about God’s relationship with them.

The Lord sent Moses forth to lead the People so that they can enter and possess the land the Lord has sworn to their forefathers (v. 11). But they would not be able to accomplish this without God’s word and God’s presence. And that was why Moses had to stay forty days and forty nights the second time to get God’s word to the people (v. 10). The Lord instructed Moses to place the two tablets containing the Ten Commandments in the ark. The people were able to continue on their journey after Moses had done all that the Lord commanded him.

God has a lot in store for us as children today, but we will not be able to possess our possessions until we have put His words first, and cherish His presence in our lives. Peter’s story changed from that of “fruitless toil” to that of a “great catch” when he cast his net according to the word of Christ (John 21: 1 – 6). The secret of your much desires success is in learning the secret of God’s word and cultivating His presence.

          Today, do not allow anything to rattle you to putting away God’s words in your heart and His presence as you go about your endeavors.

WISDOM: 

God’s words come with God’s presence.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: 

Do you confront Life’s challenges with the God’s word?

FOLLOW-UP ACTION:

 Spend time in God’s presence by reading His word

PRAYER:

Father, help me to keep your words in my heart that I may not sin against you.

Lord, grant me the grace to delight in your word, In Jesus’ name.

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