THE GOLDEN CALF Exodus 32:1-29

THE GOLDEN CALF

 Exodus 32:1-29

The story of the golden calf is still applicable to our generation.
The purpose of this message is for us to see where we have veered off and to retrace our steps back to the place of divine purpose. Hence, anything that contradicts God’s purpose or takes the place of God in our lives is Idolatry.

Idolatry is simply a shift of our focus from God.

IMPORTANT THINGS WE MUST TAKE NOTE OF (FROM EXODUS 32):

1. The People Had a Change of Mind (called for another god)
When they saw that Moses’ return from the mountain was delayed, they opted for another god. Likewise, when God seems to delay His visitation, we tend to switch to alternative plans...Do you have a backup plan?
Moses had gone for 40 days, and they couldn't wait any longer.
Sometimes, God intentionally allows some delays in our lives. How well can you handle God-ordained delays?
Note: The popular opinion might not necessarily be the will of God.
The kingdom of God is not democratic; it’s all about God and His eternal purposes.
They began to doubt the possibility of Moses’ return. Likewise today, many people already doubt the reality of the second coming of Christ.

2. In Response to The People’s Request, Their Spiritual Leader (Aaron) Facilitated the Crafting of the Golden Calf.
What role is the church (and the spiritual leadership) playing in the prevalence of idolatry in this age? Are we promoting the worship of strange gods?
God told Moses to collect offering of gold and other materials from the people, to build His tabernacle, but Aaron gathered those offering for the wrong purpose – to promote idolatry (Exodus 25:1-7; 32:2-4).
Idolatry is a grave offence in the sight of God, yet it is on the increase. It is even practised stylishly in the church of God nowadays.
‘This is your god, O Israel that brought you out of the land of Egypt!’ God was very angry with Aaron and wanted to destroy him, but Moses interceded for him (Deuteronomy 9:20).
Does your dressing/lifestyle promote God or idolatry?

3. God Was Much Displeased With This Act. He Resolved In His Heart To Destroy The People And Make Moses A Great Nation, Moses However Interceded On Their Behalf.
This is a foreshadow of Christ’s intercession for us on the cross of Calvary (Luke 23:34). Also, the parable of the barren fig tree (Luke 13:6-9)

4. When Moses Came Down From The Mountain, He Broke The Tablets Of Commandments Before The Children Of Israel. Furthermore, He Burnt the Golden Calf in the Fire, Ground It to Powder, Scattered It on the Water and Made The Israelites Drink It.
The breaking of the tablets was an illustration which he used to show the people, how grave their offence was and to show them how far they had drifted away from the presence of God. He also did that to show them that they had lost the divine favour of the Almighty God. The golden calf today represents strange gods (other gods – power, money, family, fame, self, etc) that contend with the Excellency of Christ in our lives. (Casting down every imagination....)

                   
5. Moses made an open call for whoever was on the Lord’s side
Moses who had earlier stood in the place of an intercessor now stood as a judge.
(Just like Christ who previously came as a Saviour and is coming back as the righteous Judge)
There was lack of restraint (Judges 17:6; Proverbs 29:18)
‘Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint......’  In the absence of the Word of God, people become ungovernable and destruction is inevitable.
The Levites stood for God.
Likewise, there is an open call from the throne to grace today, saying ‘Whoever is on the Lord’s side—come to me!’
Are you on the Lord’s side?
Are you willing to take a stand for God’s kingdom?
Are you ready to put away every idol from your domain?
How are we serving God? Are we serving Him in spirit and in truth?
Do we glorify God in the way we dress, live and relate with others?

Idolatry is an obstruction to the eternal blessings that God has promised.
What must I do?

1. Consecrate yourself to the Lord
We must forsake father and mother, and prefer the service of Christ and His interest far above our nearest and dearest relations. If we love our relations better than Christ we are not worthy of Him (Matthew 10:37)
It requires determination and appropriate action (Acts 1:8)

2. Daily encounter with the Cross
Through the cross, your interest in this world is crucified, and the world's interest in you, also dies (Galatians 6:14; Galatians 2:20).
Matthew 16:24; Luke 9:23

PST. NATHANIEL SADELA

      Resident  Pastor

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THE RESURRECTION Matt 28: 1-8, Act. 2:22-36, Rom. 8:11.

                                                                                                                                                                     We have heard about the importance and significance of the cross to us, as Christians.

Resurrection is a revival from inactivity or disuse. For someone to resurrect, the person must have died. Jesus was crucified and He rose on the third as He had earlier said. His resurrection is the reason why we are today, being called Christians. If Jesus had not resurrected, then the faith we practice today would have been reduced to nothing.

WHAT DOES THE RESURRECTION MEAN TO CHRIST?
1. THE RESURRECTION IS A FULLFILLMENT OF PROPHECY.
Psalm 16:8-11 (KJV) ^“8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. ⁹ therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. ¹⁰ For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. ¹¹ Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
Acts 2:22-32 (KJV) ^“22 Ye men of Irsael, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: ²³ Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have Taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: ²⁴ Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. ²⁵ For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: ²⁷ because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. ²⁸ Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. ²⁹ Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day. ³⁰ Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God has sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; ³¹ He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. ³² This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.”

2. THE RESURRECTION ESTABLISHES THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST.
Acts 2:32-36(KJV) ^“32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses. ³³ Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. ³⁴ For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou my right hand. ³⁵ Until I make thy foes thy footstool. ³⁶ Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

3. THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST ENABLED CHRIST TO BRUISE THE HEAD OF SATAN.
Gen. 3:15(KJV) “¹⁵And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
1 John 3:8(KJV) “⁸He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”

THE RESURRECTION HAS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT MEANING FOR A CHRISTIAN.
1. CHRIST’S RESURRECTION ASSURES CHRISTIANS OF THEIR OWN RESURRECTION.
Christ is the down payment, the pledge, or guarantee of the Christian’s own resurrection.
1 Cor. 15:20-24(KJV) “²⁰ But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of he that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.”
1 Cor. 15:50-53(KJV) ^“50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.⁵¹Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, ⁵²In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”
2. ANOTHER MEANINGFUL THING FOR A CHRISTIAN DUE TO CHRIST’S RESURRECTION, IS THAT CHRIST WAS RAISED FOR OUR JUSTIFICATION. 

The resurrection is linked to our salvation.
Rom. 4:24-25(KJV) “²⁴But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; ²⁵Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” teaches that a dead Christ could not redeem man.
To encourage you and I to have strong faith pertaining to the possibility of salvation, due to the resurrection of Christ, Rom. 10:9 declares, “…if thou shalt believe in thy heart that Jesus rose from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

3. THE THIRD THING THE RESURRECTION DOES FOR A CHRISTIAN IS THAT IT GIVES US A LIVING HOPE, WHICH PROVIDES COMFORT.

1 Pet. 1:3-4(KJV) “³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.”
1 Thess. 4:13-18(KJV) “¹³But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.¹⁵ For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.¹⁶ For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: ¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.¹⁸Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

4. THE RESURRECTION GIVES A CHRISTIAN POWER.

Phil. 3:10-11(KJV) “¹⁰That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; ¹¹ If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.”

Phil. 4:13(KJV) “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens Me.” is written because of Jesus’ victory over death. Christ gave this resurrection power to all that believe in Him

WHAT DOES THE POWER OF RESURRECTION DO FOR US?
1. The Power of resurrection makes us to know Him when we believe! John 14:15-18(KJV)

2. When the power of resurrection is poured out in our hearts. It gives us love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, kindness, self-control, faith, and hope. Galatians 5:22 “But the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
3. The same Spirit that raised Him from the dead gives life to our mortal bodies. He provides healing and will raise us up in the day of the Lord.

Romans 8:10-11 ^“10And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwells in you.”
4. We can receive resurrection life that makes us to be born again. We become a new creation. Old things are passed away and behold all things become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17-19
5. We can receive forgiveness for all our sins, past, present, and future. Hebrews 10:12-23

6. We can walk in a sense of God’s presence and power because His life is in us. 2 Corinthians 2:10-16
7. We can have hope when there is no hope because the Holy Spirit now leads us and encourages us to know that all things do work together for the good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
Romans 5:1-5(KJV) “¹Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: ² by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; ⁴ and patience, experience; and experience, hope: ⁵ and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

WHAT SHOULD WE DO TO RECEIVE THIS RESURRECTION POWER?

1. Receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Romans 10:9-13; John 1:10-12
2. Walk in Christ by praying every day. Jude 1:20(KJV) “But ye beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.”
3. Read God’s Word daily (which is the Bible). The same Spirit that the risen Christ sent lives in you. That same Spirit wrote the Bible through the prophets and apostles. He will cause you to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ as you become more like Him.

 Romans 8:14 -17(KJV) “¹⁴For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. ¹⁵ For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. ¹⁶ The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: ¹⁷And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

                               Dcn.ANIBABA Oluwayimika

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THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY OF JESUS CHRIST

(JESUS CHRIST REVEALED AS THE MESSIAH)

Bible Reading: Matthew 21: 1-11

¹And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, ² Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.  ³And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.  ⁴ All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, ⁵Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.  ⁶And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, ⁷And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. ⁸ And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.  ⁹ And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.  ¹⁰And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?  ¹¹ And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

What is Palm Sunday?

1.  Palm Sunday is the day we remember the “triumphal entry” of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. (Matt. 21:1-11)

2.   It is referred to as Palm Sunday because of the palm branches that were laid on the road as Jesus rode the donkey into Jerusalem.

 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zech. 9:9)

The triumphal entry of Jesus Christ is one of the few incidents in the life of Jesus that appeared in all the four Gospel.

Account of;
 Matthew (Matt.21:1-17)
 Mark (Mark 11:1-11)

 Luke (Luke 19:29-40)

 John (John 12:12-19)

What are the significance of the triumphal/triumphant entry?

1. To show the humility of the King of kings and the Lord of lords

Matt 21:5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly (gentle) and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey"Zech 9:9

2. To make Himself Known as our Messiah and to fulfill prophesy

(Zech. 9:9)

3. To show that He has conquered the world in our heart

 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth"Matt 28:18

The Mis-representation of His triumphal entry

1.   Unfortunately, the praise the people lavished on Jesus was not because they recognized Him as their Messiah. They welcomed Him out of their desire for a deliverer, someone who would lead them in a revolt against Rome.

2.   Many today do not believe in Christ with their spiritual faith, they are simply in search of a God who might be to them a temporal deliverer.

3.   We appear in church simply because of our want not because we acknowledge Him as the Lord over our lives

These are the ones who hailed Him as King with their many Hosannas, recognizing Him as the Son of David who came in the name of the Lord. But when He failed in their expectations by refusing to lead them in a massive revolt against the Roman occupiers and those who collaborated with them, the crowds quickly turned on Him. Within just a few days, their cry of “Hosannas” changed to cries of “Crucify Him!”.

 ²⁰Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.  ²¹ But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.Luke 23:20-21

        Those who hailed Him as a hero immediately rejected and abandoned Him.

 John 1:11tells us, He (Jesus) came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

                                                 Conclusion

The triumphal entry of Jesus Christ has meaningful life application to us as believers.

1. It is to appreciate the King who came as a lowly servant

2. He came not to conquer by force as earthly kings, but to show love, grace, mercy, and to sacrifice His life for His people.

3.  He came not to raise a kingdom of armies and splendor, but people who can rule the world in lowliness and servant hood.

4.  He did not come to conquer nations, but to win our hearts and souls for God.

5.   His message is one of peace with God, not of temporal peace.

6.   If Jesus has made a triumphal entry into our hearts, His reign is of peace, love and of sound.

As His followers, we must exhibit those same qualities, so that the world can see the true King living and reigning triumphantly in us forevermore.

                                      Pastor Lanre Areola

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CHURCH AS THE BODY OF CHRIST

CHURCH AS THE BODY OF CHRIST

     What Is Church?

The church is made up of those who have had their sins forgiven because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ at Calvary. 

“And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood” Rev. 1:5, 7:14

Church can also be referred to as each local gathering of believers; “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I will be.” Matthew 18:20

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

All believers in the whole world are called the church-Matt. 16:18

And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

    The Foundation of the Church

The church belongs to Jesus Christ

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so [let] the wives [be] to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” – Eph. 5:21-27

Other foundation is not accepted, only one foundation is laid for us – 1Cor 3:11

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is       Jesus Christ.

Church is founded on the confession that Jesus Christ (Messiah) is the son of the Living God

“He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” Matt. 16:16-18.

Jesus is the chief corner stone (meaning the top stone or the pillar) of the church

“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone]; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” - Eph. 2:20-22

Christians in the body of Christ are:

1.    Charged to occupy till Christ come

“And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come” - Luke 19:13

2.    Created to be holy – Eph. 4:24

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

3.    Called to be separated unto God

“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you” – 2cor. 6:16-17

4.    God’s temple – Eph. 2: 20-22

5.    Members of God’s household – Eph. 2:19, 1Tim. 3:15\

Eph. 2:19 - Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

                               

" But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth"'1Tim. 3:15 -

Our mission as Church of Christ

1. We are commissioned to teach and preach gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations. – Matt.18:19, Mark 18:15-16

2. We are called to minister to the gentiles – Acts 9:15

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

3. We are to lead the world right through our godly living. – 2Cor. 3:2,

Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

Matthew 5:14-16 - Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Conclusion:

What part are you taking in the body of Christ? Remember you will give account of your stewardship?

                                  Pastor Femi Atode

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