PROCLAIMERS OF JOY

Anchor Text: Psalm 68:11

Beyond reasonable doubts, the remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ ushers in a season of joy unspeakable. This season of celebration provides yet another opportunity for us to experience the joy of the Lord, and to proclaim it to as many people as possible.
Today, we want to profile the lives of people who proclaimed the joy of the Lord to their generation during the birth of Jesus Christ, and possibly learn a few lessons from their lives.

1. Wise men from the East (Matt. 2:1-12) 

These men came all the way from the East. They were not the regular religious-looking folks you would see around. They wouldn’t even have been perceived by the society as being ‘righteous’, yet they came as they were directed by God. They might have possibly had an encounter with the Lord somewhere along the line. God can use anyone He chooses to fulfil His purpose on earth. He uses the foolish things to confound the wise… (1 Cor. 1:26-29). 

They came with a heartfelt desire to worship the newly born King. They eventually worshipped Him, proclaimed His glory and carried out all their actions based on divine prescription.

2. Shepherds that kept the watch (Luke 2:8-20)

These men were abiding in the field, watching over their flock, kept themselves awake while others were sleeping, and all of a sudden, they experienced an angelic visitation and the glory of the Lord beamed upon them. The angel of the Lord revealed to them all what the Lord would have them say about the Saviour that had just been born.
We have nothing to proclaim to our generation, except that which the Lord reveals to us (Matt. 10:27). 

3. Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)

He was a faithful and God-fearing man, who laboured fervently into prayers, for the consolation of Israel. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would see the Messiah before death. This man was led by the Spirit, and he entered the Temple on the day of the child's dedication...

4. Anna the prophetess (Luke 2:36-38)

She was a widow of about eighty-four years who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers, night and day. Also being propelled by the Spirit of God, she came in at that instant, gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem…

Some of the things we could learn from the lives of these people:

a. Each of them had encounter with God, which left indelible marks on their lives.

b. They got overwhelmed with the presence of God, such that they could not trade it for anything else.

c. They saw what others could not see.

d. They became channels of God’s blessings to others…

Declaration: Receive grace to be a publisher of the good tidings of joy, peace and salvation, in the name of Jesus Christ! (Isaiah 52:7).

                                              PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA

                                                       Resident  Pastor

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A SHINING LIGHT

 

Matthew 5:14-16; Phil. 2:14-15.

Jesus Christ is the true light. He is the One who lightens the path of everyone (John 1:9). He said ‘…I AM the light of the world’ (John 8:12; 9:5). Yet, He said, ‘you are the light of the world…’

Are you truly the light of the world? Do you operate as the light of the world? Does your life reflect the light and the glory of God in your generation?

God is the Father of all lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turnings… (James 1:17). He is the fountain of life, in whose light we see light (Psalm 36:9).

The light that God called forth in the beginning was definitely not the sun and moon. Furthermore, He referred to the light as Day… (Gen. 1:3-5).

The Word of God is the true light, and He is the one that produces the light in us (John 1:1-14). The Word is life… (John 6:63).

Until we possess the life of Christ, we cannot experience, neither can we manifest the true light! (John 1:4). Until we are born after the order of Christ, we cannot release our full potential as the light of the world… (1 Cor. 15:45).

The truth is that, God wants as many people as possible to operate as children of the light (1 Thess. 5:5; Eph. 5:7-14; 2 Cor. 4:6).

Light reveals (manifests) hidden things, it therefore remains a threat to darkness. Our destiny is to shine forth as the light of the world and reflect the glory of God.

Light represents or depicts solution, illumination, transformation, revival, resuscitation, impartation of knowledge, etc.

How can I be a shining light in my generation?

Believe and receive Jesus Christ (John 1:12-13; 12:36, 46).

It’s only when you believe in the Lord, Jesus Christ and receive Him as your Lord and Saviour (having truly experienced the light of God) that you can become a carrier of God’s light to your generation.

Follow Him (John 12:35; John 11:9-10; 1 John 1:5-7).

Engage in a spiritual walk with Jesus!
Jesus said, ‘…follow Me and I will make you…’ (Matt. 4:19). He alone has all it takes to make you a shining star. Follow Him. Some of the ways through which you can follow Him:
an effective and consistent prayer life;
reading, studying and meditating on the Word of God.

Serve Him as a faithful steward.
Service in God’s kingdom promotes shining forth to manifest His glory. Anyone who truly engages in heartfelt kingdom service ends up as a shining star in the everlasting kingdom of the Father (Daniel 12:3).

The path of service is truly the path of wisdom…

Oh LORD, teach me to number my days, that I may apply my heart unto wisdom…

So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfil the number of your days (Exodus 23:25-26).

Receive grace to serve the Lord faithfully and selflessly. May your light shine forth, such that men will behold your good works and give glory to your heavenly Father!

                                                        PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA

                                                       Resident  Pastor

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OVERCOMING TRIALS AND TEMPTATION

Theme: James 1:1-8

·      The scripture this morning states that, as born-again Christians, we are bound to go through trails and temptations.

·      Throughout the Bible, we saw people who turned their defeat into victory and their trials into triumph

·      They moved from being VICTIMS to becoming VICTORS

·      Whether we are dealing with trails on the outside or temptations on the inside, through faith in Christ Jesus we can experience victory. Ps.34:19 

·      David had his Saul, Elijah his Jezebel; Paul his Alexander; Daniel his lion’s den; Jacob had his father-in-law; and Jesus had his Judas Iscariot, the priest and the Israelite

·      As Christians, we also have issues we deal with that challenges our salvation and our faith in Christ Jesus

·      Some of which may appear in form of problems, pressures, pains, and persecutions

·      Trials, temptations or tribulations may be regarded as;

-       anything that distracts us from our focus on God

-       anything that detours us from our service for God

-       anything that drains us of our driving passion for God

HOW TO TURN TRAILS INTO TRIUMPH

1.    Count It All Joy James 1:2

·      The Bible did not say "if" but "when", this is because Christians must expect trials

·      Consider what Jesus Christ said in John 16:33 and Paul also confirming this in Acts 14:22

·      This means that our trial and temptation is Biblical

-       The trial may not be the same but it will surely come.

·      Some trials come simply because we are human. i.e sickness, disappointment or even death of loved one

-       Other trials come simply because we gave our lives to Christ. 1Peter 4:12-13, 2Tim.3:12.

·      Because Satan fights us, and the world opposes us, we can expect trials. Eph.6:12

Ø Our response as Christians is to immediately thank God and adopt a joyful attitude. "COUNT IT ALL JOY!" (Count your Blessings)

This was the attitude of the apostles in Acts 5:41  and also the early Christians in 1Peter1:7

·      “The right knowledge concerning the value of trials makes it possible to have a joyful attitude…”

-       Simply thank God and adopt a joyful attitude. Why? Because of what verse 3 says

2.    Patiently Put Your Faith To Work James 1:3

·      We must understand that trials and temptations appear just to test our faith and when our faith is tested, it brings out the best in us. 2Cor.4:17

·      Christians must know that Trials and temptations work for us, not AGAINST us.

-       Trails rightly used help us to overcome.

-       Just as fire purifies Gold, just as training makes an athlete stronger,

-       Trails and temptations builds and strengthens our faith.1Peter 1:7   

Ø Faith Tested Produces "PATIENCE"... Rom.5:3-4    

     

·      Patient in this context, is not passive acceptance of circumstances, but the ability to exhibit;

-       courage in the face of suffering

-       Moving forward even when it is rough

·         These can only be achieved through patiently gathering of experience during trial and temptation.

·      There is an adage that says "When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade out of it!"

·      To really get positive result from trail and temptation, we must also obey the third principle which is found in verse 4

3.    Let Your Patience Be Perfected in Christ Jesus James1:4

·      To truly turn trail into triumph, we must master the act of being “PATIENT”      

-       Rather than grumble and complain, patiently discover for yourself how to overcome and bury your trail to avoid rising up the second time

·       Paul did excellently well under his own trial so must we as Christians. 2Cor.12:7-9

·      Paul understood that his sound theological experience as a lawyer may cause his doom if God do not humble him

-       Do you understand why you are going through your trails and temptations?

·      When “PATIENT” has had an opportunity to work, it produces maturity, humility, longsuffering, contentment, perfection, etc.

-       “PATIENT” gives full maturity and understanding to spiritual matters

-       You are no longer “Babes” but a fully grown man in Christ Jesus

Ø Becoming a matured long distant runner for Christ requires letting PATIENT do its work

-       Allow God to properly groom you in the closet

-       To run the race well spiritually, we must be willing to endure

-       Endurance is needed when trial put our faith to test

4.    Ask God for the Wisdom To Overcome James1:5-8

·      Letting PATIENCE have its perfect work is not easy, it requires a lot of wisdom which enables us to see the value of our trials.

·      If any man lack WISDOM, let him ask from God

-       He promised to give it liberally, He will not reproach us for asking

-       As Solomon’s request for WISDOM was pleasing to God, so is anyone’s request will be more than pleasing to Him.

·      WISDOM will produces the ability to properly use the information and facts gathered in studying the word of God in a more efficient way

Ø The WISDOM to properly turn our trials to Triumph in building up our faith is in the WORD of God

-       The WISDOM to properly apply His word can be received in the place of prayer

·      The Power and the grace to seek the OWNER of wisdom more than anything, may the Lord grant it to us.

In Conclusion:

 

·      What are the words of God that comes out of your mouth when going through trials and temptations? Rev.12:11, Rom.8:28

·      There is a purpose why you are called, God want to test you to know if you truly fit into the Purpose. 2Tim.3:17

·      God want you to be perfect, thoroughly and fully equipped unto every good works.