MORTIFYING THE WORKS OF THE FLESH

Mortifying the works of the flesh

Romans 8:11-13; Gal 5:16-26

To 'mortify' is to cause someone to feel embarrassed, ashamed, or humiliated.

To subdue the body or its needs and desires by self-denial or discipline. It also means to subjugate (to bring under control), or to put to death... 

Right from the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, the typical man had become alienated from the life of God. Consequently, man doesn't need to be taught how to sin, because the 'adamic' (sinful) nature is inherent in him.

The spirit and the flesh lust against each other.

Therefore, they that are in the flesh cannot please God. They can't discern or understand spiritual things. The ways of God are hidden to them, because they always see them as foolishness.

The proceeds of the flesh can never glorify God. Friendliness with the world system is enmity against God.

The flesh is referred to as the corrupt, sinful nature, the old man, the world system, etc.

The works of the flesh include:

Adultery

Fornication

Uncleanness

Lasciviousness

Idolatry

Variance, etc

READ: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 15:50

For this reason, the Son of God is made manifest, that He may destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).

How to mortify the works of the flesh?

1. Walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:16)

How can I walk in the Spirit?

1. You must be born again (John 3:1-8)

2. Give room for the Holy Spirit in your heart; grieve not the Spirit of God... (Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thess. 5:19)

3. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14)

4. Feed/feast on the Word of God

5. Grow by the sincere milk....(1 Peter 2:2)

6. Thereafter, you gradual to the level of strong meat and so on...(Hebrews 5:14)

7. Do the will of the Father. 

8. Only those who do the will of the Father will abide forever (1 John 2:15-17; Matt. 7:21)

9. Accept and embrace the Cross (Romans 6:6; Galatians 2:20; 6:14)

In conclusion, we need to mortify the flesh (through the help of the Holy Spirit) before it steals our hearts away from sincere and absolute devotion to Christ.

PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA

      Resident  Pastor

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GOOD SOLDIERS OF CHRIST

GOOD SOLDIERS OF CHRIST

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 strives for masteries [yet] is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

WHO IS A SOLDIER OF CHRIST?

A soldier of Christ is a servant, a disciple or a child of God who is aware of what it entails to follow and obey Jesus Christ without any restraint and is willing to comply with all rules and principles of the game.

To become a soldier of Christ, it requires peculiar qualities. It imposes peculiar duties. To be a soldier implies exposure, contest, and difficulty. To be a good soldier also implies courage, fidelity, and success.

Let us consider some of the attributes of a good soldier of Jesus Christ;

1.      A good soldier has made a final CHOICE of the service in which he is engaged.

A good soldier of Christ has enlisted for warfare. It is the choice he made. He is not ashamed of his uniform, of his duty, of his officers, or of his cause. He glories in the stand which he has taken. He participates in every triumph. He rejoices over all its success. Psalm 15:4, Luke 9:62

2.     A good soldier must have true COURAGE to contend the enemies of Christ. Joshua 1:6

 A soldier of Christ has enemies who invariably happened to be the enemies of Christ. He must continually contend if he must conquer at last. These enemies are temptations around, that would lead him away, or drive him back from Saviour. Evil tendencies and habits of thought within, that would entangle and harass him. – Eph. 6:12, 2Cor.10:3-6

3.     A good soldier must ENDURE HARDNESS.

A soldier has much to bear--sometimes very much. He must endure suffering without murmuring. His power of endurance is often the very means of his victory. The warfare, in which he is engaged, may require him to bear much. It may be long and very trying. But his mind must be fixed and strengthened to bear even to the end. His Leader, the Captain of the host, goes before him. He has endured the cross and despised the shame.

Heb. 12:2, 2Cor. 4:16

4.     A good soldier must NOT ENTANGLE himself with the affairs of this world.

A good soldier is focused and would not allow anything to distract his attention from his primary assignment. He continuously frees himself from civilian affair so as to be mindful of the attack from the enemies. – 1Peter 5:8

5.     A good soldier has a HOPE OF TRIUMPH.

 He never loses hope. He fights not as uncertainly (1Cor. 9:26). He is saved and strengthened by hope. In all human contests there is great uncertainty. But in our warfare there is none. Our Captain has already triumphed. We follow him to the fruits of his own victory. We are sure of success by his power. Phil. 4:13, Rom. 8:37

6.     A good soldier must seek to PLEASE HIS COMMANDER

The will of his master he will do. He carries out his duties with sense of responsibility. Soldier of Christ carries out his assignments just as specified. He is one of the great army of the living God. He is engaged in a most important warfare. He has set up his standard unto God. He must press on through all opposes, to his glorious end. He will be made a conqueror through the Lord Jesus Christ, who gives him the victory. Are you such a soldier of Christ?

PASTOR FEMI ATODE

     

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OUR GOD, OUR REFUGE!

GOD IS OUR REFUGE

OUR GOD, OUR REFUGE!

Psalm 46:1-2

What is refuge?

Refuge is a place or a condition of being safe, or sheltered from pursuit, trouble or danger.

A place or state of shelter, protection, safety, covering, security....a hiding place!

Some trust in chariots, some in horses....(Psalm 20:7).

Happy is the man that has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God (Psalm 146:5)

Woe to them that go down to 'Egypt'...

Is your strength relying on the riches of Egypt?

Are you trusting in the uncertain well-being of Babylon?

You can't trust in the arm of the flesh, and pretend to be looking up to God.

The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear....(Psalm 27:1-6)

The Lord is a sun and shield.

I will say of the Lord, He's my refuge and my fortress...(Psalm 91:2)

For Thou, oh Lord art a shield for me...(Psalm 3:3)

A very present help 'in' trouble. The Lord is ever present to help us in the time of trouble.

(Psalm 50:15)

Though the earth be removed....I will not fear.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil...(Psalm 23:4)

When you pass through the waters...(Isaiah 43:2)

How can I secure God's refuge?

1. The fear of God (Prov. 14:26, Psalm 34:7)

2. Seeking the Lord (Psalm 9:9-10; Psalm 27:4)

3. Walking in holiness/righteousness (Psalm 24:3-4; Prov. 18:10)

4. Trusting in the Lord (Psalm 125:1-2)

PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA

      Resident  Pastor

for more details on pictures and proceedures of the service: check our posts on www.facebook.com/gacikeja and our tweets on www.twitter.com/gacikeja.

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BECOMING A DISCIPLE (FOLLOWER) OF CHRIST

BECOMING A DISCIPLE (FOLLOWER) OF CHRIST

Luke 9:23-25; Mark 8:34-37

Who is a disciple?

A disciple is a follower and student of a mentor, teacher, or other figure; one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another.

An ardent follower, protege or faithful devotee of someone in greater authority.

Discipline is a systematic instruction intended to train a person, sometimes literally called a disciple, in a craft, trade or other activity, or to follow a particular code of conduct or order.

Few things to note about disciples...

As Christ's disciples, we didn't choose Him, rather, He chose us (John 15:16). Jesus solely appointed His disciples (Matt. 10:1-4; Mark 3:13-19).

A disciple is not greater than his/her Master (Matt. 10:24; John 15:20).

True and worthy disciples respond earnestly to the call to service, they step up their spiritual lives, in order to close ranks with Jesus.

Jesus went to the mountain top and His disciples followed Him (Matt. 5:1).

True followers of Christ (disciples) serve God with their bags packed, they are not bread and butter (comfort zone) Christians (Matt. 8:18-23).

Faithful disciples are mountain climbers. They know how to boldly approach the throne of grace in time of need...(Mark 9:2)

The demands of discipleship

1) Deny yourself

Self denial, self restraint, self abasement...

We must deny self of its appetite.

We must endure hardship and inconvenience for Christ's sake.

We must humble ourselves

2) Pick up your cross daily (embrace the way of the cross)

The way of the cross is not an easy way to tread, it's the seemingly 'old-fashoined', forsaken and lonely way. Few are they that find it...

These days, the message of the cross is stylishly avoided in the church, because it's an offence and a stumbling block to the wise men of the world. But unto those who believe, it is the power of God unto salvation...

There is no resurrection without the cross!

3) Follow Jesus

Jesus said 'follow me and I will make you...'

As you follow Jesus daily, He fashions out the pre-ordained glory of God in your life.

Following Jesus implies that we follow His footsteps; we live as He lived, we walk as He walked, we work as he worked, and we submit totally to the will of the Father, just as He did....

John 8:31

PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA

      Resident  Pastor

for more details on pictures and proceedures of the service: check our posts on www.facebook.com/gacikeja and our tweets on www.twitter.com/gacikeja.

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