REPRESENTING GOD'S KINGDOM – THE MAKING OF A SERVANT LEADER

Our Lord, Jesus Christ revolutionised the concept of leadership when He revealed to His disciples, the real essence of leadership – service. Through this new idea called servant leadership, He introduced a paradigm shift into the world of leadership. In the kingdom of God, the servant is the greatest…

We see service as weakness, but God sees it as strength!
Jesus took it a step further by washing His disciples’ feet… (John 13:3-5).
Someone said, ‘servant leadership begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve first and thereafter, exploit leadership as a platform through which one plunges deeper into service’. The servant leader is first of all a servant!

The desire of the Father is to raise labourers (servant leaders), in this end-time, who will extend the frontiers of His kingdom on earth, as ambassadors of Christ (Matt. 9:37-38).

When the kingdom of God comes upon us with power, true servant leaders will be raised in the body of Christ (Psalm 110:3).

FEW THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT SERVANT LEADERS

They are men of spiritual perception
They sense/see things in the Spirit, ahead of others. They are always at least, a step ahead of their generation. While others gallivant around town, seeing nothing, God reveals to them, an impending doom (Amos 3:7; Gen. 6:13; 18:17). Mordecai perceived all that had been done… (Esther 4:1).

They are men of prayer
They are totally given to prayer, intercessory prayer! God reveals events and things that will unfold in the fullness of time to them, and in response, they pray ahead! They pray according to the leading of the Spirit…
While Naaman was trying to perfect his evil plan for Mordecai and the Jews, Mordecai was probably somewhere, in the secret place of the Most High, praying, interceding for the nation…

They love righteousness and eschew iniquity
They are grieved by the things that grieve God. They mourn when there is lack of restraint among God’s people. Blessed are they that mourn… (Matt. 5:4). They are passionate about God’s kingdom. They are lovers of God and His Word. Furthermore, they are not scared to declare their stance for righteousness, neither are they ashamed of the gospel of Christ (Rom. 1:16-17).

They raise servant leaders
They don’t build a team of loyalists for themselves, rather, they train and equip saints for the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:11-13). They build teams of followers/disciples for Christ. Having experienced the power of the Cross, they replicate themselves in others… (2 Tim. 2:1-2).

They are process-oriented
They subject themselves under divine processing. They understand times and seasons in God’s perspective (1 Chro. 12:32). They don’t move ahead of God’s timing (Luke 1:80). They don’t look for shortcuts and quick fixes. They don’t compete with others, they rather complete them….
Are we process-oriented?

They are selfless
Regardless of their status or position, they remain as true servants of God (Esther 10:1-3). They possess the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:3-11). Even in the midst of blessings and affluence, they see themselves as strangers and pilgrims on earth (Heb. 11:13; 1 Peter 2:11).

HOW CAN I BE A SERVANT LEADER?

Seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 5:6; 6:10, 33). Pray for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Seize every opportunity you have, to serve God. In every given capacity, ensure that you are serving. When Jesus comes, it will be great if He finds us deeply immersed into kingdom service (Luke 12:43).

The Lord is coming quickly, and His reward is with Him, to give every man according to his works… (Rev. 22:12).
Receive grace to be a servant leader, a true ambassador of God’s kingdom, in your generation. 

PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA

        Resident  Pastor

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REPRESENTING GOD'S KINGDOM – DELAYED GRATIFICATION

We live in a fast-paced world. Everything around seems to be ‘instant’. The world seems to be moving very fast. This has been the prevailing pattern amongst us; it’s even rubbing off on the Christians, such that we try to dictate to God, our time of manifestation.
However, God’s standard remains intact and He will always have His way. It’s best for us to move at God’s pace. Remember, His thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are His ways your ways… (Isaiah 55:8-9).

God deliberately kept Mordecai at the king’s gate, even after Esther had been enthroned, so that he could discover and reveal the evil plots of the two men who sought to kill the king. In other words, God actually used Mordecai to preserve the life of king Ahasuerus.
It may seem like you’ve been forgotten and forsaken by men, be rest-assured that God has not forgotten you, neither has He forsaken you…He will never leave you comfortless!
However, He might have kept you on that spot for a particular purpose or assignment, which will be a reference point for your greatness in the future.

Even after Mordecai disclosed the evil plot, he wasn’t rewarded instantly. His good deed was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.

When the time came for promotion (in Esther 3), instead of Mordecai, it was Haman that got promoted and celebrated.
Haman was an Agagite, probably a descendant of king of the Amalekites; furthermore, the Amalekites were descendants of Esau the first born of Isaac, so they were sworn enemies of the Jews.

Haman got promoted above all the princes of the kingdom, while Mordecai was left at the gate. Because he had never been subjected to divine process, he attributed all his success and breakthroughs to himself, and eventually, pride took over his life. The king had given a charge that all his servants at the gate should bow and pay homage to Haman. All these got to his head…

But, Mordecai refused to bow… and this marked the beginning of problems for himself and all the Jews in the kingdom. Haman, a long-time adversary now had a golden opportunity to annihilate all the Jews in the kingdom…

Haman here represents the devil, the old serpent, the accuser of the brethren, and a sworn adversary of the saints of God. His mission is to steal, kill and destroy!

Mordecai in this picture, is the ambassador (true representative) of God’s kingdom, who has been deeply entrenched in the culture and core values of the kingdom. Just like the three Hebrews before king Nebuchadnezzar, he simply refused to bow!
Would you rather bow? Would you bow to the pressure of this economic meltdown amongst other things? Would you bow to peer group pressure? Would you bow to enticing opportunities that are not God’s provision for you? Would you bow to sexual temptations, pre-marital and extra-marital temptations? etc.

Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the congregation of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful…Psalm 1:1-3.

LESSONS TO DRAW…
Don’t seek the reward of men! Don’t be title-driven! Don’t run ahead of God’s timing for your life. While you are running after the blessings, don’t ‘out-run’ God. Whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord (Col. 3:23-24; Eph. 6:7).

Let the Holy Spirit guide you. Let Him direct the course of your life (Romans 8:14). Let your life be ordered by God. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord (Psalm 37:23).
Not every breakthrough is from God. However, some breakthroughs and open doors come from the Lord, but we still need to take a step further by asking the Lord whether they are meant for us (2 Cor. 2:12-14).

If your blessing manifests before the God-ordained time, your spiritual vulnerabilities will become more evident, character default becomes more visible and you are likely to get farther from God. This eventually leads to a shipwreck of one’s destiny (Prov. 14:12; 16:25).

PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA

        Resident  Pastor

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WORD OF HIS POWER

Readings: Heb. 1:1 – 4, 2Tim. 3:16, 2Pet. 1:21

INTRODUCTION

The word of God comes to us in different media. God empowers His word to achieve a purposeful goal in the life of a man to which it is sent irrespective of the medium through which it is delivered. The word of God is sure and settled for ever in heaven - Ps. 119:89

For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

The word of God is powerful and capable of penetrating the deepest thought – Heb. 4:12

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The word of God carries the authority of God – Ecc. 8:4

Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

SOURCES FROM WHICH GOD SPEAKS TO US

Ø  The raw and original medium or source of the word of God remains the Bile (written word of God). Our constant in touch with the bible guarantees us eternal life.

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:39 KJV)  

Ø  Word of God through the minister (preaching or teaching). God ministers through the mouth of His anointed vessels unto us.

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:14-15 KJV)

Ø  Word of God through books, tracts or any other Christian souvenir.

Whichever way we encounter the word of God, the word of God is designed to make us perfect image of God. It will therefore do us well to heed the warning of the word of God.

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; where unto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (2 Peter 1:19 KJV) 

BENEFITS OF THE WORD OF GOD

Ø  The word of God brings light (illuminates) the heart of man – Ps. 19:8, 119:130, prov. 6:23

Ø  The word of God is a life-giving spirit – Jh. 6:63. The word of God is the life of God.

Ø  The word of God is a Crushing hammer to destroy every stony heart – Jer. 23:29

Ø  The word of God purifies – Ps. 119:9, Jh. 15:3; 17:17, Eph. 5:26

Ø  The word of God is a saving power of God unto salvation – Rom. 1:16

Ø  The word of God gives hope – Rom. 15:4

Ø  The word of God is a discerner of every heart – Heb. 4:12

Ø  Through the word of God, we have eternal life – 1Jh. 5:13

Conclusion

The bible declares that everything we see in the world was made by the word of God. The world itself was framed by the word of God. One word from God almighty is able to transform your life if you will turn to Him today.

PASTOR FEMI ATODE

        

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REPRESENTING GOD'S KINGDOM – VESSEL UNTO HONOUR

Esther 2:8-17; 2 Tim. 2:20-21

God has given us a mandate to represent His kingdom among the nations of the earth. It is through the power of God that we can truly represent His kingdom (1 Cor. 4:20).
Today, we want to consider the life of Esther, the queen, who became a vessel unto honour in the hand of the Master, and fulfilled God’s purpose in her generation. Through strict adherence to divine prescription, this lady was able to move from nothingness to greatness, such that God reckoned with her, even in her generation!

Having grown under the tutelage of Mordecai, Esther became truly convinced that she belonged to a kingdom which surpassed the Babylonian kingdom – the heavenly kingdom!

SOME LESSONS TO DRAW FROM THE LIFE OF ESTHER

LABOUR
Esther was indeed a labourer. She laboured under grace. She gave herself to learning and grooming under the watch of her mentor, Mordecai. She submitted herself to series of chastisement and brooding, as God was preparing and nurturing her for the palace…
There is the right time to labour…Don’t forsake your God-ordained time of labour. Seek ye the Lord while He may be found…(Isaiah 55:6). Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth…(Ecc. 12:1).
Furthermore, she laboured consistently in the place of prayer, in service to God and humanity, in worship and praise…
It takes a lifestyle of worship and praise to stand in the inner court of the King of kings (Psalm 100:4; Esther 5:1-2).

FAVOUR
She obtained favour with God and men. Right from the beginning of the contest, God granted her favour before Hegai, the king’s custodian (Esther 2:8-9). Esther never for once, underrated the favour of God, she never took for granted, the instructions given to her by Mordecai…
She held the Word of God in high esteem…no wonder she obtained favour in the sight of God and men (Prov. 3:1-4).
Divine favour displaces human protocols…When God sets His favour in motion to work for you, human laws and traditions are put into suspension.
You will obtain the favour of the Almighty God!

HUMILITY
Esther was a humble woman. This made her to attract God’s grace. The Bible says, ‘…He gives grace to the humble…(Prov. 3:34; James 4:6)’.
The real test of humility comes in the time of affluence.
Esther kept receiving orders from her mentor even after she became the crowned queen of the kingdom. Even when she was about to go astray, Mordecai chastised her, and she quickly re-ordered her steps (Esther 4:1-17).

It takes humility to locate the place of purpose. It takes humility or meekness to fulfil God’s purpose for one’s life and to finish strong (Psalm 25:9).

HONOURABLE VESSEL IN THE MASTER’S HAND
The purification materials given by the king’s stewards could only cleanse the external impurities, not the heart. The antidote for a defiled and corrupt heart is sanctification by the Truth, which is the Word of God (John 17:17).

In a great house, there are different kinds of vessels…you can decide which one you want to be. A tried and tested vessel (which has gone through the purification exercise) will never lack oil…

Receive grace to be a worthy vessel in the hand of the Master, fit for His use…

PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA

        Resident  Pastor

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REPRESENTING GOD'S KINGDOM

Today we want to examine the life of Mordecai, a man of purpose, who was totally sold out to the heavenly vision. He was fully conscious of God in all that he did. He worked out his salvation and that of his people, with reverence to God, in fear and trembling.

The life of Mordecai, as examined in the scriptures, teaches us about Godly character and integrity. Mordecai, as we can see, was a type and shadow of Christ, our example, the Apostle of our profession (Heb. 3:1).

Let's note that, in the kingdom of God, divine recruitment is an on-going process or exercise. God keeps reviewing, re-assessing, re-moulding and re-structuring the lives of the people that He will use as vessels unto honour, fit for the Master's use...
Queen Vashti failed the king's recruitment exercise (Esther 1:10-12). She was called upon by the king. A message was sent to her to come and show forth his glory, honour and affluence, but she refused to turn up. Consequently, she lost her place... Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown (Rev. 3:11).

Like Mordecai of old, we are representatives (ambassadors) of the heavenly kingdom on earth. We are disciples of Christ, we also have the heavenly mandate of raising disciples for Christ (Matt. 28:19-20).

One of the dynamics of the kingdom of God is that, great things usually start small. Mordecai started out as a gateman (gate-keeper) at the king’s palace…
No matter how insignificant your beginning may be, it’s a good starting point for God to showcase His glory! (Job 8:7).

Mordecai brought up Hadassah (Esther), his uncle’s daughter, and trained her as his own daughter (her parents had died when she was young). Mordecai was a teacher and a mentor (a discipler).
Real lovers of God and followers of Christ are passionate about replicating themselves in others (people of like passion).
1 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Timothy 2:2.

Mordecai ensured that Esther enrolled in the contest for the next queen of the kingdom. He probably sensed that he was standing at the king’s gate for such a time as time, he had been grooming, raising, nurturing and cultivating the God-given virtues and values of his young cousin, for such a time as this…
Little did he know before this time, that he had been preparing her for the palace all this while…

He regularly paced in front of the women’s quarters, to learn of her welfare. He kept checking on her. He kept an eye on her spiritual life. He also charged (instructed) her not to reveal her real identity.

After Esther had been appointed as the queen, Mordecai didn’t push for an upgrade in his social status. He didn’t show off as the queen’s father. He still remained at the king’s gate, serving diligently and faithfully. This man would rather engage himself in silent labours (secret prayer meetings, vigils and services) that are not seen by men, but known to God alone…All these, he did for the advancement of the kingdom! What a true ambassador he was…

Not only did Mordecai stay at the king’s gate, he was there with a sense of purpose. He knew his service was not only unto the king, but more importantly, unto the King of kings…
He probably felt the destiny of the whole kingdom was being placed on his shoulder, while serving at the king’s gate. In the spirit of enterprise and loyalty, he discovered that two of the king’s trusted men were plotting a coup to execute the king. He informed Esther, who also informed the king (in his name).

After a thorough investigation, the coup plotters’ scheme was discovered and they were hanged. Mordecai’s good work was recorded in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king…

The things you do for the advancement of God’s kingdom today are not done in vain. They are written in the book of chronicles before the King of kings. The Bible also calls it the book of remembrance in Malachi 3:16.

Whatsoever you do, whether in the church, in your group, in your home, workplace, school, community or in any capacity, do it whole-heartedly, as unto the LORD…(Col. 3:23), because we represent the heavenly kingdom.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear (Heb. 12:28).

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:20).

PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA

        Resident  Pastor

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