Topic: The Enemy’s Stronghold [Open Heavens 3 June 2018, Sunday]

Memorise: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. – John 8:32

Read: John 8:42-47 (KJV)

42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

47 He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

Bible in One Year: 1 Kings 14-15, Acts 5:1-21

MESSAGE:

Many people cannot identify the enemy’s stronghold, and that is why they remain under his bondage perpetually. It is unfortunate to observe that even many so-called “deliverance ministers” are victims of this ignorance too! This has rendered their efforts and zeal ineffective and has even made them victims of the enemy they claim to deliver people from.

What is the enemy’s stronghold? The answer is found in John 8:44:

“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

The story of how man fell in Genesis chapter 3 corroborates the reality that deception is the strongest chain with which the devil has held men down over the ages. Many times I wonder why those who are seemingly educated or enlightened are caught in the trap of the devil, but then I quickly remember my own days of ignorance. I remember an occasion where despite all the logic I had learnt from mathematics, I still went to a witchdoctor for protection, and he gave me a charm which eventually turned out to be a lie of the devil. I had two road accidents in one day with this charm hanging in a hidden part of the driver’s seat of my car. Thank God for saving me!

In Genesis 3:2-3, Eve told the old serpent, which is the devil, what God had said about the forbidden fruit in the middle of the garden, but the father of all lies said to her:

“Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” – Genesis 3:4b-5

This was the epitome of all lies, and the devil is still using this strategy to destroy people’s lives and send them to an eternity in hell. Beloved, which of the devil’s lies have you believed? Is it the lie that some books of the Bible, especially the espistles of Paul, were not originally written for you and so are not applicable to you? Is it the lie that tithes and first fruits are Old Testament ordinances and so should be ignored by New Testament worshippers? I pray for you, just as Jesus did, that you will embrace the truth in the infallible word of God today, and this will set you free (John 17:17). The great truth you need to embrace today is found in the words of 2 Timothy 3:16:

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

Prayer Point: Father, please give me divine wisdom to always detect the lies of the devil so as to always escape his snares in Jesus’ Name.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click HERE to read Open Heavens 2nd June 2018 Saturday Daily Devotional – This Is My Story

Hymn 9: The Old Rugged Cross

1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Chorus:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

2. Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

3. In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

4.To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

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TOPIC: Fishing For Men’s Soul [Sunday, 3rd June 2018]

OPENING PRAYER: Father, help me with new zeal and strategies to win souls. (Scroll down for SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN)

Bible Passage: Matthew 4: 18-25 (KJV)

18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.

MEMORY VERSE: “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” – Matthew 4:19

LESSON INTRODUCTION:

Few are called to be poachers or evangelists but every born again Christian is called to be a fisher of men. Every born again child of God has the opportunity to deal individually and personally with men’s souls. Fishing for a soul is a definite effort to lead a person to accept Christ as Saviour and Lord at a definite time. Andrew brought Peter to Christ. John. 1:41-42. You too may be the means of bringing a future world preacher to Christ. Why not start today?

TEXT REVIEW: MATTHEW 4:18-25

The Almighty God has the character of calling those who are dutiful and committed to their vocations. For instance, Gideon was threshing wheat by the wine press when He called Him. Judges 6:11, Elisha was ploughing with twelve yoke oxen when He called Him. I Kings 19;19. And in today’s Bible passage, He saw Peter and Andrew who were fishermen, casting their nets into the sea, before He called them- Matthew 4:1 8. A similar invitation was extended to James Zebedee and John Zebedee. The two also were fishermen by vocation. They were mending their nets possibly after use. Beside these ones, some other people came to Him or were brought to Him and they followed Him too. Matt 4 24-25. These ones came from Decapolis, Galilee, Jerusalem, Judea, Syria and beyond Jordan – Matt. 4:25. What were the professions of these ones? Amazing. They were not professionals. Rather, they were lunatics, tormented, sick people, palsy and people of diverse manners of sicknesses-Matthew 4:23-24, He healed them all and they followed Matt. 4:24-25, Matthew 20:34; John 6:2. What message does this passage convey to believers?

i. The Lord wants to use the professional, dignified and noble people who are willing to follow Him. Matt. 4:2’0-22.

ii. The Lord has space to accommodate people who are considered worthless in the society. He has ability to heal and transform them. Matt. 4:24.

iii. He is waiting for you too to surrender and follow Him because He is the Lord of all flesh. Jer. 32:27.

Lesson Outline 1:WHY MUST I FISH FOR MEN’S SOULS?

i. Note to Teacher Task: Teacher’s should ask students why they think it is essential to fish for men’s souls.

ii. Teacher should explain the following reasons why believers should fish for men’s souls:

a. A Son is worth more than the whole treasures of this world before God, Mark 8:35-38
b. The fact of hell. Every unsaved soul would perish forever in hell fire-Jn.3:18, Rev.21:8.
c. The suffering of Christ on the cross for each sinner. Believers must fish for men’s souls in order to ensure that Christ did not die in vain. Rom.5:8; 1Pet. 3:18.
d. Because the world will pass away and all its pleasures but only those who are in Christ Jesus will abide forever and will inherit all things. lJn. 2:17; Rev. 21:7.
e. Because there is a great reward fora soul winner. Pr. 11:30; Dan. 12: 3.

Class Activity 1: Why are souls still perishing despite the large number of believers on earth?

Lesson Outline 2: WHAT DO I NEED TO BEA FISHER OF MEN?

Note to Teacher Task: Teacher should state the following requirements to be a soul winner:

i. You must be born again and be sure of your salvation. Only the saved can serve. I Pet. 1:23

ii. You must be living a pure life. A life surrendered to Jesus Christ and dedicated to Him. 1 Jn. 3:3.

iii. A fisher must be patient, vigilant and hardworking. This is so because the big fish lives in deep waters.1Thess. 5;14.

iv. You must be prayerful. Prayers remove the obstacles on the path of the fishers and the souls. 2Thess, 1:11.

v. The one fishing for souls must at least have a fair knowledge of the word of God. You must study the Bible diligently. 2Tim.2:15.

vi. The fisher of men needs wisdom to respond to questions agitating the mind of the soul to be won. God gives wisdom liberally-James 1: 5.

vii. You must be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives power for a successful soul fishing. Acts 1:8; Eph. 5:18.

viii. You must have compassion for lost souls, otherwise, you will work with a dead, mechanical and dispassionate concern. Sinners know those who are truly concerned about them. Mt. 9:36.

Class Activity 2: Why do you think God places a high premium on winning souls?

SUMMARY:
Go and win souls for Christ.

CONCLUSION:
Follow Christ. He is calling you now, Matthew 4: 1 9b, 21c

EVALUATION:
What is fishing for men’s souls?
Who is a fisher of men?

CLOSING PRAYER:
Father, let the whole body of believers obey you and become soul winners.

ASSIGNMENT:
God places premium on soul winners. Why? Give five points to support this position.

Read previous RCCG Sunday School Teacher’s Manual Here

SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

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Topic: The Price For Leadership

Leadership is not about occupying a sit but about accomplishing a feat; it is making a bold achievement via the act of courage and great skill. Everyone in leadership attains to it; therefore do not expect it to be entrusted to you if you are not willing to pay the price. You can never become a leader without paying the price for it.

Leadership is not in the title you wear but in the values you add. It is not in the positions you occupy but in the outstanding contributions you make. Leadership is not about leading the people; it is about taking the lead in your given task.

Billy Graham of blessed memory became an outstanding leader in his field by taking the lead in his assignment. He did not swerve into politics but maintained his course and stood out in his field. The presidents of nations that had the opportunity to have a handshake with Billy Graham when he was alive, add it to their Resume that they had a handshake with him.

Leadership has nothing to do with colour or race; it has to do with accomplishment. So, the colour of a man is not his deterrent; his low accomplishment is what defines his low rating.

The good news is that you have a leadership heritage in Christ as a child of God because you are a beneficiary of the Abrahamic covenant.

Gen 17:4-5 -As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

Also, Jesus died to make you a beneficiary of the Abrahamic covenant. He was made a curse for you.

Gal.3:13-14 – Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

You belong to the Abrahamic seed and so by heritage, you are either a king or an institution. You are also redeemed you as a priest and king to reign on the earth.

Rev. 5:10 – And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Therefore, by redemption, you have a leadership heritage. You are a salt of the earth and that makes you an asset to your world; not a liability. You are also the light of the world and that makes you a pace setter.

Knowing all these now, it is time to take up your leadership role and stand out in that area God has called you and impact your world as a leader you are.

God bless you

Click HERE to read other Inspiring Messages by Pastor David Ibiyeomie

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

The post The Price For Leadership – By David Ibiyeomie appeared first on Flatimes.