TOPIC: Cornelius [Sunday, 20th May 2018]

OPENING PRAYER: Father, help me to fear you, with my household. (Scroll down for SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN)

Bible Passage: Acts 10:1-6 (KJV)

1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

MEMORY VERSE: “A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.” – Acts 10:2

INTRODUCTION:

Cornelius was a Roman centurion, of the band called the Italian band (Acts 10:1), stationed at Caesarea in Palestine. He was supposed to have been of a distinguished family in Rome. Cornelius had evidently been led by the Holy Spirit to renounce idolatry, to worship the true God, and to lead a devout and beneficent life. He was prepared to receive the Savior, and God did not fail to reveal Himself. Cornelius was miraculously directed to send for Peter, who was also miraculously prepared to attend the summons. He was also ‘’the first gentile convert’’, and the story of his reception of the gospel shows how God broke down the partition-wall between Jews and Gentiles.

TEXT REVIEW: ACTS 10:1-6

The story in today’s Bible passage clearly demonstrates God’s impartiality in dealing with the faithful whether rich or poor; whether noble or not. He is the righteous God with fair dealing:- Psalm 50:6. Few things to learn about God from the passage are hereunder stated:
i. God knows those who are devout and those who fear him. Acts 10:2
ii. God knows those who give alms to other people and pray to Him always. Acts 10:2
iii. God can show Himself to His faithful either by vision or through an angelic messenger. Acts 10:3.
iv. God knows the full names (including surname) of the faithful. Acts 10:3b,
v. God knows our fears and ready to take care of them. Acts 10:4a
vi. God does not cast away our prayers and good deeds but keeps them for a memorial (appointed time). Acts 10:4a
vii. God knows our locations at every point in time and understands the intent of our hearts. Acts 10:6
What a wonderful God who knows everything and does wondrous things. Psalm 72:18

2 LESSON OUTLINES

Lesson Outline 1: CHARACTER AND ACHIEVEMENTS

A. CHARACTER OF CORNELIUS
i. He was a man in authority. A senior military personnel. Acts 10:1
ii. He was a devout man who feared the Lord. Acts 10:2a
iii. He was generous and charitable. Acts 10:2b
iv. He was a prayer champion and lover of regular prayers. Acts 10:2c
v. He received a message from the Lord through God’s angel. Acts 10:3
vi. He was obedient to the instructions of the angel. Acts 10:7

B. THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF CORNELIUS
i. He sent and located Peter at the palace which the angel described. Acts 11:14.
ii. He invited his relatives and close friends to come and hear the message of God through Peter. Acts 10:24
iii. They paid attention to the message of Apostle Peter and the evidence was that the Holy Spirit fell on them. Acts 10:44
iv. Cornelius and those with him (Gentiles and non-Jews) were converted.
v. They spoke with tongues and magnified God. Acts 10:46.
vi. Through their conversion, it became evident that God has granted forgiveness to Gentiles who repented. Acts 11:18
vii. They were baptized in the name of the Lord. Acts 10:47-48.
viii. They had fellowship with Peter. Acts 10:48

Class Activity 1: Why do some rich people fail to accept the gospel and receive the Holy Spirit baptism like Cornelius?

Lesson Outline 2: LESSON FROM HIS LIFE

i. If you seek God diligently, you will surely find Him (Acts 10:30, Acts 17:27, Deut. 4:29).
ii. Generous giving to the needy and constant prayers can reach the throne of God Himself (Acts 10:4).
iii. Although Cornelius, and undoubtedly many in his household and among the relatives and close friends, were religious, they still needed to be saved. i.e. born again (John 3:3-8).
iv. The gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone (Act 10:34-35).
v. Try to make certain all your household, relatives, and close friends hear the words of the gospel and what they must do to be saved.

Class Activity 2: What role does generous giving play in the body of Christ?

SUMMARY:
You too can be a God fearing and devout person whose services would be brought to a memorial. Just surrender yourself to the Holy Spirit.

CONCLUSION:
God wants more people like Cornelius in our churches. You should be the next one.

EVALUATION:
Mention those things you can remember about Cornelius.

CLOSING PRAYER:
Father, remember my services and bless me.

ASSIGNMENT:
Mention five wonderful things about Christian soldier that distinguishes him/her from a non-Christian soldier.

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?

The post RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 20th May 2018 Lesson 38 – Cornelius appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: A Child Of Abraham? [Open Heavens 19th May 2018, Saturday]

Memorise: Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. – Galatians 3:7

Read: John 8:39-43 (KJV)

39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

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.

Bible in One Year: 2 Samuel 14, 2 Peter 2

MESSAGE:

The Bible documents several declarations of God’s covenant promises and blessings to Abraham, which are intended to overflow to his children (Genesis 17:2, Genesis 12:2-3, Genesis 22:16-18). Although God spoke these words to Abraham several thousands of years ago, generations from that period till now have continued to see His pronouncements manifest in very dramatic fashion. Let us consider two of God’s pronouncements on Abraham. In Genesis 12:2-3, He said:

“2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

Also in Genesis 22:17-18, God said:

“17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed…”

The fulfilment of these words in the lives of Abraham’s direct descendants (the Jews) and in the lives of Christians, who are partakers of these promises by adoption, has resulted in a situation where people from all nations of the world seek to be numbered among Abraham’s children.

However, claiming to be one of Abraham’s children does not confer this status on anyone; only fulfilling the necessary requirements does. Romans 9:6-7 explains that in the sight of God, not even all of those who descended from Abraham biologically are children of Abraham for the purpose of receiving God’s covenant blessings. Being a child of Abraham does not come through genetic connections. Galatians 3:7 tells us what confers this status on a person:

“Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.”

You can therefore see that it is only men and women of faith that are true children of Abraham, and so only they are recipients of Abraham’s blessings. In other words, faith is what qualifies a person to inherit Abraham’s blessings. Are you truly one of Abraham’s children? The word of God in Galatians 3:6-9 tells us that irrespective of whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, rich or poor, male or female, white, black or brown, old or young, you can become one of Abraham’s children and gain access to the blessings promised to them if only you live by faith. Some may ignore or reject this truth because they have no idea of what it means to be a child of Abraham, or because they see no value in the awesome blessings promised to Abraham’s children. This attitude is not surprising, because the things of the Spirit of God are foolishness to the ordinary person (1 Corinthians 2:14). I pray that the Lord will open your eyes to the truth of His word so that you can gain access to all of your inheritance in God in the mighty Name of Jesus.

Prayer Point: Father, impart my spirit with faith to appropriate all of my blessings You in Jesus’ Name.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click HERE to read Open Heavens 18 May 2018 Friday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Seeing The Invisible

Hymn 10: My Faith Looks Up To Thee

1. My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Saviour divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!

2. May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!

3. While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.

4. When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Saviour, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!

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.

The post Open Heavens 19 May 2018 Saturday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – A Child Of Abraham? appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Unprofitable Independence [Teens Open Heavens 19, May 2018]

Memorise: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Read: Genesis 3:4-5 (KJV)

4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

5 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.

Bible In One Year: 2 Kings 23-25, John 7:1-31

MESSAGE:

Pride makes many not to yield to God. When you surrender all to Him, your ambitions and plans will be determined by Him. The one who is surrendered to God must completely depend on Him. Like a baby, you must go to Him for every of your needs and plans. Nobody can live independently of God and what he or she was originally designed to be.

The sin Adam and Eve committed in the Garden of Eden was not just the sin of disobedience; it was an attempt to be independent of God. Satan told them that they didn’t need to keep depending on God when they themselves could become like Him. The day you decide to do without God, you have signed.

Key Point: If you depend on God, dependence on man will be unnecessary. But if you are independent of God, you will be compelled to depend on men who will fail you.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Teen Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye’’

Hymn 10:

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Ev’rything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Ev’rything to God in prayer!

2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a Friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our ev’ry weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer!

3. Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield You;
You wilt find a solace there..

Daily Devotional for Teen’s 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 post Teens Open Heavens 19 May 2018 – Unprofitable Independence appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: The Power Of Mind-Set [Seeds of Destiny Saturday May 19, 2018]

Scripture: Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Ephesians 3:20

Thought For The Day: Where your thought dwells is where your life will dwell.

In life, many people are conscious of their external environment. They are too concerned about the externalities and what people say about them; they pay much attention to their physical environment but neglect their internal environment or the thought-life, which is more important.

Now, it is important to know that your thought determines your result. Your mind-set determines your outcome. The direction of your thought is what determines the direction of your destiny. Whatever is not your desire must never be given a place in your thought. Where your thought dwells is where your life would follow and eventually dwell. For example, if your thought dwells on sin or failure, after a while, your life would embrace them. That is why the greatest battlefield on the earth is the battlefield of the mind. If the devil wins the battle of your mind, he has won the battle of your life and destiny. Until you have been able to control your thought, you have no control over your life and destiny.

It is important to know that the world is filled with all manner of things looking for one’s thought or mind to capture and corrupt. When you see people dressed half naked on the street, they are making demands or exerting pressure on your mind. If you do not direct your thought, the environment would direct it for you.

What is my counsel to you on this? Fill your mind with what you want, not what you hate; fill your mind with what is written in Scriptures and not what is happening around you. Fill your mind with what you want to become because God answers your thoughts (Ephesians 3:25)

Remember this: Where your thought dwells is where your life will dwell.

Assignments:
1. Refuse to allow your thought to settle on the negative issues of life.
2. Paint a desirable picture of your future from the Scripture.

Prayer: O Lord, I refuse to let my thought dwell on the negativities of life. I ask for the grace to paint a positive picture of my future from the Scripture, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: DESTINY CAPSULES.

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 24:1 to 25:44, John 10:22 to 42, Psalm 116:1 to 19, Proverbs 15:20 to 21

Amazing Fact: Because the surface of the moon has no wind or water, an astronaut’s footprint could last for millions of years

Today In History: 19/05/1857 – The electric fire alarm system is patented by William F. Channing and Moses G. Farmer.

Quote: Take the Word of God seriously. Culled from THOU ART MY BATTLE AXE by Dr Paul Enenche.

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Seeds of Destiny by Pastor Paul Enenche“

Today’s devotional was written by Pastor Paul Enenche of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Pastor Paul and Becky Enenche, as the Senior Pastors. It is a power-packed arena where God’s Presence, Principles and Power are at work for the salvation, healing and restoration of human destinies and dignities

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 Seeds of Destiny 19 May 2018 by Pastor Paul Enenche: The Power Of Mind-Set appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Even If [Our Daily Bread 19 Saturday May, 2018]

Read: Daniel 3:8–18, Bible in a Year: 1 Chronicles 7–9; John 6:22–44

The God we serve is able to deliver us from [the fire] . . . . But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods. Daniel 3:17–18

Sometimes life deals us a tremendous blow. Other times the miraculous happens.

Three young men, captives in Babylon, stood in front of the fearsome king of that land and boldly proclaimed that under no circumstances would they worship the giant image of gold towering above them. Together they declared: “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know . . . we will not . . . worship the image” (Daniel 3:17–18).

These three men—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—were hurled into the fiery furnace; and God miraculously delivered them so that not a hair of their head was singed and their clothing was smoke-free (vv. 19–27). They had been prepared to die but their trust in God was unwavering—“even if” He had not saved them.

God desires that we cling to Him—even if our loved one isn’t healed, even if we lose our job, even if we are persecuted. Sometimes God rescues us from danger in this life, and sometimes He doesn’t. But the truth we can hold firmly is this: “The God we serve is able,” loves us, and is with us in every fiery trial, every even if.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we love You! Please give us unwavering faith—and strength and hope for each day—no matter the circumstance.

God is able.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Our Daily Bread Devotionals HERE”

This message was written By Alyson Kieda [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

The post Our Daily Bread Devotional 19 May 2018 – Even If appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Don’t Waste Time Wondering [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Saturday May 19, 2018]

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. – Ephesians 5:17

So many believers wring their hands and worry about whether or not they’re praying according to God’s will. “Oh, dear me,” they say, “I certainly can’t expect God to do something for me that’s outside His will.” And they’re absolutely right.

But they don’t need to waste time standing around looking puzzled. They need to grab their Bibles and find out what the will of God is.

God has made some very specific promises in His Word and it’s His will to fulfill every one of them in your life. In fact, those promises are divinely guaranteed by a contract that’s been signed in the blood of Jesus.

Think of it this way. Your Bible is the last will and testament of Jesus Christ. It is a record of your inheritance. Everything that belongs to you has been written down in that Book and the smartest thing you can do is to find out what is in it. Don’t leave it lying on the coffee table and hit the floor crying, “Oh, God! Oh, God! I’m searching for the truth.”

Pick up your Bible from the coffee table and find out what belongs to you! Find out how you need to change to get in line with God’s will.

Most people don’t do that. They try to change God instead. They’ll go on and on trying to convince God just how badly they hurt or how poor they are. They’ll beg and plead and wheedle, all the while acting as though they had to somehow change God’s mind about the situation. Those folks are in for a long wait.

God is never going to change. The Bible says He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever. His will is too. So don’t waste your time wondering if your prayers are in line with it. Get the Book and base your prayers on it. Then you can rest assured the answer is on the way!

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 2:1-12

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Kenneth and Gloria Copeland Daily Devotional Here’’

This message was written by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, the leader of the Kenneth Copeland Ministries (www.KCM.org) that specializes in teaching principles of bible faith – prayer, healing, salvation and other biblical topics.

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