Topic: Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled — Sunday October 15, 2017.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27 KJV)

Jesus is the Prince of peace. He is the Prince of Shalom. Nothing broken and nothing missing. His peace passes human understanding. Jesus said let not your heart be troubled, believe in God and believe in me. Are you wondering what you will put on? Let not your heart be troubled. Are you wondering on what you will eat? Don’t worry. Have you set target for yourself and it has not manifested? Don’t worry. The truth is that when it starts to manifest, it will be double miracle.

Have you not heard that there is no failure in any believer. You cannot fail. Jesus cannot fail and so you cannot fail because you are in Christ. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation that has never existed before. You have been delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of his dear Son. In him you live, move and have your being.

Anything the enemy has packaged against you cannot stand. Sickness is not permitted in your body. The activities of destructive spirits in your life are terminated. Today, I declare revival in your life. Let your kidney and liver be revived. By his stripes you are healed. You will not be stranded. Covenant will speak for you. This year will end gloriously for you. It will not end in shame. I declare victory in your life.
           
Further Reading: John 14:1-6, 26-30, Philippians 4:6-9

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Isaiah 45-46; Evening- 1 Thessalonians 3

Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.

Topic: The Heart of the King [Sunday October 15, 2017]

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. – Proverbs 21:1

Think about that for a moment! God has reserved the right to override the will of a nation’s leader, if need be, to see that His people are governed according to His will.

What’s more, God will hear the prayer of any government leader. Even if he’s the worst reprobate in the whole world. He heard the prayer of old King Nebuchadnezzar. Believe me, that means He’ll listen to any leader!

You see, Nebuchadnezzar was king of Babylon. He was an ungodly ruler of an ungodly nation. However, he’d taken captives from the land of Judah. He had some of God’s people under his authority. So, God began to deal with him.

Again and again, God warned him, Nebuchadnezzar, you’re going to lose your mind if you don’t straighten up. And, sure enough, he went just as crazy as could be.

He stayed that way for years too. Then one day he cried out to God and God heard him.

Despite his status as a heathen king of a heathen nation, God intervened repeatedly in Nebuchadnezzar’s life and heard him when he finally cried out for help. Why? Because he had God’s people under his control!

That same principle still holds true today. If we’ll open the way through prayer, God will deal with our leaders!

If we will humble ourselves in unity and pray, God can change the injustice and corruption that exist in our country, or any country for that matter. He’ll change the hearts of everyone from the White House on down to make sure His children are governed justly.

Make it a point to pray for our leaders today!

Scripture Reading: Daniel 4:1-37

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.

Topic: Creation Care— Sunday October 15, 2017.

Read: Genesis 1:26–31, Bible in a Year: Isaiah 45–46; 1 Thessalonians 3

The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind. Psalm 115:16

The “big browns” are spawning in the Owyhee River—brown trout beginning their fall nesting ritual. You can see them excavating their nests in the gravelly shallows.

Wise fishermen know that fish are spawning and try not to disturb them. They avoid walking on gravel bars where they might trample the eggs, or wading upstream from the nests where they might dislodge debris that can smother them. And they don’t fish for these trout, though it’s tempting to do so as they rest near their nests.

These precautions are part of an ethic that governs responsible fishing. But there is a deeper and a better cause.

The Scriptures stress the fact that God has given us the earth (Gen. 1:28–30). It is ours to use, but we must use it as those who love it.

I muse on the work of God’s hands: a partridge calling across a canyon, a bull elk bugling up a fight, a herd of antelope far off in the distance, a brook trout and its kaleidoscopic rose moles, a mother otter playing in a stream with her pups—I love all these things, for they have been given to me for my delight, out of my Father’s great love.

And what I love, I protect.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You have put us here to enjoy and ponder Your marvelous creation. May everything You have made remind us of Your goodness, love, and care.

Care for creation honors the Creator.

Insight:

God gave specific instructions on how the Israelites should treat the land He had given them (Ex. 23:10–11; Lev. 25:1–7). Just as His people were commanded to rest every seventh day, “[their] land [was] to have a year of rest” (Lev. 25:5). “For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused” (Ex. 23:10–11). Modern scientists have supported the practice of periodically letting land lay fallow, allowing the land’s nutrients to be replenished and productivity rejuvenated.

Our wise Creator cares for those He created as well as the earth He has given us. How can we be better stewards of God’s creation? Sim Kay Tee

This message was written By David H. Roper [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Experience Jesus [Sunday October 15, 2017]

The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. — John 6:63

To one of the most religious men of His day, Jesus said, “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7). Nicodemus could not substitute his profound knowledge of religion for spiritual rebirth, and neither can we. I have read a book on water skiing, and it did not take long for me to learn that I could never learn to water ski by reading a book-I would have to experience it.

I have read a number of books on golf, but none of them seems to improve my game; I must get out on the golf course and play. You may study theology and religion, but there comes a time when you must experience Christ for yourself.

Prayer for the day: Lord, You have given me life and I praise You!

Written by Billy Graham, Founder of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association(BGEA). BGEA exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by every effective means and to equip the church and others to do the same.

Topic: A New Revelation Of Love – Sunday October 15, 2017.

John 13:34 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”

Text: John 13:34

Jesus previously stated that all the law and the prophets were dependent on loving God first, and then loving your neighbor as yourself. These truths were already in the law but people missed them. So, this commandment was not new in the sense that it had never been given before, but it was brought to the forefront and given new meaning through the example of Jesus. Jesus not only loved His neighbor as Himself, He loved us more than Himself.

John, the apostle who wrote this gospel, later wrote about the new commandment of love. No doubt, he received his inspiration from this teaching of Jesus. John wrote, “Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth” (1 Jn. 2:7-8). He then goes on to speak of loving one another.

This commandment, or the revelation that God gave to man through His Word, wasn’t new, but was never clearly seen by men because of the darkness that separated them from God. In the light of Jesus’ life, the darkness was removed and the old commandment of love became new through the example of Jesus in a way that mere words could never express.

This message was written by The Association of Related Ministries International (ARMI) is an extension of Andrew Wommack Ministries (AWM). ARMI is a unique partnership committed to providing resources to help like-minded ministers succeed in a spirit of excellence and to draw from the experience and expertise of both the AWM and Charis Bible College staff. (www.awmi.net).

TOPIC: BE AN ACTIVE CHRISTIAN [OCTOBER 15TH, 2017]

OPENING PRAYER: Father, help me to utilise my talents for your glory in Jesus Name.

BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 25:14-30

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Teacher’s to note the text Review.

MEMORY VERSE: “And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.” Matthew 25:15.

LESSON INTRODUCTION: One reason for the failure of modern churches is that they become a one man affair. The pew-sitter leaves the work of evangelism, preaching, teaching and visiting to the pastor. This is not God’s order. At Pentecost, there were one hundred and twenty praying but only Eleven of them could be called “Pastors”, that is, the Eleven disciples. There were women present also. When persecution came, the pastors stayed in Jerusalem and the laymen were the ones who went out preaching- Acts 8:4. It is therefore the duty of every church member to be Active for Christ.

TEACHER’S DIARY

LESSON AIM: To study how to be an active Christian for Christ.

TEXT REVIEW: MATTHEW 25:14-30

“When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive and gave gift unto men”. Eph 4:8. The Holy Spirit took up the parable of talents which the Lord stated in Matthew 25:14-30 and gave further details. The parable presented goods as talents to trade with Matt 25:16. Further details in Ephesians indicate that the talents (gift) are for the work of the ministry, perfecting of the saints and for edifying the body of Christ. Eph.4:12. Matt 25: 19 provides that “the Lord of the servants cometh and reckoneth with them”. This means that the Lord Jesus Christ will surely return and request from every believer details of his goods/talents/gifts which He bestowed on them.

The records in Vs. 20,22 are similar because the first two servants in the content made profit with their talents and they were rewarded in the same way, the size of the talents notwithstanding. ” well done, thou good and faithful servants, thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord “. Vs 21 and 22. However, the record in Vs.24 is laced with excuses for non performance, with his talent in the earth. His reward was also different-” thou wicked and slothful servant….” The punishment was severe. Vs 26-30.

This parable points out the need for faithfulness in little. Such faithfulness would multiply the little to become great.

This parable also identifies whoever fails to use his gift as a wicked fellow. V.26. That means, wasters of God’s gift will occupy the same position in hell with other wicked fellows. PS 9:17; Matt. 25:30.

The parable also indicates that God will take the talent away from those who fail to use it. V.28

TEACHING METHOD:

Teacher should combine participatory method with Lecture Method.

TEACHING METHOD: Teachers should use lecture teaching method.

TIME MANAGEMENT: Teachers to use the teaching time allocated for two lesson outlines.

LESSON OUTLINES

Lesson Outline 1: WHERE DO I START FROM?

i. Be active in Prayer-Luke 18:1. When you spend time with the Lord, the Holy Spirit will begin to guide you into areas where you can be useful for the Lord. Acts 13:2-3, 16:9-10.

ii. Do Personal Bible Study 2Tim. 2:15. Very soon, the opportunity will come to answer a perplexing Question Authoritatively from the Bible.

iii. Understudying senior Christians. You have a lot to learn from them as you will soon take over their responsibilities. 1Sam.3:1; 19:21; 1Kings 19:19-21.

iv. Attempting small task first, like praying for the preacher of the day, before his sermon, etc. Join the workforce of your local church and be an active member of a department e.g Ushering, Choir, Sunday School, Children etc. Matt.25:22-23; Rom.12:4-5.
v. Witness to others. Start from your own family members to your friends, neighbours and colleagues. Matt.28:19-20.

Class Activity 1: Teacher should ask the student to identify their areas of talents. Teacher should encourage the Students to join relevant departments in the church

Lesson Outline 2: WHAT CAN I DO FOR JESUS?

i. Bring people to church in your car, pay bus fares or simply walking with a first timer to church. Andrew was a good example of this. He brought Peter -John 1:30-42, The Little lad with five loaves and two fishes John 6:8-9 and certain Greeks to Jesus John 12:20-22.

ii. Contribute to “Missions” activities. You can go, give money/materials, distribute tracts, pray for missionaries, etc. Mark 16:15.

iii. Encourage your Pastor. You can minister to his needs. 1Cor.9:7-12.

iv. Make your home Available for small group meetings like House Fellowship, Children’s Bible Club, etc. Acts 2:42, 46.

v. Give food to the hungry, clothes to the naked, visit the sick and the imprisoned, care for fatherless and widows. Matt.25: 34-36; Jas.1:27.

Class Activity 2: What other things can your class do for Christ in your parish?

Can your class donate any gift/item to the church? Discuss how to go about it.

SUMMARY:

You must do something glorious with yourlittle or great talent to God.

CONCLUSION:

Be faithful to God with your talent.

EVALUATION:

What are the differences between faithful and wicked servants?

CLOSING PRAYER:

Father, let me be ever faithful to you with my talents.

ASSIGNMENT:

Every class can donate something to their Teacher, Pastor and church as the Lord Provides.