LESSON FIVE (5): THE SANCTIFIED LIFE [SUNDAY OCTOBER 1ST, 2017]

MEMORY VERSE: “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly: and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:23

BIBLE PASSAGE: John 17:9-23

INTRODUCTION:

In the Old Testament, sanctification frequently denotes the ceremonial or ritual consecration of any person or thing to God. Thus, the Hebrews as a people were holy unto the Lord, through the covenant with its rites and atoning sacrifices (Exodus 31:13). Sanctification is the second work of grace after salvation that every believer must experience. The understanding of the concept, process and practice of sanctification shall be dealt with in this lesson with the help of the Holy Spirit.

LESSON OUTLINES

1. Sanctification: concept and process

2. Practices and benefits of sanctification

SANCTIFICATION: CONCEPT AND PROCESS

To sanctify means to make holy, or to set apart for God (Genesis 2:3; Exodus 19:23). In a doctrinal sense, sanctification is the making, truly and perfectly, holy what was before defiled and sinful. It is a progressive work of divine grace upon the soul justified by the love of Christ. The believer is gradually cleansed from the corruption of his nature (John 15:3), and is at length presented “unspotted before the throne of God with exceeding joy” (Jude 24). The Holy Spirit performs this work in connection with the providence and word of God (John 14:26; 17:17; 2Thessalonians 2:13; 1Peter 1:2). Every Christian should seek to be holy even as God is holy (1Peter 1:15-16). The ultimate sanctification of every believer in Christ is a covenant mercy purchased on the cross. He, who saves us from the penalty of sin, also saves us from its power and to prepare for Heaven every willing and yielding believer.

PRACTICES AND BENEFITS OF SANCTIFICATION

Sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Romans 6:13; 2Corinthians 4:6; Colossians 3:10; 1John 4:7; 1Corinthians 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1Corinthians 6:11; 2Thessalonians 2:13). Faith is instrumental in securing sanctification, inasmuch as it secures union to Christ (Galatians 2:20), and brings the believer into living contact with the truth (John 8:32).

The more holy a man is, the more humble, self-renouncing, self-abhorring, and the more sensitive to every sin he becomes, and the more closely he clings to Christ.

CONCLUSION:

Are you sanctified? Are you ready for sanctification? Can you pay the price? We pray that you answer these questions correctly. The choice is yours.

QUESTIONS

1. What is sanctification?
2. How can it be experienced?

Topic: Grace, Not Disgrace [Saturday 30, September 2017]

Memorise: “As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” – Romans 9:33

Read: Psalms 23:1-6

1 (A Psalm of David.) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Bible In One Year: Zechariah 6-10. Hymn: Sing Hymn 11 – Standing On The Promises Of Christ

MESSAGE:

Grace is the favour of God to human beings. It is the demonstration of God’s goodwill towards humankind in the person of Jesus Christ, and the effects of that goodwill in human lives. God’s grace compensates for human weaknesses in that God shows Himself gracious in His dealings with human beings.

God’s grace is abundant. This grace is not only abundant but can be exceeding in one’s life (2 Corinthians 9:14). Grace is one way God makes up for our shortcomings. Grace covers our human frailties. Through grace, God uses our very limited strength and resources to do the impossible. He does this by adding His own strength and resources to ours. With grace, your lack, limitations, and defects are fully covered. When you have prayed, fasted and tried without measuring up to standard, then it is time to fall back on His grace. God wants us to be progressive in grace. God wants us to share His grace with others for them to taste and see that the Lord is good. May His glory fill the earth, that His Name may be praised forever more.

Prayer Point: Father, please let Your grace be sufficient for me.

Open Heavens 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.

Topic: Compassion in Action [Saturday September 30, 2017]

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. – Matthew 9:36

Compassion. That’s the one thing people need more than anything else in this world. They need someone to reach out to them with the compassion of God.

Compassion is a deep yearning that responds to the needs of people. It’s much deeper than sympathy. Sympathy can just sit around feeling sorry for people. Compassion has to do something for them.

Compassion is what motivates God, and Jesus’ life on earth was a picture of that compassion in action. His whole ministry was driven by it. It was compassion that caused Him to multiply the loaves and fishes, heal the sick, cast out demons and raise the dead. It was compassion that compelled Him to go to the Cross. And it’s that same compassion that He now longs to pour out through you.

That’s a staggering thought, isn’t it?

It’s staggering to realize that we believers are the only body Jesus has on this earth now. His healing must flow through our hands and our faith. His compassion must move us to provide for the hungry. It must compel us to cast out demons and set the captives free.

“But, Brother Copeland, I don’t have that kind of compassion!”

Yes, you do. If you have the Spirit of God dwelling inside you, you do—because He is that kind of love! You simply need to activate it.

How? Just like Jesus did when He walked the earth. Through prayer and fellowship with the Father. Look through the Gospels and notice how much time Jesus spent alone with the Father. That time activated the compassion of God within Him. It caused Him to feel what God feels about the suffering of mankind. It stirred Him so much that whenever He encountered a need, He met it by the power of God.

Follow His example. Spend time in fellowship with your Father. Meditate on His compassion until it rises up strong on the inside of you. Stir it up until the desire to see others set free becomes paramount in your thinking.

Jesus has sent you to reach out and touch a love-starved world with His compassion.

If you don’t do it, who will?

Scripture Reading: Mark 6:32-46

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: Our Greatest Need [Saturday September 30, 2017]

I stretch forth my hands unto thee; my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land… — Psalm 143:6

Not long ago I visited the dean of a great American university. We looked out the window of his office and watched hundreds of students walking to their classes. I asked the dean, “What is the greatest problem at this university?” He thought a moment and answered, “Emptiness.” So many people today are bored, lonely, searching for something. You can see it in their faces.

One girl home from college told her wealthy father, “Father, I want something but I don’t know what it is.” That’s true of many people; we want something to meet the deepest problems of our lives, but we haven’t found it. David said, “I have found it. I shall not want.” The Apostle Paul expressed it, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”

You don’t have to give up on life, to throw up your hands and cry, “It’s no use.” . . . You can have God’s peace, God’s joy, God’s happiness, God’s security; and yours can become the most thrilling life in the world.

Prayer for the day: Lord Jesus, You quench the thirst and longing of my soul. Praise Your blessed name.

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: God Recognizes Our Sacrifices – Saturday September 30, 2017.

Mark 12:41-42 “And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.”

Text: Mark 12:41-44

The treasury that is spoken of here is a place located in the Women’s Court that was in the temple complex but was not part of the temple itself. Women were not allowed in the temple, so the fact that this widow was casting her offering into the treasury verifies the location of the treasury.

Jesus used this instance to teach His disciples a very important lesson. He did not say these things to this widow personally. God’s promises concerning giving give us an assurance that this offering was blessed back to this woman in this life, but the widow did not hear His commendation. There is no indication that this poor widow ever knew that anyone recognized the extent of her sacrifice.

Likewise, there are times when we may feel that no one knows or appreciates our sacrifices. However, just as surely as Jesus saw this woman’s giving and knew of the sacrifice involved, God takes note of our smallest deeds and one day, will reward us openly.

The Lord does not judge the size of our gifts by how much we give, but rather by how much we have left over after we give. Men tend to compare themselves with each other but the Lord doesn’t judge our giving by what others give. He judges our gifts by what we have to give. The Lord looks at the heart of the giver more than at the gift. The Lord weighs the giver more than the gift.

When we stand before the Lord, all of our works, not only our giving, will be tried to determine what sort – not what size they are.

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: Receive What God Has Already Given — Saturday September 30, 2017.

“He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of miry clay, and set my foot upon a rock, and established my goings.” (Psalms 40:2 KJV)

I was in the depth of sin, I was in the pit of death but he came there and raised me up and planted my feet in high places. He reached out to me and showed me mercy. Who am I? The Psalmist says: “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psalms 8:4 KJV) Who is this man? This man that you have so planned for, what is he?  What really is it, that you care so much about him? He spat on your face. He is not living right, he is not doing well, and yet you love him.

The more I study the scriptures, the more I see the love of God. And it makes me cry. We have not fathomed it at all. God’s desire has always been to do all for you and for you to just rest. All you need to do is understand what he has done. Believe it and receive it. That is your own assignment. This should be the basis of our prayers in the month of October, locate the promises of God concerning whatever it is you are trusting him for, and just thank him for it because it is already done.

Somebody said ‘I am waiting for God to move’. The day Jesus said, “it is finished”. That was the end. He is no more moving. He has moved already. The next move is yours. And that move is called faith. Faith is not trying to get God to move. No! That is not what it is. Faith is receiving what God has already given by grace. Faith receives what God has already given. He has given it by grace and all you need to do is to receive it. It is not about your performance. Enough of struggle! Abundant provision has been made for you. That is why this period of fast is very crucial, to enable you to position yourself to receive what God has already provided. Therefore don’t joke with this period. Be at the different prayer sessions, because they have been specially packaged for you. This season, there shall be outstanding testimonies in your life.

Further Reading: Ephesians 1:3-23, 2:4-9

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Isaiah 9-10; Evening- Ephesians 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: Forget Not His Benefits — Saturday September 30, 2017.

Text: Psalm 103:1-22

Key Verse: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2).

The story was told of a young boy who was given writing materials to write everything God and Satan had done for him within an hour. He set out to write about the blessings he received from God. He kept on remembering new things to write about the goodness of God in his life, and by the time he was done with that, the entire time was taken. So he wrote at the bottom of his script “NO TIME FOR SATAN”.

It is difficult to itemize all benefits we receive from God as His children. David, in the text, listed several of them, but the list is endless: He forgives all our sins, heals all our diseases, redeems our lives from destruction, satisfies our mouths with good things, provides justice for the oppressed, shows mercy to people, and retains not His anger forever. Attention was then shifted to His throne in heaven, where the angels worship Him and do all His commandments.

His dominion is universal and His Kingdom rules over all. David, the psalmist, wrote this psalm from his wealth of experience as Israel’s king. He could tell and sing of God’s mercies because he experienced it. He spoke from personal experience when God took him from following the sheep as a shepherd to set him up as king in Israel. He saved him from the many battles he had to fight to maintain as well as expand the nation’s territory. And when he fell into sin, with the devastating consequences on his family and kingship, he cried to God in penitence and received forgiveness. David knew that God’s kingdom is not like that of man. He reigns and rules over the entire universe. Like David, we should sit down and count our blessings, naming them one by one.

We must deliberately focus our attention on the wonderful things He has done for us and stop worrying over the unresolved problems in our lives. As we praise God for His past mercies and blessings, we can be sure that He will arise and do more in our lives.

Thought for the day: Don’t count your loses, count your blessings.

Bible Reading in one Year: 2 & 3 John

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

Topic: You Need Someone [Saturday, 30th September, 2017]

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? Ecclesiastes 4:9‭-‬11

Sometimes, we get into some messy situations, seemingly too deep that we don’t want any other person in on it. In such instances we imagine that staying away from people and trying to deal with the issues on our own is the best option we’ve got. The truth is, when we isolate ourselves things may get even worse, as the issue bears down on us more, if we dont get access to those who can help us through it. Paul understood this, and in Hebrews 10:25, he admonished us not to forsake “the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Having someone with you through your messy situations is very helpful, as you don’t only get support through the circumstances, you come out of them faster. Yes, the first person we should run to when we are in uncomfortable circumstances is God. We however need people around us to refresh, strengthen us and exhort us, as noted in Romans 15:32 and Hebrews 10:25. It’s okay to feel vulnerable, but you must trust that the brethren are placed by God for mutual exhortation and strengthening. Ecclesiastes 4:12 concludes it thus: “and if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

No matter how terrible the situation is, there’s someone placed in your life to help you through it. Reach out to them.

Keep winning daily.

Wise Action:

Whenever you’re going through a situation that makes you feel like running or going under the radar, prayerfully seek out the person positioned by God to support you and help you through it.

By Esun Tekeme

Topic: Responsibility; The Ladder To Greatness [Saturday September 30, 2017]

Scripture: Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. Isaiah 52:1

Thought For The Day: Taking responsibility is knowing the right thing to do, doing it at the right time and without being told.

In one of my books, ’30 Secrets To The Top’, it was clearly stated that one of the ladders to the top in life is accepting responsibility. There is no greatness without responsibility.

This was what God saw in David and he became a candidate for the anointing.

Now, what is responsibility?

It is rising up to the occasion. It is the state of being accountable or answerable to someone for an action or for the successful execution of a duty.

David was not the only son of Jesse his father, yet all his brothers probably abandoned their father’s work and left only him to do it. None of them appeared to be willing to work, so the little boy David rose up to the occasion.

Responsibility means proactivity; it is not waiting to be told what to do. It is knowing the right thing to do and doing it without being told.

Responsibility means taking the initiative and the lead; it is rising up to the occasion. This is what it means to demonstrate leadership.

Beloved, make up your mind to embrace responsibility. Do not avoid responsibility or evade duty. Rise up as the occasion demands. When you do this, you are climbing up to greatness.

Remember this: Taking responsibility is knowing the right thing to do, doing it at the right time and without being told.

Assignment (s):

1. Read the book ‘30 Secrets To The Top’ by Dr Paul Enenche.

2. Make up your mind to take responsibility.

Prayer: O LORD, I ask for the grace to take responsibility daily in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: MAXIMIZING YOUR LIFE.

Quote: There is no greatness without responsibility. Culled from 30 SECRETS TO THE TOP by Dr Paul Enenche.

Daily Reading: Isaiah 60:1 to 62:5, Philippians 1:27 to 2:18, Psalm 72:1 to 20, Proverbs 24:11 to 12.

Amazing Fact: You can actually sharpen the blades on a pencil sharpener by wrapping your pencils in aluminum foil before inserting them.

Today In History: 30/09/1777- The Congress of the United States moved to York, PA, due to advancing British forces.

Don’t Forget To Attend: The Sunday Service in 6 over-flooded services by 6:00am, 7:20am, 8:40am, 10:00am, 11:20am and 12:40pm tomorrow. Endeavour to come to Church with your friends and loved ones. God bless you.

Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), is a powerfully anointed church, headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Dr 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.

Topic: Don’t Be The Guinea Pig! — Saturday 30, September 2017.

Memorise: Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. – 1 Corinthians 10:6

Read: 1 Corinthians 10:1-12 (KJV)

1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Bible in One Year: Romans 1-3, Daniel 1, Hymn: Sing Hymn 9 – On The Hill Far Away

MESSAGE:

As we run the race that is set before us on the straight and narrow way to Heaven, it is possible to slip and fall. You should however note that falling or making mistakes along the way does not signify that an end has come to your life, ministry or destiny. There is no depth you can sink to that the mercy of God cannot draw you out of. If you genuinely ask God for forgiveness and mercy, His grace will surely lift you up. If you are still down in sin, it is time to come up into righteousness. Are you in a situation where it appears all hope of you ever rising again is lost? No matter where you are, God’s touch of mercy at this very moment and come up again in Jesus’ Name!

Coming up next: Open Heavens 1 October 2017: Sunday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – The Mercy & Grace Of God

There are ways to handle mistakes. One way is to learn from the mistakes of others so that you do not become the guinea pig. A Nigerian proverb says, “The one who falls into a pit is a lesson to others following from behind.” You can scream after seeing that fellow fall into the pit, but make sure you don’t end up in it yourself. Today’s reading tells us that the children of Israel who disobeyed God and were overthrown in the wilderness are lessons to us who are now on our way to the Promise Land of Heaven. It says we should not lust after evil things, because the Israelites did so and became causalities in the wilderness. It also says the reason why we should not serve other gods and commit fornication is that 23,000 of those Israelites who did the same perished in one day. It further says we should not tempt Christ like the Israelites did and died of snake bites. It even warns us of the dangers of murmuring, which some of us do very often. The Israelites murmured and were destroyed. When you see the pit your predecessors have fallen into, a wise follower will tread a lot more carefully to avoid ending up where they ended.

If you learn from the mistakes of others, you will not fall where they fall, and you will not perish where they perished; but if you fail to learn, you too will soon become a signpost that tells other not to follow the path you followed. How ironic it is for someone who was aware of the pitfalls that consumed others to end up in the same pit. This is what happens to those who never take warnings seriously. Are you like that? Do you say “it doesn’t matter “Yes, it does!

Prayer Point: Father, let me never be a guinea pig. Make me an excellent example for others to follow.

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.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.