Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement
(Evangelistic arm of Voice of the Last days Ministry)
9500 Annapolis Road, #A5&6
Lanham, MD20706
Charismatic Week 2014
Theme: THE EFFULGENCE OF HIS EXCELLENCY.
Texts: John 1:1-5; 9:14; 14:6; 18:2-6
As we approach the precipice of the church age, it is quite enlightening or heart warming to see people who are yet desirous to hear the word of God and are determined to keep it. (Cp. Matthew 24:12). It is only such people that hear that will develop the faith to walk as required. (Cons. Rom 10:17; cp. Luke 18:8). It would therefore be superfluous to spend much time urging anybody that is present here to be consistent in attendance, punctual and attentive in every session (see Prov 13:13; 14:30). Every message delivered in this Charismatic Week of the 9th month or promise revealed in the course of the ministrations must be received with faith (cons. Heb.4:1-2; 11:6).
Now, notwithstanding that the whole world is wallowing in iniquity and living as the absolutely blind that is groping in darkness, there is yet a unique remnant that are expected to be different in all spheres of life (cons. Lev 11:44,45; Matt 5:13-16; Phil 2:15). Such unique people dwell under the illumination of the Almighty and so enjoy the attendant privileges. (Isa.54:13; John 1:12; 8:12; 1Pet 2:9-10).
It is to such persons that the Arm of the Lord ceaselessly manifests (Lk 8:9,10; cp. Jn 8:32). It is unto such people that the glory of the Lord is revealed (cons. Matt 16:28; 17:1-5). It is such people that enjoy the effulgence of His Excellency. (Cons. Matt 28:20b). Today, we shall expound our theme and make our applications.
The exposition: We shall first define the key words and thereafter deduce the meaning of theme.
‘Effulgence’ means a state of being bright and radiant; brilliance; radiant light; splendor.
“Splendor” means display of wealth or magnificence; magnificent appearance, great fame or glory
‘His Excellency’ is a form address or title for certain high officials or dignitaries like ambassadors, Governors, Presidents, etc. And in our own context, it refers to the Person of the King of kings and Lord of lords, by name our Lord Jesus Christ (cons. 1Tim 6:14-15; Rev 17:14; 19:16).
The theme therefore is about the splendor (or radiance) of the Lord Jesus Christ which is due to the abundant life that He was saturated with. It is all about the superlative wealth displayed by the quality life of Jesus which left a trail of joy wherever He went.
The Lord Jesus, the Personification of the Word of God, was an embodiment of life – divine, or true life (John 1:4; 10:10; 14:6). It was by this life that He prevailed over every circumstance that confronted Him (cons. Acts10:38; John 11:38-44; 8:1-11; 6:5-14; Lk 9:37-43; Mk 5:1-15; Matt. )
During His earthly ministry, as many as got connected to Him enjoyed the inflow of this divine life with the attendant privileges (Jn 1:12; 7:3; Luke19:6; 2 Cor 5:17 ).
Connecting to the Lord Jesus is through repentance from dead works and faith in the finished work of Calvary (Matt 11:28; Lk 19:5-9; Acts ). The Connection is retained through obedience to His injunctions (Matt 11:29, 7:21; John 14:15,21; Phil 2:12; 1Pet.1:14-16).
Now, be informed that all those that will choose to live in obedience to the Lord henceforth shall taste of His splendor starting from today (tonight). Those matters in your life that don’t conform to God’s will for you shall be rooted up in Jesus’ name (Matt 15:13). The Lord is set in this programme to do resounding things that will thrill the hearers – To reveal the glory of His Excellency. (Psalm 6:5).
In the subsequent messages, we shall draw inspiration from an exposition of the life of Jesus.
Theme: THE EFFULGENCE OF HIS EXCELLENCY
Topic: MIRACLES FOR THE MULTITUDES
Introduction: One of the marks of the end time is the prevalence of counterfeit ministers and their messages (2 Cor 11:13-15; 1Tim 6:3). The main reason why these counterfeits are thriving is that the hosts of hell are unleashing terror to mankind in order to keep them distracted from the reality. So men focus on matters that pertain to their immediate needs. However, the abundance of these counterfeits does not negate the existence of the real.
Our Lord Jesus during His earthly ministry announced and confirmed His mission through the diverse miracles (cons. Matt 4:23-25; Jn 15:24). And He assured His disciples that they would do same and even much more, if they continued to believe in Him (Jn 14:12; 20:21); because He would abide with them to ensure it (Matt 28:20).
Today, I have come to inform you that the Lord is still in the business of working miracles; the era of miracles is not over (cons. Heb.13:8, Acts 10:38; Jn.20:21; Mark 16:20; Joel 2: ). If any needy person meets the requirement for getting a miracle, he will surely get the miracle.
We shall be focusing on (A) The Pre-requisites for Miracles (B) The Power of Miracles.
(A) THE PRE-REQUISITES FOR MIRACLES
Although the Lord is sovereign and can decide to grant unmerited blessings (Miracle of mercy), yet He is a God of principles who expects the informed to understand and obey His rules.
There are factors that are commonly seen in the lives of beneficiaries of miracles namely:-
(i) Presence of a genuine need (Isa.41:17)
Where there is no need, there is no miracle. Miracles come from God for some definite purpose (not for show or carnal entertainment which goes with magic). If your therefore have a genuine need, then you are a candidate of miracle.
(ii) Prominent faith in the vessel of the miracle (2Chron. 20:20)
it is very rare for God to bless people through whom they don’t value (cons. Matt 7:6, Mark 6:1-6). But, whenever one trusts a vessel of the Lord, the supernatural readily follows (cons. Mk. 9:17-26). And one of the marks of faith in a divine instrument is obedience to his instructions.
(iii) Plain obedience to instructions given (Isa.1:19)
Obedience to the instructions of a vessel of God, connects the needy to the Lord’s store house (cons. 2Kgs 5:8-14; Jn 2: 3-8).
The instruction today is Repent and Confess your sins (Prov. 28:13, Isa.59:1-2). Then Ask in faith! Obedience with pull down the Power of God to work miracles.
(B) THE POWER OF MIRACLES (Isa. 8:18):
When miracles occur, conviction is created in the lives of both beneficiaries and witnesses, and conversion readily follows (cons. Exo. , Matt 4:23-25, Mk 5:18-20, Jn 9:18-22 ). Even false miracles (magic) work conviction to the deluded as we do see in the ministries of false men of God who don’t have any testimony of salvation; living in all sorts of sin and doing supernatural feats (cons. Rev 13:11-14; Matt 7:15-20 cp. Deut 13:1-3). Starting from today and throughout the Charismatic Week program, the Lord will do some work in your life to establish you and make you reach out to others (cons. Jn 4:28-30). All it takes is faith and obedience.
Repent of your sins and with a yearning heart reach out to the Lord for His mercies (Ps.23:6; Isa.41:17-21).
Theme: THE EFFULGENCE OF HIS EXCELLENCY
Topic: MANIFESTATION OF SUPERNATURAL FEATS
Texts: John 1:14; 10:37-41; Luke 4:22-30
Introduction: A glance through the life of Jesus from any perspective will reveal a uniqueness that is unequivocal (matchless and unmistakable).
We have been looking at the display of wealth and magnificence in the daily life of the Lord Jesus due to the abundance of divine life that He possessed (John 10:10b). It was by this divine life that He made the miracles for the multitudes of His day. It was also by that life He manifested supernatural feats. Today, we shall draw our lessons from the supernatural feats manifested by the Lord Jesus.
By feats we are referring to the rare accomplishments that the Lord Jesus exhibited (not just the miracles that He did for others) in the days of His flesh. The message shall come under 3 points – (A) The Pertinent Feats (B) The Purpose Of The Feats ( C) The Pilgrims’s Priceless Lessons.
(A) THE PERTINENT FEATS
The ministry of the Lord Jesus was marked with stiff oppositions that necessitated the special attention that it received from heaven (Matt 17:5; 4:11; Jn 8:29). Satan, the prince of the hosts of darkness used everything that he could get at to resist the Lord. Howbeit, the Lord was equal to every task.
The first feat of the Lord to be considered is that of supernatural escape from the rampaging crowds (cons. Luke 4:25-30; John 8:56-59; 10:38-39). The second feat for consideration is His walking on the water.(Matt 14:23-32).
(B) THE PURPOSE OF THE FEATS
There is always a reason for everything that the Lord does. By the omniscient of the Lord, some alternative course could have been followed but the Lord choose the path of manifestation of the feats.
The first feat of supernatural escape was conducted to teach the church about the preservative capability of the Almighty (cons. Ps. 23:4, 91:1-7; Isa.43:2; 54:14-17; Matt 16:18; Jn 7:30,44; 8:20) . It was by the same principle that some other saints prospered. (Cons. Ezek. ; Acts 8:39,40).
NB: This knowledge of God’s power of preservation is not a license for carefree living nor for tempting the Lord (cons. Jn 7:1-4,6; Luke 4:9-12; Matt 10:16; Prov 27:12; 22:3; 4:7).
Once one gives his life to Jesus, he gets into the covenant of Divine preservation which is based on the finished work at Calvary (2 Cor 8:9).
The feat of walking on the water was a display of His dominion over all creatures and forces of nature – a display of His Lordship. To establish His authority, so that the disciples might know Whom they were following ( ). And with foreknowledge of Peter’s request, He intended to teach the church that with God all things are possible, and that all that He, Jesus did, His disciples can also do. (Matt 19:26; Jn 14:12).
(C) THE PILGRIM’S PRICELESS LESSONS
The difference between the prosperity of the two mates or colleagues is based on what each knows. Knowledge sets free, empowers and exalts. Jn 8:32; Prov 24:4,5).
Amidst the perils of the present day, the believer is to live in the confidence of the power from on high as did Elisha (2Kings 6:14-16). He is to fear no foe as Jesus refused to be intimidated by Herod’s agents (Luke13: ). However, he is to walk with caution, so that he can enjoy the guidance of the Holy Spirit. (Rom 8:19; Luke4: ; Prov 4:7). The child of God is to live in the awareness that all things are possible with God; and that no tempest of life can sink the boat of that man living in the obedience of the Master (Jesus). As the violence of fire was quenched in the case of the Hebrew young men, so shall the violence of any fire prepared for or already raging against you be quenched in Jesus’ name. There is yet a Throne.
It is a time of thrills from the throne. It is time of manifestation of supernatural feats. Let the sinner repent of his sins and let the saint declare in prayer that he shall not die, as his death is not necessary.
Theme: THE EFFULGENCE OF HIS EXCELLENCY
Topic: WORKING WONDERS WITH MERE WORDS
Texts: Mark 4:35-41; 11:12-14, 20-24
Introduction:
But the Lord Jesus knew the power of the tongue and displayed the potency of faith declarations. He was cautious of His words and never had a record of saying any wrong thing to any person that would necessitate repentance or withdrawal of statement (which is the appropriate thing to do when mistakes are made in words).
We shall bring the message under 2 points: (A) All Things Hear (B) All Things Obey Authority.
(A) ALL THINGS HEAR (Isa.1:2)
The scientist will consider the assertion ridiculous as he has been taught that hearing is one of the senses that some living organism enjoy.
However, the spiritual man knows that both animate and inanimate creatures hear when spoken to in faith.
Let’s consider some scriptural incidents:
(i.) The mechanism behind the rising and setting of the sun and the moon responded to the instructions of Joshua who was ignorant of the science behind those events (Josh 10:12-14).
(ii.) The invisible spirits of darkness also hear (Matt. )
(iii.) The non-living things do hear instructions (Mk 4:35-41; Ezekiel 37:9; Isa.1:2)
(iv.) Plants and trees which don’t have physical ears still hear (impliedly Mark 11:14)
(v.) Human circumstances or conditions hear instructions ( ).
Therefore everybody should understand that whatever condition he comes in contact with, that condition can be influenced by spoken words. Be it the health condition of the body, the state of the business or family, the academic situation, the spiritual condition, etc.
It must be noted that it is one thing to hear and another to respond or obey the instructions given.
(B) ALL THINGS OBEY AUTHORITY (Eccl 8:4)
Just as every creature hears instructions so do all creatures obey authority, from angels of God (which stand as the highest creatures) down to the smallest particles that serve as the building block of substances.
The Lord Jesus knew His authority and used it to greatly affect His world (Acts 10:38 ).
He spoke to disease conditions, devils, seas, and even trees; and all of them complied to His
instruction. He taught that the same testimony would follow us if we do the same in faith (Mk 11:23, 24). Faith here is an expression of awareness and authority.
I believe in what the Lord said and I have come as His representative to bring down blessings unto you. (See Lk 10:19; Jn 15:26; 20:21).
As you pray in faith and I conclude with my declarations; the evil trees standing against your life will perish; the raging sea will cease; the mountain (disease condition) will be removed; the desert will blossom. The sinner must repent and submit to the Lordship of Jesus first.
Theme: THE EFFULGENCE OF HIS EXCELLENCY
Topic: DESTROYING THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL
Texts: John 10:10, Acts 10:38; 1 John 3:8
Introduction:
The earthly life of the Lord Jesus brought such an illumination that darkness could neither resist nor suppress. And the aroma of His activities has continued to perfume and permeate lives and homes of men that were stinking and destined for damnation.
So far in this program, we have shown how the Lord Jesus (His Excellency) radiated glory in His earthly ministry leaving joy in the hearts and songs on the lips of men that encountered Him as we treated: Miracles For The Multitudes, Manifestation Of Supernatural Feats and Working Wonders With Mere Words.
Today, we shall conclude the program with a talk on the foundation/basis principle of all that He did – “Destroying The Works Of The Devil.”
The message shall come under the following (A) The Person Of Jesus (B) The Purpose Of His Earthly Visit (C) The Power Available To The Church.
(A) THE PERSON OF JESUS
The Lord Jesus is the Word of God personified (John 1:1-4,14), Who has been with the Father before time began possessing All the attributes of the Father. (Cons. John 17: Phil 2:5-7). Therefore, He wasn’t a creature but a Creator (Col.1:15-17; 2:9). He worked with the Father in the designing of the program for mankind (cons. Gen 3:15; Rev 13:8).
He is currently seated in His full regalia at the right hand of the Father in glory, manifesting all the attributes of God. (Con. Heb. 1:13; Mk.16:9).