Introduction to Basking In The Beauty Of His Holiness Text: Psalm 27: 1-6
Our generation exists at the precipice of the Church age termed ‘end of the world’ (Heb. 9:26), a period of horror and terror, agony and anguish of soul, deceit and despair, laziness and lukewarmness, and all manner of things that promote ungodliness and godlessness (2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 Tim. 4:1-2). It can be said that the spiritual pressure on the inhabitants of the earth drives or disposes them to do evil, notwithstanding the religious garbs that they are adorned with. And so the joy of many is withered away (Joel 1:1-12). This message shall come under the following points: (a) The details of the theme (b) The divine stipulations (c) The decision expected
The details of the theme: The word ‘Bask’ means ‘to take great pleasure or satisfaction’; ‘To feel warmth or happiness’. The phrase ‘beauty of holiness’ expresses the state in which some splendor or glory follows holiness. In other words, it signifies that holiness attracts things that make for glory, splendor, marvel, fortunes, etc. The holiness in consideration is God’s kind (Is. 64:6). Holiness attracts God and serves as a medium or environment where God’s activities thrive, as it were. Holiness is all about living for God or leading a life of separation and obedience unto Him. (I Pet. 1:15-16). So the caption is about enjoying or taking pleasure in the awesome benefits of holiness of life.
The divine stipulations: There is a cardinal requirement by God as a condition for His relationship with man which is: obedience to His instructions. God is greater than man in all aspects of existence that His demands and commands should be obeyed by the man (Is. 55:8-11; Job 38, 39, 40, 41). The major factor that determines one’s status before God is to glory in His power (Heb.1:8-9; John. 8:29).The devils know this and strive to make men falter in it.
In the Garden of Eden, God gave the life-preserving instruction (Gen. 2:15-17). To the called-out ones in the wilderness en-route the promise land, the Lord God gave rules and regulations that would preserve them (Deut. 5:30-33; 6:1-3, 10-15). The Lord Jesus (the Express Image of God) went about dishing out life giving truths all through His earthly ministry from His sermon on the mount to the table of the last supper (Mt. 5:2-11; Jn. 13:13-17). After His resurrection, He continued to give out instructions that make for true prosperity (Lk. 24:46-49).
The decision expected: Seeing that the commandments of the Lord are given in the interest of the mortals, every salvable person will chose to be a doer of God’s word. (I Tim. 4:8). God demanded that men abstain from sin and be separated unto Him (Lev. 11:44-45; Eph. 5:1-8; I Thess. 4:3, 4; 5:15, 22, Heb. 12:14-15; I Pt. 1:15, 16). Hence the sensible sinner will repent of his sins and submit to the Lordship of Jesus (II Cor. 5:15). By so doing, the saint will proceed to grow in grace by yielding more to Christ (Rom. 12:1).
Topic: The Altar For The Almighty
Text: Genesis 35:1-7
Yesterday after describing the theme of the Charismatic Week which has to do with one glorying in the dividends of holiness of life. It was shown that the Almighty is attracted by holiness of life, and thus releases His blessings upon the holy. Today, we are considering a vital message that any person who wants to lead a prosperous life must understand and assimilate entitled the altar for the Almighty. Our message shall be brought under the following subheadings: (a) The altar described (b) The altar demanded (c) The altar of the Almighty applied.
The Altar described:
An altar can be defined as an elevated structure on which sacrifices are offered. In Patriarchal times, worshippers with their initiative reared altars wherever they pitched their tents or had special occasion to sacrifice to God or where they experienced the manifestation of God (Gen. 8:20; 12:7; 22:9; 26:24-25; 35:1, 7; Ex. 17:13-15; 24:4). The Hebrew word used most frequently for altar is from the verb for slaughter and means literally “slaughter place”. The Greek word used means place of sacrifice. Unlike temples, altars were open structures that did not have any structure “blocking them” from the view of heaven. At these altars the presence of God was made manifest with attendant blessings (Gen. 8:20-22; 22:9-14; Judges. 13:19-20; I Kings. 18:30).
The Altar Demanded (Ex. 20:24-25; 30:1-3):
The specific demand of God from Moses for the erection of altars with specifications makes it clear that He was behind the initiative of the people in the dispensation of their conscience to raise altars unto Him (Rom. 2:14-15). Pending the building of the tabernacle, God specified that the altars should be natural and free of human modification (Ex. 20:24-25).
When giving the details of the place of worship, He stipulated the nature and dimensions of the altars of burnt offerings and of incense (Ex. 27:1-2, 4-8; 30:1-3). These constructed altars were to be purified/sanctified before use (Ex. 29:37; 30:28). So then, altars were primarily emblems of places of God’s presence, but with the construction of the ark of the covenant, (the symbol of God’s throne) the altar of burnt offering demanded by God came to signify more of a sense of reconciliation.
The altar of the Almighty – applied:
The believer is required to present himself a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God (Rom. 12:1). Having seen the altar as a place representing God’s presence, and later expressing a sense of reconciliation, the child of God is required to always carry the consciousness of being like a sacrifice on God’s altar and of having been reconciled to God through the finished work of Calvary (Jn. 19:30). This will make the person to be devoted to God every moment of the day and to be conscious of God’s nearness.
When one becomes devoted [a living sacrifice], the person increases in value [as it were] and so attracts more of heavenly attention! (Num. 23:21-24; Ps. 105:15-17; Is. 54:10, 11, 13-17). As the sinner submits to the Lordship of Jesus through repentance and consecrates unto Him, the Arm of the Lord shall be raised in his favor (Jn. 12:38). Now be informed that the Sun of Righteousness has come with healing in His wings tonight. Who is there among you that needs healing? Let him rise up to confess and consecrate himself unto the Lord.
Friday 09-11-15
Topic: Faith In The Father
Text: Psalm 125:1-5
The key to success in any sphere of life is knowledge. And real knowledge is that which has to do with the revelation of God. It is the acquisition of the vital information about God that propels an individual to live the right kind of life, which in-turn provokes God to do what He best knows to do (Jer. 9:23, 24). With the catalogue of challenges that hang around our daily lives, none can afford to be oblivious of the truth that true prosperity lies in having faith in God the Father (Ps.125; I Tim. 4:8). To bring out the message, the following points shall be treated (a) The truth about faith in God (b) The testimonies of old (c) The thrills promised.
The truth about faith in God the Father:
Faith in God is not just the narrow exercise of expressing confidence in God when needs or troubles arise, nor trusting Him for material sustenance (Ps. 123:1-2). Faith in God goes beyond the field of material/physical provision to an all encompassing life of submission and reliance in God (Ps. 23:1-2). Consider the lifestyle of the father of faith, Abraham (Gen. 12:1-5; 22:1-3; Heb. 11:8-19).
Faith has a base (basis) upon which it rests to accomplish great things and without which it flounders and flops (Jas. 1:6). Faith in God means believing that a Being with the revealed attributes of God is actually in existence (Heb. 11:6) and a prominent characteristic of that Being called God is holiness (Hab. 1:13; Heb. 12:14; I Pet. 1:15-16). Therefore faith in God goes with fear of God and fear of God is about keeping away from evil and living to please Him (Gen. 12:1-4; 17:1; Pr. 8:13; Eccl. 12:13).
The testimonies of old (Rom. 15:4):
The Holy Scripture is filled with testimonies of people that progressed because they followed after God’s holy way.
Joseph – followed after the fear of God from youth and grew to become the governor of the then world power, Egypt. (Gen. ).
King David – the God fearing young shepherd, grew to become one of the most favored kings that has ever lived on earth. Though got a terrible scar in ministry, yet continued to enjoy fellowship with God and ended successfully and prosperously (II Sam. 21:1).
King Asa – prospered as long as he lived holily in the fear of God and plummeted as soon as ungodliness set in (II Chr. 14:2; 15:16-17; 16:1-13).
King Hezekiah – the son of an ungodly king turned the ruined land of Judah into a healthy bubbling economy (II Chr. 32:24-30).
The divine prosperity was witnessed by king Uzziah so long as he remained godly, until pride found a place in him (II Chr. 26:3-15).
Young Vibrant Josiah – brought revival and actual prosperity of the erstwhile dilapidated land through godliness (II Chr. 34:1-5, 15-21, 24-28; 35:1-14, 17-19).
And the Lord Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith who lived in perfect dependence on the Father basked in the beauty of holiness, exhibiting ability to meet His needs and enjoying a fulfilled life (Mt.14:15-21; Jn. 8:19; 19:30). The same God that prospered the righteous is the unchangeable God that we are serving (Mal. 3:6). If any person follows after righteousness, divine prosperity will be his lot.
The thrills promised (Ps. 125:1-5; 128:1-6; Jos. 21:45; 23:14):
The Holy Scripture is replete with direct and indirect promises for faith in God. The promises are not subject to human variables like age, sex, race, size, family background, nationality, business, employment, prevailing economy, sociopolitical condition etc. Once the conditions are met, the promises get realized! The Lord promises such Divine Preservation or Establishment, Divine Protection, Divine Peace, Matrimonial Prosperity, Longevity etc. Consider such privileges and submit to the Lordship of Jesus today. Pledge to repose your confidence in God. Let’s rise up to pray.
Saturday 09-12-15
Topic: Accosting & Arresting The Arads
Text: Numbers 21: 1-3
Through the past three teachings, we have shown that there is great benefit in living for the Lord: submitting to the Lordship of Jesus and living in the confidence and fear of God. Today, we want to further inform you that such people enjoy the privilege of overcoming their enemies irrespective of the toughness of the enemies.
It must be noted that the battle between the kingdom of light (God’s children) and the kingdom of darkness has a predetermined end. It has been designed in favor of the believer. Our text indicates the possibility of a powerful enemy (a King Arad) arising to attack and even apprehend people in God’s program. And the provision of the Lord to accost and arrest such stubborn creatures (Rom. 15:4; I Cor. 10:11). Our message shall be coming under the following points: (a) The Arads of our time (b) The act of accosting and arresting the Arads.
The Arads of our time:
The Hebrew word Arad was used 5 times in the old testament to represent – (i) The Canaanite king (ii) A district in Judah (Jos. 12:14; Judg. 1:16) (iii) A son of Beriah (I Chr. 8:15). Arad means ‘To sequester (segregate) itself’; fugitive.
A fugitive is one who is fleeing or escaping from something. As an adjective “fugitive” means transient, fleeting, elusive (evading capture, rarely seen), difficult to retain; fleeing or running away. And from the testimony of the scriptures (Num. 21:1; 33:40), King Arad lived up to his name as an elusive person who cannot be easily captured, bearing in mind that this event occurred towards the terminal part of the journey to Canaan, Aaron having already died (Num. 20:22-29; 33:39). King Arad even took some prisoners of members of the Church in the wilderness (Num. 21:1; Acts 7:38; Rom. 8:28).
Remember: The Amalekites had earlier in the journey attacked the fatigued people of God from behind (Ex. 17:8-16; Deut. 25:17-18), but king Arad the Canaanite confronted the Israelites head on and temporarily overcame (Job 20:5). Today, there exist such beings/circumstances that try to withstand or oppress God’s covenant people causing them untold pains, sorrows, hardship, sickness, losses, barrenness, sleeplessness, misfortune etc. (Eph. 6:11, 12; II Cor. 10:3-5; Ps. 31:9-10a, 12-13; Ps. 41:5-11). Are you there as a victim of such circumstances? Be informed that whosoever meets the conditions of the Israelites, shall enjoy what they enjoyed. What are the conditions?
The Act of Accosting and Arresting the Arads:
To accost means to approach and speak to (boldly or aggressively) as with a demand or request. To arrest means – ‘To stop a process, course etc’, ‘to seize someone with the authority of the law’; to stop the motion of a person or thing’. The Israelites were God’s covenant people who were in God’s program [going to a divinely destined place]. The stiff opposition that they met led them to vow a vow in prayer which God hearkened unto (Num. 21:1-3).
Now the believer must know that he is a covenant child, and if the person is a Watchman [or a genuine member of a living church], such is in God’s program! So such should be bold (Heb. 4:16; Rom. 8:28). If anything rises or has risen against such, a prayer of faith will yield outstanding results, as it did to the Israelites in the wilderness (Num. 21:1-3). Tonight, we shall strongly call upon the Lord and all king Arads shall be delivered for destruction, and the prisoners shall be set free; in Jesus’ name! Let’s rise up to call upon the Lord of hosts.
Sunday 09-13-15
Topic: The Artillery Of The Almighty
Text: Job 36:5-9; 2 Corinthians 10:3
Having gone through the past four messages of this Charismatic Week revealing that great profit lies in the pursuit of godliness; and that with proper information, the godly will live in the warmth of the riches of His holiness. Today, we shall treat the message titled “the Artillery of the Almighty”. As a matter of reminder, we wish to reassert the fact that: insufficiency or lack of knowledge has done much harm in the kingdom of God (church). This is because many believers get exposed to unwarranted attacks which in-turn beget low productivity. Much time and energy are wastefully spent just because there is no knowledge of how best to attend to the matters. Therefore as the truth is divulged tonight, in the simplest terms, effort must be made to understand, appropriate and apply it (Pr. 1:5). The message shall come under the following points: (a) Artillery described (b) Artillery of the Almighty deduced (c) The application.
Artillery described:
Artillery are large guns or cannon-like weapons which are transportable and usually operated by more than one person. They release projectiles or shells (large bullets with explosive heads), which on impact at a target causes much damage. They are used as batteries (group of guns) during sieges or assaults to bring down fortifications or break up strongholds of the enemy. They are weapons of choice for the bombardment or ruining of the enemy’s defenses before the ensuing of the mop-up operation. In the bible times, they were depicted as ‘engines of war’ (II Chr. 26:14-15; Ez. 26:7-9)
[b]. Artillery of the Almighty (II Cor.10:3): The Lord is a Warrior as He was called the Lord of host (army); and described as a Man of war and Mighty in battle (Ex. 15:3; Jos. 5:14-15; Ps. 24:8; Is. 42:13). As warriors usually have weapons, so does He and His weapons are of assorted kinds stored in His ‘armory’.
The weapons include swords, shields, arrows of different brands ranging from diseases like hemorrhoids, to leprosy, hailstones, lightening & thunder called fire from heaven, wind including the whirlwind, earthquake etc. The weapons are generated by His word and are available to every true member of the church (as available to the soldiers in the battlefront). The armory is accessed by faith (Heb. 11:1 ); and the items of weaponry are activated through:
- i. Authoritative declaration (Job 22:28; Mk. 11:23)
ii. Violent, importunate petitioning (Lk. 18:1-6; Mt. 11:12; Jas. 5:16)
iii. Combined petitioning (Matt.18:19; Eccl.4:12)
iv. Praying with good argument (Is. 41:21).
The Application:
As the Israel of God in the era, we have been selected to be His weapons of war (battle axe etc) and so we must make ourselves available for use, by doing what He requires of us (Jer. 51:20; Lk .10:19). With the stiff opposition being mounted by the powers of darkness (Celestial spirits, Terrestrial spirits, Marine spirits) and their human cohorts; the Watchmen must employ the service of the divine artillery in order to break up the enemy’s defenses.
We shall call upon God in faith, pleading our cause and making declarations privately and corporately. Today! The bombs of the Lord shall fall; we shall shell the enemy’s lines and recover our possessions in Jesus’ name (Is. 65:22; 28:6). Let’s rise to bombard the enemy’s camp.