out of the way through strong drink by Gbenga Aluko

                                                             

                                                         Text: Isaiah 28:1-9

Topic: out of the way through strong drink

( a message delivered to a platform made up of ministers of the gospel , please do not continue if you are not one by grace. Thank you for your sincerity)

 

This study will be done with the following sub-headings:

Background

Their sins

God’s judgement and Salvation

Conclusion

Background

Isaiah, a servant of God who exhibited the gift of prophecy, according to scholars he proclaimed God’s message from 742 to 687 BC, the main theme of his message was to underscore God’s power and control over the nation of Israel, their foes and friends alike and by extension all nations of the world. He therefore spoke extensively on holiness as a prerequisite to enjoy walking with and enjoying the display of His power and splendour. He was a messenger who spoke the truth unadulterated to the Israelites that their main undoing was the SIN and not the king of Assyria or other power blocks that had ravaged or wanting to wrestle, exploit or plunder them. What is the source/content of our message(s) today? Isaiah spoke for the Lord.

Their sins

Two major issues although with other possible overtures/offspring were mentioned in the passage of study, talking originally to the Ephraim tribe and these are:

Pride                     vs.1,3

Drunkenness         vs.1,3,7

It needs to be noted that God blessed His people with abundance but they made the blessings/abundance a fuel for their lust, they brutally engaged in pride and drunkenness. What do we do today with God-given positions, access, privilege and blessings, are we any better than the Ephraimites?  

It is a serious source of concern that Judah was also engrossed in the same dance of shame like other Israelites, in the same vein it is a sad news when prophets/ministers are drunk in sins, kindly note that ministerial sins are somewhat hard to detect/believe and correct, this is because of perceived of feigned holiness by status.

God’s judgement and Salvation

Although the message came before-hand for them to make needed adjustments but they didn’t and God had to judge them:

Their beauty/glory actually failed and faded    vs.1

They were led into captivity.

May we not go into exile/captivity before we repent of all known sins in Jesus mighty name, but we must do more than just say Amen.

God will not be angry with His people forever, He is a loving God/father John 3:16 however the residue will He make to radiate glory one more time and He will also provide strength and stability to the remnant and every repented sinner. vs.5-6

 

Conclusion

Going through the self-caused damage of Judah vs.7 two things are succinct amongst other VISION AND JUDGEMENT derailed by strong drink.

These two could be a yardstick to measure our ministerial productivity from God’s perspective. VISION: God’s will revealed Prov.29:18,2 Peter1:19-21 do we still see fresh things from God’s word? Does God still reveal things to us by His spirit in tandem with His words?

JUDGEMENT: administration of God’s law and God’s people, can our choices and decisions be followed without reservations, are our choices/ decisions not lacking in understanding/wisdom, not entrenched in greed/self or entirely the old man? Deut.17:9-11.

Just as strong drink blurs vision and judgement so sin blurs vision and judgement, let us amend our ways, our Judah should know and do better, may we receive grace in Jesus mighty name. Amen.  

Shalom.

 

 

 

 

 

Stopping spiritual oppression by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

 

Text: ECSS 4: 1-2, Luke 13:11-16, Acts 10:38

Topic: Stopping spiritual oppression 

The study will be done with the following sub-headings

What is oppression

Forms of oppression

Oppression from the passage

Some common manifestations of spiritual oppression

Stopping spiritual oppression

What is oppression

To oppress is to exploit, mistreat, burden, afflict, inflict someone/group of people with unpalatable situations and experiences, making life, situation, achievements, progress, success hard or impossible for someone/ some people.

Just as the bible clearly defines the devil’s mission statement in John 10:10 as to steal, kill and destroy these he does without taking consent from the person or group of persons involved hence he is always oppressive of his preys, dealing with/doing things to them against their will and plan/pursuit, may God open our eyes and give us wisdom/grace to refuse to be one of his victims in Jesus mighty name Amen.

Forms of oppression

There are several forms of oppression we would however explore some of them:

Spiritual oppression: one would think its only Job that had Oxen and Donkeys that drew the attention of the Sabeans who took all that are his or why did fire burn all his sheep at almost same time  also the Chaldeans raided his Camel and strong wind killed all his children, all this happened the way they did because most often than not oppression are first spiritual before it manifests physically if they ever have physical manifestation/symptoms. Job 1:8ff, albeit with the permission of God job’s calamity was entirely rooted in the spirit with mind blowing physical manifestation, clearly there was never a time that the devil came physically to any of the scene of his calamity even though as he was behind all of it.

Physical oppression: Goliath and the Israelites under Saul 1 Sam. 17:16

Personal oppression: Gen 16:1ff Hagar was introduced to the Husband of her boss by her boss but the story changed immediately she became pregnant and misbehaved, although she really got more than she bargained for, that made her to run away even without a plan or adequate provisions for survival when she couldn’t bear the oppression.

Family oppression: 2kings 4:1ff details an account of a woman widowed as if that was not bad enough had creditors were ready to take her two sons as slaves to cover for her exposure to them. Thank God her husband was a son to a prophet not only that, he feared the Lord and God came through for them and turned around a situation that would have been best described as a family oppression. Serving God and fearing Him will always be a plus even against spiritual oppression, do you really fear God with the way you live your life publicly and privately?

National oppression: The Israelites in: Egypt Ex.1-12, Babylon 2Kings 24-25. The Israelites experienced different levels of oppression from different people the Egyptians and Babylonian experience are mere samples. May God deliver our country from direct and indirect, international and internal oppressions in Jesus mighty name Amen.

Oppression from the passage of focus 

The following are some of the things that be seen in the passage ECSS. 4:1-2:

1.       Oppression is real on earth/under the sun

2.       Tears in the eyes of the oppressed

3.       The Oppressed can have no comforter

4.       There is power on the side of the oppressed.

Don’t be an oppressor or join in oppression, it is really harmful, painful and teary and God will answer for the oppressed when he/she runs to Him don’t kick against the prick. Is.49:25-26, Zeph.3:19-20, Ps. 9:9. May God empower us more than our oppressors in Jesus mighty name. Amen.     

Some common manifestations of spiritual oppression

1.       Sin is both a manifestation and a cause of oppression John 5:14ff

2.       Unexplainable delay/retrogression

3.       Consistent backwards/suppressing dream/ sex in dreams

4.       Sicknesses that defies medical explanation Matt.5:26

5.       Low or no results while great, informed and directed effort is being exerted/expended

6.       Loss of all that one has worked for in quick and unreasonable succession.    

7.        Loosing spiritual flame, dwindling time of prayer, devotion stamina and love for the house and things of God.

8.       Not wanting to get help from anyone including God and His trusted servants when even under attack

Stopping spiritual oppression

James 4:7 clearly tells us how to approach the devil and his works, the first segment is to submit to God, be His child, acknowledge that all powers belongs to Him Matt. 28:18, close all the gates that the enemy might have, and trust in  in His power to save and deliver 1 John 3:8.Then resist the devil and all his works, to resist involves some work in prayers and sometimes in fasting, deploying the name, the blood, the fire of the holy ghost amongst others, appropriating the victory we already have.  Don’t backdown, never surrender to fate rather submit to God then resist the devil he will flee. Hallelujah  

Say this word of prayer every seed /arrow of oppression working against me catch fire and burn to ashes in Jesus mighty name  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being rooted and grounded in love by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                       

                                                  Text: Ephesians 3:11-19

Topic: Being rooted and grounded in love.

The teaching will be done with the following sub-headings:

 

Background

Revealed Mysteries

Strengthened by His Spirit

Rooted and grounded in Love

Background 

Apostle Paul during his third missionary journey spent about three years in Ephesus ( a town in modern-day Turkey) establishing a body of believers in the city and this group blossomed by grace Acts19:1-20:1, the book was initially addressed to those body of believers.

The book is one of the four prison epistles of Paul the others being Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Although the book wasn’t written to correct any major anomaly or error it clearly portrays amongst others the salient point that God: reconciled men to Himself through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2:1-10, He also reconciled men to themselves 2:11-22 and placed everything under the control of Christ.1:10.

Are you reconciled to Christ? If the answer is in the affirmative then it should not be a difficult task to be reconciled with anyone should there be a rift.

Revealed Mysteries 3:3

This heading is a sort of oxymoron which means two opposite/opposing words placed beside each other to form a phrase. While revealed means to make known to others, mystery means something difficult or impossible to understand.

Apostle Paul in his writing to the Ephesians spoke about Mysteries in the portion referenced, The writings of the book of Ephesians amongst very few other books are flooded with mysteries that were revealed to the human vessel by God.

Godly mysteries are not entirely a function of research, copied, not characterized by high-sounding technicality, or garnished with fluid grammatical prowess as pictured in recent parlance but are simply contacted by revelations or encounters made available by God.

Which/What revelations/encounters have you had through/from God? God still gives revelations, and people are still having encounters with God pant, cry, and wait for yours before you launch out on that project/journey/ministry.

Revelations are not only for ministerial accomplishment although the latter is not possible without the former in and by God’s method. e.g. Moses, Gideon, Apostle Paul, etc. Revelations and encounters are needed for all-around fulfillment. The following people had encounters/revelations not for ministry in the scriptures:

( a ) Isaac: to have bountiful harvest even in difficult times Gen.26:2,12-14

( b ) Jacob: to escape the wickedness/enslavement of his relative Gen.28:13-15,31:7-12,42.

( c ) Joseph: He knew God’s plan for his life Gen. 37, provided meaning for the troubled dreamers( butler and the baker) in the prison which catapulted him to his destiny too.Gen.40:5-13,41:9ff.

There is a need for this three basic knowledge as revealed in the scriptures:

1. God is Love                                  1 John 4:8

2. made all men in His Image     Gen 1:26ff (irrespective of their outcomes/choices and affiliations

3. Love is a commandment              Matt.22:37.

Strengthened by His Spirit 

Humanly speaking it is challenging to love some people as they are bile or wicked or possessed or all of the above ( please don’t be in this group) this doesn’t however remove or reduce the weight of Jesus’ summary of the ten commandment and other scriptures where we were told to love even our enemies. Luke 6:32-36,Matt.5:44-45,John 3:16. 

The above situation captures another need for the spirit of God, His presence is not only for warfare but to aid us to follow Him and His words,  are we continually yielding to the infilling of the Spirit and His lordship over our lives and actions/inactions. 

He is a spirit of love 2 Tim.1:7, love is one of the fruit of the spirit Gal.5:22-23,God is love, God is Spirit John 4:24, love is therefore more spiritual than physical.

Rooted and grounded in love

Following the subheadings we have highlighted above, the first condition to being rooted in love is to be completely reconciled with Christ which points to our Salvation and sanctification, If we are truly saved and are of God then we will be loving and continue to grow in love just like our father who is love.

Secondly, our understanding of the position and revelations of the scriptures will be our guide and broaden our horizon on the all-important and sacrosanct nature of love.

And finally, we would long for more of His spirit to help us overcome the flesh which is a major hindrance to love. May God grant to us the grace to love Him and others genuinely in Jesus' mighty name. Amen.

SHALOM.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the Ministry is a blessing by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                                           

                                                             Text:   Psalm 65:1-4

Topic: When the Ministry is a blessing

The teaching will be done with the three headings:

Background

Those He chose Vs. 4

Dwelling in His Court Vs 4

The goodness of His house Vs.4

Background

This Psalm was written by King David, The Psalmist as customary speaks about Praise to God and in the first four lines speaks about why to an extent: He answers prayers and forgives Sin( the price for sin was paid on Calvary, consummation which began on a Friday like this which is remembered every year as good Friday, was it good for the man Jesus? Remember if it were possible let this cup be taken away Matt.26:39). The psalmist however mentioned Zion let us do a little exposition about Zion.

It originally referred to a specific hill in Jerusalem, Mount Zion, located to the south of Mount Moriah (the Temple Mount). According to the narrative of 2 Samuel 5, Mount Zion held the Jebusite fortress of the same name that was conquered by David and was renamed the City of David. The name Zion is often used to describe a place appointed by the Lord where his followers can live and serve God. Scripture refers to Zion as a “city of Holiness” and “a city of refuge” where the Lord protects his people from the evils in the world.

We would have spoken about Rom.11:26 and Revelation 21 on the future of Zion but for time, focus and space. The psalmist was referring to the House of Jacob and the fact that they give praise to God was both an incense and a vow for His mighty choice of them, His move and presence amongst them His people. 

Having given the background to the text we will be applying the Davidic psalm to the higher/NT definition of ministry cum success in it by God’s plan, in His way and standard.  

Those He chose Vs. 4 

There are levels of God’s call hence there is the general call, the call unto Salvation this is a General call just as the OT the choice of Israel, then there is/are the higher and specific calls into service just like the Aaron’s call Lev.8:ff or Levitical calls etc. Numbers 18:21-23ff.

Are you saved? The term higher calling doesn’t reduce the importance of salvation coupled with continuous and consistent sanctification as a prerequisite a requirement to see the kingdom let alone serve in it John 3:3, did He really call you into the ministry?

Other choosers?

The economy

Lack of Job/profession

Your Pastor

Your Parent

A passion/Love for it

The Devil e.t.c

Dwelling in His Court Vs 4

This we would talk about those who are doing His bidding, staying under His canopy alone and doing so continuously without any backup plan/plan B, and those labouring with all their might/capacity while praying and learning to do more.

The currency spent in the realm of the spirit is Power, you can't do ministry without power just as you should not do it without training.

it doesn’t matter your location or congregation or knowledge of management and business without God’s power, a downfall is loading, such would be very soon and very loud, those who are lazy or in a hurry or generally a betrayer looks for power via other alternatives for example from the devil, you cant deceive the devil or outwit while using his paraphernalia, he deceived the first man(going outside His court is at your peril and will never end well).Ps 20:7.

A lot of misleading things are happening all around these days, one of them is success without stress/struggle, an easy way to make money, easy way to ministerial fulfilment, most if not all of these are traps of the devil you still remember MMM some people are still licking the wounds from it. what are you doing even in ministry, where is/are your labour and your plans to continuously improve even in your labour/dwelling in His court? Work and wages/honour/promotion always go hand in hand. Colossians 3:23-24, Dwelling and being productive. Work while it is still day John 9:4, the ministry is no longer for the lazy( ole ntele afa in Yoruba language).

The goodness of His house Vs.4 

One of the most bastardised words amongst ministers is blessing, we are too focused and most times our cravings become uncontrollable when we want or need money/cars/clothes that we miss the real deal and what God actually promised us which is the goodness of His house.

When did Apostle Babalola die? Why has anyone who has done or is doing business in deep waters by God's means still referred to this name? How many cars did he have and houses? Goodness of His house. When did D.O Babajide die why hasn’t attention shifted away from life and times? How many houses and Cars did they have during their lives?

Goodness of His house: answers to prayers, forgiveness of sins, daily needs. Your skill and management and His plan can make you have loads of benefits too, Jesus didn’t wear a rag neither did He raise money with God’s move through Him, but he focussed on the focus. He served and God blessed him. Ex.23:25.

Conclusively if you are going to be successful in ministry or if you are going to enjoy the goodness of God in ministry: you must be called by God, you must trust in His power alone, you must have works/labours, you must be learning for ways in line with Gods word and being led by His spirit to improve your work then you will have His goodness and manifest what the world will see in his time and season.Ecss.3:11

Shalom

A message on a platform largely occupied by ministers.

 

 

 

Who do ye say I am by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                                                     

                                                                  Text: Matt. 16:13-17

Topic: Who do ye say I am

Our Lord and Saviour although omniscient decided to ask His disciples two germane questions amongst an abundance of even spiritual issues he could raise with them such as: did you take a record to the extent possible of the miracles in the last crusade, which of those miracles were you surprised the most about, have you all done what is necessary for the next outreach as assigned but he chose in this passage to ask these:

Who do people say I am           vs.13

Who do ye say I am                  vs.15

If we were to ask ourselves the same questions, digging into our encounters, experiences, and knowledge of Jesus what would our response be?

Some facts about the knowledge/knowing of Jesus 

1. The knowledge of Jesus revelational vs.17: en-route Emmaus Jesus journeyed with some disciples but they didn’t recognise Him until the breaking of bread when He was revealed Luke 24:13ff, Gal.1:12 Paul gives an account that His testament/teachings were not taken/copied word for word from anyone but by the revelation of Jesus Christ, Jesus responded to the correct and current understanding of Apostle Peter that flesh and blood didn’t reveal what he knew to him.

2. It is progressive and continuous: Just like God and His messengers gave a progressive introduction of Jesus to the world viz: At birth Luke 2:8ff At baptismal Matt.3:16-17, At the transfiguration Matt.17:5, At departure to tell that He is coming back albeit as a Judge Acts 1:9-11.Apostle Paul with the level of education, exposure, encounter, and even divine enablement understood that that he needed more of God Phil.3:10.The knowledge of Jesus Christ is progressive, the more we move close to God and listen to Him we know Him more, when we study His word we know Him.

3. It aligns with the scriptures: John 10:35-38, It is not spiritual for anyone to bring any understanding that lacks basis in the scripture irrespective of the person's age, image or whatever he/she has, that stance will be anti-God, God is His word John1:1.

A lot of us define God based on encounters we have had with Him, and things He has done for us amongst others which may not be bad in fact all the names of God in the scriptures and the ones we call Him aside what He called himself are outcomes/outburst of encounters they/we had with him.

Jesus summarily did three things as a man: Destroy the works of the devil 1John 3:8, Restored men back to God John 4, raise disciples who would take the gospel to the uttermost part of the world Mark 16:15, and humans have given diverse names to Him along these lines, this stance isn't bad however.

Summarily Jesus is more than what people call him/say, Peter said Thou art Christ the son of the living God, no matter the location and situation that definition suffices, it is an eternal/valid definition of His personality, have you met Him?

Your will be done by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                                                 

                                                     Text: Luke 22:36-42

Topic: Your will be done

 

The message will have the following sub-heading:

Jesus knew His purpose and time

He demonstrated a divine order of leadership

He prayed for Peter

He emphasized the need for preparation

Thy will be done

Jesus knew His purpose and time

God is the only perfect planner, He doesn’t only plan events, He plans destiny and He does this with eternity in view and with everything within His control and confines, What a mighty God we serve.

God deployed many plaques to set His people Israel free from the servitude cum oppression by the Egyptians, empty-handed He had carefully told the children of Israel to prepare meals that can stay for a while, and also ask for things from the Egyptians so that they do not go empty handed Ex.3:22.What a God, what a plan.  

He demonstrated a divine order of leadership

Jesus had a clearly different idea on leadership this was clearly stated in Vs:25-27.

The people of the world may call self-enthronement/dictatorship/manipulation or maltreatment leadership but this isn't so with our Jesus hallelujah.

Jesus’ idea of leadership is service, so if we are going to follow Him in words and deeds our leadership should be that of service,  whether we are at home, with family, office, in the community, or at work in the church, He gave us an edge to serve others, we celebrate always our servant leader and Saviour Jesus Christ today and always.

He prayed for Peter

Satan always desires what God desires albeit for a different purpose, Satan can never have a good intention towards anyone or anything, you can not be an exemption be wary of him 1pt.5:8, this he does to get back at God for being cast out of heaven and having a designed eternal fate in hell Is,14:12, Matt.25:41, run from the devil don’t let him add you to his company to hell.

He came for Adam Gen.3:1ff, and came for Jesus Matt 4:1ff, Peter was not an exception to this ugly trend but Jesus prayed for him. If you are truly a child of God, watch and pray in the words of Jesus Christ. Matt. 26:41. May every plan of the devil for us fail woefully in Jesus' mighty name. Amen.

 

He emphasized the need for preparation

Jesus saw that the disciples weren't ready for the evil days that they were to shortly witness, they were casual, lacking stamina, were not equipped enough, didn’t possess the doggedness and requisite spiritual temperature to confront the looming set of event hence He told them to rise up/wake up Vs.36.events

However, the sword He spoke about wasn’t physical Eph.6:17.

Thy will be done 

We can take the following application from that expression in the passage Vs.42

1. That Jesus had an unbroken relationship with God throughout His voyage on earth. John 8:28-29

2. An outburst from a broken and sorrowful man.Vs.42

3. A statement of surrender. Have you surrendered your life to Him?

Please this year and beyond do not stand in the way of God, do not allow the devil and his cohorts to take you out of His will, God’s will is the best for us.

Shalom.

Go in this thy might by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                                    

                                                       Text: Judges 6:7-14

Topic Go in this thy might 

This will be discussed with the following subheadings

Background

The children of Israel cried

The Lord answered

Go in this thy might

Background

Sin will always lead to disaster, it does not matter: who was involved, Saul was a king and God rejected him for Sin 1 Sam 16:1, where it is committed, the sons of Eli were committing sin right in the temple and they were judged appropriately 1 Sam.4:17-18, the number of people involved, you remember the Gen 7 and destruction of the earth then also the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah Gen.19:24-25.An unrepentant sinner is a disaster waiting to happen Rom.6:23.This year be intentional about avoiding sin and all its pleasures, work out your salvation and sanctification with trembling and fear Phil.2:12. Summarily trust His finished work, pray for grace but be disciplined and flee all appearances of the sin and sinfulness.

Sin led the children of Israel into captivity several times one of such was that of the Midianites Judg. 6:1 the latter even had allies the Amalekites and the children of the East Judg.6:3-6, They overwhelmingly ravaged the Israelites, may God deliver us from every power that wants to or is already ravaging us in Jesus' mighty name Amen.

The children of Israel cried

Thanks be to God for creating prayers, prayer is an earthly permission for heavenly intervention, this year and beyond don’t only watch but also be a person of prayer, don’t bear any needless pain when there is a divine provision for our troubles, don’t get to the end of your strength before inviting God, we serve a prayer answering God. Jer. 33:3.The children of Israel called upon God. Vs.7.

The Lord answered 

The Lord answered His people when they called just like He will answer us today when we call 2 Chro.7:14, His answers had two immediate signs:

Firstly, He sent a Prophet to Israel vs. 8-10

Secondly, He sent His angel to Gideon may we enjoy angelic ministrations this year Amen. The angel said some things three of which are:

The Lord is with thee              vs.12

Thou mighty man of valour     vs.12

Go in thy this thy might           vs.14

We are focused on the last in our list for today.

Go in this thy might

We would as led see the application and implications of the statement, Go in this thy might:

( 1 ) You are the answer to the cry of Israel arise and shine, God is also telling us that we are answers to the cry of people but we must first arise and shine Is.60:1ff.

( 2 )  An Angel was sent to you for an encounter with divinity and also to give privileged information that this battle has been won from the realm of the spirit arise and go and take the victory. This year and beyond God will fight for us and we will take and enjoy the victory but we must be bold and not be idle. Josh. 5:13

( 3 ) An affirmation of divine presence and backup. God's: presence, protection, and Strength Rom.8:31.

If anyone asks you how is this year going to be tell them you are going with His might and in His strength just like Gideon.

Shalom.