Called/Prepared for Such a Time by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                                              

                                                             Text: Esther 4:14

Topic: Called/Prepared for Such a Time

Background
Her processes
Such a time
Conclusion

Background

Esther was the heroine of the book in the Bible that bears her name. She was a Jew named Hadassah (the myrtle). She was, however, renamed by her captors, but her real identity never changed, even when she entered the royal harem (Esther 2:7). How often, and pitifully, do Christians change with their environment, upliftment, among others?

It is believed by Bible scholars that Esther, by the grace of God, was instrumental toward the two purposes of the book, which are telling the story behind the festival of Purim and also showing that God, in His sovereignty, loves and cares for His own. However, the big question and task is to be His and remain the same. May we obtain grace for this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Her Processes (HP)

God does not just call or use people; He prepares vessels for great assignments. Don’t run out of God’s preparatory sessions/classes/seasons. No product is better than its process. What is God making or allowing us to go through? I hope you are not avoiding what God meant to bring out the gold/glory in you.

“All things work together for good” (Rom. 8:28). God is always with His own (Gen. 39:2-3, 21; 50:20). Let’s look at the diverse processes/preparations that Esther went through.

HP1. The orphan, a captive, a virgin

Esther was an orphan, and this made her uncle Mordecai adopt her (Esther 2:7). She was also a captive in Babylon (Esther 2:6). The fact that she was a captive and had lost her parents did not make her reckless or uncontrollable. She did not lose her pride, sanity, dignity, or morality, using her misfortunes as an alibi. It paid off in her easy passage to a place of destiny (Esther 2:2, 2:8).

HP2. Esther the tactful/favoured contestant

Esther was told never to reveal her nationality, and she humbly and religiously obeyed. This is a case against those of us who are always in a hurry to advertise our success, strategies, and even other personal details. Even God hides things (Prov. 25:2; Deut. 29:29). It was well over four years before anyone, even in the palace, knew her origin.

Esther enjoyed favour even with Hegai, who took care of the virgins to be screened for the king to select a queen (Esther 2:8). She enjoyed the following while with him:

• He treated her kindly and ordered a special menu and treatment for her (Esther 2:9).
• He assigned seven maids to her and gave her the best place in the harem (Esther 2:9).

HP3. Esther the queen, prayer warrior, and vessel

Esther’s rise to the throne, after Queen Vashti was deposed in the third year of King Xerxes’ reign, can only be attributed to God, who rules in the affairs of men (Dan. 4:17). Yet she did not become proud. Instead, when she heard about her uncle’s distress, she was deeply concerned and sent him clothes, even while living in comfort in the palace (Esther 4:4).

Esther was more than a queen; she was a vessel of God, marked by faith, courage, and devotion. She valued her people, the Jews, above her own life (Esther 4:16). Through her, God accomplished a great work.

 

Such A Time, the Times Esther Lived (is our time different?):

 

·       Fear and uncertainty

·       Corrupt leadership

·       Moral compromises

·       Pressure to stay silent

·       Hatred against God’s people

·       Threats of destruction

 

CONCLUSION

·       God positions people strategically; Esther did not become queen by accident. God positioned her for a purpose. In the same way, Christians today are placed:

 

·       In schools

·       In workplaces

·       In churches

·       In families

·       In leadership

·       On social media

·       In communities

·       not merely to survive, but to shine as lights in dark times.

  You may not feel important, but God can use your voice, prayer, integrity, and obedience, skill, character, composure to influence others.

 

 

 

RAISING A GENERATION OF GODLY MOTHERS BY PASTOR GBENGA ALUKO

                                                                                 

Text:  2 Timothy 1:1-5

Topic:  Raising generations of Godly mothers

 

We will discuss the great topic with the following sub-headings:

Background

Unfeigned faith, Personal application/choices

Becoming a Godly model

Background 

The second epistle of Paul to Timothy was written when Paul was counting down both his life and ministry and needed to pass down information and burden to one of his proteges, Timothy.

He was writing from a prison in the then Roman empire, In Lystra (modern day Turkey) yet he managed to write deep things as inspired by the Holy Spirit, about the last days 3:1-9. He gave some apostolic counsels and encouragement 3:13-15, and he also gave a summary of his life/sufferings. Paul in prison was more useful to heaven than most people in the palace then, as he was tuned enough to pick up the frequencies of the Holy Spirit regarding the end of the age. How tuned are we to God and His Spirit?

 

What kind of epistle is our life writing? God is watching and will reward us all. Gal. 6:9

Unfeigned faith, Personal application/choices 

 Unfeigned faith 2 Tim 1:5 the ἀνυπόκριτος (anypókritos) faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice.”

Here it means:

• real faith
• not religious acting
• faith that is inwardly true.

In contrast we sadly live in an era of make-belief, deceit and deception, with untamed inputs from social media, public image/perception, unbridled ambitions for popularity and gains, rooted more in just perception than personality. The spirit of this age. 2 Cor. 4:4, Eph 2:2,2 Tim. 3:1ff.

Timothy met at home, what do our children see us do? Not only what they hear us say.

Personal application/choices: unfeigned faith in thee.

Timothy was born in an atmosphere of great faith but he also chose a life of unfeigned faith, are we reflecting the great values of Godliness, uprightness, hard work (industry) amongst others that we were privileged to meet at home?

Becoming a Godly model

·       Being born again: There is no gain in this world in its entirety, you can’t influence a system if you are like it, God made us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Matt 5:14-16.

·       A life of prayer:  Susanah Wesley (world famous mother of John and Charles Wesley (referred to as the mother of Modernism, had 10 children surviving out of 19, known for her deep devotion, she faced immense poverty and hardship, including her husband being in debtors' prison. To find privacy for prayer, she would sit in her chair and lift her apron over her head to pray. Her children knew this was a "tent of meeting" and would not interrupt her.) Never preached a sermon in church nor wrote a book but her role can never be erased in the annals of history.

·       Love for God’s Word                          2 Tim.3:15

·       Full and consistent obedience to God and His word

·       Skill, Re-skill, upskill & Hard work      Prov. 31 woman

 

C.A.C.G.H.B HYMN VARIOUS 13

stanzas 3&4

3. God give us Christians homes

    Homes where the mother in queenly quest

    Strives to show others thy way is best

    Homes where the Lord is an honoured guest

    God give us Christian homes

    God give us Christian homes

 

 

4. God give us Christian homes

    Homes where the children are led to know

    Christ in His beauty who loves them so

    Homes where the alter fire burn and glow

    God give us Christian homes

    God give us Christian homes.

Amen.

 

 

The Helper of the Helpless by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                     

Text: Gen. 21:9-19

Topic: The Helper of the Helpless

This study will be done with the following headings.

Background

Meanings

Examples of God’s help in the scriptures

Why God helped Hagar and her Son

Conclusion

Background

The chapter of reference opened with the account of God’s visitation to Sarah Abraham’s wife, The visitation was not physical visitation, it was a divine and prophesied encounter that birthed physical manifestation, ending a protracted situation of barrenness. Gen.21:1, 17:16, 18:10. May we continue to experience God’s visitation and help in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

In the passage, Abraham’s obedient nature was highlighted:

·      * Named the child Isaac in obedience to what God told him earlier Gen. 21:3, 17:19

·      * Circumcised the young son just as God commanded. Gen.21:4.

·      * He later drove Hagar and her son away when God underscored that he did as his wife said. Gen.21:12

Sarah was full of thanksgiving to God for making her and Abraham have a child at a very old age Gen.21:6-7, while at that she was however watchful and observant enough to notice when Ishmael (who was fourteen years older) was mocking her son Gen.21:9( issues! was Ishmael just rude, poorly taught, had bad/ungodly model or all of the above, God is the best judge), who knows what else he was doing and would have done to him but for Sarah’s stance, how watchful are we?

Underscoring watchfulness, thank God a watchful woman, her son would have been successfully exchanged for a dead one 1 Kings 3:21 and our Lord and Saviour Jesus also admonished us to watch and pray Matt 26:41. Let’s watch and pray.

Meanings

What does help mean: according to the dictionary

“to give or provide what is necessary to accomplish a task or satisfy a need, contribute strength or means to, to render assistance, cooperate effectively with, aid/assist” 

Who is the Helper of the Helpless?  God, the Hebrew phrase Jehovah Ezer means the Lord my help.

God is our help in troubles Psalms 46:1, God is the father to the fatherless and defender of the widow Psalms 68:5. GOD IS THE HELPER OF THE HELPLESS HALLELUYAH.

Examples of God’s help in the scriptures

The bible is filled with divine interventions in human affairs(helps), we would briefly mention a few:

ü The paralysed man                                        Mark 2:1-12

ü Peter when sinking                                        Matt. 14:29-31

ü The Woman with the issue of blood              Luke 8:40-48

ü Elijah during a famine                                    1 King 17:2-7,8-16

God came to the aid of the children of Israel on several occasions let’s just look at few of them:

·       *Quails when they complained of meat          Ex. 16:11-13 

·      * Manna fell from heaven                               Ex. 16: 14-15

·       * Water from the rock                                   Num. 20: 1-13

·       *Brought down Goliath.                                1 Sam. 17:45-47

Why God helped Hagar and her Son

The scripture says in Psalm 115 lines 3 that God sits in heaven and does what pleases Him but as revealed through the scriptures lets look at a few of the reasons God helped Hagar and her Son:

ü *He was a seed of Abraham and a prophecy of a great nation not only survival Gen. 21:13.

ü *She had nowhere to go to, was wandering because she was driven out.Gen.21:14,Ps. 68:5,110:14

ü *She had exhausted the meagre provisions she was 14, Ps... Gen. 21:15

ü *She cried/which we can term in today's parlance as prayer and seeking God's face   Gen. 21:16

Conclusion

In 2 kings 6:27 a king declared clearly that If God does not help, he can’t either, he is limited too, he may /would also need help too being human. Psalms 60:11 states clearly a man who needs help and knows where to go to, further stating that vain is the help of men, let us rise and cry for His help too, He is our father and a loving one at that, the helper of the helpless. 

Shalom.

 

 

 

 

Raising destinies in risky times by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                                                     

Text: Ex. 2:1-10

Topic: Raising destinies in risky times

The message will be considered with the following sub- headings:

Background

The Heroic roles of Amram and Jochebed

God favoured them

outro

Background

The children of Israel led by Jacob arrived in Egypt in grand style, Gen.45:24 “a similitude of a presidential fleet sent to convey important person/people” was employed, this luxury also convinced Jacob that Joseph was alive, no thanks to the past misdeeds of the brothers of Joseph, They also were privileged to dwell in a very good portion of the land Gen.47:11.

Over the years, this powerful and positive start turned sour when a Pharaoh who didn’t care, wasn’t bothered about the inputs/good works/contribution of Joseph some of which are: unravelling the kings’ dream through God’s spirit Gen.41, feeding the world from Egypt, raking in so much revenues and possessions to the coffers of Pharaoh Gen.47:20 ( which in modern parlance we would call government’s coffers) became the ruler Ex. 1:6-8 (NIV).

He (Pharaoh) was intimidated by the fruitfulness, multiplication and might of the Jews that he did some horrible/terrible things to them which we term as the risk, Daniel had a similar treatment with other leaders serving in the same government with him in a strange land Daniel 6:1ff.

The risk

1.     He afflicted them severely vs.11-12, Psalm 34:19

2.     Orchestrated destruction of the male children through the midwives. Vs. 15-20,

3.     Made a promulgation of throwing the children into the river

Other risks that a Godly parent/guardian may face today?

4.     Indulgences and addictions to the internet, pornography amongst other satanic/demonic vices and sins

5.     Rising ungodly peer pressure                                1 Cor. 15:33

6.     Civilisations, education that is void of God.          Rom. 1:28

7.     The war within                                                      Gal. 5:17

 

This list isn’t exhaustive, we are in a war of raising Godly, heavenly conscious and earthly useful destinies, may God help us in raising people who would represent Him well with their lives and within their sphere of influence in this increasingly sinful world. Amen.

The Heroic roles of Amram and Jochebed

The great roles that God helped the parent of Moses to play started from who they both were as recorded in the scriptures as Levites, They know and serve God little wonder they were able to bring forth and raise great people like Moses, Aaron and Miriam Num.26:59, Dan.11:32b, A dog can’t raise a Lion well , who are you ? who raised you ? the answers among others can tell if God can trust His choice vessels in your care.  vs.1.

They had faith in God that He didn’t just give them a normal boy but a rare gem and they expressed their faith put their faith to work by hiding him for three months against the laws of the land. Vs.2, Heb.11:23

They made requisite provisions even when it was beyond their power to keep him and were going to drop him.  Vs.3

They did not only make provision to put him in something that would keep him afloat they made a watch over the young boy, but they also wouldn’t just let go. vs.4.

How many parents/Guardians lead their wards to Christ these days and not just being consumed with the mad and wild rush for financial wealth only which have wings Prov.23:5, others give up after leading their children to Christ, failing in following up, defective in the aspect of watching them thrive in faith and for life, Learn from Amram and Jochebed.

God favoured them 

The God factor cannot be undermined in the lives of Amram and Jochebed in the raising of the great people that God birthed through them.

The benevolence of God towards this noble family cannot be fully outlined but we will just outline a little:

They were both born into the Levite’s family, they did not do anything to deserve this or make it to happen, it was grace that found them. Vs.1

Pharaoh’s daughter came to wash at that time was divine providence/calculation vs. 5

Pharaoh’s daughter paid the parents of Moses for them to raise their own son even at a time when Moses ordinarily was supposed to die. Vs. 9 

God is strategic, He raises people for them to raise others for Him, have you allowed Him and His representative to raise you, won’t you disappoint Him in this divine and important task, may we receive grace not to fail Him in Jesus mighty name Amen.

Shalom.

The guilty watchman with Pastor Gbenga Aluko

 

Text: Ezekiel 33:1-7

Topic: The guilty watchman

The teaching shall be done with following sub- headings.

Background

The guilty watchman

Conclusion

Background

According to Scholars, The Book of Ezekiel was written between 593 and 565 B.C. during the Babylonian captivity of the Jews, the book describes visions of God’s glory and also amongst others, Prophet Ezekiel’s privileged role in calling the exiled Israelites to account for their idolatry, warning them sternly of impending destruction should they continue in their recalcitrance, also newness on every frontier because we serve a God of second and several chances in accordance with His will and purpose, a God of mercy promising a future purification, restoration, a new heart and covenant with the gracefully chosen people. 

Have we left/abandoned our sinful nature or behaviours even as watchmen? God is no respecter of people/position and power, He still hates sin, judges same and eventually coming to judge the unrepentant sinner beware. Acts 10:34, Hab. 1:13, Ps. 96:13. Do we always remember that we like Prophet Ezekiel are privileged to be watchmen, if we do, it will keep us in check, and we won’t misuse this great grace or become a thin god.

The chapter of the scripture of reference today (Ezekiel 33 ) isn’t divergent from the fulcrum of the whole book, it rather circles in on one of God’s agents of solution saddled with the sacred duty to bring warning from and create an atmosphere/conduct of harmony with Him, The Watchmen.

 The chapter graphically illustrates the responsibility of Prophets cum watchmen and in today’s parlance, ministers and all leaders of God’s people as watchmen to warn the people of God's coming judgment, establishing that both the wicked and the righteous will be judged for their choices Heb. 9:27,Rev. 20:12, and that portion of scripture also underscores the prophesied fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians.

Are you a true/Godly watchman or someone to be carefully watched by God and men? May we also not fall irreparably before repenting and doing heaven’s bidding in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen. Is. 14:12-14, Rev.14:12-14

The guilty watchman 

The question readily comes to mind, can a watchman be guilty

Ez.33:6 figuratively states that a watchman can be guilty of blood of the town, city, society, family and church that he/she is a watchman over. Are we not guilty of the blood of God’s people in our care?

How can a watchman be guilty:

·       If a watchman (minister/those in leadership roles in the house of God in today’s parlance) does not see the sword:

In plain language, he/she does not hear anything from God, no nudging of the spirit, rather trusting in: his/her public speaking capacity, gathered rumours and gossips, emotional intelligence, sinister motives and research prowess to minister to people of God Vs.6-7. 

The dangers/perils to befall this band of God’s people in such situation (the led and their leader) is better imagined than experienced. What danger looms when heaven is closed or the earth is deaf ! . 1 Sam.28:6

Are we watchmen who waits on God till we receive instructions, rebukes and warnings, and dispense same only? Can God communicate to His people through us? 

·       If a watchman misinterprets the sword: The initial analogy in the chapter of study samples an analogy of a war situation, lets continue in that analogy and assume that there is a red alert signal and the watchman wrongly interpretes it as a relaxation signal, what havoc do we think that can cause when the enemy attacks and meets their opponent/enemy in an unprepared state?

We live in an era where God’s written/spoken word is pathetically made to say something different just to suit an analogy, it didn’t start just now 1 kings 13:18, may God make us and send our ways shepherd and leaders after His own heart Amen.

God’s signal/ message/revelations/warning could be proverbial, figurative and be unclear to the surface miner/physical or unspiritual watchmen Dan 5:1ff, Gen.41:1ff. A clarion call to be spiritual to correctly relate with and represent a God who is Spirit. John 4:24.

The only message meant for those who are not God’s own yet in the New Testament era is the message of salvation, The sign and signals we are focusing now are for those already in the fold, are you one of us, one-fold one shepherd? Are you Jesus’ sheep?

 His sheep understands His voice John 10:22. Were you His sheep before you became a watchman? Just as those who cannot read are not better than those who does not read, those who misinterprets messages from God are not better than those who do not hear God’s timely word, warning and signals, They portend same level of danger. The watchman can become guilty of blood if he/she misinterprets the sword.

·       If the watchman does not deliver the message of the sword Vs.6. the watchman can become guilty if he/she refuses to send warnings to Gods people as it is emanating from God.

Conclusion 

Let us cry to our faithful and loving God as watchmen/women: as Unit leaders, Deacon, Deaconess, Elders, Catechist/Evangelist, Pastors, Prophets etc. in the church that God would forgive us all in every area where we are lagging, where we have been guilty of His people’s blood.

Is it about not being close to God enough or sensitive enough to get His signals or distorting /misinterpreting the dictates of His signals or wilful disobedience whether for fear of men, cheer wickedness or whatever excuse. 2 Chr.7:14.

That God should forgive us and let us repent fully and promise to live better for him serving his purpose which is the essence of our privileged position among His flock.

 

Shalom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the iron gates opened on their own accord by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                                                 

Text: Acts 12:1-10

Topic: And the iron gates opened on their own accord

The study will be done with the following headings:

·       Foreword

·       James was killed

·       The church prayed

Foreword

The persecution of the church or her leaders is not a new phenomenon and did not start in the referenced text, however this tranche is peculiar and worthy of note. 

The devil, his agents and representatives in various forms and shapes has been against God, His: plan, purpose, people. The good news is God has always triumphed. Hallelluyah.

The devil is a known and an unrepentant looser, loosing consistently to God and all that are His. Rom. 8:31, 1 John 4:4,1 John 3:8, Rev.12:11.

James was killed

James was one of Jesus’ disciples, an Apostle, it also worthy of note that he was the first apostle to be martyred. Some scholars believe his death fulfils the consequences of his mother’s hot desire for juicy position/title. Matt. 20:22 , let’s all be led by God and be thoroughly mindful of our mad desires for positions. Rom.8:14

His proximity to Jesus didn’t prevent him from being killed by the sword of king Herod. We are not immune from the perils of the world, but He will always be with us and make a way of escape.1 Cor. 10:13, Is. 43:2.

King Herod was bent on doing anything to please the Jews and he found a way with killing James. There is the dire need for prayers and vigilance and prayerfulness for anyone who wants to fulfil destiny, there are still Herod’s around Matt.26:41.

Herod’s who doesn’t value human lives, who are not interested nor concerned about people’s hopes, career, children, dreams but are ready to do anything to please or perhaps oppress a faction/sect. Matt. 2:16. Little wonder the scripture says woe to a people whose leader are children/kid. Ecss.10:16. Be sober and vigilant we are not in heaven yet.1 pt 5:8

The church prayed

As painful as the death of one of the recent graduate of Jesus’s discipleship school was, there was no record of the church or anyone praying for him, (who are your friends,  what do you do together?). it is a dangerous plight not to have anyone praying for you and it becomes extremely dangerous not to be able to pray personally, we didn’t learn prayerlessness from Christ or our forebears.wake up from the slumber of prayerlessness in Jesus mighty name.

Immediately Peter was picked the church sprung into prayers, not just a session of prayers but ceaseless prayers Acts 12:6. And God answered:

·       He intervened just before the enemy hits again vs. 6

·       Sent an Angel who came to bring to the incarcerated a lot of divine and immediate changes vs. 7  :

-light from heaven

- rising

-chains fell off

-Gates opened on their own accord.

Prayers

 Every restriction against me or anything that is mine give way in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

 Shalom.