Eschatology Series 3 The Rapture By Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                       

Text: Matt 24:30-40

Eschatology Series 3

The Rapture

By

Pastor Gbenga Aluko

 

This will be done with the following sub-headings:

Background

This transient world

What is Rapture

Signs of the End

Like Noah’s Time

Outro

                                                                   Background

The gospel according to Matthew was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit by Matthew, scholars believes that it was written between AD 60 and & 75, one of the centrality of this gospel is the kingdom of heaven Matt.4:17. The whole chapter 24 is built around the end time may God help us to be ready for Rapture amen.

                                                         This transient world

His disciples (like most of us today are doing) pointed Jesus to the various temples and buildings Matt.24:1 (we are also pointing vigorously and pursuing desperately things, titles, positions, placements, fame, money and also other things in the semblance of merely temple buildings and more worrisome is that we do this at the expense of our soul). Jesus quickly responded and corrected with a response of the end time where all those will become immaterial/inconsequential, destroyed and null and void.Matt.16:26, Mark 8:36. Change/reorder your focus to align with God.

                                                         What is Rapture

Rapture is an event in which all believers who are alive will be caught up along with the dead in Christ who will be resurrected to meet with the Lord in the air however in glorified bodies. Will you be ready/are you preparing for this great and fearful day?

                                                          Signs of the End

Ø  False ministers’/ministries                                  vs 4

Ø  Rumours of wars and wars                                 vs 6

Ø  Famines                                                              vs 7b-8

Ø  Persecutions, arrests, deaths                               vs 9

Ø  Rampants sin and Lukewarmness                      vs 12.

 

 

Like Noah’s Time

One of the challenges that people had during Noah’s time was because the flood hadn’t happened before vis a vis now why a lot of people are still doubting the rapture is because something like that hasn’t happened before, the word of God is settled in heaven, yea and Amen, will never go without fulfillment.

 At Noah’s time there was no second batch because God locked the door Gen 7:16, rapture too will not have a second chance

 Only the prepared entered Noah’s Ark, only the prepared will make Rapture Vs 40-41

                                                                          Outro

CACGHB NUMBER 117

                 1. Jesus is coming with joy to the sky

    Oh, happy day! oh, happy day!

    Then all who love Him shall heavenward fly.

    Oh, happy day! Happy day!

    Upward shall fly to the Lord in the air,

    Together with Jesus we all shall be there,

    Far from the earth, and from sorrow and care

    Oh, happy day! Happy day!

 

2. Parents and children shall then again meet,

    Oh, happy day! Oh happy day!

    Sisters and brothers oh, it will be sweet!

    Oh, happy day! Happy day!

    We miss'd them on earth, to Jesus they went;

    We love them as ever, their absence lament;

    Soon we shall meet them, and then be content,

    Oh, happy day! Happy day!

 

3. Are we all ready, should Jesus now call?

    Oh! Happy day! oh happy day!

    Would each one answer, the great and the small?

    Oh, happy day! happy day!

    We long to rise up and with Thee to be,

    Thy face, blessed Jesus, our

    Saviour to see

    Would you then, dear children, sing sweetly with me?

    Oh, happy day! happy day!

 

4. Some will stay weeping unable to sing,

    Oh, happy day! oh happy day!

    Yet all may rejoice their glad praises bring

    Oh, happy day! happy day!

    For Jesus still waits, He tarries that we

    May trust in His name, and thus ready may be,

    When brightly beaming, His glory we see

    Oh, happy day! happy day!

 

Amen.

Disturbed by but attracted to the message by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                                      

Text: Mark 6:17-20

Disturbed by but attracted to the message

by

Pastor Gbenga Aluko

 

The message will be discussed with the following headings:

ü  The confused Herod

ü  A favour to a sinner with a saint

ü  The message: a double edged sword

ü  Herod and roles to the messenger

ü  Characteristics of John the Baptist’s message

 Every minister is a message, the fact that the pulpit is higher than the pew puts the person behind or on the pulpit on all form of spotlight, he/she is not only a messenger, he/she is a message, the Jesus and bible that can be seen and is raptly watched both intentionally and otherwise, the influence/impact/message could be positive or negative, how we talk, what we wear and how we wear them, act and react is a message to someone somewhere, let’s make it positive.1 Cor.11:1 which says look and follow me (not merely my message) as I follow Christ. May we receive the grace to be positive message in Jesus mighty name.

The first thirteen verses of the gospel according to Mark chapter six X-rays one of Jesus ministerial Visit to Nazareth (His boyhood town as Joseph and Mary settled in Nazareth Matt.2:23) their unbelief didn’t allow them enjoy fully the Healing, deliverance and all the goodness that accompanies our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ during His earthly/bodily voyage on earth. Acts 10:38.

The confused Herod Mark 6:14-16

Herod Antipas was a king and yet was still neck dipped in error, taking Jesus Christ for John the Baptist, the messenger for the message John 1:1, even the master sensed a confusion about His identity and he asked his disciples cum Apostles who do people say I am Matt.16:13-23, Mark 8:27-33, any messenger confused about the identity of the message will put the pew in confusion/not conviction, disturbance alone no attraction that Jesus promised John 12:32 which says if I am lifted up I will draw all men to myself, as it is hard if not impossible to explain who/what you don’t know. Just as the leader’s sin is a leading sin the leader’s error is a leading error.DO YOU KNOW JESUS OR YOU ONLY KNOW ABOUT HIM?

 A favour to a sinner with a saint Mark 6:17

Herod Antipas a sinner was also looking for ways to favour his like, illicit wife and sin-mate. A leader that is supposed to be an example in words and deeds now favouring those who are only his sin-mate and to worsen the case with the arrest and eventual death of a saint and a fore runner of our Lord and Saviour, it didn’t start there and end there, there are few other instances: John was sacrificed for Herodias, Vs 17, Jesus for Barabbas Luke 23:18, Matt.27:17, Mark 15:6-15. Jesus for you and I. Are we not using our God given positioning to favour sinners, comedians or entertainers by giving them Port-folios, making them Deacons, Elders, or even recommending them for Ordination as pastors, the most important favour that a sinner urgently needs is the message of the cross. Matt 26:28, Hebrews 9:22. Have you been to the cross for the cleansing power?

 The message a double edged sword 18-27

To preach God’s word correctly has implications and costs, this places anyone who does that at loggerheads with the people who have sold their soul to the devil within and without the preacher’s circumference or arear of influence. Our Lord and saviour spoke about it John 15:18-25, Mark13:13,1 John 3:13, John had his fair share of this as speaking the truth to powers that be costed him his life, if our life/message isn’t disturbing anyone at all we need some examination and reexamination only the presence of a policeman or other law enforcement agent disorganizes criminals. This explains the word “disturbed” as part of the topic underscoring and appropriating the situation of Herod to Johns message. Mark 6:20

 Herod and roles to the messenger Mark 6:20

ü  He respected John vs 20 according to Herod he was good and holy, John the Baptist also couldn’t have been a regular and uninvited visitor to the palace and he will still be held in that regard.

ü  He protected John till it was almost impossible by him. Vs 20, Prov16:7

ü  He killed him vs 26-28

 Characteristics of John the Baptist’s message Mark 1:1-8

There is a need to explore what made John the Baptist message disturbing and at the same time attractive, hence the need to note the following things about his message:

 ü  He was a messenger of God, sent by God vs 2-3(these days there are various messengers some are: messengers of unemployment, messengers of Satan, messengers of men of God, messengers of the season, unsaved messengers who called you forms/has a reflection/authority behind your message and it shows.

ü  He preached repentance from Sin and turning to God Vs.4

ü  All Judea and all Jerusalem went out and they confessed their sins Vs 5(a feat we are still struggling to replicate with all our motivational message and systems and technology of crowd catching and retaining), even with a ministration that may be a little harsh like Matt.3:7, Luke 3:7 brood of vipers gauging by modern homiletics all of Judea and Jerusalem still went out to Him. May God help us in this generation

ü  He pointed/directed all glory and attention to Jesus Vs 7-8

ü  God was with Him.

may God make us and give us message that disturbs and eventually convicts sinners in Jesus mighty name amen

Thank you and shalom

 

Jesus amazed at our unbelief By Pastor Gbenga Aluko

 

Text: Mark 6:1-6, Matt 13:53-56, Luke 4:16-30

Topic: Jesus amazed at our unbelief

By

Pastor Gbenga Aluko

The topic will be studied with the following subheadings:

Background

Jesus in Nazareth

What he did in Nazareth

His people’s reaction

Conclusion

                                                         Background

The gospel according to Mark was written by inspiration through John Mark an African born Cyrene modern day Libya, he was a disciple of Apostle Peter travelled with him, interpreted for him on some occasions he however followed Apostle Paul too at some points. There is the belief by scholars that he founded the church in Alexandra in Egypt, he targeted the suffering gentiles as his first audience and focused more on what Jesus did than every other detail surrounding Him. Chapter five details how Jesus healed some persons with some of them showing great and deep faith in Him and arising from such and negating such stance is what we see in chapter six which is our focus.

                                                       Jesus in Nazareth

The name Nazareth means watchtower, it may be imperative to note that although Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He practically lived His pre-ministry in Nazareth because Joseph and Mary settled the family in Nazareth Matt.2:23ff, hence he was called Jesus Christ of Nazareth like the Simon of Cyrene in Luke 23:26. (then names of places where people lived were added as part of their names) Having gone on some ministerial tours Jesus comes and ministers among other things in His home town Nazareth our text today reveals one of such visits.

                                        What he did in Nazareth

Visited the synagogue as usual   Vs2 that’s His father’s business and his heart is always there

He taught them                           Vs 2

Wrought miracles and healings Vs 2& 5

                                            His people’s reaction

·         Scoffed vs 3-4 i.e. derision/mock, how do we respond to good advices, truth, God’s word, Gods servants today are we any better? Alas whatsoever treatment we give God and His word now may tell where and how we will spend our eternity Luke 9:26, Mark 8:38.

·         Unbelief vs 6 their affinity to Jesus not minding, same for His teachings, miracles and Healing. May we receive grace to be believers indeed.

·         They even wanted to kill Him Luke 4: 28-30.are we any better today?

                                                                  Conclusion

Jesus was amazed at the Nazarenes, couldn’t do much miracles/healings among them because of their unbelief Mark 6:5, Matt 13:58, do we want Him to do more in us, with us and for us then we must be people of faith God helping us. Heb. 11:6

 

Shalom.

 

A mother not just a woman By Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                                           

Text: Prov.31:10-31,1 Sam 25:14-44,1 Kings 1:11-40, Luke 2:36-38

Topic: A mother not just a woman

By

Pastor Gbenga Aluko

This will be discussed using the following sub headings:

Foreword

Her roles in salvaging her husband and family from sudden death

Her roles in securing a glorious future for her child/(ren)

Her spiritual duties/responsibility to God

 

Foreword

 

Being a woman/female is by nature/sex/birth no input from such person, it just happens, but being a Godly and responsible/mother has costs, sacrifices, roles, development, dedication, consecration and allignments.Prov.31:10-31. May God help our women/ladies makes better choices that will earmark them as good models & mothers in Jesus mighty name.

 

Her roles in salvaging her husband and family from sudden death 1 Sam.25:14-44

 

·         She was approachable Vs 14

·         She knew what to do and was swift about it vs 18-19

·         She was very humble even with God’s endowment of riches on her home Vs.2&23

·         She took the blame of an offense that she didn’t commit Vs.24

·         She knows what to do/say and how to do it (Wisdom) vs 30-31

 

What roles are we playing to cover/or planning & praying to play to cover the inadequacies of your husband/spouse that’s a signal of being a mother.

 

Her roles in securing a glorious future for her child/(ren)1 king 1:11-40

 

·         An attempt to swap her child’s destiny was hatched Vs 11

·         She was given a Godly Advice Vs 13-14

·         She followed the advice Vs 15-16

·         Reminded the king of His Vow Vs 17

·         Her son was installed king Vs 32-34

 

Do we know Gods plan and ordinance for our children, vigilance and prayerfully laying claim to this is one of the God given role to Godly & responsible mothers, be part of them.

 

 

Her spiritual duties/responsibility to God Luke 2:36-38

 

·         A lifelong vessel/minister unto the Lord V 36-37

·         A fervent and consistent worshiper Vs.37

·         She understood God’s ways and more about God Vs38a

·         She is a testifier/an evangelist propagating the good news V38b

 

May God make all our women Godly mothers in Jesus mighty name Amen.

 

Shalom.

Oppressed but multiplied By Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                                               

                                        Text: Ex: 1:1-12

Topic: Oppressed but multiplied

By

Pastor Gbenga Aluko

The Topic will be considered with the following sub-heading:

Background

Why were they (the children of Israel) oppressed

The plot and its execution

Divine intervention

Conclusion

Background

Genesis 41 clearly states how God came to an uncircumcised King Pharaoh of Egypt and revealed an event that will happen shortly whose impact and imprint will be world over although this was done in parables/figuratively as most dreams and visions are but God had earlier planted the anointed/favoured Joseph within the vicinity to unearth the two different but synonymous dreams.

The fulcrum of the dream however is the seven years of plenty preceding seven years of famine throughout the then world. Genesis 46 however elucidates how the Jacob/Israel’s descendants (seventy (70) of them including Joseph) settled in Goshen in Egypt albeit as a means to escape the ravaging hunger but enroute age long prophecy of servitude/slavery/oppression. (There are positive and negative prophesies but one can stop the effect of any negative prophecies with prayer from a correctly aligned mouth. Ditto 2 kings 20:1ff).

Why were they (the children of Israel) oppressed

1.Their number and strength was becoming intimidating according to the scripture vs 9-10

Other reasons why people are oppressed

2.Envy Matt.27:17-18

3.Expression of desire to be free can bring/increase oppression Ex.5:6ff

4.To some individuals, Spirits and the devil, oppression is a duty/calling.Prov.4:16, John 10:10

5.For being a child of God being different Daniel 6:1-5

 

The plot and its execution

1.decalred them slaves at least officially Vs.11

2.Appointed brutal slave drivers over them vs.11

3.wear them out& down with Labor vs 11, this he did by: working them without mercy Vs 13, making their lives bitter, being ruthless with their demands from them. Vs 14.

4.ordered mid-wives to kill males at child birth vs 15-16

5.ordered them to throw all newborn male into the Nile vs.22 (remember the Moses story Ex.2:1ff)

 

 

Divine intervention

1.It took and takes the grace of God for a slave under a brutal slave master/driver to still experience enemy alarming multiplication v.12, may God give us grace to multiply and avert being a promoter/sponsor/supporter of any kind of slavery in Jesus mighty name amen.

2. God also intervened by positioning God fearing midwives and also enabling them to disobey their paymaster to please their God.Vs.15-17.

In Jesus mighty name God will intervene in our situations in Jesus name Amen.

Conclusion

It takes a force bigger/higher than that of the oppressor to either multiply or be free or both from the oppressors Mark 3:27, Matt.12:29. We can’t be free from all forms of oppression without Jesus, know him, Know true freedom. Is.61:1ff. Salvation package includes provisional freedom from all demonic oppressions activate yours today.

Shalom.