INFORMATION AND REVELATION IN LIFE AND MINISTERIAL SUCCESS

TEXT: DANIEL 2:1-49

TOPIC: INFORMATION AND REVELATION IN LIFE AND MINISTERIAL SUCCESS

This message shall be treated with the following sub-heading:

1.      Background to the study

2.      Definition of the terms: information and revelation

3.      Foreword

4.      Accessing information

5.      Accessing revelation

6.      Conclusion.

Background to the study

      The book of Daniel is in the Old Testament and was probably written sometime soon after the fall of Babylon in 537/536 BC according to scholars. Daniel one of the young men of Judah’s royal family who was taken captive from Jerusalem in 605BC by the Babylonians is the central figure of the book.

  The second chapter which is the focus of this teaching features Nebuchadnezzar’s first dream concerning His future, although Daniel amongst others can be referred to as educated/informed Dan1:4ff, Dan 5:11ff, only he could by God’s grace/revelation unravel a dream dreamt by another and gave the interpretation, this underscores the edge of revelation over information and also the fact that God alone/only knows and controls the future. May we be blessed by this lesson in Jesus mighty name. Amen.        

Definition of terms

According to Oxford Advance Learners Dictionary International Student’s Edition Eight Edition: Information is facts or details about someone or something. Revelation is the act of making people aware of something that has been secret. Revelation is the brief view into mysteries/hidden details through the eyes of God/with the help of God Deut.29:29 (mine). All revelation comes with or in a form of information but information ordinarily is not always revelatory.

Foreword

Ø  Everyone not minding the calling or endeavour needs information and revelation to make an unusual landmark/impact. Some examples:

·         Mordecai got the information that the Jews are to be killed and that was the foundation for their deliverance although information only exposed the plot/problem revelation/inspiration provided the solution. Esther 4:1

·         David got the information on what would be done to whoever fights and defeats Goliath and that was what spurred him into action 1Sam 17:26ff (this does not undermine Gods backing and program for the life of David which played a great role in the unfolding events in his life ).

·         David at a point needed more than information to know If he should pursue, will overtake and recover all, this he got this via direction/revelation 1 Sam,17:26 may God in His infinite continue to supply our lives with the needed information/inspiration/revelation in Jesus mighty name .Amen.      

Ø  Information is stored in and is processed by the brain while revelation is a spiritual exercise. The best any minister who only feeds God’s flock with information only (no revelation from GOD) will have is INFORMED SINNERS/ or members with FAT HEADS BUT LEAN SPIRITS.

Ø  The source of information are usually not for a person only while revelation from God is usually personal, God despatched an angel to open the eyes of Hagar to a well nearby while she was waiting to die of thirst. Gen 2:19, (it is however important to implore us on the need to balance any revelation on the basis of the word of God). Abraham gave Hagar and her son a cup of water why God opened her eyes to see a well a call for us to keep looking to our heavenly father for solutions to our problems.

Ø  To succeed in life information is vital while for and in ministry, revelation is an irreplaceable requirement by God’s standard.

Accessing information

What we are looking for determines where we look to, but information generally are: common knowledge, does not need any special access or entry codes. All that is required is knowing where what we need is and how to get it. Generally information can be reached from the following sources: articles, journals, magazines, books, concordances, encyclopaedia’s, dictionaries, record/history documents/writings, resourceful persons, the internet etc. 

Accessing revelation Job 12:22

God owns all secrets Deut. 29:29, 1 Cor.2:10 the spirit searches ALL THINGS yea the deep things of God

God reveals this in bits Dan.2:1ff He revealed to the heathen king for the first time his future

To freely and continually enjoy Gods revelations, you must be His Amos 3:7 God reveals mysteries only to those who are His servants.

We can call for mysteries Jer. 33:3 call to me and I will answer and I will show to you great and mighty things which you do not know.

Conclusion

Information is needed because we are still in human flesh (although as spiritual beings), the human system/world is administered by information, instructions and directives/laws, we need to know and align appropriately to fit in here. However we can’t do without revelation as it is our: spiritual advantage/edge, irreplaceable armour, our positive catalyst for real, lasting, spiritual and physical landmark/breakthrough by God’s standard and perspective. May we receive the revelation that our lives, family business, careers and ministry needs in Jesus name.

Shalom.

For we know in part…

Blog: Freshlogosexperience.blogspot.com.ng

Calls and what’s app: +2348061174980.

       

THE MAN WHOM THE KING IS DELIGHTED TO HONOUR

TEXT: ESTHER 6:1-10

TOPIC: THE MAN WHOM THE KING IS DELIGHTED TO HONOUR

We would by God’s grace go through this topic with the following headings:

Background to the study

Foreword

Who is the king?

How to attract honour

The king of kings is coming soon

Background to the study

The book of Esther which is named after the major character Esther (Hadassah Esther 2:7) is a book of the Old Testament, the seventeenth book of the bible and one of the  two books of the bible named after females in the bible. The book has two clear message among others viz: first to tell the beautiful story behind the festival of Purim (which is still celebrated among the Jews till today according to Wikipedia), secondly is to show clearly that God is sovereign and does love and cares for His people even when the events of life does not seem to make sense or His name/person not publicly declared or spoken about.(although we are now mandated to go and preach the good news to all creature, this includes both publicly and privately Mark 16:15). 

Scholars agree that the book of Esther majorly navigates around diverse ends of honour: it (honour) being given, being denied, reaction to the denial of same, it being given and its aftermaths as outlined:

Mordecai honours the king’s life          Esther 2:21-23

Haman feels dishonoured and plots      Esther 3:1-15

Esther honours Mordecai                      Esther 4:1-17

The King honours Esther                      Esther 5:1-14

The King honours Mordecai                Esther 6:1-9

Haman feels dishonoured                     Esther 6:10-14.

The referenced chapter (Esther 6) articulates how the king could not sleep hence he started a reading spree and stumbled on a record of a man who revealed a plot to terminate his life. He made explorations and found out nothing has been done to such great act of loyalty hence the topic. May God make us worthy of His honour in Jesus mighty name Amen.

Foreword

·         Some honours are out of God’s plan and time hence can make anyone loose originality/identity/focus/steam and even destiny ,e.g. calling the apostles God and planning to worship them Acts 14:11,wanting to make Jesus an earthly king majorly for food king John 6:15, John 4:34

·         Honour is best when bestowed by others Luke 14:8

·         Honour is both a seed and an harvest 1king 17:1ff, 2kings 2:23

·         Honour is what everyone wants but the issue is paying the price.

Who is the king?

The king in the text is king Xerxes who reigned over 127 provinces, stretching from India to Ethiopia Esther 1:1

Since the scriptures defines Jesus as the king of Kings we can therefore refer to Him also as a King as referenced Rev.17:14, 19:16.

How to attract the Kings honour

The name of Jesus: Jesus did not think of equality with God, gave up His divine priviledges, humbled himself in obedience among many other divine reasons in divine knowledge, God hence elevated Him in honour and gave Him a name that is above every other name, JESUS CHRIST. That name in the mouth of a saved person commands honour both on earth, underneath the earth in heaven and everywhere shout JESUS.  Phil.2:6-9.   

Humility: In God’s parlance, honour is always preceded and succeeded with humility, the humility before creates it while the latter sustains it. Prov. 15:33 says humility precedes honour, anyone that submits him/herself under the mighty hand of God is usually exalted by God himself. James 4:6 says God gives grace to the humble but opposes the proud. Humility by God’s methodology is a pathway to honour. 2 chr.7:14

Holy living: 2 Tim 2:21 paraphrased says if you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honourable use. In God’s kingdom and by His Standard, if honour is desired sanctity is a major qualification.one of the things that propelled Daniel to honour in a strange land and sustained same was his decision not to defile himself  Dan:1:8.

Diligence: Prov.22:29 says seeth thou a man diligent in his business, he will seat before kings and not mean/mere men. Royal seats or association are vantage/ honourable positions, competence and consistency are positive catalyst to honour.

Loyalty: one of the chief expectation of any king from his subjects is unalloyed loyalty, the later was what qualified Mordecai for honour the day he has been scheduled for death Esther 5:9- 6:10.Are we still totally loyal to the king of kings?

Gods/divine intervention: God did four things which was responsible for Mordecai’s continuous existence and honour: the king could not sleep, Mordecai’s deed was read same night which happens to be that prior Haman’s plotted date to have him killed (the king has 127 provinces he could have read any other record), the lack of reward for a great act and the decision to make up, same Haman was used to honour Mordecai and the process of his shame and eventual death was initiated. Esther 5:9-6:6. 

The king of kings is coming back with His honour

John 14:3 says when everything is ready I will come back and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. There is no greater honour than being with JESUS for ever, the big question is are we ready? 

blog: freshlogosexperience.blogspot.com.ng

calls and whats-app: +2348061174980

FOLLOWING JESUS

TEXT LUKE 24:1-12

TEXT’S CROSS REFERENCES: MATT.28:1-8, MARK 16:1-11, JOHN 20:1-8

TOPIC: Following Jesus

                         This study will be carried out using the following sub-headings:

Introduction

Jesus’ followers at His resurrection

How to follow Jesus correctly at this end time

Conclusion

Introduction

Heb.12:2 says looking unto Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith, our looking will be beneficial to us and the master we behold if we are conforming to His image even as we gaze at Him, 2 Cor. 3:18 paraphrased says ….see His glory….. Are changed into His glorious Image. When our lives, actions, inaction is tending towards that of our Master, Lord and Saviour then we can be said to be His followers, just like the disciples in Antioch people observed them and called them Christians (Acts 11:26). May we receive grace to do this even as we joyously celebrate His resurrection in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

Jesus’ followers at His resurrection

They were heading to a wrong place: Luke 24:1, heading to the sepulchre near Golgotha outside Jerusalem while they were supposed to be heading to Galilee, He told them this earlier Matt.26:32, Mark 14:28. An angel and Jesus however corrected them. Matt 28:7&10.

They were forgetful: Luke 24:8 then they remembered that he had said this after they were told that He had told them he would rise they then remembered. Are we any better today? James 1:23-24 paraphrased says anyone who hears His word and does not carry it out is like a man who looks at the mirror and forgets how he looks like.

They were unbelievers: Luke 24:11, how hurt will the saviour be looking at the reactions of His beloved followers in the referenced scripture, are our attitudes making Jesus happy even while we are celebrating Easter (His resurrection).

They were equipped with the wrong tools and intention : Mark 16:1 burial spices for a resurrected saviour what a confusion, the BURIAL SPICES(WRONG TOOL) is wrong, so also is the intention to BURY(WRONG INTENTION) the body of Jesus.  

How to follow Jesus correctly

Know Jesus: it may be difficult/impossible to follow a person that is hardly/not sufficiently known John 10:27-28 (stop celebrating/professing believe/working for who you do not know). Do you know Jesus as you Lord and saviour whose resurrection we are celebrating today? Do you know Jesus and does he know you? Doing exploits for Jesus starts with the knowledge of Him.Dan.11:32b

Read &Study His word, believe it and be a diligent doer of it: Ps. 119:105 says thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path, the word of God leading someone is God leading that person, God is His word John 1:1.

Wait for His Spirit: Jesus after mentoring His followers for about three years knew what some of them would do to Him and the cause for which He came, they lacked the requisite power to be correct followers. Luke 24:49, Rom.8:14, John 4:24, God is spirit to follow Him correctly you must be spiritual.  

Conclusion

The followers of Jesus which is made up of the disciples and others (although after Pentecost became different) may be excused on some grounds during their bad followership: they didn’t have what we now have the bible, the Holy Spirit was not fully operational, and no one has ever resurrected before then let alone Lazarus which he brought to life among others (how/who will bring Himself to life, they possibly thought), we have no excuse today to be a bad follower. None will be taken when he returns suddenly as promised John 14:3 when everything is ready I will come and get you so you will always be with me where I am.be a correct follower today.

Shalom.

Comments/corrections are welcomed.

### freshlogosexperience.blogspot.com.ng ####

### Calls and what’s app +2348061174980 ####