Replacing Gold with Bronze by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                                                    

Text:2 Chro.12:1-10

Topic: Replacing Gold with Bronze

 

The message will be done with the following headings:

·       Background

·       Meaning (context)

·       Rehoboam goes off the radar

·       Biblical examples/ references of replacing Gold with Bronze

·       Conclusion

Background

The kingdom of Israel became divided into two after the reign of King Solomon: the Southern Kingdom largely referred to as Judah (with the seat of power in Jerusalem King ‘David’s original seat) and the Northern Kingdom known as Israel (had the seat of control changing at some points from Sheckem to Tirzah and finally Samaria)

The scriptures in book of 2 Chronicles was written after the exile, is focused on the deeds of the kings of Judah, the sons of Solomon, the importance of worship ( there were some revivals and major awakening to true God and His worship)and consequences of lack of same to the true God, the book concludes with the destruction of Jerusalem and exile of God’s people to Babylon, may we not get to the point of exile /abandonment/being replaced before we heed God’s call to righteousness and true worship in Jesus mighty name Amen. 2 Cor.6:2, Col.3:6

Meaning (replacing gold with bronze)

·       Settling for less than God’s best.  Abram on Hagar Gen.16:2ff, Children of Israel with God on kings. 1 Sam. 8:11-18. Are we not caught in same web?

·       Anything done instead of relying on God’s provision, favour, Prosperity, Strength, Power and Presence. Samson Judges 16:20ff.

·       An attempt to cover/fill up a lacuna created by wrong choices or God’s punishment for same or both. King Rehoboam 2 Chro 12:10.

Rehoboam goes off the radar

Rehoboam is the 4^th king of Israel from Saul, he ruled the divided kingdom of Israel for seventeen (17) years from 975 BC, he was the son of Solomon.

The scriptures succinctly states that after he had established the kingdom and himself, he abandoned the Lord, His laws. 2 Chr.12:1, all Israel followed him.

Who is God to us? a means of achievement or a father to be loved and followed, how we see and relate with Him determines what happens to us now and how/where we will spend our eternity. Who is God to you, a means to survive through the church?

May God give us leaders who only influence people positively by both who they are and what they say in Jesus mighty name. Rehoboam was a negative influence on the people he led. What kind of influence are you having on God’s people? God is watching and he will reward.

The recalcitrance of Rehoboam was very expensive for him and the people he led:

·       God abandoned him    vs.5

·       God allowed Shishak king of Egypt to invade their land  vs.5

·       He (Shishak) took away everything of value from the treasuries, gold and gold shields

Have we not abandoned the Lord, (Rehoboam was still king but abandoned the God who made Him, His father and Grand- father king), His laws, our first love for Him, this is a plea for us to retrace our steps before God’s judgement locates us.

Biblical examples/ references of replacing Gold with Bronze

The bible is replete with examples of men and women who replaced gold with bronze some even replaced their gold with sand or even ashes as the case may be, let’s look at very few of them:

·       Aaron and the children of Israel abandoning their God for a make-shift golden calves. Ex.32:1ff

·       Judas Iscariot, choosing to deny Jesus because of 30 pieces of silver, His three years learning from Jesus, all the signs and wonders that he saw didn’t build discipline, faith and loyalty worth more than that token to him, he exchanged Jesus and his relationship to him for 30 pieces of Silver. Matt.26:14-16. what are you exchanging Jesus for?

·       Martha was distracted by household task and preparations(bronze) that she couldn’t make time to learn from the greatest rabbi at this instance. Luke 10:38-42

·       Samson a Nazirite unto the Lord, willingly donated his gold to disobedience to God, no razor shall touch your head. Judges 13:4ff

·       The Young prophet who heard God clearly heard God and whose work/ministry was filled with signs allowed the bronze the old Prophet deceive/mislead him with “the voice of the angel”.1 kings 13:1ff

Conclusion 

Anyone doing anything asides God’s purpose/mandate/ordination for his or her life, anyone staying anywhere outside of God’s direction, anyone who has abandoned God: His word/ways for whatever excuse or replacement, anyone using any evil/demonic powers outside the Holy Spirit to achieve something especially for God’s work among others is replacing Gold with bronze. Return to God today before it is too late. 2 Chr.7:14

 

 

 

 

Gains by soothsaying by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                                              

Text: Acts 16:16

Topic: Gains by soothsaying

 

The study will be done with the following sub-headings

Background to the study

Gains by soothsaying

Diverse ungodly gains in today’s ministry

Way out.

Background to the study

The book Acts of the Apostles is also referred to as the acts of the Holy Spirit underscoring 1 Cor.4:20 which says the kingdom of God is not just in words but in power. Little wonder the master told them stay in Jerusalem, don’t move until you are endued Acts 1:4, May our lives and ministry not lack the power of God in Jesus mighty name.

Chapter sixteen of the referenced book graphically illustrates the beginning of Apostle Paul’s 2^nd Missionary Journey, on this journey he was accompanied by Silas and later Timothy, great events were recorded in the chapter : conversion of Lydia, gain by soothsaying/divination, Paul and Silas imprisonment, their miraculous escape and the attending conversion of the jailer amongst others.

Our focus today is however on the demon-empowered soothsayer who made gains through her practice and lessons we as God’s minister/children can learn from such show currently pervading the ministry space may God help us in Jesus mighty name.Amen

Gains by soothsaying 

Gain

The word gain according to online dictionary (plural noun) gains means an increase in wealth or resources. (This definition among others best fits our discussion).

Soothsaying

According to online definition, Soothsaying is the act of foretelling events, it is also the practice of predicting the future, often through methods considered mystical or magical. It involves making pronouncements about what will happen, and the term is closely linked to prophecy and divination.

However scholars have said Prophecy has two dimensions: foretelling and forth telling differentiating it from mere prediction.

Quick details about this soothsayer

·       She was young (inexperienced and vulnerable) (a damsel) vs.16

·       She had human owners (those plying trade with her) vs. 16

·       She had brought so much gain to them vs. 16

·       She was delivered by the power of the Holy Spirit vs.18

·       Her owners were cunny, crafty,desperate for gain and connected for the apostles to have been beaten and thrown into an inner chamber because of this and almost immediately vs.22-24

Hope any of these characteristics (aside from point four )are not traceable to us or our Ministry, Hope we are not an echo instead of a voice, God’s servant or man’s pawn?

Diverse ungodly gains in today’s ministry

It’s becoming very difficult to run a church(asides God's grace) owing to varying expenses, especially where members are not taught of the Lord, where there are no defined processes to raise and channel finances appropriately but more worrisome is raising unnecessary money (or diversion of same) that has nothing to do with the church growth, members welfare just for personal gain using any instrument and guise e.g

·       Agreeing on exploitation of God’s sheep and sharing formula with a so-called revivalist

·       Diversion of church funds/resources and people.

·       Manipulations in all shades

·       Bringing prophets of Baal to God’s temple (pollution of God’s house)

·       Using the powers of the devil to intrude into people’s privacy, creating an issue with a view to enrich self.

·       Going into the ministry without the call, burden for Soul, training and with negative agenda and all sorts of ungodly practices aimed to bring gain to the angel of the devil appearing as angel of light.

Anyone in the ministry for gain (physical, monetary or any other mundane/ephemeral reason) is a wrong person in the right profession and need to change job/work, go and open a business Sir/ma.

Apostle Ayo Babalola as documented spoke about the three palm trees whose outcomes is based on what we do with Jesus and His words, on another occasion spoke about the fact that whatsoever a minister seeks for in this church he/she would see but it would be at the expense of something, please lets make our choices and desires wisely.

People of God, why are you in ministry? Why are you in the station/department that you are?

Way out

No matter the level you have gone, we serve a living and a loving God, just like the father of the prodigal son in Luke 15 He awaits anyone on prodigal excursion with arms widely opened to warmly welcome,celebrate and fully restore such, don’t waste His love and patience.

The life and ministry of Jesus and the disciples/apostles gives us a prototype to follow in the ministry, as a Minister, we should focus on the word of God and prayer Acts 6:4.( not serving tables or making the tables)

God is never an usurper/exploiter, we can not serve Him well and lack good things all the days of our lives, He would come through for us, may God grant us the spirit of Godliness and contentment even in the ministry in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

shalom.

 

 

 

Isle of Patmos by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                           
                                                                                

  

                                                             Text: Revelation 1:1-10

Topic: Isle/Island of Patmos 

This will be done with the following sub-headings:

l Brief on John the beloved

l The Island of Patmos

l Why was John sent there?

l God on the island of Patmos

l Conclusion

Brief on John the beloved 

The bible is not just a book but a spirited compendium of sixty-six books. Revelation the last book of the bible was written by the inspiration of the Holy spirit using the human vessel of Apostle John, let us have some more about the human vessel Apostle John:

a. He was one of the disciples of Jesus Christ. Matt 10:2-4,Mark 3:13-19.

b. Was also called John the beloved, himself and his brother were called boanerges/sons of thunder John 13:23,Mark 3:17

c. He was the only member of the twelves disciples present at the crucifixion of Jesus albeit at a distance, others had run for safety John 19:26-27

d. Jesus handed over His mother to him and he took care of her till death.    John19:27

e. This was the disciple banished to the Island of Patmos.Rev.1:9.

The Island of Patmos

The word Patmos means killing, Patmos is a sterile island about 30 miles in circumference it is now called Patino which lies off the South west coast of the modern-day Turkey, it was used as a place of banishment for criminals by the Roman government with very rare case of political purnishment like that of Apostle John.

It can also be described as a small, rocky, barren/infertile horrible location.

It is a figurative representation of the situation/state that God is actually leading some of His choice followers through irrespective of their physical locations, replica of  the figurative expression of the cave adullam.

If God loves us to the extent of wanting to use us, He would remove distraction, noise from and fortify us, Heb.12:2,Acts 2:4.

Noises can be both external and internal in this instance, ( don’t be too noisy for God’s revelations and workings in and through you ,His spirit will not struggle Gen.6:3) 1 kings 19:12-13,Patmos is beckoning. May we not miss our Patmos or any salient revelations and notes from this and other seasons that God is taking us through in Jesus mighty name. Amen.   

Why was John sent there? 

There are loads of records by historians such as Tertulian about the journey of John the beloved to Patmos but the summary of it is that he was sent there for his faith, stand for Christ and worship of same alone not for a constitutional crime Rev.1:9.

The scripture in 1 Peter 4:15 also underscores that Children of God should/would also suffer not as criminals but for Christ and should also rejoice when privileged to suffer for the sake of the gospel. Phil.1:29,Acts 5:41,1 Pt.2:21

God on the island of Patmos 

The intension and physical experiences of John the beloved at Patmos were not noble but our God knows how to turn things around for His children. Romans 8:28,John9:1ff.

John must also have followed and sought God inspite of his physical inconveniences and hostility like he has always done. Jer.29:13,Prov.8:17.

Are you having an experience in the similitude of Patmos, get skill, plan articulately, improve yourself steadily, seek help, counsel, mentors but don’t underestimate the place of seeking God via His word ,in Prayer and through other spirit led avenues( seeking God is the master key in all situations). 

John the beloved contacted God even in the Island of Patmos and by His spirit was able to get the following amongst others:

a. The secret of things to come. Written between AD 68-96 Rev.1:7

b. God’s assessment of the seven churches in Asia Minor which is still a master stroke for modern churches and Christains. Rev.2:1-3:22

c. He had angelic ministration and communion Rev.1:1,Gen.28:12-13.

Conclusion 

The encounter that Apostle John the beloved had in the island of Patmos is why we are still refering to the place today not the bad nature or anything special in that physical location,may we not miss God in all the seasons of our lives. Amen.

 

Shalom.

He arose by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                                                       

                                                          Text: Mark 16:1-9

Topic: He arose 

Agonised about His death

Betrayed with a kiss

Crucified with thieves

His grave was sealed and guarded.

Derivatives of His resurrection

Burdened about His imminent death. 

The death and resurrection of Jesus wasn’t accidental or impromptu 1 Pt.1:19-20,Rev.13:8, yet He was agonised about His sacrificial death, for He saw the ridicule the suffering and the inglorious death that our salvation had to cost Him.He was totally God and man,He had feelings and fears and this had an impact on Him 1 Tim.2:5.

He was in deep agony and He turned to God in prayer for He was agonised.Mark 14:33ff.When we feel troubled, burdened ,agonised, with situations beyond our knowledge/capacity or both happens to us what is our reaction.His word says come to me all ye who labour and are heavy laden I will give you rest Matt.11:28. Go to Jesus in prayers.

Betrayed with a kiss 

Betrayal is not a new concept, the holy bible has some records of betrayal which outlines that this show of shame underscoring human fallibility, and the spiteful tendencies of adamic nature has a long history and can be exhibited by anyone who is not circumcised in the heart irrespective of location,placement and some other times titles.For a brief view:

Joseph was betrayed by His brothers        Gen.37:1ff

Uriah was betrayed by Kind David            2 Sam 11:5ff

David was betrayed by Absalom               2 Sam 15:7-9

Samson by delilah                                     Judges 16:4ff

Jesus by Judas                                           Mark 14:10ff

The betrayal of Jesus by Judas with a kiss is one of its kind and the repercussion is also special as Jesus already pronounced woe and stated that it is better if such individual had never been born.Matt.26:24.

How are we betraying this same Jesus today? Choosing earthly pleasure over and above His standards,word and ways,prioritising earthly desires and approaches over the path of the cross,undermining His name and power.Jesus is still saying woe to unrepentant betrayal don’t be part of them.

Crucified with thieves

Crucifixion was a capital sentence and largely used for condemned criminals by the Romans on the conquered people not their own citizens (discrimination and ill-treatment of people didn’t start today), this type of demeaning death for our Lord and Saviour just because of your sins and mine what a saviour, Thank you Jesus.

More demeaning was His companion at death although as prophesied numbered with the transgressors Isaiah 53:12,company of thieves and rogues for the blameless son of God,whaoh Mark 15:27ff, with them joining in the chorus of degrading comments about Jesus Mark 15:32,Matt.27:44. One of them however retraced his step back to the saviour and was saved, as long as we are still alive it doesn’t matter how far we have gone Jesus can still and is in fact willing to save you, DON’T DIE WITHOUT HIM PLEASE judgement is the next reality. Heb.9:27

His grave was sealed and guarded. 

The enemies of the cross didn’t just raise baseless accusations against Him including but not limited to inciting a mob chanting that He be crucified and Barabbas be released Mark15:6-15, they also pulled together all resources for him not to rise Matt.27:62ff.

The devil and His cohorts failed woefully about Jesus Matt.28:2-4 he will fail over us in Jesus mighty name. JESUS IS RISEN HALLELUYAH Amen.

Are you flying? The devil wants you down, Are down he wants you out, are you out he doesn’t want you to come back and also wants your memory, impact, imprints deleted forever be alert he is like a thief John 10:10 steal, kill and destroy.1 Pt.5:8.

Derivatives of His resurrection 

His cross and resurrection brought invaluable and countless benefits to the human race, lets just enumerate very few of the benefits of His resurrection to the human race:

l Perfected the work of our Salvation                             Heb.9:12-15

l Forgiveness of Sins                                                        Matt.26:28

l Justification                                                                     Rom.5:9

l Reconciliation                                                                     Rom.5:10

l The biggest confusion and victory over the devil          Heb 2:14,1 Cor.8-9,Rev.12:11

We serve a living God , our Jesus is alive forevermore! Celebrate it’s the anniversary of His resurrection.

 

 

 

 

 

Rest for your Soul by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                                               

         

                                                     Text: Matt.11:28-29

Topic: Rest for your Soul

The study will be done with the following sub-heading:

Background to the study

Meanings

Come to me

Conclusion

Background to the study.

The gospel according to Matthew presents Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour as the messiah, the saviour and he came to save us from these three things amongst others:

n Sins                                             Matt1:21,John 3:16

n Devil,his works and agents         1 John 3:8

n Labour and heavy loads              Matt.11:28,John 9:1ff.

The study of this particular chapter of the scripture of refrence Matthew 11 reveals the following among several others:

n John and Jesus’ rejection even by their people vs.18-19

n Lack of repentance rocking some cities inspite of mighty works done in them and judgements awaiting them for same: Chorazin,Bethsaida and Capernaum.vs.21-24

n God through Jesus is the custodian of all wisdom and He easily and freely gives the humble vs. 25

n Jesus the son of God is in charge of all things: access to God,Peace vs.27ff.

Are you rejected for standing for Christ, have you laboured or are labouring over people and they are not repenting yet, relax you are not the first in such shoes.continue to stand for Him keep on keeping on He makes all things beautiful in his own time.Ecss.3:11

Meanings 

Rest, according to the dictionary means to cease from work or movement; it is a state of activity or/and labour.

Soul is widely referred to as the non-physical or immaterial aspect of a being, man is tripartite in nature, he is a spirit, has a soul and lives in a body a similarity to the divine trinity.

Come to me

Jesus is still calling people today, please answer His call which says come unto me, life occurrences and happenings can be a burden and this may be too heavy to bear alone but not for our God.

( a ) are you battling for survival come to Jesus, a widow whose husband was devout left debts for her and it almost took life and joy from her until the saviour intervened2 kings 4:1ff , come to Jesus.

( b) are you sick in your body or looking for something special, private and personal. Mattew 15:30, come to Jesus.

( c ) Are you looking for the fruit of the womb remember Hannah,1 Sam.1:19-20

( d )need victory over spiritual attacks from the devil and His cohorts,come to Him that has all powers.Matt.28:18

( e ) are you jilted by someone you love and are without comfort, someone loved you and gave himself for you. Rom.5:8.

Conclusion 

Some person may have the capacity to give something that provides rest for the body, we hope they continue to have capacity and they are sincere lets remember the story of Jael and Sisera Judges 5:25ff, he asked for water she gave milk only to kill him  when he was comforted and resting. Only God has the capacity to give free and real rest for the Soul and also always available rest for the body, come to Him today He is calling .

Let the dead bury their dead by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                                 

                                                    Text: Luke 9:57-61

Topic:  Let the dead bury their dead

 

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

l Background

l Lessons from the pre-text

l The man’s response

l Learning from Christ’s response 

Background

We live in a world full of distractions and more are still en-route, it is a great challenge to keep focus on our assignments and divine destiny or anything worthwhile. In the words of the Regional Superintendent of CAC Anosike region Dr Simeon Oladokun, the main task is keeping the main thing the main thing.

The gospel of Luke teaches special focus by its set up for both the introduction and conclusion, it begins in the temple Luke 1:5-8 when Zechariah was highlighted executing his priestly assignment and ends in the temple Luke 24:53 where Jesus’s followers were giving thanks to God, this tells a focus of worship, fellowship and service what is our life’s focus, are we pursuing this with all our energy? 

Lessons from the pre-text 

(B1) Vs.49.Although the disciples were still WIP( work in progress) undergoing training by the biggest Rabbi of all time our Lord Jesus Christ, they however at this time exhibited that they either had more zeal than knowledge or were simply myopic.

They were not impressed that a man was using the name of JESUS(their master) or that same was CASTING OUT DEMONS (knowing fully well 1 John 3:8 which says “ he who sins is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning, for this purpose the son of man was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil, clearly underscoring one major thing their master came to do was being done in His name) their perspective on the issue was wrong, personal,restrictive and selfish.

In the same vein some of us don’t see: what we have in common but only what seperates us with others,what God has done only the things He hasn’t done,any good opinion or methodology in and with others wanting everyone to reason and do things our way(monotonous,making everywhere and everything boring and same).lets learn from Jesus.

Jesus cleared the air, he who isn’t against us is for us,admonished the disciples to see the big picture, Jesus was thinking of the assignment and more labourers, they were thinking of bringing everyone under a canopy.May God help us to allign out thoughts to that of the father as it is only that time that we could please Him.Amen.

(B2)Jesus did not just speak the truth,He is the truth.John 14:6 “Jesus speaking I am the way,the truth and the life”, John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth,thy word is truth,John 1:1 in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God, the truth is the word which is Jesus.

Even with all this credential and more some still didn’t accept him.vs.53.(Not everyone will accept us,our opinion or way of life) the earlier we accept this the better for us.The disciples however wanted destruction for those who didn’t, what a bad display again by His disciples.

Jesus came for salvation, they were thinking of destruction. What kind of disciple are we? Aren't we destroying people with our words, action, inaction/indifference? Jesus came to save lets allign with this divine vision/agenda of our saviour and Lord.

The man’s response

Vs.59 suffer me to go and bury my Father the man exclaimed, in line with Jewish tradition wants to do his father the last honour, is that wrong?

While he is at that, if he was the first-born he will get an inheritance, a double portion, he may also want to wait for a year to rebury his father as the tradition is in some part of the Jewish people says and this cycle goes on and on.

What do we do when the good stands on the way of the best,when the natural/normal stands in the way of the supernatural,when responsibility stands in the way of destiny? What choice do we make?

When buying the lastest designers and gadgets stands in the way of divine and directed kingdom investment, when taking a nap stands in the way of fellowshiping with Gods spirit/Gods people, obeying choruses/voices from influential people or obeying the still voice of God Acts 5:29. 

Learning from Christ’s response 

Jesus responded, let the dead bury their dead,  what can we learn from this Masters assertion:  Typologically Jesus was saying let the dead bury their dead while you

l Know your destiny assignments

l Focus on your destiny and divine assignment

l Prioritise God and His calls: from Salvation to Service in that divine order.1 kings 17:13,(your are not qualified to serve if you are not saved)

l Don’t be busy be productive.

 

May God give us the grace to identify the divine calling and assignment hanging over our lives and to make concrete effort to fullfill it.