Ending well by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                                                   

Text: 2 Chr.24:15-27

Topic: Ending well

 

The title will be considered with the following sub-headings

Introduction

The house of God before Joash

Joash’s good works

His journey to an awful end

Questions to ponder on

Introduction 

Joash was a child of destiny, there are two kings of Gods people by that name one was king over Israel and the other over Judah, we are focused on the  eight king of Judah, his name in Hebrew means Jehovah- given, he was spared by grace from the onslaught of Athaliah, he was hidden for seven years in God’s house by Jehoiada’s family(the priest), he became king by God grace against the wishes of Athaliah who wanted ,plotted and moved to terminate all royal seed at that time(Who is it that sayeth a thing and it comes to pass….Lam.3:37), and at a tender age of seven, he was a leader of God’s people by grace just like you and I may God help us all to finish well and strong in Jesus mighty name.

The house of God before Joash 

During the reign of Jehoram as the king of Judah (the king that reigned before his (Joash) father), there is need to reiterate that Joash came from a lineage of wicked kings, there was so much iniquity in the land, great dimension was performed by the monarch which includes but not limited to:

v  Killed his own brethren (Athaliah latter repeated same feat) 2 Chr. 21:4

v  Continued in the old and wicked pattern of King Ahab vs.6 & 13

v  Led God’s people astray, making high places(idolatry), practicing and permitting fornication vs.11

Consequently, God did the following as judgement for his many sins

v  1.Plagued him with a disease that eventually killed him. Vs.15

v  2.Stirred up the philistines and Arabians who BROKE INTO the king’s house/ Lord’s house and LOOTED IT.2 Chr.21:17. We permit the devil to do all he can when our relationship with God is not intact.Prov.16:7.

 

What is the state of the house of God where you worship, can anything be done to make it better? What is the state of your relationship with God?  Are you keeping yourself pure as His temple?

 

Joash’s good works 

Joash had his good side/roles/deeds, let’s explore this:

v  1.He had a very good mind/spirit to repair the house of the Lord vs.4

v  2.He mobilised the persons and resources for the repair vs.5, Luke 14:28-29

v 3. He was zealous about it, resolute about it, followed up on this task especially with the leaders, who were to take responsibility but were dragging vs.6&9

v 4. He didn’t leave out the professionals at the right time, Masons and Carpenters vs.12

v 5. Ensured a good close for the work vs.13-14.

What attitude do we have for God’s house/thing/people? How do we feel when things/persons are going out of line? What problems are we solving with our God given positions/opportunities?

WE ARE WRITING HISTORY.

His journey to an awful end

At least two things can be linked to his embarking on an awful journey from which he never came back viz: The death of Jehoiada and the influence of some ungodly princes just like the friends of Rehoboam 1kings 12, may God help us to really grow in Him, know Him enough to be led by His spirit alone.Rom.8:14. some of the highlights of his inglorious journey:

v 1. He served grooves and idols and led God’s people to do same 2 Chr.24:18

v 2. He refused the voice of caution from God vs. 19

v  3.He conspired against the spirit of God and had the human vessel used of God killed Vs.20-21

v  4.God unseated him, His vast army was humiliated and defeated by a few Syrian enemy but he was too deaf to retrace his steps vs.23-24. He didn’t learn from the Israelite’s experience in Ai Joshua 8.

v  5.He was sick and eventually assassinated by his servants vs.25.

 

Questions to ponder on

v  Is it wrong for his discipler to have assisted him to become a king fulfilling God’s mandate over him or to have died at a very old age?

v  Do you have God given Discipler, have you gained any momentum through them?

v     Is there anyone serving God for your influence over them?

v  Are you maturing/matured enough to follow God with or without Discipler, are you teaching your disciples same

v  Can you identify negative influences/influencer and avoid them like plaque?

v  Are you also working on your personal altar/relationship with Christ and not just building for achievement/accolades/promotion amongst other sinister intentions?

v  What is Gods assessment of our works?

 

 

God bless you.

 

 

 

Scarcity to Surplus by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

 

Text: 2 Kings7:8-9,12-18

Scarcity to Surplus

The message will be considered with the following sub headings:

The failed attempt on Elisha

The besiege on Samaria

The prophetic decree

The leaping lepers

The Lord’s intervention

 

The failed attempt on Elisha

Conquering or/and being conquered is not a recent development, it may be decorated/feigned or disguised in today’s parlance but it does exist today, it was a commonplace also in the old testament era, the king Of Syria attempted this on the king of Israel but for Gods servant carrying His grace and deploying same, this was the succour on several instances.2 Kings 6:10. 

The understanding of the rationale behind his failed blitzes necessitated a manhunt for the prophet himself Vs.13, the King of Syria dispatched a high-powered attack against the prophet. The prophet wasn’t perturbed at all as he knows who he represents and he is also aware of His host dispatched to protect him Vs.16, Rom.8:31 he also employed the opportunity to train and pray for his Servant Vs.17. 

God helped him to overpower the attack.Vs.18ff.May God help us overpower/overcome all our attackers in Jesus mighty name. Amen. 

The besiege on Samaria

King of Syria was humiliated by God in the Prophet but he changed his attack strategy and victim instead of changing his mind totally and ceasing fire, he besieged the whole land, just in the similitude of the devil against God and all that are His, 1 Pt.5:8. The devil and his cohorts won’t change their purpose and mission statement for anyone: to steal, to kill and destroy. John 10:10. Submit to God and resist him, he will flee James 4:7.

The king besieged Samaria and this led to a serious dimension of famine that made women to begin to eat their children in turns Vs.26-29, a semblance of this besiege happened also in the scripture to Jericho Joshua 6:1 ff. Besiege could be physical, spiritual and so on may we be liberated from all forms and manners of besieges in Jesus mighty name.

The prophetic decree

The famine was severe, the king became more emotional than rational and attempted to kill who he has turned to for succour and should ordinarily do same even now, forgetting/neglecting/revolting against God’s past rescue through him.6:133ff.

The prophet was stirred by God’s spirit and he declared that there would be surplus next day 7:1ff. You have given authority from God what are you declaring over your life, business, education, career, family etc.

The leaping lepers

They were lepers but didn’t allow that limit their mind and life, they thought within themselves and made a positive/calculated move not minding their situation and not waiting for a pity party 7:3 they exclaimed why sit we here till we die. Even as a believer there is need to continue to add works, positive steps to our believe and prayers. James 2:18.

The Lord’s intervention

The Lord pursued the Syrian army with a noise too loud, huge, much and intimidating for them to handle they immediately fled without taking anything and Scarcity was turned into surplus as declared by God’s mouthpiece.

There is no almighty formula/one means/method fits all with God:

1.Matt.14:13 a short prayer of thanks and blessing and few bread and fishes fed thousands

2.Ps.78:26, Numbers 11:31 wind blew and brought quails that was sufficient for at least a million persons.

3.2 kings 7:6 God intimidated the Syrians and Surplus came.

He is the God of all flesh there is nothing impossible for Him to do, let’s say the following prayers with faith

 

PRAYERS FOR SURPLUS.

1.Gen 4:12 the land was cursed and it doesn’t matter the quality of seed or technology involved the land wont yield anything for someone who was a farmer. My father, my maker any curse against surplus in my life and family the blood of Jesus Christ of Nazareth wipes them away in Jesus mighty name, cursed is anyone hung on the tree.

2.Lord let there be a rain of Surplus into my life in the order of Num.11:31

3.My spirit man receive liberty from all bondage, siege of Scarcity, be emboldened by the power and fire of the Holy Ghost.

4.I receive wisdom/ideas/skill/intelligence that will navigate surplus towards me. Mark 6:2, Ex.31:1ff

5.I receive solutions to problems and favour that will navigate Surplus to me Gen.41:38, Ex.3:21.

 

 

 

Micaiah by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

 

Text:1Kings22:8-18

Topic: Micaiah

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

Background

Micaiah

King Jehoshaphat of Judah

Lessons from the Prophet Micaiah’s interaction in 1 kings 22

 

Background 

The Lord gave King Ahab of Israel great victories over king of Syria on two quick occasions in 1 Kings 20: in the Hills Vs.20 and in the valley vs.29. Affirming to the human mind that He is God anywhere and everywhere and disputing the belief of the Syrians that holds otherwise. It may suffice to say that there are two kings reigning over Gods chosen people: King Jehoshaphat of Israel and King Ahab of Judah

The referenced king repaid this grace by disobedience and also exhibiting his affinity/lust/covetousness for land/possessions Vs.34 and God was not happy with him at all Vs.43

As if that was not bad enough, he also coveted the vineyard of Naboth (land again) 1 King 21:1-2. and his unruly, wicked and godless wife plotted and killed Naboth just for his refusal to sell or give his inheritance to Ahab, God became angry with him again.1 Kings 21:21

May god give us wisdom and discipline to avoid all errors of King Ahab even as we lead His people in Jesus mighty name. Amen

Micaiah

According to the scripture he was the son of Imlah, according to scholars he was one of the disciples of Prophet Elijah, not the same as Prophet Micah. God used him greatly to warn the two kings, but more with King Ahab.

King Jehoshaphat of Judah 

He was a king of God’s people but went to visit/associate with the wrong person, the king of Israel:

1.Had an unbridled ambition for conquest and land: return all land and street in Damascus, Vineyard of Naboth, Ramoth Gilead etc.1 king.20:34,21:1-2,22:3

2.he had made God angry on several occasions

3.had over 400+ prophets who were cheap prey for lying spirit.

King Jehoshaphat was in alliance with someone God is angry with and were already plotting his downfall, are we any different?

May God help us to be discerning in our associations in Jesus mighty name.

Lessons from the Prophet Micaiah’s interaction in 1 kings 22 

1.Those who don’t like the truth knows those who speak it and when they speak it.1 kings22:15, John 17:17 study God’s word, believe it, live it, and teach it, it is the only pure truth.

2.Those who speak and live the truth (speaking and living God’s word) may suffer for it: Slap 1king 22:24, imprisonment 1king 22:27, God is with them and rewards them.

3.It doesn’t matter the guile/disguise the wicked cant escape the recompense of their deeds 1 kings 22:20,1kings22:34-35

4.He lied that the prophet doesn’t say anything good to and about him.1kings20:13ff, evil/wicked people forget/undermine/deny the good deeds/acts.

5.be content with who God made you, gifts he gave you, wife He gave you and all other things, you can’t have it all.

Shalom.

 

 

God backs His messengers by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

 

Text:1 Kings 13:1-6

Topic: God backs His messengers

This topic will be considered with the following sub-headings:

The misbehaving king

The man of God from Judah

Reaction from the unrepentant king

God backing His messengers

Conclusion

The misbehaving king

King Jeroboam was enthroned by grace to a position he wasn’t naturally qualified for or never dreamt of, surprisingly he immediately wanted to maintain or secure by antics/schisms what grace gave to him as if God/grace had disappeared. 1 Kings 11:29-31,1 kings12:26. This a major source of problems and misbehaviors even in the ministry today, wanting to help God to keep what/whom/those He gave. Do not be caught in that delusional web or even seek demonic power to do the same, you can’t outsmart the devil. 

 

He then moved deeper and deeper into idolatry and apostasy by erecting more high places 12:30ff, God would not continue to condone sin and sinner, this is a wakeup call to us all, when/if we err, He expects us to be humble, confess and forsake our sins to continue to enjoy His grace. Rom.6:1,2 &23.

 

The man of God from Judah 

The army of Judah among the citizens was either bullied into silence, was not courageous but praying for him silently, or were partners in crime with King Jeroboam in his despicable acts but the lord was not deterred, He raised a man from Judah.

There are lots of scholarly postulations around the name and personality of the prophet with one of it saying he was IDDO although others disputed this, a vital lesson to be learnt here is that God doesn’t need a big name/title to carry out a great task, may He find us worthy of His tasks in Jesus mighty name Amen.

The prophet, however:

Cried against the altar                                                         vs.2 

Prophesied destruction against the altar and its priest         vs.2

Gave a sign from the Lord                                                  vs.3

Irrespective of who is involved in sin or sinful activity, God expects that we raise our voice in love (affirming that God loves everyone but only hates sin) against sin and sinners, underscoring the imminent destruction of the devil, sin and sinners in hell. John3:16-18

 

Reaction from the unrepentant king

 

The king was not sober at all, he called for the arrest of God’s mouthpiece/messenger and would probably have incarcerated him.

The world we live in is not any different, they have a way of planning psychological/spiritual arrest, slander, stigmatizing, killing, maiming, or plotting the downfall of those who speak for God (people do not like the truth just like Apostle Paul said Gal.4:16,2 Tim.4:4,2Tim.3:1-15, Amos 5:10, Prov. 9:7-9.) but the consolation in the words of Jesus is in John 8:29. As long as we continue to please Him, He is with us all the way hallelujah.

God backing His messengers

 

Two clear way that God backed His word from this prophet:

(a)   The sign he gave came to pass almost immediately vs.3 &5

(b)  God fought for him when he was about to be attacked vs.4

 The hand pointed to harm him became dry so shall all fingers pointed at us even as we continue to stay in and for Him and also stay vigilant in Jesus mighty name Amen.

Conclusion

The prophet was later deceived into disobedience and wasn’t spared at all by God 1 Kings 13: 24. may God help us to hold unto him and His world in this confusing and perilous times in Jesus' mighty name. Amen.

 

Shalom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God does Owe by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                                          

Text:2 Sam.7:1-3,12-13

Topic: God does Owe

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

·       A man of many battles

·       The Lord gave him rest.

·       In appreciation he wanted to build

·       God’s response, Our response today

A man of many battles 

2 Sam1:1 introduced that David was entangled in a war with the Amalekites,2 Sam.3:1&6 also states that there was war between the families of David and Saul but that the family of Saul continued to grow weaker while that of David continued to grow stronger,(let’s say a word of prayer, in the battle of life you will not be weak you will overcome in Jesus mighty name Amen).

In 2 Sam 6:1, one would think it party/worship time with 30,000 men bringing back the ark only for Uzah in verse 7, in a latter day the Ark was eventually welcomed which leads us to our chapter of reference chapter 7.

The man David faced a lot of battles in his lifetime: some were to prepare/train him for the task ahead of him (divine assignment), some were as a result of the grace of God upon him and the corresponding reaction from people roused by the devil, some were as a result of his position as a king,( defending God’s people and her territory) others were as a result of his looseness but in all the hand of God, a penitent and repentant heart made all to work for His good, he finished well, may we finish well in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

The Lord gave him rest.

Rest is an important part of life for those who plan and pray to live long, God our maker modeled rest for us in that after His creative activity He rested Gen2:2. Please find time for rest it is important for your health.

 God gave King David a little rest 2 Sam.7:1, other things that God did for him that He reminded him of in the same chapter:

·       Made him                       vs.8,James 1:17

·       Didn’t abandon him       vs.9 King Saul was made by God but due to disobedience God did only leave him, He warned Prophet Samuel to stop mourning 1 Sam.16:1

·       Gave him a great name.  vs. 9,

Who took us/taking us from where we used to be/are to where we are now/going? 

In appreciation, he wanted to build. 

It will take someone in David’s shoes, someone inspired or someone with a great capacity to think and with a heart of gratitude to understand cum appreciate the rest that David enjoyed and his reaction to building for God.

2 Sam.7:2-3 David saw and appreciated the hand of God not only in the conquest he has had but in the recent rest he has hence he thought of doing something for God, what thought comes to our mind when we are promoted or are enlarged? Do we remember God? Or do we only remember God when we are valley of the shadows of death Ps. 23:4ff

God’s response, Our response today 

It should be noted that he only had the sincere thought to build but God counted it that he has done it and blessed him greatly (God didn’t let him build it at all), little wonder Jesus said once there is a lustful look at the opposite sex it has been done already. Matt.5:28. How many sins have we committed with our thoughts viz: how many people have we killed, maimed with our talks too, etc. God doesn’t owe, what are our thoughts towards, God, His: house, people, and others generally? God doesn’t owe.

God responded to David’s appreciation and thoughtfulness:

·       God made his family royal vs.12, 16. David was already royal, but God made a covenant to make his family royal perpetually.

·       He gave the son the grace to build for Him Vs.13

·       He will continue to father King Davids’s son Vs.14.

God is detailed and considerate enough to reward intentions and acts and it is not in his nature that anyone or anything serves Him or does otherwise in vain, Gal 6:9, Is.45:19 He expects us to appreciate and serve Him and His course with our lives first Rom.12:1-2.Then with all he has done for us for who he is and all that He has done, is doing, and has planned to do with our cooperation, we would see and enjoy more from Him this way. Don’t you want more?

Shalom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

called by the spirit but rejected by... by Gbenga Aluko

                                                                   

       

Text: Judges 7:1-6

Topic: Called by the Spirit but rejected by…...

The charge

In these days and ages, different people are called by different things/persons/spirits to carry out different assignments, but our focus for tonight is to consider how God’s spirit inspired Gideon to gather a group of people and they were also rejected by Him, what are the things that made this so, are there others? Can we mitigate this?  we are blessed in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen

We will drive further with the following subheading:

Background

Gideon’s visitation

Rejected for the following reason.

Conclusion

Background 

The book of Judges is a twenty-one-chapter book that was written by Prophet Samuel according to Jewish tradition, it details the journey of the children of Israel between the conquest of Canaan and the birth of Monarchy/kingship or autocracy.

The book records many prodigal excursions of the children of Israel and attending punishment by God little wonder one of the most popular and pitiable statements in the book is “in those days there were no kings in Israel everyone did as she/he pleases”, may we never find ourselves or may God’s people under our tutelage never get to this junction in Jesus mighty name.

Gideon’s visitation

It is God’s plan to continue to visit/fellowship with men starting from the Garden of Eden, Gen.3, Abraham Gen.18:17, etc. the issue of separation from God’s presence has always been caused/initiated by men, are we different from this ugly trend, i.e., available, making our lives attractive for His visitation.

Gideon the fifth of the twelve judges of Israel was privileged to have divine visitation even in the confused and exploited state of the children of Israel and the visitation had a lasting impact on him some of which are:

1.     It made Him conscious of the presence of God vs.12-14

2.     revealed God’s assignment for His life to Him vs. 14

3.     God gave him signs to drive home the point to him.vs.17-21, this was an old covenant event we may not need such signs today we have the bible and the Holy Spirit.

 if we sense we lack or lagging on any of the aftermaths of God’s divine to Gideon in our life it’s a sure sign that we need an encounter, a touch, a personal retreat, let’s seek for him all these will burst forth.no matter the situation/trials, we must never lose the presence and the consciousness of His presence Ps.23:4.

Rejected for the following reason. 

The spirit of God on Gideon attracted men to Him for battle in great numbers Judges 6:34ff, but they were also reduced by God for the following reasons amongst others, (we should, however, note that we can be called by the Spirit of God into warfare against Hell too but we must watch and pray like Jesus said not to be rejected too):

1.     God will never share His glory     7:2, Is.42:8

2.     Fear                                                Vs.3

3.     Not be alert                                     Vs.5-7

4.     Lust                                                  Judges 16:20

5.     Disobedience                                    1 Sam.15:22

Conclusion

Our obedience to God, our relationship with Him, our continual return of Glory to Him, and our faith in Him alone is not only more important than what we do for or in His name it is a prerequisite to it. May God help us in Jesus’ mighty name Amen.

Shalom.