Who is the God who will deliver you? Daniel 3:7-18

Introduction:  Sometimes believers are moved by their past and wretched situations that the flesh is always dominating their lives even when the spirit pushes them to worship the true God. At times our poverty, our sickness, our difficulties become too important to us that we lose focus on God. This is just proof of a deprived mind.

In chapter 2 of Daniel, Daniel interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and indicated that the King was the head of gold. King Nebuchadnezzar bowed down and worshiped Daniel when his dream was interpreted. I think Nebuchadnezzar conceived the idea of this image from his dream in chap 2 and as he fell down before Daniel, he surely thought the people will do same to his image of gold. He wanted the people to focus on worship but his pagan mind moved him to a wrong direction.

There are many people like this in the church who want to worship God but because of their deadness to tradition and the flesh they tend to always steal God’s glory. They think they are doing the right thing but they are lost, they are not true worshipers. They are like Nebuchadnezzar. The question we are asking is which God will deliver you? Your past maybe a stumbling block to your future prosperity.

   a)     Unresolved past will meet you again

There are certain habits that continue to destroy your Christian life because you did not solve it for ones when you received Jesus Christ. You cannot escape your problems. You have to solve the problems else you’ll meet them again on your way.

There are many who after receiving Christ say yes I abandon fornication, I abandon stealing, I abandon lies telling, witchcraft, corruption, negligence etc but they have done nothing to make their old friends know about their stand. Yes you no longer fornicate but that your lustful partner does not know that you are now a child of God. Those your stealing friends do not know that you have changed. When they will meet you again, you’ll have to encounter them again.

Verse 8 of our text says certain Chaldeans came and accused the Jews. These are the priestly group of religious leaders who were previously spared from death by Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in chap 2. They now seek accusations against Daniel’s friends in order to kill them. They told the king that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego have refused to bow down before the golden image the King made.

The Bible says Nebuchadnezzar was in rage and fury that 3 friends of Daniel had challenged his orders.

  b)    True worshipers challenge worldly orders  (vs 13_14)

The three young men were determined to stay in faith. They were ready to bear the consequences. We are called to carry our cross when we follow Christ. The apostles did the same, they were never afraid of death or beatings or what so ever because they knew the God they served. Acts 4:28,29 tells us how the disciples prayed to be bold even to death. Though Peter and John manifested great boldness, they and the disciples asked God to grant them more boldness to proclaim the gospel in hostile conditions.

Nebuchadnezzar asked the three Jews, is it true you do not serve my gods, nor worship the golden image I made? If you are ready, just bow down and worship when you hear the sound of the harp or music and that will be well for you. But if you do not, If you do not, I will through you into the furnace of fire.

  c)     Worshipers carry their cross vs 15

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were threatened to death, just because of their worship to God. Are you threatened by your family, your friends or at work because of your Christian life? Nebuchadnezzar made a fire to consume those who refused to worship his golden image. Can you understand? He made a Hell to consume those who were rebellious. If that were today, I’m sure many people sitting here today will go and bow down to that image because they do not want to die, not even by fire. Many Christians today say “Suffering is not my portion”. That is not a true follower of Jesus. He says you must carry your cross and follow Him. I now see why many Christians are running from one prophecy to another. Others are running from one “ngambee” man to another for charms to make business, for protection etc. Some for their healing and they say that it’s God’s way or plan for their life. Never, that is your way not God’s.

What is the Hell you are going through now? Is it sickness, poverty, marriage, bareness or what? Are you asked to worship another God in order to pass through these difficulties? Are you asked to do things that your spirit is telling you don’t? Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego faced Hell in their lives but they were delivered because of their faith.

  d)    Who is that God who will deliver you? Vs 15-17

Maybe Satan, or friends or coworkers are asking you this question in your difficulties?  God always uses the wickedness of the wicked to accomplish his purpose. It happened to our Lord Jesus Act 4:28. God uses Satan’s work to work against Satan. Because of this work of God, all things are working together for the good of the salvation of men (Rom 8:28)

The young men said to Nebuchadnezzar “We do not need to give you an answer about this”. They had already determined their response and answer to any threats. They trusted in God for their deliverance. If God did not deliver them, they will still not submit to false gods.

  e)    The son of God, Jesus is the one who will deliver you.

When the three Jews refused to worship the image of the King, he ordered that the furnace be heated seven times more and commanded mighty men in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and to cast them in to the burning furnace.

In his mind he was sending them to Hell, the Bible says the heat was too much so that it consumed the soldiers who went to throw Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. I tell you, your enemies will not find you if you remain in Christ.

Looking in the furnace, the King saw four men unbound instead of the three who were bound. He says “behold, I see four men loose and walking in the midst of the fire. And they are not harmed. And the form of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” Verse 25 King Nebuchadnezzar confessed that he saw the son of God. Jesus came to the fire and protected the three men in their Hell and the Bible says when they came out, they were not smelling smoke, they had no wound, they were fresh as from an air conditioned room because Jesus was with them.

You can also receive your own miracle today because Jesus is still alive. He came, was crucified on the cross for your sins. The Bible says in Isaiah 53:5 that by His stripes, by His wounds we are healed. Your healing was initiated more than 2000 years ago. Your deliverance has not started today, but Christ paid for it since. You just have to accept this gift from Him and it will be yours. Jesus was raised from the death for you to live a free and Christ-centered life.

Why are you still facing Hell in your life when you have been freed? If you want to experience what Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego experienced today in your life, just surrender your life to Jesus. I’m not making a campaign for Jesus, He does not need a campaign. I’m not begging people to Jesus either. I’m not manipulating people to Him. If you are not sure you truly received Jesus Christ and you want to receive Him today as your personal Lord and savior, raise your hand up and we’ll pray together. The same Jesus who was raised to life and ascended to heaven is coming but to judge this time. I do not care what people think but I care about what God thinks. Raise your right hand if you want to surrender your life to Christ. You want to be delivered from the power of sin, from your sickness, from your difficulties? You first need Jesus. No amount of prayer will help you if you do not have Jesus in your life.

If you are not sure Jesus can save you, put down your hand. We are neither playing with God nor begging people to Christ. But if you are sure Jesus will save you, keep your right hand high up and we’ll pray together. You’ll repeat after me as we pray

“Lord Jesus. I recognize that I’m a sinner. I acknowledge that I’m worthless and dead in sin. I believe that you came and died on the cross for my sins. Jesus, come into my life and take control over my life. Be my master. Lord Jesus, heal my soul and my body and give me peace and freedom. Thank you Jesus”

Magnifying God with Thanksgiving (Psalm 69:30–32)

Introduction

"I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving." It is a mark of all the true children of God that they long to magnify the God of their salvation.

O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together. (Psalm 34:3)

These were the heart cry of Old Testament saints. Today it is the same for the true Christians. If you are a true Christian you will always seek to magnify the Lord. The NT says in everything whether you eat or drink; magnify the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Illus: As I was writing the message last Thursday night, it came to my mind that it is exactly 1 year that I lost my brother Wilson (The father to Franck; one of our children in Boko). As we were arranging with other brothers on how we were going to make the thanks giving for the life lived on Sunday God went further with us. I got a phone call that The ENSET final results is out and Franck was successful. When I called the mother (widow) she was rejoicing and thanking everybody. My answer was this “We only thank God. He decided that the results should come just the same day Franck’s father died. The mighty comforter just wiped your tears” Your husband died on 12/11/2014 and today 12/11/2015 your son is successful for the entrance exams to ENSET.

God is all knowing and some times before we start to express our thankfulness to God He makes us know that He knows the intentions of our hearts. And then he pours out his blessings more again.

1)   Magnify God the way He is.

David said, "I will magnify God with thanksgiving." The word "magnify" can be used in two different senses. 

a)     The first meaning of magnifying is that you can make something look greater than it really is. So, something that is very small can be made to look big. That is what the microscope does. It makes what is micro or small to look as if it is macro (big).

b)    The second meaning is that you can make something which is big to look as it really is. So you look for something that is very big which people do not see it big; then you make people see it as big as it is. This is what the telescope does. The telescope makes the stars and the sun which seems to be small because we are looking from far to appear as big as it is.

So we have microscopic magnification and telescopic magnification. The one makes a small thing look bigger than it is. The other makes a big thing begin to look as big as it really is.

When David says, "I will magnify God with thanksgiving," he does not mean: "I will make a small God look bigger than he is. He means: "I will make a big God begin to look as big as he really is." We are not called to be microscopes, but telescopes. Christians are not supposed to be con-men who lie about their product so that i twill sell in the market. There is no one as great as God in this universe. And so the calling of those who love God is to make his greatness begin to look as great as it really is. You need to feel, think, and act in a way that will make God look as great as he really is.

Due to the sinful insensitivity and forgetfulness of our hearts, many of God's greatest attributes and most awesome and loving deeds pass in one ear and out the other without causing the slightest ripple of emotion within our hearts. Seeing we do not see, and hearing we do not hear. When our hearts are in such a condition, we need to beg God (like Paul did) to open the eyes of our hearts that we might know (that is, really know and feel) the hope to which he has called us, and what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe (Ephesians 1:18, 19).

Have you ever felt like me? That when God has done a good thing you may leap up with joy and hawk your child or wife or husband and say “Oh how can I forget what God is doing in my life. He is always present at all times” Then the next minute to get on doing just the opposite which God will never be glorified or pleased? This is because man is prune to forgetfulness. We quickly forget the good God is doing in our life and so we fail to thank God for the goodness. Let is be like the psalmist when he says in Psalm 77:11.

I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord; yea I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate on all thy work, and muse on thy mighty deeds. Thy way, O God, is holy. What God is great like our God?

We are called to be telescopes: people who make the greatness of God seem as great as it really is. This is what it means for a Christian to magnify God. But you can't magnify what you haven't seen or what you quickly forget. Therefore, our first task is to see and to remember the greatness and goodness of God. So we pray to God, "Open the eyes of my heart," and we preach to our souls, "Soul, forget not all his benefits!"

2)    The Response That Magnifies God: Thanksgiving

What must the human telescope do in order to cause God to appear as great as he really is? Our text in Psalm 69:30 answers: "I will magnify God with thanksgiving." When we give thanks to him from our hearts, God is magnified. Gratitude glorifies God.  

Why? Because givers are more glorious than receivers. Benefactors are more glorious than beneficiaries. When we thank God, we acknowledge and display that he is the giver; he is the benefactor. We pay him a high compliment. When children are angry with each other they do not say thank you easily. When you are angry with somebody to can not give them compliment but when you are find you can say “thank you”, I am indebted to you for the thing you have done.

Therefore, when gratitude springs up in the human heart toward God, he is magnified as the wealthy source of our blessing. He is acknowledged as giver and benefactor and therefore as glorious. And there is a very good reason that human beings by nature do not want to magnify God with thanksgiving or glorify him as their benefactor. The reason is that it detracts from their own glory, and all people by nature love their own glory more than the glory of God.

In Psalm 35:27 David says, "Let those who desire my vindication shout for joy and be glad and say forevermore, 'The Lord be magnified!"' And he contrasts this group of people who love to magnify the Lord with another group in verse 26, "Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me." There are only two groups of people in the world whose differences from each other are of any eternal significance: those who love to magnify God and those who love to magnify themselves.

Conclusion:

How do you intend to magnify God with your thanks giving this morning? Do you really know that you were sin-sick and God the great physician healed your soul? Do you know that you were rebellious and God still loved you? Do you know that it cost God a lot to save you from your sin? Do you know that it cost Jesus His life for you to live? Do you know that even today He is still working for your good?

What then can you do to show that you are magnifying God who is your great provider (Jehovah jireh), your security, your healer (Jehovah Rapha), your Jehovah shalom (of peace) your Jehovah shamah (is always there), your Jehovah Nissi (your banner), Jehovah Raah (your shepherd), Jehovah Tsidkenu (our righteousness); Jehovah M’kaddesh (who sanctifies). He is El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty).

Will you magnify His name this morning with thanksgiving? He is my everything. My only reward!   AMEN!

Spiritual Adultery in the Church (Jeremiah 23 :9-16,28-32)

 MZBC, Douala

Introduction

In Bamenda earlier this week on Tuesday 17/11/2015, I was told by my brother that there is a Muslim man in Nigeria are performing miracles in the name of Allah. That this man has tankers of water he calls Holy water which he distributes to his followers. I have also heard that some so called Christian churches pray to God without passing through Christ.

Before we enter into our text I want you to understand that “No one comes to the Father except through Jesus Christ”. He is the only way! If you do not believe this; then you are not in the right place this morning. You had better carry your Bible and go home. I’m sorry, there’s no better way I can sound serious to you about Christ and the way to God. Prophet Jeremiah sounded the same when he had to correct spiritual adultery amongst the Israelites. But what is spiritual adultery or prostitution?

a)      Spiritual adultery

Adultery is defined as unfaithfulness between a married person and a person who is not their spouse. We always sing this song here in church “I am married to Jesus Satan leave me alone… My husband is coming to take me away to ever lasting life” Do you really mean it when you sing this song?

Christians these days move from one true God to a false worship in search of miracles and signs. It is not strange to find Christians today in “marabout’s” house for sorcery. Anyway, they do not need to move; because sorcery has entered the church today and that is because the itchy ears of Christians love that rather than the oracles of God. You are married to Jesus but you have concubines all over. People find you in places that are very doubtful though you claim to a child of God.

You are abandoning the legal place to the illegal. So prophet Jeremiah received a word from God concerning this adultery. The word of God was bitter, full of anger and Jeremiah was confused. His heart was broken, his bones shaking and he was behaving like a drunkard. God spoke about His holiness and how His people have forsaken Him and gone for other Gods (Baal).

Many of us today even in this church are adulterers. We came ti church every Sunday but we worship other God’s. It may be our job, our money, our family. Worst, some of us are moving from men of God to men of God. We want miracles; but we do not want the word or oracle of God. Yes, because when we listen it passes on through the other ear else we will not be prostituting men of God. Are we searching for God or for men o God?

Some of us get worried when services get long because we want the pastor to finish fast. We do not want to miss the services of prophet A or B in the evening. You are here in church but your mind is elsewhere. Why are you even here? You had better follow your prophet. Why do these prophets hold their services only in the evening? They are waiting for spiritual prostitutes to finish with their normal services before coming.

Any one can perform to you miracles if that is what you are interested in. When Moses performed in Egypt the magicians also changed their staffs into snakes. Does it mean their powers were from God? Answer for yourself. Some leaders in our churches are even those who are enticing other Christians to follow them to those so-called prophets. Ask those leaders or Deacons why they attain church where they are. Let them go to the prophets and receive the reward of those prophets.

b)     Christendom is full of adulterers vs 10

Why is it that as many prophets and bishops and apostles are increasing, trouble and curses are increasing? Just as to the Israelites, our churches are full of adulterers.

That is why many have hardship in every aspect; family, financial, spiritual or health wise. The Bible says “The pleasant places of the wilderness have dried up…”(Jer 23:10c). Those places that were pleasant to you even in your difficulties, in your wilderness, your desert are no longer pleasant to you. Ask yourself, why is it that in your difficulties you no longer go down on your knees but you run from one prophet to another.

Before then, God was your refuge but now Mr Prophet is your refuge in your widerness. You are cursed with evil for spiritual adultery. Some are sitting here with leader bags tied to their waist. Some hang them in their houses or door poste. Spiritual adultery!! God says you are cursed!  How I wish those things catch fire here in your pockets. Some of you will be shock seeing some kind of people jumping here and there because God has thundered. They can be leaders, Deacons or even pastors. It will soon happen, because God will visit them.

c)      Prophets and priest in spiritual adultery vs 11

The prophets and priests brought their idols into the temple in Jerusalem at the time of Jeremiah. It is not different today. Some of them have done just the same; and they call the name of the Lord in their selfishness. God says He has seen their wickedness; and will make their way slippery. God will surely visit them

d)     Why do these false prophets preach this? Vs 13,14

These false prophets are doing these for their selfishness and their own gain and nothing less. Never for God’s glory. They cause God’s people to commit error.  

In order to maintain their position, they preached what the adulterous people wanted to hear. They did not tell the people their wrong deeds and so they lied, strengthening evildoers. That is the same thing we find today. And God consider them like Sodom and Gomorrah. Meaning that they deserve to be judged by the mighty hand of God.

Conclusion

Verse 16 of Jeremiah 23 tells us not to listen to those prophets. They are making you worthless. That means you are just like the prophet you follow. If he is to be judged than God will also judge you the follower.

To the true men of God, continue to speak the word of God even I the people desert you. You will receive your faithful reward, if you remain true to the word of Jesus.

Jer 23:28 “The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream. And he who has my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? Says the LORD.”

God says He did not send those false prophets or command them. They speak of their own imagination and people who follow them follow dreams but God wants you to follow Hos word not dreams or He says in verse 29 “Is not my word like a fire?, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”  Be watchful and remain steadfast.

A blank cheque from God (2 Chronicles 1 :1-12)

Introduction:

Just imagine that as we came this morning, the president of the republic, had just sent a cheque to Mount Zion Boko with no amount. We just need to fill the amount and we can collect anywhere because there are resources for that. That is what is called a blank cheque. It is like saying name any amount and it will be yours.

I have always been very careful when I have to sign blank cheques. Because what it means is that, the person with the cheque can collect any sum of money from my account just by filling it. I have signed blank cheques ones in a Credit union, but I made sure that we signed an agreement on how and when they can use the blank cheques.

Another thing worth noting is that the cheque can only be collected if there are funds in my account. If there is nothing in the account, you cannot collect anything. If we heard the president signed a blank cheque for us we would be happy because we are sure there is provision in the bank for that cheque, but if a poor farmer gives you a blank cheque you will surely ask questions whether there is money in the account for it. But today we are talking about a blank cheque from God. The one who owns all the cattle in the hills, the silver and gold. How will it sound to you if He gives you a blank cheque?

God has a blank cheque for us Christians. He did it in the life of King Solomon and He has promised us today. He is God, He never changes, He remains the same. The same mighty provider of old is the mighty provider for today.

But How can we receive God’s blank cheque?

1-    You have to please God v1

To please God you must live a Holy life because God is Holy. Heb 12:14. God was with Solomon, that is why His kingdom was strengthen and God magnified him exceedingly. God made Solomon Great because He pleased God.

But it had not yet come to the point of explosion. God had not yet given him a blank cheque to fill. You may be thinking that you have already reached. But let me tell you that when God will touch you, what you use to think were blessings will be incomparable with what you receive from God. He lifts us from Glory to Glory every time as we trust in Him more.

No one can give more than God! For one thing: while we were yet sinners He died for us.

2-    You have to give in such a way as to touch the heart of God V2

The Bible says Solomon gathered the Judges, the governors, the captains, the chief of the fathers in all their categories to give an offering to the Lord. This man new the love of God and so was responding to the love that was poured upon Him.

How I wish, people will gather in groups like that in this church to make a love offering to the Lord this harvest thanksgiving. Farmers of Mt Zion Boko, Teachers of Mt Zion Boko, Security officers of Mt Zion Boko, Women of virtue, men of valour, Zealous youths and Heads of families.

The other time we were planning for the harvest thanks giving, I said our prayer cells will have their own day for harvest thanks giving and some of us frowned at me.

But this is the kind of giving that touches God’s heart. It shows how grateful we are to God. Solomon brought thousands of burn offerings to God.

If this morning I came here and found out that there were thousands of birds and thousands of buckets of food: harvested plantains, cassava, water melon etc for thanks giving to God. How pleased will God be? Such a giving can only come out of love not from pressure; not from manipulation but people who know where they come from. People who know where they are compared to where they were. If you can realize the love of God; how it was lavished upon us who believe, taking us from enemies, rebellious people to be called children of God today; members of God’s house hold.

Two weeks ago I shared with you how men give generously to their would-be wife. A man will be willing to give to the father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law and then empty his pocket for his would-be-wife when he visit them. He may return home by foot because he even emptied up to his transport fare. But if you ask him why, he’ll reply “It’s love!” He will not tell you he is sacrificing neither will he tell you he has been forced or that he fills bad. No! He will tell you with Joy that he gave all that because he loves the would-be wife. This is the kind of love God wants us to exercise when we come to give Him thanks giving. Not sacrificial but graciously.

A pastor shared with us a story of a woman who harvested corn from her farm and packed them in groups of 10. One of the group was having only big grains of corn and she took another group and added to this group of big grains, then carried them to God for her harvest. That is grace giving!! That was not tithe but grace giving. Some of us spend our time using mathematics to see what we give to God. Who can justly calculate this 10%? Many of the Christians today give their 1% and call it 10% not just because they do not know how to calculate but because they want to remain in the old way giving rather than moving to the New way as the New testament teaches us.

Some years ago a poor widow who had surely nothing to eat, perhaps she left that morning and only managed to dry clean her only loin with no oil in the house, no vegetables in the house and rushed to the temple for worship. She did not go to the temple to worship God because she was blessed with much but just that she had her life to live. That was enough. When she realized how good God is to her in giving her life, in giving her salvation despite her poverty, she untie her loin and dropped her last two little coins in the basket giving her 100% . The Lord of harvest was there watching! Even though rich people were giving lots of money into the basket, The Lord who sees the heart was standing beside. He look at this woman and used her for discipleship lesson. He told his disciples to learn from this woman. “Look, this woman has given more than any other person in this place” (Lk 21:1-4) She gave her all and her heart was lifted with joy. She was not forced but out of Joy she gave gracefully.

But what happens when we give gracefully to God?

3-    God responds because we cannot out give God V7

God asked Solomon in his dream that same night, “Ask what I shall give you”. Just tell me what I should give you, and all will be yours. The God who owns all the thousand cows on the mountains, He who owns everything in the Universe including you and your property. You are just a care taker.

God gave Solomon a blank cheque to write on. I do not know what you would have written if you were in his shoes. Some of us would have asked God to kill all our enemies. Others will want to have the kind of clothes others have. Hey women!!!!!

Abraham was called God’s friend because he gave even the only child God gave him at his old age. Last week muslims were celebrating the feast of the ram but I wonder if they really exercise what Abraham did. This man, at 100 yrs was given the lone child and not long the same giver ask him; Abraham take that child who is so dear to you, the only son you have whom you have been expecting since and give him as a sacrifice to me. The Bible says nothing and I’m sure Abraham did not tell his wife about the request. He took Isaac and wood to the hill. I can see the child asking Dad, we have the wood, we have the knife but where is the ram? Abraham says; son, God will provide! There at the hill he takes the sons hands and tie, and the son tells him Dad, tie my legs well so that I will not shake when you cut my throat.

Is some one understanding? Some 2000 yrs ago the son of man did the same on the cross of calvary for you and for me. The Father said I love these people whom I created with my own hands but they sinned. I want to sacrifice you for their sins and the son willingly went to the cross to give us life. The Bible says He was humble and He humbled himself even unto death. All these because he loves you and me. Do you understand why you should be grateful? What can you give to God that will pay what he did for your life?

Abraham did not pay for any Ram for sacrifice. When he carried his knife up to kill his son because He knew the God He was serving, the voice came from heaven. Do not lay your hand on the child Abraham, look beside you there is a Ram for your sacrifice. The angel of God told him, now I know that you fear God Gen 22:12. The second time the angel gave him the word of God in Gen 22:16-18. Because you have done this to me, in blessing, I will bless you, in multiplying I will multiply you… Abraham gave his dearest thing to God and God gave him a blank cheque.

4-    God still gives blank cheques John 14:14;  2 Chr1:V 11-12

If you ask anything in the name of Jesus, He says he will do it for you. But there is a condition. He was saying this to his followers. To people who have accepted Him as Lord and savior and who are doing his will. The first thing is to be transformed, and as a Christian love God with all your heart because God first loved us. John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that he gave…” If you are a true child of God, you will love Him and you will give for his ministry and missions happily not grudgingly.

You will not be waiting for people to create opportunities for you to give but you will find opportunities to show love because of what God has done in your life. You will give like the poor widow who emptied her all. You will not rely on your mathematical formula of what percentage do I have to give, but you will give graciously.

Then when you shall ask God, He will give you everything you ask. You see Solomon did not ask God for money but God gave him wealth. He asked for God to empower him so that he can serve his people. Out of wisdom, God gave him wealth. He did not ask for God to kill his enemies. Do you ask God to bless you so that you can be a blessing? Or you ask God so that you can compare with others? Have you given your life to Christ? If not, you have not yet reached the point to give in a way that will touch God’s heart because it starts by giving yourself to God through Christ. Then you can be expecting a blank cheque from the one who owns everything in the universe. The goodnews is that you still have an opportunity now that you are living. Hurry now that is day because the night is soon coming when you will have no chance. You can only touch Gods heart if you first give your life to Christ. I do not want you to give your offering in the basket if you have not yet accepted Christ in your life. It is of no use receiving your money. It will do no change in your life. I want you to bow down your head and think about your relationship with God. Ask him to forgive you, recognize how sinful you are, ask Jesus to come into your life. Tell somebody about what you have just done. Christ will bring you liberty in everything even in your giving! Shalom!

Characters of a true church (Christian) :Ephesians (4:1-6)

INTRODUCTION

You will be wondering why I choose the topic the character of a true Christian on a Pastor’s love Sunday like this. But I believe that a true Christian will know all that it takes to love. A true Christian will show unity amongst brethren and this can only come out of love. And you cannot say you want to celebrate pastor’s love Sunday if you do not know what it means to love. You’ll agree with me that “If we sowed unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things?” 1Cor 9:11.

I believe you will show your love to the pastor today if you were truly blessed by his stay with us. Someone said to me like a baby that pastors do not need to be paid because they are working for God. Vs 14 of 1Cor 9 says “Even so did the Lord ordain that they that proclaim the gospel should live of the gospel” The same thing is said in Gal 6:6-10; That God is not mocked. You’ll reap what you sow. It is not because the pastors seek or look for your gifts, it is because they want the fruits that increases for your account Philippians 4:17 reminds us of that.

And finally your last reminder is that “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching”1Tim 5:17

NOW I TAKE YOU TO THE CHRACTERS OF A TRUE CHRISTIAN (TRUE CHURCH)

I know a man who was called in a village fund raising ceremony in Yaounde some years ago. He was called “The president of the Youth Association”! The man changed again and pronounced it in French; then asked the people to clap for the president as he was coming. This man adjusted his tie before getting up, searched for some heavy banks notes. He did not prepare to give that much but he had to change his mind just the way he was addressed. Then he moved majestically to the table and deposited his gift. This was announced and heavy claps rendered to him. This man was me!!!

I wanted to walk worthy of the calling with which I was called. The president cannot give chicken change for fund raising! In the same way Paul wrote to the Christians in Ephesus to walk worthy of the calling with which they were called. The Spirit says the same to us today!

a. We were called to be "fellow citizens with the saints and members

      of the household of God" - Ep 2:19

   b. We were called to be "a holy temple in the Lord", "a habitation of

      God in the Spirit" - Ep 2:21-22

   c. We were called to "make known the manifold wisdom of God" - Ep

      3:10

What then is the character of a true church? I’m not talking of the building here. I am talking about you, about me. You are the holy temple in the Lord, the habitation of God in the Spirit. That is what the Bible says.

Some of us have different characters at home just as in the assembly.

I am asking about your character at work,

Your character in the assembly,

Your character when you are beside the pastor,

Your character when you are far away from the pastor,

Your character when you are at home, That is the church I am asking of. That church where the senior pastor is the man and the woman the administrative secretary!!!! Men, is your walk worthy of your calling? Woman is your walk worthy of your calling?

Let’s look at the characters:

I. THE "ATTITUDES" FOR MAINTAINING UNITY (1-3)

   A. LOWLINESS...

      1. This word means:

         a. To have a humble opinion of one's self

         b. A deep sense of one's (moral) littleness

         c. Modesty, humility, lowliness of mind

      2. This virtue is necessary in order to properly value others around you - cf. Php 2:3-4

      3. Without this virtue, members in the body begin trying to be the "head" of the body, a role reserved only for Christ

The more highly you think of yourself the more quickly you will think you should be served. "Who do they think they are to keep me waiting like this!"

   B. GENTLENESS...

      1. This word can be translated as mildness, meekness

      2. It is not a quality of weakness, but of power under control

         a. Moses was a meek man (Num 12:3), but capable of great strength and boldness

         b. Jesus was "meek and lowly in heart" (Mt 11:29), but we see where He drove the money changers out of the temple

      3. Thus it is being gentle, even when there is the potential for being harsh, but gentleness is more conducive for maintaining unity

   C. LONG-SUFFERING...

      1. The idea here is one of patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs

      2. When the body consists of members who are not perfect, and often sin against each other, maintaining unity is not possible unless they are willing to endure each other's imperfections. Long-suffering is “staying a little longer in the pain”. That is patience. That is long-suffering.

   D. BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE...

      1. Similar to longsuffering, "bearing" means to sustain, to bear, to endure

      2. What makes such "longsuffering" and "forbearance" possible is another virtue:  "love"

      3. As Paul wrote in his chapter on love:  "love suffers long...is not provoked" - 1Co 13:4-5

      4. Love holds all these virtues together - cf. Col 3:12-14

Perfect people don't need to be endured or forgiven (Colossians 3:13). But we do. So Paul’s counsel here is not how perfect people can live together in unity, but how real, imperfect Mount Zion Baptists can maintain the unity of the Spirit, namely, by enduring each other in love.

I. WITHOUT LOVE ALL I SAY IS INEFFECTIVE
II. WITHOUT LOVE ALL I KNOW IS INCOMPLETE
III. WITHOUT LOVE ALL I BELIEVE IS INSUFFICIENT
IV. WITHOUT LOVE ALL I GIVE IS INSIGNIFICANT
V. WITHOUT LOVE ALL I ACCOMPLISH IS INADEQUATE

   E. Peace maker...

      1. You should be the kind whom people in the quarter call a peacemaker

     2. If around you people call you a trouble maker, then you have missed the walk because Christ is our peace and the one who makes peace Eph 2:14-16

How can you keep on caring about a person who doesn't like you? Or a person who likes music you don't like? Or a person who opposes you and wants to frustrate your dreams? How do you maintain the unity of the Spirit with them instead of becoming hostile and cold? Paul's answer: be lowly in spirit so that you can patiently endure their differences and their sins.

Why should we maintain unity in the body of Christ? Does it matter?

II. THE "BASIS" OF UNITY (4-6)

   A. ONE BODY...

      1. This refers to the body of Christ, the church - Ep 1:22-23

      2. Of course, Paul speaks here of the church in the "universal" sense

         a. The "body" of saved believers throughout the world

         b. Of which Christ is the "head", and "savior of the body" -   Ep 5:23

      3. While there may be many "local" churches (congregations), there is only ONE "universal" church, with ONE "head" - Jesus Christ!

   B. ONE SPIRIT...

      1. This would be the Holy Spirit

      2. Who has already been described in this epistle...

         a. As "the Holy Spirit of promise" - Ep 1:13

         b. As "the guarantee of our inheritance" - Ep 1:14

         c. By Whom both Jew and Gentile have access to the Father -  Ep 2:18

         d. In Whom God habitates those who are being built a "holy temple" - Ep 2:21-22

         e. By Whom the "mystery of Christ" was revealed to the apostles and prophets - Ep 3:5

         f. Through Whom God strengthens with might the inner man -  Ep 3:16

         g. As the One whose "unity" is to be maintained in the bond of  peace - Ep 4:3

   C. ONE HOPE OF YOUR CALLING...

      1. For Paul, this pertains primarily to "the resurrection of the dead" - Ac 23:6; 24:15; Ro 8:23-24; cf. 1Co 15:19-23; Php

         3:10-11,20-21

      2. Which necessarily includes such concepts of "salvation" (1 Th 5:8) and "eternal life" (Tit 1:2; 3:7)

   D. ONE LORD...

      1. This refers to Jesus, of course - 1Co 8:5-6

      2. Whom God has made "both Lord and Christ" - Ac 2:36

   E. ONE FAITH...

      1. This the body of truth, "the faith", which Jude says was "once  for all delivered to the saints" - Jude 3

      2. It is that "pattern of sound words" that Paul taught Timothy  (2Ti 1:13), and which he was to commit to faithful men (2

         Tit 2:2)

      3. We find this "pattern of sound words" in the pages of the New  Testament, which contains that which all Christians must believe

   F. ONE BAPTISM...

      1. This is the baptism...

         a. Commanded by Jesus - Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-16

         b. Preached and commanded by His apostles - Ac 2:38; 10:48

         c. By which those who submit to are added to the Lord's body, the church - Ac 2:42,47

      2. I.e., the baptism in which a penitent believer is immersed in water for the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit  - Ac 2:38; 10:47-48

   G. ONE GOD AND FATHER...

      1. The Father, Who together with the Son and Holy Spirit, makes up  the "Godhead"

      2. Note that Paul emphasizes both:

         a. His personality ("Father of all")

         b. His transcendence and omnipresence ("who is above all, and  through all, and in you all")

[These constitute "the unity of the Spirit" that as Christians we must be so diligent to keep "in the bond of peace".  Not one of these is "non-essential"!  E.g., just as crucial as maintaining who the "One Lord" is, so we must be steadfast in holding to the "One Baptism"!

CONCLUSION

1. As Christians, we are called to unity in the body of Christ…

   a. Displaying all the attitudes we have seen today

   b. Without which we are not walking worthy of the calling

   c. Christians are called to peace and be peace makers. Not the ones who will say “heh! I will tell her that she has touched the tail of a lion”  ...else Christ's work on the cross will be in vain! - cf. Ep 2:16

2. Here on earth we want to be worthy of what people call us to be. What more of God’s calling? If you want to be president as they call you. Do you know how much it is to be called a child of God? "Be worthy of the calling with which you were called" - Ep 4:1

   a. We were called to be "fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" - Ep 2:19

   b. We were called to be "a holy temple in the Lord", "a habitation of  God in the Spirit" - Ep 2:21-22

   c. We were called to "make known the manifold wisdom of God" - Ep 3:10

Are you doing all you can as a member of the body of Christ to "walk together in unity", and by so doing walk in manner worthy of our calling? Some people have not yet reached the point where they can be called the children of God. They do not yet have a call and so are worthless. If Christ has not yet done anything in your life by the grace and power of the cross, then you are worthless despite all what men may call here on earth.

But there is goodnews for you today because the same Christ is the Lord who is sited at the right hand of God the father interceding for us. He just want you to take a commitment with Him. He can forgive your sins only if you will repent and accept Him as your Lord. Before we pray, I want you to think of your life at work, with friends, at home, in the market, in the farm. Are you walking worthy of your calling?