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.

 

 

My eyes have seen your salvation by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                                       

                                                           Text: Luke 2:22-30

Topic: My eyes have seen your salvation 

Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law.

Simeon: Name meaning and biblical occurrence

What the Bible says about the referenced Simeon

My eyes have seen your salvation  

Outro

Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law

Jesus’ parent are not dissidents or destroyers of the old order, who are your parents? who are you and what impact are you having on your wards? we will give account soon.Ps.127:3

Also His early childhood didn’t show traces of abolishing the law, the old/order, the Temple or summarily God.Vs. 22ff, Luke 2:41-43

Also His acts, deeds and ministry as mighty and divinely backed up as they are were also to fullfill the law,not to abolish them. Matt.5:17-20, God is not an author of confusion, the OT and NT isnt creating any confusion, our understanding and interpretation can/may be the source of our confusion.1 Cor 14:33.

Simeon: Name meaning and biblical occurrence

Simeon a major name in the text for today asides Jesus’ parent and Jesus Himself, the names stems from the hebrew word shema and means : to hear, He who listens, He(God) has heard.

Names are prophetic, what does your name mean? The names you are about to give that child what does it mean?

There are quite a number of Simeon in the scripture, lets highlight some:

l Simeon son of Jacob                                   Gen.29:33

l Simeon who met Jesus in the temple           Luke 2:25

l Simeon named in the lineage of Jesus          Luke 3:30

l Simeon of the Church of Antioch               Act 13:1

For emphasis we are studying the second Simeon in the list, the prophet as recorded Luke 2:25ff.

What the bible says about the referenced Simeon 

l A righteous and devout man vs.25,

Abel, Noah and Daniel amongst others were called righteous Heb.11:4.

Jesus is the righteousness of God 1John 2:1.

what will God say about us now if we can also have a scorecard from him now?

l Waiting on the Lord for consolation vs.25, Is.40:31.

l The Holy Spirit was with Him.  Vs.25,

The story of Joseph can't turn out otherwise when it was refrenced four times in a chapter of the scripture that God was with him Gen.39:2,3,21 &23, can God fail, can anyone in the company of God fail? The answer is capital No. Psalm 125:1 which says they that Trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion which can't be shaken but abides forever.

Which Spirit is with you?

l He had a message from God’s spirit and his moves are directed by same Vs.26 & 27.Ps.23:1

My eyes have seen your salvation 

The statement reveals the following among several others: 

l It’s a statement of gratitude to God from Simeon

l Jesus is the salvation of Israel and the whole world Luke 2:30,are you saved?

l God’s faithfullness to His word spoken to Simeon Luke 2:30,Heb13:8.

l Those who must see His salvation must be led by His spirit and go to His presence/temple.

Outro

The challenge: can you say bodly that my eyes have seen your salvation, what are the personal promises that the Lord has given you for this year, please it is not too late go to Him , He is a waiting and a loving father.

 

                    

 

 

 

 

The fear of man and trust in God by Pastor S.O Oladele

                                                    

                                                Text: Proverbs 29:25

Topic: The fear of man and trust in God

Preacher: Pastor S.O Oladele President CAC Nigeria and oversea

Message preached in a series 1-4, available on cacnews youtube

 

Our father in the Lord, the president of our church said clearly the verse of focus has two important points/proverb i.e “the fear of man brings snare” and “the trust in God bring safety/salvation”

 

King James Version (KJV)

25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

 

He went further to say that the only cure/antidote to the dangers that any man can pose is to trust in God

He said fear is natural for human being, he further affirmed that sometimes our prayers are just expressions/verbalisation of our fear, raising and underscoring the powers of evil/man against the clear injunction in the scriptures “fear not”.

He said that studies have shown that most of the things we fear do not eventually come to reality.

He however clarified severally that not fearing man doesn’t at any time mean being rude,disrespectful or arrogant that one of the show/signpost of being a Christain is being respectful.

He said that any principle/philosophy or ideology that makes you fear man is not from/of God.

How the bible typifies man:

l Mortal   

l Vapour

l Worm

l Flower

l Dust

l Sand

Are these the attributes of who/what to be feared?

The fear of man is a common evil and will lead to greater Sins.

Some bible characters that feared man and sinned against God:

l Aaron - the golden calf

l Saul-he feared that people were leaving him and also the enemy was encroaching.

l Pilate declaring Jesus innocent still condemning Him because of Ceasar

l Pete denying Him as prophesied because of a young lad.

Those who didn’t fear man but stood for God

l The three hebrews

l Peter and John after they had received the Holy Spirit.

He said golden calves are still being presented today for people to bow to out of fear we must never succumb.

Prayer

God help us to really trust in you no matter what is happening or has happened around.

Our year of Rehoboth by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                                           

                                              Text: Genesis 26:15-23

Topic:My year of Rehoboth

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

1.Blessed in famine vs.1-2,12-14

2.Stopped his father, waged war against that made him to relocate vs.15

3.different diggings with different outcomes

4. Rehoboth

Blessed in famine vs.1-2,12-14

Isaac was blessed tremendously even during famine without hoarding palliatives, oppressing anyone/denying people of their entitlements, depleting the commonwealth of any nation/group,manipulating anyone/group but by:

l Having a relationship with God      Vs.2-3 (God will not forsake His own Ps.37:25)

l Obeying His voice like his father    vs.4-6

(A case against Naomi and Elimelech who ran from Bethlehem and the family was ravaged by death for they moved without instruction/consultation and almost came home empty  Ruth1:1ff,1:21)

l Sowing                           vs.11.            

       Prov.13:4 (King James Bible)
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

Prayer Lord empower to sow and reap the rewards/fruits of my sowing

Stopped his fathers,waged war against him he had to relocate vs.15

His father being the friend of God was stopped by the Philistines from enjoying God given water for which he laboured/toiled.vs.15

The same sect waged war against Isaac as he became great creating a semblance of a pattern of resistance, they however didn’t fill Isaac well with the earth but told him to leave the environment altogether.vs.16-17.

Be observant,sensitive and wary of evil/negative patterns,talking to God in prayers and working against it,we serve a prayer answering God.Is.65:24

 

different diggings with different outcomes

He already left a settlement to another,a valley but was still stunned with opposition from the herdmen of Gerar this is different from the Philistine resistance he had earlier.

l Isaac dug the first well vs.18-20 there was arguement he named it Esek meaning argument.

l Isaac dug a second well and there was contest for it too he named it sitnah meaning enmity.vs.21

l Isaac finally dug a third well and there was no contest he therefore name it Rehoboth.vs.22.

Rehoboth

This name appeared three times in the scripture:

l Rehoboth by the river, a city from which  the Edomite king came Gen.36:37,1 Chro.1:48

l Rehoboth -ir among the cities founded by Nimrod.Gen.10:11

l Rehoboth named by Isaac our focus for tonight.Gen.26

Meaning and applications of Rehoboth

Literally broad spaces or room

Prayer with Vs.23

l All strives against our comfort and progress will be stopped

l The Lord will make room/space for us in the year 2025

l It shall be our year of fruitfullness.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Arm of flesh ( Jericho's wall ) by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                                             

                                                          Text: Joshua 6:1-27

Topic: Arm of flesh ( Jericho's wall ) 

This will be done with the following Sub-headings:

What is arm of flesh?

Brief on Jericho's wall

Why the wall fell?

A few examples of others who trusted in the arm of flesh

Don't trust your arm of flesh

What is arm of flesh 

l A phrase for human strength or aid (public domain)

l The arm of flesh is any human created, sponsored, or related support, be it: skill, resources, finance, education, power, relationship, infrastructure, technological capacities/prowess.

l This is what the fallen man would see after making the unwise decision to remove God from existence, achievement and position. For instance, Nebuchadnezar (Dan 4:28ff); The rich fool (Luke 12:16ff).   

Are there appearance of the Arm of flesh in and around you? If yes be wary of them.

Brief on Jericho's Wall

l Made up of stones from a hill (hills are most time rocky)(The Lord is the rock eternal Is.26:4 NIV)

l It was the oldest wall of that magnitude dating back to 8000 BCE (Before Common Era)/7001BC (Before Christ), it can be referred to as the earliest technological building.

l It was 13 feet high and six feet wide ( 13 feet is the full height of an averagely standard one storeyed building in the Uk).

l The ruins/site was designated as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2023 (the site is located in the Jordan rift valley, 1.5km north of modern Jericho and 10km north west of the dead sea)

This amongst others tells why they relied on this arm of flesh, who would have this and not want to lean on it, they however failed gallantly. Don't follow this inglorious path.

Why the wall fell 

Is God against human achievement/effort/skill?

No build houses and live in them appeared several times in the scriptures : Is 65:17,Jer.29:5,Ezek.28:26 e.t.c the famous Solomon's temple was built 1Kings 6:1ff.

l The wall stood on the way of God's age-long promise for His beloved people (Gen12:7,15:18-21).

l God reiterated this to them while around the area (Joshua 6:2).

l God's people believed God and were obedient to divine instruction given to them per time even towards the fall (Joshua6:6ff,Is.1:19).

A few examples of others who trusted in the arm of flesh

l The man on whose arm the king leaned (2 kings 7:1ff)

l Samson thought it was his muscles that gives him victory (Judges 16:20ff)

l Nebuchadnezar thought he had it all together. His power and influence got to his head (Dan.3:15)

l Peter at the river before Jesus showed up (Luke 5:4ff)

Don't be an addition to these negative list.

Don't trust your arm of flesh 

Are we saying that we should discard our efforts/skill, God given strength and connections? No!

Have them but don't trust in any arm of flesh whether in you or around you (Jer.17:5-8, Psalm 146:3). As we approach a new year have/learn skill/strength nourish relationships, employ and deploy God given edges but take your eyes off the hill but look unto God (1Sam.2:9) ONLY GOD CAN BE FULLY TRUSTED (Rom.10:11). 

The Antichrist

                                                                     

                                                The End series 2

Text: Revelation 13:1-10,2 Thessalonian 2:1-12

 

The Antichrist

 

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

 Introduction

Applied antichrist and the beast also known anti-christ

Closer look at the beast also known as the anti-christ

Its inglorious end

Conclusion

Introduction

 Going against God, His messengers, His messages, His will is not a new phenomenon and would remain with us and even grow worse become embodied in the person of the anti-christ before it is finally conquered,May we receive grace not to be part of/stop to be part of this inglorious and ignoble dance of shame in Jesus mighty name. The Scripture is replete with people who did that, let us itemise just a few:

 Adam and Eve     Gen.3

Human race         Gen 6:5-6

Lots wife              Gen.19:26

Pharaoh                Ex.5:2

Satan                    Is. 14:13

                          Applied antichrist and the beast also known as anti-christ

The word anti-christ appears in five books of the bible which are Daniel,Matthew, 2 Thesalonians ,1 & 2 John and Revelation and it is also worthy of note that the word is also used freely in biblical discussions and gathering hence the need to tell the different things the word stands for.

 Antichrist /ˈantɪkrʌɪst/    when the text/or speaker uses the word to  refer to a person(s)/ force(s) seen as opposing Christ or His church, more specifically the people that had come before now or who currently are here now that we are still expecting the rapture then we are talking about the applied anti-christ.

On the flip of that when we talk about a personal and bodied opponent of Christ expected to appear before the end of the world precisely after rapture we are referring to the end series( beast)  anti-christ, it should be noted that both are used freely even in the scriptures hence the need to study with the help of the Holy spirit,contextually and with a deep concentration and attention to details may God help us Amen.

                Closer look at the beast also known as the anti-christ

 l  The anti-christ is one of the two beast refrenced in Rev.13:1 till the end : (Beast from the sea & Beast from the earth).

l The anti-christ is also known as the man of Sin, the bodily culmination of Sins. 2 Thess2:3,Matt 24:12

l A man of deciet , many will be decieved with its loud and seemingly laudable programs: a temporary world peace order which is just a bait John 14:27 only in Jesus do we have peace, one world religion,one economy with a unified currency,rebuilding of Solomon’s temple only to sit as the lord in it desecrating the temple and its hallowness. Dan.8:25(TLB).

l The wicked one: the anti-christ shall be a blood thirsty and mean leader.2 Thess.2:8-9

l Part of Satan’s unholy trinity viz: Satan also known as the dragon, The anti-christ also known as the beast from the sea & The false prophet also known as the beast of the earth. Rev.12:3,Rev.13:1-4, Rev13:11.

                                 Its inglorious end

Evil and evil doers always have a bitter end, the beast has only forty two months to perform all his evil although those months will look like forever to those who are around at that time but it only has a limited time as set by God and will be thrown into the lake of fire in judgement by God alongside the other beast which is the false prophet Rev.19:19-21.

The trumpet will sound soon, we are earnestly expecting the rapture already please be ready.

Conclusion

There are agitations and speculations about the identity of the anti-christ even amongst Christains: clergy and laity with some pointing fingers at figures like Donald Trump,Barack Obama,Hilary Clinton,Pope francis,Vladimir Putin Prince Wiliams amongst others, it is still a major concern in some other quarters why there is so much hush/concern and the thoughts keeps coming that we do no need this name calling and misplacement of priority rather looking unto Jesus and following in His foot-steps so as not to be around at the treacherous reign of the anti-christ Heb.12:2.Look unto Jesus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discernment in the Ministry of Apostle Paul: a great lesson for Ministers by Pastor Gbenga Aluko

                                                                               

                              Text:  Acts 16:16-19,1 Cor. 12:10, Heb. 5:14 

Discernment in the Ministry of Apostle Paul: a great lesson for Ministers

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

Background

What is discernment

The Lord calls and adorns His ministers

The Apostles enroute prayer

The Spirit of Discernment

  

Acts 16:16-19 (KJV)

16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, 

Background

Chapter sixteen of the book Acts of the Apostles starts out with the introduction of Timothy and some things were noted from there viz: The location Derbe an Lystra (unfortunately somewhere in modern day Turkey), Parents of Timothy, their tribe(Jewess and a Greek), the fact that He had a good report amongst brethren, the sacrifice he had to make for his ministry to be without disrepute or reproach ( going through the Jewish rites of circumcision) and the fact that he became a disciple of Apostle Paul. What sacrifice have we made and are we making for our ministry, ministry is not a bed of roses, please keep on keeping on, do not be tired man/woman of God, God sees, will glorify Himself at the end of it all, and would reward appropriately and ultimately, what report do people have about us? it may affect our ministry and ministrations, lets learn from Timothy. Who is our discipler?

Acts 16:1-3 (King James Version)

16 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

We also see God in action: establishing the faith of the converts and increasing them, may this be our experience even as we walk with and work for our Master in Jesus mighty name. Amen

What is discernment

Discernment of spirits is a spiritual practice that involves noticing and interpreting the movements of the soul, and identifying their source and direction. Ai overview extracted 07092024.

According to spiritualgifttest.com, “The spiritual gift of discernment is also known as the gift of “discernment of spirits or “distinguishing between spirits.”  The Greek word for the gift of discernment is Diakrisis. The word describes being able to distinguish, discern, judge, or appraise a person, statement, situation, or environment.

Discernment especially as it relates to ministry (which is our area of interest) is the ability to recognise the influences of God, the world/flesh , and that of Satan even in actions and inactions. Knowing clearly who/what powers action, deeds and even at times silence and thoughts. What has been powering our actions/inactions off and on the pulpit? What about those who labour alongside us or the people cheering us like the case in study?

The Lord calls and adorns His ministers 1 Cor. 9:7,Acts 1:4

1 Corinthians 9:7 (King James Version)

7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

Acts 1:4(King James Version)

4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

Acts 1:4 clearly explains the instruction that Jesus clearly gave the disciples whom he had chosen earlier now on the need to be endued before setting out even on the task they have been trained and called for, hope we didn’t just jump out without training or without empowerment ? it is a time bomb to do either of the two or both.

1 Cor.9:7 in perspective means: ( 1 )those who serve in God’s army have a need to be maintained by the church and the force headquaters in heaven ( 2 )in line with Pauline, even with this rights those who are strong can jettison this as God blesses, directs and provides for them, ( 3 ) Gods adorns His minister and the spirit of discernment is an important gift God adorns His ministers with, have we prayed and tarried and graced for our portions already?

The Apostles en-route prayer

The apostles were on the way to pray when the devil presented the possessed slave who was camouflaging as a spirit-filled person, her actions were:

l A distraction to the prayer-bound Apostles (watch out for people and things always on the way to spiritual assignments/fortification)

l Worthless/demonic praise singing and hyping like it is done even in some churches today

l A cover- up of sinister motive/source

l Wanting a seal/endorsement of the apostles and their followers, their acceptance of her claims in a way lends same credence that the apostles have on this demonaic lets watch out.

The spirit of Discernment

This is an important endowment of God that is very important for all children of God and more importantly the ministers for the following reasons amongst several others:

l So that we wont praise who should be rebuked,placed on watch list or simply sent for deliverance in the order of Apostle Paul.

l We would not be misled in Gods name 1 kings 13 the story of the young prophet

l we would avert creation of problems for ourselves, co labourer and other ministers after us by putting people with familiar spirit and unrepentant church attendee who are often- time problem/mischief generators in positions.

l It would make us worthy  and accurate watchmen and intercessors for God’s flock.

l It is a defence for us, family ,profession and ministry.

  Conclusively: Discernment is the gift of the Holy Spirit and depends and is powered by the latter for its effective work, this once again underscores the dire need for those who will represent God well to carry and continually be filled by and with the spirit of God THE HOLY SPIRIT.

When we genuinely pray and wait for Him, God will give us, this grace can also be extended to us when we involve in the studios and spirited study of the word, the inspiration behind the writing and backing the word can jump on us, then by association and impartation. It is better to wait and be better equipped  facilitating and easy ride than rush and fail, or struggle through or worse still die without fulfilling the task, may we receive wisdom to wait for this important gift of God.

Shalom.