RECOVERING GOD'S PRECIOUS GIFTS

1Samuel 30:1-10, 17-19; 1Cor.12:1-11

God our Father showers us with many precious gifts but sometimes we carelessly lose these gifts. Now getting them back requires great effort. In our text David and his men lost all they had including their wives and children. But when he prayed and trusted in the Lord, they were able to recover all they lost. God’s gifts of salvation sanctification and the Holy Spirit are given to all believers. Spiritual gifts, ministerial gifts are available to all faithful disciples. If you lake any of these, you will need to join us this year in our effort to recover all that God has meant for us. The Holy Spirit is still baptizing people. God is still distributing the gifts of the Spirit to people. We will not be left out.

 

Loss Of God’s Special Gifts

A Result Of Enemy Activity (1Sam.30:1-4)

A Result Of Lack Of Watchfulness (1Peter 5:8)

A Result Of Personal Sin (Judges 16:20)

A Result Of Disobedience (1Sam.16:14-15)

A result OF Distrust (1Sam.27:1-4)

David lost some of the most precious things he possessed at a time of his life when he needed comfort most. He was still on the run from King Saul’s murderous pursuit. He lost his wives and all his men lost bot wives and children. Why did they lose so much? First, this story is set in Ziklag, which was in the land of the Philistines. Remember Goliath? He was the champion of the Philistines and David killed him in battle. So what was David doing in the land of the Philistines? He went to stay in enemy territory in order to protect himself from another enemy Saul (1Sam.27:1-7). But David did not join the enemies of Israel though he lived among them. He still fought battles on behalf of His nation Israel (1Sam.27:8-12).

Achish so trusted David that he ordered him to come fight alongside him against his people Israel (1Sam 28:1-2). The heads of the Philistine army recognised David and his victory over Goliath. They protested  to their King and He reluctantly sent David back to Ziklag. It was when they returned that they discovered that the Amalekites had raided Ziklag and burnt it with fire and made away all their belongings, wives and children, and they wept bitterly (1Sam.30:1-5).

What are some of the things that could make us to lose God’s special blessings today? These include (i) Enemy activity(1Sam.30:1-4), (ii) Lack of watchfulness(1Peter 5:8), (iii) Personal sin(Judges 16:20), (iv) Disobedience(1Sam.16:14-15). If we are not watchful we can lose the blessing of salvation, sanctification and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. If we are not watchful, sin can come in, and personal sin can cause us to lose God’s precious blessings. Outright disobedience to God, to His ministers, even to well meaning parents, especially godly parents can cause loss.

If you have lost any gift of God, or if you have not received some of these special gifts, yet, today you will pray either to recover what is lost or to receive for the first times these precious gifts..

Pursuit Of God’s Special Gifts

Taking courage (1Sam.30:6; Josh.10:25)

Enquiring From The Lord (1Sam.23:2,4; 30:8; 2Sam.2:1; 5:19; 5:23; 21:1)

Repenting (Prov.23:13; Mat.4:17)

Starting Again (Proverbs 24:6)

David took courage in the Lord before he could get the strength to fight the battle facing him. How did he do it? I don’t know, but he would remember how God delivered him from the mouth of the lion and the bear. He would remember how God gave him victory over Goliath. He would remember how God had saved him many times from the hand of Saul. He would come to remember how God had anointed him to be the next king of Israel. When David remembered these things, he would take courage in the Lord.

The song writer says, “count your blessing name them one by one”. I believe David would have done that. He did it before he faced Goliath. Counting you blessings, remembering the gracious dealings of God with you will bring courage into your life. If you have been saved, that is a blessing. If you have been sanctified, that is another blessing. If you have been filled with the Holy Spirit, that is another blessing. You have found a wife or a husband that is another blessing. God has given you children that is another blessing. If you find that you are healthy that is another blessing worth thanking God about.

This year take courage in the blessings of God and begin to pursue those blessing you may have lost or those you are yet to receive.

Then enquire from the Lord – ask of the Lord. This character of David was key to his success in life. Before He did anything that is of importance, he asked the Lord. In that way God delivered him from numerous enemies ((1Sam.23:2,4; 30:8; 2Sam.2:1; 5:19; 5:23; 21:1).  This month we will pray and fast and seek God’s face fill us with the Holy Spirit, to bestow spiritual gifts upon us, to give success in the ministry He has committed into our hands. Then our Church will increase and multiply. Miracles , signs and wonders will take place when we pray.

Recovery Of God’s precious Gifts

Concerted Effort Required

God’s Guidance needed

Prayer Of Paramount Importance

What Must I recover? (2Cor.12:1-11)

Salvation

Sanctification

Baptism With The Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8)

Gifts Of Spirit (2Cor.12:7)

Fruit Of The Spirit (Gal.5:22-25)

David and his men recovered all that they had lost. In the same manner this month we will recover every lost blessing of God. This month, we will pray for and receive every blessing of God that we have never enjoyed. Are truly born again? Have truly confessed your sins and come to Jesus for cleansing of your sins. Is your name written in heaven? Do you have the witness of the spirit that you are now a child of God (Rom.8:14-16). If you do not have this witness, this is your time. You must pray to receive and recover all of God’s precious gifts.

What about sanctification, the removal of the Adamic nature from you, that tendency to sin, that pull of the flesh towards sin must be removed. Another word for it is circumcision of the heart. It allows you to have perfect love for God and for brethren (Ezekiel 36:25-27; Deut.30:6; 1Thes.4:3).

Our desire this year to live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit. We will win more victory that before. We will enjoy God’s blessings more than ever before. Our General Superintendent talked about making the first week of each month of 2013 a special time with the Lord. Let us find ways of doing that so that we will make this year a year of great manifestation of God’s power.

SUPERNATURAL POWER FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Eph. 6:10-20; 2Cor.10:3-5

There is a battle, a war, a conflict that has raged for generations, for thousands of years. It is the battle between good and evil, with Christ representing the Good and Satan the evil. It is a battle for the souls of men and women. In the Garden of Eden just after the Fall, God passed judgement upon Satan and at the same time He provided the means of salvation for fallen man (Gen.3:15). Jesus Christ is that Seed of the woman. From that time forth, Satan became an adversary to all who would call upon the name of Christ. Every leader, every Christian worker, every Christian must face this spiritual warfare. In (2Cor.10:3-5) the battle is described with terms such as strongholds, imagination, thoughts directed against our knowledge of Christ. The conflict is intense, personal and protracted. It calls for courage, determination and prayer. It is a battle that can only be won in the strength of God.

Before we go further let's read (Psalm 62:11; Mat.28:18). All power belongs God. All power has been given to Christ.

Therefore every Christian, every pastor, every leader can experience victory in spiritual warfare. And if you we ask, “How can I do that?” “How can I experience daily victory in spiritual conflicts?” I would respond by saying that you can be victorious if you follow the guidelines set forth in our text.

Let’s go back to (Ephesians 6:10-20). First we see a Description of the Spiritual Conflict (Eph.6:12). It is a highly organised campaign. It is based on wickedness and carried out by wicked spirits. Secondly we see a listing of the Divine Armour for the Spiritual Conflict (Eph.6:15-17). We are commanded to put on this armour in order to win the victory in spiritual battles.  Towards the end of the chapter we see Dedicated Prayer In Spiritual Conflicts (verse 18-20). This leads us to my first point – The Description of The Spiritual Conflict.

Description Of The Spiritual Conflict

It Is Spiritual (Eph.6:12; Zec.4:6; 2Cor.10:3-4; 4:3-4)

It Is Personal (Luke 22:31-32; Rom.7:23; 2Tim.3:12)

It is Strenuous (Hebrews 12:4; John16:33; Phil.1:29-30, cf. Acts16:22-23)

It Is Repetitive (Eph.6:13; 2Tim.2:3; Rev.12:10)

A wrestling match involves two people each wanting to throw the other. In Ancient Greece, the winner in a wrestling match was permitted gouge the eyes of the loser, or to spear his back. The Christians of Ephesus clearly understood the implication of this metaphor of wrestling.

Every Christian must fight this spiritual battle. No one is exempt, and we cannot afford to lose! Our enemy has no mercy.  His army is organized. Paul tells us to envelop ourselves in the whole armour of God in order to win.

The Battle is spiritual (Eph.6:12; Zec.4:6; 2Cor.10:3-4). Satan opposes the Gospel of Christ. So Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and teachers of the Gospel are in direct line of fire of Satan's fiery darts (2Cor.4:3-4; Mat.13:19, 38-39; 1Thes.2:18).

The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, fleshly weapons. They are mighty, impressive and impenetrable. How can we fight spiritual battles seeing that we are flesh and blood? We need God's complete armour.

This battle is also personal (Luke 22:31-32; Rom.7:23 2Tim.3:12). Satan sometimes directs his attacks on individual believers. For instance he wanted to personally sift Simon Peter like wheat (Luke 22:31-34), that is to shake his faith to the point of overthrowing it! Had Jesus not prayed for him, Peter’s faith would have failed. So many Christians do not even know that there is a spiritual war taking place around them! Their eyes are blinded.

The conflict could come in the form of temptations using members of your body, using your imaginations, your thoughts, to war against you. The word of God is full of exhortations such as,”Flee youthful lusts”, “Love not the world”, “Consent thou not” “Be ye not unequally yoked”, “Resist (Satan) steadfastly in the faith…” Satan brings the battle down to the personal level in these areas

The spiritual battle is strenuous (Hebrews 12:4; John16:33; Phil.1:29-30, cf. Acts16:22-23). The conflict can reach the point where the blood of Christians and their leaders is shed for the sake of Christ. This notwithstanding, we must stand our ground like soldiers defending a territory.

Paul the apostle faced many life threatening conflicts masterminded by Satan, but God delivered him from them all. Conflicts and spiritual battles did not prevent him from fulfilling his ministry. (2Tim.4:7-8).  I pray we will fulfill our own ministries to the Lord.

This battle is recurrent (Eph.6:13; 2Tim.2:3; Rev.12:10). After Jesus defeated Satan during His temptation we are told that Satan left Him for a season (Luke 4:13). He continued to attempt to subvert the ministry of Christ through the Scribes and Pharisees and also through some of His own disciples. When the Church was established, the devil stirred up persecution against her. Stephen was martyred. James the brother of John was martyred. Saul wrecked made havoc of the Church. After his own conversion, he suffered innumerable persecutions, out of which the Lord delivered him.  And God will deliver us from every evil work and preserve us unto His coming.

Divine Amour For The Spiritual Conflict

The Belt Of Truth (Eph.6:14)

The Breastplate Of Righteousness (Eph.6:14)

The Gospel Of Peace (Eph.6:15)

The Shield of Faith (Eph.6:15)

The Helmet Of Salvation (Eph.6:17)

The Sword Of The Spirit (Eph.6:17)

Prayer (Eph.6:18)

Paul the apostle used sports and military metaphor to drive home the point of the believer being adequately prepared for spiritual battle. A poorly dressed and ill-equipped soldier is a danger both to himself and to his company. Christian soldiers must therefore put on this special armour as shown in our text.

(I) The Belt of Truth (Eph.6:14) – Truth counters Satan's error. Sound teaching is important. A good understanding of God’s truth will counter Satan’s deceit (Eph.4:14-15; Col.2:8)

(ii) The Breast Plate of Righteousness (Eph.6:14) – Righteousness is a state of moral perfection required to enter heaven. Human righteousness without Christ is insufficient to enter heaven and cannot avail in spiritual warfare. Jesus Christ became sin for us and was offered as a sacrifice to God so that we may become the righteousness of God in Christ (2Cor.5:21). The assurance that we are righteous in Christ will counter Satan’s accusations (Rom.3:21-22; Proverbs 13:6; Zech.3:1-4; Prov.11:4; 11:15; 12:28; 16:31). Put on this robe of righteousness in Christ Jesus. Righteousness will deliver from death.

(iii) The Gospel of Peace (Eph.6:15) – Hold up the Gospel of Christ, the gospel of peace (Rom.5:1). When we are at peace with God, our faith, trust, dependence and confidence in Him are boosted. Fear is cast out. And like David against Goliath, we can stand our ground in the face of satanic conflicts.

(iv) The Shield of Faith (Eph.6:16) – Fiery darts represent temptations, imaginations, thoughts and every high thing exalting itself in opposition to our knowledge of Christ. When we exercise faith we draw strength from God. This will help us overcome temptation and other forms of satanic deception (Rom.1:17; 1Peter 5:8-9; 1John 5:14).

(v) The Helmet Of Salvation (Eph.6:17) – Not only are we saved in the present time but we have the future hope of eternal salvation as a solid anchor for the soul in the face of severe conflicts (1Thes.5:8-9; Tit.2:11-14; 1John 3:1-3).

(vi) The Sword of The Spirit (Eph.6:17) – the Word of God is truly the sword of the Spirit. It is a sure defense against the evil one (Psalm 119:11; 2Tim.3:16-17; Heb.4:12). With this panoply, this impressive array of armour, we are assured of victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Dedicated Prayer In Spiritual Conflicts

Pray with All Prayer (1Tim.2:1)

Pray At All seasons (2Tim.1:3; 1Thes.5:17)

Pray With All Perseverance (Acts 12:5; Luke 18:1)

Pray For All Saints (Eph.6:18)

Pray With Watching (Col.4:2; 1Peter 4:7)

Prayer is a major weapon of the spiritual warfare. Without it which victory will be impossible. R.A. Torrey gave an exposition on prayer based on Ephesians 6:18. He asked some very searching questions. “Why is it” many a Christian is asking, “I make so little progress in my Christian life?” Then he answered, “Neglect of prayer…” Ye have not because ye ask not (James 4:2). “Why is it” many a minister is asking, “I see so little fruit from my labours?” The answer, neglect of prayer. Ye have not because ye ask not. “Why is it”, many a pastor, many a search the scripture teacher, many a children/youth worker is asking, I see few people converted in my ministry?” The answer still is neglect of prayer.

What is PRAYER? Asking and receiving things from God! There are many things a believer can ask from God in prayer - personal revival, promises of God, power of the Holy Ghost, power over spiritual forces of darkness, material provision. So then what is prayer?

(i) Personal Revival At Your Express Request

What is Prayer?

(ii) Promise Received At You Express Request

What is Prayer?

(iii) Power  Renewed  At  Your Express Request

What Is Prayer?

(iv) Powers  Routed  At Your Express Request

What is prayer?

(v) Provision Replenished At  Your  Express  Request  

It is impossible to calculate the power of prayer. All things are possible through prayer. The apostle Paul enjoins us to pray with all prayer - a Hebrew language expression meaning all kinds of prayer. He tell us to be watchful as we pray. Pray in the Spirit - pray according to the Spirit's leading. Pray with perseverance.

This is the testimony of how one pastor's wife won the battle of prayer:
[As I stood [alone] between two large stones, the presence of God overshadowed me, and I acknowledged His presence with tears, and a delighted "Good morning, Jesus." I said:

"Lord, if You will bless my husband in the place You sent him to establish Your name, if You will break the bonds and destroy the middle wall of partition, if You will give him a church and congregation—a credit to Your people and all Christendom—I will walk with You for three years in prayer, both day and night. I will meet You every morning at 9 a.m. sharp; You will never have to wait for me; I will be there to greet You. I will stay there all day; I will devote all of my time to You.

"Furthermore, if You will listen to the voice of my supplication and breakthrough in that wicked neighbourhood and bless my husband, I will fast 72 hours each week for two years. While I am going through the fast, I will not go home to sleep in my bed. I will stay in church, and if I get sleepy, I'll rest on newspapers and carpet."

As soon as I had made a covenant, the heavens opened, and the glory of the Lord fell from heaven all around me. I knew He had prepared me to enter into prayer ministry.

At 9 a.m. each day the door knob of the church would turn, and I would greet the Lord with a hearty, "Good morning, Jesus." I would kneel and pray until I wore all the skin off my knees on those hard floors. I suffered. The flesh on my bones was numb, and I fasted, not eating or drinking natural food—but I had a direct supply from heaven.
Soon the mission was too small to accommodate the people...]

It is very encouraging to note that many have been very skillful in using the weapon of prayer. Like King David  we can say (Psalm 55:16-18). In (Hebrews 4:16) we are admonished to come boldly to the Throne of Grace to obtain mercy! The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16). Fear not for those who are with us are more than those who are with them (2Kings 6:15-16).

 

FACINT THE GOLIATHS

1Samuel 17:1-58

Every human being faces challenges. But also every Christian can face challenges confidently, and become victorious in the battles of life. The story in our text is about a national challenge that faced Israel as a nation. They had just crowned their first king – King Saul, and Israel was not yet a warlike nation. Suddenly, the Philistines surrounded them. The Israelites were afraid. Their king was afraid. They were particularly afraid of the champion of the Philistines – the Giant, Goliath!

Then came the young man David with fearlessness, courage, determination and connection to God. He faced Goliath with the most unconventional weapons of war – faith in God and five smooth sling stones. He defeated Goliath and won a decisive victory for Israel.

Life Full Of Challenges

Goliath Challenges

Challenges Can Create Fear

The Enemy Must Be Faced

Loss of Courage

Challenges a part of life. As soon as we are born we face challenges. A new born baby must grow. He/she must learn how to walk, how to avoid being hurt. Then he must learn many things about life. He must go to school and face the challenges of learning a new subject. After finishing he must now compete with others for a few job openings! When he gets married, Oh that is a new set of challenges.

Challenges can make or break a person. To be more precise, it is the attitude we show during challenges that can make us winners or losers in the battle of life. Recently my wife called my attention to the sale of the Giant baked beans company called Heinz. It was bought by billionaire Warren Buffet for $16billion. These men are men who have challenges, but they know how to turn these challenges into advantages. David did the same thing when he faced the formidable challenge posed by Goliath. Goliath was one of the giants of Philistia. Later as a king, David and his men battled many Giants – Ishbi-Benob, Saph, the brother of Goliath, and the giant with twelve fingers and twelve toes (2Sam.21:15-22).

When we read the psalms of David we feel, what a blessed man, and he is. But  don't forget he faced many challenges even after he was anointed king, filled with the Holy Spirit. How do I know he was filled with the Holy Spirit? To answer that just look at the inspired psalms he wrote. Some of them he wrote while running away from enemies, some when he had made great mistakes. Looking at the life of David we can see that challenges will come even to people favoured by God.  He was pursued for many years by King Saul. Later he fell into the sin of adultery which brought devastation upon his family.  He had to grapple with incest and murder among his children. He was overthrown by his son Absalom and once again became a fugitive.

So as a Christian today if you face challenges do not fear or fret. God may have allowed it to strengthen your faith. The eleventh chapter of the book of Hebrews is filled with men and women who by faith in God overcame great challenges. Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barack, Samson, Jephtha, Samuel and the prophets of God. As a follower of Christ, you are not different. 

What challenges are you facing today? Health? Family? Education? Employment? Domiciliary issues? Children? Marriage? Money? Temptations? I propose today that none of these challenges will break us in Jesus name! I declare by the word of the Lord that in all these we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us!

Therefore we do not lose faith, we do not lose hope, we do not lose heart. We must face our challenges head on. We will overcome like David did.

(James 1:2-4; 1Cor.10:13; 1Sam.17:45; Psalm 23:1-6)

Attitude During Life’s Challenges

Courage (Deut.31:6)

Determination (Isaiah 50:7)

Fearlessness

Closeness To God (John 15:5)

The presence of Goliath struck fear in the hearts of Israelites. They could see no way of defeating the Philistines with Goliath as their leader. But then there was the young man David, who had a different understanding. He believed differently, like Michelangelo prayed, “Lord grant that I may always desire more than I accomplish”. A Russian proverb says, “In the kingdom of hope, there is no winter”. And yet another proverb says, “A misty morning does not signify a cloudy day”. Then the book of proverbs says “He that observeth the weather shall not sow”.

How did David face Goliath?

(i) With Courage (1Sam.17:32-37).  Courage is a quality of mind or the spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, or pain without fear. David had courage. His courage was not based on his strength or ability as a warrior. His courage was dependent on God. He had testimonies to prove it. God’s Word is full of encouragement to the believer (Deut.31:6; Joshua 1:3-9; 1Chron.28:20; Psalm 27:1-2; Isa.41:10; 54:4; Mat.10:28; Romans 8:15; 2Tim.1:7). Whoever trusts in God’s unchanging love, builds on the rock which cannot be moved. We must then stay in the love of God. If you have not been born again you cannot face the trials and temptations that will face you with courage.  (ii)With Determination (1Sam.17:41-47). Determination is an act of coming to a firm decision, fixing your mind on a set purpose. Determination is like a heat seeking missile. You set your purpose on something, you fix your attention on it. You direct all your energy, all your labour on it. You follow through, never giving up until it is done. That is what David did. Regardless of the personality of Goliath, regardless of the power of Goliath Regardless of the prowess of Goliath, David homed in with his sling shot, and Goliath fell dead in an instant.

Lions are known to be the most fearless of all animals. It is not afraid of even the biggest, most ferocious beasts around. As a Christian God has not given you the spirit of fear but of power, of love and of a sound mind. This is the heritage of all those who believe in Jesus and who abide in Him.

Paths To Victory During Life’s Challenges

Fear Not The Enemy

Put On The Whole Amour Of God

Stay Close and Connected To God

What shall we do when problems come our way? What shall we do when difficulties arise? What shall we do when we face the enemy? What shall we do in the hour of temptation? What shall we do in the time of need? We do like David. Fear not the enemy. Be bold in God (1Sam.17:26, 32-47). We face the enemy in the name of the Lord Jesus, not in our own strength or ability.

Put on the whole amour of God. David could not put on Saul's amour. By divine revelation He chose five smooth stones and a sling, that was all ( ;Eph. 6:10-18). Believers have every resource to be victorious in Christ Jesus.

David knew God! He was God’s chosen and anointed. He was full of God’s spirit. He was full of courage, determination, fearlessness and he was close to God.

Are you close to God? Are you saved? Are you a disciple of Jesus (John 15:5). Then are you courageous? For some Christians it is the courage to obey God they lack! How can you be successful in that way! Without courage you will turn your back to the enemy. Have you got the determination to be victorious that nothing can stop you?

You cannot fail. You cannot lose. You will overcome. You will be victorious.

THE IMMUTABILITY OF GOD'S PURPOSES

Isaiah 46:8-13; Hebrews 6:13-20

God has a plan, a purpose for all His creation which He will certainly accomplish. God carries out His plans and purposes through His control of circumstances and His choice of people. God’s purpose is immutable, unchangeable. It is also unchallengeable (Isaiah 14:24-27). This eternal truth arises from God’s character and attributes, His powers and qualities. For instance, our text tells us that God declares the end from the beginning (isa.46:10), He foretells what would happen long before it does. He knows tomorrow as if it was yesterday. He can use anyone or any part of His creation to achieve His purpose. His word and His plans never fail.

God’s counsel is unchangeable because He is omniscient – All-Knowing. His counsel is unchallengeable because He is omnipotent –All-Powerful.  Believers should trust in God in all circumstances and submit to His will in all things because He will never fail them!

THE NATURE OF GOD’S PUPOSES

God’s purpose Will Be Accomplished (Isa.6:10-11)

God’s purpose will Prevail (Jer.23:20)

God’s Purpose Cannot Be thwarted By Man (Prov.19:21; Job 9:12; Dan 4:35)

God’s Purpose cannot Be thwarted by Evil Powers (Rev.17:17)

God’s Purpose Prevails In the Lives and Circumstance of People (prov.16:9; 21:1)

God’s Purpose Is Fulfilled Through The Choice Of Individuals (Gen.18:19; Jer.1:4-19; Rom.11:5; 1Cor.1:1; Isa.41:2, 25; 45:13; 46:11)

God’s Purpose Is The Salvation Of People Through Christ (Isa.53:10; Eph.3:10-11; Mat.26:18, 45; John 7:6-8)

What is the purpose of God for us? God created us to (i) To Know Him, (ii) To Love Him, (iii) To Serve Him here on Earth, (iv) To live With Him in the Eternal Joys of Heaven.  It is important to note that evil is subject to God and where it operates, it does so within the determined limit of God’s sovereignty (1Cor.10:13; 2Cor. 12:7).

IDENTITY OF GOD’S PURPOSES FOR BELIEVERS

The Promise Of Present Support (Isa.46:3-4; Mark 10:28-30)

The Salvation Of All Who Believe In Jesus (John 3:16; 2Peter 3:9)

The adoption Of Many Sons Through Christ (Eph.1:1-11)

The Promise Of Eternal Hope For Believers (Heb.6:17-19; Titus 1:1-2; 3:7)

God’s purpose for the world is that they take in His provision of salvation through Jesus Christ (John 3:16; 2Peter 3:9). This is true and unchangeable regardless of the present population of the world, regardless of the number of people who have become Christians through the ages. God purposes to adopt many son and daughters through Jesus Christ (Eph.1:1-11).

Contrary to what people may think today, life does not end here, it begins afresh after we die. Eternal life in heaven with God and His holy angels awaits all who in this present world believe and serve Jesus (Titus 1:1-2; 3:7)

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S PURPOSES

Absolute Trust In God and His Promises

Fearlessness In The Face Of Opposition or Set Backs

Unfettered Submission To his Will

Unquestioning Faith In His Word

All the promises of God are to us yes and amen. We should trust fully in God and in His promises. Not one of His promise shall fail. We should be fearless in the face of contemporary opposition or even in setbacks. God has the whole world in His hand. He controls all the peoples and governments, presidents and leaders of this world. King Nebuchadnezzar discovered this and submitted to God Almighty. Pharaoh of Egypt discovered that too late. In the same regard many today are ignoring the purposes of God in our time.

We who are believers should have unquestioning faith in God and in His word. His word is true and will be fulfilled, regardless of what people may say or do today. As we discover His will in His Word, let us submit totally to it. God’s word enjoins us to follow the examples of those through faith and patience inherited the promises (Hebrews 6:11-12).

When we do this, we are assured of God’s power, providence, protection and provision. God never fails, is never partial, is never late. He can be trusted with everything that concerns us from the time we are babies till the time we grow old. He is able.