2022 Lenten Sermon Outline

TABLE OF CONTENT
TOPIC DATE PAGES

FOREWORD II
ACKNOWLEDGMENT III
2022 LENTEN SERMON OUTLINE IV
REND YOUR HEART 2ND MARCH, 2022 1
JESUS: TEMPTED AND TRIED 6TH
MARCH, 2022 3
MAKING LIFE OUT OF OUR DEADNESS 9TH MARCH, 2022 5
JESUS: MAN, OF SORROWS 13 TH
MARCH, 2022 7
MIND YOUR COMPANY 16TH MARCH, 2022 9
HAVE YOUR BEEN TO JESUS? 20TH MARCH, 2022 11
BE CAUTIOUS TO PROMISE 23 RD
MARCH, 2022 13
TRANSFORMED INTO HIS IMAGE 27TH MARCH, 2022 15
ALL THINGS WORK FOR GOD’S PURPOSE 30 TH
MARCH, 2022 17
THE OLD AND THE NEW COVENANTS 3RD APRIL, 2022 19
DRY BONES RISE IN CHRIST ALONE 6TH
APRIL, 2022 21
LEARNING FROM JESUS 10TH APRIL, 2022 23
NO SACRIFICE TOO GREAT 11 TH
APRIL, 2022 25
THE SOVEREIGN LORD DENYING 12TH APRIL, 2022 27
HOLDNG THE SAVIOUR IN MOCKETY AND CONTEMPT 13 TH
APRIL, 2022 29
HUMILITY EXPEMLIFIED 14 TH
APRIL, 2022 31
THE KING ON A CROSS 15TH APRIL, 2022 33
FRUITLESS EFFORTS 16 TH
APRIL, 2022 35
BECAUSE HE ROSE, DRY BONES WILL RISE AGAIN 17TH APRIL, 2022 37
FOREWORD
"Now therefore," says the Lord, "Turn to Me with all your heart with fasting, with weeping
and with mourning "So, rend your heart, and not your garments: return to the Lord your
God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness... (Joel 2:12-13;
NKJV)
As we enter into another Lenten Season, it is important that we reflect again on its essence,
i.e., the meaning and importance of Lent, so we may fix our minds on profitable observance
of the season The forty days of Lent represent the time Jesus spent in the wilderness,
enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry; it should therefore be to
us a season of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of
self-examination and reflection.
In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Today, Christians
focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up food and water and
voluntarily live a life of self-denial for others. Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty
days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter" and the reverent spirit of Lent is
tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection.
Lent calls each of us to examination of our hearts and relationships with God and our
neighbours. It is a time of repentance, reconciliation and restitution in order to receive
restoration and peace from God; and it is in this spirit that we publish Lenten Sermon
Outlines in our Diocese every Lenten Season to keep each and every one of us in focus of the
essence and demands of the season. It is our belief that by addressing in the outline relevant
penitential topics revolving round our thematic focus for the year, we will all be guided in
same direction of thoughts and actions that are becoming of a people in penitence.
The situation today in our country Nigeria, like that of Judah of Joel's time, calls for serious
spiritual emergency as prescribed then by the prophet in Joel 2:15-17;
Blow the trumpet in Zion (Nigeria),
Consecrate a fast,
Call a sacred assembly:
Gather the people, sanctify the congregation,
Assemble the elders, gather the children and nursing babes:
Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, and the bride from her dressing room,
Let the priests, who minister to the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar:
Let them say, "Spare Your people. O Lord, and do not give Your heritage to
reproach…”
We admonish therefore that this Lenten Season should be taken as an open window for
meaningful rejuvenation of our individual and collective faith and life. We are sure of our
priest’s commitment to using the season for retreats, seminars and teaching that will impact
the Church positively and thus call for members' cooperation in attendance and participation.
We thank our able Ven. Theodore Nwabasili and his vibrant Team for another brilliant job
done. May our God bless and reward you all in Jesus' name. Amen.
[
Thank you and God bless you all.
+Olusola Lagos West

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
All thanksgiving, praise and glory to our great God for His unfathomable love, abundant
grace and protection over all of us.
The times we find ourselves in are really dainty, but we have continued to trudge on with the
sustenance that comes from God alone. May He alone continue to receive unlimited praise
and adoration?
To our great father, and friend, our mentor and prophet of our time, a great leader of men,
encourager per excellence, a compassionate motivator The Rt. Revd. Dr. James Olusola
Odedeji, I, on behalf of our team want to express our deep appreciation for the privilege of
service We are eternally grateful for being favoured with this task of preparing yet another
Lenten sermon outline. May strength, wisdom and courage be divinely provided to our
lordship as he pilots the affairs of the largest Diocese in the Church of Nigeria if not the
Anglican world.
I lack words to express my appreciation to the great team the lord bishop granted me
permission to work with. May God be continually praised for the wonderful crop of men of
God, that He has blessed this Diocese with. It is from these gentlemen of grace that the
following work force were picked probably, not the best available, but performed profoundly
above expectation.
May I appreciate the Revd. Emeka Madubuike, Kayode Fasogbon, Emeka Akunne, Daniel
Onyagba, Bode Daramola, Biodun Okunnuga, Ayodeji Fadero, Oludare Ogungbe, Revd.
Canons Chukwudi Ibegbu, Austin Ifezue, Wale Opeagbe, Akin Omoyajowo, Oluwambe
Toriola, Edison Mgbeokwere; Venerable Taiwo Adebayo, Kayode Oredugba, Festus
Olowosile, Nnaemeka Nwosu, Chidi Obi and our amiable Dean of the Cathedral, the
Venerable Ebenezer Adewole. May the Lord bless all you great men of God, and your
ministries will continue to receive heavenly approval in the name of Jesus.
To my young and promising Promise Igboekwusi, a highly talented ICT personality whose
skills have received the attention of the primate in Abuja, and recently the Diocesan Media
Team, I appreciate you, for the design, arrangement and the technical details. I see the great
future ahead of you.
To my secretary, Mrs Ifeoma Ihekaire. I commend your diligence and commitment to work.
You will not miss your reward.
Again, we appreciate this great opportunity to be part of the progressive work of our father
and leader the Rt. Revd. Dr. James Olusola Odedeji our lord bishop. We do not take this
opportunity for granted. We are delighted to prove relevance in our own little way.
May all glory be to our God, maker, sustainer and enabler
THE VEN THEODORE E NWABASILI

Team leader
DATE: WEDNESDAY, 2ND MARCH, 2022 (ASH WEDNESDAY)
THEME: DRY BONE WILL RISE AGAIN
TOPIC: REND YOUR HEART
TEXT: PSALM 51, JOEL 2:12-27, JAMES 4:1-10, MATT.6:16-21
AIM: A CALL TO BROKENESS
“Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping,
and with mourning. So, rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the Lord your
God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow and anger, and of great kindness; and He relents
from doing harm” (Joel 2:12-13).
INTRODUCTION
The lord had gathered His kingdom love; Jerusalem, through David who desired to build a
temple for God; in order to make the spirituality of the land beautiful, Solomon was granted
the grace to do this which improved the worship of Yahweh, even though Solomon never
made it spiritually. As soon as Solomon died, the spiritual life of Israel declined. His son
Rehoboam, was determined to bring the ten tribes of Israel in line with Samaria and the
idolatrous worship that was being practiced there (I Kings 12-13).
Prophet Joel began his ministry and 825 BC, about one hundred and fifty years after the
division of Israel into two kingdoms, Joel, whose name means Jehovah is God, was appointed
by God as a prophet to the two southern tribes located in and around Jerusalem about 150
years since the decline. The words of our text are part of the message the Lord commanded
him speak.
THE BODY
It was not too late for the far-fallen Judah to be saved. But they needed to know that the ritual
of tearing the cloth was not enough anymore.
The people in the near eastern lands then had a tradition that hen individuals wished to show
mourning or a deep sense of sorrow, they tore their garments as a proof of innocence. Jacob
mourned Joseph in such a way (Genesis 37:34). Likewise, Job mourned the loss of his family
and possessions (Job 1:20). 2 Samuel 1:11 records David’s response o the death of Saul and
Jonathan. “Then David took hold on clothes, and rent them; likewise, all the men that were
with him: and they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his
son, and for the people of Jehovah, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by
the sword.” This custom expressed in an external way what was happening inside the
suffering individual.
In the days of Joel, the fickle people of Israel has a history of acting hypocritically. For their
sins, God’s prophets proclaimed that God would bring judgment upon them. Joel was one of
those prophets. Nevertheless, there was still time for repentance. Referencing this custom,
Joel emphasized that it has to be the people’s heart that changed, not merely their outward
appearance. He wrote, “Yet even now, saith Jehovah, turn ye unto me with all your heart, and
with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: and rend your heart, and not your
garments, and turn unto Jehovah your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger,
and abundant in loving, kindness and repenteth him of the evil” (Joel 2:12-13).
The brokenness that God was calling for was not the physical but the inner brokenness that
David expressed in Psalm 51. What it means by a broken Spirit and a Contrite Heart is a
feeling of guilt or remorse over one’s wrongdoings and repenting therefrom. This is
exemplified in Psalm 51 as King David laments and repents over his sin in 2 Samuel 11:12-
14, David wrote this Psalm just after Nathan the prophet confronted him over his adulterous
act with Bathsheba (the wife of Uriah) and impregnated her. To cover up his amorous act, he
arranged the elimination of Uriah in the battlefield. David’s sins were so grievous. But as
Psalm 51:1 state, God’s mercy is abundant.
A broken spirit and contrite heart mean:
 Being humble before God (Isaiah 57:15)
 Turning to God (Romans 8:1) and;
 Showing remorse over grieving the Lord (Ephesians 4:30)
CONCLUSION
Prophet Joel assures God’s people that if they will “rend their hearts” by showing repentance,
God will bring unparalleled blessings to those who faithfully obey Him: “Then the Lord will
be zealous for His land and pity His people. The Lord will answer and say to His people,
‘Behold, I will send you grain and new wine and oil, and you will be satisfied by them; I will
no longer make you a reproach’.
PRAYER
Search me, O God, and know my heart, that I may realize where I have sinned against You.
Have pity on me and forgive me, for I repent before you with a broken and contrite heart.
Cleanse me thoroughly, I pray, that I may walk in the freedom of Your mercy and steadfast
love, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
DATE: SUNDAY, 6TH MARCH, 2022.
THEME: DRY BONES WILL RISE AGAIN
TOPIC: JESUS: TEMPTED AND TRIED
TEXTS: PSSALM 119:1-8; GENESIS 2:7-9,3:1-7; JAMES 1:2-19; MATT.4:1-11.
AIM: TO TEACH THE SUBJECTIONS CHRIT UNDERWENT.
INTROUDCTION:
“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that
you should follow His steps’. (1 Peter 2:21a).
Trial is an experience of suffering that put strength and patience of faith to test. It also covers
afflictions or temptations that exercise and prove the graces or virtues of men. Although trials
are often accompanied by displeasure and pain, they are however not absolutely worthless;
most often, they serve as veritable tools in the hand of God to try and measure the strength
and depth of our faith as Christians. Trials are like burning and hurting fire that purifies and
transforms gold from its raw state to a beautiful and precious metal of great economic value.
Jesus is fully divine and fully human. In his humanity, he suffered temptation and trial to
prove the possibility of triumph, showing us how to overcome trials and temptations when
they come.
THE BODY:
The Old Testament reading traces human trial to Eden. It didn’t start with our generation.
God’s instruction to Adam & Eve about what to eat and what to abstain from, as it were,
constituted the trial of their faith in God. The evil, aware of it, used it as a weapon of
temptation.
We all have our diverse trials; the unpleasant personal and family experiences that, as in
Paul’s case, constitute thorns in our flesh. These could be in form of health, financial or
marital challenges, wayward children, delayed pregnancy, barrenness, etc. Yes, we can pray
about our trials, but pending the time God answers the prayer in His sovereign will, we can
learn to handle them through biblically acceptable attitude. That is the focus of today’s epistle
as written in James 1:1-12.
APPLICATION:
Since trials are bound to come our ways as Christians, and are naturally unpleasant, this
sermon seeks to explore the appointed lections for today’s theme to expose us to Bible’s
teaching and exhortations on trials so that we may be spiritually disposed to handling our
trials in God’s own ways, following Jesus’ example. Let’s start with right attitudes to trials;
1. Have a positive outlook to your trials and count it all joy when they come your ways
because of their latent benefits. v.2
2. Know that trials are part of God’s “good gifts” to His people (including you). It is to
strengthen our faith. v.2-5, 17.
3. Always bear in mind that the trial of your faith produces steadfastness (patience)
which keeps you going until you attain perfection and completeness in Christ. v.3-4
4. Face your trials with understanding that they help to moderate our excesses and keep
us in constant focus on God’s existence and relevance 2 Cor.12:8
5. Accept the eternal truth that if Jesus could be tried, you can’t be too big or righteous
for trial. Trials help us to realize and accept the sovereignty of God over us. Paul had
an affliction that God in His sovereign will didn’t heal. He only gave him grace to
bear it. 2 Cor. 12:8-9.
What can we do in times of trials and temptations? We should:

1. Keep the Hope Alive: Whereas God may allow us to be tried or tempted for a
purpose, He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what our ability can handle and
He (God) will provide a way of escape in each situation (I Cor.10:13). So, don’t give
up the hope of deliverance from trials and temptation, keep trusting and pushing in
prayers.
2. Pray About It: In Matthew 6:13, Jesus taught us to pray “lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.” Engage in this preventive prayer to be spared of the difficult
and painful circumstances that could tempt you to sin. God still answers prayers.
3. Speak the Word: Today’s gospel presents us with the account of Jesus’ trial and
temptation (Matt.4:1-11). Through it all, Jesus did something about it, he invoked the
authority and power of the written word to put Satan in check. The Word of God is in
our heart and mouth to speak to our situation. Jesus taught that we can speak to the
mountain of our lives and they will obey (Matt. 21:21). Trials are mountains; we can
speak to them in prayers of faith.
4. Seek the Lord and keep His commandments: This is more like preventive measure
against certain trials. And this is what today’s appointed psalm seems to be saying.
“Oh, that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put
to shame” Ps.119:5-6a. The secret here is that when we, Christians, live a righteous
life anchored on obedience to the Word of God, we weaken the link between us and
the tempter. And that link is sin. Remember the righteous life of Job made him
impenetrable by Satan until God deliberately removed the hedged around him. Yet,
God did not abandon him. Our Word-compliant life has a way of keeping us away
from trial and temptation, except when God deliberately allows it.
CONCLUSION:
In summary, whereas God may in His permissive will allow trials of our faith with a view to
showcasing His sovereignty and power or bringing the best out of the “worst” situation to His
praise and glory, Satan is always at hand to take advantage of our trials to tempt us with evil
with a view to destroying us. All we need in this circumstance is the grace to discipline
ourselves in obedience to the Holy Spirit, so that we may be ever mindful of His power to
save.
PRAYER:
Spirit divine, refine my nature till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me in the fullness of His
wondrous compassion and purity. Help me to face the trials of life with victory. Amen.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, 9TH MARCH, 2022
THEMES: DRY BONES WILL RISE AGAIN
TOPIC: MAKNG LIFE OUT OF OUR DEADNESS
TEXTS: PS 119:49-72; GEN. 37:25-36; 1 COR.2:1-15; MARK 1:29-45
AIM: TO TEACH THAT HE ALONE CAN CHANGE OUR SITUATION
INTRODUCTION
God created you with a body and created you for His glory. Therefore, He is committed to
giving life to your mortal body no matter how deformed, disease-ridden or emaciated, and
transform it (Ezek. 37:1-10; Phil. 3:21). He restores hope to the hopeless, raises the dead
back to life (Mk. 1:29-45), and can transform the vilest sinner to a saint. God told Jeremiah
that He is the God of all flesh, therefore nothing is impossible for Him (Jer.32:27). This
should give us courage as Christians that in any situation we find ourselves, regardless of
how seemingly impossible it appears, only God can bring restoration (I Cor.2:9). Jesus came
to transform wasted lives into new fruitful ones. We came into this world with the natural
human life; that life is corruptible; it is mortal, subject to sickness, disease and death. At
salvation, we receive a new life, the life of Christ. Jesus Christ came that we might have life
and have it in abundance. I Pet. 2:10 says “once you were not a people, but now you are the
people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy”. God
alone can change our situation.
THE BODY
God promises that if His Spirit has taken up residence in your heart, then, even though your
body dies, He will raise it from the dead (Rom.8:10-11). The new life starts with the
impartation of the life and nature of God into your human spirit; you come alive in God.
Have you received the Spirit of God into your heart? Has he adopted you into God’s family
and begun to give you the character of your heavenly Father? Does the Spirit of God lead
your life? You have to make choice to live if you must fulfil God’s purpose for your life
(Deut. 30:19).
“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1
Jn. 5:12). God takes us from death to life when we accept His Son into our lives (Jn.5:24; 1
Jn.3:14).
The Word of God gives life. Everything to which God’s Word is spoken comes alive
(Jn.11:43-44). The Word is life and it gives life (Jn.6:63; Heb.4:12).
God can call a new thing into being in our lives and gives life to the dead. He gives life to the
dead and calls things that are not as though they were (Rom.4:17). When you accept Jesus
Christ into your life, immortality takes over mortality. Jesus, our life-giver, dismantles death,
obliterates al its effects on our lives, and manifests his immortal life in us (2 Tim.1:10).
He wakes us from spiritual death. It is the “seed” of the new life which is dropped into our
souls that makes us “alive to God” (Rom.6:11). A Christian is one who is born again (John
3:3, 6,8), and who receives the new life of the risen Lord (John 1:12-13). Ephesians 2:1 tells
us that we are by nature spiritually dead, but that we become born again by the quickening
work of the Holy Spirit. The Christian life is a resurrected life.
Everything got stared in him and finds its purpose in him (Col.1:16; Job 12:10). Jesus Christ
came to give life, His own kind of life (Jn.10:10). Life in abundance includes your physical,
mental and spiritual well-being (3 Jn.2). And that life is available to us in His name and it
only comes from God.
CONCLUSION
Whereas death works in the unregenerate man, those who have accepted Christ into their
lives are of the life-giving spirit, “…The first man Adam became a living being; the last
Adam became a life-giving spirit” (1 Cor.15:45). Eternal life is the supernatural life of God
in your spirit which makes you indestructible, invincible, and superior to Satan, sickness,
disease, failure and death. It is the life and nature of God imparted to the spirit of the one who
believes in Jesus. Receiving that life brings you into oneness and sonship with god (1
Jn.5:11-12). God wants you to be conscious of His life in you. That consciousness gives you
the winner mentality. You must therefore pursue righteousness for therein in life
(Prov.21:21). You are born of the Spirit and the Word of God; your life is supernatural. That
means there has to be a restoration; this alone can change our situation and cause us to
triumph over every challenge of life.
PRAYER
Almighty Father, now that I know that You alone can change my situation. I come to You in
total submission. Transform my life to what You want me to be, through Jesus Christ our
Lord and Saviour. Amen.
DATE: SUNDAY, 13TH MARCH, 2022
TOPIC: JESUS: MAN, OF SORROWS
TEXT: PSALM 33:17-21; ISAIAH 53:1-21; 1JOHN 3:1-10; LUKE 15:1-10
AIM: TO TEACH HOW HE BORE OUR SORROWS
INTRODUCTION:
In Isaiah 53:3, Jesus was called “a man of Sorrows” because of how much pain and
suffering he had to endure to procure salvation for mankind. Sorrow is a feeling of deep
distress caused by loss, disappointment or other misfortunes. Jesus suffered by leaving the
glories of heaven and entering the human race (John 1:14). He suffered all things that man
suffers and also bore the wrath of our sin. In this prophetic book, Isaiah spoke of a man who
would live a life of pain and hardship; “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of
sorrows and acquainted with grief, and as one from whom men hide their faces he was
despised and we esteemed him not”. (Isaiah 53:3).
THE BODY:
1. Who is this “man of sorrow”? Jesus Christ! The Holy Spirit showed Isaiah a
glimpse of the life of Jesus 600 years before He was born; how He was rejected in His
hometown, betrayed by the people he loved and suffered for. Most of Jesus’s lifetime
was characterized by hardship, and the summary of his life was an act of
substitutionary atonement. He paid the price to take away the sin of the whole word
(John 1:25).
2. What does the “Man of Sorrows” mean? This speaks about the wicked crucifixion
at Calvary. Part of the Sorrows of Jesus was that when He died, the weight of all the
sins of human kind were laid on Him (Isaiah 53:4), and He suffered for all. “But he
was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was
the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah
53:5).
3. What Jesus, the “Man of sorrows” did for men:
 Jesus endured humiliations without complaint (John 7 & 8).
 He bore our sicknesses. (v4-5)
 Suffered being stricken, smitten and afflicted of God for us (v4)
 He was slain for our sins (John 19:18-23)
 Bruised for our iniquities
 Chastised for our Peace
 He endured lashes for our healing
 Suffered injustice for mankind (v8)
 Died for our sins (v8,12)
 He offered His soul as a sin offering (v.11)
 Purchased our justification
 Jesus was numbered with sinners in their places (v12, Mt.27:57-60;
Mk.15:43-46)
 He made intercession for us (v.12)
CHALLENGES: What should be the Christians attitude to Jesus sufferings and ours?
 Accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
 Repent of all our Sins.
 Be obedient to the will of God.
 Have hope in the faithfulness of God.
 Look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our Faith (Hebrews 12:2).
CONCLUSION:
Despite the many sorrows and sufferings, Jesus loved those around him. He reached out to
many people, giving himself and serving instead of being served. These later took Him to the
cross. His death on the cross is the singular atonement for our sins. After all his sufferings,
Jesus rose from the grave, fully alive (John 20:11-18), and constantly advocating for us to
have an eternal life of everlasting joy where there will be neither pain nor sorrows! Amen.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, I pray that your suffering on the cross of Calvary will not be in vain over my life.
Help me labour for you here on earth that I may gain eternal rest. Amen.
TOPIC: MIND YOUR COMPANY
TEXT: PSALM 72; GEN.42:18-28; 1 COR.,5:9-6:8; MARK 4:1-20
AIM: TO MAKE US MINDFUL OF THOSE WE KEEP AROUND US
INTRODUCTION:
Human beings are gregarious by nature. People value relationships and love to associate with
others. The first man Adam was lonely, it took God a little time to realise his need for a
companion (Genesis 2:15,18-20). This need almost created a lacuna in God’s perfect work of
creation. God kept man busy with the occupational role of tending the garden of Eden, and
the ministerial role of naming all creatures but something was missing; the right partner.
None of these creatures could fit into the missing puzzle, so God formed a helpmate in a
woman. This provides a background to the sociable nature of man. Man was not meant to be
alone. Loneliness leads to devastating mental illness. The physical distancing measures that
come with the pandemic affected us in many ways. So, the need for association is absolute.
Man needs a woman; the wife, his children, family, friends, business associate, councilors,
destiny helpers and much more. If you walk alone, you may walk very fast but may not go
far. There is no self-made man, we need help from others.
THE BODY
In our quest for association, we must mind our company. To mind our company means to
carefully select our associates and friends. The word is full of good and bad people. So, we
all have a critical choice to make. People can usually trace their successes and failures to the
relationships in their lives – J.C Maxwell.
No relationship will leave you the same. It will either add or take something away from you.
Mind your company by circumspectly selecting friends who will mutually add both physical
and spiritual value to you. Moving with right people takes us to our destination on time.
In our text: 1 Cor.5:9, Apostle Paul precisely asks believers to avoid those who claim to be in
Christ and yet indulge in sexual immorality, covetousness, idolatry, reviling, drunkenness,
and cheating. He explained the principle of discipline and purity in the Church at Corinth. He
warned the brethren not to associate with Christians who indulge in sexual sins (1 Cor.5:11),
so that sins, like yeast, does not permeate the Church. The tendency to be good or bad is
dependent on association. “Don’t be deceived; evil company corrupts god habits” (1
Cor.15:33). One’s best friend is the one who brings the best out of him.
The first step to courting a go company is by reconciling with God by accepting Christ into
your life. Once this happens, those who constitute bad company in your life will give way.
“Friendship with the world is enmity with God” (James 4:4). Love God with all your heart
(Matt. 22:37). Have a sound relationship with Him. Let Him be our confidant.
Once you begin to walk with God, it is easier to then determine your choice of association
because you will attract your type. Elementary physics teaches that like terms attract while
unlike terms repel. Three kinds of friendship have been identified. The first is friendship of
utility-useful friends, problems solvers or plugs. Prayerfully attract destiny helpers who draw
you close to God while helping to achieve your dreams. Second is friendship of pleasure –
they seek fun with you. Make friends with people who will make you enjoy serving God
while eschewing evil (Proverbs 1:10). The third is friendship of the good – they have mutual
respect and admiration for you. They support your progress and correct you in love when you
are wrong. They are friends like good siblings. I pray that God will help you find the right
company this year.
CONCLUSION
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers for light has no business with darkness (2
Cor.6:14). It is only the right relationship that can guarantee your success in life and
ministry. Mind your company, be careful with your association.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, separate me from all ungodly, unfriendly, and un-progressive associates in Jesus
name. Amen.
DATE: SUNDAY, 20TH MARCH, 2022
TOPIC: HAVE YOU BEEN TO JESUS?
TEXT: PSALM 115:1-7; GEN.7:17-24; COLOSSIANS 1:24-29; LUKE 9:18-27.
AIM: TO TEACH THAT JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY
INTRODUCTION:
There are many pathways in life. Some ways lead to success while others lead to failure.
Some lead to death and some to life. The scripture says, “There is a way that seems right to a
man but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12;16:25). A child of God must determine
to follow the way that leads to eternal life. This season of Lent allows us to actualize the fact
that Jesus is the only way that leads to the Father because no one comes to the Father except
through the Son (John 14:6). You cannot be with God the Father except you have been to
God the Son. Only those that have been to Jesus have access to His father and His kingdom.
 The theme of this message reminds us about the need to come back to Jesus who
alone can cleanse and sanctify us making us fit for the master’s use (Matthew 11:28).
 It arouses our consciousness that salvation is not found in any other person or god
apart from Jesus Christ; the Son of God (Psalm 115:3-7; Acts 4:12).
 It establishes the fact man is saved by the blood Jesus that was shed on the cross at
Calvary (Ephesians 1:7).
 It is a clarion call to everyone who has not been to Jesus to do so now as tomorrow
may be too late (2 Corinthians 6:2).
THE BODY
 People have been to so many places to find solutions to their problems. They need
sanctification by the blood of Jesus.
 Many of those people who face one particular challenge in life have been compelled
to do one ungodly thing or another e.g. ritual or spiritual bath. They need to confess
their sin and repent.
 Some at a point might have bowed to worship a fake god, hence the need to confess
Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
 We cannot deny the fact that many people have fallen into the hands of some fake
prophets and where duped in the process.
APPLICATION:
1. Only those that have been to Jesus will survive the various flood that characterizes
this generation (Genesis 7:17)
2. Our perfection is in Christ Jesus. Therefore, we must come to Him who is our hope of
glory and accept Him as our Lord and Saviour (Colossians 1:26-27).
3. You can be to Jesus by
 Denying yourself
 Taking up your cross daily, and
 Following Jesus (Lk.9:23).
4. If truly you have been to Jesus, you will know Him and confess Him just as Peter did
(Luke 9:18ff) cf. (Philippians 3:10-12).
CONCLUSION
Have you been to Jesus for His cleansing power; Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb;
Are your garments spotless, are they white as snow; Are you washed in the blood of the
Lamb? Draw near unto Christ today, only his blood can save and set you free!
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, I give my life to you today, take me as I am and make me more like you. Amen.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, 23RD MARCH, 2022
TOPIC: BE CAUTIOUS TO PROMISE
TEXT: PS.119:97-120, GEN 45:16-18, 1 COR.8:1-13, MARK 6:13-29
AIM: TO GUIDE OUR THOUGHTS/TONGUE
INTRODUCTION
The Christian life is about relationships with God on the one hand and with others on the
other, depending on Jesus Christ. these relationships are held together by mutual promises
and commitments for the good of all.
Our God is a promise-maker and keeper. The Bible records so many promises God made to
His people at different times. So as people created in His image, we can also make promises
both to Him and to others.
However, due to our imperfections and fallibility, we cannot always keep our promises.
Therefore, we must be cautious to make promises in order to avoid the risk or dangers of not
keeping them.
THE BODY
What is a Promise?
 It is a vow or pledge to take an action or an assurance that something will definitely
happen.
 It is a sacred commitment before God and man that must be kept (Eccl 5:4-7)
 It is a serious guarantee that someone will do or fail to do something.
What does it mean to be cautious?
 It means to be thoughtfully careful, tactful, watchful, truthful and prayerful in the face
of danger or risk.
 It means to exercise forethought usually prompted by fear of danger, Prov.14:6 says,
“wise are cautious and avoid danger, fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence”
Put together, to be cautious to promise is to be careful and thoughtful in making promises
knowing the danger of not keeping it.
It is clear from the description above that promises are important in all relationships with God
and with others. God Himself takes promises very seriously and keeps everyone He makes
(Num.23:19) and expects us to keep ours when we make them and not be rash (Prov.20:25).
Promises can be beautiful and honourable and are usually made for the good of others, but
they must be kept.
There is nothing inherently wrong or sinful about making a promise, provided it is kept.
Breaking a promise means you will no longer be trusted and this would cause a breakdown in
relationships. As people of God, we are called to keep our promises even when they are tough
to keep (Lev 5:4).
In Matthew 5:33-37, Jesus warns us about making promises, our word should be enough and
we should avoid making rash promises or promises we do not intend to or are not able to
keep. We need to be careful and thoughtful about making rash promises as we will be help to
account and to fulfil what we have promised.
Some reasons why it is important to keep your promises include:

 God demands it as failure amounts to lying (Lev 19:11, Prov.6:17b).
 God is a promise-keeper and wants you to imitate Him (2 Cor 1:20)
 It is a good testimony of your faith as a Christian-breaking promises questions your
integrity (Math 5:16).
 It will earn peoples’ respect and trust – a reputation for breaking is a great liability.
 It helps you not to get into trouble (Matt 5:25)
 You will reap what you sow (Gal 6:7b)
 It is therefore important that we are cautious in making promises both to God and to
others.
The Bible has examples of people who made rash or thoughtless promises such as
Jephthah in Judges 11:30-31 and Herod Antipas in Matthew 6:22-23 and lived to
regret such promised.
APPLICATION
What must we do to be cautious in making promises?
 Don’t rush to make promises
 Don’t try to impress people with your promises
 Think before you commit yourself – flippant promised are very dangerous.
 Be sure you can deliver on what you want to promise (Prov. 25:14)
 If for any unforeseen reason you cannot deliver on your promise inform the person in
good time.
 As much as it’s humanly possible, keep your promises (Prov. 15:4)
 Model faithfulness, commitment, transparency, trustworthiness and a willingness to
give and keep your word.
 Make only promises that you intend to keep.
 Extend mercy to those who have not kept their promise to you because you know we
are also flawed and that we all need grace to continue in relationships despite our
broken promises.
CONCLUSION
We must be careful, thoughtful, mindful, watchful, truthful and prayerful about making
promises either to the Lord or to one another. The fact that we are prone to errors in
judgment means that we may make promises foolishly or out of immaturity.
As imperfect humans, we should only make promises with caution and introspection so
that they do not turn to sin. Broken promises result in damage to ourselves and to others.
Our word must our bond. The Bible teaches that it is better not to promise than not to
keep it. God will help us.
PRAYER
Father I want to be a promise-keeper and not a promise-breaker in as much as it lies
within my power, help me fulfil my promises in Jesus name. Amen.
DATE: SUNDAY, 27TH MARCH, 2022 (MOTHERING SUNDAY)
TOPIC: TRANSFORMED INTO HIS IMAGE
TEXT: PSALM 18:27-28; EXODUS 34:29-35; 2 CORINTHIANS 3:4-18.
AIM: TO BRING US TO BE LIKE HIM
INTRODUCTION
Since every father, mother, child and other members of the family are all created in God’s
own image, the vision (and the mission) of every member of the family should be: to be like
God – our Creator. And this image of God is also found complete in Jesus Christ (Colossians
2:9). This is the summary of the NEW COVENANT, and Moses (and the law) represents the
OLD COVENANT.
Every believer (within and outside the family-unit) must seek earnestly to reflect God’s glory
and be transformed daily into His image (2 Corinthians 3:14-18). To do this, you must know
Him and study Him very well. You must be available and be teachable.
Are you being transformed daily? Are you truly growing more and more into His image?
THE BODY:
The basic agents of transformation
1. The Spirit of God (in you) – John 1:12; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Romans 8:9. Everyone
who is a believer must have a personal conviction of conversion. This is the starting
point of transformation. (1 John 5:10a).
2. The Word of God (the hunger & the thirst for it) – 1 Peter 2:2; Romans 12:2. Every
child of God must daily renew his or her mind in the word of God. Remember that the
word of God is like a mirror, showing every stage of your transformation. (Roman
10:17, James 1:22-24).
3. Effective use of Prayer-Platforms (e.g., Personal devotions, Family devotions, Church
Prayer Meetings, etc.). Luke 6:12; Jude 20.
4. Regular Fellowship with Brethren – Proverbs 27:17; Hebrews 10:24-25; Proverbs
13:20. Misplacement of priority and lack of planning have kept some families or
believer “outside the Fellowship” every week. This is dangerous! This can only lead
to spiritual deformation (instead of spiritual transformation).
The benefits of being transformed into god’s image (especially for the family):
1. That particular Home well retain God’s presence and peace 24/7 because God’s grace
will always be available especially for the ‘Family-Leaders’ who truly rely on Him.
John 15:5-7; James 4:8.
2. More and more prayers will be answered at the Family-altar because God will always
give family Divine-attention and regular visitations. See Acts 10:1-4.
3. The gospel of Jesus Christ will spread faster and wider when family-members grow in
the image of God. Daniel 11:32; John 14:12.
4. The Devil and his agents will continue to suffer shame & defeat-in the home, in the
office, in the business, in the Church, in the hands of any child of God who maintains
his/her transformed life in Christ Jesus. Luke 10:19; Joshua 1:8; Matt. 16-18
May God count you! May God count on your family from Today! Amen!
CHALLENGES:
The critical areas requiring transformation in every family.
1. The personal life & Self-discipline of every family member. (2 Cor.3;2; 1 Timothy 4:12;
1 Cor. 11:1)
2. The financial discipline & good money-management in the home. (Proverbs 31:16-20; 1
Timothy 5:8).
3. The family devotion & the entire spirituality of family members. (Joshua 24:15; 2
Timothy 1:5; Mark 1:35)
4. The effective time-management of the daily activities in the home. (Eccl 3:1-8;
Eph.5:16).
PRAYERS:
O Lord, make every member of my family to be transformed daily into Your likeness and
image. Begin with me: Make me a true and a reliable ambassador of Jesus Christ is my
family, in my neighbourhood, in the Church, and in all my daily relationship with people.
God’s name will never be put to shame again because of my character in Jesus name! Amen!
TOPIC: ALL THINGS WORK FOR GOD'S PURPOSE
TEXTS: PS. 101, 109:1-30; GEN 50:15-11: I CORI2:1-11; MARK 10:1-16
AIM: TO TEACH THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL OF ALL SITUATIONS
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to another quality time in God's presence. The understanding we should have today
is that all things whether good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant, frightening or scary work for
God's purpose in our lives. For His children, God shows concern over minutest details of
their lives. This concern emanates from the love, care and plans that God has for His children
He has used unpalatable situations to bring His purpose to pass in the lives of His children. It
is my prayer that you will see the good hands of the Lord in whatever you may be going
through and it will bring a glorious end to you in Jesus' name. Amen.
THE BODY
From the account of Joseph in, he told his brothers that they intended to harm him but God
intended it for good to accomplish a Gen.50: 19-20purpose of preserving souls at a critical
moment. This simply states that God has His plan for Joseph and the family of Jacob over a
long period of time and he was using every situation that Joseph went through to fulfil that
plan. Notice that even though God has a great plan for Joseph's life, he still experienced great
troubles His troubles even started right from home.
If you take a look at his life, you will see how all the experiences of his life helped to take
him to God's destination. If his brothers were not envious of him, they would not have sold
him into slavery. If he was not sold into slavery, he would never have become Potiphar's
servant. If he was not Potiphar's servant, he would never have met Potiphar's wife. If he had
not met Potiphar's wife. she would never have lied against him. If she had not lied against
him, he would not have gone to prison. If he did not go to prison, he would not have met
Pharaoh's imprisoned servants, and if this had not happened, nobody would have
recommended him to Pharaoh and he would not have been able to save his family during the
time of famine.
APPLICATION
As believers, we should be conscious of the following:
First, God is good at all times. When circumstances arise, we tend to forget that God is
always good. Our thoughts begin to question whether God is truly good particularly when we
go through life's troubles. We question our purpose in life. We question whether God has the
best interest in our lives. Sometimes, this also affects our love for God. We ask, why this,
when God gave His Only Son Jesus Christ so that we could live? John 3:16-17 answers this.
Secondly, we should see God in every situation. When we begin to look into ourselves
instead of looking at God, everything is magnified. Our emotions, thoughts, and the physical
aspect of our circumstances describe who we are in those times (Psalm 139).
Thirdly, we should realise that He has purpose for our lives (Jer. 29:11). His love is never
ending His grace is sufficient, His peace is all we need. God, Himself, is our life (2 Cor.
1219-10). Next is that God works all things together for our good. If we abide in God and
continue recognize His sacrificial love that Jesus, His son, poured out on us, then we can rest
assured that our purpose is secure in God. All things that happen can work together for our
good. Jesus gave His life for us. God lavished us with His love, even if that meant giving up
His son for us to live eternally with God (Ephesians 1:4-6). Our purpose is not in this world
but in God. If we remain in God remain in His love, then, we know that all things will be for
our good (Romans 8:28). Therefore, we should go about with the assurance that God cares
for Christians (Matt 10:29-31).
CONCLUSION
If God has called you to fulfil His plan for your life, everything He allows to come your way,
both good and bad, will work in your favour, even though on the surface, they may not
appear to be working in your interest. In fact, some situations might appear so contrary and
terrible, but in God's overall plan for your life, they are adding up to something great for you.
PRAYER
Father, as your child, grant me the grace to recognize your presence in every situation I am
confronted with in Jesus' Name. Amen.
DATE: SUNDAY, D APRIL, 2022.
TOPIC: THE OLD AND THE NEW COVENANTS
TEXT: PSA. 22:23-29; JKR. 31:31-34, HEB.9:11-14; JOHN 13:20-32
AIM: TEACH OF THE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST
INTRODUCTION:
Ever since the creation of man, God had desired to walk in close relationship with him, so
God breathed His own breath into man. The first man lost this relationship through
disobedience and sin separated him from God. In search of man and restoration of this
relationship, God destroyed the old world of Noah, and later made a covenant with him with
the sign of a rainbow. Drunkenness could not allow the man to continue in that Covenant.
God called Abraham and made a covenant with him using circumcision as a sign. God
promised to give a land to his seed, deliver them from foreign oppression and establish them
as a nation.
God chose to love them and through them, He accomplished his plans for the whole earth. He
brought them out of the land slavery in Egypt based on his covenant. He renewed the
covenant at Mount Sinai, gave them a law as a nation with the singular demand for obedience
as His people. He also promised to be their God. They repeatedly disobeyed the law and
broke the covenant with God and as such God was not pleased. Psalm 78:10-12.
The Scripture in describing the old covenant law called it the law of sin and death-Romans
8:2-3. The ministry done under it was called the ministration of death, written and engraved
in stones- 2 Cor-3:7-8. This was unable to bring salvation to those that were under it because
they were weakened by sin and the flesh. The entire old covenant was then considered faulty
and as such there is a need for the new covenant. Prophet Jeremiah prophesied that a new
covenant will come in place and specified the terms and provisions of the new covenant-
Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 8:7-13. We shall examine this new covenant in comparison
with the Old and identify some of the features that made it best suited for our salvation.
THE BODY:
The old and the new covenant law- The New covenant did not abolish the law and the
commandments, rather Jesus Christ fulfilled the old law and also established the new, The
Pharisees accused him of breaking the law, trying to condemn him, but he explained that his
actions and teachings were rather meant to establish the law. Think not that I have come to
destroy the law or the prophets, I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil- Matthew 5:17. Jesus
accomplished this when He offered himself as a perfect and sufficient sacrifice on the cross
unto God for the sin of the world and said it is finished - Romans 10:4:8:3-4. Jesus Christ
established a new covenant by giving a new commandment that is based on love from the
heart which in practice fulfils the law. Romans 13:8, John 13:34. The children of Israel to
whom the law and the old covenant was made could not keep the demands of the law because
of sin. In the New covenant God promised that He would write His laws in the hearts of man
and that no one needs to teach his neighbour to know God because they will all know him.
Jeremiah 31:34. This is a divine provision for obedience since the Lord by His Holy Spirit,
through the indwelling Word lives in the believer and as Light reveals the image of the Son
of God in our hearts. The new covenant operates the law of the Spirit of life in Christ and this
law sets those that under it free from sin, and to them there is no condemnation Romans 8:1-
3
The priesthood & the sacrifice - In the old covenant, the priesthood operated in the order of
Aaron; the Levitical priesthood which could not bring those under it to salvation though the
sacrifices and ordinances. Hence God sought for a change of priesthood after the order of
Melchizedek. Hebrews 7:11-14;19. The Levitical priests would offer a continual sacrifice
for his sins and the sins of the people with the sprinkling of the blood of bulls and the ashes
of a heifer for the remission of sins. This practice with its attendant frustrations was unable to
wash away sins because the sacrifice must be done yearly. Hebrews 10:11-18. Jesus became
our great High Priest of the New Covenant who offered his own blood once for all and made
a full, sufficient, sacrifice, oblation and satisfaction to God that whosoever believe in Him
should not be condemned but have eternal life. Jesus, through His blood opened the only way
through which we have access to God Hebrews 10:19-24. Jesus in the new covenant became
both the Priest and the Lamb for the sacrifice and in His own blood established the new
covenant that cannot be broken by sin, He became the Lamb of God that takes away the Sin
of the world. Matthew 26:28, 1 Cor.11:23-26. He fulfilled the priestly requirements as
outlined in Hebrews 7:25-28. He thereby established the priesthood of all believers having
access the throne of grace by the confidence derived in His blood through faith.
The tabernacle and the temple - The old covenant operated an earthly tabernacle -
Hebrews 9:1-9, which was made after the similitude of that which is heavenly as shown to
Moses on the Mount The unique divisions of the outer court, the inner court, the holy place
and innermost place which was covered with veils, which the scripture also described as a
shadow of the heavenly things Hebrews 8:5-6. Jesus Christ as the high priest of the New
Covenant, ministered in a Tabernacle not made with the hands of men. 'For it is written that
the Most High does not live in the temple made with hands - Hebrews 9:11-12. No wonder
Jesus said to the Jews, who were asking for a sign to destroy the temple and he will raise it up
in three days, the temple being His body. John 2:19-21. The new covenant thus provides an
avenue through which God dwells in man - Ezekiel 37:27, 1 will put my laws in their hearts -
Hebrews 8:10. This temple is our body where in God dwells through the Holy Spirit-1
Corinthians 6:19-20, 2 Corinthians 6:16. The new covenant further demands that those
who are in Christ Jesus now become royal priests, who minister in the tabernacle that is made
not with hands, which is our body, presenting it daily unto God as a living sacrifice, holy and
acceptable which is our reasonable service. Romans 12:1-2 Every believer must offer a
continual sacrifice unto God through the temple of our body. Hebrews 13:15.
CONCLUSION
The Old Covenant could not endure because the flesh weakened it and those who were under
it could not continue in obedience. Jesus became the High priest that offered the more
excellent sacrifice and gave a new covenant that is built upon better promises. We now have
hope of eternal life in Christ which does not disappoint. He became a mediator through whom
everyone who believes can come to God.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, help me to offer myself as a daily sacrifice unto you. Amen.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, 6TH APRIL, 2022
TOPIC: DRY BONES RISE IN CHRIST ALONE
TEXT: PSALM 119:145-176; EXOD. 7:8-24; 2 COR. 2:14-3:6; MARK 10:1-16
AIM: TO TEACH FAITH IN CHRIST ALONE
INTRODUCTION:
The account of dry bones written in Ezekiel 37: 1-10 is metaphorical in nature. God
announced through Prophet Ezekiel that Israel will be restored to her Land in blessing. It was
a rebirth of the people and the land of Israel. However, the promise seemed impossible in the
light of Israel's condition at that time. She was "dead" as a nation, deprived of her land, her
king and her temple. She had been divided and dispersed for so long that unification and
restoration seemed impossible. So, God gave Ezekiel the vision of the dry bones' sign in a
valley full of dry bones. He was directed by God to speak to the bones that God would make
breath to enter the bones and the dry bones would come to life again, just as in the creation of
man when God breathed life into Adam (Genesis 2:7).
THE BODY
Succinctly, the people of Israel in Ezekiel's time were taken into captivity and they were
faced with untold hardships. At that point, they were said to be discouraged, down and
defeated that they will say our bones are dry, our hope is lost and we will be cut off
(Ezekiel.37:11).
Like many of us would, they felt they were at the end of the road, that there was no future for
them. Perhaps, you are in this kind of condition today. You feel like you are at the end of the
road and you feel there is no future for you. Our Lord Jesus Christ says to you, that those dry
bones in your life will rise again. Alleluia!
Dry bones may be:
 A dying situation
 Certain things that look impossible in your life
 Lack of job
 Difficulties in passing exams and you have repeated severally
 Ill-health
 Marital challenges
 Bareness, etc.
For all these and many more, Christ came and died. He defeated death in His resurrection. He
says in John 11:25: I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me, though he was
dead, yet shall he live.
The condition may be so miserable but only in Christ can what looks impossible be made
possible. "With man this is impossible but with God all things are possible" (Matt.19:26).
A good example of this is the account of the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5:25-34
The woman was suffering: she was bleeding day in day out. She had tried everything to
ameliorate her debilitating health condition, she had spent all her living upon hope from
physicians. Along with her blood, her resources were being drained and she was not better
but grew worse.
In all these, the news of a greater physician reached her. With her desperate need driving her
on f one hand and the several reports of Christ's ability drawing her on the other, she went to
Christ as a result of the crowd around Jesus, she says, "if only I can touch the hem of His
garment, I shall be healed". This is great faith. The woman had been in this challenge for 12
years. She pushed through to touch Jesus garment, the problem to touch Jesus' garment. The
Bible confirms that at the touch of His disappeared. All the shame, uncleanness and the lives
were gone. How could Jesus do this? He could do it because Jesus had come to take care of
the root problem.
Salient things to do for dry bones to rise again.
1. His Divine Presence: The Divine Presence of God is essential in whatever you do,
His divine presence was upon Ezekiel; hence the prophecy God gave him. Ezekiel
was a useful tool, a vessel unto God's honour. In the midst of your challenges God
will show up, if only you have faith.
2. The power of Christ: The power of Christ alone can make the impossible possible.
You need not run after any other power that will eventually fail but the power of
Christ never fails. The very day you receive Him as your Lord and Saviour, that very
you will begin to enjoy the benefits of God as His child (John 1:12).
3. The Word of God: Ps 119:11, "Your word I have hidden in my heart that I may not s
against you. "His word is also a light unto your path. His words speak, guide and
guard.
4. Lean on the promise of God. In prayer. Jesus says in John 14:15-17: "if you love me,
keep my commandments". Isaiah 51:1-2 says: "Behold, the Lord's hand is not
shortened that it cannot save. But your iniquities have separated you from your God.
And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He will not hear.
CONCLUSION
In this perilous time, your trust and your faith are sacrosanct. You must live obedient life to
His words. Obedience is not an act, but an attitude. Church of Nigeria Hymnal 822 and 821
are very apt here. Your faith, your hope must be built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and
righteousness. Your faith must look up to Him always, the fountain of your life.
Let your faith be bigger than your fears,
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, help me to increase my faith so that I can look up to the Lamb of Calvary in
every situation in my life, through Him, who is alive and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
One God now and forever. Amen.
DATE: SUNDAY, 10TH APRIL, 2022 (PALM SUNDAY).
TOPIC: LEARNING FROM JESUS
TEXT: PSA. 24; ZECH. 9: 9-12; HEB.9:11-14; JOHN 13:20-32
AIM: TO TEACH US TO FOLLOW CHRIST FAITHFULLY
INTRODUCTION
The best way to discover yourself is to learn from the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the perfect
example and we have a lot to learn from His humility, lifestyle, prayer life and lots more. In
the same way, learning from the Master will help us to serve others and impact the lives of
people around us.
BODY:
JESUS AS OUR PERFECT EXAMPLE
1. As Christians, we are called to serve others - Matthew 20:26.
2. Jesus Himself sets a beautiful example of how we should deeply love and serve those
around us. Philippians 2:5-8.
3. We are called to be servants and what does a servant do? He (or she) carries out the
will of his master-Matthew 6:10.
4. A servant's function is simply to follow and obey his master's instructions. John
15:14 &14:15.
5. Jesus is our greatest example of selflessness. Scripture is full of examples of Him
serving others.
6. From going out of His way to talk to the woman at the well, to healing lepers, to
washing His disciples' feet, to the ultimate sacrifice of giving His Life - Acts 10:38.
7. Consider the needs of others. Service is a great way to put aside our self-centeredness-
1 Corinthians 11:1 "be ye imitator of me..."
8. Serving others not only reveals the bonds between us; it reflects the love of God.
9. His example calls us to "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ- Ephesians
5:21.
10. Jesus is given as the perfect example of a servant. Jesus' example should encourage us
to have the heart of a servant.
11. Not just to serve one another, but the focus should be to serve Jesus through serving
one another - 2 Corinthians 4:5
LEARNING FROM THE MASTER HELPS US TO SERVE:

1. We are to use our spiritual gifts to serve one another. And if God has given us certain
natural abilities, use them for the benefits of others. I Peter 4:10.
2. We are to be good stewards of those abilities to serve others in the Body of Christ.
Matthew 25:21,23.
3. We are to support and care for those in needs - Romans 12:13.
4. We are to serve faithfully - 1 Corinthians 4:2.
5. We are to be faithful and honest when handling other people's business - Matthew
18:21-35.
6. We are to serve those whom God has placed over us in the Body of Christ. -
Ephesians 6:5.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LEARNING FROM THE MASTER?
1. Learning gives you purpose-Matthew 5:16.
2. Learning from Christ helps us to fulfill God's command-John 12:26.
3. Learning from Christ shows you what following Jesus is about-Matthew 20:28.
4. Learning from Christ gives you an avenue to use your gifts. Galatians 5:13-14.
5. Learning from Christ allows you to make a true difference in another person's life-
Hebrews 6:10.
6. It helps to advance the Kingdom of God-1 Corinthians 9:19.
CHALLENGES:
AS WE LEARN FROM THE MASTER, WE MUST DO THE FOLLOWING:
 We are to pray and intercede for others- I Timothy 2:1
 We are to love and show love to others - Romans 12:9
 We are to forgive those who offended us- James 5:16
 We are to offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. I Peter 4:9, Titus 1:8
 We are to use our gifts to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace.
 We are to speak words of encouragement to as we serve others- damaging words must
be totally avoided- Colossians 3:16.
 We are to care for the needy among us-Isaiah 58:7
 If anyone serves, he must serve with the power and strength of God in him.
 We are to tell others about Jesus Matthew 4:19 & Acts 1:8
CONCLUSION:
We need to learn more from the Master. This will help us to grow more in the Lord and
widen our knowledge of Him. We are not only to learn but to put into practice and do
whatever we learn from the Master. As we celebrate Palm Sunday today, commemorating
Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem, ponder over the essence of His journey; the way of the
Cross.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, help me to learn from you so that my life and character will change for the better.
Amen
DATE: MONDAY IN HOLY WEEK, 11TH APRIL, 2022.
TOPIC: NO SACRIFICE TOO GREAT
TEXTS: MARK 14:3-9, ISAIAH 42:1-7, HEBREWS 2:9-18. MARK 14:3-9
AIM: TO TEACH THAT NOTHING IS TOO BIG TO BE DONE FOR GOD
INTRODUCTION
Sacrifice is an act of giving up something valued for the sake of something more-worthy or
giving up something that you want to keep especially in honour of something you consider
more important.
The Great Sacrifice made for man - Mankind was under bondage after the fall at the
Garden of Eden and a very great and expensive price was needed to pay for the lost freedom.
God paid the required price by sacrificing His only dearly begotten son.
Jesus costly Sacrifice for all - What Jesus went through in the course of His redemptive
work are too numerous to count. Some of them as itemized in the prophecy of Isaiah
according to Isaiah 53:3-6 are as follows:
 Jesus was despised and rejected
 He was a man of sorrows, familiar with suffering
 He took our infirmities
 He carried our sorrow
 He was considered stricken by God
 He was pierced for our transgressions
 He was crushed and bruised for our iniquities.
 The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him.
 By His wounds we are healed\
 God laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
The bottom line is that Jesus took the punishment that we should have suffered and the
salvation, joy, good health, prosperity and all good things of life we enjoy today cost Him His
life. According to Isaiah 42:6-7, God made him a light to the gentiles to bring out prisoners
and those who sit in the darkness which was our condition before his coming.
What then can be a sacrifice too great for us to make in return for what he has done for
us? Absolutely nothing.
The Sacrifice of Alabaster Jar - In our text, Mark 4:3-9, a woman came to see Jesus, with
her most valuable possession - a costly perfume inside alabaster jar. A vessel that once the
neck was broken, all must be poured out. This was her all. With this single act of devotion,
love, and sacrifice, she brought Jesus her expensive perfume-Spikenard which symbolized
the very best in the ancient cultures. It was an ultimate act of love because Spikenard was the
best of the best.
The value of the Sacrifice - In Bible times, Alabaster boxes were made of a rich marble-type
stone which was commonly found in Israel and one of the precious stones used in the
decoration of Solomon's temple. These alabaster boxes or jars would be filled with expensive
perfume to keep them pure and scaled with wax to retain and preserve the scent. The cost is
about three hundred denarii which war an equivalence of someone's annual salary.
By breaking the alabaster jar and pouring the oil, the woman honoured Jesu by sacrificing
something of ultimate value to her. It was the best she had to offer. People got angry with her
when she used it on Jesus, but Jesus rebuked them showing that He values our quality
sacrifices. Indeed, there is no sacrifice that is too great for what God has done for us.
What can we sacrifice for God?
1. Sacrifice your Life. We are given opportunities every day to sacrifice our own was
needs for the furthering of God's kingdom. This Lenten season is a great reminder of
this fact. Jesus says, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take
up his cross and follow me daily." (Mark 8:34). As we daily sacrifice, let us keep in
mind that everything we do in the name of Jesus Christ is in honour to Him who
sacrificed His all for us at Calvary.
2. Sacrifice desire to sin. As a Christian you will continue to make mistakes and you
will still sin. However, you need to give up on the sinful desires, no matter how
seemingly pleasurable they are. It takes sacrificial effort to hate what the body desires.
Romans 12:9 says that should hate what is evil and cling to what is good. Therefore,
we must hate evil; we must hate sin.
3. Do away with worldly systems. The Bible says that we should not be conformed to
the standards of this world (Romans 12:1-2). Yes, as Christians, we live in the world,
but we are NOT of the world. We are citizens of heaven and ambassadors of God's
Kingdom (2 Corinthians 5:20). God's values and principles are the complete
opposite of what the world systems offer and they can never agree.
4. Give up the old nature. When you received Jesus Christ, you became a new creation.
The old has gone and the new has come. As Christian, you should always put on
Christ and represent Christ. (Galatians 2:20).
5. Serving God with our wealth. Proverbs 3:9-10 says Honour the Lord with your
wealth with the first fruits of all your crops. In honour to God and expansion of his
kingdom, we need to sacrificially give the best of our possessions which include our
money and other material possessions.
CONCLUSION
Whatever we do for God is for our own blessings because we cannot do anything to make
God greater than He is. Therefore, we need to know that for us to receive this blessing, we
must learn to do our best no matter the sacrifice required. In doing or in giving, it must
always be what we love and value, not what we don't need; just as God specifically
commanded Abraham "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to
the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which
I shall tell you." Genesis 22:2. Indeed, God has done His best for us, let us go extra mile in
all our sacrifices for him
PRAYER:
Father thank you for your love that made you take up all the efforts for our salvation. We
acknowledge that we can do nothing for ourselves. Teach us to appreciate that there is
nothing that we can do to equal the great sacrifice you rendered on our behalf and make us
attempt big things for you. In the name of Jesus-Amen
DATE: TUESDAY IN HOLY WEEK, 12 APRI, 2011.
TOPIC: THE SOVEREIGN LORD DENYING
TEXTS: ISA. 49:1-6 (PSALM 55:18-26), HEB. 8:1-6, MATT. 26:31-35: 69-75
AIM: TO TEACH US BOLDNESS IN ACCEPTING THE SAVIOUR
INTRODUCTION
The original meaning of deny is refuse to accept. Denial, betrayal, carpet crossing and
similar acts of unfaithfulness are commonplace in political terrain, especially in Nigeria One
would expect followers of Christ to be different, but curiously and disappointingly, Jesus
followers deserted and denied Him in time of great trial and looming death. This implies that
if the Sovereign Lord could be denied, anybody can be disappointed by fellow humans. I
don't know how Christ managed not to generate personal enemies for Himself in the
instances that he was "denied", but I know He understood He had to focus on the glory that
was set before Him, the salvation of mankind So, to them all. He conclusively said "Father,
forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Why do Christians deny Christ?
1. Talkativeness/trust in flesh - A child of God must be careful not to be talkative.
Talking too much can lead to denying the Lord (Matt. 5:33-37) Again you have heard
that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your
oaths to the Lord' But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is
God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the
city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make
one hair white or black. But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes, and your 'No, No. For whatever is
more than these is from the evil one." Peter's denial of Christ was a test on his
confession (talking), a test of his confident boasting that if others would deny Jesus,
he (Peter) would not, although nothing compelled him to talk. Christ was talking to
them generally, instead of him (Peter) to keep quiet like others, he started talking,
apparently out of his natural inclination and self-confidence. The rest is story; we all
can remember how the rooster crowed upon his third denial as Jesus told him. Peter
surely learnt a lesson on futility of trusting in the flesh and boasting in self-
confidence. So, we too must put our trust in God and talk less so we do not rope in
ourselves with matters that are beyond us to handle, lest we deny God when the
consequences come.
2. Fear - The Disciples Denied Him collectively (Reason: fear of how dangerous the
armed enemies were) Mark 14:48-50 "Jesus asked the crowd, "Have you come out
with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would an outlaw? Every day I was with
you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest Me. But this has happened
that the Scriptures would be fulfilled”. "Then everyone deserted Him and fled".... In
most cases, enemy always appears more powerful than he actually is, but if you stand
with God and settle issues with Him this season, you will surely be able to exercise
the overcomer's grace that is in you through Christ. Leaving the Messiah and running
from pillar to pole won't save anyone. Mind you, denying Him is running away from
the solution to your situation.
3. Human weakness -Judas' betrayal of Christ was borne out of his nature of greed, in
die weakness of his Denying Christ is a way of manifesting spiritual weakness that
needs to use the opportunity of this Lenten Session to deal with Matthew 27,5 "So
Judas threw the money into the Temple. Then he went out from there and hanged
himself.” The major thing that happened to Judas was spiritual weakness, he failed to
deal with it and he died. Up till date, the wages of sin is still death; the weaknesses in
our nature that we fail to address have the high tendency of separating us from God.
CONCLUSION
Are you running out of the grace to remain connected with the Messiah? Are you denying
Him in your action or reaction? He is merciful. The prodigal son actually "denied his father
but he retraced his step. (Luke 15:18) "I will get up and go back to my father and say to him,
"Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you”.
This was the major difference between Peter and Judas. Stop denying Him in your action,
inaction attitude, fair, weakness; etc. You too have the measure of the grace of Peter in this
context, only always remember and do all to remain in Christ. "Therefore, take up the full
armour of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything,
to stand firm. Therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the
breastplate of righteous and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of
peace; in addition to all, taking the shield of faith with which, you will be able to extinguish
all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:13-16.
PRAYER:
Dear lord I repent of the many times and ways I have denied you, I am deeply sorry. Fill me
with the spirit of boldness and of sound mind to resist every attempt to deny you, but to stand
as great soldiers of the cross and to proclaim your truth and counsel wherever and whenever
the occasion demands. In Jesus name-Amen
DATE: WEDNESDAY IN HOLY WEEK: 13 APRIL, 2022
TOPIC: HOLDING THE SAVIOUR IN MOCKERY AND CONTEMPT
TEXTS: ISAIAH 52:13-15; 1 PET. 2:19-END, LUKE 23:1-12; PSALM 70
AIM: TO TEACH US TO HONOUR GOD.
INTRODUCTION
Our Saviour, Jesus Christ, is such a king as never before with a glorious pedigree than that of
any more earthly monarch. He possesses an indisputable right and power to reign. He has the
ability to subdue all powers to Himself. He has an astounding and unprecedented character.
He is eminent in goodness and supreme in authority. His goodness is not equivalent to any
earthly description. Christ is morally excellent, exceptionally beautiful, and always gives
lavish gifts. While on earth, He went about doing good, healing those with sicknesses through
His mighty power (Acts. 10:38) He is the Lamb of God, to Him belong blessing and honour
and glory and power forever and ever (Rev. 5:13). From the Bible readings for today, we see
a picture that looks like a different Jesus from the one described above. In Luke 23:11, it is
clearly stated that "...Herod, with His men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked
Him, arrayed Him in gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. "Mockery and contempt are
words that connote insulting action or speech Both of them mean to deride, despise, ridicule,
and be made a laughing stock or to mimic someone for the sake of derision”
THE BODY
Our Saviour Christ was betrayed by one of His disciples, who, in the very act of betrayal
called Him "Master." This was shameful and cruel on the part of Judas, not only to betray the
Saviour of mankind to His enemies, but to hail Him as "Master" in mockery and to kiss Him
in contempt. The soldiers who arrested Him did so with swords and clubs, as though he had
been a criminal or wrong doer. Many accusations were levelled against Him, yet He was
innocent. When Pilate wanted to set Him free, instead of pitying Him in His distress, they
shouted, "Crucify him, crucify him." They looked at His person as being contemptible that
they desired that He should suffer death in its most ignominious form, "even the death of the
cross." To make fun of His claim to be a king, a gorgeous robe was put on Him (Luke
23:11). Blood was forced out of His blessed temples by the cruel crown of thorns that was
placed upon His head (Matt. 27:29). They handed Him a staff on His right hand and made
Him sit on an imaginary throne of mockery (Matt. 27:29). They bowed the knee before Him,
but it was only in mockery; they saluted Him with the cry, "Hail, king of the Jews!" but it
was done in contempt (Matt. 27:29). They paid Him homage with their filthy spittle (Matt.
27:30). It is amazing that such a superlative goodness should be treated in such a hostile
manner, that such majesty should be reduced to such ridicule. Though He was innocent, He
was nonetheless treated with contempt. He was truly despised and rejected by men, a Man of
sorrows and acquainted with grief. He was despised, and we did not esteem Him (Isa. 53:3).
APPLICATION
In what ways do we mock Christ today and treat Him with contempt?
1. Anytime we fail to stand for the truth. Pilate knew Jesus was innocent yet he delivered
Him w the Jews because he was afraid of them. John 19:4-8
2. Our Saviour is mocked when man resists and twists the truth of His Word for self-
gratification Rom. 1:26-27; Rom. 8:5-8, 12-13; Gal. 5:19-21.
3. When we withhold valuable things from God and offer Him our leftovers and
despised items. Mal. 1:6-8
4. When we question the existence of God. Psalm. 14:1 5.
5. We mock the Saviour when as Christians, we associate ourselves with the wicked. Ps.
1:1; Prov. 14:7
6. When we are guilty of crime. 1 Pet. 2:20-23. It is honourable when we suffer for the
truth.
7. God is mocked whenever we allow the world to influence us. Rom. 12:2; 2Tim. 4:10
8. We mock the Lord when we ridicule, disregard or fight God's servants, 2 Chron.
36:16; Mat 1:7
9. When we misrepresent Christ in our dressing, deeds, speeches, values, pursuits, etc. 1
Pet 3:15; Eph.5:1-5; James 4:1-2
10. The Saviour is mocked whenever we deliberately and defiantly disregard God's word
Luke 6:46-49; Acts 17:32; 2Pet. 3:3-4
11. When mundane things take the place of God in our lives and His glory is given to
things created. Rom. 1:21-25.
12. We mock Him when we become habitual late comers to any meeting with God. Mal.
1:6
13. We mock and treat our Saviour with contempt when we continue to live a life of sin.
1John 3:9
14. When we seek salvation, help, power, protection, etc from other means apart from
God. Acts 4:12; Jere. 17:5
15. The Saviour is mocked and treated with contempt when we disobey our leaders. Rom.
13:1-2; Heb, 13:7; 1Pet. 2:13-14
CONCLUSION
We give honour to people who achieve academic excellence. Those who are successful in
their careers are singled out for special recognition. We give award to men and women when
we feel that they have performed excellently well in what they were assigned to do. People
are honoured for many reasons including their positions, power, accomplishments, integrity,
intellect, etc. We honour people by respect, regard, reverence, admiration, eulogy, obedience,
submission, etc. Our Saviour Christ is deserving of the highest honour because of who He is
and what He has done for us. He went through the agony of death for our redemption. He was
mocked and humiliated as a criminal because He bore our sins in order to bring salvation to
us. If truly He is our Father and Master, let's refrain from treating Him with contempt and
learn to truly respect and honour Him (Mal. 1:6). We must hold our Saviour in high respect,
honour and reverence; being obedient and submissive to Him without any reservation. To
Him belong all the blessing and honour and glory and power for ever. Amen.
PRAYER
Father, we thank you for allowing your Son, Jesus Christ to be humiliated on account of us.
The world does not know you and we grieve that your name is being ridiculed on daily basis.
Enable us your children through your grace to honour you in all we do and compel the world
to bow to your honour and glory, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
DATE: 14TH APRIL 2022 (MAUNDY THURSDAY)
TOPIC: HUMILITY EXEMPLIFIED
TEXTS: EXODUS 12:1-14A, I COR. 11:23-29, JOHN 13:1-15, PSALM 116:11-18
AIM: TO TEACH US TO BE HUMBLE
INTRODUCTION
Humility can be defined as the quality of having a modest view of one's importance It can
also be defined as freedom from pride or arrogance. It is the feeling or attitude that you have
no special importance that makes you better than others due to your achievement. Humility
allows us to fully submit to God. The opposite of humility is pride and God resist the proud
but give grace to the bumble.
THE BODY
Today is Maundy Thursday. It is a day in which we remember the day that the Lord's Supper
was instituted by Jesus. The Old and New Testaments have some similarities. In the Old
Testament as seen in our passages in Exodus, it was a Passover time, a time to remember that
the children of Israel left Egypt for the promised land after about 430 years. At Maundy
Thursday, another celebration of the Passover was to be done and Jesus was to go to the cross
of Calvary. In the Old Testament, a lamb was to mark the Passover while in the New
Testament, Jesus offered Himself up as the sacrificial lamb. The lamb must be without
blemish; and Jesus was without blemish. Moses was the central figure in the Old Testament
as regards the Passover while Jesus was the central figure at the cross of Calvary. Both Moses
and Jesus were mentioned as examples of humility in the bible. Numbers 12:3 states that
now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth
while Philippians 2:5-11 tells us about the humility of Jesus. Jesus was GOD and yet, out of
His great love for us. He chose to come to earth as a human Moses forsook all the comfort of
Egypt to fulfil his destiny: Jesus left heaven to come to earth to rescue man from sin
CHALLENGES
Humble men RESPOND to situations, Proud men REACT to situations? Do you respond or
react to situations? Goliath reacted when he saw the 'small boy David' and so, lost his
composure! What is your response when faced with opposition from people that seem 'lower'
in status than you? When the children of Israel demonstrated lack of gratitude for the
sacrifices Moses constantly made on their behalf, he said nothing. When the people
constantly complained about his leadership, he did not retaliate. When his own brother and
sister jealously questioned his authority, he interceded for them. Jesus also said nothing when
he was being questioned by Pilate - But Jesus gave no answer, not even to a single charge,
much to the governor's amazement. Jesus was humble enough to wash His disciples' feet.
CONCLUSION
Without humility, we cannot go far with God. It is important that we are constantly reminded
that apart from God we can do nothing. He is the one who created us and knows everything
about us. He has a plan for each one of us. When we begin to put all of our faith in God and
humble ourselves to the point of being completely dependent on Him, then, we become
vessels that are thoroughly furnished for the use of the master.
Thank God for Christ's humility because without it we could not be saved. We need to ask
God to show us areas in our life where pride is keeping us from being used by Him. We need
humility to follow Christ's example. Jesus did not seek His own but the will of His Father.
PRAYER:
Father thank you for making Jesus Christ a worthy example to us. His incarnation, birth in s
manger, rejection, dejection, scourging and death on the cross are instances of his
humiliation. Grant that we may emulate His cardour, in the great display of humility, so that
in due course we may be exalted, and reign with Him in eternity, through Jesus Christ our
lord we pray, Amen.
DATE: 15TH APRIL, 2012 (GOOD FRIDAY)
TOPIC: THE KING ON A CROSS
TEXTS: PSALM 22:1-22 ISAIAH. 53: 1-12, HEBREWS 10: 1-25, JOHN. 19:17-37
AIM: TO TEACH WHAT PAINS CHRIST UNDERWENT
INTRODUCTION.
The office of king in the Old Testament is illustrated well by David. God called David a man
after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). His promise to David of a kingdom and
throne lasting forever was fulfilled in the Messiah, who was also given the title "Son of
David." Jesus is this Son of David and the rightful King (2 Sam. 7:16, Matt. 1:1; Rev.
22:16).
The Son of David would be a ruler of God's people and also their deliverer. At the
announcement of his conception, the angel Gabriel told Mary that Jesus would be the
promised King Though the Jews expected a political king (Matt. 21:1-11), Jesus came to
conquer sin and death (1 Cor. 15:54 57) and this conquest was finished on the cross (Col.
2:15).
THE BODY
From about the 6th century BC until the 4th century AD, the cross was an instrument of
execution that resulted in death by the most torturous and painful ways. In crucifixion, a
person was either tied or nailed to a wooden cross and left to hang for days until dead. Death
would be slow and excruciatingly painful. Crucifixion was designed to produce a slow,
bitterly painful, cruel, brutal, excruciating, onerous, inhumane, searing death. There is no
consensus as to how long it took to die on the cross.
It is obvious from our readings that the sufferings of Jesus intensified as He drew near to the
cross.
We cannot know the agony He endured as the climax of the coming sacrifice drew near. Let
us examine four different aspects of the pain that Jesus experienced according to the
Scriptures.
1. Physical Pain and Death. "But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was
30 disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely
know he was a man." (Isa. 52:14 NLT) Crucifixion was a slow, agonizing death by
asphyxia - a condition arising when the body is deprived of oxygen, causing
suffocation, unconsciousness or death. This was why the executioners would
sometimes break the legs of the criminal, so that death would come quickly. It was a
physically painful sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross, but as painful as it
was, that was not the worst part.
2. The Pain of Bearing Sin (Isalah 53:6, Isaiah 53:12, John 1:29, 1 Peter 2:24),
Imagine the weight that our sin puts on our heart and the bitter sense of separation
from God. The pain of bearing the guilt of sin for the entire human race was far more
a pain that Christ carried on the cross. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who
knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Cor. 5:21)
Yet in His great love Jesus suffered the pain of the cross and paid a sin debt that we
could never pay.
3. The Pain of Abandonment. In Matthew 27:46 it is recorded that Jesus cried out,
"Eli, Eli lama sabach-thani which is translated. "My God, my God, why hast thou
forsaken me?” As Jesus was crucified, He was cut off from fellowship with His
Father. Jesus had told people repeatedly; “I and the Father are one…" On the cross,
that oneness was broken. There was no fellowship. There was oneness - only the pain
of abandonment because of our sin.
4. The Pain of Bearing the Wrath of God (Rom. 3:25, 2 Cor. 5:21, Gal. 3:13). The
physical pain Jesus suffered was intense, the pain of bearing our sin must have been
overwhelming the complete abandonment that he experienced was torturous, but even
more difficult must have been bearing our sins alone as God the Father, the mighty
Creator, the Lord of the universe, poured out on Jesus the fury of His fierce wrath. In
that one act, Jesus became the object of the intense hatred of sin and vengeance
against sin which God had patiently stored up since the beginning of the world. Jesus
was being treated by God as sin itself, as a very curse to be wiped out.
CONCLUSION
Today, we celebrate and remember Jesus death on the cross where sin, evil and Satan was
defeated Our king of the cross: forgiving sin, defeating evil, and establishing God's kingdom
on earth as it is in heaven. The cross is neither the failure of Jesus's messianic ministry, nor is
it a prelude to His royal glory. It is the apex of His kingdom mission. The splendour of God's
royal power shines brightest through the sacrificial death of the Son of God. The cross is the
crowning achievement of Christ's kingdom mission.
The cross becomes not only the center of redemptive history but also the fulcrum upon which
the logic of the world is turned upside down. Shame is transformed into glory, foolishness
into wisdom, and humiliation into exaltation. The cross is the throne from which Christ rules
the world. Have you submitted your life to the King who died on the cross for you? Come to
Him now and receive His peace and joy, regardless of your past or present circumstances.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I come to the cross with gratitude for the sacrifice and agony You went through
for me in love. I submit and bow to Your Lordship; I receive by faith all the blessings of the
cross as You reign in my life as King, Amen.
DATE: 26TH APRIL, 2022 (EASTER EVE)
TOPIC: FRUITLESS EFFORTS
TEXT: PSALM 16, JOB 14:1-14, 1 PETER 1:17-22, MATTHEW 17:57-61
AIM: TO TEACH THAT MAN CANNOT BATTLE WITH GOD
SONG: Who can battle with the Lord 3x
I say nobody...
INTRODUCTION
Isaiah 45:9 says, "Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker." Yet many people
throughout history have tried to oppose God. Pharaoh comes to mind immediately. "And
afterwards Moses and Aaron came and said to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of
Israel, Let My people go that they may celebrate a feast to Me in the wilderness.’ But
Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know
the Lord, and besides, I will not let Israel go” (Ex.5:1-2). Well, we know the story. Pharaoh
tried to oppose God, but who won in the end? Pharaoh ended up losing his power, his throne,
his first-born son, his army, and his life, while God brought His people safely out of Egypt.
Another man who tried to fight God was Saul of Tarsus. In an almost insane, demon-
possessed way, Saul went about ravaging the church, seeking to destroy this new sect who
followed Jesus Christ until Jesus Himself appeared to him, blinded him, pinned him to the
ground and said, "Saul, why are you persecuting me?". It may seem like someone is opposing
God and getting away with it temporarily, but ultimately it spells eternal disaster!
THE BODY
The original plan and purpose of God for man is fruitfulness and multiplication according to
Gen. 1: 28, however when man fell from God's plan due to the sin of disobedience, God in
His infinite mercies made a way of reconciliation through Jesus. What the devil stole at the
Garden of Eden, Jesus came to restore; John 10:10 says while Satan came to kill, steal and
destroy, Jesus came so that we can have life in abundance.
APPLICATION
What makes us battle with God? Starting from the fall of man, the devil has always been the
engineer behind man's battles with God. He uses some instruments namely:
 Ignorance "We are not ignorant of his devices" 2 Corinthians 2:11
 Disobedience "Obedience is better than sacrifice." 1 Samuel 15:22
 Pride "Pride goes before a fall" Proverbs 16:18
A major cause of fruitless efforts is ignorance of the word of God. Disobedience creates an
unfortunate atmosphere of fruitless labour. Lack of trust in God, fighting our battles with the
arm of flesh, is certainly an act in futility and wisdom demands that we shun this and seek
better way that make us to surrender to One who has never lost and cannot lose a battle.
How can we fight the battles of life?
1. With The Word of God: “and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;”
Ephesians 6:17
2. With The name of Jesus: "... that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of
those in heaven, and of those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Philippians 2:9-11
3. With Prayer: "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,"
Ephesians 6:18
4. With Worship: "Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set
ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come
against Judah; and they were defeated...."2 Chronicles 20:22-23
5. With Fasting: "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."
Matthew 17:21
6. With Our Testimony "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the
word of their testimony" Revelation 12:11
7. With Thanksgiving: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and
supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God..."
Philippians 4:6-7
CONCLUSION
Failure to factor God into one's life equation makes one to lean on one's understanding,
trusting in the arm of flesh for survival, oblivious of the biblical truth that 'by strength shall
no man prevail'1 Sam 2:9. Any effort at achieving any objective that runs contrary to divine
purpose will end in fruitlessness. To avoid fruitless efforts, Jesus gives a very simple
solution, 'abide in me and I in you without me you can do nothing (John 15:5). Knowing
God, believing in Him and obeying Him are necessary steps to fruitful living.
PRAYER
Faithful Father, give me the faith that knows You as God and believes in and accept Jesus,
Your only begotten Son, as my Lord and Saviour; so I can abide in Him for a fruitful living
and endeavours. Make me a permanent overcomer of the deceit of unbelief that scans Your
works in vain. Let me rest on Your words of comfort when I am weak and gripped by fear
and doubt, help me to feel your presence and rest assured that You will fight my battles as I
surrender my life to You in Jesus' name. Amen
DATE: SUNDAY, 17 APRIL, 2022 (EASTER SUNDAY).
TOPIC: BECAUSE HE ROSE, DRY BONES WILL RISE AGAIN
TEXT: EASTER ANTHEM, ISAIAH 25:6-9, ICOR. 15:12-20, JOHN 20:1-18
AIM: TO TEACH TO APPRECIATE THE VICTORY WE HAVE IN
CHRIST.
INTRODUCTION
Alleluia Christ is risen! He is risen indeed Alleluia! The strife is over, the battle is done. The
triumph of the Lord is won. Jesus is risen from the dead. Dry bones have risen again. Satan
thought he had Him pierced, bruised, beaten, hung, killed, bound, tied and buried. But he
never knew that the same power that hit the Virgin Mary for the Lord's conception was still
available to hit the grave where He was laid and quickened His mortal body back to life
Alleluia! Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph over His foes. The disciples
came to seek for Him among the dead but the Lord was no more where He was laid lifeless.
(Matthew 28:6). He is alive and now He is the firstborn from the dead. (Colossians 1:18).
What a joy and victory over death? This is why we sing -
Alleluia! Jesus is alive
Death has lost its victory, and the grave has been denied
Jesus lives forever, He's alive, He's alive
He's the Alpha and Omega
The first and last is He
The curse of sin is broken
And we have perfect liberty
The lamb of God has risen
He's alive, He's alive!
Alleluia Jesus is alive!
THE BODY
As tricky and smart the devil was, Christ disgraced him openly on the resurrection morning.
These three things seemed to be unknown to him. 1. That whatever or whoever dies is not
dead forever but can live again. (John 11:25). 2. That the death of one can produce the rising
up of many others. (John 12:24) 3. That whatever rises up from the dead does not remain as
it was but changes into a better form and frame. (1 Cor. 15:52-53). For if the devil knew
these, he would not have inspired his princes to crucify the Lord. (1 Cor. 2:8), Jesus dealt a
dirty blow on Satan on these three fronts and we shall highlight each of them below.
1. WHATEVER IS DEAD CAN LIVE AGAIN.

Jesus our Lord was confirmed dead on the cross. His lifeless body was brought into a tomb
for burial. But the Holy Ghost quickened that dead body back to life. (Romans 8:11). All that
needed to be done in order to make Him lifeless forever was done. Soldiers were deployed to
the tomb, large stone was rolled over the tomb, royal ring was placed on it the Lord still came
out alive. While Satan was at it, in all his shenanigans, the Lord was laughing at him.
"Why do the nations rage. And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of themselves, And the
rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against Ha Anointed, saying, "Let us
break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from He who sits in the heavens shall
laugh Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His Wrath And
distress them in His deep displeasure" Psalm 2:1-5. See what the word of God says further in
Micah 7:8 "Do not rejoice over me, my enemy. When fall, I will arise, When I sit in darkness,
The LORD will be a light to me."
That dead marriage, career, health, business or idea can come alive again. It does not matter
what discouraging comments your story has gathered over the years. Dead bones can tie
again.
There is a reason for this assurance and declaration of certainty over uncertainty. Job 14:7.4
says it all- "For there is hope for a tree. If it is cut down, that it will sprout again, And that its
tender shoots will not cease. Though its root may grow old in the earth, And its stump may
die in the ground. Yet at the scent of water it will bud And bring forth branches like a plane"
"Yet at the scent of water it will bud". Nothing dead comes alive by itself. The word of God
is the water that activates life in whatever is not living. Hear what Jesus said in John 5:25
"Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the
voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live". That voice was what Lazarus heard in
John 11. The dead man jumped out of the grave.
It was the word of the Lord as spoken by Ezekiel in chapter 37 that sent breath, sinew, flesh
and skin into the dry bones of the valley. May God's word cause life to return to everything
dead in our lives, homes and nation in Jesus' name. AMEN.
2. WHAT DIES GIVES LIFE TO MANY OTHERS.

"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it
remains alone, but if it dies, it produces much grain." John 12:24.
The death and resurrection of Christ produced and is still producing billions of followers and
disciples for Him all over the world. While in the grave, He made the gospel known to those
who have died. (1Peter 4:6), If the devil knew that the blood of the lamb will become the
seed for the birthing of saints just as the blood of martyrs has become the seed for the
Church, he would have adopted a different strategy or better still left Jesus alone altogether.
Stephen's successful martyrdom inspired Paul to proceed for more conquests against the
Church. While at it, the Lord met him. Lazarus' death and resurrection brought many Jews to
the light of Christ.
The rottenness of your story is the same material that God will use for your glory. In Luke 5.
Peter and his employees had already washed their nets after a vigil without a catch. They
already took the baits off the hook and folded all equipment against another day. But the
same net caught fish so much the net tore and the boats sank.
“7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of
God and not of to 8 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed but
not in despair: 9 persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed 10 always
carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that life of Jesus also may be
manifested in our body" 2 Corinthians. 4:7-10.
Brethren, our victory through Christ is a mystery in the fact that what others call a casting
down, death, weakness to us, God turns it around as a lifting, life and strength to His people.
Alleluia!
3. WHAT COMES BACK FROM THE DEAD IS NO MORE THE SAME.
"In a moment in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and
the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put
on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality" 1 Corinthians 15:52-53.
No farmer reaps at harvest the size or volume of what he planted. There must have been
transformation from seedling into expected harvest. At the Lord's resurrection. His pains,
agony, bleedings, weariness and affliction all disappeared. His body was glorious.
As you go through the valley of the shadow of death, know that you will come out better and
purer because the Lord is with you. In the valley of dry bones, dead bodies were initially
dumped all together. Time and events rendered them skinless, faceless and lifeless to the
bones. But they all ended up rising as a living army of God.
James 1:2-4 says "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing
that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that
you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing". The grave is never a desirous place for
anyone. But no one returns from there without making news or becoming a topic everywhere.
That is why patience and full trust in God is needed during the tumultuous periods of life. See
what the Word of God says: "Blessed is the man who endures temptation. for when he has
been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who
love Him" James 1:12. Let the testimony of Job encourage you as well. v.12. Now the Lord
blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep,
six thousand camels, one thousand yokes of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. v.13. He
also had seven sons and three daughters. v.14. And he called the name of the first Jemimah,
the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren Happuch. v.15. In all the
land were found no women so beautiful as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them
an inheritance among their brothers. v.16. After this Job lived one hundred and forty years
and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. v.17. So, Job died, old and full
of days. Job 42:12-17.
CONCLUSION
Our Lord Jesus won the victory over Satan at His resurrection on this day in the most
unimaginable way. He rose again from the dead and gave us power to also triumph over
every devil and principality. We must believe in His resurrection and its attending power. We
must always give thanks for this perfect work of redemption as well as continue in the hope
of His second coming when we shall reign with Him eternally. Till then, we must never
forget, what is dead can rise again, what dies is responsible for the living of others and at
resurrection, incorruption swallows’ corruption This is our victory. This is our faith. Alleluia
Christ is risen!
PRAYER
Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for the victory you won for us through Your resurrection.
Enable us to walk in the knowledge that you will make what is dead in us to live again;
afflictions will provide a far better glory to You and finally, after all life's tribulations, we
may rejoice in Your refreshing restoration, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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TABLE OF CONTENT

TOPIC DATE PAGES

Thank you and God bless you all.

+Olusola Lagos West

May all glory be to our God, maker, sustainer and enabler

THE VEN THEODORE E NWABASILI

What can we do in times of trials and temptations? We should:

Some reasons why it is important to keep your promises include:

LEARNING FROM THE MASTER HELPS US TO SERVE:

1. WHATEVER IS DEAD CAN LIVE AGAIN.

2. WHAT DIES GIVES LIFE TO MANY OTHERS.

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