If the trumpet sounds now, where will you go? (Text: 1Cor. 10:12, 1Cor. 9:27) My brother/sister please pray before you read this message and let the owner of the word minister to your heart in Jesus name, amen. May I remind you that the race to heaven is continuous. Just like a person in an ordinary race, runs till the end without stopping so also we ought to run the race to heaven without resting/relaxing. A real soldier does not drop his gun when he wants to drink water. This is because of the devices of the enemy (the devil) who has come to still, kill and destroy. It might be the time you relax a little that the temptation that will clear you from the road of righteousness to the road of unrighteousness will appear. Will you be ready for his coming like the 5 wise virgins or unprepared like the 5 foolish virgins? (refer Math 25:1-13). Our memory verse (1Cor. 10:12) says if you think you have arrived; if you think you have reached perfection; if you claim nothing can happen, you should be careful because devil is still roaming about seeking whom to devour; you should not glory yet. Jesus was tempted according to Math. 4:1-11, but he did not fall. My prayer is that you will overcome should temptation come your way in Jesus name. It is a common practice that when one is born again, the zeal to serve God is usually outstanding. He can read his bible daily, evangelize, attend fellowships, etc., the dresses and dressing pattern portrays that he/she is a heavenly aspiring candidate, his relationship with people is usually cordial, exhibition of peace and of love for people, etc but gradually as he allows himself to mingle with unbelievers by joining their discussions, charting with them, joining their meetings, arguments, watching football, going to clubs and drinking, etc backsliding sets in gradually. This results in avoidance of Christian fellowships, lateness to church worship/service, leaving the Church before closing time, fighting the ushers when approached for necessary issues, making and answering calls in the church, reading newspapers in the church, week prayer life, avoiding his prayer partner, avoidance of spiritual father/counselor, giving excuses for the work of God, taking chieftaincy titles, lying, etc. What do you think can make one a castaway? In John 3:1-21 Jesus Christ told Nichodemus that except a man is born again, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. But today, we hear the work of God but neglect it. Many claim to be born again but in practice, they appear different. We must be sanctified. Sanctification experience aims at uprooting the root of sin in our lives. That makes us to be holy which qualifies us to see God in the end. We need the baptism of the Holy Ghost. When Jesus was about leaving his disciples, He gave unto them Power which empowered them to carry on the business of recovering lost souls for the kingdom of God. Therefore, if we lack this power, we might not be able to carry on the business of soul winning, deliverance, healing, etc just like Jesus Christ did while on earth. Disobedience is a powerful instrument which the devil is using to fight children of God. The reward for disobedience is curse. Disobedience comes in various ways: When you hear the word of God and go on saying: my conscience does not condemn me, so I am free to do what I like; God looks at the heart; God is not concerned with our body or outward appearance, etc. 1Cor. 6:19-20 says “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the HolySpirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. Those apologies are from the devil just to make you comfortable in sin till death. Rom. 6:1-3 says are we to continue in sin that grace might abound? God forbid. Therefore, examine your life now. Who is your God? (Learn a lesson from what happened to Gideon in Judges 8:24-27 – he made the Ishmaelite to go into idolatry. Are you depending completely on your Pastor/Rev. Father/spiritual director without deep reference/reflection on the word of God forgetting that heaven is an individual race? Have you examined yourself to find out if there are idols in your house or if you are worshiping idols in ignorance? Whatever you value more than your creator is your god. For instance, love of money, love of pleasure, love of fashion, etc. Does your life pattern conform with the bible or tradition of men? Do you modify some parts of the scriptures that affect your life to cover your weakness? Note: “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. – Rev. 22:19. Can people see Jesus in you? Can your former friends join your Church because of changes they see in you? Can people give their life to Christ because of your own life? Are you worshiping God in self righteousness? (Read Luke 18:9-14). There is no pretence in the service of God. (Read Gal. 6:7-8). You must be hot or cold. Luke 16:13 says - no servant can serve two masters properly, he should choose one and leave the other. There is a very crucial question I usually ask myself: if I drop dead now, where will I go? You need to ask yourself the same question and answer it. Please I have chosen to go to heaven, why not choose same with me? Acts 4:12 says “there is no other name given among men through which we can be saved…” Jesus is the way, the truth and life and no one cometh to the father except through Him - John 14:6. Remember, it is appointed unto man once to die and after that comes judgment - Heb. 9:27. Again the bibles says in 2Cor. 5:10 that we must appear before the judgment seat of Christ to give account … while Luke 13:12 says “make every effort to enter through the narrow gate. The broad road gives you freedom to enjoy life the way that pleases you but it leads to hell while the narrow way has restriction; there is no freedom of doing the way you like but it leads to heaven. What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul in hell fire? – Mark 8:36. Our brother Paul says in 1Cor. 9:27 “ But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. The Lord is calling you now to come unto Him and have life everlasting. Harden not your heart … Heb. 3:8,15. The night is far spent, the day is at hand … (Rom. 13:12. Please forsake the world and its pleasures, they are vanity. Mercy is available now you are alive. How I wish we can all make heaven, where we will worship God forever without pain; where sorrow shall be no more. Note, 1John 1:9 says - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. John 1:12 also says “but as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. Are you ready to believe in Him now? Call on Him now and confess your sins. Prayer: Almighty God I thank you for your word. Father, I have realized my sins, I am very sorry. I confess and believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins and on the third day rose for my justification. From today, I accept you into my life as my Lord and personal savior. Use the blood of Jesus Christ and wash away my sins. Give me the power to be your child and never to go back to the world. Remove my name from the book of death and transfer my name into the book of life. I promise to serve you all the days of my life. Please grant me the power to overcome sin - amen.
Posted on: Tue, 03 Dec 2013 15:07:15 +0000
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