Sunday Service (7th October, 2018)

Thank God for our Testimony Sunday today, where members had the opportunity to share the goodness of God in their lives to the Church. The Word was delivered to us today by the Church Pastor Rev. Kayode Oke on the Topic:

TESTIMONY BEYOND ARGUMENT

TEXT:       JOHN 9: 13-25
¹³ They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind.
¹⁴ Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man's eyes was a Sabbath.
¹⁵ Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. "He put mud on my eyes," the man replied, "and I washed, and now I see."
¹⁶ Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath." But others asked, "How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?" So they were divided.
¹⁷ Finally they turned again to the blind man, "What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened." The man replied, "He is a prophet."
¹⁸ The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man's parents.
¹⁹ "Is this your son?" they asked. "Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?"
²⁰ "We know he is our son," the parents answered, "and we know he was born blind.
²¹ But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don't know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself."
²² His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue.
²³ That was why his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."
²⁴ A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. "Give glory to God," they said. "We know this man is a sinner."
²⁵ He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"

INTRODUCTION

LESSON

1.    THE ONE INCONTROVERTIBLE FACT. John 9:25 (NIV)
²⁵ He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"     One thing you cannot take away from me, it does not matter how fine sounding your logic may be. It does not matter how seemingly rational your argument is,   I know one thing for sure…. I think it is something like this that Leah Sharibu must have confronted the Boko Haram people with. It is like she said to them, Yes, I see your guns and your spears, Yes I see the graves of others who refused to surrender like me, Yes I can see that some ‘compromisers are safely back to their homes now. BUT, one thing I know….

2.    THE CHALLENGE. It is evident here that the enemy does not like us giving glory to God. So whenever a person is blessed and desires to give a testimony to His glory, Satan and his kingdom hates it….its like why do you want others to know about the awesome power in the name of Jesus, Why?

The Pharisees asked the man ‘how’ in verse 15 and ‘what’ in Vs. 17. In Vs. 20, they asked another ‘how’ question from the parents. When all this still did not work, they decided to ‘decide’ for the man and speak into his mouth in Vs 24.  By Vs 26, they were desperate, and asked
"What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"

       Today, we don’t have Pharisees, but that their ‘ministry’ is still thriving. There are still forces that will do all to hinder people from sharing their testimony. They ask

-          How will you share that?

-          What will you be saying gan na?

-          Is it really worth sharing?

-          You better beware so the devil will not still your joy (Just as the rulers threatened to drive the man out of the synagogue)

CONCLUSION

But as said at the beginning, the man must have considered whose report to believe, and he chose to stand on the Lord’s side. Will you choose to put the devil to shame today and come out to share what the Lord has done in your life?

PASTOR’S CORNER

Christians should always live the Christian life, not just speak about it; but when we have lived it and the Lord blesses us, we should learn to speak about His goodness, so that those who do not know God may hear our testimonies and come to understand what the Christian life really means. Never miss an opportunity to testify about the goodness of God.

Prayer Focus for the Week

Commit the members of the Church Choir into God's hands, ask that their lives shall continue to be attractive to God and that they will be used of Him to bless our lives.

ANNOUNCEMENTS / INFORMATION

1. Serving in the Children’s department next week is Mr and Mrs Biodun Olaniran

2. Next week, Mr Yemi Alamu will lead the Workers’ Prayer meeting.

3. Sunday 14th of October 2018 is our ELDERS APPRECIATION SUNDAY. As the church prepares to honor our elders, please pray for the planning committee.

4. MMU Rotational meeting comes up on Saturday, 13th October, 2018 in the home of Mr. Rotimi Adeniyi. Time is 8:00am. All men please note

WEDDING BELLS RINGING

The families of Rev Dr and Mrs Wale Olajire and Late Mr and Mrs Jonathan Oyebamiji cordially invite us all to the Wedding ceremony of their children Hannah Olamide and Julius Oluwafemi on Saturday, November 10, 2018, at Antioch Baptist Church. Time: 11:00am.

Birthday Celebrants for the week

-          Odiase Heritage         08155494637             October 7st

-          Owolabi Olumide      08068063065              October 11th

-          Olagunju Funke        08033918373              October 12th

-          Adeyi Daniella           08060544437              October 12th

-          Oyeleke Ayomide      08036288166              October 13th