Sunday Service (17th February, 2019)

 

Message Delivered by Pastor Seyi Olaniran in support of his SME Programme from NBTS, Ogbomoso.

Topic: THE AFTERMATH OF WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE

Text: DEUTERONOMY 8:1-9

INTRODUCTION

One of the suitable places for God to make His children is wilderness. Wilderness is a place of breaking, melting, molding and filling; a place where God teaches His children humility, contentment and dependence on Him; a place where God circumcises the hearts of His children and makes them to realize that His Word should be valued than any other thing.

This experience is God’s will for every Christian. It is in His plan. But the strange thing is, an average Christian hates this part of God’s plan for him/her. He/she does not want to have wilderness experience.

This is the kind of situation the Israelites found themselves. They never wanted wilderness experience (Ex 16). Often times, they grumbled against God. They wanted to continue the life of enjoyment they were living in Egypt even if it would cost their lives; they preferred to die there to being in the wilderness.

But there was nothing they could do since it was in God’s plan that for forty years they would be broken, melted, molded and filled. They would be taught things they didn’t know. Eventually God was able to fulfill this plan of His for them. They had the experience for forty years.

So, at the end of this forty-year experience and preparation for the promised land, God sent Moses to deliver His message to them as he was also preparing to round off his tenure. In this message they were assured of the fulfillment of the promises of God. They were told what to do at the promised land, and the aftermath of their wilderness experience. Two major things would be the aftermath of their wilderness experience.

1. Possession of the Promised Land (Deut. 8:1)

Vs 1b says:  “…you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land promised on oath to your ancestors.” There was a promised land their parents could not possess. Now, it was the turn of the children to possess the land after their wilderness experience. But, for this to be possible Moses warned them: “Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today.”

Why would Moses warn them to be careful to follow every command of God?  What did he see that he had to tell them to remember…vs 2? I sense Moses saw three things

- May be, the children were also giving a trait or showing a sign of following the path their fathers or parents trod that made them to forfeit the possession of the promised land. And you will agree with that, truly, their parents did not follow every command of God. They followed the path of grumbling, especially strong will. So, he warned them to be careful.

- May be, the Israelites were already showing a trait of depression. Having been in the wilderness for almost forty years; he understood that it was not easy, for some were even borne in the wilderness. Following every command might be out of their minds. Hence, he warned them to be careful.

- May be, they were already celebrating. And knowing full well that this might cause them not to follow every command of God, he warned them, be careful.

Like the Israelites, is there something in your family your parents could not possess or achieve? Or have been promised a new land? Land could be mean location; it could mean job, it could mean property, it could mean a place of rest, it could promotion etc. So, have you been promised    but you are also trodding the path of your parents that made them to forfeit God’s promise. Have you been promised but you are depressed because of many years you have been in the wilderness. Or have you been promised but you are already celebrating.

Don’t follow the path, don’t be depressed no matter the number of years and don’t celebrate yet. Just remain careful in following everything God is commanding you to   do until you possess the land        

2. Prosperous and Successful Living (Deut. 8:6-9)

After possessing the promised land, they would begin to live a prosperous and successful life. There would be abundance of water. There would be abundance of food; enough mineral resources for the development of their land (vs. 7-9).  But, for this to be possible also, Moses made it clear whose commands they must observe. He said: “Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him.”

CEV says: “Obey the commands the Lord your God has given you and worship him with fear and trembling.” I wander why Moses had to impress it in the hearts of the Israelites to observe or   obey the   commands of the Lord their God. What was the intention of Moses for saying this?

I sense, Moses made this impression for them to know that God would be the one to fulfill this promise not he. It was not about him, it was about God.  So, obey His command and   worship him with fear and trembling (according to CEV).  And, you know the Israelites had the tendency of making Moses their god. Since he was the one they had been familiar with.

Do you know some Christians do that today? Because God spoke through their pastor to   them, they made him the god they worship. This may not be happening in our denomination but it’s happening in some other denominations. They obey the pastor’s command than God’s command. Don’t turn any man to the god you worship because God speaks through him to you.

Conclusion

Paul says:  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” That wilderness experience is for your good because the aftermath will be a testimony that will shake the world. You will possess   the promised land and you will have prosperous and successful living. 

UPCOMING EVENTS/ INFORMATION

1.      Next week, Dn. & Mrs. Ayinde will serve in the Children department

2.      Dn. Omo Olupona will lead the Workers’ Prayer next week

3.      St John College of Theology will be starting a weekend program in Christian Leadership. Interested members should see Rev. John Ojo for full details.

4.      2019 first week of Prayer and Fasting which has commenced on Thursday 14^th Feb. continues tomorrow and it will end on Wed 20^th Feb. Determine to participate. Please note that there will be prayers in the Church in the evenings of those days and the period will be rounded off with a PRAYER SERVICE on Wednesday 20^th February in the Church Auditorium. Time. 5pm daily.

5.      Sunday 24^th February is our Youth Celebration Sunday. Ask that our Youths shall continue to be instruments of honor in the hands of the mighty God.

MISSION COMMITMENT

Members are reminded of a monthly contribution of #20/person per month Mission’s contribution under the auspices of Ogbomoso Baptist Conference and #500/person per month CAN Trust Fund. You can make your payment to Mrs. Bose Ayinde.

HEALTH TIPS

Members who have interest in checking their Blood Pressure for free can do so after Wednesday Bible Study

BIRTHDAY/ WEDDING ANNIVERSARY FOR THE MONTH

We should not forget to felicitate with people celebrating their Birthday and Wedding Anniversary in the month of February

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR THE NEW AUDITORIUM

- 120 Tons of Granite @ #5000/ Ton

- 250 Bags of Cement @ #2350/ Bag

- 20 Loads of Sharp Sand @ #7000/ Load

- 2 Tons of 12mm Iron Rods @ #190,000/Ton

- 3 Tons of 10mm Iron Rods @ #200,000/ Ton

- 4 Tons of 16mm Iron Rods @ #190000/ Ton

BUILDING PROJECT ACCOUNT                        CHURCH ACCOUNT

Access Bank                                              First Bank

New Spring Baptist Church                      New Spring Baptist Church

0697011767                                               2023699560

BENEVOLENCE

This Church genuinely cares for her members and is committed to seeing to their welfare. So, if any member is in a serious need and requires help, please do not hesitate to meet with the Church Pastor or the Benevolence Chairperson, Mrs. Nia Olupona.

PASTOR’S CORNER

Whether Children of God are in the ‘wilderness’ or in their ‘promise lands’, it is important we remember that God loves and cares for us; we also must not forget that He commands us to walk in His ways and to revere Him. It is as we do these, that we enjoy God’s goodness and mercies to the full.

PRAYER FOCUS FOR THE WEEK

Thank God for the success of the postponed 2019 Presidential election. Pray it will result into the transformation of Nigeria into a country in which the peace of God reigns and the favor of God rests. 

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

MONDAY:

Intercessors Meeting-5:00pm

TUESDAY:

WMS & Sunbeam-5:00pm

WEDNESDAY:

Bible Study & Prayer Meeting-5:00pm

THURSDAY:

Visitation Committee-5:00pm

Drama Group - 5:00pm

FRIDAY:

Choir Rehearsal-4:00pm

SATURDAY:

Royal Ambassadors, Lydia -3:00pm,

Girls Auxiliary-3:30pm

Choir Rehearsal-4:00pm

Sunday School Preparatory Class-5:00pm