Sunday Service (19th May, 2019)

 

TOPIC: LET US ALL ARISE AND BUILD

TEXT:   Ezra 4: 1-5, 6: 13-16

Ezra 4:1-5 (NIV)
¹ When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel,
² they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, "Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here."
³ But Zerubbabel, Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel answered, "You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us."
⁴ Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building.
⁵ They hired counselors to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Ezra 6:13-16 (NIV)
¹³ Then, because of the decree King Darius had sent, Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates carried it out with diligence.
¹⁴ So the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo. They finished building the temple according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia.
¹⁵ The temple was completed on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.
¹⁶ Then the people of Israel--the priests, the Levites and the rest of the exiles--celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy.

INTRODUCTION

It is like the rule is that anytime God’s children begin to build, …begin to do anything meaningful….to the glory of God, the enemies rise to discourage. Samballat and his team did it in Nehemiah Chap. 4ff to the building of Jerusalem wall. So also, the enemies were doing it here concerning the rebuilding of the temple.

LESSON

1.      OPPOSITION TO THE WORK (Vs. 4-5) The enemy pulled all the stops to discourage and frighten the people of God; as an icing on the cake, they also hired special counselors to frustrate the plans of the children of God.     Such opposition still continues today because the master of these people is still around today…. The enemy still has ‘professional counselors’ who goes around grumbling …….  

2.      THE FIRM STAND OF THE JEWS (Vs. 3) this verse touched me tremendously. The Jews said, ‘Thanks, we don’t need your help, for the Lord Himself is our helper’….the work is for the Lord, and God is enough……. Even when the work got delayed, they refused to compromise their stand.

3.      THE DECREE OF THE KING (Vs. 13). By the decree issued by King Dairus, the work continued and gained momentum. If men worked hard on the order of an earthly king, how much more we, with the order from the King of kings.

4.      THE COMPLETION OF THE WORK (Vs. 14-15) In spite of the opposition, the children of God took a firm stand and then by the decree of the king, the work was completed by the very people that started it to the praise of God’s name.

CONCLUSION

A people stood up for God to do a big assignment. God saw their commitment and dedication and He rose to their help. If all of us as a church will determine to rise up to the great task of building this house of our God, this unchanging God will surely arise to raise help for us.

    But let us note that God has not called us to build the blocks alone, we also, collectively have this great responsibility to build the flock also. let us be united in the building of NSBC into a great church. Let us as individuals and families decide to love, to care to share… let no one look at himself or herself as having nothing to do, but let us all arise, as one, to build a great church….

    The only person that cannot locate what he/she can do is the one that is yet to be Born Again.

UPCOMING EVENTS/ INFORMATION

1.      Next week, Mr & Mrs Okediji will serve in the Children department

2.      Rev. Dr Mrs Folasade Oloyede will lead the Workers’ Prayer next week.

3.      Sunday 26^th May 2019 is CHILDREN’S DAY. Let us plan to celebrate our Children that day as they lead us in worship. Parents should kindly send their children to church for rehearsal on Saturday May 25^th ,2019 .Time: 5:00pm 

4.      NSBC 2019 Annual Revival holds between Sunday 2^nd June and Tuesday 4^th June 2019 in the Church Auditorium. The Vessel God will use is Bro. Lanre Adeboye from PEACE HOUSE. pray that the program will revive us as a Church and the name of the Lord be praised.

5.      MMU meeting holds on Saturday 25^th May, 2019 in the home of Dn Ezekiel Ayinde. Time: 9:00pm

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 May

AMOUNT NEEDED FOR THE NEW AUDITORIUM

For the next phase of the work on the building, amount needed is 4.8 million naira

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, Dns. Christiana Oketoobo.

PRAYER FOCUS FOR THE WEEK

1.      Pray that this year’s Revival program will genuinely revive you and all of us in NSBC.

2.      Commit our Children Department into God’s hands. Ask that God will protect them and grant their handlers more grace to lead them.

PASTOR’S CORNER

Every child of God should always consider it a great privilege to partner with God on any Kingdom Assignment. While some people may take this grace for granted, we as Christians must be forever grateful for such a marvelous grace and determine to fully cooperate with God.

                                                               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