Sunday Service (27th October, 2019)

 

TOPIC: NEVER TAKE THE DEVIL FOR GRANTED

TEXT: MATTHEW 12:22-30

A Message Delivered by Rev. Kayode Oke

Matthew 12:22-30 (NIV)
²² Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see.
²³ All the people were astonished and said, "Could this be the Son of David?"
²⁴ But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons."
²⁵ Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
²⁶ If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?
²⁷ And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.
²⁸ But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
²⁹ "Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.
³⁰ "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.

INTRODUCTION

The most effective weapon of the devil against the children of God is to deceive us that he is not at the root of our problems. Satan loves to hide in a corner, unnoticed while he causes his problems. The message from the Lord today is to wake us up and ensure we never take the devil for granted again.

LESSON

Very much like the devil to manifest his presence in a life by making ‘blind’ and ‘dumb’  Just as it happened in this case and the man could not see physically, so is it in other lives in whom the devil announces his presence by making the spiritually blind and dumb. Totally unable to see the goodness of God and unable to declare His glory. In some others, the devil puts an icing on their cakes by making the deaf also. such cannot even hear…. However, the variant that is common in the church is like this man’s, though they hear and hear, they still walk in error and still speak unintelligibly because the enemy has made them blind and dumb. It s because as the word of God comes into their ears, it does not meet ‘faith’ there. Their hearts are either ‘rocky’ ‘thorny’ or even ‘wayside’ hearts. Many times the problem we have is that we focus on the symptoms – the ‘blindness’ and all overlooking the major matter – the devil.

1.      THE MIRACLE. Vs. 22. Consider the simple way the Bible recorded ‘and Jesus healed him’

Remember the woman bent over by demons (Lk. 13:11) and the demoniac with legion. (Mk. 5:9)

2.      THE PEOPLE’S RESPONSES. (Vs. 23 & 24) Though the people were awed, the leaders belittled Him. The Pharisees are like those people that are so wise in their own eyes

And are always trying to proffer an explanation for everything. Those that think God cannot do anything beyond what they understand…. 

3.      THE GREAT ADVICE. (Vs. 25 -27) Even there is a lesson we can learn from the devil and his kingdom. They are always on the same page, but not so for the children of the Kingdom. Remember “…if two of you shall agree….” (Matt. 18:19. The devil knows this and fights tooth and nail to ensure we are not united.

4.      THE POWERFUL CHARGE. (Vs. 28-30)  NOTE. The devil is the ‘prince of this world’ (Jn 14:30, 16:11) and he holds the keys to the authority and splendor of many of the kingdoms on earth (See Luke 4: 5-7)

Therefore, Jesus now says, if you want to do something meaningful here on earth, you have to bind that ‘strongman’ first. For he it is that is frustrating your plans of fulfilling God’s purpose, he is the one working against the peace of your home, that man that says you will not progress or that woman that hates you without reason, don’t worry, ‘awon ko, esu ni'. Remember, our battle is not against flesh and blood (Eph. 6:12) it is against the strongmen….

CONCLUSION

Our conclusion today is a time of prayer

a.       Thank God for we have Jesus as our Father – our ever present help in trouble

b.      Bind the ‘strongman’ concerning your life…family…finances…Job…health

c.          Pray for that thing you need from God 

UPCOMING EVENTS/ INFORMATION

1.      Next week, Rev. Dr & Mrs Ajao will serve in the Children Department

2.      Dn Dele Olatubosun will lead the Workers’ Prayer next week.

3.      Sunday 3^rd of November, 2019 is our ANNUAL THANKSGIVING DAY. It is time to begin to consider what to appreciate God with for His goodness on your life in the year 2019. 

4.      The Stakeholders’ Meeting of OBC will hold between 28^th Oct. – 5^th November, 2019. Time: 3pm daily.

5.      NSBC Drama Ministry Annual Drama Night of Power tagged “The Little Foxes” – Hebrews 12:1 will hold on Friday 15^th November, 2019 in the Church Auditoriun. Time; 4pm.

6.      Our POSSESSING THE GATES OF THE MONTH of November Prayers will hold on Friday 1^st of November 2019 in the church Auditorium. Time. 5pm.

7.      NSBC Council meeting holds on Friday 1^st Nov, 2019 in the church Auditorium Time. 6pm

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 October

AMOUNT NEEDED FOR THE NEW AUDITORIUM

As work continues on the new Auditorium, 400 bags of cement is needed now. Families are encouraged to donate.

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.

PASTOR’S CORNER

Our God is good all the time but Satan is unrepentantly bad all the time. His strategy against humans is mostly by subterfuge; he hides his presence, while wreaking havoc in many lives. Determine today never to take the devil for granted; but consciously and constantly confront him with the name of Jesus and frustrate his evil enterprise against your life.

PRAYER FOCUS FOR THE WEEK

Pray and rebuke Satan in the lives of every member of NSBC, and also ask for the Spirit of excellence to come upon all our youths.

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