Sunday Service (20th January, 2019)

TOPIC:  IN PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

TEXT: 2 CORINTHIANS 13:11
¹¹ Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Matthew 5:48 (NIV)
⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Philippians 3:12-13 (NIV)
¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
¹³ Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

INTRODUCTION

Today, we shall be focusing on ‘excellence’ (defined as ‘a state of possessing good qualities in an eminent degree.) 2 Cor. 13:11(NIV) says “Aim for perfection”, and that be the very first ‘exploits’ we do for the Lord in 2019. Yes, not only do we want to serve God, but we serve Him excellently this year.  The issue of just doing things ‘anyhow’ should become a thing of the past among us. Let us from today determine together that we shall do all we can to the very best of our abilities. Let excellence become our watchword. Let us strive to be the best possible. Determine that mediocre service become a thing of the past in your life.

-          See every service (in church or outside the church) as an act of worship.

-          See every act of worship as an offering you present to God personally.

(Who among us will desire to approach the throne of mercy and place a defective offering on God’s hands?)

PLEDGE: FATHER, AS YOU HELP ME ON THIS YEAR, I PLEDGE TO SERVE YOU EXCELLENTLY, TO GIVE YOU MY VERY BEST IN JESUS NAME. AMEN.

LESSON

The writer in this passage says ‘aim for perfection’. What this mean includes-

1.    SET PERFECTION AS GOAL. Don’t just do what your fathers did, do it better. Don’t just think that ‘doing it’ is enough, determine to do it very well. If all of us determine to create an ‘oasis’ of peace, of beauty and of excellence in our little corners, you can see that the total picture starts to get better. Imagine the grounds of our church being made very beautiful now…….In your office, set perfection as your goal. Don’t just manage that office, rather improve it. Plan to improve it massively this year. (Popcorn in America – packaging) Let us repackage. Please let your perfection goal not stop at the church level. Can start at the church but must not stop at the church. Take it to your offices, businesses and homes…..   

2.    WORK FOR PERFECTION. It is good to set goals but it is great to work towards the set goals. Don’t just conceive it, birth it.

3.    KEEP WORKING TOWARDS PERFECTION. Perfection is not a destination, it is a journey. What was innovation sometime ago is archaic today. Philippians 3:13 says “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,”

CONCLUSION  

It is in the light of this, the church, NSBC will

(a)               Make excellence our goal for this year of 2019 in everything that we do.

(b)               Continue to encourage every member to work for excellence in whatever capacity they find themselves in 2019. As a teacher, teach well, as a singer, sing well…..

(c)               Be giving an Award of Excellence to a deserving individual this year. We want to, in our own little way, encourage the culture of excellence in the land, particularly among our youths. We shall honor youths that labor to make a difference in the land – in a land where young boys do yahoo yahoo, let us encourage diligence…. In a land where most youths believe in exam malpractices etc, let the church stand up to say to the few that dare to be different that we are with them. 

                                      BUT

THINK. HOW CAN YOU PRESENT AN EXCELLENT SERVICE TO GOD WHEN YOU, THE ‘PRESENTER’ IS DEFECTIVE? 

                                                               Upcoming Events/ Information

1.      Next week, Mrs. Pastor & Mrs. Okpo will serve in the Children department

2.      Mr. Johnson Popoola will lead the Workers’ Prayer next week

3.      As the church focuses on DISCIPLESHIP this year, every Sunday evening will be dedicated to discipleship training. Put your name down with the Discipleship Coordinator today.

4.      WMU Focus Sunday comes up in NSBC on Sunday 27^th January 2019. Please continue to pray for our mothers as they prepare for the program.

5.      Monday 4^th and Tuesday 5^th of February is the Nigerian Baptist Convention GENERAL WORKERS CONFERENCE for Ogbomoso, Osun, Kwara and Ekiti Conferences. The prog holds at Beulah Bap Centre on those days. It will be an enriching time. Plan to attend.

Weddings Bell Ringing

The families of Mr. & Mrs. Aderogba and Mr. & Mrs. Onojah cordially invite us all to the Wedding Ceremony of their children, Adenike Janet and Amos Ochayi on Saturday 2^nd February, 2019 at Halleluyah Baptist Church, Ogbomoso. Time:10am. Reception at Bethel Event Center, Olomi Area, Ogbomoso

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 January.

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

Jesus rescued us from the cesspit of sin, washed us with His precious blood and made us clean so we can live an excellent life for Him. Even if we are yet to arrive at that goal, let us “press on to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of (us) Phil.3:12

Prayer Focus for the Week

Pray for the spirit of excellence to fall on all members of NSBC, that in everything, we reflect the glory of God.

Weekly Activities

Monday:

Intercessors Meeting-5:00pm

Tuesday:

WMS & Sunbeam-5:00pm

Wednesday:

Bible Study & Prayer Meeting-5:00pm

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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