Sunday Service (3rd February, 2019)

 






TOPIC: DO NOT RESPOND TO THE GIANTS.

TEXT: Numbers 13:26-33
²⁶ They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land.
²⁷ They gave Moses this account: "We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit.
²⁸ But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there.
²⁹ The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan."
³⁰ Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."
³¹ But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are."
³² And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size.
³³ We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."

INTRODUCTION

It is important to remind ourselves that this is the second month of 2019. Also, it will not be out of place to again remind ourselves that one out of the twelve months of the year is already gone and the second month is here. In this year in which we sincerely desire to do exploits for God, we need a refocusing to ensure e do not miss out in the year.

LESSON

Today, we learn from the children of Israel while on the verge of entering the promise land. At that point they -

1.    FORGOT GOD. Their first error. It should not be “...the land you (Moses) sent us...” but rather the land God is bringing us into. NEVER FORGET GOD THAT HAS BROUGHT YOU THUS FAR. If “Empowered for Exploits” is seen as a person’s admonition, we have a problem, but if we see it as God’s word, then we are the right track.

2.    REFUSED TO SEE GOD’S PROMISE AS A INDIVISIBLE. The manifestations they saw should have sustained them. In Exo. 3:8, and 17, God promised His people in Exodus 3:17 (NIV)
¹⁷ And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites--a land flowing with milk and honey.'  In Exo. 13:5, the bible says God swore to bring them to that same land. In the passage read, God had already brought out the people from their captivity as promised but they started to think He was unable to possess the land for them.

3.    DID NOT EXPECT THE GIANTS.  NOTE When God was promising the land in Exodus 3:8 & 17, even in Exo. 13:5, Anakims were not mentioned. But when the people got there, they met the Anakims there. It is like once they heard the plan of God for His children, the relocate to the land. The kingdom of darkness has not changed, he still sends his giants to the places of our profiting and it will be naive to think the devil will not be interested when he sees the glory of God manifesting in our lives. Remember, your faith will be tested. (Faith not tested cannot be trusted) If God does not trust you, He definitely cannot commit treasures into your hands. These giants come in various ways today

4.    RESPONDED TO THE GIANTS. Giants come in different ways and unfortunately, the spies fell for their bait. ....  Don’t listen over- analyse. Too much analysis leads to paralysis. Exploits can only be done by faith.

-          The giants may come as physical obstacles. See God above that.

-          They may come as fearful thoughts. See God beyond it.(2 Cor. 10:4-5)

-          They may come as threatening from enemies. Key to the word of God.  

-          They may come as advises from friends. Stand alone with God if needed. The nation of Israel perished in the wilderness because of the report of these ten ‘friends’.

CONCLUSION

If we are to do extraordinarily for God this year, it is expected that we have started by now. We should by now be doing things differently in eager expectation of a different result this year.  Remember, time is already going, go from here to do exploits for Jesus

Upcoming Events/ Information

1.      Next week, Mrs. Foluke Owolabi will serve in the Children department

2.      Mr. Yemi Alamu will lead the Workers’ Prayer next week

3.      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.

4.      MMU Emphasis Sunday comes up on Sunday 10^th February, 2019. Please join our fathers to pray for a successful Program.

5.      2019 First Week of Prayer & Fasting commences on Thurs. 14^th – Wed. 20^th Feb. 2019. Determine to participate.

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

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

Anytime a child of God set out to possess his/ her ‘promised land’, devil sends his ‘giants’ to hinder. As a Christian, refuse to be moved by what you see but resolve to move only by the leading of God’s word.

Prayer Focus for the Week

Pray that God in His mercies will intervene in the all-important elections coming up in Nigeria. Ask that His will shall come to pass

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