Sunday Service (31st March, 2019) - Thanksgiving Sunday

 

TOPIC: INGRATITUDE, A GRIEVIOUS SIN

TEXT: NUMBERS 11: 4-6, 10, 31-34
⁴ The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, "If only we had meat to eat!
⁵ We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost--also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic.
⁶ But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!"
¹⁰ Moses heard the people of every family wailing, each at the entrance to his tent. The Lord became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled.
³¹ Now a wind went out from the Lord and drove quail in from the sea. It brought them down all around the camp to about three feet above the ground, as far as a day's walk in any direction.
³² All that day and night and all the next day the people went out and gathered quail. No one gathered less than ten homers. Then they spread them out all around the camp.
³³ But while the meat was still between their teeth and before it could be consumed, the anger of the Lord burned against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague.
³⁴ Therefore the place was named Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had craved other food.

INTRODUCTION

Read a story about a spring in rural Mexico with hot and cold water beside each other…(like Ikogusi warm spring)

LESSON

1.      INGRATITUDE, A FUNCTION OF NARROW-MINDEDNESS (Vs 4-5) They remembered the fish, cucumbers, garlic and leeks but chose to forget the slavery, the bricks without straws etc.  Such people refuse to see the total picture. They focus on what is lacking not minding what is available. Many of us do such to God,..... Another way is to be so self-centred (Your car not very good and get angry with God ... forgetting that there are so many praying to be where you are) 

2.      INGRATITUDE BELITTLES GRACE (Vs 6)  “…we never see anything but this manna!" ‘…this manna’ is God’s very special delicacy for His special people – had never happened before and not again from then…….and they called it ‘this manna’? it was too ‘cheap’ to be appreciated……

3.      INGRATITUDE CAN BE CONTAGIOUS (Vs 10) The rabble started the trouble…they are the riff- raffs, the mixed multitude, they were the ‘asawos’ the ‘ajejis’ You see, anytime God’s children gather, rabbles  will sneak in – these ones love the blessing of the covenant but don’t want the covenant conditions…. They are here o…. Unfortunately their actions can be contagious…by Vs 10 most people had keyed in 

4.      INGRATITUDE BRINGS DOWN GOD’S JUDGMENT (Vs 33) But while the meat was still between their teeth…, the anger of the Lord burned against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague.

May our actions and inactions never bring down God’s wrath on us. Remember, ‘It is a fearful (dreadful NIV …terrible -NLT) thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Heb.10:31)

CONCLUSION

A man who was renowned for being always grateful to God even in the face of trial, talked of his secret, and this he termed “The fourfold look” and I whole heartedly recommend this for everyone.

 First:-  He looked within and saw such guilt and unworthiness that whatever blessings balanced his afflictions, they were more than he deserved.

Second :  He looked without and saw those who had far many more problems than himself, and this made every complaint a piece of sore ingratitude to him.

Third:- He looked beneath and saw the earth, into which his body would soon be lowered, and when all of life's trials would be over once and for all.

Fourth:- He looked above and saw by faith his home in Heaven, and this made the light affliction but for a moment, not worthy to be compared with the glory waiting to be revealed.

With this fourfold look we can silence all murmurings, and you see God in control and you are able to thank God even in difficult times.

PRAYER TIME

1.      ASK FOR GOD’S FORGIVENESS FOR ALL ACTS OF INGRATITUDE YOU EXHIBITED IN THE PAST

2.      TAKE TIME TO APPRECIATE HIM NOW FOR ALL HE HAS DONE

UPCOMING EVENTS/ INFORMATION

1.      Next week, Dr. & Mrs. Olupona will serve in the Children department

2.      Mrs. Funke Oyekunle will lead the Workers’ Prayer next week.

3.      NSBC Council meets on Friday 5^th April 2019 in the Church Auditorium. Time. 5.30pm. all members please note.

4.      NSBC 2019 first quarter Church In Conference holds on Sunday 14^th April 2019. All Church members should please note

5.      Our POSSESSING THE GATES of the Month of April 2019 Prayers comes up on Monday 1^st April, 2019 in the Church Auditorium. Time: 5:00pm.

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 March.

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.

PASTOR’S CORNER

You may not have everything you want, but learn to thank God for everything you have. For when you take a good look, you will see that what you have is far more than what you want.

PRAYER FOCUS FOR THE WEEK

As our Children starts the writing of their WAEC papers this week, pray that the Holy Spirit will bring to their remembrance all they have learnt and read.

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