Sunday Service (8th September, 2019)

 

TOPIC: RESOLVED TO DO EXPLOITS

TEXT: DANIEL 1:1-21

BY

REV. DR FOLASHADE OLOYEDE

Introduction: By default, believers in Christ have the potential towards doing exploits. Our theme text for year 2019 says in Ephesians 2:10 that we are “created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” However, contextual realities often pose a challenge on our path to optimally fulfilling our mandate of doing exploits. Sometimes, these discouraging experiences can make us give up on doing exploits; however, those who know their God, who are empowered for exploits, will see beyond the limits of the physical and contextual experiences and be resolved to do exploits. If you will make exploits like Daniel and his friends at Babylon, then:

1.      See beyond the pains of the moment                                   Daniel 1:1-7

-          Captivity is a traumatic experience anyone can have       v.1

-          Watching sacred vessels being carted away is a sacrilege v.2

-          Being in captivity as a member of the royal family and nobility is demeaning v.3

-          Anybody in captivity with the qualifications in v.4 will feel he/she is wasting away.

Daniel and his friends had all these unpleasant and traumatic experiences; yet, they were not licking their wounds, nor indulging in self-pity. They didn’t consider all these challenges reasons for them to tone down their commitment. They must have seen beyond the pains of the moment. What are your own pains of the moment? Be resolved to see beyond your pains.

2.      Do the right things at all-time                                  Daniel 1:8-14

-          Regardless of the unpleasantness of their situation, Daniel resolved not to defile himself. v. 8

-          God ministered favour and compassion to him thereafter v.9

-          The commitment of Daniel and his friends was tried; yet, they stood strong on their resolution. Vv. 10-14

Does it cross your mind that the other young men in that Babylonian College were all ‘Israelites from the royal family and nobility’? (v.3) Could it be that these other Israelites felt it didn’t matter what they did with their lives? Could it be that some felt ‘others are doing it why can’t I’? Could it be that some of them felt entitled, as Abraham’s seeds, and they felt disappointed that God didn’t stop them from being taken captive? Or had some of them even stopped believing in the God of Israel, wondering where He was when such a huge evil befell them? Regardless, of these overwhelming experiences around them, Daniel and his three friends resolved against defilement by the royal meal; with that resolution, they signed up for divine attention, divine favour. Let your commitment to doing the right things be an all time commitment.

3.      Be assured of divine attention and long-lasting exploits               Daniel 1:15-21

-          On a short-term preliminary assessment, Daniel and his friends were healthier and better-nourished than all other candidates v.15-16

-          God threw His weight behind these young men v.17

-          On a final analysis, at their viva, the four resolved young men emerged with resounding distinction, being ten times better, not only than their mates, but also than the experts of the land v.18-20

-          Daniel’s earlier resolution (and of course, his continuous commitment) produced lifespan exploits v.21. He ruled with, Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius and Cyrus (4 governments/rulers in succession)! That was mind-blowing relevance!

Conclusion: This excellence and great exploits was in Daniel and his friends (as it could have been in any other Israelite that was at Babylon with them at that time). However, the other young, noble, handsome and intelligent young men just fizzled out of the story like that. The difference, which made Daniel and his friends stand out, was in their RESOLUTION. There are, and there will always be, challenges militating against our mandate for exploits. Each believer will, however, have to make deliberate decisions towards achieving that ‘which God prepared in advance for us to do’ (Eph. 2:10). Exploit is in you, be resolved to attain it. Do you want to join me to declare our resolution?

BH 216: I Am Resolved

1.      I am resolved no longer to linger,

Charmed by the world’s delight; 
Things that are higher, things that are nobler, 
These have allured my sight.

Refrain: I will hasten to Him, Hasten so glad and free,

                         Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee.

2.      I am resolved to go to the Saviour,

Leaving my sin and strife;

He is the true one, He is the just one,

He hath the words of life.

3.      I am resolved to follow the Saviour,

Faithful and true each day;

Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth,

He is the living way.

4.      I am resolved to enter the kingdom,

Leaving the paths of sin;

Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me,

Still will I enter in.

5.      I am resolved, and who will go with me?

Come, friends, without delay,

Taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit,

We’ll walk the heavenly way.

UPCOMING EVENTS/ INFORMATION

1.      Next week, Dns Oketoobo will serve in the Children department

2.      Mrs Bose Alamu will lead the Workers’ Prayer next week.

3.      The EC of NBC is appealing to every Baptist Member to donate a minimum of #1,000 in September towards the construction of the BAPTIST INTERNATIONAL CAMP AUDITORIUM costing 2 billion naira. Pay into BOWEN 1100104990 or ZENITH BANK 1012261210 or pay to Mrs Sikemi Blessed-Agboola.

4.      As the Church Pastor embarked on his 2019 Annual leave, pray that it will be a refreshing time for him.

5.      MMU meeting holds on Saturday 14^th September, 2019 in the home of Mr Ezekiel Adedokun. All men, please note.

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 September.

AMOUNT NEEDED FOR THE NEW AUDITORIUM

For the next phase of the work on the building, amount needed is 2.08 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

“By default, believers in Christ have the potential towards doing exploits. However, contextual realities often pose a challenge on our path to fulfilling our mandate optimally. Each believer must therefore, make deliberate decisions towards achieving that ‘which God prepared in advance for us to do’ (Eph. 2:10c). Exploits is in you;

be resolved to do exploits.” – Folashade Oloyede.

PRAYER FOCUS FOR THE WEEK

Pray for a refreshing moment for the Nigerian Baptist Ministers as they gather for the 2019 Ministers’

Conference this week. Pray against the waves of xenophobic attacks in South Africa now blowing on Nigeria. 

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