Sunday Service (13th October, 2019)

 

TOPIC:    PUT A DEMAND ON GOD’S GRACE

TEXT:     2 KINGS 4: 1-6

A message delivered by Rev. Kayode Oke

2 Kings 4:1-6 (NIV)
¹ The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves."
² Elisha replied to her, "How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?" "Your servant has nothing there at all," she said, "except a little oil."
³ Elisha said, "Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few.
⁴ Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side."
⁵ She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring.
⁶ When all the jars were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another one." But he replied, "There is not a jar left." Then the oil stopped flowing.

INTRODUCTION:

Like a man of God once said, “If there is a man to pray, God is ever there to answer”. Why should we be called the sons and daughters of the King and there is no ‘Dansaki’ on us? Why?

LESSON.

1.      THE PROBLEM (Vs. 1) Have you actually located the problem?   (a) This woman identified the problem. She properly analysed her problem.   (b) She took it to the appropriate quarters. She could have made it a weeping issue and start looking for those that will pity her. She took it to God. The closest they could get to God that time was to go to the man of God. To God’s grace today, we can “approach the throne of grace with confidence.” (Heb. 4:16) But is that your story. Even when you manage to come, is it not as a slave? Come confidently today.

2.      THE MATERIAL. (Vs. 2) Note that what God would use to solve the problem was already in the woman’s house. The solution to your problem may not be ‘across the seas’ but likely already around you. NOTE. - At Horeb, the staff of God was already in Moses’ hands. (Exo. 4:2) – At Marah, the piece of wood was close by. (Exo 15:25) – The stones that fell Goliath were there on David’s path (1 Sam. 17:40) – The jars used for the abundant supply of wine at Cana were standing nearby (John 2:6). The solutions you eagerly desire are just nearby; let God open your eyes to them.

3.      THE INSTRUCTION. (Vs. 3 & 4) God’s servant gave an instruction to this woman than is ever relevant to us as Christians.

(a)               Place a demand on grace. Ask of God, not according to your capacity but rather according to His.  (... for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few)

(b)               Shut out the world.  “…go inside and shut the doors behind you ....” It is like Elijah was telling the woman; you don’t need the community’s approval for this. In fact, if you bring them in on this, they will discourage you. – shut them out........ This woman had to shut the world out of the door so as not to get confused by the ‘wisdom of the world’. Many persons are more of Men/Women of the people rather than Men/Women of God. Would rather seek Man’s approval that God’s.   Remember, God’s command are not necessarily ‘sensible’ but ‘possible’ (What is sensible in many jars for a small oil....  or in retaining only 300 soldiers to fight a might army – as with Gideon in Judges 7. – REMEMBER: THOSE WHO ARE OBSESSED WITH THE SENSIBILITY OF GOD’S COMMANDS WILL NEVER PARTAKE IN ITS POSSIBILITIES.  Therefore, once it is of the Lord, just obey. 

4.      THE MIRACLE. (Vs. 5 & 6) Note that the size of the miracle is the size of the faith. Immediately the jars finished, the oil stopped flowing.

CONCLUSION

 In 2 Kings 3:16-17 the servant of God told the soldiers marching in a waterless desert that
¹⁶ and he said, "This is what the Lord says: Make this valley full of ditches.
¹⁷ For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink.

-          Now is the time to dig ditches of faithfulness and obedience concerning that lack in your life. Dig it in faith, though there may be no wind or dew, be confident that those ditches shall be filled with water.

UPCOMING EVENTS/ INFORMATION

1.      Next week, Mr & Mrs Ogunlowo will serve in the Children Department

2.      Rev. Akinwale Oloyede 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 Church will be appreciating our elderly members on Sunday 20^th October 2019. Please pray along

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

It is the desire of God that His children prosper on earth and are live in good health. (3 John.2) This again affirms the fact that His thought toward us are thoughts of peace. (Jer. 29: 11) It is unfortunate however that our little faith always limits what we receive from Him. (Matt. 9:29)

PRAYER FOCUS FOR THE WEEK

Pronounce God’s blessings on all that cooperate with God in building His Church.

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