TOPIC: ABUNDANCE THROUGH SHARING TEXT: 1 Kings 17:8-16 KEY VERSE: “And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she and he, and her house, did eat many days.” - (1 Kings 17:15) The almighty God, in His wisdom did not endow everyone with equal substance such that we are all self-sufficient and so do not need the assistance of others. One may have sufficiency in one item but lack in something else. Whether in our chosen endeavour or God-assigned duty, we need each other. Human existence is one of interdependence. While sufficiency is a measure of virtue, greater success is usually attained when we share our substance with others. And it is not in the quantity of our substance but the readiness and cheerfulness of sharing. Many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, yet the person appointed to cater for him was a poor widow in want. It is God’s way and to His glory, to make use of and put honour upon the weak and foolish things of the world. The woman also neede...

CHARISMA WITHOUT CHARACTER Read: Matthew 7:15-23 [15]Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. [16]Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [17]Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. [18]A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. [19]Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. [20]Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. [21]Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. [22]Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? [23]And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquit...

Topic: You’re The Object Of His Love Scripture: The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise (Proverbs 11:30).  Message What God cares about the most in the earth is the souls of men. The Bible says in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” He loved the world of humans, not things; we’re the object of His love. Each one of us is more important to Him than the planets and galaxies. He’s got angels that supervise the galaxies, and angels appointed over other matters. But the angels with the most honourable job are the ones appointed over people, over the souls for whom Jesus died. When you understand this as a Christian, especially as one who heads a cell or care-group or fellowship in the local church, your premium will be on people. You might say, “I only have three people in my fellowship!” But as small as that number might seem, you’r...

Topic: Seeking God’s Presence Fire Scripture Ps. 63:1-6 Memory verse Ps. 16:11 – “Thou will shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore”  Outline Seeking God’s presence means to have an intimate personal relationship with Him. It is to set your heart and mind on Him or to focus your affection on Him (1 Chron. 22:19). It also means to pursue Him alone and allow Him to fill the vacuum in your life. It is to desire more of Him always (Ps. 63:1). The presence of God is the key to power in your life. Jesus told the disciples to stay in the Upper Room until they receive the power to become His witnesses (Acts 1:8). You can only receive the power of God when you stay in His presence. God wanted Adam and Eve to enjoy His presence forever. He would go to have fellowship with them every day, but disobedience drove them away from His presence. Adam became afraid of God’s face. Sin will create fear in you and it will drive you...

THEME: PRAYERS FOR YOUTHS. MEMORISE:  The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.  Proverbs 20:29 READ: Ecclesiastes 12:1-7  1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; 2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: 3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, 4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low; 5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and d...

TOPIC: GOD IS IN CONTROL TEXT: JOSHUA 6:1-7 Key Verse: "And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days" (Joshua 6:3).      God wanted Israel to learn something very special and important. He would help them to win their first battle in the Promised Land.       He would do it His own way, so that there will be no confusion about who actually won the battle. It would also demonstrate that Israel's God was superior to the gods of the Canaanites. No single weapon was used; as Israel followed God's instructions, Jericho's impenetrable wall fell flat to the ground. The battle was over! The lesson that the Israelites learned here is to trust God and follow His instructions exactly, in order to have success. It also showed them who was really in charge. In your life, when problems come, who do you call on first? Your friends or God? Put your trust in God and not in man, He promised to defend you....

FIRST THINGS FIRST TEXT: Mark 10:35-45 KEY VERSE: “And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.” - (Mark 10:44) Ahead of when the last trumpet shall sound with our Lord gathering us for our final abode in heaven, there are points He expects us to ponder on while we are still here in the world so that we do not lose focus. God does not want us to be like the religious teachers of His time who “omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy and faith” (Matthew 23:23).  When two of His disciples approached Him with a request to allow them prominent places in His kingdom, Jesus made them understand “it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared”. Though seeking the Kingdom of heaven is a paramount quest, there are “weightier matters” the believer must also address. How do we relate to each other as members of the body of Christ? Do we lord over the brethren in a master-servant relationship as the men and women of the world do? Or are we like Christ...

RETREAT Read: Mark 6:30-32 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately. MEMORISE: For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength." But you would not (lsaiah 30:15) EXPOSITION There are times "No retreat, no surrender" can work for you. But most times, the best or wisest thing to do is to run for your dear life. On many occasions, our Lord Jesus retreated, not as someone quitting the stage, but as a wise fighter who knows when to withdraw a little, for more strength and energy. 'Retreat' in this context is not quitting the fight but taking rest, to refir...

Topic: The Authority Of His Name Scripture: Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth (Philippians 2:9-10).  Message The scripture above is definitive about the authority of Jesus. This is different from the character or identity of His Name. For example, Jesus passed by many sick people who didn’t take advantage of His identity to receive healing when He walked the earth. In fact, the Bible says He came to a place where there were many impotent folks, He healed one person and went away from there (Read John 5:1-15). Yet He had His identity, had His character. So, in using His Name, it’s about His authority. You’re not even required to squeeze up faith to use His Name. His Name is an instrument and a gift given to you to use. And the authority of His Name is over things, beings, and anything that can be identified. A...

Topic: The Talent And The Master Fire Scripture Matt. 25:14-30 Memory Verse Luke 19:13 – “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them “occupy till I come.” Outline Jesus was always using parables to illustrate His teachings. In our Fire Scripture today, the Master divided the talents among his servants, according to their abilities. No one received more or less than he could handle. The talents represent any kind of resources you are endowed with. God gives you time, gifts and other resources according to your ability and expects you to invest them wisely until He returns. It is not how much you have but how well you use what you have. Your talent is useless unless it is used! You are to use these gifts and talents for the glory of God and not for selfish desires. As the parable of the talents shows, each person will be held accountable for the way he manages God’s resources. The first two servants used their talents and, as a result of this, God gav...