Ayo Bello Memorial Baptist Church, Ilorin – Nigeria

As God’s children, going forward this year with assurances that speak to us in a way that resonates with our desires and needs are comforting and empowering to say the least.

Our theme for the month points out the following.

1.We can enter into a relationship with God. Exo 6:6-7

2.We are in a relationship with God. John 20:17b

3. We can benefit from this relationship.. Eze 37:24-28, Jer 30:22

A. How do we enter into this relationship

Entering into a relationship with god calls for the following

Prayer and God’s word, fellowship and service, avoiding a life of sin, listen to the voice of God (Ps 119:11, Mk 1:35, Heb 10:25, Jh 10:27a, John 9:4)

B. Since we are in relationships with God. What are we to do

1. Guard this relationship. Matt 24:4

2. Love the Lord Matt 22:37

3. Not take God for granted Prov1:24

C. The benefits include the following

1.  eternal life (Jh 10:27b)

2. Privilege of the light

# The word light was first mentioned in Genesis 1:3 and it brought about a separation between the day and the night. (This light mentioned was not the sun neither was it the moon etc. vs 14-18)

Let’s note these passages and their implications

1 John 1:5-7 God is light, another affirmation of our anchor text. It also tells us that this light is pure i.e it is one with no iota of darkness in it. It is an attractive light that brings others into HIS radiance, meaning that which God is, he wants us to be.

John 9:5 the light has a voice. To direct, guide, affirm, instruct

James 1:17. The light gives good gifts and perfect gifts that abide   

#It also showed the contrast between the redeemed and the cursed Exo 10:23. Light also can be seen as that which exposes Eph 5:13. The light also is that which shields  

We are to do the work of him that sent us while it is day, because the night cometh when no one Cn work

Ps 18:28 makes it clear that

-it is God that gives light to our lamps

-our lives are characterized with darkness therefore we need God to give light

My God speaks of relationship.

Time of danger

When in doubt, not sure what to do

When in ourselves we see no help, way or certainty

When imagination fails

Preamble:

• Our focus for discussion this morning is “Living to please God” under the broad theme for the month which is “Living for Christ”.
• Today, we shall be satisfying our quest to understanding the theme better and deeper through God’s word- The Word of God is spirit and life (John 6:63); it is living and active (Hebrews 4:12) and, when quickened by the Holy Spirit, has dynamic power to impart spiritual life to us.

A Call for concern in this scriptural text is to define what it means for children of God to live for God, then understand how to please Him in our daily living. How has God empowered us to live for His pleasure and what are the implications for our lives?

1. To Live for God:
2. To live for God is to have your root in God- John 3:3-5; Colossians 1:13. This is the starting point, a life outside Christ has not started with Him, so he cannot live for Him. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.-John 3:6
3. To live for God is to keep growing in Him.-Col.2:6-7 II Pet.3:18; I Pet.2:2-3; Col.1:9-10

•  When we become Christians, we enter into a relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit that will cause us to grow.
• With the power of the Holy Spirit, we are called to become more like Jesus and to become more holy. It is this spiritual growth that becomes a birthmark of our faith!As we grow physically so God expects us to grow spiritually ( I Sam.2:26; Luke 1:80)

• To live for Him is to have my entire life in God-Acts 17:27- 28; Job 12:10; Deut.30:20; Psalm 36:9

2. To Please God

• “Please” is cause to feel happy and satisfied.
• To please God is to be agreeable; acceptable; delightful e.t.c
• To please God is Living worthy of God’s call upon your life-Eph.4:1; promoting the business of  God’s kingdom and conducting yourself in manner worthy of gospel of Christ (Phil 1:27-29)
• To please God is Pursuing the goal of  satisfying God wherever you are and under whatever conditions you find yourself- II Corinthians 5:9
• To please God is Demonstrating utmost love for God-Matt.6:33: John 21:27
• It is allowing God to occupy 1st position in my priority for life. How much are you doing thi?

• Loving God is demonstrating my utmost for the highest -John 21:27;
• When we receive the life of Christ through the Holy Spirit, He unites us with God so that His love is demonstrated in us.
• The goal of the indwelling Holy Spirit is not just to unite us with God, but to do it in such a way that we will be one with the Father in exactly the same way Jesus was..
• Expressing the love of God permit you and I to live to satisfy God’s agenda “feed my sheep”- This is talking about mission/ spreading the gospel.

“The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”-John 21:27

3. How are We Empower to Live to please God?

Through the help of Holy Spirit

• God has given you His Spirit to enable you to live in a way that pleases Him.
• “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”- Gal.5:25
• “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”- Philippians 2:13 KJV

4 .Conclusion:  Implication of Living to please Him

God wants us to understand that every where you are as His children,  you are:

• We are Christ’s ambassador [ (2Cor.5.20);We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.] So we must be His representative wherever we go; church, market, in the car, offices e.t.c

Chrorus: “Any where I go I will be doing good, I will be like Jesus who cares for me, when the needy see, they will see Jesus,  anywhere I go o yes, I will be doing good”.

• Jesus must be prevailing and revealing in our lives; Wherever we sit, stand ,chat discuss, ( your spoken and unspoken expression).- Ps.1.1

Psalm 1:1; Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. (AMP)

• We are the shining light for Christ, a light that must not go hidden at any time and pointing others to Christ- Matt.5:14, 16- Matt.5.14 – “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Matt.5.16 – Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Introduction

• Psalm 18:29 established the fact of what we can do in our lives as children of God with God on our sides
• Life is full of aspirations and challenges. Proverbs 10:28; Isa.32:8a
• The aspirations of good people end in celebration; the ambitions of bad people crash MSG.
• Challenges of life are of varying magnitude and complexities set to debar one from achieving desire heights or feats in life-Psalms 34:19
• Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all -Psalms 34:19 NKJV
• Approaches to overcome the challenges vary and include strong determination, doggedness, dynamism and dutiful attitude. Whoever quit, quiet or quiescent about his or goal will achieve nothing-Psalms 56:9.
• The approach that God is bringing your way today is to RELAUNCH so as to gather enough momentum LEAP to FORWARD  to God’s desire place for your life.
• When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”Luke 5:4.
• God is talking to a Simon today to relaunch (retry,

retake, reapply, reattempt)

Relaunch is

• to launch (something) again or to be launched again
• a new(to make) attempt to sell a product or service, often by advertising it in a different way or making it available in a different form
• to go into or put (something) into operation or motion again. To start or get going

1. What Does RELAUNCH Entail?

To relaunch implies the following:

• Review your present state: To review is to do a formal assessment of something with the intention of instituting change if necessary. To do a critical( genuine & sincere appraisal.
• But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing;. No need for pretence, like Simon, learn to review where you are and make a truth assessment of yourself
• Restrategise your approach: nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”
• God is whispering to somebody,  go this way. Change your approach, attitude and action to get new desired results
• To form a new strategy- Matt.12:29- Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.

• Refocus your goal–And when they had done this…..vs 6a
• You cannot continue the usual way and expect different results
• Ensure you are reposition to reach your goal
• to focus again; to change the emphasis or direction
• Simon’s goal was to catch fish, so he changed focus to new approach to get results.
• Report at the feet of Jesus– John 15:5- When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying.
• And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish-John 21:6
• No other sources could  help out side coming to God
• Draw strength from God daily-1Sam.2:9
• With Jesus lie the specific divine instructions for new leaps- John 21:6; Isaiah 30:21 .Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left-Isaiah 30:21

• Reconnect when necessary vs 7- So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats…
• You need people network, seek support , synergise when necessary. Who Are your partners and friends?
• Imagine having no one to connect with, would they

have succeeded? John 5:6-7   “When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”John 5:6-7–

2. How to RELAUNCH:

Approach to relaunch include 3 ingredients/virtues in your life as a childof God:

Relaunch through Faith in God

Relaunch through Hope in God

Relaunch through Trust in God

• Relaunch through faith in God- Heb.11:6; Luke.5.5 Heb.11:32-34
• Without faith you cannot approach God for help
• nevertheless at Your word Luke 5:5
• Faith in God guarantees new leap in all your life

• Relaunch through hope in God. Hope in Christ secures new leaps. Nothing else is assuring than hope in God- Psalm 23:1-6
• For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.”-1 Cor.3:11

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. 

Ref:

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

  All other ground is sinking sand.

• Relaunch through trust in God:I will let down the net.” vs 5c; Prov 3:5-6;
• Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act. (Psalm 37:5, ESV)
• Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. (Psalm 62:8, NIV)
• Trust in God not in things- Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. (Psalm 20:7, NIV)

When darkness veils His lovely face,

I rest on His unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale,

My anchor holds within the veil.

Conclusion:

You may not understand the difficult or uncertain situation you find yourself in, but God does. His track record in your life and in the Bible is one of faithfulness. If you give your life to Him, you can rest assured that He will keep up His end of the bargain. You will begin to Leap Forward in Jesus’ name.

Introduction:

• As we continue in this season of glorious transformation , God wants to see glorious change in every area of our lives including our thoughts, the way of life, actions, perceptions and belief system.
• The revelation that God is bringing to us from our focal text is to understand the demand of God upon as children of God who has turned a new life in Christ (2 Cor.5:17) and have embraced the message of the cross (1 Cor. 1:18, Jn. 1:12; 2 Cor. 5:15a)
• Christ died & rose to give us salvation as well as enablement to live for Him all days of our lives.
• To live for Christ is to die to selfishness in order to selflessly live for Christ.
• 1 Peter 4:2- so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

We shall be examining the divine instruction for believers in this passage as follows:

1. Live not for yourself
2. Learning to live for Christ
3. Approach to living for Christ

Live not for yourself

1. Living for self is characterised with selfishness, self-centeredness.

• Living to either sinful self, or righteous self (Luke 18:10-12; Gal.1:10)
• Living unto oneself also include: living to lusts and worldliness. (Titus 3:3; 1 Jn. 2:15-16)
• Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world-I John 2:15-16 NKJV

Seeking your own ease and satisfaction (Matt. 6:19-21)

Promoting your own interest (Phil.2:3-4,21; 2 Tim. 3:4)

• Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus-Philippians 2:3-4, 21

Seeking pleasure and worldly gain, ( Isa. 5:11-13; Prov.21:17; Luke 8:14)

•  Woe to those who rise early in the morning, That they may follow intoxicating drink; Who continue until night, till wine inflames them! The harp and the strings, The tambourine and flute, And wine are in their feasts; But they do not regard the work of the Lord, Nor consider the operation of His hands-Isaiah 5:11-12

Having reputation as the controlling principle of their lives- Prov. 30:12, 20:6; Matt.5:20,6:5; Mark 11:25;

God is saying the time to put off such life is now, it is not compatible with new way of living. Such practices must henceforth stop

• B.   Living for Christ- Rom.6: 9-11

For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord-Romans 6:10-11; Galatians 2:20-I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me

To live for Christ is the opposite of living unto ourselves.

This form of life seek to honor the Lord firstly and always (Matt.6:33,10:38-39; Exo. 20:3)

Honour God with everything you own; give him the first and  the best(MSG)

To love God absolutely ( Matt. 22:37-38);

• Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment-Matthew 22:37-38 To acknowledge and accept that we belong to Him; that all our time and talents; all our strength of intellect and body; all the avails of our skill and toil, all belong to him, and should be employed in his service for impacting the world (Col.3:17).
• And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him-Coloss. 3:17

Philippians 1:21: For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

C. Approach to living for Christ

• Possessing the mind of Christ

Philippians 2:5 says _”Let this mind be with you which was also in Christ Jesus”_

When we carry the mind of Christ, we reason the way of Jesus. And it reflects in our everyday life and in every where

we found ourselves: in the market, neighborhood, Church, homes, workplace, shopping malls, on the road, in the street, on the wheel etc. Christ must reflect in our lives. We must live for Jesus and through that impact our world daily.

Submitting and obeying the master

Such believer is bound to go where his master chooses; to execute the task which He assigns; to deny himself at his master’s will; and to come and lay the avails of all his toil and skill at his master’s feet.(Eph. 6:5 Prov.19:21).

• Seeking to bring glory to His name: Psalm 29:2

As children of God, in all you do, you reverence God as the owner and the giver of all grace and gifts. The glory of God alone is reveal in all opportunity you have to shine.

For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?-1 Cor.4:7

• Conclusion

Let’s conclude with this hymn:

I Live for Jesus I live for Jesus, day after day

• I live for Jesus, O Come what may The Holy Spirit, I will obey I live for Jesus, day after day

Preamble

Today, we continue in our understanding of how we can continue to enjoy new leaps via different approaches.

We have understood the following

1. Era of New Leaps
2. Relaunch to Leap Forward
3. Attaining New Leaps Together
4. Today our task is understanding how to enjoy new leap by living above the World

Understanding the Defining Elements

1.  Living:

• Living is defined as the style or way a person lives their life.(Way of life)
• To continue to exist
• the pursuit of a lifestyle of the specified type.

2. Above:

• The definition of above is something that is higher in relation to something else.
• Over or higher than; More than
• Beyond the level or reach of.

3. World:

• All that relates to or affects the life of a person.
• A realm or domain.

• Surrounding circumstances and prevailing events

• The world today is characterized with Negativism,  Pessimism and Hopelessness. (Gen.1:1) Most of us live in disappointment, depression and stress because we allow circumstances to dictate pace control our life.

• Living above the world therefore speaks of our attitude (way of life) as children of God and believers, seeing ourselves far more than or beyond ( through God) the contemporary happenings or existence around us- Philippians 3 :12-13; 1 John 5:4-5
• When circumstances want to drive and direct our life, we learn to look beyond it and go ahead of them-Phil.3.13 Brethren,…. but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead (Phil.3.13 )

• Living in the consciousness that we have a goal in view to catch up with – Phil.3.12 – Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

Psalm 27:13 KJV:

• I had fainted, Unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living- Psalm 27:13 KJV
• I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living (NIV)

Secrets of Living above the World

1. Living through Hope in the LORD
2. Living through Trust in God
3. Living by different spirit
4. Living through Faith in God

• Living through hope in God. Hope in Christ secures new leaps. Nothing else is assuring than hope in God- Psalm 23:1-6
• Psalm 130:7 Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.
• Wait on the Lord, And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it. Psalms 37:34

1.  My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. 

Ref:

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

  All other ground is sinking sand.

2.   When darkness veils His lovely face,

I rest on His unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale,

My anchor holds within the veil.

• Living through trust in God:I will let down the net.”- Luke 5:5c; Prov. 3:5-6;
• Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act. (Psalm 37:5, ESV)
• Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. (Psalm 62:8, NIV)
• Trust in God not in things– Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. (Psalm 20:7, NIV)
• It’s time for a spiritual transfer. . .your circumstances to God. 1 Peter 5:“Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].”(AMP)

Orin 250: GBEKELE onigbagbo

Ẹsẹ 1

GBEKELE onigbagbo,

B’ ija na tile pe,

Sibe iwo yio segun,

Olorun ja fun o.

Sa gbekele!

B’ okunkun tile su:

Sa gbekele!

Ile fere mo na.

Ẹsẹ 2

Gbekele! ewu ma mbo,

Idanwo wa n’tosi;

Ninu gbogb’ ewu aiye,

On yio t’ oko re.

Ẹsẹ 3

Oluwa le gba wa la,

Ore otito ni;

Gbekele onigbagbo,

Gbekele de opin.

• Living by Different Spirit– Numbers 14:24;13:30
• The Spirit that we stay on the new leap of glorious transformation is not a common spirit of this world but Spirit divine- Numbers 13:30Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”
• Caleb was a man of altitudes. He was not content with the average or commonplace. He was never moved by the presence of the hostile Anakites but was moved by possibilities and claimed his inheritance.

• Living through faith in God- Heb.11:1, 6, 11; Luke.5.5 Heb.11:32-34

Heb.11.32 – And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and

Samuel and the prophets:

Heb.11.33 – who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

Heb.11.34 – quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

• Without faith you cannot approach God for help
• nevertheless at Your word Luke 5:5
• Faith in God guarantees new leap in all your life
• Faith sees the victory
• Faith brings a good report
• Faith sees with the eyes of God

Conclusion New Leap is real and circumstances of the world could not stop it if we live above the world

INTRODUCTION

In our last lesson, we explained the four key words in the topic of our study: “Kingdom”, “Virtues”, “Garment,” and “Elect”. We concluded that, those who are the elect (chosen) of God, holy and beloved of the Father, ought to clothe themselves with Kingdom virtues (in the form of garment), to portray them as belonging to God and living the life of Christ.

In this lesson, we shall focus our attention on one of these items of clothing, as outlined and described by Apostle Paul in our text, Colosions 3:12-15.

1. BOWELS OF MERCY

Literally, the bowel is part of the digestive system. It is made up of the small bowel (small intestine) and the large bowel (large intestine or colon and rectum).

▪︎Bowels of something mean the deep inner parts of something, the inward or interior part. To understand this better, read Acts 1:18.

▪︎Figuratively, bowels connote deep emotions of various kinds.

Mercy is defined as the compassionate treatment of those in distress, especially when it is within one’s power to punish or harm them as they deserved.

▪︎In the Bible, Mercy is used in reference to giving forgiveness or withholding punishment. Look up Num. 14:18; Ps. 51:1; 103:10-11; Dan. 9:9.

▪︎God’s mercy shows up in the believer’s life at salvation. Check Titus 3:5.

▪︎Bowels of Mercy can therefore be described as “tenderhearted mercy” or “deep Compassion.”

Reflection: Read Exd.33:19 and Rom. 9:15 and briefly explain the concept of God’s mercy.

TENDERHEARTED MERCY

The concept of tenderhertedness brings to mind a picture of “ample insides” that are easily touched and moved to action. A tenderhearted person is easily moved to love, sorrow, and sympathy. Consider Peter’s encouragement to believers in 1Pt. 3:8.

A tender heart is very sensitive and affected. It feels things very strongly and responds quickly.

▪︎It does more than merely feel compassion when it sees someone hurting, vulnerable and in need of help or support. Consider the action of the good Samaritan in Lk.10:30-37. The merciful Christian sees other people’s problems and then works to help resolve them.

▪︎It empathises and bear other’s burdens (Gal. 6:1-3), patiently tolerates difficult people (2 Tim.2:24-25), and is always ready to do good (Titus 3:1-2).

Mercy is also described as a mission or act performed to alleviate the suffering of others. It is to have compassion to spare, to pity… Check Exd. 2:6; 1Sam. 23:21.

By His nature, God is merciful, compassionate, and tenderhearted. His infinite compassion towards us is made known throughout the Scriptures. Look up Exd.34.6; Ps. 86:15; Is. 49: 15-16.

▪︎God’s Compassion is rooted in His covenant bond with His people. Check 2kings 13:23; Lam. 3:22-23.

In the New Testament, God’s tenderheartedness is revealed through the life and Ministry of His Son, Jesus Christ.

▪︎His compassion moved Him to heal the sick, feed the hungry, and forgive repentant sinners. Check Matt. 9:36; 14:14; 20:34; Mk. 1:40-41; 8:2; Lk. 15:20.

God calls us to follow His example by clothing ourselves with tenderharted mercy. Look up Lk. 6:36.

Tenderhearted mercy and compassion moves Christians to do God’s will on earth.

▪︎If it is God’s will to heal the sick, comfort those who are mourning, love the unlovable and take care of the needy, then compassion is first needed to move us into doing those godly actions.

CONCLUSION

As believers, God is the source and supply of our comfort and compassion for others. Check 2Cor. 1:3-5; Phil. 2:1-2.

A. Introduction
• The theme ‘‘Godly path a blessed path’’ symbolises the pathway of God that guarantees a blessing. We walk through that pathway (journey) to reach our various destination of next levels.
• There is a connection between start of a journey and the end.
• Walking (Journey) speaks of consistent motion.
• Connecting the beginning with the ending only guarantee a good finish.
• It takes commitment, dedication, perseverance, focus and untiring attitude for everyone that wants to journey through the end.
• Jesus said we shall be saved when we walk consistently with Him, endure the tough journey of life to reach God’s desire end for us

B. Understanding the Consistency of a Kingdom Journey and Blessing that follows– Matt.24:13

1. Consistency and goal are connected- no one can reach his/her goal without demonstrating consistency in what he/she does.
2. Consistency is defined as being in the habit of doing the same thing on a regular basis.
   a. Consistency is the act of living by the same principles-2 Tim.3:14-15 – 2Timothy 3:14 “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;”
   b. It is the practice of being the same when it comes to attitudes, behaviours, beliefs, and characteristics- Galatians 2:11-14; 1 Cor.10:21-
3. Consistency implies journey of commitment and dedication- Eph.4:1; Phil.1:27
   a. Commitment to the word of God because here in lie the secret of success- Joshua 1:8; II Tim.3:16; Acts 6:7; Acts 18:11(9-11); 19:10(8-12)- Success, Prosperity, Spiritual Growth.
   b. Commitment to biblical pattern of prayer- Acts 1:14, 6:4, Daniel 6:4,10.; Matt.6:9-15- Understanding the mind of God; Kingdom gains, Answers and Solution
   c. Commitment to fellowship – Luke 24: 53(50-53); Acts 2:42-47- Blessings of Joy, God’s Provision No Lack, Signs and Wonders, God’s Favour; Increase Unity…Etc
   d. Commitment to Life of Holiness and righteousness- Access to God; Pleasing God
4. Consistency implies focusing and perseverance – Heb. 12:1-3; 10:36,39; Luke 9:23; Matt.10:38; Luke 14:27- Receiving the promises of God; Saved till the end.
5. Consistency implies determination and unwavering – Daniel 1:8; 11-12,15,18-19. 1 Cor. 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. Outstanding and excellence Spirit, Heavenly reward

Conclusion:
• God expects consistency from us because He is consistent. He would not require us to do something that He does not require Himself to do
• Can you characterize your life as consistent?

• Prayer Time?
• Bible Time?
• Giving?
• Witnessing?
• Godly Attitude?
• Walk?
  Next levels blessing is sure when we keep walking with God.
  So help me God.

Hearing and following God’s voice guarantees divine satisfaction.

Preamble

• What is hearing? Hearing is the ability to hear well or faculty to perceive sound.
• What is following? Following is coming after or as a result of ……

Lesson aim: to understand God’s voice per time for our lives and how he leads us to the divine future

1. UNDERSTANDING GOD’S VOICE
2. For God does speak—now one way, now another—though no one perceives it -Job 33:14;
3. God always speaks and His words are powerful- Psalm 19; Amos 3:7; Numbers 12:6-8; Heb.1:1-2
4. God has his own ways of speaking to man, which are not those ways man expect all times. –
5. He may speak audibly, silently and secretly, in thunders and lightnings, (Exodus 19:16-20),
6. Regardless of ways He chose to speak, His words are nevertheless quite as effectually.

• UNDERSTANDING HOW GOD SPEAKS

PRIMARY WAY GOD SPEAKS IS THROUGH HIS WRITTTEN WORDS

• Bible is the most important and only infallible way God speaks- 2 Tim 3:16a
• It is God communicating His thoughts to you through the printed page- 2 Tim 3:16b
• No other books contain total truth from God
• It is the final authority over all issues- Matt.5:17-18; John 10:35

SECONDARY WAYS THAT GOD SPEAKS

• God never speaks against what He has written. – Rom.4:17; Luke 4:1-3;4,8,10
• God can never speak through evil spirit- Lev.19:31; Isaiah 8:19; 1 Cor.12:3; 1 John 4:2
• REVELATIONARY VOICES; Dreams; Vision; Trance- Job.33:15-16; Acts 10:9-20
• HOLY-SPIRIT GUIDANCE- Gal.5:16; John 1:14; Romans 8:14
  • INNER WITNESS AND/OR PEACE OF GOD- Romans 8:16; James 3:17; Prov.20:27/1 Cor.2:10- Holy Spirit communicating spiritual feelings/instructions to your own HUMAN SPIRIT- Phil.4:7; Col.3:15
  • THE FLOW OF SPONTANEOUS & PERSITENT THOUGHTS
  • PROPHECY- Acts 11:27-30; 13:1-3; 1 Cor.14:29,32-33
  • CIRCUMSTANTIAL EXPERINCES- Numb.22:25-28

• WHAT COULD LEAD TO IMPERCEPTION OF GOD’S VOICE

For God does speak—now one way, now another—though no one perceives it -Job 33:14;

1. SPIRITUAL INSENSITIVITY- Man, often does not recognize God’s action in this silent teaching of his.-1 Kings 19:11-12; 1 Sam.3:1,7-10
2. WALKING AGAINST THE WILL OF GOD
3. CRAVING FOR BIG SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES –  Man wants something more startling, more sensational.  In our Lord’s time, the Jews demanded “a sign” – “a sign from heaven;” but no sign of the kind was given them.

Job now did not understand that God, whom he called upon to answer him (Job 10:2; Job 13:22; Job 23:5, etc.), was already speaking to him in various ways

1. WRONG MOTIVES & MINDSET- James 4:3

TIPS ON HOW TO HEAR FROM GOD

• Hearing the voice of God is something that everyone, Christian or not, wants to experience. Although we all want to hear God, actually doing it, for most of us, is sort of a mysterious process. We often don’t know how to hear God consistently, if at all.
• God ‘s voice is critical for our spiritual development.
• As we look at people in the Bible who heard from God, Samuel was one of the best. The story of Samuel is found in 1 Samuel 3:1-10.

1. Position yourself close to God

Samuel set his bed up in the temple, “where the ark of God was” (v.3 ESV). Samuel had never heard God speak before, he did not know what to expect, but what he did know was that if he hung around the temple

2. Find a place of regular service to God

In v.1 it says, “Samuel was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli” (ESV). If you want to hear the voice of God, you have to be doing the things of God. If you’re not serving, don’t wonder why you’re not hearing the voice of God.

3. Listen for God’s voice

Eli was “lying down in his usual place” (v.2 NIV), too preoccupied with his own interests to hear God. When God began speaking, he was not listening. Many times to hear what God is saying we have to slow down and take time to get close to God. We have to put aside our interests and lean in to hear what God is saying.

4. When God calls, respond eagerly

When Samuel heard the voice of the Lord he was immediately up and moving (v.4). If you want to hear the voice of God, you need to be ready to put into action what He tells you!

He wants to give you wisdom to lead your family, at your job, in your church, and in every area of life.

5. When God speaks, obey Him

Starting in this passage and throughout the rest of his life, Samuel consistently obeyed the Lord. No matter what God told him, Samuel did it. From that point on, “the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground” (1 Samuel 3:19 ESV). For us, the quickest way to turn off God’s voice is to disobey him.

6. Read and study the Word of God

After God spoke to him in this passage, the Bible tells us, “The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there He revealed Himself to Samuel through His Word” (1 Samuel 3:21 NIV). If you want to hear from God, you have to know what the Bible says.

• WHAT WE STAND TO GAIN IN HEARING AND FOLLOWING HIS VOICE

God is speaking. He wants to give you wisdom to lead your family, at your job, in your church, and in every area of life.

1. Divine direction- Gen.26:2,12
2. Transgenerational favour- Gen.26:3
3. Divine Rest- Gen. 26:6
4. Supernatural progress- vs 12-14

Introduction

Godly path is our focus for the entire month. God will be opening our eyes on how to walk in His ways. We shall be focusing on what it means to walk His way, how to walk in the path of God, and what to expect when we walk His way.

Today we shall be focusing on journeying with the shepherd. What is unique about our shepherd, How do we journey with the shepherd and the implication and blessedness of lives that allow himself to be led by the shepherd.?

Shepherd of my soul I give you full control,

Wherever You may lead I will follow.

I have made the choice to listen for Your voice,

Wherever You may lead I will go.

Be it in a quiet pasture or by a gentle stream,

The Shepherd of my soul is by my side.

Should I face a mighty mountain or a valley dark and deep, 

The Shepherd of my soul will be my guide.

Chrs…… Shepherd of my soul……

• Shepherding is a well-known concept in our environment and society.
• A shepherd is a person who tends, herds, feeds, or guards flocks of Sheep
• The occupation of shepherd is as old as humanity.
• The role of a shepherd is well understood by many even in the face of many untoward characters of nowadays shepherds.

The Unique Qualities of the Shepherd

God will be opening our inner eyes to understand the shepherd we have as children of God

• Jesus directly declared in the scripture ‘’ I am the Good Shepherd…’’ – John 10:11; 14. The fullness of goodness resides in Jesus for no other good shepherd exist besides Him- Ezekiel 34:11-16.
• He is the good shepherd that knows us inside-outside and within-without- John 10:14; Psalm 23:1; Jer.1:5; Psalm 139:15-16
• He is the shepherd that holds us close to His heart- John 10:11b—–laid down His life for us (John 3:16;1 John 3:16); to give us abundant life (John 10:10b); Isaiah 41:10; 46:4

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young- Isaiah 40:11

Learning to follow the Shepherd

The relationship between sheep and the sheep herders are critical to successful pasturing, nurturing and good outcome expected in the journey. For us to enjoy God, every child of God must do the following:

• It is a journey of absolute trust in the shepherd- Psalm 23:1—–‘’The Lord is my shepherd’’; Prov.3:3-5
• Jt is a journey of total obedience and surrenderness to the shepherd- 1 Sam.15:22; Rom.12:1-2

Implications and the blessedness of journeying with the Shepherd- Psalm 23:1-6

1. Divine care and watchfulness is guaranteed- Psalm 23:1
2. Divine provision is made available- Psalm 23:1b-2, 5
3. Divine refreshing  -vs3a, 5c
4. Divine guidance and leading assured- Vs 2b, 3b, 4a
5. Divine protection secured- vs 4
6. Unending blessing guaranteed and settled- vs 6; Psalm 28:9