Apostle Osayi came on stage and started with a word of prayer. He introduced his topic as The Power of God’s Mercy and then read from Psalm 25:7. Referring to the second part of this bible passage, he noted that the mercy of God has the capacity to draw God’s attention to several things that in our own perspective may seem that God is not attending to. Reading from Malachi 3:16-18, he said that this scripture reveals a spiritual ceremony. He defined the latter as an activity that lets things go on record in the realm of the spirit. It is something that attracts the attention of God and something that God needs to bring into remembrance in a future date in order to execute his own counsel, such activity is usually inspired by God.

He went on to read from John 8:31-32. Stating that Jesus was addressing believers, he stated that Jesus was giving them insight on how to progress in his word. He went on to talk about the different levels of service to God. These include believers, disciples, servants, and friends. We all began as believers but disciples are those that have submitted to learning his ways. Servants though have gone past that stage and are committed to doing the will of God on the earth. They obey God’s commands and instructions even when they don’t understand the why. Friends are on an entirely different plane; these ones know the mind of God; God reveals to them what he is doing as they have become stakeholders in the agenda of God on the earth.

He pointed that the Grace of God is capable of ensuring that we function at the level we choose to function in. Reading from John 15:15, he mentioned that a certain level of intimacy was necessary for our relationship with God. He stated that we all have the capacity to be intimate friends with God just like Abraham and that this depended on how far we’re willing to go with God.

Reading from Gen 18, from verse 17, he showed that Abraham had journeyed with God so well that God couldn’t hide the plan to destroy Sodom from him; He had become a friend of God. Abraham had gained so much stature that he could compel his household and whoever comes into his space to walk in the ways of God. And on the basis of his stature, Abraham knew God so well that he could transact with God over Sodom. He pointed out that Abraham understood reference (vs 27, 30, 32) and didn’t take it for granted that he as a man could bargain with God.

As he moved further into his sermon, he pointed out that, unlike Abraham, there were many Christians who cannot influence people around them for Christ. He mentioned the scarcity of men with the stature of Abraham in the Nigerian government. He explained that this wasn’t because they weren’t believers but because they were comfortable with being domiciled in our comfort zones. And so they didn’t have the stature to confront the darkness and influence the system.

He stated that in the kingdom of God, service is greatness.

In rounding off, he went on to read from Genesis 19:27-29 and pointed out that Abraham’s transaction stopped short because God couldn’t find enough righteous people in Sodom. God had to remember Lot and save him for the sake of his intimate relationship with Abraham. This was a demonstration of God’s Mercy and not because Abraham asked. He led the congregation on a prayer of mercy. ‘Remember me oh Lord in your mercy!’

He released prophetic words and also conducted a short healing session among the congregation.

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A few pictures from the morning session