OVERCOME THE WORLD {1 Jn. 2:12-17, James 4:4, Matt. 6:24}
Pastor Sarah started her ministration by saying we shouldn’t do what takes us away from the word of God. The world takes you away from the narrow street into the broad street, which gets you in trouble.
The minister said that we should avoid jealously and competitions. The life in Christ is simple and free. We are not to be influenced by the massive theologies of this world.
She imputed, the world and its ideology is without religion. The only thing you cannot do without, is air. When you choose the world over what God wants, then you have chosen what side you belong. The Bible says you cannot have two masters.
Pastor Sarah announced that the grace of God enables you to do what God wants you to do, not what you want to do. The love of the world excludes the love of the father. It draws you away from the love of God. You are either with God or the devil.
She further challenged the congregation, by stating, “If you belong to God, then you will be able to answer these questions:
“Don’t be carnally minded.” She admonished the members of the church. “Some people do anything to get what they want, whatever they think they need to have so that the world knows that they have arrived. That is the love of the world. Your source of joy should be everything for God. Be more concerned about other people than lavishing things on yourself.”
She asked the congregation, “When will you have enough? When will you say you don’t need it anymore?”
She informed everyone that her faith is to get someone saved, help a missionary, help a child, then she is satisfied. She doesn’t need faith for clothes or cars or shoes or other trivial things.
She stressed that we don’t have to envy anyone because we don’t know what they did to get it. It’s only what you have, that you know how you got it. We are the purchased property of Jesus.
“The most important thing is for you to count in the sight of God and if God knows you.”
She pinpointed that sin starts with, “It doesn’t matter.” There is no way to control sin. The moment you lose control is when you first keep it a secret. The place to stop sin is before it begins. When it begins you have lost control. Sin is a process, it doesn’t just happen.”
The only thing that is important, is to enter heaven even if you don’t carry anything. The devil can assault you with prosperity and make you forget God. Whether rich or poor, its temptation.
“The place to stop sin is before it begins. When it begins you have lost control. Sin is a process, it doesn’t just happen.”
John 15:16. You don’t need to ask God for anything. Just do God’s will and he will do it for you. It’s a matter of right. God is duty bound to take care of you if you do his will.
Pastor Sarah said she came to tell us that this year, you must take yourself to the surgery table and tell God to remove anything that is not worthy of his name. “Tell God to prune us so that we can bear more fruit.”
Success is not in material things, but until you can lead people to Christ and make them stay in Christ to the end, then you have not succeeded.
She concluded her message by challenging us to get into our prayer closet. “Ask God to prune us to make an impact this year. Ask God to give us the grace to overcome.”
She enjoined everyone to remain faithful to God, to return to our first love, to live a sanctified or consecrated life, be committed to the course of Jesus as Jesus was committed to God, to become a person of integrity. She prayed, “May the fruit of the spirit abide and abound in you.”
The entire message is available on the church’s website. Click DAY 8 AFTERNOON SESSION 1 to purchase it at 100 NGN