Jesus Christ: The Joy of the Kingdom People

I.  CHRISTMAS : SEASON OF JOY
      Christmas is here again! It is time to remember He who died that we may live. He left His glory to identify with our weaknesses. He would have come in Kingly glory, but He chose the manger. Indeed he chose the poor Joseph and Mary aschannels of appearance. Luke 2:6-7 affirmed that "Mary brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid himin a manger; because there was no room in the inn". What an irony for him to become poor so that through his poverty, we may experience prosperity.
   This Jesus Christ, indisputably born of the Virgin Mary, the fulfilment of human redemption, is the joy of the kingdom People. We are Kingdom people.

II. SEASON OF JUBILATION FOR BELIEVERS
    Our Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom. We servean eternal King who cannot be conquered. "...of his Kingdom, there shall be no end". The King of our Kingdom fears no foe for throughJ esus Christ, man's redemption from the chief foe was accomplished.Jesus Christ is our joy because he lived a blameless life. The Prince of this world could not fault him.
       Jesus Christ is our joy becausethrough him we obtain peace. The King of our kingdom is called thePrince of Peace. He is our joy because he is coming back again.
 
III. INVITATION
Friends, Jesus Christ can be your joy too if you embrace him today

Rev.Timothy 'Bukunmi Popoola,
Minister of Missions & Church Development
Lagos Central Baptist Conference

FAMILY LIFE MUST IMPACT TEENAGERS

The Family Life Division
Christian Education Department
Lagos Central Baptist Conference

Cordially request that all TEENAGERS BE ASSISTED AND ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN

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"GATHERING OF THE EAGLES"
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SATURDAY 11TH JANUARY,  2014
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9am@Ijreo Baptist Church, Lagos.
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Information/ Enquiries:
Rev Mrs Adegboyega- 08158891692
Rev Ikey Onyegbu  08159991309

BAPTIST DEVOTIONAL

GOD WILL ALWAYS BLESS AND KEEP YOU

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Tuesday, December 17

Numbers 6:22-27

I WILL BLESS THEM

"So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them." Numbers 6:27, NIV

     God wanted to inscribe His name on the Israelites and bless them, but He would not do it directly by Himself. God called on His servant, intermediary and representative: Moses, who would in turn give the message to Aaron and his sons.
    God did not say, "I will put my name on the Israelites" instead He said, "They (Aaron and his sons) will put my name on the Israelites, and I [God] will bless them" (v. 27). The implication of this is that God is in constant partnership with His called-out servants to bless humanity.
    So when next the pastor of your church or a proven man of God pronounces blessings upon you in the name of the Lord, you better say a loud amen. This is because when the name of the LORD is pronounced to bless anyone, that person is blessed and no one can curse him/her.
      You may not feel thrilled or shaken when the name of the Almighty is pronounced on you but rejoice because you are indeed blessed.
     Thus today: May the LORD bless you and take care of you; May the LORD be kind and gracious to you; May the LORD look on you with favour and give you peace. Amen.

CHRISTMAS : TIME TO ENJOY GOD'S LOVE

GOD'S LOVE
(JOHN 3:16)
Love of God to mankind is demonstrated through the giving of His one and the only son, Jesus Christ. The text shows to us:

1. The Extent of God's Love:
"For God so love..." God's love for you can't be quantified. It is great love.

2. The Universality of God's Love:
"..Love the world." God's love transcends racism, ethnicity, class, and sex (male or female). God loves you for who you are. He wants you to come to Him the way you are.

3. The Object of God's Love:
"..That he gave is one and only Son." Jesus is the climax of all the gifts of God. No gift can be compared to Him. Accept Him into your life and you will enjoy abundant life (Jn. 10:10).

4. The Subject of God's Love.
"..That whoever believes in him." You are important in God's heart. You are the subject of His love. He gave Jesus because of you.

5. The Effect of God's Love: "..Should not perish but have eternal life." A life with Jesus is a peaceful life even in the midst of storms of life.Use this period of CHRISTMAS to accept, appreciate and appropriate God's love into your life.

Revd. Dr. Victor Bamidele Akerele
Snr. Pastor,
First Baptist Church, Festac Town,
Lagos, Nigeria
Chairman, LCBC Pastors' Fellowship

JESUS CHRIST: THE JOY OF KINGDOM PEOPLE

TEXT: LUKE 1-2

HYMN: - BAPTIST HYMNAL 65
"Joy to the World the Lord is Come"

INTRODUCTION: -
The word "joy" has been defined as "feelings of great happiness or pleasure, especially of an elevated or spiritual kind." One of the obvious things from this definition is that the feeling or experience of joy goes beyond natural or ordinary phenomenon. This is what differentiates joy from happiness. In actual fact, joy is the highest form of happiness. While the latter is often occasioned by mundane things, the latter requires more than that, especially for it to be sustained.

It is gratifying to note that our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, is not only interested in blessing us with happiness, but He is much interested in filling our hearts with joy – the highest form of happiness. In fact, His birth ushered in good news of great joy (see Luke 2:10). The joy that our Lord gives to the Kingdom People is unique. This is clearly evident from the accounts of His birth as recorded in the Gospels. Let us briefly consider five features of the joy that our Lord gives us – the Kingdom People – most especially, as we look forward to celebrating His birth this month.

*Overwhelming Joy. The joy that Jesus Christ gives to us is capable of overwhelming every form of impossibility in our lives and families. This was made known to the Virgin Mary. After Mary had asked how it could be possible for her to conceive without meeting a man, Angel Gabriel told her that the overshadowing power of the Holy Spirit will come upon her and turn impossibility to possibility (see Luke 1:35). When we are visited by the power of God, we receive the joy that overwhelms every negative and contradicting issue in our lives and families.

*Restoring Joy. It is likely that Zechariah and Elizabeth had given up the hope of having their own biological children. However, when they were visited by the good news of great joy, their hope of becoming parents were rekindled (see Luke 1:57-66). As we experience this joy afresh this season, all lost hopes will be restored in Jesus' name.

*Locating Joy. The shepherds were located out in the fields with the good news of great joy (see Luke 2:8ff). The joy that the Lord gives locates the Kingdom People. Relax; your joy is on the way.

*Fulfilling Joy. Simeon and Anna had their share of joy as they encountered Jesus Christ in the Temple the day He was first presented. Their dreams of seeing the Messiah were fulfilled (see Luke 2:25ff, 36ff).

*Lasting Joy. From the song of Mary in Luke 1:46-55, we are made to understand that the joy that the Lord gives is a lasting one – it extends from generation to generation. The joy from the Lord cannot be short-lived.

CONCLUSION: - Kingdom People! Brace up and position yourselves to receive the joy of the Lord. It is the joy that is overwhelming, restoring, locating, fulfilling, and lasting. Shalom.

Rev. Sola Idowu. PhD
1st Vice Chairman,  Lagos Central Baptist Conference
Living is Christ
Phil. 1:21.

MANDELA: TIMELESS LESSONS

What do you say to this?Dearly Beloved,If ever I am asked, "Dele Aina, do you have any regrets in life?" I would answer, "YES! Chiefly, because I never met Nelson Mandela." Africa, indeed, the world has lost the greatest black man that ever lived. I was tempted to call him, 'the second greatest black man that ever lived, following closely behind my dad'. But then I thought, when daddy reads this, he'd call me & say, "Didn't I teach you to be truthful & objective always?"

     So, let's give it to Mandela. Greatest dad? That's my dad! But, the greatest black man? That's Nelson Mandela! He shall remain, for ages to come, the most celebrated, the most respected, the most honoured black man, ever!I have studied the life of Mandela extensively.

      He was not born with a silver spoon. He had it rough & tough all through his lifetime. In spite of all his challenges, he loved & sacrificed. He loved his enemies, & sacrificed for his people. All African leaders should take a leadership course centered on the life of Nelson Mandela. Indeed, anybody in any form of leadership should take time to adequately study, adopt & apply the lifestyle & leadership qualities of Mandela.

      Mandela never owned a house in Dubai, UK, or USA. He never owned a private jet, never was extravagant or ostentatious as many African leaders (secular & spiritual) are today.

     Mandela admitted to have voraciously read the Bible while in incarceration. While I can't say assuredly if he ever confessed JESUS CHRIST as his Lord & savior, I make bold to state that I saw more JESUS in him than I've seen in most spiritual leaders globally.

         Mandela was focused, forgiving, forthright, & fearless. He fought a cause he believed for 27 years in prison, refusing to accept personal freedom if his people were still being oppressed.

    He came out of prison to become the first black president of South Africa, & exited after his first term. As president, he pursued truth, forgiveness & reconciliation; not vengeance, looting, & grandstanding. In all his health challenges, he was never flow outside of South Africa for treatments abroad. What was good enough for his people was good enough for him.

   Mandela was a LEADER! Let the looters, bleeders, & blunders pretending to be leaders all over Africa, & worldwide, learn from this great man. His was a Long Walk to Freedom, not a short cut to stardom, success & stupendous wealth, being bandied about in many places nowadays. LORD, have mercy!Nelson Mandela was my mentor, my leader, my good example. He was everything a good leader should be. He was all I hope & plan to be. I love this man. I love everything he epitomized. Every man, high & low, should aspire & strive to be like Mandela.

From today, when you meet anybody in leadership (spiritual & secular), ask them, "Are you like Mandela?" Whether they answer yes or no, add quickly, "Please, be like MANDELA!"

Let the children of presidents, governors, senators, honourables/dishonourables, LGA chairmen, & clergy, ask their fathers regularly, "Daddy, are you like Mandela?

Please, be like MANDELA!"Apart from his double divorces, Mandela was almost a perfect man. But then, who has never made mistakes in life?

I believe Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is in heaven with GOD. If you disagree with me, go there now & find out! There are two men the world will never forget:JESUS THE CHRIST, & Nelson Mandela. In case you're not interested, I'm gunning for the third!

Friend, be like MANDELA!
Shalom.

Dele Aina @ Just Jesus Foundation 

(The doctrinal views expressed are that of the author)

BAPTIST DEVOTIONAL

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Saturday, December 14

Luke 7:18-27

WHAT DID YOU GO OUT TO SEE?

But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. Luke 7:26, NIV

God is committed to making His wisdom come in small or 'earthly' insignificant packages. King David was raised as a last resort in his family; Abraham Lincoln was born to a poor family and he lost several elections before becoming one of America's greatest presidents; Ben Carson, the best pediatric neurosurgeon on earth, grew up as a dullard with a single parent; Benson Idahosa, one of Africa's greatest preachers of the Gospel, was once dumped on a refuse heap. They are all heavenly treasures in earthen vessels!

John was not an ordinary man, but a man who was the fulfilment of several prophecies; filled with the Holy Spirit from birth, he baptised the Messiah who testified about him. In fact, Jesus spoke several times about him revealing what a sign John was (Matthew 11:2-19). Similarly, each of us is God's sign from heaven. No wonder He made us each obviously unique, our strengths and weaknesses irrespective.

If you live for Jesus on earth today, just as He testified about John several times, He will not fail to testify about you before God, the holy angels, and before all men.