THY KING COMETH TO THEE

 

 Rev'd  G. S. Adeyemo

 share whatever opportunity God gives you with the less privileged, and the poor. God is asking you to give Him through them

Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.  Matthew 21: 1-17

 Introduction

To God be the glory in the highest. Our God works in mysterious ways which no man can hinder. He created this day to be unique and hallowed. It is unique not because you are locked down in your house because of the deadly Coronavirus pandemic that is plaguing the world today. It is unique because of the accomplishment of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary about 2000 years ago. 

This Sunday is referred to as Palm Sunday or the triumphal Sunday. It is to commemorate the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem and the Temple before the crucifixion.  There were great events that took place during that week preceding the crucifixion of Jesus as recorded in the passage of the Bible under consideration. our focus will be on two.

Observations

First is the manifestation of Jesus’ authority over possessions vs 1-11. He sent his disciples to a village next to Bethphage to bring a colt for Him to ride. His authority was unquestionable. He has authority over all property. If you think you have any possession and you are puffed up, I urge you in the name of Jesus Christ to humble yourself. The owner of the colt willingly released to the disciples for the use of our Lord Jesus Christ. While He enters the city, people were throwing down clothes, leaves, fronds and tree branches in His honour.

Do you know, what you possess belong to the Supreme Owner?  –God. He has the final say over your position, possession and life. Now that we are faced with serious pandemic which results in lockdown and hardship for many families, I urge you to share whatever opportunity God gives you with the less privileged, and the poor. God is asking you to give Him through them.  “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” Proverbs 19:17 Good News Translation puts it this way, “When you give to the poor, it is like lending to the LORD, and the LORD will pay you back.” Whatever you give to the poor is sent to God through them and God is going to reward you.

Second, Jesus showed His Divinity in the Temple vs12-13. Jesus’ showed forth His authority over worship and power to restore sanity to the gathering of the people of God.  “Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.” v12 Those who exploit worshipers and commercialized the forgiveness of sinners and the worship of God were driven out of the Temple by Jesus Christ. I feel in my spirit that those of us who pay attention to population and income in our places of worship should learn lesson from this period of lockdown that we are compelled to preach to empty pews.  Jesus says, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4: 23, 24. our worship should transcend the physical accomplishments. let our goal be to making the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our LORD. Give Jesus Christ to the world and the world will be at peace. 

Conclusion

Jesus came in human form to share in our suffering but through His divinity conquered and ready to rule your life if you allow Him. He wants you to humble yourself as you offer your possession, position and privileges to honour God the original owner of whatever you have. The Lord wants you to recognize Him as your sole object of worship. Do not put yoursslef or anything in His place. Stop drawing attention to yourself. Let others see Jesus in you and through you. As you give your life and all to Him you will be blessed in Jesus name.  

IN TIME LIKE THIS, FEAR NOT

 Rev'd G. S. Adeyemo

Your condition is never a death sentence. The Lord who is able to turn dry bones to living and mighty army will turn around your situation

 "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Isaiah 41:10

Introduction

The Almighty God in His word says "Fear not..." He knows every device of the devil before these great charge. Fear is a terrific weapon in the hands of Satan and his agents to deflate joy, faith, hope and victory. Whoever conquers his fear has captured the strongest weapon of his adversaries.
What Is Fear?
You may want to know what fear is. An online Biblical dictionary(Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828.) defines "Fear as an uneasiness of mind, upon the thought of future evil likely to befall us. Fear is the passion of our nature which excites us to provide for our security, on the approach of evil.
In King James, fear is mentioned 501 times. In the American Standard Version of the Bible it is mentioned 487 times. And in the Reverse Version of the Bible fear is mentioned 483 times. However the word is used in various ways. For example, the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom refers to reverence, awe, honour etc of God. This is good for man in order to worship God Almighty.
Fear which is in Greek phobea is an unusual emotional feeling of danger, threat, unsecure which moves us to seek protections.
Dangers or Threats include, war, terrorism, cultism, diseases like Ebola, Lasa, Sars, COVID-19 which we are all facing today. Some of these may not even bring death but the fear of them can be so terrible. Whatever you are seeing, hearing or feeling that are scary, the Lord says "Fear not".  Fear not is used 63 times by God in the KJV of the Bible.
Fear is the opposite of faith. You must not entertain fear in your heart. Your situation is not to destroy or kill you. No matter what may be the symptom or medical reports, the Lord will will reverse the ones that negates your well-being in Jesus name.
Your condition is never a death sentence. The Lord who is able to turn dry bones to living and  mighty army will turn around your situation. If it's caused by sin, fear not, Jesus Christ she'd his blood for the remission of that sin. He will blot out all iniquities and deliver you from power desth.
How to overcome fear in time like this
Know and trust in the PROMISES of God. Isaiah 55: 10-12; Psalm 119:89
You must believe in the PRESENCE of God with you. Psalm 23:4, 5; Matthew. 28:18-20; Isaiah. 43:2-4
You need to depend on the unfailing POWER of God inside of you. 2Timothy. 1:7; Ephesians. 3:16; Romans. 8: 15
Finally, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Romans 10:9-13
Fear not; you shall not die but shall live in Jesus name.

NO SHORTCUT!

Those who use shortcut to reach their destination most times cut short in wrong direction and never reach desired end.

 “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2: 19

Introduction
We are in an age where everyone is looking for the shortest and easiest way to success.  No wonder many falls into the trap of false prophets, fraudsters and at the end bite their fingers in the flame of regrets. Andy Crouch says, “Grace is not a shortcut around our effort; it is the divine blessing on efforts that are undertaken in dependence and trust on God.” Those who use shortcut to reach their destination most times cut short in wrong direction and never reach desired end. 
God’s Solid Foundation 
Two words that is very crucial in the passage
1. Foundation: - The Bible talks so much about foundation. Psalm 11:3; 1 Corinthian 3: 11; everything in life has a foundation. But God’s foundation is what to focus on here. Isaiah 28:16; Luke 6:48; I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. Isaiah 54:11.
The foundation of God (Grk) themelios is a substructure put down as standard for us. The believer’s and church life is built on righteousness. There is nothing like modern Christianity. Sin remains sin and righteousness remains righteousness in the eyes of God. No shortcut to heaven, no shortcut to success, no shortcut to enjoying God’s favour but to base our life standard on His instructions.
2. Seal: - Is a mark protecting from appropriation. A seal is a stamp, signet, mark or identity. The mark of those who stand on the solid foundation of God without looking for a shortcut is abstinence from iniquity. The Bible says ...”let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”  It is time to divorce from wrong doings rather than looking for convenient way of getting to heaven. In other word, the most convenient way to relate and enjoy God is to depart from iniquity. 2 Timothy 2:22; 1 Corinthian 10: 14; 1Timothy 6:11-12
Check the foundation of your faith and return to God’s standard and you will be built to the stature of our Lord Jesus Christ.