2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 32
LOVING AND OBEYING GOD
“You shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, His testimonies, and His statutes which He has commanded you. And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD, that it may be well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land of which the LORD swore to your fathers.” Deut 6:17-19
From the six-year-old, who leaves her game because her mother has called her in for supper to the business executive, who lives in a web of relationships dependent upon obedience to authority, God desires obedience motivated not by fear but by love and trust. Ironically, obedience actually frees us up to enjoy life as God intended, because it keeps us from becoming entangled or enslaved to those things that distract us and cause us heartache. Even though God’s command is sometimes difficult, or does not make sense from our human perspective, obedience will always bring blessing, joy and peace at the long run.
Obedience by definition is an act or instance of submitting to an authority. It is compliance with the demands or requests of someone over us. The general words for obedience in both Hebrew and Greek refer to hearing a superior authority.
Loving and obeying God is an obligation stressed in both the Old Testament and New Testament. It is an attitude that every Christian should cultivate and an avenue to receive God’s blessings in fullness. It is one evidence that a person is a child of God is continued obedience to the commandments of God. Jesus, therefore, said that those who love Him would keep His commandments.
It is therefore, onerous on every believer to live and obey God for it is the only way to receive God’s blessings. On this, the Bible says “If you will only obey Me, you will have plenty to eat, but if you turn away and refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies. I, the Lord, have spoken.”
God has called us to keep His commands, while reminding us that His laws are not hidden from us or beyond our reach. God’s laws are written in the Bible and are clearly evident in the world around us. Obeying them is reasonable, sensible, and beneficial.
The Bible mentions more people whose obedience to God comes from their faith and love for Him. Abel believed God and offered a more excellent sacrifice and Noah put his faith in God’s word and prepared an ark, just to mention a few.
However, many people think that prosperity and success came from having power, influential personal contacts, and a relentless desire to get ahead. But the strategy for gaining prosperity that God taught Joshua goes against such criteria “Do not let this Book of the law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1: 8).
He said that to succeed Joshua must (1). Be strong and courageous because the task ahead would not be easy (2). Obey God’s law, and (3). Constantly read and study the Book of the law – God’s Word.
Therefore, if you want to be successful in life, follow God’s instruction to Joshua (1 verse 8). The truth is that you may not succeed by the world’s standards, but you will be a success in God’s eyes – and His opinions lasts forever. Remember, there is no other way to be happy but to trust and obey the Lord.
Have a blessed week!
By The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 31
THE GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”
I Peter 2: 9-10
The word, ‘Chose’ means ‘to select or elect. It involves choice. Usually one must be chosen out of many candidates.
The Biblical doctrine of God’s chosen people is that before creation, God selected out of the human race, foreseen as fallen, those whom He would redeem, bring to faith, justify and glorify in and through Jesus Christ.
This divine choice is an expression of free and sovereign grace, for it is unconstrained and unconditioned, not merited by anything in those who are its subjects. God owes sinners no mercy of any kind, only condemnation, so if a wonder, and matter for endless praise that He should choose to serve any of us; and doubly do when His choice involved the giving of His own Son to suffer as sin-bearer for His elect and chosen people (Romans 8: 23).
The doctrine of chosen or election like every truth about God, involves mystery and sometimes makes us to burst into joy and thanksgiving for being chosen as the family of God.
On this, it is to help us see how great is the grace that serves us and to move us to humility, confidence, joy, praise, faithfulness and holiness in response. It is therefore, the family secret of the children of God.
The point is that we do not know who else has chosen among those who do not yet believe, nor why it was His good please to choose us in particular.
However, what we do know is, first, that had we not been chosen as His people for life, we would not be believers now (for only the elect are brought to faith), and, second, that as elect believers, we may rely on God to finish in us the good work that He started in us. Thus the knowledge of one’s election brings comfort and joy to us.
The word ‘chosen/election’ emphasied that God took the first step in calling people into the membership of His people. The election was made before time began, prior to all human response. It is God, Who has called men and women to be His people, and those who responded are God’s chosen people. God’s call does not depend on any virtues or merits of the human race.
Indeed, He chooses the foolish things by worldly standards to shame the wise, the weak to confound the strong, and the lowly and insignificant to bring to nothing those who think that they are something (I Corinthians 1: 27-28).
The effect of election is to leave no grounds whatever for human boasting in achievement and position. The elect of God therefore, owe their standing entirely to God, and they cannot boast or compare themselves with other people.
God’s chosen people are a privileged people on earth. They now have God to uphold them. No one can bring any accusation against them that might lead to God’s condemnation (Romans 8: 33). They are royal Priesthood. They are God’s servants with the right access to Him.
They are therefore, called to show the character that should mark God’s people by making their election sure.
Have a blessed week!
By The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 30
THE TRIUNE GOD
Almighty and eternal God, You have revealed Yourself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and live and reign in the perfect unity of love. Hold us firm in this faith, that we may know You in all Your ways and evermore rejoice in Your eternal Glory, Who are Three Persons in one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Old Testament constantly insists that there is only one God, the self-revealed Creator, Who must be worshipped and loved exclusively. The New Testament hence, agreed on this, but speaks of three personal agents, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, working together in the manner of a team to bring about salvation.
The three Persons, Who make up the single Being - God-the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are called ‘Trinity’, which is derived from the Latin word ‘Trinitas’, meaning ‘Threeness.’
It is true that the word, ‘Trinity’ does not appear in the Bible, but scholars created it to describe the three Beings, Who make up God, Who are also, referred to as ‘Members of the Godhead.’
Throughout the Bible, God is presented as being Father, Son and Spirit – not three ‘gods’ but three Persons of the one and only God.
The Scriptures present the Father as the Source of creation, the Giver of live, and of all the universe (Ephesians 3: 14-15).
The Son is depicted more as the image of the invisible God, the exact representation of His being and nature and the Messiah - Redeemer (Hebrews 1: 1-3).
The Spirit is God in action, God reaching people – influencing them, changing them from inside, filling them, and guiding them in all things (Ephesians 2: 18).
The classical example of this was seen at the time of Jesus’ Baptism (Mark 1: 9-11). The Father acknowledged the Son, and the Spirit showed His presence in the Son’s life and Ministry.
The point I am making here is that the unity of one God is complex. The three personal ‘subsistences’ are coequal and coeternal centres of self-awareness, each being in divine relationship with one another and partaking of the full divine essence.
It is worthy to note that they are not three roles played by one person (that is modalism), nor are they three gods in a cluster (that is, Tritheism); but the one God (‘He’) is also, and equally, ‘They’ and ‘They’ are always together and always cooperating with the Father initiating, the Son complying, and the Holy Spirit executing the will of both, which is His will also. This is the truth about God that was revealed through the words and works of Jesus and that undergirds the reality of salvation as the New Testament sets it forth.
It is therefore, behores on us to know that the practical importance of the doctrine of the Trinity is that which requires us to pay equal attention, and give equal honour, to all three persons in the unity of their gracious ministry to us. That ministry is the subject matter of the gospel.
May the Triune God continue to reveal Himself to us in all three persons of His unity.
God bless and Happy Trinity season.
Have a blessed week!
By The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 29POWER FROM ABOVE
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8
Today is Pentecost Sunday. Ten days after the Ascension. Fifty days after Easter. The day in which the Church worldwide commemorates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the Church age.
However, Pentecost is not a denomination; it refers to the feast day on which the early Christians were first filled with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2: 4 “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Multitudes of Christians have received this experience especially, since the turn of 19th century. But because many of our Orthodox denominations officially opposed speaking in tongues, ‘Pentecost’ denominations were formed and the said result was that people began to confused the experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit, with endorsement of ‘Pentecostal’ Church doctrines.
The in-filling of the Holy Spirit is an enduement of power of all true Christians – both Catholic and Protestants (Anglican inclusive), and has no relevance to belonging to a ‘Pentecostal’ denomination. Ordinarily, it would be wrong to label a particular denomination as ‘Pentecost.’ For example, if a man gets saved on Christmas’ day, he does not claim a ‘Christmas’ experience or call himself a ‘Christmascostal.’
Also, in the early period of the 19th century, the leaders of these new ‘Pentecostal’ denominations made one of their requirements for Church membership a belief that speaking in tongues is the evidence of having received the Holy Spirit. Consequently, they became known as the ‘tongues’ Churches or the ‘tongues’ movements.
As a result, many Christians have assumed that they cannot receive the Holy Spirit – and certainly cannot speak in tongues, unless they become members of one of those so-called ‘tongue’ Churches.
The point I am making here is that being filled with the Holy Spirit (receiving power from above) does not pre-suppose joining a ‘tongues’ denomination; it is an enduement of power that Christians of any denomination affiliation may experience which does not exclude you.
Also, you can be a beneficiary of this gift by being baptised with the Holy Spirit and with power from above to speak in tongues, healing the sick, casting out devils and experiencing new boldness in winning lost souls to Jesus.
This experience is as Scriptural and authentic today as it was in Bible days. It is not as one prejudiced leader said ‘an induced self-imposed psychological state which exists among small groups of neurotics.’
Today, many are being baptised with the Holy Spirit in their typical quiet and reserved manner and their form of worship often continues according to their customary liturgical pattern and yet, performing wonders and miracles.
The point is that the Holy Spirit is not dependent on physical or frenzied demonstrations, but the power from above.
May you experience the power from above that will turn you around for better in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Have a blessed week!
By The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 28
ASPIRATION AFTER HEAVEN
“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore, be serious and watchful in your prayers.” 1 Peter 4: 7
We give glory to God Almighty for this Church, Church of the Resurrection, 1004 Estate, because God has given us the grace to smile and burst into laughter; we continue to receive good tidings; since the beginning of the year 2011, we have been rejoicing, we are still basking in the joy of our Silver Jubilee and Easter, our children were confirmed, we are celebrating the Ascension of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Today, we are having our Harvest Launch, we are in the middle of the year 2011 and we are expecting the Pentecost Sunday, when the foundation stone of our New Church Building was laid a year ago by our Diocesan, The Most Revd Dr. E.A. Ademowo. Oh! It’s glorious. Thank You Jesus.
Today, we will consider the theme “Aspiration after Heaven” The word ‘Aspire’ is from a Latin word ‘aspirare’ – breathe toward.” It means to seek to attain a goal, to soar high, aim, hope, desire, want or wish. We aim at or aspire a position; our goal is to make it in life. Just of recent, many Politicians in Nigeria aspired to be the President, Governors, Senators, etc. Many contested but few got their desired positions.
Apostle Paul said “This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a Bishop, he desires a good work” (I Timothy 3: 1). If we aspire for Mundane things that will perish, for example, power, fame, wealth, etc, I believe we should desire Heaven – Kingdom of God, Heavenly Zion, Heavenly Jerusalem more; where Jesus Christ has gone to prepare for us, a place and at the same time, interceding on our behalf (John 14: 1-4; Acts 7: 56). Where there will be no poverty, eratic power supply, no bomb blast, economic hardship, no political uproar, etc.
Brethren, the end time is here; let us not joke with these signs. Christ Jesus has ascended; this is our portion as well but be sane and be sober, as Apostle Peter has told us.
And if you aspire after heaven, I want to recommend to you Apostle Paul’s recommendation for those that aspire for the post of a Bishop, which I believe, forms part of the virtues for those aiming at the Kingdom of God.
* You must be blameless
* Husband of one wife
* Temperate
* Sober minded
* Good behaviour
* Hospitable
* Not given to wine
* Not Violent
* Not greedy for money
* Not quarrelsome
* Not covetous
* Must be able to rule his house
* Must not be a novice to the things of God.
I am not saying that polygamist should not aspire for heaven or will not enter heaven; if you have made such a mistake, repent and keep your home for Jesus Christ.
So dear Christian friends, aspiring heaven is a daily affair in the Lord. Keep fit. Maranatha!
Have a blessed week!
Your Vicar and Friend
I.S. Okupevi
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 27
POWER TO LIVE ABOVE THE WORLD
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is our life appears, then you also, will appear with Him in Glory (Colossians 3: 1-4).
Also, Proverbs 23: 26 says “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.”
This is to remind us as a Christians, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we have been called to a higher standard of living. Colossians 3: 4 says “Therefore, put to death your members which on earth, such as fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desires and covetousness which is idolatry” so many just do not realize that as Christians, we have been called by the power of God to live a higher standard of life. Those great ‘Heroes’ of faith recorded in Hebrews chapter 11 understood they were not citizens of this country, but of another country. For this reason, we are not longer of this world once we commit our hearts and lives to Jesus Christ. I am in no way saying we are to separate ourselves from this culture we live in, Jesus said, “We are to be the ‘Salt of the earth’, the ‘light’ of the world” We must never forget that as believers, we are called to a higher standard of living.
The worldly standards are: cheating, deceit, falsehood, cultism, crave for fame, wealth & power.
Paul’s exhortation in chapter 3 are practical applications he has presented in chapter 2. If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God.
Paul has his ethical teaching to the doctrine of the resurrection. We can love others, not by our own strength, but in the strength of God,. We can forgive those who wrong us. Not in our own strength, but in the strength God gives us. We are to serve others, not to be served as the world would like us to believe; we cannot do this with our own power,
As Christians, we have not only been called to a higher way of living, but also, given the power to live above the world.
Do not rebel against God; cast your mind unto Him, many are afraid of missing out. The only thing you gain from rebelling against God is some temporary pleasures that leave you with pains. Because you have already sold out the real things for the monetary gratification of this world that quickly turns to sour. Remember that blessing follows our obedience to God, while pain and heartache always follow rebellion.
Paul continues his teaching by telling you and I to set our minds on things above, the false teachers were instructing the Colossians to concentrate on temporal observances. Paul instructed them to concentrate on the eternal realities of heaven.
A Christian’s life is no longer for this world but is hidden with Christ. One of the Christian goals each day is to live the high calling and God has called each of us to. We must never forget that we are different. We are special. Our personal relationship with Christ is what makes us special, through His love for us. Let us love above the standard of the world and make holiness our watch word.
Have a blessed week!
by
The Revd S.O. Aiyedun
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 26
THE KINGDOM POWER
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty, for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours, Yours is the Kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as Head over all”
A Kingdom is a country ruled by a King or Queen, such as the Kingdom of God (heaven) .
Power means ability to control or authority to do the right things.
The kingdom power we are talking about is not just ordinary kingdom or earthly Kingdom but the supper kingdom - power of God. The kingdom of God is an everlasting kingdom, and the throne of God endures by hands, invisible, but filling the whole earth. The only legitimate power in the universe belongs to the Lord Jesus. The power that belongs to Him cannot belong to anyone else. Because Jesus says “All power in heaven and in earth is given unto Me” absolute power over all creation.
Jesus’ testimony is committed to the Church, and the matter of His Kingdom, His power, and His glory is part of that testimony. The testimony answers everything man or the devil may challenge us with.
Thine is the Kingdom. There is a conflict long ago when Lucifer rebelled against the Lord; and Christ is like a conflict between light and darkness, good versus evil. The light represents the interest of God – Jesus; while the darkness represents the devil.
This spirit of anti-Christ is active today in our midst. It is working in the Church and against Christians trying to draw people out of the light of God to its dark kingdom.
The Lord Jesus Reigns; He is the Christ, Son of the living God. “Thine is the Kingdom, Your throne is everlasting, Your Kingdom is established and of the increase of your government there shall be no end.” Isaiah 6: 6-7 says “A child is born unto us and the government will be upon Him and His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, there will be no end to His government.” Mighty God indicates that the Lord is a powerful warrior, everlasting father describes a king and a father who provides and protects His people forever while the child is the true Prince, the one who has the right to reign and who will usher in peace. The risen Lord Jesus brings His rule of peace to the believer’s heart in the present age. Moreover, he will establish the Kingdom of God which will be His reign of peace.
Jesus’ authority and power manifest whether He was teaching, speaking, rebuking or remaining silent, we know that we are in the presence of Christ, who has the authority of God in Him. ;
2 Corinthians 1: 20 says “No matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘YES’ in Christ.
Have a glorious week!
by
The Revd S.O. Aiyedun
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 26
JESUS: THE RESURRECTION & THE LIFE
“Jesus said to her, I am the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live; and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26
Jesus Christ is the Resurrection for those who believe and are physically dead. He is the life for those who believe and have not yet died.
The story of the resurrection and life is centred in a historical person who lived, died and rose from the dead. This truth is the most important fact in history. It is essential because it demands a life-saving response of faith in Jesus Christ. When Jesus asked Martha if she believes, she responded with words, I believe. In order to have eternal life, the person must place his or her faith in Jesus Christ, Who is the Son of God.
Assuredly, Jesus’ resurrection to life accomplished the following for us:
1. Believers are united to Him by faith. (2). The resurrection proves that Jesus Christ is God (John 3: 14-16; Romans 1: 4). (3). Jesus’ resurrection proves that God has justified the believing sinners by faith (Romans 4: 25),
(4). The believers enjoy a vital union with their Saviour, Jesus Christ (Galatians 2: 20). When Jesus died; He died as my representative and I died in Him, when He rose and ascended, He rose and ascended as my representative and I rose and ascended in Him and today, He is seated with God in heaven.
(5). The Resurrection of Jesus Christ gives us a settle and perfect security of eternal life (John 6: 37-40). The will of the Father is – (a). That all who come to the Son will be received and not lost, (b). That all who see and believe in the Son will have everlasting life. Because Christ lives; we too shall live with Him for eternity.
6. Because of resurrection power from the dead the Holy Spirit now abides in the heart of every believer. The Holy Spirit is the source of truth. After Christ’s departure, the Holy Spirit would convict the world of the nature of righteousness and the need for righteousness.
John 16: 16 says “A little while and you will not see Me, and a little while you will see Me because I go to the Father.” This was interpreted to mean –
a). The disciples would literally see Jesus after the resurrection,
(b). The disciples would spiritually see Jesus after the ascension because of the work of the Holy Spirit.
In His resurrection body, Jesus Christ lives, seated at the right hand of the Father where He intercedes for us (Hebrews 7: 25). Because Jesus Christ is alive today, He offers this same resurrection hope to all who will call upon His name to receive eternal life.
Do you know Him and His resurrection power? The hour is now!
Have a blessed week!
by
The Revd S.O. Aiyedun
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 25
THE GOOD SHEPHERD
“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.” John 10:11-12
A shepherd is a person who takes care of sheep.
The Shepherd is the guide or the one who directs people.
Jesus is the Shepherd. He is the Door. The good Shepherd lays down His life across the entry of the sheepfold at night to sleep to stop wild beasts from entering, and the sheep would not go out, because the good Shepherd was at the door.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, Who gave His life for the sheep. John 10: 10, refers to eternal life. I am the Good Shepherd, Jesus said. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He, who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep and flees. The hired hand does not care for the sheep as Jesus cares for His sheep.
As a Good Shepherd, Jesus had the authority not only to voluntarily lay down His life for the sheep but also to take it again. No one but God can do that. The Good Shepherd gives abundant life including salvation, nourishment, healing and much more. Life here, is eternal, God’s own life. It speaks not only of the endless life but of the quality of life which Christ gives.
“I am the Good Shepherd, I know My own and I am known by My own, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd. Therefore, the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life, that I may take it again. No one takes it away from Me. I lay it down by Myself, I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from My Father.
Jesus is your Shepherd, allow Him to lead you. Surrender to His authority. He has the power to deliver and protect you. Your safety is sure with Him.
He is the God of ‘turn-around.’ He is ready to turn your life around for good! Accept Him today.
Remember, you are part of the flock of the Good Shepherd. Read Psalm 23 and use it as prayer. God bless you!
Have a glorious week!
by
The Revd S.O. Aiyedun
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 24
THE EMPTY TOMB
“He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." And they remembered His words. Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.” Luke 24:6-9
The Gospel reports the incident on how Christ’s Body was laid in the tomb after crucifixion and death, the tomb was found to be empty.
Matthew 28: 2 says “And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an Angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat on it” According to Matthew, an Angel in shining garments was seen by Mary Magdalene and Mary opening the tomb, and the Angel told them not to be afraid since Jesus is risen from the dead. The Angel’s appearance was like a lightening and his clothes as white as snow. And the Angel said to the women “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, Who was crucified. He is not here, He has risen, just as He said, come and see the place where He was laid. Now go quickly and tell His disciples. He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him. Now, I have told you” So the Women hurried away from the tomb, being afraid yet filled with joy, and they ran to tell His disciples. On their way, suddenly, Jesus met them. “Greetings” they came to Him and worshipped Him, and Jesus said to them, go and tell my people to go to Galilee there they will see Me”
When the women came back from the cemetery, they brought with them word of an empty tomb and the report that “He is not here, but has risen.” The Apostles were dismissive, while suggested lack of enthusiasm because the messengers were women. The Jewish tradition stated ‘From women, let not evidence be accepted because of the levity and timidity of their sex.’
Perhaps, the news of the empty tomb, the resurrection of Jesus’ victory over death was simply too overwhelming for them to believe. Perhaps any anticipation of the resulting challenge was too great at the moment.
Jesus was complete innocent of all sin; Jesus suffered the most horrible, disgraceful punishment. This apparent defeat into the most glorious victory the world has ever known. After His resurrection from the dead, three days later, Jesus empowered His disciples with a new message, “The Good news that He had finally defeated the power of sin and death.
Through the cross, Jesus offers salvation to all who will believe in Him
Have a victorious week!
by
The Revd S.O. Aiyedun
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 23
THE POWER OF RESURRECTION
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
Rom 8:11
Today, we join other Christians worldwide to celebrate the resurrection of Christ and the power that brought Him from dead after three days in the grave.
But prior to resurrection of Jesus, that is immediately after Jesus was certified dead, the religious leaders did not rest their oars. They took Jesus’ resurrection claims more seriously than the disciples did. The disciples did not remember Jesus’ teaching about His resurrection; but the religious leaders remembered and took steps they thought would prevent it from happening or the fabrication of it. Because of this claim, they were almost as afraid of Jesus after His death as when He was alive. They tried to take every precaution that His body would remain in the tomb. Because the tomb was hewn out of rock in the side of a hill, there was only one entrance. The tomb was sealed by stringing a cord across the stone that was rolled over the entrance. The cord was sealed at each end with clay. But the religious leaders did not stop, they took a further precaution asking that guards be placed at the tomb’s entrance, but they failed to understand that no rock, seal or guard or army could prevent the Son of God from rising again.
In spite, of all this, to their dismay, they could not hold Christ back. St. Matthew’s account states ‘suddenly, there was a great earthquake; for the angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sent on it. The guards shook with fear when they saw Him, and they fell into dead faint’ (Matthew 28: 2&4). The truth is that the stone was not rolled aside in order for Jesus to come out of the grave, Jesus left the tomb without moving the stone, but the stone was purposely rolled away so others could get in and see that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead just as He had promised.
The true evidence of this was attested to by both Peter and John at the tomb. The linen wrappings were left as if Jesus’ body had simply vacated them.
Therefore, when they saw all these, they believed that Jesus had risen indeed.
At this time, they remembered what the Scriptures and Jesus had said – ‘He would die, but He would also rise again.’
The point we are making here is that the resurrection of Christ from the dead is the central fact of Christian history. On it, the Church is built; without it, there would be no Christian Church body. Jesus’ resurrection is unique. He was brought back to life after three day in the grave by the power of God (Romans 8: 11).
Other religions have strong ethical systems concept about paradise and the afterlife and various holy books as they called; but only Christianity has a God Who became human, literally died for His people, and was raised again in power and glory to rule His Church forever.
Hence, Jesus’ resurrection is the key to our Christian faith. Why?
* Just as He said, Jesus rose from the dead to confirm His Word. We can therefore, be confident that He will accomplish all He has promised.
* Jesus bodily resurrection shows us that the living Christ, not a false prophet or impostor, is ruler of God’s eternal Kingdom.
* We can be sure of our resurrection because Jesus was resurrected. Death is not the end – there is future life for all those who put their trust in Him.
* The divine power that brought Jesus back to life is now available to us to bring our spiritually dead selves back to life.
* Because of the resurrection, we know that death has been conquered and we, too, will be raised from the dead to live forever with Christ.
Therefore, as we celebrate Easter and our Silver Jubilee, let us keep this hope alive that as God raised our Lord Jesus from dead by His power, He will equally raise us up at the last day and to die no more in Jesus’ name.
Happy Easter Celebration!
By
The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 22
HIS PATIENCE AND HUMILITY
“Tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.'"
Matthew 21:5
Today’s meditation is centred on His (Christ) patience and humility, as our readings for today has confirmed. From this, there are two key-words which we need to define for us to understand today’s theme – ‘Patience and Humility. These two words are somehow inter-related but they are different in meaning.
Patience – Ability to take a great deal of punishment from evil people or circumstances without losing one’s temper without becoming irritated and angry, or without taking vengeance. It includes the capacity to bear pain or trial without complain, the ability to forbear under severe provocation and self-control that keeps one from acting rashly even though suffering opposition or adversity.
Humility – Means to be lowly and to know it is proper attitude of human beings toward their Creator. Humility is a grateful and spontaneous awareness that life is a gift. Humble people acknowledge that absolute dependence upon God.
From these definitions, we can fathom the content of this theme, ‘Patience and Humility’.
During the life and time of our Lord Jesus Christ on this planet earth, our Lord Jesus travelled much, and his custom was to travel by foot from Galilee to Jerusalem and many a dirty weary steps He had when He went about doing good. However, on His last journey to Jerusalem, He ordered His disciples to go into the nearby village and bring Him an ass and a colt. Purposely to crown all that He had taught and demonstrated by making His triumphant entry into Jerusalem – the capital city of Israel.
Jesus Christ rode to Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey and not on a horse or a chariot, which signified His humility. Ordinarily, when a King comes, something great and magnificent are expected – royal robes, riding on a chariot with large number of retime waiting on and royal guards everywhere, however, there was nothing of that in the case of Christ as He entered Jerusalem on a donkey.
‘Behold, He comes to thee, meek and sitting on an ass.’ The truth is that when Christ would appear in His glory, it is in His meekness, not His majesty. His temper is very mild. He is meek to suffer the greatest injury and indignities for Zion’s cause. He is easy of access, easy to be entreated.
‘...They that went before and they that followed, cried, saying: Hosanna to the Son of David’ The point is that the crowd welcomed Him to Jerusalem. Everyone took notice of Him, some were moved with wonder and at the novelty of His meekness and humility. Others with laughter at the meanness of it, some perhaps were moved with envy and indignation. So various are the motions in the minds of men in Jerusalem upon the approach of Christ’s coming Kingdom.
However, only those who were moved with wonders of novelty of His arrival, His meekness and humility were those who welcomed Him with great delight and accepted Him as their Messiah.
May you be one as you celebrate Him today.
Happy Palm Sunday Celebration!
The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 21
GOD OF A NEW COVENANT
But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they all shall know Me; from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." Jeremiah 31: 33-34
Covenant in Scripture is solemn agreements, negotiation or unilaterally imposed that bind the parties to each other in a permanent defined relationship with specific promises, claims and obligations on both sides.
In a layman’s word, a covenant is an agreement between people who commit to do certain things for each other.
Covenants are major theme in the Bible which can either be parity (between equal parties) or suzerainty covenants (between the Creator and the lesser).
When God makes a covenant with His creatures, He alone establishes its terms and this type is known as suzerainty covenant.
God’s covenant rests on His promise, and this can be seen from His covenant with Abraham. He called Abraham to go to the land that He would latter give him as an inheritance, and He promised to bless him and to bless all the families of the earth through him.
God, again, entered into covenant with Israel at Mt. Sinai. Although that covenant required obedience to God’s law under the threat of His curse, it was a continuation of His covenant of grace. However, the failure of the Israelites to keep the Mosaic covenant showed the need for a new redemption and covenant if God’s people were to be truly His and He, theirs.
God’s covenant with Israel was preparation for the coming of God Himself in the person of His Son to fulfil all these promises and give substance to the shadows cast by types.
Despite Israel’s constant disobedience to God, He was promising a new covenant that would provide complete forgiveness for all sins. When the new covenant arrived, God offered all people eternal redemption, protection and comfort. Christ’s death and resurrection brought radical changes to the old covenant. The old covenant was written in people’s hearts, which required absolute faith in the perfect sacrifice of Christ through His death. And as such, all people are able to have an intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ qualified to be Mediator of the new covenant based on the offering of Himself as the true and final sacrifice for sin.
The Book of Hebrews talks extensively about God’s new covenant and attempts to explain why new covenant involving Jesus Christ is better than the old covenant God set up at Mt. Sinai. It therefore gives numerous reasons why the new covenant is far superior viz:
* The new covenant needs only one Priest – Jesus Christ, Who is the Eternal Mediator between God and man.
* Because Jesus’ death was the perfect sacrifice, there is no need for the repeated animal sacrifice God requires of Israelites. Jesus’ death and resurrection provide an eternal and perpetual sacrifice for all people’s sins.
* The new covenant provides all people with a direct and intimate relationship with God. Through this relationship, God can purify our hearts and minds.
* The new covenant promises the guiding power and comfort of the Holy Spirit for all people, who believe.
Hence, the goal of God’s covenanted dealings is, as it was always, the gathering and sanctifying of the covenanted-people from every nation, tribe, people, and language, who will one day inhabit new Jerusalem in a renewed world order.
The covenant relationship will find its fullest expression ‘They will be His people and God Himself will be with them and be their God.’
The new covenant framework therefore, embraces the entire economy of God’s sovereign grace. Christ’s heavenly ministry continues to be that of the ‘Mediator of a new covenant.’
Salvation is covenant redemption; justification and adoption, regeneration and sanctification are covenant mercies; election was God’s choice of future members of His covenant community, the Church, baptism and the Lord’s supper, corresponding to circumcision and Passover are covenant ordinances; God’s law is covenant law, and keeping it is the truest expression of gratitude for covenant grace and of loyalty to our covenant God.
Covenanting with God in response to His covenanting with us, should be a regular devotional exercise for all believers, both in private and at the Lord’s Table.
An understanding of this covenant of grace guides us through, and helps us to appreciate all the wonders of God’s redeeming live.
May the blessings of this new covenant – such as God being our refuge, strength and very present help in time of trouble be our lot this week and beyond in Jesus’ name.
Have a blessed week.
The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 20
HIS TRANSFORMING POWER
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” Ephesians 3:20
Transformation is an inward renewal and reshaping of the mind in which Christian’s inner person changed to be like Jesus Christ, which is only possible through the power of God.
In other words, transformation in one’s life is divine and not by one’s efforts or work.
In Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Romans, he enjoined the believers, ‘Be transformed by the renewing of your mind’ (Romans 12: 12).
This is where the issue of born-again comes in. In that, no one automatically becomes a child of God without having a personal relationship with Christ. That is by personal acceptance of Christ into one’s life without being coerced or forced.
This was the experience of Nicodemus when he had encounter with Jesus. Jesus told him point blank ‘except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of heaven’ (John 3: 3, 5).
In fact, the man gave his life that very night and his life never remained the same.
The truth is that genuine relationship with Christ opens a new chapter in one’s life as Bible declares ‘If any man be in Christ, old things have passed away, behold, all things are become new’ (2 Corinthians 5: 17).
Having experienced new life in one’s life, it paves the way for transformation, which is gradual process through the power of God in one’s life.
Once, one has given his life to Christ, he becomes more like Jesus. ‘But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord’ (2 Corinthians 3:18).
This does not come from conscious imitation but from spiritual communion with the Lord. The result will be beyond our expectations. This is where the power of God comes in.
Ordinarily, we cannot be the kind of person Christ wants us to be without the power of God in us transforming us to the image of Christ.
All believers need the power of God for them to be effective and be completely transformed into the image of Christ.
On this, Apostle Paul reiterated ‘Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us’ (Eph 3:20).
Transformation power of God is what we all need to be like Jesus.
It is my prayer that God will transform our lives as we live for Him daily in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Have a blessed week.
The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 19
THE WAY OF THE CROSS
“But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. But He said to them, "Where is your faith?" And they were afraid, and marvelled, saying to one another, "Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!" (Luke 8:23-25).
The Christian Cross is seen as a representation of the instrument of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is the best known symbol of Christianity. It has both ornamental and religious values.
The cross reminds Christians of God’s act of love and victory over sin and death. The cross signifies what Jesus Christ went through (sufferings) to save mankind. Jesus said ‘If any man wants to follow Him; he must forget his selfish ambition.’
Following Christ is costly; let us look at the following stories: (1). The story of the rich young man (Mark 10: 18ff). He said Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life? Jesus told him to ‘obey the commandments: do not steal, do not murder, do not commit adultery.’ And he answered that he had been obeying these commandments and Jesus told him to go sell his properties and give it to the poor and come and follow Me. But he went home dejected.
2). A Teacher of the Law, told Jesus that he would follow Him wherever He went, but Jesus answered ‘Birds have nests but Son of Man has no place to put His head.’
Another disciple offered to follow Christ but He told Christ to let him go and bury his father. Jesus then said: ‘Let the dead bury themselves.’
3). The mother of James and John (sons of Zebedee) asked for a place of honour for her children in the Kingdom of God. And Jesus asked if they could drink out of the bitter cup He will drink (Matthew 20: 20ff).
4). Jesus said “whoever puts his hand on the plough and looks back, is not fit for the Kingdom” (Luke 9: 62).
These examples show how the way of the cross looks like.
* If you are so rich in things of the world and not rich in spiritual things, you cannot enter the Eternal Glory.
* It means you have to forsake everything and follow Jesus Christ.
* If you do not follow with your whole heart, you cannot walk and work with Christ
* The way of the cross does not harbour sinful ones.
The way of the cross means total surrender to the will of Christ.
Brethren, are you on the way? There are so many things that can dissuade us from following Christ. You have to close your eyes to many things and you have to make up your mind to follow without counting the cost.
It is more than Church attendance; good work, having one thing or the other to do in the Church.
Jesus Christ is not coming to carry the Cross again; He has carried it once and for all. We are in the world of trials and tribulations and there are so many distractions. You need Jesus nerve your arms, you need His strength. Do not let your foolish pride rebel.
So people of God “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (I Cor. 1: 18).
Have a blessed week, carry your cross everyday and follow Christ.
Your Vicar and Friend
I.S. Okupevi
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 18
THE SUFFERING SERVANT’S LOVE
”Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53: 4-5).
Today is the second Sunday in Lent, and we bless the name of the Lord for upholding us.
The Theme for this Sunday is the Suffering Servant’s Love. This theme is talking about the love of God for mankind through our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Isaiah the Prophet prophesied about the coming of the Messiah five thousand years ago before the birth of Jesus Christ.
This Scripture, Isaiah 53, is a popular passage especially, during the Lenten period. It is to tell us about the vicarious death of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on the Cross for the remission of our sins.
Going through the following passages: The Gospel of John chapters 18, 19 & 20; Luke 22, 23 & 24; Mark 14, 15, & 16; Matthew 26, 27 & 28 gave us the vivid condition of His sufferings. There is even, a pathetic passage in the book of Lamentation "Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Behold and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow, which has been brought on me, which the LORD has inflicted in the day of His fierce anger” (Lam. 1: 12).
The highlight in Isaiah 53 are as follow:
* He was despised and rejected
* A man of sorrow and sufferings
* Men hid their faces from Him
* He was stricken, smitten and afflicted
* He was crushed and punished
* He was oppressed and wounded.
Have you ever watched the film titled “Jesus of Nazareth”? Get a copy, try make out time to watch it; you can imagine what He went through. He went through all these because He loves us. All these are for us so that we can be partakers of His Eternal Kingdom. Though, He has done no violence nor was any deceit found in Him (verse 9). ”Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53: 4-5). Please go through this passage again and again.
* You have been healed through His suffering
* He died instead of you
* He has given you a second chance
Will you forfeit these opportunities through hardness of heart, or through the deceit of the Devil? Have a re-think on your life style and make an amendment, tomorrow may be too late. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).
Jesus is at the Door of your heart knocking, let Him in and receive the salvation He has brought.
May the Lord give us the heart to obey Him always.
Have a pleasant week.
Your Vicar and Friend
I.S. Okupevi
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 17
OVERCOMING TEMPTATION
” But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." Matthew 4: 4
All Glory, be to the Eternal and undivided Trinity Father, Son and Holy Spirit; for this year’s Lenten season and I pray that God will give us the grace to keep a holy Lenten period.
For our meditation, Let us consider the theme ‘Overcoming Temptation.’ The word, ‘temptation’, is the desire to have or do something that should be avoided. It is something that seduces or has the power to seduce. * It is the act of influencing by exciting hope or desire. * An enticement.
Looking through the Decalogue, we have the commands “thou shall not” i.e. you must not do it and doing it attracts consequences.
Matthew 4: 1ff: gave us the details of the temptation – Satan enticed Jesus Christ with many things. Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights and He was hungry, Satan knew that Jesus Christ was hungry and He had the power to turn stones into bread. But Jesus replied that “Man shall not live by bread alone.”
Many times, we fall into sin through our heart desires; we normally say it is the work of the Devil. But James has this to say: ”Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (James 1: 12-14).
He does say that we should count it as a thing of joy when one falls into various trials; that in temptation i.e. sin weakens our spiritual tempo and servour
* We sin against God
* We sin against ourselves, * We sin against our fellow man
and this disturbs our fellowship with God and fellow man.
Do not allow worldly pleasures, covetousness, envy or greed control your heart to fall into temptation.
* Job was tempted and he overcame
* Gehazi was tempted by the gifts of Naaman and he became a leper (II Kings 5: 20-27).
* Achan was tempted by worldly things and his household was swallowed up (Joshua 7: 10-end).
How to Overcome Temptation:
* Do not allow poverty, self-pity or lack of contentment push you into falling a prey to Satan.
* Follow your role model – Jesus Christ, Who was tempted but did not yield to deceits and falsehood of satan
* Let the Holy Spirit be your Teacher in all circumstances.
* Watch and pray because we are not fighting against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers.
* Do not join bad gangs whose motto is ‘get rich quick.’
* Avoid petty stealing; be contended with what you have.
Dear Christian Friends, at this Lenten tide, let us be ready to follow our Saviour with all our hearts and minds so that we can enter His glorious Kingdom.
I say have a pleasant week and happy Lenten Tide.
Have a blessed week!
Your Vicar and Friend
I.S. Okupevi
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 16
BLESSINGS OF REPENTANCE
”The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight” Psalm 145: 9; Col. 1: 21-22
All Glory, Honour and Adoration be unto God in the highest heaven for the success of the just concluded Vestry Meeting. We pray that the National election will be hitch-free in Jesus’ name.
Today is Quinquagesima Sunday i.e. Sunday next before Lent, and by the grace of God; we will start the fasting exercise on Ash Wednesday.
But before then, for our bread basket this week, we will consider the theme for the week ‘Blessings of Repentance.’ This means the benefits, dividends, gains, or reward given to you by God after being saved or turning a new leaf.
These rewards are very many and it is more than the general grace being enjoyed by everybody.
In Colossians 1: 21-22, Apostle Paul made us to know that we were once alienated from God by our misdeeds and by so doing, we were God’s enemies and children of perdition. But through the merit of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, and by believing in Him, we are now His friends.
Going through Genesis chapter 3; Adam and Eve sinned – disobedience; they were cursed and were sent away from the Garden of Eden.
Talking about blessings of Repentance, it means that you enjoy the unmerited favour of God, physically and spiritually after being regenerated. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2: 8-9).
The blessings of Repentance are as follows:
* We are reconciled (Colossians 1: 21)
* Restored * Ransomed * We are made holy (Col. 1: 22).
* Loved * Blameless (Colossians 1: 22)
* Above reproach (Colossians 1: 22)
* We can see the attributes of God in Psalm 145: 8-9
* He is gracious * Full of compassion
* Slow to anger * Great in mercy
* He is good to all.
Are you still doubting the magnanimity of God? Why not consider all these blessings today and be reconciled to Him so that your name can be written in the Book of Life and enjoy the full benefits of God while still on this planet.
Brothers and sisters, note this, that, if we still continue in sinful acts, the general grace may continue but the special grace may cease.
God bless you; keep on rejoicing in the blessings of God.
Have a blessed week!
Your Vicar and Friend
I.S. Okupevi
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 14
HIS POWER TO HEAL
"And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.” When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘son, your sins are forgiven you’” (Mark 2: 4-5).
Today, we have a duty as believers. What can a believer do in time of trouble? When there is a problem in the family, in our community, in our country, what can a believer do to help other people who are in trouble?
Verse 4 of Mark chapter 2 says Many in the crowd may have come expecting to see healings and miracles. The throng blocked the entrance into the already packed room. But the determination of the men is seen in the fact that they uncovered the roof over the room where Jesus was preaching. Remember the sick man was in problem. What do we call a problem?
1. A problem is an unexpected happening to a man. This is also, a crisis that comes or happens to a human being.
2. Problem or crisis is a thing that threatens our life; it may be an attack from the devil.
3. Problem or crisis brings the fear of death like when there is no remedy.
4. It happens and brings to nowhere or like when life has ended.
Money, provision, popularity or professional background cannot save us from problems or crisis. There will be a time when a Doctor, Lawyer, Judge or professional will not be able to solve our problems.
Remember, there is one and only One authority that can solve your problem or heal you in totality; He is Jesus. Jesus responded immediately and rebuked the storm and the storm calmed.
Mark 2: 5 says, “Jesus saw their faith; He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” Not only the four men had faith, but the paralytic himself too. When Jesus announced to him, ‘your sins are forgiven,’ He was implicitly acknowledging the paralytic’s trust that He was the Messiah.
God empowered His Son, Jesus Christ, to heal all sort of sicknesses, crises and problems.
In Deuteronomy 32: 39, God says “Now see that I, even I, Am He and there is no God beside Me, I kill and I, make alive, I would and I heal, nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.”
God gave power to Christ and He has a great name. Satan heard about the name and took to his heels. If Jesus is in your life, no evil power can withstand you (I John 4: 4; John 14: 12).
In Mark 3: 15, Jesus Christ gave power and authority to the twelve Apostles. Apostle Paul called this authority “The signs of an Apostle.”
The Believer’s authority and power to heal are:
1. You will overcome Satan always when you have Jesus in you.
2. You will be free from all Satanic forces by the power of Jesus Christ.
3. You will be bold enough to rebuke Satan and his agents at all times.
You are an overcomer. What you need do now is to surrender to the authority of Jesus Christ and live and reign with Him forever.
I pray that the Jehovah Rapha will heal all your infirmities and you will be hale and hearty in Jesus’ name.
Have a victorious week!
by
The Revd S.O. Aiyedun
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 13
THE GOD OF JUSTICE
Do not think that I came to destroy the law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfil, Jesus said (Matt. 5: 17).
Jesus rejected the Pharisees’ charge that He was nullifying the law, the law was both temporary and eternal. The word ‘fulfill’ means to ‘fill out’, ‘expand or complete.’ It does not mean to bring an end. Jesus fulfils the law in several ways:
1. He obeyed the law perfectly and taught it correctly
2. He will one day, fulfil all of the Old Testament
3. He provides a way of salvation that meets all the requirements of the law (Romans 3: 21-31).
Hence the Law is established, in whatever form it exists. People are expected to follow it and obey; if they fail to obey, measures are taken to punish the offenders and this punishment may involve physical pain, imprisonment, or some other measure on the offenders.
Our God is the God of Justice. Justice is a divine commandment and indeed the whole morality. Justice is the authoritative command. As a believer, we all know that killing is wrong, idolatry is wrong, hatred, fornication, wrath, envy, etc, are wrong. Therefore, those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. God had judged these set of people already. Proverbs 3: 31-35 say “There is not benefit in feeling envy for the wicked, because God detests wickedness.” The text ends with a contrast of God’s blessing on the righteous and His curse on the wicked.
Matthew 5: 3-12 comprise three elements:
1. A pronouncement of blessing
2. A quality of life and
3. Reason why the recipient should be considered blessed.
The first element is found in the word ‘blessed’ which introduced each Beatitude. The second element does not describe different groups of people but a composite picture of the kind of person, who will inherit Christ’s Kingdom. The third element works ahead to some aspect of the coming Kingdom – this is a way of justice that will reach out to people.
Psalm 1v1 presents a vivid contrast between the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked.
The God of Justice can display justice in many ways. His justice may make His people comfortable or uncomfortable. “Therefore, wait for Me says the Lord, until the day I rise up to my assembly of kingdoms to pour on them My indignation, all My fierce anger, all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of My jealousy, for then, I will restore to the people a pure language that they all may call on the name of the Lord to serve Him with one accord” (Zeph. 3: 8-9).
This passage speaks of destruction so great that God’s values and sense of justice would prevail, and at the same time , God is calling His people to be pure and willing to serve Him. God is calling you to repent of your sins. But beloved, do not forget this one thing; that with the Lord, one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promises, as some count slackness, but it is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3: 8-9).
Remember the God of Justice that chastise is also, the God of love, grace and blessing.
Have a glorious week!
by
The Revd S.O. Aiyedun
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 12
THE REVELATION OF GOD
Jesus answered and said to them: “Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Then, the Pharisees said: it has taken forty-six years to building this Temple, and will You raise it up in three days’?
But He was speaking of the Temple of His Body ( Jn 2: 19-21)
To destroy this Temple, Jesus was not talking about the physical building; He was referring to His Body, as John emphasises in verse 21. Jesus was speaking of His death. “I will raise it up” Jesus did not say “I will build it again.” Jesus was referring to His resurrection, three days after His death. The sign Jesus gave the Jews was the revelation/sign of His death and resurrection. The Disciples of Jesus understood that Jesus was the Messiah, but did not understand that He was speaking of the resurrection of His Body until it actually happened.
The revelation of Jesus Christ is pictured as the glorified Son of man (Revelation 1: 12-16). In Colossians 2: 3, Apostle Paul said “In Christ are hidden all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Jesus was in the beginning with God; all things were made through Him and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men (John 1: 1-4).
In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets. But in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son, Whom He appointed the heir of all things through Whom also, He created the world. He reflects the glory of God and bears the very nature of His Father upholding the universe by His Word & power.
The perfect Revelation of God – Psalm 19 celebrates the word of God in the context of creation. “All creation including the Heavens, reveal God’s glory and majesty (Romans 1: 18-20).
Firmament proclaims His handwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Psalm 19: 1-3, 7, talked about the law. “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul, the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. Verses 7-10 present six-key words for the law: (1). The Law (2). The Testimony (3). The Statutes (4). The Commandment, (5). Fear and (6). The Judgment.
This, leads to six evaluations of the law, as (1) Perfect (2). Sure, (3). Right, (4). Pure, (5). Clean and (6). True. The result of this is converting the soul, making wise the simple, enduring forever and righteous altogether. The value of the revelation of God (The Scripture) cannot be compared with any other thing – even gold. It provides the key to the Kingdom, joy and eternal life. Meditation on the word of God brings revelation. You too can experience the revelation of God if you allow Jesus to rule you.
Allow Jesus into your life today!
Have a glorious week!
by
The Revd S.O. Aiyedun
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 11
JESUS: THE TRUE VINE
“I am the true Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. "I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned”
(John 15: 1-6).
John the apostle described the person of Jesus Christ as –
1. I am the Bread of life (John 6: 35)
2. I am the Light of the world (John 8: 12)
3. I am the Door of the sheep (10: 7&9)
4. I am the good Shepherd (10: 11, 14)
5. I am the Resurrection and the Life (11: 25)
6. I am the Way, the Truth and the Life (14: 6)
7. I am the true Vine (15: 1& 5).
The Old Testament contains many references to Israel as Lord’s vine (Psalm 80: 8; Isaiah 5: 1-7; Ezekiel 15; Hosea 10: 1); because of their unfruitfulness; Jesus came to fulfill God’s plan, by attaching us to Himself and allow His life to flow in and through us. It is then we can bear fruit that will honour the Father.
For Isaiah 5: 1-2; Israel is the vineyard “Let me sing for my beloved a song concerning his vineyard: my beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He dug it and cleared it of stones and planted it with choice vine. He built a watchtower in the midst of it; and housed out a wine fat in it, and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.”
All the Gospels record that Jesus spoke of Israel as God’s vineyard (Matt. 21: 33-41; Mark 12: 1-12; Luke 20: 9-10).
The book of Proverbs made it clear that God cares for His people; and how disappointed He was when they did not produce the expected fruit. The fourth Gospel said Jesus is the true Vine and we are the branches. Again, the condition is producing good fruit.
Producing good fruit means we abide in the Vine - in Jesus Christ. The branches (the believers), who do not produce fruit shall be cut off and burned.
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is the true Vine and the believers are the branches. They are expected to bear good fruit. Our relationship with Jesus is stated in terms of vine and branches in John chapter 15 only if we abide in Him, we bear fruit.
To bear fruit, there are conditions to be fulfilled:
1. Abide in Christ Jesus “Abide in Me and I in you” says Jesus Christ
2. Renounce Satan and his work
3. Restrain your tongue from all negative confessions – Prov. 6: 2
4. Rest in the Lord and refresh in praying unto the Lord
5. Repair your prayer altar; cease from complaining when you are
praying
6. Rely on God’s promises and
7. Rejoice in the Lord always.
By doing this, your personal relationship with Christ as a believer, will produce good fruit.
Have a glorious week!
by
The Revd S.O. Aiyedun
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 10
GOD’S WISDOM
Solving a complex problem in trigonometry and writing a computer programme that will guide a nuclear submarine; both require great intelligence. But such intelligence does not guarantee a fulfilling, balanced, and productive life. Success in life-related matters such as relationships, raising children and spiritual maturity, are dependent not on intellect, but on God’s wisdom. The Bible, which devotes the whole book of Proverbs to the subject, teaches that the wisdom to master life’s challenges and to understand Spiritual truth is found only in God.
By simple definition, ‘wisdom is the ability to direct one’s mind towards a full understanding of human life and toward its moral fulfilment.’
However, wisdom in Scripture, means choosing the best, and noblest, and at which, to aim, along with the most appropriate and effective means to it.
This is displayed adequately in the Old Testament’s Wisdom Books – Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Songs Of Solomon; showing how to suffer, pray, live, enjoy and love respectively.
God’s wisdom is therefore, seen in His works of creation, preservation, and redemption. It is His choice of His own glory as His goal, and His decision to achieve it.
First, by creating a marvellous variety of things and crowned them with the creation of man.
Secondly, by kindly providences of all sorts to His creatures and,
Thirdly, by the redemptive wisdom of Christ crucified and the resultant of universal Church.
The message of Christ’s death for sins sounds foolish to those who do not believe. Death seems to be the end of the road; the ultimate weakness. But Jesus conquered death. His resurrection demonstrated His power even over death. And He will save us from eternal death and give us everlasting life if we trust Him as Saviour and Lord.
This sounds so simple that many people would not accept it. They try other ways to obtain eternal life (being good, being wise); but all their attempts are futile. The foolish people, who simply accept Christ’s offer, are actually the wisest of all because; they alone will live eternally with God.
In fact, the wise man seeks Jesus today.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is therefore, both the power and wisdom of God in all totality. Jesus, for those who believed, became the ultimate Source of that wisdom that could come from God alone.
God in His own wisdom, brought salvation to mankind through Christ Jesus; and by simple faith, one can be counted as one of God’s redeemed children.
In conclusion, the message of the Cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction. But we, who are being saved, know it as the very power of God.
Have a glorious week!
by
The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 09
THE PRESENCE OF GOD
“And He said, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest’.”Ex.33:14
Moses had been living for God, walking with God and working for God for several years. He had experienced God in many ways and one of these was his experience at the burning bush. He had talked with God several times. In short, he walked with God day and night, and his relationship with God was perfect without any iota of pride in his life.
Based on this, it is possible for you and I to conclude that Moses had known the fullness and totality of God. There is nothing for him to know about God having talked face to face with Him (Exodus 33: 11).
However, this assumption was proved wrong, when Moses told God on Mountain Sinai ... “So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant, Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle” (Exodus 33: 11).
Let me know your ways; in other words
* What You expect of me
* What You want me to do
* How to serve You better
* How to be committed to Your service
Reasons for this request –
* That I may know your will for me
* That I may understand You fully
* That I may grow in Your grace
* That I may dwell in Your presence al the days of
my life
Result of knowing God fully –
* Continue to enjoy God’s favour
In fact, Moses knew the importance of the presence of God than any other person in his days. He knew that the presence of the Lord brings God’s favour continually and for him to be successful in the onerous task that God has assigned to him.
For you to enjoy equally, God’s favour continually, seek the presence of God. The Bible says “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues”
(Ps 16: 11; 31: 20).
The point I am making is that in spite of Moses’ experience about God, yet, he desired to know God fully.
He refused to be contented with his past experience so, he desired more.
Moses failed to rest his oars on his past achievement. He refused to rest on past glories.
On the contrary, many of us today dwell on past glories, achievement, service, testimonies, contributions, to God’s project, whereas it should not be.
For you to enjoy God’s blessings continually, there is great need to seek God’s presence at all times.
Why not make up your mind to seek God’s presence and you will be glad you did.
Have a wonderful week!
by
The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 08
THE POWER OF GOD
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge" Psalm 19: 1-2
Oh Lord God, that hath made heaven and the earth by Thy great power (2x).
Oh Lord God, that hath made heaven and the earth by Thy outstretched hand.
Nothing is too difficult for You (2x)
Great and Mighty God
Mighty indeed (2x)
Nothing is too difficult to Thee.
Talking about the power of God, there are several words used for ‘Power’ in the Scriptures, and this can be broken into four categories for us to understand the content of our theme this morning viz:
* The unlimited power of God
This is better portrayed in 1 Chronicles 29: 11-12.
The unlimited power of God in each page of the Bible in every aspect of His people’s life – creation story, deliverance from the tyranny of Pharaoh.
* The limited power of God given to His creatures. Power is given to humans – physical strength – to conquer, to rule over others, power to fight, power to do good and power to harm.
* The power of God as seen in Christ Jesus.
The gospels and book of Acts bear frequent witness to the power of God in Christ. This power was demonstrated by His series of miracles and wonders that He wrought while on earth physically. Acts 10: 38 says “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, Who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
This power was also, seen in His resurrection.
* The power of God in the lives of His people.
This was equally demonstrated to the consternation of the people then, who said the people that have turned the world upside down have come thither in.
In short, the same power is still being made manifest in the lives of believers worldwide today.
The miracle recorded in John Chapter two displayed the power of God in action through Christ Jesus. Jesus and His disciples were invited to a wedding ceremony in Cana of Galilee.
A joyous occasion for that matter, however, the devil wanted to disrupt the whole ceremony when the wine finished.
Mother of Jesus, knowing the full implication of that called upon her Son to save the couple from the embarrassment.
And Jesus would not allow that type of situation in the life of any of His own, because His mission is to bring joy, happiness, beauty, upliftment and testimonies.
Pronto, He commanded the servants, “fill the jars with waters.” So they filled them to the brim. Then, He told them, |now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and when the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned to wine… he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after.” John 2: 8-10.
Indeed, it was the power of God made manifest through Christ.
Jesus turned the disgrace of the celebrants to grace and so shall it be in your life this year in Jesus’ name.
I do not know what your marriage is going through right now, but the Lord Almighty will surely intervene and still turn it to joy in Jesus’ name.
God bless you.
Have a wonderful week!
By
The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 07
THE CHOSEN ONE
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on Him and He will bring justice to the nations."
Isaiah 42: 1
Messiah is a title for Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. In the Old Testament, God told how He would send the Messiah (the Chosen One) to rescue His people, to make everything right, and to destroy evil.
The Jews with great anticipation, looked forward to the arrival of this Jewish hero but rejected Jesus Christ because they expected someone different. Instead of a soldier, Jesus was a servant. Instead of being a mighty king, Jesus died on a cross.
Jesus is the chosen servant. He therefore reveals a character of gentleness, encouragement, justice and truth. Part of His mission on earth was to demonstrate God’s righteousness and to be light for the Gentiles and all nations.
However, the Jews did not recognize God’s plan for Jesus as the Messiah, but Jesus still saved, those who believed in Him by His death on the Cross. He came back from the dead and now rules in heaven above.
Through Him, all people have the opportunity to share in His mission. God calls us to be servants of His Son, demonstrating God’s righteousness and bringing His light. What a rare privilege it is to help the Chosen One to fulfil His mission! But the truth is that we must seek His righteousness before we can demonstrate it to others and let His light shine in us before we can be light ourselves.
Have a glorious week!
By
The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2011/2012 BREAD BASKET NO. 06
JESUS: THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’" John 8:12
Jesus said “I am the light of the world (John 8: 12) and I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me…”
Jesus Christ is the Creator of life and His life brings light to humankind. Christ brought a revelation from God, but He was more than a revealer. He was Himself that revelation as recorded in John 1: 1-14.
Jesus called Himself the Light of the world, just as the pillar of fire represented God’s presence, protection and guidance to the children of Israel in the wilderness. Likewise, Jesus brings God’s presence, protection and guidance to those who put their trust in him.
In Christ’s light, we see ourselves as we really are (sinners in need of a Saviour). When we follow Jesus, the true Light, we can avoid walking blindly and falling into sin. He lights the path ahead of us so we can see how to live. He removes the darkness of sin from our lives. The reason being that the darkness of evil will never overcome God’s light.
Also, we like John the Baptist, are not the source of God’s light, we merely reflect that light. Jesus Christ is the true light; He helps us see our way to God and shows us how to walk along that way. But Christ has chosen to reflect His light through His followers to an unbelieving world, perhaps because unbelievers are not able to bear the full blazing glory of His light first hand. The word ‘witness’ indicates our role as reflectors of Christ’s light. We are never to present ourselves as the light to others, but are always to point them to Christ, the Light.
It is the function of every Christian to live as redeemed people. We are to show the quality of life proper to the people of God and in this way act as light to the people of the world. We are to let our light shine before the world in such a way that people will see our good deeds and so come to praise God.
By
The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2011/2012 BREAD BASKET NO. 05
SPIRITUAL ADOPTION
"But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law...” Galatians 4:4
It is true that what we know about human fathers and what we have experienced as children will affect how eagerly or how apprehensively we approach the subject – Spiritual Adoption.
For some people, it will be a fairly comfortable process , if we had a great and loving Dad, we will gladly embrace the Biblical picture of spiritual adoption – seeing God as our ultimate Father.
If we did not have that kind of father, we may have a longing to find the kind of father we never knew.
Perhaps our Dad was abusive, emotionally distant or a vanishing father; it may take a deliberate and even painful effort to sort through the misconceptions and learn to adapt to the life-changing truth of the spiritual adoption and of the right kind of father modelled by God.
However, this is by essence of Christ’s coming to the world in order to give us the privilege of adoption that we may know God as our Father and Christ as our intermediary. The truth of this is best explained in Galatians 4ff. In verse 1-3, Paul uses the illustrations of slavery to show that before Christ came and died for sins, people were in bondage to the law and sin. And as many people that are still walking in sin that fail to recognise the supremacy of Christ in their lives today, are still under the control of the devil. For the Bible says in 1 John 3: 8 “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”
For this reason, Jesus was born of a woman. He was human. He was born as a Jew. He was subject to God’s law and fulfilled it perfectly. Thus, Jesus was the perfect sacrifice because, although, He was fully human, He never sinned. His sacrificial death brought freedom and liberty for us who were enslaved to sin so that we could be adopted into God’s family. “To redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father" (Galatians 4:5-6).
Recognising yourself as an adopted child of God conferred on you all the sonship rights.
The truth is that as adopted children of God, we share with Jesus all rights to God’s resources. We have become God’s heirs and as such we can claim what He has provided for us, that is our full identity as His children.
Perhaps till now, you have never seen yourself as God’s child. The Father longs to adopt you and the procedure is simple; come to Him in childlike faith, accepting His offer of forgiveness from your sins, which have kept you out of the family. Jesus lived, died and rose from the grave to show you the Father’s love and to make it possible to become a member of God’s family. The Father is waiting to hear from you.
May you continue to enjoy His favour all the days of your life in Jesus’ name.
By
The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2011/2012 BREAD BASKET NO. 04
THE HERALD OF HIS COMING
”Then the Angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS” Luke 1: 30-31
For long time before the fist Advent of Jesus Christ, there had been series of prophecies concerning His arrival and His mission. One of the prophecies is found in Genesis 3: 15 “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel”
Isaiah in his book, heralded the same message in Isaiah 7: 14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a Son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” Also, in Isaiah 9: 6 “For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
However, in spite of series of messages concerning His appearance, there was a period of 400 years (four hundred years) of silence after the last prophet – Malachi.
God withdrew Himself temporarily from His people. No more prophet nor prophecies from Him. At that period, the Roman government oppressed them with great vexation on daily basis, brutalised them in thousands and extorted them to the last dime. In fact, it was a period of dark ages for the Israel nation as their forefathers experienced in the land of Egypt thousands years back.
At the nick of time, when the Jews were at their wits’ end, the message of hope and the new lease of life were heralded. The fulfilment of the prophecies of the coming of the Messiah was proclaimed first to the Virgin Mary, whom the Angel Gabriel broke this joyful news to. The truth is that Jesus Christ came into the world as it had been foretold and heralded, but only few recognised Him “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him” (John 1: 10-11)
At the time He came only few people were aware: The Shepherd, The Wise Men, Simeon and Annah. The rest were busy with their businesses.
Hence, Jesus came as was heralded. After He had finished His great work of redemption for mankind on the cross, He died, risen and ascended to heaven and seated at the right hand of God until the appointed time when He shall come again as the King of kings, and Lord of lords to judge the quick and the dead.
Today, the herald of His second coming is still being proclaimed, not as a babe but as a Judge. JESUS IS COMING AGAIN is today’s herald and God is using various electronic media to proclaim this to the world as God used various prophets at different dispensation with different techniques to herald His first coming to the world.
In conclusion, the question is now this: have you heard the message being heralded loud and clear today? If yes, what are you doing about the message?
Remember that the coming of the Lord will be like a thief in the night.
By
The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2011/2012 BREAD BASKET NO. 03
THE FORERUNNER
He said: "I am 'The Voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Make straight the way of the LORD.” John 1: 23
Messiah is a title for Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. In the Old Testament, God told how He would send the Messiah to rescue His people to make everything right, and to destroy evil. The Jews looked forward to the arrival of this Jewish hero with great expectancy.
Several prophecies also described a specific Messiah, which helped people’s anticipation of the ultimate ‘Anointed One.’
However, after four hundred years of silence, John the Baptist appeared on the scene. He was a Prophet that had been foretold by the great Prophets of old to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. To be His forerunner. He was given a title: ‘A Voice, a Crying voice’ and his message was ‘prepare ye the way of the Lord,’ that is, make ready to receive the coming Messiah, to embrace and entertain Him in their hearts. He also, told people to be baptised, which represents a symbolic act of repentance.
John the Baptist was unique. He wore odd clothes and ate strange food and preached an unusual message to the Judeans, who went out to the wastelands to see him. In addition, he did not aim at uniqueness for his own sake. Instead, he aimed at obedience. He knew he had a specific role to play in the world – announcing the coming of the Saviour – and he put all his energies into this task.
John the Baptist being a forerunner of Jesus Christ centred his message on true repentance of people to the living God. In that he encouraged everyone who listened to him to repent (Matthew 3: 2). He called for a true ‘turning back’ or turning toward God in obedience that would bring forgiveness of sin. He explained that such a turn about in a person’s relationship with God should be lived out in one’s everyday dealings.
The Bible is not only different just because it claims to have come from God, but it supercedes all other books put together.
The same message is re-echoed to us today to repent of our sins: ‘change our mind’ ‘we have thought amiss,’ ‘think again’ and think aright.’ The change of mind must definitely produce a change of the way. Those who are truly sorry for what they have done amiss, will be careful to do so no more.
God is therefore, calling all of us to true repentance, which is a necessary duty, in obedience to the command of God; and a necessary preparative and qualification for the comforts of the gospel of Christ.
The basic reason for this clarion call is because the Kingdom of heaven is at hand - the Kingdom of which Christ is the Sovereign. It is the Kingdom of heaven, not of this world. It is only merits for those whose sins had been forgiven (Revelation 21: 27).
Although, the Messiah had already come in the person of Jesus Christ, yet, Christians are to look eagerly to His second appearance.
Happy Advent Season in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
By
The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2011/2012 BREAD BASKET NO. 02
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
Blessed Lord, Who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; write in our hearts the lessons of Your law; prepare our minds to receive the gospel, help us to hear them, to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that through patience and the comfort of Your Holy Word, we may embrace and forever hold fast the hope of everlasting life, which You have given us in our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
More than fifty thousand different books are published in the world each year. They cover every subject imaginable, from articles to zucchin, from anthropology to zoology, from Afganistan to Zimbabwe. But people who trust the Bible say it is different from any other book authored by God and thus the only book that shows us how to know Him, how to live, and how to receive eternal life.
Many people do not agree; they think the Bible is flawed and unreliable, and obviously not written by God. They claimed –
i) The Bible is not scientifically reliable
ii). The Bible is historically inaccurate, (iii) The Bible is outdated, (iv).The Bible is the work of man.
These object to the idea that it is a book we can trust with our life and destiny. But to reject the Bible, is to close one’s eyes to an overwhelming, amount of evidence in its favour. And more important, it is to ignore the reality of mankind’s own spiritual need – and the rescue offered in its message.
The Bible is not only different just because it claims to have come from God, but it supercedes all other books put together.
The Bible presents God as Sovereign God of all; as a God of mercy, love, goodness and as one God. The Bible alone does justice to both the high and the low sides of human nature. It tells of his creation in the image of God, is realistic about his sin, upholds his personal responsibility, and gives him hope for the future.
The Bible offers man sanctification in the God-man, Jesus Christ. It is not a salvation by works, but by grace through faith.
If the Bible can give us good evidence that it has come to us from God, then, we can see why it makes so much sense to trust its authority.
Also, if we can show that we have good reason to believe that the Bible has come to us from God, then, we also have a book we can trust - a book like no other book.
The future and hope beyond the name.
May the Lord help to appropriate the collect of today to your life.
Happy Advent Season in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
By
The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2011/2012 BREAD BASKET NO. 01
THE ADVENT HOPE
“Therefore, keep watch for you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
Matthew 24: 42, 45
It is good that we do not know exactly when Christ will return. If we know the precise date, we might be tempted to be lazy in our work for Him. Worse yet, we might plan to keep sinning and then turn to God right at the end. Heaven is not our only goal; we have work to do here. And we must keep on doing it until death or until we see the unmistakable return of our Saviour.
Living between the two comings of Christ, Christians are to look backward and forward. Backward in the sense that we look back to the manger, the cross, and the empty tomb, whereby salvation was won for us once and for all. And forward in the sense that we look forward to our meeting with Christ beyond this world, their perusal resurrection, and the joy of being with our Saviour in glory forever.
Christian living is attached to this hope; the hope of second coming of Christ which is imminent. This is the basic message of the New Testament which was repeatedly announced that Jesus Christ will one day be back. This will be His ‘Royal visit’, His appearing and coming. Christ will return to this world in glory. This Second Advent will be personal and physical, visible and triumphant. He will come to end history, to raise the dead and judge the world, to impart to God’s children their final glory, and to usher in a reconstructed universe.
This is our advent hope, being sure of what we hope for and believe.
In fact, the ethic of advent hope provides the New Testament and these ethics are:
* It is an ethic of pilgrimage: That is, Christians should see themselves as strangers and pilgrims in this world
* It is an ethic of Purity: everyone, who really hopes to be like Jesus when He appears purifies himself, just as He is pure.
* It is an ethic of Preparedness: We should be ready to leave this world for a close relationship with Christ our Lord at any time He summons us.
* It is an ethic of Patience: Christians should learn to wait patiently for the coming of Christ.
* It is an ethic of Power: This hope gives strength and confidence, energizing effort for running the race, fighting the good fight of faith and enduring the light and momentary troubles that come our ways before we go home.
In conclusion, Christ’s second coming will be swift and sudden. There will be no opportunity for last-minute repentance or bargaining. The choice we have already made will determine our eternal destiny. How are you preparing?
Happy Advent Season in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
By
The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 52
EXPECTING THE GREAT DAY
“For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.” Rom 8:19
Man was not made for the present, and the present was never intended to satisfy man. Man’s life on earth cannot and does not fulfil the eternal longings of man. This principle continues throughout his existence and even up to the point of death.
A small child cannot wait until he is old enough to start school. The school boy yearns for the teenage years of high school. When he reaches that level, however, he looks forward to college life. These hopes give way to manhood and all the responsibilities of adult life. But the heart is always discontent with the present; it is the future that holds the challenge.
Mankind was created to glorify God and to enjoy eternal fellowship with Him. But through the sin of Adam, we entered the world in a state of alienation from our Maker and under the sentence of death. Yet, we bear the image of God; and therefore, we cannot find the fulfilment of our deepest longing apart from Him. How wonderful that God provided salvation through Jesus Christ; the last Adam. When we believe on Him, we become the members of a new humanity. Our connection with the first man, Adam, is broken, and we are now associated with Christ, the second Man. We are already citizens of heaven, the place where He lives in His resurrection body, and we shall someday join Him there. Then, and only then, will our eternal longings be fully satisfied. The expectation of great day in which we shall be liberated and be freed from shackles of earthly bondages (Romans 8: 18-21) “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also, will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”
This eternal destination is Heaven. The Apostle Paul spoke of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven (Colossians 1: 5). Peter said that God has ‘begotten us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance, incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for you (I Peter 1: 3-4).
Our expectations are centred in a person and in a place. The Church of Jesus Christ has a hope. It is a heavenly hope not an earthly one. The writer to the Hebrews addressed Christians as ‘holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling (Hebrews 3: 1). Paul told believers that our citizenship is in heaven from which also, we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The question is now this: Are you expecting this Great Day?
Remember “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Have a wonderful week as you eagerly expect the great day.
By
The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 47
THE FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Heb. 10: 25.
Fellowship involves communion and friendship with God. Fellowship connects us with other believers in the Spirit of God’s blessing.
In the beginning, this was broken by Adam and Eve transgression. However, as a result of Christ’s work on the cross, God now makes His permanent home in each believer’s heart which invariably brings all believers under the same roof of fellowship with one another.
That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.. John 1:3
The truth is that the gospel restores fellowship not only with God but also, among believers. Jesus’ last supper with His disciples illustrated this. Through this, the hearts of the Lord and His followers were knitted together by a deep sense of love and commitment.
On the day of Pentecost, this was sealed by the outpouring of Holy Spirit, the Church was born with new identity, that is the new society of people in fellowship with God and with one another.
The early Church had a wonderful experience of what fellowship of believers actually meant. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart
The believers met together in house groups for teaching, fellowship, the Lord’s Supper and prayer. So profound was their sense of togetherness that they all pooled their possessions together and distributed them to the less-privileged in their midst.
There are three principles behind true Christian fellowship that God wants us to enjoy:
(i). Our fellowship must be grounded in the testimony of god’s word. Without this underlying strength, togetherness is impossible.
(ii). It is renewed daily through the Holy Spirit in us.
True fellowship combines social and spiritual interaction and it is made possible only through a living relationship with Christ.
(iii). It is mutual, depending on the unity of believers. For a believer to neglect Christian meetings is to give up the encouragement and help of other Christians. We gather to share our faith and to strengthen one another in the Lord. As we get closer to the day when Christ will return, we will face many spiritual struggles, and even times of persecution. Difficulties should never be excuses for missing Church services. Rather, as difficulties arise, we should make even greater effort to be faithful in attendance for us to enjoy God’s fellowship, and with one another.
In this fellowship of love, no believer is unnecessary. Each member has been given gifts for the spiritual building up of the entire body. It is God’s unique family and is governed by love, tenderness, compassion and humility.
The basis of this fellowship is therefore, given in 1 John 1: 7 “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son, cleanses us from all sin.”
However, there are several guidelines for enhancing the fellowship of believers:
i). Love one another with the same compassion that Christ displayed to His own.
(ii). Cultivate spirit of humility that seeks the other person’s honour, not your own.
(iii). Lighten fellow believer’s load by bearing one another’s burdens (iii). Share your possessions with others in need
(iv). Tenderly correct a sinner while helping to find solutions to his/her problems
(v). Listen to a fellow believer in times of suffering of God towards us.
(vii) Pray for one another in spirit without ceasing.
Always, remember this ‘You cannot draw nigh to God if you are at a distance from your brother’
If we take these on board, it will help us to have fellowship with one another thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
Have a fruitful week as you fellowship with other believers in Jesus’ name. Amen.
By
The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 46
HIS POWER TO HEAL
“Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath.” John 5: 8-9.
The purpose of Jesus’ manifestation in the world is to put an end to the misery of man by terminating the agenda of Satan through his sacrificial death on the Cross of Calvary. The Bible says “The devil comes not, but to steal, to kill and to destroy, but I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10: 10.
There is no doubt in my mind that you will agree with me on this fact that anything negative in man is the product of the devil, that is, to fulfil his mission. Sickness, calamities, infirmities, just name it are from the devil. Attacking mankind with this is part of his mission on the human race, purposely to distort the plan of God for us as stated in 3 John 2 – ‘I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”
The man we read about in John 5: 2-14, was a perfect example of Jesus’ power to heal and it was established in Acts 10: 38 -
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him.”
The predicament of the man: He was impotent, invalid, paralytic and in that situation for 38 years. Not only that, he was helpless, had no family, no relations, no friends, and was abandoned to his fate.
The man might have equaly resigned himself to his fate because of his prolonged suffering.
However, not only him was in that situation; the Bible declared ‘great number of blind, crippled and paralysed at the pool – waiting for the angel’s visitation.’ How many are the afflictions of the afflicted in this world? At times, it will do us good to visit hospitals, go to different wards – that we may take occasion, from what calamities, suffering and groaning of others, to thank God for our comforts; to know the magnanimity of God towards us.
However, Jesus’ visit to the pool made a great impact in the life of the man. In fact, Jesus deliberately singled him out of the crowd to demonstrate His power to heal.
As this man was singled out, you too will be singled out before this year ends in Jesus name.
The truth of the matter is, Jesus Christ saw the man in his deplorable condition, not that the man saw Jesus. He did not know whom Jesus was, but Jesus saw him and knew his need – “When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?" (John 5: 6)
Similarly, Jesus knows everything about our lives. There is nothing hidden in His presence. He knows everything about us, about our spouses, our families, our jobs, just name it, any condition of our lives.
Moreover, the man could have forfeited his miracle based on his response. Jesus asked a simple question – "Do you want to get well?" (John 5: 6b).
To Jesus’ dismay, the man was busy beating around the bush –
"Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no-one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me." (John 5: 7).
He would have forfeited the grace and blessing of God upon his life if not for of Christ’s magnanimity towards him.
In spite of his failure to give the right answer, Jesus went ahead to heal him purposely to demonstrate His love for mankind and His wish to make all well and shame the devil. The man was healed – ‘Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath.’
(John 5: 8-9).
Dearly beloved, I want to tell you that your case is not an exception; our Lord Jesus Christ Who demonstrated His power to heal this impotent man of 38 years suffering, can surely do your own.
Trust Him and lean on Him for your healing and you will certainly laugh before this year ends.
It is well with your soul!
Have a fruitful week in Jesus’ name!
By
The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 36
SEEKING FOR THINGS ETERNAL
“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet looses his soul? But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 16: 26 & 6: 33
When tragedy strikes, safety evaporates, security is undermined, uncertainty abounds. Fear invades. Human frailty is exposed. Faced with our own mortality, our vulnerability becomes an impenetrable for that engulfs the human heart.
But tragedy is not exclusively the result of a tsunami, barbaric acts of killing, earthquake, suicide bombers or terrorism. Any of these can strike at any time unannounced from just about any direction.
Tragedy strikes the deepest when it is where we least expect it, ripping apart our sense of security and shaking us with feelings of loss and vulnerability.
The truth is that myriads of this experience that surrounded our planet earth must actually point us to something better and last.
This boils down to the theme ‘seeking for things eternal.’ Jesus said “But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6: 33) And in Matthew 6: 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” This message of Jesus was based on the vanity of the world and its riches which only lasts for a season. All sorts of havoc and terrifying tragedies in the world are indication to us that we do not have permanent resident permit here and as such, we must seek for the things eternal. The Bible says “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3: 1-4). In other words, it tells that instead of dwelling on what this world will offer, instead of hoping for utopia world in the midst of various calamities and tragedies of this world, we should seek for things eternal. The faith of every believer must hang on the fact that the things of this world are ephemeral.
Setting our sights on the realities of heaven means striving to put heaven’s priorities into daily practice. Letting heaven fill our thoughts means concentrating on the eternal rather than the temporal.
If truly we have died to this life, then, we should have as little desire for improper worldly pleasures as a dead person would have.
The Christian’s real home is where Christ lives. This truth provides a different perspective on our lives here on earth.
In short, to seek for things eternal means to look at life from God’s perspective and to seek what he desires. This provides antidote to materialism; we gain the proper perspective on material goods when we take God’s view on them.
It also provides the antidote to sensuality. By seeking what Christ desires, we have the power to break obsession with pleasure and leisure activities.
Moreover, seeking for things eternal should be supreme above all other things in life. Christians must put God first in their lives, fill their thoughts with His desires, to take His character for their pattern and to serve and obey Him in everything.
The question is now this: What is really important to you? People, objects, goals, and other desires all compete for priority. Any of these can quickly become most important to you if you do not actively choose to give God first place in every area of your life.
By The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 35
THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14: 26).
The initial call of Christ to man with whom He planned to associate in His purpose of world evangelization was a call to discipleship. His charisma was such that ‘at once, they left their nets and followed Him’ (Mark 1: 18).
Today, discipleship is a standard subject for study in Churches and groups. Seminars on discipleship abound, and there is no question of the importance of the subject.
But when the lives of many Christians are put alongside the lifestyle Jesus prescribed for disciples, and demonstrated Himself, there is a vast discrepancy. It is one thing to master the Biblical principles of discipleship, but quite another to transfer those principles into everyday life.
The world disciple means ‘a learner’ but Jesus infused into that simple world a wealth of profound meaning.’ As used by Him and by Paul, it means ‘a learner or pupil, who accepts the teaching of Christ, not only in belief but also, in lifestyle.’ This involves a deliberate choice, a definite denial and a determined obedience.
The problem of our times is for instant gratification and short-term commitment – quick answers to prayer and quick results with a minimum of effort and discomfort. But there is no such thing as easy and instant discipleship one can commence a walk of discipleship in a moment, but the first step must lengthen into a life-long walk. There is no such thing as short-term discipleship.
To some, who have been nurtured on the ‘easy believism’ doctrine, the radical demands of Christ may seem excessive and unreasonable. The result is that after they have travelled a short distance, and the path grows more sleepery and rugged, they are like disciples mentioned in John chapter 6 verse 66. From that time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him.’
Jesus is therefore, looking for men and women of quality, who are ready to bear the cost of discipleship without turning back.
By The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 35
THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION
The apostle Paul, writing to Christians at Corinth, describing the Christian’s calling this way: ‘…And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead ‘come back to God’ (2 Corinthians 5: 19b-20).
The great apostle declared that ‘we are ambassadors for Christ. Every believer has the privilege of representing the Lord Jesus. We know God’s purpose in saving us involves much more than our personal enjoyment of satiation’s blessings.
Having been redeemed through the blood of Christ, we, in turn, become His ambassadors. We are representatives of the King of kings and the Lord of lords. We are to carry out His wishes, and that involves being witnesses for Him. We should be telling others about Him. Who He is, what He did, and what He will do for all who trust Him as their Saviour and Lord.
Just before His ascension, the Lord Jesus said this to His disciples: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1: 8).
This commission was issued by Christ to His followers, but it was not for those disciples alone. As His witnesses, we are to ‘go…into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature’ (Mark 16: 15).
However, the responsibility to present Christ to a world in need is ignored by many believers. The task of evangelism is left to a certain few. It is looked upon as belonging to a selected minority, the professionals; that is, Ministers, Priests and fulltime Christian workers. As a result, there is a large group in the Church today we might call ‘the silent majority.’ Only a ministry of those who profess to be followers of Christ ever speak a word for Him, ever share their faith, or ever give ‘a reason for the hope that is in them (I Peter 3: 15).
The rest are the silent majority, who refuse to be His ambassadors and who never attempted to reconcile men to God.
In fact, that is not the way it should be! Rather, as ambassadors of Christ, as ‘His witnesses, we all in our everyday lives – in the home, at the office, in the factory, and in the street – are to speak out for our Lord. The crying need of the hour is not necessarily for more Preachers and Missionaries; it is for more believers and missionaries; it is for more believers of all walks of life, who, through their exemplary lives and faithful testimonies, point others to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The point is that we, laity, are the people who have the privilege of influencing unbelievers and in churched people who would never darken the door a church never turn on a gospel broadcast, never watch a religious television programme and never read a tract.
In the course of day-to-day interaction, we can reach the otherwise unreachable for the Lord. The silent majority therefore, should become the vocal majority with the ministry of reconciliation.
May the Lord help us as we take upon ourselves, the ministry of reconciliation to the people around us in Jesus’ name.
By The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 35
THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION We serve God by serving others.
The world defines greatness in terms of power, possessions, prestige, and position. If you can demand service from others, you have arrived.
In our self-serving culture with me-first mentality, acting like a servant is not a popular concept. Jesus, however, measured greatness by how many people you serve, not how many people serve you.
This is so contrary to be world’s idea of greatness that we have a hard time understanding it, much less practicing it. The disciples argue about who deserved the most prominent position, and 2,000 years later, Christian leaders still jostle for position and prominence in Churches, denominations and Christian organizations/ministries.
Thousands of books have been written on leadership, but a few on servant hood. Everyone wants to be a servant. We would rather, be generals than followers. Even Christians want to be servant-leaders, not just plain servants. But to be like Jesus is to be a servant. That is what He called Himself.
This is the heart of what God wants all of us to possess for us to do our best for Him as servants.
We should remember that God created and endowed all of us with the great potentials to serve Him with all our hearts, and not for self-centeredness. Without the servant’s heart, there is tendency for us to misuse our gift for the personal gain.
In the Church of God, anyone can be a servant; all that is required is character. It is possible to serve in Church, for a lifetime however, without ever being a servant. The point is that you must have a servant’s heart.
The characters of a servant leader are:
* Real servants make themselves available to serve
* Real servants pay attention to needs of others and to help within their capacity
* Real servants do every task assigned to him with equal dedication and commitment.
* Real servants are faithful to their responsibilities
* Real servants maintain a low profile and spirit of humility to the core.
John Wesley was an incredible servant of God and his motto was ‘Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can…’
Imbibe the same spirit and you will experience new lease of life as you serve God and humanity.
By The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 34
THE SERVANT LEADER When Christ came into the world, He set all right and privileges aside and came ‘in the likeness of man.’ No one had more right than He did to remain above our pain. Yet, by His own example, He showed us how to ‘look out not only for (our) own interests but of others.’
Christ, by virtue of His eternal deity, had every right to remain on the Throne of heaven; but His love for us compelled Him to do otherwise. Instead of avoiding the hellish pain of our sin and punishment, He lovingly set aside;
* A Heavenly throne for an earthly manger
* Majestic splendor for suffering and shame
* The rights of the Son for the place of a slave
* The regalia of glory for the robes of humanity.
This is the mind of Christ – the exact opposite of our sinful and self-centred life.
However, Christians are commanded to put on the mind of Christ in all areas of their life.
A sacrificial attitude – by a sacrifice of immeasurable purportions, the Lord of heaven acted in a manner that we can relate to in principle if not in degree.
A servant attitude – Christ became a servant to present God the Father to us.
A humble attitude – the inexpressible willingness is Christ to lower Himself for our sake.
Being like Christ, what Apostle Paul enjoined all believers to do when he says ‘Let this mind be in you.’ The mind of Christ is what our new life is all about. Christ longs for His life in our lives that will invariably demonstrate to the people around us that we know what it means to be like Christ.
Also, it means that Christians are to pattern their life after Christ in attitude and action.
Christians are followers of Christ and Christ is the ultimate example of how to live a life that is pleasing to God. If we let the mind of Christ be in us; we will please the Lord at all things.
Not only that, we will find ourselves accepted into His eternal Kingdom.
As children of God through faith in Christ, we are to imitate Christ. We are to learn what it means to obey God by living as Jesus lived. If we depend on Him, spending time with Him in prayers and learning about Him in the Bible, we will definitely want to imitate His way of life.
May the Lord bless you as you pattern your life after the mind of Christ.
By The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 33
THE MIND OF CHRIST In every aspect of life, there is always two sides of it – the Spiritual and Physical life. This brings us to the theme for today – ‘The Spiritual Warfare.’
A Christian, from the moment he accepted Christ into his life, he has been enlisted as Christian soldier and as such, engages himself in spiritual battle till the end of his life for him to be counted worthy of his high calling in God.
However, we are merely weak humans, but we do not need to use human plan and method to win our battle. God’s mighty weapons are available to us as we fight against the devil’s strongholds, principalities, powers of darkness and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. These powers are not ‘flesh-and-blood enemies,’ but they are demons over whom the devil has control. They are not mere fantasies – they are very real. We face a powerful army whose goal is to defeat Christ’s Church.
When we believe in Christ, these beings become our enemies, and they try every device to turn us away from Him (Christ) and back to sin.
Although, we are assured of victory, we must engage in the struggle until Christ returns, because Satan is constantly battling against all who are on the Lord’s side. To withstand their attacks, we need supernatural power to defeat them, and God in His infinite mercies has provided this by giving us His Spirit within us and to use every piece of His armour He has provided.
Christians must therefore, choose whose methods to use – God’s or world’s method. Christians are assured that God’s mighty weapons – prayer, faith, hope, love, God’s Word, the H.S. – are powerful and effective.
Christians are therefore, enjoined to put on the whole armour of God for them to defeat satan and his cohorts.
May you continue to experience God’s victory as you put on the whole armour of God and fight valiantly in Jesus’ name. Amen.
By The Revd Kehinde Olajide
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 32
SPIRITUAL WARFARE By The Revd Kehinde Olajide
The fruit of the spirit refers to the evidence that the Spirit of God lives and reigns in a person’s life. The fruit of the Spirit, as listed in Galatians 6:22, is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Christ. They are the by-products of new life in Christ and the life that is under God’s control.
Briefly, ‘love’ is that self-giving kind of action, not necessarily emotion, that God Himself showed when He loved the world so much that He gave His only Son (John 3: 16).
‘Goodness’ is that of generosity.
The word ‘faith’ refers usually to trust or confidence in someone or something. It can also mean faithfulness or reliability.
‘Temperance’ means self-control, that ability to hold oneself in.
The truth is that the fruit of the Spirit cannot be obtained by trying to get them by our strength and power, except we join our life to His and experience new birth.
As part of our emolument in Christ (Matthew 6: 33), the fruit of the Spirit can thereby take root in us and grow. For this to grow and flourish, we must know Him, love Him, remember Him and imitate Him. As a result, we will fulfill the intended purpose of the law – to love God and our neighbours.
Hence, just as a fruit tree is expected to bear fruit, God’s people should produce a cup of good deeds. God has no use for people who call themselves Christians but do nothing about it. Like many people in John’s day, who were God’s people in name only, we are of no value if we are Christians in name only. If others cannot see our faith in the way we treat them, we may not be God’s people at all.
God’s message has not changed since the Old Testament, people will be judged for their unproductive lives. God calls us to be active in our obedience. John compared people who claim they believe God but do not live for God the unproductive trees that will be cut down.
To be productive for God, we must obey His teachings, resist temptation, actively serve and help others, and share our faith.
The question is now this: how productive are you for God? Are you bearing fruit at all? Remember that God has chosen and called you to go and bear fruit and your fruit to remain.
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 31
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
By The Revd Kehinde Olajide
God called every believer for a purpose. All believers are saved to serve and to fulfill God’s purpose on earth no matter your age, tribe, status or position in life. Wherever it has pleased the Lord to put you, it is for a purpose.
The service that God has called all to is many and multifarious. God gives us gifts so we can build His Church. However, to use the gifts effectively, we must realize that all gifts and abilities come from God, understand that not everyone has the same gifts; dedicate yours gifts to God’s service and not to our personal success and be willing to utilize our gifts wholeheartedly, not holding back anything from God’s service.
Moreover, God’s gifts in us for His service differ in nature, power, and effectiveness according to His wisdom and graciousness, not according to our faith. Our own role is therefore to be faithful and to seek ways to serve others with what Christ has given us.
Remember, you are saved to serve and no man/woman is worthless in the house of God.
When God called Abraham, He called him for a purpose and mission. God promised to bless Abraham and make him famous, but on one condition: Abraham had to do what God wanted him to do. This meant leaving his home and friends and travel to a new land where God promised to build a great nation from his family. Abraham obeyed, walked away from his home for God’s promise of even greater blessings in the future.
In fact, Abraham obeyed God to the letter and was reckoned as the father of faith. The point is that God may be trying to lead you to a place of greater service and usefulness for Him. Do not let the comfort and security of your present position/status make you miss God’s plan for you.
2010/2011 BREAD BASKET NO. 30
A CALL TO CHRISTIAN SERVICE
