Text: 2 Corinthians 13:5-6

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

There is a practice that I have seen in this country, especially with the Council. That at least once a year, an appraisal of one’s work is conducted. It was somehow shocking to me the first time I had to experience it as I was given the opportunity to first score myself before my manager would later review and assessed my scoring. Supposing my score was not objective, it would have been shameful going through it with my manager.

Also, the athletes who compete in championships and Olympics have to subject themselves unto rigorous self-trials before their competition. That is why you see that for some athletes, PB is written in front of their time.

Tests and examinations are phenomena that are familiar to all of us. They are ways of checking what we have learnt and mastered over a period of time. Academically, I know that some students do not like tests and examination; however, there is no way we can demonstrate that we have understood and mastered a taught process, except we are examined somehow.

Fact of life, we can’t live without tests and examinations. As a matter of fact, God is the Originator of test and He will be the Terminator of it. Tests commenced from the Garden of Eden, and it will possibly end at Armageddon.

Sources of tests

From God e.g. Abraham (Gen. 22: 1-2).

From Satan e.g. David (I Chronicles 21:1-4).

From People: (spouse, family, brethren, friends, establishments, society, etc.) e.g. Joshua by the Gibeonites (Jos. 9:3-15).

From Self: e.g. Apostle Paul (I Cor. 9:27; Rom. 8:38-39); Job (Job 23:10-13).

Areas to administer tests

Your salvation (Mt. 7:21; Phil. 2:12).

Your disposition towards the word of God (I Thes. 2:13; Mt. 13:1-9, 18-23).

Your character (Mt. 7:15-18).

Your extent of sacrifice and faithfulness (John 21: 15-17; James 2: 26; Mt. 24:11-13).

Your purpose in life (John 18:37).

As believers, I see it that a crucial examination we must constantly go through is self-examination. This will ensure that we are not caught unaware or unguarded by other tests, and we don’t receive condemnation and punishment.

I Cor. 11:28-33).

There is a danger of falling into grave error if one doesn’t examine himself often.

David fell into serious error – (2 Sam. 11:2-4; 12:1-14).

The five foolish virgins fell into grave error –   (Mt. 25:1-13).

Jesus taught His disciples to practise self-examination

Matthew 7:1-5 –Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged:and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

Matthew 7:12 – Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them:for this is the law and the prophets.

Matthew 5:20 – For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Method of self-examination

Ask God to reveal yourself to you (Psalm 139:23-24). Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Align your life and ways with the word of God (James 1:22-25). Doer of the word…, check against life and amend.

Do a scale of preference for your life and consider your priorities (Lk. 6:38 seek ye first; Luke 12:33-34). Lay up treasures, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be.

Compare and contrast your way of life before you confess the lordship of Jesus Christ with what you are now (2 Cor. 5:17).

Zacchaeus was a sinner. But when Jesus met him and he received salvation, the first thing he did was self-examination even Christ has not asked him yet (Lk. 19:1-10).

If we want to be sincere with ourselves, there must be areas of our lives that we might need to make amends after careful and thorough self-examination. It is my prayer that we will not deceive ourselves.

Can a man/woman deceive himself/herself? Yes. Samson was a good example. All his escapade with Delilah was a self-deceit.

Delilah was doing all what he said would let his power leave and also called his enemies on him. Yet he eventually told her his secret. He still thought he could shake himself as aforetime. How possible? He has already failed his examination.

How is your current faith? As a child, as a wife, mother, husband, father, as a child of God and a follower of Christ. Will you say you are more fervent in faith than last year for example? Or have you left your first love? Will you prove yourself? Or are you prepared to deceive yourself? Talk to God right now.

Prayers

Hebrew 4:1 – Let us, therefore, fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

– Father, let me not come short of your promised rest.

– Father, let me do what it will take me to enjoy your promised rest.

Hebrews 4:9 – There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

– Father, let me be a partaker of that rest that remains for God’s people.

Hebrews 4:11 – Let us labour, therefore, to enter into that rest, lest any man falls after the same example of unbelief.

– Father, let me not be a victim of unbelief or partial faith.

The sermon, Prove Your Own Self, by Pastor Samuel Obafaiye, was delivered on June 17th, 2018 on the occasion of the Father’s Day.

There are many things that we contend with as believers: Satan, world order, those who hate and despitefully use us, our flesh, wicked spirits, etc.

One of the most sought-after thing/substance on earth is power. To the extent that even in heaven, where order prevails, the quest for power had become an issue before. Whether at an individual, group, state or national level. We all want power. We all need power.

So how can we rightly obtain power? From God obviously.

What is Power?

Power is an English logical construct that refers to a variety of ideas relating to ability; capacity; authority; might and strength.

The objective of this discourse is for us to know how to live a victorious and not a defeated Christian life, despite the above challenges. We must, however:

• Hunger and thirst for the power of God;
• Cherish and place value on this power in our lives;
• Deploy and put to use the power made available to us.

Luke 24:49 – And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Mt. 10:16  – Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Sources of power

• God (Heaven; On high; Above)
• Satan (Hell; Below; Beneath)
• People (Around)
• Self (Within)

Sources of power – God

Mk 16:16-18 – And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Acts 10:38 – How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Sources of power – Satan

– He was the Anointed cherub (Isaiah 14: 12-17).

– Used by The witch of Endor (I Sam. 28: 3-19).

Lucifer was able to withstand Angel Gabriel for 21 days (Dan. 10: 1-13).

To understand the power that Satan has, consider the power of one angel – 2 Kings 19:20-35.

Sources of power – People

Saul’s unlawful sacrifice because he relied on the power of the people to protect him (I Sam. 13: 5-14).Saul’s partial obedience, again because he did not want to offend people (I Sam. 15: 10-21, 30).

Some know how to harness the power of the people and thrive in it. Usually, it is that same power that brings them down.

Sources of power – Self

Goliath of Gath (I Sam. 17: 4-11)

The rich fool (Luke 12: 16-21)

Kinds/Spheres of power

Political (Legislature/Executive)

Economical (Global lenders)

Monarchical (Decrees)

Religious (Revere as  a god)

Academic (Bad example – Charles Darwin)

Civil (Police, Enforcement Officers, Judge; Examiners; etc.)

Divine Power further explained

1. Power is an inherent characteristic of God (I Peter 5: 11).
2. God delegated this power unto Man at creation (Gen. 1:26-28).
3. Satan hijacked that power when Man fell in the Garden of Eden (Rom. 6:16).
4. Jesus as God incarnate exercised Divine power when He came (John 5:26-27; Lk. 4:18-19, 36).
5. Jesus, in turn, delegated this Divine power to those who believe in Him (Lk. 10:19).
6. Divine power does manifest in two forms. E.g. Jesus was given:

Exousia – Authority (Mt. 28:18)

Dunamis – Supernatural Ability (Acts 10:38).

For us as believers: (Mk. 16: 16-18; Acts 1:8).

However, Satan still parades himself as if he has power over the believer when he doesn’t.

He seeks to instil fear in us, so as to steal, kill or destroy.

The Believers’ Arsenals

The name of Jesus (Phil. 2:10-11)

The blood of Jesus (Rev 12:11)

The word of God (Mt. 4:4,7,10).

Invoke the Fire of the Holy Spirit (Heb. 12:29; Num. 11:1; 2 Kgs 1: 9-10).

Condition of usage

Ephesian 6:10-18 tells us that we must:

• Gird our loins with truth;
• Wear breastplate of righteousness;
• Put on the shoe of the gospel of peace;
• Carry the shield of faith ;
• Wear the helmet of salvation;
• Hold the sword of Spirit;
• Praying always with all prayer in the Spirit;
• Interceding for other saints;
• Stand firm, therefore.

Can the Divine power work for every believer?

Yes. Though the power is available to every believer; sadly it may not work for everyone. Especially:

• Those still living in sin. For example, 7 Sons of High Priest (Acts 19:11-17).
• Those not genuinely born again. E.g Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8: 9-24).
• The doubtful. The apostles (Mk. 11:21-23).
• The ignorant. The disciples (John 6: 48-69).
• The prayerless and non-faster. The apostles (Mt. 17: 14-21).

Biblical examples of those who were endued with power from on high we can emulate

1. Elijah (James 5: 17-18).
2. Joshua (Joshua 10:12-14)
3. Peter (Acts 3: 1-10).
4. Paul (Acts 13: 4-12).
5. Contemporary examples: Pastor Adeboye; Rev. Kumuyi; Rev. Madugba; Rev. Lawon; etc.

Caution: I John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Prayers

Father, demonstrate Your power over me and in me.

Father, demonstrate Your power through me and by me.

Father, help me to use the power You have invested in me.

Father, help me to be a true representative of Your Spirit on earth.

The sermon, Power From On High, by Pastor Samuel Obafaiye, was delivered on June 10, 2018

Our father doesn’t necessarily mean our ancestors; it means our fathers in faith, starting from Abel to date.

This is not a statement of someone looking around for God who is missing. This is, however, a statement of someone calling on God to do something. A statement of someone who needs concrete evidence and proof that God is for them and that He is without any doubt working on their behalf.

1 Corinthians 10:13 – There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

I’m not sure how many of us are in that category this morning? If you happen to be among, may God presence in your life become more vivid more than ever before.

Judges 6:11-14 – And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?

The children of Israel had sinned against God by worshipping other gods, so God allowed the Midianites to torment them. They would labour to plant all kinds of crops; the Midianites would then invade the land during their season of harvest and take away their crop produce.

– May you not plant only for another to harvest in Jesus name.

God sent a prophet to them to make them understand why they were suffering; so the people repented and cried to God for help.

It was for this reason that Gideon was threshing his wheat harvest in their winepress. So the enemy would not locate where his grains were kept.

Hearing the words of the angel, Gideon express his doubt of how that could be the case. How could God have been with him or with them? Considering what they were passing through. It doesn’t seem so.

And if truly God was with him, where are all the wonders that God performed during their father’s time, when God demonstrated His presence among them.

Gideon had read books and had heard from men the testimony of what God had done before. He could not fathom how that same God would have been with them, and they would still be suffering from the Midianites.

– There is someone here, you are in doubt that the Lord is with you because of certain circumstances around you. I’m asked to reassure you “The Lord is with thee”.

Sometimes it does appear to us that God was more active in the ancient times more than now. The Bible, however, told us that is not the case.

 

Malachi 3:6 – For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

There are times we read certain stories in the bible that sounds like fiction. Yet they were true. One may be prone to ask the question “where is the God of that time”?

This was the situation that Gideon found himself. He was asking the angel if God was truly with them, where are the kind of miracles God performed when their fathers were led out of Egypt?

For example:

– The parting of the Red Sea

– The rain of manna from heaven

– The sending of quails

– The water from the rock

– The pillar of fire by night and pillar of cloud as a shield by day

– Clothes that never worn out or became undersized

– The parting of river Jordan and the smashing of the Walls of Jericho

– Brought them into Canaan land already occupied

– Drove away the inhabitants of Canaan and help them to fight their enemies

Gideon was of the opinion that if it’s the same God that did all those for their fathers is the same God that the angel said was with them; the Midianites should not be able to molest them.

– Just like someone seated here, when you have read or heard the miracles that God has done, not that you didn’t believe God did it, your concern is “Is He really involved in your own case?

God is asking me to tell you once more “The Lord is with you, and that you are actually a mighty man/woman of valour”.

We are men and women of faith. One attribute of faith is that it does grow. Mostly by going through trials and listening to other people’s testimonies. There can be no testimony without a test. The just shall live by faith, but that faith has to be tried and tested, to continue as been just.

God uses the trials we face to promote us first in the spiritual realm, and then in the physical. He also uses it to glorify His name; to shut the mouth of the Accuser of the brethren and also as a faith booster for others that will later pass through the same thing.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 – And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

One of the greatest weapons the enemy uses against us is our feelings. What we feel and how we feel. Though feelings are natural and therefore real; there is, however, another aspect of our lives that is more real than the natural; it is the realm of the spirit. This aspect is controlled by our faith and not by our feelings.

To effect the desired changes in what we feel or in our natural world, we have to first address those things in the supernatural and then we can see their manifestation in the physical.

Even God commences something first in the spiritual before making it happen in the physical.

Genesis 1:26-27 – And God said; Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

God has promised us His children through His word that He will never leave nor forsake us. Circumstances may not look so, but the truth is God is always with His children.

Isaiah 43:1-2 – But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Hebrews 13:5 – Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

The two sentences the angel made to Gideon did not make sense to him.

– The Lord is with thee.

– Though a mighty man of valour.

Just like at times we too ask God why? Gideon was asking the angel why they were going through difficult stuff.

God had however searched through all Israel and found out that on this occasion, He would use Gideon as the instrument of deliverance.

– I heard that God is preparing someone here for an exploit that will glorify God and shock mankind.

Note that asking God why one is going through a particular situation with a sincere heart for an answer from Him is not a sin. What is a sin is when we murmur against Him; or when we argued and rebelled against His will.

When Jesus was on the cross, He asked His Father why He was forsaken. His Father would have told Him, He could not behold iniquity.

So it’s okay to ask God the father,  the why, where, what and when, as long as it is from a sincere heart and made in a humble manner.

Note that Gideon did not say to the angel “keep quiet, shut up, hold it” or any rude word. He actually started by saying “Please my lord, please my master. Where is the proof or evidence of what you said”?

It is interesting that the angel also did not say “shut up” to Gideon, because his questions were sincere; because they were truly suffering and because he needed to be convinced.

Such that the next statements the angel made are even more shocking. “Go in this thy might and save Israel out of the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?”

While many times we are asking God why and what; God is already counting on us to save the day. Gideon had been prepared. You shall be prepared for victory in Jesus name.

God was about to showcase Gideon as an extraordinary being in history, meanwhile, he was still seeing himself as a deprived, poor and insignificant fellow in Israel.

You may think that God is not aware of your situation, but He does. He already has a plan worked out for you.

While Gideon was still thinking of how they would escape from the host of Midian; God already knew that it would be 300 unarmed men that would do the deliverance job.

It must be shocking to Gideon that what he thought he did not have is what God saw in him, and asked him to proceed with.

– The mighty man of valour. He was just a farmer…

– Proceed with this thy might. In what sense?

Gideon would have looked around and asked. Who is that? Which might are we talking about?

When the angel said “Thou mighty man of valour”, the likes of Joshua and Caleb would have come to Gideon’s mind. But he didn’t see himself as one. He didn’t think he had the zeal, courage and strength to deliver Israel. But God saw that it in him.

– Someone in our midst, I hear that you are born to be a deliverer of nations. God has shown you before, but you are in doubt, this is a confirmation. Go in this thy might…

– There is another person, I’m asked to tell you that you are not yet who you are. What you are now is not the real you. You are by far mightier than this. Let your faith rise…

The question we will need to ask God this morning, therefore, is “So, if this is not the real me, Father, who am I really?

Tell me. Show me. Make me. Announce me.

Some factors that can aid God’s supernatural intervention

– Living in right standing with God. The Israelites had to repent.

– Willingness to obey His instructions regardless of the prevailing circumstances. Asked for proofs, but he was willing.

– Humility. Not relying on one’s strength. Ack your inadequacies before God.

– Seek to become intimate with Him. Gideon provided a meal quickly…

 

Prayers

Romans 8:30 – Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

– Father, glorify me in what you have predestined me for.

Proverbs 19:21 – There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.

– Father, who am I really? Tell me. Show me. Make me. Announce me.

Ex. 33:1 – And the Lord said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it:

Exodus 33:14 – And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

– Father, in each of the seasons of my life; let me experience your tangible presence.

The sermon, Where Is The Lord, God Of Our Fathers? by Pastor Samuel Obafaiye, was delivered on April 29, 2018.

 

Song – Jesus the Son of God; I believe in You, I believe in You

Prayer – Father, more than ever before, please demonstrate to me and to the whole world that You are my God.

Today’s message is a word of re-assurance for somebody. God asked me to tell you that He is not a man and so He cannot lie. There is/are promises that you were sure that it was God that gave them to you at a point in time, but you are not sure anymore.

 

God asks me to tell you that He did not lie, and He couldn’t lie. That He meant what He said. That it shall come to pass.

Numbers 23:19 – God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

This was a prophetic statement Balaam said to Balaak when Balaak became perplexed that Balaam kept blessing the children of Israel rather than cursing them as he was invited to do.

The first answer that God made to Balaam regarding his request, never changed. Though Balaam was thinking that God might change His mind. He never did.

– Someone here, you are operating under a particular curse. In the name of Jesus, that curse is hereby broken.

Numbers 22:12 – And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.

None of the efforts of Balaak and that of Balaam was able to change the fact that Israel is blessed and cannot be cursed: three attempts to curse Israel; three locations to curse them from, nothing worked!

– Every plan of the enemy to thwart the plan of God for your life shall fail in Jesus name.

A similar statement was made by Prophet Samuel to King Saul of Israel.

1 Samuel 15:29 – And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.

Saul disobeyed God with the assignment to Amalek. Samuel told him that as he had rejected to carry out the promise of God; God also had been rejected by him as the king of Israel.

Saul would have thought it was a joke or mere words, who could dethrone him? But Samuel made him to understand that the Strength of Israel cannot lie as He is not a man.  Even when Saul conducted a show-off sacrifice, God did not change His mind.

– May God not repent of any of His good promises to you in Jesus name.

May God de-throne every power aiming negatively at your destiny in Jesus name.

 

What is a lie?

A false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive.

God cannot make a false statement either deliberately or non-deliberately with the intent to deceive. He simply cannot do so.

 

Why do men lie?

1. Not to be punished. (Peter at the arrest of Jesus).
2. To get whatever they want. (Jacob)
3. To create a false impression of themselves. (Ananias & Saphira)

 

Why do men repent/change their word/mind?

1. They never thought it through in the first instance. Do me a favour…
2. They no longer have the ability.
3. They are not willing any longer.
4. To make a mockery of another fellow.

 

Why won’t God lie?

1. Because of His holiness (Psalm 89:35)
2. Because He is ever faithful (Heb. 10:23).
3. Because He doesn’t need to be afraid of anyone. All powerful. Jer. 32:17).
4. He doesn’t need to manipulate anyone to have His way. All sovereign. (Rom. 9:19-22).
5. He doesn’t need to impress anyone. Only wise God. (Isaiah 55:8-9)
6. Nothing takes Him by surprise. (Isaiah 46:10)

 

The word “Yes” is very powerful to the life of man. It is an answer that is highly desired in life. When applying for job or school, when commencing a relationship, when in sickness. We all hope to hear the word “Yes”. However, it is not always so.

Politicians, affianced, Employers, Medical Consultants, Spouses, Parents, Children, Friends, etc., do let us down by not saying Yes, or having said Yes before, they later changed to No.

Such that some people do not bother to believe in God’s promises because they have experienced broken promises from menfolk again and again. But God is not a man, that He should lie.

It is said that there are 7,457 promises of God in the Bible. They are all Yes in Christ. God is, however, looking for people who are expectant of those promises and will say Amen.

 

The nature of the Father’s promise

1. It cannot return to Him void – Isaiah 55:11
2. It cannot be broken – John 10:35
3. It is very sure – 2 Peter 1:19
4. Some promises are conditional – 2 Cor 7:1
5. Some are unconditional – Gen. 8:22
6. Some are for this life – Lk. 18:28
7. Some are for the life to come – John 14:1-2; Titus 1:2.
8. We must demonstrate faith in order to receive the promises – Mt. 17:20
9. Patience is needed on our part to receive these promises – Heb. 10:36.

 

People who said Amen to the Father’s promise

1. Abraham – Gen. 12:1-3; 21:1-3.
2. Moses – Ex. 4:20.
3. Joshua – Joshua 1: 1-2.
4. Gideon – Judges 6: 11-14.
5. Jeremiah – Jer. 1: 4-10.
6. Paul & Barnabas – Acts 13: 1-3.

 

People who said No to the Father’s promise

1. The 10 spies and the congregation of Israel – Num. 14:1-4
2. The sons of Eli – I Sam. 2:12

‘Yes’ is a Greek word and ‘Amen’ is a Hebrew word. Which means God’s promises are for anyone who believes.  Jews or Gentiles alike.

Paul the apostle had to draw the ears of the Corinthians church not to treat God as a man and by so doing lose out on the promises of God for them.

2 Corinthians 1:15-20 – And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit; And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea. When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay? But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Paul was scheduled to pay a visit to the brethren in Corinth, but something happened that he could not embark on that trip. He later gathered that the people were not happy, and were contemplating that he was not a serious-minded person, or he was someone who does not keep promises.

So that the people will not begin to suspect the gospel message and eventually be sceptical about Jesus Christ as a Saviour; Paul had to write them a letter to say that he is not that kind of a person. That as a man, it is possible that one may want to do something and later couldn’t, due to unforeseen circumstance. But God is not like that, as He is not a man.

He said the promises of God, once spoken as Yes, it cannot change to No. It will be Yes permanently.

What has/have God promised you? He is not a man. He cannot lie. If you believe Him and walk upright before Him, it shall come to pass.

 

Prayers

Father, remove every doubt and unbelief regarding Your promises from me.

Father, increase my faith.

Father, help me to believe You.

Father, let the blood of Jesus deal with anything that might want to jeopardise Your promises upon my life.

The sermon, God Is Not A Man That He Should Lie, by Pastor Samuel Obafaiye, was delivered on April 15, 2018.