THE STRANGER IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY 2

THE STRANGER IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY 2

As believer and follower of Christ, you are that stranger in a foreign country. The foreign country is the world where Satan rules as prince having blindfolded the heart of men not to see the light of the truth. We who has been delivered from darkness to light, Christ who is the king of the great kingdom has sent us forth to establish his kingdom in the heart of men on earth, so that at his return we will be glad we did.

Heb 11v9-10 ‘ by faith he made his home in the promised Land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose builder and maker is God’.

The above text will guide our discussion; I pray that the Holy Spirit will lead us Amen.

Now from the there are some points we will be discussing and I will like us to allow the Holy Spirit to guide our heart to understanding:

1.     We are stranger in this world: Abraham came to the Promised Land that flows with milk and honey, yet he sees himself as a pilgrim who will soon pass away. I peter 2v11 says ‘dear friends I urge you as strangers and exiles…’ As believers and followers of Christ we must understand that we are strangers in this world, though we are in the world we are not of the world. Oh yes even Abraham was living in tent. For we must know that our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a savior; the Lord Jesus Christ. And so we must admit that we are strangers in this world and so we are.

2.     Our material blessing is not our eternal reward: ‘By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger…’ Abraham was blessed by God in possession, the bible says God blessed him in every way but he was careful never to admit that was his lot forever. He was still looking forward to that city that last forever ‘whose builder and maker is God’.  That was the reason he live in tent. As pilgrims in this world we must appreciate the fact that our hope in Christ is beyond the earthly, our treasure is in heaven. ‘For we look not on the things seen but the unseen, for the things seen are temporal but the unseen are eternal.’2 cor 4v18.

3.     Never take hold of this world: ‘The world is passing away and the things in it’ 1 John 2v17. As strangers in this world, we must not take hold of this earthly life. Our father Abraham lived in tent even in the Promised Land. ‘ he lived in tent even as did Isaac and Jacob…’ which mean we must not be occupied with this passing life that we lose focus of the eternal kingdom, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God, but must seek first His kingdom which is our foremost priority. Our Lord Jesus whom we are following His step, while He was on earth, had no place to lay his head. The Lord says ‘be careful or your heart will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. Luke 21v34. Though we are in the world we are not of the world.

4.     Heirs of same promised: ‘Isaac and Jacob who were heirs with him of the same promised’.  The scripture says ‘God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the in comparable riches in Christ Jesus.

Eph 2v6-7. As believers we must come to understand that we are saved through the blood of Jesus and God in his infinite grace has made us to be in union with his son. We must confirm in His Image and lived in His likeness. ‘We know that when he appears we shall be like Him, for we shall see him just as He is. All who have this hope in Him purify themselves just as He is pure. 1 john 3v2-3.

5.     Looking forward: As pilgrim and strangers we must look forward. ‘for he was looking forward. Heb 11v10. We must not set our heart on earthly but on things above for therein comes our eternal reward. We must look unto Jesus; the author and finisher of our faith. We must look upon Him who is the Joy that is set before us, amidst challenges sinful entanglement; hence there is no need to look back unto destruction; hence we must be focus on our calling so ‘ that at last we shall not be as those who shrink back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and are saved’. As it is written ‘ I take no pleasure in the one who shrink back. Heb 10v38.

BEHOLD HE COMETH

BEHOLD HE COMETH

‘Behold he cometh, with cloud of glory and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him and all people of the earth shall mourn because of him’. Rev1v7.

Mr. Okezie has no premonition of what he would encounter on that day. To him it was just any other day of Monday morning. Calling his wife, to tell her he is set for work, he bit her good-bye, till evening when they will see each other. Since they are not going to the same place of work, she gave her husband a peck and reminded him to remember to pick their daughter when coming back, who had earlier left for school with the school bus: Havana private school Owerri. Entering his car, he set his face to his place of work as the wife wish him nice day. Just along PH road, before entering Owerri, he saw an old man waiting for a taxi. As he was about to bye-pass the old man, something pricks his heart to carry him. Suddenly he stop, and bit the old man to come in. The octogenarian hesitantly boarded, off they continue their way toward Owerri. Few minutes later, they get talking. The old man asks him whether he knows what happened in heaven today. Mr. Okezie was surprise and ask the old man what he meant by that. There he told him ‘just this morning, almighty God looked down on earth and saw darkness and wickedness of men. It pricks him in heart that the world is still full of evil and has not acknowledged the love He has shown to them through Christ. He called for the trumpet sound to end it all. All of a sudden, the Lord Jesus started crying with blood dribbling down from His two palms, the Lord said to His father to give Him more time to perfect His Church and empower her for the ministry of reconciliation as His precious blood cannot be shed in vain. He called few of the angels to go immediately to the world and warm the church and sons of men, to repent and turn from their evil ways, even as his coming is very near. So I am just one of the few angels sent, so warn your people and tell them about this, for the coming of the Lord is near’. As soon as the old man said this, he vanishes. The state of Mr. Okezie at that moment is better imagining than experienced.

For the lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be  caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with Lord forever. 1Thes 4v16-17.

The coming of Christ is very imminent, so close that believers need to fasten their belt in readiness. If I may ask what was the last but greatest promised in the scripture. You can agree with me that the promise centre on the second coming of Christ. ‘Behold I am coming soon Rev 22v20. And so for this reason those who have this hope must get themselves ready for his coming. The Lord also has given us some signs to let us know that his coming is near. After revealing the signs, He cautioned: ‘watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord will come…’ Mathew 24:42. Someone may ask what Jesus will do when He comes again. Let us consider some of these points:

    There will be separation: the Lord will separate the righteous from the wicked. ‘When the son of man shall come in His glory… He will separate the people one from another as shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. Mathew 25v31-32.

    He will usher in the millennium which is the thousand- year period when the Lord Jesus will rein with the saints, on the earth. ‘I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been be-headed because of their testimony for Jesus and the word of God… they came to life and rein with Christ for a thousand years.

The wicked that are living at the time of the second coming of the Lord will be destroyed in the flesh. They along with the wicked, who are already dead, will have to wait until the last resurrection. All of the remaining dead will rise to meet God. They will either inherit the glorious kingdom or be cast into outer darkness with Satan. Rev 20v5.

So blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection… they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

                                HOW PREPARED ARE YOU?

Since everything will be… in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live a holy and godly life as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. 2 Peter3v11.

We ought to live a holy live so as to see the Lord, for nothing impure and defile shall take part in His glory. We must lay aside those weight and sins that entangles. Most believers are still in secret sins and such a life does not please God. The coming of the Lord is at hand, hence we must, present ourselves holy unto God, for He is coming to rapture a church without spot or wrinkle. ‘Present your body living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God. Rom 12v1.

Never conform to this world: ‘do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world..’ Rom 12v2. We must not love the world, knowing that it is for a brief moment of time. This is one of the problems that made most believers to lose focus about the soon coming Lord. Paul gave a disheartening report about Demas over his devotion to the things of God. ‘Demas has forsaken me having love the present world’ 2Tim 4v9.  Here was a man called by God, one who was an associate of Apostle Paul, he must have a devoted preacher of the word seeing that he an associate to Apostle Paul in the work of the ministry, but Later he departed from faith and the ministry of his calling  ‘having love this present world’.  That is to let us know it is not how you started but your ending is what matters most. Judas Iscariot was another example of backsliding. Therefore let him that thinketh he stands, take heed less he falls. The scripture commanded us never to love this present world. ‘Love not the world neither the things of the world, if any man

(be it a preacher, bishop or Apostle no matter who you are) love the world the love of the Father is not in Him. We must always remember that this present life will soon pass away; only those who do the will of God abide forever and so shall be rapturable on that day!

    Watch and pray: The end of all things is at hand be you therefore sober and watch unto pray.1 peter4v7.  With the recent signs we can see all around, we can attest that the end is at hand! Now is the time for us to be serious with God in prayer.  It is high time for us to awake from sleep; for our salvation is nearer than when we believed.

Preach the word: preach the world; be instant in season and out of season. Be watchful in all things, endure affliction, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry. . 2. Tim 4v2,5.  Paul says ‘woe to me if I do not preach the gospel’. The lives of the people around us has been committed in our hands, we are accountable to them if we fail to led them to the truth. On that great day of the Lord, our reward shall be based on the number of souls we were able to won for the Lord. We have been committed with the ministry of reconciliation, so the Lord is counting on us and we cannot afford to fail Him.

Fellowship: Never given up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another: all the more as you see the Day approaching. Heb 10v25.   When we gather together in love and unity, there is always renewal for strength and sanctification. ‘the blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin. We are strengthening as we wait for His coming.

Be patient: you too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5v8. We must be patient for His coming; hence we must be weary in well doing and not be like scoffers who became discourage in waiting and said ‘ ever since our ancestors, it has been said that Christ is coming, yet we have not seen any sign of it’. As the Lord’s faithful, we must know that our ways are not His way. For a thousand years is like a day in His sight. So we must not see as men see. Those who endure to the end shall be saved.

‘Behold he cometh, with cloud of glory and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him and all people of the earth shall mourn because of him’. Rev1v7.

THE STRANGER IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY 1

THE STRANGER IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY 1

Once Upon a time, there lived a Great King in a far away  kingdom. One day he called his servants and said ‘I am passionate about a community and I desire to send two persons among you who will go to the community and tell them the vision I have for them. The duties of these ones that will be sent include: they should tell the community about me and my kingdom; even though my precept might varies with theirs.

Also they should establish my kingdom so that at the fullness of time, I shall be glad that I did.

But I must not fail to warn of the challenges you must encounter, because I have an arch-enemy who has determine to counter my mission, so you must be careful of his wiles and deception. You must remember you are a stranger in the country I am sending you, so be on guard and watch so that you will not be sway by the tactics of the enemy. The man called to be a soldier should not entangle himself with the affairs of the civilian, so that he may please Him who has enlisted him into the army.

Remember I have made you a light-bearer so be on guard against the works of darkness. I know the deceiver will try to entice you with the beauties and glories of his dark kingdom that never last. But remember you must  fix your eyes not on the things seen but the things unseen, for the things seen are temporal but the things unseen are eternal.

I am given you authority to mach upon scorpion and serpent and the powers of the enemy and nothing by any means shall hot you.

Finally I must not fail to tell you that there is rewards to those who will be faithful with the mission and also punishment to those who will unfaithful or join forces with the enemy to give everyman according as his works shall be. I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Keep a date with us for the second series of the sermon. Share this with other faithful.

WHEN THE RIGHTEOUS FALLS: LIKE A NEEDLE IN THE COMPASS HE MAY FALL.

WHEN THE RIGHTEOUS FALLS: LIKE A NEEDLE IN THE COMPASS HE MAY FALL.

‘For though the righteous man falls seven times; he rises again’. Proverb 24:16

In the course of a believer’s journey, in his walk with Christ, there is a slide in his faith, such a moment, might be when in his weakness he falls into sin by yielding his member to it. ‘Therefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed less he falls’ I cor10v12. In our previous text when we discuss on falling from grace, we made known that the primary reason that could make a believer to fall from grace, is divided heart. A situation when the heart of the believer is divided between Christ and the world; a time when he now consider striking a balance between the faith and the world. At such a moment he falls. But could that means he is lost forever? Does God cast him out or is he still a child of God? If so how does God deal with him? These are the things we will discuss at length as the Holy Spirit leads us.

Below are the points to consider in this text:

1.     The believer does not commit sins: to be committed to a course is to deliberately and continuously delight in the course. From this definition a believer, do not commit sin, why, the seed of God is in him, for he cannot continue in sin because he is born of God. ‘no one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him, he cannot go on sinning, because he have been born of God’ 1 John 3v9.

2.     He may fall into sin: ‘my dear children, these write me unto you, that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins’ 1 john 2:1-2. It is then clear that the believer need not to sin; hence it is not necessary for him to commit known or deliberate sin. ‘These things write I unto you, that you sin not’. In other word it is not the nature of a believer to sin. However occasion can lead a believer ‘… any man sin..’ even though sin is neither the nature of a believer, but he may fall. (A believer is like the needle of a compass. The needle always points to the north, but it is possible for something to detract it and for a moment, it may point in another direction, but inevitably it will swing back and point again north).however the believer need not remain in the mule for there is an Advocate, the Lord Jesus Christ who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, hence he can be forgiven. Halleluiah.

3.     God will judge but not cast him away:  2 Samuel 7:13-15 ‘I will be his father and he shall be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him and with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. But my love will never be taken away from him’. God is our father, ever merciful, who judges righteously. Just as a father do not cast his son away but punishes him so God will not cast us away but show mercy even though HE judges iniquities.

4.     There is broken fellowship, but through confession it can be restores: 1 John 1:9. Now ‘if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgiven us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness’. The moment a believer sin against God, fellowship is broke, no longer in communion as sin come between him and the Lord. At that instance peace and Joy is eluded, simply because he is now living in disobedience. However this fellowship can be restore ‘when we confess our sins to Him’ He been faithful will forgive. ‘And the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sins. 1 John 1:7.

Finally, there is no other way to escape chastisement except by immediately confessing your sin, being forgiven and getting with God.

“I would really appreciate it if you could share this post. If possible, please

Share on Twitter, Facebook, or other social media God bless you as you share the word.