THE BRIDGE OF LIFE
Pastor Lara Adesanya @Sunday First Service
While ministering at the October 31 Sunday first service, Pastor Lara Adesanya compared human life to three bridges which are wood, steel and reinforced bridges (concrete, solid).
According to her, a wood bridge is like a life without Christ living the way they like or deem fit. Such a life, she said, has no substance, is not reliable and can’t be trusted; noting that it caves in if confronted with a heavy load. “The world of such a person can collapse at any time if heavier situations confront such a life,” she said
The steel bridge, according to the clergy, is the life of a nominal or backslidden Christian who, though may know Christ but have neglected Him, His Spirit and Word. Such a life, she stated, still follows the desires of his or her fleshy nature. She added that such a life though may not collapse easily like the first bridge but would find it difficult to withstand the tough wind and storms of life. “It can still be shifted by wind or storm and even though it wouldn’t collapse immediately, it would shake and also bring fear,” she noted.
The third bridge which is concrete, solid and strong is the regenerated life of a kingdom oriented believer who doesn’t only talk about Christ but lives the Christ-like life. In her words, “such a life feeds regularly in the word of God, producing the fruit of the Spirit as the evidence that they are abiding in God.”
Speaking from 1 John 2:15-20, Galatians 5:19-21, Roman 1:22-23, John 7:37-38, Galatians 5:22-23 and John 15:4-5, Pastor Lara Adesanya said that believers need to isolate themselves to be in the presence of God; adding that abiding in Christ is not just talking about it but showing the real evidence of submitting to Christ. She said, “Abiding in Christ is not a visitation but habitation. It’s a dwelling place and not a perch-and-go place. At that place, you can’t be easily dissuaded or moved to do irrelevant things. You just have to make that time for God so as to grow. You have to learn to feed consciously on the word of God no matter how short the time is.”
Speaking on how to become the re-enforced bridge, the clergy mentioned that being genuinely born again, allowing the Holy Spirit in one’s life, giving love to others and forgiving one another are ways to reflect Christlikeness. This, she agreed won’t be easy, noting that the flesh would try to interrupt. “The flesh will fight you but the Holy Spirit in you will direct and guide you to resist the temptations with the Word, forgiving others,” she noted.
She, therefore, urged believers from John 21:6 and Galatians 5:16-19 to connect to Jesus Christ who is the Bridge and connector that links us to the Father. This, she concluded, would help them hold fast on to their faith in Christ. “More than any time before, we need the word of God more than anything because it is the word of God that will sustain us,” she urged.
KINGDOMS IN CONFLICT
Pastor Ebenezer Kayode @Sunday Second Service
Using the illustration of the head-butt fight between a lion cub and a young buffalo in which the cub lost, Pastor Kayode Ebenezer said that believers can’t fight the enemy with weapons that are not theirs.
According to him, believers will always be in the fight with the enemy and his cohorts; adding that there are two kingdoms involved in this battle- the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. “We are in kingdoms that are in conflicts, which one do you represent? Don’t engage the enemy with his own weapons because you can never win such fights,” he said.
Speaking from John 10:10, he said that the kingdom of darkness will always cause chaos because that’s what they have been assigned to do but Christians have the power to give the life of Christ to whatever chaotic situation they find themselves in.
Citing 1 Samuel 17:1-8, 2 Corinthians 6:10-12, and Ephesians 6:14-18, the clergy listed believers’ weapons as truth; righteousness; faithfulness; self-control; the Gospel (the Word); faith; prayer; and living the Christ-like life. “These are the weapons that God has designed you to fight with; not bombs, guns or metals. And the greatest weapon given to the church is love. Even in judgement, be loving,” he said.
He further implored believers to create time for God so as to be able to utilize these weapons effectively and see results; stating that love is the greatest of these weapons. “It is important that we wake up to our responsibilities. If you want to have success, then you will need to use your weapon of prayer. Above all, love is a great weapon, it can break and remote the heart of anyone,” he said.
He then urged them to always make use of their God-given weapons in whatever battle of life they are engaged in. “We are on a battlefield but the manifestation of our victory will not be in the use of physical weapons. Fight with the weapons God has made available unto you and leave the rest unto Him,” he urged.
GOD IS FAITHFUL
Pastor Mary Fayemi @Thursday Showers
Speaking from 1 Corinthians 1:9, Pastor Mary Fayemi at the October 28 Thursday showers said that God’s children ought to enjoy His faithfulness and blessings because He is as faithful as His Word. She said this, noting that the word of God is settled forever and produces desired results. “God’s words have no issue to perform once you can believe. Confront every situation with the word of God because it is creative,” she said.
Speaking from Psalm 118:89, Isaiah 55:10-11, 1 Peter 2:9 and Ecclesiastes 8:4, she said that God’s word is settled in heaven forever; noting that people don’t experience God’s faithfulness because they don’t allow the word work their lives. According to the clergy, doubt, sin, selfishness, separation from God and lack of always declaring are factors that deny believers from experiencing the physical manifestation of God’s word.
In her words, “There is no challenge with the word of God, the challenge is with us. Doubt will come but it is only a fact, not the truth. Facts will change but the truth of the word of God will never change. Believe and stand on God’s word, because when God says it, He stands by what He says. So, speak without doubting.”
Pastor Mary, therefore, admonished believers from James 1:6-8, Matthew 12:23, James 3:8-12, Psalm 66:18, James 4:2-3 and Deuteronomy 8:1-4 to always believe the word of God because He’s the creator of the word as well as to keep speaking it because that’s when the word will be fulfilled. In her words: “The word of God is like water and we ought to allow it in our hearts with all purity. Check your heart and remove whatever may pollute the pure word of God. Challenges would come, life will happen but the key is believing and confessing the word regardless of the circumstances or challenges.”
