Pastor Jimmy Odukoya @ Sunday service
Pastor Jimmy Odukoya, in starting a new sermon series titled “The Birthing Process” at the April 7 Sunday service, explored the processes by which believers can bring God’s promises to fruition in their lives, explaining the journey from conception to manifestation.
Using the first trimester stage of pregnancy, which is conception, as his focal point, the clergy explained that just as the word “conception” means to seize or take one as a prisoner, in Greek, so also does God’s promise take hold of a person’s life like a prisoner, requiring complete total surrender and alignment with His will.
He said, “Biologically, when an embryo gets into the uterus, it will take hold of the walls of the uterus and not let go till delivery time. So also, if one is to be pregnant with a promise from God, then it would take hold of one as a prisoner.”
Pastor Jimmy further explained the critical role of surrender in the birthing process by drawing on the biblical account of Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel in Luke 1:38. According to him, just as Mary surrendered to God’s plan when the angel told her she would be the harbinger of the saviour of the world, believers must also yield their will and desires to align with God’s purpose in order to birth their purpose. “With surrender comes agreement, and that starts the process of both spiritual and physical birthing,” he said.
Referencing Philippians 3:12 and Proverbs 6:20–22, Pastor Jimmy highlighted the necessity of being “imprisoned by the Word,” emphasising that true surrender involves relinquishing control and allowing God’s Word to govern one’s thoughts and actions. He emphasised the importance of listening to and speaking God’s Word, as words have the ability to shape reality and influence faith or fear. “In this present day where a lot of negative information is being bombarded into space, it is important to be careful what a Christian allows into their hearts. It matters who and what you listen to.”
Reflecting on Mary’s response to the angel’s message, Pastor Jimmy noted that conception is a personal journey initially known only to the individual, adding that patience and discretion are vital for any believer who has God’s promises in their lives. “Being desperate for the validation of others over God’s promise to one is not the way. Conception is for you to know and not show everyone,” he stated.
In conclusion, he reassured the congregation that understanding the birthing process alleviates pressure, as God, who gives the promise, ensures its fulfilment in His perfect timing.
Earlier in the service, Pastor Toluwani Odukoya encouraged the congregation from John 14:13, which was the promise for the week, to utilise their authority in the name of Jesus Christ. According to her, Christians have been given the ability to exercise authority in the name of Jesus, asking the Father anything, adding that their manifestation would depend on how they use their authority.
“LIFT UP YOUR HEADS, O YE GATES”
Pastor Jimmy Odukoya @ Thursday Showers
Referencing the testimonies shared during the Showers service and linking them with the theme for the month of April being our month of Supernatural Delivery, Pastor Jimmy at the April 4 Thursday showers explained to Showerians that having big victories attracts big oppositions. “In life, the bigger the victory, the bigger the opposition, and sometimes, when it feels like all hell is breaking loose, it is an indication that victory is just around the corner,” he said.
He continued, “Sometimes we wonder and ask questions about why we are going through so many struggles and turmoil; it is an indication that you are a threat to the devil and the kingdom of darkness.”
Reading from Psalm 24:1–7, Pastor Jimmy explained that believers should imbibe a mindset that recognises God as the source of everything they are and have, just as David acknowledged and declared. According to him, “If we carry the King of Kings everywhere we go, people will respond to the One that is inside of us. It is important for the world to see the King that we carry in the way we walk, talk, and act.”
Pastor Jimmy further explained that the King of Glory can only come in if we open the gates. The King of Glory is at the door of our hearts, and it is when we open the gates that the King of Glory can come in. “Some of us don’t see the glory of God in our lives because we have refused to open the gates for Him to come in. Stop trying to do it all by yourself; submit your life into His hands and let the King of Glory come in,” he stated.
He then urged them to enjoy total rest from all the worries of life. In his words, “All you have to do is lift up your head, open up the gates of your heart for the King of Glory to come in, and ensure that you do all that He tells you to do; in it lies your victory.”
The full messages are available on the Church’s YouTube Channel, Fountain TV, and Jimmy Odukoya YouTube Channel. The audio messages can be accessed on SoundCloud, Google Podcast, Spotify, and Apple Podcast. The messages are also available on CDs and DVDs at The Fountain of Life Church Digital Media Store.
