So it is that we are saved by faith in Christ and not by the good things we do. — Romans 3:28 (TLB)
Many people still cling to the notion that man is naturally good. We did not get this from the Greeks. Aristotle said, “There is no good in mankind.” We did not get it from Judaism. Jeremiah said, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).
We did not get it from Christian teachings. The Apostle Paul said, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We got this illusion, I believe, from the philosophers and psychologists of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries who taught the false doctrine that man is a helpless victim of his environment.
The Bible says that man is not naturally good. All human experience confirms it. Man is rebellious by nature. This first rebellion in history happened in the Garden of Eden, where the environment was perfect and there was no heredity on which to blame it!
Prayer for the day: Each time I become obsessed by the idea that my deeds are so noble, let me remember the magnanimity of Your perfect life.
Written by Billy Graham, Founder of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association(BGEA). BGEA exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by every effective means and to equip the church and others to do the same.
Click Facebook page HERE and click like to get more tips on Relationship, marriage and more Daily Devotionals
You are watching the Sunday LIVE Service tagged “Covenant Day of Vengeance October 21, 2018 with Bishop David Oyedepo at Living Faith Church, aka Winners’ Chapel, Faith Tabernacle Canaan Land Ota Nigeria. (Please, reload this page for the latest live event)
Click Facebook page HERE and click like to get more tips on Relationship, marriage and more Daily Devotionals
MEMORY VERSE: “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” – John 15:15 (scroll down for RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 21 OCTOBER 2018 HYMN)
BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 3:6-9
6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
INTRODUCTION:
By definition, a partner is a person who takes part in an undertaking with another or others, especially in a business or firm with shared risk and profits. A staff is an employee of an organisation. Unlike the contemporary workplace, believers are expected to be partners together with Christ. Our commitment should be motivated by reward/wages as staff but as partners.
LESSON OUTLINES
1. Joint-heirs with Christ
2. Co-labourers on earth
JOINT-HEIRS WITH CHRIST
The term heirs of God emphasises our relationship to God the Father. As His children, we have full rights to receive His inheritance (Romans 8:17; 1 Peter 1:4). Salvation in Christ affords Christians ‘’sonship’’ status in God’s kingdom and being sons, we have the same privileges with Christ (John 1:12-13; Romans 8:14-17). Just as God created man and gave him life to serve in the garden (Genesis 2:7,15), salvation through Christ guarantees a new life and brings believers into the place of service in God’s vineyard (2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:9). The Father works and so, does the Son (John 4:34; 5:17; 9:4). The Son imitates the Father so believers as joint-heirs with Christ must also walk in His footsteps (John 5:19-20; 14:12). Being joint-heirs with Christ, we are also partners with Him in God’s vineyard (John 15:15).
CO-LABOURERS ON EARTH
All believers in Christ are bought with the same price, baptised into the same Spirit and live by the same commandment (1 Corinthians 12:13). We should labour together with Christ in God’s vineyard. All believers should use their God-given gifts and talents to serve, working together with Christ for one purpose, the edification of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13). Another reason we must collaborate as partners is because the harvest is plenteous (Luke 10:2).
Believers should note that rather than making demands for benefits or rewards for services rendered, God’s children, as partners, should hope in the sure reward that comes from God (Colossians 3:23-25; 1Corinthians 3:8-9).
CONCLUSION:
Christian service is our Father’s business and being joint-heirs with Christ, we must see ourselves as partners in the venture rather than employees whose utmost interest lies in the wage. We must focus on Heaven and please God by making sacrifices in the cause of the Kingdom business.
QUESTIONS:
1. Mention four attributes that make believers joint-heirs with Christ.
2. Identify three reasons believers should co-labour with Christ as partners in God’s vineyard.
RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 21 OCTOBER 2018 HYMN
1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.
2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.
3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.
4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.
5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.
6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?
Key Verse: “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die“ (2 Samuel 12:13).
MESSAGE:
A leader without a leader, and he who controls without being under any control is under the imminent danger of falling into arbitrariness. The text centres on David, the shepherd king of Israel who was divinely anointed as king, preserved from evil and bountifully loaded with God’s liberality. These could have been increased by God if he had asked for more. Yet, he couldn’t resist the temptation of coveting his servant’s wife.
Like David, many contemporary leaders instruct, direct, correct and reprimand people under them but end up perpetrating worse atrocities without any one being bold enough to challenge them. The message of God through Nathan is instructive. It clearly shows that God is no Respecter of persons and will not excuse any sin even when it is committed by a leader. Little wonder the Scripture says, “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things” (Romans 2:1).
Those who occupy positions of leadership must therefore remember that they are accountable to God, hence should avoid acts of impunity. Leaders in the church, government, associations, family and at whatever level, must remember to lead with the fear of God, be exemplary in character and avoid acts of impunity because to whom much is given, much will also be required.
A leader must be humble enough to acknowledge his mistakes like David and follow the path of rectitude. Spiritual leaders, who sin against God must take personal responsibility, expose themselves and repent genuinely. The gate of mercy is still open for those with contrite and humble spirit, who wish to avoid the danger of having to face God’s ultimate judgment.
Thought For The Day: A leader’s sin is a leading sin.
Bible Reading In One Year: Matthew 17; Mark 9; Luke 9:28
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
Click Facebook page HERE and click like to get more tips on Relationship, marriage and more Daily Devotionals
Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. — Ephesians 5:4
We can improve our relationships with others by leaps and bounds if we become encouragers instead of critics.
It is the greater person who does the right thing; Christ’s righteousness dwells in you to help you do what is right. You are great in God’s eyes when you choose to do right and bless others.
No matter how rough your day is today, speak words that uplift and encourage those around you. Encourage others if you notice them doing a good job—not just those who work with you, but people wherever you go, such as store clerks, auto mechanics, and waiters.
Say something like, “I appreciate the extra effort you are making to do your job well.” You can change your life and someone else’s by choosing to speak positive words.
Prayer Starter: Father, please show me when I am being critical and negative toward others. Help me today to speak encouraging words of life to all those around me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.
Click Facebook page HERE and click like to get more tips on Relationship, marriage and more Daily Devotionals
Recent Comments