Celebration Church Int'l Celebration Church

Contending for the faith 🔥🔥

He emphasized that as believers, we must be ready to contend for the faith that was once delivered unto us. Jude 1:3.

We were made to understand that there is an opposition and we (the Church) will be vehemently opposed, hence fighting is okay.

Here are some key points to note from this sermon;

- For the gospel to prevail, you must be willing to fight for it.- ⁠To contend for the faith, you must be open to opposition.- ⁠The devil tries to deceive the believer into thinking that it is a sin to fight for what you believe.- ⁠A Church that does not contend will die.- ⁠As long as you’re getting it right, there will be opponents.

 

Three strategies the devil uses against the church;

1. He gaslights Christians into believing that they shouldn’t have a voice.2. He abuses the Church.3. He deploys means to exterminate the Church of God.

It was further emphasized that contention also involves spiritual discernment.

Every aspect of Christianity will take contention. In evangelism, in discipleship, and spirituality.

Believers must be discerning of the fact that the devil is behind every war against the church, and recognize that there are spirit entities working behind the scenes.

Finally, Jesus commanded in Matthew 5:11-12, that it is something to be happy about when persecuted, and for us to rejoice! And this indeed is our response🥳🥳

We need to have a positive mentality, in spite of any negative event because God will always come through.

As believers, our convictions should be based on the word of God, we know that all things are working together for our good. Romans 8:28

Sometimes, you are angry about the outcome of a situation, not knowing that you dodged a bullet, and God saved your life.

Abraham understood this, and it was his mentality even when God told him to sacrifice Isaac. He knew that if God wants to take Isaac, he has plans to raise him up. Genesis 22:2, Hebrews 11:17-19.

God is not in support of bad, but in spite of the bad, God can bring out good.

We don’t always know it as we should and in the present, it may seem difficult, but we know that all things work together for our good.

It takes confidence to trust in the plan of Jesus.

Two instances in the Bible that point to the redemptive work of Christ:📍The story of Jonah in the belly of the fish.

📍The call for Abraham to sacrifice Isaac to God.

The Way: Singularity of the Faith 🔥 Jude 1:3He emphasized that every great encounter with God recorded in the Bible points to Christ. He used the story of Noah as an example.Here are some key points to note:• The destruction of the world in Noah’s day was a prophecy of the destruction of the world at the end of time. 2 Peter 1:2• Noah told the people to get into the ark but they did not understand the prophecy at that time. 2pet 2:5.• The ark was a prophetic metaphor of salvation. The ark saved people from God’s wrath.• There was no function of control on the ark, meaning salvation is by God alone and we have no contribution.• The ark was covered in pitch(bitumen) which prevented rain from getting into it. Gen 6:14 Job 33:24•The ark had just one door, just like Christ is the way. Rev 3:20

 

Today, there are different things done to kick Jesus out of the church:- Suppressing the truth in unrighteousness. Rom1:18.- False doctrines: We must take our doctrines seriously as salvation is by believing not by praying.It is important to know that the happenings in the Old Testament was a pattern showing what will happen in the end time. Heb8:1.

Pendulum 🔥There is a kind of devotion we should have for the ministry of souls. 🔥Here are some key points to note from the sermon:- By our efforts, people should be able to tell the value of what we are gunning for.- In our devotion to ministry, we must preach like we are up against something.- Ministry is warfare and not something to be done casually.- There is nothing outside the word of God that is relevant to our salvation.- When we become spiritually mature, we would be harder to deceive.- It takes war for the truth to become popular and to gain ascendancy. 2 Tim 4:7- When it comes to the things of God, it's noteworthy that there is no perfect vessel, everyone is flawed.

 

We must learn to test all things and hold on to what is true. God wants a generation that will not tolerate mediocrity.

Endless life 🔥Because of Jesus, we have access to the Father. 2 Cor 4:4Here are some key points to note from the sermon;- National development is important, but the offering of the gospel is a priority.- The gospel is not for economic development.- The gospel offering is more than an escape from hell.Three things to note from Matthew 12:38:40- Beware of consumer Christianity: When you're a consumer Christian, your faith will not last. Something must happen in your hearts for you to see the gospel as the power of God. Sometimes, the miracles in your life are to show you that there are higher priorities.- The sign of Jonah is that he died and rose again, and we see the same with Jesus. Jonah 2:1- The message of Jonah. Jonah 4:1. This message was for the people of Nineveh to repent. The God of the Bible is so good, He annoys religious people.

 

Here are further points to note;- Feeling bad is not the power of God unto salvation.- Your faith is based on the message, not on how you feel.- The God of the Bible is concerned about impact, not reputation.God wants to prove the extent of his love, grace, and kindness to you. The resurrection of Jesus is the best gift to mankind ✨

We already established earlier today that Eden is no longer a geographical location or a physical mountain. Eden is our new location, and we are Eden.There are some things that we need to know about our new location, Eden. One of which is that we must know how to work well with angels (Hebrews 12:18-22).There are four keys to activating angelic ministration🔸️ Reverence for the Lord (Psalm 34:7)🔸️ Be committed to knowing and doing the word (Psalm 103:20)🔸️ Prayer (Daniel 10:12)🔸️ Sacrifice (Acts 10:2-4)

Our walk with Christ can not be accomplished without angels, and how well you work with angels will determine the effectiveness of your ministry.