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PRAYER: THE LACK OF IT

By Kemi Adesola

Reference Texts: 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Genesis 3, Ps 5:3, Ps 145: 18, James 5:16, Ephesians 6:19, Col 4:3, Romans 8:26-27, Matt 6:10, Heb 12:2

INTRODUCTION

When we cease to pray, our troubles become even bigger mentally and physically, especially when our own solutions fail and weariness steps in. Hopelessness becomes unavoidable without prayer because only God can solve our issues the perfect way in our best interest.
If there was ever a time when Peter, James, and John needed to remain awake and pray it was in Gethsemane. If James had persisted in keeping awake it might have saved his decapitation a few years later. If Peter had stirred himself to really intercede for himself and others, he would not have denied his Christ that night in the palace of Caiaphas.

Conditions a Prayerless Life Reveals

• Prayerlessness reveals that a man is more convinced of his own abilities than his need for the presence and power of God. John 15:5.
• Prayerlessness reveals that a man’s desires may be carnal rather than spiritual, even if they are religious. 1 John 5:14–15
• Prayerlessness reveals that a man has become so accustomed to God’s blessing that he has become complacent in asking God for
• His continued blessing. Psalm 103:1–2
• Prayerlessness reveals that a man has become so self-sufficient that he no longer feels obligated to offer God thanksgiving for His present help. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
• Prayerlessness reveals that a man has lost the wonder of God’s grace and no longer feels compelled to praise Him.

The Damage Prayerlessness Can Cause

• Sin
• Attack from the devil
• Depression
• Loss of loved one

Fighting Prayerlessness

• Recall God’s past grace: Remembering how God has been faithful to you in the past can help our faith engine to trust in God’s future grace for whatever is causing my current unbelief. (Lamentations 3:21)
• Find the leak: Look for fears, doubts, indulgent sinful habits, unresolved anger, bitterness, disappointment, etc. Often these don’t take long to find. But sometimes they are tricky because something has tapped into a buried past experience that is still muddled in our mind.
• Repent of unbelief: A lack of faith is sin. It’s dishonoring to God whose every word is true (Proverbs 30:5). We must repent of unbelief. But God loves to help our unbelief (Mark 9:24) turn into belief.
• Fuel your faith engine with promises: God’s promises are the fuel that fires the engine of faith to kick start our prayer life. Get your eyes off the focus of your unbelief and get them on the promises that God wants us to believe instead.
• Seek counseling: prayerlessness is something serious and we must treat it as such. Sometimes it takes asking the right question with the guidance of the Holy Spirit to reveal the root cause of our prayerlessness.

CONCLUSION

Every day of our lives ought to find us in prayer, praising the Lord of
our salvation! May each of us examine our prayer lives; and if it is
not as it should be, we need to root out one of these and perhaps a
myriad of other conditions that have brought us to that sad and
dangerous place. God would be delighted to hear from you again!

Reference: http://Gotquestions.org

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ISSUES IN THE CHURCH

By Kemi Adesola

Ananias and Saphira – A case study on the evil of self – centredness.

Bible references: Acts 5:1-11, Proverbs 14:12, Proverbs 15:3, Psalms 90:12.

When the believers began to increase their needs increased as well so there was an urgency to provide for the less privileged. As Jesus taught His disciples to deny themselves in order to help others, the believers decided to share their possessions in common.

When Jesus requested that His disciples should feed people in (Matthew 14:14-16)

And when Jesus went out, He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them and healed their sick. When it was evening, His disciples
came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.”
But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat’.

The culture of togetherness was built and handed down by the lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles to the believers after the Pentecost and it continues till today. Any actions that go against this humble lifestyle is a recipe for crisis.

When Ananias and Saphira decided to sell their personal belongings,we understand that they were not forced to do it but as they realised that having been blessed by others, they need to bless people too, so they wanted to do good by their actions, but they have not opened their hearts to the goodness of God and so they ultimately do not fear God deeply enough to tell the truth.

Giving is tied to your level of personal truth, because nobody can check your bank account apart from you and God or your personal banker. The only barrier to giving to one another as Christ recommends is Self -centredness, when you start to think too much of yourself above others. Another meaning of the word is to be concerned solely with one’s own needs and desires.

Any instance of individuality or self- centredness will usually invite confusion and strife.
In Malachi 3:10-12, God emphasized the need for His children to practice togetherness through the payments of tithes and offering.

Any believer that doesn’t practice the payment of tithe is leaning towards individualism because they believe their earnings belong to them only and they can use it as they like.

Lack of faithful tithing is depriving the local church of financial strength as it should have and the unpaid money by believers which is used
elsewhere is giving support to other areas of life which may not necessarily glorify God.

When Christians don’t pay tithe and they attend a local church they are not only robbing God but fellow brothers and sisters who pay theirs to keep the local church running smoothly. They need to repent and ask God to show them the revelation
behind tithe payment.

Other bible passages to support openness as believers: 1stCorinthians 10:24, Philippians 2:4, 1st Corinthians 13:1-13.

Deliberately keeping back our possessions when there is a need in the local church is a sin to any believer and it can lead to a closed heaven because God can not be mocked, He releases financial grace to us simply because of the need in the local church and the poor among us.

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THE CHRISTIAN, THE CHURCH AND SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION

By Kemi Adesola

Bible references: Psalms 119:9-10, Philippians 1:9-10, Ephesians
5:8-11, 1Thess: 4:1-4, Titus2:11-12, 1 Peter5:5-6.

Many people who claim to be Christians are living their lives based on that assumed status. Some even attend churches regularly as a religious duty but statistics have shown that the average church – goer usually attends for non- spiritual reasons which include:
A. To meet new people
B. To meet a prospective life partner
C. To make business connections
D. To seek for financial support
E . To seek for emotional support
F. To see the pastor for deliverance prayers.
The list continues….

These are wrong reasons for joining a church because the church is a spiritual place from the word Ekklesia which means ‘The called out’ and ‘The assembly’.

The church is an assembly of the called out, so joining a church is a calling on our destiny. If our Christian destiny is to shine, then we must see the church as a spiritual destiny hub, avoid church ‘ hopping’ at all cost or at least minimize it if we have to change church due to relocation or life changes and ensure that we make it a personal duty to be spiritually transformed.

We all claim to be Christian based on our belief and the finished work of Christ. We are assumed to understand what it means to be a member of the body of Christ which us the church. The physical church or (online since 2020) and a universal church which is the invisible spiritual church of the lord worldwide is connected by the holy spirit. When a person becomes baptized and decides to follow Jesus, the next step is to belong to a church and function there in obedience and submission, receiving the gifts of the holy spirit and using them to serve the body.

The two factors above however, does not guarantee spiritual transformation of the believer because it is possible to attend church for decades and remain as unchanged as the first day you stepped into the church if the heart is not submitted to God.

The only agent of transformation is the holy spirit, He guides us on this spiritual journey and He alone understands every man’s heart and motives because the heart of man is deep and sometimes downright wicked. May God have mercy on us. Amen.

Spiritual growth is a process and it is a personal journey that cantake place individually and as a group. We must strive for it andmake it a daily priority as we look towards our heavenly destination.

Some good questions towards spiritual transformation are;

1. Am I growing as a Christian?
2. Am I increasing in love and knowledge of God?
3. Am I able to teach others by now?
4. Is my life fruitful?
5. Will God be proud of me?
6. Can I recommend myself to other people as a good Christian?
7. I ready for rapture?

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THE CHRISTIAN’S DUTY

By Kemi Adesola

Introduction

The various military branches of our government expect that their members will perform their duties. The Army’s duty is to follow orders, not originate them. The chain of command reaches up to the generals and admirals themselves, as even they are ultimately under the command of this country’s “Commander-and-Chief,”. Duty is paramount, no matter what the soldier’s rank. A similar situation exists for the Christian.
The book of Hebrews forcefully reminds Christians that our relationship to God in Christ is far better than any which existed in the Old Testament. On that basis, the writer does not hesitate to challenge Christians in the closing verses of the book. These concluding words, abrupt in tone and pointed in comment, call believers to perform their Christian duties before God.

1. It is the duty of a Christian to endure hardness as a good soldier

“Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs – he wants to please his commanding officer.” – 2 Tm 2:3,4

A Christian’s struggles are struggles of war, not a physical war but a spiritual war. Ephesians 6:12 says “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph. 6:12) None of the battles that we are called to fight can ever be won without enduring persecution. Both, the soldier that has just been recruited into the army and the one who is now in training can say they are soldiers, but its only on the battlefield where it will be revealed what kind of soldiers they are.

2. It is the Christian duty to compete as an athlete

“Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules.” – 2 Tm 2:5

To receive a crown at the end of this race, you must follow the rules and the rules are clear: you must deny yourself. You cannot submit to the flesh whenever temptation comes your way, instead you must submit to the Spirit and resist temptation because that is part of being Christ’s disciple. When trials and tribulations weigh the disciple down with much pain he must endeavour to continue onward. In comparison to sin, the weight of the cross is an easy yoke and a light burden. As he suffered, we suffer, and like the apostles we rejoice because we are counted worthy to suffer for his name.

3. It is the Christian duty to be hardworking like the farmer

“The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.” – 2 Tm 2:6

All three of these professions have one common characteristic:endurance. The farmer works hard, patiently tilling the soil and sowing his seed, and day after day carefully watching over his garden protecting it from insects, animals, and if possible, the weather. We must work before we rest, we must sow before we reap,we must work in the garden before we receive the harvest. Timothy was being reminded that if he wanted the crown as Paul did, he must be willing to endure hardship. All of our rewards and treasures that are laid up in heaven are not given freely. Crowns are not earned,but those crowns and treasures that will be received once we get to the judgement seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10) have been earned through our faithful labour and patient endurance for the Lord. He records all things- every idle word (Mt 12:36) is written down and will be repeated back to you someday.

Conclusion

Apostle Paul makes it clear in this triple picture that not every soldier wins his commander’s applause, but only the veteran who devotes himself heart and soul to his profession being forever faithful; not every athlete wins the crown or prize, but only the one who trains with painful care; not everyone whop lows the ground gathers will gather the earth’s fruits, but only the patient worker will. It is the same for the Christian. It is not enough to say we are Christians, or even to wish to be of the brotherhood of Christ. Men must really live the life of Christ we our love for. We are doers of the word and not hearers only.

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The Vocal Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Like other gifts (the revelation gifts and power gifts) which we have already studied over the last three weeks. You will all agree with me that all are the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, with reference to our last lesson on “The Power Gifts of Holy Spirit“. They are not simple characters or learning abilities. They are from the Holy Spirit and they are supernatural. Each one is a visible evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence.

There are three gifts under the vocal category: prophecy, diverse tongues, and the interpretation of tongues.

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 4:2-5

Prophecy – Joel 2:28

Prophecy is a vocal miracle of speech in one’s own language. It is speaking under the inspiration of God for “edification, exhortation, and comfort.”  The Hebrew word for “prophecy” means “to flow forth or to spring forth.”  It means to “speak for another.”  It also means to be the spokesman for someone else.  Literally, it means to speak for God or to be His mouthpiece.

Prophecy and What You Need to Know

Pastor John MacArthur (a popular preacher on many radio stations) claims that the gift of prophecy is merely the gift of being able to preach the gospel.  However, to preach means to proclaim, to announce, to cry to tell.  Prophecy is not simple oral ability.  Many people, politicians, lawyers, and teachers have oral ability even though they have never received the Holy Spirit.  There is nothing supernatural about oral ability. An oral ability can come through education and training, but prophecy only comes through the Holy Ghost.  Prophecy is a supernatural gift and should not be confused with the natural ability some people have to remember and quote Scripture.  Even the devil can quote Scriptures.

The Relationship Between Preaching and Prophecy

Sometimes there is an element of prophecy in preaching when one is anointed by the Spirit and is inspired to say things which come from the spirit rather than just from the mind, but that is only one of many ways in which prophecy is expressed.  Sometimes a Spirit-filled believer may be witnessing to someone when the Lord suddenly anoints the witness to say things which he or she didn’t plan on saying. They are inspired by the Holy Spirit to say it, and it causes the person to break or to repent.  That is another way the gift of prophecy is applied in our Christian walk.  Prophesy always exalts Jesus as the only Savior of men (Revelations 19:10).  It is for women as well as for men (1 Corinthians 11; Acts 2:15-16).  It is to be “desired” (1 Corinthians 14:1).  It always agrees with God’s Word.

Diverse Tongues

Some have claimed that the gift of tongues is nothing more than the ability to learn foreign languages.  They have claimed that this is an ability which God sometimes gives those who are preparing themselves to go into a foreign country to preach the gospel, so they can communicate with those whom they are going to witness to.  However, this idea does not line up with the Word of God in 1 Corinthians 14:14 where Paul plainly states that he doesn’t know what he is saying when he speaks in tongues.  Paul says his spirit (the inner man) knows, but Paul’s mind did not understand it. 1 Corinthians 14:14 says: “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.”  This plainly rules out the ability to learn a foreign language because a person who speaks in a foreign language is both able to speak it and understand it.

Some have claimed that the gift of tongues is a childish thing which was meant only for the most immature Christians.  They have claimed that the more mature Christians go on to better things and eventually cast off the gift of tongues.  However, if this was the case, the Apostle Paul (a mature Christian and Apostle) would not have claimed that he spoke in tongues “MORE THAN…ALL” of the immature believers at Corinth.  Paul makes this statement in 1 Corinthians 14:18 “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:”

What is Speaking in Tongues? (1 Corinthians 14:4)

The gift of tongues is a supernatural utterance in a language or languages (earthly or heavenly) which the one doing the speaking does not understand.  It is a vocal miracle.  It is a miracle of speech (Acts 2:4-8; Acts 10:46; Acts 19:1-6; 1 Corinthians 12-14).

What Can We Use Speaking in Tongues for?

The gift of tongues can be used to witness (Acts 2), to pray (1 Corinthians 14:2), to sing (1 Corinthians 14:15), to give thanks (1 Corinthians 14:16-17), and to praise the Lord (Acts 10:46).  Tongues with interpretation is equal to prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:5).  The gift of the Holy Spirit prays through a believer and make intercession according to the will of God causing everything to work together for Good (Romans 8:26-28).

The gift of tongues has a multitude of purposes.  but I will list a few to give a general idea.  Jude 20 states that the gift of tongues builds up the believer.  Romans 8:26-27 teaches us that the gift of tongues allows the Holy Spirit to help us pray right or pray according to the will of God.  1 Corinthians 14:16-17: the gift of tongues helps us to “give thanks well” (when we don’t know what else to say and we still have a heart full of thanksgiving, we can pray in tongues to give thanks to God).

Interpretation of Tongues (1 Corinthians 14:13)

It is a spiritual gift of the Holy Ghost for the supernatural manifestation of the Spirit of God using one’s vocal organs, giving utterance in one’s own language, telling the meaning of the words which have been spoken. It tells the meaning of what is spoken in a supernatural language. It is a vocal miracle. Paul says that interpretation of tongues is equal to prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:15). He says this gift helps us to profit as a church (1 Corinthians 14:16). God says for us to pray for this gift if we speak with tongues (1 Corinthians 14:5), and for us all to speak with tongues (1 Corinthians 14:5 & 1 Corinthians 14:13). Paul said LET someone interpret (1 Corinthians 14: 27). There should be SOMEONE to interpret each message. It doesn’t need to be a CERTAIN one, neither should there be competition (1 Corinthians 14:27).

What You Need to Know

Interpretation of tongues is not the ability to translate languages. It is not a written word and it cannot be written. Though one without the Spirit of God can have the natural talent of translating languages, he or she will never hear or understand or translate the tongue of the spirit of God.

Because the interpretation of tongue is not a word for word translation, it may be given in first, second, or third person. Which means God can pass a message in different ways but with the same meaning.

It is not the gift of interpretation, but the interpretation of tongues. It is not, and cannot, be used if there have been no supernatural tongues spoken. It is not an interpretation of people’s, thoughts, or hard sayings, actions, riddles, dreams, or anything in the natural; but it is the interpretation of supernatural tongues. It cannot be learned at school in a million years but can be given by the Holy Spirit in a moment to any Spirit-filled person.

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Holy Spirit: The Giver, the Gifts, and the Fruit

Our discussion today is an overview on the operations and the person of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. This is so important to us believers because the Spirit of God wants us to understand and utilise His things (abilities and persona) that are freely given to us to function and live in this world.

Hebrews 4:12 declares that God in us is alive and active. As we begin this series, we trust His gifts and person will become operational in our lives in Jesus name. The study is structured as follows: “The Giver”, “The Gift”, “The Fruit” and “How to Cultivate Them”.

The Giver

Now concerning spiritual gifts, I don’t want you to be ignorant (Uninformed), the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 12:1.  It means we are encouraged to understand and prioritize this subject.

We should be fully informed that:

1. God is the giver of spiritual gifts and abilities. In other words, no one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit

• All good and perfect gifts come from above and come from the father of light (James 1:17)
• There are diversities of gifts but the same Lord (in operation) (1 Corinthians 12:4)
• To each one of us grace was given (Ephesians 4:7)

2. The Spirit has given us these gifts for a purpose
3. These gifts are precious divine resources that should not be wasted or abused (Matthew 25:14-30) – Discuss the Parable of talents
4. They are given according to His will
5. They can come and increase in measure through faith (so you are allowed to covet them)

The Gifts of the Spirit

The gifts of the Spirit are special abilities given by the Holy Spirit to believers for the purpose of church edification, service (meeting needs), and for exercising dominion.

1 Corinthians 12:8-10 includes the spirit of wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, discernment of spirits, speaking in tongues, working of miracles, prophecy, and interpretation of tongues. The chapter further includes administration and helps.

Ephesians 4:7-13 enlists the ministering or office gifts as follows: Prophets, Apostles, Evangelist, Pastors and Teachers.

Romans 12:3-8 includes exhortation, giving, leadership and mercy.

The Purpose of the Gifts

• To profit all – 1 Corinthians 1:7
• For equipping saints in the ministry
• For navigating through life

The Fruit of the Spirit

The expression “fruit of the Spirit “ is a metaphor used to sum up the nine major spiritual virtues or attributes a true Christian should possess. In short, they are physical manifestations of a transformed life.

The Purpose of the Fruit of the Spirit

• To make heaven
• To produce lasting changes in character /behaviour that is consistent with who we are
• To make visible the Holiness/Persona of God
• To be a Christian

How to Acquire, Cultivate, and Increase the Measure of the Gifts and the Fruit

• You must be born again
• Glorify God for whatever He has given you now
• Identify new operations in your life. If confused meet spiritual elders close to you
• You must use or you may lose them
• Sharpen, pray, study and walk closely with those who have the gifts you want
• Dare to use them in seemingly difficult situations and believe God for more