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While Man remains God’s method for accomplishing His purpose on earth, the Word of God is the primary tool He gives to Man to fulfill the divine mandate. This is obvious in every generation both in the Bible time and in our contemporary days. Prior to the move of God in any place at any time, the consistent pattern that God has ever followed and still following is the revelation of His Word. For instance, the overwhelming revival that transformed the nation of Judah under King Josiah took place after the discovery of the Book of the Law (2 Kings 22-23; 2 Chronicles 34-35). Likewise, the revival that took place at the Water Gate under Ezra the Scribe would have been impossible except through the  Word of God that was read distinctly and accurate explanation that was given to help the people understood what was read by Ezra and his associates (Nehemiah 8:8). 

When the Word of God is revealed or discovered and is effectively delivered under the auction of the Holy Spirit, the resultant effects of its impact in the lives of men is always far reaching. These effects are what usually lead to revival. As you open your heart to encounter the eternal Word of God, I pray the Lord will help you to gladly receive His Word into your life with its transforming power in Jesus name.

Before we go on to consider the roles of God’s Word in revival, let’s quickly go over some helpful tips for reading the Word of God:

1.             Read the Bible prayerfully (Psalm 119:18)

2.              Read the Bible thoughtfully and applicably. Think about the meaning and implications of what you are reading.

3.      Read the Bible carefully. Take careful not only of the words that are used but also of how they relate to one another.

4.      Read the Bible repeatedly. Sometimes, to have a clear understanding, it may be of great help to read the same portion over and over and from different translations and versions of the Bible.

5.      Read the Bible extensively. Sometimes it is of great help to read large portion of the Bible at one sitting. But let it be when you are alert and not likely to be disturbed while reading.

6.      Read the Bible regularly. It is good you create a particular time to deliberately and habitually give yourself to the reading of the Word of God.

7.      Read the Bible faithfully. No doubt, there will be days when you will fail to read the Bible. Don’t be discouraged, take up your Bible and faithfully resume your practice of reading it.

8.      Read the Bible obediently. The Word will make no sense and will accomplish nothing in your life until you learn to develop courage to do exactly what it says to you.

THE EFFECTS OF GOD’S WORD THAT BRING LASTING REVIVAL.

1.      God’s Word Convicts: One of the great proofs that the Bible is truly God’s inspired Word (2 Timothy 3:16) is its inherent ability to convict men and women, lowly and mighty, small and great of their sins. Nehemiah 8:9; 9:1-2; 1 Samuel 12:7-14; 2 Chronicles 34:18-19; Acts 2:27, 41.

2.      God’s Word Exposes, Corrects Transforms Our Lives: Psalm 17:4; James 1:23-25; 2 Corinthians 3:18. The Word of God is both the divine mirror and God’s ultimate standard or principles for life and living. A consistent gaze at the Word of God produces in us the righteousness of God, makes us complete and fitting for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17).

3.      God’s Word Cleanses: Psalm 119:9; Malachi 3:1-4; John 17:17; Ephesians 5:25-27; Isaiah 1:18; 1 Peter 1:22. The Word of God cleanses the soul.

a.       It cleanses us from wrong thoughts. Psalm 1:2; Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:8, 9

b.      It

RESOLUTIONS THAT SUSTAINS REVIVAL

NEH. 9:38 - 10:1-39

 It was mentioned last Sunday that revival is not a program; neither it an event, a crusade, nor a crowd pulling event. Amongst others, revival has to do with spiritual awakening, divine visitation and divine arrival on the scene of our lives. 

It is important to emphasize that no mortal can predict the extent to which a revival would impact a people, group or nation when it comes. Most times, we only see its beginning but not its ending. The Water Gate revival had such a great impact on the people of Jerusalem during the time of Nehemiah that they issued a communique. This communique save the details of detailed the resolutions they made in order to sustain God’s dealing through the revival.

I strongly believe that God would send revival to IBC as we intensify the ongoing prayer efforts in the church and as we consistently hunger for God and His word, God will visit us in Bible days. The revival that is coming will go beyond this church to the State, the entire nation and the whole world.

However, for us to see revival and sustain it, we need to make the Water Gate Revival resolutions our own resolutions as well. May the Lord help us to do this in Jesus Name.

What is a Resolution?

“A firm decision to do or not to do something.”

Some things to note about the Water Gate Revival resolution:

1. It was a collective decision - 9:38.
2. It was a binding agreement - 9:38; Amos 3:3.
3. It was a written agreement - 9:38,meaning that-
4. It was properly documented.
5. It was sealed/signed by the leaders, Levites and Priests - 9:38.

 Some of the resolutions they made include:

1.     Resolution to Follow the Law of the Lord and to Obey It - 10:28-29.

This is a very cardinal resolution. 

It is interesting to note that the Water Gate Revival started with people crying out for the word of God. It is also interesting to note that the first resolution the people made to sustain the revival fire was also in regard to the word of God. How wonderful it would be if we will all also resolve to follow the Law of the Lord and obey it? No doubt, the blessings that will go with it would be great and beyond imagination. Josh. 1:8; Lk. 5:5; Jn. 2:5:

2.     Resolution not to intermarry with the unbelievers -V.30. This resolution borders on the Marriage and Family Life of the people. A revival that will last for generations must have deep roots in the marriage and family life of the people.

The people jointly resolved not to give their sons and daughters in marriage to “outsiders.”

The problem here was not with intertribal marriage.

The problem was giving out their children in marriage to unbelievers.

This was another serious resolution with great implication for the people of God. You may not know the weight of this resolution until you listen to the testimonies of those who violated it.

We all must also resolve not to intermarry with unbelievers. This is a timely warning to Parents and young people that are trusting God to enter into the marriage institution. Why Parents and Young People should heed this Resolution:

·         It is a divine instruction (command and not an appeal - 2 Cor. 6:14

·         It is for your own good- Amos 3:3; Psa. 133.

·         It will spare you a life of unending and unimaginable grief - Gen. 26:34-35.

·         It will save you from the likely and painful option of separation and divorce.

·         God overlooks the time of ignorance - Acts

·         There is no forgiveness for deliberate sin - Heb

Guest Preacher: Rev. Dr. Friday Bekee

Guest Preacher: Rev. Dr. Friday Bekee

Anchor Scripture: Mark 6: 35

A Message Prepared and Delivered By Rev. ‘Segun Adeleke, DMin., On December 2, 2018, During Her Sunday Service

The book of Job is one of the familiar books in the Bible. However, it is perhaps also one of the least understood books. Many people, including Christians, don’t like reading this book. There is an unconscious feeling that something tragic may happen by reading the book. 

This book is however rich in inspiration. It is a book that helps us to strike a balance in our faith in God. This book helps us to understand that life is not a straight graph, but is characterized by seasons. There are moments in life when everything is great, smooth and straight; and there are also moments when life becomes filled with much drudgery and little pleasure, and you just don’t know what to do. The truth is that, no matter the seasons of life you find yourself in on life’s journey as a believer, God will always be there for you. The Lord was with Job through the various seasons of his life. He is with us also in our life’s journey, and will bless our latter end.

It is my prayer that as we go through the last month of the year 2018, God will bless you in a special way. May God turn every hopeless situation around for your good in Jesus' Name. May the Lord turn your fortunes around for good in Jesus' Name. May you recover all your lost grounds between now and the end of this year in Jesus' Name. Amen.

The story of Job’s life can be divided into three parts viz. 

• The Early part - Job 1:1 - 12 cf. Job 29:1-25. 
• The Middle part - Job 1:13 - 22; 2:1 - 13 - 41:1ff. 
• The Latter part - Job 42:1 - 17.

The encouragement we all must go with from today’s message is that God will always have the final say in our lives. We should therefore learn from Job on how we should respond to trials, and allow God to turn the hopeless situations in our lives around.

From Job 42:1-17, there are some inspirations we can glean on how Job experienced God’s blessing in his latter end. These include the following

1.         He exercised faith in God’s omnipotence - V.1

Job trusted God even when it didn’t make sense.

God is the Omnipotent God. His power is unlimited. He has the ultimate power.

Nobody can stand on His way. 

Job believed in God’s Omnipotence

We see him severally confessing his faith in God’s omnipotence – Job 13:15; 19:23 – 27; 23:10.

2.          He came to an understanding of the plan of God - V.2

God has a wonderful plan for all His children. His thoughts towards us are not only profound but precious, very good and vast - Psa. 40:5; 139:17; Isa. 55:8 - 9; Jer. 29:11.

Until you have a basic understanding of God’s plan, the enemy will continue to taunt and torture you in your life's journey. 

Job finally came to that understanding and thus declared “No plan of yours can be thwarted” - V.2. 

The truth remains: No plan of God for your life can be thwarted!

Nothing and no one can upset the plans of God for your life.

3.      It demands that we be careful with our utterances - V.3; 

We all do say certain things that shouldn’t be said while going through valley moments.

Job said many negative things while going through the dark days – Job 3:1ff;

His 3 friends did the same. In fact they added “insult to injury.” 

God was not happy with Job’s friends and instructed them to go and apologize to Job – V.7 – 9.

4.         He acknowledged his sins and repented of them V. 3 -6       

Both Job and his 3 friends sinned.

Job obscured God’s counsel without knowledge - V.3

Job spoke of things he did not understan

Anchor Scripture: Mark 16: 1 - 8

Anchor Scripture: Exodus 25: 1- 8

Day 1 Evening Session
Anchor Scripture: 1 Samuel 7: 1-13

Day 1 - Morning Session
Anchor Scripture: John 8:1-12

Anchor Scripture: Exodus 34: 1-35

The word of God is so deep and wide that we can never completely explore it. God has specific insight, instruction, and lesson from every chapter, from every character, every word, every statement, etc. in the scripture. The truth remains that not a jot in the word of God is there for decoration.

This is a challenge to all of us to change our attitude to the word of God. We need to prayerfully pay attention to every word we come across in scripture. Otherwise, we would miss the specifics that the Lord intend to reveal to us in His holy writ.

It is noteworthy the attention the scripture give to details in the Bible, especially in the book of Nehemiah. This is obvious in chapter three of the book of Nehemiah where the Bible records the names of the builders of the walls, their specific contributions, those who build and those who did nothing, etc. This chapter also list all the 10 gates of the city of Jerusalem. Apart from the importance of gates to a city, the twelve gates of Jerusalem is equally symbolic of the Christian life.

It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit will send His help to you and I as we study about the 10 gates of Jerusalem tonight in Jesus Name.

Ø  The Sheep Gate - Neh. 3:1; John 10:11

Ø   The Fish Gate - Neh. 3:3; Matt. 4:19; Luke 13:9

Ø  The Old (Jeshanah) Gate - Neh. 3:6; Rom. 6:1-23; Jer. 6:16; Gal. 5:19-21

Ø  The Valley Gate - Neh. 3:13; 2 Cor. 1:3-5, 8-11; Ps. 23:4; Isa. 43:1-2; Psa. 23; Isa. 43

Ø  The Dung Gate - Neh. 3:14; Gal. 5:19-21

Ø  The Fountain Gate: Neh. 3:15; John 7:37-39

Ø  The Water Gate: Neh. 3:26; Eph. 5:26; Ps. 119:9

Ø  The Horse Gate: Neh. 3:28; Eph. 6:10-18; Rev. 19:11-16

Ø  The East Gate: Neh. 3:29; Ezek. 44:1-3; Zech. 14:4; 2Tim. 4:8

Ø  The Inspection (Miphkad Gate): Neh. 3:31; 1Cor. 3:9-15; 2Cor. 5:10

Ø  The Gate of Ephraim - Neh. 8:16-18

Ø  The Gate of the Guard - Neh. 12:39; 1Cor. 9:19-20

It is my prayer that the Lord will fill each of us with an unceasing and enduring hunger for the word of God. May God give us a fresh appetite for His word. More importantly, may the Lord help us to maximize the lessons presented by these gates.