The Coming Messiah: An Advent of Hope

I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. — Ezekiel 36:26
Jesus told a skeptical crowd, who wanted to kill Him for calling God His own Father, that they had missed something obvious in the Scriptures that they held so dear:
It is [the Scriptures] that bear witness about me. — John 5:39 ESV
Even Moses wrote of the Christ who would come. Ironically, the crowd had set their hopes on Moses but did not believe his words about the coming Messiah (John 5:45: But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set).
From Genesis to Malachi, hope had centered on a coming Messiah whose advent would signify a new heart and a new spirit for everyone who would follow Him.
Yes, sometimes we fail to appreciate these messianic prophesies because the identity of the Messiah isn’t a mystery to us. If this Christmas season needs an infusion of hope, consider the anticipation with which our faith ancestors awaited the Messiah.
Can we recapture the hope of Simeon, who occupied the temple daily and was promised that he would live to see Christ? When baby Jesus arrived at the temple, Simeon took Him up in his arms and praised God. He said,
My eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel.
— Luke 2:30-32 ESV
Dear God, may we hope fervently for Your advent. We long to see You. Help us recapture our awe. Amen.
Excerpted with permission from 365 Devotions for Hope by Karen Whiting, copyright Zondervan.

Pilgrim that stay focus

(V5) Oh LORD, You are a wonderful God and full of mercy. Accept my praises in jesus name 

It is by Your mighty power and enduring mercy that kept me and my family safe from all sorts of hangers. Take my humble honour offer to You in Jesus name 

Cause us to be more and continually offer our praises untoYou all the time 

(v.14) Others may forget, but let me, my family and every members of our church fasten our relationship with You, O! LORD, in Jesus name 

Cause us to see the need to store up our treasures in heaven than in this temporary world. 

Cause my glory to outshine faster and be of benefit even while I am in the world in Jesus name 

(Vs. 12 -13) Because Jesus Christ had suffere ouside the gate 

1. Let His sacrificial blood make me whole 
2. Let go all the disgrace of my life / 
3. Let inposibilities of my life become possible to enable me stay focus 
4. Let all mockness of my life become a louder glory in my life for Your glory 
5. Empower me to breakthrough all barriers of live as from today in Jesus’ name 
6. Burry all my shames outside the gate in Jesus’ name.
7. As a pilgrim, cause me to stay focus and prosper in any thing I will be laying my hands as from today in Jesus’ name. 

“WHOEVER STOPS GIVING WILL START DYING”

Memory Verse: “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty” Proverbs 11:24.
There is a wonderful mythical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life… happiness, freedom, and peace of mind, are always attained by giving them to someone else. Everything God created was created to give: plants give us oxygen, the sun gives us warmth and plants generate their food from the sun. Animals give us protein; water helps us to stay clean. Above all, the entire universe is sustained by the law of giving, the day you stop giving, you start dying. Withholding is a proof that you do not have; it is a proof of lack and lack is a sign that you are not supposed to have more. Jesus said: ‘whoever has will be given more, and he will have abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him’ Matthew 13:12.
Giving qualifies you to receive; it positions you supernaturally for abundance especially when done with joy and cheerfulness. The planet earth responds to giving; sow a seed of corn, you will reap a cob. Sow a seed of mango and you will reap a whole tree. Whatever you withhold you lose. If you withhold the seed of love from your spouse, you stand the risk of losing her. If you withhold the seed of hard work, you stand the risk of poverty. If you withhold the seed of persistence, then you run the risk of failure. If you withhold the seed of money, do not be surprised when you are short of it.

Above all, the entire universe is sustained by the law of giving, the day you stop giving, you start dying.

You do not just lose the things you withhold, but you also lose those you are withholding them from. A poor man has a very funny mentality. He remains poor because he does not give. He thinks withholding will make him have more. A poor man is likely to think that he is prudent by being stingy; especially with money. He thinks hard work will make him sick. He thinks patience will make him look stupid. What he fails to understand is that life is a seed. Whatever you give you receive, whatever you withhold you lose. If there is anything you want in your future, start giving it today!

RESTITUTION

Memory Verse
"And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold." Luke 19:8
BIBLE PASSAGE: Luke 19:1-10
INTRODUCTION
Restitution is commanded by God to enable us follow peace with all men. It is an act of putting right what has been done wrongly. It is divine restoration of all things to their original order. In this lesson, we shall consider what restitution is and its blessings.
OUTLINES
1. WHAT IS RESTITUTION?
2. RESTITUTION AT VARIOUS DISPENSATIONS
3. THE BLESSINGS OF RESTITUTION
WHAT IS RESTITUTION?
Restitution is an act of putting right what has been done wrongly, restoring what has been taken wrongly and repairing or giving any equivalent to loss or damage. This is a very important step for every believer for a clear conscience and good testimony. The doctrine has been taught at various dispensations.
RESTITUTION AT VARIOUS DISPENSATIONS
Restitution is not a new doctrine. It has been in practice before the law. Moses gave certain laws of restitution Lev.6:1-6, 24:21; Num.5:6-8; Ex.22: 1-5. The doctrine was also confirmed up to the time of the kings and prophets 2 Samuel 12:1-6; 2 Kings 8:1-6 - and to the Church age, right from the time of Jesus Christ and the apostles until now Luke 19:8-10; Philem. 1:7-12.      

                                                                  
THE BLESSINGS OF RESTITUTION
A heart of restitution has the following to benefit from God:

• Favour from God - Luke 2:52.
• Speedy answers to prayers - Luke 11:9.
• Fearlessness - Psalm 27:1.
• Healing - Psalm 107:20.
• Anointing for exploits - Acts 10:38.
• Hearing God from time to time.
• Protection - Psalm 105:15.

CONCLUSION
Restitution is an avenue to make your ways right with your fellow man while salvation makes your ways right to God. One is not complete without the other. Therefore, prayerfully take steps to put right those things you have done wrong.

FAITH THAT WORKS

Memory Verse
“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alo: ‘’’. James 2:17
BIBLE PASSAGE: James 2:14-20
INTRODUCTION
In this study, our focus shall be on faith that works. Therefore, we shall, for the sake of today’s lesson, define faith as the “work of righteousness.”
OUTLINES
1. FAITH THAT WORKS
2. SOME WORKS OF FAITH


FAITH THAT WORKS
Our faith in the Lord Jesus has brought to us a common salvation through our confession – Romans 10:9. This is the start of our relationship with Him. He first did something for us through our faith in Him. Then, we too should reciprocate by doing something for Him. We can put faith into action in the following ways:
i. We can rise for the salvation of others. This can be done through a daily testimony of Christ – Titus 2:11.
ii. Our faith in the all-sufficient God can propel us to share our food with the poor and provide clothing for the naked, particularly the believers –James 2:14-16.
iii. Our faith in the prayer-answering Saviour will move us from selfish and self-centered prayers to fervent prayers for the sick, destitute, government, nations and the church of God universal – James 5:14-19; 1 Timothy2:1-5.
iv. Through our faith in God, we can be more submissive to Him in various· ministerial assignments – Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher – Ephesians 4:11.
v. Through our faith in Him, believers can perform signs and wonders. We can cast out devils – Mark 16:17- loose the bands of wickedness, undo heavy burdens, deliver the oppressed and break every yoke· Isaiah 58:6.

SOME WORKS OF FAITH
A living faith produces certain results that could be called the works of faith because faith without works is dead. These works include ability to resist the devil and to overcome the world. Living faith also produces good report i.e. has a positive perception of circumstance. Saints overcome all difficulties by a living faith. In fact, anything that is not of faith is sin. James 2:21·25; Galatians 2:20; Romans11:20; 2 Cor.1:24; 1 Peter 5:9; Ephesians 6: 16; Hebrews 11:2; Matthew 17:20; Romans 14:23.
CONCLUSION
The kingdom of God does not permit idleness. It requires everyone to work out his or her salvation with fear and trembling. It is by doing this that we can please the One who chose us. Is your faith evidenced by works?

Knowledge Of Good and Evil

Adam was the first man created in the image of God. He was placed in Eden as the gardener; he was to tend and care for it. Because God saw it fit, He created a human companion from Adam’s ribs to be his helper. Adam called her woman because she was taken out of man (Adam).

God placed two fruit trees in the garden. One bestowed eternal life, the other the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2 v 9).

Adam and Eve (the woman) were forbidden from eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. As Adam must already have been aware of a distinction between right and wrong. God used the tree as an ethical test. Induced by the serpent, Eve persuaded Adam to eat the fruit which God had forbidden him and the couple were banished from the garden.

Adam means mankind (Romans 5 v 12). Adam by sinning set in motion a chain reaction of sin and its consequence, death. This is why every human being has the seed of sin living in him (Roman 7 v 17). Adam’s sin affects all human beings.

Human beings are descendants of Adam and Eve. The human race has a history and a beginning and the history from the beginning is marked by sin. The Bible says all mankind is now included in the guilt and condemnation of Adam (Romans 5 v 18-19). We commit sin because we are born sinners. “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me”. We are born sinners because we inherited sinful nature from Adam and Eve, the parents of all mankind.

Many people think that if we don’t commit or do some things we know as sin are not sinners. But who does not commit sin? What child ever has to be taught to tell lies? The truth is that all people are born sinners. We are inclined to sin from time to time. “There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins” (Ecclesiastes 7 v 20).

Some people say that they are good. However, they forget that we inherited the knowledge of good and evil from Adam and Eve, so no matter how good you are, you are still a sinful person (evil).

God wants every man to accept Jesus so as to become good and righteous. “For Christ died once for our sins, the righteous one for the unrighteous, to bring us to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in Spirit”(1 Peter 3 v 18). God is looking for people who desire to be righteous, that is, people who are morally good and just. It is only through Jesus Christ you can be good and righteous in the sight of God.

But if you don’t accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour, you will always be evil in your good because you can’t ever be totally good without Christ. There will always be evil in you and you will always be evil no matter how much you try to be good. Because of that evil (sin), you will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Our goodness is not equal to and not same as God’s righteousness. Certainly, living good is not wrong. It should be what each of us strives to do, but there is evil in man (Romans 7 v 17). In the Bible, there was a man named Cornelius. He was good but was still evil (sinful) like every other man. Because of his goodness God wanted him to make heaven. God sent an angel to tell Cornelius to send for Peter the apostle to tell him how he would be righteous through Jesus Christ.

Peter preached to Cornelius about God’s offer of salvation and righteousness through Jesus Christ. Cornelius and his household accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Because of that God gave them the Holy Spirit and they became good and righteous in the sight of God (Acts 10).

Many religions that are considered great do not have solution to sin and that is why their adherents are still evil no matter how much good they know and want to do. Cornelius was religious and could be described as good, but he was still bad therefore he was made righteous by God through the Holy Spirit. In fact, salvation is not based upon individual good deeds alone. All who reject God’s offer of Salvation and His righteousness will be confronted with His judgment – they will spend eternity in hell which is the lake of burning sulphur (Revelation 20 v 10).Those who reject God’s offer of Salvation will not satisfy God’s standard for Salvation, no matter what they do.

The Sovereing Lord

The Sovereign Lord has taught me what to say, so that I can strengthen the weary. Every morning he makes me eager to hear what he is going to teach me. The Lord has given me understanding, and I have not rebelled or turned away from him. I bared my back to those who beat me. I did not stop them when they insulted me, when they pulled out the hairs of my beard and spat in my face. But their insults cannot hurt me because the Sovereign Lord gives me help. I brace myself to endure them. I know that I will not be disgraced, for God is near, and he will prove me innocent. Does anyone dare to bring charges against me? Let us go to court together! Let him bring his accusation! The Sovereign Lord Himself defends me – who, then, can prove me guilty? All my accusers will disappear; they will vanish like moth-eaten cloth…”



1. What can you say about life on earth?
Answer: Life is full of discouragement.

2. Who are the people who can stand against and overcome discouragement?
Answer: Only the people of God, because they will not like to lose their salvation.

3. What did God command Isaiah to say?
Answer: To speak the hard truth to the people of Judah. He did not refuse.

4. What was the people’s response to his message?
Answer: They hated him.

5. What was Isaiah’s response to this hatred?
Answer: He was determined to do God’s will irrespective of what it would cost him.

6. Why was Isaiah determined to do God’s will?
Answer: He was confident that God would defend him, so he trusted in God’s help to see him through his mission.

7. What does the Bible say about those who trust the Lord for help?
Answer: They shall not be disappointed (Romans 10 v 11).

8. If people threaten you because of God’s message you deliver, what must you do?
Answer: You should not be moved by their threats.

Lesson: God will provide those whom He calls with the help they need to accomplish His task. Ours is to depend on Him. God indeed is our help.


ROMANS 3 V 21 – 26

“But now God has shown us a different way to heaven – not by “being good enough” and trying to keep his laws, but by a new way (though not new, really, for the Scriptures told about it long ago). Now God says he will accept and acquit us – declare us “not guilty” – if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, by coming to Christ, no matter who we are or what we have been like. Yes, all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious ideal; yet now God declares us “not guilty” of offending him if we trust in Jesus Christ, who in his kindness freely takes away our sins…”

1. What does a Christian life revolve around?
Answer: Christian life revolves around righteousness and faith after the forgiveness of sin.

2. How can a man be righteous?
Answer: Faith in Christ will enable us to be righteous.

3. What was the purpose of law?
Answer: It was to attain righteousness.

4. Was it possible to be righteous through law?
Answer: No, so law failed.

5. Why did law fail?
Answer: It was more physical than spiritual i.e. human effort to obey without Holy Spirit.

6. According to Paul’s teaching, how can a man stand in righteousness in God’s presence?
Answer: Paul said we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But we have been redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ.

7. What does our faith in Christ earn from God?
Answer: (i) God overlooks our sins
(ii) God makes us justified in his presence.

8. What does self-righteousness earn man from God?
Answer: Nothing. We cannot do anything right to please God unless we place our faith in Christ.

9. What role does righteousness play in the life of a believer on earth?
Answer: It is the breastplate against the darts of the Evil One (Ephesians 6 v 14).


ROMANS 3 V 9 – 14

“Well, then, are we Jews better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all men alike are sinners, whether Jews or Gentiles. As the Scriptures say, “No one is good – no one in all the world is innocent.” No one has ever really followed God’s paths or even truly wanted to. Every one has turned away; all have gone wrong. No one anywhere has kept on doing what is right; not one. Their talk is foul and filthy like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are loaded with lies. Everything they say has in it the sting and poison of deadly snakes. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness”.

1. How can you know the corrupt state of a man?
Answer: Sinful behaviour.

2. What does law expose in the life of man?
Answer: The law reveals the level of our sin and helplessness.

3. At which point in time does sin enter the life of a man?
Answer: We were born with the propensity to sin, so it is natural.

4. If this is so can any good come from man?
Answer: No. All of our actions tend towards sin and we cannot do any good of our own. Therefore we are unable to meet God’s standard of moral and spiritual uprighteousness.

5. How can a man be redeemed?
Answer: Redemption can only be made possible through the One who Himself is sinless – Jesus Christ.

6. Is there any other way man can be saved from sin?
Answer: No, if Jesus does not save you from sin, no other person can. He is the only means of salvation. He will cleanse you from your sin if you come to Him.

ACTS 26 V 24-32



“Suddenly Festus shouted, “Paul, you are insane. Your long studying has broken your mind!” But Paul replied, “I am not insane, Most Excellent Festus. I speak words of sober truth. And King Agrippa knows about these things. I speak frankly for I am sure these events are all familiar to him, for they were not done in a corner! King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? But I know you do. Agrippa interrupted him. “With trivial proofs like these, you expect me to become a Christian?” And Paul replied, “Would to God that whether my arguments are trivial or strong?, both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.” Then the king, the governor, Bernice, and all the others stood and left. As they talked it over afterwards they agreed, “This man hasn’t done anything worthy of death or imprisonment.” And Agrippa said to Festus, “He could be set free if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar!”.


1. Why was Paul’s statement not sensible to Festus?
Answer: Festus was not a Jew and he did not know much about what Paul was saying.

2. Why was Paul convinced that King Agrippa knew the truth?
Answer: Because king Agrippa was a Jew.

3. What was Paul’s reply to King Agrippa’s sarcastic remark?
Answer: Paul replied that he had been praying for those who were listening to him to become regenerated like he had.

4. What was the concern of Paul that the king saw in his defense?
Answer: Paul was concerned for the salvation of these people than for the removal of his own chains.

5. What was the opinion of the King and his entourage concerning Paul’s testimony?
Answer: Paul did not deserve death or imprisonment.

6. What does the life of Paul teach us about trials and temptations?
Answer: Make use of the opportunity that comes with these trying periods to witness to unbelievers around you. We should say bravely what we believe about Jesus. We should do this even to important people.