About Us

Week 14 - Sunday 5th April, 2026

Service. -Revd Dr. E.K. Alabi

Order

• Procession
• Pastoral Worship
• Hymn of Worship
• Choir Rendition.
• Word of Life
• Offertory
• Announcement
• Easter Thanksgiving
• Baby Dedication
• Thanksgiving
• Prophetic Prayer & Benediction

Officiating

• Edward K Alabi
• Oladayo Oladosu
• Lawrence Adika
• Adeyemi Adekanbi
• Samson Bamimore
• Gbenga Akanmu
• Gbadebo Eyiwumi
• Daniel T. Ajani
• Adeolu Ojuwoni

Announcement / Birthdays

Hymn of The week

CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY

1. Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

 

2. Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!

Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!

Dying once He all doth save, Alleluia!

Where thy vic-tory, O grave? Alleluia!

 

3. Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!

Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia!

Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

 

4. Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!

Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!

Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

 

KRIST’ OLUWA JI LONI

1. KRIST’ Oluwa ji loni, – Halleluyah,

Eda at’ Angeli nwi – Hal.

Gb’ ayo at’ isegun ga – Hal.

K’ orun at’ aiye gberin! – Hal.

 

2. Ise ti idande tan; – Hal.

O jija, O ti segun; – Hal.

Wo, ‘ponju orun koja – Hal.

Ko wo sinu eje mo – Hal.

 

3. Lasan n’ iso at’ ami, – Hal.

Krist’ woo run apadi; – Hal

Lasan l’ agbara iku, – Hal.

Krist, si Paradise. – Hal.

 

4. O tun wa, Oba ogo: – Hal.

“Iku itani re wa?” – Hal.

Lekan l’ O ku k’ O gba wa, – Hal.

“‘Boji, isegun re wa?” – Hal.

• back to sermon

  WORSHIP BEYOND STYLE: HEART AND INTENTIONE

  JOHN 4:23-24; COLOSSIANS 3:12-17

  When the coming of Christ to the earth was first announced, it was with the choral symphonies of holy angels. God initiated the herald through the angels as the shepherds responded by praising God for the worship experience (Lk. 2:13-20). And as long as the gospel shall be preached in this world, its main message will be one of joy. The gospel is a source of joy to those who proclaim it.

  The invitations of the gospel are invitations to happiness in the sufficiency of Jesus Christ for everyone. In delivering God's message, each person must come with ‘charity as a bond of perfectness’ (Col. 3:14). It is a demonstration of ‘the peace of God’ ruling a thankful heart (Col. 3:15). If the gospel errand were one of sorrow, we might not marvel if people refused to listen to it. But it is one of gladness. In fact, you might condense the gospel message into this joyful invitation (Psalms 122:1): "Come and learn how to sing to the Lord a new song! Come and find peace, rest, joy, and all your souls can desire. Come and eat what is good and let your soul delight!" 

  The Context of Colossians 3:16 is part of the larger practical section (3:12-17). It highlights that believers, once saved, should live out faith through love, compassion, and gratitude, replacing sinful behaviours with Christ-centred ones. Colossians 3:16 highlights one way to richly impress God’s word on believers: singing with grace. Thus, singing as worship does not depend on our current situation but on who God is and what He has done.

  According to John 4:23-24, Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman redefined worship beyond place or ritual. He expoundedtrue worship as worship grounded in the understanding of God as “Spirit and Truth,” and such worship is driven by heartfelt devotion and a life aligned with God’s Word.

  The Nature of Worship

  Worship is not a ritual or a religious obligation; it is an active, personal, and loving relationship with our Creator. The word "worship" comes from "worth-ship," meaning we are declaring and adoring what we value most. John 4:23, 24 shows God as a seeker of true worshippers. Also, Worship is a Choice. True worship is a conscious decision to give God glory, regardless of our circumstances or the style of music. Oftentimes, our spirit longs for intimacy and something more real, but our bodies feel too weak to jump-start activities that can satisfy the yearnings of our souls. At such a moment, believers need to find a means of turning the feelings inside out towards the Lord (Ephesians 5:19). Worship is for God. It is not about our preferences or how we feel; it is about focusing on God's greatness, power, and love. Practical ways to focus on God in worship include singing songs about God's attributes, listening to sermons, attending Bible studies, praying, and building community life and fellowship.

  Today, we will focus on singing, especially hymn singing. This focus highlights how different practical singing styles in worship can align with the principle that worship is a choice focused on God, emphasizing the heart and intention behind the music rather than the genre. Regardless of whether the worship is led through contemporary praise music, traditional hymns, or gospel-style songs, the focus remains on celebrating God's greatness and love. Worshippers can consciously choose to engage with the music by directing their hearts toward glorifying God rather than being swayed by personal preferences or emotional responses. As participants in worship, individuals can use the diverse musical expressions as tools to draw nearer to God, fostering a collective atmosphere of reverence and adoration that transcends style.

  Songs, especially hymns sung in worship, encode and transmit theology in memorable, repeatable form. They shape worshippers’ affections, language, and identity around biblical truth. Hymn singing is a vital, multifaceted practice in the church that serves as a command, a teaching tool, and a means of building communal unity. Traditionally, hymns are rooted in Scripture and serve as "take-home theology," embedding core doctrinal truths in the hearts and minds of believers through melody and repetition. 

  Integrating contemporary songs into traditional hymn singing can enhance the worship experience by bridging the past and present, allowing believers to connect with both historical and modern theological expressions of faith. This blending can foster a more inclusive worship environment that resonates with a wider range of ages and backgrounds within a congregation. For example, alternating between traditional hymns and contemporary worship songs can energize the service, creating dynamic moments of reflection, joy, and praise, ultimately enriching the collective worship experience and deepening attendees' understanding of their faith.

  A specific example of a contemporary song that aligns with traditional hymns in theology is "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord (Psalms 103:1))" by Matt Redman, which echoes themes of gratitude and worship found in hymns. Theologically balanced worship songsencourage open dialogue during services and good participation across various musical styles. Psalm 98:4-6 encourages singing in modern worship settings without losing its traditional significance. The church can blend hymns with contemporary instrumentation, create medleys that transition between hymns and modern songs, and ensure that the lyrics remain prominent and accessible, fostering an atmosphere that respects both historical and contemporary expressions of faith.

  Colossians 3:16 admonishes believers to employ the indwelling of God’s word in all wisdom. In obedient to this command, believers will promote:

  1. Spiritual and Doctrinal Instruction: Hymns serve as a primary vehicle for catechesis, or the teaching of faith.Theology in Song: Hymns often provide a more condensed and memorable summary of biblical truths than spoken sermons. For example, hymns like "In Christ Alone" or "O Worship the King" distil complex doctrines about Christ's atonement and God's majesty into forms that are easy to memorise.Internalizing Truth: Because the human brain retains music more effectively than plain speech, singing helps "burrow" God's Word into the soul, where it can be retrieved during times of joy, crisis or even death.Biblical Roots: Many classic hymns are directly inspired by or paraphrased from the Book of Psalms and other scriptural passages. Others were written from personal encounters as individuals go about their daily business.

  2. Corporate Unity and Fellowship: Singing together transforms a group of individuals into a unified body of believers.Unified Voice: When a congregation sings the same words to the same melody, it creates a "communal voice" that transcends social, cultural, and linguistic barriers.Mutual Edification: Scriptural commands, such as Colossians 3:16, explicitly instruct believers to "admonish one another" through hymns.Intergenerational Connection: Hymns connect modern worshippers with a rich spiritual heritage, allowing them to sing the same words used by saints over hundreds of years. 

  3. A Channel for Prayer and Worship: Hymns serve as "sung prayers," providing believers with words when they struggle to express their own prayers. Vertical Focus: While sermons are often directed from a leader to a congregation, hymns are primarily directed upward to God, focusing the heart on His attributes rather than personal circumstances.Emotional Integration: Music helps bridge the gap between intellect (knowing the truth) and emotion (feeling the truth), fostering deeper reverence and spiritual growth. 

  4. Comfort and Strength in Trials: Hymns provide emotional and spiritual support during difficult seasons. Solace and Healing: The lyrics of many hymns were born out of the authors' own suffering (e.g., "It Is Well with My Soul"), offering hope and resilience to those facing grief or depression.Spiritual Warfare: In some traditions, singing is described as a spiritual tool to "bombard" strongholds or combat negative thoughts by focusing on divine victory.  

  Some specific examples of hymns that effectively encode doctrinal truths include:

  • "How Great Thou Art" - This hymn celebrates God's creation and majesty, reflecting themes of His greatness and power.
  • "Amazing Grace" - This classic hymn emphasizes the themes of grace, redemption, and the transformative nature of faith.
  • "Holy, Holy, Holy" - This hymn highlights the holiness of God and the doctrine of the Trinity, focusing on His majesty and eternal nature.
  • "It Is Well with My Soul" - This hymn conveys themes of peace and restoration in the face of suffering and affliction, emphasizing trust in God's sovereignty.
  • "Be Thou My Vision" - This hymn encapsulates the reliance on God for guidance and purpose, embodying the desire for divine wisdom.

  These hymns not only convey important theological truths but also encourage reflective worship and a deeper understanding of faith through their lyrics and melodies.

  THEOLOGY OF ‘MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING ELSE’

  The life of Edward Mote (1797–1874) is a striking story of transformation from a "godless" upbringing to a prolific Baptist ministry. His background as a master cabinetmaker significantly shaped the structural and enduring metaphors found in "My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less".  Written by Edward Mote in 1834, the hymn "My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less" (originally titled "The Immutable Basis of a Sinner’s Hope") is a core expression of Reformation theology.

  The Reformation theology centred on returning to the authority of Scripture and the core gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Christ. Key emphases include sola fide (faith alone) and sola gratia (grace alone) as the means of justification, sola scriptura (Scripture alone) as the ultimate authority, and solusChristus (Christ alone) as the mediator of salvation. Reformers insisted that humans are redeemed by God’s grace, not by human works, and that the believer’s relationship with God is accessed through faith, thereby diminishing the medieval clerical hierarchy and affirming the priesthood of all believers. The sacraments, especially baptism and the Lord’s Supper, are understood as means of grace, but their understanding and administration differ across traditions. A renewed emphasis on preaching, vernacular Scripture, and moral reform accompanied changes in church governance, worship, and ethics, giving rise to diverse Protestant expressions (Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Anabaptist) that shaped subsequent Christian theology and Western society.

  The central theme of the hymn is the doctrine of justification by faith alone, emphasizing that salvation and spiritual security depend entirely on the finished work of Jesus Christ rather than human merit or feelings. 

  Having a clear understanding of Mote’s background will shed more light on the hymn's weight.

  A "Godless" Upbringing: Mote’s early life lacked a religious foundation, a lack that later fueled his passion for the Gospel's certainty. Born in London to pub owners, Mote spent his Sundays playing in the streets and famously remarked, "So ignorant was I that I did not know there was a God".He attended a school where the Bible was strictly prohibited, leaving him "totally ignorant of the word of life" during his youth. 

  Conversion and Career: Mote's life changed through his apprenticeship and the influence of a faithful master. At age 15 or 16, his cabinetmaking master took him to hear John Hyatt preach at the Tottenham Court Road Chapel. This encounter led to his conversion and subsequent baptism in 1815.Before entering the ministry, Mote spent 37 years as a successful cabinetmaker. His professional understanding of foundations and structural integrity likely influenced his choice between the "Solid Rock" and "Sinking Sand" metaphors.  

  Ministry and Legacy: Mote did not enter full-time ministry until late in life, bringing a wealth of practical experience to his pulpit. At age 55, he became the pastor of Rehoboth Baptist Church (a Strict Baptist congregation) in Horsham, where he served for over 20 years.When his congregation offered him the deed to the church building as a gift, he declined, stating: "I do not want the chapel; I only want the pulpit; and when I cease to preach Christ, then turn me out of that".On his deathbed at age 77, he reaffirmed the theology of his hymn, saying, "The truths I have been preaching, I am now living upon, and they’ll do very well to die upon... the precious blood which takes away all our sins". 

  The Hymn's Origin

  Mote wrote the chorus while walking to work one morning in 1834. By the end of that day, he had completed four stanzas. He later added more verses after singing them to a dying woman who found immense comfort in the lyrics. 

  1. The Solid Rock vs Sinking Sand

  The hymn is primarily rooted in the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders (Matthew 7:24–27), where Jesus compares building a life on His words to building a house on solid rock.The Solid Rock is a metaphor for the unwavering strength and reliability of Jesus Christ.Sinking Sand represents any earthly foundation—such as "sweetest frames" (feelings/emotions), worldly success, or moral codes—that inevitably fails during life's "stormy gales". 

  2. Reliance on Christ's Righteousness

  The theology explicitly rejects works-based salvation. "Jesus' Blood and Righteousness": Asserts that a believer's standing before God is based on Christ's sacrificial death (blood) and perfect life (righteousness) credited to them."Dressed in His Righteousness Alone": References the final state of a believer (glorification), standing "faultless" before God's throne, not by their own deeds, but by being "clothed" in Christ. 

  3. Grace in Trials and Sovereignty

  The middle stanzas address sanctification and the application of grace during suffering. "Unchanging Grace": Emphasizes God's consistency (Hebrews 13:8) even when He seems absent ("When darkness veils His lovely face")."His Oath, His Covenant": Points to the New Covenant sealed by Christ's blood, which provides an "anchor" (Hebrews 6:19) that holds firm even when "all around my soul gives way". 

  4. Summary of Scripture Allusions

  Theme	Verse Reference	Hymn Lyric
  Foundation	Matthew 7:24–27	"On Christ the solid rock I stand"
  Justification	Romans 5:8–9; 2 Cor. 5:21	"Jesus' blood and righteousness"
  Hope/Anchor	Hebrews 6:19	"My anchor holds within the veil"
  Second Coming	1 Corinthians 15:52	"When He shall come with trumpet sound"

   

• back to sermon

  THE EFFICACY OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST

  Hebrews 9:14

  How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! (Hebrews 9:14)

  Introduction

  Friends, today we commemorate the most transformative truth in all of history: the blood of Jesus Christ. On Good Friday He shed His blood for the sins of the world, and on Easter morning God vindicated that sacrifice with the resurrection. The efficacy of Jesus’ blood is not a distant theological idea; it is the dynamic, life-changing power that forgives, reconciles, justifies, and renews all who trust in Him. Let us lean into what the blood accomplishes and how it calls us to live in light of that victory.

  1. The Blood that Purges and Purifies (Hebrews 9:14)

  Hebrews 9:14 speaks of Christ’s blood purging our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. The blood is not a symbolic token alone; it is a cleansing power. Sin pollutes, distorts, and deafens the heart, but the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness when we trust in Him. This purifying work invites us into genuine worship, into honest confession, and into a life marked by integrity and holiness. Easter reminds us that Jesus didn’t merely cover sin; He removed its stain and set us free to serve Him with clear hearts.

  Application:

  - Confess what you cannot clean up by yourself, and trust in the cleansing power of Christ.

  - Walk in the light, knowing that your sin issue has been addressed at the deepest level.

  1. The Blood that Purchases Forgiveness and Reconciliation (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Romans 3:25)

  The scriptures declare that in Jesus we have redemption through His blood—the forgiveness of sins. His blood purchases pardon not based on our merit but on the basis of His grace and the sufficiency of His sacrifice. Through His blood we are reconciled to God, brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13-14). Jesus did not merely remove the penalty of sin; He created peace between us and our Creator, making us part of His family.

  Application:

  - Rest in God’s pardon. Do not carry the weight of guilt beyond what the cross has accomplished.

  - Extend that peace to others. As you have been reconciled, work at reconciling relationships in your life.

  III. The Blood that Justifies and Secures Our Standing (Romans 3:24-25; Titus 3:7)

  The blood tears down the barrier of guilt and declares us righteous before God, not on the basis of our works but by faith in Christ. Justification is a legal act where we are counted righteous because of Jesus’ finished work. Easter power demonstrates that this justification is not temporary; it secures our standing before God now and for eternity.

  Application:

  - Live from the certainty of your justified status. Your identity in Christ is secure.

  - Let your confidence produce boldness in worship, service, and witness.

  1. The Blood that Covenants Us to New Life (1 John 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19)

  The blood also seals a covenant—an everlasting relationship with God purchased by the precious blood of Christ, a life we now live in the Spirit. This is not a one-time event but a daily invitation to live in the newness of life. The blood makes us clean enough to walk in fellowship with God, and it empowers a life that reflects His love to a watching world.

  Application:

  - Embrace the newness of life in daily decisions: how you think, speak, and act.

  - Cultivate intimate fellowship with God through prayer, Scripture, and community.

  1. The Blood that Empowers Protection and Victory (Colossians 2:14-15; Revelation 12:11)

  Christ’s blood triumphs over every spiritual enemy. It cancels the debt of sin, disarms the principalities, and gives us victory through the cross. Easter confirms that the power of Jesus’ blood is not merely theoretical; it is a present reality that equips believers to resist temptation, overcome fear, and move forward in faith.

  Application:

  - Face spiritual warfare with confidence in the blood’s power.

  - Choose faith over fear, trusting that victory is already secured in Christ.

  1. The Resurrection as the Validation of the Blood’s Efficacy

  The blood’s efficacy is verified in the resurrection. If Christ had died and stayed in the tomb, our forgiveness could be only hypothetical. But God raised Jesus, proving that His blood has the power to conquer sin, death, and every plan of the enemy. The empty tomb confirms that the blood’s work is complete, accepted by the Father, and effective for all who believe.

  Application:

  - Celebrate the resurrection as the triumph of Christ over every bad report in your life.

  - Share this good news humbly but boldly, inviting others to trust the blood that saves.

  Conclusion: How We Respond to the Efficacy of His Blood

  The blood of Jesus Christ is not a relic to be admired from afar; it is a life-giving force that transforms hearts, reconciles relationships, justifies the believer, seals us into God’s new covenant, and empowers us to live victoriously. Easter invites us to respond with faith, repentance, and worship, and to live in light of the truth we profess.

  Call to Faith and Commitment

  - If you have never trusted in Jesus, today is the day to place your faith in the blood that cleanses, justifies, and unites you with God. Open your heart to Him, believe in His death and resurrection, and receive forgiveness and life.

  - If you are already a follower of Christ, renew your dependence on the blood’s power. Let it govern your decisions, heal your relationships, and guide your witness. Live with Easter expectancy every day, knowing the blood’s efficacy continues to work in you and through you.

  Prayer

  Lord Jesus, we thank You for the precious blood that was shed for us. Thank You for cleansing us, pardoning us, and reconciling us to the Father. Thank You for the gift of justification, new life, and spiritual victory secured by Your blood and confirmed by Your resurrection. Help us to live in the reality of this truth every day: to walk in purity, to embrace our identity as Your children, to stand firm against the powers of evil, and to share this life-changing good news with others. May our worship be worthy of what You have accomplished. In Your powerful name we pray, Amen.

  Shalom

• back to sermon

  WE ARE INSEPARABLE FROM THE LOVE OF GOD

  (Romans 8:35-39)

  “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. NeFoither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither our fears today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord”(v. 38,39NLT).

  Introduction Brethren, every student of the Bible could recite John 3:16 offhand – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”(NKJV). Therefore, the basis of our salvation and the relationship that we have with God, our Father, is love. It is then logically true that without love there is no salvation, and with salvation, God has given us “right standing with himself”, a loving relationship.God gave our Lord Jesus Christ as atonement or sacrifice for our sins, and through Him we have salvation and eternal life - Jesus is the resurrection and the life. If He gave us life out of His love, what else would God not give us? As His inspired word through the Apostle Paul asks, “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” (Romans 8:32NLT). This message comes to us as an exhortation to cling to the promises of our loving Father and God despite the diverse troubles we face in this fallen world. As we do so, let us respond accurately to God’s love by loving God with the whole of our being and our neighbours as ourselves (Matthew 22: 37-38).   The time-hallowed unchanging question  “Can anything separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?”–verse 35.  The Apostle Paul, in bringing the truth home to us, quoted the experience of God’s people who had been judged and sent to exile. The psalmist who had recounted God’s faithfulness with His people in the past (Psalm 44:1-7), wonders how they could be suffering if they had been very faithful to God (v.17-21). Then he lamented (as quoted by Paul in Romans 8:36), “For your (God’s) sake we are killed every day, we are being slaughtered as sheep (Psalm 44:22NLT).He then pleaded with God for deliverance Believers in Christ could ask, and are asking, why terrorists kill Christians, kidnap for ransom, raid and destroy villages, towns and farms; and why the costs of goods, including necessaries such as food, clothing, housing, energy, medication, and education are rising by geometric progression; why war with its attendant impact on children, women and all?   The time-hallowed and unchanging biblical answer As the Apostle Paul writes, “For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither our fears today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (38,39NLT).   Paul, the much persecuted and reliable witness The Apostle Paul, through whom the Lord sends the word for our encouragement and strengthening, endured extreme as well as persistent suffering for spreading the Gospel. That included five Jewish floggings of 39 lashes each, three Roman beatings with rods, one stoning that left him for dead, three shipwrecks, one venomous snakebite, years in prison, sleepless nights, constant danger from travels and robbers, fake believers and ungodly authorities, life-threatening starvation, thirst, cold, nakedness, and deep concern for the churches(2 Cor. 11:24)   He suffered also from “a thorn in the flesh” – a troubling unnamed physical ailment or “messenger from Satan” that God did not remove but for which He gave him sufficient grace. In them all, Paul considered his suffering as a mean to “fill up what was lacking in Christ’s afflictions” and his participation in the “fellowship of Christ’s sufferings”. He counted them all as necessary for the spread of the Gospel. Of the truth, Paul testifies that what we suffer now in not comparable with the glory that awaits us later (Romans 8:18). Even now, “…God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them” (v.28).   Our convictions? “…Christ died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleasing for us” (v. 34b) The sacrificial love of Jesus Christ for us calls for our sacrificial living.Therefore we have “to offer [our] bodies asa living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1). We have to ay aside every weight of sin that hinders our relationship with God’ and do his will, “…keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith…, [t]hink of the hostility he endured from sinful people, then [we] won’t become weary and give up” (Hebrews 12:1-3NLT) We must cast our burdens upon the Lord because he cares for us. Our God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1NKJV) He is the fighter of our battles, the Lord of Angel Armies; Jehovah Sabaoth is His name. He is our Provider – Jehovah-Jireh He is the Lord Our Healer – Jehovah Rapha (Exodus 15:26) He is God Almighty He is the Deliverer He is Jehovah Nissi – Our Banner; Our Miracle He is the Prince of Peace; the Lord of lords, and the King of kings. He is the High Priest that is touched with our troubles. He is the Vine and we are the branches, we can achieve nothing by separating ourselves from the Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:5).   Olayiwola Oladele

• back to sermon

  WHY MUST JESUS COME?

  Luke 4: 18 - 21

  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised’ (vs. 18).

  The Passion week is almost here. It is another season to commemorate the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the whole essence of the Christian faith ‘that Christ came to die for the ungodly ‘For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.’ (Rom. 5:6). This verse emphasizes the significance of Christ's sacrifice at the right moment in history, highlighting God's perfect timing in His redemptive plan. It reflects the idea that Christ's death was for those who were powerless and in need of salvation and deliverance.

  From the beginning, man sinned and was separated from God eternally. ‘But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.’ (Gen. 2:17). Man transgressed against God and was banished from God’s presence. The disobedience of man brought a curse on man and serpent. To the serpent, God said ‘And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.’ (Gen. 3:15). This was the prophecy about the coming of the Messiah, who will come to defeat the enemy and set mankind free. God had a plan a salvation and deliverance for man in Christ Jesus. 

  To the man, God said ‘… cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life’ (Gen. 3:17). Jesus must come to set mankind free from the curse. It takes only he that was called a curse, to take the curse of mankind away. ‘Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree’ (Gal. 3:13). Jesus became a curse because He died and hanged on the tree contrary to God’s word ‘His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God) … (Deut. 21:23). 

  God therefore made a way of escape for humankind’s salvation as Jesus came in the flesh to dwell with man. ‘And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.’ (John 1:14). Jesus had to suffer as man to save man ‘He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.’ (Is. 53:3). 

  Jesus therefore fulfilled prophecy in Luke 4: 18-21 when He entered the Temple. He declared His Messianic mission as prophesied years before He was born (Isaiah 61: 1-3). The Messiah must suffer and bear the burden of the whole world to atone for the sins of men. ‘For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him’ (2 Cor. 5: 21). The problem of sin was solved once and for all, unlike in the Old Testament when the High Priest must atone for the sins of men with the blood of bulls and animals on frequent occasion. ‘So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.’ (Heb. 9:28).

  What are the reasons why Jesus came?

  >To give us abundant life. He came to teach us how to live- ‘…. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10b). He came with no concern for Himself, but to bring us salvation from the consequences of our sin. We have an abundance of safety and security, forgiveness, love, and guidance in Him.An abundant life brings freedom- ‘So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.’(John 8:36).By His resurrection He becomes a life-giving spirit –“And so it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being.’ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.’(I Corinthians 15:45).Living abundantly is not about what we have. It’s about what God has blessed us with.
  >To destroy satan’s works. Jesus’ resurrection conquered the power of death and scored a victory over Satan; ending his authority.  ‘…. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.’ (1 John 3:8). Again, the scriptures say ‘Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death- that is, the devil-and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.’(Hebrews 2:14-15).
  >To redeem and save mankind. Jesus came to bear our sins. I John 3: 5 says ‘And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.’Jesus came to take away our sins. I John 4: 9 says‘In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.’ Jesus came to give us eternal life. This was our greatest need, because the coming of sin had brought death upon the whole human race, spiritual death, which is separation from God.
  >To set the captives free.  There is freedom for all through Christ the Messiah. That was what He was commissioned to do.‘The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound’ (Is. 61:1). 
  

  Beloved, as we enter into the season of resurrection of Jesus, may you be liberated and set free to live abundant life that Jesus comes to offer. May the power that raised Jesus from the dead work in you and perfect all that concerns you. (Rom. 8:11). Shalom!

  Today, we welcome the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev’d Dr Israel Adelani AKANJI FAR and his entourage to the Molete Baptist Church, Ibadan. May we be blessed as he brings us, the Word of Life today.

                                                                                                      Edward K. ALABI

   

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