OCTOBER BIBLE STUDY PREPARATORY CLASS WITH PASTOR CHRIS “SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES” DATE: 19TH OCTOBER 2013. OCTOBER BIBLE STUDY PREPARATORY CLASS WITH PASTOR CHRIS RE: “SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES” DATE: 19TH OCTOBER 2013 VENUE: GLOBAL CLASSROOM. TABLE OF THE CONTENTS. 1.0 INTRODUCTION 2.0 THE IMPORTANCE OF SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES 3.0 WHAT ARE SACRIFICES? 3.1 THE UNDERSTANDING OF SACRIFICES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT 3.2 WHAT IS THE BASIS FOR SACRIFICES? 4.0 TYPES OF SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES 4.1 PRAISE AS A SACRIFICE 4.1.1 THE [POWER] CURRENT OF GOD IN THE BODY 4.2 PRESENTING YOUR BODY AS A LIVING SACRIFICE 4.2.1 THE TESTIMONY OF THE WOMAN WHO GAVE CHOPSTICKS 4.2.2.THE HEAVENLY CURRENCY 4.3 THE OFFERING UP OF THE SOULS 5.0 THINGS THAT HINDER IN SACRIFICE 6.0 SUMMARY: SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES 7.0 WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF OFFERING SACRIFICES TO GOD? 7.1. FELLOWSHIP 7.2. THERE IS PEACE & SECURITY IN LIFE. 7.3. THERE IS SUPPLY 7.4. YOUR VICTORY IS ASSURED 1.0 INTRODUCTION Worship led by the world best worship leader Sister Sinach. Songs: · Holy- Holy · You are the one · You are more than enough · Elshadai · You are a wonder Pastor Chris leads the global class room in the opening Prayer. Father Thank you for the opportunity to learn your word, and to prepare us to share the word with others…. Amen. You can take your seats Todays bible study preparatory class is very special because we have alive audience full of Pastors. I am going to have a panel of Pastors with me here; · Pastor Lanre Alabi, · Pastor Tony Ikeokwu · Pastor D Lawal [Assistant secretary General and Zonal Pastor Ghana] · Pastor D. Phillips [CEO BLW, Healing school director, ISM director] Our subject is spiritual sacrifices, and this is what you are going to be teaching in the next four weeks in our bible study class within our cells. 2.0 THE IMPORTANCE OF SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES The first thing we need to know is that God is a spirit. We know that in bible days especially in the Old Testament, there were sacrifices of [prescribed] animals but reading the scriptures you will observe that he was not really interested with the animals. He said if I were Hungry I wouldnt call you. They only saw shadows; they had not understood who God really was. Once Moses asked to see God, but God told him that if you see me you will die, he just passed by. Jesus was the one who showed us God. God reveled himself in Jesus Christ and helped us to understand him. When Jesus came, they refused to believe that He was God, and they killed him. God revealed himself through Jesus Christ. He brought us a message that helped us to understand him. Moses knew the ways of God, the children of Israel knew His acts. It is not enough just to know the acts, what about having fellowship with God. Offering sacrifices to God today is very different. He lets know that he was moving them from Shadows of the real to the real. So we want to find out if there are spiritual sacrifices today? Que 01.Pastor Chris asking: Are they spiritual sacrifices and if there are, what are they? Que 02. Pastor chris asking: What are sacrifices? 3.0 WHAT ARE SACRIFICES? · An act of giving something of value to the deity. · A devoted/ sacred/ thing of value which is an offering to God. Something that is of value to the person whom you offer to and the sacrifice it self. This something of value should be yours, you should own it. There has to be a personal dimension, not taking what belongs to someone else. · It is something you give to God in worship. 3.1 THE UNDERSTANDING OF SACRIFICES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Yes, God did ask for the sacrifices in the Old Testament and he instructed the priests on what to do. And in Genesis we first see God offering sacrifices when Adam sinned, he killed the animal. He was not offering to anybody but he was doing an exchange. There is no remission of sins without shedding of blood, but that was just a shadow of what was to come. Adam sinned when he ate of the fruit and surely died like God warned him, he died spiritually, because that was what he was talking about. Keep in mind, death is also a spirit. Definition By Pastor Chris: A SPIRITUAL SACRIFICE - is simply an offering of representation of ones life. Its not just because this thing is of value. Imagine how little he is asking you from your tithe? He is asking for a 10% he could have asked for 90%. It is not about the amount but the representation, it is a part of your life. You cannot give someone property, you can only give your own. It is a deposit of your life, every time we give to God in church, cell, it might not seem so big but he said to do it because it is for you for part of your life. It has value worth of you but it may be very little but it represents you. All those years, the blood of bulls could not remit sin, until the ultimate sacrifice of his dear son, Jesus Christ. He shed blood, died and resurrected. God made an appeasement unto himself when Adam sinned, he offered it to himself, because God is the; 1. Law giver 2. The judge 3. The king 4. He is the legislator 5. The judiciary He made the Law and they broke it and he condemned them and he killed the animal offering it to himself as the appeasement to himself. God offered the animal to himself to satisfy and to appease himself. Imagine this, I bought something to Pastor Lanre and I say, Use it, and I give instruction, dont break it. Then after some time, he come back and say I broke it, and then I bring another one Because he paid. God was the one who gave the rule not to be broken and when it was broken he gave a punishment and he paid for it. Who created the animals? It is God and provided that it should be used for himself unto himself. David was wise, he said, We have given to you from all you have given us. Dont have struggles with giving your tithe or offering. 3.2 WHAT IS THE BASIS FOR SACRIFICES? The spiritual nature of our sacrifices is in our hearts. For instance, in Africa we exchange gifts during Christmas, you may send someone a chicken/ turkey/ cow, it all matters who you are sending it to. Our sense of value will make the decision. God takes the value of what we give from our hearts. Someone gives a chicken, and that might be very big for that particular person. Another family can gather around and they can afford a turkey, they dont eat a turkey all the times, they just eat turkey wings but this time its special. Some others will kill a cow because it’s Christmas. Solomon believed that one bull was not enough from him so he ordered a sacrifice of a thousand of bulls, and that night God visited him. What God values is in our hearts. Thats why you can have have a husky voice but still god will accept your worship just as he might accost with the voice of Sinach. 4.0 TYPES OF SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES 1. Praise, fruit of our lips 2. Good deeds, giving 3. Our bodies as living sacrifices 4. Present souls to God 5. Giving to God through Offerings 6. Fasting & Prayer 7. The lifting up of our hands 4.1 PRAISE AS A SACRIFICE Praise is a sacrifice, you have to offer that sacrifice whether you like it or not. The priest in the Old Testament had to give sacrifice daily in season and off season. In and out of season. Praise God every day. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Hebrews 13:15 KJV) The Greek version on giving thanks uses the word Homologia meaning the fruit of our lips making CONFESSION of thanks to his name. Make confessions make confessions 1. Of His goodness 2. His righteousness 3. Faithfulness, and in everything give thanks. No wonder he says in everything give thanks, this is His will. I confess that The Lord has been good to me. I marvel at your kindness. When my mouth cant form the words anymore I go in tongues. My mind cannot hold of his greatness. You can even tell of what you are speaking in tongues, your spirit will be dancing inside, you are full of joy. 4.1.1 THE [POWER] CURRENT OF GOD IN THE BODY Imagine passing the current of Gods life every day, HOW CAN YOU HAVE CANCER IN YOUR BODY? Just make sure you do this every day, imagine what you can do to your body. For us to live a healthy life, you have to continually pass the charge to your body. Nothing of the devil can stay when you are passing this charge to your physical body. A lot of time we charge our Spirit but we forget to let the current pass to the body. This is important for us to live a health life. When he has made it that is to vitalized my mortal body I have to sustain it and pass it to my body. Imagine if 25years before sickness of the old catch up with you. You were doing this already would sickness stay in you? We were celebrating one deacon one day, and he was turning 90 years, and he is telling me, “I want to fulfill the vision that God has given me.” He is strong and well, reaching people for Christ, he is targeting people of his age. He said for the past 14 years he has been digesting this message. Thats the way it ought to be. Praise the Lord. What an exciting life we would live if we think like this, and become blind to carnal thoughts. Its amazing the things that get our attention. Some people Just on their own, they sit down and you think they are meditating, but they have drifted away, they see bad pictures. They cant sleep in the night. CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY, its a choice. There is a beautiful song by sis Sinach; “All I see you (God)”, make this song a reality in your life. 4.2 PRESENTING YOUR BODY AS A LIVING SACRIFICE I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1 KJV) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2 KJV) Your body is where your spirit lives, and because of that, it is where the Holy Ghost lives, [since He lives in our spirits]; your body is a temple, but a living temple. It moves and your spirit dwells in that body. Now, God himself in your body, Praise the Lord. Question: if the Holy Spirit lives in your body, does that mean your body is holy? YES you are holy. Remember the nature of Sacrifice begins in the heart. When you give to god, God translate it from the physical to heavenly currency. Remember Jesus was once interested and was watching how people were giving. Remember the widow gave a little in the physical. But Jesus said the widow gave the best even though others gave more than others in the physical. Simply because she gave EVERYTHING that she had and it was of a great value to her. [Ref: Mar 12:43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: Mark 12:44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.] 4.2.1 THE TESTIMONY OF THE WOMAN WHO GAVE CHOPSTICKS David Yong Chou told of the story that they were to build a sanctuary [during the Korean war] but they didn’t have much to give, and people were holding out of what they got because the economy was bad. An old woman came from the congregation [who was coming from old peoples facility] and gave a plate and chopsticks; the only things she had. The pastor initially refused to take the m from her, but then God told him to accept and he took the plate and the chopsticks. A business man from the church came out and said, I want to buy that plate and the chopsticks with $10, 000.00 and that amount was very big at that time, and people began giving with tears, because of that woman’s sacrifice. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. (Philippians 4:18 KJV) 4.2.2.THE HEAVENLY CURRENCY When you are giving; look at the mind of God. So you will find that; your giving/offering is a spiritual sacrifice, when you prepare your heart to give according to his word. The heavenly currency is the blood of Jesus. How much of his blood will it represent when I give it. When God wanted to purchase all things in the earth (through redemption) he used the blood of Jesus Christ. How far can your giving reach in winning souls in Christ My giving translates to heavenly currency in souls. Because we cant see the blood of Jesus but we can measure the blood of Jesus through souls., the blood was shed for the souls. Thats what God cares about. So how much does your money translate into soul winning? How far can it go? It may not sponsor the whole crusade, but it can be a part of it. And if you are faithful to God he will expand your coast. 4.3 THE OFFERING UP OF THE SOULS Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:15, 16 KJV) This man said to us that he was the apostle that was sent to the Gentiles. He was going for a harvest of Souls. That was his service; He raised churches, saints, brethren from the Gentiles communities, and then when you win those people in your localities, you present those souls to God just like Paul did. Thats why I tell the pastors that all members of your church have to receive the Holy Ghost, because only then will they be sanctified. How does God perceive the offering up of your congregation? Jesus presented his sacrifice which was sanctified through the holy Ghost. God said all the children of Israel should present before him in every three years. In our prayer we present them( the brethren) to the Lord 5.0 THINGS THAT HINDER IN SACRIFICE Question: Is there anything that can hinder us on the effectiveness of our sacrifice to god? · The condition of our heart We must come to God with believing heart, the condition of our hearts matters. Walk in love., Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. (Ephesians 5:1, 2 KJV) · The burdens should be let go Laying aside every weight- as the bile says; Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1 KJV) · Lack of prayer - You have to be a person Prayer Dont just pray because you are looking for something, but because it is required of us to pray. Pray the will of the Father in your cities and nations; many are just minding their own business. Remember the format of Prayer that Jesus taught us. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. (Psalms 141:2 KJV) Everyday you should pray. Dont just be good at blaming politicians. He told us how to do it, if he didnt plan to answer he couldnt have given us this prayer. I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (1 Timothy 2:1, 2 KJV) The answer is there, he said if you pray like this you will live a quiet, peaceful life. Don’t wait for all the Christians to come together, start the way you are and more will join. God gives people a leader of a nation who is a reflection of their character, thats a leader they deserve. He said that if you pray this prayer so that they will be; A) Peace B) Godliness C) Honesty But if not the opposite will be seen: A) Terrorism B) Corruption C) Racism · Resentment/ anger/ strife If you have Grudge with a brother, go and settle it first. 6.0 SUMMARY: SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES 1. Praise, fruit of our lips By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Hebrews 13:15 KJV) 2. Good deeds, giving 3. Our bodies as living sacrifices I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1 KJV) 4. Presenting souls to God Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:15, 16 KJV) 5. Giving to God through Offerings 6. Fasting & Prayer As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (Acts 13:2 KJV) 7. The lifting up of our hands I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. (1 Timothy 2:8 KJV) 7.0 WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF OFFERING SACRIFICES TO GOD? 7.1. FELLOWSHIP The more we do it, the more fellowship we have. Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; (1 Corinthians 10:1-3 KJV) He is talking about the Jewish fathers, and he they all partook of the spiritual blessing And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. (1 Corinthians 10:4, 5 KJV). Now take a look at that, even though they were being blessed but God was not pleased with all. So this is what Pastor Lanre is talking about, so its not enough to be HAPPY with what you are doing, the question is, is God happy with it? The most important thing is to fulfill, what God called you to do. 7.2. THERE IS PEACE & SECURITY IN LIFE. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6, 7 KJV) Abraham walked with God and he was happy, he had peace in him 7.3. THERE IS SUPPLY But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 KJV) It is not according to the economy but according to his riches. 7.4. YOUR VICTORY IS ASSURED Instead of mumbling/grumbling, you put his praise first. In the old testament, when they Praised God their victory was assured. Instead of worrying, praise God. Put praise first and stay there. Jesus said in my father there are many houses and in those houses there is rest. Don’t be like Martha, she cared about a lot of things and she was like a natural woman. Let your cares go. Cast all your cares upon The Lord
Posted on: Thu, 24 Oct 2013 16:34:16 +0000
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