Theology

*28/06/2020* FOURTH SUNDAY SERMON THEME: *ANGELS: MESSENGERS OF GOD* TOPIC: *WHO ARE ANGELS?* SUB-TOPIC: *ORDERS OF SPIRITUAL BEINGS* 1. Celestial dignitaries. 2 Peter 2:10-11 *The dignitaries* that the false teachers slander are probably angels. The reference here is almost certainly to Jude 9, where the archangel Michael, disputing with Satan over the body of Moses, does not revile the devil but simply says, "The Lord rebuke you". According to Jude 8, *Dignitaries* mean those placed in positions of authority. The false teachers despise authority, meaning either the Lordship of Christ (2 Peters 2:1) or the recognized leadership of Peter and John (3 John 9,11) or some angelic hierarchy (Jude 8). The false teachers are full of themselves, looking only for personal pleasure and recognition. Their arrogance is such that they revile angelic majesties, belittle their power and speak disrespectful of them. In contrast with such behavior, the angels, who are stronger...

*24/06/2020* MID-WEEK *HOLY COMMUNION* SERVICE THEME: *ANGELS: MESSENGERS OF GOD.* TOPIC: *WHO ARE ANGELS?* SUB-TOPIC: *THREE ANGELIC BEINGS NAMED IN THE BIBLE* *Contd* *your prayer is heard*: The angel was probably referring to the prayer for the redemption of Israel that Zacharias had recited in the holy place, or to his earlier prayers for a child. *you shall call his name John*: When God names a child, greatness usually follows (Genesis 16:11; 1 Kings 13:2; Isaiah 7:14). *Gabriel* was often a messenger who communicated God's plan. Luke 1:26-38 *nothing will be impossible*: God keeps His promises regardless of how difficult the circumstances may seem. Gabriel's statement about God should be our statement of faith: Nothing is impossible with God. 2. Michael Daniel 10:13,21; 12:1; Jude 9; Revelation 12:7. 3. Satan John 12:31; 14:30. John 16:11 Satan, the ruler of this world, rules in the hearts of unregenerate people and blinds their minds (1 Corinthi...

*21/06/2020* THIRD SUNDAY SERMON THEME: *ANGELS: MESSENGERS OF GOD* TOPIC: *WHO ARE ANGELS?* SUB-TOPIC: *CHRIST JESUS FAR SUPERIOR TO ANGELS.* Text: Hebrews 1:4 - 2:15 The Son is *better than the angels*, or higher in rank, because He sits at the right hand of God (Hebrews 1:3) and because of His eternal inheritance. The Son has obtained a greater name than the angels. The author of Hebrews uses seven Old Testament citations to explain why the Son is superior to angels. Angels are "sons" collectively, in that they were created by God (Job 1:6). In contrast, Christ is uniquely and eternally the *Son*. He is superior to the angels. *Today I have begotten You* probably refers to the day Christ sat down at the Father's right hand after He accomplished His work as the Messiah. On that day the eternal Son entered into the full experience of His Sonship. *I will be to Him a Father:* This passage quotes 2 Samuel 7:14 and is a prophecy of Christ as the eterna...

*17/06/2020* MID-WEEK *HOLY COMMUNION* SERVICE THEME: *ANGELS: MESSENGERS OF GOD.* TOPIC: *WHO ARE ANGELS?* SUB-TOPIC: *ANGELS: WISE BUT NOT ALL-KNOWING.* 2 Samuel 14:17,20 The woman suggested that the King had superhuman ability in the exercise of judgment. 2 Samuel 19:27 Matthew 24:36 Mark 13:32 indicates that even Jesus Himself did not know the *day and hour* of His return. When the Lord Jesus was on earth, He voluntarily limited His use of His divine attributes (John 17:4,5; Philippians 2:5-8). Therefore He became hungry, thirsty and tired. Luke records that Jesus grew in Knowledge and wisdom (Luke 2:52). In this instance, Jesus surrendered the use of His divine omniscience. 1 Peter 1:12 God made known to the prophets that they would not experience all that we experience in Christ, that they were serving God for our benefit. Although humans may preach God's message of salvation, ultimately the Holy Spirit is the One who proclaims these great truths. Even t...

*17/06/2020* MID-WEEK *HOLY COMMUNION* SERVICE THEME: *ANGELS: MESSENGERS OF GOD.* TOPIC: *WHO ARE ANGELS?* SUB-TOPIC: *ANGELS: WISE BUT NOT ALL-KNOWING.* 2 Samuel 14:17,20 The woman suggested that the King had superhuman ability in the exercise of judgment. 2 Samuel 19:27 Matthew 24:36 Mark 13:32 indicates that even Jesus Himself did not know the *day and hour* of His return. When the Lord Jesus was on earth, He voluntarily limited His use of His divine attributes (John 17:4,5; Philippians 2:5-8). Therefore He became hungry, thirsty and tired. Luke records that Jesus grew in Knowledge and wisdom (Luke 2:52). In this instance, Jesus surrendered the use of His divine omniscience. 1 Peter 1:12 God made known to the prophets that they would not experience all that we experience in Christ, that they were serving God for our benefit. Although humans may preach God's message of salvation, ultimately the Holy Spirit is the One who proclaims these great truths. Even t...

*14/06/2020* SECOND SUNDAY SERMON THEME: *ANGELS: MESSENGERS OF GOD.* TOPIC: *WHO ARE ANGELS?* SUB-TOPIC: *THREE ANGELIC BEINGS NAMED IN THE BIBLE.* 1. Gabriel Daniel 8:16 This is  the first mention of the messenger *Gabriel* in the Bible. Daniel 9:21 The angel was sent at the beginning of Daniel's prayer (Daniel 9:23). *The man Gabriel* is not a denial of Gabriel's angelic nature; the title simply serves to identify Gabriel with the vision of Daniel 8:15,16. Luke 1:11-20 To be afraid at the presence of God or His messenger is common in Scripture (Luke 1:29,65; 2:9; 5:8-10,26; 7:16; 8:37; 9:34; Exodus 15:16; Daniel 8:16,17; Acts 5:5,11; 19:17). Angels often calmed the fears of those to whom they appeared (Luke 1:30; 2:10; Genesis 15:1; Daniel 10:12; Matthew 1:20; Acts 18:9; 27:24; Revelation 1:17). *Confession* I resist and reject any form of fear tormenting my life. I receive instead the spirit of faith, power and sound mind. May I receive the message ...

*10/06/2020* MID-WEEK *HOLY COMMUNION* SERVICE THEME: *ANGELS: MESSENGERS OF GOD.* TOPIC: *WHO ARE ANGELS?* SUB-TOPIC: *ANGELS: MIGHTY IN POWER.* Introduction *Hosts*: Definition. Hebrews: *tseba'ah* Isaiah 10:16; Genesis 2:1;  Psalms 103:21; 148:2. This word comes from a verb meaning "to fight" or "to serve". The term also commonly refers to combat troops ( 2 Kings5:1; 1 Chronicles 7:11, 40). "The armies of the LORD" is an expression used once for the children of Israel, and twice for God's army of angels (Exodus 12:41; Joshua 5:14,15). 2 Kings19:35 This verse is the fulfillment of God's promise to take vengeance on those who trouble His people (Isaiah 34:8). Often a visitation from the angel of the Lord brought deliverance to God's people, as in the incident with Balaam (Numbers 22) and the appearances to Gideon (Judges6:11,12) and Manoah (Judges13). At other times the angel of the Lord came in judgment (2 Samuel 24:...

*07/06/2020* *THANKSGIVING SERVICE* THEME: *ANGELS: MESSENGERS OF GOD.* TOPIC: *WHO ARE ANGELS?* SUB-TOPIC: *ANGELS: PRINCES OF KINGDOMS, STATES, NATIONS AND GOVERNMENTS II* Text: Daniel 10:10-13           1 Chronicles 21:1 Colossians 1:16 This early Christian hymn emphasizes the superiority of Christ over all creation. Christ is the One who created all things, whether they be material or immaterial, seen or unseen. This idea is in direct contradiction to the false teaching, later known as Gnosticism, that was developing in the Colossian church. In general, Gnostics believed that various angelic beings were the creators of the earth, and that Christ was one among many of these angels. *all things were created through Him and for Him:* Not only did Jesus create all things, everything was created for His purposes (Hebrews1:2), where Christ is said to be the "heir of all things". But the glory of the earth, the heavens, or the sun, moon, and stars...

*03/06/2020* MID-WEEK *HOLY COMMUNION* SERVICE THEME: *ANGELS: MESSENGERS OF GOD.* TOPIC: *WHO ARE ANGELS?* SUB-TOPIC: *ANGELS: VERY MANY.* Deuteronomy 33:2 *ten thousands of saints:* Angelic beings attended the giving of the law (Acts 7:53; Galatians 3:19; Hebrews 2:2). According to Stephen's sermon in Acts 7, the law was given *through angels* to Moses as the human *mediator* (Acts 7:38) The law was delivered from God to Moses by angels. Daniel 7:10 *A thousand thousands ... Ten thousand times ten thousand:* The reference here is to innumerable servants. Matthew 26:53 A legion in the Roman army was about six thousand men. When one considers the power of one angel, as seen in the Old Testament (Exodus 12:23; 2 Samuel 24:15-17; 2 Kings 19:35), the power of more than 72,000 angels is beyond comprehension. Jesus had all of heaven's power at His disposal, yet He refused to use it. His Father's will was for Him to go to the Cross. Luke 2:13 *Heavenly* hos...

*31/05/2020* *2020 HOLY GHOST SUNDAY SERMON* *PENTECOST SUNDAY* THEME: *THE GOSPEL WITHOUT HEALING* Text: Acts 26:8 *"Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?"* *"The gospel without healing and miracles is incomplete"* JDI Introduction Miracles and healings raise a question; some people say the days of miracles are gone. Others say, even though, God heals, but some conditions are too bad for God to heal. Check through the Gospels, we will see impossibilities turn to possibilities by our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever according to Hebrews 13:8. The word of God is real, true and alive. Miracles and healings are living testimonies to the authenticity of the Bible. *The ministry of Jesus Christ* had 3 cardinal areas, that of preaching, teaching and healing. The three areas are exclusive to the life of Jesus; one cannot be substituted for the other. The three compl...