Theology

 *31/05/2023* *MID WEEK SERVICE* THEME: *UNNAMED PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE* TOPIC: *RICH YOUNG RULER* Text: Matthew 19:16-22 Jesus replied that only God is good - "Goodness" was a quality that Jesus associated supremely with God and his commandments. Accordingly Jesus pointed the young man to the good laws of the One who is good (Matthew 19:17), and asked him to show due diligence in observing them. The young man had located goodness in a human action, whereas Jesus focused on God's goodness and his good actions. These are what matter when it comes to entry into the kingdom of heaven. The prophet Isaiah likened human righteous action to filthy rags, which would never qualify anyone for eternal life (Isaiah 64:6). The specific commandments that Jesus pointed to are in the second half of the Ten Commandments and relate to one's dealings with one's neighbours (Exodus 20:12-16; Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 5:16-20). The man affirmed that he had kept all these commandments f

 *28/05/2023* *2023 HOLY GHOST SERVICE* (PENTECOST SUNDAY) *In commemoration of the birthday anniversary of the founder of this mission, PASTOR J.D. IFESANYA* Theme: *THE MIRACLE OF TIME* Text: Joshua 10: 9-21 With assurance from the Lord, Joshua confidently marched out against the coalition of five Kings. He marched all night from Gilgal to Gibeon. This was about a twenty-mile (thirty two kilometers) uphill journey, and therefore Joshua's arrival took the Kings by surprise (Joshua 10:9) But it was not just the unexpected arrival of Joshua's army that threw the coalition forces into terror and panic; God was also at work to spread confusion. Instead of putting up a fight, the coalition took to flight, with Israel in hot pursuit. Joshua 10:10-11 Historical evidence shows that showers of stones have indeed fallen in various parts of the world. But regardless of the exact nature of the stones, there can be no doubt of the fact that God has the power to hurl down stones like this,

 *24/05/2023* *MID WEEK SERVICE* THEME: *UNNAMED PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE* TOPIC: *FATHER AND HIS DEMON POSSESSED SON* Text: Matthew 17:14-21 In this case, the epilepsy was caused by a demon. The disciples could not exorcise the demon because they failed in faith. The power was there, but they had failed to appropriate it. Jesus accepted the man's faith on behalf of his son. Many other people's faith was similarly honoured ( for example, that of the four men in Matthew 9:2 and the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:28). *Faith on behalf of another undergirds intercessory prayer* God is moved when people pray for others, and he responds to that faith. Privately, Jesus explained to them that their faith was smaller even than a mustard seed. If it had been as small as a mustard seed, they would have been able not only to drive out demons but also to move mountains Matthew 17:20b *©2023* *Ecumenican Church Nigeria ®* Instagram: *@ecumenicanchurch* WhatsApp/Telegram: *+2348052366039* Email: *

 *21/05/2023* *THIRD SUNDAY SERVICE* TOPIC: *TREE OF LIFE* Text: Genesis 2:9 Revelation 22:2 Garden of Eden was in the east, and there God made to grow all kinds of trees - trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. The first is the tree of life, which was a concrete indication of God's presence and thus was placed in the middle of the garden. *The relationship with the Creator must be central to human existence* Eden was an extraordinarily appointed garden with choice specimens of the finest trees and plants. *Ezekiel 31:8 indicates Christ as the center of the garden of God* It comes as no surprise that the trees of Eden and the garden of God are mentioned in Ezekiel 31:8, 9b, 18. As a result of its abundant nourishment, this tree towered higher than all the trees of the field; its boughs increased and its branches grew long (Ezekiel 31:5). Because it was such a great tree all the birds of the air nested in its boughs, all the beasts of the field gave birth under its b

 *17/05/2023* *MID WEEK SERVICE* THEME: *UNNAMED PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE* TOPIC: *RICH FOOL* Text: Luke 12:16-21 The rich fool used the word *I* six times, showing the selfish focus this man has as a result of his fortune. His plan is to store his abundant resources for himself, as though the assets were his alone and should be hoarded. This focus on the self is what Jesus is condemning. God's judgment on selfishness is clear. What did the rich fool have for the next life? He could not take his grain with him. What he owned was no longer of any value after death. In a single day, the rich man became poor. All earthly wealth is temporary and ultimately worthless. Matthew 6:19-21 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19 James 5:1-6 *©2023* *Ecumenican Church Nigeria ®* Instagram: *@ecumenicanchurch* WhatsApp/Telegram: *+2348052366039* Email: *johnifesanya@gmail.com* *www.johnifesanya.blogspot.com* *#ECN Ibadan #* Powered by *JDIS*

 *14/05/2023* *SECOND SUNDAY SERVICE* TOPIC: *THE GREATEST NATION* (a revived Roman Empire) Text: Daniel 2:31-45; 7:7, 23 Isaiah 9:7; 60:12 *"... and the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth"* Daniel 2:35 CONCLUSION The great human statue will be shattered by a stone not cut out by human hands that will become a great mountain and fill the whole earth. People can only be made holy by faith in Jesus Christ and his atoning work on the cross. Acts 4:12 Romans 5:1-2 Ephesians 2:8-10 1 Peter 1:18-19 The cross of Christ is the non-negotiable means of salvation and sanctification. *©2023* *Ecumenican Church Nigeria ®* Instagram: *@ecumenicanchurch* WhatsApp/Telegram: *+2348052366039* Email: *johnifesanya@gmail.com* *www.johnifesanya.blogspot.com* *#ECN Ibadan #* Powered by *JDIS*

 *10/05/2023* *MID WEEK SERVICE* THEME: *UNNAMED PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE* TOPIC: *GOOD SAMARITAN* Text: Luke 10:30-37 Part of the beauty of the story of the Good Samaritan is the reversal of stereotypes. The priest and Levite traditionally would have been the "good guys". The Samaritan would have been a "bad guy", a person who compromised in religious matters. However, the Samaritan knew how to treat his neighbor. *The neighbor here was not someone the Samaritan knew or even someone of the same race, just someone in need* The central issue is not determining who one's neighbor is, but being a good neighbor to all. *©2023* *Ecumenican Church Nigeria ®* Instagram: *@ecumenicanchurch* WhatsApp/Telegram: *+2348052366039* Email: *johnifesanya@gmail.com* *www.johnifesanya.blogspot.com* *#ECN Ibadan #* Powered by *JDIS*

 *07/05/2023* *THANKSGIVING SERVICE* TOPIC: *THE GREATEST NATION* (a revived Roman Empire) Text: Daniel 2:31-45; 7:7, 23 Isaiah 9:7; 60:12 *"... and the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth"* Daniel 2:35 FEATURES OF THE GREATEST NATION 1. Increase Isaiah 9:7; Daniel 2:44 "to Him will increase" It would be God's peaceful reign. 2. Supreme rule Isaiah 60:12 *©2023* *Ecumenican Church Nigeria ®* Instagram: *@ecumenicanchurch* WhatsApp/Telegram: *+2348052366039* Email: *johnifesanya@gmail.com* *www.johnifesanya.blogspot.com* *#ECN Ibadan #* Powered by *JDIS*

 *03/05/2023* *MID WEEK SERVICE* THEME: *UNNAMED PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE* TOPIC: *PRODIGAL SON* Text: Luke 15: 11-31 In the ancient world, this son most likely would have been in his teens and single. As the younger son he would have received half of what the elder son received (Deuteronomy 21:17), or a third of his father's estate. The early Jews warned fathers against breaking up an estate too early. Here the father granted the request, illustrating how God permits each person to go his or her own way. To waste his possession means "to scatter or disperse something". The term *prodigal* describes a debased, extravagant life (Proverbs 28:7). Feeding swine was an insulting job for a Jewish person, since pigs were unclean according to the Law of Moses. The son afterwards confessed as a sinner. The son expected nothing and relied completely on the mercy of his father. So it is with the sinner who repents. The description of the father's compassion in running to his son and