Date 28th - 01 - 2004

TOPIC: ACHIEVING WITH YOUR POTENTIAL.

MEMORY VERSE: "Unto everyone that hath shall be given, and shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even what which he hath" -Matt.25:29.

TEXT:- MATTHEW 25:14-30

Our parable today illustrate the judgment of God on those who use or misuse the abilities (talents) entrusted to them. If they use their abilities well, they will gain and grow; whereas, if they bury them and do not use them, they will fail to help themselves and others, and as a consequence be stripped of their abilities. The servants in this parable are given talents by which they can increase, but they are granted different numbers of talents according to the discretion of the masters. Each servant is obligated for his number of talents. Two servants succeed in doubling their talents, but the third servant with only one talent did not even try to gain or increase his talent, and as punishment, the talent was taken from him and given to the first servant who had the most talents.

TIMIDITY AND LAZINESS AS HINDRANCES Prov.6:6-11, 31: 10-16

The third servant was too timid to risk his talent as a prerequisite for further gain was cast into outer darkness. God endows all of us and we must use our endowments in order not to lose that which is granted to us as individuals. Today, many persons are wasting their talents through the use of drugs refusing to think for themselves and others. Many have given up, but one must be prepared for the future because God regulates the future. In spite of whatever circumstances we find ourselves we must take the stance that God gives us our heritage: life, liberty, brain and opportunity.

GOD EXPECTS FRUITFULNESS

The truth of God's judgment will rise and conquer any falsehood. No matter how dismal the future may seem, we should trust God and know that He will   bring us through. So let us stir up the gift of God that is within us. We are all talented in someway, but it is our duty to refine our ability to help others thereby increasing our talents to do good for others. If we bury our talents, we make the world poorer and we continue in darkness where there should be light. Our dress, manners, linguistics, humour, and education are lacking of respectable content in many instances. While our schools stay open longer, the content acquired by some of the students is negligible. Students of today must be better educated. Their will be constant changes in good jobs because of advanced technology. Unfortunately, we are following technology rather than making technology follow human life. This pragmatic tendency is robbing us of our souls. We are becoming hollow people who are doing things faster but enjoying them less. Unless God is a part of our lives, we are doomed to boredom and unfulfillment.

DISCUSSION.

(1)How can we discover our potentials for the use of God?

(2)What is the secret of profitability?

(3)Is there any useless Christian?

(4)State the records of slothfulness

(5)What is the punishment for hiding the gifts of God?

WEEK ONE

THE HOLY SPIRIT (John 15:26; John 3:24)

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit co-exist as part of the holy trinity. However, of the trinity, the very name of the Holy Spirit reveals its role to promote holiness and purity. In other words, the Holy Spirit has the power to consume sin and purify sinners, making them holy. The Holy Spirit first comes and convicts the world and makes man realize his sin (John 16:8). This makes it possible for those who have accepted the Holy Spirit into their hearts to forsake sin and live victorious lives. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit makes it possible for a person to distinguish between the holiness of the Lord and the wickedness of Satan, never to be deceived by the evil one (1John 4:16).

WEEK TWO

THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD (Ephesians 4:30)

At times, the Holy Spirit serves as the extension "of God's power" to show that the Holy Spirit has been sent by God (John 15:26). The Holy Spirit comes from God for the purpose of accomplishing the particular will of God.

a)           The Spirit of God first leads sinners to Jesus Christ (John 6:44).

b)           The Spirit of God makes sinners holy and through faith, helps them receive salvation (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

c)            The Spirit of God leads Christians into all truth, not speaking on His own, but of what He hears, and He tells Christians about what is to come (John 16:13).

The Spirit of God revealed to Peter that Jesus was the Son of God and that Jesus was the Christ (Matthew 16, 17). Even today, the Spirit of God helps us to understand the teachings of Jesus Christ and reminds us of the lessons (John 14:26).

WEEK THREE

THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST (Romans 8:9).

The Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of Christ. Not only does the Holy Spirit come from the Father the Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus Christ. When Apostle Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost and preached to the Judeans, he said Jesus Christ had received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and had sent Him. As such, the Holy Spirit came to be called the Spirit of Christ. The Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Christ teaches, reminds and witnesses about the glory and grace of salvation which Christ provided for mankind through His death on the Cross and the subsequent resurrection (John 15:26; 16:13; 1 Corithians 12:13).

WEEK FOUR

THE COUNSELLOR (John 14:16)

In Greek, the word "Counsellor" is "Paravklhto" which is the compound word for "near" and "to call". The word has a legal origin: When a defendant is being questioned by an accuser's attorney and is placed in a miserable situation in court, he can't call upon a friend to help him out of the situation, the only one he can call upon is a "counsellor". A counsellor is one who comes and supports a person through counsel and petitions, leading the person to victory. The reason for Jesus calling the Holy Spirit, "another Counsellor" (John 14:16), was that He was the first Counsellor. But after His ascension into heaven, another Counsellor, the Holy Spirit would come to take His place. More specifically, the word "another" in Greek is "allon", which means "having the same quality and likeness".

MOS Journey To Covenant Home Begins

With the recent acquisition of 150 plots of land at the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Mountain of Solution Ministries International may have commenced its long awaiting trip to its promised land the acquisition, which marked the fulfilment of the word of God through His servant, Rev. (Dr.) Abiodun Alani Olugbenro, stunned the enemies of the church and shamed cynics.

Dr. Olugbenro had during one of the power house meetings about three years ago, revealed authoritatively that God had allotted plots of land to the church along the expressway. The land, acquired at the rate of N5 million, foretells the beginning of Mountain of Solution's journey to a glorious future. According to Dr. Olugbenro the land when it is fully developed, will not only be magnificent and exquisite, it will also be turned into an Eldorado to the admiration of every passing being.

This development, offers all members of the church and sundry, the opportunity to purchase plots of land at the rate of N200, 000 per plot. The purchase to be done through Pastor Sam Anachunam's estate firm will be predicated on first come, first serve basis. Payment is to be done made into Metropolitan bank through the firm.

Dr. Olugbenro listed a number of innovations to be incorporated into the setting. According to him, the land will accommodate "grotto" for personal prayers, which will be the first of its kind in the entire black Africa. He added that the residential area, to be tagged Comfort Estate, will also accommodate other infrastructure such as hospitals, publishing house and the like.

Reporter:

Oluwadare Omotayo for MOS Ipaja