Gospel Ramah Church Sermon of the Week

Tucked between Christ’s resurrection and ours to come is the church of God on a mission here on earth to influence the way people think, how they behave, and who they ultimately glorify. But, any local church that allows the local culture to invade her will certainly fail in her mission. 1) What makes us the church of God: i) the life of God we share, ii) the will of God we submit to and iii) the work of God we seek to promote. 2) What threatens the church of God? The guiding philosophies of this age which are shaping the people of our generation: humanism, moral laxity, and personal selfishness. 3) What may cause the church of God to fail?: lack of readiness, courage and moral convictions. 4) What will help the church of God succeed ? The message of the Cross delivered in the power of the Resurrection with a steadfast faith, an unmovable hope, and an enthusiastic work done out of love for God and his people.

The power of God gives us ability to do what we cannot do naturally. 1) The power of God brings salvation (1 John 5:11-12). Salvation to save, rescue, deliver and set free. Both spiritual and physical deliverance leads to eternal deliverance granted immediately by God. 2) The power of God enlightens and quickens our mind to understand the word. The word becomes alive. 3) The power of God brings new life (1 Corinthians 2:6-19). How do we allow God's power to work: a) Purity (2 Timothy 2:21). b) Obedience - to his word and holy spirit. c) Faith - total trust in him to use us.

The resurrection of Jesus came to give us power. Through his death Jesus: 1) Established His identity as the Son of God (and as God). 2) Validates His own prophesies. 3) Gave hope to His disciples and to us. 4) Snatched us from the kingdom of darkness to His Kingdom of Light. 5) Shamed the devil. Jesus is risen!

How you respond to the revelation of Jesus Christ has a massive bearing on how you live. People who are enthusiastic about the kingdom, wise in their day to day dealings, and relevant contributors to society are usually those who have understood and responded correctly to the revelation of Jesus Christ. People’s problem is a Sin (human rebellion against God) - people wanting to be as God or people choosing to live without God. Sin has brought devastating consequences on the human race. People’s solution to the Sin problem is Jesus Christ. People who respond well to Jesus Christ’s revelation tend to live right because: i) Pay attention to his divine identity and life-giving word, ii) Purse him passionately, iii) Prioritize his will, iv) Proclaim him to the rest and v) Persuade others for him.

"There is nothing as powerful as the moral choices we make in shaping the kind of life we live. Why we live, how we live, and eventually where we end up in life are all a resultant of our moral choices.” 1. The profile of the Lord’s servant - Jesus Christ did not come here on earth to do

his own things. 2. The paradox of the Lord’s servant - Jesus Christ was born to die so that God’s abundant life could be made available to us all. 3. The promise about the Lord’s servant - Jesus Christ would reveal the hidden nature

of every human-being because he knows us. His life and death would lead humanity to a cross-road where each individual will be obliged to make the most important moral choice; to reject him or to receive him. Choices have real consequences. Those who choose to reject Him will fall and those who choose to receive Him will rise.

"Radical boldness is one of the most indispensable ingredients needed for anyone who wants to stake a claim on all of salvation benefits available to those who are in Christ". How do you stake your claim: 1) Know that God cares about you more than you care to know. 2) Refuse to be bold enough to fight but cold to ask. 3) Resolve to cultivate a radical boldness in the area of asking and expecting. How to cultivate radical boldness: 1) Relationship with your heavenly father. 2) Revelation of the fathers generous disposition. 3) Revival of your spirit. 4) Inspiration about endless possibilities you have in Christ. Once you have cultivated boldness God will open both the upper spring (heavenly blessings) and lower spring (earthly blessings).

Let the river flow. For the holy spirit to flow we have to create a favorable atmosphere. The river only flows when there are no obstacles or barriers. Barriers to the flow of the holy spirit: 1) Attitude, 2) Ignorance (1 Corinthians 1:12), 3) Fear of the manifestation and 4) Despise -

too much rationality and spiritual background. For the holy spirit to manifest we have to create a conducive atmosphere, through: 1) Obedience, 2) Faith, 3) Prayer and 4) Unity.

Let the river flow calls for the manifestation of the holy spirit. Holy spirit will manifest in two ways: In us (Galatians 5:22) and Through us (1 Corinthians 12:1). When the holy spirit manifests in us our character is transformed to be Christ-like and through us

through spiritual gifts to bless others. The holy spirit can manifest in different ways, in each one of us, for the common good and for God to be glorified. Hence we have to aspire for the manifestation of the holy spirit.

Let the river flow refers to the flow of the holy spirit. The gift of the church is the holy spirit and the gift of the world is Jesus Christ. The weakness of the church is that we are attracted to the works of the holy spirit rather than the person of the holy spirit. Those that believe in Jesus Christ must receive the holy spirit. When one is born again the next step is the baptism of the holy spirit. Baptism in the holy spirit will awaken your spirit (Acts 19: 2). Speaking in tongues signifies baptism of the holy spirit. Speaking in tongues connects us to the spiritual dimension.

To enter and experiment new things from God you are to be thirsty for the Holy Spirit. When you are thirsty you do not remain indifferent for transformation requires thirst. When you have a great desire you become innovative. To live in the prophetic: 1. Be conscious of the person of the Holy Spirit. 2. Be available to the Holy Spirit. For the Holy Spirit will seek and use those that are available.