In our previous lesson, we learnt that God created Adam and empowered him via the blessing to make earth perfect which he failed at doing. We also learnt that the law could and can only at its maximum make things very good. It cannot make anything perfect. God's original plan for man and the earth was perfection not very good, this was why He created Adam in His image and likeness. Adam was a perfect man that is, neither mortal nor immortal. version of the immortal God. (Genesis 1:26)

So, God created Adam and placed him on earth because he needed someone to extend the perfection of heaven to earth, and only man could do this, no other creature could. However, the first man (Adam) failed at this task, and the failure of Adam gave way for another man and then another man until the man called Moses came with the Law as a limited road map to make man and the earth perfect. Also, the Law failed at extending the perfection of heaven to earth.

The law instituted the priesthood as instructed by God via Moses. The purpose of the priesthood was for a man to stand before God on behalf of the people to make atonement and bring perfection. However, the priesthood also could not accomplish this as seen in Hebrews 7:11. Hence, since there was need for another priest to arise after the order of Melchisedec not called after the order of Aaron , it means that perfection was not by the priesthood. This was due to the limitations of the blood of animals used for atonement, it could not take away sin. The scripture says in Hebrews 10:4, "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins".

The priest who must bring perfection must use the blood that has power to take away sin, the only priest who did this rose after the order of  Melchisedec, He is Jesus. Hebrew 9:12; 6:20. Therefore, Hebrews 7:11 reveals that, priesthood came from the tribe of Levi, this we can also see in God's provision for the tribe of Levi given them by Joshua in the promise land. When Joshua led the Israelites into the land of Canaan the Levites were the only Israelite tribe that received cities but were not allowed to be landowners, because "the Lord God of Israel is their inheritance, as he said to them". Hebrews 7:11;Joshua 13:33. The levitical priesthood was the order set in place by God and was followed and operated by the Jews from the inception of the priesthood in Exodus 28:1

Why was the tribe of Levi chosen for the priesthood?

1. During the Exodus, the Levite tribe were particularly zealous in protecting the Mosaic law in the face of those worshiping the golden calf, which may have been a reason for their priestly status. This means that they earned the priesthood by their zeal. Exodus 32:26-28

2. More importantly was that Levi was in Abraham's loins when he paid tithe to Melchisedec. This means that Levi was secured for the service of the LORD and receiving of tithes by Abraham. Hebrews 7:9-10. 

Although Levi earned the priesthood by zeal and tithing in Abraham, Abraham also secured it for Levi by tithing, and this gave rise to an order of priesthood for the tribe of Levi by God, the priesthood could not make man and earth perfect.

Therefore, since perfection was God's original plan and intention, to attain it God broke the existing protocol and order for the tribe from which the priest will come. Hebrews 7:12-17

GOD BROKE PROTOCOL AND ORDER TO ACHIEVE PERFECTION, expect God to do same in your life.

Grace to you.

Jesus is Lord.

Ps:Listen to this teaching, God has something in it for you

Main Teaching Text: Genesis 15:5-9

Abraham was a man whose life manifested the blessings of the LORD because he had faith in God. He was so enjoyed God's blessings in every sense possible that the best anyone could account of him was in estimates for instance, accounting for the sand at sea shore. A blessed man is one who cannot be estimated on the basis of material possession; if your exact value and worth can be determined by man or systems, it means you have not started walking in the blessing of God.

In verse 5 of Genesis chapter 15, God shows how much the Children of Abraham will be, and Abraham believed what God had spoken because he saw pictures as he walked in obedience (verse 7). It is easy to believe God when you see pictures in scriptures.

Abraham never stopped at seeing pictures even after God told him that he will inherit the land. Abraham went further to ask God for an assurance Genesis 15 verse 8 says, "But he said, “Lord God, how may I know that I will possess it?”. This asking came after he had walked the length and breath of the land (read Genesis 13:14-15)

Abraham's act of asking for an assurance to the promise God gave him was not a show of faithlessness, but was necessary because there was no token for God's promise. It is important we know that even in the promise of God there is a token, so the promise of God is His covenant and births His covenant.

Abraham asked for an assurance because he needed a token from God which God met in verse 9. If God honored Abraham's request concerning His promise him even as under this dispensation as believers in Christ we also need a token/ assurance of God's promises. However, by God's providence, we no longer have to request for assurance because, we have Jesus Christ. For us, Jesus is the Father's token of and for assurance for all of His promises.

This is why, all the promises of God are YES in Christ Jesus, 2 Corinthians 1:19-20 says,"Jesus  Christ is the Son of God, and he is the one whom Timothy, Silas, and I  have preached to you—and he has never been both a “yes” and a “no.” He  has always been and always will be for us a resounding “YES!” For all of God’s promises find their “yes” of fulfillment in him. And as his “yes” and our “amen” ascend to God, we bring him glory!"

Therefore, we can boldly declare as believers under the New Testament that, Jesus is our assurance /token that qualifies us to receive God's promises.

Grace to you.

Jesus is Lord.

Ps:Listen to this teaching, God has something in it for you

The scripture in the book of Hebrews 7:19, starts with a striking phrase "For the law made nothing perfect,". This phrase is as simple, straight forward and clear as it is. This phrase communicates two (2) vital truths which are;

What is the Law? Canonically, the Law comprises of the first five (5) books of the Bible which were written by Moses. In application, the Law is actually the Ten (10) Commandments given by God to Moses (read Exodus 20) and other laws developed from the Ten Commandments. The whole body of the law is called the Torah.

Why could the law not make anything perfect? The answer to this question is derived from both the creation of the earth and the nature of the Law itself. The law cannot make anything perfect because, it is not perfect. This is due to the truth that after creation, God called everything "very good"(that is, exceeding) but, not perfect as seen in Genesis 1:31. Likewise, the law succeeds and must follow the order of creation. God made the earth very good and put Adam/ Man on it to make it perfect but, Adam failed at this. The failure of the first Adam in the task of making the earth perfect gave rise to the emergence of the Law which came through Moses. Thus, we understand that the law at best can make us function in very good but, cannot make us perfect or function in perfection. 

Having understood the preceding, we know that the law could not achieve the task that Adam failed at. Due to the failure of the first Adam and the inability of the law, God sent the last Adam in the person of Jesus Christ to achieve this task of making the earth and Man perfect.

How did Jesus accomplish this task? Jesus accomplished this task by carrying out two (2) actions as, both Adam and the Law respectively were unable to achieve the task. Hence, Jesus had to do for them what they both could not do.

1.  For Adam - Jesus accomplished the task by his death, finished work and resurrection. By this He reconciled all things to God the Father and gave us a perfect life in and through Himself. Romans 5:10; 2Corinthians 5:18.

2. For the Law - This Jesus did by enforcing the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus to set mankind free from the limitations of the law of sin and death which is performance at the maximum of very good.

By virtue of the finished work of Christ Jesus, the grace of God became fully operational, thus Grace makes a man function in perfection i.e perfectly. This implies that the new creation in Christ Jesus is not meant to function in very good, because this realm is a limitation to the new creation, no matter how good very good may be, it devalues and reduces the potentials of the new creation. This is because the new creation is created in Christ Jesus to live in and function in perfection which is of Christ Jesus, this perfection manifest as good works. Ephesians 2:10

What is does it mean to be perfect? To be perfect means to complete,add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full, and to bring to a close or fulfillment by event, this entails the prophecies of the scriptures.

Grace to you.

Jesus is Lord.

Ps:Listen to this teaching, God has something in it for you

The book of Hebrews chapter 11, details Old Testament heroes who obeyed God, despite not fully understanding the future. This forward-looking trust, based on their experiences with God, is what the book of Hebrews commends as faith that pleases God. Often times, when we talk about the spirit of just men made perfect i.e the heroes of faith, we tend to only think of the male folks and forget that there were females in the list too. Maybe we do this because of our inclination to think that it is a man's world but, God does not think that way. This study is on a woman of faith, she was the first female hero of faith recorded in Hebrews 11, in the person of Sarah, the wife of Abraham.

Why was Sarah a woman of Faith? (Hebrews 11:11) Sarah received strength to conceive through faith. This was so because she had long past the age of child bearing.

Why did Sarah receive strength through faith? The scripture says, "...because she judged him faithful who had promised." (Hebrews 11:11) Thus, because she judged God faithful, Sarah received strength through faith.

What does it mean to judge God faithful?

In the Greek, the word Judge is from the term hēgeomai and Thayer defines it as to consider, deem, account, think,and esteem. Also, the word faithful in the Greek is the term πιστός: pistos, and Thayer defines it as trusty, or faithful

From the above definitions to pass judgement on someone or something is: to consider, think, account, esteem, conclude, to deem (to find), to regard as, to bring forth a final verdict. Hence, Sarah regarded the ways of God, considered His faithfulness to her, thought of God's integrity, took account of God's previous acts of love and kindness, concluded that God is committed to the performance of His promises and her final verdict on God was that He is Trustworthy, and can be relied upon to keep to His promises. The faith of Sarah actually rested in His character that He is not a man that He should lie, notwithstanding the happenings around her. This makes us understand that Sarah knew God over time and on the grounds of her long time knowledge of God, she judged Him faithful. 

Furthermore, to be faithful means having a character that is trustworthy, or someone who is reliable, and one who tells the truth. Also, to be dependable, steadfast in affection and allegiance, firm in adherence to promise or adherence to duty.This means that Sarah was conscious of the Lord’s faithfulness, not her own faithfulness, environment and body. In actual fact, Sarah judged God as someone who told the truth. Her receiving the promise had nothing to do with how perfect her process of faith was. If that was the case, then it would give grounds for boasting and Paul says in Romans 3, that the walk of faith cancels out the ability for boasting. Rather, it was simply the fact that she trusted in the character of God that He was not a man that He should lie.

Why did Sarah judge God faithful? Sarah judged God faithful because she knew that God cannot deny Himself even if we deny Him. The book of  The word deny in 2Timothy 2:13 in the Greek is the term ἀρνέομαι: arneomai and from Thayer definition we realize that Sarah knew that God cannot Contradict Himself. 

Grace to you.

Jesus is Lord.

Ps:Listen to this teaching, God has something in it for you

On Day 17, we learnt that there was no formal record of Abraham blessing Isaac his son rather, it was recorded that he gave all he owned to Isaac (read Genesis 25:5). Also, the only record of Isaac receiving blessings can be found in Genesis 25:11, God blessed Isaac. 

The above facts, helps us understand that Isaac did not have first hand knowledge of how a blessing is given by a father or from his father, even though his father will definitely have blessed him, the words and procedures he used were not spelt out in the Bible. Also, it was not recorded that Abraham blessed Isaac by speaking into his future. For these reasons Isaac blessed his sons by faith.

By virtue of the blessing Isaac gave to Jacob and Esau, Jacob saw the effects and manifestations of the blessing in his life. This made him know the importance and potency of the blessing as a result, he ensured that he blessed his children before he died, actually this was what he did before he died.

Why was Jacob a man of Faith?

Jacob had a lot of twists and turns in his life and these were more than enough to call him a man of faith. But, they were not the basis on which he was called a man of faith. The reason why his father, Isaac, was called a man of faith was the same reason he is called a man of faith, as seen in the Scriptures (read Hebrews 11:21). Therefore, Jacob also blessed when he was dying i.e sick (Genesis 48:1).

What was so special about this?

The events, twists and turns in Jacob's life and that of his children, could have made it impossible for him to bless his children a while before his sickness and death like Isaac; but, Jacob knew the power and importance of the blessing. So, he blessed when he was sick and dying.

Jacob changed an order via the blessing.

In Genesis 41:51-52 the names of Joseph's sons in their birth order are stated, "And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction." In the account recorded of Jacob in Hebrews, we see that it was only the blessing Jacob gave to Joseph's children that were recorded, this was significant not basically because other blessings were irrelevant. And, not necessarily because of the first son becoming the last incidence that repeated itself in Joseph's family. But, because of the revelation correction that Jacob by understanding and experience, helped his son Joseph to understand via his blessing. (Read the accounts in Genesis 48:14,17,20)

According to the meanings of the names and birth of Joseph's sons, we realize that Joseph believed God first made him forget all his toil, and all his father's house before God caused him to be fruitful in the land of his affliction. But, when Jacob blessed the children he changed the order to let Joseph know that it is the other way round. Which is that, God has caused him to be fruitful in the land of affliction that is why he was able to forget all his toil and father's house (which actually he did not forget cause he did feel the pain again when he meet his brothers after long years). Hence, FRUITFULNESS MAKES A MAN FORGET HIS TOIL AND SORROW.

This was why the blessing of Jacob was by faith, it was a prophetic revelation of the operations of God.

Grace to you.

Jesus is Lord.

Ps:Listen to this teaching, God has something in it for you

In this lesson we will study a hero of faith who achieved a great feat for both God, himself and humanity but it did not entail him calling fire or doing what men may call a spectacular miracle yet what he achieved was great. Hebrews 11:7

Why was Noah a hero of faith?

1.He lived in the dispensation when men where controlled by conscience. Despite the difficulty and seemingly impossibility in living righteous in these times, Noah still lived so righteously that he caught God's attention and he found grace in God's sight. The scripture says "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD". Genesis 6:8. Standing out from the crowd makes one unique and different and this also attracts the attention of God

2. He was Righteous- The people of Noah's time were so evil that only him could be righteous. It meant that righteousness was almost extinct in his time and God in His righteousness and justice had to extinct these unrighteous generation and leave the righteous before they extinct righteousness. This makes us understand that God always wants to preserve righteousness.

3. He was Obedient- Noah walked with God. Noah didn’t just listen to God, he obeyed. He obeyed whatever God told him to do, no matter how difficult it was. God didn't just give him a difficult task to do, it was also a WIERD task but he did it all the same. Hence, the proof of obedience is not in accomplishing seemingly difficult tasks but in accomplishing wierd task.

4. He was a man of Faith - His task needed immense faith to complete. From the very beginning, when he agreed all through to the very end of entering the ark and then even leaving the ark again. This is why Noah is listed in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11:7. There is no record of Noah arguing or doubting or asking questions. He simply obeyed because of his faith.

5. He was a Preacher – 2 Peter 2:5 reveals that Noah was a preacher of righteousness. Building the ark certainly gave Noah many opportunities to tell people why he was doing it and the doom that was coming. He likely preached just like many other Old Testament prophets. It is likely that Noah’s project was famous.

6. He was Diligent- There are a lot of things Noah would have had to think about and plan for in the course of building the ark. Its not only the actual construction, but also the acquiring of materials, providing for his family during this time period, security from vandalism or theft, getting/purchasing food to stock the ark, creating ways for waste removal and food dispersion, etc. If he neglected any one of these areas, disaster would have been waiting. Noah did it all. He did it well and he didn’t slack off.

7. He was Worshipful - After the whole episode was done with, Noah’s first recorded action was what? Build and alter and offer a sacrifice to God. He didn’t have a bitter or angry heart. He was grateful God spared Him and made this covenant with him. Noah showed his gratitude to God by an act of worship, sacrificing of every clean animal. This was actually quite a sacrifice. There were very few animals at that time and it would have been easy for Noah to rationalize and think that he needed to save them so that they could repopulate the earth. Yet he demonstrated faith in God. He wanted to worship this great God that he had come to know even better.

The above seven seemingly unspectacular reasons are the exploits of Noah that enlisted him in the Hall of Fame of the Heroes of Faith. These can be achieved by every follower of Jesus who depends on God's grace in recent times.

Grace to you.

Jesus is Lord.

Ps:Listen to this teaching, God has something in it for you

Previously, we learnt that God having changed the order of the priesthood also changed the Law. In this teaching we would continue to consider other reasons for these divine change.

5. Because the office of the high priest was interrupted after some years by death and they were changed, but the priesthood of Jesus is eternal.Hebrews 7:24

6. Because the Old Testament priest were made without an oath but Jesus was made with an oath. Hebrews 7:20-21

7. Because the practice of atonement by the priest had changed. The priest of the Old Testament had to offer "daily" sacrifices first for himself , then for the people but Jesus did it all once and for all. Hebrews 7:2

8. Because in the Old Testament the men appointed as priest were weak, but Jesus is perfect forever. Hebrews 7:28

Qualities of the Law of God 

The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, liberates and operates in the perfection of Christ Jesus hence, it is the PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY.

The perfect law of liberty is therefore, the complete, fulfilled law which is consummate human integrity and virtue which makes man free. Furthermore, it is a declaration of righteousness and salvation by Christ, an offer of peace and pardon by Him, and a free promise of eternal life through Him. It not a set of Jewish legalistic rules to be followed but the revelation that Jesus has fulfilled the law.

The juxtaposition of the two contradictory terms—“law” and “liberty”—made the point, especially to the Jews, that this was an entirely new way of thinking about both. Paul uses this same technique when he refers to the “law of faith” in Romans 3:27. The perfect liberty found in Christ fulfills the “perfect law” of the Old Testament because Christ was the only one who could. Those who come to Him in faith now have freedom from sin’s bondage and are able to obey God. Christ alone can set us free and give us true liberty (John 8:36).

How to enforce the perfect law of liberty

1. Look at the perfect law of liberty continually, remember all you hear and be a doer of all you see and hear. (James 1:25) James made a useful analogy in this scripture. He compared someone who hears God's Word, but doesn't do what it says, to a man who forgets his own face immediately after looking into a mirror. Both ideas should seem ridiculous to us. Why look, if you're not going to act on what you see? Why look, if you aren't going to remember what you just saw? Here, James explains how believers ought to handle their study of the Word of God. Christians should look intently into the perfect law, the law that gives freedom. When they routinely do that and obey what they see there, they will be blessed in what they do

2. Speak and act as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. This we do by speaking in love and showing love with fairness and equality to all. James 2:12. James, the Apostle reminds his hearers that to show favoritism toward others is a violation of the command to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Jesus Himself reminded us that all of the Law that God gave to Moses could be summed up into one concise principle—to love God with all the heart, soul and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37–40).

Grace to you.

Jesus is Lord.

God intention for creation is perfection, as a result God created Adam in His image and likeness thus, a perfect man. But, He created a very good earth, creatures and placed man in the earth to make it perfect (Genesis 1:26-31).

When God called everything He created very good, it included Adam that is Man but, this did not imply that Adam (or Man)  was created to be very good. Adam (or Man)  was created perfect. The truth that Adam (or Man) was created perfect by God is seen in these three(3) factors;

Therefore, by creating Adam in His image, God made a flesh version of Himself. By blessing Adam, God empowered him to think, speak and act like Him. By breathing into Adam, God gave Himself (His Spirit, inspiration, intellect and abilities) to him. These factors made Adam, God's perfect flesh version.So, God called everything He created very good because He lumped up creation not because Adam was very good; Adam was a perfect man.

However, Adam lost His perfection and could not make the earth perfect,and God kept looking for man to make the earth perfect until He got to Moses; to whom He gave the Law. The Law was not perfect but, it was meant to lead Man to Christ Jesus- the perfect one. That is, the last Adam who alone makes perfect. Galatians 3:24 In the same way, God broke the order/protocol of the tribe set aside for the priesthood and changed the tribe from where the great high priest will come from. God changed the order from Levi to Judah. Also, it was also necessary for God to change the Law which he did (read Hebrews 7:12).

Why did God change the law?

The above truth make us understand that, God can change anything to ensure His will of perfection is made manifest.

Grace to you.

Jesus is Lord.

Sunday Service Teaching Excerpts.

Theme: UNDERSTANDING THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST.

Topic: He came to bind up Broken Hearts.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me. To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;" Isaiah 61:1, NKJV.

The anointing is the fatness of the Spirit dwelling in a man and impacting men. And this fatness of the anointing is meant to be burnt thus, it is given for work. This is why, when a man receives the anointing and does not employ it or deploy it as designed by God, it could be disastrous to him; the natural fat in the body of man gives us a basic understanding to how Spiritual fatness operates too on a man. Therefore, the God gives man His anointing for work and not for pleasure.

What is a broken heart?

Listen now for full teaching.

JESUS IS LORD!

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MADE PERFECT is a special online prayer and fasting meeting with Pastor Chimdi Ohahuna scheduled to hold every weekday in this month of July, 2021 via our Facebook page @ChimdiOhahunaOfficial.

Join in with the expectation that God will perfect you and all that concerns you this month and beyond.

Grace to you.

Jesus is Lord.

Ps:Listen to this teaching, God has something in it for you today.