We learnt from Philippians 1:12 that God can use suffering to advance His purposes: “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” What appeared to be a setback became, in God’s providence, the very means through which the gospel advanced. Through Paul’s imprisonment, the imperial guard heard about Christ, while other believers were encouraged to proclaim the word with greater boldness.We see this pattern throughout Scripture. God often brings multiplication through pain and suffering. Israel multiplied under Pharaoh’s oppression; the more they were afflicted, the more they increased and spread. Even after the Fall, the bringing forth of new life through childbirth is accompanied by pain.This reaches its fullest expression in Christ. The serpent is crushed not through worldly triumph, but through Christ’s suffering and death. Through His suffering, He brings many sons to glory. What appeared to be defeat became the very means of redemption and a great harvest for the kingdom.The same pattern continued in the early church. Persecution, which should have silenced the gospel, became the means by which it spread. Paul even rejoiced when some preached Christ from envy and rivalry. Their motives were wrong, but his great concern was that Christ was being proclaimed.We are therefore encouraged to trust in God’s sovereignty even through suffering and circumstances we do not understand. What appears to hinder His purposes may, in His providence, become the very means through which He accomplishes them.What stood out to you in the sermon? Share in the comments.

Jesus, Our Light and Tabernacle | John 1:1-18 | Jesus, Our Light and Tabernacle | Seye Maj'

Paul’s Letter to the Philippians – The Author and Finisher (Philippians 1:1–11)Paul begins his letter by expressing deep gratitude and joy for the Philippian church. His joy is rooted in their partnership in the gospel, a partnership marked by generosity, shared burdens, and spiritual fruit. Every good thing he sees in them is ultimately attributed to God, reminding believers that all genuine spiritual growth is the outworking of God’s grace rather than human effort.One of the central assurances in this passage is that God is both the Author and Finisher of the believer’s faith. The God who began the good work of salvation will faithfully bring it to completion on the day of Christ. This confidence rests not in human consistency but in God’s faithfulness. Because believers belong to Christ and are securely held by Him, they can live with the assurance that none whom Christ has saved will be lost.However, God’s promise to complete His work does not make Christians passive. Believers are called to actively participate in the process of sanctification by rejecting the works of the flesh and pursuing godly living. God has provided means of grace, including prayer, the preaching of His Word, and the sacraments, to shape His people into Christ’s likeness.Paul concludes his prayer by asking that the Philippians’ love would abound more and more in knowledge and discernment, enabling them to pursue what is excellent and live pure and blameless lives filled with the fruit of righteousness, to the glory and praise of God.

A Tale of Two Rich Men | Luke 18:9-14 | Kingsley Akanihu

In Matthew 7, Jesus makes it imperative for His church to beware of false teachers. Yet in our modern culture, we are plagued by doctrinal passivity, often disguised as “grace.” The truth, however, is that refusing to exercise discernment against false teaching is not charity. On the contrary, it is quiet cowardice.We also learned that false teachers do not announce themselves. They come in sheep’s clothing. Neither miraculous signs nor supernatural acts are proof of truth. The fruit of the Spirit is. When a ministry is driven by self-pleasure, the pursuit of human honor, or the approval of the world, its fruit is rotten (Gal. 5:19-23).It is especially important to beware of false teachers because they cause division and dissension in the Lord’s body. Those who knowingly fraternize with them partake in their sin, for false teachers are at enmity with God and under His judgment (2 John 10-11; Rom. 16:17-18; Titus 3:10-11).Ultimately, God calls all who bear His name to love Him with all their minds, anchor themselves in His Word, and faithfully bear the fruit of the Spirit so that they may be recognized as children of their heavenly Father. When we falter and grow weary, we must not give ourselves over to despair. Rather, we are to persevere in the practice of righteousness, with a godly sorrow that bears the fruit of true repentance.

Are You Converted | Psalm 51:1-17 | Seye Maj'

The Preeminence of Christ | Colossians 1:18 | Pastor Adeola Ogundele

Prayer | Back to the Basics | Pastor Adeola Ogundele

The Log In Your Eye | Miracles and Parables Series | Matthew 7:1-6 | Pastor Sam Oyeyinka

The Wisdom of Humility | Growing in Wisdom series | Sam Oyeyinka