Bible gospel church in africa: 2010

BOOKLET

Some believers don't think it is necessary for them to belong to a particular local assembly—church. While some attend a different church every week without commitment to any, some don't attend at all. As christians, it's important for you to identity with a local assembly, a church you can call your HOME and participate fully in the activities. Otherwise, you'll deprive yourself of a lot of God's blessings and you'll be walking out of line with His Word. Here are some of the reasons you must go to church:

1. God Said So: The Scripture is unambiguous in letting us know that God desires His children to attend church meetings. In Hebrews 10:25, the admonition is clear not to forsake the assembly (meetings) of the brethren, and even goes on to indicate that some were erroneously doing so.

2. Jesus Did, Showing Us A Pattern To Follow: The scriptures show that Jesus had a culture of going to “church.” It was part of His personal discipline and devotion—His custom: “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read” (Luke 4:16). The Master took going to “church” as an important activity, and having been called into fellowship with Him we should follow His example and live as He did.

3. It Is The Vehicle By Which You Function In The Body Of Christ: A Christian is not a committed Christian until he demonstrates his commitment in the local assembly, because the local assembly is a microcosm of the spiritual body of Christ, which is God’s representative on earth. You can’t function in that body until you function in the local assembly. The early church was made up of local assemblies and several were mentioned in the epistles, for example Romans 16:5 and Revelation 3.

4. The Church Is The Pillar And Ground Of Truth (1 Timothy 3:15): God wants His children to know the truth about life, because the truth makes you free from bondage and sets you at liberty. In the Church, you’re taught the truth. In the absence of the truth, a man will believe a lie and be a victim of it. For example the scriptures tell us that Jesus has abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. In the Church, these truths are not only taught, but explained. The teaching of God’s Word is crucial for victorious living, and the Church is the primary place for this.

5. The Church Is A Place Of Fellowship With Other Christians: Fellowship with other Christians is crucial to the growth of a believer. In Hebrews 10:24-25 we're admonished to provoke one another to love, and to good works. We're also to encourage one another. In Proverbs 27:17, the scriptures indicate that we sharpen ourselves as we fellowship. The company a man keeps will affect his life and growth (1 Corinthians 15:33). So keeping and being found in the right company is desirable, and going to church facilitates this.

6. The Church Is A Place Where Christian Growth And Character Are Enhanced: In Ephesians 4:11-16, the scriptures clearly state that God ordains certain offices for the benefit of the Christian, for growth and to sharpen his spiritual development. These offices are found in the Church, and men are ordained into them for the local assembly, for the benefit of those in that local assembly.

7. The Church Is A Place Where You Hear The Word Required For Faith & Life: God requires us to live by faith, for without faith it's impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6). The preaching of the Word imparts faith and the teaching of the Word helps that faith to grow as you understand and put what you've learnt to work.

8. The Church Is A Place Of Training: In 1 Timothy 3:16, the Bible lets us know that the Word of God is given to train and instruct you. In the Church, God sets instructors who are able to instruct you in the truth and help you culture your life. The Church is a place where discipline and proper conduct are imparted. These are required for your spiritual growth and effective service for the Lord (1 Corinthians 14:40).

9. The Church Is A Place Of Solution To Life’s Questions: In the Epistles we see the Apostles sending letters to the churches to address questions that the brethren had. It hasn't changed. The church is uniquely equipped by the Holy Spirit to communicate wisdom from God for questions a Christian might have. Getting answers from the world is a dead-end since the wisdom of the world can't satisfactorily provide solutions to life's issues, because it's destined to fail (1 Corinthians 2:6).

10. The Church Is A Place Where You Can Experience The Corporate Anointing: As brethren dwell together in unity, the scriptures tell us in Psalm 133 that it provokes a corporate anointing that blesses everyone. The anointing is contagious and in the Church, by association, a Christian can do much more with other believers than he could by himself.

11. The Church Is A Place Of Refuge, Comfort And Refreshing: A Christian is guaranteed to receive encouragement and words of refreshing in church. This is often needed after the travails of the market-place of life. The church is a place where you can receive the undiluted truth, and learn new things that are progressively to your benefit. The church is a place of upliftment, encouragement and refuge. No wonder David was always delighted about being in church (Psalm 122:1; Psalm 27:4)

Meaning of some words

Armour

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11)

The word “armour” as used in the scripture above is akin to the Greek word “panoplia”—a compound word for something prepared i.e. any apparatus like dress, implement or instrument designed for the purpose of defending oneself at war. Thus, an armour is a protective covering made of metal and used by soldiers in combat or battle. It’s a defensive covering which is meant to protect the user against offensive attacks of the enemy.

God has given us all that we need to stand against whatever the devil throws at us. The armour is our shield to extinguish all the fiery darts of the enemy. The good thing is that the armour of God which we’re admonished to put on is both an offensive and a defensive weapon, thereby making you proactive in your walk of faith.

Believe

"We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak" (2 Corinthians 4:13).

To “believe” means to entrust with, put in trust with, have faith in someone or a thing, or accept something as true. It’s a demonstration of absolute confidence in a person, a system or process. It means to accept as true, genuine or real; to have a firm conviction as to the efficacy or ability of something or someone.

In the light of the scripture above, it means to have faith, or demonstrate absolute confidence in the Word of God; to accept that the Word of God is true, genuine and real; to have firm convictions as to the efficacy, ability, immutability and infallibility of God’s Word. It means to take God and His Word as the final arbiter, and then speak on the basis of that conviction or belief. This is far removed from mere mental assent, as believing is with the heart—the human spirit: “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:10).

Chosen

"For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14)

The word Chosen as used above is translated from the Greek word "Eklektos" which means to elect, select, or pick from among others. In Hebrew, it is translated "ecclesia," which means 'the called out ones; the ones that have been sanctified and separated from the world unto God.' Thus, to say "You're The Chosen Of The Lord", means you're the elect of God; you've been selected for the glory-life; you've been picked of God to live the successful and victorious life in Christ. You've been separated from the common life to a life of glory, victory and success.

Chosen of God means you belong to the special class of God's cream of the crop, separated from the world and its attendant evil, peril and decay unto the glorious life of liberty, prosperity, peace, progress and joy. It means to be sanctified from the common life and separated unto glory, wholly set apart for God's divine use, as a matter of divine choice. It means a separation unto the higher life-the transcendent life, different from the life of the world.

This is the same meaning the word conveys in 1 Peter 2:9: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light."

Clean

"Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you" (John 15:3).

The word "clean" is translated from the Greek "katharos" which means "clear" "clean" or "pure." The context in which it is used in the scripture above means that the Word of God has cleansing, purifying and clarifying power. Thus, to be "cleansed through the Word," means to be purified by the Word. It means to be cleansed from guilt, fear, unbelief, sin and all unrighteousness through God's Word. Each time God's Word is received in faith it displaces unrighteousness from a man's heart, and replaces it with God's righteousness; it "purifies" and "clears" your heart of fear and unbelief, and replaces it with faith.

Compassion

“And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the Lord; for ye have compassion on me” (1 Samuel 23:21)

“And the Lord was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet” (2 Kings 13:23).

“Chamal” (1 Samuel 23:21) and “racham” (2 Kings 13:23) are two major Hebrew words in the Bible for compassion. The first means to have pity on someone while the second means to love with such intensity expressing a burning desire to change the state of the object of love. Its no compassion when there’s no corresponding desire to change the state or situation of the one for whom you have compassion.

Compassion means to be touched with the feeling of another’s infirmity and then moved to action; recognising the suffering of a person and identifying oneself with it to change the sufferings. It’s a quality born of love. Without love, one cannot be compassionate towards another. God demonstrated compassion when, out of love, He gave His Son, Jesus to die for the sins of the world. His compassion for us motivated Him to action.

Also, Jesus reached out to sick folks because He felt what they felt and was concerned about their state. That love and compassion moved Him to heal all who were sick and oppressed of the devil, and He still expresses the same compassion today.

Disciples

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35).

Translated "mathetes" from the Greek, the word "disciple" denotes a student, or pupil; one who is raised to have the character of his master. It means more than being a follower, because the description of the Christian as a disciple of Jesus Christ is not just that of followers but of ambassadors and representatives of Jesus Christ.

Therefore, in the context of the scripture above, Jesus meant that the way for men to recognize that you are His true disciple-His full icon and representative; one that has His nature and character is by walking in love towards others.

Another variant of the word "disciple" in Greek is "matheteuo," and it's used in Matthew 28:19 where Jesus said "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." The phrase "teach all nations" means to make disciples of the nations; to make students or pupils of the nations; to show them how to live the triumphant and transcendent life in Christ.

Effectual

.The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).

In the New Testament, there are several Greek words translated effectual and they are "energeia" which means efficiency, operational, and strong, "energes" which means active, operative and powerful, and "energeo" which means to be mighty in something. An in-depth study of the three words reveal that they mean the same thing. The word translated effectual in the above scripture is "energeo" which means mighty and full of potency.

In line with James 5:16, the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much, meaning it's mighty, active, operative, powerful and full of potency. This is underscored by the fact that this prayer comes from the depth of one's spirit, with the burning passion to see the desired results.

Fellowship

…truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).

“Fellowship” means a partnership, friendship, oneness, intercourse, togetherness, communion, participation and transportation. It refers to a state of being with someone or enjoying a great level of companionship. It’s a high level of interaction and communication where two or more hitherto different beings become one or stand together in unity and purpose or form an alliance.

Thus, in line with the scripture above, we have been called to enjoy an impossible-to-break fellowship with God through his Word and the Holy Spirit. Our fellowship with God is not based on what we did right or wrong but on the understanding of His Word and our consciousness of our oneness with Him. This fellowship is never broken because we’ve become one divine creation with Him—an indivisible entity.

Forgive

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him" (Luke 17:3-4).

One of the prominent Greek words translated "forgive" is "Aphiemi" which means to forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let go, omit, remit, put away or yield up something. It means to lay aside or let go unconditionally of any harm or offence done you by people you deal with. This is the context in which the word is used in the scripture above. Thus, you're to let go or lay aside unconditionally any harm or offence done to you by others. You're to put away, yield up, remit and omit the wrong doings of others.

This is the same idea conveyed by another Greek word "charizomai," translated "forgive" which is used only in the epistles. It means to gratuitously grant as a favour, to pardon as an act of kindness, to give or grant freely and frankly. Hence, walking in love means you make the conscious and categorical choice to forsake, lay aside, leave, let go, omit, remit, put away, or frankly and gratuitously pardon the wrongs done to you by others. It makes no difference the extent of hatred, animosity and the frequency with which people may hurt, misjudge, or mistreat you, you're obligated to forgive them-overlook and unconditionally put away, pardon or lay aside their wrong doing.

Fullness

Ephesians 3:19: "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

The word "fullness" as used above is from the Greek word "PLEROMA" and it refers to completeness; the maximum capacity required! It refers to a situation were everything required to make a maximum load is present in its totality. For example, if a ship were supposed to have a maximum capacity of cargo it could carry, the moment that weight is reached, with every piece of cargo that ought to be on board, then you say the ship has reached its maximum load; that's what "pleroma" signifies.

So to be filled with the fullness of God means to be filled with the totality of God's personality; it means the totality of His being is tabernacled in you.

Grounded

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Ephesians 3:17-19).

The Greek word translated "grounded" above is "themelioo," which means to lay a basis for; to erect, to consolidate or lay the foundation for something; another synonym is the word 'settled.' Thus to be grounded in love means to be established, consolidated and settled in your love-walk; to lay a solid foundation for love as it were.

Thus, to be stabilized and grounded in love is the prerequisite to comprehending the dimensions of God's love: the breadth, length, depth, and height of the Father's love. Comprehending the dimensions of God's love- the width or coverage, the extent or limit, the intensity and the loftiness will cause you to be filled with the fullness of God.

Heir

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:29).

An heir is a person who is entitled by law or by the terms of a will to inherit the estate of another. The Greek word translated heirs in our study is “kleronomos,” which means a sharer by lot, an inheritor, one who gets something by appointment or a possessor. An heir is also described as someone who inherits a title or an office. He’s a legatee, a beneficiary or a recipient of an estate.

So in the context of our study, we’re the legatees, beneficiaries, possessors and equal partakers of God’s blessings promised to Abraham. This is best understood when viewed in line with our genealogical nexus with Abraham the father of faith to whom God willed the whole world: “And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29). By virtue of us being Abraham’s seed we became the inheritors—heirs and ultimately possessors of the whole world which God willed to Abraham.

Incorruptible

"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Peter 1:23).

For something to be incorruptible means it doesn’t have the ability or potentiality to be corrupted, defiled, depraved, or tainted by both internal and external factors, materials and circumstances. It means such a thing is free from error or corruption. The Greek word is “aphthartos” and it means immortal or undecaying in nature and character. Thus in the scripture above, it describes the imperishable and impossible-to-corrupt nature or stock we’re born of—God’s Word. God is eternal, unblemished and incorruptible and so is His Word and whatsoever is born of the Word. Thus as Christians, we have the incorruptible, imperishable and eternal life of the Word, having been born of the Word.

Life

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son (1 John 5:11).

The Greek word for "life" is Zoë; it means the God-life, or the God-kind of life! This is the essence of divinity, the very life in God. The same meaning of the word "life" is conveyed in the words of Jesus in John 5:26: "For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself" and John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Thus, "everlasting life" or "eternal life" doesn't refer to life that goes on endlessly; it means the life of God; the essence and quality of divinity! To say God has given you eternal life means that your human life became supplanted with the life and nature of God the very minute you received Jesus as Lord and saviour of your life. God wants you to be conscious that you have Zoë in you, and take advantage of it.

Love

The Greek language has several words translated into English as "LOVE." So, when you see the word "love" in scripture you need to know what kind of love that part of scripture is referring to. In the New Testament there are two particular words that you would find most frequently used and they are "PHILEO" and "AGAPE." Though used interchangeably many times, there are some peculiar qualities that distinguish them, especially in their usage.

"PHILEO" is love for your friends, your brothers and those who are close to you. It's the kind of love that esteem others and has personal affection for them, but not necessarily to the point of being devoted to them.

"AGAPE" on the other hand is unconditional, self-giving love that is fully devoted to the object of that love. This is why God is described as being "AGAPE" and not "PHILEO." "Agape" is a higher kind of love than "phileo." As Christians "agape" is what flows from our hearts to God and not "PHILEO."

For a classic example of both words used in the Bible, read the discussion between the Lord Jesus and Simon Peter in John 21, when Jesus asked "Simon Peter, do you love me?" He used the word "agape," in other words, He was asking, "Simon, do you agape me? Are you personally devoted to me?" Interestingly, when Simon Peter replied, he used the word "phileo" and not "agape"; he said, "Lord, you know I phileo you," in other words, "I like you." This is why Jesus asked him twice and both times, Simon Peter used the word "phileo" and not "AGAPE" to describe his love for Jesus.

The last time Jesus asked Him the question, the Master used the word "phileo" and not "agape" and this is what grieved Peter. A lot of people think that Peter was grieved because Jesus asked him the question three times, but that wasn't the point. It was because Jesus used the word "phileo" which Peter had himself used twice already. In Peter's mind, he had already told Jesus he esteemed him affectionately twice before, so why was Jesus asking him if he esteemed Him? At the time, Peter hadn't come to understand that what Jesus demanded from him was "agape" and not "phileo." To know more about the attributes of "agape" do a study of 1 Corinthians chapter 13.

Joint heirs

Romans 8:17: "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." means to have equal rights of ownership; to be equal participants or fellow heirs of an inheritance. In some Bible versions "co-heirs" is used instead of joint-heirs in Romans 8:17. But that's the wrong rendering. In the original Greek text, the word for "joint-heirs" is "Sugkleronomos" which means participant in common; fellow heir; heir together or heir with."

"Heirs Of The Sovereign" it means equal heirs with Christ. Everything that belongs to Him belongs to us; we have equal rights of ownership. In terms of percentages we both have 100% ownership. But in the case of co-heirs, the division of property, for example among a man's surviving children is done according to percentages such as 60-40%, 70-30%, 55-45% etc.

But for joint-heirs, the property belongs to them equally, 100%; they are equal owners; they are equal participants or fellow heirs of the inheritance as it were. Neither can sign for it without the other. That's the kind of relationship that exists between Jesus and the Church; we are heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ.

Joy

". Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:" (1 Peter 1:7-8).

"Joy" in the scripture above is from the Greek word "Chara" which means calm delight or gladness. It also means vivid pleasure arising from a sense of well-being or satisfaction; exultation; gladness, or pleasure. Thus, "joy unspeakable" is the expression of delight beyond what words could caption. It means joy indescribable.

This underscores the irrefutable fact that God has given you joy that is independent of circumstances. His utmost desire is for His joy to be in you twenty-four hours a day, irrespective of the circumstances you face. This joy flows from your spirit and rubs off on everything else around you. That's what the Bible describes as joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8). The way to activate the joy of the Lord in you is by declaring faith-filled words.

Kindness

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;" (Colossians 3:12)

Three words are translated "kindness" in the New Testament, they are: "philanthropia," "chrestotes" and "philadelphia." "Philanthropia" means fondness, benevolence, kindness, or love towards man. That's where the English word "philanthropy" is derived. "Chrestotes" refers to moral excellence-in character or deportment; gentleness, goodness and kindness; while "philadelphia" refers to fraternal affection; brotherly kindness, or love for one's brethren.

However, in the scripture above, the word used for kindness is "chrestotes," meaning that as the elect of God, holy and beloved, God wants you to have moral excellence-in character, and in your general way of life. He wants you to always express gentleness, kindness, and goodness. This is akin to the meaning of the word "kind" in 1 Corinthians 13:4: "Charity suffereth long, and is kind.." Here, the Greek word for "kind" is "chresteuomai," and it means to act benevolently, to show kindness or express goodness.

Thus, to say "Love Is Gentle And Kind" means that love acts benevolently and expresses unfettered kindness, gentleness and fondness towards others. It means to be loving, affectionate, benevolent, and give to others even when they aren't giving back to you. It means to be gracious, generous thoughtful and caring to other people in a way that no one but God can repay.

Meditate

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night" (Joshua 1:8).

The word "meditate" as used in the scripture above is translated from the Hebrew "Hagar"-meaning to imagine, ruminate, mutter, talk and roar. This means you take a Scripture, think it over and over in your mind, and mutter it to yourself continuously.

Finally, when the truth of that Scripture dawns on your spirit, you "roar" or shout it out loud to drown every other voice. "Take time today to meditate on the fact that you're a divine package of blessing." Therefore, think it, say it and shout it!

Ordained

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you”(John 15:16).

In general religious use, to be “ordained” means to be consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rights and ceremonies. However, the Greek word “tithemi” which was translated “ordained,” indicate some striking synonyms in their present tenses which can be used for ordained. These are: make, settle, appoint and set forth by a divine authority.

Thus, to be “ordained” means to be settled or established by a divine order, decree or law; to be vested with priestly authority or to confer divine orders on a person by a superior authority. It means to prearrange unalterably; predestine, hallow and consecrate.

The opening scripture underscores the undeniable truth that Christ has established, consecrated and appointed us for a fruitful life, where lack and unproductiveness is alien and unacceptable.

Partaker

There’re two Greek words used in the New Testament for “partaker,” and both words convey the same meaning. The first is “meris,” which means a participator (participant) or someone who shares a quality with others. The other is “koinonos,” which means a sharer, an associate, a companion and a partner. A “partaker” therefore means someone who has a portion of, or has a part in; he shares, participates, enjoys and benefits from or have the same qualities, attributes, nature, or character with the one with whom he is a partaker.

A “partaker” experiences or possesses the same rights along with another, as it were. The remarkable thing about a “partaker” is the “active” nature of the associate-ship or participation, the existence of a right of equal ownership, the legality of the claim and the existence of a relationship between the participator and the other holders of the object of co-ownership.

Bringing this home to the scripture above, God has qualified us to be participators or sharers of the inheritance of the saints in light. He has qualified us not only to benefit from every blessing He has made available for the saints, but to be sharers of divinity: “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:4).

Patience

Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude." (1 Corinthians 13:4 CEV).

The word "Patient" as used in the scripture above is from the Greek word "makrothumeo," which means forbearing, to bear long, to have long-tolerance or staying power, or longsuffering; to unwearyingly endure. It parallels the Greek words "hupomone" which means to persevere, have fortitude, abide, or endure, to uncomplainingly put up with something despite the trials.

Thus, love-agape is unswerving or undeterred irrespective of trials, temptations or challenges. It has staying power, long tolerance and stick-ability. It means to endure, persevere and never give up in your love-walk; you remain constant and unswerving when your love is tested and tried; you stick till the very end, despite staggering oppositions! Love holds on in spite of the pressure the devil, circumstances or even your mind may pile against you.

Peace

The word "peace" in scriptures has both Greek and Hebrew connotations. The Hebrew origin of the word is shalom, which occurs in the Old Testament. It means safe, well, happy, friendly, etc. It also refers to a state of wellbeing that guarantees divine health and prosperity-the peace of God that brings prosperity.

The Greek rendering is "eirene"; it's a word that describes an end to hostilities between two hitherto warring enemies. It means to be set at one again; it also depicts peace with quietness and prosperity. What this implies is that through Christ Jesus, you've been set at one with God; you've come home in God! His death brokered a peace-accord between you and God, bringing about a "ceasefire" as it were.

Power

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Literally, “power” means the possession of controlling influence, superiority or authority. But “power” as used in the scripture above is DUNAMIS in the greek- meaning divine energy, might, strength for wonderful works, efficiency, or miracle-working ability. It means inherent dynamic ability to cause changes. This power is what the believer receives when the Holy Spirit comes upon him.

So, in line with 2 Timothy 1:7 which says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind,” God has given us dominion, superiority, might, strength for wonderful works, efficiency, miracle-working ability and supernatural energy! Thus we ought never to be afraid of the devil. We have power—the dynamic ability to bring about any positive change that we desire, and keep the devil on the run. The power we wield as Christians is a unique blend of supernatural ability and spiritual force that transcends physical might, energy or strength. It’s inherent power!

Pray

“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder” (Matthew 26:36).

In the New Testament, several Greek words like “proseuchomai,” “deomai,” “parakaleo,” “erotao,” and “euchomai” are translated “pray” and some of them have a very thin line of variation in respect to their meanings from the others. However, “pray” in this study is “Proseuchomai” which means to petition, supplicate, entreat, or implore. It’s an "active” spiritual exercise engaged in with earnestness, intensity, reverence, purpose and expectation.

It also connotes an act of worship made to a superior authority and one who has the ability to bring to pass the subject of the petition. Thus to pray or praying isn’t something to be done with a beggarly, indifferent or irreverent attitude but in reverence and with earnest and intense determination to get results.

Prosper

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (3 John 1:2).

The word "prosper" in the scripture above means to excel, succeed and do well in the totality of your being-spirit, soul, and body. This is not just about money, riches and other material wealth. It's about total well-being. It means having the blessing of God on your life such that you're able to impart the same life to someone else. It means the manifestation of God's grace upon your life which causes everything that concerns you to succeed exceedingly; to enjoy prosperity that comes with riches, wealth, happiness, peace and fulfilment.

Thus, the reason God wants you to prosper is for the furtherance of the gospel! Meaning He wants everything that concerns you to succeed exceedingly; He wants you to experience abundant riches, wealth, happiness, peace and fulfillment-for the furtherance of the gospel!

Purpose

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his “purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Purpose is the intent, rationale, reason, thought or idea behind an action, expression, design or creation. The Greek word translated purpose in our study is prosthesis and it means the intention behind something or an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides planned actions.

Bringing this home to our study, we understand that we are created according to God’s purpose. That is God has a definite intent, reason, and determination for creating us. God has a definite purpose for bringing us here; there’s a rationale behind our presence here on earth, and this we can find out from His Word. The scripture in our study then lets us know that all things work together for good to those who are called according to this definite plan or rationale behind our presence here.

Richly

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord (Colossians 3:16).

Literally, "richly" means to be fully and abundantly supplied; to make extravagantly available; to supply lavishly in full measure without any sense of lack; to posses in great and extravagant measure. Other synonyms of the word are abundantly, copiously and excessive. It is used to describe a state or degree of possession of something of value.

Consequently, letting the Word dwell in you 'richly' means to be extravagantly and copiously inundated with God's Word in such a great measure that your communication, thoughts, actions and attitude only reflect the Word. For example, a person who has an abundant or superfluous supply of precious stones can't talk poverty. In the same way, when you posses God's Word at such a lavish and extravagant measure, fear, defeat, failure and anything that's inconsistent with the Word can't function or find place in you.

Righteousness

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Translated from the Greek word "dikaiosune" which means the character or act of justification from wrongdoing, righteousness is the nature of God that is imparted to your human spirit at the new birth, which gives you the ability to stand boldly in God's presence without a sense of guilt, inferiority or condemnation. Righteousness is the divine nature of God that produces in you the ability to do right. Righteousness is however, different from 'right living.' 'Right living' is the product of righteousness. No man could live right until he's first of all righteous. This is the reason God gave you righteousness as a gift (Romans 5:17 AMP).

Thus, "Christ Is Your Righteousness," you've obtained the righteousness of Christ because God made Him (Jesus) to become righteousness for you. Subsequently, you've become the expression of God's righteousness by virtue of the substitution made by Christ.

Saints

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19).

The Greek word for "saint" is hagios, and it means sacred, consecrated, holy and pure. It also means "holy one" and is used to describe the faithful adherent of Christianity. The import of this is that saints are not merely those who have died and gone to heaven, but those who are separated by God, purified, sanctified and made holy by Him, and that includes all God's children in the earth in Christ, and all those who have gone to be with the Lord.

Scripturally speaking, "saints" means holy or consecrated ones. Therefore, as a saint of God, you're holy and consecrated unto the Lord; you're set apart for God's glory unto His divine use. You're His holy child (Hebrews 3:1).

Salvation

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16)

"Salvation" is translated from three Hebrew words in the Old Testament: "yasha", "yeshuw`ah" and "teshuw`ah" and they all connote victory, deliverance, prosperity, help, health, peace, safety and preservation. The same meaning is conveyed by the Greek rendering of the word in the New Testament which is "soteria." It's an all-encompassing word that describes the totality of the glorious benefits that the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ made accruable to the believer: divine health, peace, prosperity, success, preservation, and everything that's consistent with the glory-life. It refers to the good life in Christ!

Thus in the context of the scripture above, the gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God to catapult you into prosperity, deliverance, preservation, success, safety, peace and divine health.

Sanctification

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

The word “sanctification” refers to the act or process of making holy or setting apart unto God for His eternal purpose or divine use. It also means purification, the act of making holy or sacred. It’s a once-for-ever separation, eternally unto God and an intricate part of our salvation, our connection with Christ.

“Sanctification” comes from the verb sanctify which originates from the Greek word hagiazo, which means to be "separated" or to be "set apart." In scriptures, sanctification generally relates to a sovereign act of God whereby He "sets apart" a person, place, or thing for His divine purposes. From the man-ward side, it describes the practical experience of wholesome separation unto God, being the effect of obedience to the Word of God in one’s life.

Servant

“… Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26-27).

A servant is a steward, an attendant; one who serves or runs errands for others. It derives from the Greek word “diakonos” which is akin to the word ‘minister.’ A servant is one who works for the benefit of another person or group. He is one who performs selfless acts, duties or sacrifices for the purpose of promoting a cause.

In line with the scripture above, rendering service—selfless service towards others is the key to greatness! We’ve been called to service; both of God and of mankind. So it must be our goal to render quality service; we must be good and worthy stewards of Christ everywhere we are.

Sufficient

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:" (2 Corinthians 9:8).

The Greek word for "sufficiency" is "auterkeia" from which we get the English word "autarchy" which is "an economic system of self sufficiency, and economic independence as a national policy." As it appears in the scripture above, it means self-sustaining prosperity; self-satisfaction and contentedness.

"Auterkeia" or "sufficiency" means you don't need help or supply from anywhere; you're self-sufficient and independent. The word connotes self-sustainability or self-sustaining power. It means to have the ability to live completely independent of circumstances. That means to live independent of the economy-to live above inflation; it means having everything you require to live the God-life.

However, this is different from the way the Word is used in 2 Corinthians 3:5: "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God." Here, the Greek word is "hikanotes" and it means ability; God's ability. Thus, to say "our sufficiency is of God" means our ability is supernatural and unlimited, because it comes from God.

Temperance

2 Peter 1:5-6: "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness"

The word "temperance" is translated from the Greek word "EGKRATEIA," which means "the ability to hold yourself in." It's the virtue of someone who masters his body, passions and desires from the inside. It's akin to the phrase "self-control"; which is the ability to say "yes" to the right things, and "no" to whatever is not consistent with the godly life.

Jesus showed us the perfect example of self-control-" EGKRATEIA," in spite of how badly He was treated the Bible says "He never answered back when insulted; when he suffered he did not threaten to get even." (1 Peter 2:23 TLB). Now you can understand why He said to us ".do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who ill-treat you. (Luke 6:27-29)

"EKGRATEIA" or self-control is more than just choosing the good over the bad; it's also about making choices for the best. For example, making the choice to study your Bible rather than watch the late-night movie is exercising self-control. Cutting down on your sleep-time so you can wake up early to pray is also exercising "egkrateia". It means 'holding yourself in from within'; not allowing yourself spiral out of control.

Walk

"...I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people...." (2 Corinthians 6:16)

The term "Walk" is from the Greek word "Emperipateo." Though it's one of the words translated into English as "walk" it actually means "to perambulate." To perambulate means "to walk through" or "to make an official inspection of (a boundary)." Thus it means to go up and down an area in a supervisory way, just like an official who is assigned to a border keeps moving up and down, checking the bounds to maintain the integrity of the borders. If he discovers a problem, he quickly fixes it.

Thus, when God said in 2 Corinthians 6:16, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them," He meant that He would perambulate in us. The border is our bodies and His reason for perambulating in our bodies is to ensure that nothing alien breaks in, and if there's any problem He quickly fixes or renews it as required.

BOOKLET

Why you must go to Church

Meaning of some words

Armour

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11)

Believe

"We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak" (2 Corinthians 4:13).

Chosen

"For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14)

Clean

"Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you" (John 15:3).

Compassion

“And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the Lord; for ye have compassion on me” (1 Samuel 23:21)

Disciples

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35).

Effectual

.The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).

Fellowship

…truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).

Forgive

Fullness

Ephesians 3:19: "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

So to be filled with the fullness of God means to be filled with the totality of God's personality; it means the totality of His being is tabernacled in you.

Grounded

Heir

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:29).

Incorruptible

"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Peter 1:23).

Life

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son (1 John 5:11).

Love

Joint heirs

Joy

". Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:" (1 Peter 1:7-8).

Kindness

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;" (Colossians 3:12)

Meditate

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night" (Joshua 1:8).

Ordained

The opening scripture underscores the undeniable truth that Christ has established, consecrated and appointed us for a fruitful life, where lack and unproductiveness is alien and unacceptable.

Partaker

Patience

Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude." (1 Corinthians 13:4 CEV).

Peace

Power

Pray

“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder” (Matthew 26:36).

Prosper

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (3 John 1:2).

Purpose

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his “purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Richly

Righteousness

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Saints

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19).

Salvation

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16)

Thus in the context of the scripture above, the gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God to catapult you into prosperity, deliverance, preservation, success, safety, peace and divine health.

Sanctification

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Servant

“… Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26-27).

Sufficient

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:" (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Temperance

2 Peter 1:5-6: "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness"

Walk

"...I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people...." (2 Corinthians 6:16)

BOOKLET

Why you must go to Church

Meaning of some words

Armour

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11)

Believe

"We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak" (2 Corinthians 4:13).

Chosen

"For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14)

Clean

"Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you" (John 15:3).

Compassion

“And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the Lord; for ye have compassion on me” (1 Samuel 23:21)

Disciples

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35).

Effectual

.The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).

Fellowship

…truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).

Forgive

Fullness

Ephesians 3:19: "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

So to be filled with the fullness of God means to be filled with the totality of God's personality; it means the totality of His being is tabernacled in you.

Grounded

Heir

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:29).

Incorruptible

"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Peter 1:23).

Life

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son (1 John 5:11).

Love

Joint heirs

Joy

". Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:" (1 Peter 1:7-8).

Kindness

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;" (Colossians 3:12)

Meditate

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night" (Joshua 1:8).

Ordained

The opening scripture underscores the undeniable truth that Christ has established, consecrated and appointed us for a fruitful life, where lack and unproductiveness is alien and unacceptable.

Partaker

Patience

Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude." (1 Corinthians 13:4 CEV).

Peace

Power

Pray

“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder” (Matthew 26:36).

Prosper

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (3 John 1:2).

Purpose

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his “purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Richly

Righteousness

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Saints

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19).

Salvation

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16)

Thus in the context of the scripture above, the gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God to catapult you into prosperity, deliverance, preservation, success, safety, peace and divine health.

Sanctification

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Servant

“… Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26-27).

Sufficient

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:" (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Temperance

2 Peter 1:5-6: "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness"

Walk

"...I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people...." (2 Corinthians 6:16)

BOOKLET

Why you must go to Church

Meaning of some words

Armour

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11)

Believe

"We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak" (2 Corinthians 4:13).

Chosen

"For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14)

Clean

"Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you" (John 15:3).

Compassion

“And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the Lord; for ye have compassion on me” (1 Samuel 23:21)

Disciples

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35).

Effectual

.The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).

Fellowship

…truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).

Forgive

Fullness

Ephesians 3:19: "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

So to be filled with the fullness of God means to be filled with the totality of God's personality; it means the totality of His being is tabernacled in you.

Grounded

Heir

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:29).

Incorruptible

"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Peter 1:23).

Life

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son (1 John 5:11).

Love

Joint heirs

Joy

". Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:" (1 Peter 1:7-8).

Kindness

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;" (Colossians 3:12)

Meditate

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night" (Joshua 1:8).

Ordained

The opening scripture underscores the undeniable truth that Christ has established, consecrated and appointed us for a fruitful life, where lack and unproductiveness is alien and unacceptable.

Partaker

Patience

Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude." (1 Corinthians 13:4 CEV).

Peace

Power

Pray

“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder” (Matthew 26:36).

Prosper

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (3 John 1:2).

Purpose

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his “purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Richly

Righteousness

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Saints

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19).

Salvation

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16)

Thus in the context of the scripture above, the gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God to catapult you into prosperity, deliverance, preservation, success, safety, peace and divine health.

Sanctification

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Servant

“… Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26-27).

Sufficient

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:" (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Temperance

2 Peter 1:5-6: "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness"

Walk

"...I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people...." (2 Corinthians 6:16)

BOOKLET

Why you must go to Church

Meaning of some words

Armour

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11)

Believe

"We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak" (2 Corinthians 4:13).

Chosen

"For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14)

Clean

"Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you" (John 15:3).

Compassion

“And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the Lord; for ye have compassion on me” (1 Samuel 23:21)

Disciples

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35).

Effectual

.The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).

Fellowship

…truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).

Forgive

Fullness

Ephesians 3:19: "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

So to be filled with the fullness of God means to be filled with the totality of God's personality; it means the totality of His being is tabernacled in you.

Grounded

Heir

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:29).

Incorruptible

"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Peter 1:23).

Life

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son (1 John 5:11).

Love

Joint heirs

Joy

". Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:" (1 Peter 1:7-8).

Kindness

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;" (Colossians 3:12)

Meditate

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night" (Joshua 1:8).

Ordained

The opening scripture underscores the undeniable truth that Christ has established, consecrated and appointed us for a fruitful life, where lack and unproductiveness is alien and unacceptable.

Partaker

Patience

Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude." (1 Corinthians 13:4 CEV).

Peace

Power

Pray

“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder” (Matthew 26:36).

Prosper

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (3 John 1:2).

Purpose

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his “purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Richly

Righteousness

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Saints

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19).

Salvation

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16)

Thus in the context of the scripture above, the gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God to catapult you into prosperity, deliverance, preservation, success, safety, peace and divine health.

Sanctification

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Servant

“… Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26-27).

Sufficient

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:" (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Temperance

2 Peter 1:5-6: "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness"

Walk

"...I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people...." (2 Corinthians 6:16)

BOOKLET

Why you must go to Church

Meaning of some words

Armour

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11)

Believe

"We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak" (2 Corinthians 4:13).

Chosen

"For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14)

Clean

"Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you" (John 15:3).

Compassion

“And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the Lord; for ye have compassion on me” (1 Samuel 23:21)

Disciples

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35).

Effectual

.The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).

Fellowship

…truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).

Forgive

Fullness

Ephesians 3:19: "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

So to be filled with the fullness of God means to be filled with the totality of God's personality; it means the totality of His being is tabernacled in you.

Grounded

Heir

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:29).

Incorruptible

"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Peter 1:23).

Life

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son (1 John 5:11).

Love

Joint heirs

Joy

". Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:" (1 Peter 1:7-8).

Kindness

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;" (Colossians 3:12)

Meditate

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night" (Joshua 1:8).

Ordained

The opening scripture underscores the undeniable truth that Christ has established, consecrated and appointed us for a fruitful life, where lack and unproductiveness is alien and unacceptable.

Partaker

Patience

Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude." (1 Corinthians 13:4 CEV).

Peace

Power

Pray

“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder” (Matthew 26:36).

Prosper

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (3 John 1:2).

Purpose

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his “purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Richly

Righteousness

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Saints

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19).

Salvation

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16)

Thus in the context of the scripture above, the gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God to catapult you into prosperity, deliverance, preservation, success, safety, peace and divine health.

Sanctification

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Servant

“… Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26-27).

Sufficient

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:" (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Temperance

2 Peter 1:5-6: "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness"

Walk

"...I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people...." (2 Corinthians 6:16)

BOOKLET

Why you must go to Church

Meaning of some words

Armour

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11)

Believe

"We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak" (2 Corinthians 4:13).

Chosen

"For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14)

Clean

"Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you" (John 15:3).

Compassion

“And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the Lord; for ye have compassion on me” (1 Samuel 23:21)

Disciples

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35).

Effectual

.The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).

Fellowship

…truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).

Forgive

Fullness

Ephesians 3:19: "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

So to be filled with the fullness of God means to be filled with the totality of God's personality; it means the totality of His being is tabernacled in you.

Grounded

Heir

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:29).

Incorruptible

"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Peter 1:23).

Life

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son (1 John 5:11).

Love

Joint heirs

Joy

". Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:" (1 Peter 1:7-8).

Kindness

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;" (Colossians 3:12)

Meditate

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night" (Joshua 1:8).

Ordained

The opening scripture underscores the undeniable truth that Christ has established, consecrated and appointed us for a fruitful life, where lack and unproductiveness is alien and unacceptable.

Partaker

Patience

Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude." (1 Corinthians 13:4 CEV).

Peace

Power

Pray

“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder” (Matthew 26:36).

Prosper

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (3 John 1:2).

Purpose

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his “purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Richly

Righteousness

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Saints

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19).

Salvation

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16)

Thus in the context of the scripture above, the gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God to catapult you into prosperity, deliverance, preservation, success, safety, peace and divine health.

Sanctification

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Servant

“… Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26-27).

Sufficient

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:" (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Temperance

2 Peter 1:5-6: "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness"

Walk

"...I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people...." (2 Corinthians 6:16)

Thursday, June 10, 2010

CHURCH ADDRESS

C.M.MBEWE

BOOKLET