AUDIOS OF SUNDAY WORSHIP MESSAGES
SERMONS AND TEACHINGS FOR YOUR EDIFICATION, EXHORTATION AND SPIRITUAL COMFORT
Our Sunday audio messages can be accessed from here. These are messages and teachings recorded in the course of our weekly meetings. Each audio is preceded by a synopsis of the message.
We pray that the Holy Spirit will speak to you as you listen.
Understanding the Kingdom of God (1)
In this message we discuss the Kingdom of God from two parabies in Matthew 13:44-46. We note that the Kingdom of God is one to be Treasured above all else in the world; it is entered into by the grace of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; and, it brings tremendous joy to the inner being of all who have had the good fortune through the grace of God (which is freely given, even to the underserving) to enter therein. May the Lord grant us His grace to enter into His Kingdom, and remain therein regardless of the lure of the kingdoms of men and of Satam.
Understanding the Kingdom of God (2)
From the parable of the Kingdom of God in Matthew 13:44, we see that the Kingdom of God is like treasure hidden in a field. The merchant bought the field in order to obtain the Kingdom. According to Acts 14:22, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." Thus, the "many tribulations" is the field, which we must acquire in order to enter the Kingdom of God. Having the field is one thing, but gaining the treasure is another thing completely. In order to obtain diamond, gold, or oil, you must acquire the field within which they are, and then, dig or drill to access the mineral. Similarly, in order to possess the Kingdom of God, and just profess it, we must go through tribulations. The bible tells us in Romans 5:3-4, that the nature/character of Christ is manifested through tribulations which builds in us patience, and then character, and hope of eternal life, which can never fail! The question is, "Have you possessed the Kingdom of God?" "Have you gone through tribulations and overcome?"
Understanding the Kingdom of God (3)
Our focus is on the parable of the kingdom as related in Matthew 13:45-46. When we talk about the Kingdom of God, many people look to a geographical space, whereas, the Kingdom of God is about the reign, rule, or government of God taking charge of a life--leading, directing, guiding, guarding, protecting, etc. that life. This brings us to the relationship between the one seeking the Kingdom of God, and the Kingdom being sought. Many seek a kingdom, not knowing really they are seeking. The pearl which many seek in reality is Christ, the Governor of the Kingdom, and it is through Him that we obtain the things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:1-4). Have you found Christ? Have you found the governor among the nations? In Philippians 3:7-10, Paul talks about counting all things which he thought to be gain as dung, so that he could gain Christ. Is there anything that you price above Christ? Then, you need to arrive at the place where Christ is all you own--only then can you truly say you have obtained the Kingdom of God!
The Prescribed Manner of Praying: Our Father in Heaven
To enable us pray aright, the Lord Jesus gives us a pattern for praying. In giving us the pattern He sets forth our priority in praying, as well as the Person we pray to and the relationship we ought to have with the One we pray to.
The Prescribed Manner of Praying: Thy Will be Done on the Earth
Praying "Thy will be done ..." is warfare prayer, because, it is asking that our own will be crucified, that the will of the world be likewise overthrown, and that the will of the devil be completely eliminated from our lives and our gathering.
The Prescribed Manner of Praying: Thy Kingdom Come (2)
"Thy Kingdom Come" is additionally about the righteousness of God, the peace of God which passes human understanding, and the joy in the Holy Ghost, which is unspeakable (something which is best experienced).
The Prescribed Manner of Praying: Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread
"Give us this day, our daily bread" is a prayer of faith, and it connotes our recognition of God's ability and desire to provide us with what is needful and necessary for our existence and sustenance; be it physical, physiological, emotional, medical, economic, social, and spiritual. It is a prayer which simply means that we are not only to pray daily, but one that means that we are seeking the Lord Jesus in our lives everyday, as well.
The Prescribed Manner of Praying: And Forgive Us ... As We Forgive Others
"Give us this day our daily bread" is a prayer which is answered only when we have forgiven those who have offended us from our hearts; for the Lord said, "And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors". The word "And" is a conjunction or a connector, hence, it connects "Give us this day our daily bread" with "forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors". Thus, answers to prayers will be accomplished when we have forgiven those who have offended us, in the same manner as God has forgiven us--totally, unconditionally, and, forgetting the forgiven offense, and as many times as forgiveness is asked of us!
The Prescribed Manner of Praying: And Lead Us Not Into Temptation
"And lead us not into temptation" is a prayer which is part of "Give us this day our daily bread". It is a prayer that requires that we be immune from the desires which can be enticed into committing sin. Even if we pray "lead us not into temptation", temptation will come, because, the devil, the Tempter, is always looking to tempt us into falling and failing. Our prayer is that we would not fall into Satan's snare, as we crucify the flesh.
The Prescribed Manner of Praying: Lead Us Not ... But Deliver Us From Evil
We will not fall into temptation as long as we have dealt with the things within us that can be enticed by the devil--the flesh, and our desire for the things of the world. But if we do fall into temptation, we must repent and seek God's help and deliverance. Deliverance from evil also requires that we are sober, and vigilant, and that we resist the devil steadfastly.
The Prescribed Manner of Praying: The Doxology
The doxology is a very critical part of our praying, because it speaks of our faith in the God we are praying to; and, it speaks of our having received what we have asked for though we are yet to physically have it in our hands. The doxology also speaks of the fact that God owns all of what we ask for; the fact that God has the power to bring what we ask for to come to pass; the fact that all that we desire is really for God's glory; and the fact that God is there for ever--not temporarily, but eternally--hence, we know that no matter how long it may take, we shall obtain our request.
Guarantees When You Pray: Ask and It Will Be Given To You (1)
We have God's guarantee that when we pray we shall surely get answers to our prayers. This guarantee from God gives us assurance and emboldens us to pray. Having said that, it remains for us to be sure that the conditions which ensures that the guarantee of God will be our experience, are fulfilled. This is the first part of the conditions required to ensure that all that we ask for, we shall surely receive.
Guarantees When You Pray: Ask and It Will Be Given To You (2)
This is a continuation of last week's message with additional conditions that are essential so that God's guarantee to answer your prayers can really be effectual.
Guarantees When You Pray: Seek and You Will Find
"Seek and you will find" is a call to seek God first. What this means is that we should make God priority, primary, principal, and priceless in our hearts. When we seek God in this way, we come to realize that everything we desire that really fills the void in our lives are in God. So we can go to God for forgiveness, for favour, for our future, and for all the needs that are beneficial to our wellbeing here on earth, and in eternity, at the end of the Age or our stay on the earth. Let us therefore seek the face of God; not just His hands!
Guarantees When You Pray: Knock and It Will Be Opened To You
"knock and it will be opened to you" is not necessarily about you banging on a door; rather, it is about you touching the heart of God through persisting in faith in your asking, being obedient to God whether or not it is convenient, doing what is well pleasing to God, having a heart that is right before God as well as a mouth that is speaking right (there should be no hypocrisy). Also, ours is to "knock" the opening of the door is the Lord's. The Lord can even hand you the key, so that you can open and shut as He wills.