UNVEILING THE MYSTERY OF FAITH

God is a God of possibility! With Him, there is nothing impossible, and as God’s children, we are also ordained for possibility -Luke1:37, Mark14:36, Luke18:37, Jer32:17. Through the miracle of regeneration by the Holy Spirit we have been made one God- John1:12, 3:6, 4:24, John10:30.

The key to a world of possibility is “faith.”

Examples from Scripture

1.The Healing of the demon possessed man in Mk9:18,19; , Heb11:11

2.The miraculous conception of Sarah in Genesis 18:19. Sarah through faith and hospitality receive strength to conceive.

3.The healing of the woman with the issue of blood in Mk5:25-34

4.The healing of the two blind men in Matt9:26-30

WHAT IS FAITH?

Faith is not a principle or a strategy; it is a spiritual force

“My message and preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the spirit’s power so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power”. 1Cor2:4-5.

Faith is being fully persuaded of the truth, the circumstances not withstanding, until the truth triumph. Through faith Abraham obtained the promised of God -Rom4:17-21

HOW DOES FAITH COME?

Faith comes by hearing from God. There is difference between information and revelation. Information is what our senses tell us while revelation is directly related to God. It is revelation that produces faith and not information. Contrary to prevailing situation, Abraham heard God and through hearing God he receives faith.-Rom4:17-21. Paul overcame all challenges through faith. Acts27:22-38

The ever winning faith comes by hearing from God.

WHAT FAITH DOES

1.Faith pleases God.- Heb11:6

2.Faith guarantees answers to prayer –Mark11:24, Jam1:5-8

3.Faith overcomes – 1John5:4, Eph6:16

4.Faith guarantees performance – Lk1:45

5.Faith command signs and wonders – Mk16:17,18

ENGAGING THE MYSTERY OF TITHING

Covenant is a solemn agreement binding on all parties involved. This is an agreement between God and His people whereby God has promised blessings when the people key into it.

FEATURES OF THE COVENANT

1.      It is a place to make us …………………

2.      To exempt us from calamities, hardship and torment that those who are not in the promise suffer.

3.      To prove that God is fully committed to whatever He has promised. No child of God can have access without submitting to the law of tithing. Job22:21-27. Without the tithe, nothing shall come forth. Prov.3:9-10

WHAT IS TITHE?

It is simply ten percent of our increase or income. Deut.14:22, Matt.23:23. It is God’s covenant portion that opens all the avenues of supernatural blessings to us. Mal.3:10.

It is a spiritual transaction for provoking spiritual blessings. When we pay our tithe, the Lord receives it, not the Pastor or the Church. Heb.7:7. Tithing is the master key to financial blessings. For example, Abraham gave tithe of his increase to Melchizedek (meaning my king of righteousness) which also refers to the personality of Christ. This event changed the identity of Abraham henceforth.

God is interested in giving our tithe from our hearts, not just out of obligation or for record purposes. Gen.28:22. Abraham passed on the tithing culture unto his generation. We cannot enjoy the Abrahamic blessings without following his steps. Isa.51:1-3.

HOW DO WE TREAT OUR TITHE?

1.      We must make sure it is set aside and present it reverently; in an attitude of worship.

2.      It must be paid to the storehouse where we receive spiritual nourishment. Deut.12:4-6.

3.      It must be given joyfully, not grudgingly.

4.      It must be given in faith. Heb.11:4-6

THINGS TO RECOGNISE

1.      Tithe is not a financial donation to help God or the Church. Isa.66:1-3.

2.      Our Covenant fathers were tithers. Gen.14, 28

3.      The tithe is not your own in the first place. Mal.3:8

BENEFITS OF TITHING

1.      Tithing averts all curses. Mal.3:11

2.      It stops wicked activities of devourer.

3.      It guarantees a debt –free life. Mal.3:10, Ps.112:1-3, Ps.37:33

4.      It provokes access to divine ideas. Gen30:40-45

5.      It guarantees long life. Gen. 25:7

NOTE: Though, tithing is the arrowhead to supernatural blessings, you should not stop other givings.

YOU MUST WORK

We must understand that God wants us to work. After God created man, He gave him work to do in the Garden of Eden. Gen.2:15. Man’s responsibility was to dress and keep the garden. Work is a gift of God which has three major impacts in life:

1.       Work is a gift of God to you personally because it enables you to discover and use your dormant abilities.

2.       Work is a gift of God to your family because it serves as a means of income to your family. If you will not work, you will not be paid and your family will not benefit.

3.       Work is a means of benefit to others around you. The work you do meets someone’s need directly or indirectly.

Work is a commandment! It is what God has commanded man to do. 2Thess.3:10. When you are idle or not working, you are only being disobedient.

Examples from the Bible

• God worked, and on the seventh day, He rested. Gen.2:3
• Jesus said “..my father worked hitherto…and myself, I worked..” John 5:17
• The Holy Spirit in you is also working.
• The Patriarchs worked; Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Even, our father in the Lord, Bishop David Oyedepo works as a good example to us. You must work when you have the energy and strength. The night time is for men to sleep and relax; eating from the labour of their daytime. When you are young and you fail to work, you will definitely work when you are old. Lam.3:27. God is against idleness! Matt.20:1-8. (He hired workers at all hours). Even as a student, you can work and make money. Also, house wives can work and make extra income at home.

Work begins in your mind. When your mind is empty, your hand will be empty. (Neh.4:6). Engage your mind in productive thinking, and also engage your hands. There should be no vacuum in your life.

WHY MUST YOU WORK?

1. It is a commandment from God. 2Thess.3:10.
2. There is dignity in labour. Bishop Oyedepo said “It is your work that determines your worth.”
3. It guarantees good health. Eccl.10:18
4. It commands wealth or prosperity. Prov.10:4. God has nothing to bless if you don’t work. Ps.1:3. The prosperity of your work gives birth to your prosperity.
5. The sleep of a labouring man is sweet. Eccl.5:12. If you must sleep well, work hard in the day.

HOW TO SECURE A JOB

1. Destroy your pride. Pride is overestimation of yourself. Humble yourself to work. Prov.14:23, Eccl.9:10.
2. Don’t wait for job, create job. It is not a must that you work for somebody, you can establish yours. Remember, if you wait, you will waste! Matt.25:14
3. Be willing to start small. Rome was not built in a day. Start small and work on it. Zech4:10, Job8:7.
4. Vow not to be a burden. Don’t be a dependant or a parasite. Stop making yourself a welfare candidate. Learn to take responsibility for your life.
5. Leave your house, latest by 8a.m for work.