Bishop Prof. Julius O. Soyinka

The Stone Has Been Rolled Away Study Text: Mark 16:1 -  4 Introduction: The women went out early in the morning to go and beautify the tomb of Jesus, but suddenly remembered the great stone at the entrance which they are not capable of rolling away.  Therefore, they asked:  Who shall roll away the stone for us?  This is the same question that many of us would have asked if we were in a similar situation.  Who would help them roll away the stone? But then we read from scripture: Mark 16:4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. To their amazement, the stone had already been rolled away. With God, no obstacle, no hindrance, no limitation and no impossibility. Only we need to reach out with our faith in His Word and His Power. We shall be looking at   four stones Jesus rolled away with His resurrection from the dead: 1.  The Stone of Dominion of Sin 2.  The Stone of Distress of Sickness  3....

A Good Soldier of Christ  Study Text: 2 Timothy 2:1 - 4 Introduction: - Believers in Christ are in a spiritual warfare. The devil, the world, and the flesh are the real enemies confronting them. -  These spiritual enemies are out to destroy the testimony and effectiveness of the believer. The enemy will seek to take you out or make you to be in a bondage, and as a prisoner, you will be ineffective in warfare. -  Thus, we are called upon to be good soldiers of Christ, so that we can prepare for the battles with assurance of victory all the time. - So, every believer needs to recognize that he is a soldier, and must understand his identity, his responsibility and his authority. - We shall be discussing the topic under three subheadings: 1.  The Call to be a Good Soldier of Christ  2.  The Characteristics of a Good Soldier of Christ  3.  The Conquest of a Good Soldier of Christ  1.  The Call to be a Good Soldier of Christ  - How can we...

The Living among the Dead: A Portrait of a Manipulated Destiny  Study Text: John 11:32-44, Revelation 3:1 Introduction: Lazarus was not supposed to die, because Jesus said his sickness was not unto death, but his destiny was manipulated. He died, and was buried four days before the Lord could get there. His case was closed by the enemy and the purpose of God for his life was terminated. In the program of God, Lazarus is a living Soul, but in the realm of darkness, he had been declared dead. There was only one thing wrong with Lazarus, but as a result of that one thing that was wrong with him, all things were wrong with him. What was wrong with him? He was dead. Popularity does not count much when a man is dead. Handsomeness is irrelevant when a man is dead. Beauty has no value when a woman is dead. Academic qualifications have no voice when a person is dead. In fact, all things that we think are important lose their importance when death comes. All things that we hold dear lose the...

Divine Comfort in Difficult Conditions  Study Text: Psalms 23:1 - 6 Introduction: - Life often presents us with challenges that feel like walking through “the valley of the shadow of death.” -  These are times of extreme hardship, difficulties, fear, and uncertainty, where one feels that the only way out is death. - But for the believer, these times are not meant to destroy us. The Word of God assures us that even in the darkest moments, we can walk confidently because God is with us. Micah 7:8 - In this study, we are being encouraged to be assured that God can see us through every life difficulties and coming out triumphantly.  We can find strength and hope in God’s presence. We shall be discussing this topic under three subheadings: 1.  The Condition 2.  The Confidence  3.  The Comfort  1.  The Condition -There are several difficult situations and conditions that are common to man, and that can be described as one passing through the valley...

The God of Restoration  Study Text: 1 Samuel 30: 8, 18 - 19 Introduction: - God is not just a God of creation, but also a God of restoration, actively working to heal, renew, and bring back what has been destroyed or stolen by the enemy. John 10:10 -  God is not indifferent to suffering or brokenness, but actively seeks to heal and restore.  - God's restoration often goes beyond simply returning to the original state; it can lead to a better, greater and more abundant life.  - Divine restoration entails a transformation that brings an overwhelming increase, spiritually, emotionally, physically and financially. When the Lord decides to turn the fortune of a person around, He does it in a unique way that the past shame is totally forgotten. - Divine restoration also means God is interested in your battle and is involved in bringing back all your lost glory. Whatever God is involved in is settled, so if God gets involved in your battle, you can go to bed and sleep becau...

Welcome to February: Your Season of Double Portions: Glory be to God for seeing us through the Month of January and for bringing us peacefully and joyfully into the second Month, may His name be praised and glorified forevermore. This Month shall be a month of double portions for you in all areas of your life in Jesus name. It shall be double portions of glory, of honour, of grace, of promotion and of the anointing of the Holy Spirit after the order of Elisha in Jesus name. This is the Word of the Lord for you this Month: 2 Kings 2:9-13:  And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee.  And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, ...

Great Help for the Godly Man  Study Text: Psalm 37:23-24  Introduction: This scriptural portion provides reassurance and encouragement to those who trust in God and live according to His will. There is great help from the Lord to sustain their lives and to assist them at every point of their needs. There are three categories of help promised by God for the benefit of the godly man: 1.  The Help of Divine Involvement  2.  The Help of Divine Interest  3.  The Help of Divine Intervention    1.  The Help of Divine Involvement: The verse begins by highlighting that the  steps of a godly man will be ordered by God. This means that their life's journey and direction, are established by the Lord.  It emphasizes that God is intimately involved in the path of the believer, guiding and directing their steps.  This speaks to God's care and concern for His people and His active involvement in their lives at every beginning of their lif...