Bishop Prof. Julius O. Soyinka

**Grace for Good Works*   *Study Text: 2 Corinthians 9:8*   *Introduction:*  -         The Bible describes GRACE as God's riches made available to us freely but at the expense of Christ. 2 Corinthians 8: 9. -       This grace of God is of two folds: 1.   The Saving Grace : The grace that brings salvation to us through faith in the word of God. Titus 2: 11 - 14. 2.     The Enabling Grace:  The grace that keeps us going in the will of God, and that enables us to do all that is expected from us as a result of our salvation, which is described as good works. -        So, we are not saved by good works, but we are saved to do good works. As we connect to the saving grace for our salvation, we need to connect continually to the enabling grace, so that we can abound in good works. Ephesians 2:10. Outlines: 1.      The Purpose of Good Works 2.       The Pattern of Good Works  *1.     The Purpose of Good Works*  -        When we do good works without genuinely experiencing salvation by grac

BREAKING THE SATANIC CHAINS BY THE ANOINTING Study Text: Isaiah 61: 1 - 2 Introduction: -       Jesus was given the anointing of the Holy Spirit without measure, and He has capacity to break every Satanic bondage, yoke, covenant and chain. -        This same anointing is working with us today to set the captives free and to enjoy the blessings of God to the fullest.  -       God is the mighty deliverer. He is in the business of destroying the works of the Devil and breaking both spiritual and physical chains.  -        In the Bible, which was written for our example and enlightenment, He broke the chains of several people.  -       A notable example is the deliverance of Paul and Silas in the prison, alongside with every other person that was locked up and chained with them in the prison. Acts 16: 25 - 28.    -       God can not only put a stop to the oppression of the Devil, but He can  restore what the devil has killed, stolen, and destroyed. Acts 10:38, John 10:10.  -       We shall

Your Body: A Living Sacrifice Study Text: Romans 12: 1 - 2 Introduction:     -      Believers should willingly offer their bodies to God as living sacrifice for His honour, praise and glory, because of His profound mercy to us in Christ. -      Our greatest desire should be to live lives of holy worship and devotion to God. This requires separating ourselves from the principles and patterns of the world, and pursuing God in holy passion and focus. -      Our bodies are to be consecrated to God for a lifetime of worship and service. We are to offer our bodies as dead to sin,  instruments of righteousness and as the temple of the Holy Spirit. -      We shall be discussing the topic under three subheadings: 1.      A Call to Absolute Submission 2.      A Call to Absolute Separation 3.      A Call to Absolute Sanctification 1.      A Call to Absolute Submission -       Presenting our bodies as a sacrifice is a decisive act at a point in time. Every child of God should come to a point in hi

CELEBRATING THE GOODNESS AND FAITHFULNESS OF GOD As we step into the concluding month in the year 2020, one of the best thing to do is to reflect on the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord in our individual lives, in our respective families, in the Churches of God, and in our nation as a whole, and return all the glory back to His name for the great things He had done, and for the greater things He will do for us in the coming year 2021 by His grace and mercy. Here is the word of the Lord for the month of December: Psalms 145:1-10  I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I

THE SOUND OF ABUNDANCE OF RAIN Study Text: 1 Kings 18: 41 - 46 Introduction: -       There had been no rain since the day Elijah declared it, and the whole land suffered from famine. There was no food for man and beast because the crops had failed for three years in a row. -       Rain was one of the most significant symbol of God’s favour to His people. Its absence meant God’s wrath was upon them. -       The sound of “Abundance of rain” meant the curse is over, blessing is pouring in again. It is an indication of supernatural restoration. -       An end coming to sufferings, pains, scarcity and hardship, and a new season of joy, comfort and abundance about to open for the people of God. -       It does not matter the suffering and difficulties encountered in this outgoing year 2020, the new year 2021 shall be a year of supernatural restoration by the mercy and power of the name of Jesus. -       We shall discuss the topic under three subheadings: 1.       The Pronouncement of the Abu

Experiencing Victory Over Failure Study Text: Micah 7: 7 - 8 Introduction: -       Failure is something we all experience at different times and for various reasons, irrespective of our achievement, wealth, status, education or influence.  -       Failure can take many forms. There are vocational failures, relational failures, character failures, physical failures and spiritual failures. -        When any of these happen in our lives, not only can we feel like we have failed, but we can feel like we are failures. -       Failure is an event,  not a person. Your response to failure determines your level of success and accomplishment in life. It determines who you become as a person but more importantly, who you become in Christ. -       There are several examples of people, both in the Bible and in our generation, who have failed and risen above it to become something better and greater thereafter.  -      But unfortunately, there are also people who have failed and it has kept them dow

ENJOYING THE BLESSINGS OF DIVINE HEALING Study Text: Matthew 9:35 Introduction: -      One of the blessings of God to us through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ is Divine Healing. -      God offers us the blessing of healing, but we must accept it for ourselves by faith. An unwavering faith in what Jesus did on the cross to obtain healing for us is required.  -      The issue of Divine Healing has been a subject of controversy in the Church for many years, with varying views, opinions and teachings. -      But if we examine the Scriptures and ask the  Holy Spirit to guide us to the truth about it, we will receive understanding of the mind of God concerning the subject matter. -      Divine Healing is indeed provided for in the Atonement. Therefore, if we do not make ourselves available to God for healing, through faith, then, we will be downplaying the sacrifice of Jesus and live far below the place, and short of the blessings that He has prepared for us.    -      Not only are we to