Wednesday, April 1, 2015
THE NARROW WAY
Matthew 7:13,
14
There
are different ways that leads to
different places here on earth. In
the spiritual, there are two ways that leads to two different ends. There
are two ways laid out before everyone according to the word of God. One is the
broad way that leads to hell while the other is the narrow way that leads to
heaven. Heaven is a place that Christ has gone to prepare for His friends (John
14:1-3). There is only one way that leads to heaven; it is the narrow way, the
narrow way of holiness. Jesus has made provision for every child that wants to
go through this way. The way does not permit sin. It is the way of the cross
that leads home. To walk in this way and get to heaven, a sinner/backslider
must repent and forsake his old ways of sin. Choose the narrow way that will take you to heaven where you will
live with Jesus Christ forever.
1. THE WIDE GATE
AND THE BROAD WAY Matthew 7:13; Proverbs 16:25
The way of sinners is the broad way.
It leads to everlasting suffering in hell fire. It has a wide gate that accepts
the sinners and their sinful lifestyle. You are on the broad way if you are
still lying, stealing, fighting, telling lies, quarrelling, cheating, disobedient,
stubborn and covetous. Unfortunately, many people including boys and girls are
following this way. They are spiritually blind and do not know that the broad
way leads to destruction. Many children have been in
the church, hearing the word of God daily, but still decide to remain on the
broad way of anger, pride, singing bad songs, sinful relationships, unforgiven
spirit, watching bad films, following bad gangs and being disobedient to
parents. Every child who refuses to
repent now and turn away from sin will suffer in hell fire for ever; There is no
coming out.
2. THE STRAIT
GATE AND THE NARROW WAY Matthew 7:14; John 3:16-18; Isaiah 35:8
The narrow way is the way
of salvation from sin. It is the way that leads to everlasting life with Jesus
in heaven. Jesus is the way to eternal life (John 10: 9, 11). There is no other name given among men
whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). From the time that Adam and Eve fell into
sin and man lost fellowship with God. God has been calling all men back to the
way of eternal life (John 14:6). Regrettably, many people at different period
of time have always disregarded God’s call to return to the narrow way that
leads to heaven. The strait gate and the narrow way is the way of Holiness. It
is not popular, only few people love this way. It cannot accommodate you with
your sinful activities. The narrow way leads to everlasting
enjoyment, more than what tongues can describe.
If you are a sinner, you must choose
the strait gate and narrow way. This is the best choice to make. The narrow way
which is the way of salvation and holy living. Those who would walk on the
narrow way must live in total obedience to the word of God. The things that will
show forth in the life of those that are walking in the narrow way are: (a)
Repentance, forgiveness and cleansing in the blood of Jesus (b) Holiness of
life (c) Constant desire to please God in all things (d) Readiness to endure
persecution and suffer for Christ (e) Love for everyone even our enemies (f)
Determination to follow Jesus till the end. As Joshua called the people in his
time to choose whom they would serve (Joshua 24:15), God is also calling you
today to choose Jesus. He is the way to the Father and everlasting life in
heaven (John 3:16; 14:6). Which one do you choose, the broad or narrow way?
3. ENTER IN
THROUGH THE NARROW WAY Matthew
7:13a; Isaiah
1:18; John 10:9, 14:6
God wants everyone to
enter through the narrow way that leads to heaven. He has appointed a day in which
He will judge the world. (Acts 17:31).
For you to escape God’s judgment and eternal punishment, you must give
your life to Jesus Christ as you do the following: (1) Realize your sinful state
(2) Confess and forsake them (3) Ask God to forgive and wash away your sins
with the blood of Jesus (4) Invite and receive Jesus into your heart as your
Lord, personal Saviour and friend (5) continue to walk in the way of salvation
as you fellowship regularly with other saved boys and girls. Pray every day, read and obey God’s
word.
As you accept Jesus
Christ into your life, you will walk daily on the narrow way by: (a) daily
reading, thinking on and obeying God’s word. (b) Praying always (c) Telling
others about the Saviour, Jesus Christ (d) Attending fellowship regularly (e)
Visiting other friends of Jesus.
(f) Pressing forward to
be sanctified and (g) be baptised with the Holy Ghost. As you daily walk on the
narrow way, you are sure of entering into heaven. Rise up and pray.
DEAD TO SELF AND ALIVE UNTO CHRIST
Romans
6:1-13; Galatians 2:19, 20
Life and
death are two opposite words. When a person is dead, he cannot be alive at the
same time. To the people around him, the dead has become lifeless. In the
spiritual, when a sinner repents and accepts Jesus as his personal Lord and
Saviour, he becomes dead to sin and self and alive in Christ.
This is possible
because Jesus Christ who is sinless, suffered and died for our sins. In His
death, He died to sin’s influence. By His resurrection He overcame the power of
death. Likewise, children who have repented of their sin are united with Christ
in His death and freed from the power of sin to walk in newness of life.
Have you
been set free from sin? Are you alive in Christ? If no, this is another opportunity
for you to be set free.
(a) Realize
that you are a sinner who needs the Saviour
(b) Repent
of all your sins and confess them to Jesus
(c) Pray
for forgiveness and cleansing in the blood of Jesus
(d) Invite
Jesus into your heart to be your Saviour and Friend.
These steps
will free you from sin and make you a new creature. The message is in three
parts.
1. DEAD TO SIN AND SELF:
Romans 6:1-7; 2 Corinthians 5:15-17; Colossians 3:9-10.
To be dead means
to cease from existing. When a person dies physically, he cannot move, see,
talk, eat, breathe or do the things that he was doing before.
When a child
is born again, the ‘self’ and ‘sin’ in him dies. He can no longer engage in the
sinful habits of the past. He must daily refuse to allow any part of his body
to be alive to sin anymore. This means that his hands are dead to fighting,
stealing, and cheating; eyes are dead to watching bad films and the things that
adds no value to his life; mouth is dead to evil speaking, gossips, abuse, lies
and deceit; legs are dead to running errands for Satan. His whole body is dead
to the world and it’s attractions.
The body of
sin is completely destroyed. Such a child is dead to self
He is free
from selfish attitudes and desire to please self or do his own will.
This is the
picture of a life that is crucified with Christ. This is God’s expectation from
every saved child. You must be dead to sin and self and live unto Christ.
2. ALIVE UNTO CHRIST:
Romans 6:8-11; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:12-17.
Friends of
Jesus are said to be in union with Christ in His death and resurrection.
Therefore they receive Christ’ power to daily resist sin, and to live a new life
of obedience to God. The first sign of the Christian new life is his total
turning away from all sins. He will then submit himself for water baptism as a
mark of the new life.
Secondly,
the child will press on for the sanctification (holiness) experience. He will
have strong desire for the experience, pray in faith and wait patiently for God
to sanctify him. This step will help the child to (a) have victory over sin,
(b) crucify the works of the flesh and present his body as a living sacrifice
acceptable to God. (c) Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus (d)
manifest the fruit of the spirit as outlined in Galatians 5:22, 23. It is
important that you must be alive in Christ as you resist sin and live
righteously all the days of your life.
6
3. ABIDING IN CHRIST:
John 15:1-7; 1 John 2:3-6.
To live a
victorious Christian life, you must continue to abide in the Saviour. This
means the Christian child must continue, abide in and live for Christ. Just as
the branch has life only as long as the life of the tree flows into it, so
believers have Christ’s life only as long as Christ’ life flows into them.
Practical
ways through which we can remain in Christ are:
(i) Reading,
meditation on and obeying God’s word every day (ii) Making the word of God the
guide for our thoughts and actions, (iii) Praying always in order to constantly
draw strength from the Lord (iv) Daily preaching the gospel everywhere, (v) Remain
steadfast in His love and loving the brethren (John 15:12, 17) (vi)
Resisting Satan’s temptation and yielding to the Spirits guidance (vii)
Fellowship regularly with other children of God.
Abiding in
Christ results in great blessings such as God’s presence, fullness of joy,
fruitfulness in evangelism, answers to prayers. At the end, we shall live and reign
with Jesus in His Kingdom. Arise and pray for grace to be totally dead to sin
and alive to Christ.
Romans
6:1-13; Galatians 2:19, 20
Life and
death are two opposite words. When a person is dead, he cannot be alive at the
same time. To the people around him, the dead has become lifeless. In the
spiritual, when a sinner repents and accepts Jesus as his personal Lord and
Saviour, he becomes dead to sin and self and alive in Christ.
This is possible
because Jesus Christ who is sinless, suffered and died for our sins. In His
death, He died to sin’s influence. By His resurrection He overcame the power of
death. Likewise, children who have repented of their sin are united with Christ
in His death and freed from the power of sin to walk in newness of life.
Have you
been set free from sin? Are you alive in Christ? If no, this is another opportunity
for you to be set free.
(a) Realize
that you are a sinner who needs the Saviour
(b) Repent
of all your sins and confess them to Jesus
(c) Pray
for forgiveness and cleansing in the blood of Jesus
(d) Invite
Jesus into your heart to be your Saviour and Friend.
These steps
will free you from sin and make you a new creature. The message is in three
parts.
1. DEAD TO SIN AND SELF:
Romans 6:1-7; 2 Corinthians 5:15-17; Colossians 3:9-10.
To be dead means
to cease from existing. When a person dies physically, he cannot move, see,
talk, eat, breathe or do the things that he was doing before.
When a child
is born again, the ‘self’ and ‘sin’ in him dies. He can no longer engage in the
sinful habits of the past. He must daily refuse to allow any part of his body
to be alive to sin anymore. This means that his hands are dead to fighting,
stealing, and cheating; eyes are dead to watching bad films and the things that
adds no value to his life; mouth is dead to evil speaking, gossips, abuse, lies
and deceit; legs are dead to running errands for Satan. His whole body is dead
to the world and it’s attractions.
The body of
sin is completely destroyed. Such a child is dead to self
He is free
from selfish attitudes and desire to please self or do his own will.
This is the
picture of a life that is crucified with Christ. This is God’s expectation from
every saved child. You must be dead to sin and self and live unto Christ.
2. ALIVE UNTO CHRIST:
Romans 6:8-11; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:12-17.
Friends of
Jesus are said to be in union with Christ in His death and resurrection.
Therefore they receive Christ’ power to daily resist sin, and to live a new life
of obedience to God. The first sign of the Christian new life is his total
turning away from all sins. He will then submit himself for water baptism as a
mark of the new life.
Secondly,
the child will press on for the sanctification (holiness) experience. He will
have strong desire for the experience, pray in faith and wait patiently for God
to sanctify him. This step will help the child to (a) have victory over sin,
(b) crucify the works of the flesh and present his body as a living sacrifice
acceptable to God. (c) Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus (d)
manifest the fruit of the spirit as outlined in Galatians 5:22, 23. It is
important that you must be alive in Christ as you resist sin and live
righteously all the days of your life.
3. ABIDING IN CHRIST:
John 15:1-7; 1 John 2:3-6.
To live a
victorious Christian life, you must continue to abide in the Saviour. This
means the Christian child must continue, abide in and live for Christ. Just as
the branch has life only as long as the life of the tree flows into it, so
believers have Christ’s life only as long as Christ’ life flows into them.
Practical
ways through which we can remain in Christ are:
(i) Reading,
meditation on and obeying God’s word every day (ii) Making the word of God the
guide for our thoughts and actions, (iii) Praying always in order to constantly
draw strength from the Lord (iv) Daily preaching the gospel everywhere, (v) Remain
steadfast in His love and loving the brethren (John 15:12, 17) (vi)
Resisting Satan’s temptation and yielding to the Spirits guidance (vii)
Fellowship regularly with other children of God.
Abiding in
Christ results in great blessings such as God’s presence, fullness of joy,
fruitfulness in evangelism, answers to prayers. At the end, we shall live and reign
with Jesus in His Kingdom. Arise and pray for grace to be totally dead to sin
and alive to Christ.
BEARING THE CROSS TO WIN THE CROWN
Matthew
16:24-27; Hebrews 12:1-4; Philippians 2:5-11; Revelation 2:10
In most
sporting events, the trophy to be won is often placed on the high table where
all the contestants and spectators can see it. The sight of the trophy is meant
to encourage the competitors to put in their best in order to win the trophy.
The Christian is in a race and the goal of that race is to get to heaven where
crowns are waiting to be possessed. On the journey however, there is always a
cross to bear. Just like the athlete who is expected to scale some hurdles in
order to win a prize, the Christian must constantly bear his cross to win the
crown. The cross is a piece of wood on which Christ was crucified. It is a
symbol of suffering and shame.
The good
news is that, our greatest example and Master bore His own cross, we must also
strive to bear our cross. The message is divided into three parts.
1. THE WAY OF THE CROSS:
Hebrews 12:1-2.
A wicked
King decided that he would execute (kill) 40 Christians who refused to deny
Christ. As the execution was going on, the spiritual eye of one of the soldiers
was opened. He saw that as the Christians were being killed one after the
other, an angel was standing by putting crowns on their heads. When it was the
turn of the last Christian to be killed, he became fearful and denied Christ.
The soldier whose eyes was opened to see the glorious entry into heaven of the
executed Christians, quickly offered to take the place of the fearful
Christian. This soldier was killed and he received the last crown and was
translated into heaven. There is a common saying thus: “No cross, No crown”.
This means that the way to receive the crown is through enduring the cross.
Jesus
surrendered to die on the cross to show us an example that anyone who follows
Him must suffer (2 Timothy 3:12). The cross that believers bear differs from
person to person. The cross therefore can be in form of:- Persecution directly
from Satan, unsaved family members, and former sinful friends; Death of a loved
one.; Ridicule from the children of Satan; Denial of legitimate right; Delay in
receiving answer to prayers; Unexplained and unpleasant situation; Unjust
suffering, ill-treatment and hatred; temptations, trials of faith, among many
others.
Jesus bore
His cross to win the crown, we also can successfully bear our cross with Him
and win the crown.
2. BEARING THE CROSS:
Matthew 16:24-27; Philippians 1:27-30; 2:5-8;
Revelation
2:10.
Jesus Christ
laid aside His heavenly glory, position and power to die on the cross. He
suffered a lot of things for our sake. Apostle Paul was a Christian committed
to bearing his cross because he knew that his crown awaited him at the end (2
Timothy 4:8). He was stoned, beaten, suffered shipwreck, hated by his
countrymen yet he endured it all.
There are
certain Christian characteristics essential for bearing the cross, they
include:- Christlike submission and total
surrenderdness: Jesus our Master is our perfect example. He totally
surrendered to the will of the Father to suffer the shame and agony of the
death on the cross Luke 22:42; John 4:34.
Endurance – Endure
persecution and shame. Do not fight back but rather pray like Stephen who said “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge”
(Acts 7:60b).
Patience – Be patient
like Job because your redeemer liveth (Job 19:25).
Humility – Be humble
like Christ who was led like a Sheep to the slaughter yet opened not His mouth
(Isaiah 53:7).
Prayerfulness – Always
praying and singing praises like Paul and Silas. And their praises brought an
earthquake that shook the foundation of the prison (Acts 16:25-26).
Joy – Rejoice
like the Apostles who were happy to be counted worthy to suffer for Christ’
sake (Acts 5:41).
Remember
that the Christian race is about cross bearing. Then said
Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Mathew 16:24). As the saints before
us were able to endure, we shall also endure to the end. Looking unto Jesus who is the source of
strength, grace, and help in time of need.
3. WINNING THE CROWN:
2 Timothy 4:6-8; James 1:12.
There are
enough crowns in heaven for every believer who will successfully bear his cross
till the end. Do not allow another person to take your crown. It is only those
that shall endure till the end that shall be saved and wear their golden
crowns. Pray for grace to be qualified to receive yours. If you are not yet
born again, there is no crown for you. Take a step of faith now. Repent of your
sins and ask God for forgiveness and cleansing of your sins. The blood of Jesus
will save and keep you till the end.
COMPLETE SALVATION THROUGH HIS BLOOD
Matthew
1:21; 26:28; Acts 20:28; Hebrews 9:22
On the
cross, Jesus shed His innocent blood in order to remove our sins and to bring
us back to God. By His blood, Jesus accomplished the following:- (i) His blood
forgives the sins of all who repent and believe. (ii) His blood ransoms (set
free) all believers from the power of Satan and evil powers. (iii) His blood
justifies all who believe in Him. (iv) His blood cleanses believers consciences
(heart) that they might serve God without guilt in full assurance of faith. (v)
His blood sanctifies saved children to make them holy (vi) His blood secures
and preserves all who are called by His name (vii) His blood opens the way to
all the promises of the new covenant.
The
provision in the blood of Jesus Christ is total, complete, free and
inexhaustible. If you are not saved yet, you are missing a lot. Do not delay,
let this day be the day of your salvation. The topic is divided into three
parts.
1. SALVATION AND PEACE THROUGH THE BLOOD OF JESUS:
Matthew 26:28; Romans 1:28-32; Hebrews 9:7, 22; 1 Peter 1:18, 19.
Salvation
means to rescue a person from death or anything that might destroy him.
Spiritually, it means to free a person from the punishment and the hold of sin.
Sin separates one from God. This separation results to lack of peace and
eternal death.
Adam was
told that if he ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that he would
die. Adam ate of the tree and lost his peace and fellowship with God. He died
spiritually. Since then, Adam’s nature of sin passed unto all boys and girls. “For all have sinned and come short of
God’s glory” (Romans 3:23) knowing that the penalty for sin is eternal
death, God in His love and mercy, made provision for our salvation. He sent His
only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to suffer, die and shed His blood to save us
from sin.
Therefore,
all that a sinner needs to do is to go to God in prayer by taking these steps:-
(a) Realize that he is a sinner (Romans 3:23). (b) Repent from all sins and
confess them to God (stealing, fighting, telling lies, stubbornness, wicked
attitudes, immoral relationships, cheating and many others) (Mark 1:15, Psalm
32:5). (c) Request for God’s mercy, forgiveness and cleansing of his heart by
the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:8, 9; Proverbs 28:13). (d) Receive Jesus by faith
into his heart (Revelation 3:20). (e) Rejoice that he is now a child of God
(John 1:12). When you sincerely take these steps, you will receive salvation
and peace of God.
2. SANCTIFICATION AND PURITY THROUGH HIS BLOOD:
John 17:17-19; Hebrews 13:12; Titus 2:14.
Sanctification
(Holiness of heart and life) is very important and necessary for every believer.
This was why Jesus prayed for His disciples to be sanctified. That they were
born again was not enough, the condition of their heart was important to the
Lord. As a friend of Jesus, He wants you to be truly sanctified and completely
purged from inward sins. Sanctification takes place when the root of sin in the
heart or the Adamic nature has been purged by the blood of Jesus Christ. All
the inward sins like, desire to pay back evil for evil, seeking for recognition
and self-promotion unholy thoughts e.t.c, are completely removed at
sanctification. Jesus Christ paid the greatest price by shedding His blood so
that you can be sanctified. Are you sanctified? Your greatest desire after
salvation is to be sanctified. Thirst for it, pray fervently, ask of the Lord in
faith and you will receive. Remember, “Without
holiness, no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
3. SECURITY AND PROTECTION IN HIS BLOOD:
Exodus 12:13; Psalm 91:1-16.
The blood of
Jesus does not only provide for our salvation and sanctification, it is also
the source of our security, protection and preservation from all evils. When
you come under the blood of Jesus, you will enjoy good health, protection from
demonic attack, freedom from bondage and affliction, long life and prosperity.
The blood of Jesus gives complete salvation
to every willing and seeking child. There is much tribulation in the world
today but in Christ Jesus, there is salvation, holiness and security. Satan is
a wicked enemy. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the
word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death”. (Revelation 12:11).
All that you need is in Jesus, come now and
receive today.
ABRAHAM: A FRIEND OF GOD
Genesis 17:1-27;
18:17-22.
Many people want to be
the friend of a king. To be the friend of a king in this world is a very small
thing compared to being a friend of God the King of the whole heaven and earth.
The Almighty God is the King of kings. What the kings of this world cannot give
or do for you, the King of heaven will definitely do for you! Abraham did not
want to be a friend of the kings of this world. He wanted to be a friend of the
King of kings. So, he willingly obeyed God and trusted Him even when he was
still living among his relatives who were idol worshippers.
We shall divide our topic into three parts:
1. THE OBEDIENCE OF
ABRAHAM: Genesis 12:1; Hebrews
11:8-12.
The relatives of Abraham and the people of his country were idol
worshippers. God therefore, told Abraham
to leave his country and his father’s house. God had a good plan for Abraham.
Whenever God is calls you, He wants to do something good in your life. Abraham
obeyed God and left his father’s house even when he did not know where God
wanted him to go. Because Abraham obeyed God, God promised to bless him
abundantly (Genesis 13:14-17).
Today, God has sent Jesus His Son to call all sinful boys and
girls to Himself (Matthew 11:28). Will you obey God as Abraham did?
2. ABRAHAM BECOMES A FRIEND OF GOD: Genesis 17:1, 2; Hebrews 11:8-12,17-19.
A friend is somebody that is very close to you. Someone you can
trust, love and always want to be in fellowship with. After Abraham had obeyed
God and left his father’s house, he did not just stop there; he continued to
obey God and trust Him. God always spoke to Abraham and he was free to ask God
whatever he wanted (Genesis 15:1,2). When you too begin to obey God by
surrendering your heart to Him, you must not stop there, you must continue to
obey God and trust Him. Then, God will speak to you and direct you in the right
way to go (Isaiah 30:21). You will be free to ask God whatever your heart
desires (Matthew 7:7). The friendship between God and Abraham continued to grow
stronger. God fulfilled all His promises to Abraham. Sarah his wife who did not
have a child gave birth to Isaac (Genesis 21:1). God gave Abraham long life and
blessed him abundantly (Genesis 24:1).
3. HOW TO BECOME A FRIEND OF JESUS: John 14:6
The desire of God for every child is that they must be saved.
You cannot walk with God like Abraham did except you become a true friend of
Jesus. How can you become a friend of the Saviour? You have to prayerfully take
the following steps.
1. Realise that you are a sinner and confess all your sins to God.
2. Repent and forsake your sins.
3. Ask Jesus to forgive you and wash your heart clean with His blood.
4. Invite Him into your life to be your Lord, Saviour and Friend.
5. Believe that it is done.
This means that you have now become born again. This is called
salvation and it is the first step of obedience to God. Like Abraham, as you
continue to trust and obey God, He will shower His blessings upon you and give
you long life.
QUESTIONS:
1. How did Abraham become a friend of God?
2. Mention two promises that God made to Abraham.
3. How can a sinful child become a friend of Jesus?
4. What are the blessings of becoming a friend of Jesus?
MEMORY VERSE: “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed
God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the
Friend of God.” (James 2:23).
FRIENDSHIP
II Corinthians 6:14-18; James 4:4.
A friend is someone that you like
very much, and also love to spend time with. As children of God, we must spend
our time with children who love God and not with bad children who do bad things
and refuse to serve God. People can generally be divided into two groups; those
who are in Christ and those who are not. Friendship is born out of pure love, a
relationship between two or more people which helps them to live peacefully
with each other. Friends of Jesus are instructed not to go into close friendship
with sinful children who love to do bad things.
Bisi
was a friend of Jesus, but Lola and Titi were very bad and naughty children.
They did everything to make Bisi a member of their bad gang, but Bisi refused.
They invited her to worldly parties, film shows and disco dances but Bisi
firmly and politely rejected their offers. She refused to make friends with
such bad children. She was a very good and faithful friend of Jesus. As friends
of Jesus, you must make friends with godly children who love Jesus.
The
topic is divided into three parts:
1. BECOMING
A FRIEND OF GOD: Exodus 33:11; James 2:23; John
15:15.
Some
people in the Bible were described as friends of God, because they obeyed God
and lived lives that was pleasing unto Him. God spoke to them as friends and
used them to do great works. They were also blessed by God. Examples of such
people are: Abraham (Genesis17:1; James 2:23); Moses (Exodus 33:11); the
Disciples of Jesus (John 15:15). It is only when you decide to turn away from
sin, give your life to Jesus Christ, accept Him as your Saviour and Lord, and
commit yourself to daily obedience to His word that you can be qualified to be
called a friend of God.
Your
friendship with God will make you to be different and separate from other sinful
children in the world. You will say no to sinful suggestions of sinners
(Proverbs 1:10) and never join them to worship false gods (Deuteronomy 12:30).
2. SEPARATION FROM BAD FRIENDS: II Corinthians 6:14; James 4:4.
Children
of God are commanded not to make friends with bad and naughty children of the
world. Friendship with them will make you to become an enemy of God (James
4:4). God also commands His children to be separate from the ways of the people
of this world and not to love the things they love. As a friend of Jesus, you
must reject their invitations to do bad things such as: attending their worldly
parties, dressing or speaking like them.
If
you make friends with them, you will suffer greatly and miss the plan of God
for your life. Some examples of people who made bad friends and suffered for it
are: Samson, Dinah, Solomon, Demas etc. Samson lost his two eyes, died and the
plan of God was not completely fulfilled in his life. Dinah was defiled and
Demas went back from being a friend of Jesus because of the love of the world.
All
the riches and blessings of God’s kingdom are yours if you separate from the
world because you are sons and daughters of God (II Corinthians 6:17,18).
3. CHOOSING
THE RIGHT FRIEND: Amos
3:3; I Corinthians 15:33.
The
best friend to have is Jesus. When you become a friend of Jesus, He will give
you the wisdom to choose the right friends. Before you engage in any close and
intimate relationship with anybody, consider the following: (i) Is he/she a
friend of Jesus? (ii) Does he/she love to obey God’s word? (iii) Does he/she
love the things of God like reading the Bible, attending fellowship and praying
or the things of this world such as movies, dancing, fashion, worldly games and
attending parties? (iv) Does he/she love to talk about the sports stars and
musicians of the world instead of preaching the gospel? (v) Is he/she lazy or
hardworking and strives to be excellent? Your friends must be children who have
the fear of God and have the same goal with you; which is, the goal of pleasing
God and making it to heaven at last.
There are examples of bad friendship in the Bible, some of
them are: (a) Samson and Delilah (b) Solomon and ungodly women (c) Dinah and
Shechem. Their ungodly relationship made them to turn away from God. Who is
your friend? “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”
(1 Corinthians 15:33).
QUESTIONS:
1. A
friend is
________________________________________________________________________
2. Jesus
wants you to separate from bad friends. Yes/No?
3. Mention
four things that you must consider before choosing a friend.
4. Who
should you make friends with?
5. Who
is your friend?
MEMORY VERSE: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:
for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion
hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 105 - I’LL TELL THE WORLD
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