TURNING POINT

Text:  Acts 9:1-21, 1 Timothy 1: 13-14
 

Turning point is a point at which a decisive change takes place. It is a critical point, a point at which something takes direction. Turning point in the life of someone could be for better or for worse. I believe everybody wants a change for better in life. This sermon will address turning point for better, from negative to positive.

  

Since God is the one that controls the affairs of all men and He is the one that makes things happen. He has to be involved if you want a turning around in your life. The wish can be actualized by taking certain steps and  actions. When things are not working out as  expected or wished, examine yourself and seek help from God so that He can intervene.

A case in study is that of Saul's conversion. God intervened and there was a complete turning point in his life. Saul the persecutor later became Paul the apostle, teacher and preacher. After his conversion he did not remain the same again. He changed from being a persecutor to an apostle and soul winner. Acts 9:3, 4 & 6 says "As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me"? ....."Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do". In obedience Saul left for where he was directed and there he met Ananias whom God sent to him. Immediately, he regained his sight which he had lost for three days, got baptized, and regained his strength. He stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. Acts 9:20 says "and immediately he began preaching about Jesus". What a turning point! A persecutor turned preacher. Acts 9:21 says, "All those who heard him were astonished and asked, "isn't  he the man who wrecked havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't  he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?"

The turning point in Paul's life was obvious. Apart from people noticing it, Paul himself confessed and confirmed the turning in his life. He said in 1 Timothy 1:13, "Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man. I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief". Timothy 1:14 says, "The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." You could see how mercy and grace of God can turn you round for better. What changes do you need? Ask for His mercy and grace. The Lord that showed Paul mercy and grace is still alive.

Another example is Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector and a wealthy man. He had a turning point in his life the day he made frantic effort to see Jesus. Zacchaeus being a  chief tax collector, it was a common knowledge by the Jews then that he made his wealth by extorting his fellow Jews. He was considered a traitor and a sinner. That even when Jesus said in Luke 19:5 that he would abide in his house, the people murmured saying that Jesus was going to be a guest with a man that is a sinner (Luke 19: 6). But Zacchaeus immediately stood and said in Luke 19: 8, "Unto the Lord, behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. In the same day a former traitor, extortionist and sinner repented. In Luke 19:9, Jesus said unto him, "this day is salvation come to this house". Zacchaeus,  had a great turning point for nothing is as great as the salvation of ones' soul. Brethren, Zacchaeus frantically sought Jesus out and it was a great turning point for him. So could it be for any one who frantically seeks him. Zacchaeus was poor in spirit and he recognized it, hence he sought Christ. As written in Matt 5:5, "blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs  is the kingdom of heaven".

Brethren, do you know that you can provoke God for a turning point? Yes, you can by:

•  By asking for it in prayers  Matt 7: 7-8.
• By Asking for God's mercy and grace 1 Timothy 1: 13&16
• By being obedient to God's instructions Acts 9: 6
• By seeking Him Luke 19: 3

WHAT FOLLOWS A TURNING POINT?

• You become more powerful  Acts 9:22.
• You will be filled with faith and love Acts 9:14.
• You will be able to speak boldly and move freely Acts 9:28

PRAYER

Oh my God, whatever is not working according to your plan for my life needs a turning point. Father, effect such changes and let me have a turning point for better. Make your mercy and grace available for me in Jesus name I pray. Amen. And you will see everything turning around for you.

DIVINE HELP

Text: Isa 41:8-21, Psalm 54:4-7, Psalm 121:1-2

Divine help is what God makes available to you to get what you want or to a desired result. It is provision from God to enable you accomplish or to lift you up or to meet your needs. Divine help has been from ages past. It has been since creation. When God created Adam, He provided all that he needed to live and put him in the Garden of Eden. He perfected the nature and provided a helpmate, Eve, for him so that he would not be lonely. God also said it was not good for man to be alone, so He ordained the institution of marriage for man to have a helpmate as written in Genesis 2v 21-25. When the children of Israel were in the wilderness, God sent Manna on a daily basis so that they would not die of hunger until they got to Canna where there was food. He made the bitter water sweet so that they could drink and not die of thirst. He gave us His only begotten son to die for us and reconcile us with Him. He sent us a comforter and His word to be our compass and guide. So from ages past God has always been our help. Hence one of His names is Elohim AZAR .This is acknowledged in Psalm 54: 4-7 and 121: 1-2. Our help comes from Him. Let us consider some of those who have enjoyed divine help in the Scriptures.

DIVINE HELP IN THE FORM OF MIRACULOUS HEALING
John 5:2-7 The man at the Pool Bethesida remained incapacitated for thirty eight years because he had nobody to help him into the Pool whenever the water was stirred. On that particular Sabbath, when Jesus the help of the helpless spoke with him and asked him to get up and walk, he instantly got up and walked. The infirmity of thirty years ended. Mark 5:25-34 The woman with the issue of blood of twelve years got help through healing. She had gone places looking for help and spent all she had but to no avail. But the very day she touch Jesus ' garment, help came and she was healed and restored. Blind Bartimaeus got his healing through divine help and mercy. He regained his sight the day. He frantically called on Jesus. John 9: 1-7 The man born blind met with Jesus and despite questions from Jesus' disciples whether his blindness was due to his sin or his parents' sin, Jesus went ahead to help him restore his sight by spitting on the ground, making some mud with the saliva and putting it on the man's eyes and asking him just to go and wash at Pool Siloam.

DIVINE HELP IN THE FORM OF REPRODUCTION
Gen 18: 9-14 God had to help Abraham fulfil his destiny as father of all nations by opening Sarah's womb at age ninety years for the promised child, Isaac, to come. Not only that, God also provided a ransom of a ram to be slaughtered instead of Isaac What a great help!

                                                                 

DIVINE HELP IN THE FORM OF INCREASE

1Kings 17: 8-16 Because God wanted to help the widow of Zarephath, He sent Prophet Elijah to her to be fed. The limited flour and little oil that was supposed to be prepared as her last meal with her son lasted till there was plenty in the land. God purposed to help her by sending Elijah to her. 2 Kings 4:1-7 God also sent Elijah to help the widow of the Prophet's son when her late husband's creditor wanted to take her two sons away. The little oil in the pot was multiplied into many pots. She sold the oil and paid the debt and lived with her sons on the sales of the oil as directed by Elisha. God is our helper and also a God of increase and multiplication. 

 

DIVINE HELP IN THE FORM OF EXTRAORDINARY WISDOM 

1Kings 3: 16-28 When King Solomon was faced with problem of the right ownership of the living child between two women, he sought help from God to be able to judge rightly and God released extraordinary wisdom unto him and he judged rightly.

DIVINE HELP IN THE FORM OF VICTORY IN BATTLES AND WAR

2 Chro 20:1-29 King Jehosphat got help to war against the three nations that rose against him. He asked God for help and God looked upon him, helped him out and gave him victory and peace on every side. In 1 Sam17:32-51 It was through the help of God that the Israelites were saved from oppression and embarrassment from Goliath. God helped by fighting for them using David to bring down giant Goliath.

There are more instances in the scriptures where God had demonstrated that He is really our help and He will continue to be because forever He is God. He made His name, the Sword of the Spirit, the Blood of Jesus and the Comforter available to you and me. At the mention of His name every knee shall bow and all storms shall cease. The earth and all that is there in are His. Make use of this great name. It is above every other name.

Ps119:89 says "Your word, O Lord is eternal, it stands firm in the heavens" If you need help, apply the word to your situation. The word of God is settled forever. The blood of Jesus avails much. The scripture says when I see the blood I will pass over it. Soak yourself and all yours in the blood of Jesus daily. It was the blood that distinguished the Israelites from the Egyptians. When the angels of death struck the Egyptians firstborns and spared those of Israelites. The blood of Jesus safes and it delivers. The comforter is always there to teach and remind you of things to do so that you won't go astray. He even groans on your behalf. The great helper, the help of the helpless is there for you always. He does not even sleep for your sake.

YOU CAN RECEIVE DIVIVE HELP BY:

• Accepting Jesus as your Lord and saviour
• Separate yourself from Sin and live holy.
• Love God and obey Him totally.
• Have faith in Him and act on your faith.
• Be ready to walk with Him and be blameless.
• Pray without hindrance and ask for divine help.     

                                                                                

PRAYER

Lord ,you are my helper, help me pray without hindrance and in any way I need help, come to my ai d in Jesus name I pray. Amen

 

THE CHURCH

 Text: Exo 25v8, Matt 21v12-14, Luke 13v10, John 2v16

The church is given many definitions but with reference to this sermon the church will be defined as the house of: God, prayer, worship, praise, a temple, a Sanctuary, spiritual and physical healing. Also, it is a place of succor, honour and a place where the word of God is taught and learnt. It is the Lord’s house where fellow believers and worshippers are found.

Jesus said in Matt 21v13 “My Temple will be called a house of prayer, but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” The church is not a house for buying and selling. Jesus said in John 2v16 to those who sold doves “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market.” The church is not a house of fashion, not a house for networking, not for gossip. It is a Holy place and it should be kept clean. God is looking for true worshippers; endeavour to become one of them. It is a house of expectations. Always go to Church with expectations and never go there ‘empty handed.’ That is, go before the Lord with praises, thanksgiving, your substance and with your heart, spirit, soul, and body. It is nice to be reminded the real purpose of going to church.

TO WORSHIP

You go to church to worship your maker and your redeemer. Psalm 95v1 says “O come let us sing unto the Lord, let us make joyful noise to the rock of our Salvation.” John 4v23 says “But the hour cometh, and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth for the Father seeketh such to the worship.” God expects you to go to church for worship. Any purpose or mission contrary to this negates God’s purpose.

John 4v24 says “God is Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” Be truthful and faithful in the church. Heb 3v5 says “Jesus was faithful to Him that appointed Him as also Moses was faithful in all His house.” That is, Moses was faithful in God’s house. Ex 25v8 says “And let them make me a Sanctuary that I may dwell among them.” 

The Church is a dwelling place of God. Honour and reference God by your attitude, comportment, and behavior. Dressing to the Church should be moderate. Your dressing must not cause anybody to stumble in lust. Dressing is to cover your nakedness. Church is not a fashion house or fashion parade ground. Be mindful of your dress. Psalm 29v2 says “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name, worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness”. In the early Church, the people were great worshippers, no wonder there were manifestations of Power, Miracles and Healing.

THE WORD

The Church is a place where the Word is taught. Luke 13v10 says “And He was teaching in one of the Synagogues on the sabbath”. Here Jesus Himself was teaching and He even healed on this particular occasion. Apart from teaching, healing can be received in the Church.

Luke 20v1 says “And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel the Chief Priests and the Scribes came upon Him with the elders.” As a Minister or Priest, you are to teach the undiluted and unadulterated word of God, to preach, to admonish, to rebuke and correct in love. You are not to extort, exploit or confuse the congregation. Honour the house of God and use it appropriately, so that Holy Ghost fire can fall and you can be empowered. The Word being taught is “a Lamp unto your feet and a Light unto your path.”

FOR GROWTH

The Church is a place for spiritual growth. As you teach, preach, admonish or learn you grow in grace and in the knowledge of the word. You also move to perfection in most things.2 Peter 3v18 says “But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”. God’s grace will always be sufficient for you to do many things.

FOR PRAYER

The Church is a house of prayer. It was in the Church that people rose to pray for Peter and he was set free, for God answered the members’ prayer. Jesus said that His Father’s house is a house of prayer. Matt 21v13. The Church is a solution centre and a place of Succour. Brethren, when you enter the Church, the first thing to do is to kneel and pray to God before you ever talk to someone or greet. The Trinity is already there waiting for you.

TO SERVE

You also go to church to serve. Jesus said in John 5v17 “My Father is always working and so am I”. Brethren, the Lord saved you by His grace to serve him. Do not bury your talent. Jesus said in John 9v4 “I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day, the night cometh, when no man can work”. Serve God in any capacity you are privileged. “All you needed His hands had provided”. Either as a teacher, a counsellor, an usher, a choir, prayer champion, pastor, prophet, evangelist, an apostle, be ready to serve.

John 14v12 says “verily, verily I say unto you, He that believeth on me the works that I do shall he do also, and greater works than these shall he do because I go unto my father”. Do you know that if you serve God diligently the promise in John 14v13 is your portion?  It says “If you shall ask anything in my name I will do it”. Do not be an onlooker in the church! Get involved in the master’s business. Tell others about Christ. He has empowered you to do all things. Phi 4v13.

TO GIVE

You can give your talents, time and substance to support the work of God, to assist the poor and the needy. Be ready to give willingly. God loves a cheerful giver. Also use your given talent wisely. Emulate the examples of people like Joanna, Susanna, Mary Magdalene who supported Jesus’ Ministry while on earth with their substance. Exo 25v1-2 says“ The Lord said to Moses, tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give”.

God expects you to give willingly. Give your tithe, offerings and vows. Be ready to assist others in need and to grow spiritually. Any association in the church must be spiritually driven.

If your purpose of going to the church differs from above, have a rethink!

PRAYER

May the Lord help you to know the real purpose of going to church and empower you to act according to that purpose. In Jesus name I pray. (Amen).

GOD OF SUPER-ABUNDANCE

                                    Text: Psalm 23:5, Psalm 24:1-2, Phil 4:19

The characters of God cannot be exhausted. He has all things and He created all things for His pleasure. He is God of surplus, God of one hundred percent plus. He created everything in abundance and has them in abundance. He is God of quality and quantity. He does not lack. He is a God of completeness and He is unlimited in resources. Hence He is God of superabundance. Superabundance means much more than enough.

 A  few examples of what God created are Air, Water, Land, Vegetation, Sea, Sky, Moon, Sun, Mineral Resources, Animals of different kinds, different Planets and Humans. He is still creating. He allows multiplication through reproduction of kinds for continuity of life. He is a bountiful benefactor to all his people. He loads us daily with benefits and supplies all our needs. Psalm 24:1 says; “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world, and they that dwell therein.” Psalm 24:2 says; “For He hath founded it upon the seas and established it upon the floods.” God has everything in large quantity, plenteous and even overflowing. David acknowledged the superabundance of God when he said in Psalm 23:5 “Thou  preparest  a table before me in the presence of mine enemies, thou  anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over” this shows abundance. God has more than enough of what you need. David’s cup was not only filled but it runneth over. His goodness and mercy are in superabundance. These are always following believers. The light He gives shines more and more to the perfect day.

His grace is unlimited. His mercy endureth forever Ps 136:1-26. He gives wisdom for the asking. He gives us peace not as the world  giveth; John 14:27 but he gives us in abundance. The peace the world  gives is short-lived. His peace is in superabundance and is everlasting.

Jesus said in John 6:35; “I am the bread of life, he that cometh to me shall never hunger and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” He is there to sustain your spiritual life. John 6:51 says; “I am the living bread which came down from heaven, if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever and the bread that  I will  give is my  flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” Jesus said in John 10:10b “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.” You cannot offer what you don’t have. But because God has all these in superabundance, they can be given to you and me in abundance.

Let us consider few examples in the scriptures where God’s superabundance was demonstrated.

                                    The Blessing of the wine at Cana in Galilee  John 2:1-7

 At the marriage at Cana, in Galilee¸ when they ran out of wine. Jesus asked them to fill six water pots available with water and they were filled to the brim. Jesus turned the water into wine and every man took to his satisfaction. Indeed the governor of the feast, excited, called the bridegroom and said unto him in John 2:10; “Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse but thou hast kept the good wine until now.” This shows that our God is a God of quality and quantity and of superabundance. The wine was of good quality. If they had provided more than six water pots, more wine would have been provided.

                     Blessing and Multiplication of Loaves of Bread and Fish  Mark 6:35- 44

Jesus had compassion on the large crowd that had been following Him and his disciples. Jesus insisted they must be fed. But there were only five loaves of bread and two fish. His disciples said to Him in Mark 6:37; “That would take eight months of a man’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” but Jesus answered; “you give them something to eat.” Jesus took the five loaves of bread and the two fish and looked up into the heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. His disciples served the five thousand men. They all ate with satisfaction and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish as the left over. This could only be the handiwork of God of superabundance. He has all the resource at His call and beckon.

 In Mark 8:1-9 another large crowd who had been with Jesus for three days gathered. Only seven loaves of bread and a few fish were available. Jesus collected the loaves and gave thanks, he broke them and gave them to His disciples to serve the four thousand people. They all ate and were satisfied after which His disciples picked up seven basketful of broken pieces as the left-over. Only the number of men was recorded. If there were more than that number,  everybody would have eaten to satisfaction.

                                                 Blessing and Multiplication of oil

2^nd Kings 4:1-7 reports the story of the widow of the son of a prophet whose two sons were to be taken away as slaves by her husband’s creditors. The widow cried to prophet Elisha for help as she had nothing except a little oil. Elisha asked her to go and borrow many empty jars from neighbours and she did. Prophet Elisha said in verse 4 “Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars and as each is filled, put it to one side.” she kept pouring until all the available jars were full. She went and told the man of God and he said “Go sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”

 Brethren, God’s provision is unlimited. If the woman had more jars, she would have had more oil. The oil stopped pouring only when the widow ran out of containers.

              The widow of Zarephath’s handful of flour and little oil stretched  1^st Kings 17:7-21

The widow of Zarephath was to supply Elijah with food when there was no rain in the land as God had directed Elijah to her. But when Elijah got to her and requested for water and a piece of bread to eat. The woman replied in v12; “As surely as the Lord your God lives, I don’t have any bread, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” Elijah insisted she must make a small cake of bread for him first from the little she had and then make something for herself and son. Elijah said to her in v4; “For this is what the Lord the God of Israel says; “The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord gives rain on the land.” The woman obeyed Elijah’s instruction and hence there was food everyday for Elijah, the woman and her family. In evidence of v16 which says; “For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry.” The handful of flour and a little oil meant for the last meal was stretched and lasted for years until the day Lord gave rain.

                                                       Provision of Manna and Quail

When the Israelites were in the desert and about to starve and grumbled. The Lord said to Moses in Ex 16:12; “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them at twilight you will eat meat in the morning, you will be filled with bread; then you will know that I am the Lord your God.” God sent manna and Quail to them and daily, each gathered as much as needed.  For forty years the Israelites ate manna and until they reached the border of Canaan. They never ran out of manna. This manna appeared on the ground each day as thin flakes like frost and it satisfied their physical need. God also provided water for them from the rock when they were in the desert.  For as long as they needed God supplied.

 What are your needs? Do not limit God. The scripture says in Phil 4:19; “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” He is a God of superabundance. All your physical and spiritual needs will be met by Him.

                                                                            PRAYER 

Father in heaven your word says you shall supply all my needs. You are God of superabundance and all I need in life both physically and spiritually are with you. I do know that you have deposited in me some resources, even though I might not realise it. Father, open up my understanding and knowledge to appreciate it, and release your power of blessing and multiplication on it to your honour and glory in Jesus name. I will not lack in Jesus name I pray. Ame