[Peter Osahon]

Dear Hephzibah
The early missionaries focused their message on future and eternal glories with God, but the prosperity gospel focuses on immediate gratification. Even many true and well meaning Christians preach some of it and there lies the problem. But it has its roots in the lusts of the flesh. The prosperity gospel is replacing conviction, salvation, godly contentment and a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ with miracles and material wealth as the evidence of God’s blessing. This is why more than ever, we need to shout the message of the kingdom and the soon coming king from the roof tops.
By the way, Abraham eventually had many biological children; Ismael, Isaac, and the six children from Keturah. But even before he had the other children Abraham was content with having just Isaac, the child of promise and having a right standing with God.

[Peter Osahon]

Dear Arun Thomas
In truth the Church has not truly represented our Lord well. In our representation of Him to the world, we have not given Him the honour due to him. We are very happy to go along with the world’s view of Him as that little harmless cuddly child who was born in a manger. We even join a world (that makes mockery of Him) in making merchandise of Him when we should be telling the world that He is a conquering king who will ultimately come and ascend His throne to rule over the whole earth. I am also particularly touched by the fact that Christ’s return will bring peace and take away the sin, filth and corruption that still offend and oppress our regenerated spirit in this present age)

[Peter Osahon]

Dear Ajit
I also look forward to that day and age when Jesus Christ will be physically enthroned as king over the whole earth just as He is now ruling from heaven. It is truly encouraging to know that Jesus will bring an end to all our pains and the trials, temptations, war, disease and all the other works of the powers of darkness; a time of peace on earth. This is what the world is yearning for right now but they fail to realise that it is exactly what God wants us to have and that the only way to have it is Jesus. This is why we should always seize every opportunity to patiently communicate God’s plan to as many people as we can as God leads and enables us.

[Peter Osahon]

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• This reply was modified 5 years, 11 months ago by Peter Osahon.
• This reply was modified 5 years, 11 months ago by Peter Osahon.

[Peter Osahon]

200
Our hope in the future triumphant return of Jesus Christ reassures us that our labour is not in vain and that as Apostle Paul put it in Romans 8:18 our “… sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” afterwards. Therefore we can forebear and persevere like our master Jesus who “… for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame …” (Hebrews 12:2). We too can despise the shame and the pains of the trials and challenges we experience now, knowing that they are temporary and that at the end of it all Jesus will receive us into His kingdom and glorify us with rewards. Despite the fact that the Church stands for peace and is motivated mainly by the passion for the salvation of souls is facing much attack and opposition from the enemy who uses the same people that we are sacrificing our time and our possession for. This could easily lead to discouragement. But the knowledge and expectation of the future triumphant return of Jesus to justify ad vindicate us should give us great comfort as we continue to obey His great commission and His command to us to love.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 11 months ago by Peter Osahon.

[Peter Osahon]

Dear Dhivya
Truly knowing God and the One He has sent is eternal life because we cannot know Him unless we have fellowship with Him. We cannot immediately claim that we know Him as soon as we are reborn. But by fellowship with Him through His word and the Holy Spirit, we can progressively know Him and His will, precept upon precept. Then we also begin to conform to His will until we are transformed into people who can say “I know Him because I do His will”. For the love of the Father, Jesus came to save man from eternal condemnation. We cannot say we know Him if we do not have the passion to see people saved from hell just like Him.

[Peter Osahon]

200
We the regenerate have been reborn through the work of the Holy Spirit. Our eternal life begins when we believe in and accept Jesus Christ. Our spirits have received new life that is eternal. We have started to experience eternal life and even though we still struggle because of sin’s influence we can also do good works because of the influence of the spirit in us. Eternal life is not about being a perfect person but about living your life for and with the Lord Jesus.
God has prepared good works for us to do. This means that our moral ability has been restored. So we have power to obey God’s will and pursue the blessings of His kingdom. Let us do the good works.
We should encourage believers to cooperate with the Holy Spirit and take advantage of His help to avoid sin. We can rely on Him. He is with us and willing to help us. Believers should show we appreciate the second chance we have been given by sharing this good news with others. We should remind believers that although our works do not save us, there are blessings and rewards for them here on this earth and in eternity. We should obey God and prosper.

[Peter Osahon]

Dear Hepzibah
Truly this lesson has made many of these issues a lot clearer. The knowledge that we already have eternal life helps us to focus on loving Jesus and serving Him in appreciation of what He has done. We do not have to worry about earning a place in heaven. It has been reserved for us. When we see what the Lord has done for us it births in us a compassion to do likewise and express the same love, forgiveness and mercy to others. Despite our sinful flesh the Holy Spirit makes this possible. He continues to work in us to will and to do what pleases God.

[Peter Osahon]

Dear Brother Adedayo
Indeed the work of the Holy Spirit is very vital now because even though we have been reborn we still have the ability to sin. He continues to revitalises our moral ability so we actually have no excuse that i could not help myself. We don’t need to rely on ourselves but on him.
I would like to add that we believers should learn to enjoy fellowshipping with each other in unity here on earth in preparation for fellowshipping with each other heaven and in the New Jerusalem. Remember we will all be spending eternity together, we should start removing the barriers and respecting everyone’s dignity and value as people made in the image of God.

[Peter Osahon]

Dear Brother Dhivy

Thanks for the summary of what God has done for the Church. It all shows that God has always loved all the world and that He had a plan to save all the world all along. Before the foundation of the world the Lamb of God was slain so that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God loves all His Children. May all His children reciprocate.

[Peter Osahon]

Dear Brother Adebayo

It is true that God has so much to the Church. But I wonder how many believers have truly understand that their salvation is like treasure in a field and that it is a privilege and not a burden to find it. Despite the proliferation of the gospel in all corners of the earth today, even believers as more attracted to comfort and pleasure. Knowing this, Satan is continually increasing the level of materialism by offering free and easy baits to take people’s attention away from God’s purpose. Therefore it is important that as we discover more about the good things that God has in store, we also step up our commitment to sacrificial prayer for our brethren and the world as a whole.

[Peter Osahon]

Dear Bro Arun Thomas
Thanks for your encouraging words. It is indeed exciting to recognise that we the Church have been given the honour of partaking with Jesus Christ in the final stage of His work to renew creation, secure peace worldwide, ensure perfect justice and righteousness and establish the glorious plan of God on earth forever. It is even more exciting that we have the help of the Holy Spirit to empower and enable us, so that we have no excuse whatsoever for being slack or drawing back. It is a great privilege to be part of the team that is destined to win. Whatever the enemy throws at us, let us march on to victory looking unto the author and finisher of our faith.

[Peter Osahon]

It is very encouraging to me to know that Jesus Christ has started the work to complete God’s glorious plan for humanity and that we as the Church are co-labourers with Him in this precious undertaking. It is already in progress and I feel honoured to be called to be part of it.
It is also reassuring to know that Jesus did not only begin the work, but even now He is still working with us through His Holy Spirit. He “who began a good work” (Philippians 1:6) will never abandon us and He will return again to complete what He began.

The fact that Jesus began the work in the presence of His disciples and apostles must have strengthened their resolved and encouraged them to face the challenges, trials, persecution and martyrdom that they experienced.

Just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who said “… our God is able to deliver us from the fiery furnace …” (Daniel 3:17), the apostles having been with Jesus in the flesh must have said with confidence and peace of mind in the face of the greatest persecutions, “I know whom I have believed” (2 Tim 1:12).

As we carry out His commission through our ministries in this present world, a clear understanding of His plan and the knowledge of what He has already accomplished so far in the process, should give each of us great courage, strength and boldness to face the hardships and challenges that come our way.

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