STUDY THREE

BENEFITS OF THE NEW LIFE

Text: Romans 8:1-8

The benefits of the new life in Jesus Christ are so many that they cannot all be mentioned in one study. Some of the blessings are for this present time, some for future life on earth, and much more await believers in heaven.

    First of all, we who were once strangers and enemies of God because of sin are brought near and reconciled to God. We become His sons and daughters (1 John 3:1). This high position bought for us through the blood of Christ makes it possible for us to ask whatever we need from God with a definite assurance to receive.

     Second, we have peace within and are at rest from the oppression of the enemy - Satan (Matthew 11:28; John 14:27). Third,  the life of holiness which is impossible to a sinner becomes easy. Fourth, we are able to bear the fruit of the spirit; love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (Galatians 5:22-23). Fifth, we have hope in Christ.

    Sixth, we show, manifest and radiate Christ's love to others. We become more approachable, dependable, caring and less burdensome to others. Seventh, with God now our all-sufficient heavenly Father, we lack nothing; Eight, when we pray now through Christ, God listens. He hears and answers our prayers. Indeed, great and numerous are our benefits in Christ.

STUDY TWO

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION
Text: 1 John 3:1-10; 5:13; Ephesians 2:1-8; Romans 8:10-17

The moment we genuinely repent of our sins and accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we begin a new life (2 Corinthians 5:17). Three things happen to you when you make this important decision. First, you suddenly come alive, and realize how evil and sinful fleshly pleasures are. You used to enjoy those sins because you were spiritually dead. Now alive, you hate sins and abstain from all appearances of evil. Second, as Jesus was raised from dead, so too you are raised from the death of past sinful life. Third, as Jesus was elevated, promoted and taken up after His resurrection to sit in high places with God, so are we raised up, elevated and promoted in Christ.

          One of the tricks of devil is to make believers, especially young converts, doubt their salvation. If any doubt raises in your heart as to whether you are saved, all you need do is choose to believe the promise of God which says. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the (free) gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8).

         The Bible does not say that we are saved only when we feel so. Salvation is by faith, not by feeling. But how do we know that we have eternal? We can know we have eternal life on the basis of God's word, not according to our feelings. Feelings come and go, but God's word stands forever (Psalm 119:89). Do not try to feel saved. Stand on God's word. Do not depend on your feelings for assurance of salvation, get assurance from God's Spirit and by standing on His word (Romans 8:16)

STUDY ONE

JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
Text: Romans 5:1-21

 Justification is one of the major teaching of the Bible. In a legal sense, it means to declare just or righteous. It is to be acquainted through atonement or redemption on the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to save us from sin. It is not the same as repentance. whereas repentance is the act of sinner who seeks God's mercy and pardon for his sins, justification is God's act of declaring the repentant sinner free, pardoned and guiltless. He becomes free from sin and its consequences (Romans 4:5-8; 5:18-19; 8:33-34; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Acts 13:38-39; Romans3:24-26.

           The bible described sins as"the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4). When a person sins, he becomes guilty for breaking God's law, and is condemned to face the penalty of sin. But when a sinner repents, God forgives him.

WHAT GOD'S WORD SAYS ABOUT JUSTIFICATION

The law of God states that death is the punishment for sin (Romans 5:12; 6:23; Ezekiel 18:4; Amos 9:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; Hebrews 2:3). The law of God is just and impartial. It is therefore part of His faithfulness to punish the wicked and reward the righteous.

WHY DO WE NEED JUSTIFICATION

Everyone on earth is born in sin, and none can save himself nor save others; for no man is morally good (or holy) enough to fulfill God's expectation of righteousness. To be declared guiltless, free and justified we all need someone who himself is free from sin to save us. This is why God gave us Jesus Christ - the sinless One (Romans 3:26; 8:3; Galatians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18; Mathew 10:41; 1 Timothy 1:19)

WHAT JUSTIFICATION DOES FOR US

i. Remission of Punishment: By the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. He paid or remitted the entire price for our sins. Anyone who believes in Him needs no more to suffer punishment for sin (Romans 4:5; 6:7). God declares him free and guiltless.

ii. Restoration to Favour: A sinner is a condemned criminal before God (John 3:18). But when he repents of all sins, God forgives and saves him. But beyond God's declaring the believer as free and guiltless, He also declares him righteous, as though he had never sinned (Galatians 3:6). This is what justification means. It is God's mark of approval or promotion of the repentant sinner to saint.

iii. Righteousness of God is imputed: The righteousness which the believer now has is not on the basis of his own deeds; it is God's righteousness which He gives or imputes on us through Jesus Christ our Saviour (Romans 3:25-26; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Philippians 3:9).

iv. Promise of Justification: Jesus Christ is righteous. When we receive Him by faith, we also receive His righteousness. One way of understanding this kind of faith is to see it as the response of the soul to God's offer of mercy and salvation. It is by grace. We do not work for it (Romans 3:24, 28; 5:19; 8:1; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:8; 6:11; Philippians 3:9; Ephesians 2:8-9).

OUR DOORWAY TO PROSPERITY

Text: Proverbs 18:20-21 "A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth: from the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit".

Our prosperity or otherwise is determined largely by the use of our tongue. Many have brought to themselves great trouble and evil with their tongue. Even though tiny compared with other parts of the body, it is the driver of our vehicle to prosperity.

Bishop David Oyedepo is fond of saying "A closed mouth is a closed destiny". Words we produce are very potent and powerful. Until God spoke, darkness covered the face of the earth. When He spoke, light came on board. You are likely to remain in that condition until yuou learn how to speak to the challenge.

We are not advised to use our tongue wrongly but wisely. There is a time to open our mouth widely for God to fill it with the right words (Psalm 81:10). God did not make mistake when He gave us two ear lobes and one tongue. We are to listen well before we respond. In Proverbs 18:6-7 we see how contention can be caused using our tongue unwisely. Unwholesome tongue promotes destruction as well. This is also confirmed in Proverbs 13:3.

You are to know that your doorway to your prosperity is your tongue. James 3:5. The tongue is likened to a fire - which consumes. The tongue is capable of generating death and life. With the tongue we praise God. With it men curse others. "Your mouth is the architect of your destiny. "So said Bishop David Abioye.

You must learn to use your tongue profitably, command the gates to open up, never speak death but life into your situation. Resemble Jesus our perfect master. Listen well. Dwell richly on the word of God. Rely on the Holy Ghost.

Pray with me, Father, cause me to use my tongue to bring healing and comfort to many today in Jesus name. Amen. 

WHEN YOUR GROANING GETS TO GOD

Text: Exodus 2:24-25 "So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob And God looked upon the children of Isreal, and God acknowledge them

Many times, when we groan that is; sometimes in a despairing or miserable tone, complain or grumble, God because of His infinite mercy do not repay us with what we deserve. As we know, He hates complaining or murmuring. He wants us to reason out with Him in prayers. Isaiah 1:18.

Rather than punish the people of Isreal, He decided to remember His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He ended their intractable agony. He terminated with strong hand their suffering.

Therefore, I strongly believe in my spirit that God shall have mercy on you and put an end to that challenge, plague or affliction and that disease of long continuance. Deuteronomy 28:59.

He will punish your oppressors and set you free from all forms of bondage from this day. His capacity is limitless. Just believe in Him.

Pray with me, Father, have mercy on me and my household forgives every error of the past and avenges me speedily in Jesus name. I shall not fail in Jesus name. (Amen)

EVERY ASSIGNMENT CARRIES A REWARD

 Text: Exodus 2:8-9 "And Pharaoh's daughter said to her 'Go' so the maiden went and called the child's mother; Then Pharaoh's daughter said to her; Take this child away and nurse him for me, and i will give you your wages" So the woman took the child and nursed him.

 Moses was the child of the woman called to nurse her own baby by the princess, the daughter of Pharaoh. She was called to do a work she ought to do free of charge and be paid handsomely. That is why i know that what you thought as your legitimate assignment shall be handsomely rewarded by the hosts of heaven from this day.

Many times i have got several rewards for showing kindness to people at my place of work by carrying out my legitimate duties in a special way. Extra ordinary things become so because people add extra effort.

Your seed or labour shall never go unnoticed or unrewarded. Therefore never kill your seed. Never despise your contributions to life or the society you find yourself. Act in faith like the mother of Moses. While other mothers/women surrendered their own dream baby boys to the killers she nurtured her own and God honoured her faith. Whatever you do in faith has a great reward. Hebrews 11:6, 23.

Pray with me, Father, show me what to do to excel in life, family and ministry in Jesus. I shall not fall in Jesus name. (Amen)

WHAT SHALL BECOME OF YOU?

Text: Exodus 2:4 "And his sister stood afar off to know what would be done to him".

Every good parent yearns to see his/her children grow to become greater and better. This was the case of the mother and sister of Moses. They were yearning to see what would become of the newborn. The sister watched him from afar. God honoured her faith. So He sent the daughter of Pharaoh to perform His counsel concerning the beautiful boy - Moses. She commanded that the boy be drawn out and nursed. until now, none like this took place. therefore, protocol shall be breached for your sake.

In second Kings 4:1-7, there was the story of a righteous prophet who left indebtedness for his surviving wife and two sons; The creditor's expectation was to seize the two boys and used them as slaves or ransom for the money owed him by their late father. Through God's servant Elisha, the story changed. The expectation of the wicked concerning you shall not stand from this day.

They even looked down on the community and people where Jesus was born. They assumed that no good thing could come from Nazareth. (John 1:46) People in your community might not have made it before now, with you God shall begin a new thing when it springs forth, they shall all see. (Isaiah 43:18-19). From this day, your expectations shall not be cut off. Your background notwithstanding, God is capable of making you a show piece of His mercy until David was anointed, no one from the household of Jesse was king in Israel.

Therefore, I see great things become of you. A better you is coming forth from this day. Those who have been waiting to hear your death or downfall will wait in vain. They shall wax old like garment. Shame and reproach shall not come near you. As the boy Moses grew, so shall you grow in all spheres of life. He grew in stature, wisdom and influence. He became mighty upon the land.

Pray with me, Father, as many that are waiting for my downfall and death, let them wait in vain in Jesus name. (Amen).