Gospel Church of the Living God, Nigeria

28/04/2026

Tuesday 28-04-2026
The Excellency of Faith Heb. 11:1–3

“In Heb. 10:32–36 there is a call to patient waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promises. Nothing but
real faith in the veracity of the Promiser can sustain the heart and prompt steady endurance during
a protracted season of trial and suffering. Hence in Heb. 10:38 the apostle quotes that striking word
from Habakkuk, “The just shall live by faith.” That sentence really forms the text of which Hebrews
11 is based. The central design of this chapter is to evidence the patience of those who, in former
ages, endured by faith before they received the fulfillment of God’s promises: note particularly vv.
13, 39.” Pink Arthur W.
After quoting that the just lives by faith; he now proved—that faith can be no more separated from
patience than from itself. This is to say, ‘We shall not reach the goal of salvation except we have
patience, but faith directs us to things far off which we do not as yet enjoy; it then necessarily
includes patience.’ Therefore, ‘Faith is the substance of things hoped for’ ” (John Calvin). The
apostle illustrates and enforces his exhortation, by bringing forward a great variety of instances, in
which faith had enabled individuals to perform very difficult duties, endure very severe trials, and
obtain very important blessings. The principles are plainly these: ‘They who turn back, turn back
unto perdition. Nothing but a persevering faith can enable a person, through a constant
continuance in well-doing, and a patient, humble submission to the will of God, to obtain that glory,
honor, and immortality which the Gospel promises. Nothing but a persevering faith can do this as is
plain from what it has done in former ages” (John Brown). An early Puritan says: “The parts of this
whole chapter are two: 1. a general description of faith: vv. 1 to 4. 2. An illustration or declaration of
that description, by a large rehearsal of manifold examples of ancient and worthy men in the Old
Testament: vv. 4 to 40. The description of faith consists of three actions or effects of faith, set down
in three several verses. The first effect is that faith makes things which are not (but only are hoped
for), after a sort, to subsist and to be present with the believer: v. 1. The second effect is that faith
makes a believer approved of God: v. 2. The third effect is that faith makes a man understand and
believe things incredible to sense and reason” (Win. Perkins, 1595).
1. The apostle now takes occasion to show what faith is and does. That faith can, and does,
preserve the soul, prompting steadfastness under all sorts of trials and issuing in salvation,
may not only be argued from the effects which is its very nature to produce, but is illustrated
and demonstrated by one example after another, cited in the verses which follow. We should
note that, Heb. 11 is an amplification and exemplification of Hebrews 10:38, 39: the “faith” for
the saving of the soul.
a. ‘It is the substance of things hoped for’ etc. Faith is here described by its primary and formal
acts. The acts of faith are two: it is the substance; it is the evidence. Beza says, —Faith
substantiates or gives a subsistence to our hopes, and demonstrates things not seen. As the
matters of belief are yet to come, faith gives them a substance, a being, as they are hidden from
the eyes of sense and carnal reason; faith also gives them an evidence, and doth convince men
of the worth of them; so that one of these acts belongs to the understanding, the other to the
will” (Thos. Manton, 1670).
b. Faith, whether natural or spiritual, is the belief of a testimony. Here, faith is believing the
testimony of God. Faith may be defined primarily, as trust in the God of the Scriptures and in
Jesus Christ whom He hath sent Jn. 17:3, who receives Him as Saviour and Lord, and impels to
loving obedience and good works. As used in reference to unseen things of which Scripture
speaks, faith “gives substance” to them, so that we act upon the conviction of their reality Heb.
11:1–3.

26/04/2026

Sunday 26-04-2026

Text. 2Sam. 24:1-4, 10-17, 18-25
A new beginning, a new status for you. Rev. 21:5a, Is. 42:9. Mordecai-Est. 6:1-12, Saul- 1Sam. 9:22-25.
This is what Jesus has done for us. Is. 53:12, Eph. 2:5-6, Rev. 1:5-6, Eph. 1:19-21, 1Cor. 4:8, Rom. 16:20.
1. All judgment on you has been reversed. 2Sam. 24:16, 25, let it be reversed...the...devise...to destroy... how can I see evil? Est.8:5-6. Why?
a. Judgment already executed, burnt to ashes. FIRE: judgment, purification & approval Gen. 19:24,
Mal. 3:2-3, Rom. 8:2-4.
b. The end of the agonies in hell. Ps. 9:17, Matt. 12:40, Lam. 3:6-7, 9.
I. We were buried with him. Rom.6:3-4, Gal.3:26-27- Termination, initiation and renewal.
II. We suffered with Him. Ps. 88:3-15. The end of all sufferings.
c. Our darkness has been illuminated. Ps. 18:28, Act. 12:7, Jn. 1:1-5, Jas. 1:18, 1Pet. 1 23, 2Cor. 4:6,
Eph. 5:8.
I. We were made alive in the spirit. 1Pet. 3:18, Eph. 2:5.
II. Justified together in the spirit. 1Tim. 3:16.
III. Given the armour righteousness. Is. 11:5, Job. 29:14, Is. 61:10, 2Cor. 6:7.
IV. We became partakers of divine nature. 2Pet. 1:4.
V. We became God’s righteouness. Ro. 3:24-26; 4:25.
VI. We were born out of the dead. Col. 1:18, Act. 13:32-33.
VII. The power of death has been losed. Act. 2:24, 2Tim. 1:10, Jn. 5:24; 8:51.

21/04/2026

Tuesday 21-04-2026
The Saving of the Soul Heb. 10:35–39
“But if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” It seems to the writer that the translators of the A.V. inserted (in italics) the words “any man” and changed “and” (kai) into “but”: the R.V. correctly gives “if he shrink back,” and Bag. Int. “and if he draw back.” Yes, if the “just” man himself were to draw back and continue in apostasy, he would finally perish. “By this solemn consideration, therefore, the apostle urges on them the importance of perseverance, and the guilt and danger of apostasy from the Christian faith. If such a case should occur, no matter what might have been the former condition…his former love could not save him; any more than the former obedience of the angels saved them from the horrors of eternal chains and darkness” (A. Barnes. And if he drew back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” He who thinks that by refusing to take up his cross daily and follow the example left by Christ, can escape the world’s reproach and persecution and yet go to Heaven, is fatally deluding himself. Said the Lord Jesus, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it” Matt. 16:25, Ps. 85:8, Eze. 3:20; 18:24, 2Pet. 2:19–22.
If any should “draw back” then God would have “no pleasure in him,” which is but the negative way of saying that he would be an object of abhorrence. Ps. 147:11; 149:4, Is. 42:1, Mal. 1:7-10, 1Thess. 2:14-15. But observe closely, it does not say God would have “no more pleasure in him,” which would conflict with the uniform teaching of the Word concerning the unchanging love of God Mal. 3:6, Jn 13:1, Rom. 8:35–39 toward His own. O the minute accuracy of Holy Writ! The practical application of this solemn word to us is, that to have a scripturally grounded assurance of God’s taking pleasure in us, we must continue cleaving closely unto Him.
“But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul” v. 39. The word “perdition” shows plainly that the “drawing back” of the previous verse is a fatal and final one. Nevertheless, the apostle assures the Hebrews that no such fate would overtake them. They should not conclude that Paul thought evilly of them: though he had warned, he did not regard them as treading the broad road to destruction, instead he was “persuaded better things of them” Heb. 6:9. “…We, whom God has favored ought to acknowledge that we have been called in order that we may advance more and more…, and strive constantly to draw nearer to Him. This is the real preservation of the soul, for by so doing we shall escape eternal perdition” John Calvin.
“The apostle had only been stating what must happen if a sincere Christian should apostatize. But he did not mean to say that this would occur in regard to them. He designed that this should be a means of keeping them in the path of life” (A. Barnes). Christians may grow cold, neglect the means of grace, backslide, fall into grievous sins as did David and Peter; but they shall not “draw back unto perdition.” No, they have been predestinated “to be conformed unto” the image of Christ Rom. 8:29, and God’s purpose cannot fail. They are the objects of Christ’s intercession Jn 17:15, 24, and that is efficacious Jn 11:42. They are restored by the good Shepherd when they go astray Ps. 23:3.
As the term “perdition” denoted that eternal damnation is the doom of apostates, so the word “salvation” here has reference to that ultimate consummation of the portion of all true believers. It is to be carefully noted that the apostle said, “them that believe to the saving of the soul.” There is a blessed sense in which every regenerated believer has been saved by Christ, yet there is also another and most important sense in which his salvation is yet future: see Rom. 13:11, 1Pet. 1:5, 9. The complete and final salvation of the Christian is dependent upon his continued trust in and obedience to God in Christ. It is gloriously true that Christians are “kept by the power of God.” He who prepares Heaven for them preserves them, but “through faith” 1Pet. 1:5. He permits us to be harassed with all sorts of temptations, trials and troubles, requires faith. Nothing but a God-given and God-maintained faith can enable us to row against the stream of flesh…and we shall win through to Heaven at last. The “flesh” is for sparing and pampering the body; but “faith” is for the “saving of the soul.” Pink Arthur W

19/04/2026

SUNDAY SERMON 19/04/2026
TOPIC: CHOOSE THE RIGHT/GOOD PATH, WALK IN IT AND REMAIN THERE.
TEXT: JER6:16, ACT4:12, MATH7:13-14
IS IT IN THE POWER OF MAN TO CHOOSE RIGHT?
*Free will to choose. Duet30:19
*The problem of sin. Rom7:15-20, Jer17:9
Points to consider
1. WHAT IS THE RIGHT/GOOD PATH
John14:5, 10:7-9, Luke10:42, John 3:16, 17:3
2. EXAMPLES OF THOSE WHO THREAD THE RIGHT PATH; JOB, HANNAH,RUTH, SAMUEL.
3. DANGER OF CHOOSING THE WRONG PATH
a. Destruction (physical and spiritual death) Pro14:12
b. Wasted destiny Gen13:10-11
You become a prey to the enemy.Jer50:6-7
c. Deceit of self reliance. Dan4:28-30
d. Falling into sinful act. Gen 4:6-8
4. BENEFITS OF WALKING IN THE RIGHT PATH
1. Rest for your soul ( Salvation). JER6:16, Math11:28, Pro14:13
2. Eternal life.1Jh5:10-12, Jh17:3
3. Long life and prosperity.Deut5:32-33
4. Joy of life.

17/04/2026

12/04/2026

Sunday 12-04-2026
Text. 2Sam. 24:1-4, 10-17, 18-25
A new beginning, a new status for you. Rev. 21:5a, Is. 42:9. Mordecai-Est. 6:1-12, Saul- 1Sam. 9:22-25.
This is what Jesus has done for us. Is. 53:12, Eph. 2:5-6, Rev. 1:5-6, Eph. 1:19-21, 1Cor. 4:8, Rom. 16:20.
The end of all evils. Ps. 91:10, 1Chro. 4:10, Gen. 48:16, Jn. 17:15, 1Jn. 5:18, Ps. 121:7. Why?
The burnt offering 2Sam. 24:16-17. Lev. 1:3-4, 5, 11.
Identify with Christ as the burnt offering Lev. 1:4, Is. 53:12, numbered with us
You have been made sin and sick with Him. Is. 53:3-6, 2Cor. 5:21, 1Pet. 2:24.
You have been crucified with Him. Rom. 6:6, Gal. 2:20; 6:14.
You have been cursed with Him. Gal. 3:10, 13; 6:14.\
You died with Him. Rom. 6:7-8, 2Tim. 2:11.
Identify with the blood of the offering. Lev. 1:5, 11, 15, Ex. 12:13, 23, Zech. 9:11, Heb. 9:22, 14, Rev. 12:11, 1Chro. 21:15.

07/04/2026

Tuesday 07-04-2026
The Saving of the Soul Heb. 10:35–39
For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry” v. 37. He here, both strengthen their “confidence” and “patience,” and points them to the near approach of the time when they should receive their “reward.” Lk. 18:8, Jas. 5:7–9, 2Pet. 3:8, Rev. 22:20. “There is indeed nothing that avails more to sustain our minds, should they at any time become faint, than the hope of a speedy and near termination. The apostle reminds us that the Lord will shortly come to deliver us from all evils, provided our minds faint not through want of firmness. Frequently does the Holy Spirit emphasize the exceeding brevity of the saints’ sufferings in this world; “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” Ps. 30:5, Rom. 16:20, 2Cor. 4:17.
“For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” The reference here is to the person of the Lord Jesus, as is evident from Hab. 2:3, to which the apostle here alludes. Like so many prophecies, that word of Habakkuk’s was to receive a threefold fulfillment: a literal and initial one, a spiritual and continuous one, a final and complete one. The literal was the Divine incarnation, when the Son of God came here in flesh. The final will be His return in visible glory and power. “The spiritual has reference to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 when that which most obstructed the manifestation of Christ’s kingdom on earth was destroyed—with the overthrow of the Temple and its worship, official Judaism came to an end. The Christians in Palestine were being constantly persecuted by the Jews, but their conquest by Titus and their consequent dispersion put an end to this. That event was less than ten years distant when Paul wrote. We are not saying that v. 37 is containing no reference to the final coming of Christ. What we have sought to point out was the immediate purport of its contents unto the Hebrews. But it also contains a message for us, a message of hope and comfort. It is our privilege too to be waiting for God’s Son from Heaven. Let us add that it is a big mistake to regard every mention of the “coming” of Christ in the N. T. Scriptures as referring to His “appearing the second time” Heb. 9:28. In Jn. 14:18, 28, the reference was to Christ’s “coming” by His Spirit; in John 14:23 to His “coming” in loving manifestation to the individual soul; in Eph. 2:17 He “came” by the Gospel; in Rev. 2:5 His “coming” is in chastisement. Careful study of each verse is required to distinguish between these several aspects.” Pink Arthur W.
“Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him” v. 38, Hab. 2:4, Rom. 1:17, Gal. 3:11. The first half of this verse is quoted from Hab. 2:4. This is cited in proof that perseverance is important for a child of God. He who has been justified by God, through the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to his account, lives by faith as the influencing principle of his life. See Gal. 2:20. The one whom God has exonerated from the curse and condemnation of the law, is not him who has merely “believed,” but is the man who continues “believing,” with all that that word includes, and involves. Let us fully note the force of the present perfect “believeth” in John 3:15, 16, 18; 5:24 etc., and contrast the “for a while believed” of Lk 8:13! The future tense “shall live” announces and enforces the necessity for the continued exercise of faith. It is true that one who has been justified by God was previously quickened, for we are “justified by faith” Acts 13:39, Rom. 5:1 etc.), and one who is dead in trespasses and sins cannot savingly believe—note the “called” before “justified” in Rom. 8:30. It is also true that the real Christian lives by faith, for that is the very nature of indwelling grace. But it is equally true that the “just shall live by faith.” The constant exercise of faith by the saint is as essential to his final salvation as it was to his initial salvation. We can only be delivered from the power of indwelling sin, from the temptations of Satan, from an enticing world which seeks to destroy us, by a steady and persistent walking by faith. Christians are to pass their lives here, not in doubt and fear, but in the maintenance of a calm trust in Christ. As faith lives upon Christ Jn 6:56, 57, it draws virtue from Him. Faith is assured that our Head knows far better than we do what is good and best.” Pink Arthur W.

05/04/2026

YOUTH SUNDAY 2026 EDITION 5th APRIL, 2025
THEME: RULES OF ENGAGEMENT IN GOD’S KINGDOM Rom 12:1-2; 2 Tim 2:3-5
TALK 3: KINGDOM ENGAGEMENT IN A WORLD OF CONFLICT
Text: Eph 6:10-13
Introduction: We live in a world full of activities, distractions, wars in all kind, self-pleasing Jer 7:23-24, we do not want anything to do with God Rom 1:28. There is a real spiritual conflict, targeting the Gospel 2 Cor 10:3-4, Eph 6:12. This implies that our challenges are not just physical, they are spiritual. And as believers, we are not called to be entrapped with the world, but to engage it as Kingdom representatives of Christ 2 Cor 5:20. We are not to get polluted by the affairs of the world 1 John 2:15-17, James 1:27b because we are the light of the world Matt 5:14-16. We are not to go back to where we were once delivered from 2 Peter 2:20-22.
Points to consider:
The world of conflict James 4:1-2, 1 John 3:15
Our state before restoration plan of God (Where God Brought Us From): This is our state inherited from Adam (illustration of Cain and Abel Gen 4:4-5; :8. We were casted out Gen 3:23-24, Is 59:2, sin reigned over us Rom 5:21, Rom 3:9 and brought God’s wrath, darkness reigned. You cannot understand Kingdom engagement until you understand the pit God brought you out of 2 Sam 7:8; :1. For those that have not be drawn out. This is the time of grace unto salvation 2 Cor 6:2.
Our Identity in the Kingdom Rom 8:17; 1 Peter 2:9. You cannot engage properly if you don’t know who you are. You are not ordinary, you are a child of God and an heir with Christ.
The trading in the world (world warfare) Eph 2:1-2 This implies that every sin is a trade with the enemy, where a person exchanges their godly inheritance for worldly desires or fruit offered by Satan. Eph 6:12. This is the nature of the conflict 1 Peter 5:8. The same power that once held you is still fighting to regain control
The agenda of the world to subdue believers through the spirit and work of Nicolaitans which is an outcome of inclusiveness, non challant attitude to the things of God Rev 3:15-16, Matt 22:4-5 and stumbling block Rev 2:1-; :6, 15; :14-16 (Illustration of Balaam Num 22-24, Num 25:1-3, the error of greed Jude :11, 2Peter 2:15 by seeking personal or worldly gain. The letter to the seven churches relating to us, it is subtle agenda to subdue believers through moral compromise and spiritual inclusiveness (mixing pagan practices with Christianity).
Our responsibilities
Profession of Christ leads to acceptance: The public and private acknowledgment of Jesus is the "gate" to being accepted into God's family. Rom 10:9-10, Matt 10:32, John 1:12
A call to repentance Act 3:19, Luke 5:32, Rom 11:29, Num 23:19 God’s calling does not change but man must repent and align, He is willing to pour His gifts. God will not cancel your calling, but you can live outside its benefits if you refuse to repent.
Our light overcoming darkness: This is the spiritual law that the presence of God’s truth and Spirit nullifies the power of evil John 1:5, 1 John 1:5, Eph 5:8 (Walk as the children of light).
Living expectant of eternal life (Reward for the works done): We are called to live for eternal life, knowing that our faithfulness on earth has a reward. Matt 20:1-16; :2; Matt 16:27, Col 3:23-24, 2 Tim 4:8
Conclusion: We are not just living but we are engaged in a Kingdom conflict. We should always remember where we were brought from (which was in darkness, separated from God), but through His mercy, we have been brought into His marvelous light. Therefore, we must not return to the life we were delivered from, nor be entangled again with the systems of this world. Galatians 5:1, Eph 6:13.
The Don’t
Do not trade your Kingdom identity for worldly gain.
Do not allow compromise to take what Christ died to give you.
Do not lose your eternal reward because of temporary pleasures.
God is still calling, still restoring, and still empowering. Rev 3:11

04/04/2026

YOUTH CONVENTION DAY 2, 2ND SESSION

04/04/2026

THEME: RULES OF ENGAGEMENT IN GOD’S KINGDOM

Text: Rom 12:1-2, 2 Tim 2:3-5

03/04/2026

THEME: RULES OF ENGAGEMENT IN GOD’S KINGDOM

Text: Rom 12:1-2, 2 Tim 2:3-5