17/03/2019
RCCG BREAKTHROUGH CATHEDRAL
SUNDAY 17TH MARCH
2019
MESSAGE BY: PASTOR GODDEY (REGIONAL EVANGELIST)
TOPIC: THE CONNECTION BETWEEN EVANGELISM AND PROSPERITY
What is the connection between evangelism and prosperity?
Remember once you enter Jesus' fold, the formula to succeed in the kingdom of God is not the same as it is in the world.
You can come out of the world and allow the Lord Jesus Christ, but many are still using the worldly formula and they expect things to work.
Someone in the world likewise cannot use God's formula.
Today I assume you have said bye to the world, not cutting corners, no Nigerian factor, you want to do business legally, no cheating and you want yo succeed.
How do one pass exams without settling the lecturers, winning contracts without bribery, doing well incorruptibly.
In my life as a pastor, about 30 years now. Only once did someone come to me wanting to resign her job. Her tithe is so big, how can a pastor then advice such a person to resign, when I preach prosperity? So I sat down, I don't want to pastor someone going to hell, the money is good, but....
At that time she works in the ministry of police affairs, a senior officer in the accounts in the Division 6, after preparing salaries, allowances, leave bonuses etc, they take it to the headquarters Abuja to get the cash, the big guys there will ascertain all as correct then they review and re adjust to be returned, this will happen severally asking her to do her job well, all in a bid to inflate figures, say 5000 to 15000.
That is what happens in Nigeria.
When she does their bid, she is praised for a good job. Of the added 10000, they divide by two, and raise a draft for the value after approval.
When they will come back, if they are ready to pay at all, they will fix the money for 6 months.
That is the country we live.
If they pay at all, they have 5000 balance to be shared by them and their bosses.
Her house is well furnished, chandelier lights, exotic cars, i even sometimes ask God why he didn't make me like her?
Now put yourself in my shoes, if you were the pastor what would be your advice to her?
Don't deceive your self, if we live in a country as this, how do we survive without sin?
One day, Peter, a hard working man went out to fish but caught nothing, until Jesus came his way, the man with another formula came his way, do you know if Jesus loves you, he will come to your aid.
Jesus told Peter where to cast his net. Jesus wanted no fish, but Peter did. Peter caught alot. You see there are some catch you'll make and you will think its JUJU
Peter caught so much he left the fishes and followed Jesus!
Seek after Christ and not riches.
Peter told Jesus, I have left all to follow you, what is in it for me, is this how I'll end my life, but Jesus answered, any man that have left anything (lands, houses, friends, business contacts, associates, privileges), Jesus said in this world, you will have a 100 fold, (in mathematics, there is a arithmetic and geometric progressions, exponentials, etc) in the end you'll get it in fold, and eternal life inclusive.
Why will I then become an internet fraudster?
You give Jesus your land, you get more.
Last year I was five years in Ondo state, at the camp, I got a letter of posting to Maiduguri.
Humanly, I was angry even all the way from Lagos back home, infact, I gave resignation a deep thought. I told my wife, we were already contemplating my funeral service. Buy the following morning, a strange peace came into my soul.
Holy spirit even reminded me of a song I sing in church- "Cary me dey go, Jehovah carry me dey go dey go"
Lagos to Maiduguri is 28 hours. So i opted for flight.
I worshiped in Abuja in one of the Sundays, a brother offered me a ride, he took me round and showed me some properties, (houses and uncompleted buildings and lands)
I kept praising God for him for so many accomplishments.
He turned to me and asked, is it only praise God I'll say?
Then he said God told him that I should pick one of the properties. He insisted I should point at one, then I remembered my long throat!
I chose the one that is 17 minutes drive from Nnamdi Azikwe International Stadium.
Some have been living in Abuja for 25 years with nothing.
I didn't even spend a week!
Don't think the worldly formula will work for you as a Christian, you can't go anywhere
Even to get a government job, people do a lot.
Nigerian formula will never work for you as a Christian!
The problem here is, the solution we think we have will never work.
You are not of the world, your saviour said, you live in Nigeria, but its ways will not work for you.
You only live there, you are not of them, example is I cannot fear EFCC, I have only been to the police station once due to a police report i needed to write due to something that was stolen in church.
Apply the Jesus' principle - Let thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. This implies citizens on earth should live like those of heaven.
I learnt something from the Hausas, the houses they build in any other part of the country is the same as the one they will build their hometown.
Even professions have their code of conduct, lawyers have a dress code.
Wives respect your husbands, husbands, love your wives.
If I was saving my salaries all the years, how long will I have to work to own a house in Abuja?
You need God.
You want to prosper, have a relationship with God.
The pastor spoke to me about some communities where the church presence is yet to reach, you can sponsor a willing pastor through a building or monthly stipend that way you have played a part.
Obed odom was not pleased the covenant ark was out, he risked his life and took the ark home, in three months everything changed positively for him.
Try God and see, pick a project and see if you will not be amazed.
In the name of Jesus, you will do well, you will excel as you apply God's formula.
Luke 10:17.
There is joy in evangelism. Look round the church, who can you point to and say he/she came to the church through you?
I have seen many people rejoice for various reasons, birthdays, wedding etc in an elaborate manner, have you ever seen anyone close down the street, with lots to eat and drink and call people to rejoice for being born again and singing the song-
"I am rejoicing my name has been written,
I am rejoicing that I am born again".
SONG:
Go and tell them (2ce) that Jesus died for sinful world
Go and tell them (2ce) that He is coming back again
Who will tell them (2ce) that Jesus died for sinful world
Who will tell them (2ce) that He is coming back again
Will you tell them (2ce) that Jesus died for sinful world
Will you tell them (2ce) that He is coming back again
I will tell them (2ce) that Jesus died for sinful world
I will tell them (2ce) that He is coming back again
Remember, when you adopt God's project, God will project you.
