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Methodist Church Nig - Osogbo Diocese, Methodist Church Nigeria Diocese of Osogbo, Wesley Street Agunbelewo, Osogbo (2026)

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Methodist Church Nigeria Diocese Of Osogbo, Wesley Street Agunbelewo

29/10/2020

METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA
DIOCESE OF OSOGBO
TWENTY-FOURTH (24TH) SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME/FOURTEENTH (14TH) SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY, 13TH SEPTEMBER, 2020.
GOD’S WORD TO GOD’S PEOPLE.
THEME: Forgiveness (Idariji)
TEXT: Matthew 18:32&33
https://methodistosogbo.blogspot.com/2020/09/forgiveness-idariji.html
"Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, "You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?"
“Nigba ti Oluwa re p*e tan, o wi fun pe, Aa! iwo iranse buburu yii, Mo fi gbogbo gbese ni ji o, nitori ti iwo be mi. Iwo ki isi saanu iranse egbe re gege bi mo ti saanu fun o?”
Forgiveness is often defined as an individual, voluntary internal process of letting go of feelings and thoughts of resentment, bitterness, anger, and the need for vengeance and retribution toward someone who we believe has offended us, including ourselves (Rom.12:17-21) Forgiveness, however, is conditioned on remorse repentance and the willingness to make reparation, or atonement; and the effect of forgiveness is the restoration of both parties to the former state of relationship. Forgiveness, to me as a Christian, is therefore an essential character or quality of Christ's followers for unity and harmony in the Church of God. Of course, relationship cannot be mended and strengthened if our humility and honesty, as Christians, failed to result in forgiveness.
Peter, knowing fully well that human beings are bound to offend or wrong one another, came to Jesus Christ with the issue of sin and forgiveness as contained in the opening verse of our gospel text for today, Matthew 18:21-35. He recognized the risks and dangers involved in human relationship and thus asked Jesus how he should handle them in future when they eventually occurred. The question of Peter in Matthew 18:21 shows some elements of pride in him. In his question, he was sure that his brother would sin against him, but not he against his brother. Secondly, he was asking for limit when the Bible makes it clear that where there is love there can be no limits (Eph. 3:17-19). Considering the teaching of the Jewish Rabbis', that three times of wrong doing was sufficient to retaliate, Peter thus thought he was showing great level of faith and love when he offered to forgive at least seven times. Jesus' reply, “until seventy times seven” (490 times) seemed to be a shocker to Peter. How on earth can one continue to count offense against his brother or sister until 490 times? Indirectly, Jesus Christ was saying love keeps no record of wrongs (1Cor. 13:5). Brothers and sisters, Fathers and mothers, we must however know that love is not blind (Phil. 1:9-10). It only helps us to look away from the wrongs done against us.
Jesus Christ who wants the best for his Church explains further what he meant by forgiveness with the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:23-35. This parable shows that if a brother or sister is guilty of a repeated offense, no doubt he/she would find power and strength to overcome such offence through the encouragement of his/her loving and forgiving brethren. Obviously, if we condemn a brother or sister, we may end up bringing out the worst in him/her. But if we forgive them their sin, definitely, we may be helping to bring the best out of them. The parable of the unforgiving servant is therefore meant to illustrate the power of forgiveness among Christians only and not between lost sinners and God (Matt. 18-15&21). It buttresses the fact of an aspect of the Lord's prayer which says, "And forgive us our debts. As we forgive our debtors" (Matt. 6:12). Are you a Christian with forgiving spirit or one who revenges and fight back? Learn to forgive so that you may also be forgiven.
The unforgiving servant is the main character in the parable before us today and worthy of study. In his experience of being forgiven and himself unable to forgive, we can gain some lessons for our Christian race. Let us examine his experience following these three stages:
1. The servant as a debtor (Matt. 18:23-27). This servant's embezzlement of funds was discovered when his master came for the auditing of his books of account. His dishonesty activities were made open and it was discovered that he had misappropriated one thousand talents which was probably equivalent to over 10million Dollars. He however pleaded for mercy, and promised to pay back if only he could be given enough time, but deep down in his heart he knew that would not be able to pay the debt. The servant was proud and lacked sincere repentance. He was not even ashamed of the fact that he stole the money, rather, he was ashamed because he was caught. Let us note that his master had the legal right to throw him into prison, but he was a man of compassion. He accepted the loss and forgave the servant just as we are being forgiven daily by God who is full of mercy and compassion. Brethren, we are all debtor, how ready are we to regularly service our debt to God and to our fellow human beings? We owe nothing but love, to love God and our fellow human beings (Rom. 13:8).
2. The servant as a creditor (Matt. 18:28-30). After he had been forgiven, he left the presence of his master only to meet his fellow servant who owed him 100 pence which was about the daily earning of an average worker. The debt which his fellow servant owed him was insignificant compared with what he owed (10million Dollars) his master. Instead of sharing the happiness of his own release with his colleagues, he went straight to maltreat his fellow servant who was unable to pay him his little debt. He could not do to others what he wanted others to do to him. He might have gotten the legal right to also throw his debtor into prison, but he did not have the moral right to do so. Someone who had just been forgiven, should he not also forgive his fellow servant? How do we treat others today, especially when it comes to things which we are also guilty of? Forgive others as we want God to forgive us. We are all creditors; one or more persons may owe us. How do we treat them? (Matt. 6:14&15; Lk. 17:3&4)
3. The unforgiving servant as a prisoner (Matt. 18:31-34). His master originally delivered him from going into the prison, but he put himself back into it, because of lack of the spirit of forgiveness. The unforgiving servant exercised justice and threw into prison his colleague who owed him and was unable to pay. This act of forgiveness of this servant provoked his master who had earlier forgiven him to revert back to justice. His master did to him what he had done to his colleague. The prison of unforgiving heart has been described as the worst prison in the world. If we refused to forgive others, we are only imprisoning ourselves and causing our own torment. Many of us have received forgiveness, but we have not really experienced forgiveness down deep in our hearts. Thus, we are unable to share forgiveness with those who have offended us. Brethren in the house of faith, let us all learn and accept to share forgiveness with others, even as God is sharing with us every day. Forgiveness is able to bring freedom, joy and rest/peace of mind to us and thereby foster unity among us. “And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave us” (Eph. 4:32)
Let us pray
Rt. Rev. A.K.O. Ogunrinde, JP, FICT.
Bishop, Diocese of Osogbo.
OS-CAN Chairman.

METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA DIOCESE OF OSOGBO TWENTY-FOURTH (24 TH ) SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME/FOURTEENTH (14 TH ) SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY, 13...

29/10/2020

METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA
DIOCESE OF OSOGBO
TWENTY-FIFTH (25TH) SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME/FIFTEENTH (15TH) SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY, 20TH SEPTEMBER, 2020.
GOD’S WORD TO GOD’S PEOPLE.
THEME: Trust God to supply your need
Gbekele Olorun fun ipese ohun to nilo
TEXT: Exodus 16:12

https://methodistosogbo.blogspot.com/2020/09/trust-god-to-supply-your-need.html
"I have heard the complaints of the children of Israel. Speak to them saying, "At twilight you shall be filled with bread. And you shall know that I am the Lord your God."
"Emi ti gbo kikun awon omo Israeli; so fun won pe, Ni asaale eyin o je eran, ati ni Owuro a o si fi ounje kun yin, eyin o si mo pe, emi ni Oluwa Olorun yin."
While counselling his Boston congregation, Bishop Phillips Brooks (1835-1893) declared that Christians need not to pray for easy lives, rather, they should pray to be stronger men and women. He added that children of God should not pray for tasks equal to their power, but need to request for powers equal to their tasks. What a wise counsel! Brooks' counsel perhaps came from his study of the Israelites' wilderness experience. Whenever the journey became so challenging and the going got tough, the children of Israel would begin to grumble and talking about returning to Egypt where they had been treated as slaves. They easily forgot what God had done for them, but talked about those things they wanted him to do, but he has not done (Ps. 105:5&6). They praised God at the manifestation of his power in their journey, but a little time, they doubted his power to provide or supply their needs as if they no longer trust him in their daily wilderness walk. Obviously, the Israelites were no different from today's Christians. We love to trust and praise God when things are going on smooth with us, but whenever the opposite comes, we tend to forget his good deeds in the past and begin to doubt his power or ability to save, protect, supply, help and care for us in our own daily walk of faith. Today's message, therefore, is to help us learn from the experience of the Israelites and continue to trust God for the supply of all our needs. (Phil. 4:19).
The children of Israel, when walking in the wilderness to the promised land, faced several problems. One of the big challenges they faced in their wilderness journey was hunger. The entire people of Israel complained bitterly after a month they left Egypt because they were very hungry in the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elam and Sinai. (Ex. 16:1-3) The hunger was so severe that they forgot their bo***ge and sufferings in Egypt, rather they remembered pots of meat and bread which they had eaten in Egypt. They preferred to have remained in bo***ge and die in Egypt as slaves than to be free and hungry in the wilderness. They grumbled and complained bitterly against Moses and Aaron in the face of hunger - What shall we eat? Was the main topic of their complaint. God, however, heard their grumbling and complaints and in his mercy and grace met he their needs. He promised to give them meat to eat in the evening and to rain bread (manna) from heaven for them in the morning (Ex. 16:4 & 8). Our God is a merciful Father, who vowed to be gracious to whom he wishes and have compassion on anyone he wishes (Ex. 33:19), let us therefore, trust him for the supply of all our needs. Nothing is too hard for him to do even in the midst of the present economic meltdown, he is able supply all our needs (Gen. 18:14; Jer. 32:27) As Christians journey through life to heaven, we must believe God and obey him for the following reasons made clear in our Old Testament text appointed for this 15th Sunday after Trinity (Exodus 16:2-15)
1. The Promise of God (Ex. 16:4-5,8 11-12): In our Christian walk of faith, we live on promises and explanations. It is usual and normal for us to ask "Why?" whenever we are passing through tough times or facing life challenges, but such question seems to be a wrong one since it is always directed to God, the Creator and Sustainer of our lives. He can never be accountable to human beings because he is in charge of our lives and affairs. God is sovereign and does not have to explain anything to us except he chooses to do so. (Job 40:1-5) Murmurings cannot solve our problem nor asking questions and getting explanations could supply our needs or heal our broken hearts, but understanding the ways, plans and promises of God can increase our faith in him and strengthen our trust in him. This is because God's promises depend on faith, and faith puts us in contact with the grace of God.
2. The glory of God (Ex. 16:6-7, 9-10): The important thing here is that the glory of God is sufficient for us. In our text, the moment Israel beheld God's glory, they forget every other problem and focused on what they saw. What should be important to us, as Christians who are called to be light and salt of the world (Matt. 5:13-16), is how to glorify God and honour his name, even at the expense of our own comfort. Christians must learn to face difficult situations without asking how can we get out of this?, but to say, Lord, what can we get out of this difficult situation? What should be important to us, as Christians in Nigeria today, is the kingdom of God and his righteousness and complete trust in God for unexpected supply of all our physical needs (Matt. 6:33). We must know that all our life challenges and wants are mere trial and test of our faith, and they are meant to build godly character into us as God's children so that we can be more like Jesus Christ. Bearing burdens, fighting battles, feeling pains and being in want are therefore marks of our godliness. Trust in God and his glory shall bring to us all that we need.
3. The faithfulness of God (Ex. 16:13-15): So it was that quails came up at evening and covered the camp and the people of Israel caught enough for themselves. They asked for meat and God provided more than enough for them. The Lord surprised them with something new in the morning, he rained down manna for his people. He prepared a table for his people in the wilderness and shared "the bread of angels" with his people (Ps. 78:17-25) The bread which they ate for 40years in the wilderness without working for it. (Ex. 16:35; Josh 5:11-12) Every morning, the Israelites participated in a miracle as they came out from their tents to find all the nourishment they needed waiting on the dew. Though manna was small like a seed, but it tasted sweet like honey (Ex. 16:31). Our God is so faithful and will always fulfill his promises (Num. 23:19) Let us true him, because he does not fail.
Trust God today and believe in his Son Jesus Christ, who alone is the bread of life, sweeter than manna, and you will also participate in the endless miracle of God's supply (Jn 6:22-59). The Psalmist tasted God's unlimited provision and thus declared; "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Ps. 23:1) He is God of justice and equity, he will never forget all those who trust in him (Matt. 20:8-15) Jesus Christ is willing to give us more than food for the body or money for our earthly desires, he has the ability to give us food for our soul which no man or woman can give. (Isa. 55:2) Jesus Christ is the Bread of life, and the only way to be saved and be satisfied is to receive him to our inner being. Trust God and he shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19).
Let us pray.
Rt. Rev. A.K.O. Ogunrinde, JP, FICT.
Bishop, Diocese of Osogbo.
OS-CAN Chairman.

METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA DIOCESE OF OSOGBO TWENTY-FIFTH (25 TH ) SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME/FIFTEENTH (15 TH ) SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY, 20 T...

29/10/2020

METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA
DIOCESE OF OSOGBO
TWENTY-SIXTH (26TH) SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME/SIXTEENTH (16TH) SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY, 27TH SEPTEMBER, 2020.
GOD’S WORD TO GOD’S PEOPLE.
THEME: Water from the rock
Omi lati inu apata
TEXT: Exodus 17:6
https://methodistosogbo.blogspot.com/2020/09/water-from-rock.html
“Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.”
“Kiyesii, emi o duro niwaju re nibe lori okuta ni Horebu; iwo o si lu okuta naa, omi yoo si jade ninu re, ki awon eniyan ki o le mu. Mose si se bee ni oju awon agbaagba Israeli.”
Food and water are so important to body, and as such the two are necessary for human existence. Having fed the children of Israel with quails and manna which came down miraculously from the throne of God in heaven (Ex. 16), the next thing I suppose should be water. Hence, the reason for another time of great complaints and murmuring against Moses, Aaron, and God who promised to save his people from their enemies. The Israelites forgot that the presence of God was sufficient for them and could satisfy all their needs as long as they remained steadfast in him. Moses and Aaron themselves knew that the strength and confidence they needed to lead Israel through the wilderness to the promised land could only be derived from the presence of the living God who never fails. He is the Rock of our Salvation (Ps. 89:26) who is ever ready to produce anything needed for our comfort and satisfaction. As the Rock, our God has authority to produce, protect, provide and to solve all our problems in life. Don’t you see how he is solving the global problem of COVID-19? Our message today is therefore to assure us that if we trust God and put our confidence in him, he will direct our steps in the wilderness of life by making ways for us where there is no way and bringing water from the rock for us to drink and be satisfied. He will quench our thirst and give us the Living water to drink if we ask him (Matt. 7:17)
According to the writer of Exodus, as the Israelites moved toward Mount Sinai, they were still being led by the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night (Ex. 13:21), and the Lord was still directing them as they passed through difficulties and trying situations. God manifested his power before the children of Israel and built their faith and character through different tough experiences. It must however be noted that life’s journey is more than what we think, and much more than reaching a destination. Our experiences in life must help us to grow in faith, in the knowledge of God and in godly character. To God, Israel had not known him despite all he did for them before arriving Rephidim in the wilderness of Sanai, where she again found herself without water. If the children of Israel had known the One who was leading them, they wouldn’t have complained when they were in need of water. They wouldn’t have quarreled with Moses their leader. They wouldn’t have been guilty of the sin of ingratitude doubt and unbelief, and wanting to return into their old life (Ex. 17:1-3). In short they failed the test of God once again. As Christians, if we blame God in the face of life challenges and compromise our faith, then we have only allowed temptation to trap us and rob us of an opportunity to grow spiritually. But if we allow God to have his way by trusting him for breakthrough, then all trials and temptations of life will work for us and not against us. (Rom. 8:28; James 1:12-15) For us to remain overcomers for life, we need to remain connected to Jesus Christ, the only Son of God and keep trusting him as the source of all good things. (John 15:5) Anything short of this will lead to anger, bitterness, and unchecked action which could make our situation worse (Ex. 17:5)
Moses, a good leader, who knew that God was the unfailing source of all good things, was not provoked by the murmuring of the Israelites, but called on the Lord for help as he had always done (Ex. 15:25; Num. 11:1&2) He knew like the Psalmist that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). The Lord answered him and commanded him to take some elders with him, not to forget his rod which signified the power of God (Ex. 7:20) and smite the rock upon which God promised to stand. Moses obeyed God and did according to his command, then water gushed out from the rock and the immediate need of the people and their flock were met. (Ex. 7:4-7; Ps. 78:15 & 16; Isa. 48:21) What a great wonder! A great and gracious God met the needs of a complaining nation. He can meet your own needs too if you can trust him to the end.
Water came forth from the rock for the children of Israel to drink. What does this mean to us today? The Holy Spirit has given us answer through Apostle Paul who wrote in his first letter to the Corinthians chapter 10 verse 4, that “…all (our fathers) drank of that same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ” Christ is the true Rock which was smitten once for our sin. Through the blood and water which gushed out of his body at his crucifixion, we are made whole, satisfied and settled (Isa. 53:5). He is the Living Spring given by God to all human beings to quench their thirst and give them eternal satisfaction. The significant aspect of this water is that anyone who drinks out of it shall thirst no more and him/herself shall become a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:10-12). Water from the Rock is a flowing one which is pure and fresh for the fullness of life and wholeness for whosoever will come to Jesus Christ and humbly accept him as Lord and Saviour. The water from the Rock is the Holy Spirit known as water of life (John 7:38-39). Are you thirsty? Come to Jesus Christ today and drink freely (Rev. 21:6; 22:17). Let us remember that ordinary water sustains life, but for a while. The living water of God (Holy Spirit) provides or gives eternal life. This water from the Rock as well washes believers and makes them fit for eternal life (Rev. 22:14). I therefore wish to urge all Christians to run from sin of any kind, let us wash ourselves in the Living water, and receive Jesus Christ, the water of life in order to become channel of blessing to other people, especially unbelievers around us and as well become candidates of eternal life. Note that when we commit sin, we are smiting Jesus Christ the second time which will eventually result to second death eternal death in hell fire. To smite Jesus Christ the second time is a sin and the wages of sin is death (Num. 20:11&12, Rom. 6:23)

Let us pray.
Rt. Rev. A.K.O. Ogunrinde, JP, FICT.
Bishop, Diocese of Osogbo.
OS-CAN Chairman.

METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA DIOCESE OF OSOGBO TWENTY-SIXTH (26 TH ) SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME/SIXTEENTH (16 TH ) SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY, 27 T...

29/10/2020

METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA
DIOCESE OF OSOGBO
THIRTIETH (30TH) SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME/TWENTIETH (20TH) SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY, 25TH OCTOBER, 2020.
GOD’S WORD TO GOD’S PEOPLE.
THEME: What do you think about the Messiah?
Kini o ro nipa Mesaya naa?
TEXT: Matthew 22:41&42

https://methodistosogbo.blogspot.com/2020/10/what-do-you-think-about-messiah.html
“While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, “What do you think about the Christ?” Whose Son is He?” They said to Him, “The Son of David.”
“Bi awon Farisi ti ko ara won jo, Jesu bi won, wipe, “Eyin ti ro ti Kristi si? Omo ta ni i se? Won wi fun un pe, Omo Dafidi ni”
Matthew Chapter twenty-two verses fifteen to forty-six contained four serious questions; three of them were from the enemies of Jesus Christ, while the last one was from Jesus himself. Having listened to many parables of Jesus Christ with which he had exposed the evil intentions of the Jewish leaders and warned them against the coming judgement, they (the Jewish leaders) felt humiliated before the crowd and were looking for ways of destroying Jesus Christ. They hoped to trap him with words from his mouth so that he could be arrested and prosecuted, hence, the questioned him on public and religious matters, but they could find no fault in him. The Pharisees and Herodians were the first to ask him question about payment of poll tax (Matt. 22:15-22) The second question about resurrection of the dead came from the Sadducees (Matt. 22:23-33) But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together with the Scribes, and a lawyer from among them asked Jesus Christ the third question which focused on the law (Matt. 22:34-40) Jesus used the ‘Shema’ (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 22:37&38), a statement of faith which was recited daily by every orthodox Jews to reply them. He made them to know that the greatest commandment is to LOVE GOD with all that we are and have. And that love for God cannot be separated from love for our neighbours (1 John 3:10-18, 4:7-21). With the question about the law, Jesus had now answered three difficult questions from his enemies, but there is a fundamental question which is more relevant for every child of God to answer today. This is a question about the Messiah himself. The question which Jesus asked his enemies in our text (Matt. 22:41-43) happens to be the focus of our meditation today, ‘What do you think about the Messiah?’
Unlike his question in Matthew 16:15, Jesus Christ took an indirect approach with his enemies when he asked the question. He made it look like a theological question, when in reality it was a personal question they would ever face. It remains a personal question for everyone who believes that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world. It is very important to have the right thinking about Jesus Christ and believes that he is the Messiah, the only Saviour of the world. As trained experts in the law, the Jewish leaders knew the answer to the other question; Whose Son is the Messiah (Christ)? They knew that the Messiah is the Son of David (Isa. 11:1) and they answered correctly. Jesus also raised another difficult question from Psalm 110:1 which they could not answer. Every Jewish scholar knew that this particular verse of Psalm 110 refers to no other person than the Messiah, because only the Messiah could sit at the right hand of God, so no one could query the accuracy of the text as in Matthew 22:43. Yes, the Messiah could be David’s Lord when viewed as God, but when considered as man, he (the Messiah) is David’s Son. The Bible confirms that Jesus Christ is both the root and the offspring of David (Rev. 22:16). This shows that he (the Messiah) is both divine and human.
The two pictures of the Messiah seen in the Old Testament have brought a lot of confusion to the Bible scholars as they found it difficult to reconcile the two pictures. The first showed the Messiah as a suffering Servant, while the other referred to him as a conquering and reigning King. Were there two Messiah? If we should ask. The answer is no, there is only one Messiah and the Saviour of the world. What then do you think about the Messiah? If the Jewish leaders had listened carefully to what Jesus Christ was saying to them, they would have known that there was only one Messiah, who shared both divine and human natures. He was to suffer and die as a sacrifice for sins of the world. He would then resurrect from the dead, ascend into heaven, and will one-day return to permanently defeat his enemies. However, they never thought like this, because they have their own ideas about the Messiah which they would never compromise. Obviously, if the Jewish leaders had accepted the teachings of Jesus Christ, they would have found it essay to accept him as the Messiah, but this is what they were unwilling to do.
Consequently, the Jewish leaders, enemies of the truth, suddenly became deaf and dumb. They pretended not to understand the truth about the Messiah, and they dear not ask Jesus Christ any more questions, not because they had believed the truth, but because they could not face the truth (Luke 20:40) How about you, what do you think about the Messiah? Your thought about the Saviour (Messiah) is very important to your life now and hereafter. Making a personal decision about Jesus Christ is a matter of life and death. The evidence is there in the Bible for all of us to examine. According to the writer of the Bible Expository Commentary of the New Testament, “We can examine it (the evidence) defensively and miss the truth. Or we can examine it honestly and humbly, and discover the truth, believe it and be saved. The Jewish religious leaders were so blinded by tradition, position, and selfish pride that they could not, and would not, see the truth nor receive the truth.” Fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters in Christ, the truth is that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. He is the Messiah. He is the way, truth and life, no one comes to the father except by him (John 14:6) Only those who believe and accept him as Lord and Saviour are given power to be called sons of God (John 1:12). Those who believe him will not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16) Those who believe in him are not condemned and would not be condemned, but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they do not believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God – the Messiah of the world (John 3:18) What are you now thinking about the Messiah?
Let us pray
Rt. Rev. A.K.O. Ogunrinde, JP, FICT.
Bishop, Diocese of Osogbo.
OS-CAN Chairman.

METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA DIOCESE OF OSOGBO THIRTIETH (30 TH ) SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME/TWENTIETH (20 TH ) SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY, 25 TH ...

29/10/2020

METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA
DIOCESE OF OSOGBO
TWENTY-NINETH (29TH) SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME/NINETEENTH (19TH) SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY, 18TH OCTOBER, 2020.
GOD’S WORD TO GOD’S PEOPLE.
THEME: The image (Aworan naa)
TEXT: Matthew 22:20

https://methodistosogbo.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-image-aworan-naa.html
“And He (Jesus) said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”
“O si bi won pe, Aworan ati akole ta ni eyi?”
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, the word ‘image’ is seen and can be used in several ways:
1) Public Opinion: the opinion people have of a person, organization, product etc seems to be to the public (reputation)
2) Idea in mind: a picture that you have in your mind, especially about what someone or something is like or the way they look
3) Picture/What you see: a picture in the screen of a television, cinema, or computer or better still, an image could mean a picture or shape of a person or thing that is copied on to paper or is cut in wood or stone. The third definition of image given by Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English seems better for our meditation today as we consider the theme: “THE IMAGE”. In the first account of creation, human beings were created in the image of God, in the image of God they were created male and female (Gen. 1:26 & 27). There are two fundamental truths about man as seen in Genesis and some other scriptural passages which we need to know:
1. We know that human beings were created by God
2. That God made them in his own image (Gen. 5:1,3; 9:6; 1Cor. 11:7; Eph. 4:24) Although theologians differ in their views regarding the nature of the image of God in human beings, but the popular opinion is that since God is a Spirit, his image in human beings can only refer to spiritual qualities in human’s mental and moral attributes as rational, self-conscious, self-determining and self-controlled creatures, capable of obedience to moral law and intended by God for fellowship with himself.
Let us turn to the gospel text chosen for this nineteenth (19th) Sunday after Trinity, Matthew 22:15-22 and see what led to the issue of image and the lessons God wants us to learn from the passage. It was the Pharisees and Herodians, their enemies, who suddenly became friends that they might entangle Jesus Christ with the words of his mouth. The Pharisees were opposed to the Roman poll tax while the Herodians were in favour of the tax because they were supporters of the Herod who got his authority from Caesar, the Roman ruler over the Jews as at the time of this trial. It is therefore clear that the Pharisees and the Herodians purposely chose the subject of the poll tax as their bait to trap Jesus Christ. They know that any question about payment of tax will be very difficult for Jesus to answer, because he would not want to offend the Jews, especially the Pharisee by supporting poll tax and neither would he like to offend the Roman government, Herod the king and his lovers by saying no to payment of tax. Jesus Christ knew their scheme as hypocrites, whose purpose was not to get an answer to their question – “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But their main aim was to trap him through any answer he would give as a response to this question. Jesus Christ, however, saw their question as an opportunity for him to shame and silence his enemies, and to as well teach the people around him an important truth about image, respect and obedience.
In the Gentile world, most leaders minted their own coins and put their own image on them. For instance, “penny” (denarius) had Caesar’s image on it, so it belonged to Caesar as a ruler. Hence, Jesus’ reply to their question; “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s” (Matt. 22:21) In this simple, but profound reply, some important facts were taught by Jesus Christ. These facts include:
1) He taught that Christians must obey and respect rulers of the land. (Matt. 22:18-21) The same lesson was taught by Paul in his letter to the Church at Rome (Rom. 13) and Peter the Apostle in his first epistle to the Jews in diasasporal and all believers all over the world (1Pet. 2:13-17). Believers in Christ, have a dual citizenship, in heaven (Phil. 3:20) and on earth where we are now. It is important for us to respect our earthly rulers (elected or appointed leaders), obey the law of the land, pay taxes, participate in community development projects, and pray for all who are in authority.
2) Jesus Christ taught all Christians to honour and obey God (Matt. 22:21). Through Caesar project himself as God, he was not God and could never be worship as God. In the same way, government of any nation is not God and cannot enforce religion (Acts 5:29), hence, there is freedom of religion and worship everywhere, especially in Nigeria. It is because we worshiped God and have the image of God in us that we are able to behave well and honour our country as good citizens.
3) Jesus Christ taught the whole world that human beings are the image of God on earth. If Caesar’s image was on a penny, then the image of God is in and on every human being (Gen. 1:27) God created human beings in his own likeness and as such we owe him all our being. It is true that the devil misled human being to act against the will of God in the garden of Eden. Our first parents, Adam and Eve disobeyed God and thus missed the mark set for them by God and they became sinners, people whose original image had been marred (Gen. 3:7-10) But glory be to God in heaven who did not allow Satan to gain permanent victory over human beings, he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, who came to the world, paid the price of our sin and restore our original image, the image of God (Eph. 4:24; Col.3:10; John 3:16; 1:12). Fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters in Christ, have you been restored into the original image of God? Are you still ordinary dust without the breath of life? Do you know that without being born again, you are just a dust and not real human? It is Christ in us that gives us hope of glory because his blood cleanses us, renews us and restores us to the original image of God. If you have not experienced the new life which Christ gives, come to him today, give unto God your whole being because it belongs to him, and you will become the right man or woman that God wants you to be.
Let us pray
Rt. Rev. A.K.O. Ogunrinde, JvP, FICT.
Bishop, Diocese of Osogbo.
OS-CAN Chairman.

METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA DIOCESE OF OSOGBO TWENTY-NINETH (29 TH ) SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME/NINETEENTH (19 TH ) SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY, 18...

Methodist Church Nig - Osogbo Diocese

29/10/2020

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