02/08/2020
TRINITY 8
ORDER OF SERVICE
TOPIC: GOD'S PROVISION FOR BELIEVERS
TEXT: GENESIS 22:8.
1). OPENING HYMN: CH 1; CONH 116 {AWAKE MY SOUL)
2). PRAISE & WORSHIP
3). CALL TO WORSHIP/OPENING PRAYER
4). CONFESSION OF SIN
5). PSALM: 90
6).O.T. Lesson: GENESIS 22: 1-14
7). Hymn: CH 441; CONH 598(Building offering) {O JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED}
8). N.T. Lesson: 1 Timothy 6:6-21
9). Hymn: CH 83; CONH 538(Covenant Seed Offering){LORD, THY WORD ABIDETH}
10). SERMON/DISCUSSION
11). INTERCESSION:
12). THANKSGIVING:
a). Service Offering.
b). Tithes and other Offerings.
13). Final Prayer and Grace.
14). Closing Hymn: CH 516; CONH 291 {ROCK OF AGES}
*COLLECT FOR THE WEEK*
*Almighty God, Your word is a lamp to our feet and a light upon our path; grant that by patient study of the scriptures we may follow more closely the way that You set before us; through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now, and for ever. Amen.*
*SERMON FOR DISCUSSION*
TOPIC: GOD'S PROVISION FOR BELIEVERS
TEXT: GENESIS 22:8.
"And Abraham said, “My son, GOD WILL PROVIDE for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.
In the above text the provision of God for Abraham was a ram to replace his son Isaac.
A). INTRODUCTION:
One of the attributes (names) of God is Jehovah Jireh i.e. The Great Provider. This attribute is demonstrated in the lives of all creations of God man and animals but more in the lives of His children who chose to do His will.
The word PROVISION means:
a). An item of goods or supplies, e.g.food, obtained for future use.
b). The act of providing, or making previous preparation.
c). Money set aside for a future event.
Although the human WANTS are endless because we will always want all the goodies that the world can offer even though those goodies could be disastrous and harmful to our lives yet we will crave for them.
The Bible calls our attention to how man although wicked by our nature will give to our children what is good, how much then will God give better things to His children who ask from Him.
"If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him" Matthew 7:11
B). HUMAN NEEDS
The list of human needs is endless. A Psychologist Abraham Masloy summed up the human needs into five in hierarchical form:
1). Physiological needs: air, water, food, shelter, sleep, clothing, reproduction.
2). Safety needs: personal security, employment, health, property.
3). Love and Belonging needs: friendship, intimacy, family, sense of connection.
4). Esteem needs: respect, self-esteem, status, recognition, strength, freedom.
5). Self Actualization needs: desire to become the most that one can be.
C). These are the needs of all humans no matter the color, the race, the gender, the position and status in the society. These are the provisions we all struggle to possess. These are the driving forces on man and animals that make us to do all that we do whether good or evil.
These are what governments of all nations promised the citizenry if voted into power. Unfortunately, there is no government or individuals who can provide all these.
D). GOD'S PROVISION
Looking at the story of creation in Genesis, it is very clear that God's provision had been since the time man was created. All the creations of God which includes food, air, water, light, the sun, moon, stars, rain, soil,plants, vegetations, animals, fishes, soil minerals are what God provided for the enjoyment of man.
These provisions are generously given to all of us. Many have explored these provisions to their blessings and that of the human race.
E). GOD'S PROVISION DEMONSTRATED IN THE LIVES OF THE ISRAELITES
The Bible recorded the acts of God in providing for His people while in Egypt, in the wilderness and while in Canaan, the promised land. These Inc:
a). Multiply them from seventy (70) and their flock to multitude when leaving Egypt.
b). He fed them throughout the time of famine.
c). Preserved their male children even though Pharaoh directed to kill them.
d). Shielded them from the ten (10) plagues that ravaged Egypt.
e). Delivered them out of the claws of Pharaoh and his officials.
f). Gave them victory and safety from their enemies.
g). Fought their battles that could have wiped them out of existence.
h). Divided the Red Sea for them.
i). Drowned their enemies in the sea.
j). Provided water from the rock.
k). Fed them with manna from heaven.
l). Gave them meat that they craved for.
m). Put fear of Israel in the heart of their enemies.
n). Gave them leaders after His heart.
o). Bless their land with the best in agriculture even though a desert.
These are just few of the provisions of God for His people Israel.
F). EXAMPLE OF GOD'S PROVISION IN THE BIBLE
1). For Israel in the wilderness. Deuteronomy 2:7
2). For Elijah in the time of famine. 1 Kings 17:6
3). For Elijah in the wilderness. 1 Kings 19:6
4). For the army of the three Kings. 2 Kings 3:20
5). For the Prophet's widow. 2 Kings 4:6
6). For Samaria in time of famine. 2 Kings 7:8
7). For the multitude that followed Christ. Matthew 14:20
G). GOD'S PROVISIONS FOR HIS CHILDREN TODAY.
The lessons for believers today is that what He has done in the past, He is doing till now. You also can enjoy God's provision.
The testimonies of the children of God abound that God is still providing for His children. This is so because He stands by His word:
"For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed" Malachi 3:6
"For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven" Psalm 119:89
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" Hebrews 13:8
God is keeping His words till tomorrow. He cannot fail, He cannot disappoint, He will not go back from His word because He is Omnipotent(He has all the power), He is Omniscient (He has total knowledge about everything) and He is Omnipresent (He is everywhere all the time)
The word of God is sure to be fulfilled in the life of believers.
H). HOW CAN ONE BE PARTAKERS OF THE PROVISION OF GOD
1). Surrender your life to Christ full. Be a believer of Christ.
2). Allow the Holy Spirit to control your life and not the material things.
3). Read, hear, study, memorize, meditate, obey and live by the word of God. Let the word of God be number one thing that you love above other provisions.
4). Live a life of prayer. Pray that the promises of God to be fulfilled in your life.
5). Have fellowship with people that God.
6). Be involved in God's service.
7). Learn to provide for the needs of others.
CONCLUSION:
One sure thing about God's provision is that the moment the wants of His children becomes a need, you can rest assure that God will provide. God is able to give us the provisions He promised if we are not after them to satisfy our ego.
Sometimes because we don't have millions of Naira in our account, we don't appreciate God's provision. This must be corrected in our lives. Corona virus lockdown that started in March till today is a proof that God provides for His people. You may not know but many are suffering seriously because of financial problems that came with covid 19. Learn to stand by the word of God.
His word says:
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" Psalm 23:1
"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus". Philippians 4:19
Let us pray......
