FROM THE PULPIT

What Manner of Love Is This?

Love is one of the greatest powers ever. Interestingly though, there are four kinds of love:I love you, you love me love. This is the ideal kind of love and probably the sweetest. E.g. David and Jonathan.I don't love you, you don't love me. Sad kind of love. (II Chro. 13:1-3, 13-17).I love you, you don't love me. Hardest kind of love to bear. Painful and sacrificial. E.g Joseph and his elder brothers (Gen. 37:1-17).I don't love you but you love me. Very scarce, hardly exist. Undeserved kind of love. The sort of love God has for us.

Romans 5:8 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

1 John 3:1 1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

David is someone that has the type and manner of God's love. He demonstrated this in the life of Mephibosheth. No wonder God said he is a man after His own heart.

2 Sam. 9:1-13 1 And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake? 2 And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. 3 And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. 4 And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.5 Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar. 6 Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!7 And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. 8 And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house. 10 Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread always at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11 Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons. 12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth. 13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet.

In biblical times, when a king ascends the throne, it is the custom of the new king to carefully fish out all those that were closely related to the last king and killed them. This will help to make his kingdom to last and put an end to a likely coup or overthrow.

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Unrequested can be defined as unsolicited; unsought; unasked; unprompted; etc. While blessing can be defined as a special favour; mercy or benefit from God.The bible makes us to know that we need to ask God for things in order to receive; we would need to seek in order to find; and we would need to knock on ‘doors’ in order for them to be opened (Mt. 7:7). As a matter of emphasis, the scripture actually says that certain things we desire do not manifest because we fail to ask (James 4:2).The bible is filled with people that desired something from God and therefore besought Him earnestly. The stories of the woman with the issue of blood and Bartimaeus that was blind readily come to mind. They sought the attention of God and they were successful (Luke 8:43-48; Mark 10:46-52).

On the other hand, the bible also records certain people that got unrequested blessings from God. In Luke 7: 11-17, the bible mentioned a widow that was just sorrowfully going to bury her only son. Without calling unto Jesus for help; Jesus was moved with compassion, beckoned to them, touched the stretcher and asked the dead man to get up! What a surprise joy for the widow and her mourners!God has impressed it upon my spirit that some of us will enjoy unprompted blessings in this month of August and the remaining segment of the year. God is prepared to bless us with surprising joy and exhilaration. By Pastor Samuel Obafaiye

Astounding is defined as bewildering or striking dumb with wonder; or so surprisingly impressive as to stun or overwhelm. While accomplishments could be defined as the act of carrying out or achieving; something achieved or successfully completed; gained skills or talent; attainment of social grace, style, and poise.After God ordered Elijah to anoint Elisha as his successor; Elisha left his lucrative mechanized farming and became a servant to Elijah. He would run errands for him and take care of his master. The time came when God was prepared to take Elijah away; Elisha’s contemporaries began to make mockery of him that he would soon be like them, but Elisha was determined not to remain as an ordinary son of a prophet; but as someone spectacular. So he demanded for the double portion of the anointing of God upon his master.The bible records that Elisha was able to fulfil the condition set by Elijah and so received the double portion of his master’s anointing! The sons of prophet that thought Elisha was already stranded at the other side of Jordan bowed before him and called him ‘Master’ after he parted the Jordan River and walked through it on dry ground! (2 Kings 2: 1-15).In the year 2012, the Spirit of God says He will make us to achieve feats that are astounding; gain talents and skills that are staggering; and enjoy attainments of social grace, style and poise that are startling! By Pastor Samuel Obafaiye

FOR INDIVIDUALS:1. He said many considered to be absolutely barren will be fruitful.2. He said family histories will be rewritten, including an end to premature death.3. He said desperate prayers will get quick reply this year.4. He said some will experience massive transfer of wealth from the wicked to the just.FOR NIGERIA:1. God says He has surprises both for His own and for the enemies of the church.2. He said before this year ends, it will be said of Nigeria; all is well that ends well.3, He said we are to pray more for prominent Nigerians, so that those who see this year may see the next.INTERNATIONAL:1. Daddy says there will be a lot of power transfer.2. He said new phenomenon will startle scientists.3. He said we are to pray against earth quakes of record magnitude, tsunamis of record proportion and massive hurricanes. if we pray they will be subdued.4. The civil unrest that started last year, will begin to end this year.However, no matter what happens, 2012 is a Year of New Things. All is well. By Pastor Enoch Adeboye (Gen. Overseer RCCG Worldwide)

AUGUST 2012 THEME: UNREQUESTED BLESSINGS

THE RCCG (EVERLASTING FATHER’S ASSEMBLY) 2012 PROPHECYTHEME: OUR YEAR OF ASTOUNDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS

THE RCCG (WORLDWIDE) 2012 PROPHECYTHEME: OUR YEAR OF NEW THINGS

JESUSIS LORD

Workers’ Trg, Teens & Children Sunday School - 09:40am

Adult Sunday School - 10:15 am

Call To Worship - 11:00AMWisdom SpotPraise & WorshipLiberty PrayersSpecial NumberMessageOfferingAnnouncementsTithesClosing Prayers & Benediction - 13:00pm

Are you in need of Assistance or Support?Talk to Welfare Coordinator - Minister Adebisi Olobaniyi

CONGREGATIONAL HYMNWHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit,O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In his arms he'll take and shield thee; thou wilt find a solace there.

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- By Pastor Samuel Obafaiye

6

The Redeemed Christian Church of God

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THEME OF THE MONTH:UNREQUESTED BLESSINGS

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If you are willing to serve within the Church in any capacity or you know how to play any musical instrument, please see the Pastor.

You are welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We really appreciate your presence. May the Lord visit and bless you.

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CHURCH WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

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Congratulations!!!We collectively want to congratulate our brothers and sisters on their birthday celebrations, which ocurred last month. Some of them are : David Olobaniyi; Miss Duhem Oseme; Bro Seyi Popoola-Oloyede; Mas. David Adelugba; Miss N. Oke-Nwosu; Bro Derrick

Njobuenwu; Bro Lawrence Ola; Bro Osarenren Iduoze; Bro Remi Adelugba; Bro Tobi Adewuyi; Bro Fisayo Banks-Alonge; Sister Idara Udi; Pastor Mrs Ebun-Oluwa Oladele; Deacon Victor Olobaniyi; Sister Olarenwaju Adelegan, Bro Etuk Odungide, Bro George Boyo; and Sister Ogaga Ubredi.May God be gracious to you all; bless you and make His face to shine upon you all in Jesus name.

David ascended the throne of Israel after Saul and his sons were killed in a war. Surprisingly, one of the pressing assignments that David tried to carry out was to show kindness to anyone that was left in the linage of Saul the deceased king!

Mephibosheth was a great rival and powerful contender to the throne, as the first son, of the former crown prince - Jonathan. As a matter of fact, some people were still showing allegiance to the house of Saul at the time (2 Sam. 16:5-8). But David did not see it that way. He still showed kindness and love to the house of a king that hated him.MEPHIBOSHETH PITIFUL STATE- He became crippled by life threatened situation. Has life situation crippled you in a way? May God still make a celebrity of you in Jesus name.- Mephibosheth was hiding. Are you hiding for fear of something? May God deliver you from that fear.- He started living in a village. - He was living in someone's house. He had no place of his own.He would have thought that his assassination date has come. Or Ziba has blown his cover.He was so afraid of David that he chose to suffer quietly till his death.The reason not to fear is because of David covenant with Jonathan. Someone is here who is afraid. God said my covenant of peace is upon you.UNREQUESTED BLESSINGSIt would have been sufficient for Mephibosheth to be able to just live, after his cover has been blown. But David went further to grant certain blessings he never asked for:- Restoration of the lands of king Saul - this are benefits that would have exposed him. May God restore lost grounds to you in Jesus name.- Shall eat at the king's table continually! A dog? God will decorate your table with kingly portion.- Was giving servants to feed his family. People will serve you. - Return to Jerusalem and lived among the princes of Israel. May God bring you to a higher glory. (Formerly as a Prince's son, but now as a full prince).He had been used to an unworthy and useless life. A life of poverty. David however caused a change. May God bring change to any life that has no meaning here in Jesus name.PRAYERSAlmighty Father, the goodies that I have not opened my mouth to ask for, let me begin to enjoy them.Almighty Father, let me enjoy uncommon and unusual favours from you.

Sermon delivered by Pastor Samuel Obafaiye on 05 August, 2012

What Manner of Love Is This?

Continued from Page 2

- By Pastor Samuel Obafaiye

Pastors Samuel & AnthoniaOBAFAIYE

CELEBRATION SERVICE WITH SUNDAY SCHOOL: HOUSE FELLOWSHIP

10:15 - 13:00PM5:30PM - 6:30pm

DIGGING DEEP - 6:30pm - 8:30PM

INVITATION TO BANQUET (2nd & 4th Sat) DRAMA MEETING - CHOIR MEETING - (Every Saturday)SINGLES’ MEETING (1st & 3rd Sat.) -

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Celebration of Life Service: 1st Sunday of the monthAnointing Service:- Last Sundays of the month

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BULLETIN FOR12TH AUGUST, 2012

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MINISTERING:PASTOR (MRS) ANTHONIA OBAFAIYE

Deuteronomy 28:2 says, “All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.” God is a rewarder of those that seek Him. When you keep God first place and do your best to honor Him, blessings always follow obedience. That means you will come into increase, promotion and good breaks you didn’t necessarily deserve.

When blessings come, God desires that you wear His blessings well so you can be an example of His goodness and display His greatness to others. This means you are quick to give God the credit when credit is due. This means instead of feeling guilty for being blessed, you are thankful for His blessings and receive them with gratitude.

Let God make an example of what it means to live a blessed, prosperous, abundant life through your life. We are His great representatives here on earth! Don’t hide what God has blessed you with from the world. Learn to let God’s goodness shine brightly in your l i f e each and every day and wear His b less ings we l l .Excerpts from Joel Osteen’s teaching - Wear Your Blessings Well

WEAR YOUR BLESSINGS WELL