CCC APETE HARVEST IN PICTURE

UNVEILING THE ROOF – BREAKING FAITH AS THE MASTER KEY OF LIFE

UNVEILING THE ROOF – BREAKING FAITH AS THE MASTER KEY OF LIFE

(Mark 2:1-5)

Natural things are casual and usually are all things that do not arise much attention from people but supernatural things are always special and unusual. It takes an extraordinary step to command extraordinary blessings. Natural and casual people will always remain at a spot for long if they are not determined to dive into the faith that will usher them to the fulfilment of their destiny.

The happenings of the supernatural has always remain a mystery to man. It takes a personal mastered key to unlock the mystery of the supernatural. This special master key that has the capability of unlocking ALL closed doors is called faith. No wonder the Bible says that it's impossible to please God without faith (Heb 11:6).

It is only faith that has the power to unlock a closed door. It is a personal conviction that gives strength to the powerless (Heb11:11) and hope to the hopeless (Heb11:1). Faith opens the door to Testimonies; it is the steering wheel by which great men control their path to the top.

God has no choice than to deliver to you according to your faith (Mark7:25-30). If your faith is little, it will not move much. If you are determined to experience the extraordinary, then you must build on your faith to the level that is capable of moving God to action. Faith does not answer to years of troubles, but answers to action (John5:1-9). The man at the pool of Bethsaida would have remained there forever if Jesus had not appeared to him at that crucial time of his life.

There is another important thing to know about faith. Faith does not answer to age; it only answers to anyone who exercises it. David believed and used faith to conquer Goliath within some minutes whereas there are other older people in the army who had been there at the battle front for days but yet they never experienced any miracle because they did not exercise faith.

Dearest friend, your faith is needed the most at this crucial time of insecurity, economic depression, joblessness and wide spread of diseases. Your faith has to be very strong to the extent that it will be capable of breaking the roof. Unless you have the Roof breaking kind of faith, you may never experience significant breakthrough in life.

As this Parish begins her Harvest celebrations for this year, I want to urge you to maximize the opportunity of “diving” into the atmosphere of miracles. Connect yourself with the miraculous frequency of God for this season by sowing generously in prayers, finances and any other forms of support. By doing this, I strongly believe that the Lord will meet you generously at the point of your needs and my Lord shall surely provides for all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

You shall be the next Testifier; wishing you a Happy Harvest celebration from all the members of the family of God here at Apete!

DAYO OYEDIRAN

Celestial Church of Christ,

Apete, Ibadan.

50 YEARS OF CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST IN OGUN STATE: THE WAY FORWARD

50 YEARS OF CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST IN OGUN STATE: THE WAY FORWARD –

A Lecture delivered at Celestial Church of Christ, Arch Diocesan headquarters, Ijaye Parish, Abeokuta on 14^th August 2013 on the occasion of the 50^th year Anniversary Celebrations by Superior Evangelist (Dr.) Emmanuel O. Adewale (JP) C. C. C. Apete, Ibadan

1. INTRODUCTION

Fifty years is GOLDEN and important enough for any organization, group or individuals to flash and wonder how one is fairing. So I bless God for putting it in the minds of the organizers to call for a gathering like this. I equally rejoice with Celestians in Ogun State for the journey so far. In the course of this discussion, you will see that the lives of the patriarchs of old have not been wasted. I recognize them all.

The objectives of this lecture are to trace the historical trend of the growth of Celestial Church of Christ in Ogun State, examine whether or not the church has sufficiently justified her existence and to see how she can meet the requirements of modern life in this millennium.

2. THE ADVENT OF CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST IN OGUN STATE

As one of the early arrivals of the foremost African instituted “Aladura” Churches, Celestial Church of Christ was founded in September 1947 at the Republic of Benin. Since then, the church has been growing in leaps and bounds beyond human imaginations. In the early 50s, the Church proliferated at a significant high rate through the West Coast of Africa. Hence, the coming of the Church to Nigeria in 1952 was not a surprise because of the cross border business transactions bringing Beninese to the coast of Lagos, Nigeria.

The Premier Parish of Celestial Church of Christ in Nigeria eventually found herself in Makoko area of Lagos state. The evidence of Christ in the church and the genuine manifestations of testimonies emanating from Makoko parish helped in spreading the gospel which resulted to the rapid establishment of other parishes in the main cities of the then western region of Nigeria. Cities like Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode, Ilesa, Osogbo,Akure, Ondo, Ado Ekiti and Benin were some of the foremost cities that benefited from this early expansion. To the glory of God, Celestial Church of Christ came into existence in Ogun state in 1963 (about 50 years ago) with her first parish at Ijako, Abeokuta.

Committed Celestians like late Most Senior Evangelist S. O. Sobowale, Odewole, Cole, Oguntoyinbo e.t.c. who were natives of Egbaland but who had enjoyed the grace of God of Celestial whilst worshipping in Makoko considered it necessary to spread the good tidings to Abeokuta. Before long, a kind of house fellowship of the Church started in late Sobowale' s house at Oke Ilawo Abeokuta. Later a church building was erected at Ijako area of Abeokuta. Consequent to intimidations from land owners around, the altar of the church had to be moved to the present Ijaye parish. The role of personalities like the then prophetess Sobande (a. k. a mama Trinity) in providing landed properties for the church was significant. Hence Ijaye parish became the first parish in Abeokuta and the whole of Ogun State.

As people moved out of Ijako, some others with the leadership of late Senior Evangelist M O Adekanmbi established Iyetedo parish and others left to establish Ibara parish in Abeokuta with late Akomoje as the first shepherd. Baba Oguntoyinbo remained in Ijako and the building structures still exist till date. God started moving and parishes began to spring up around Adatan, Totoro,etc. As at 1989, parishes of Celestial Church of Christ in Abeokuta and environ numbered up to 175! As at now, the parishes of the church in Ogun state alone is running into multiples of hundreds.

2. THE ROLE OF CHURCH IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Kanu Ikechukwu Anthony, in his book titled; THE CHURCH AND THE POLITICS TODAY, categorized the development that the church can contribute to the community into six categories. These categories include: Social Justice, Humanitarian services, prophecy, peace, morality, education and economic development.

God's intention for the world is made clear in the constitution of the church as per the injunction given to the Pastor Founder i.e to wipe the world of ALL AFFLICTIONS and to preach and prepare the world for THE SECOND COMING OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Times without number, Celestial Church in Abeokuta has being living up to the responsibility of providing adequate humanitarian services to the general populace with special attention paid to the needy.

From the time of ancient Israel till now, prophecies have always been very important in helping leaders and authorities in government to plan for the future. On many occasions, the body of Celestial church of Christ in Abeokuta, like in other places, has contributed immeasurably to forecasting, prophesying and to the fulfillments of long term visions for the people and leaders of Ogun state.

This feat has always been achieved through the counseling and prayers often offered to the members of the populace when they come for consultation and or to the community in private and public. Records have it that Celestians used to converge at the king’s palace (Ojude Oba) to offer prayers publicly for the entire community yearly. Also, the yearly Easter outreach of the church in Abeokuta is believed to be yielding significant positive results.

The population of the south-western part of Nigeria, especially Abeokuta in Ogun state is known for its heterogeneity. This heterogeneous population is often made up of a mixture of Muslims, Christians, traditionists and atheists. Over the years, the church has played a mature role in maintaining peace in her domain by settling all rifts amicably without giving any chance for such crisis to escalate beyond control. The domestic crisis of 1975-77 when people were beheaded, maimed and killed to the embarrassments of the community around the present Ijaye area is a case to be cited. The quick intercessory prayers of ''Cele'' exposed the perpectrators, fears were allayed, and normalcy was restored. Consequently, the growth of the church enhanced peace to reign though the Egbas are generally well known to be peace loving and they accepted Celestial Church of Christ whole heartedly.

Celestial Church of Christ is famously known for her strict adherence to religious doctrines that have the capacity of promoting righteousness and decency. These set of biblical doctrines have an indirect positive impact in the lives of some dwellers. The supply of adequate standard education to the public by the church and some of her members who are proprietors or head teachers of schools have induced high moral standard in the citizenry. This is hastened by the strict adherence of members to the rules, tenets and doctrines of the church that are character building and modelling in nature.

The provision of schools, building of shops, inauguration of businesses and the construction of residential buildings by members of the Celestial Church family at Abeokuta has contributed immensely to the economic status of the city as a whole. In other words, it is easy to conclude that the church has been acting as a strong wheel pivoting the growth and development of the community in general. Buying and selling, transport business and the like often cluster any area where Celestial Church of Christ parish springs up. The church could therefore be seen as an organ of socio- economic development.

3. THE PRESENT REGRETS

Disunity is a cankerworm that has the ability of eating deep into the wheel of progress of any institution. Just like the parental body, Celestial Church of Christ in Abeokuta has also suffered the same fate in the hands of these problems created by the disunity in the fold. We can recall that up to year 2000; love, togetherness, fear of God, respect for elders, communal living among others characterized the Church so much that other denominations felt threatened.

The Church was actually powerful in all sectors of the economy. All you needed that time was to have a prayer gown (sutana) and know how to chant Halleluyah. Then all the essentials of life- food, shelter, job etc are guaranteed because there is always somebody in the church who will be willing to look after you as a Celestian brother. But immediately Papa (Pastor Founder S. B. J.Oshofa ) left, things turned for the opposite. The case became worse with the demise of His eminence Rev. Pastor A. A. Bada. The number of landlord shepherds started increasing, power tussle crept in, the love of money was gaining ground and everybody was on his own, to say the least. Consequently, the center lost (or is losing) control with the exodus of members to other 'modern' churches was increasing at an increasing rate.

Unlike many orthodox churches, Celestial Church did not rise up to the responsibilities of providing educational institutions for the citizens of the state. If this has been done in the early days, it would have cemented the establishment of the church in the community and provided a better way by which the church can easily impact people in her immediate environment.

The Church became the easiest place for anyone to set his own ''business center’’. Sorry, l mean parish. Like one will expect, signs and wonders are no longer as spontaneous as in the good old days. Shepherds are impatient to be trained and/retrained. Titles with no corresponding anointing are around the corner.

Despite the high level of success recorded by the Church here at Abeokuta, it is worthy to note that the church would have recorded more successes if it were to be that a standard leadership structure has been put in place from the beginning. At the moment, a lot of mushroom parishes have sprung up with strange doctrines. This development is highly regrettable.

Sustainable Leadership Training is another important tool that can contribute to the rapid development of an institution. This was also missing at the early stage of the establishment of the Church in this state. Even the disciples of Jesus were exposed to certain periods of training before becoming independent. But with our shepherds, all that is needed is to either be a prophet or have a relationship with a rich or affluent man. Before eyes are opened, a land is ready and a new parish is born with little or no allegiance to the center. The driver of such parish has no seminary exposure. How can they give what they don't have? Hun un! After all, a parish cannot be better than her shepherd/leader. Show me a Bible believing shepherd, and then the worshippers will be lovers of the Word of God.

4. THE WAY FORWARD

4.1. A Call for Unity: Any house that is divided against itself can never stand. Now that the church in this state is at the golden age of 50, it is highly expedient for all stakeholders in the Church to sheath their swords and embrace unity which will definitely give direction for progress. This will not only help the church at the moment, it will also leave a worthy legacy for our children to work upon tomorrow.

4.2. Re-organization of Church structure: while it is likely beyond the capacity of the Church at the state level to change the general hierarchical structure of the Church, it is quite possible for us to make even distribution of posts and reshuffles where necessary. There is a need for the Church organization to be restructured in order to allow for effective planning that will help the church to fulfill her objective of cleansing the world.

4.3. Effective Leadership Training: existing Leadership training structures like Celestial Bible Institute should be extended to the grassroots and monitored for effective delivery. It should be adequately funded and upgraded to meet up with other theology institute. Also, the traditional shepherd-mentoring schemes where laymen are duly trained under experienced shepherds should not be neglected.

4.4. Introduction of Visionary Leadership: the world is changing and there is a need for the Church to set the pace in these changes so that we will not be forced to conform to the pattern of the corrupt world. Hence, the church leaders should be compelled to write down their objective plans and design a means of achieving our short and long term goals.

4.5. The center: This is the managing organ of the church. It includes the office of the pastor and supreme head, the pastor in council, and Board of Trustee. Every step that will make this authority to be influential on the parishes under them should be considered necessary. Proverb 27 :23 says ''be thou diligent to know the state of thy flock, and look well to thy herds''. The center should play significant role in the financing of new parishes. The welfare of the parishes and the workers should be the concern of those in authority. He who plays the pipper ... Pragmatic steps should be taken here to build schools, health centers (if not hospitals) and university. People perish for lack of knowledge not lack of money or miracles. Standards are better set and discipline maintained

4.6. Inter-parish relationship: Activities like lectures, symposia, Quiz, debate, football competition etc among parishes will promote unity than discord. Religious and educative Shows that will bring the reminiscence of the past should be jointly organized at all levels (Jer. 6:16).

4.7. The Youth: Youth empowerment and enlightenment programmes should be sponsored by all authorities. Scholarships at various levels should be encouraged. The activities of the youths must be well monitored by the center .

5. CONCLUSION

One thing is evident; Celestial Church is a Church of the Lord and the Spirit of the Lord has not departed from it. However, there is a need for us to be very careful at this period so that we will not end up frustrating the grace of God over our ministry. Let us all rise up to the challenge of moving forward by re-positioning ourselves to hear instructions constantly from God and let’s put in our best by sacrificing all that can hinder our progress. If we can achieve "so much" at this turbulent time, how much do you think we will achieve when we put our house in order?

I choose to celebrate with this parish today because of my knowledge of your past, my awareness of your desire to move forward and most importantly because of my faith in your glorious future.

Long live Celestial Church of Christ, Ijaye Parish!

Long live Celestial Church of Christ, Ogun State!!

Long live Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide!!!

MARRIAGE

MARRIAGE

MEANING:- bio Fusion (Union) of two unrelated people of opposite sexes with the consent of the family and the grant of the church.

PURPOSE:- 

·         Man’s  happiness Gen2:18

·         Race continuation Gen 1:28

·         Godly seeds Matt2  14:15

·         Avoidance of fornication 1cor 7 2:9

·         Satisfaction proverb 5 v 19  1Tim 2 v 15, 1Tim5 v 14

HANDLE OR SEEN AS:

ü  Instituted by God Gen 2 18-24

ü  Honourable Heb13 v 4

ü  Permanent bond Mat 19 v 6

ü  Intimate bond Matt 19 v 5

ü  Dissolved by death Rm 7 v 21

ü  Means of sexual love Pro 5 v 18

ü  Center in love and obedience Eph5: 21-33

ü  Worthy of Jesus presence John 2 1-11

WARNING

Ø  Do to others as you want to be treated

Ø  Care to understand one another

Ø  Do things in common

Ø  Tolerate one another

Ø  Pray together

Ø  Communicate

Ø  Build confidence in yourselves

Ø  Do not be selfish

Ø  For  better for worse

Divorce - Mark 10: 2-9, Romans 7 : 2-3

Polygamy – Lev 18: 18

Religious significance

v  God  union with Israel Is 54:5

v  Christian union with church Eph 5 23-32

WAYS TO MAKE YOURWIFE HAPPY

WAYS TO MAKE YOUR WIFE HAPPY

1.       Begin by leaving love notes occasionally when you go to work on places she can find them.

2.       Phone her from office or work place just to tell her how much you love her.

3.       Keep on making dates with her throughout the marriage.

4.       Help her with domestic works at times. Women enjoy when their husband do that to them.

5.       Don’t run down her parents or family members. Give them the benefit of doubt just as you would like her to do to your family members.

6.       Keep your own private calendar of the special day of your relationship and plan special surprises celebrations.

7.       After she spent a hard day on the stove, serve her the meal. Let her sit and enjoy the food as you serve her in love.

8.       Some weekends, write “lets go to the amusement park or to the beach, just the 2 of us” on a slip of paper, stick it in a small box and wrap it. Present it to her with a kiss at breakfast.

9.       Stay aware of special things she enjoys doing and take the initiative to do those things together.

10.   As you pray together, take her hand and thank God for giving her to you as a wife.

11.   If you like her outfits tell her, it makes her look good.

12.   Accompany a surprise gift with “because I love you” not because you did such and such for me because I want to get on with you tonight.

13   Phone her when she delayed in coming home from work or when taking a business trip

14   Phone her well in advance of inviting a friend home for dinner and “ASK” her, don’t tell her.

15   Accompany her when she goes grocery, shopping especially if she must go at night.

16  Praise her, tell others what you appreciate about her (Prov. 31) Don’t stop complementing your wife.

17   Support her in the discipline decision she must do. If she made a disciplinary decision while you are away, don’t contract her when you come in the presence of people.

18   Open her car door for her (even if she “will be doing the driving).

19   Help seat her at the dinner table after you have seat her give her a kiss on her chuck and whisper  I Love you , when kids see these things happen when respect for mum will zoom.

20   Open doors for her letting her enter first.

21   when walking with her walk on the most hazardous side.

22   Never speak negatively of her to another person in her presence or in her absence. Anything

Undesirable in the woman you love is strictly between you and her and should be whisked  out in loving and honest common comment with each other.

23   Endeavour to express your anger towards a bad situation on a way you will not destiny your relationship but anger itself is not bad if its properly handled.

24   Practice genuine love to your wife but jealousy, envoy, and bitterness will push her away rather than drawing her close.

25   in the midst of personal or family crises don’t waste energy trying to figure out why, but use your energy creatively and know the solution that will follow.

26   For women emotional love waves before physical loving a wife likes affection even when you had nothing to do with sex.

27   When your wife ask how do I look be more specific their fire. How about I like the way you did your hair today use the colour of your blouse really makes your eyes sprinkles.

28   Something’s giving your wife a simple hug or holding her in silence tell her more than words came say.

29   Tell your wife on a regular basis I love you more than yesterday and less than tomorrow.

30   Marriage is the best place to alter bad habits of offensive behavior. Ask your wife if there is anything you do she prefer you didn’t do.   

                

 

 

Obedience Commanded by God

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

Colossians 3:22 Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

Hebrews 13:17 (KJV) Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

1 Peter 4:16-17

Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

 

 

 

                                                                                                Damilare Ogundiwin

SERMON:THE BLESSINGS OF OBEDIENCE 04/08/13

THE BLESSINGS OF OBEDIENCE

Texts: Leviticus 26:1-13 & Luke 12:33-40

 

INTRODUCTION

Three issues are up for discussion:

 

A). God’s instructions/injunctions.

·         If there is no instruction, there is no obedience.

·         Without obedience, there is no blessing.

 

Instruction: today, God is saying;

1.       Worship no other gods (Lev 26:11)

2.       Keep the Sabbaths  (Lev 26:29)

3.       Reverence the Sanctuary of the house and habitation of God (2Chron5:13, Exodus16:10, 40:34)

 

B). God’s Admonition:

·         Walk in the statutes of God (Lev26:3)

·         Keep God’s commandment (lev26:3)

·         Prepare a treasure for yourself in heaven (Luke 12:33-34)

·         Girdle your loin (Luke12:35, Ephesians6:14, 1Peter1:13)

·         Let your light be burning (Luke12:35, Matt25:1)

·         Wait for His coming (Luke12: 36-37)

 

C). The Blessing:

·         The land shall yield her increase

·         You will eat your bread in full

·         You will dwell safely (Levtcus5:

·         There will be peace – no breaking in or out (Levtcus5:6)

·         Your enemies will fall before you. (Leviticus 26:7)

·         You will be strong (Leviticus 26:8)

·         You will be fruitful and multiply (Leviticus 26:9)

·         You shall eat old store and take old off for new ones (Leviticus 26:10)

·         Your place will be the habitation of God (Leviticus 26:11)

·         You will become God’s own people (Leviticus 26:12)

 

CONCLUSION

Be ye therefore ready (Luke12:39-40)