20/09/2015 Pastor Prince sermon notes

The disciples wanted it to seem like they joined Jesus because they are wise and humble and nice.

None of u can draw near me unless the Father had grace for it.

When Jesus said that, many of them left him because of their pride.

If not for His grace we can’t see or hear Him

We see the glories of our LORD Jesus and the beauties of His person. We are truly rich. There are rich people with a lot but are poor. Four, five houses but no time to spend with their child

We didn’t earn our salvation or merit it. By grace.

If everything is by grace where are the rewards?

There are great rewards and exceeding rewards

Many bosses or leaders of Christian companies or organizations, they ask how should one assess their employee. How to measure up diff remuneration coz if by grace all should get the same

1 Cor 15:10

It’s possible for God’s grace to be in vain. Like he gives u grace to do something. If u flow in His grace, he rewards u.

Those who got their crowns in Heaven, they cast their crowns before Him and say worthy is he lamb.

Maybe you have a special grace to work amongst kids, He will give u love for children. If He calls u to be in choir, will give u the voice.

He assesses based on fruits and results. If it is grace, there will be results. Grace is not in vain.

For those who want to judge this ministry, how is it a church so tiny in a remote place at YWCA with just 70-80 people can grow this way? God has blessed it.

If your pastor draws money, it’s not wrong if the fame is for a purpose so that the gospel spreads. Not for self.

Possible to serve the LORD and use people for your benefits instead of being used for people’s blessings.

If you really serve Him, u won’t worry who pats you on the back. When God puts his hand of favour on you, it is huge. It doesn’t matter who knows as long as He knows.

When people get bitter or vindictive when not recognized- not serving in the right spirit.

There was a young boy who performed for a captive audience of sheep and not people. All he did was play harp and sing. He became the author of Ps23. The LORD made his songs the centre fold of the bible. Took him and made him a king to lead his flock of people instead of the sheep

Fun to bless people in secret. Have u done things without recognition?

Gifts and rewards- God is a rewarder. Teaching going on that God isn’t giving out rewards here and only in heaven.

Hebrews 11:6- God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him

It’s ok to be reward minded. He knows we are motivated by it. When we use grace, He rewards us

Hebrews 10:35,36

Do not cast away your confidence. Sometimes there is a temptation to give up when u don’t see it manifest. Endure because it will seem like He isn’t answering your prayer and it is getting worse, don’t give up. Great rewards ahead. U will receive the reward.

Walking holy before God, don’t do what the world does- there is a reward too.

Hebrews 11:24-26

King Jehu bowed before the kings of Assyria. This was captured by the Assyrians in an exhibit in the British museum. Evidence of the OT.

Some think what a waste for Moses coz e was in line to the throne but gave it all up. But look at the Mummies of Egypt. Moses was one of those who was raised like Lazarus.

Elijah rept the prophets. Moses rept the law. When the bible was written, were there satellite TV or Internet? See Rev 16- the world will see Moses and Elijah raised to life again.

So did Moses lose out? We have the greater reward.

Best not to ask yourself- is it grace or reward? Say it is BY GRACE. It is not for us to say it is our reward. Gift of grace.

When good things happen, say it is a gift of grace. Not for us to say if it is a reward or not.

Ps and Wendy lost a child some years ago and the LORD restored them with Justin. So are kids grace or reward?

Children are a “heritage of the LORD”- gift of grace. Rich man will give His inheritance to his kids even if they aren’t so bright as opposed to a clever servant because those are his kids.

Sarah believed God despite contradictory evidence. It was a grace gift and a reward for her faith.

Everything u do for the LORD, He will never forget. Because of grace, rewards are coming.

God will never be unrighteous to forget.

There was a childless woman. The prophet Elisha came by and the woman told her hubby let’s prepare the upper room for him. Extra cost. Extra time. Some will just say “God will take care of him. Never mind la.” But they built

2Kings 4:12-17

Concerned for us with all this care—- she didn’t ignore the concern. Flowed with grace. Took care.

V16- her faith wasn’t there but v17- she conceived

This time next year many of you will conceive and are believing a God for a child, at this time next year, you will conceive. 🙂

Did God forget the little inconvenience of building the room and furnishing it? Whatever it took, she prepares a room. She flowed with the grace and got the reward

God is a God who rewards.

Lady felt like a failure and was so taxed by family problems. Cut herself and went mental. Was on 8 diff type of meds but only got worse. Received a video “Condemnation kills but grace gives lives” & watched it everyday for 4m, took holy comm everyday three times a day with her meds. Her mind has been completely restored and free of meds, clean of drug use. And restoration of her r/s with her eldest son.

Always stay small in your own eyes and give all he glory to God.

David and Goliath –

David’s dad asked him to deliver systems to his brothers in the battle front. Obeyed. Who would have thought one small step of obedience would unleash so much?

It was the last day of the battle. Don’t throw away your confidence.

1 Sam 17:24-27

The men of Israel fled and were dreadfully afraid

Was David motivated by rewards. See V25- list of rewards and v26- confirming what rewards again

People are under a spirit of shame by the accuser. He accuses and if u accept it, open door to attacks.

The disciples themselves ask questions to
Mark 10:28-30—> we got up and followed u
Matthew 19:27—> therefore what shall we have?

Did Jesus say this life is temporary and don’t expect anything in this life but endure and the mansion is in heaven?

Mark 10:29,30

V29- Make sure it is for His sake and the gospel’s

V30- NOW IN THIS TIME- the LORD’s answer. This is the Word of God.

When u prosper expect persecution.

V30- doesn’t say hundredfold wives. Lol. One wife is enough for u to handle. Quality wife.

Make sure when u give up time, make sure it is for Jesus. Even when it is inconvenient. For u Jesus. No mood. For u Jesus. The King of kindness will never forget the kindness shown to people

Naomi and her husband casted away their endurance and left with their two sons for a strange land to worship idols. They married Moabite girls. The sons died- away from God is death. Heard that Israel has been restored and wanted to return. One DIL went back and Ruth said, “Where u go, I will go. Your God will be my God.” Picked up after harvesters. Gleaned.

Boaz- relative, man of great wealth. Ruth didn’t know whose field she would go to but Ruth2:2- prayed for favour from God.

V3- “…she happened to go to the field of Boaz”

When u confess favour before u do anything, God will make sure your happ will happen.

V8,9- do not glean in another field

V10- why have I found favor in your eyes? Lol. She confessed favor and remained humble when she got it.

V12- repay, full reward, under whose wings you have come for refuge

Why was she repaid and received a full reward? Because she came to Him for protection, for trusting the LORD.

Being rewarded for taking refuge under His wings

Jesus wept when he saw Jerusalem one day because he said he wanted to gather them like a mother hen would gather her chicks but they rejected him and was exposed to every demonic spirit of hell

But you, you have taken refuge under his wings. Ps91. He says thank U for trusting Me, u will not lose your reward.

He is more wondrous than all his wonderful gifts. If u see a beautiful anything, stop and think- the creation can’t be greater than its creator.

There was a princeliness about Him. Altogether lovely.

Amal- labour, evil. Whenever we are not resting, being attacked by the Amalekite. Jehovah Nissi- banner against the Amalekite

Haman had a supernatural hatred for the Jews. Esp Mordecai. The latter refuses to bow to Haman who is an Amalekite.

Esther 5:13-6:12 NLT

GOD seems slow but He is always on time.

THAT NIGHT –> God influenced the King in his sleep

Not all insomnia is of the devil ^^

One night God can change everything.

God can use the small things to shake the entire kingdom.

The baby’s cry shook the kingdom of Egypt when it shook the rushes and Pharoah’s daughter picked him up.

6:3- possible to go year after year unrecognized. Don’t lose confidence. Mordecai had not been rewarded.

GOD IS A REWARDER. Might not be according to your preferred timing but He is always on time.

V13- the very people who suggested the plans against Mordecai turned around and told him not to oppose Mordecai.

Mordecai blessed, promoted and glorified. People allowed to defend themselves and people rallied to help the Jews. They were victorious.

The evil day became a good day. The 13th of Ada. Feast of Purim (Pu – the dice Haman threw)

The first gulf war- Saddam sent 91 Scud missiles into Israel. Less than 5 people died.

The gulf war ended exactly on the feast of Purim.

God showing his hand against all the potential Hamans

Gen 15:1- shield and exceedingly great reward

The greatest reward we can have is Jesus Himself

Jesus stepped into the boat at the Lake of Galilee. Preached. Stepped out and told Peter, let’s go fishing. All night last night Peter and the fishermen had been fishing to no avail. So they obeyed because He said so. There was so much fish. Net breaking, boat sinking load of fishes. Told Peter to become a fisher of men after that.

Even if He uses your boat for a while, He will return it back to u. Whatever u give she multiplies back in return. Will not be indebted and is a great rewarder.