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Miracle Valley Sermon, first Sunday of September, 2019. Delivered at Covenant Bethel, Miracle Valley, Umuele.
And the Lord said to the children of Israel:
“And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.” (Deut. 4 : 28)
This came as a warning to them, concerning the tendency that many of them, would serve the works of their hands, wood and stone.
It should not be the way of a special person to serve the works of his/her hand.
For most human beings, idol worship is juicy, because there is freedom to live anyhow life. But if you want to worship God you need to embrace holiness and to be holy means staying away from shoddy and sinful living. Most often this is a tough rask.
Therefore, those who want to move in the way of the Lord must be a rare breed, they cannot be in the way of the nations. They are not common or just seen here and there. They are a sanctified or separated generation.
The caution to Israel and to anyone separated for God is this : ” that they may be found wandering into the way of sinners, but from there they could enter and get separated for the Lord as they ought to be.”
HAVE YOU WANDERED INTO THE WAY OF THE NATIONS?
There is however the opportunity for such people to move away from sin into holiness and in this the Lord said;
“But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” (Deuteronomy 4 : 29).
There is opportunity for repentance always. Most people today are finding reason to turn to God, especially when the tortures of a life without God dawns on the people, they think of repentance. It is a privilege to seek God early and this must come with sincerity of purpose.
And in Amos 5 : 4 the Lord said :
5:4 For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:
5:5 But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought. (Amos 5 : 4 – 5)
Seek not Bethel , it is the headquarters of idolatry in Israel, seek not Gilgal, it is a land of the people of Moab of the Canaanites , there Israel ate corn and Manna ceased to be in lsrael at Gilgal.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Seek God early and live. There are many patterns of life people might want to follow. Wrong seeking might drag many to problems. You must remember that most attractions in this world have led many to bondage. Go not to Bethel, Gilgal or Beersheba are synonymous potential trouble spots in this life.
NOT JUST THE LANDS BUT WHAT FOLLOWS AS HISTORIC TRAILS OF SUCH LANDS OR PLACES DO COUNT.
You must know that Israel was led to idol worship at Bethel by Jeroboam. The ten tribes of Israel got lost or mixed up with other nations of the world by the event in Bethel. You are told Bethel shall come to nought.
Note : “And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day. (Joshua 5 : 9.)
But Gilgal of the Canannites, became the base for the multiplication of idol worship.
There the children of Israel ate the old corn at Gilgal of the Cananites and from there MANNA ceased to be from that day.
Read Joshua 5:11 : “And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.
5:12 “And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year”. (Joshua 5 : 11 – 12).
The places mentioned in Amos 5 : 5, were headquarters of Israel’s idolatry. Bethel was the headquarters of Idolatry and Gilgal for multiplication of idol worship.
If you desire heaven there are places you must not go. There are things you must seek and things you must not seek.
SEVEN PRECIOUS THINGS TO SEEK.
- Seek God
“But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” (Deuteronomy 4 : 29).
- Seek good
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”(Psalm 23 : 6).
Those who seek goodness dwell in the house of the Lord. David sought after the house of the Lord.
- Seek to be righteous
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5 : 6).
People who desire righteousness belong to the greatest domain and that is the kingdom of God.
- Seek heaven
People desire Aso Rock in Nigeria and can do anything to be there. Some have sold their soul for the most high offices and achievements in this world.
For mere wanting to be there, they hate their creator and also those who hold God sincerely in their hearts.
The things which a man strives for, motivates him to do all what could be impossible doings.
If you seek the things of heaven you will live a sacred life. The lifestyle of a saint, could count as foolishness to many. But you will receive the grace even abounding to lead you to heaven.
And Jesus said:
“But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: , Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.” (Matthew 5 : 34 – 35)
Those who seek heaven, seek to be with God all through eternity.
So while many are clamouring about the things of this earth, some clamour for heaven, which they have not seen physically, but have seen through faith. Do you not think such people are not a rare BREED?
- Seek peace.
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Matthew 5 : 9).
From experience many are born in this world and live as children of pain in the neck. Such children are always bringing problems to the house. Some leaders are for anarchy and never for peace. The bible says blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called the children of God.
Definitely their home is above and they are never ordinary people, who seek heaven, for such are in the true image of God.
- Seek holy places.
David said I was happy when they said let us go into the house of the Lord.
- Seek people of goodwill as companions.
Ruth sought after Naomi, Esther sought after Modecai. Jonathan cleaved to David. Those you make your friends can greatly transform your life.
PRAYER FOR TODAY :
LORD GOD I WANT TO BE A GOOD BREED, MAKE ME A RARE BREED BEFORE YOU AMEN.
Miracle Valley Sermon September 1st , 2019.
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Website : www.mvgmng.org