We all need to have a heart of gratitude especially in this season of a global pandemic. We are not in any way better than those who have died. We are alive, simply by his mercies.
Two days from now, will mark the 30th year of the origin of this ministry. We inaugurated the Church on the 21 of April 1990 and held our first Sunday service on the 22nd of April 1990. So, this service is meant to be a COMMEMORATION AND THANKSGIVING SERVICE.
Zechariah 4:10 says, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” (The seven lamps represent the eyes of the Lord that search all around the world.)” (NLT).
We started from a very humble beginning with about 11 to 15 persons to what we are now, with 55 worship centers scattered in over ten countries of the world.
This is God’s doing.
Gratitude matters to God. Here are some examples of gratitude.
Jesus used the story of the ten lepers to illustrate the importance of gratitude. Luke.17:17 says, “So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18 NKJV).
Hannah after the delivery of Samuel returned to Shiloh to give thanks to God, “And she said, “O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the LORD. For this child, I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him.” (I Samuel 1:26-27 NKJV). That is an example of gratitude
After the victory at the valley of Baracha, Jehoshaphat led Judah to return to thank God. “Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies.” (2 Chronicles 20:27 NKJV). Here again, is an example of gratitude
Though far from reaching our expected goals, yet there are lots of things we thank God for. The following words capture what our God has been to us these 30 years:
He has been our Guide
He has been faithful
He has been good
He has been our Helper
He has been our Sufficiency
He has been our Provider
He has been our Strength
This is why these Scriptures below matter much to us:
Lord, you will grant us peace; all we have accomplished is really from you.”
(Isaiah 26:12 NLT).
Like the Psalmist says, “This was the LORD’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.”
(Psalms 118:23 NKJV
“Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!”
(Psalms 126:3 NLT).
You are all part of the testimonies of this church
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF 30 YEARS.
Thirty is the age of maturity for leadership Numbers 4:3
Jesus started his ministry at 30 years
2 Samuel 5:4 says David was 30 years when he became king.
Gen 41:46 Joseph was 30 years when he became a Prime Minister in Egypt
OUR OPTIMISM OF THE FUTURE
1 Cor.2:9-10 says, “But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.”
Putting our Anniversary within a Biblical or prophetic context.
we are celebrating this Anniversary when there is a pandemic and we are in a lock down.
when Israel was in captivity, which was a kind of lock down, God spoke to them that they had a future. Despite the lock down, we have a future (Jeremiah 29:11)
In Haggai 2:3-5, God asked Zerubbabel, Joshua, the Priest and the remnants a question. He made a comparison between Solomon’s temple and the one they are building. “….Is this not in your eyes as nothing? In order words, do not despise the day of small beginnings. A greater thing is coming.
Verse 4, he encouraged them to be strong and work, saying, “For I am with you.”
Verse 5, God reminded them of the covenant he had with them in Egypt. He urged them saying, “Do not fear.”
Verses 6 – 7, – God promised to shake the heavens, the earth, the sea, the dry land and the nations. This is what is happening now. Nothing has shaken the world like the Coronavirus. Through this pandemic, God has demonstrated that He is greater than man.
The shaking will usher the return of the desire of the nations, who represents Jesus. The temple will be filled with glory as a result of the shaking.
Verse 8, God talks about the silver and hold
Verse 9, God now talks about the coming glory. Who is greater in glory than the beautiful Solomon’s temple? it is Christ, the King of glory. He is the greater glory.
We believe that the best is yet to come for us!
