𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐁𝐘 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐘𝐎𝐃𝐄𝐉𝐈

𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐲𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐣𝐢

Youth Sunday Message  

Date:23rd February 2025  

Preacher: Deacon Ayodeji  

Topic: How to Survive in the Season of Love

Text: Romans 15:5  

Introduction:  

Love is one of the most powerful forces in the world, shaping our relationships, decisions, and spiritual journeys. However, in a season where love is often misunderstood or misrepresented, many find themselves struggling—either giving too much, expecting too much, or not understanding the true essence of love. To survive and thrive in this season, we must anchor our understanding of love in God's word and apply wisdom in our interactions.  

Keys to Surviving in the Season of Love  

1. Love Yourself 

   The Bible affirms that God is love (1 John 4:8), and as His creation, we are called to embody His love. Loving oneself is the foundation for extending love to others. When we truly appreciate our worth in Christ, we can love others in a way that reflects God's heart, acknowledging their value and existence.  

2. Give Only What You Can Afford

   Many people fall into the trap of impressing others with expensive gifts or gestures they cannot sustain, leading to unnecessary burdens and expectations. Love should not be about material display but about genuine sacrifice. John 3:16 reminds us of God’s ultimate gift—His Son—not given for show but for our salvation. Before giving, we must ask ourselves: Are we replicating God's sacrificial love, or are we trying to prove something to others?  

3. Cultivate a Heart of Gratitude

   Complaints and dissatisfaction can weaken the spirit, while gratitude strengthens faith. Instead of focusing on what we lack, we should appreciate what we have. The miracle of the five loaves and two fishes teaches us that thanksgiving can turn little into abundance. A grateful heart finds joy in all circumstances, allowing love to flourish.  

4. Be Open to Correction  

   True love grows through correction and humility. Just as our initial faith journey required submission and transformation, maintaining strong relationships—both with God and with others—demands a willingness to accept faults and learn from them. The strength of our love is not in perfection but in our ability to grow through challenges.  

5. Feed on the Bread of Life  

   To survive in the season of love, we must be nourished by the bread of life—Jesus Christ. His mercy, favor, and guidance sustain us, helping us navigate relationships with wisdom and grace. In John 21:14-16, Jesus entrusted Peter with a great mission, demonstrating that love is not just about feeling but about commitment and service. Time waits for no one; just as Peter surrendered himself to God’s purpose, we must also embrace the calling to love in the way Christ intends.  

By following these principles, we can navigate the season of love with strength, wisdom, and a heart firmly rooted in God's truth. 

#𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉𝑺𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒚𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒑

#𝒓𝒄𝒄𝒈𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒏𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆1𝒉𝒒

#𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉

#𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒂

𝐆𝐋𝐎𝐁𝐀𝐋 𝐏𝐑𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐊

✨ Join  Us for the  Global Prayer Walk with the Theme : GLORIOUS TURNAROUND

📅 Date: 23/ FEBRUARY/2025

🕰 Time: 12pm

📍 Meeting Point: Panseke

Let’s walk in faith, decree breakthroughs, and seek divine alignment. Come expectant, come ready—your presence matters!

Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you…" (Joshua 1:3).

#𝑮𝒍𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒍𝑷𝒓𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒓𝑾𝒂𝒍𝒌

#𝑮𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔𝑻𝒖𝒓𝒏𝑨𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅

#𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏32

#𝒓𝒄𝒄𝒈𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒏𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆1𝒉𝒒

#𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉

#𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒂

 

𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐌 𝐈𝐍 𝐆𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐃!!!!

 

𝐇𝐎𝐍. (𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐄) 𝐃𝐑. 𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐌𝐎𝐋𝐀 𝐃𝐈𝐏𝐄𝐎𝐋𝐔

𝐓𝐎𝐏𝐈𝐂:𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐌 𝐈𝐍 𝐆𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐃

𝐓𝐄𝐗𝐓: 𝐉𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐀𝐇 8:22

Life can be tough and painful at times. We all need healing and comfort to deal with our problems. The balm of Gilead is a special kind of help that can bring us peace and restoration. It's not just a medicine for our bodies, but also for our souls. The Bible talks about the balm of Gilead in Jeremiah 8:22, where it asks if there is no medicine in Gilead to heal the people. This question makes us think about where we can find true healing and comfort.

The “balm” symbolizes God’s healing power, available to all who believe. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus offers forgiveness, healing, and peace, fulfilling the promise that by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24).

To experience the balm of Jesus, we must first acknowledge Him as our Lord and Savior. This means surrendering our lives to Him and living righteously. When we call on the name of Jesus for our needs, we must ensure that He recognizes our voice, so we can receive answers to our prayers. This recognition comes from a deep, personal relationship with God, built on trust, obedience, and a willingness to follow His will.

The “Balm in Gilead” is not limited to physical ailments; it also addresses emotional wounds, mental struggles, and spiritual brokenness. Whether the hurt is physical or emotional, we are encouraged to cast our cares on Jesus (1 Peter 5:7), who alone has the power to save and deliver. The sermon underscores that no matter the challenge—be it sickness, grief, or heartbreak—God’s healing grace is sufficient.

When we face physical, emotional, or spiritual suffering, we need the balm of Gilead. As children of God, we can call on Him in our time of need, confessing our sins and seeking His mercy. It's essential to remember that God's mercy is not a license to continue in sin; instead, it's a call to repentance and a commitment to follow His ways.

As the apostle John wrote in 3 John 1:2, the balm of Gilead, which is Jesus Christ, is available to us in whatsoever situation we may be passing through. This means that no matter what challenges we face, we can always turn to God for comfort, healing, and guidance.

So, how do we access the balm of Gilead? Here are a few steps we can take:

1. Be teachable: Don't be too knowledgeable to be taught by God. Recognize that you don't have all the answers and be willing to learn from Him.

2. Repent truly: Let go of your sins and turn to God with a genuine heart of repentance.

3. Release hurts and bitterness: Holding onto hurts, backbiting, anger, and bitterness can block your way to God and prevent you from receiving the balm of Gilead. Let go of these negative emotions and choose to forgive and love.

Believers are urged to live a life worthy of their calling, anchored in faith, obedience, and hope. Practical steps include trusting God’s Word, maintaining fellowship through prayer, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide daily decisions. We are reminded that Jesus, our Advocate (1 John 2:1), is always ready to help us break free from any strongholds or burdens.

In conclusion, the balm of Gilead is a spiritual remedy that offers us a deeper connection with God. It's a reminder that our heavenly Father is always ready to heal, comfort, and restore us, no matter what we're going through. As we seek God's presence and power in our lives, may we experience the deep healing and restoration that only the balm of Gilead can provide.

#𝑻𝒉𝒆𝑩𝒂𝒍𝒎𝑶𝒇𝑮𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒅

#𝑺𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒚𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒑

#𝒓𝒄𝒄𝒈𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒏𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆1𝒉𝒒

#𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉

#𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒂

𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝗢𝗙 𝗚𝗢𝗗 𝗕𝗬 𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗦 𝗢𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘

 

𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘀 𝗢𝗱𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲

Topic:WHY ARE YOU IN THE CHURCH OF GOD?

Text:Psalms 40:7

As we gather in the house of God, let us reflect on our purpose for being here. What drives you to attend church, to work for God, and to walk with Him? Is it to serve God and fulfill His will, or is it for personal gain or interest? It's essential to search our hearts deeply, as Hebrews 10:7 encourages us to do.

This year is a year of landmark, a year of significant milestones and breakthroughs. It's a year to choose to serve God wholeheartedly and praise Him with abandon. You are special to God, and don't let anyone or anything distract you from worshiping Him with sincerity and passion. As Jeremiah 1 reminds us, you are uniquely created and called by God for a purpose.

To experience a year of landmark, consider the following:

1. Seek God first in all you do and in every area of your life. As Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

2. Order your life with serious determination. Your life must change for good, as 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 encourages us to separate ourselves from the world and be holy.

3. Let go of toxic relationships that hinder you from fulfilling God's purpose for your life.

4. Know your identity in Christ. You are special to God, and He has a unique plan for your life.

5. Don't be lazy, instead, work diligently and progress in your endeavors. As 2 Timothy 3:9 and Deuteronomy 15:6-11 remind us, hard work and diligence are essential for success.

Remember, you can't receive anything from God until you serve Him with all your heart. Mark 4:11-17 teaches us that the secrets of the kingdom are revealed to those who seek God with sincerity.

When people mock your God because of you, it's a sign that something is amiss. Until you're connected to God, nothing changes, because the spiritual realm controls the physical. 

However, when God sees your diligence and commitment, He will approve you, and all things will begin to fall into place for you. As 2 Timothy 2:15 says, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Don't hide your identity as a child of God; instead, boldly declare your faith and trust in Him. Hebrews 3:14 reminds us that our salvation is secure when we hold fast to our confession of faith.

Age is irrelevant when it comes to success. What matters is the presence of wisdom, which is essential for achieving greatness. Don't absent yourself from places where God can locate and speak to you; instead, position yourself for success by staying in His presence. As Exodus 35:31-33 says, "And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and in understanding and in knowledge and in all manner of workmanship."

In conclusion, this year is a year of landmark, and as doors open for you, expect challenges and attacks. But don't worry; take them to God in prayer, and He will settle them. Remember, God's presence is everything, and when you stay in His presence, everything you touch will prosper and succeed. 

As 1 Corinthians 16:9 says, "For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries." Relax, trust in God, and watch Him work wonders in your life.

#𝑺𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒚𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒑

#𝒓𝒄𝒄𝒈𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒏𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆1𝒉𝒒

#𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉

#𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒂