About Me

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Antioch, California, United States
John is the under-shepherd of Agape International Church & Ministries Inc, Antioch, California and the President of Agape International Ministries Foundation, Inc (www.agapebfm.net) John has been a Preacher, Bible Teacher, Counselor and a mission-minded servant of God from 1984 till the present time. Married to Alice since 1987, he enjoys being a father to 2 sons and 1 daughter. He is available to preach, participate in evangelistic crusades and revivals, lead or participate in a Marriage Enrichment program internationally. John preaches on a weekly radio broadcast called "KNOW THE TRUTH" (Based on John 8:32)and the broadcast is aired every Sunday at Radio KDIA 1640AM. The broadcast is also accessible through the website of the radio station: www.kdia.com. You can follow him on twitter @agapebfm

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Creating Occasions for Remembering

Creating Occasions for Remembering

 

Memory Verse: Psalm 77:11 (NKJV)I will remember the works of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.

 

TEXT: 1 Samuel 7:1-15

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

 

 

Here I raise mine Ebenezer;

Hither by thy help I’m come;

And I hope, by thy good pleasure,

Safely to arrive at home.

ILLUSTRATION “What Have the Romans Ever Done for us” from  "Monty Python's Life of Brian:

 

http://youtu.be/ExWfh6sGyso

 

 

 

John Oatman Jr., the Hymn writer says:

 

1.
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
o
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
*Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
[*And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.]
2.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
3.
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy]
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
4.
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

 

 

 

 

 

1.
Because of Answered prayers.

1 Samuel 7:3–10; cf. Psalm 66:18; Psalm 50:15; Lamentations 3:55–56

 

 

“No soul can attain to its goal, no Church can do its work and acquire purity and freedom, apart from sincere confession and deep humiliation for what is past.” --H. D. M. Spence-Jonesed. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.
Because of Divine Deliverance

1 Samuel 7:10–14; Jeremiah 15:11;  Psalm 3:8; 2 Kings 18:33–34

 

 

 

 

 

3.
Because of God’s help

1 Samuel 7:11–12Psalm 121:1–2; 46:1

 

Samuel set up a memorial, according to Jewish custom, and called its name Help-stone. In giving his reason for it, hitherto hath Jehovah helped us, there is a plain indication of the need of further assistance.”-- H. D. M. Spence-Jones, ed.

 

 

 

 

Isaac Watts 1719

Oh God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.

Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home.

 

ILLUSTRATION: Remembering His Experience

“I guess the Lord must have had something for me to do.”—Ministers Research Service 

 




Sunday, November 17, 2013

CELEBRATING GOD

CELEBRATING GOD

Memory Verse: 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NKJV) Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 


Text: 1 Chronicles 16:1-36


INTRODUCTION:


Psalm 103:1–2; 69:30; 95:2; 2 Corinthians 9:11–12; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Colossians 3:17;  Philippians 4:6; 2 Samuel 6:17

ILLUSTRATION: Thankful For Unusualness
 “We thank Thee, O God,  that it is not always like this.” -- Dr. Alexander Whyte



Adore God for Who He is
1 Chronicles 16:4 ; 41;  Numbers 3:30–31;  Deuteronomy 10:8; 1 Chronicles 16:8-10, 29 ;  Hebrews 13:15; 1 Peter 2:9

ILLUSTRATION: Between Prison and Monastery




Announce what God has done. 
1 Chronicles 16:8–13 ;21–24, 29; Psalm 33:16–17

ILLUSTRATION: Downed Pilot Returns






Acknowledge the Uniqueness of our God. 
1 Chronicles 16:24–27; Psalm 96:5


Nigerian Christian Song
All other gods
They are the works of men
You are the only one
There is none like You
All other gods
They are the works of men
You are the only one
There is none like You




Ascribe Praise to God about His universal sovereignty
1 Chronicles 16:28–36; Psalm 106:1, 107:1; 118:1; 136:1; Revelation 19:6; Jeremiah 10:7; Job 12:23; Acts 17:26; Psalm 95:5


CONCLUSION:
ILLUSTRATION: Thankfulness For A Thorn
“Teach me the glory of my cross; teach me the value of my “thorn.” Show me that I have climbed to Thee by the path of pain. Show me that my tears have made my rainbow.”—Moody Monthly



Wednesday, November 13, 2013

GOD IS WORKING IT OUT

GOD IS WORKING IT OUT
Dominion Prayer Assembly of November 13

Text: 2 Kings 6:8–23 

God knows the unknown. 2 Kings 6:8–13; Hebrews 4:13;  Psalm 25:14 ; Daniel 2:21–22 ; Matthew 10:26;  Numbers 12:6
 

God Reveals the unseen. 2 Kings 6:14–17 
Psalm 119:18; Genesis 32:1–2; Ps 34:7; cf. Psalm 55:18; 91, James 5:16; Ezek 10–11; Daniel 10; cf. Num 12:6

God Controls the chaotic 2 Kings 6:18–19;  Genesis 19:11


God restores the lost. 2 Kings 6:20-23; 2 Corinthians 2:16

PRAYER POINTS:
GOD REVEALS TO ME THE UNKNOWN IN MY LIFE.
GOD OPENS MY EYES THAT I MAY SEE.
GOD FRUSTRATES AND CONFUSE ALL MY THOSE DELAYING MY DESTINY FROM BECOMING MANIFESTED.
GOD RESTORES ALL THOSE BLINDED BY THE WORLD AROUND ME.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Tear Down This Wall

“Tear Down This Wall!”

Memory Verse: Ephesians 2:14 (NKJV) 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,

 

TEXT: John 4:1-26

 

 

Introduction:

 

"Tear down this wall!"-- President Ronald Reagan.

 

 

"it is appalling that the most segregated hour of Christian America is eleven o'clock on Sunday morning." -- Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr

 

Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?”—Rodney King

 

Psalm 133:1; John 17:20–21

 

1.
We must be intentional about relating with those whoare different from us. John 4:4

John 4:9; Matthew 10:5–6; Luke 9:51–56; Luke 19:10;  Ezra4:1–3

John 4:4 (NKJV) But He needed to go through Samaria.

John 4:4 (NLT) He had to go through Samaria on the way.

John 4:4 (The Message) To get there, he had to pass through Samaria.

John 4:4 (GNB) 4on his way there he had to go through Samaria.

 

 

 

 

“Jesus went through Samaria with a determined and resolute mind to break down barriers of hatred and cultural, ethnic, racial and conventional prejudice to replace these by building bridges of forgiveness, reconciliation, peace, love and hope.”Serna Samuel

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 

 

2.
We must be steadfast in our commitment to inter-racialreconciliation. Galatians 2:11-14

Galatians 2:11–14

 

 

I will go anywhere, provided it be forward.--David Livingstone

 

 

Jesus loves the little children

All the children of the world

Red and yellow, lack and white

They are precious in his site

Jesus loves the little children of the world.

 

3.
We must adopt God’s blueprint for multi-ethnicrelationship

Acts 10:28,34–35

 

 

4.
We must live out the main essence of the great commission. Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8.

Matthew 28:19–20 ; Acts 1:8

 



Sunday, November 3, 2013

How to Resolve a Stubborn Conflict


How to Resolve a Stubborn Conflict
by John Ojewole

Memory Verse: Proverbs 16:7 (NKJV) When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

TEXT: 1 Samuel 24:1–22

Saturday, November 2, 2013

LEADERSHIP SEMINAR WITH DR. PHIL STEVENSON

LEADERSHIP SEMINAR 
WITH DR. PHIL STEVENSON
November 2, 2013 Oakland, California

VISION DEVELOPMENT

"Leaders generally don't enter the ministry with expectation of giving themselves to program planning."--taken from Resilient Ministry by Bob Burns, Tasha Chapman, and Donald C. Guthrie.

A. WHAT IS VISION?

PAUSE POINT:
i. VISION IS A CLEAR AND COMPELLING PICTURE OF THE FUTURE.
ii. VISION IS MEASURABLE AND ACHIEVABLE
iii. VISION IS THAT WHICH MAY NOT BE CONTAINED BY THE VISIONARIES LIFETIME.

B. HOW DO YOU GET A VISION?

"GOD'S VISION FOR YOUR MINISTRY MUST GRIP YOUR SOUL BEFORE IT CAN GRAB THE HEART OF ANYONE ELSE."--JOHN JACKSON

KNOW THE KNOW THE MISSION. MATTHEW 28:19-20
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

KNOW THE THE HEART OF GOD    TITUS 2:11. VISION IS BIRTHED OUT OF BURDEN. NEED DOES NOT CONSTITUTE BURDEN. 
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Know where God has placed you.
Know what you have. Exodus 4:1-5

 1 And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee.
(1) Open the passage selector. (2) Tap "Bibles" to choose a different Bible translation. (3) Open the "Bibles Manager" section. (4) Delete and re-download the Bible translation.
2 And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.
3 And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.
4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand:
5 That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.

Acts 7:20-23. 20 In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father’s house three months:
21 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.
22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.

A. God wants to know what we possess. 
B. we must honestly identify it.
C. we have to release what we have to God.
D. RESPOND TO GOD'S INSTRUCTION.
E. He will transition what we have for his purpose. 
5. Know vision fulfillment will not be easy.

C. How do we share a vision? Habakkuk 2:1-3

1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Make the vision easy to understand. One thing a leader must be is clear. 
Communicate it to others.
Help people understand it is visionary.
the vision will be fulfilled slowly.
Never stop sharing it.
A. believe is enough to say it
B. We have to say it enough to believe it.
C. Consistent enough such that people get it. you have to recast the vision every 30 days. 



MOVEMENT MAKERS

How Leaders Move Others

leaders move others through compassion.
"People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."--John Maxwell
2. leaders move others through competency.
3. leaders move others through communication. when people understand they move. communication is more than verbal. people tend to remember and connect with the story. you cannot be a good communicator unless you listen well and know what people are saying. 
"You cant be a good communicator unless you listen well and really hear what people are saying." Pat Williams with Jim Denny.
4.  leaders move through commitment.   It is okay you want to quit as long as you are not going to quit. commitment shows that you are in for a long haul. 
5. Leaders mo others through character. Leaders must have consistent character.
6. Leaders move others through crisis. Leaders must be consistent crisis creators. You cannot overplay your crisis. If everything is a crisis, nothing is a crisis. 
7. Leaders move others through charisma. Genuine charisma is the true self of the leader. Such a person is authentic. 

"Sometimes you need a little crisis to get your adrenaline flowing and help you realize your potential". http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/crisis

Friday, November 1, 2013

HAPPY NEW MONTH

In 1 Samuel 25 Abigail gave David what Nabal withheld from him. In this new month you shall possess all that has been withheld from you and your unrepentant oppressors shall end up like Nabal In Jesus Mighty Name. You shall not lack reasons for thanking GOD In Jesus Mighty Name. Happy New Month.