AGAPE'S FINAL MOVE OUT FROM 605 W. MADILL, ANTIOCH APRIL23

I am still overwhelmed with yesterday's move. It was a big move. You never know how much belongings you have until you are relocating from one location to the other. We came to 605 W. Madill, Antioch in November 2009 with less properties. But we left with a lot of stuff. It is amazing how quick we accumulate things. 


Yesterday's move out event was so hectic. But I was encouraged by the presence of some of our church members who were on hand to help with the moving. I know that many of our Agape members could have helped yesterday but Monday is not the best day for most people due to their work schedule. Most of our parishioners have been involved in the Saturday packing for the past 4 weeks. I will be eternally grateful to everyone of you. 


Yesterday, the following members did outstanding job in the final move out. They are: Brother Daniel, Sister Peace, Sister Gale, Sister Ebidoere, Sister Lilian, Brother Michael, Sister Alice. Also, someone worked behind the scene. That person is Brother Leroy, our renown and acclaimed chef from New Orleans, who prepared some delicious chickens for us with the support of his wife, sister Ebi. Those chickens were tender, tasty and palatable. I will be eternally grateful to all of them for their outstanding job.


The move out process started around 10:00am yesterday morning. We were there at the premises till around 8:30pm last night. But that was not the end of everything. Some members of the group went to my residence to deliver some of the church office properties. They were in my home till around 9:45pm last night. Wow, brother Michael and Brother Dan were amazing. These guys are godsent. Wehn we were all done at my residence, brother Dan and I went to the Uhaul office to drop the truck. Brother Dan was the one driving the Uhaul truck. I took brother Dan to the former church premises (605 West Madill has become a former church premises) by sometimes around 11:15pm or so. Why? Because all along, his automobile was packed in front of the former church space.  


One of the things that made me happy is that we cleaned up the church space and returned the property to the new owner better than the way we met it in November 2009. We handed the keys of the premises to the new owner late last nigh. It is very sad that the we could not take the audio-visual center that we built with us. But I know that we will have something much more better when we move to our permanent church edifice. 


Through it all, I have many more reasons to thank the Lord for his grace and mercy. See some of the pictures taken yesterday here below....

The God Who is Always There (2)

The God Who is Always There (2)

Memory Verse: Deuteronomy 31:8 (NKJV) ⁸ And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

TEXT: 2 Kings 6:8-23

Agape's Last Worship at 605 West Madill, Antioch--It was Emotional, to say the list!

Agape had its last worship at 605 West Madill Street in Antioch today. We are relocating temporarily to another location pending the time we shall purchase our church building. It was an emotional experience. Our original plan was to purchase the building at 605 West Madill, Antioch. But even with the best intentions, things could still have a different outcome. But through it all, we thank the Lord for His grace and mercies. Effective next Sunday we shall be worshiping at Ambrose Community Center, Bay Point. See some pictures of some of the church members at the service today here below.

The God Who is Always There (1)

The God Who is Always There (1)

Memory Verse: Psalm 23:4 (NIV) ⁴ Even though I walk through the darkest valley,  I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

TEXT: John 1:1–14

25TH MARRIAGE ANNIVERSARY--THANK GOD FOR HIS MERCIES

Psalm 136 ¹O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

It was 25 years ago today. The weather was very bright. The city was filled with guests from all over the country. Sometimes around 12 noon on that special day, I said “I DO” to the love of my life, Sister Alice Ojewole (Nee Bamigbade) at First Baptist Church, Ilero in Kajola Local Government Area of Oyo State Nigeria. I really thank the Lord for His grace and mercies. To Him alone be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 118:23 This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

The Reason for the Season

Easter Series: The Succor of Our Savior

The Reason for the Season

Memory Verse: John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

 Text: Luke 24:1–12; 1 John 3:10-23

The Point of His Passion

Easter Series: The Succor of Our Savior

The Point of His Passion

Memory Verse: Isaiah 53:6 (NKJV)  All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Text: Colossians 1:19–23

Restored for a Reason

Easter Series: The Succor of our Savior

Restored for a Reason

Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

TEXT: Colossians 3:12–17

How to go from Here to There

How to go from Here to There

Outline of the Message preached at the 2^nd Anniversary of Ebenezer Community Church, Brentwood on March 18, 2012

© John Ojewole, 2012

Text: Philippians 3:12–16

Introduction:

 “Personally, I’ve never understood inactivity. Why a person would sit when he could soar, be a spectator when he could play, or atrophy when he could develop…(it) is beyond me!”—Bill Hybels, Willow Creek Church

1.   We must not be Constricted by our Past

Philippians 3:13 (NKJV) ¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

Cf. Philippians 3:2–8; Luke 9:62; Luke 17:32; Genesis 19:26; Exodus 14:15; Isaiah 43:18; Hebrews 10:17; 1 Timothy 1:12–17

Forgetting the past “… simply means that we break the power of the past by living for the future. We cannot change the past, but we can change the meaning of the past”. --Warren Wiersbe

2.   We must not be Complacent about our Present Achievement

Philippians 3:12–13 (NKJV) ¹² Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. ¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

“Restlessness and discontent are the first neccessities of progress.”

—Thomas A. Edison

COMLACENCY IS THE ENEMY OF ADVANCEMENT

“The first play is not to make “there” sound wonderful. The first play is to make “here” sound awful.” Bill Hybels

Seven Last Words of the Church-- "We've  never done it like that before."-- Ralph Neighbour,

1 Corinthians 15:3–11;

3.   We must Concentrate on Whatever it takes to Move us from Here to There

Philippians 3:12–14 (NKJV) ¹² Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. ¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Cf. John 10:27; Philippians 4:13; John 15:5; 1 Corinthians 9:24–27; Ecclesiastes 9:11; Hebrews 12:1–3

CONCLUSION:

“Aim to achieve the goal God has set for you. Spare no cost in the quest. Spare no effort in your pressing toward the mark of knowing Christ.”-- Jerry Horner

Advancing Through Adversity--Sermon Outline

Easter Series: The Succor of Our Savior

Advancing Through Adversity

Memory Verse: Psalm 55:22 (NKJV) Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

Text: 1 Peter 5:6-11

Our Journey with Our Savior-Outline

Easter Series: The Succor of Our Savior

Our Journey with Our Savior

Memory Verse:

Psalm 62:8 (NKJV) Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

Text: Luke 24:13–35

The Panacea for our Problems

Easter Series: The Succor of Our Savior

The Panacea for Our Problems

Memory Verse: Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV) But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS-outline only

CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS

Memory Verse:

1 Corinthians 12:4–7 (NKJV) ⁴ There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. ⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

Scripture Text: Romans 12:1–8; Cf. 1Corinthians 12.

Loving the Unlovely

Agape Love Sunday

 Loving the Unlovely

Memory Verse: 1 John 4:7 (NKJV) ⁷ Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

Scripture: 1 John 2:9–11; 1 John 3:10–18; 1 John 4:7–19 (NKJV)

How to Align our Values with God’s

How to Align our Values with God’s

 Memory Verse: 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)  The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 

The Task that Must be Done

JONAH: An Inescapable Mission

The Task that Must be Done

 1 John 2:3 (NKJV) ³ Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 

What to do When in Distress--Outline only

Jonah: An Inescapable Mission

What to do When in Distress?

Memory Verse: Psalm 120:1 (NKJV) In my distress I cried to the Lord, And He heard me.

Text: Jonah 1:17-2:10

When You Run Away from God’s Service-outline only

JONAH: The Inescapable Mission

When You Run Away from God’s Service

Psalm 139:7 (NKJV)

Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

Text: Jonah 1:1–17 

How to be Co-laborers with God-outline

How to be Co-Laborers with God

1 Corinthians 3:9 (NIV) ⁹ For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

2 Corinthians 6:1 (NIV) As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.