A Holy Reflection--Outline

A Holy Reflection

Message Delivered on August 21, 2011 at the 15th Year Anniversary Banquet of Alafia Baptist Church, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

By

Dr. John Ojewole

Agape Bible Fellowship & Ministries Inc., Antioch, CA 94509

Fraternal Greetings:

1.      Greetings from my wife, Alice; Our three children: Victor, Julius, Grace. Greetings from our church, Agape Bible Fellowship & Ministries of Antioch, California.

2.      Appreciation to the church pastor and the first lady.

Preamble:

1 Corinthians 1:27–29 (NKJV) ²⁷ But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; ²⁸ and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, ²⁹ that no flesh should glory in His presence.

James 4:17 (NKJV) ¹⁷ Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

1 Timothy 5:17–18 (NKJV) ¹⁷ Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

Three Greek words that are used for the pastoral position in the New Testament.

1.   Poimen—Pastor, Shepherd cf. Ephesians 4:11.

2.   Presbuteros—Elder cf. Acts 14:23’ 20:28

3.   Episkopos—bishop, superintendent, overseer. Cf. Acts 20:28; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:7; 1 Pet. 2:25

Deuteronomy 25:4 (NKJV)

⁴ “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.

1 Corinthians 9:9 (NKJV)

⁹ For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about?

Apostle Paul also says:

Galatians 6:6 (NKJV) ⁶ Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

Apostle Paul also says:

1 Corinthians 9:1–14 (NKJV)

A HOLY REFLECTION

Introduction:

Psalm 126

1. 1.  The Remembrance. 1-3

Psalm 126:1–3 (NKJV)

·        First, the psalmist recalled how God delivered them from Babylonian captivity.  

Hebrew word:  châlam to be plump; sense of dumbness, to dream.

Isaiah 29:7–8 (NKJV)

It is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our sight.

Psalm 14:7 (NKJV)

⁷   Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!

     When the Lord brings back the captivity of His people,

     Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

·        Second, they rejoiced. Verse 2a. They were greatly comforted and filled with laughter and joy.

·        Third, there was a reaction from the neighbors. Verse 2b.

·        Fourth, the people responded affirmatively with joy. Verse 3.

Cf. Psalm 137, a dirge.

Epigram On Joy  by Paul Lee Tan.

•   It takes 72 muscles to frown—only 14 to smile!

•   He deserves paradise who makes his companions laugh.

2.2.    The Request. 4

Psalm 126:4 (NKJV)

⁴   Bring back our captivity, O Lord,

     As the streams in the South.

Cf. Jos 15:9, Job 6:15; Ps 68:9.

1.   Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.

o    Refrain:
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.

2.   Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting,
Waiting the penitent child to receive;
Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
He will forgive if they only believe.

3.   Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.

4.   Rescue the perishing, duty demands it;
Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide;
Back to the narrow way patiently win them;
Tell the poor wand’rer a Savior has died.

“Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains.”Jean Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract, French political philosopher (1712 - 1778)

Psalm 34:19 (NKJV)

¹⁹  Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

     But the Lord delivers him out of them all.

3.  3.  The Reassurance. 5-6

Psalm 126:5–6 (NKJV)

⁵   Those who sow in tears

     Shall reap in joy.

⁶   He who continually goes forth weeping,

     Bearing seed for sowing,

     Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,

     Bringing his sheaves with him.

Psalm 30:5 (NKJV)

⁵   For His anger is but for a moment,

     His favor is for life;

     Weeping may endure for a night,

     But joy comes in the morning.

Isaiah 35:10 (NKJV)

Galatians 6:7 (NKJV)⁷ Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Job 42:12–13 (NKJV)

Through It All by Andrae Crouch

Verse 1:
i've Had Many Tears And Sorrows,
i've Had Questions For Tomorrow,
there's Been Times I Didn't Know Right From Wrong.
but In Every Situation,
god Gave Me Blessed Consulation,
that My Trials Come To Only Make Me Strong.

chorus:
through It All,
through It All,
i've Learned To Trust In Jesus,
i've Learned To Trust In God.

through It All,
through It All,
i've Learned To Depend Upon His Word.

verse 2:
i've Been To Lots Of Places,
i've Seen A Lot Of Faces,
there's Been Times I Felt So All Alone.
but In My Lonely Hours,
yes, Those Precious Lonely Hours,
jesus Lets Me Know That I Was His Own

chorus

verse 3:
i Thank God For The Mountains,
and I Thank Him For The Valleys,
i Thank Him For The Storms He Brought Me Through.
for If I'd Never Had A Problem,
i Wouldn't Know God Could Solve Them,
i'd Never Know What Faith In God Could Do