DAY 3 (MORNING): RCCG SOLEMN ASSEMBLY 2021 – PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
DAY 3 (MORNING): RCCG SOLEMN ASSEMBLY 2021
THEME: REDEEMING THE TIME
MINISTERING: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
DATE: 2ND MARCH, 2021
BIBLE TEXT: EPHESIANS 5: 15-17
Let someone shout Hallelujah – Hallelujah!
SOLEMN ASSEMBLY HYMN: I’ll love my Jesus, with all My Soul
We will continue our discussions on Redeeming The Time.
Ephesians 5: 15-17:
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.
- Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
- Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
There is still so much one can share with you. But at this stage of our discussion, you need to Pray that whatever God wants you to hear, what He wants you to hearken to; He will guide me to select such because I have a lot of Materials and there is no way we could cover them all – Ask Him to select for you that which you must hear.
Before Proceeding to Redemption of Time; you must take a look back.
The Elders has a saying: If a child falls down, he looks forward; when an Elder falls down, he looks back.
Why? – The Elder wants to know what causes me to fall – Was there a Rock across my Path; is it a rope that somebody tied across the road that I couldn’t see – What cause me to fall
Before you begin to think of Redeeming Time; find out when did I begin to Slow Down.
Because if God restores you and you did not deal with what led to your Slowing Down initially; there will be Problem again.
If a man is suffering from Cholera and you take him to the Hospital and he gets healed. If he continues to eat with unwashed hands; he will be sick again.
When did I begin to Slow Down?
- Take David for example.
What happened in 2 Samuel 11 – You know his Story with the wife of Uriah. When he was sleeping at a time that King should go to war.
And he woke up one evening, saw a woman who was bathing naked and the woman was beautiful.
And then he use his Authority as a King, got the woman brought and before you knew it; the woman was Pregnant.
… Just one encounter, that one encounter led to Oh my God all manners of Problems.
At the end of the day, the Man after God’s heart committed murder, brought the woman in, Pretended to be a Great King etc – You know the rest of the Story.
But David Journey to 2 Samuel Chapter 11 started in 2 Samuel 3: 2-5.
The Great King, Giant Killer, Man after God’s heart began to acquire wives – I’m not sure whether you read all those Passages before or you just gloss over them.
In 2 Samuel 3: 2-5; David added the following to his list of wives: Ahinoam, Abigail, Maacah, Adonijah, Shephatiah, Eglah.
And that wasn’t enough, when he saw another beautiful woman, he brought her in.
- Joshua is another example.
What happened to Joshua in Joshua Chapter 7; started not in Joshua Chapter 7.
In Joshua 5: 13-15; when Joshua came face to face with Jericho; he wasn’t waiting at home – Eating and Drinking; he was walking round the Wall.
How do I do this? What steps must I take?
That is when the Captain of Heaven Paid him a visit.
But then Victory came the easy Way in Jericho because God told him what to do!
I know last Night (Day 2 Monday Evening) you have cried to God that He will show you what to do and He will grant your request – Amen!
But when we get to Joshua Chapter 7; Joshua sat down at home, send some People to go and find out what is going on with this City called Ai. They came back and told him that it is a small City – Don’t send everybody, just a few People will do!
Joshua didn’t ask God what do you want me to do? He is now a “Big Conqueror”, he has led the People, they have shouted and the Wall has fallen – Commander Joshua, let someone else go and do the surveying.
… You know the results!
How many of our Choir Members Prayed before their Ministrations?
The first (1st) day they asked you to Preach; didn’t you Prayed?
Years ago, I was Fasting and Praying – I was so weak that I couldn’t stand up.
One of our Pastors visited me, saw me lying on my mat in my very first office. He said: Daddy, why are you Fasting so much? What else do you want? You already have the “Biggest Auditorium” in Africa. What is all these Fastings about?
That was around 1984 or so – I’m sure that there are People still asking the question now even more than before – Why are you still Fasting?
When Sir/Ma; when do you start “Slowing Down” – Find Out!
- Take Solomon – The one that God Himself named and He called him: “Beloveth of the Lord” (2 Samuel 12: 24-25).
The Bible said that God loved him from birth.
In 2 Chronicles 1: 6-12; this is the Man who asked God for Wisdom. When God gave him a “Blank Cheque” – What do you want? He said Wisdom!
But in 1 Kings 11: 9-13 – Hey, God said that I will tear the Kingdom from you. The only reason that I’m leaving any of the Kingdom or Tribe with you is because of your father; not you “Solo” (Short way of calling Solomon).
Why? – 1 Kings 11: 1-12; Prosperity came and Solomon just kept on multiplying wives.
God have Mercy – My brothers and sisters; my sons and daughters; when did you begin to “Slowing Down”?
Listen to me my Beloveth Children; when do you begin to “Slowing Down”?
Could it be that your focus was diverted?
Because in Matthew 2: 1-9; even the Wise Men who came from the East – Wise Men.
And if we are to believed Historians; they travelled for almost two (2) Years seeking for Jesus Christ.
When they arrived and they were being led by the Star; they went to the Palace – In the Palace was a Murderer; the Child was somewhere else!
Is your focus diverted? Are you not looking at Colleagues who has built houses and riding “Fanciful Cars”?
Is that what took your focus away from soaking in the Anointing?
When do you begin to “Slowing Down”? – Half a word is enough for the Wise
Now, there is a Question before you begin to Pursue Redeeming The Time – The Question is: Is there any Hope that I can redeem the Time that I have lost, that I have wasted?
Oh, there is Hope!
Ecclesiastes 9:4 says clearly: A Living Dog is better than a dead Lion.
… You are still alive, I am still alive!
When I was Preparing this Message; God showed me something that I have not seen before in Plain View: 1 Samuel 3: 1-4 – It is the Story of Samuel in the house of Eli.
And the Bible says that before the Light went Out; God called Samuel!
Do you know what God told me?
Yes, the Light may be dim but it is not Out!
Isn’t that a Good News for you? – Great News especially to the DMC Family Members!
The Light may be dim, it is not out yet and there is Hope!
- Consider David that I mentioned earlier on – When he blew it Full Time in 2 Samuel 12: 1-31; when the Man of God came and said: Your Majesty you thought what you did God didn’t see you? He asked me to come and tell you that I (God) saw everything, you are the Man you said should die.
Ha, David said: I have blown it!
The Prophet said you are not going to die but you are going to Pay for what you done wrong.
David Fasted, David Mourned, David Suffered but God said alright, there are certain things that cannot be changed but we can have a New Beginning.
That was when Solomon was born during the New Beginning and God loved him.
And you know what? – David still went to War and won a “Fantastic Victory”.
… Just watch it my Beloveth!
Because I have a “Deep Feelings” within me that God has called this Particular Solemn Assembly to bring Restoration for somebody – Amen!
Watch it because when you read Judges 16: 22-31; Samson “Hair” began to grow again!
But he did “Greater Exploits” than he has ever done before. That’s what the Bible said – He killed more in a Single Blow that he has ever killed before.But he still died Young.
Why? – Because he died the way he had lived: An Ingrate!
Samson never knew how to say: Thank You – Not to God, not to anybody.
When he killed a thousand Philistines – Hello Samson, Champion Samson. With the “Jawbone” of an Ass, I slew a thousand – Not God!
When he Prayed his “Last Prayer”; what was the Prayer – Oh God, Strengthened me one more time that I may avenge me of my eyes. These People Pluck out my eyes, Strengthened me so that I can take Vengence for my eyes – Not for your Glory!
You are going to leave this Camp (Redemption Camp) this week with your “Hair” growing again – Amen!
After this Solemn Assembly; Oh Lord, how I wish God will open your eyes to see what is ahead? The kind of Miracles you have never seen before happening through you – Amen
But Please, don’t forget: It’s not you, it can never be you, it had never been you!
What do you have that you didn’t get from God?
… The Wisdom, the Intelligence, you are Highly Trained, you are a “Learned Man” Squared or Cubed – I have once told you the Story of a Professor of History who knows virtually every stories and history in the world who could not remember his name.
Your “Hair” will grow again but don’t ever forget it’s God and God alone!
Paul said in Galatians 2: 20-21 – He said: I’m crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ lives in me and the Life which I now live is just by the Grace of God!
.. Please, don’t forget that!
Now, let the Journey begins – The Journey to Restoration of Time – It will be easy for me to explain what Redeeming of Time entails.
If I ask you to compare: Redeeming Time with Overtaking those who has left you behind?
In 1 Samuel Chapter 30; the Bible says that while David and his Men were away; the Amalekites came to Ziglag and captured the wives and children of the Men, burnt down the Place et cetera et cetera.
David did something after – He wept until he couldn’t weep no more.
He asked God: What do I do now? – And God told him: Pursue, Overtake and Recover All.
That will be a Good Story to tell you how to go about Redeeming Time!
Overtaking those who has gone ahead of you, left you behind will not be difficult if the People you are running after to catch up with will stop.
Do you know that some Pentecostal Churches are already Stopping? – Some don’t give Altar Calls again; No more Crusades; No Revival Meetings
You can catch up with those ahead of you if they stop or if they wait for you!
… But Overtaking them will not be easy if they are not stopping.
We are talking of Redeeming Time – Time never Stops!
The River is flowing steadily; it does not wait for you!
How do you catch up with those who has gone ahead and left you behind?
- If they are Walking, you must start Running.
1 Samuel 17: 48-51; Goliath was walking towards David, David ran!
- If those who has left you behind are Running; what must you do to catch up with them – Fly High.
Isaiah 40:31 tells you: You can mount with Wings as Eagles.
If you wait upon the Lord, He can grant you Eagle’s wings to fly.
Meaning what sir or ma? – Like never before, you must realised the need to “SPEND” and “BE SPENT”.
I. Materially:
Philippians 3: 7-8 – Paul said: All that were giving to me; I counted lost that I may win Christ.
II. Physically:
1 Corinthians 9: 24-27 – They that run a race, run all only one will get the Prize.
What are we talking about?
You want to Redeem Time; you must increase your Sowing
Remember that the fellow had gone ahead and you know that Harvest is Proportional to Sowing.
Or you think that you are doing well? – Congratulations. But you have lost Grounds!
I. Increase Sowing – 2 Corinthians 9: 6-11 – Sow bountifully and you will reap bountifully.
“Spend”; “Be Spent” means you have to deal with yourself!
Matthew 16:24 – The Almighty God said: You want to follow Me? You have to deny yourself.
Romans 12:1 said that you have to become a Living Sacrifice (Put yourself on the Altar).
John 12:24 says: Except a corn of wheat falls into the ground and dies; it abides alone.
II. Increase Fasting:
2 Corinthians 11:27; the Bible calls it “Fasting Often”.
Don’t forget Moses – Two times, in his lifetime, he Fasted for forty (40) Days and forty (40) Nights.
Don’t forget Elijah in 1 Kings 19: 4-8 – Oh, somebody said but God fed him. Ask God to feed you too.
He went in the Strength of the Meal for forty (40) and forty (40) Nights.
III. Pray More than ever before.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 says it is Good to Pray without Ceasing.
Not just the Prayer we Pray when we are together – That is wonderful. We will talk more about that later if God Permits!
But Matthew 14:23 tells us that several times; Jesus Christ will be alone to Pray!
Mark 1:35; the Bible says in the Morning, a great while before Day breaks, He (Jesus Christ) is out there Praying.
IV. And you need to cooperate with People who can help you reach your Goal.
I mean that if you want to Catch Up with your Colleagues who are already in Ibadan while you are still at Sagamu By Past; and you see a car Passing by; there is nothing bad in waving for a Lift!
In the Story that I told you in 1 Samuel 30: 11-19 – When David was Pursuing those who had come to take away all his People from Ziglag. He saw somebody that was left behind by those People – Sick and was about to die.
He fed the fellow and said: Please, can you lead me to the People?
And he said Yes I will show you Provided that you don’t hand me over to my Master.
Do you know that God will deliberately Provide Helpers for you; He will deliberately Placed some People across your Paths if you can recognise them?
For example: When we wanted to start The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in London; we started in an Anglican Church called Saint Marylebone in their Basement.
How do we get the Place?
When I was a Lecturer at the University of Lagos (Lagos State Nigeria) long ago; I met somebody who has a Sister that stayed in Britain. She is an Anglican and she connected us with some People and we are there ooo.
I remembered the day I visited them in Church unannounced and there was a gathering of eighty (80) People – Hey, we had grown o. I was drunk with Joy.
The Basement could no longer contain us after a while; so we needed to move to the Main Sanctuary because their own Service will last for one (1) Hour (10.00am to 11.00am). And we said that we don’t mind having our Service after you finished.
Little by little, we were filling the Main Sanctuary and then a New King came that didn’t know Joseph. He saw the way we were growing and they threw us out.
But we find another Anglican Church – Angels; ready to take us.
Well, we suffered a little bit because there were no “Heating System” and so it could be a little bit cold but we survived.
Are you Young? – Congratulations!
Because if you are Young, the Bible says that you are Strong – Proverbs 20:29.
Use your Strength to your Advantage!
The Bible says that the Glory of the Young ones is their Strength!
Are you Old?
You remembered what I used to say? – How do I define those who are Young?
If you are Younger than I, you are Young; if you are Older than I, you are Old.
If you are Old, switch to Wisdom because Job 32:7 says: Multitude of Years should teach Wisdom.
If you can’t do certain things by Strength anymore; do it by Wisdom!
… Wisdom is better than Strength!
Cooperate with the Youth; Guide them and tell them what to do!
If you are the one behind them, whatever they are achieving; you have a share in the Glory!
Be ready to travel by Night.
In Genesis 14: 14-15; when News came to Abraham that they have captured his Cousin Lot. He Pursued the Captives by Night.
Meaning what sir and ma?
2 Corinthians 11: 27; when Paul was listing the things that helped him finished well; he included “Watching Often”.
Do you know what that means? – Night Vigil!
“Watching Often” Preceded “Fasting Often”.
If you can’t Fast as much as Possible; Pray more in the Night!
And those of you who are Older than me; you know something? – The Older you grow, the less hours you sleep in the Night!
So, if you can’t sleep at Night, spend that time in Prayer!
I think that I have quoted a little Poem that I learnt from a Book by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow – I learnt this little bit in 1957.
It says: The Heights attained Great Men: Reached and kept were not attained by “Sudden Flight”.
But they while their companion slept were toiling Upwards in the Night.
When I tell People that there are houses on this Campground (Redemption Camp) built in seven (7) days? – Some People say that it is not Possible.
… Built, Plastered, Painted, Furnitured in seven (7) days.
I can Point to at least two (2) of them!
They were built in the 1980’s and still standing Strong today!
I can take you to an Office Block built in fourteen (14) days on this Campground.
I can show you a Storey Building on this Campground built in twenty one (21) days.
You say it is not done; who told you?
But when I say seven (7) days; maybe I should add seven (7) days and seven (7) nights. By the time you will add seven (7) nights to that seven (7) days; it becomes fourteen (14) now.
Be ready to travel by night because you want to Catch Up with those who has gone ahead!
Some People wants to know: What is the Secret of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)?
Hey, why don’t you ask me how many Hours I Sleep? Why don’t you ask me how many days in a Year that I eat?
Even though some People believed that that I didn’t do anything – Yes, only God did it all!
And then in the meantime, this is very, very important – If God allows me; I might talk a little bit more later on.
You must be ready to get rid of “Slowing Down” Factor.
If you want to redeem Lost Time; there can be no “Excess Luggage”.
Hebrew 12:1 talked about weights that must be laid aside including every sins heavily begets us.
You have to laid them aside!
Then you have to understand one thing – And this is just for one Person: In the race that we are talking about: It is going to be a race against Time and against Yourself!
Some of us are not trying to catch up with anybody – We are trying to catch up with our own Destiny!
Let me Conclude: If you are ever going to Redeem Time, there must be “No Excuse Please” – Don’t blame anybody for where you are. You are the only one to blame!
If by now you are not raising the dead; don’t blame anybody.
Oh, there will be those who will try to slow you down – Maybe Advisers. Should you listen to them? There might be Critics.
Hey! – Advisers, Critics etc; you have no excuse my brother. If you fail, you fail yourself.
I have said it before: Only failures give excuses!
So, you go to God in Prayer.
God be with you – Amen!
Thank you so much for staying all through to read.
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