WHEN GOD EXCEEDS OUR EXPECTATION: REV. ANTHONY CUDJOE, ICGC SUNDAY SERVICE AUG. 16TH, 2020
SUNDAY SERVICE MESSAGE BY REV. ANTHONY CUDJOE (SENIOR PASTOR INTERNATIONAL CENTRAL GOSPEL CHURCH (ICGC) ACCRA, GHANA)
TOPIC: “WHEN GOD EXCEEDS OUR EXPECTATION.”
DATE: 16TH AUGUST, 2020
BIBLE TEXT: DANIEL 2:1-11
Hallelujah! It is good to have you in Church.
Shall we rise as we take our DECLARATIONS OF EXCELLENCE in this very Special Year of Excellence.
… Are you READY? SAY WITH ME:
Out of Zion, the Perfection of Beauty, God shines forth. The Lord my God causes the Righteous to shine forth as the Sun.
His Awesome Hand has formed me; His Creative Spirit inspires my mind. He Skillfully guides my hands.
Therefore, I boldly declare: I am Set Apart for Excellence. The Ruler of the Universe, He has exalted my horn among the Nations. He sets my feet on high! In His Strength, I rise!
By Faith, I Press forward towards the Prize of my Highest Calling.
I believe in my heart, and confess with my mouth: that Jesus is Lord! He is the Vine, I am the Branch; in Him I abide, in Him I Blossom.
As it is written: God, who commanded Light out of darkness, has Shone His Light in our hearts.
We have His Treasure in Earthen Vessels. That the Excellence of the Power may be of God, and not of us!
In this Year, I commit to EXCELLENCE, I commit to EXCEPTIONALISM, I commit to the EXTRAORDINARY.
In Jesus’ Name – Amen!
Please be seated in His Presence or reading now on the Label of DMC.
Today I am speaking on: “WHEN GOD EXCEED OUR EXPECTATION.”
And I am glad to let you know that God would exceed your expectations – Amen.
… He would do more than you think He can do – Amen.
You can listen to the audio here: When God Exceeds Our Expectations-Rev Anthony Cudjoe
We know God exists; but how do we know God?
Israel said: When the Lord turned again the Captivity of Zion, we were like those we were dreaming.
In other words, we didn’t expect it.
I am telling somebody, something you didn’t expect, God is going to do – Amen!
And I have discovered that life get to a certain extent:
- Things are taken beyond the realms of Mankind.
- Things are taken beyond the Human Institutions.
- Things are taken beyond the Systems and Power that be!
And anytime the battle or the challenge gets beyond Human reach, it gets into the realms of the gods.
And I want us to quickly read from the Book of Daniel 2:1-11 (NKJV):
1 Now in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s
reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him.
2 Then the king gave the command to call the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.
3 And the king said to them, “I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to know the dream.”
4 Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation.”
5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “My decision is firm: if you do not make known the dream to me, and its interpretation, you shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made an ash heap.
6 However, if you tell the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts, rewards, and great honor. Therefore tell me the dream and its interpretation.”
7 They answered again and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will give its interpretation.”
8 The king answered and said, “I know for certain that you would gain time, because you see that my decision is firm:
9 if you do not make known the dream to me, there is only one decree for you! For you have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the time has changed. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can give me its interpretation.”
10 The Chaldeans answered the king, and said, “There is not a man on Earth who can tell the king’s matter; therefore no king, lord, or ruler has ever asked such things of any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean.
11 It is a difficult thing that the king requests, and there is no other who can tell it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”
… Except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.
In other words, the situation is beyond the reach of man. It is now in the realms of God.
So, we need to understand that there comes a time in our lives that you find yourself in situation(s) where you know that you know: that EXCEPT God comes in, no man can help you.
But I am here to tell you that, that is why we follow Him; that is why we serve Him.
Anytime that happens, God receive Praises!
And I came to tell you, all Nations shall Praise His Name – All Nation!
You will Praise His Name, you will see what God has done, and you will have nothing to do than to just Worship and Bless His Name – Amen!
Israel said: When the Lord turned our Captivity we were like those that dreamed – Because where we were, we couldn’t imagine ourselves; that we will get this far!
Like many of us, with what has happened to our world in the last five (5) Months, we find ourselves in situations where we really, really need to believe God and get things done.
But I came to tell you: GOD WILL EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS – Amen!
The use of the word “EVEN” – Now the word “EVEN” is used the moment we are having more than we expected.
Now, to say ‘Even’ means to make equal as discussed. Or to put on equal basis, to compare.
But when we are speaking or writing extremely or completely unexpected; so we hear People talks of ‘even this’, ‘even that’, ‘even God”.
Anytime we say ‘even this’ it means the thing gave us more than we can expected.
Remember I told you the story of my Opel car (my first car) – It was twelve (12) years old when I bought it and I called it ‘Slightly Used’.
… If twelve (12) years is ‘Slightly Used’, then you could imagine what Brand New would be!
But one day; I was driving and I believed the car (I am telling you). I believed it! And everytime I would make a Good defense for the car: How good it is!
So one day, a friend of mine who was using another Brand of car said – Even your car can overtake Mercedes Benz.
Now what it means ‘even I can overtake Benz’ – It means that there is a certain respect I have for Mercedes. Certain respect I have for BMW.
So, if my car is able to overtake it; then my car is more than I expect.
I am telling you that God can come and solve your Problems; that what you think cannot be done, you will know that it can be done – Amen!
Say: “EVEN!’
That is the situation Mary and Martha were in and she said: My brother is dead; ‘but EVEN now (because of Who You are), EVEN NOW when you speak!
And we can go to God and say: Lord, we know that things have gone bad, but EVEN NOW; You can give us More Than Expected!
He is dead alright! – Four (4) days have Past but ‘EVEN NOW’!
Tell yourself: But ‘EVEN NOW’:
- ‘EVEN NOW’ that we think things have gone bad, our God can still win.
- ‘EVEN NOW’ that we think that we are depressed and devastated, things can still work.
Because our God is always there to do something that we think is beyond our reach – Hallelujah!
Nebuchadnezzar’s Wiseman made reference to God. And I want us to understand, when Jesus sent His Twelve (12) Disciples – The Bible says when they came they were rejoicing;
“Lord, ‘EVEN’ demons are subject to us in Your Name.”
… Which means they had certain respect for demons.
But they saw what the Power of Jesus can do, and they said: ‘EVEN’ demons obeyed us!
God will always stretch to meet us beyond what we expect – He will always do that – Amen!
And I want you to be rest assured in this God, that: He is ABLE!
I didn’t hear your Amen – AMEN!
… He is ABLE!
And for God to make you know Who He is, sometimes He brings you to a Point where you think: There is no where to turn.
Then when He comes in, you tell yourself – God is GOD!
There was a Period in the life of Israel, when they had forsaken God and they were worshipping Baal.
Elijah comes forth and said: Why are you People turning between the two (2)? Why are you confused? – If God be GOD – Worship Him; if Baal is god – worship him.
But then, for Elijah to let God do something; the Bible says he filled the trench with water. Then he calls Fire to come and drink the water.
And when the People saw that, they said: The Lord, He is GOD.
Listen, I say somebody is going to say: Now, I fear God. I think God is REAL!
Because all of us, there are times we have our little, little doubts even though we say, we believe. But then God comes in, and immediately, your doubts are settled.
And I am telling somebody; He is going to settle your doubts – Amen!
That you will say: I have tasted and seen that God is GOOD; and I have tasted and I have never seen it done this way before.
Nebuchadnezzar heard this, when he Pushed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into the fire.
And the Bible says that the fire did not have effect on them.
The situations we are going through, it looks like it may have effect in certain years; but watch it out, a day is coming, you will never remember these things happened – Amen.
But then the advantage and the benefit that came out of it, you will say Lord: It was Good that I went through what I went through – Because in it, I saw Your Power; in it, I saw Your Grace; in it, I saw Your Provision.
When they came out, the Bible says: The Fire did not have effect on them.
Jesus, the Bible says: It was not Possible that death could hold Him Captive.
So, in the same way:
- The situation(s) that killed others will not kill you – Amen.
- The thing People went through, that made them Paralyzed, you will go through and you would survive it – Amen.
… And I came to tell you that: You will survive and thrive – Amen; You will survive and bounce back – Amen.
You will gain your Job again, you will gain your Business again, you will gain your strength again, you will gain your Travelling Agency again – Amen!
I want us to look at two (2) Scriptures, then we round up!
- Mark 4.
In Mark Chapter 4, Jesus was with the Disciples on the sea.
The Bible says there was tempest, there was storm, there was something they never expected.
The Bible says in Mark 4 from verse 35 (NKJV): On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the Multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose,
…. Say: Great wind Storm!
And the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a Pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are Perishing?”
There are many of us as Christians, that our Faith have been shaking. When Medical Science says we don’t have any cure yet, and it is affecting the World Economy;
Some People will say: So, if God is there, where are all these happening? God, don’t you care?
For example: Assuming you are just about to get a “Big Contract”; then Covid happened, and they said: Oh, because of this Covid we suspend the Project.
In fact, some will say: We are not going to do it.
You will hear People saying: Oh God, why now? You could have waited for me to start this Contract before the Covid came.
No – He does not work like we do! God is not like me or you; He has a Mind of His Own.
The Bible said: He said that they should go, but there were challenges on the way. So much so that the Disciples thought that they were Perishing.
So they said: Lord don’t you care that we are Perishing?
I want the World to know that God Cares! I want Africa to know that God Cares!
I know some Believers are doubting; but I came to tell you – You may see contrary winds, but if Jesus is in the boat with you; He will CALM the Storm at the right time. So that what you have not known, Jesus says YES, you will get to know it.
What we have not seen Him do YET, we are going to sew Him DO – Amen!
And I want you to get ready for the Works of God; Get ready for the Power of God; Get ready for the Handiwork of God – Amen!
Not you Care? – The Bible says the Boat was already filling. It means the situation had gone BAD – it was already Hopeless.
And they awoke Him and said to Him: “Teacher, do You not care that we are Perishing?”
The Bible says: Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea,
Say: HE SAID TO THE SEA!
And said to the sea: “PEACE, BE STILL!”
And the wind ceased and there was a GREAT CALM!
Put your hands on your chest and say: LORD, I receive great Calm – Amen!
*And receive PEACE into your heart; receive REST into your mind. Receive Comfort – SHALOM!
May the Peace of the Lord be unto you, in the Name of JESUS – Amen.
“Peace, be still!” – And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
But He said to them: “Why are you so Fearful? How is it that you have no Faith?”
And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another: “Who can this be, that ‘EVEN’ the wind and the sea obey Him!”
… “Who can this be, that ‘EVEN’ the wind and the sea obey Him!”
In other words, they had exceeded their expectations: ‘EVEN’ the wind and the sea OBEY Him!
Normally when you are speaking; it is normal for you to speak to Human Being – Isn’t it?
But I came to tell you:
I. There is a VOICE that creation listens to.
II. There is a VOICE that Breeze can listen to.
III. There is a VOICE that Fish can listen to.
So, God speaks to a Fish in the days of Jonah – And the Fish comes and take Jonah and sent Jonah to his Departure and Time of Arrival.
And when Jonah got there, the Arrival Party was there – Nineveh was there waiting.
Listen, we serve a Living God – SITUATION can hear His VOICE. DEATH can hear His VOICE and Live. SICKNESS can hear His VOICE and live. ECONOMY can hear the VOICE of God and live.
The Bible says He said to the SEA; and to the Disciples: ‘Are You normal?’
Can you imagine in your home, when you are talking to chicken, your children will think: Who are you talking to?
… But there is a word that they hear!
But can you imagine speaking to the Sea, you are speaking to Wind?
… Everybody would say you are mad!
But Jesus (the Creator) knew the Power of words – That the Power of God and the Words of God and the things God created, hear the VOICE OF GOD.
I came to tell you: COVID will hear the Word of God; your Business will hear the Word of God; your Marriage will hear the Word of God; your Life will hear the Word of God.
And when the word of God comes, that which HEARS the Word of God, OBEYS the Word of God – Even the Sea!
Say: ‘EVEN’ the Sea. ‘EVEN’ the Wind – ‘EVEN’!
These are the Disciples who said: ‘EVEN’ the devils are subject to us. But they are saying, ‘EVEN’ the Wind!
Listen, before this time, these disciples have seen Jesus healed the sick. In healing the sick, any Herbalist in their locality or community can do something.
They have seen Him healed the sick; they have seen Him Teach Powerful – The Scribes were also teaching.
But as to Speaking to the Wind; their own Leader, also speaking to the Sea! Let the fishermen take control of the waves.
And these were Fishermen, who know what it means for the sea to be boisterous.
But then Jesus comes with an aspect of Him that they didn’t know.
So the Bible says: People are now trying to redefine Jesus.
Listen, some of you will begin to look for God in the Dictionary.
But you know what? – You can only see God in His Word (the Holy Bible).
You can only see God in His Power. You can only see God when it comes to where man has failed – for God to FIX it.
I am glad to tell you: That the Nation shall call upon the Name of Jehovah. And I am glad that you know Him, and I know Him.
And that is the Anchor we have; that is the Peace we have.
They said: What manner of man is this?
It is like – What type of human being is this? What type?
The other People I know are not like this. The other gods I know are not like this. The other assistance I have been receiving, I don’t get it this way!
But that is what put us into His REST – There are the situations that separate the Boys from the Men. And there are situations that separate the World’s System from the System of the Kingdom.
I want us to understand that we serve a God Who is All Powerful – A God who is Able!
And this morning, I want us to bow our head and Pray:
- I want you to Thank God that He is on your side; He is with you – You will EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS.
He will do More Than you think or you could imagine. He will do more – HE WILL DO MORE!.
Jesus was Preaching somewhere – People came with a situation. Jesus said your sins are forgiven. They said: how can this be?
But the Bible says: What do you want to mean? Is it simple to say: ‘Your sins are Forgiven or be Healed?’
They were mesmerized by the Method Jesus used!
But later they saw the thing; and they said – Strange things are happening. What is happening is overwhelming us!
I want you to just Thank God. And I want you to say with Mary: That EVEN NOW!
The Covid has changed live, but EVEN NOW;
Things are not normal, but EVEN NOW;
Situations are have not been the same for the Past five (5) Months, but EVEN NOW;
Lift up your voice and talk to God – EVEN NOW, my God is Able. EVEN NOW God will do a thing.EVEN NOW!
Nebuchadnezzar was bragging: “Which God can deliver you?”
Later he said: I have never seen any God who can do it this way.*
God is going to come to you in a New Style, in a New Way – Amen!
You think you know Him? – WAIT.
You think you have tasted His Power? – WAIT!
And you are going to see Greater, Greater, Greater Part of God.
Just talk to Him! Just talk to God.
SINGING THIS HYMN: ABIDE WITH ME
- Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me. - Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me. - I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me. - I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
Somebody, the words of this Hymn is Ministering to you:
When other Helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O ABIDE with me!
The Help of the helpless – The One who changes not; we will make it if You will ABIDE WITH US.
I Pray in the Name of JESUS, that you will see that version of God – Amen. The manner of Man He is – Amen.
God is not man that He should lie.
The Psalmist says: When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is Higher than I.
We Bless You, we Bless You.
In Jesus’ Name – Amen!
Oh, give Him Praise!
Put your hands on your chest and say: There is CALMNESS in my heart. There is PEACE in my Spirit. God is with me.
AMEN!!!!
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