Communion Service
Date: Sunday 4th July, 2023
Song Ministration: I Am Going Higher/There Shall Be Showers of Blessing
Message: Tests God will Give You Before God Can Use You
Minister: Pastor Segun Keku

Church, this is how it will continue till the Day Christ will come.
So it was in the days of Noah.
The faithful ones will continue to be faithful, likewise the unfaithful will continue to be unfaithful and the end will come.

Be Strong in your walk with God.
Let's forgive one another.
Don't let my case be the reason you will have issue with God and not make heaven.
Prepare and be very cautious of your heaven.
It gives the Pastor joy whenever He is able to minister to anyone before the person dies. So he faithfully ministers even to idol worshippers.
Because no matter what, He knows with assurance that whatever they are going through Jesus will do it when others have failed. He tells them "Call me, I will call Christ."

This is how we will be doing till suddenly Christ will come.
Pastors should prepare people for heaven otherwise they are not pastoring.
A lot of people are dying, let us be conscious.
None will die in our midst in Jesus name. Amen.
Isa.7.7 - thus says the Lord GOD: "It shall not stand, Nor shall it come to pass.

This month of June the Lord is preparing something for us. Let's come to thank God when He does it.

There are tests every believer will go through before God can promote you.
But believers do not want to go through tests/challenges.
When any things comes your way, hear the Holy spirit. Know what is going on. Know what is behind it. Take your time to know how to fire rightly.
Search everything and hold on to what is True.
There are some things God is deliberately taking you through that looks as if God has abandoned you but it is for your Good.

Job.23.10 - But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

Jer.20.12 - But, O LORD of hosts, You who test the righteous, And see the mind and heart, Let me see Your vengeance on them; For I have pleaded my cause before You.

The reason why you will be tried is because you are righteous.
May we not fail our tests and trials in Jesus name. Amen

We Christians do not want to be tested. But without Exam we cannot be promoted.
For God to use you in His kingdom He will need to process you. The more He processes you, the more useful you can be.

Ps.105.19 - Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the LORD tested him.

Do not go to seers and prophets duting your tests/trials/challenges. Stay on His Word.
God does not waste His test. When He tests you, there's already what He has prepared for you.

To follow Jesus is to deny self.
If you can't remember how many times you have denied yourself because of Christ, you need prayers.
Deny sleep,  deny food, deny comfort, etc
He called Paul before He processed him.
He can also process some before He calls them.

Genesis 37: Story of Joseph
God does not love anyone more than the other.
Jacob may have loved Joseph more but God loved them equally.
But He ltrusts us in proportion to our Obedience.
Favour is simply how God responds to our life of obedience.
Once you obey God, expect Favour.

Many find things difficult. They cannot find Favour simply because of their level of Disobedience.
Start counting, "In How Many Ways Have I Been Obedient To God?"
How many times did you leave TV or Social media to pray or study?

When God is favoring you, it's not about you but about the Kingdom of God.
It's not because of the material things but about His kingdom.
So when He finds you and favours you, do not think it is about what you did but His faithfulness to His Word.

When you have confidence in God and who you are in Christ, it looks like arrogance to the world. Job 7:18

God will not use anyone who does not have a servant heart.
You must have the heart to serve.
Jesus said, if you want to be the greatest in the kingdom you should be the servant.
Even with the vision of Joseph he was still ready to serve.
So many want to become pastors or rich and successful without the process.
If you want to skip the process, you will fall into the hands of seers and false prophets.

They said a politician did not have structure yet God provided. If that can happen with a politician, how much more in our personal lives. God will supply all you need.

There is positive and negative in Social Media.

Positive: Anyone can access the Social Media. You can reach everyone.
Negative: Anyone can access the Social Media. People bypass the process and start ministry anywhere, no spiritual headship.

Anyone who wants to serve must be well reported. 1 Tim 3
God sees the heart and checks the motive. He chooses those who have a heart to serve Him and not after glory (self, vanities).
There are so many ways you will be asked to serve that you will not be pleased with.
During service offenses will come, you have to be obedient and available with your resources nonetheless.
Christ was ready to serve.
He told Peter if I do not wash your feet you cannot have a part of me.

Evangelism today is suffering. What is your service for God since January?
There's fuel scarcity, some ministers will use that as excuse not to minister.
There is need to work for God. Especially those that are ready to serve God inside rain and sun, in hunger and challenges etc.
Because it is beyond that. For God to promote you, you have to be tested in service. So many pastors have no record of tests and service.

1. Test of Service.
You're alive today, start counting your service because you will be able to present them before God. You cannot counter God but you can present your service.
The tests you're going through will not kill you. You won't die there. By the time you come out of that test, every body is coming to celebrate you.

The apprenticeship process of business men is an example.
Everyone wants to wake up one day and take titles.
Know that there is a process. Without the process you cannot get there.

2. Test of Hiding.
They took Joseph's coat of many colors. God was hiding Him for him to grow.
When you are not yet where you are supposed to be it is because God is still hiding you. Just as God hid Elijah in the Brooks and even fed him until it was time.
God took David to the Bush to be tending to sheep. It was in this process He learnt to kill lion and bear before he could kill Goliath.
We want to show and be known.
God will test you with hiding. There are so many things others will do but you will be rejected.
Later they will look for you.

God may hide you to slow you down, to protect you. Because if you develop or expose yourself too soon it will cost you.
The reason God has not given some car is to prevent you from accident. Know that God is working with you.
It is in the season of hiding that you will know whether you will continue in service or not. If you're doing it for God, you will continue. If it's for the gain, you will quit and even go to idol worshippers.
Enemy will attack your glory. Even Jesus Christ had to be hidden because if he started shining early, Herod will kill him.

If you're a Pastor, it is a Pastor that may plot to kill you. Prophets also attack and kill themselves both spiritually and physically.

When you're trusting God for something and it is not forthcoming, it is at that point you will know if you're serving God or not. Like Job said, though He slay me, yet I will trust Him.
When you're a believer you will lose some friends that are unbelievers. You will also lose lukewarm believers.

3. Test of Discouragement
That is when everything you can rely upon will be shaken. That is when you will be removed from familiar terrain and where you are comfortable. From your church, pastor, etc.
The LORD will encourage you.

Trials don't create anointing but reveal your character.
The Lord will see us through our trials in Jesus name. Amen
Some with even withhold their help.
Some want to see if you can survive without them. But you Continue.

It is when there is heaviness, there is loss of motivation.
From one level to another, different trials that can make you lose motivation.
But if the Holyspirit is with you, he will be encouraging you and you will not look like what you're going through.
Dont look at the challenges, Be Motivated in the Lord.
Various members help in diverse ways. Some their presence is encouragement but not financial help. Some it is financial, etc.

So many singles are discouraged with the marriages they see that they don't want to marry. If they are already discouraged before marriage what of after marriage? Because they see marriages that are not happy and homes that are not peaceful.
Pastors should also be sensitive when handling singles and marriage.

There are 2 things a person needs to get right in life- a good wife/husband and a good church.

Don't let anyone put you on unnecessary competition or pressure, just continue with God.
It's not about the crowd, be very careful when you're going through hiding, thank God for everything.
Three things that matter in life- food, cloth and shelter. Luke 12.

Have the Fear of God.
If you have the fear of God there are things you can never do.
You will never want God to fight for someone against you. Husbands, may God not fight for your wife against you and vice versa.
If the devil wants to deal with a person they will not value their good husband/wife so that God can deal with them. Their business may crash when God fights for the spouse.
It is the Pastors duty to make sure his members' marriages are good and peaceful.

4. Test of Faithfulness Gen 39:1-3
Joseph began to see favor even in slavery because he was serving his master faithfully.
Faithfulness is doing some thing with the right attitude, not how long, but doing it in the best way.
It is more than just bring consistent but consistency in the right spirit, mind and attitude.
Gal.6.9 - And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Let's pray for ourselves not to be weary. No man can help any man. Pastor is running his race, you are running yours. You're not doing anything for any man.
If you have stopped drinking, fornication, etc do not go back.
Whoever puts his hand on the plow and goes back is not worthy.
If you continue faithfully you will reap it.
Make sure you are faithful to the LORD.
Some Pastors make the members want to please them instead of pleasing God.
What you do for God in secret, you will reap openly, it's just a matter of time.
Don't act in the flesh, Continue.

5. Test of Blessing
Joseph was supposed to conclude that Portiphar's blessing was his reward. God wanted to test him to check His character.
Who you truly are can only be revealed in your blessing.
When you were living in 1 bedroom apartment, you were committed. Now that you live in the duplex you're no longer committed.
Before you had a car you were not a latecomer. Now that you have a car you became a latecomer.
When you have a certain amount of riches, are you still faithful to God?
Imagine being punished for doing what is right like Joseph?

It is in the season of blessing and abundance that sin will come and knock at your door. That you can become arrogant, that opportunities come your way to sin.
Some times God gives you some thing just to see how you will react. If He takes it away how will you react, like Job?
It is not easy, but with God it is easy.

Some have become so blessed, they put down their guard, they stopped fasting.
What is the essence of coming to church if you are not faithful to God?
It's not only about celebrating God's goodness and blessings, but what have you sacrificed for God?

What will you do when you do what is right and you get sent to the wrong place?
When you come to prayer meeting and didn't get miracle
Or sow and tithe and no miracle/blessing.
God will say it is not transactional, it is worship.
He is watching you. By the time He starts blessing you it will be too much for you.

The danger time is still ahead. God knows that your destruction is their target. Because God has seen it He is just preparing your abundance for you. But so many of us want the abundance now.

In conclusion, are you willing to give your best just to obey God?
When you remove your eyes from the blessing, that is when God will bless you.
When you remove your eyes from the miracle that's when God will do the miracle.
What is it that this God cannot do for you?

What can you give to God that is making you proud?
Hear the word of God and change.
Eyes have not seen, ears have not heard what God has in store for you.
Do your own part, do not look at Pastors.
May God not allow you to sow in the wrong place.

Gen 40:13-14
The cup bearer Joseph helped forgot about him for 2 years until the King had a dream. Yet Joseph did not hold any grudges, He served.

Myer:
■ Church, this is how it will continue till the Day Christ will come.
So it was in the days of Noah.
The faithful ones will continue to be faithful, likewise the unfaithful will continue to be unfaithful and the end will come.

Be Strong in your walk with God.
Let's forgive one another.
Don't let my case be the reason you will have issue with God and not make heaven.
Prepare and be very cautious of your heaven.
It gives the Pastor joy whenever He is able to minister to anyone before the person dies. So he faithfully ministers even to idol worshippers.
Because no matter what, He knows with assurance that whatever they are going through Jesus will do it when others have failed. He tells them "Call me, I will call Christ."

This is how we will be doing till suddenly Christ will come.
Pastors should prepare people for heaven otherwise they are not pastoring.
A lot of people are dying, let us be conscious.
None will die in our midst in Jesus name. Amen.
Isa.7.7 - thus says the Lord GOD: "It shall not stand, Nor shall it come to pass.

This month of June the Lord is preparing something for us. Let's come to thank God when He does it.

There are tests every believer will go through before God can promote you.
But believers do not want to go through tests/challenges.
When any things comes your way, hear the Holy spirit. Know what is going on. Know what is behind it. Take your time to know how to fire rightly.
Search everything and hold on to what is True.
There are some things God is deliberately taking you through that looks as if God has abandoned you but it is for your Good.

Job.23.10 - But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

Jer.20.12 - But, O LORD of hosts, You who test the righteous, And see the mind and heart, Let me see Your vengeance on them; For I have pleaded my cause before You.

The reason why you will be tried is because you are righteous.
May we not fail our tests and trials in Jesus name. Amen

We Christians do not want to be tested. But without Exam we cannot be promoted.
For God to use you in His kingdom He will need to process you. The more He processes you, the more useful you can be.

Ps.105.19 - Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the LORD tested him.

Do not go to seers and prophets duting your tests/trials/challenges. Stay on His Word.
God does not waste His test. When He tests you, there's already what He has prepared for you.

To follow Jesus is to deny self.
If you can't remember how many times you have denied yourself because of Christ, you need prayers.
Deny sleep,  deny food, deny comfort, etc
He called Paul before He processed him.
He can also process some before He calls them.

Genesis 37: Story of Joseph
God does not love anyone more than the other.
Jacob may have loved Joseph more but God loved them equally.
But He ltrusts us in proportion to our Obedience.
Favour is simply how God responds to our life of obedience.
Once you obey God, expect Favour.

Many find things difficult. They cannot find Favour simply because of their level of Disobedience.
Start counting, "In How Many Ways Have I Been Obedient To God?"
How many times did you leave TV or Social media to pray or study?

When God is favoring you, it's not about you but about the Kingdom of God.
It's not because of the material things but about His kingdom.
So when He finds you and favours you, do not think it is about what you did but His faithfulness to His Word.

When you have confidence in God and who you are in Christ, it looks like arrogance to the world. Job 7:18

God will not use anyone who does not have a servant heart.
You must have the heart to serve.
Jesus said, if you want to be the greatest in the kingdom you should be the servant.
Even with the vision of Joseph he was still ready to serve.
So many want to become pastors or rich and successful without the process.
If you want to skip the process, you will fall into the hands of seers and false prophets. .

... Here's the problem with your claim, God doesn't "test" those who are not at least Holy --- complete compliance to His Law and statutes---- and living according to His Law. His "tests" are usually for those who are to be approved righteous by Him, not for random unrighteous Joes. Same way your institutions do not simply "test" you just for the heck of it, God also does not test people just for the heck of it.

GreatVocalist:
■ How does one know he's Holy?

God's very own Spirit lives and speaks inside of those who are born-again and Holy. They are at least possessed by the first Helper. He confirms their status to them as in bears witness of this fact to them.

GreatVocalist:

Is a person's Holiness a function of their keeping the laws and statutes of God or a function of the Spirit living in them?

It is a function of living one's life in continuous submission and obedience to the teachings and commandments of Jesus Christ---the Truth of God. Holiness is sinlessness --- living in full compliance with God's Law and it is only by knowing the Truth that one is then set free from slavery to sin by the Truth of God - John 8 vs 31 - 36.

No all those who are born-again-- born of Spirit --- will go on to become Holy.

GreatVocalist:
■ Maybe I should paraphrase the question:

What empowers a person to be Holy? Is it the Holy Spirit Himself, or it just comes from a personal decision?
■ Can I just decide to keep the laws of God by my own strength and then be counted Holy?

1. There is no empowering going on. Simply you making a choice and doing as Jesus Christ commands you to do.

2. Yes! Moses, Elijah, Anna, David, Obadiah, Jonah, John the Baptist, Zechariah and his wife, Mary, Joseph, etc., were able to keep God's Old Law of Moses without any form of empowerment give them before.

GreatVocalist:
■ In that case, you posit that God counts our self-righteouness worthy.
■ Also, what are the things that Jesus commands us to do? If we could just simply do those things,
■...why then do we struggle?

1. Where God is concerned, there is no such thing as self-righteousness. You are either Righteous or you are unrighteousness. Simple!

2. Jesus Christ is God's Law and Covenant , the Constitutional Law in the very Kingdom of God and He details approximately 100 commandments and teachings His followers are to live by in order to qualify as Law-abiding citizens of the Kingdom of God - Holy.

3. You struggle to obey them because you do not know Him nor accept Him - His teachings and His commandments.

GreatVocalist:
■ Hmm! 100 laws. So what if a person breaks any of these laws at any point in time, he'll be declared unrighteous again, even after keeping the laws before?

David was righteous when God made him King of Israel. (David was a man after God's own heart.) When David, in his righteousness, sinned against God, did God declare him unrighteous as a result? When Moses, a righteous man of God sinned against God in the wilderness, did God declare him, Moses, unrighteous, as a result? When Jonah, a righteous man of God, sinned against God, did God declare Jonah unrighteous as a result?

GreatVocalist:
■OK! But you haven't answered my question. A person is declared righteous if he simply obeys God. Then what if he disobeys God at some point?
■ With respect to your examples, permit me to add this question. If those persons you mentioned were declared righteous because of their "good deeds" and we're supposed to use them as our standard, then what exactly was the purpose of Christ's coming and what effect is His sacrifice on the new dispensation?

1. You didn't seem to understand the answer is instead what. God is the only one able to approve anyone righteous. It is God Himself who approved all those men mentioned as righteous, and the fate of the righteous belongs in His hands and His hands alone. We do not read anywhere in Scripture of God demoting any of them from that status.

2. First of all, no one told you to use those men as standards. Even Jesus Christ did not ask you to follow His example. Rather what you are called to do is to live your life in continuous submission and obedience to the teachings and commandments of Jesus Christ — God's Law and Truth in the Kingdom of God.

Second, the purpose of Jesus Christ is to grant the sinners of God's Old Covenant — cursed and scattered by God to all the ends of the world — a path to redemption from their sins and back to God's presence. Imagine it this way, unlike the law-abiding citizens of old, you chose to live as a criminal under God's Old Law, and as a result, you were judged and convicted/damned forever by God's Old Law and cast out to live as a damned convict for the rest of your existence. Then God decided to extend to you an olive branch of sorts, a path by which you can work your way back to Him through His New Law, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ did not come to offer you a cakewalk of sorts. No, He came to offer you a path to redemption powered by your will, efforts, and zeal to know God. Basically, if you lack the will, zeal, or desire to return to God, Jesus Christ should be the last thing on your mind. That is why He said He came only for those who are weary and Heavy laden — those who are really read to be rid of it all and return back to God.

GreatVocalist:
■ OK. What's your perception of the following verses? 2 Corinthians 5:21: “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

“If any man serve me, let him follow me.” (John 12:26.)

I think the messages in both are clearly conveyed. Why do you ask?

Kobojunkie:
... Here's the problem with your claim, God doesn't "test" those who are not at least Holy --- complete compliance to His Law and statutes---- and living according to His Law. His "tests" are usually for those who are to be approved righteous by Him, not for random unrighteous Joes. Same way your institutions do not simply "test" you just for the heck of it, God also does not test people just for the heck of it.

If you read this carefully, you will know it was mentioned.
Don't read to disagree, read to learn.
Everyone is meant to have a learning heart in Christ.
And when like the Bereans do, you have confirmed it to be true, you can now obey.
And if false, discard.

Myer:
■ If you read this carefully, you will know it was mentioned. Don't read to disagree, read to learn.
■ Everyone is meant to have a learning heart in Christ.
■ And when like the Bereans do, you have confirmed it to be true, you can now obey.And if false, discard.

1. Where exactly is it stated in the OP that God only tests those who have at least proven themselves holy by His Law and Standard?

2. Again, this is wrong! According to Jesus Christ, the only one His followers are to learn from is Him, the only and only Teacher to those who belong to Him.

8 “But you must not be called ‘Teacher.’ You are all equal as brothers and sisters. You have only one Teacher.
9 And don’t call anyone on earth ‘Father.’ You have one Father. He is in heaven.
10 And you should not be called ‘Master.’ You have only one Master, the Messiah.
11 Whoever serves you like a servant is the greatest among you.
12 People who think they are better than others will be made humble. But people who humble themselves will be made great. - Matthew 23 vs 8 - 12

3. I am not a Berean and I don't subscribe to following the examples of any man or people. I simply obey Jesus Christ. So, again, where in your article there is it stated that God only "tests" those who are at least worthy of being approved righteous by Him?

Kobojunkie:
1. Where exactly is it stated in the OP that God only tests those who have at least proven themselves holy by His Law and Standard?

2. Again, this is wrong! According to Jesus Christ, the only one His followers are to learn from is Him, the only and only Teacher to those who belong to Him.

3. I am not a Berean and I don't subscribe to following the examples of any man or people. I simply obey Jesus Christ. So, again, where in your article there is it stated that God only "tests" those who are at least worthy of being approved righteous by Him?

It is pointless since you believe only you are the true follower of Christ n whom God is well pleased.

Myer:
■ It is pointless since only you are the true follower of Christ n whom God is well pleased.

So, your particular issue now, the same as that of the JWs on this site, is with me not having a group I belong to? Religion ehn!

Kobojunkie:
So, your particular issue now, the same as that of the JWs on this site, is with me not having a group I belong to? Religion ehn!

The issue is Christ came to build a church, a fellowship, a family with both Himself and with one another. Not lone rangers
It is called Koinonia.

Today is Communion Service in some churches which Jesus Christ instructed us to always do in remembrance of Him. Can you have Communion by yourself alone?

Myer:
■ The issue is Christ came to build a church, a fellowship, a family with both Himself and with one another. Not lone rangers. It is called Koinonia. Today is Communion Service in some churches which Jesus Christ instructed us to always do in remembrance of Him. Can you have Communion by yourself alone?

Is this some sort of attempt by you to change the channel or something? You haven't answered my question.

Whereabouts is it stated in the OP that God only tests those who have at least proven themselves holy by His Law and Standard?
Where in your article there is it stated that God only "tests" those who are at least worthy of being approved righteous by Him?

---

Jesus Christ already built His Church. He built it with His own hands and sealed it with His own blood when He died on the cross of Calvary. The Rock on which He built His Church is Himself, Jesus Christ, the New Covenant, and the Law of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is His Church. He already told you all those who can qualify to become a part of His Church — His Kingdom — and they are those who are weary and Heavy Laden of the Lost sheep of Israel.

Playing religion much the same as the Muslims, and other religions out there, do does not make you or any of those in your group a part of His Church — never will.