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Oyindidi:
I no sabi pound yam.. I no ready to learn too

Your case is different

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT'S MANUAL
LESSON FORTY-EIGHT
SUNDAY 29TH JULY 2018

TOPIC:  RAPTURE: PURPOSE AND QUALIFICATIONS


MEMORY VERSE: "In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” – John 14:2-3

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1Corinthians 15:50-53

1 Corinthians:15.50
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
1 Corinthians:15.51
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed --
1 Corinthians:15.52
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Corinthians:15.53
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality.

INTRODUCTION: 
Our last lesson revealed the meaning of the word, rapture. We also discovered events surrounding the rapture as regards timing and other issues. Today’s lesson will show us the reasons, the qualification as well as fallacies surrounding the rapture. May the good Lord teach our hearts and bless our lives with His truth by His Spirit, in Jesus’ name.

LESSON OUTLINES
1. Why will the rapture take place?
2. Who will be raptured?

WHY WILL THE RAPTURE TAKE PLACE?
The rapture will take place:
1. To resurrect the just of all ages from among the dead (1Thessalonians 4:13-17, Psalm 50:1-6).
2. To take the saints out of the world before the tribulation (Luke 21:34-36; 2Thessalonians 2:7-8; 1Thessalonians 1:10).
3. That Jesus Christ might present to Himself a Church without spots or wrinkles (Ephesians 5:27; John 14:1-3).
4. To transform or change the bodies of all faithful saints from mortality to immortality (Philippians 3:20-21; 1Corinthians 15:21-23, 42-44, 51-58).
5. To assemble the saints at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelations 19:1-10).
6. To allow the revelation of the anti-Christ (2Thessalonians 2:1-8 ).
7. To present saints to God the Father (1Thessalonians 3:13; Jude 24).
8. To make the saints whole in body, soul and spirit (1John 3:2-3; Romans 8:22-23).

WHO WILL BE RAPTURED?
The following set of people shall be raptured:
1. Those who are in Christ at His coming (John 1:12; 2Corinthians 5:17).
2. Those who earnestly desire His appearance (Titus 2:13; Philippians 3:20).
3. Those who love the Lord supremely (Philippians 3:7-10; John 21:15-17; John 14:15; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 19:12-13).
4. Those whose citizenship is in Heaven (Philippians 3:20-21; Ephesians 2:19; Hebrews 11:10, 16).
5. Those who will live holy even as He is holy (1Peter 1:16; Hebrews 12:14; 1John 3:1-3).

CONCLUSION
Let us be sober in watchfulness (1Thessalonians 5:6), always fellowshipping together (Hebrews 10:25) and keeping the unity of the faith in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3).

QUESTIONS:
1. State six reasons the rapture should take place.
2. Mention the categories of people that would be raptured.

TOPIC: Description of Rapture
MEMORY VERSE: “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,” – 1 Corinthians 15:51

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

INTRODUCTION:

The second coming of Christ prophesied by Daniel in Daniel 7:13 is a sound biblical fact. This return shall be in two stages. The first, ‘’being like a thief in the night’’ to receive unto Himself His Church. This is popularly called the rapture. The second stage is His return with the Saints to reign on earth. Our focus in today’s lesson is the rapture.

LESSON OUTLINES
1. What and when is the rapture?
2. What will happen at the rapture and how?

WHAT AND WHEN IS THE RAPTURE?
The word, rapture, is not found anywhere in the Bible although it is used to describe this great upcoming and memorable event. The rapture is the sudden catching up or sudden disappearance of holy and faithful saints from the earth to meet with our Lord and Saviour in the air. It is also referred to as the translation or translocation of believers (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 ). Examples of such translation in the Old Testament are; Enoch (Genesis 5:22-24; Hebrews 11:5) and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11). It shall be as sudden as the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52).

The exact timing of the occurrence of the rapture is not known (Matthew 24:42, 44; Matthew 25:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:6). However, Jesus Christ mentioned some of the signs and events that will herald His coming in Matthew chapter 24. ‘So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors’, (Matthew 24:33). We also know that it shall precede the tribulation (1 Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:12).

WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE RAPTURE AND HOW?

The following are to be expected at the rapture:

1. The trumpet of God shall sound (1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16).
2. The dead in Christ shall rise first (John 5:25; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:23).
3. Saints which are alive shall be ‘’caught up’’ to meet our Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 15:51).
4. The dead in Christ and saints who are alive shall have glorified or immortal bodies and live forever (1 Corinthians 15:52-54; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 3:4; 1 John 3:2).
5. There shall be extraordinary chaos on the earth (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3; Matthew 24:40-41).

Rapture shall happen suddenly (1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; Matthew 24:36-41). The power of God shall make all saints’ bodies immortal (Philemon 3:21). The sudden ‘’vacancies’’ produced by such disappearance shall give birth to the chaos.

CONCLUSION
The greatest calamity that could befall anyone who claims to be a believer is to be on earth a second after the rapture. The one who is coming back for His own ‘’suddenly’’, warned us to be prepared, at least six times in different parables. Are you alert and ready? (Mark 13:32-37).

QUESTIONS:
1. What is the rapture?
2. Mention five things that will happen at the rapture.

Ejimagift:
Thank God Muric and we Muslims have been vindicated once more. This is coming from the farmers themselves who knows cattle herders from inception are only armed with kettle and stick to guide their herds. I wont be surprised if these killings were sponsored by some Christian groups just to paint this administration in bad light. Every time crocodile tears from Christians just to demonize Fulanis and Muslims. It's unfair how low we have descended as a nation. Christians were said to be training 300 mercenaries in Israel. If those ones start killings, Muslims will be blamed. Let's give cattle herders land in all states to avoid clashes, Christians will say no. What do these people really want

Vindicated by who? Those Fulani carrying guns around are also trained in Israel, right? Do you have any evidence of mecineries trainings in Israe or or elsewhere by Christians? If you don't then stop embarrassing yourself. There has been complaints of Fulani herdsmen killing with impunity yet you stay online to level unfounded allegations.

Pabloafricanus you have not gotten your questionss together since 4:59 am, which BabaRamota1980 has responded to you to ask since 5:18 am. Maybe you have not summon the courage to ask or you are afraid of what your question might birth. Either way we are waiting for that question

Juliusmalema:
I don't talk too much

TOPIC: RESURECTION

MEMORY VERSE: “And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:” – Job 19:26

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 15:1-23

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:

14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

INTRODUCTION:

The question of whether or not there is life after death is as old as man himself. For example, Job asked the question several years before Christ was born… ‘’If a man die, shall he live again?’’ (Job 14:14a). Somehow, man knew the answer to the question…’’And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God’’ (Job 19:26). Yes, there is life after death. The dead shall rise again. Let us study the scriptures for answers to the following questions to the following questions on resurrection.

LESSON OUTLINES

1. Did Christ resurrect? Has the Christian any hope of resurrection?
2. What happens at the resurrection of the dead? How about the body?

DID CHRIST RESURRECT? HAS THE CHRISTIAN ANY HOPE OF RESURRECTION?

Paul gives a definite answer to this question in 1 Corinthians 15:20. Apart from Paul, there were many who witnessed the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene (John 20:17) and to the women (Mark 16:1-9). He also appeared to Peter and to the disciples on the Emmaus Road (Luke 24:14-16). He appeared to the eleven disciples (Luke 24:33) and to about five hundred brethren (1 Corinthians 15:6). He certainly appeared to the eleven at Bethany where He ascended (Luke 24:36-51).

The entire faith of the Christian rests on the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:17-18 ). If Christ did not die and rise from the dead our faith is in vain, we are yet in our sins, all who have died in the Lord have perished and there will be no future re-unions with loved ones. Praise the Lord, Christ did rise from the dead. Because Christ rose from the dead, every man, woman and child shall rise from the dead.

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD? HOW ABOUT THE BODY?

The resurrection is to be in stages: Christ was the first to rise (1 Corinthians 15:20). The saints who slept before that first resurrection morning rose next (Matthew 27:52-53).

On the second resurrection morning, there will be the resurrection of all Christians who had slept since Christ rose from the dead. This is called the resurrection of life (John 5:28-29). Only dead born-again Christians shall rise at this time. The wicked dead shall ‘’sleep’’ on for another 1000 years before they resurrect to face eternal damnation (Revelations 20:5).

There are some who deny the resurrection of the body, saying that the post-resurrection product will be a spirit only. 1 Corinthians 15:44 says it is raised a spiritual body, not a spirit without a body. In 1 Corinthians 15:35, there are two questions: How are the dead raised up? With what body do they come? According to 1 Corinthians 15:

1. It is not the same body, but a transformed one, just as the plant is different from the seed that was planted (v.37). It is a God-given body.

2. It will be a body suited in every way to the individual spirit (v.38 ).

3. It will be an incorruptible body incapable of death or decay (v.42). Those condemned in hell will have this indestructible body because the normal human body will just disintegrate in hell.

4. It will be a glorious body for Christians (v.43) and a body with power.

5. Finally, it will be a spiritual body (v.44).

CONCLUSION:

Will we recognise one another in Heaven? Of course yes, because we will be known there as we are known on earth (1 Corinthians 13:12). For example, Peter, James and John recognised Moses and Elijah in Matthew 17:4, though they had never met before.

On the resurrection morning, the Redeemed of the Lord shall sing a song of victory, 1 Corinthians 15:54-57: ‘’Death is swallowed up in victory. The sting of death is gone. The grave has lost its victory. Victory is ours through Christ’’. Will you be there?

QUESTIONS:

1. How do we know that Christ rose from the dead?
2. List the four stages of the resurrection.

stano2:
Op that Wan concern you, most courses you listed there, i have seen people that studied them working in the bank, trekking from Upper iweka to Goodbye from Asaba.




Buy your mtn and Etisalat data with 90days validity.
0. 8. 1. 0. 6. 0. 4. 0. 7. 1. 7

Haba!

abiodunalasa:
She's 26 and she has been married for 10years

Nigerian Bloggers ehn

So now stupidity is something our polithiefians now boast of?


How did we get this far?

Nbote:
So dis man trial neva start since??

it's a tale of a never ending story

Zimri:
Even if you're not able to get a solution to it after making your research.
This is possible in mathematics I'm just saying

Then your research should be researched. All questions has answer except the ones you don't want to find

Keep deceiving yourselves ,if the alliance can bring him in ,in 2015 then it can boot him out in 2019

lexy2014:
i didnt tell i no american history. Am sure that u are a scholar of american history and am certain ur version of american history tells u that martin luther king&d blacks fasted&prayed in pursuing civil rights 4 blacks. Since u are a scholar of American history, kindly throw some light on American history as regards d civil rights movement in d US

The American prayed fervently even than we are doing in Nigeria currently, if you want the American history the internet is your best option ,if you can't search the web then don't expect me to be an emergency history teacher

Bakrabas:
Read it again, it's 3-day fasting

We've been fasting before now and we will continue to fast after this

InvertedHammer:
/
Keep deceiving yourselves.

Israel has top-notch security. Christianity and Judaism started from that area. They know that God helps those who help themselves. Bloody Africans are busy praying instead of using their brains--lazy set of people.

You pray to God. Muslims pray to Allah. By body counts, it seems that Allah is winning because herdsmen back their prayers with AK47. They cannot be wished away. You are only praying and waiting for the next news of massacres which is inevitable because the marauders know that folks like you are only living on hope. Try stopping bullets with hope.

//

Israel is a sovereign nation, Christians in Nigeria are a set of people in Nigeria, so using Israel to describe Nigerian Christians is not tenable. Carrying AK47 has never been a Christian Virtue, is against the teachings of Jesus. He taught us to pray not to carry arms around

lexy2014:
am sure d late martin Luther king Jr. who was a reverend&a baptist minister knew these scriptures & many more. But he also knew that d battle 4 civil rights just like our quest 4 good governance isn't a spiritual battle but one against flesh&blood but could b won without spillling blood. That tradition has gone on 4 years in d US&Americans have gotten d attention of their govt without fasting&prayers

For you to say this shows that you don't understand the American history. Besides that the CAN reps have heard about the government side of the story and are moved to tell Christians not everybody to pray and fast. You may not be qualified for that and it is not forceful

texazzpete:
I think he’d prefer if the PEACEFUL PROTEST held as planned.

I would prefer to use what the earliest Christians used and passed down to us because it works better than ranting and shouting around. Take a cue from the BBOG what has the government done to stop nonoccurence of that sad event? NOTHING in fact it happened again while the first mess has not been cleared

SexTin:
I suspect Judas is Karius here. How long are we gonna fast.

As long as God listen and gives us answer

Naijawebmaster:
Let's continue to FAST and PRAY?? Oh I get...God will come down from heaven to help us by Himself after Fasting and Praying; let's keep waiting for Him.

I wish we have Christian leaders like Paul in the Bible.

PS - Money is VERY POWERFUL!!!

Need a reliable and professional website design? Then check my signature No advance payment required.

Would you prefer they take up weapons and start a war?

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (KJV)
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

TOPIC: DEATH

MEMORY VERSE: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” – John 5:24

BIBLE PASSAGE: John 5:17-27

17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

INTRODUCTION:

What is death? Death is the opposite of life, the departure of life and the cessation of life. To humans, death is the separation of body, soul and spirit. The body goes to the grave and disintegrates; the spirit goes back to God (Ecclesiastes 12:7), and the soul goes to one of two places: The soul of the wicked to hell (Luke 16:23) and the soul of the righteous to paradise (Abraham’s bosom)(Luke 16:22).

LESSON OUTLINES

1. What is the origin and cause of death?
2. How can we describe death? What is the remedy for death?

WHAT IS THE ORIGIN AND CAUSE OF DEATH?

There are principally two kinds of death and both of them come from the Garden of Eden.
1. Spiritual death, which means separation from God (Genesis 2:17). In Eden, Adam and Eve did not die physically immediately they ate the forbidden fruit. However, they were separated from God and driven out of Eden. They died spiritually.

2. Physical death, which is cessation of life also originated in Eden when God killed some animals to get skins to cover Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21). The first human to die was Abel, the son of Adam (Genesis 4:8 ).
Spiritual death was caused by disobedience to God (James 1:15). Death is the direct result of sin (Ezekiel 18:4). In the case of physical death, the doctor may write any one of many things on the death certificate, but the real answer is SIN (Ezekiel 18:20, Romans 6:23). Sin is the basic cause and disease is the immediate agent that God uses to execute the sentence that was pronounced on mankind in the Garden of Eden.

HOW CAN WE DESCRIBE DEATH? WHAT IS THE REMEDY FOR DEATH?

Physical death is described in various ways in the Bible. For example, it is described as: sleep (John 11:11); the requiring of the soul (Luke 12:20); putting off this earthly house (2 Corinthians 5:1); going to a place of no return (Job 16:22); going down in silence (Psalm 115:17); yielding up the ghost (Acts 5:10).

Spiritual death is known as banishment from God, as everlasting destruction from the presence of God (2 Thessalonians 1:9). It is also called alienation from God, that is, becoming a stranger to God (Ephesians 4:18 ).
Regardless of what modern science and doctors may achieve, we are ‘’appointed to die’’ (Hebrews 9:27). We are born with an appointment to meet physical death. We must keep that appointment unless the Lord returns soon.

However, we can avoid spiritual death simply by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ and accepting Him as our Lord and Saviour (John 5:24). Physical death can be avoided by the rapture of the Church but if we meet our appointment with death before the Lord returns, there is still hope. Christ has promised to walk with us (Christians) through the experience of death (John 14:1-3). If you can truthfully say, ‘’The Lord is my shepherd,’’ then, you do not have to fear death (Psalm 23:4).

CONCLUSION:

Why did Jesus die on the cross? Was it an accident? Certainly not. God’s word said that someone must die for sin. Jesus volunteered to be One to die. He died that you and I may live (Hebrews 2:9). He tasted the bitter dregs for you and me. Do not let His death be in vain over you. Reconsider your stand today.

QUESTIONS:

1. What happens to the body, soul and spirit of man at death?
2. What is the basic cause of death?

biacan:
That's not abeokuta

I know almost all the the places in the picture, I don't know any of them that is not Abẹ́òkúta, if you know any tell us

BabaRamota1980:
I bring two more word connects in Yoruba and English with precise concept in both.

Oyin - Honey
Arise (engage, activity) - Arise (alert)


Why so many matched words and meanings between Yoruba and English? Are these borrowed as well or are these coincidences? Why is "pelu" in Yoruba a cognate with "plus" in English? .

I need to ask Queen where her ancestors got these words from.

BabaRamota1980 how about these words?

Yorùbá : Ìmúnitì English : Immunity

seguno2:
Fake news.
Coming from Kenya.
Stopped at border with Tunisia.
Since when did Kenya have a border with Tunisia?
The blogger must be an uneducated illiterate like Buhari.

MartinCorridon:
Afonja + Igbo = FLATONJA

Yoruba Amaka

Hmmmmmmmm
The low-lifers will be promoting hatred on internet yet in the real life they marry and are being married across the Niger River
Here on nairaland it is Igbo and Afonja that they'll be shouting

Hypocrites

DONSMITH123:
Where is my Name on the list?

Don't worry we will rename Kwara state after you

Organism000:
We should call a Mor0n, a mor0n. People who are ignorant should not make a point when they are sure they are stupid.

Still hurting? Get medical help

Organism000:
Have you heard of dry port ? Mor0n!

So the thing pain you reach like this

Take care of yourself biko

Organism000:
That is what happens when the economy is centralized in one location leaving the rest of the states to come to Lagos alone to haul products. What happened to opening up the ports and letting cargo be closer to all the states ? No, we want all taxes on one part of the country and not the other.

And they will also open up the ports in Maiduguri, Sokoto, Kano, Anambra, Enugu, Kogi, Kwara Oyo, etc
Ṣe the way this one is thinking

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL
STUDENT'S MANUAL
LESSON FORTY-FOUR
SUNDAY 1ST JULY 2018
TOPIC:  LIFE

[/b]SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN[b]

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
Thy friend friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds be black with rain,
I'll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

MEMORY VERSE: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” – John 14:6

BIBLE PASSAGE: John 15:5-19
5.I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6.If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7.If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8.Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9.As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10.If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11..These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12.This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13.Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14.Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15.Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
16.Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
17.These things I command you, that ye love one another.
18.If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19.If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

INTRODUCTION: 
From time immemorial, people have been asking: ‘’Why was I born? Why did God make me? Why am I here? What is the purpose of life? What is the meaning of life? What is life itself’’. Various people give various answers. Some say, ‘’Life is the union of soul and body’’. This may be true of humans, but not of plants. Some say it is the period between birth and death. This of course is not true, for life exists before birth and after death. Only Jesus has the answer (John 11:25; 14:6). The Bible speaks of three kinds of life: Physical life, which was given to man at the time of creation; Spiritual life, which is the new life that God gives to the believer in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:1); Eternal life, which is the nature of the Lord God Himself.

LESSON OUTLINES
1. What is the origin and purpose of life?
2. How long is the life span and with what can life be compared?

WHAT IS THE ORIGIN AND PURPOSE OF LIFE?
Where did we get life? The answer of course is, from our parents. Where did they get it? From their parents. Inevitably one goes back to Eden and the creation of man (Genesis 2:7). It is easy to see that all life comes from God (1John 5:11-20). No wonder Jesus said, ‘’I am the life’’, since Jesus is God.
Life is a moment of time to prepare for the long, long, eternity. In this brief, fleeting time called life, we are to accomplish our divinely appointed assignments. We also have to answer one question ‘’Where do I wish to spend eternity? Is it forever with the Lord Jesus in Heaven or with Satan in a burning hell? The purpose of life is to let you personally choose the abiding place of your soul. Have you made the choice yet?

HOW LONG IS THE LIFE SPAN AND WITH WHAT CAN LIFE BE COMPARED?
Before the flood that destroyed the first world, the length of life of man was an average of 846 years (Genesis 5). After the flood, the life span was reduced to 393 years (Genesis 11). At the time of Moses, there was a further reduction to 70-80 years (Psalm 90:10).
In comparison:

1. Life is like a journey (Genesis 47:9). We are travelling on this journey whether we like it or not. Birth is an automatic start. To some, it is a long journey but to some, it is short. Whether it is long or short, provided it ends in Jesus, then, all is well that ends well.

2. Like is like a dream (Psalm 73:20). Most dreams last at most a few minutes and soon after waking up, most dreams are forgotten. Similarly, some people live and are forgotten as soon as they die. Nevertheless, those who live for Christ live forever. For example, how many of the contemporaries of the Apostles are remembered today?

3. Life is like a shadow (Ecclesiastes 6:12). A shadow is a poor imitation of the real thing. Similarly, our physical life is a very poor imitation of eternal life just as seventy years is a poor imitation of eternity.

4. Life is like a vapour (James 4:14). How quickly it vanishes away! This is why it is wise to lose this life in order to inherit the next because the next life never vanishes.

5. Life is like a tale (Psalm 90:9). Life is like an interesting story that is soon told and people look for another form of entertainment. However, when we have been in Heaven for a thousand years, we shall just be beginning eternity and our joy will just be starting.

6. Life is like water split on the ground ( 2Sam 14:14). In a moment, the earth absorbs the moisture and it disappears.

7. Life is like a flower (Job 14:2). First we see the blade, then the leaves and afterwards the beautiful bud. Slowly, it opens and we gasp at its beauty. Then it withers and is gone, gone so soon, so quickly.

CONCLUSION
To choose Christ is to choose life, for Christ is life (Pillippians 1:21)

QUESTIONS
1. With what can you compare life?
2. What is the purpose of life?

sarrki:
Oyedepo please don’t cause religious crisis I beg of you

This are the reason I can’t pardon Mr President

He allowed it to generate to this level

Even if some people are behind it as stated in some quarters

You are the commander in Chief

So NO excuses


I am ashamed of the presidency issuing a statement measuring the killings under pdp with Apc

Is it not the reason we voted out pdp ?

Oyedepo is not causing any religious violence but your co-Fulani are the ones killing and taking over territories in the middle belt. Tell them to desist and stop parading your ignorance here

Olavic001:
Really, you have never heard of pen_name[ such as; Robin hobb, Shakespeare, George Orwell ] ..... Goggle Search the term.... Maybe you might reconsider your opinion.

You're just delusional