BATTLING ADDICTIONS

You see this topic, it involves every single person here (myself inclusive). No one is spared.

As we proceed, we will understand better.

Like I said, the class is interactive. So first, we will all define Addiction according to our own knowledge of it.

I'm sure this is not the first time you are hearing the word Addiction.

Without using the dictionary, what is addiction to you? What comes to mind when you say/hear someone is addicted?

Ally - When I hear of an addiction, I think of something someone is dependent on. N can't do without, to the point of sometimes feeling physical hurt without that thing

Addiction is basically an enthusiastical devotion/dependence on a particular thing.
A habit we've come to a place of total dependence on
A habit that is out of our control
A habit that has now become master over us

As I put down these thoughts, one thing my kept screaming was BONDAGE

Addiction is Bondage

What do you think people can be addicted to?

Seun - Material to abstract things. A smell, an habit, a place, a person, a behavior, a meal, an event etc

Motunrayo - Themselves, a social media app

We can be addicted to literally anything.

Here is a list of some of the things we can be addicted to:
Admiration/Compliments, Excessive eating, Anger, being noticed, talking to much, not listening, sex, coffee, smoking, alcohol, drugs (illicit use), envy, exercise, fantasies, gossip, social media, lying, cursing, pornography, masturbation, stealing, self pity, power, sleep, sleeping pills, status, sports, work, TV, Netflix, gambling, impulse shopping, correcting others, criticism, finding faults etc.
Some of us are even addicted to our partners, our own company.


The list is endless.

There are some people that no matter how good they dress, if someone else hasn't complimented them they don't see themselves as beautiful. This is addiction, to admiration and compliments and it leads to low self esteem

When many of us think of addiction, it's the worst things that come to mind first. If pastor decides to preach on addiction, we quickly start to think Sex, fornication, pornography, masturbation, stealing etc

But if we check this list, we will see some of the things we counted under addiction are actually good things, things that are recommended and profitable

Exercise is good. Netflix is a perfect relaxation platform, sleeping is good for the body etc

This is because some times the action is not the problem but our addiction to it or dependence.

The control that action/activity has over us based on the level of devotion we've given to it

This is where the problem is

On devotion...

One thing the bible asks that we completely devote ourselves to is prayer and the ministry of the word.

Now, does this mean it is bad to devote to work or exercise? No! The kind of devotion we talk about is the type that gains control over us. Most of the things that we find harmless are usually the best things until they become the worst things.

It starts slowly and creeps in. Once read that the word Addiction is from the Latin word Addictus which means to surrender to the gods

The Latin word Addictus is also used to describe a debt slave, one who is bound to another

“I am allowed to do anything,” you say. My answer to this is that not all things are good. Even if it is true that “I am allowed to do anything,” I will not let anything control me like a slave.
1 Corinthians 6:12 ERV

Nothing should gain control over us. Nothing. Nothing should gain control over us. Nothing

Now, I want us to go back to the list we shared (and contributions from others), do you find anything you are addicted to? Yes or No?

Or is there something you think you are addicted to that we missed

As we all find the things we are addicted to, I want us to know that as harmless as they sound, we are in bondage to those things

So change I'm addicted to fanta to I'm a slave to fanta or Fanta has me in bondage

When people say I'm addicted to fanta to anything, it sounds innocent and normal. But when you switch it to its real meaning, we see the dangers in addiction. Over the years, the world has tried to water down addictions.

You are struggling with impulsive buying but we've given it a fancy name: OCD

No! Stop calling it obsessive compulsive disorder. You have a spending problem. Indiscipline actually. And people addicted to such usually remain poor. The fancy names do not take away the implications.

And here is the thing with addictions, they begin with a choice, a behavior you are fine with at first

Then they get out of hand/excessive. They are suddenly out of your control. You can't seem to stop them. You gave that power to them

You didn't just become addicted to pornography or masturbation.

No!

From let me just peep and see what they are doing small. I will pray for forgiveness. Till your data finishes that day

You try o and wait till another 2 weeks before you go again. Before you know it, daily visitor to porn sites. Before you know it, if you've not taken alcohol you are not sharp. Before you know it, gossip has become a habit

Everything is allowed!

Another thing with addiction: - Addiction is idolatry

Anything we've come to admire, want, trust/rely on, depend on or devote ourselves to excessively is idolatry. It is not until we carry Figurine with stone to our backyard and start Pouring palm oil on it that we are practising idolatry

Addiction is a scheme of the devil.

We already defined it as bondage and we all know there is only one person with an agenda of bondage. He wants us trapped, at the mercy of something other than God. And we don't just get trapped. Addiction has a process like I explained earlier.

Starts with:

Oh! I like the taste of Fanta

To
I want Fanta today

Before you know it..

I've been trying to do xyz  all day but to no avail. I think I need to take a bottle of fanta

The final stage is that of craving, now without reason

I'm craving cigarettes
I'm craving attention
I'm craving sleep (though I just slept all through the day?

They become Lust of the flesh

Now, most addicted people know they are addicted (especially for those of us that are addicted to the things we see as bad). But even this knowledge doesn't save us

We've become helpless

We just continue in it, wanting to stop but not knowing how to

Feeling guilty when we do it but still do it. Till we get to a place where there is no guilt. Our conscience is turned off to it

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
James 1:14‭-‬15 NKJV

Our addictions are products of our desires! Our desires are fueled by different things. From peer pressure, depression, youthful exuberance, pain/hurt, self deception, indulgence of the flesh etc

It is important that we know what we are addicted to and what is fueling it, in order to be able to overcome addiction. Find out the What and why. If it is depression that has led you to drinking, your problem is not really drinking but what is making you depressed.

If it is hurt/pain that made you start sleeping around till you got addicted to sex, it is important we go back to why you were hurt and you heal from that hurt before we come to you sleeping around

Now, how do we deal with addiction?

We should know this, God is aware of everything that you do. He knows everything you are struggling with. He sees all you do in secret even when you pretend to be something else outside. God sees and knows it all

And even in all of these, God loves you

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 NKJV

Do not let any form of addiction stop you from coming to God

You don't have to "clean up". God doesn't see you as dirty regardless of the dirty things you do

It is important that we know this in order to overcome that addiction.

God is not refusing to answer your prayers because you smoke.

God loves you even in this state, and it is out of this love that He has extended help to remove you from this state. Now that you know God's position on this, let's move to solution

Note that some of the solutions do not apply to all types of addictions.

1. Be filled

Emptiness is a tool for the enemy.

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 5:18‭-‬20 NKJV

How are we filled? We see it in the scripture above. The word of God, singing and making melody in our hearts to God always, a constant mood of thanksgiving and focus on the things of the spirit.

Our spirit is quickened in this manner. We should engage our mind positively with the things of the spirit.

I noticed some thing in 2018. Anytime I stop praying as I used to, I begin to feel lonely. I start thinking of how I'm single and need a man in my life. Spiritual idleness is a big gateway for so many things. It opens doors

We must occupy our minds with the things of the spirit. Since addictions are formed by unhealthy devotion to certain things, start by devoting to God. One cannot have 2 masters.

Before you know it the smaller master will bow and leave.

2. Be open and confront the problem

Sin thrives in secrecy. Do not lie about what you are going through. And when I say be open, don't go and tell someone that sees nothing wrong with your addiction. They will edge you on.

Speak with a believer. They will build you up in faith and pray for you.

You have a safe haven to talk about it and face that thing directly

Also for us believers, let's be support systems to others. If anyone is struggling, do not condemn rather help them out of it.

3. Renew your hope in God.

For so many people, they have tried and tried to stop. They have prayed too, nothing worked.
So hope is lost. Every preaching goes to waste

No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.
Psalms 25:3 NIV

Don't be hopeless about the situation. You can stop. Believe it.

4 Pray to God and allow Him help you

This seems cliche but I tell you it works. God actually wants to help you. So speak with Him about it, tell Him about your problem and progress. If you love to write, you can get a journal and write to God about this addiction and how you are getting out of it.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

God has provided a way out for so many. He will do same for you too

You cannot be disciplined to stop on your own. Allow God help you

EQUALITY: GOD'S VIEW OF HUMANS

When we were arranging the sermon topics for this month, it didn't even occur to me that we were preaching this on international women's day up until this evening.

But then, we serve an intentional God. He notes everything 😁

So before I begin to teach, I'd like everyone to comment, please.

What do you think God's view is on Equality?

What is your own view on Equality as a believer?

Olamide: Fairness and justice

Nkiru: Sons! Everybody is seen as a son! No sex definition

GraceMercy: Fairness

Samson: There's no male nor female in God's eyes. We are his children. Simple. I respect you because you are God's creation, not because you are male or female

The issue of gender equality has been a problem forever I believe. Recently, the talks on this topic has increased. As believers, it is important that our stance aligns with God's stance.

So first, we will have to know what God thinks about Gender equality. I've seen plenty of takes on God's view. I've seen/heard so many "Your God is Misogynist". If I were to get a dollar every time I heard this, I'd be a millionaire by now.

So tonight, what we will be doing is checking God's view on Equality.

The Bible pretty much provides answers on pretty much everything we need answers to.

So to know God's view? We check that He has already said

For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. For as many [of you] as were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union and communion with Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah] have put on (clothed yourselves with) Christ. There is [now no distinction] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:26‭-‬28 AMPC

Matthew 20:1-16
[1]FOR THE kingdom of heaven is like the owner of an estate who went out in the morning along with the dawn to hire workmen for his vineyard.
[2]After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
[3]And going out about the third hour (nine o'clock), he saw others standing idle in the marketplace;
[4]And he said to them, You go also into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will pay you. And they went.
[5]He went out again about the sixth hour (noon), and the ninth hour (three o'clock) he did the same.
[6]And about the eleventh hour (five o'clock) he went out and found still others standing around, and said to them, Why do you stand here idle all day?
[7]They answered him, Because nobody has hired us. He told them, You go out into the vineyard also and you will get whatever is just and fair.
[8]When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, Call the workmen and pay them their wages, beginning with the last and ending with the first. [Lev. 19:13; Deut. 24:15.]
[9]And those who had been hired at the eleventh hour (five o'clock) came and received a denarius each.
[10]Now when the first came, they supposed they would get more, but each of them also received a denarius.
[11]And when they received it, they grumbled at the owner of the estate,
[12]Saying, These [men] who came last worked no more than an hour, and yet you have made them rank with us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.
[13]But he answered one of them, Friend, I am doing you no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?
[14]Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this man hired last the same as I give to you.
[15]Am I not permitted to do what I choose with what is mine? [Or do you begrudge my being generous?] Is your eye evil because I am good?
[16]So those who [now] are last will be first [then], and those who [now] are first will be last [then]. For many are called, but few chosen.

I will start with Galatians

Back then according to traditions, standing before God was measured by how religious men were, how much they kept the law. Also, women were seen as less. Those days were heavy Patriarchial times. I doubt any of us women could come out and preach the gospel as at then.

Paul corrected this school of thought in this chapter

According to him, every believer is seen as a son regardless of their observance of the law.

This brings me to women and marginalization in society. One thing I've noticed in our world is we require women to be more in order to access certain rights

Basic human rights are presented to women as rewards of good/morally upright behavior.

Our basic human rights should not be dependent on what we do or don't. We do not have to earn it.

This is the same as our rights in Christ. A woman attains a position of authority and messes it up then we all conclude and agree that the society is right for not giving women such opportunity

"oh! Diezani stole. It's her type that makes the society not take women seriously or refuse to include us"

This is falsehood. The society not giving us that which is our right is not because some people misused it. It's simply because women are seen as less.

Men steal every day
Men start wars every now and then
Men do things that are wrong but their rights are not cut off

For every one woman that's got an opportunity in the big field and steals, there are a thousand men that have been there and done that. Just as all believers are son in Christ without needing to access their basic rights in Him based on works, so is every human enough.

We do not need to be treated right because we are good or we did something. We should be treated right because we are humans (Nothing more/less)

Now, does this mean equality came into play after Christ?

The answer is No. The narrative when it comes to God as always been Equal

Genesis 1:26-28
[26]God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth. [Ps. 104:30; Heb. 1:2; 11:3.]
[27]So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. [Col. 3:9, 10; James 3:8, 9.]
[28]And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth.

Let us make mankind in our own image. And He went ahead to make mankind, male and female, both in His likeness.

We are all equally made in God's image. Male and female. Rich and poor. Believers and unbelievers

ALL equally made.

Now, one major issue we have had in our society is recognizing that though we are equal, we are different.

Our strengths and abilities are unique and do not in any way make any more than the other before God.

All of mankind has been created in the image and likeness of God and because of this one reason, everyone is valuable in the sight of God.

I think as Christians, we actually recognize and believe this

I mean everybody will surely agree to this

But I've seen that even while we agree to this when it is time to walk the talk, problem arises. Even in biblical history, women have been treated as less.

I believe this is due to cultural incorporations and traditions. The Bible does not support the opinion that women are inferior to men. God made them, both male and female, in His image. Not one person less.

QUESTION: Remi sometimes people argue that since God(Christ) is a man, it's obvious that women should be under men (Soumi)

Remi: I'm going to answer this since no one did, while we wait for comments on the last question.

Samson: God is not man. God is not a male. God is too big to be restricted by gender. God is Spirit.
Women should not be under men. There's an equal playing field for everyone. However, in the context of marriage, spiritually, the man is the head of his wife. His wife. Not any other wife. And he's not to lord it over her, but serve her in love, just as Christ loves the church. [END OF QUESTION]

First of all, God is not man. God is God. He doesn't conform to any gender. God is spirit. And this is why scripture says there is no male or female in Christ.

Women are not under men. I am not under Samson or Seun or any man. I am seen as equal with them before God. All sons


Now we go to Matthew.

This passage is a very interesting take from our Lord Jesus Christ.

In this passage, we see the parable of the workers in the vineyard.

We are going to break down this parable in the following order. First, we pick the proverb in it.

The Proverb:
The first shall be last and last shall be first

This is a very interesting one.

The first person to come will become last. This will mean that the role for first is now empty.
Those that came last will become first, this will mean that they are elevated to fill in the position of the first.

Remember we had those who were first before now in the last category.
Because the last will become first, it also means that this former first seaters will be updated to first back along with everyone in the last category.

So everybody is now First. Everybody is now the same. Everybody is now brought to the same playing field/level.

So the proverb in the parable is The first shall be last and the last first

I once explained to us that the meaning/translation of parables is usually not derived word for word.

So in explaining the parable, we need to pick out certain things to understand the context and what exactly is being said.

So first, we have brought out the proverb in that parable and broke it down

That everyone eventually becomes first. We see that all the workers were treated equally according to the proverb in Matthew 20. Everyone that came later was treated as though they were from the beginning. No maligning

Now, to the Parable

A certain rich man has a big land/estate. Every day, from 6am to 6pm, laborers are employed to work.
These are not permanent workers. In fact, they had to stand at the roadside every day to get a job for that day. They lived on daily wages. No work today means no money.

One thing to note is that these people were underprivileged kind of.

Now this man employed laborers daily and paid them well, more than they'd receive on a normal day most likely.

So the laborers start working at 6am.

He goes again at 9am and finds people who weren't working (probably underprivileged). He hires them.

He went again in the 6th hour and did the same.

Same as the 9th hour

Now, I want us to notice what the man says to the workers as he employs them:

He told them, ‘Come and work for me in my vineyard and I’ll pay you a fair wage.’
Matthew 20:4 TPT

I will pair you a Fair wage. I was so happy when everyone defined God's view of equality as fairness

“Hoping to finish his harvest that day, he went to the town square again at five o’clock and found more who were idle. So he said to them, ‘Why have you been here all day without work?’
Matthew 20:6 TPT

Now this man goes out again at 5pm (close of the day is 6pm) and He meets more people.

The agreement was the same : I will pay you a fair wage

“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard went to his foreman and said, ‘Call in all the laborers, line them up, and pay them the same wages, starting with the most recent ones I hired and finishing with the ones who worked all day.’
Matthew 20:8 TPT

Now at the end of the day, everyone gets paid the same wage.

First, we see one thing in this parable:
Everyone got the opportunity to work on the field (regardless of timing and access to get to the field early)

Equal playing Ground! Our God is one of Equal opportunities!

So when we say that men and women are equal, the rich are created the same as the poor? We should also walk the talk and make sure we are making deliberate moves for all to have an equal right to the playing field.

Now, when it was time to pay, those who came late were paid first and those who were first saw the payment method and expected more than them

"We were here before them"
"We are stronger than women"
"We have more needs than women"
"They are poor so should do with anything given"

All of the above is same family

What did the master say?

He told them He gave as agreed. He gave everyone what is fair!

Now, the problem with the first comers wasn't that they weren't given a fair wage. That was a really fat wage for a day. The problem was they couldn't stand someone else getting the same without doing as hard as they did.

Now, in today's world people apply this logic too. "Though she's a woman and we work the same hours, I don't think she does/deserves as much all because I'm a man"

Everyone deserves equal playing ground and should be treated fairly

Is God against equality?

No! The idea of equality has taken by the Americans came from God Himself, the creation story.

Equal in Giftings

Every gift of the Holy Spirit is not peculiar to a gender. When Paul wrote to the church in Corinth about receiving the gifts of the spirit, He did not indicate a difference. It wasn't stated that men first before women. No order was given because, in Christ, there is no gender.

Equal but different

Though created equally and given access to all things (Eve was also given dominion over all things made just as Adam), we are all different and unique in our beings.

We are distinct in capabilities and functions (as we deem fit/choose) and for the human race to function properly, we must recognize our uniqueness and work together as one.

So then, I have to insist that in the Lord, neither is woman inferior to man nor is man inferior to woman. For just as woman was taken from the side of man, in the same way, man is taken from the womb of woman. God, as the source of all things, designed it this way
1 Corinthians 11:11‭-‬12 TPT

Our uniqueness and differences are actually complementary, every part needing each other to survive.

I'd like to ask us this question: Does our difference in design have a direct implication in the role we play in society and life in general?

Toye: Yes it can

To answer this,

Yes (but it applies). The only place where there is specified gender roles that is not bound by time or culture is in the institution of marriage.

This means that it is only in marriage that we have each gender tied to a specific role. And this is because marriage is designed as an institution. In every organization, everybody has a role to play.
From manager to desk officer. In marriage (with respect to scripture), the man is the Head of the home as an institution

Outside marriage, this doesn't apply. So no man is my head. Nothing like I have your type at home, whatever type you have it stays in your house and your leadership ends there.

Outside the marriage institution, there are no fixed gender roles. All of us have equal access to the gifts of the spirit (both male and female). So if it is a female that has the wisdom of innovation, she innovates. If it is a female that is the gift of leadership, she leads?

A man will not have to automatically take the head or lead position because he is a man or as a reason of his genitals. Everyone is entitled to roles as equipped

Never based on gender.

I have not been called to submit to every Kunle and Tayo I see on the road. All the Emekas and Ebukas are not my head because of the genital.

The Proverbs 31 woman, we see that she ran a business. She was CEO. She wasn't ordered around at the pleasure of men or banned from speaking.

Now, even in the home where there is an order of  leadership, the woman is still equal in worth and is to be respected even in this head/helpmate template for marriage

Dear men,
Your wives are equal in worth with you. What differs is roles! To treat them as less is sin

Unfortunately for all of us, there have been points in the history of the church where it has been taught that women are less, should be quiet, fit for bearing children or relegated to the kitchen. This is not the design of God. I will just reiterate all the points as we bring the teaching to conclusion

God created everyone equally, in His image

We've all been offered equal access to the playing field

Though equal in worth before God, we all are created uniquely and differently

We all have equal access to the gifts of the spirit

We are all sons, not one less

We all have different roles to play in the society and this is based on choice and as led by the spirit not genitals

In the institution of marriage, the husband is the Head of the home

The man is not the Head of every woman

The man being head of a home is a role.

In the marriage institution, the husband and wife differ in the role but both are of equal worth in the sight of God as they were bought with the same price

As believers, we should stay with God's standard and demand that women be seen as much human as men are because God made us all in His image

Like Jesus, we should never segregate women in the church. While roles and relationships differed, He treated everyone as same, with love equally

I pray for everyone that we are able to fulfill our God-given roles (both in the society, marriage, and church), doing so in love and humility as we show the world God's wonderful design and His call for Salvation, open to all (man and woman).

Amen

THE WRATH OF GOD

In the past months, we've had a lot of questions concerning God's wrath. Matching God's nature as Good and how the Bible attributes anger to him also.

Tonight, we will be explaining what exactly God's wrath/anger means.

What is Wrath?

Wrath is often translated as extreme anger, fierce anger, indignation, punishment or vengeance.

Another definition of wrath is that it is a response to perceived wrong and injustice.

Anybody can express wrath. And since anger is an emotion, wrath is also an emotion.

As we all know, God is not an emotionless God, He feels just like us. In fact, it is because He feels that we can feel. Now, this doesn't mean that God's expression of emotions with regards to situations is the same as man's. In the fall, a lot of things changed. Most of the Godlike attributes man inherited at creation became tainted. This is why the expression of emotions by man is different from God's.

The wrath/anger of us humans is not to be compared with God's. When we think of anger in our own human sense, it is difficult to reconcile God to such.

This is because human wrath is most times misplaced, unholy and unjust. So our standard cannot be the standard for God's wrath.

I am not angry. I wish I could confront some thorns and briers! Then I would march against them for battle; I would set them all on fire,
Isaiah 27:4 NET

What we term as God being angry with us is not what is anger is (basically).

I'm not angry. I care. Even if it gives me thistles and thornbushes, I'll just pull them out and burn them up. The Message

This explains it better.

When we hurt God (which man has done so well from the fall), He doesn't stop caring.

"Oh! I sinned. God is angry with me"

God is not!

"But the Bible says God has wrath"

Yes. We are getting into what that means

God's wrath is not an uncontrolled passion/emotion as we see in a man.

Far from it

So what then is the Wrath of God?

It is His necessary, just and righteous retribution/judgment against sin.

It is God's Holiness (His nature) stirred into activity against sin (nature)

So we can say that God's wrath is His divine being's response to Sin (nature). Like a natural response. It is not activated based on sin in activity.

So God's wrath is not incurred upon me every minute. When I lie, He is angry When I fornicate, smokes remove from His nose. Nah. Far from it

God's wrath is the natural response of sin; the nature that was activated at the fall of man.

Natural response. Cause and Effect. It wasn't a decision made by God after the fall
It is a decision from His Holiness which is the foundation of everything.

So when we say things like God is sending people to hell at the judgement, this is wrong. SIN is what sends people to hell and this is where the gospel comes in.

Often times, we hate to preach topics like this or make statements like I'd rather preach on Grace than talk about sin (I say this too. I'm comfortably on this chair).

While our focus is on God's Grace, love and mercy revealed in Christ to man, we should not forget that the message of the Gospel begins with a statement about the wrath of God which is a natural response to Sin.

If man did not fall, no wrath. If the wrath of God wasn't activated at the fall, then there wouldn't be a need for this Gospel we preach.

Romans  1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

I've been thinking a lot if someone came and told me "God's wrath in revealed against your ungodliness"  while I was a sinner, how would I have felt? Of course, they would have been right but what would have been my response. For the far gone ones maybe a feeling of indifference

Whatever is said is the truth but it is a hard one. I don't know what my response to it will be. I also know it is not something I'm telling to an unbeliever (Except the Holy Spirit puts hand in my mouth).

While I'm not so sure yet on when this conversation should be had, I feel like it really should be had.

You see, most of the questions we've all had about God and His character, it stems from not knowing exactly what we've been saved from.

We do not know the depth of man's sin and the wrath incurred thereof, which we deserved.

How do we understand Grace completely, if we do not know the law (our rightful punishment inside of it)?

It is why certain things happen and we are asking God why He did them.

"God why?"

God, why what?

More like "Sin why?"

Or better put "Man why?"

As I grow in this faith, I'm coming to understand that a lot of us do not know the debt Christ paid.

We sing it o

"My Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay"

But we don't fully understand the terms and how bad that debt was. Don't know if anyone feels this way also.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23 NET

Adam's rebellion brought sin into the world. Every man born in the Adamic nature inherited the new addition to his genetics, sin.

Every one of us, we were guilty. Every single person. Not one left

The biblical order for the Gospel is always first the warning of danger:

Man had sinned and sin has been judged from that which all things were built upon (righteousness). The judgment also known as the wrath of God declares man not good enough for God's greatness. Man is condemned to eternal death

But this is not where it ends, it follows immediately with God's escape plan, the means of pardon.

They are made right with God by his grace. This is a free gift. They are made right with God by being made free from sin through Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:24 ERV

Hallelujah

So here is the progression

Before we can truly understand what Grace is we must first understand the wrath of God

Before we can understand Christ's death, we must first understand that it was man's sin that necessitated it.

Before we can fully grasp God's mercy, love and Graciousness, we have to first see and admit man's rebellious, sinful and guilty ways.

In fact, Romans is ordered in this way. Paul's letter to the people In Rome was structured in this manner

If we do not see anything wrong with the Adamic nature and Adam's rebellion, then we cannot understand God's wrath. And ultimately, we would not think we need any saving

Because, Saved from what?

So far, we've established that the wrath of God is not God having an uncontrollable rage or losing His temper over everything we do
(God is actually very patient with man. His patience is why this world still exists as it is)

It is also not vindictive bitterness

From everything we've shared, we've seen that God's wrath was created/incurred/brought into activation by sin (as revealed in nature)

It is the same way with what God has done. He wanted to show his anger and to let people see his power. But he patiently endured those he was angry with—people who were ready to be destroyed.
Romans 9:22 ERV

Next:

The wrath of God is everlasting

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. But those who do not obey the Son will never have that life. They cannot get away from God’s anger.”
John 3:36 ERV

While God created an escape plan, righteousness demands a payment for the debt man incurred when he sinned.

For those of us that ask, why can't God just step in and we start over again
Or cancel the whole Adamic sin for a fresh start.

There is no bribery and corruption when it comes to righteousness. You can only find justness here

For anyone to be removed from this wrath (rightfully deserved), the dues had to be paid (in full)

There is no other way outside of this

Also this due, only one person was able to pay it to cancel the debt.
Only one and that's Christ.

This means that no matter how good you are, no matter how much you obey the law. If Christ had not come, none of these things count. Because the debt is not owed as a result of deeds but a nature man activated.

Now, we will ask, what of those who are not privileged to know God. Are they just condemned like that?

This makes God angry because they have been shown what he is like. Yes, God has made it clear to them.  There are things about God that people cannot see—his eternal power and all that makes him God. But since the beginning of the world, those things have been easy for people to understand. They are made clear in what God has made. So people have no excuse for the evil they do.
Romans 1:19‭-‬20 ERV

No excuse whatsoever

All men have evidence of God, From philistine to Gentile to Igbos to Yorubas to Egyptians

God has been revealed to all men. Our response to this revelation is largely in our hands

Off the sermon
In Romans 1, we see that Paul was also addressing Sin as in deeds. ( People have no excuse for the evil they do)

This is because the revelation of God shown to man is very much perfect. It doesn't just save man from His Adamic nature, it is so powerful that it stops production from that Adamic nature. Can that which has ceased to exist give birth?

No!

If we say the Adamic nature is dead, then we cannot bear its fruit. Only that which is alive can birth.

Again, there will be no excuse for evil

So God's wrath is reserved for the ungodly which is every man basically

Now, here is where it gets sweet for us

God's wrath is Justified in Christ and restrained from the godly (those who believe in Christ)

We just said every man deserved sin and became ungodly automatically, no thanks to Mr. Adam
So how did we move from ungodly to godly?

The word we will be examining today is Propitiation

I love this word so much.

I'm an Anglican so I practically grew up hearing this word every Holy Communion service. In fact, that part of the Liturgy, they are meant to pick one of 4 prayers (scripture) but I love the last one so much. So so much

" Hear what Saint John says:
If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 2:1

I also loved the sound of this in Yoruba

"Ohun si ni etutu fun ese wa.."

Means he is the Propitiation for our sins

But you see, I never understood the full effect and meaning of those words until a few years ago. Also, in that prayer, as quoted from 1 John 2:1, there is an emphasis on Christ being Righteous.

There is a reason

I will come to it and explain as I've come to understand.

Back to Propitiation

This word is used just 6 times in the bible but it is a great blessing for man.

To propitiate simply means to turn away wrath by offering a gift

He was given as an atonement for our sins.

Jesus is the way our sins are taken away. And he is the way all people can have their sins taken away too.
1 John 2:2 ERV

Jesus is the way our sins are taken away. I love how simplified this is. Jesus is the offering/gift given to turn away God's wrath FOREVER

So when we talk about God's wrath, for the believer in Christ, it is just a reminder of how much we should cherish this Grace we have received. It is not something to be bothered about

It is a call for thanksgiving. That we deserved something and God Himself found a way to make sure we didn't get it.

Because Jesus died, Justice has been served. Because Jesus made Himself the Propitiation, God's wrath is turned away Forever (not on and off or for some days. Forever!). Because Jesus died, Grace and Mercy is now available. Man is no longer the one who is come short of God's Glory/Greatness

This offering brought about an elevation back to a standard.

As real as God's wrath is, we see even how more powerful God's love and mercy is

So now when we see people ask questions

"Why didn't God just do xyz?"
"Why can't God just do abc?"

Our answer should be:

God already did more than the abc and xyz. He offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins

He died in our stead

There is nothing more than can be done.


God did the highest that can be done for me already

And it is perfect!

So when we say Paid in Full? It means exactly Paid in Full

Now, what happens with those of us that believe but we are still burdened with guilt especially cos of our sin struggles

I think every believer has been here at some point in their lives.
This feeling that God is angry at me and foaming in the mouth because I did something

Hmmm... Of a truth, God hates sin. In fact, He doesn't like it when we sin

But God is not angry at you. Even while we were in the world, God's anger wasn't at us. God's wrath is revealed against Ungodliness and unrighteousness which is basically a sin

God's wrath is not revealed against man. No!

The only emotion God has revealed towards man is LOVE. And this love was revealed while we were yet in sin

See, if you will discard everything I have ever told you on this platform, you see this one? Tight it to your chest.

God loves you, dieeee (literally, cos He died for you)

I understand you have sin struggles
I understand sometimes it weighs you down
But you see, it is time to stop focusing on your sin struggles and allowing it to bring fear of condemnation (God's wrath)

On Propitiation...

Scripture says He is YOUR advocate in Heaven. In the court of law, they will say the accused is duly represented by Barrister abc

So in another lingo, Christ is your representation in Heaven. If I send somebody to represent me in a meeting, it means that if you see them, you have seen me. This is to say if Jesus is our representation, then if you've seen Him, you have seen us.

And what is the key representation note?

Jesus Christ, THE RIGHTEOUS

Gloraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!

You and I, we are duly represented as RIGHTEOUS in Heaven. Even with our sin struggles

So don't ever see yourself as less or think that you deserve God's wrath

Well, you did but not anymore. Someone was offered on your behalf. By your belief that He truly did this for you, you accepted Him as your sacrifice and representation in Heaven.

The message of God's wrath is incomplete without the message of God's Grace

Does it now mean we should farabale and kukuma sin in the eye of the carton because we are duly represented in Heaven as Righteous? I can see Apostle Paul spitting out like a correct Igbo man as He says God forbid

Another translation for the Greek phrase Μη γενοιτo is :

By no means! Let not such a thing be mentioned or thought of

Igbo people will say Alueme!

The message of Grace is not licensed to sin. It is freedom from it and its hold in our lives

For whatever it is we are struggling with, God knows. He knew way before. This is why the Holy Spirit is here to help us.

That which we've received is a complete package. We are not just saved from that which we deserve, whatever grip sin had over us is also removed. We are made slaves to righteousness.

When we say Paid in Full, it is not because we want to speak English. Jesus really did this for us.

I remember this hymn:

There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from I'm Manuel's veins
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stain

Every stain of guilt was dealt with completely.

For those who are not saved, we must note that they are subject to the wrath of God as deserved.

Now, more than ever we must go all out and show them this which we have freely received. Preach the Gospel.

There is no other name under heaven given whereby men must be saved.
Tell men about this name.