Glory to God. Now, all we've come to do today is to say thank you to God. Does he deserve our thanks? Does he deserve our praise? He deserves all of it and more. He deserves all and more of it. Glory to God. Now, if it was man's dictates, this commission won't be here. Glory to God. But this is the hand of God. Whose hand? It's not the skill of any man. It's not man's skill; it’s the hand of God. He called his servant and he showed that he called him. Glory to God. Lift up your hands and give God thanks for making you a part of this experience, a part of these commissions and giving you a place to celebrate. Give God thanks from your heart. Magnify him, celebrate him. Let him hear your voice of thanksgiving. Thank him. Thank him from your heart. Father, I'm grateful for connecting me with this experience, for connecting me with this commission and bringing me to diverse blessings. Thank you and thank you and thank you faithful God. Blessed be a name forever, in the name of Jesus Christ. In Jesus' precious name we have given thanks.
Now you know what? If we won't stop thanking, he won't stop doing. If you won't stop thanking, God won't stop doing. Jeremiah 30:19 “Out of them shall precede what? Thanksgiving and the voice of what? Them that make merry. Those who are rejoicing, celebrating.” He said, “And because of that I will multiply them.” So, this church, this commission will yet be multiplied. Not just numbers, it say, “I will also glorify them.” I told you glorifying means beautification, decorating. So it is number with substance, multiply and beautify. That's your story. I said that's your testimony. Now lift up your hand, ask for the word.
PRAYER
Father, speak to me in this service. Send your word, send your word and let your word condition my heart for gratitude. Let your word in the service this morning condition my heart permanently on gratitude in the precious name of Jesus. Thank you and thank you and thank you mighty God; in Jesus' precious name we have prayed, in Jesus' mighty name we have prayed. Father our heart says thank you. From our spirit man, we say thank you. Thank you for your marvelous of help that have brought us thus far. And thank you because we are confident you will not live us here. You are taking us yet forward. This how we ask, tell us your word. Let the light of the word shine upon every dark aspect of our lives. And Lord, lift us up by the power of your word. All of you none of me reach each one of us today and satisfied us by the power of your word. Whatever remains to be done, let it be done today. Whatever remains to be fixed, let it be fixed by the power of your world, in the mighty name of Jesus. Thank you Father, in Jesus' precious name we have prayed.
Someone is excited to be here today. Shout a loud amen. Someone, you’re excited at what God still holds in store for you and I shout the loudest amen. Go ahead; give the Lord a big, big clap of praise. Someone, make that clap louder for Jesus, louder for Jesus, Louder yet for Jesus. And give him an anniversary shout, 44th anniversary shout. Hallelujah. Glory to God. Please get sited in the presence of God and help me welcome someone and tell that person happy anniversary. Welcome to church and happy 44th; specify, specify, 44th anniversary. Glory to God. Glory to God. Praise God. 2025 is my new era year. Congratulations. Amen and amen. Like to say to everyone, happy anniversary, happy 44th anniversary of the liberation mandate speaking in every place, in every land and in your life and in my life. If that is true, shout a loud. Amen. Now, we are just going to get into the word quickly and then we get into Thanksgiving session where we'll be dancing and praising God. Choir; please get set for that session. We're giving God quality praise and quality dance because all we came today to do is to say, father, thank you. Glory to God.
THE SERMON
Now teaching this morning is captioned “Beware of The Dangers of ingratitude, Beware of the Danger of Ingratitude.” A man text in Psalm 28:5, it said, “Because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them.” That’s serious. “And not build them up. “ That makes me understand that what God had in mind for them, not for us. That scripture is not for you and me. We will not be destroyed. So what he had in mind was to build them up, but because they did not regard the operation of his hand, they did not regard his work. He said, “Instead of building them up, he's destroying them.” Somebody say, God forbid. That's the danger of ingratitude. Many children of God are where they are right now; not reaching their maximum potentials, not reaching where God has ordained for them because of this issue\, ingratitude. You don't see anything, any reason why God should even be God. We ask him, are you still God? And God will answer and say, “Are you still you?” He's still God.
What you are going through, what you face doesn't change his person. Glory to God. But the good news is that situation is subject to change. Glory to God. Many are supposed to be flying, but some are still crawling. Why? Because they don't see anything God is doing. They only see what the enemy is doing. When you focus on your problems, they become bigger in your eyes. But when you focus on God, you see his true side that he is bigger than any challenge you have. Glory to God. So Andrew Wommack who says,” If you focus on giants you'll stumble; but if you focus on God, giants fall, you see the giants crumbling down.” Glory to God. It is gratitude that defines altitude in the kingdom. Gratitude defines altitude in the kingdom. How far you go in the kingdom is the function of the state of your heart. The gratitude that you carry, your ability to see what God is doing in your life per time. Because the truth is he's doing a lot. God is doing a lot. Glory to God.
Habakkuk 3:17 said,”Although the fig tree may not blossom.” He said, “Neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail nor the field shall yield no meat. The flock shall be cut off from the fold and there shall be no herd in the stalls.” All this is saying, nothing is working. Although, nothing is working. Although nothing is available. Although, I owe everybody, I even owe government. Although nothing is working, although I don't have a job. Although, I’m not married, he said, “Yet.” Somebody say, yet, “I'll rejoice in the Lord. I will joy in the God of my salvation. “Someone say amen to that. Although, although, although, yet I will rejoice. That is, I make a conscious decision to rejoice; rejoicing and joy is a choice. Glory to God. I'm celebrating God for my future. Hear this. Thanks givers don't give God thanks just because of what is in their hands. Thanks givers give God thanks for what is in God's hands. They're wise enough to see beyond what they have to see that God has everything and he can release it at any time. Glory to God,
I don't know about you; those days when we're little, you know, when you need something from your dad there’s a way you target when he's in a good mood, right? Especially when we have grown a little bit. You want certain thing, you know, you don't qualify for that thing. You have not done well to deserve that thing. So you target when he is in a good mood and then you go, you start hailing him, telling him that his suit looks very good, his shoes is looking very good. And he said, “Exactly what do you need?” Because he knows you want something. When you go to God, giving him thanks, he's waiting. And by the time, before you even release your mouth to say what you want, he already gives it to you. Glory to God. Psalm 67:5. He said, “Let the people praise you. Oh God, let all, how many? I can hear you church. How many? How many? Does that include you? Let all the people praise these. He said, “Then shall the Earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God shall bless us.” He said, “God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.”
God’s servant, the bishop called these fearful blessings, blessings that come upon you and men will be afraid of you and afraid of your God. That kind is reaching you this time in the precious name of Jesus Christ. But it starts with gratitude for you to rise. Now in the scripture we read earlier, Habakkuk 3:19, it said, “The Lord God is my strength.” That's why I'm thanking him. That's why I'm praising him. He says, “Yes, I will rejoice. I will join the God of my salvation.” Verse 19, “The Lord God is my strength. He will make my feet like the hinds’ feet.” He said, “He will make me to walk upon mine high places. “ Although nothing is working, but I'm going to my high places. Although things are down, but I'm going to my high places. Glory to God. So look at where you are going and that should be your focus. Look at the things you desire. What do you want? That's what you should be thanking God for. So when you are dancing and praising God, see things working. You say, I don't have a job, but see yourself as an executive, giving instruction to your staff. Glory to God. When you think that way, you'll be able to smile.
You see, you can't be truly thankful to God; it doesn't reflect on your face, it must show. So if you came into the Thanksgiving today, your face should show it that you are truly… if I look at your face, I know whether you are truly thankful. You can’t be saying, Father, thank you. I thank you. That means you're saying it because the church said you should say thank you. Pastor Fidel said we should say thank you because papa told him so too. So, I'm joining them to say thank you. But you to know you have not been fair to me. That's how many are saying to God. You bless her. I don't know, someone said “God left her and blessed another sister.” I say, “Why did God bypass her? That she's better than that sister.” I said, really Say God, bypass me and give that one husband.” If you carried that mindset, you'll be just single for life and God will remain God. Somebody say God forbid. So your rejoicing fertilizes your fig tree. He say, “Although the fig tree shall not blossom.” But you’re rejoicing, your thanksgiving fertilizes your fig tree to make it to blossom. Glory to God. The fig tree of your business, the fig tree of your career, the fig tree of your health, the fig tree of your family whilst you're celebrating is fertilizing it. Glory to God.
Now, do you know what David called God? He said, “My glory and the lifter up of my head.” Wow, my glory and the lifter up. Psalm 3:3, he said "Thou art my shield. You are the glory and the lifter up of my head.” Now, do you know that when David was calling God, “My glory and the lifter up of my head,” he was running from his son when he wrote this Psalm, running from his biological son Absalom who said “I’m going to be a better king than my father." You know if it's an enemy doing it, there's a difference. He said "My enemies are against me.” How can you tell someone, my enemy is my son? That's shameful, stigma. He didn't just chase the father out of the throne; he took all of his wives, took them to the rooftop and slept with all of them in the public view of the whole of Israel, what a son. But David in spite of that, while he wrote this in the cave, in the mountains, in the forest, he still said, “You are my glory and the lifter up of my head.” Stop complaining, it doesn't move God. Matter of fact, it makes him angry. “You are my glory and the lifter up of my head,” and when God heard that he said, “I will remove your enemies” He said, “Don't harm the little boy.” He told the soldiers “Don’t harm my son.” I'm sure they were saying "What is the king talking about?” This is not a son anymore; this is an enemy, ark enemy. But you see, they didn't have to do anything. God suspended Absalom by himself. He put his hair on the tree, he hung there and they killed. Your enemies will be destroyed. But that means you first have to give him praise. When you are giving God thanks, no matter who is against you, they'll go down for your sake in the precious name of Jesus Christ. He said, let all the people, not some of the people, let all the people; that includes you and I, praise him; the earth will yield.” Your business will blossom some again. Your career will pick up again. Your health will be fully restored. Glory to God. So, the truth is that your house is a thanksgiving. The car you have is a thanksgiving point. Your husband is a thanksgiving point. You say pastor, this husband, you don't know him. He’s a complaining point. No, your husband is a thanksgiving point. Your wife is a thanksgiving point. Your children should be source of Thanksgiving. Glory to God.
Somebody says, what am I thanking God for? I don't have any of those. I'm not married. I don't even have food to eat. I don't have a car, I don't have a house. Matter of fact, I'm squatting with a friend. But there's still something you have. There's still something you have. Psalm 150:6, say "Let everything that what? That hath breath do what?" If you have breath, praise the Lord right now. So that is common to everyone; no matter what you say you don't have, you have that one. You have breath, that's why the Bible didn't say let everything or everyone that has money praise him. Everyone whose bank account is fat or everyone who bought a new car; let everything not everyone, everything that had breath praise the Lord. So, every day you wake up and you are breathing should be a day of praise and thanksgiving. Someone say amen to that. Glory to God. God is too merciful; it is because of his mercies that you and I are not consumed. Lift up your right hand and say "Father I thank you." Say it with a loud voice, father, I thank you. Glory to God.
We are who we are and what we are all by the grace of God. Who we are in terms of salvation, you are saved by grace. What we are, the level of blessing you have is by the grace of God. You have degrees, you are very smart, in your family, all of you are very smart, but there are people way, way, way smarter than you who are not at your level; they're striving to get there. Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourself, it is the gift of God.” Your salvation is a gift. He said, “Right from time, parents taught me to say…” There are people who are pastor's children; they are criminals.” Pastor's kids, their parents did everything; tried to teach, yet he’s a criminal. There's one who prays before he robs. I’m sure you've heard of him. He prays, you know what he prays, that he should succeed in his robbery. I just don't know which god he prays to. Galatians 3:14 tells you that Christ brought you and I to the blessing of Abraham; you don't deserve it. +Verse 13, “Christ hath redeemed from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree; that blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles.” You and I are Gentiles. So every blessing you have is a gift; God gave it to you. Glory to God. 1 Corinthians 15:9, Paul speaking, he said “I'm the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle. He said, because I persecuted the church. “He said verse 10, “But by the grace of God, I am what I am.” He said, “And his grace, which was bestowed upon me, was not in vain, then I labored more abundantly.” But it is not the labor, its grace. Somebody say grace. It's grace that prevents disgrace. If you lack grace, you face disgrace. This commission is a product of graces. God have carried many graces. That's what is rubbing off on you and I am finding expression in the commission. Glory to God.
Now, to mistake engracement for achievement is to end up with disgracement. Don't try to correct the English; leave it the way it is. If you are writing, just write it like that. Glory to God. To mistake engracement for achievement is to end up with disgracement. Jeremiah 13:15, it says, “Hear ye and give ear. Be not proud for the Lord hath spoken.” He said, verse 16, “Give glory to the Lord your God, before he caused darkness and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains . And while ye look for light to fix the darkness he turns it into the shadow of death and makes it gross darkness.” Perpetual darkness. Somebody say, God forbid. He said in verse 17 "But if ye will not hear, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride." He calls it pride, he calls it pride. "My soul will weep in secret places for your pride." He said, "And my eye shall we weep sore and run down with tears because the Lord's flock is carried away captive." So ingratitude brings people into captivity where nothing is working, where you are bound. But that story is changing for someone in the precious name of Jesus Christ. He said in Malachi 2:1, "And now, oh ye priests, this commandment is for you." He said "If you not hear, if you will not lay to her to give glory unto my name say the Lord of hosts I will even send a curse upon you and I will curse your blessing." Say, God forbid. He said "Ye I have done it already." Why? You don't lay it to heart. Somebody say, I lay it to heart. Say, Lord, I lay it to heart. And I believe strongly that's why you are here in the first instance because you lay it to heart. You take it serious to return praise to him. Glory to God. It is the grace of God, it is the gift of God, it is engracement; not achievement, to avoid disgracement. You know, recently I saw a material where they listed God's servant, the Apostle over this commission, Bishop David Oyedepo as the second richest preacher in the world, only second to his own mentor, Papa Copeland. Second richest but you see, Papa focus is not on that. When he was shouting I cannot be poor, his focus was not on getting wealth, it was on serving God. Matthew 6:33, “Seek ye what? The kingdom of God and his righteousness.” He calls it various demands. And these other things that others are running or dying to get will become what? Mere additions; additions that you're not paying attention to. Glory to God. To say he’s blessed is an understatement but his heart pants after God and the things that please God. Glory to God.
Now, this was the undoing of a number of prominent people in scripture. We're going to be looking at a few of those as time permits us. Ingratitude was manifested in some people that were helped. You see, you must know that wherever you are, is the hand of God that is lifting you before he leaves you. You know if you are up there, if he leaves you, it's a crash. So, let your temperature be normal no matter how high he's lifting you. Someone say amen to that. Don't develop high temperature. That you don't feel normal anymore because God is lifting you, you may stop where he's taking you to. Whatever you have seen right now cannot compare to where he's taking you to. I thought someone is saying amen to that.
1. We're considering this morning is King Uzziah, II Chronicles 26:5-15
The Bible said in verse five “That Uzziah, he sought God in the days of Zechariah and who had understanding of the visions of God. And as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to what?” I can't hear you church. “God made him to what? To prosper. And he went forth and warred against the Philistines and brake down the wall of the Gath and the wall of Jabneh and the wall of Ashdod and built cities about Ashdod and among the Philistines.” He said "And God helped him against the Philistines." Who helped him? And against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal and the Mehunims.” He said "And the Ammonites gave gifts to…. that is adversaries now came and they were giving him gifts. Glory to God. God helped him. But you see in verse 16, he removed his eyes from the fact that he was being helped. The Bible said, “When he was now strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction. He transgressed against the Lord his God and went into the temple he turned himself into a priest to burn incense.” You are a king; you are not a priest. Stay in your lane. Whatever God has given to you, whatever blessing God has given to you, stay where you are. He took incense and the priest went to him and said look king, you are making a mistake; not like they didn't tell him. This is not your responsibility, you are not meant to… he said, “Go away. How dare you?” He got angry. How dare you tell me what to do; I'm the king. Can't you see what I have built? The Bible said, “God struck him with what?” Leprosy. Where did he put the leprosy? If he put it in his hand, he will cover it with a cloth; he put it on his forehead as an emblem so that when they ask him, where did you get leprosy? He’ll say because of my pride. God will spare you. Hear this, I said some time ago, you can start as a friend of God and end as an enemy of God. Yeah. You can start as God's darling but if you are not careful, you can end as an enemy of God. That will not be your story in the name of Jesus
2. King Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel 4:28-33, we know the story too well. Nebuchadnezzar stood and he said "This is not Babylon, great Babylon that I have built." Is not this great Babylon? Verse 30, he said, “That I have built for the house of the kingdom of the might of my power and for the honor of my majesty.” My, my, my, my, my….I, I, I, I, I, I… the Bible said, “While the word was yet in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven. Oh king Nebuchadnezzar to thee it is spoken the kingdom is departed from thee.” May God not depart from you. May God not take away your blessings. I said I think on Wednesday and on Thursday, don't wait for God to humble you; humble yourself. Humble yourself before the Lord. The Bible said, “Nebuchadnezzar was driven from amongst people, from amongst men and reduced to a beast.” He said, “He'll be there for seven times, seven time means 7-years.” So for 7-years, the Bible said that he was eating grass, eating what? Like oxen. Look at it there, grass as oxen. He reduced to an animal. I don't know how his stomach suddenly became the stomach of a, what do they call those animals? Ruminant, right? To begin to digest grass. It's difficult for your stomach to digest even vegetable you take not to talk about grass but that's where God reduced him to. The Bible said, “His fingers, his nails, they grew like animal claw; his hair were like feathers.” Seven years, nobody cut, did pedicure, manicure, whatever you call it for him for 7-years.
You see, when God humbles a man you’ll pity him. But you see, the good thing is that God still kept the throne for him just to teach him. Glory to God. Now, if you read on, you see I think verse 34 thereabout his senses returned to him. Go back there and see verse 34 I believe. He said "And at the end of the days, I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up my eyes unto where?” He's removing his eyes from himself, now looking up to heaven; said, “And my understanding returned to me. And I blessed the most high.” Somebody say most high. So, he now knew that he's most low. He’s no longer majesty. There is the one who is the highest majesty, the most excellent. Glory to God. He said, “And I praised and honored him that liveth forever. “ He said, “Whose dominion is an everlasting dominion and his kingdom from generation to generation.” Someone shout a amen to that. Who taught him all of that? He learnt it as an animal. He learnt those things in the animal kingdom. So while he was a man, a king, he didn't know, but 7-years in the animal kingdom, he knew, he learned. May you not learn by force. May I not learn by force in the name of Jesus. Kill your pride. Kill it. Kill it. Kill it. When people hail you, don't let them hail you to destruction. Then don't let them praise you to perishing. Know the boundaries. You tell them, I give all the glory to God. Hallelujah. I give the praise to God. They tell you, “You are the Apostle of our time.” I said, “I have no time yet. My time has not yet come. You give all the glory to God ;that way, He keeps lifting you. He keeps raising you. Glory to God.
3. King Herod. Acts 12:21- 23.
The Bible said, “On one certain day the king came out and arrayed in royal apparel. He sat upon his throne and made an oration.” He spoke very well. He could talk unto the people and the people exclaimed and shouted saying, it is the voice of a god and not a man.” And I can imagine before God will react to it, he was enjoying it. He says, “Not the voice of a man; it's the voice of a God.” He said "Yeah, yeah, I am the God here." And the Bible said that while that was happening immediately, somebody say immediately, an angel struck him, smote him because he gave not God what? The glory.” So, what was Herod supposed to do? All glory to God, that's what he was supposed to say. This oration is so powerful. This is the voice of God not the voice man. Say, to God be the glory; I'm not God. To God be the glory; he'll be spared. Now watch this, do you know this Herod had done some terrible things, seemingly more terrible things? He’s the same King Herod who killed James. God didn't touch him; he left him. He took Peter. If you go back to verse 1, from verse 1 and verse 2, he took Peter, the same Herod. He took Peter with the intent to kill him put him in prison. And God reacted; he said "No not this one. He sent an angel physically to remove Peter from prison but he didn't touch Herod.” He left him. But this act of pride, he sent an angel immediately; that's how much God hates pride. The atrocity and wickedness that Herod committed, he left him but he won't spare him for pride; for saying "I'm a god." and accept it. He's not even the one who called himself a god, they called him; he accepted it. Mind what people call you. Mind what they call you. When you hear certain names that they call you and it doesn't belong to you, tell them that's not me . Someone call me something once and I turn around, he said, “What are looking for?” I said, “I’m looking the person you are calling because that's not me.” Glory to God. None of us will be judged. I said , none of us will be judged in the precious name of Jesus Christ.
WHY WE MUST GIVES THANKS
Now, why must we give thanks? Quickly, why must we give thanks?
All that we have is as given by him. Everything you have is given.
Somebody say to yourself, everything I have is given to me. You may not like how that sounds. You may want to feel, oh, I worked hard to get it. There are people who are working harder than you, way, way harder than you; they're not getting there. Everything you have is given, is given is a function of favor, function of his health and his grace. Glory to God. I Corinthians 4:7. He said, “For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive?” Ask yourself, what do you have that you did not receive? He said, “Now, if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it? Why are you behaving and glory and feeling prideful like you did not receive it?
Now, II Corinthians 4:7, it says, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels. It says that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us. “ The excellency of power, what is making it happen will be of God and not of you. He says we have this treasure in… he's calling you and I earthen vessels. You are clay. Glory to God. I like to read some kind of scriptures like this in more different translations to get the insight. Now, if you read that in the New Living Translation, see what it says. NLT, if the studio has it, you can project that. It says, “We now have this light shining in our hearts.” It said, “But we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.” Can you imagine that? Fragile, you know clay? If you drop it, it's gone. Clay Jars, it says that's who you are but you are containing treasures. So, you should know it's not you; it is God and you should return the glory to him. Someone say amen to that. When you fail to do that you are positioning yourself to collide with God. And no one collides with God and survives it. You won't collide with God in the precious name of Jesus.
Acts 17:28, the Bible says, “For in him we live and move and have our being.” In him we live, in him we move, everything about you is as powered by God. You know, I like to ask the question whilst you were asleep, did you know what was going on? That should humble you. You say, okay, as I was sleeping, I knew I was sleeping. I could remember everything.” You did not. You did not. You were at the mercy of God and in the morning he woke you up, not your alarm; he woke you up. It's time to go to church and you jumped up. Some jump up and they can’t remember anything. You should give him praise. Every situation should warrant your thanksgiving to God. Someone say amen to that.
Now, take note also that no one prevails by strength in the kingdom. Your strength wouldn't work. I Samuel 2:9, he said, “For by strength shall no man prevail. For by strength shall no man prevail.” Zechariah 4:6, it says "Then he answered and spake unto me saying, this is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel saying not by might, nor by power but by my help, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” By my help, I will help you." He told Jacob, he said "Thou warmeth Jacob . You know warm? He said "You are fragile; you don't have." He said "But I will help you; I know your strength is small but you have a heart towards me I will help you." Glory to God. And he turned him into a nation, weak man. He said warm Jacob but Jacob became Israel, a nation by God's help. If you depend on him, he will raise you but if you show pride…. some of the pride we have comes from some connections, You say, I'm connected and God said you are disconnected. I have friends in high places. My family is this, my family is that, they can reject you. They can abandon you. Even your father can turn against you. I have an uncle, I'm very wise, I have degrees, depend on his help and you'll go forward. Someone say amen to that.
James 4:6 says, "But he giveth more grace, wherefore he said, God resisted the proud." God resisted the proud but giveth grace unto the humble. Unto who? The humble. So God is the one resisting the unthankful from going forward, not Satan. The one who is unthankful, the one who is prideful is being resisted by God and you know that's a big concern. That's very concerning. Why? Because if Satan is resisting someone, you can cast Satan out in the name of Jesus but you can't cast God out in the name of Jesus. It can't work. So, if God is the one holding back a man, how do you cast him out? You can't. The man is doomed. Until he turns around. I see pride leaving someone here in the precious name of Jesus Christ. Mark 16:17, he said "In my name shall they cast out devils." Jesus is speaking not God; you can't cast God out. So, there are many prideful people who think that Satan is the one keeping them bound; no, it's God. He's standing at a pillar. He’s a big barrier stopping you from going forward. Why? Because of pride. But I see that pride dropped this morning in a precious name of Jesus Christ.
WHY ARE WE GIVING THANKS TO GOD AS A COMMISSION?
Now, in specific terms, specific to this commission, why are we giving thanks to God today as a commission? Why are we giving God thanks as a commission today?
1. We owe God thanks for his indescribable gift that continue to speak louder in our midst over the years. Indescribable gifts, the things that he has done.
Now, this is not how this commission started. These are days of glory. This is not how it was. Every year, continuously, we've seen change of level, God giving the church speed, supernatural speed. You know, even in this congregation, I was saying it during the morning, the prayer, pre-service prayer this morning. If you see some photographs back in the days when they were starting, some of the people who are here now, if you see their photographs, then you won't recognize them. Even they themselves won't recognize themselves. Some had long necks, not because that's how their posture is, it’s the vicissitudes of life. It's where they were at the time. But if you see them now, they look so handsome, so beautiful, everyone well decorated by God, I found one person and I could see only his teeth, his teeth. That's how he looked then. I asked the pastor, I said, pastor, “I saw a photograph of you back in this” . I said, “I could only see your teeth.” He said, pastor, “It was well with me that time.” You know that kind of well? My friend said, “Even in the well, it is well.” It was well then, but God has changed. He told me what he was going through. This is what I was going through. This is what I was going through. Not just me, the whole family was suffering this; affliction on affliction. Affliction, the mother afflicted, my God. But today, the study is different. If you see him, you’ll like him. Glory to God. By God's hand, by God's blessing. Glory to God. We owe God thanks for his indescribable gift. You don't deserve it, but he gave it to you and I.
Now, James 1: 17 say that every good gift, every perfect gift is from where? I can’t hear you church, is from where? From above. He said, “He cometh down from the father of light with whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning.” Glory to God. Every good gifts, every perfect gift comes from God himself. You know, when this commission at some point started, some people said, “Give them just 2-years, they making noise. Give them 2-years, all the noise will die down.” So, I'm sure some of you have heard those stories. Just 2-years; after 2-years, God was still lifting, changing the commission from glory to glory. They gathered again and they said, “Okay maximum 7-years. Just give them 7-years. Seven years, they would have fizzled out. Seven years pass; folks it's 44-years now. I said it's 44 years now. They said 2-years, they said 7-years; it's 44-years. Glory to God. You know at some point, they said, “The reason why things are happening there is because they buried cow in Canaan land.” And when Papa heard it, he said, “Well, cow is cheap. tell them to buy as many cow as possible and bury it too where they are, so they can get the same result if cow can make things happen.” You know how many have buried cow in different things and some still died on top of the cow that they buried? You won't worship idols in the name of Jesus Christ.
Ecclesiastes 3:14, it says, “I know.” Somebody say I know. What do I know? He said that whatsoever God doeth, shall be for how long? Forever. He said, “Nothing can be put to it nor anything taken from it.” He said, “God doeth that men should what? Fear before him.” If it is from God it will last, it will stand the test of time. So, those who mock they will mock until they'll be tired. I don't mean this commission. They are no longer mocking this commission. they are envying the commission. But if someone is mocking you, they'll be tired of mocking you very soon. Maybe some are waiting for your downfall, waiting for your failure, they will wait until they die. You won't fail in the name of Jesus. It is the hand of God. Somebody say the hand of God and that hand is what we are celebrating today. We are celebrating that hand of God. He said in Proverbs 18:16 said that, “A man's gift maketh room for him and bringeth him before great men.” A man's gift. And when the gifts come from God, he lifts you high. He gives you a space. Glory to God.
Now, in the kingdom, no one goes forward without engaging the mystery of thanksgiving and praise as a lifestyle. Somebody say as a lifestyle. Not just in church; everywhere you are found. Father, thank you. Now, God's servant our father, the apostle over this commission is one who is dwelling perpetually in thanksgiving, always thanking God. Thank you Lord. Hallelujah. Glory to God. Thank you Jesus, every time. You can't carry the wrong spirit of ingratitude and survive around him. You'll be converted or you be displaced. It's either of those two. You either be converted or … it’s his lifestyle; he's not faking it. Glory to God. You know one of our pastors told me a story that's very funny. He said back in the days, many years back when God servant came to New York, he was asked to go and serve him; just be around. So, he said he was privileged to be in the hotel room with him, and Papa will tell him go get this done, he will do it; just around. He said, “But he noticed something, every time, Papa will say, “Praise the lord ;he will answer hallelujah.” Every time, Papa will say, “Thank you Jesus; he will say amen “ He said, “He noticed that Papa wouldn’t stop; he kept doing it and he kept saying amen.” Hallelujah, praise the Lord. He said, “By evening when he left, he called the pastor who was in charge in the US here at the time and said sir, I need to tell you something.” He said, What?” He said, “Papa is always saying praise the lord, praise the lord and I have been saying hallelujah; I'm tired.” He said "I'm tired of saying hallelujah." He said "The pastor laughed and laughed and laughed." He said "He's not telling you to respond. That is his lifestyle. He will keep saying it. So don't respond, you don't have to respond if you are tired." So the pastor said "Okay." So, the next day when he went back to serve Papa said "Papa still there." Say "Papa said "Praise the Lord." He said, “He kept quiet and Papa started laughing.” So Papa knew that he's tired. Glory to God. It is his lifestyle, whether you are there or not, he will still say it. You know, some of us, we are the opposite. That's all they hear in your house. Everything is irritating you. Ah, change. Tell someone next to you change. Give him thanks at all times. Glory to God.
Now, as I conclude, why are we thanking God? Some specific things we have never had a famine of the word, no famine of the word here. There's always free flow of the word of God. Do I have a witness in the house? Since inception, I came to this commission, I've told you my story, because of the word. I was a little youngster. I went somewhere and I heard Papa preach there. I said, “What? I've never heard this dimension.” I've heard Pentecostal minister preach. I started hearing from a little age but I said, “No, I've not heard it in this dimension.” So, I started following somehow until the church came very close to where I live. Immediately I heard, I went, I carried myself there. Why? Because of the word. And since that time till eternity, is still flowing. The same power of the word. Glory to God. You know, Papa said, “Sometime, when God call him, as he said what will I be preaching for one year that will make sense continuously?” But he's still ministering every… even this morning, it is fresh. Somebody say fresh. Glory to God. I had a Jewish man who is a CEO of an organization who just took into he liked me’; I didn't know why he liked me. Said, “I'll give your church something. I'll do this for your church.” Very big man; has one of the biggest realtor firms in the US here. He said, “ Come to my office.” I was wondering why? He had offices all over that town. Said, “Come to my office.” So, I went to the office; he met with me. You know what? I thought he was going to discuss the building. He said "So, you preach every day?" I said "Yeah, no." He said "You preach every week?" I said "Yes yes. As a matter of fact, I preach almost every day because we have Covenant Hour of Prayer.” He said, “You are not tired?” I was wondering why the Jewish man was asking me whether I wasn't tired of preaching. I said, ”No, I'm not.” He said, “So you still have something to preach?” I said, “Yes. Even today, I preached before I came.” He said, Because my younger brother is a pastor.” I said, “Thank God.” I said, “Okay, this is why he has interested me.” I said, “So, where is he pastoring? “ He said, “No, he has resigned.” I said, “Your brother has resigned?” He said, “Yes.” I said, “Why?” He said, “Because he runs out of message.” So that's why he was taking interest. He said his younger brother has resigned. He's no longer a pastor. Say he doesn't know what to preach anymore. But here, the word is ever fresh. Somebody say fresh. Give the Lord a big clap of praise someone. Glory to God. Psalm 68:11, it says, “The Lord gave the word.” He's the giver of the word. We are only publishers. What are we? We are publishers. He gives it to us; we publish the word. He said, “Great was the company of those who what? Published it. “ He's the giver of the word. Psalm 107:20, “He sent his word; he owns the word. He sent his word and healed them and delivered them from their destruction. “ So, we have never suffered a famine of the word.
2. God has never ceased to confirm his word in signs and in wonders.
Mark 16:20, he confirmed the word with signs following. Amen. Now, also the church has continued to experience growth and expansion without stress. Somebody say without stress. psalm 127:1,2. “ Except the Lord build that city, you're wasting your time.” If he's not the one building it, it won’t stay. You can't build it. If he's not the one who is keeping the city the watchmen they are staying awake in vain. Glory to God. Also, we have never lacked supply of financial resources in the pursuit of the mandate. Someone say amen to that. Not finances from men; finances from God. You know in Canada, someone called me and said "I want to meet with you." While I was pastoring our church in Canada he said "I'd like to meet with you pastor." I said "Why not?" So, scheduled a meeting and the person came to the office one of the week days and he sat with me and he said, “I want to show you how to raise money.” I just told him, “You have come to the wrong place.” So, I want to show how to say…. your congregation, you have a lot of influence in town, you can raise a lot of money for the ministry.” When I had an opportunity to speak; when he had stopped talking, I said, “In this church, we don't raise money; we raise people.” I just quoted what papa used to tell us . You know, you need to hear well and remember so you know what to say. I said, “In this church, we don't raise money; we raise people.” He said, “I’ve never heard that.” I said, “Yes.” That was the last time he called me. Glory to God. Raise people, you have more than enough. How many times have you come to church and we say we are doing fundraising?
Someone told me about the church he went to. He said the service was 3- hours; 2-hours out of the 3-hours were for raising money in the Pentecostal church. Some will tell you, everyone who is giving 10, 10,000, you sit here right in front. You have 10, $10,000 sit in the front. Those who are giving five, 5,000 seats behind those ones. And if you are giving 1000, stay. Anything below that, stay outside the church. So you determine where you want to be. Whether you want to stay outside in the overflow or you want to come inside. You know, some people come to church with trepidation. That is, they're wondering “What will pastor ask for today?” You that is wearing yellow. Oh, say, why did I wear yellow today? You that is wearing yellow. The Lord is telling me that, that 50,000 will come and the person says home and abroad; everywhere you turn me upside down, nothing is coming out. You that is wearing that… no pressure. Somebody say no pressure. How many have ever felt pressure in this church, financial pressure in this church? No. And things are happening. Glory to God. And that's why he keeps blessing you. And as he blesses you, you keep supplying. As you give, he increases you the more. You'll keep going higher, you'll keep going forward in the precious name of Jesus. We have been compassable with stable as a shield across the nations of the earth.
Psalm 5:12 as I close. He said "Thou will compass the righteous with favor as a shield without
Compassing with favor as a shield." That's what this commission has enjoyed. No attack can bring down this commission. In matter of fact, I think the two or three Leadership Empowerment Summit ago; I said that this church, Winners Chapel International Atlanta is a moving train. Is what? Moving train. You know you can't stop a moving train? It's suicidal. Whether you're inside a car or by yourself, just the degree of destruction that we'll be talking about. This church cannot be stopped. Why? We are connected to God. Is the hand of God moving the church? Stand to your feet someone. Lift up your hands and give God thanks from your heart. Give him all the praise, celebrate him. Give him the praise. Thank you father. Blessed be your name. Let God hear your voice of thanksgiving. Appreciate him. Appreciate him. Thank you, thank you, and thank you. Thank you my father. Blessed be your name forever in the name of Jesus. Thank you Abba father in Jesus. You're blessed. You're blessed. The God of my father David Oyedepo decorate you. The God of this commission defend you in the name of Jesus and so shall it be in Jesus precious name.
