Everlasting Gospel
First lesson: John 15:1
“I am the true vine: and my Father is husbandman “
Second lesson: Luke 14:13-14
“But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And thou shalt be blessed: for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shall be recompensed at the resurrection of the just”
Golden text: John 14:12
“Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that believeth in me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”
Brethren, the above texts form the theme of our spiritual food (sermon). It is pathetic to discover that many people are not ready to listen to the word of God, they even drive away. any person who comes to preach to them. It is also sorrowful to realise that certain persons go out and preach vain words claiming such to come from God.
The first lesson makes it clear that our Lord Jesus Christ is the true vine. He is also the word of God, the husbandman, the power, wisdom and love. He is the bread which comes down from Heaven and whoever eats of it shall live. He is the spirit and the truth. We should therefore, look neither to the left nor the right. Our attention should be focused on Him at all times, for he is the way, the only teacher and Leader. That is the good news brought to you. Our Lord Jesus Christ made it clear when He said: 'Verily, Verily, I say unto you. He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall-he do, because I go unto my Father*. Then, how come about the idea of the worldly people that no man can do the works done by our Lord Jesus Christ? The meaning of the statement made by Christ is that whoever obeys His instructions, believes in Him and practises the words of God, such a person shall do greater works than what he had done because the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are here. There is a local adage which says that liquor intoxicates one according to one's manner and the nature and quantity of the liquor taken.
Therefore, the more you listen to the words of God and practise them the more you will be filled with power and wisdom from the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We should, therefore, refrain from proliferation of churches, spiritual healing homes, prayer houses, among others. He has come to teach and to rule. He is sufficient unto all. Call no other person teacher; He is the only teacher, the King of kings and the benevolent Father.
Our obligation is to strictly practise His injunctions. You can do nothing on your own, but if you believe in Him and adhere strictly to His instructions, He will surely do His will. He is the only Saviour, love truth and power.
4.1 Practise the teachings of Jesus Christ
Our basic concern should be to practise His injunctions without question and doubt. Only when you do that can you talk of doing greater works than these, because the Father would abide in you and you in Him and both of you would thus become one.
All the Societies you were initiated into are in vain. All the mundane teachers who have taught you in any level of education are ignorant. All the mundane things you so much desire profit you nothing. The mediator of this new covenant is our Lord Jesus Christ, who is eternal. He is the only one to make intercession unto all those who follow God; He does not indulge in bribery and corruption and does not discriminate. Whether you are black or white He regards every person as the same. If we accept His teachings, all the inhabitants of the world would be in peace and joy. Whoever practises His teachings will have the glory of God manifested in Him. His words and teachings constitute the bread of life, prosperity, wisdom, and truth. If you lack wisdom, power, love and peace, practise His teachings. Whatever you lack, first of all practise His teachings, you will have it. He is all in all. Without His teachings nobody exists; and if we reject Him and His teachings we perish. This appeal is therefore directed to all the inhabitants of the world. Discard every other mundane teachings and knowledge that you had acquired and seek after our Lord Jesus Christ and practise His teachings. Human beings lust for such things as power, wisdom, glory, wealth, love, peace, and all the good things. Yet He had said that whosoever believed on Him will not only do the works that He did, but will do greater works.
4.2 Practice of the word of God produces godliness
There is therefore no need to go on searching for God or to continue to expect the arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ in the sky. The injunction is that we should believe in Him. In other words, we are to practise His teachings throughout all the days of our life in whatever capacity we find ourselves. It is after this that every other thing shall be (given) added unto us. One who is a heavy drinker and a drunkard too, once he desists from the habit of drinking, he cannot be intoxicated anymore. The same is applicable to the word of God. If the word of God is preached to you and you refuse to practise it, you cannot have power, wisdom, love, peace and prosperity. If you fail to practise the words of God invariably, you have refused to cleanse God's temple which is you and He cannot thus abide in you. The reason why it is necessary for everyone to own a copy of the Bible is to enable one to practise God's teachings and have eternal life. There is every need for you to compare and contrast the teachings of the Holy Spirit now with those of our Lord Jesus Christ as in the Bible. When the Pharisees accused our Lord Jesus Christ, for healing on a sabbath day and that He was not from God, His reply was that 'my Father worketh hitherto and I work.' (John 5:17) He brought to their knowledge that the Son can not do anything on his own except what he sees his Father do. The Father had bestowed all power on the Son so that He might be glorified and the Son too might be glorified. That is why He promised that whosoever believes on Him and practises His injunctions shall do even greater works than He did. This is the kind of promise that should gladden our minds to practise God's injunctions. If you come across somebody who is beautiful, wealthy and wise and he tells you that the secret of his beauty, wealth and wisdom is to practise his injunction, if you are sensible and desire to be wealthy, will you not obey such a person and do whatever he tells you to do? If you disobey him then you have done yourself more harm than good. Therefore, if you reject the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ it is to your own detriment and you cannot have life, wisdom, love, peace, prosperity and power. It is therefore mandatory for everyone whether in the church, prayer house, spiritual hospitals, institutions of learning among others to practise the word of God so as to live. Let us all regard our Lord Jesus Christ as the only teacher, leader, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
First lesson: John: 5:1
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.”
Brethren, if He is the vine and the Father the husbandman what do you think we are? We are nothing other than branches. If we abide in" Him and He in us we shall then bring forth good fruits. And, that also explains why He said that whosoever believed on Him shall do 'the works that He did and shall do even greater works. That is to say that whosoever practises God's injunctions shall be endowed with even greater power. But contrarily, man has refused to practise the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is because of this that man has remained completely empty. He cannot even accomplish those great works done by our Lord Jesus Christ not to talk of performing the greater ones. Nobody is ready to emulate our Lord Jesus Christ neither, do people want to abide in the Father. In spite of this, the Father still bestows his grace on those He so wishes. From Genesis to the Revelation of John, there is no other story recorded than that of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Father. What then is the usefulness of keeping different brands of bible in your house without practising the contents therein? The situation could be compared to somebody who has a carcass of an elephant on his head but uses his feet to scratch the earth in search of snails. The entire world would have experienced greater joy and peace if mankind had practised the injunctions of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is all-knowing, all-powerful and eternal God. He does everything and is the one who glorified Himself. His injunctions are simple, straight forward and painless.
When those that received tribute in Capernaum asked Peter whether his master doth not pay tribute, Peter said 'yes'. And when Peter came into the house, our Lord Jesus Christ asked him “what thinkest thou, Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute, of their own children, or of strangers?' Peter replied: 'strangers? Then our Lord Jesus Christ said unto him; Then are the children free”.
Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook and thou will catch a fish. When thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take and give unto them for me and thee. That explains the fact .that, He is all-knowing and that when He sends you on errand He would also have to accompany you and get the work done. From this moment try to practise His teachings and you will witness the manifestation of His power, peace, love and wisdom in you; He would abide in you and you in Him. If He is glorified, part of the glory would be yours. But if you reject His injunction, you are in hell. The entire world is faced with problems and difficulties because they have rejected the teachings of Christ. He has come to save the entire universe through His teachings of love, mercy and long-suffering. How do you expect to live, to prosper and inherit the kingdom of God if you reject His teachings?
4.3 The Christ’s teachings are from God
The words and teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ are not from Him but from the Father. As He is instructed, as He hears, so He declares unto mankind. Whosoever adheres to His teachings will have eternal life, peace, love, prosperity and all the good things. It is with pity that I look at the inhabitants of the world because of their ignorance and disobedience. Mankind has rejected the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ on the excuse that they are very difficult to practise. Which is easier? Is it to practise the word of God and have life, peace, joy and prosperity, or to refuse to practise and perish? The words of our Lord Jesus Christ are capable of healing your infirmities and providing you with all the good things of life. His teachings are everything to everyman. It is that stone which the builders rejected that has now become the head of the corner. That is why I have come to propagate God's teaching unto the universe and to lead mankind to the lost glory.
4.4 The source of power in this kingdom
The world is agitating over the source of power in Brotherhood of the Cross and Star. The power in this kingdom is found in the word of God. When Christ was tried by Satan to turn the stone into bread, what did He say? He replied that it has been written that man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. But man has rejected the very word spoken by God. This is the source of man's calamities. Faith is a rare quality; much more expensive than every other thing. Faithlessness on the other hand is faceless and harmful. Christ went to His home town and while there He could not perform miracles. The reason was that the people did not believe in Him. An instance of faith, clearly demonstrated was the case of the centurion and Christ. While Christ wanted to go to his house to heal his servant, he (the Centurion) opted for Christ to speak only the word for his servant would be healed. You should bear in mind that the centurion was an influential man quite in control of authority. The world is today shouting upon Jesus Christ to come to their rescue. How can He do that when He has been rejected? He is instructing mankind to refrain from sinfulness, love one another, be humble, be kind, be meek, be merciful and be obedient. These are the very things man has refused to do.
He has also instructed us that the poor, the maimed and the blind should be invited when we are feasting because they cannot pay us back. That it is only the Father who can reward everyone accordingly. One should therefore not render a help to a person who would pay back such a help because by so doing you are no more in a position to be rewarded at the resurrection of the just. Go and practise that gospel and see whether you will not have God's promise fulfilled in you. Read our Second Bible Lesson for further explanation.
Second lesson: Luke 14:13-14
“But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind; And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shall be recompensed at the resurrection of the just”.
4.5 Charity, source of wealth
Have you ever practised the above text? It is the word of God in its surest form. That also is life, the truth, prosperity, love, peace, power and wisdom. We have been assured that when we practise the injunctions we would have life and other good things in abundance. Do not doubt this gospel and do not fail to practise it. We should therefore put it into practice and reap bountifully. Everybody, both the whites and the blacks have all rejected this very gospel. It is said that the taste of the pudding can only be felt during eating. You cannot feel the impact of this gospel unless you practise it. This further explains the case of a drunkard who resolves not to drink wine anymore. As long as he refrains from drinking he cannot be drunk. Even if you stay in Brotherhood for decades but fail to practise the word of God, you stand to gain nothing.
4.6 I teach you by word and deed
That is why I am a true Leader. I have come not only to teach but also to practise the teachings for you to emulate. Do .not be bothered about getting any reward after doing good to people. If your kindness is directed to the less privileged, the poor and the needy that would never recompense you, you would be bountifully rewarded by your Father. This gospel is a source of riches. Once you practise it, you would have peace, joy, power, wisdom and love. This explains why. Nigeria, and indeed the entire human race, is so poor and beset with problems; because they have rejected the truth, the source of salvation. The so-called rich people of the world, expect a person who is in dire need of help to worship them before extending the slightest help to such. Alternatively, man is only prepared to help somebody who will be able to pay him back, with even some interest. Everything is commercialised by man, no matter the situation of the people involved. When you do this, you have deviated from the injunction of God. That is why He has advised us to keep our treasure in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt. You can now realise the circumstances under which our Lord Jesus. Christ said,…how hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God.(Luke 18:24). In other words, those who are burning in unquenchable desire to acquire all the wealth of this world and other material things cannot practise the word of God. They are hardhearted, selfish, thrifty and deceitful. But in this kingdom everything is given out free. If you do not practise the word of God you cannot inherit the kingdom of God. This fact has nothing to do with personality, church denomination, country or race.
If you put this gospel into practice you would see the resultant effect of it. The true quality of a thing can only be proved through experimentation. The entire people of the world are hypocrites. They call on the name of Jesus. Christ repeatedly without believing in Him. It is only on the basis of doing good to others without necessarily looking for a reward that Christ referred to Matthew 25:35-40 when He said;
“For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and' ye came unto me..." Then the benevolent man asked when he did all these things. Our Lord Jesus Christ replied that "In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of those my brethren ye have done it unto me”.
4.7 Do charity to all irrespective of status in life
Therefore, if you actually regard Jesus Christ as your only teacher and saviour, go and practise this gospel and from today strive to help only those who will not be able to recompense you in whatever way.
All the maimed and the poor and the afflicted come here for solace. It is your duty to help them without any condition. Do not always attend any gathering in which people will sing praises to your name for donating. But identify yourself with any gathering where people will always ignore whatever good you do, persecute you and show little or no appreciation to your effort. That is the fulfillment of the kingdom of God, His wisdom, His power. His love and peace. Did our Lord Jesus not set a good example for you? He healed free, baptised free, fed people free and did every good thing to people free, including His teachings. He rendered His service to all, whether rich, poor or believers. That is the path to faith, love, peace, wisdom, power, prosperity and goodness. Many rich people look down on the poor. They rather prefer to invest their wealth within their social class instead of wasting it on the poor in the name of charity. In other words, what they do is to pay premium to whoever amongst them was in need of help hoping to be paid back when the need arose. That is why man has fallen short of God's grace and is unable to do the works that Christ did, let alone greater works. That is also the reason why the world is alleging that spiritual power ended on the day of Pentecost. Man has rejected the teachings of Christ as such, the power of the Holy Spirit has eluded him. Many people are still ignorant of the manifestation of the Lord's prayer which says,...Give us this day our daily bread' . But in spite of this prayer, what people do is to covet and accumulate wealth for themselves and deny others a fair share of it.
4.8 Illustration
There was a certain city that did not want God. In another neighbouring city was a prophet who was wealthy. This prophet was sent by God to go and reside in that anti-God city. As he arrived there, the prophet met another man who was also rich.
The first day this prophet revealed to the rich man that, God wanted him to celebrate a feast and to invite all the little children in the city. He complied immediately. At another time the prophet also revealed to the rich man that God wanted him to celebrate a feast for all the men and women in that city.
He complied immediately and fed the people sumptuously. Again, he revealed to him to prepare a feast and invite people from all parts of the world. That too was done satisfactorily. After the Chiefs and the elders had eaten they met, to ponder over the rich man's action. They started to wonder what kind of person the rich man was that he could feed the whole world with ease. They agreed amongst themselves that any other time the rich man celebrated such a feast, all invited guests should go with not less than the sum of one pound sterling (£1) about fifteen Naira (N15.00). After the last feast the rich man's account was depleted. But shortly again he was asked to celebrate another feast, this time a fantastic one.
Consequently, announcement was made that people should attend with cows, goats, and various other gifts to' the man. The feast was attended by all and sundry with various gifts and the place was filled to capacity. Some came with other diverse gifts. Realising that the man was richer than any of them-in terms of money, love, kindness, mercy, and long-suffering, the people decided to crown him their king. They called the rich man and disclosed their intention to him. The man accepted their gesture but on condition that they should allow the prophet to stay with him. That request was accepted and he was thus crowned king to rule over all the universe. With the help of the prophet he set about ruling the people. The first step was the establishment of a common church where all the people were baptised into. Then they were asked to settle all their differences and live in peace. They all did that and from that time the rich man ruled the people peacefully.
Golden text: John 14:12
“Verily, Verily, I say unto you. He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”
4.9 Christ never fails
Brethren, has this gospel not been fulfilled in that rich man? For obeying God and complying with the teachings of Christ he was recompensed. That is why it is said that Jesus Christ never fails. He is the same today, tomorrow and forever. Your carnal knowledge shall fail you; your money, your brother, your sister, your parents and every other thing shall fail you. But Christ never fails! All you need to do is to practise His teachings. That is the reason why He says, you should only clear the bush and leave the rest of the work therein for him.
This is neither achievable through power, knowledge nor wealth but through obedience. Nobody in the world would want to part with his money except under very strict terms beneficial to him. In earnest, you should bear in mind that, whoever practises the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ shall do greater-works than He did. There are no new instructions given here other than those given by Christ. He is the great shepherd and the foundation stone in this kingdom. We have to obey and follow Him because He speaks not of Himself but what He hears from the Father, that He declares unto the world. Go and experiment with this gospel by feeding the poor or orphans with whatever you have, no matter how small and you will see the result. If in times past you had been ministering to those who would recompense you, change now and minister to the maimed and needy and see what you will reap.
For obeying this advice, you would be bestowed with love, peace, joy, power, wisdom and every other good thing you desire. God will abide in you and you in Him. Stop requesting anything from God but go and practise this-gospel. That is the work we have been called in to do in this kingdom. That is the reason for establishing many fellowships in the kingdom to undertake various assignments to help mankind. This does not call for fasting, prayer nor shedding of tears. Practise the gospel and all would be well.
A word is enough for the wise. May God bless His holy words, Amen.
THANK YOU FATHER