GOD'S HIDDEN AGENDA EXPOSED

First lesson: Matthew 1: 22- 23 “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Second lesson: Luke 1: 10- 13 “And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zechariah saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zechariah: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.” Golden text: Matthew 11: 11 “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” 12.1 The mysterious God Introductory choruses: 1. He has come. He has come. He has come to rule the world. 2. He has come in a hidden way yet the world is looking for him. 3. It is the only the King who knows the secret of His kingdom. Beloved, the texts and spiritual choruses form the theme of our lesson. The scripture has made it clear that, the people of the world would look but would not see, they would listen but would not hear because their hearts are hardened. They are those who have no share in the kingdom of God. The presence of the kingdom of God on earth is something the whole world should remain in total submission to the Creator of heaven and earth. The world cannot behold the glory of this kingdom, none in the flesh can listen or even understand the teachings of this kingdom. There is no mind or heart that can perceive the things in this kingdom. This is because here in the kingdom of God, it is only His wisdom, love, power, patience and all the virtues that reign supreme. Exalted position in the world, materialism or stature has no place here at all. If you like, fast for many days as you may please, weep and lament, you cannot witness the kingdom except you are called. No matter how fervent you may pray and shout at the top of your voice, you cannot behold or feel the impact of this kingdom. At the same time, it is there in earnest. No matter how effective you argue and cause trouble, and no matter how convincing your argument may be, you cannot ordinarily see or observe this kingdom. No matter the extent of vigorous campaign you may wish to engage in against the kingdom of God and its existence, it is all in vain. After all, so did your fathers and forefathers and finally they all perished. But the truth has continued to live and grow since then. Whatever is happening today has already been destined to come to pass. It is said that, only the king that knows the secret of His kingdom. 12.2 The past generations were ignorant of this kingdom Zechariah and his wife, Mary, Joseph, John and even Jesus Christ had no knowledge of this kingdom. It is only the Father who knows and understands the events in the world and He alone can reveal the secrets of His kingdom to whoever He pleases. 12.3 You are a tool in God's hand God can use you to fulfill His divine will without your notice. What is most surprising is man's ignorance of God's ability, wisdom and power. At any time God uses a man or group of people to fulfill His divine purpose none would be aware of the actual source of the event. None would know that it is God who is responsible for what is happening. In spite of human ignorance over God's affairs and kingdom, yet He continues to exist and His kingdom continues to grow. This explains why He is called the mysterious God. Everything about Him is wonderful and mysterious. Even with His words, as read in the texts, there is none who can give the correct interpretation and meanings. Right from the time of Adam till now, there is none that knows himself or understands the events around Him. None is aware of the kingdom of God. None can also understand the meanings of his actions and utterances. Man can be compared to the grass in the field that is swayed to and fro by the wind. You claim to go to church yet you do not even know the meaning of church. Nobody knows His right from left. Sometimes we get confused of the Being who we are serving; whether it is God or Satan. If He were not so enigmatic then He would not be a wonderful God. Should any one be able to predict Him, He would cease to be God. In other words, if it were possible for man to know Him easily then He would not be God. I can mention names right from Adam to the time of Christ and describe them one after the other to prove to you that none of them knew God. God alone is the beginning and the end. This is why we are enjoined to honour and fear Him for He is a wonderful God. But how can you honour and fear one you do not actually know? He is forever the only one who honours and worships Himself. It is only Him that also glorifies Himself. Man is enjoined to reverence God and praise His name. How can we do that? Man on his own alone is like a robbot. He is senseless, deaf, blind and incapable of doing anything. How then can such a creature reverence or praise his Creator? There is a particular group of people who do not believe in God. They believe God should be killed if at all He exists, that He should be rejected, disgraced, refused praises and dishonoured. Is it possible to do such thing to a person one does not know and see? How can you reject, dishonour, disgrace and despise the being you do not know? It is really hard for one to believe that Brotherhood of the Cross and Star is the kingdom of God. Part of the reason is that the attitude of some members leaves much to be desired. They make a noise while in the gathering to worship God, they quarrel, fight and cause all sorts of trouble thus making it hard to believe that the fold is the kingdom of God. In spite of that, it is still the kingdom of God. On the other hand, there are those who openly confess to others that Brotherhood is the kingdom of Satan. But if you come in so as to confirm what you have been told you would discover that there is nothing satanic here at all. It was for this same false accusation that made the people to doubt and reject John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. 12.4 A mysterious Father They did so because they know them not. Even John himself who heralded the arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ later doubted Him when he (John) was clamped into prison. There in prison he sent a message to Christ to confirm from Him whether He was really the Saviour or not. This proves the fact that it is the Father alone that can reveal Himself and bear eloquent testimony about Himself. Christ Himself while on the Cross shouted, 'my God, my God, why have thou forsaken me.' That proves to you that even Christ doubted the Father. This also shows to you that it is not an easy thing to understand God or serve Him. It is quite true that, the more you look and attempt to behold God, the less you would see Him. Elijah who was assured that he would not taste of death, once shouted and called upon God that the enemies had destroyed all His prophets and temple that he was the only one left. He prayed God to send down fire to consume the people. God, in His reply told him that He had reserved 7,000 disciples for Himself who had never worshipped Baal. Therefore, man is incapable of doing anything. We are blind, deaf, lame, foolish and none-existent. People all over the world claim to worship God through various methods and means. There are others still who believe that God does not exist at all. All these conflict of options notwithstanding God continues to carry out His divine will steadily and to manifest His kingdom. 12.5 Only God’s will manifests Preaching the gospel, on its own alone does not change any man. On the other hand, failure to preach the gospel is not enough ground to condemn any person. Whether or not you pray, clap or sing cannot alter God's arrangements. Whether or not human beings believe in Him, God continues to be God and to be ever true. Man himself and his actions remain and cannot move anything. Whatever God has planted must stand and nothing that is planted by man can stand. Zechariah was a high priest who served God diligently day and night. In spite of his position yet he had cause to doubt God on the fateful day that the news of his begetting a child in his life got to him. He doubted the possibility because himself and Elizabeth, his wife, were advanced in age. You cannot realise the reason why I pity the world. Each time I look at the whole world, particularly human beings, I laugh at them. This is the kingdom of God. The disciples of John reported to him that the man who was baptised by him and had been with him was going about on his own and his disciples baptising people also. John replied them saying. “no man can have anything except such is given to him from above”. But in the world, the people erroneously think and believe that whatever a man does is purely of his own making. For instance, if one goes to school or embarks on any other venture, it is out of his own accord. Therefore, brethren, this is to bring to your understanding that heaven and earth will pass away but not a jot or tittle of the word of God shall pass away until all be fulfilled. Whether you believe in the existence of God or not does not matter. He had existed and shall continue to exist. Our beliefs and utterances have no effect over His existence. This explains the reason why He said in the scripture that the kingdom is not meant for one who runs a race or him that seeks for it but out of God's own grace. It was because of this fact that God Himself exalted Pharaoh in order that He may use him to manifest His will and to glorify Himself. Moreover, He also said that He is merciful upon whom He pleases and hardens His heart against whom He so feels. The question is where does man stand? Does he exist at all? Paul himself who greatly propagated the gospel of Christ, cried to God for good three times to depart from him so that he might die. He prayed God to take away his soul. Instead, God told him that His grace was sufficient to him always. Paul prayed for death but instead God granted him life. Read the first lesson again. First lesson: Matthew 1: 22- 23 “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophets, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 12.6 When the Lord speaks Brethren, the above text proves the fact that no prophecy of God shall fail to be fulfilled. God does not execute His plans in order to be praised, or thanked or recognised by man. He does His things according to His will and glory; irrespective of whether man believes in Him or not. Nobody believed or took serious the prophecy spoken by Isaiah while he lived and even thereafter. But whether the world believed in Him or not, the prophecy as revealed to Jeremiah by God has all come to pass. He is the truth and His word is true. God honours His words and does not joke with His statements It is, therefore necessary that you should not toy with the word of God. Your level of belief in Him is not considered because man hardly believes in God or in His words. You could be told in a revelation that a particular thing will happen, but before it comes into effect you had forgotten about it because you doubted its occurrence outrightly. It is for this reason that it is often said when all hopes have failed the redeemer appears. 12.7 He is ever faithful and ever sure The manifestation of the kingdom of God in our midst is not an indication of man's worthiness or righteousness but the fulfillment of God's promise. His real name is EVERTRUE and EVERSURE. Right from Genesis to Revelation of John there is no single prophecy that will fail to be fulfilled. He does not do anything for the sake of our worthiness or persistent prayer but because it pleases Him to do so for His glory. He does not take any angel or man into reckoning as He implements His will. In other words, God is not influenced by the opinions and attitudes of men, the angels or other creatures. Therefore if it pleases Him for you to thank and praise Him you will definitely do so. If it pleases Him that you should not hear, see and understand His kingdom, there nothing you can do to change the order. The world had since lost hope of existence and the coming of the Saviour. It was at the point which man had completely forgotten Him that He quietly arrived. He did this to fulfill His promises that a virgin would bear a child whose name would be Emmanuel, the Saviour of mankind. Therefore, what is left of all His words and prophecies are to be fulfilled. Whether we stand firm or not, it is to His glory. All those who are arrogant, those that weep, lament, or laugh to scorn are fools. Brethren, have you not observed that the glory and kingdom of God have eluded the whole world? The birth of John the Baptist and that of Christ confused and troubled the world. Herod went all out to destroy John at birth. When he failed to capture John, he sent his soldiers to go and behead Zechariah in the temple. That is exactly the situation in the world. Did that event prevent God's will from being manifested? It is therefore out of foolishness for any man to think that the word of God will not spread or be fulfilled if he fails to practise and preach it. The word of God had already been preached and had been fulfilled too. God has not empowered or granted wisdom to either man or angel to alter His divine will. 12.8 The cause and effect of all things Power and wisdom remain in God's hands. We should therefore honour God, fear Him, glorify Him and praise His name. We are those that have been destined to worship Him in spirit and in truth. It is only the true worshippers who know that He is the beginning and the end, the author and finisher of our faith, the cause and effect of everything. We are not the Saddusees, Pharisees, the Publicans nor the heathens. We are the true children of God and of the kingdom of God. We follow Him sheepishly because it was written that those chosen shall follow Him in that manner. When the world was not, this kingdom had been. It has continued to exist since then and shall ever exist. Read the second lesson again. Second lesson: Luke 1:10- 13 “And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zechariah saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zechariah: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.” 12.9 The unshakeable faith in God The above text has proved that Zechariah who was a high priest of God was not only afraid but also disbelieved the prophecy because of ignorance. The disbelief and faithlessness arose from the fact that he had done everything humanly possible to raise a child through Elizabeth but could not. When the message of hope finally came, Zechariah had lost hope and resigned to fate. One of our spiritual songs asks, who will receive God's grace and who will not? The response to this is that the children of God will receive the grace of God while Satan will go empty-handed. Since Zechariah and his wife did not relent or stopped serving God day and night He rewarded them with a child when they had lost hope. God gave them a child that was greater than millions of children. You will therefore realise that the thoughts and deeds of God are quite different from those of human beings. His wisdom, power and ways are different from those of men. 12.10 Do not ask God for anything Do not ask God for wisdom for Solomon did so and finally lived a foolish and abominable life, and consequently got perished. Solomon was the cause of the fall of Babylon. Do not pray God for power for the people of old had asked for it and misused it to victimise and destroy God's creation. Do not also ask God for love, for the people of old and even those of the present generation have misused the love given to them. Man has turned the love of God for his fellow human to that of material things. This has caused man's fall. It is for this reason that you are advised not to keep your treasure or precious thing before the swine or dogs otherwise they will trample upon it and destroy it. He is all-sufficient to everyone. He cares for all of us, He loves us and sustains us at all times. Therefore, we are one with Him. He is our Representative and we too are His Representatives. Let us continue to recognise Him as the only Head, Teacher and Saviour. When the Father declared that He would establish His kingdom in the world and that His name shall be praised in all the four comers of the world, many doubted the possibility. Some in their ignorance wondered when He will begin this. The whole world is now busy gazing into the sky expecting Christ to descend to the earth. The question is, if He descends as expected by the world, what would be the reaction of His enemies? Would they allow Him to touch the ground? At what particular spot would He land? 12.11 God is now with man Now that He has taken the world by surprise, when all people have lost all hopes of His coming, are His enemies aware of this development? He has come as the Son of man, as the Son of God and as God Himself. He has come as the Holy Spirit. But how many people know Him? All the children of God right from the time of Adam till this present time of the Holy Spirit have all reincarnated to reign with their Father. All the angels and all the past Patriarchs are here on earth. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are also here. Do people believe in Him? Or, has man's disbelief prevented His existence or to fulfill His divine will? Nobody ever knew nor believed in Christ just as the world did not believe in John the Baptist. It is for this reason that you are advised not to seek after money and other material things. Do not come to the Father for the purpose of getting wealth for God knows that you desire it. The Gentiles desired for all these things, and missed the glory of God. All that you are to do is to surrender yourself to Him and His will. Except He sends you on an errand you cannot go, and except He effects a particular thing none can do it. If He does not seek for you, you cannot follow Him, and if He does not reveal Himself to you, you cannot know Him. Apart from God, none can save you. The times of foolishness had since passed and gone forever. Such time that people relied on the success of human inventions through scientific and technological discoveries as means of salvation has ceased. The government, money, your parents and material acquisition cannot save you. The only source of salvation is in God. If you cast your mind back to the times of Adam, Nebuchadnezzar, Pharaoh, Herod and the rest of kings that reigned in the past and then ask yourself of their whereabouts and how they ended up, you would be in a better position to reorder your priorities in this generation. Read the golden text again. Golden text: Matthew 11: 11 “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: not withstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” 12.12 Heaven now on earth The above text reveals the nature of the gift of God. Do not expect any human being to glorify you. Do not seek for anything from a human being. Whatever comes from God is the best. The truth is lasting forever. Everything that is not of God is shaky and shall be uprooted at the appropriate time. In spite of the power and principalities that existed in the world and their various kingdoms, none of them was as great and powerful and prominent as John the Baptist not to talk of our Lord Jesus Christ. Man has invented and initiated into various cults and have stopped at nothing to amass wealth at the expense of his fellow man in order to gain fame. John did none of these things yet he was the greatest amongst men. He neither married nor gave in marriage. He never indulged in anything mundane. It was as a result of his godly life that he was exalted far above other men on earth except the least person in heaven. 12.13 John the Baptist and celibacy Therefore, our point of concern is about holiness and celibacy. John did not put on shoes, clothes, or own a house. He completely dissociated himself from the worldly pleasures. He abandoned his parents for the sake of God. Who is like John in the whole world? Can you mention just one person who resembles John right from his age to this present generation. In your own case, your preoccupation is money. You think about how to build a house, own a car, beautiful dresses, chain of business ventures and other material things. John was able to live above the whole world. Is anybody sued to court for not eating meat and fish? Neither a father nor a mother can surrender his or her life for the child. In the same token, a husband cannot lay down his life for his wife nor his wife able to do it. But Christ came and gave up His precious life for a ransom for all. Christ represents love while John stands for faith. It is through faith that we are changed from the lust for mundane things to spiritual gifts in order to fit with the Holy Spirit lf you cannot resemble John the Baptist, how can you gain the kingdom of God? In the kingdom of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star who is like John? And in the whole world, who is like John? Faith and love represent God. Apart from our Lord Jesus Christ, John the Baptist is the greatest of all born of a woman. But who is the greatest in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ?. Christ is the greatest because He gave life as ransom for many. A man may love his wife and the wife may love her husband, parents may love their children and vice versa, yet none of them would give up his or her life for the sake of others. Christ did this for our salvation. He was humble, kind, merciful and tolerant Christ is love and He is the author of love and all virtues, John the Baptist is faith and preached about repentance so that we would be able to acquire love. This explains the reason why Christ said that except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he will not inherit the kingdom of God. Except you copy John the Baptist and denounce every mundane thing you will not take His yoke upon you and learn of Him. Even here in Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, who is like John? Who is this in the world that has forsaken materialism? 12.14 God's hidden agenda Our target therefore is to completely refrain from the things of this world. That also is the kingdom of God and the qualification into it. It is repentance that can lead yon into love. Apart from God sending down His only begotten Son. there is none who would have been able to accomplish this task of bringing salvation to mankind. You should remember that beautiful women had existed in those days. So also were handsome men, expensive apparels and beautiful houses. Of all these things John the Baptist did not have interest in any. This is why you are enjoined to refrain from the lust for materialism and surrender yourself to God so that you may inherit the kingdom of God. How would you be able to serve God diligently if you fail to refrain yourself from the things of this world? If you fail to surrender yourself to God, love one another, be merciful, humble yourself, be truthful and be kind, how would you be able to inherit the kingdom of God? Ever since the world was created, Christ is the only one who gave up His life as a ransom for the salvation of all. He is the first and only person who sought for the good of others. John the Baptist put to naught the things of this world and demonstrated complete denial of materialism. Christ then came with a lot of goodies to seek for the salvation of others Therefore, this kingdom of God is made up of these virtues. Whether you are a president, a millionaire, a professor or scientist, it is meaningless. Whatever your status in the world it amounts to nothing here in the kingdom of God. What is uppermost is total abstinence from the things of the world. You must seek for the good of others. It is only when you graduate from John the Baptist's teachings that you will get into Jesus Christ's. 12.15 It is God who gives ability to practise His will. The ability to do these come from no one else apart from God Himself. He is the only one to fulfill His promise. That is the hidden agenda and the acceptable order of things for us in this kingdom. In short, this is exactly what we should aim at to accomplish. Trust and have faith in God to fulfil His will in us. Brethren, it is said a stroke of cane is sufficient for a wise. May the Lord bless His holy words; Amen. THANK YOU FATHER