*SANCTIFICATION SERIES — Every Sunday* *LESSON 2* Sunday 25th February, 2024 (Released Monday 26th February, 2024) Ministering: Segun Olumide *PART 1: REASONS WHY THERE IS ZERO OR LOW SANCTIFICATION IN THE CHURCH, ESPECIALLY AMONG LEADERSHIP* *LESSON 2: Reason 2: MORE EMPHASIS ON FINANCIAL & MATERIAL PROSPERITY, SUCCESS, MIRACLES, HEALING AND DELIVERANCE THAN ON INWARD & OUTWARD HOLINESS, HEAVEN & HELL, LOVE & JUDGEMENT, FEAR OF GOD, CHRISTIAN ETHICS & ETIQUETTE* *FIRST THINGS FIRST* Matthew 6:33 KJV *But SEEK ye FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; and ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.* Matt.6.33 AMP *But SEEK (AIM AT AND STRIVE AFTER) FIRST OF ALL HIS KINGDOM and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS (HIS WAY OF DOING AND BEING RIGHT), and THEN ALL THESE THINGS TAKEN TOGETHER WILL BE GIVEN YOU BESIDES.* Matt.6.33 NLT *and HE WILL GIVE YOU ALL YOU NEED FROM DAY TO DAY IF YOU LIVE FOR HIM and MAKE THE KINGDOM OF GOD YOUR PRIMARY CONCERN.* According to Jesus, the first things are the kingdom of God and the righteousness of God. And as revealed in the previous verses below, the second things are all other things — the blessings — the things of this world that the unbelievers are running after — basics of life: food, drink and clothes, and by inference, some other things. Matt.6.31-32 AMP *31 Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to EAT? or, What are we going to have to DRINK? or, What are we going to have to WEAR? 32 - FOR THE GENTILES (HEATHEN) WISH FOR AND CRAVE AND DILIGENTLY SEEK ALL THESE THINGS, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all.* Let's look more closely at verse 32 above in some other versions below: Matt.6.32 NIV *FOR THE PAGANS RUN AFTER ALL THESE THINGS, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.* Matt.6.32 MSG *PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW GOD AND THE WAY HE WORKS FUSS OVER THESE THINGS, but you know both God and how he works.* Matt.6.32 NLT *WHY BE LIKE THE PAGANS WHO ARE SO DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THESE THINGS? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs,* God wants us to put the horse before the cart by seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness, then trusting Him to add other things to us. But, sadly, we have put the cart before the horse but seeking first the other things to be added to us, and wondering why we are neither kingdom-minded nor righteousness-minded. We are so impatient that we cannot wait for God to add those things to us. Rather, we are trying to add those things to ourselves by ourselves. We need to be patient because the Scripture says in 2 Pet.3.9 AMP: *THE LORD DOES NOT DELAY AND IS NOT TARDY OR SLOW ABOUT WHAT HE PROMISES, according to some people 's conception of slowness, BUT HE IS LONG-SUFFERING (EXTRAORDINARILY PATIENT) TOWARD YOU, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.* 2 Pet.3.9 NIV *THE LORD IS NOT SLOW IN KEEPING HIS PROMISE, as some understand slowness. HE IS PATIENT WITH YOU, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.* 2Pet.3.9 MSG *GOD ISN'T LATE WITH HIS PROMISE AS SOME MEASURE LATENESS. HE IS RESTRAINING HIMSELF ON ACCOUNT OF YOU, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change.* *ARE YOU RUNNING AFTER THE BLESSINGS OR THE BLESSINGS ARE RUNNING AFTER YOU?* Deuteronomy 28:1-2 KJV *And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, TO OBSERVE AND TO DO ALL HIS COMMANDMENTS which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: [2] AND ALL THESE BLESSINGS SHALL COME ON THEE, and OVERTAKE THEE, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.* In verses 1 and 2 above, the two keys *"TO OBSERVE AND TO DO ALL HIS COMMANDMENTS"* make His blessings come upon us and overtake us by running ahead of us into the future so much so that before the need arises the supply is waiting for us there and then. In other words, the two keys responsible are: (1) *TO OBSERVE* This speaks of manner or motive behind our action of obedience. (2) *AND TO DO ALL HIS COMMANDMENTS* This speaks of the act of complete obedience. You see, friend, right heart motive behind obedience, that is, obeying God willingly from our heart as well as total obedience will bring the blessings. Isaiah got the revelation. Isa.1.19 NIV *If you are WILLING and OBEDIENT, YOU WILL EAT THE BEST FROM THE LAND;* (Paul also got the revelation. See Colossians 3:22-25; 2 Corinthians 8:11-12; 2 Corinthians 9:7; 1 Corinthians 9:16-18.) [For deeper study along this line, see my book: *UNFOLDING THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY.*] As a minister of the gospel, when last did you preach or teach on holiness, heaven and hell, love and judgement, fear of God, Christian ethics and etiquette? Or how often do you emphasize these things above financial and material prosperity, success, miracles, healing and deliverance? It's to be greatly regretted that we have preached so much about this world and the things therein that many of God's people seem to have forgotten about heaven and hell, love and judgement, fear of God, Christian ethics and etiquette! I was in a particular local Church setting some years ago. Unfortunately, the pastor was money-minded to some extent. In fact, a brother stopped coming to the Church services. And when we ran into him somewhere. He confessed that the way the pastor preached about money stopped him from coming. He wanted to go first and make that money and probably come back to show him that he has got the results! What a heartbreaking testimony! What a hot slap on the face of sound doctrine! *THE MORE IMPORTANT MATTERS!* Many preachers and teachers of the Word today major in the minor, but minor in the major. Jesus said: *"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you HYPOCRITES! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cummin. BUT YOU HAVE NEGLECTED THE MORE IMPORTANT MATTERS OF THE LAW--JUSTICE, MERCY AND FAITHFULNESS. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.* Matt.23.23 NIV JUSTICE! MERCY! FAITHFULNESS! These are the 3 more important matters of the law! But, how many of us practise justice with our customers, patients, students, friends, partners, family members, neighbours, and so on? Are we not after cheating them, oppressing them, maltreating them or dehumanizing them? 1Cor.6.4-10 NLT *4 If you have legal disputes about such matters, why do you go to outside judges who are not respected by the church? 5 - I am saying this to shame you. Isn't there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these arguments? 6 - But instead, one Christian sues another--right in front of unbelievers! 7 - To have such lawsuits at all is a real defeat for you. WHY NOT JUST ACCEPT THE INJUSTICE AND LEAVE IT AT THAT? WHY NOT LET YOURSELVES BE CHEATED? 8 - BUT INSTEAD, YOU YOURSELVES ARE THE ONES WHO DO WRONG AND CHEAT EVEN YOUR OWN CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS. 9 - Don't you know that those who do wrong will have no share in the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, who are idol worshipers, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, 10 - thieves, greedy people, drunkards, abusers, and swindlers--none of these will have a share in the Kingdom of God.* Again, how many of us show mercy to our neighbours or strangers? Are we not bent on revenging ourselves on others or praying for their destruction and death rather than their salvation? Jesus said: *And if you had only known what this saying means, I DESIRE MERCY [READINESS TO HELP, TO SPARE, TO FORGIVE] RATHER THAN SACRIFICE AND SACRIFICIAL VICTIMS, you would not have condemned the guiltless.* Matt.12.7 AMP Matt.12.7 NLT *But you would not have condemned those who aren't guilty if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: 'I WANT YOU TO BE MERCIFUL; I DON'T WANT YOUR SACRIFICES.'* Also, how many of us are faithful or trustworthy with little things, with money and with another man's things? Are most of us not proclaiming our own goodness, doing eye service and lip service without being trustworthy, dependable, reliable or faithful in the things committed to us? Proverbs 20:6 KJV *Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?* *PURPOSE OF GIVING VS BENEFIT OF GIVING* For instance, very importantly, we should give our tithes, offerings and alms in order to lay treasures in heaven against the time to come. It's one of the ways to set our minds on heaven. Jesus spoke about giving as a means of laying up treasures in heaven. Mark 10:21 NLT *Jesus felt genuine love for this man as he looked at him. "You lack only one thing," he told him. "GO AND SELL ALL YOU HAVE AND GIVE THE MONEY TO THE POOR, AND YOU WILL HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN. Then come, follow me."* Paul also linked giving to laying up treasures in heaven against the time to come. 1Tim.6.17-19 NIV 17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 - COMMAND THEM TO DO GOOD, TO BE RICH IN GOOD DEEDS, and TO BE GENEROUS and WILLING TO SHARE. 19 - IN THIS WAY THEY WILL LAY UP TREASURE FOR THEMSELVES AS A FIRM FOUNDATION FOR THE COMING AGE, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.* Actually, the real Biblical purpose of giving is to lay up treasures in heaven against the coming ages. In other words, the purpose of giving is to lay up treasure in heaven whereas the benefit of giving is to receive earthly blessings. It's time to use our giving to get heavenly minded. Col.3:1-4 NLT *1 - Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of honor and power. 2 - Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. 3 - For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 - And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.* Colossians 3:1-2 KJV *[1] If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. [2] Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.* I taught Church members to give tithes and offerings praying or confessing that they use them to lay up treasures in heaven against the time to come! *LET'S STRIKE A BALANCE* People in the left extreme focus mainly on financial and material prosperity, success, miracles, healing and deliverance, while they push aside inward and outward holiness, heaven and hell, love and judgement, fear of God, Christian ethics and etiquette. But, those on the right extreme focus mainly on inward and outward holiness, heaven and hell, love and judgement, fear of God, Christian ethics and etiquette, while they ignore financial and material prosperity, success, miracles, healing and deliverance. Therefore, those on the left extreme may seem earthly useful and relevant, but heavenly useless and irrelevant. Then, those on the right extreme may seem earthly useless and irrelevant, but heavenly useful and relevant. Both extremes are bad and wrong. Prov.4:26 NLT-27 KJV *26 MARK OUT A STRAIGHT PATH FOR YOUR FEET; THEN STICK TO THE PATH AND STAY SAFE. 27 TURN NOT TO THE RIGHT HAND NOR TO THE LEFT: REMOVE THY FOOT FROM EVIL.* Rather, we need to walk down the middle of the road —maintaining a straight path which is safe. The balance is: putting first — inward and outward holiness, heaven and hell, love and judgement, fear of God, Christian ethics and etiquette, then putting second — financial and material prosperity, success, miracles, healing and deliverance. By so doing, we shall be heavenly useful and relevant as well as earthly useful and relevant! As there is balanced diet in the physical, let's feed God's people with balanced diet of spiritual protein, carbohydrate, vitamin, fat and oil, mineral salt and water. (A balanced diet is a diet that comprises all the six food classes in the right proportion, quantity or amount.) I pray God will raise Christian leaders and ministers — apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, elders, deacons, psalmists, givers, intercessors, drama ministers, mercy ministers, and so on who are balanced in Jesus' name. Friend, the second reason why there is zero or low sanctification in the Church, especially among leadership is that there is more emphasis on financial and material prosperity, success, miracles, healing and deliverance than on inward and outward holiness, heaven and hell, love and judgement, fear of god, Christian ethics and etiquette. *To be continued* *SINNER'S CONFESSION* If you want to become a child of God now, then say this confession: "I choose to repent today. Also I choose to believe that Jesus died for my sins and rose up for my justification. The scripture says, "If you confess with you mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). Therefore, I believe in Jesus with my heart and confess him as my Lord. Now, I am born- again (Amen)." *PRAYER FOR HEALING & DELIVERANCE* So put your hand on the part of your body that needs healing. Also on your chest for inner healing of your spirit or soul. You can also do it on behalf of your loved ones. Now in the mighty name of Jesus, be healed of cancer, HIV/AIDS, barrenness, insanity, lameness, blindness, deafness, dumbness, fibroid, tumour, broken bone, hypertension, epilepsy, kidney failure, liver failure, weak heart, leprosy, emotional crisis, failed marriages, failed ministries, failed businesses, academic failure, broken heart, depression, wounded conscience, and all manners of sicknesses and diseases. In the name of Jesus, I command your total deliverance from generational or family curses, spirit of death, bondages, and so on. Be healed in Jesus' name! Be healed in Jesus' name! Be healed in Jesus' name! *SAY THIS ALOUD TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT* Also Jesus said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:8). And on the day of Pentecost  “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4). Therefore, I receive the Holy Spirit by faith right now and I begin to speak in an unknown tongue (unlearned tongue) as He gives me the utterance. I command every foul spirit [spirit of fear, spirit of unbelief, spirit of doubt, religious spirit, unforgiving spirit…] wanting to hinder me to stop in its evil operation in my life in Jesus’ name. Thank you God for filling me with your Spirit in Jesus’ name (Amen). Books By Segun Olumide *Faith Series* (Volumes 1 - 7 are out. God willing, watch out for the last volume soonest.) (1) Three Types of Faith (2) Understanding Real Faith (3) The Power of Faith (4) Developing Strong Faith (5) How To Release Your Faith (6) The Test of Faith (7) Faith, Healing and Health Scriptures (8) From Faith to Faithfulness *Healing & Health Series* (1) Ten Things You Should Know about Healing (2) Why Some Are Not Healed (3) How to Receive Your Divine Healing (4) Healing of Crushed Emotions & Disturbed Minds *Ministry Gifts Series* (1) Unfolding the Fivefold Ministry (2) The Ministry of an Apostle (3) The Ministry of a Prophet (4) The Ministry of an Evangelist  (5) The Ministry of a Pastor (6) The Ministry of a Teacher (7) Biblical Ministries Today (Questions & Answers) [coming soon] *Holiness & Heaven Series* (1) Preconditions for Heaven - Vol 1 (2) Preconditions for Heaven - Vol 2 *Marriage* (1) How to Find The Right Life Partner  (2) Why Marriages Break [12 Things That Can Make or Break Your Marriage] *Bible Course* (1) Basic Bible Course (2) Certificate in Christian Ministry *The Gifts of the Holy Spirit Series (School of the Super Supernatural)* [All are out, but Volume 5 will be out very soon] Volume 1: 10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Volume 2: UNDERSTANDING THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Volume 3: DISTRIBUTION OF THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Volume 4: ACTIVATING THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Volume 5: MINISTERING IN THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT *Others* How to Interpret Dreams and Visions Passion for the Lost How to Receive the Holy Spirit Fulfilling Your Divine Destiny Day of Reckoning: God's Formula for Eternal Rewards Identifying Counterfeit Ministries Sanctification: Changing from Inside Out O Suffering, Why Really Me? Intimacy with God The Pastor's Wife Why Some Churches Won't Grow! Just Before You Start a Church How to Prepare and Deliver Sermons Finding Your Own Ministry False Doctrines Exposed! How to Raise Money for Ministry *GIFTS AND CALLING SERIES* (Coming soon) 1. UNDERSTANDING THE CALL OF GOD [out] 2. PROVING YOUR CALL 3. PURSUING YOUR CALL 4. WHY SOME MINISTERS FAIL 5. FULFILLING YOUR CALL SCHOOL OF FINANCE SERIES VOLUME 1 — THE DIVINE LAWS OF MONEY VOLUME 2 — FINANCIAL FREEDOM VOLUME 3 — SECRETS OF FINANCIAL AND MATERIAL PROSPERITY VOLUME 4 — MINISTRY OF GIVING VOLUME 5 — MIRACLE MONEY *AUTHORITY SERIES* (COMING SOON) 1. UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUAL WARFARE 2. UNDERSTANDING BELIEVER’S AUTHORITY 3. UNDERSTANDING THE WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE 4. VICTORY OVER SPIRITUAL ATTACKS 5. FROM DELIVERANCE TO DOMINION *SPECIAL! SPECIAL! SPECIAL!* (A MUST READING/VIEW) (Google the following free of charge on the Internet and God will change your life forever.) 1. “Holiness Required For Heaven by Carillo from Bolivia” 2. “Eternal Destinations: Godly Attire and Adornment” 3. “Another Warning by Kingsley Ubani” 4. “Time Is Over : Run For Your Life by Kingsley Ubani” 5. “9 Testimonies on Tithing from Heaven and Hell Visions” 6. “The Dangers of Eating God’s Tithes and Offerings” 7. “The Visitation of Jesus to Samuel Oghenetega” (Crosscheck these testimonies with the Scriptures and if you have questions you may send us an email.) We have free materials online that will help you serve Him better. For prayers and enquiries, contact: Call: +2347032662663, +2348142543796 WhatsApp:  +2347032662663 Note:   For our regular Bible School program or Correspondence Bible School program in the comfort of your home, office, shop/store, and so on anywhere in the world (call/WhatsApp us today). Note: Please kindly send us your testimony to bless someone else. Get ready to testify soonest. God bless you real good!

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