*SANCTIFICATION SERIES — Every Sunday* *LESSON 3* Sunday 3rd March, 2024 (Released Tuesday 5th March, 2024) Ministering: Segun Olumide *PART 1: REASONS WHY THERE IS ZERO OR LOW SANCTIFICATION IN THE CHURCH, ESPECIALLY AMONG LEADERSHIP* *LESSON 3: Reason 3: SOME CHURCHES ARE GROWING FASTER IN QUANTITY (MEMBERSHIP & BRANCHES) THAN IN QUALITY (STRENGTH & CHARACTER)* *BE NEITHER A HORSE NOR A MULE!* Psalm 32:9 KJV *BE YE NOT AS THE HORSE, OR AS THE MULE, WHICH HAVE NO UNDERSTANDING: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.* A horse is fast while a mule is slow. But, the Lord wants us to go at the speed of neither a horse nor a mule. Both of them do not have understanding of timing. Rather, He wants us to go at His own divine pace or speed. I remember Kenneth E. Hagin said that the Lord told him that He would rather have him to be slow than fast. You see, when you are too fast, you can easily miss God by outrunning Him and His plan and purpose for you! *STAY WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF GOD'S PLAN FOR YOU!* 2 Cor.10.13 NLT But we will not boast of authority we do not have. *OUR GOAL IS TO STAY WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF GOD'S PLAN FOR US,* and this plan includes our working there with you. God's plan for us has boundaries. And we must stay within those safe boundaries, or else we would do more harm than good, bring more woes than blessings to others and ourselves. 2 Cor.10.13 NIV *WE, HOWEVER, WILL NOT BOAST BEYOND PROPER LIMITS, BUT WILL CONFINE OUR BOASTING TO THE FIELD GOD HAS ASSIGNED TO US,* a field that reaches even to you. We should not boast beyond proper limits, but confine our boasting to our God-assigned territory or field. It's not wise to boast of having 1,000 Church branches or parishes in an area when it's beyond our God-assigned territory or field. 2 Cor.10.13 AMP *WE, ON THE OTHER HAND, WILL NOT BOAST BEYOND OUR LEGITIMATE PROVINCE AND PROPER LIMIT, BUT WILL KEEP WITHIN THE LIMITS [OF OUR COMMISSION WHICH] GOD HAS ALLOTTED US AS OUR MEASURING LINE* and which reaches and includes even you. We should not boast beyond our legitimate province and proper limit, but should keep within the limits [of our commission which] God has allotted us as our measuring line. So, there is legitimate province and illegitimate province. And there is proper limit and improper limit. I'm fully convinced that when a truly apostolic Church spreads faster than God's speed, wider than their God-assigned territory and/or overcrowds their divinely assigned territory with illegitimate Church provinces and mushrooming branches, then there is big trouble! Yes, when apostolic Churches are growing faster in quantity (membership and branches) than in quality (strength and character), then there will surely be zero or low sanctification in the Churches, especially among leadership. When Church growth is measured by physicality above spirituality, then we have missed the Lord because it's first spirituality, then second physicality. A wise minister said some years ago that Christianity in Africa is 1,000 miles or kilometres wide, but 1 inch deep! That's true because believers are multiplying very fast in Africa; sinners are getting born again every now and then. Thank God for that! But, our evangelism or soulwinning is stronger than our discipleship. Similarly, Churches are multiplying very fast in Africa, most especially in Nigeria; many pastors are coming into ministry. Thank God for that, as well! But, sadly, most of them are either spiritual babes or novices who need be well discipled or not called by God for such a noble assignment. Heb.5.4 NIV *NO ONE TAKES THIS HONOR UPON HIMSELF; HE MUST BE CALLED BY GOD, JUST AS AARON WAS.* 1 Timothy 3:1,6 KJV *This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. [6] Not A NOVICE, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.* Let's see verse 6 above in some other versions below: 1Tim.3.6 NLT *AN ELDER MUST NOT BE A NEW CHRISTIAN, BECAUSE HE MIGHT BE PROUD OF BEING CHOSEN SO SOON, AND THE DEVIL WILL USE THAT PRIDE TO MAKE HIM FALL.* 1Tim.3.6 MSG *HE MUST NOT BE A NEW BELIEVER, LEST THE POSITION GO TO HIS HEAD AND THE DEVIL TRIP HIM UP.* (Though a bishop [elder or overseer] is akin to a temporary pastor, nevertheless we can learn from the qualifications for choosing him in 1 Timothy 3.) You see, it's dangerous for apostles and apostolic Churches to try to have more influence or fame than God has given them! It causes them to derail and lose their godliness. 2 Timothy 3:5 KJV *HAVING A FORM OF GODLINESS, BUT DENYING THE POWER THEREOF: FROM SUCH TURN AWAY.* Their greatest temptation will be to lower God's standard so that they can have and maintain the crowd while they miss the cloud of glory (see Exodus 40:36-38). Someone said: "Don't follow the crowd; follow the cloud!" *HURRIED GROWTH* Jonah.4.5-11, NLT *5 Then Jonah went out to the east side of the city and made a shelter to sit under as he waited to see if anything would happen to the city. 6 - And the LORD God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah's head, shading him from the sun. This eased some of his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant. 7 - But God also prepared a worm! The next morning at dawn the worm ate through the stem of the plant, so that it soon died and withered away. 8 - And as the sun grew hot, God sent a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah. The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint and wished to die. "Death is certainly better than this!" he exclaimed. 9 - Then God said to Jonah, "Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?Yes," Jonah retorted, "even angry enough to die!" 10 - Then the LORD said, "You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. And a plant is only, at best, short lived. 11 - But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn't I feel sorry for such a great city?"* This story above tells us about the plant that grew up very quickly and died off very quickly. We could say that the plant grew up overnight and died within few moments. It was short-lived! It reminds me of mushrooms that spring up overnight and die within few hours. Some Churches are like mushrooms in the spirit. They are weak. They don't have long-lasting spiritual impact. The major concern is that Churches growing faster in quantity (membership and branches) than in quality (strength and character) produce zero or low sanctification among the brethren, especially among leadership. For instance, it's far better to have 1,000 Church branches that are strong and healthy than 10,000 Church branches that are weak and sick. Or else, we would have large membership and great affluence with little or no godly influence. It's totally unScriptural to strive to establish a Church branch in every street in a city, state or nation. They can have home cells or house fellowship centres in many streets in a city, but, not have Church branches in almost every street. That was neither Paul's method nor Peter's. No precedence in the New Testament. Study the Acts of the Apostles prayerfully, carefully and patiently with emphasis on Paul's and Peter's missionary journeys. 2 Cor.10.15-16 NLT *15 Nor do we claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow and that our work among you will be greatly enlarged. 16 - THEN WE WILL BE ABLE TO GO AND PREACH THE GOOD NEWS IN OTHER PLACES THAT ARE FAR BEYOND YOU, WHERE NO ONE ELSE IS WORKING. THEN THERE WILL BE NO QUESTION ABOUT BEING IN SOMEONE ELSE'S TERRITORY.* Rather than practise "transferred Church membership" (transfer growth, as someone said) mistaken for Church growth, why not go to the regions beyond as led by the Spirit? Research will tell you that if a child's growth or development is hurried, eventually, it backfires on the child, the parents and the society. For example, if a boy who is supposed to be in primary 2 is cleverly manipulated to primary 4 so that he could have a fast education, he will get to a senior class before he's ready for it. But, he will behave like a junior while in a senior class because of the hurried development. A Church that has hurried growth will experience a similar phenomenon. *UNHEALTHY GROWTH* 2Tim.2.17 AMP *And their teaching [will devour; it] will EAT ITS WAY LIKE CANCER or SPREAD LIKE GANGRENE. So it is with Hymenaeus and Philetus,* Cancer is a kind of growth. Fibroid is also a kind of growth. But they are unhealthy growth. Gangrene is deadness of soft body tissues. And it spreads fast. Unfortunately, some of our Churches are 'pregnant with fibroids.' That's unhealthy false pregnancy which could be deceiving, disturbing and deadly! Also, some of our so-called big Churches are full of fast-growing cancer (sin), which has sucked life and power out of them! Also, obesity makes one big and unhealthy because it's a disease. Some of what we call Church growth today is nothing but Church cancer or Church obesity. Just as it's unhealthy to hasten or force the ripening of fruits chemically, so is it unhealthy to hasten or force Church growth mechanically. *POWER OF CONCENTRATED GROWTH* Study Paul's method of Church growth to understand the power of concentrated growth. In the book, *"THE PURPOSE DRIVEN CHURCH,"* Rick Waren wrote: *"A Clear Purpose Allows Concentration* *Focused light has tremendous power. Diffused light has no power at all. For instance, by focusing the power of the sun through a magnifying glass, you can set a leaf on fire. But you can’t set a leaf on fire if the same sunlight is unfocused. When light is concentrated at an even higher level, like a laser beam, it can even cut through a block of steel. The principle of concentration works in other areas too. A focused life and a focused church will have far greater impact than unfocused ones. Like a laser beam, the more focused your church becomes, the more impact it will have on society. The reason for this is that a clear purpose allows you to concentrate your effort. Paul knew this. He said, “I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing, forgetting what is behind and looking forward to what lies ahead” (Phil. 3:13 LB). One of the common temptations I see many churches falling for today is the trap of majoring in the minors. They become distracted by good, but less important, agendas, crusades, and purposes. The energy of the church is diffused and dissipated; the power is lost. If you want your church to make an impact on the world, you must major in the majors.... In my opinion, most churches try to do too much. This is one of the most overlooked barriers to building a healthy church: We wear out people...."* When making mince pie (meat pie), it's important not overflatten the dough with the rolling pin lest it should be too thin to carry the mince before baking. Apostolic Churches should neither underspread nor overspread. Too much of everything is not good. For instance, too much of honey is not good. Read this verse below carefully: Prov.25.27 AMP *IT IS NOT GOOD TO EAT MUCH HONEY; SO FOR MEN TO SEEK GLORY, THEIR OWN GLORY, CAUSES SUFFERING AND IS NOT GLORY.* When we plant too many Church branches in a particular city, it's not good. This verse above puts overdoing things as: *"... FOR MEN TO SEEK GLORY, THEIR OWN GLORY, CAUSES SUFFERING AND IS NOT GLORY.* The third reason why there is zero or low sanctification in the Church, especially among leadership is that some Churches are growing faster in quantity (membership and branches) than in quality (strength and character). Hence, we produce half-baked ministers who can only reproduce half-baked saints. Hos.7.8 NLT *"My people of Israel mingle with godless foreigners, picking up their evil ways. NOW THEY HAVE BECOME AS WORTHLESS AS A HALF-BAKED CAKE!* *LIKE PRIESTS, LIKE PEOPLE* Like priests, like people. Like ministers, like saints. Like ministers, like Church members. Hos.4.6-9 NLT *6 My people are being destroyed because they don't know me. It is all your fault, you priests, for you yourselves refuse to know me. Now I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten the laws of your God, I will forget to bless your children. 7 - The more priests there are, the more they sin against me. They have exchanged the glory of God for the disgrace of idols. 8 - "The priests get fed when the people sin and bring their sin offerings to them. So the priests are glad when the people sin! 9 - `LIKE PRIESTS, LIKE PEOPLE'--SINCE THE PRIESTS ARE WICKED, THE PEOPLE ARE WICKED, TOO. SO NOW I WILL PUNISH BOTH PRIESTS AND PEOPLE FOR ALL THEIR WICKED DEEDS.* Did you see what verse 9 above say? *9 - `LIKE PRIESTS, LIKE PEOPLE'--SINCE THE PRIESTS ARE WICKED, THE PEOPLE ARE WICKED, TOO. SO NOW I WILL PUNISH BOTH PRIESTS AND PEOPLE FOR ALL THEIR WICKED DEEDS.* The holiness crisis, the corruption dialemma in the Church today is a leadership issue. In other words, this verse 9 is saying that the ministers are unholy (unsanctified), the saints are unholy (unsanctified), too. So, the Lord will punish both for their filthiness. Regretfully, we ordain as pastors professionals like bankers, lawyers, engineers, doctors, pharmacists, accountants, economists, professors, microbiologists, pilots and so on because they have university certificates, speak good English, have charisma and have money they are willing to spend to plant new Church branches or grow existing ones numerically. What a collective shame in our search for fame! *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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