AUDIO MESSAGE ON SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaawkkaHrDZmrkoooG0H/137

A 24-minute audio message titled SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS (A CONTINUATION OF EPHESIANS 1:3)

I pray it blesses you richly & brings you into a deeper consciousness & appropriation of what is yours in Christ Jesus! Amen!

AUDIO MESSAGE ON EPHESIANS 1:3

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaawkkaHrDZmrkoooG0H/132

An audio message on Ephesians 1:3 (20 minutes & 3 megabytes only); exploring the Fatherhood of God, our eternal, invariable state of blessedness and the appropriation of both.

God is your Father & you are blessed!

MEDITATION NOTES ON EPHESIANS 1:1

[1] Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

By the will of God: Not by the will of other men, not by his own will, but by the will of God. I am what I am by the will of God. It is what God has ordained me to be, not what I have desired or chosen to be. I am a prophet, teacher & pastor by the will of God. I am a servant/minister of the LORD Jesus Christ by the will of God. Not by the will of any man, not by my own will, but by the will of God.

To the saints (believers) which are at Ephesus: Every believer is a saint. The very fact that I have believed has made me a saint. I am sanctified by faith which is in Christ Jesus. Sanctified by believing in Christ and His finished redemptive work.

BELIEVER = SAINT.

There are saints at Ephesus, Ile-Ife, Calgary, everywhere. We are saints on earth, now; not in heaven, not later. Saints here, saints now.

SAINTS HERE & NOW.

And to the faithful in Christ Jesus: In Christ, we are the faithful. It's how God sees us. It's how He deems us. He deems us faithful in Christ. Because Christ is faithful, we are faithful. Full of faith & fidelity (faith & truth/loyalty). In Christ, God judges us loyal.

Hallelujah!

Glory to God forevermore!

THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

Ephesians 4:28: Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Notice that this verse was written to the Ephesian church, a body of believers, not unbelievers. A believer stole?! Wonders shall never end!😳

Right?😀

If it was an unbeliever that stole, the instruction would have been different. It would have been: "receive Jesus, then steal no more".

So to the believer in Christ Jesus: even if you stole yesterday, 2 hours ago or a minute ago (the time frame doesn't matter), at the moment that you're reading this, it is already past tense. That's not who you are now or what you do now. That's your past, that's the old nature still trying to creep up on you, latch on to you and control you. NOW STEAL NO MORE! It's an instruction and the grace to do it comes with it. Now labour, work with your hands something good. That you may have for one purpose: to give to the needy. You're no longer a taker, you're a giver now. God sees in you a giver, cooperate with that grace.

Don't do just any work, but what is good (beneficial) and can yield enough to give.

Such transformation!

The gospel of Jesus Christ not only makes sinners into saints, it makes takers into givers!

Hallelujah!

Ok, maybe YOU never stole, but you lied or fornicated, cheated or defrauded, gambled or killed, committed abortions or had your female sexual partner commit them; but you are born again. The instruction to the former thief still carries grace for you. DO IT NO MORE!

You are the new creation in Christ Jesus and you retain the capacity to cease from sin, to stop purely as an act of your will, for grace has delivered you from sin (Romans 6:12&14, Titus 2:11&12).

WALK FREE!

THE PARTNERSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRT

THE PARTNERSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, I am persuaded, is the single most important asset in the believer's life.

I was privileged by God's grace to share along these lines in 2 MESSAGES in 2 "sister-churches" in 2 months and it's my pleasure to share both with you today.

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaawkkaHrDZmrkoooG0H/124

Light dawns & grace abounds in Jesus' name!

AUDIO & VIDEO MESSAGES ON GOOD WORKS

*Good Works Part 1 at IIC 2021*

Please download at t.me/drjesutolaadewumi

Remember, the first 76 minutes are testimonies & worship, there's definitely something to be gained, but if you just wanna hear the Word (roughly 2 hours), you can fast-forward.

*Good Works Part 2 at IIC 2021*

Please download at t.me/drjesutolaadewumi

Remember, the first 25 minutes are testimonies, worship & prophetic instructions a bit specific to that house; there's definitely something to be gained, but if you just wanna hear the Word (roughly 2 hours), you can fast-forward.

*Good Works Audio at Cornerstone in 2024*

Please download at https://dq5pwpg1q8ru0.cloudfront.net/2024/02/06/16/07/04/d690a776-1cc2-4330-8583-c0413a809e47/240204.mp3

*Good Works Video at Cornerstone in 2024*

Please watch at https://www.youtube.com/live/fHPwjL3GD_o?si=XWf2Tu6m8_xOJRUi

The first 49 minutes in the video show the initial parts of the service (worship, communion etc.); there's definitely something to be gained, but if you just wanna hear the Word (roughly 45 minutes), you can fast-forward.

I pray these messages bless you, provoke you unto good works and empower you to take your place in God's agenda in this endtime in Jesus' name!

MEDITATION NOTES ON EPHESIANS 2:10 (GOOD WORKS PART 9) - CONCLUSION

What are these Good Works?

A. Industry: Good service towards an employer (or client)/master/leader (1Sam 19:4, Eph 4:28, Rom 12:11, Col 3:22-25)

-Your 9 to 5, your side gig, your business or your trade can be a good work if you do it the way God wants it done!

B. Holy living:

-1Pet 2:12 explains the good works in Mt 5:16 as those relating to our conduct before God & man.

-James 3:13 shows that wise and knowledgeable men live holy.

C. Ministry:

-Works done for the sake of God's people and God's name/house (Neh 5:19 &13:14).

-The office of a Bishop is a good work (1Tim 3:1), and the Bishop ought to represent good works in doctrine & all things (Titus 2:7)

D. Purpose:

-God's specific assignment for an individual (Eph 2:10, Jer 1:5, Acts 26:18, Mt 1:21)

-Helping/enhancing another person's assignment. (Mk 14:6-8 & Mt 26:10-12). This woman could not do a lot of things, but did the "little" she could, then Jesus showed us how powerful that "little" was. What CAN you do?

E. Power: Works of power done in the name of Jesus, exactly as Jesus did them, done now in His stead (Jn 10:32, Acts 10:38 & Jn 14:12, Mk 16:17-18).

F. Giving & hospitality:

-Readiness to distribute & willingness to communicate wealth. It's implication is that we're laying up a good foundation against the time to come & laying hold on eternal life (1Tim 6:18).

-Raising children, lodging strangers, washing the saints' feet & relieving the afflicted (1Tim 5:10).

-Good works & almsdeeds, taking care of widows (Acts 9:36&39).

-Pure & undefiled religion before God & the Father is to exercise oneself in good works (visit the fatherless & widows in their affliction, keep self unspotted from the world & bridle own tongue).

It simply is time to go be, time to go do, all that the Father has ordained!

MEDITATION NOTES ON EPHESIANS 2:10 (GOOD WORKS PART 8) - PREPARED UNTO EVERY GOOD WORK!

What Prepares us for Good Works?

F. Fellowship with other believers: in the assembly of believers, we are exhorted and we are provoked (stirred up) unto love and to good works (Heb 10:24). Or we're provoked unto love and love provokes us unto good works.

-The new birth gives us the nature of love. The Word feeds the nature of love. The Spirit supplies the force of love. Ministry gifts teach and instruct us in/on love. 

-Jesus, moved with compassion (a dimension of love), did good works of power. Good works of giving are to be motivated by love. All manners of good works are to be motivated by love.

-Love is the motive behind good works. They're not good if they're not love-motivated!

G. Prayer: in prayer, we receive revelation and strength (Col 1:10b&11a) and we activate grace for good works (Zech 12:10)

H. Purpose enhancers: they do a certain strategic good work that prepares us for our own good work(s) e.g. Mary Magdalene (Mt 26:10 & Mk 14:6).

-They can also play a part in our good works/assignment/purpose (Judas, Pilate & Caiaphas in the sacrifice of Jesus; the king who favoured Nehemiah, Aaron who spoke for Moses etc).

I. Diligence: diligence in our business prepares us for the good work of giving (Eph 4:28).

J. Knowing God and His will: this enables us to be fruitful in every good work (Col 1:9-11, Titus 1:16, Eph 1:16-18a).

-To know God is to know His will.

-Once we know God, we know His will; for we know Him and His will by His Word and His Spirit.

Finally: WHAT ARE THESE GOOD WORKS?

TO BE CONTINUED.....

MEDITATION NOTES ON EPHESIANS 2:10 (GOOD WORKS PART 7) - PREPARED UNTO EVERY GOOD WORK!

What Prepares us for Good Works?

A. The new birth/creation: we were purified by Christ Jesus & recreated in Christ Jesus, prepared for & zealous unto good works (Eph 2:10 & Titus 2:14).

-The new birth is not produced by good works, rather, it is the foundation of good works.

-Purification is not a good work or by good works. Jesus did it to prepare us for good works.

B. The Word of God: God's Word teaches/indoctrinates, rebukes/reproves, corrects and trains/instructs us in righteousness, thereby (making us perfect and) furnishing us for/unto all good works (2Tim 3:16&17)

-God establishes us in every good work by establishing us in every good word (2Thess 2:17)

C. The Spirit of God: He works in us to will & to do good works and comes upon us to empower us to do good works (Phil 1:6, 2:13 & Heb 13:21, Acts 10:38)

-He works in us desire, ability, performance & revelation (DAPR).

-Concerning revelation: the Spirit is the revealer. He shows us the good works that the Father has pre-ordained & causes us to walk in them, leads us in doing them. He's the Lord of the harvest. (1Cor 2:9&10).

D. Ministry gifts: Ministry gifts, especially pastors & teachers, exemplify & teach good works to those of us to whom they minister (Titus 2:7 & 3:8). They also pray for the flock of God (Col 1:10).

-As a ministry gift, I exemplify & teach good works to those to whom I minister. I teach, exhort, train etc.

-Ministry gifts are given for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, which is a good work (Eph 4:11&12)

E. Holy living (Consecration): Christ has purified us in the new birth; and if we will purge & cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh & spirit and perfect holiness in the fear of God, we will be vessels unto honour, sanctified, meet for the Master's use and prepared unto every good work (Titus 2:14, 2Tim 2:21 & 2Cor 7:1). Hallelujah!

TO BE CONTINUED...

MEDITATION NOTES ON EPHESIANS 2:10 (GOOD WORKS PART 6) - WHY GOOD WORKS?

Believing Women, Ministers, Believing Citizens and Rich Believers; why Good Works?

A. Believing citizens should do good works so that they will not go against the rulers/law and incur their/its wrath (Romans 13:3).

B. Believing citizens should do good works so that they might receive commendation and praise from rulers (Romans 13:3).

C. Believing citizens should do good works so that they might enjoy the ministry of rulers (Romans 13:4).

D. Believing citizens should do good works for the sake of conscience (Romans 13:5).

E. Believing women should do good works because good works are an adornment for them (1Timothy 2:9&10).

F. Believing women should do good works because good works are becoming to them (who profess godliness) (1Timothy 2:10).

G. Ministers should do good works because ministry itself is a good work (1Timothy 3:1).

H. Ministers should do good works to show themselves as a pattern for other believers (including the ones to whom they directly minister) (Titus 2:7).

I. Rich believers should do good works (of giving) because doing good works is laying up a good foundation against the time to come and laying hold on eternal life (1Timothy 6:17-19).

J. Believing citizens should do good works because the Scriptures instruct us to be ready to EVERY good work, even before earthly authorities, and to be obedient to them (Titus 3:1).

Up next: WHAT PREPARES US FOR GOOD WORKS?

MEDITATION NOTES ON EPHESIANS 2:10 (GOOD WORKS PART 5) - WHY GOOD WORKS?

The Scriptures address 5 categories of believers who should definitely do good works (with some good works a little more specific to each group than others):

1. All believers

2. Women

3. Ministers/ministry gifts/leaders

4. Citizens

5. The rich

16 Reasons Believers should Do Good Works.

A. We are created unto pre-ordained good works (Ephesians 2:10).

B. Doing good works is shining our light (Matthew 5:16, 1Peter 2:12).

C. Doing good works brings glory to the Father (Matthew 5:16, 1Peter 2:12).

D. Glory, honour and peace are a reward for good works (Romans 2:7&10).

E. Abounding in every good work is the ultimate end/purpose of God's grace abounding towards us. We have grace for good works, and it is for good works we have grace (2Corinthians 9:8).

F. Good works are a huge part of our fruitfulness (Colossians 1:10 & Titus 3:14). The absence of good works actually equals unfruitfulness.

G. Our good works are pleasing to God (Colossians 1:10).

H. Good works form a substantial part of our report by men (1Timothy 5:10).

I. God wants us established in every good work (2Thessalonians 2:17).

J. That's what God's Word prepares/furnishes us for (2Timothy 3:16&17).

K. Our works show our true knowledge/ignorance of God. Our good works show that we truly know God (Titus 1:16).

L. It's the end to which Christ died for us, that we might be a people prepared for and zealous of good works (Titus 2:14).

M. Good works are profitable (Titus 3:8) to both the doer and the receiver.

N. Good works are God's will for us (Hebrews 13:21).

O. Good works show (meekness of) wisdom and knowledge (James 3:13).

P. Good works are a part of our good/honest conversation or conduct among men (James 3:13 & 1Peter 2:12).

Believing Women, Ministers, Believing Citizens and Rich Believers; why Good Works?

TO BE CONTINUED.....

MEDITATION NOTES ON EPHESIANS 2:10 (GOOD WORKS PART 4)

Good works which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.....

These good works are specific.

They're not just any works we consider good, but the works God considers good. In certain cases, perhaps, the works God considers good for you as an individual, different from another individual.

These good works are divinely pre-ordained.

They thus need to be discovered from the One who planned & pre-ordained them. Discovered from Him through His Word & His Spirit, for both were there when He planned the works and are His means of communicating with us.

Pictures in Good Works:

1. David: his service to King Saul was said to be "very good" (1Samuel 19:4)

2. Nehemiah: the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem was a good work he received grace to do (Nehemiah 2:18)

3. Mary Magdalene: she worshipped Jesus in a strange way, preparing His body for burial (helping Him in His assignment) and Jesus called it a good work (Matthew 26:10 & Mark 14:6)

4. Jesus: He did good works, showed/demonstrated good works, taught good works and was reputed of for good works (including healing the oppressed and sick, performing miracles, destroying the works of the devil, and giving to the poor). His ultimate good work was our redemption.

5. Tabitha: she was full of good works i.e. almsdeeds and taking care of widows (Acts 9:36).

6. God: He is doing a good work in us (growing us, making us more like Jesus, inspiring His will in us, stirring us to do good works). Philippians 1:6 & 2:13.

MEDITATION NOTES ON EPHESIANS 2:10 (GOOD WORKS PART 3)

Created in Christ Jesus, recreated in Christ Jesus, a new creature/creation (1Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 6:15).

The new creation is created in Christ Jesus.

We're created unto good works.

I'm created unto good works.

In Christ Jesus, I'm created unto good works that God has before ordained that I should walk in.

Good is "Agathos" in the Greek. It means "good, benefit, well, goods".

Works is "Ergon". It means "act, deed, doing, labour, work". From "ergo-" which is work/toil as an effort or occupation. Remember ergonomics?

There are good works, beneficial deeds pre-ordained, made ready by God for me to do, to walk in them.

The Father works (John 5:17), Jesus worked (on earth) & still works in heaven (John 9:4 & Hebrews 7:25), the Spirit worked in Jesus & works now in us (John 14:10 & Philippians 2:13), so I work, so we work! We work the Father's pre-ordained good works, just as Jesus worked the Father's works.

MEDITATION NOTES ON EPHESIANS 2:10 (GOOD WORKS PART 2)

Workmanship is the Greek Word "poiema". It means "product, fabric, thing that is made, workmanship".

I am God's workmanship, God's product, God's fabric, that which God has made.

I am not a defective product, I am a perfect product, made exactly as intended, according to specification. I have passed the tests of God's standard. I've been certified and stamped, God's workmanship.

Made by God, made in heaven, made in Christ Jesus. Not made in China or Nigeria or Canada, but made in Christ Jesus.

Fit for use, fit for purpose; God's workmanship.

I am "Iseoluwa", "ise owo Oluwa".

Not of works. I am not my own workmanship. I am God's workmanship.

I am not the work of any man's hands. I am God's workmanship.

MEDITATION NOTES ON EPHESIANS 2:10 (GOOD WORKS PART 1)

Ephesians 1:3-2:10

God blessed us, chose us etc., we are His workmanship, created in Christ unto good works.

Ephesians 1:4 & 2:10

Before the foundation of the world, God had good works He needed done. However, only a creation that is holy and blameless could possibly koinonia (commune intimately and partner in doing those good works) with the Godhead. So God chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless before Him in love; so we can koinonia (commune intimately and partner) with Him to do those good works.

He has certified and qualified us fit. Fit for koinonia: fit for intimate communion, fit for purposeful partnership. Fit for this purpose. Fit for purpose. Fit for good works.