Unity and Spiritual Growth in Faith

Mar 18, 2025

Lecture Notes: Bind Us Together in Love and Heal Our Hearts

Opening Prayer and Worship

  • Invocation for unity in the name of Jesus.
  • Request for healing from offenses and bitterness.
  • Calls for God's mercy and grace.
  • Desire for genuine love and unity among believers.
  • Welcoming of the Holy Spirit, referenced as "I am," into the congregation.
  • Worship includes exalting and thanking God for His presence.

Prayer for the Speaker

  • Request for God to take control of the service.
  • Prayer for utterance and transformation through spoken words.

Welcome and Peace

  • Greetings to congregation members, including first-timers and those online.
  • Special mention and greetings to church leaders, Pastor and Mrs. Tunde Bakare.
  • Reflection on the unusual year of elevation and grace.
  • Congratulatory acknowledgment for those born in September.

Rich Teachings and Reflection

  • Acknowledgment of God's faithfulness throughout the year.
  • Reminder of the spiritual journey from the beginning of the year: God on Board, Citadel Tour, and series on the Preeminence of Jesus Christ.
  • Call for Jesus to be preeminent in all aspects of life and church.

Main Topic: Life Lessons from a Shining Star

  • Introduction to the topic of shining stars, wandering stars, and fallen stars.
  • Biblical foundation: Daniel 12:3 – turn many to righteousness.
  • The role of the Holy Spirit in distinguishing shining stars from others.

Lessons from the Book of Esther

  • Key Characters: Esther and Mordecai as shining stars.
  • Historical context: Tribe of Benjamin, connections to wandering stars like Shimei and Saul.

Haman the Agagite

  • Background as a wandering star and descendant of King Agag.
  • His lineage traced to Amalekites and Esau, associated with wandering and fallen stars.

Prayer Points

  • Prayers for guidance in making righteous choices.
  • Supplication for children to make godly decisions.
  • Appeal for God to remove rebellion and partial obedience.

Understanding the Times

  • Comparison of the Princes of Persia and the Sons of Issachar.
  • The Princes of Persia: counterfeits with deceptive wisdom.
  • Sons of Issachar: true understanding and knowledge.

Closing Prayer

  • Request for discernment and obedience to the Holy Spirit.
  • Gratitude for the message and prayer for the rest of the service.

Note: These notes summarize a sermon that intertwines spiritual themes, biblical history, and moral lessons, focusing on living as shining stars in faith. The lecture includes biblical references and a call for spiritual growth and unity.