ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN TO ANY PEOPLE IS TO DEDICATE A DAY TO JESUS, THE KING OF KINGS
I WISH THAT ALL THE STATES IN THIS COUNTRY WILL HAVE A DAY IN WHICH THEY CAN HONOUR JEHOVAH LIKE THIS, AND WE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME
WE COMMISERATE WITH BAYELSA STATE FOR THE TERRIBLE, DEVASTATING FLOOD SITUATION WE SAW
WHAT WE HEARD AND READ ABOUT WAS NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT WE SAW AS WE WERE LANDING FROM THE AIR. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE.
“I ASK THAT EVERYONE WHO HAS A HEART FOR THE PEOPLE AND A HEART FOR GOD, JOIN FORCES WITH BAYELSA AND EVERYONE IN THIS TERRITORY, WHERE THERE’S THIS DEVASTATING FLOOD”: PASTOR PAUL ENENCHE PASSIONATELY APPEALS AS HE PLEDGES CASH AND MATERIAL COMMITMENT TO THE IDPs
GOD IS ABOUT TO STEP INTO BAYELSA AND IT’S GOING TO TAKE THE WORLD BY SURPRISE, IT’S GOING TO TAKE THE DEVIL BY SURPRISE
IF YOUR SITUATION CANNOT STOP YOUR PRAISE, THEN YOUR PRAISE WILL SWALLOW YOUR SITUATION
THE GRACE OF GOD AND THE MERCY OF GOD ARE THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL NECESSITIES OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
WITHOUT THE GRACE OF GOD, NOBODY CAN BE SAVED AND WITHOUT THE MERCY OF GOD, SINS CANNOT BE FORGIVEN
NOBODY CAN BECOME ANYTHING APART FROM THE GRACE OF GOD
ANYBODY WHO STRUGGLES TO BE MADE WITHOUT GRACE WILL EXPERIENCE DISGRACE
ANYWHERE SOMETHING IS EASY, IT IS GRACE. ANYWHERE THERE’S SPEED, IT IS GRACE
FAVOUR YOU DON’T DESERVE HAPPENS BY GRACE
MERCY BYPASSES HUMAN EFFORTS AND ABILITY, TO OFFER YOU INTO DIVINE OPPORTUNITY AND POSSIBILITY
MERCY IS WHAT FRUSTRATES THE NEGATIVE EXPECTATION OF BAD PEOPLE
THE WORST THING ANYBODY CAN DO IS TO ATTACK THE CANDIDATE OF GOD’S MERCY
MERCY WITHHOLDS FROM YOU, CONSEQUENCES THAT ARE DESERVED
ANYBODY WHO KNOWS HOW TO PRAISE GOD AND GIVE GOD THANKS WILL EXPERIENCE MERCY
PRIDE EXCUSES YOU FROM THE GRACE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR
ANYTHING YOU WANT GOD TO DO FOR YOU, DO FOR MAN
- Dr. Pastor Paul Enenche on “THE GRACE AND MERCY OF GOD” || Bayelsa State Annual Thanksgiving Service || Yenogoa, Bayelsa State.
Go ahead and let us give the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, the I am that I am, the God who was, the God who is and the God who is to come. The God who was not created, was not appointed, was not selected, was not elected, but His position can never be contested. Church Gist. The Ageless, changeless, tireless, weariless and limitless God. Give Him a big clap and a loud shout of praise.
We give honour to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, the I am that I am, the God of all lives. We want to also appreciate here our former president, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for a great legacy. Governor Seriake Dickson, for all that God has done in this land. One of the best things that can happen to any people is to dedicate a day to Jesus, to the King of Kings. Church Gist. It doesn’t matter what you got wrong, if you get that one right, you got too many things right. I want to congratulate Bayelsa state. I wish that all the states in this country will have a day in which they can honour Jehovah like this, and we’ll never be the same. Congratulations, Governor Diri for the forcefulness with which everything is going on as they should go, especially with regard to honouring God and we’re appreciative of being here today. The Lord bless Bayelsa.
We want to join everyone who spoke today to commiserate with Bayelsa state for the terrible, devastating flood situation we saw. We heard of it, we read about it but it was nothing compared to what we saw as we were landing from the air. It was absolutely unbelievable. I had to ask my wife, I said, “look around”, and we began to look at houses submerged in water. Church Gist. It was unbelievable. I didn’t know what to do, whether to cry, I didn’t know what to do, but we want you to know that in the midst of trouble, in the midst of the waters, Jehovah is with us and I want to appreciate God that God has not forsaken us. I want to appeal to every good-hearted person starting from the government of this nation, the least that can be done is to pay a visit to the place. Church Gist. Just take a look at the situation, even without doing anything yet, just look at what has happened, I believe that that will go a long way to encourage the people of the land. I ask that everyone who has a heart for the people and a heart for God, join forces with Bayelsa and everyone in this territory, where there’s this devastating flood. I’m going to make a commitment on behalf of our Church and myself, I won’t say it in words now, maybe I’ll talk to the Chief Executive at the end of the day. Church Gist. Whatever we’re going to do, we’re going to make cash contribution and also make material contribution to the IDP camp. I just asked the man of God now, and he told me about 3 or 4 camps, we’re going to do as much as we can, and recruit as many as possible to do as much as they can for these camps and we believe that the Lord will help us. Church Gist. But there’s something that is happening now that the governor made reference to, people’s houses are submerged. On our way coming, we saw people who are still hanging around the houses that are submerged in water. Coming into this ecumenical centre here, we had to drive through some little water before we drove in right here, and then in the middle of this, people are coming out daring the flood and daring everything to come and say thank you to God, to come and praise and honour God. Church Gist. I can tell you something, when Paul and Silas prayed in the middle of adversity, they were in adversity, everything was wrong, they were inside the prison, and yet, they decided to give thanks to God, God caused the prison doors to open. When the children of Israel gave praises to God in front of the wall of Jericho, the wall of Jericho collapsed in front of them. When Jehosaphat and the army of Judah was surrounded with the Ammonites and the Moabites, and they didn’t know where to turn to, as if they were going to be swallowed up and consumed. Church Gist. Instead of doing anything else, they began to praise, all of a sudden, God stepped in and set an ambush, that is what is happening in Bayelsa right now. There’s a situation around us but we’re praising God, we’re here to honour God, we’re here to adore God. Church Gist. I am telling you, God is about to step into Bayelsa. It’s going to take the world by surprise, it’s going to take the devil by surprise.
- anybody believe that, shout the loudest Amen.
Don’t forget this for as long as you live before I preach, if your situation cannot stop your praise, then your praise will swallow your situation. If there’s a situation of life, because everybody can praise God when things are right. It is easy to praise God when things are right. Church Gist. Praise becomes a sacrifice when you’re praising God and it is not convenient, when things are not in order, and yet, you decided to praise God, which is what we’re doing in Bayelsa right now. If your situation cannot stop your praise, if your problem cannot stop your praise, then your praise will swallow up your problem and stop your situation.
- I am anointed to announce to Bayelsa state, help is coming your way. Jehovah God is giving Bayelsa intervention, and this situation shall be stopped, in Jesus’ precious name.
Father, bless your Word, let not one person leave here the same way they came, in Jesus’ precious name.
I want to read quickly from the book of Hebrews 4:16. This afternoon, very briefly, I want to speak on the subject, “The Grace and Mercy of God”. Hebrews 4:16. Our objective is to understand the place or the value of the Grace of God and the mercy of God, in the lives of God’s people. By way of introduction, it’s important to note that the grace of God and the mercy of God are the most fundamental necessities of the Christian faith. Church Gist. Ephesians 2:8-9. Without the grace of God, nobody can be saved and without the mercy of God, sins cannot be forgiven, without the mercy of God, even Heaven may not be a possibility. Psalm 130:3-4.
- somebody say, “the Grace of God and the mercy of God”.
The meaning of that is two folds.
- That the grace and the mercy of God are the most important assets of a Christian. Church Gist. Nobody can be called a Christian without the grace and the mercy of God.
- Everytime we approach God for grace, he also releases mercy to us. He said, “let us come to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy”. When we apply for grace, He gives us His mercy.
My main assignment right now is, “what will grace do apart from the general thing that the grace does?” The most important, which is salvation. And what will mercy do?
- The Grace of God is behind the making of a man. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10. It is the grace of God that will make anybody what they’ll become. Church Gist. Nobody can become anything apart from the grace of God. Our former president just told us now how he had come out of Bayelsa state that will have the least number of votes, if you’re to go by voting, and yet became the president of the federal republic of Nigeria, not by population or anything, but by the grace of God. The making of man is by the grace of God. Church Gist. Anybody who struggles to be made without grace will experience disgrace. The making of man is by the grace of God.
- I announce to someone here today, grace shall make you into what you’re meant to be. Grace shall make Bayelsa into what Bayelsa is meant to be. You believe that, say a loud Amen.
Nothing significant can come out of a man without grace.
What will the grace do?
- Grace is behind the life of ease and speed. Anywhere something is easy, it is grace. Anywhere there’s speed, it is grace. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10. “It was easy for me to be an apostle by the grace of God, I was the latecomer apostle that became the frontliner” because when Jesus called Peter and John, Paul was still a sinner and was still persecuting the Church. Church Gist. Paul came behind and after the crucifixion had happened and yet he came and became the number one apostle. He overtook those that were in front of him by the Grace of God. If it’s going to be easy, it’ll take grace, if there’s going to be speed, it’ll take grace. Without grace, it’ll be difficult, whether it’s in ministry, business, politics, whatever it is, it’ll take the grace of God.
- I announce to Bayelsa state, the grace for ease is coming right now. I announce to someone here, the grace for ease and speed is coming right now.
Even the situation of Bayelsa today, I believe that the grace of God will make it easy. For the people to be surviving the way they’re surviving, despite the thing that we have found ourselves, it can only take grace.
- somebody say, “Grace!”
- The grace of God connects with underserved favour. Favour you don’t deserve happens by Grace. That is why it is called unmerited favour. Favour you don’t deserve both with God or with man. Paul the Apostle was a persecutor of the Church and he began to proclaim the same gospel he persecuted, he did that by Grace. Church Gist. There are many of us, once in a while, you walk into favours, and you’re wondering, “what brought me here? Why am I here? How did I get here?” It takes the grace of God.
- Grace is coming for somebody, grace is coming for Bayelsa, grace is coming for the land! If you believe that, say a loud Amen.
Now, let’s go to mercy. The difference between grace and mercy. There’s a slight difference.
- Mercy qualifies the unqualified. When man says a person is not qualified, mercy qualifies the person. Church Gist. Mercy will qualify a people that are considered unqualified. That is why the Bible said, “It is not of Him that willeth, it is not of him that runneth, but it is of God that showeth mercy”. Romans 9:16. People say, “he’s not the right person”, mercy says, “he’s the right person”. People say, “he’s not qualified”, mercy says, “he’s overqualified”
- shout, “mercy!”
The meaning of that is, mercy bypasses human efforts and ability, to offer you into divine opportunity and possibility. Your effort and your ability, not withstanding, God steps you into possibilities and opportunities. Church Gist. If it was left for human beings, many of us, we’ll not be where we are. Many people will not near anywhere, it is just by the mercy of God.
-somebody say, “mercy!”
- Mercy restraints the anger and the wrath of the enemy. The devil was angry with you, wicked people are angry with you for whatever you did or did not do, they wanted to finish you, but mercy said, “No”. Mercy restraints the wrath and anger of the enemy. Church Gist. Mercy is what frustrates the negative expectation of bad people. You know, this world is so terrible that there are people who hate you just because you’re alive. Your offense is that you’re alive, that you look fine is a pain to some people. There are people that they ask questions, “are you still alive?”. That you’re alive is a pain to some people. They kept on wishing for evil. How they wish they can hear that you’re on admission in the hospital, how they wish they can hear that you have a police case or in prison. Church Gist. “But who is he that saith it and it cometh to pass when the Lord commandeth it not?” God is the one who frustrates the token of liars and maketh diviners mad, He disappoints the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise. Psalm 20:7. Proverbs 18:10. Some people are thinking, “let the flood finish Bayelsa, let the government of the state be in confusion and come into absolute struggle, let them come under pressure and tension”, but Mercy said, “No”.
- I prophesy upon Bayelsa, you shall fulfill your days. The purpose of God for your life shall come to pass. The mercy of God is speaking for you right now. If you believe that, say a loud Amen.
Psalm 136:24.
- Whereas Grace you don’t deserve, Mercy withholds from you, consequences that are deserved. Church Gist. You made a mistake, you deserved to be sacked and mercy stepped in. Mercy holds back consequences that are deserved. When Cain killed Abel, God cursed Cain, He said, “a vagabond and a fugitive shall you be on the face of the earth, you shall be a placeless nonentity, you’ll be on the run from everybody”. Do you know what Cai said? Cain said to God, “my punishment is too much for me, I know I offended, I know I called my brother”, and the God of mercy placed a mark on the forehead of Cain. He said, “I am the one who cursed you but in my mercy, I now mark you, nobody can kill you, you’re protected from death”. That Cain that was meant to be a fugitive and a vagabond, married a wife and built a city and became a projector of a generation. Genesis 4:10-15. Church Gist. You were wrong, and you say, “Lord, I am sorry”, and He says, “okay, take Mercy”. “You deserve to die, but in my mercy, since you’re sorry, I will make you to live”. “You deserve to be sacked, you deserve to be jailed”, that is why in some law courts, they tell us to tamper justice with mercy. “I know that justice demands this but your Lordship, let mercy come in”. James 2:13. In the economy of God, if you place judgment here, and you place mercy here, mercy will triumph over judgement.
- I don’t know who is here today, you have done some things in your life and you deserve very harsh punishments and judgments, you deserve some negative consequences, I came all the way from Abuja to let you know that in the name of Jesus, as you show to God that you’re sorry, Mercy shall speak for you!
- Mercy occasions the judgment of the enemy. Those who want you dead, when God shows mercy on you, He releases judgment on them, so that he diggeth a pit shall fall therein. Church Gist. Anytime there’s a gangup against your life, one of the best prayers you can pray is “mercy Lord”, because God mercy on one man is His anger against those who came against the man. The Bible said, “He brought Isreal out of Egypt for His mercy endureth forever. He slew Pharaoh, for His mercy endureth forever”. God was busy having mercy on Isreal and releasing judgment on the enemies of Isreal. Church Gist. The worst thing anybody can do is to attack the candidate of God’s mercy. Anybody God is showing mercy, to fight him is to fight God and when God fights a man, He finishes the man.
- I speak mercy upon Bayelsa state and everyone seated here today and I decree the judgment of God on the adversaries of the people of God. If you believe it, say a loud Amen.
What is the way of Mercy?
- The life of Praise. Anybody who knows how to praise God and give God thanks will experience mercy. Church Gist. David was not a perfect man. David did a lot of things but he was a praiser. 2 Chronicles 20:22-23. The praise of God provokes the mercy of God. Mercy happens to prayerful.
- The Life of Prayer. “Let us come boldly to the throne of Grace, so that we can obtain mercy”. Church Gist. Anybody who knows how to pray van never be a victim of the devil or wicked people.
- The Life of humility. God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. If you’re looking for grace, pride excuses you out of it. It was pride that made Nebuchadnezzar to lose the kingdom and enter the bush as an animal. Church Gist. It was what Herod had and the angel of the Lord smote Herod and Herod died and became worms. The God of Heaven assists everybody who wants to be assisted but that same God says He’s fighting somebody and that person is called the proud. God resists the proud. Hear this, if a witch fights you, you can report him to God for God to fight him. If a wicked man is resisting you, you can report him to God for God to resist them but if it is God Himself who is resisting you, who can assist you? Who can rescue you? Church Gist. God resists the proud, God fights the proud, God is against the arrogant. It doesn’t matter the title of that person, provided he’s a proud man, he’s not going to attract grace, he will attract disgrace and resistance from God. Today, I call you unto humility and meekness.
- The life of mercifulness. Do you want mercy from God? Show mercy to man. Psalm 18:24-25. Church Gist. Anything you want God to do for you, do for man. If you can’t give people mercy, God can’t give you mercy.
Lift up your hands, let’s appreciate God for this moment.
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