First Bible Lesson: Matthew 1:24-25
"Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she has brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS."
Second Bible Lesson: Luke 2:7
"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."
Golden Text: Matthew 2:10-11
"When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."
Brethren, the above texts are usually chosen year in and out by the Holy Father to mark the occasion of the birth of Christ. This year's anniversary commemorates the two thousand and twenty-fourth (2,024). The purpose of this anniversary is to remind the entire world of His teaching that, all should live as the children of God and worship Him. What was done to the Israelites shall also be done to the Gentiles in this generation. (Rom 9:24-26).
We need not be reminded from time to time how God should be worshipped because events have proved to us that God is not an abstract phenomenon but a human being. God exists in human form, the Son of God exists in human form, and the Son of man also exists in human form. Whether or not He was born of a woman is unnecessary and uncalled for. What is important is how to worship God. It is quite unnecessary for anyone to make unnecessary requests while praying to God. The three wise men who visited the Lord did not request anything from Him; rather they went to Him with precious gifts. During His ministerial works, on the other side of the River, when the people found Him, calling Him Rabbi, they asked Him when He arrived at the place. In His response, He told them: Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. (John 6:26) He therefore advised them: Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. (John 6:27)
The three chosen texts in this sermon depict the truth in the revelation about Our Lord Jesus Christ. Joseph himself would not have escaped the punishment associated with disbelief if he had failed to believe in the message delivered by the angel. Many of you today, even in this kingdom, hardly believe visions or dreams. You are proud of your positions as elders, prophets, pastors or bishops, and because of that you refuse to obey God's voice that comes to you through vision or dream.
Joseph was just newly married and had not yet slept with his wife when he noticed that she was already pregnant. As a human being, Joseph got offended and secretly planned to divorce Mary for adultery. But an angel of God appeared to him and warned him to desist from the act, that Mary was conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph instantly obeyed that voice and did not ask anybody for further advice. That is a great lesson for all of us. The action of Joseph to adhere to the instruction of the angel is an example of worshipping God in spirit and in truth. If all of us should learn from Joseph, we would be free from problems.
Isaiah the prophet said: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14). He had that revelation in a vision. A lot of you do not believe in visions and dreams, yet these are divine mediums through which God communicates with man. This explains why it is said that, the true worshippers worship God in spirit and in truth. This is because God reveals Himself to you, teaches you, and generally relates to you in spirit. These things called vision, dream and prophecy are nothing other than the Spirit of God. Therefore, it is erroneous for anyone to associate dream or vision with mermaid, ghost or the works of his enemy. If Joseph had disbelieved visions and dreams, he and indeed the whole world would have lost because Christ would have been prematurely killed by the enemies.
The entire world is beset with problems because human beings are unbelievers, Thomases. You cannot see God with your naked eyes because you are carnal and unclean. It is recorded in the scripture that: "Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." (Proverbs 29:18)
If Joseph himself was not a prophet, he would have disobeyed the Holy Spirit and divorced his wife. Mary, on her part, would have been killed for the offence of adultery. Later on, when Herod realized that he had been tricked by the three wise men, he launched a desperate attack on the infants. If Joseph did not also adhere to the spiritual instruction to escape with the infant Jesus to Egypt, (Matt 2:13-14) then Jesus would not have survived the massacre of the innocent children and the entire world would have perished.
Given the same opportunity, many of you today would not have believed it. Incidentally, the glorious ministry of Our Lord Jesus Christ would not have manifested. Even Mary herself initially doubted the possibility of giving birth to a child when the angel of God told her that she would conceive and bring forth a male child who would be named Jesus. (Luke 1:28-31). This is because she was a virgin. Nevertheless, she believed and continued her services in the temple awaiting the fulfillment of the prophecy.
Man today had derailed from the path of salvation and lost contact with his creator because he solely believes in man-made communication system like the radio, newspapers, TV, etc. These sources of communication are carnal and destructive. Do not joke with any revelation from God; no matter the form it comes to you. You should try as much as possible to believe and pray unceasingly for God to always reveal Himself to you. Even the four wise-men that came from the four corners of the world (North, South, East and West), if they did not believe in prophecy, how would they have met together or searched for the newborn king? The birth of the child was revealed to them differently and they immediately set off in obedience to locate and worship Him. Their mission was not to locate him in order to request for any mundane thing but to worship Him as a newborn king. But in your own case, do you go to God to worship Him? You rather go to Him with diverse problems for Him to solve. On their return, the angel of God appeared to them and directed them to take a different route home so that Herod would not force them to disclose to him the location of the infant king. They obeyed him and spared the life of the infant Jesus.
The problems of the world start in the spiritual realm before manifesting in the physical world. Before somebody is physically sick or dead, he first of all experienced it in the spiritual world. In the same vein, you can only defeat your enemies in the spirit before you overcome them physically. You are healed of your infirmities in spirit before such healing would manifest physically. This you can do, if only you are unceasing in prayer and believe in God's revelations. You have to listen to whatever God says. The words of men are empty and lead to destruction.
The flesh has nothing to offer in this kingdom. Flesh and blood cannot see this kingdom nor abide in it. It is only through the spirit that you can behold this kingdom and enter into it. Your problem is that you are still carnally minded.
There were four wise men and not three. The fourth wise man met a certain man that was incapacitated, and decided to stop and render some service to him as was directed by the Spirit. He had thought of abandoning the man so as to meet his colleagues who had gone ahead of him but for the sake of humanitarian deed, he decided to save the life of the battered man. That was how the fourth wise man lost the company of the other three.
Except you find solutions to your physical problems spiritually you cannot solve them. Once, there lived a certain man who was very sick and finally died. Relations of the deceased person sought to know the cause of his death. They met a certain magician who promised to trace the cause of his death. In order to enable him carry out a thorough spiritual investigation of the cause of any event, what the magician did was to give another person around, something in the form of anesthesia. Once this person took it he would be unconscious of the physical world for two hours. In the subconscious state, the person would investigate the source of whatever problem that was to be investigated, and soon report back to the magician. It happened that on this particular occasion, the man overstayed in the land of the spirits beyond the specific period of normal investigation. Unfortunately for the messenger, over there he found himself arrested by law enforcement officers who asked him to explain his role in an incident of a free-for-all fight in which he took part while in the world. In that incident a person was killed during the fracas. There were other people who identified him as one of the persons who participated in the fracas. However, the case was determined in his favor. He was acquitted on the grounds that it was a free-for-all fight. When he finally regained his consciousness, he narrated his ordeal to the magician and others present.
Whatever situation you find yourself is only an extension or a manifestation of a spiritual course. You should also know that the body itself is an empty vessel which cannot achieve anything on its own without the spirit that occupies it. Once the spirit deserts a man, the body is useless. The relationship between man and God is purely on spiritual basis. That is why the moment you hand over your problems to Him, He solves them for you without your notice or personal effort. Therefore, it is needless for you to seek for any person to pray for you or even solve your problem. The true children of God behave like the four wise men, they do not go to God with requests but with gifts, such is the work of faith. Read the first lesson once again.
First Bible Lesson: Matthew 1:24-25
"Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife; And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son; and he called his name JESUS."
All the sins that you commit in the dark are open before God. Whatever you do whether in the dark or in the most hidden place is open before God. The teachings that are imparted to you here in Brotherhood of the Cross and Star are meant to deliver you from bondage. All the sins you commit, the type of food you eat and the clothing you put on affect your spirit.
Whatever you do has either positive or negative effect on your spiritual being, depending on whether such an act is disapproved by the Holy Spirit. This explains why I keep on warning you to refrain from sin, and to love one another. If you practice the gospel your spirit cannot be seen as evil. This is why members of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star are above the world.
The only set of people who are completely free are those who worship God in spirit and in truth. Any member of Brotherhood who falls sick, dies or is afflicted in any way should blame himself. God is not like man who is limited in wisdom, power, influence and everything you can think of.
God is a spirit and He is lavishly available for all to reach. Wherever you may stay to practice the gospel of love one another, He will be there to listen to you and solve your problems. His angels are always readily available in spirit to minister to you. Physically, God has kept His prophet to serve you. God abhors any form of vice. He does not admit noise, idolatry, fornication, deceit, stealing or any other sin. You do not need to ask God for anything. He is the Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent God. He knows all your problems and hearts' desires. The blessing of God gets to you first in spirit before manifesting in the physical world. Your protection, prosperity and elevation are granted to you first in Spirit. Therefore, it is an act of foolishness to refuse to listen to the spirit. Always do whatever He tells you to do. Whatever He advises you not to do, obey; and whatever you are instructed to do, do not resist it. Your trouble and confusion are caused by satan who does not want you to know God, and to worship Him in spirit and truth.
Brethren, I want to reveal to you the source of Job's fate to confirm that both blessings and problems have spiritual origin. The scriptural excerpt hereunder proves our case: (Job 1:6-12):
"Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto satan, Whence comest thou? Then satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So satan went forth from the presence of the LORD." (Job 1:6-12)
That is a clear indication of the fact that nothing would take place without God's permission. But what you should know is that God does not leave His children comfortless.
In Brotherhood many have tried to persuade me to excommunicate some members. That I cannot do. They report to me how bad and disobedient you are, and would want you punished. At the same time, they would turn round to accuse you openly of worshipping man. They do this with the sole aim of luring you out of the fold of Brotherhood in order to get the opportunity of destroying you. This is the work of the evil one. But because God loves us so dearly He does not impute sins upon His children. You should, therefore, hold fast and have faith in God because He can never forsake you. Read the second lesson once more.
Second Bible Lesson: Luke 2:7
"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."
The significance of the circumstances surrounding the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, is humility. Any member of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star who receives this gospel and practices it will not trouble himself about any mundane thing. It is said that whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. (Matt 23:12). If God Himself can so humble Himself, how much more you, an ordinary man?
The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are here on earth but are so quiet. It is only man who makes empty noises and brags. The saviour of mankind was born in a manger without any complaint. Did that stop Him from being the Lord? His humility is further demonstrated in His divine teaching. He advised you that if you are invited to a feast, do not choose to seat on an exalted seat. You should instead go to a very low seat at one corner of the venue. This is to avoid embarrassment for if those who are higher than you in status arrive, you would be asked to vacate the place to a lower seat. (Luke 14:8-11). You should therefore, make humility your watchword. You should be simple in your mode of dressing, the food you eat and in everything. Any person who does not maintain a low profile and live a humble life is of the devil. God is humble and simple, He is noiseless and does not boast. Past kings in biblical records like Caiaphas, Herod, Caesar, Pilate and the rest of them decorated their palaces when it was rumoured that the Lord would be born. During the period of His ministerial work, Our Lord Jesus Christ enjoyed the company of the destitute, the sick, the lame and the afflicted. In this generation, He teaches us love, mercy, kindness, hard work, sincerity and all the virtues. But who has practiced these virtues among you? You cannot do the work of peace, love, mercy, humility and righteousness except you possess these very virtues. Before His birth, the people were well-informed of His coming. They knew quite well that a Saviour would be born to man but the very family was not known. When He did finally come, He fell short of their expectation. They had expected the birth of a warrior who would come to liberate them from their Roman overlords. It is because of the high esteem in which humility is held before God, that prompted Christ to say: "...Verily, I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3-4).
To be born in a manger is a clear demonstration of humility. The most outstanding topic taught by the Holy Father here in this kingdom is humility. The level of humility demonstrated by the Father in practical terms is unique. But on your own part as a member of Brotherhood, instead of emulating the divine example of the Father, you occupy yourself in noise making, shouting on the name of the Father as if He is your peer.
There is nothing in the world worthy for the children of God to worry about. Whatever it is, position, money, children, cars, houses. Just name them, they are nothing, and cannot profit you anything. The birth of Christ is the source of salvation to mankind and it was through His birth that God was also revealed to man. It is because of His sterling humility and love for mankind that He said: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your soul. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matt 11:29-30). There is nothing man can do to God at all because God is self-sufficient. Everything including life and death are under His control. It is said, humility goes before glory. (Prov 15:33).
Man does not have the love of God in his heart. This explains why Christ said: "I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not; if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?" (John 5:43-44) If you seek to be glorified and honoured by your fellow man, how will it be possible for to you glorify and love God? It would be highly impossible. Be refreshed with the Golden text now.
Golden Text: Matthew 2:10-11
"When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him; and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."
The above passage explains how to worship God in spirit and in truth. But most of you want to sit down with Him physically and discuss your material problems.
Many persons who have got the needed spiritual awareness (self-consciousness) know and worship Him accordingly. Many others do not come here (34 Ambo Street, Calabar) for the sake of the gospel but to see the Father and lay their problems before Him. Did Abraham seek to see the Father? The true children of God do not bother to see Him physically but only to obey His divine instruction.
There is no record in the entire Scriptures that Christ physically sat down with the Father to discuss His problems, but He was always calling on His Father, and worshipping Him in spirit and in truth. The rate of His calling on the Father was so much that Philip one day asked Him to show them the Father too. Philip did not know that he had to worship God in spirit and in truth. That even though He was not with the Father physically, He was always with Him at all times spiritually (John 14:8-11).
If you humble yourself like a little child, then the Father will speak to you directly. In a certain family, the husband is a baptized member of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star but the wife is not. The wife was all the time seeing the Father and discussing with Him. The husband could not believe it. To prove her wrong or right, he asked her to request the Father to give him a car. When the Father re-appeared before the woman, she placed the request of her husband before the Father. So she was directed to inform her husband to go to a certain firm dealing on cars and get a brand new one. To his greatest surprise, when the man went to the shop and said that he was sent by the Father to get a car, without hesitation they handed over the key and directed him to one of the cars parked. Up till now, the woman herself is not yet baptized. If you were to know that the Father works in spirit, you would not fall into temptation. It is therefore, out of your selfish interest that you plant yourself in the church claiming to worship God.
Emulate the three wise men who went to the Lord with gifts. Go to God with gifts. But if you have nothing to offer, let your heart be clean so that He can come in and dwell. If the wise men did not present the Lord with the gifts of frankincense, myrrh and gold the parents of Christ would have had problems financially. The gold was used for their transport to Egypt; the frankincense was used as gasoline, and myrrh equally useful in the well-being of the family. God expects you to express a thankful heart at all times. Hannah was barren but when she became blessed with a child called Samuel, she dedicated him to God. For that gesture alone God gave her five more children. Have you shown a thankful heart to God? The Scriptures gave the following admonition: "I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35).
You are always asking from God but offering nothing to Him. Conclusively, it is necessary to note that: "...the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14:17).
May God bless His Holy Words. Amen!