SERMON BULLETINS

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK 

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” John 21:15 (NIV)

SERMON VERSE

If you love me, show it by doing what I've told you.

John 14:15 (MSG) 

PROPOSITION: Jesus wants us to prove our love for Him by feeding His sheep

INTRODUCTION:

• Our Theme for 2025 is THE FAVOURED SHEPHERD

• God is showing us a lot of favour this year because we love and care for His people

• Formerly on my birthday, I did not understand why people would send me things like a shoe that wasn’t my size until I understood that they were just buying what they liked and not what I liked.

• That is why Gary Chapman’s book became a bestseller because, for the first time, it told the story that loving someone is not defined by the giver but by the receiver.

• A popular refrain on the lips of many around the beginning of each year is “I want to love God more this year”

• Well, thankfully God’s love language is not confusing or difficult to determine at all.

BODY:

1. HOW CAN I LOVE GOD?

   1. Jesus and Peter have an uncomfortable encounter where Peter, who had betrayed Jesus, was asked three times if He loved Jesus. John 21:15-17

   2. When He responded on each occasion that he did, Jesus was quick to add that the way to show it was to feed His sheep. John 21:15-17

   3. The only other way to love God is to obey His commandments which includes loving our neighbour which is back to the same feeding His sheep. John 14:15

   4. The sheep He is talking about here are those who are lost and far away from Him, who must be rescued and brought back to Him. John 10:14-16

   5. It starts from the fact that you and I were created from the love God Himself was enjoying in the community of the Trinity. Gen 1:26

   6. The reason for it was for God to be able to fellowship with us so we could get to experience the beauty of oneness God was enjoying with Himself in the Trinity. Gen 3:8, John 17:3&11

   7. Unfortunately, man sinned to truncate this wonderful project and so right from the Garden of Eden God started the restoration project to bring man back to Himself again. Gen 3:15

   8. So, when Jesus was on the earth and people questioned Him about why He so loved sinners, He told three stories in Luke 15 to show that the only thing He is doing now is seeking and saving the lost.

   9. In Luke 19:10, He made it even clearer that He is on a restoration project when He was questioned why he loved a very bad man like Zacchaeus. 

   10. No wonder, anyone who comes to join Him in this project automatically touches God’s heart so deeply. John 20:21-22

   11. Feeding God’s sheep is simply giving them God’s word John 17:8, Matt 18:20

   12. Are you ready this year to write your personal LOVE LETTER to Jesus, even as the divine question still stands looking for such people? Isaiah 6:8-9

CONCLUSION:

• God is moving your heart to focus more on what He likes

• Your love to shepherd others is growing daily

• God’s favour is flowing towards you for shepherding. 

CALL TO ACTION: Jesus, because I love you I’ll……….your sheep

SONGS: 

• Lord, I give you my heart 

• I want to be a vessel you work through

• All that matters (I’ll put you in front)

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK 

Stay alert; be in prayer so you don't wander into temptation without even knowing you're in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there's another part that's as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.” Matt 26:41 (MSG)

SERMON VERSE

…but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. Dan 11:32b (KJV)

PROPOSITION: Prayer is one of the avenues to get strengthened spiritually

INTRODUCTION:

• THIS IS THE ENERGY WEEK

• We are starting the Favoured Shepherd year with prayer and fasting

• I hope you are ready.

BODY:

1. SPIRITUAL STRENGTH

   1. We read in Ephesians 6:10 that we must be strong in the Lord, why?

   2. The reason for this is that Jesus Himself said in John 15:5 that we can’t do anything without Him.

   3. Seemingly simple spiritual things like daily quiet time, regular church attendance, breaking addictions, and so on require spiritual strength. Matt 17:19-21

   4. Jesus says that one of the ways to be spiritually strong is to pray, Matt 26:41

   5. No wonder, it is so clear from God’s word in 1 Thess 5:17 that we are to pray without ceasing.

   6. How does prayer make us spiritually strong? Here are a few ways:

      1. Prayer is the avenue through which we fight the good fight of faith with God’s word. 1 Tim 6:12

      2. In prayer, we enforce the prophetic word of God over our lives. 1 Tim 1:18

      3. In prayer, we birth new internal Christlike qualities. Gal 4:19

      4. In prayer, we empower our willing Spirit with power to move our weak flesh to do only spiritual things. Gal 5:17, Matt 26:41

      5. Through prayer, we are led by the Holy Spirit to pray deep things that are dear to God’s heart. Rom 18:26-27, 1 Cor 2:10-12

      6. God gives us spiritual strength to undertake spiritual assignments. Luke 22:42-43

   7. This week of energy, as we pray and fast, please note the following:

      1. Decide to be an integral part

      2. Pray a lot on your own and corporately, as has been organized

      3. Fast to a decided point that you can be faithful.

      4. Have expectant prayer topics that are dear to you

      5. Be selfless and have prayer topics for the church and other people as well.

CONCLUSION:

• Take the energy God has for you in this year of the favoured shepherd

• You will do more because you have prayed this year

• Strength is your portion, so weakness is far from you. 

CALL TO ACTION: Through………. I download heavenly strength.

SONGS: 

• We have come to draw

• We hail you 

• You are my strength when I am weak (All in all)

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK 

PATTERN YOURSELVES after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah). 1 Cor 11:1 (AMP)

 SERMON VERSE

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42 (NIV)

PROPOSITION: When you have a shepherd, your growth is monitored and consistent

INTRODUCTION:

• THANK GOD FOR THE ENERGY WEEK

• In our year of the Favoured Shepherd, we need to start the sheep shepherd system

• That is what we are commencing today

BODY:

1. HOW THE CHURCH SHOULD WORK

   1. After Jesus ascended to heaven, the disciples went straight to the upper room in Jerusalem in obedience to Jesus’ command to be empowered with the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:12-14

   2. On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled all who were gathered in the Upper Room and the first church was born with as many as 3000 more souls. Acts 2:1-4&41

   3. All these people had to be taught to know and become like Jesus, and that is how the Apostles started to shepherd the flock. Acts 2:42

   4. Christians everywhere form the body of Christ, but everyone needs to be in a local church where they are known and cared for. 1 Cor 4:15

   5. Within the church as well, everyone needs a smaller cell where their spiritual growth can be monitored and given room to flourish. 1 Cor 11:1

   6. The key to becoming a successful cell member is devotion. Acts 2:42

   7. The greatest enemy against devotion is the cares of this world. Matt 22:2-5

   8. Devotion involves the following:

      1. Consistency Acts 2:46 

      2. Teachability Acts 2:42

      3. Joy to belong, Acts 2:44&47

      4. Sacrifice for the greater good, Acts 2:45

   9. What will be happening in the cell, Acts 2:42-47:

      1. Prayer 

      2. Loving Fellowship

      3. Visitation and care

      4. Evangelism

      5. Bible Study

      6. Serving each other

CONCLUSION:

• The cell system will succeed in our church

• Everyone shall grow into Christ likeness

• Many cell leaders are coming out of the church. 

CALL TO ACTION: I thank God I am………of a cell.

SONGS: 

• When the glory comes

• You are the reason we are singing (You are the (High))

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK 

Therefore, this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to these shepherds: “Instead of caring for my flock and leading them to safety, you have deserted them and driven them to destruction. Now I will pour out judgment on you for the evil you have done to them. Jer 23:2”  (NLT)

 SERMON VERSE

“Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.” Acts 6:4 (NLT)  

PROPOSITION: Effective Prayer, Visitation, Counselling, and Interaction make church cells grow.

INTRODUCTION:

• It is exciting that in our year of the Favoured Shepherd, we are taking the Cell System seriously

• How was our week praying and having our first cell meetings?

• Today we want to know how we can grow, expand our cells, and groom new cell leaders to start new ones. 

BODY:

1. IS EVERYONE MEANT TO BE A SHEPHERD?

   1. A shepherd is simply anyone who takes special notice of the spiritual state of people around them and decides to help those far from God to be reconciled to Him so that they can have a closer relationship with God. John 10:11-13

   2. For this definition, God calls everyone into that ministry because it is simply loving others, nothing stranger than that. Matt 22:37-39, 1 John 4:21

   3. No wonder the Apostle Paul was surprised shepherding was not everyone’s default nature, like it was for Timothy. Phil 2:19-20

   4. Even more, Jesus says that there aren’t enough shepherds to go around, so God needs everyone on board. Matt 9:36-38

   5. All Cell members should note that they are also shepherds who will soon start their own cells, so they should not leave all the work of loving others to only the cell leader. 1 Cor 10:24

   6. PVCI is the best way to love others within the cell setting as exemplified by Jesus in Philippians 2:4-9 who according to 1 Peter 5:4 is the Chief Shepherd

   7. The letter “P” stands for prayer which should be the longing desire of all cell members for each other without fail (Acts 6:4) just as Jesus does for us according to 1 John 2:1-2

   8. Then the “V” stands for visitation which should be a regular thing to show care (Jer 23:2) to others just like Jesus who came down to us from heaven Philp 2:7-8 

   9. The letter “C” is for Counselling which is simply giving people advice from God’s word. Acts 6:4

   10. Finally, the letter “I” stands for Interaction, which is simply developing a vibe with people in your cell to the extent that you can sustain relevant conversations with others. John 10:2-3

   11. All these strategies will help us achieve growth in our cells, a concern all of us must share. Luke 14:23

CONCLUSION:

• Every Cell is growing exponentially

• Love like a sweet fragrance is everywhere.

• Cell leaders everywhere.

CALL TO ACTION: I love to…………for people in my Cell.

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK 

This is what the Lord has commanded concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, 'Let them marry whom they wish; only they must marry within the   family of the tribe of their father.' Num 36:6 (NASU)

SERMON VERSE

One day Naomi said to Ruth, "My dear, isn't it time that I try to find a husband for you and get you happily married again? Ruth 3:1 (TLB)

PROPOSITION: A woman can take the first step to move the man to marriage, but must leave the final decision to a worthy man who loves the Lord.

INTRODUCTION:

• Should a woman be the first to ask for a man’s hand in marriage?

• Well, not directly, but in a manner Biblically supported. 

BODY:

1. WHAT’S WRONG IF A WOMAN TAKES THE STEP?

   1. The Apostle Paul advised a pastor called Timothy to allow for a divine order to always take prominence. 1 Tim 2:11-12

   2. This surely does not make women second-class citizens everywhere they go. It is only divine order when it comes to authority in God’s family and by extension in the marriage family. 1 Cor 14:34-35

   3. All of this notwithstanding, the Bible seems to ask women to play active and not passive roles in choosing who they wish to marry. Num 36:6 and 1 Cor 7:39

2. THE BACKGROUND STORY OF RUTH AND BOAZ

   1. Ruth unlike Orpah decides to stick with Naomi and her people despite all the odds. Ruth 1:16

   2. When they arrive in Bethlehem, Ruth chooses the path of humble service to help her already depressed mother-in-law to make ends meet. Ruth 2:2

   3. God leads Ruth surprisingly to glean from no other field other than that of Boaz. Ruth 2:3

   4. Boaz receives a powerful introductory testimony about Ruth from his head servant. Ruth 2:5-7&11

   5. She surprisingly finds favour before Boaz to reap more from His field. Ruth 2:14-16

   6. One day, based on the feedback Naomi was receiving and looking at Ruth’s diligence for hard work and humble service, she decides to find her a new husband. Ruth 3:1

   7. Naomi tells Ruth how to take steps to let Boaz know that she will gladly love to be his wife, in case he is interested. Ruth 3:2-4

   8. Ruth follows Naomi’s instructions to the letter. Ruth 3:5-6

   9. Boaz takes the bait and follows tradition to make Ruth His wife. Ruth 3:8-13

   10. They give birth to Obed who ends up in the lineage as Jesus’ great-great-grandfather on earth. Ruth 4:18-22

END OF PART ONE

3. MARRIAGE PROPOSAL LESSONS

   1. Ask God to lead you to recognize and take your divine opportunities in due season, just as Ruth did with Naomi. Eph 5:15-16

   2. Wherever you are, whether you are known or unknown shine God’s light, you never know who is watching. Col 4:5

   3. Don’t give in to idleness or laziness, instead choose humble service even more when you are starting from zero. Eccl 11:6

   4. Recognize and obey the shepherd that God has given you because he or she will be used by God to lead you into your divine destiny. Jer 3:15

   5. Ladies look out for initial interest before taking a step. Ruth 2:8

   6. Ladies make your readiness known but leave the final decision to the man. Ruth 3:4

   7. Both ladies and gentlemen should note that sex is not what locks someone to marry you but following due process does. Ruth 3:9-13

   8. Gentlemen pray to God to show you how to recognize a virtuous woman by your side, especially if she is showing you all the right signals. Ruth 3:11

CONCLUSION:

• You will marry the right person

• Receive the grace to spot and take divine opportunities

• Enjoy your days in your own matrimonial home

CALL TO ACTION: I receive……..to take my marriage opportunities.

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK 

And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will guide you with knowledge and understanding.

Jer 3:15 (NLT)

SERMON VERSE

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matt 9:36 (NLT)

PROPOSITION: One of the greatest blessings God can extend to you is to give you a good shepherd

INTRODUCTION:

• We live in a day and age where individualism and a strong macho outlook are celebrated over submission to a conformed order.

• This is partly because some have done that in the past to their peril. 

• However, the existence of counterfeit currency does not stop us from using currency.

BODY:

1. WHO IS A SHEPHERD?

   1. A shepherd is someone who has first submitted themselves to be shepherded so they also can come alongside someone else to help them grow into Christlikeness. 1 Cor 4:17

   2. There are good shepherds and hired hands who don’t truly care. John 10:12 

   3. Key features of shepherds include sacrifice, responsibility, and ownership. John 10:11-12

   4. Shepherds are a gift from God to His people. Jer 3:15

   5. Good Shepherds are a rare breed because not many potentials respond to God’s call to shepherd. Phlp 2:20-21

   6. Yet God has chosen to bless His people through fellow men, so shepherds are critical in God’s economy. Eze 22:30

   7. This is why when you get a good shepherd, you should know you have been blessed with the following:

      1. A gift from God, Jer 3:15

      2. Purposeful living that kicks out confusion and harassment Zech 10:2, Matt 9:36

      3. A chance to see God’s heart move that of a man. Acts 10:26-27

      4. Knowledge and understanding. Prov 24:3-4

   8. You in turn should do the following for your shepherd:

      1. Make time to listen to them. John 10:27

      2. Follow what they direct you in Christ. John 10:27

      3. Pray for more shepherds, starting with you. Matt 9:37

CONCLUSION:

• Receive grace to follow your God given shepherd

• You will be a good shepherd

• Enjoy God’s favour through your shepherd

CALL TO ACTION: I’m blessed because I have a…………….

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK 

"Priests may not marry a woman defiled by prostitution, and they may not marry a woman who is divorced from her husband, for the priests are set apart as holy to their God. Lev 21:7 (NLT)

SERMON VERSE

So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. 1 Tim 3:2a (NLT)

PROPOSITION: As God’s royal priesthood, our Eros life should be scripted

INTRODUCTION:

• If we are the salt and light of the world like we are told in Matt 5:16 and all then it means the entire is counting on us to encounter God.

• When we miss it, the world also does

BODY:

1. ARE WE ALL PRIESTS?

   1. Many believers do not know that they have been called to priesthood. 2 Cor 5:18

   2. We are called royal priests 1 Peter 2:9

   3. This means therefore that our EROS life should be scripted Lev 21:7

   4. This is because whatever we do in that area of our lives impacts directly or indirectly on our godly witness. 1 Tim 3:2a

2. WHY REGULATE OUR EROS LIFE?

   1. Many of the people we will minister to are weak in eros and need your help to release them from it. 1 Thess 4:3-5

   2. It empowers you with moral authority and helps you avoid scandals 1 Cor 5:1-2

   3. You can destroy your ministry or give on Christ through sexual immorality 2 Tim 4:10

   4. You can end up with unnecessary heartaches and divisions. 1 Tim 3:2

3. PRACTICAL EROS MANAGEMENT WAYS

   1. Date to get married (at least as an intention) and not for the fun of it. Prov 5:18, Mal 2:14

   2. Manage your crush instead of indulging it. 1 Thess 4:4, Gal 6:5

   3. Pray a lot for your future spouse and prepare yourself to get married at the least opportunity. Galatians 4:19, 1 Cor 7:1-2, 8-9

   4. Help others especially same sex with their relationship issues. Gal 6:1-3

   5. Flee all appearance of sexual immorality situations 1 Cor 6:18, 2 Tim 2:22

   6. Don’t lead others on when you don’t have any intentions for them (Songs of Solomon 2:7, 3:5 & 8:4)

   7. Open to accountability in your eros life Eph 5:8

   8. Check your online and private sexually immoral temptations. 1 Cor 10:8, 11-13

   9. Kmo the sexual sin that easily entangles you (Hebrews 12:1-2)

   10. When you do fail at something don’t even attempt entertaining condemnation. Romans 8:1-2, John 8:11

CONCLUSION:

• The call of God on you is expanding

• Through your witness people will be blessed

• Miracle of grace all around you

CALL TO ACTION: I will keep my eros life in check

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK 

God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.

Gen 1:28 (MSG)  

SERMON VERSE

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 

Eph 1:3 (NLT)

 PROPOSITION: We are not now going to be favoured, because we already are

INTRODUCTION:

• It is still our year of the Favoured Shepherd 

• We are shepherding God’s flock because we are favoured to do so.

BODY:

1. WHAT IS FAVOUR?

   1. To be favoured is to be Blessed, happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous — with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s salvation, regardless of your outward conditions.

   2. Concerning that we read in Eph 1:3 that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus.

   3. This is our reality in Christ so why don’t many have this reality? It is probably because:

      1. For many of us when we think blessings, we think only of physical or material blessings. Judges 6:12-13

      2. We forget that our current physical circumstance is a by-product of our previous spiritual investments. 2 Cor 4:18

      3. Another reason is our inordinate fixation with Old Testament shadows instead of the reality which is now revealed in Christ. Heb 10:1

      4. Finally simple ignorance because of wrong teaching or laziness to study God’s word for ourselves. Hosea 4:6  

   4. This favoured status of ours cannot be a reality until we get serious with getting to KNOW we are favoured. 2 Peter 1:3

   5. This Favoured status is all encapsulated in Christ, Col 2:16-17 therefore:

      1. Who Christ was on earth is who we are, (a child of God) Rom 8:29

      2. What He did on earth (the healings, miracles, the shepherding of people etc) we can also do the same and even more. John 14:12

      3. What He did not do whilst here, we also can’t do. (sin and addictions) Heb 4:15

      4. The dominion He expressed is exactly same for us. (power, wealth, health, joy) Matt 8:27

   6. This is our holy calling in Christ and that is our reality as well so let’s shine. Matt 5:16

CALL TO ACTION: I am highly……………..

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK 

God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.

Gen 1:28 (MSG)

SERMON VERSE

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 

Eph 1:3 (NLT)

 PROPOSITION: After knowing our favoured status, we must express it.

INTRODUCTION:

• It is still our year of the Favoured Shepherd 

• We are shepherding God’s flock because we are favoured to do so.

BODY:

1. WHERE’S THE FAVOUR?

   1. To be favoured is to be Blessed, happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous — with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s salvation, regardless of your outward conditions.

   2. Concerning that we read in Eph 1:3 that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus.

   3. This favoured status of ours cannot be a reality until we get serious with getting to KNOW we are favoured. 2 Peter 1:3

   4. After getting to KNOW the next level is to EXPRESS the favour. Matt 5:14-16

   5. Just as the enemy attempts to use carnality to divert our efforts at knowing our blessed and highly favoured status, He uses the same for the expression thereof. Matt 4:2-3

   6. That is why you must understand that the walk of a believer is by faith and not by sight. 2 Cor 5:7

   7. No wonder Thanksgiving and Praise is one of the foremost expressions of our blessed and highly favoured status. Eph 1:3

   8. This is because God created us on the sixth day when He had made all we will ever need and before commanding us to do anything He first blessed us Gen 1:27-28

   9. That is why David said one of the worst things we can do is to forget what God has already given to us. Psalm 103:1-5

   10. Our blessed and highly favoured status is not to be doubted because of things that don’t go well in our eyes. 1 Thess 5:16-18

   11. One of the ways to superimpose or express our favoured status despite what happens is to thank and praise God. Acts 16:24-28

   12. Celebrate your forgiven status, your physical and mental health, your protection, your beloved status and your place of favour. Psalm 103:3-5

   13. Remember that the truly blessed are those who see in the spiritual realm and believe it before seeing it physically. John 20:29

CALL TO ACTION: I am the express image of a blessed and highly………….one.