Sermon By Rev Remi Awopegba BECOMING A KINGDOM

Sermon By Rev. Remi Awopegba

BECOMING A KINGDOM HERO/HEROINE THROUGH GIVING TEXT: Exodus 25: 1 -2, 8 -9; Matt 26: 6 -13

INTRODUCTION l. According to Longman Dictionary, a hero or heroine is a man or woman who is admired for doing something extremely brave or special or unique. l. You can become a war hero; or the hero of a film, book or play.

�But the greatest of these is becoming a hero in the kingdom of heaven �The Bible is replete with heroes and heroines whose names are put on the hall of fame in God’s kingdom.

�These set of heroes/ heroines are not announced on the radio or TV. Their names do not appear on newspapers neither are they given any publicity by the journalist. �Some of these heroes of faith are catalogued in Heb 11: 1 -40. �Through giving, many have become heroes or heroines of God’s kingdom.

SCRIPTURAL EXAMPLES OF HEROES/ HERINE THROUGH GIVING 1. ABEL- Heb 11: 4 - “He offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous; God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

2. ABRAHAM: Heb 11: 17 - “By faith, Abraham, when he was tried, offered Isaac: and he that has received the promised offered of his only begotten son. ” 3. The widow with her mite.

4. The woman with the alabaster box of precious ointment- Matt 26: 13 “ Verily, I say into you, wheresoever this gospel shall be preached there shall also this, that this woman done be told for a memorial of her. ” - Jesus immortalized her name - Her name has entered into what is more than the Guinness book of record. Hers is the GOODNESS BOOK OF RECORDS.

WHY THIS LAUNCHING �In obedience to the command of the Lord. Evangelism �The Great Commission- Matt 28: 18 -20; Matt 16: 15; Luke 24: 46; John 20: 21; Acts 1: 8 �The Lord has provided a suitable place to build a SANCTAURY for the Lord along Ibadan- Oyo Express Way- Moniya area.

THE LORD COMMANDED THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL TO BUILD A SANCTUARY �Exodus 25: 1 -2, 8 -9 - the children of Israel to bring an offering, let them make a sanctuary that I may dwell among them. �Exodus 21; 1 -4 - God called anointed a foreman Bezaleel, the Son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah (Exo. 35: 30 -33, 36: 2)

�The Lord’s command- Exo. 35: 5, 25: 2 - none shall appear before me empty Exo. 34: 20 �The people’s response: Exo. 35: 21, 29 �The people were being restrained fro further giving, as the y gave beyond above requests. Exo. 36: 5 -7

THE HEROINE ACCLAIMED BY JESUS- MATT 26: 6 -13 �The women came to honour Jesus- (vs. 6 -7) �While some others were plotting to dishonour him, deliver him and kill him (Matt. 26: 3 -4), even his disciple- Judas (vs. 14 -15) �Vs. 7 - the woman lavished all the expensive, precious ointment on the head of the lordto anoint him.

�Vs. 8 -9 - the reaction of his disciples – indignation and condemnation - They saw it as a waste - they saw it as purposeless - It could have been sold “Monetized” - the poor should be their interest and consideration for now

Vs. 10 -13 - Jesus’ response- (from the proper perspective and understanding) - Why trouble the woman - She has wrought a good work upon me. - She was preparing the lord for the fulfillment of God’s purpose - The her name has entered the GOODNESS BOOK OF RECORDETERNAL Book of Record

WHAT THE LORD REQUIRES IN GIVING �Willingness- not grudging- IICor. 9: 7 �By faith �According to ability. Duet. 16: 17 (appropriately and proportionately) �Don’t come empty- God has provided you something(I Tim. 6: 17)

CONCLUSION �GIVNG AS REWARDING ENTERPRISE - It is an act of worship - It provokes divine acceptance - It is a key that opens the door to your receiving (Lk. 6: 38) - It earns you Heavenly award and reward