How To Live And Not To Die - Chapter 7 Grace To Finish Well
Beloved God wants us to finish well. There are many starters today but the issue of life is finishing. Jesus our model allowed people to celebrate him despite the fact that he knew the fickleness of humanity. Everywhere Jesus went, he did good. There is a joy of finishing what you start. You should start what you can finish. Beloved it takes commitment and determination to make dreams come to pass.
John 1:17
17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
We have grace to finish. Even if you have to stand alone for a while, you will not have to stand for too long. God has abundance for everyone. Many people use to say that heaven help those who help themselves. But this is not true, heaven will not help those who help themselves but those who are doing their part. You are not helping yourself doing what you are responsible to do.
John 8:32.
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
The helper is called to assist you. The Holy Ghost our helper is our comforter. He is our standby, He is not passive. He does not remove our human reasoning from us. He did not call us to be passive. You don’t have to put your common sense behind. It is when God’s word clashes with common sense that you exalt God’s word. And many times it will not clash. God will use the work of your hand to bless you. The helper will help you but if you are not doing anything, he will not help you. When you are helpless you call him to help you to do it because one day of favour is more than 1,000 years of labour.
John 12:12-16
12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.
16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him
Prior to Jesus riding to Jerusalem on an ass, Lazarus had been raised from the dead. No man before this time has ever raised a man from the dead after four days. Even medical science believes that on the fourth day, decadence sets in and internal organs are corrupted. When Jesus got to the tomb of Lazarus, Martha and Mary were protesting, they did not want Jesus to be ridiculed. So they reminded him that he came too late. But beloved God can never come too late in your life.
John 11:37-44
37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Jesus commanded Lazarus to come out as if he was sleeping. This was the story that made people to give him triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Beloved, how do you know your enemies? When God is lifting you, your enemy becomes sad. The nature of the fallen man is that it rejoices over evil and is sad over good. This is what generates all forms of unscriptural prayers because of haters. Many think that their enemies have to die before they can succeed, but you can succeed in the midst of haters.
Psalms 23:5
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
You need your enemies to be around you to celebrate your glory. A light is not a light until there is darkness, the greater the darkness, the greater the glory of light. All you need to do is to switch on light in the midst of darkness. The reason for the grace of God in our lives is to help us to accomplish what we cannot do with our power. Beloved, you must have faith in that grace.
Romans 5:1-2
1. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Your access to this grace is your faith. Jesus rejoiced in the midst of enemies because he knew it was not over.
The Holy Ghost is our helper, we must enlist his help. You must tell him to help you.
John 16: 7, 13
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Don’t wait to fail before you enlist his help. HE can help you to clear the attack from your path. He is the creator. No one will help you until you talk. God saw a need in Adam and supplied the need. Adam mismanaged the help, so God wants you to ask before he supplies.
John 16:7
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
The comforter is the helper, the counselor (he knows the road, he has being in every place), the advocate, the strengthener and standby. To finish well, you must know that the word of God has power to fulfill himself to those who believe.
Hebrew 4:12
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the people heard; both haters and enemies came around Jesus. Beloved when you succeed, many will come to you. Failure is an orphan, when you fail you fail alone. They were planning to celebrate him, not knowing that it had already being prophesied.
Zechariah 9:9
9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
Zechariah prophesied it about 400 years before its fulfillment that he would be honoured. The disciples were surprised. They were wondering why they had to go to Jerusalem again when the people were already planning to kill him. Beloved, don’t always use your mind to understand God. If you are waiting to understand, you will wait forever. Yours is to believe, God is to work for you. God knows how to arrange everything, you must relax. Allow him to fulfill his word.
Never underestimate what his word can do in your life. If God says it, it is settled, God will do one miracle that will bring you the very fame that you desire. The miracle of Lazarus brought so much fame to Jesus. When God wants to promote you, he will suspend rules for you. The grace of God will get you beyond your imagination. Whatever God requires you to do, he gives you the innate ability to do it. This we can see in the example of Joseph who was able to interpret Pharaoh’s dream and he manifested uncommon wisdom to preserve food for 7 years. The years of abundance swallowed up the years of famine because of his ingenuity.
The greater your destiny, the more the haters. If you stop going, you start dying. Jesus raised the dead and this provoked the haters. They wanted to bring him down. If you don’t want gossip and hatred then stop doing good.
I Corinthians 16:9.
9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
No one invades an empty house. If the enemy is invading your life, it is because something great is about to happen. Obstacles are a reflection that you are important. Any road that has no trouble is not a good road. Don’t let trouble devalue the goodness of God in your life. Learn to celebrate, Jesus knew the cross was ahead of him, yet he accepted celebration.
Luke. 15:25
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.
When the prodigal son left the house, music stopped in the house. Some see sin in everything. Learn to relax, don’t take yourself too serious. When the prodigal son returned, joy returned. Jesus could rejoice in the midst of haters because he saw the end.
Hebrews 12:2
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
You too can rejoice in the midst of haters because you know that God is bigger than them.
James 1:2
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Resurrection was near for Jesus, yet opposition reached its climax. Beloved, it takes commitment for dream to come to pass therefore tap into his grace. When a woman’s pain is intense, delivery is near. Don’t take yourself out of your dream.
Deuteronomy 1:20-21
20 And I said unto you, Ye are come unto the mountain of the Amorites, which the LORD our God doth give unto us.
21 Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged.
The Israelites failed because they were discouraged. Eleven days journey became forty years journey. When you step forward, God will use individuals to encourage you. Therefore tap into finishing grace. Talk about how big God is, don’t stop dreaming. No force of hell can stop someone with a finishing grace. You must make up your mind not to stop on this journey. If anybody leaves your life and you are not the cause, God will bring others better than them to replace them. Stop focusing on men. You must rejoice as you focus on the glory ahead. You will finish well in Jesus’ name (Amen).
Hebrews 12:1-2
1. Therefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Real love is giving without expecting something in return from those you give. After Jesus was buried, the women came to his tomb to anoint his body. Mary Magdalene wondered what she could give to the worker of miracle who cast out seven demons out of her.
Matthew 28:1-8
1. In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
But they did not find him there, He had risen. Mary became the first evangelist, The angel sent her to the disciples. Who tells you that a woman cannot be useful to God? Every religion relegates women to the background but Christianity restored dignity to womanhood. There is neither male nor female, Jew or gentile for all are equal before Him. Jesus used a woman with 7 demons as the first evangelist to preach the gospel. These women loved Jesus. If Christianity is only to accommodate materials things then it is vain because many have material things without knowing Christ. You are looking for his power? You must identify with his suffering.
II Corinthians 4:17.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
There is a glory that accompanies salvation and our suffering for him. It cannot be a suffering in vain. Some say the churches are not using them while others say they are using them too much. If God does not use you, who will use you. The table of communion is a remembrance that He died our death so we can live for him. We should not be self-serving. The women are looking for how to anoint him. If they knew he would rise, they would have stayed around the tomb for those days. Love compelled them, for if you love God, nobody will beg you to serve him or give your money. You must be part of the 20% making things to work. Before you cry, God will say here I am. When you go all the way for God, God will bypass a million to bless you.
David loved God, with all his mistakes God gave him options of punishment. It is only a person you love that you require his permission to punish him
I Chronicles 21:1, 9-13
1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
9 And the LORD spake unto Gad, David’s seer, saying,
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10 Go and tell David, saying, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things: choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.
11 So Gad came to David, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Choose thee
12 Either three years’ famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.
13 And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the LORD; for very great are his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man
You don’t give options to people you don’t love. When you show love to God, he will decorate you with love. Enough of wishy-washy love. Pretending to love and abusing the same person behind is not love. You have being bought from the slave market of hell and sin; therefore let your will be lost in God.
John 12:26
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
Anything you love, you honour. Samuel received honour, God also honoured Elijah. God is still looking for who to honour but you must pour your love unto him. The more love you have, the more power you have.
Romans 5:19
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
The judgment on your life landed on Jesus. So it is no more judgment for the righteous but reward. The sacrifice of redemption covers our future. The victory he won by dying and resurrecting, he won for us. When Moses died, Michael and Lucifer were contesting for his body. Michael could not win because he was fighting an angel that stole Adamic power which is greater than angelic power. Adam was next to God in hierarchy. Michael could not win as an angel, he had to invoke a higher authority by saying ‘the Lord rebuke thee’ to Satan.
Jude 1:9
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
But in Christ, the least of the believer is greater than the devil. Resurrection is not a story to tell, it is an empowerment of the righteous, a place of advantage. There is one in heaven right now who is both man and God. Adam failed, God had to come in human form to die, so that he can rule both heaven and the earth. He is the omniscience God. As a man on earth here, he is a human being. He knows your feelings. He has gone your way before, so he can judge you based on fairness.
God and man in human form- it is a mystery . In one humanity, God and man dwell together. Your gender and age do not matter, if Christ is in you, he is the hope of glory.
There is no greater celebration than the resurrection. He has done everything to show us that resurrection is real. They killed him because of his proclamation as the Messiah. Accepting Him is not a fallacy, it is reality. The devil has no reason to determine your end; there is no reason for you to be afraid.
Jeremiah 32:27
27 Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
The disciples could not use their minds to fathom how Jesus who was mercilessly beaten by the soldiers, could have risen from the dead? They saw his blood spilled out at Calvary. Beloved, resurrection is not resuscitation. It has been discovered that the human skull could live up to 3,000 years, so if he did not rise at least his bones should still be in his tomb. But praise God, his tomb is empty. When he appeared to the disciples, he was a wonder among them. The same way that no one could explain Jesus, no one will be able to explain you.
Luke 24:10-13
10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
Here we see the account of his resurrection as he appeared to them on Damascus road. Before this, the women had already told the disciples that he had risen but they did not believe. The Jews don’t respect women, in fact the witness of a woman was not admitted in the court and in religious gatherings, they were not counted. This is because they were not trained; they used to be busy with domestic work and the raising of children. The resurrection of Jesus liberated the women to a position of honour and dignity. This is why whenever I see a woman that does not love Jesus as a Christians, I suspect her, probably she is thoughtless and manipulative. Some are afraid and do not want their husband to love Jesus, so that they will not become grounded in faith and break free from their control.
Jesus sent Mary Madgalene to go and be a witness. He lifted the women in the eyes of the disciples- that is why your gender is not an excuse. There is neither male nor female. Jesus spoke to the women first, you cannot distrust historical truth. To whom that love much, much is given. When others had gone away, the women stayed put to see where he would be laid. Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Jesus to his tomb. The women were doing their best to show their love even in death. They were coming early on Sunday morning to the tomb, to anoint the body only to find out that he is alive.
Matthew 28:1-3
1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
Who will not be committed to such people? Jesus gave them a commission to go and tell it that he is alive. The women got there, thinking ‘who will help us to roll the stone away’
Mark 16:3
3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?
There are roadblocks that men have set against women. They are still asking today who will remove the roadblocks to knowing Jesus? In the old testament, there were limits set for the women in the worship of God. After delivery of a baby, women would stay up to 40 or 50 days at home, depending on the gender of the baby. She is not also permitted to talk in public. When I first started ministry, many were against me for ordaining women. They criticized me for even allowing women to take bible reading in church services. Yet women gave birth to all of us. Many cannot stand women being exalted; women are not inferior and as a woman, don’t think small of yourself.
Christ has come to remove the roadblocks; faith in Christ removes them. The angel rolled the stone away not so that Jesus could come out but for them to have access to come in to see the empty tomb. Jesus restored dignity to womanhood; therefore every woman should live for Jesus and as a man, don’t put women in bondage, it will hinder your prayers. Don’t confuse their feminity with their lives in Christ.
Love them, they are your reflection. If a woman failed, you have failed. Your wife is you; don’t bring your culture and tradition into your marriage. Let your wife serve God. If Pilate had listened to his wife he would not have died. Scholars said that he was murdered for killing a righteous man, when they checked the record in Rome for a man who is a governor should not dance to the tune of majority but to the truth of the law. The wife warned him not to be part of the conspiracy because of the dream she had. A woman is more sensitive than men when it comes to danger. Many times today, men failed because they will not listen to their wives. Beloved, God brings us together to complement each other not to compete. At another instance, Jesus appeared unto two
(2) other disciples
Luke 24:13
13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
Here we see 2 followers of Jesus talking on their way to Damascus, based on what they heard from the women. They were told that he is alive. The name of one of them was mentioned as Cleopas. Even after the resurrection, they were still doubting. Jesus came around them and asked them what was happening. Israel is already redeemed by his blood but they were yet to believe. Man trusts slowly than women. They probably felt the women conjured up the vision of seeing an angel telling them of the resurrection. They explained away spiritual reality.
Everyone will have his time to play a fool. They played the fool here-they saw the joy of the women, yet they did not believe their story. If the body was stolen, the women, as great lovers of Christ would have returned sad. Jesus called them fools
Luke 24:25
25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
He began to preach to them about himself. And when they got to their destination he did as if he would go further. Then they begged him to stay with them. Jesus did not impose himself on them, that is why the beggarly christianity we see around these days from able bodied christians is not a glory to the witness of Christ. They travelled together more than a mile to the night yet he did not impose himself on them. They begged him to stay with them. God does not want any of us to live a beggarly life; we must work with our hands. Many have turned church into bank; they go around churches to beg for money. Jesus had finished his race. The seed of the word that he had sown would bear fruit in the lives of the hearers. He went in with them and broke bread, after which he vanished from their sight. It was then they knew he was Jesus. The joy of knowing that he has finally risen imparted fresh strength to them and they returned the same night to Jerusalem to tell other disciples that he has truly risen. Jesus appeared to them again and ate fish to show them that he is truly alive. Death is conquered finally.
Beloved, to enjoy your victory;
1. You must know that we are equal before God. We are all sons of God, no female or male. Your husband should not tell you not to serve God He is not your Lord. As a man, your business will be ruined if you have no regard for the helper that you have. You should know enough truth to enjoy peace at home. You must honour her as the helper in the home
2. Jesus talked to them in their confussion. HE brought healing to them. Many find it easy to relate to glory than suffering.
Luke 24:25-26
25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
To them, with Jesus’ death, all is finished. But to God it is the beginning. Jesus our Lord suffered as believers, we must follow in his steps
I Peter 2:21
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Before glory is sacrifice. We are called to a life of sacrifice. He paid the price for our healing, prosperity and long life. Our righteousness is based on what he has done. This is greater than any material blessing. We must value him
3. Don’t ever say God is not fair. On the long run, you will see the purpose behind the suffering. The disciples saw his tragic end, they were full of grief because they could not understand purpose
4. He told us to go to do his will
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
You must not stop going. They tried to stop Jesus but he could not be stopped. The priests bribed the soldiers that were watching him. They tried to cover up the resurrection story. Let God justify you, triumph of evil over good is temporary. Light will overwhelm darkness so put the switch of faith on.
5. There is a vacuum in every life that Jesus wants to occupy. Some fill it with worldly things like the Samaritan woman filled her own with opposite sex until she married 5 men and ended up in cohabitation with the sixth. She was drawing from the well of adultery until she met Jesus. This was an exceptional time that Jesus revealed himself because the woman was sincere and honest.
Beloved, until you meet him, there can be no true satisfaction in your life. Let the vacuum be filled up. They said that their hearts burn within then when he talked to them. Beloved, the word of God carries power. Don’t exalt anything above the word of God in your life.
Don’t exalt men’s counsel or dream or visions above the word. Don’t let men take the place of God in your life. You must be committed to the end like Mary Magdalene. Victory requires vigilance and total commitment so that you are not robbed of God’s blessing
