Evang. Chukwuebuka Samuel Ezeokoli

Giving all diligence. Christian diligence It is not fit that heaven should take all the pains to bring earth to it; earth must do somewhat to bring itself to heaven. God’s bountifulness is beyond our thankfulness; yet thankfulness is not enough; there is matter of labour in it. If the lord of a manor have given thee a tree, thou wilt be at the charges to cut it down and carry it home. He who works first in thy conversion hath in wisdom made thee a second. Thou seest God’s bounty; now look to thine own duty. I. Diligence. Here, first, for the quality. There is no matter wherein we hope for God in the event, accomplished without diligence in the act. He that expects a royalty in heaven must admit a service on earth. The good man is weary of doing nothing, for nothing is so laborious as idleness. Satan’s employment is prevented when he finds thee well employed before he comes. It is observable that albeit the Romans were so idle as to make idleness a god, yet they allowed not th

Luke 4:14-15 Luk 4:14   And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. Luk 4:15   And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee The higher spiritual life Jesus returns to Galilee in the power of the Spirit. This is full of interest in every way. 1. As bringing up the question of Christ’s Divinity. Can One who is Divine receive augmented powers? Especially can He from another co-equal Spirit? To this inquiry it may be replied that Christ’s life on earth was the Divine circumscribed. The power of the Spirit that rested upon Christ brought forth no new elements, but it brought out the Divine element previously existing. 2. Interesting as a study of the life of Christ, it becomes even more so in its connection with ourselves—with the whole sphere and operation and possibilities of the human mind. A like exper

Acts 6:1-7 Act 6:1  And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.  Act 6:2  Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.  Act 6:3  Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.  Act 6:4  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.  Act 6:5  And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:  Act 6:6  Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.  Act 6:7  And the word of God increa