Week 46 : Free Weekend Program For Street & Vulnerable Children

Text : Romans 10:18-21

Theme : No Excuse for Unbelief

18 But I ask, have the people of Israel actually heard the message? Yes, they have: “The message has gone throughout the earth, and the words to all the world.”

19 But I ask, did the people of Israel really understand? Yes, they did, for even in the time of Moses, God said, “I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation. I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles.”

20 And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying, “I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me.”

21 But regarding Israel, God said, “All day long I opened my arms to them, but they were disobedient and rebellious.”

In Romans 1, God says that those who deny His existence have no excuse because He has revealed Himself through creation. His invisible qualities, eternal power, and divine nature are evident in the things He has made. Since they choose to ignore this and persist in unbelief, He allows them to experience the natural consequences of their unbelief, while still extending His grace and mercy to all who turn to Him in faith and repentance.

Similarly, the people of Israel have no excuse for their unbelief, they have heard the truth about Christ. Jesus preached the message to them, revealing Himself in numerous ways, and they understood that He was sent by God. Nicodemus, a man who visited Jesus at night, acknowledged that they knew Jesus was sent by God. This was not just his personal knowledge, but a shared open knowledge among the people John 3:2. From Moses to all the prophets, Christ has been preached, He is still being preached to Israel and everyone else. The Gospel is all about Christ and Him crucified.

The apostles preached the gospel massively, at one point when Peter preached, 3,000 came to faith; God gave miraculous gifts confirming his word, like the gift of tongues (languages); people heard the apostle speaking in their own mother’s tongue Acts 2:5-11. As a result, the gospel spread to Asia, Africa, Middle East.

This is not the false tongues we hear today, a mere gibberish with endless babbling, void of meaning or coherency. Such an illusion that produces nothing but false confidence . Thank God for grace, it took me considerable time to repent over this evil, but God was patient and merciful to me. He sent a preacher, John MacArthur, through his teaching - online, I heard, understood and repented from that falsehood. . Thank God for the internet, print media, social media, and more; the gospel is going out daily to the ends of the earth. There are faithful pastors here in Nigeria, including in Abuja, proclaiming the Gospel. I am not a pastor and will never be because God does not assign that responsibility to women, but I am here proclaiming the gospel to you, and God will send more people by His grace.

However, there are people in false prosperity churches who have heard the gospel and understand that the kingdom is spiritual and not of this world (John 18:36). Yet, they hold on to unbelief because they love this world and the things it offers. False teachers assure them they will obtain everything in this world through tithes, vows, pledges, fasting, false tongues, devotion, dedication, holiness, etc. They are enticed by the allure of worldly possessions and the promises of material gain, but 1 Timothy 6:5 teaches us that godliness is not a means to financial or material gain.

A widow in my family gave her pastor’s wife 500,000 Naira as a birthday gift, believing that, like the widow who gave her last meal to Elijah, she would never lack money again. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. A few days later, she couldn't afford cooking gas and was so desperate that she went around begging for 2,000 Naira. I’m not sure she learned anything; she wants money - the rich & famous life, so the false hope of living without financial lack holds her captive. Though these promises are vain A-empty, false teachers are quick to convince her that the "Prince of Persia" is opposing her harvest and that she needs to fast until the money is released, referencing Daniel 10:13.

Such situations are prevalent in Nigeria; it's a huge ongoing scam. People are "sowing seeds" endlessly because they love money, not Christ, and they are feverishly trying to bribe God to get it. It's the bloodline of Judas; he loved money. Don’t be like them! I've seen people die because they ignored doctors, trusting fictitious teachers and so-called prophets and their "prayers of faith." In reality, it is not the prayer of faith, it is the fear of death even though scripture says, "to die is gain." This particular scripture brought revival to my soul, it came through a preacher at a time when I was steeped in false religion, and I earnestly desire to live increasingly in that reality.

If you read Psalm 73, you will see that God gives money, health, and influence to wicked sinners. They don't bribe Him through tithes, vows, pledges, seeds, or offerings—like an "Isaac offering"—to get it; they don't even acknowledge Him for it, yet He loads them up with it. This should teach us something, especially prosperity preachers and their flocks . Like Israel, God is extending an open arm to them through the gospel, but they are holding on tightly to false hope - the deceitfulness of riches, the care for other things but Christ. Mark 4:19

You must understand that material, financial, or physical gain is not the aim or goal of the Christian life—Christ is. We gain Christ! Not money, not a husband, not promotion or position of influence. Anyone teaching contrary is self-deceived (1 Timothy 6:5). Let me repeat for emphasis: God's kingdom is not of this world. It is not about eating and drinking, nor is it about health, wealth, or fame. The kingdom is spiritual, it is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15-17).

Today, God is saying the same thing to us. Most of you have heard the gospel and understand it. I mean you, in this class, —Ayo, Dorcas, Prosper, Destiny, Amina, Chimobi, Kinkeni, Hassana, Hussana, Hannatu, Sonice, Godwin, Precious, Earnest, Wonder, Jonathan, Ikechukwu, Daniel, Someto, Deborah, Faith, —you have heard the gospel, and I am sure you understand it. My question is, have you believed?

Through this message, God is calling you out of rebellion and stubbornness, out of false prosperity teachings, out of the love of money, covetousness, sin, and worldliness, and into repentance unto Christ! Fear God, believe the Gospel, and let nothing hold you back. Think deeply on your sins and your need for the Saviour, Christ. Don’t be like Judas—love God, not money. Let the message of Christ ring loudly and clearly in your heart through His word, the gospel. Don’t be like Esau—cherish God’s word more than necessary food. Lastly, don’t harden your hearts like Pharaoh. Submit to God in repentance and believe the gospel.

if you believe, Christ will rule in your heart. Hebrews 12:23, you will see the power of God , power over sin manifesting absolutely in some cases and incrementally in others. You will experience a transformed life that hates sin and loves God and His people. You will also bear fruit - fruits of repentance, fruits of righteousness, peace and joy. God’s kingdom will dwell within you and in your heart.

Let us pray.