Pastor Jimmy Odukoya @Sunday service
In continuation of the theme of the year, expansion, pastor jimmy Odukoya, while ministering at the January 11 Sunday service, emphasised on the importance of faith and preparation in receiving God’s promises of expansion.
Speaking from the theme text, Isaiah 54:2-4, Pastor Jimmy explained that believers ought to be prepared in expectation of expanding, adding that faith is not just about waiting for proof, but about preparing for the promises of God. God prepares the container before releasing the content. We need to prepare for the promise, and when we are preparing, it is not presumption but alignment.
He also cited Isaiah 54:1-2, Hebrews 11:1, and James 2:14-15 to say that the importance of comprehending and receiving God’s promises by faith, even when they seem impossible. He said, “Faith does not wait for proof, faith prepares for the promises. You can’t just say you believe; you must do something when enlarging your tent. You can’t claim to have faith, and you don’t have work. This kind of faith is backed by words.”
Pastor Jimmy highlighted three key areas to focus on when preparing for the promise:
1. Identity: God will always adjust your identity before He adjusts your environment. He cited Abraham as an example, saying that people’s name is a symbol of how they perceive themselves, which is tied to expectation (Genesis 17:15-16).
2. Structure: God told Noah how to build the ark with precision (Hebrews 11:7, Exodus 40:33-35, Mark 6:40-). Faith obeys instructions that only make sense after obedience.
3. Expectation: Posture often reveals expectations (Exodus 22:11). Always be prepared for the manifestation of the promise.
According to Pastor Jimmy, when we have identity, structure, and expectation, we are ready to make room for the promise. He concluded by encouraging the congregation to start living the promise, saying, “When He speaks about your future, you have to start living it because for you it’s a promise, for Him it’s a reality.”
Pastor Yemisi Akindolie, earlier in the service, encouraged the congregation from Psalm 28:7, which also serves as the promise for the week. According to her, believers’ unwavering confidence must be in this God, who is never taken aback and is not threatened by anything. She thereafter urged her listeners to trust in God’s sovereignty and protection. “In a world filled with uncertainty, it’s easy to get anxious and fearful, but God’s promise reminds us that He is always in control,” she said.
You can relive the experience all over again by clicking here.
