Pastor Jimmy Odukoya @ Sunday service
Continuing his teaching series on the year’s theme, Expansion, Pastor Jimmy Odukoya, during the Sunday service of January 25, emphasised the necessity of building a solid foundation before expansion can be sustained. He explained that storms are inevitable by-products of expansion, and without the right foundation, expansion can lead to collapse. “The by-products of expansion are storms you didn’t pray for,” he said.
Drawing from Isaiah 54:2, Pastor Jimmy likened a solid foundation to pegs rather than toothpicks. He explained that pegs determine survival by firmly anchoring tent ropes deep into the ground, enabling the tent to withstand storms. In the same way, a believer without a strong foundation is vulnerable to collapse when storms arise.
He identified five major storms that often accompany expansion as public attention, increased responsibility, envy, spiritual warfare, and misinterpretation. According to him, when God begins to expand an individual, that person becomes exposed to heightened visibility, greater expectations, envy from others, intensified spiritual opposition, and frequent misunderstanding.
Using several biblical references from John 12:42-43, Proverbs 29:25, Genesis 26:13-14, Mark 15:10, Ecclesiastes 4:4, and Romans 12:6, he warned believers against using people’s applause, approval, or validation as their pegs. He stressed that these are unreliable foundations.
Pastor Jimmy further cautioned against the storm of comparison, urging believers to remain faithful to their unique calling. “Expansion provokes comparison and resentment. Your identity should come from God. You had better have your pegs in the ground,” he stated.
Earlier in the service, Pastor Toluwani Odukoya encouraged the congregation from Isaiah 60:22, the promise of the week. She explained that just as a tiny orange seed has the potential to become a mighty tree when planted in the right soil, every child of God carries the capacity for full becoming, provided they are planted in His presence. “For you to become, you have to be in His presence,” she said.
For more insights on this week’s sermon, please watch here.
