1. The text for this address is taken from the Gospel of Saint Luke 8:1-3, it reads:
“And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,
And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,
And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.”

2. Doctor and Apostle Luke in this Bible text recorded that Jesus in the company of his disciples and some female associates went about preaching the news about the kingdom of God. This teaches us that there is no gender discrimination in doing the will of God. Jesus Christ never discriminated against the poor, the less privileged, the weak, the sinners and even those whom we humans have condemned.

3. WHAT IS THIS KINGDOM OF GOD ALL ABOUT?
Jesus Christ in His teaching about anxiety and worry in Matthew 6:33, said ” But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

4. The Kingdom of God was the focal point of Jesus’ teachings. He explained that it was not just a future kingdom; it is among us, embodied in him, the messiah. The kingdom of God begins in the hearts of those who believe in Jesus Christ. It is present with us today as it was with the Judeans over 2,000 years ago.

5. In response to the Pharisees, Jesus said in Luke 17:20-21:
“The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.”
The kingdom of God begins with the work of God’s spirit in people’s lives and in relationships.

6. In addition, Jesus Christ in Luke 13:24 said “Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”
Finding salvation or entering the kingdom of God requires more concerted effort. This effort is not only knowing Jesus Christ, but to strive to follow his teaching not minding the cost.

7. With the establishment and planting of churches and fellowship groups, with words of exaltations, with fasting and supplications, many Christians are still far from breakthrough. Why?

8. The devil always attack believers’ finances, marriages, properties and worldly possessions, not because the devil spends money, nor because the devil wants to take over your spouse or properties, but because the devil knows that believers attach more importance to worldly ephemeral things than things of the spirit which are eternal.

9. Christians hearts are more connected to things of the world, so the devil’s target is man’s heart. Once he could conquer man’s heart, man shall be a perpetual slave to the devil by greed. The leaders of the church encourage the congregation to be more material conscious than to seek eternal life. The source of finance of members are not the concern of the Bishops. The Pastors’ favourites are the members with fat offerings. The Priests are more interested in members who sow large seeds in cash and gifts. The Evangelists preach more of material and physical breakthroughs, than repentance from sins. The pulpits in general teach mostly of prosperity and life in abundance, instead of repentance and seeking God’s Kingdom.

Grace in general terms is simply God’s unmerited favour and undeserved spiritual blessings. Favour we could say is goodwill, benevolent regard; a kind or helpful deed. I would go further to say, Grace is the manifestation of the love of God, however, is it truly unmerited? Can we abound in sin and still enjoy God’s favour?

2. Apostle Paul in Romans 5:20 taught that “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more”, but he quickly went on to say that this is no incentive to careless living: what shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? (Romans 6: 1-2). So, I ask what really is the grace of God and how does it avail us? In defining grace, I shall attempt to use propositions and statements used by various authors.

3. Grace is a dominant attribute of God’s dealings with man. His justice, His holiness, His omnipotence, and His omniscience are all integral parts of the attributes or character of God, but grace stands apart and has always been a part of God’s character as evidenced in the Old Testament. Men of God like David knew Him as a God of grace. Psalm 103 is full of praise and thanksgiving, acknowledging His grace.

4. But what epitomizes God’s grace is the entire work of Christ in coming to earth, dying for us sinners, and being crowned with glory (Hebrews 2:9). Our redemption is according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7). Our calling, the sovereign act of God by which we are drawn irresistibly to Him, is said to be “through His grace” (Galatians 1:15). Justification, the judicial pronouncement that we are innocent of any guilt whereby we are declared righteous through the work of Christ, is a gift of His grace (Romans 3:24; Titus 3:7). All said every element of the work of salvation is the work of God through grace and not of our making.

5. Even though the epitome of God’s grace is the cross of Calvary, Grace is also expressed in various forms.
i. Common Grace- This is God’s grace which He avails all ……for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:44-45). God is gracious in making salvation available to all men, in delaying His judgement, giving us a long rope to repent (2Peter 3:9).
ii. Saving grace. It is the general provision of salvation on the cross of Calvary (Acts 15:11).
iii. Sanctifying grace which is that grace which works within a true believer in such a way as to bring growth, maturity and progress in the process of becoming Christ like.
Happy are they and only they who from his judgement fear to stray, who know and love His perfect will and all His righteous laws fulfil.
iv. Serving Grace is that grace that enables you to use your spiritual gifts to the glory of God and for the good and welfare of humanity.
v. Sustaining Grace: This grace availed man in times of need especially during adversity or suffering.