Stay in the House: Restoration and the Glory of Abba - by Reverend Dr. Ijeoma Ibeleme

Guest Minister Reverend Dr. Ijeoma Ibeleme focused on the spiritual necessity of remaining faithful to God during trials. Using the metaphor of "staying in the house," she encourages believers to resist the urge to retreat or hide when they face personal failures or life's hardships. The message emphasizes that divine destiny is secure, as God has already predestined, called, and justified those who love Him according to Romans 8:28. Drawing from the Psalm 84 imagery of finding a home in God’s tabernacle, the Minister highlights that true protection and joy are found only within His presence. Ultimately, she calls for a complete surrender, urging the congregation to offer their entire lives as living sacrifices rather than attempting to navigate life's challenges through their own strength.Key Points:Staying in the "house" refers to both a physical commitment to the church and a spiritual commitment to dwelling in God's presence, recognizing that the believer’s body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. This concept provides spiritual safety and purpose through the following ways:Protection from Spiritual Harm: Similar to the principle learned during the pandemic lockdown, where staying at home prevented catching a physical bug, staying "locked in" to the house of God prevents believers from stepping outside of their divine boundaries and catching spiritual "bugs" or being messed up by the "wicked one" in the "tents of wickedness".Divine Redirection and Restoration: Reverend Ijeoma uses a GPS analogy to explain that even when a believer makes mistakes or "turns off on a wrong track," staying in the "car" (the house/presence of God) allows for "recalculating". God, as the master plan creator, provides a way to bring people back on track to their destiny.God as a Sun and Shield: Within the house, God functions as a sun to provide warmth and comfort, and a shieldto protect the believer from being scorched or smitten by life’s trials. He serves as a defense and a King who cleans up messes and works in the believer's favor.Safety in Discipline: Just as a child should stay in their home even when being disciplined by a parent, believers are encouraged to "take the licks" and stay in the house rather than running away when they face correction or feel ashamed of their mistakes.Conforming to the Image of Christ: A primary purpose for staying in the house is to be conformed to the image of Jesus, who is described as the "firstborn big brother". This transformation is an ongoing process that ensures a believer’s "tomorrow" is better than their today, shining "brighter and brighter".Fulfillment of God’s Predestined Agenda: The Minister highlights the "aorist tense" in scripture, suggesting that for those who stay in the house, their calling, justification, and glorification are already secured in God’s mind. Purpose is found in knowing that one's end has been determined by God’s agenda and will end in glory regardless of current difficulties.Living as a "Living Sacrifice": Purpose is expressed through a lifestyle of worship, where believers present their bodies as "living sacrifices". This means dedicating every aspect of life, including thoughts, time, possessions, and sexuality, to God 24/7, rather than just participating in Sunday morning activities.Knowing the "Joyful Sound": Staying in the house allows believers to develop an intimate recognition of God’s voice and presence, much like a child recognizes their mother’s footsteps or perfume. This intimacy provides the purpose of walking in the "light of [God's] countenance" and experiencing "fullness of joy".Accessing Inheritance: Spiritual purpose is linked to realizing that God is the believer's portion and inheritance. By staying in the house, believers can claim their "rights," such as being exalted and having the "horn" of their strength raised by the King.Rec. Date: 27th August, 2023