"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
In Christ = Peace
In the world = Tribulation
If ever there was a place to see and learn what radical human depravity looks like, it is Nigeria.
If ever there was a place to learn about fickleness of the arm of flesh to deliver, it is Nigeria.
Why did God permit the murderous actions in Jos two days ago? We do not know precisely, but this we know (speaking to all non-believers in the Lord Jesus),
"... unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3)
The exalted and soon to return Son of God is the only place of true safety. Your problem is not man's wrath but God's (Rom. 1:18)
Let the events of these evil days (it's actually been evil since the fall of our first parents) give you cause to ponder the state of your soul that you might be truly acquainted with your actual need - deliverance from eternal damnation.
To the beloved of the Lord... our blessed Redeemer was fully aware of these days when He spoke the above quoted words in John 16:33 to the disciples. As He spoke to them so He speaks to us about the reality of life. There will be tribulation in this world and all protestations to the contrary will not change this. All claims of 'this is not my portion' are vain.
"In the world you have tribulation..."
The nature and the degree are not stated, but it's certainty is affirmed.
But you're not without hope dear one for we are in the Lord and therein is our peace. Therein is our solace. Therein is our rest.
"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)
This is the grounds of our hope and rejoicing even at such times as this.
All the way my Savior leads me.
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt his tender mercy,
Who thru' life has been my Guide?
Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus fashions all things well. - Fanny Crosby
"And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’" (Luke 12:19-20)
“For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off, when God requires his life?" (Job 27:8)
He is a fool who does not know that he is but a mere man. To know you're a mere man is to know you're a created being; and to know you're a created being is to know that you're neither the governor of your own life nor the determiner of your end. No man has his times in his hands (cf. Psa. 31:15)
The sad reality is that there are many fools at the present time all over the world. They live as though they have "many years to come" (cf. Luke 12:19) thus they are given to making money, chilling, eating, drinking and being merry. This is all they exist for. They spare no moment for the One whose gift of natural life and other natural endowments enable them live, work and be merry. They spare no moment for the same One whose promise of eternal life is proclaimed through the gospel for their sake.
Fools, God says they all are!
Is it not foolishness to live as if your life is yours to make and take when it is not? It is.
Is it not foolishness to live as if the temporal things of this world have a say in the outcome of your life at death? It is.
He is a fool who does not fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell (cf. Luke 12:5)
But you need not remain a fool. The Lord Jesus stands ready to save you from the folly of your ways. "The fear of God is the commencement of wisdom..." (Prov. 9:10).
Do not delay to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus for the salvation of your soul so that whenever it is required of you, you may with gladness say 'into your everlastng arms I rest.'
Join us tomorrow as we continue our sermon series in the Book of Jonah.
Sermon Title: Jonah and the Great Fish
📍 Venue: Ceres Place, 1–2 Sherifat Animashaun Street, Off Chevron Drive (Behind Chevron Fire Station), Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos.
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM
Joseph of Arimathea took down a corpse.
Hands still sticky with blood.
Skin already cold.
Touched death. Held it. Wrapped it.
Became ceremonially unclean for Passover.
For a dead man.
Here's what most Christians miss about the burial of Jesus:
Joseph was a wealthy man. A member of the Sanhedrin. A respected Jew.
And Passover was 3 hours away.
The holiest day of the year.
But he climbed Golgotha anyway.
Jewish law was clear:
Touch a dead body = unclean for 7 days.
Can't worship. Can't celebrate. Can't enter the temple.
Joseph knew this.
He'd spent his entire life following these laws.
But Jesus was still hanging on that cross.
Picture it:
The crowds are gone. The soldiers drunk. The women weeping.
Joseph approaches Pilate—the man who just murdered his Lord—and asks permission.
"Can I have the body?"
Pilate grants it.
Now Joseph has to actually DO it.
He walks to Golgotha.
Blood-soaked dirt. The smell of death. Three crosses against the sky.
Jesus in the middle.
Still.
Finally still.
Joseph climbs the ladder.
Grabs the first nail.
Pulls.
Feel the weight of that moment.
God's body in your arms.
The blood isn't dry yet.
It stains his expensive robes.
His hands.
Under his fingernails.
He can taste the iron in the air.
This is what obedience looks like.
Messy. Expensive. Permanent.
Nicodemus shows up.
Another secret disciple. Another Sanhedrin member.
He brings 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes.
That's about $150,000 worth of burial spices in today's money.
Two wealthy men. Two cowards until now.
Finally brave when it's already too late.
They work fast.
Sabbath is coming. They have maybe 3 hours.
Wrap the body. Pour the spices. Seal the tomb.
The sun is setting.
Joseph is now officially unclean.
Can't celebrate Passover tomorrow.
Can't enter the temple for a week.
Think about what he just gave up:
His ceremonial purity.
His Passover celebration.
His reputation (everyone saw him bury a "blasphemer").
His position (the Sanhedrin won't forget this).
His safety (Romans might come for disciples next).
All for a dead man.
But here's what most Christians miss:
Joseph didn't do this expecting resurrection.
He did it expecting NOTHING.
Jesus was dead. Gone. Finished.
This wasn't faith in resurrection.
This was love for a corpse.
That's the part that wrecks me.
Joseph touched death—literally—knowing it meant giving up everything.
Not because Jesus promised him anything.
But because Jesus deserved honor even in death.
Modern Christianity wants clean obedience.
Safe obedience.
Obedience that doesn't cost you Passover.
But Joseph shows us something different:
True discipleship gets your hands dirty.
You want to follow Jesus?
Then stop avoiding the messy parts.
Stop waiting for clean opportunities.
Stop demanding that obedience be convenient.
Joseph climbed Golgotha when everyone else went home.
He wrapped a corpse when he could've stayed clean.
He missed the holiest day of his life to honor a dead "criminal."
He risked everything when there was no visible reward.
That's not religion.
That's worship.
The twist?
Three days later, that tomb was empty.
Joseph gave his grave to Jesus.
Jesus left it empty.
Forever.
Joseph thought he was burying God.
He was actually setting the stage for resurrection.
Your messy obedience?
God's using it too.
Even when you can't see it.
So here's the question:
What are you avoiding because it's too messy?
What obedience are you postponing because it's inconvenient?
What grave are you unwilling to give?
Joseph of Arimathea held death in his arms.
Got blood on his hands.
Missed Passover.
Lost his reputation.
And earned his name in all four Gospels.
Religion says "stay clean."
Discipleship says "get dirty."
Joseph chose discipleship.
What are you choosing?
—TBM
Money and faith—tough to balance. What are “true riches”? How can we be faithful with what we have? Find answers this Saturday, 11th October at the Truth For Life Seminar. Time: 9:30AM.
Free registration, lunch & books 👉🏾https://t.co/3f8XNOAxf4
Money and faith—tough to balance. What are “true riches”? How can we be faithful with what we have? Find answers at the Truth for Life Seminar Sat, Oct 11, 2025 | 9:30AM.
Free reg , lunch & books 👉🏾https://t.co/3f8XNOAxf4
Money and faith—tough to balance. What are “true riches”? How can we be faithful with what we have? Find answers at the Truth for Life Seminar Sat, Oct 11, 2025 | 9:30AM.
Free reg , lunch & books 👉🏾https://t.co/3f8XNOAxf4
Money and faith—tough to balance. What are “true riches”? How can we be faithful with what we have? Find answers at the Truth for Life Seminar Sat, Oct 11, 2025 | 9:30AM.
Free reg , lunch & books 👉🏾https://t.co/3f8XNOAxf4
We invite you to join us on the 11th of October for our TRUTH FOR LIFE SEMINAR: “How Should A Christian View Money?”
Register to attend here: https://t.co/jsRIir4WiY
Free lunch and books to be provided to all attendees.
Join us this Sunday for our Lord’s Day Worship Service as we continue our sermon series:
“Christ’s School of Prayer”
Venue: Ceres Place, 1–2 Sherifat Animashaun Street, Off Chevron Drive (Behind Chevron Fire Station), Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos.
We invite you to join us at Sovereign Grace Lekki Church on Saturday, June 28th, for a special Family Seminar themed "The God-Centered Family."
Venue: Ceres Place, 1–2 Sherifat Animashaun Street, Off Chevron Drive (Behind Chevron Fire Station), Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos.
Join us this Lord's Day, 22nd September, for our Worship Service as we continue our study in the Book of James.
You can worship with us physically at Ceres Place, 1-2 Sherifat Animashaun Street, Off Chevron Drive (Behind Chevron Fire Station), Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos.
We invite you to join us for our upcoming Truth For Life Seminar scheduled for October 5th.
Register to attend in person by clicking on the link below:
https://t.co/jsRIir4WiY
Have you registered yet for the Lagos Bible Conference coming up this November? You really don't want to miss it.
Register via https://t.co/e5VOGkei2F
We look forward to seeing you there!