This sermon, delivered by Francis Ameyibor, emphasizes the paramount importance of relying on God’s power and guidance rather than human strength and resources in all endeavors. Ameyibor draws heavily on the biblical account of Zerubbabel, the governor tasked with rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem, to illustrate this point. Zerubbabel faced a seemingly insurmountable challenge, lacking the necessary resources and facing significant opposition. However, God assured him that the temple’s reconstruction would not depend on human might or power, but rather on the divine empowerment of the Holy Spirit. This serves as a timeless lesson for Christians facing their own personal “temple rebuildings,” reminding them that even in seemingly impossible situations, God’s power can prevail.
Ameyibor stresses that believers should not seek worldly solutions to spiritual problems, nor should they turn to false prophets for guidance. He cautions against placing undue faith in human methodologies, connections, skills, or even personal strength. Instead, he urges his listeners to strengthen their personal relationship with God through prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes that true success comes not solely from human effort but from the empowerment of God’s Spirit working through them, opening doors and revealing divine mysteries. This inherent dependence on God is likened to the relationship between a vine and its branches, where the branch is entirely reliant on the vine for life and fruitfulness. Without God, Ameyibor argues, our efforts are akin to dead wood, producing no lasting fruit.
The preacher further expounds on the concept of divine empowerment by highlighting the importance of faith and obedience. Trusting in God’s Spirit, rather than our own limited abilities, requires a conscious decision to surrender control and believe in His promises. He encourages his congregation to recognize the “God factor” in their daily lives, acknowledging that their accomplishments are not purely self-made but are a product of divine intervention and guidance. This acknowledgment fosters humility and allows God’s power to work more effectively through them. It’s not about passive resignation but active faith, continuously seeking God’s guidance and recognizing His hand in everyday occurrences.
Ameyibor’s message serves as a call to action, urging his listeners to shift their focus from self-reliance to God-reliance. He reiterates that while individuals might achieve some level of success through sheer human effort, true and lasting success, the kind God intends for His children, is only possible through divine empowerment. He stresses the importance of recognizing our limitations and surrendering to God’s will, trusting that even when circumstances appear insurmountable, God is in control and will ultimately accomplish His purposes. This surrender is not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of strength, recognizing the ultimate source of power.
The theme of complete dependence on God is further reinforced by the analogy of the vine and its branches. Just as a branch severed from the vine withers and dies, so too will our efforts without God’s sustaining power. Ameyibor underscores the critical importance of remaining connected to God through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship, ensuring a constant flow of divine strength and guidance. This connection facilitates a deeper understanding of God’s will and empowers individuals to live fruitful lives aligned with His divine purpose. It’s a continual process of abiding in Christ, drawing strength and direction from the source of all life.
Finally, Ameyibor concludes with a prayer and personal declaration for the coming year, 2025, proclaiming it as his year for his star to rise and for the world to notice. This confident declaration, rooted in his faith in God’s power, serves as a testament to the transformative effect of recognizing God’s influence in one’s life. The accompanying prayer requests divine intervention against his adversaries, invoking God’s protection and justice. This demonstrates a firm belief in God’s power to intervene in human affairs and bring about desired outcomes, further reinforcing the central theme of the sermon: reliance on God’s power above all else. This concluding statement reinforces the preacher’s confidence in God’s power to bring about his aspirations, further emphasizing the message of relying on divine strength.
