Dr. Afolabi Olajuwon
In an inspiring and spiritually charged atmosphere, the church came alive with harmonious melodies from its choir, setting the stage for a transformative service. The congregation, filled with anticipation and faith, gathered for the electrifying sermon delivered by the eminent Rev. Benson Abudu, centered around the theme “Divine Intervention Unto Restoration.” His message brought hope and empowerment to an era marked by challenges and uncertainties, leaving a profound impact on all attendees.
On March 9, 2025, the congregation gathered in fervent anticipation for the concluding service of the Transfiguration Week, a significant and spiritually invigorating event held bi-annually in March and September. The atmosphere buzzed with expectancy, amplified by the joyful harmonies of the church choir, preparing hearts to receive the transformative message shared by the esteemed Rev. Abudu. His sermon titled “Divine Intervention Unto Restoration” resonated deeply, igniting hope in the faces of all present.
Rev. Benson Abudu’s sermon titled: “When God…” draws from the profound reflections in Psalms 126:1-5 and the foundational beginnings of Genesis 1:1. In Psalm 126, we see a vivid portrayal of transformation and restoration, where the joy of deliverance is celebrated as God’s people return from captivity, their mouths filled with laughter and songs of joy.
This sounds with the hope and renewal that God brings into the lives of those who trust in Him. Genesis 1:1 sets the stage for this divine capacity, presenting God as the ultimate Creator, crafting the world from a void, emphasizing His power to bring forth new beginnings.
Together, these passages remind believers of God’s ability to renew, restore, and create, encouraging a deep trust in His timing and purpose for all seasons of life. Through this lens, the sermon invites the congregation to reflect on personal areas needing God’s transformative touch, inspiring faith in His promise to turn sorrow into joy and darkness into light.
Genesis 1:1
Rev. Benson Abudu skillfully linked the theme of divine intervention to the creation narrative in Genesis. He pointed out that God’s creative act brings order from chaos, drawing parallels to the personal chaos many face today. The assertion that “in the beginning, God created” becomes a foundation for believers to trust in God’s ability to create new beginnings in their lives.
Key Sermon Points:
1. Divine Joy and Restoration: Psalms 126:1-5
Rev. Benson Abudu explored the miraculous turnaround experienced by the Israelites in Psalms 126:1-5, where the Lord restored their fortunes as streams in the Negev. This restoration filled their mouths with laughter and tongues with songs of joy. He emphasized how God’s intervention transforms circumstances, renews strength, and fills life with joy, just as He did for the Israelites.
2. The God Factor
The sermon focused into the concept of the “God factor,” highlighting that when God takes over any matter, it is settled. Rev. Abudu reassured the congregation that with God on their side, any obstacle can be overcome, and even situations that seem insurmountable can be transformed through divine power.
3. When God is Ready
Using biblical characters as examples, Rev. Abudu illustrated how God’s timing is perfect. He cited Moses, who stood up and declared himself not the son of Pharaoh, as a testament to recognizing and acting upon God’s call when the time is ripe. This serves as a reminder to remain patient and persistent in faith, trusting that God’s timing will bring things to fruition.
4. Power and Persistence
A powerful declaration was made against anything that seeks to waste one’s time or efforts. By invoking divine power, Rev. Abudu called for the dismantling of obstacles, urging believers to stand firm against distractions and delays and affirming that “power wasting my time, today is the end, die by fire.”
5. Prayers for Restoration
In a moving conclusion, the congregation engaged in repeated prayers of restoration, echoing through the sanctuary. This collective supplication reinforced the day’s theme, uniting attendees in faith and hope for divine intervention in their personal and community lives.
Rev. Benson Abudu’s fervent declarations included fiery prayers, urging the congregation to cast aside anything that wastes their time and to declare an end to stagnation. The powerful imagery of Moses’s declaration of identity as he stepped away from Pharaoh’s legacy served as a rallying point for congregants to assert their true identities as children of God.
Prayer of Restoration
The service culminated in a resounding and heartfelt prayer for restoration, echoing through the sanctuary as congregants joined in unity. Rev. Benson Abudu prompted them to pray for personal restoration, communal healing, and a renewed sense of purpose. Each prayer was a plea not just for individual gain, but for the collective upliftment of the community.
Rev. Benson Abudu’s sermon, “Your Time Is Now,” served as a powerful declaration of faith and action, challenging the congregation to expect divine intervention in their lives. The biblical narratives woven into his sermon provided a clear roadmap for believers to navigate their challenges, emphasizing that restoration is not merely a possibility but a promise from God. As the congregation left the service, many felt renewed, empowered, and ready to embrace the journey ahead, resolute in the belief that their time for divine intervention and restoration had indeed come.
The story centered in Psalms 126 reflects a time when the Israelites, having faced years of exile and hardship in Babylon, experienced a miraculous restoration of their fortunes. Their return to Zion was filled with laughter and joy, serving as a testimony to God’s faithfulness and the power of trusting Him during times of despair. This narrative illustrates the fundamental sermon message that no matter how distant restoration might seem, God’s intervention is timely and transformational.
Rev. Benson Abudu’s sermon sounded deeply, encouraging all present to seize their “now” moment, embrace God’s transformative power, and believe steadfastly in divine restoration.
*Dr. Afolabi Olajuwon is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants, Fellow of the Chronicle Business School, Abuja, a Researcher and resource person at the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja.
