By Dr. Afolabi Olajuwon
Church: Foursquare Gospel Church, Utako, Abuja
Date: Sunday, June 23, 2024
Guest Minister: Rev. Dr. Babatunde A. Idowu, is a Senior Pastor of Foursquare Gospel Church, Wuse, also Wuse District Overseer, Foursquare Gospel Church, Abuja.
The Foursquare Gospel Church worldwide dedicates the month of June as ‘Loyalty Month,’ fostering an exchange of pulpits amongst its pastors. This tradition not only fortifies the unity within the church but also allows diverse ministerial experiences and messages to permeate congregations. On June 23, 2024, the Utako branch of the Foursquare Gospel Church was graced with the presence of Rev. Dr. Babatunde A. Idowu, who delivered a powerful sermon titled “Positioning the Church for All-Round Blessings Through Soul Winning.”
The sermon was anchored on key biblical passages, including Psalms 77:14-15, Acts 10:33-48, and Acts 2:47. These scriptures eloquently underscore the significance of soul winning as the heartbeat of God, emphasizing human involvement in divine plans for salvation.
Rev. Dr. Idowu illuminated the life of Cornelius in Acts 10, showcasing how Cornelius’s devout life and Peter’s obedience culminated in profound spiritual encounters and blessings. Drawing from this narrative, the minister stressed the necessity of the church being deliberate and strategic in evangelism efforts, underscoring that soul winning is not just an action but a divine imperative.
To position the church effectively, Rev. Dr. Idowu articulated several key principles:
1. Reliance on the Holy Spirit: The indispensable role of the Holy Spirit in guiding and empowering believers to witness and win souls.
2. Obedience to God’s Commandments: Highlighting the importance of deliberate adherence to God’s directives in evangelistic endeavours.
3. Righteous Living: Ensuring that the lifestyle of believers reflects the transformative power of the gospel, thereby attracting others to Christ.
4. Persistent Prayer: Encouraging fervent prayer for divine guidance and the power needed to effectively reach souls.
The Imperative of Evangelism
Referencing 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Rev. Dr. Idowu reiterated Jesus’s words that His return is contingent upon everyone hearing the gospel (Matthew 24:14). He emphasized that soul winning efforts must commence in our immediate environments, our Jerusalems, urging the congregation to start with their families and communities.
The recipe for positioning the church for blessings is multi faceted:
– Holy Spirit Dependency: Ensuring that all soul-winning strategies are Spirit led.
– Obedience and Deliberation: Being intentional in following God’s commandments.
– Righteousness: Living a life that exemplifies gospel values.
– Prayer: Engaging in continual prayer for divine orchestration and power in evangelistic work.
Anticipated Outcomes
Rev. Dr. Idowu illuminated the results of effective soul-winning efforts:
– Divine Wisdom: God will bestow wisdom for successful evangelism.
– Peaceful Atmosphere: A church engaged in soul winning experiences peace and unity.
– Growth and Multiplicity: Commitment to evangelism leads to an increase in church membership.
– Diminished Demonic Activities: Prolific soul winning curtails the influence of the devil within the community.
Conclusion and Call to Action
The message concluded with a challenge to the congregants to commit to the noble cause of soul winning. Many attendees responded by coming forward for prayer, seeking grace and strength for the journey ahead. Rev. Dr. Idowu’s closing prayer fortified and inspired these willing vessels, aiming to ignite a fervent, church-wide movement.
Acknowledgments
The service commenced with a vibrant choir ministration, setting a spiritual tone for the sermon. Rev. Dr. Idowu expressed gratitude to the choir for their uplifting performance and appreciated the congregation’s efforts in beautifying the auditorium and establishing new branches, along with acknowledging the Pioneering members for their ongoing dedication.
Final Thoughts
Rev. Dr. Idowu’s sermon at the Foursquare Gospel Church, Utako, serves as a clarion call to believers, urging them to embrace the divine mandate of soul winning. By positioning the church strategically through reliance on the Holy Spirit, obedience, righteousness, and prayer, the church can indeed receive all round blessings and fulfill its mission in the world.
This article captures the essence of Rev. Dr. Idowu’s sermon, providing a clear roadmap for churches globally to follow in order to position themselves for God’s blessings through the vital ministry of soul winning.
*Dr. Afolabi Olajuwon is a 2008 graduate of LIFE Theological Seminary, Abuja Campus. 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
