THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH WINNING ALL (ECWA)
5007 SOUTHSIDE DRIVE
LOUISVILLE, KY 40214
(502) 375-1904
www.ecwa.wordpress.com, www.ecwausa.org,
ecwaky@gmail.com
TOPIC: The Pedagogy of a Christian Life
TEXT: John 5: 17-24
Rev. (Dr.) Stephen K. Awoniyi
INTRODUCTION
What does the phrase “Pedagogy” really mean? In reference to a man by the name William Alexander, the word Pedagogy could be viewed or explained thus:
What constitutes pedagogy is complex and not easily defined. Even the definition of pedagogy appears to be somewhat obscure. Watkins and Mortimer (1999) define it as “any conscious activity by one person designed to enhance the learning of another. Alexander (2003) has his own preferred definition which suggests that pedagogy requires discourse.”
Pedagogy is the act of teaching together with its attendant discourse. It is what one needs to know, and the skills one needs to command in order to make and justify the many different Kinds of decisions of which teaching is constituted.
In today’s sermon we will focus on the following topics:
- JESUS CHRIST, THE SELF STRONG CENTERED OR SELF-CONCEPT
For we Christians knowing whom we are is an essential part of learning who we are. Also, knowing who we are in the Lord gives us the confidence that we need to teach others. Be assured that our Lord Jesus Christ was a man of mission who fully dedicated Himself for the task committed into His hand. That is, Jesus Christ work is the result of His Father working through Him. The Scripture says;
The Father Revealed
7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” 8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
The Answered Prayer
12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask[a] anything in My name, I will do it (John 14:7-14 (NKJV).
The Scripture continues again by saying;
13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
Jesus Identifies His Betrayer
18 “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me[a] has lifted up his heel against Me.’[b] 19 Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. 20 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me” (John 13:13-20 (NKJV).
Brethren, be assured that our relationship with one another is the best way to acknowledge and appreciate each other. But if we fail to acknowledge and appreciate each other, how can we live successfully? Be assured that our Lord Jesus Christ worked faithfully, sufficiently, and honestly with His disciples and He obtained victory. But the question is, how faithfully, honestly, and obediently do you associate yourself with the people in the community each day? The Lord as called us for His mission and we need to be obedient to it and do it honestly, obediently, and faithfully.
- JESUS IDENTIFIES WITH THE FATHER THROUGH PRAYER
In the Scriptures we can find several specific references from Jesus Christ’s prayers. For instance, in the Book of Luke it is recorded thus:
The Twelve Apostles
12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: 14 Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; 15 Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; 16 Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor (Luke 6:12-16 (NKJV).
The Apostle Luke narrates how Jesus Christ prayed often in a lonely place and how His disciples tell the Lord to teach them how to pray. It is recorded thus:
The Model Prayer
1 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Our Father in heaven,[a]
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come[b]
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. (Luke 11: 1-4 (NKJV).
The Scripture again continues by saying;
Keep Asking, Seeking, and Knocking;
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (Matthew 7:7-11(NKJV).
Dearly Brethren, looking unto the Lord Jesus Christ, depending on Him, and relying on Him as your Lord and King will give you more ability and hope in Him. I wish you understand that unless you honestly and truly depend on Him you may not gain victory in Christ Jesus. That is the reason why a Hymn says, “Emi ni yi, ran mi (Isaiah 6: 8)
-
Pelu ayo I’ a osise fun Jesu
Pelu ife I’ a o f’ owo wa se
Isekise ti O ba yan fun wa,
L’ ododo I’ a o sise, ‘ranse wa
Egbe: Sise fun Jesu,
L’ ayo I’ a o lo, I’ ayo I’ a o lo,
Sise fun Jesu
Ninu ogba Re I’aiye
2. Pelu adun Ii a o so itan naa,
Ti ‘fe nla Re s’awon enia,
Kristi itansan Ogo ti Baba,
Lofe I’On y’o fi ‘bukun fun wa
-
Pelu ‘reti I’o sise f’Oluwa,
A o fi otito rin lona Re
A o t’asako sodo Olugbala,
A o f’ Od’agutan han elese.
CONCLUSION
Dearly beloved, looking unto the Lord as our Savior and deliverer gives us the ability and opportunity of trusting, depending, and believing in Him the more. But if we fail to put our trust in Him, focus on Him, and depend more on Him, it will be difficult for us to achieve any goal or success. Therefore, Look on to Him the more then success and victory will be yours.
