The Prince of God

Title :	The Prince of God
Preacher :	Pastor 'Bank Akinmola
Main Texts: 2 Corinthians 5:17; Genesis 32:24-28; Isaiah 43:1, 7 “…Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new CREATION; OLD THINGS have passed away; behold, ALL THINGS have become NEW.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17. “…But now, thus says the Lord, who CREATED you, O Jacob, and He who FORMED you, O Israel: fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine…everyone who is called by My name, whom I have CREATED for My glory; I have FORMED him, yes, I have MADE him” – Isaiah 43:1, 7 In view of the previous teachings on the emerging Joseph generation, it is obvious and incontrovertible that every vision-oriented Christian would aspire the leadership style of Joseph. Just as Joseph was a quintessence, personification, and icon of excellence, every blood-believer would long to operate in such excellent spirit and showcase same extraordinary character in all human endeavours and every given situation. In this regard, it is sure that everyone experiences being a new creation at conversion. However, it is indubitably that not everyone who has experienced being a new creation exhibits the fullness of the package of salvation—manifesting the nature and character of God in all ramifications. The ultimate plan and purpose of God for every Christian on the face of the earth is to bring them to the place of not only to reign with Him but also to reign on His behalf on earth. Therefore, when we are changed into a new creation at conversion, God will take us through process in order to purify, purge, and prune us of every excess of Adamic nature so that we can walk and operate as prince of God on earth. Hence, manifesting the nature of God is not an automatic experience! God will take us through process in order to make us His princes. In our Christian race, there are three phases of process that an individual will go through in order to become a prince of God. The first phase is being a new creation. You become a new creation by surrendering your life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and His word. Subsequently, the old man is buried through identification with the death of Jesus at baptism. And because old things have passed away, all things then become new. However, from the first facet where we become a new creation to the third part where all things become new, it can take a donkey’s years or life time, even. Thus, it is pertinent that we understand that God has a plan from getting the old things passed away so that all things can become new. Joseph did not become a world-class leader over night; God took him through process—he was seasoned—it was not an automatic fulfilment of his great dreams. Now to be a new creation is a pass over experience—thirty fold Christianity. “Old things passed away”—sixty fold Christianity—Pentecost experience. “All things become new”—hundred fold Christianity—tabernacle experience. These three facets experience have been made available in Christ. However, it is unfortunate that we concentrate on becoming like Joseph but fail to realise the process that produced Joseph. It is unfortunate that we emphasize on the good things that accompany salvation but failed to realise the process that will produce the good things. Joseph is a picture of what you and I want to be, but Jacob is the frame that holds the picture. In other words, you and I cannot be part of the emerging Joseph generation unless we have been taken through the process that changed Jacob to Israel. Jacob is a type of our old nature which you and I possessed before we were brought into the kingdom by the atone sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Nonetheless, according to the election of grace, God has chosen to work in us so that so that He can work His works through us. God is not looking for a perfect man whom He will use, but rather a man that He will form with His hand and shape into His image, ready for the Master use. –Romans 9:13; 2 Timothy 2:21. Literally, a prince is one who is related to the king. In like manner, God does not only want us to carry His resemblance but also carry His image and exercise dominion and authority on earth.—He desires to make us Israel—prince of God. Therefore, it is important that you take cognisance that Jacob was created while Israel was formed. In other words, the former possessed the nature of the first Adam—a living being—while the latter possessed the nature of the last Adam—a life-giving Spirit. The former is created and formed while the latter is made into God’s image. The difference between Jacob and Israel is the process that you and I will go through in order to be changed from being a supplanter into Israel—prince of God.1 Corinthians 15:45. In all the great biblical figures it was in Jacob that God demonstrated the complete process of salvation—created, formed, and made. The bottom line is that: God want to make you and I persons that have prevailed with God and man. Hence, Jacob was a man whose life was processed, and consequently produced a Joseph that reigned with God. There would be no Joseph without a Jacob. You cannot become prince of God if you would not wholeheartedly receive grace to through the process of becoming prince–Genesis 1:26, 27; 2:19-24. If you will recognise the process that produced Joseph, then you will showcase Joseph’s style of leadership in your dealings in any given situation as God works His work in you through the dealings of the Holy Spirit. However, it takes time to be changed from being a stone to a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, and ultimately a sure foundation that can stand the test of time and reign on God’s behalf on earth. If you really believe what God has said or shown you as far as your destiny is concerned, then you will not make haste, but receive grace to endure the time and process in becoming a prince of God. It takes a considerable time to be great, not automatic–Isaiah 28:16.
For the complete message, please contact the Latter Rain Assembly Tape Ministry or Bookshop
Tel : +234(01)7739143-4; 7739140; 4968552-3; 4933684
Fax: +234(01)4922687
Email : lra@latterrainassemly.org