Photo: L-R: Bishop Peace Okonkwo, Dr Jane Onaolapo General Overseer of Abundant Life Gospel Church and Bishop Mike Okonkwo of Trem, at the just concluded Superfest Miracle Crusade held at Abundant Life Cathederal in Lagos.
BY LADI AYODEJI
In a riveting, faith-stirring sermon, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, lead speaker at the just concluded Superfest Miracle Crusadeof the Abundant Life Church, Agege, Lagos, held thousands of worshippers spell-bound as he challenged them to wake up to hope.
For about two hours last Wednesday August 9 2017, the attendees who came from different parts of the country and different parts of the world, had a dose of the Bishop’s trademark “shake-the-foundation”preaching style as he spoke on the message titled: “Connecting toYour Prophetic Destiny”.
Bishop, speaking on the importance of visions, gave Biblical examples of the ministries of Gideon, Moses, Abraham, Joshua, David and others, and how focused vision helped them to realize their prophetic destinies, urging worshippers to follow their examples. In a highly motivating admonition, Dr. Okonkwo, the Bishop of the Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), told the people, saying:“Many of you carry books in your chests, some of you have ideas that can change the world. Don’t trivialize what you have.You are loaded and cannot fail…”
Citing the Scripture Jer. 29:11, He said the mind of God to the people:“For I know the thoughts I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you anexpected end”. He emphasized that these were God’s words to assure His people that even before they start anything, He already knows the end, which is good.
But the Bishop’s main text was taken from the famous miracle of Jesus in John 5:1-9; concerning the sick man at the pool of Bethsaida. The Bible tells us that the man had been held down by infirmity for 38 years. The belief in that area was that when the water in that pool moved, whoever jumped first into it would be healed by the angel who descends on it from heaven. The sick man who was fully incapacitated and could not get his healing for years, watched helplessly as others jumped in, and got healed.
However, according to the story, when Jesus encountered him, He commanded him to stand up and walk. Immediately, the sick man was healed. Bishop Okonkwo said that grace healed him, being unable to jump into the pool by himself. “Out of the multitude, grace spotted the sick man and he was delivered. It wasn’t by his effort, prayer or fasting”, according to the Bishop. He went on to redefine the faith experience: “For years I thought that my faith could draw down the miracle and appropriate divine blessings until God opened my understanding. How faith works is that, it apprehends what God has already done through the finished work on the cross by Christ Jesus.”
The Bishop said, “Faith only connects with what Jesus has given to us as born again Christians. No one is ever saved by what hedid, but by the mercy of God.” Clad in a chic fitting purple kaftan, the Bishop moved briskly, beckoned to the General Overseer of the Church, Dr. (Mrs.) Jane Onaolapo, widow of the late founder, Bishop Kola Onaolapo, and asked her to kneel downwhich she did. Then, assisted by his wife, Bishop (Mrs.) Peace Okonkwo, he pronounced prophetic blessings on the hard-fighting overseer.
“Rev. Jane, as we drove into the Peace Arena, we saw what the Abundant Life Church has accomplished. Every time we attend Superfest, we see something new and this inspires me to keep coming every year. The glory of God is evident upon you and this great ministry. Whoever says the contrary should have his head examined.All your expectations will be fulfilled. I thank the leaders of your church for supporting you. This vision will never diein Jesus’ name. Amen.”
With that, Bishop Okonkwo ended the night with blessings and prophetic declarations on the congregation: “Everyone under the sound of my voice, I declare you free from all yokes. After this meeting, many will testify. The impotent will regain their strength in all areas. Those lacking power will be empowered. Finally, he declared: “If you are not on the move, you become prey to demons.”
Earlier, Bishop Peace had prayed briefly for the worshippers, amidst, thunderous, exciting praise and worship songs by the Superfest Mass Choir, backed by the TREM worship group who ushered the Bishop on to the pulpit with their own inspiring songs.