RESTORING THE GLORY OF CELESTIAL CHURCH Presentation on the Occasion of CCC Region A Youth Convention, 2006.

Venue: NJ Parish 187/189 Camden Street. Newark, NJ Date: May 27, 2006 By: ASE J.O. Olorunnisola, Head Of Region A The Pastor and Spiritual Head of the Church, Rev. Emmanuel M Oshoffa sends his warmest greetings on the occasion of this first Convention of the Youths in this Region. He prays that the good Lord of Celestial Church shall grant you all the wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and spiritual empowerment to make the beautiful difference for the glory of God and pride of Celestial Church. How is the gold become dim! How is the most fine gold changed. The gold of the Sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street. The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the works of the hand of the potter! Lamentations 4:1-2. Celestial Church of Christ, the divine end-time Ship of Salvation commissioned with great spiritual power on Sept 29, 1947 for the great mission of harvesting souls unto the kingdom of God has become a huge symbol of ridicule and lamentable indignation. A church that created a major tremor and spectacular inroad into the entire African Christendom during the 70s and 80s through awesome works of miracle and straightarrow prophecy, has now become an object of hissing and condemnation. Where is that glory that ignited a major population explosion and sent other churches drying off in the 70s and 80s? The ignorance, greed, lust, rebellion and ungodliness of the shepherds, parochial members and the elders have caused it all. Sanctuaries are already turned to battle grounds, while most houses of worship are now no more than clubs of immorality and all sorts of perversion. Who will restore the glory of Celestial Church and rebuild the broken walls of Celestial Jerusalem? Youths, you are the hope, the future, the true Celestians; the Ezra and Nehemiah that will repair the broken bridge, re-sanctify the desecrated house of worship and return the pavilion of hatred, in-fighting, gossip and disobedience to the hallowed sanctuary of the Most High. The good news is that the 3rd week of May every year has been declared the Youths week throughout the diocese of USA in recognition of your importance within this Vineyard of Christ. Today, during this convention, let me challenge you all with the following seven pillars of focus: I. Living extraordinary Life: This is a life that is 100% anchored on the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible must remain your compass and Christ your priority.

The elders are failing because of our substitution of intellectual fancies for the Voice of God. We trust in our life experiences, intellectual knowledge and ego to decide on things that are of God, thereby sending the holy Spirit out: a clear rebellion to God. Nothing good can come from rebelling against the Lord, and nothing bad can come from obeying Him. Obedience is the pathway to wisdom and blessing. A life well lived is one in which our eyes are focused upon the Lord, our ears are open to the quiet voice of the Holy spirit, and our hearts feast on the scripture. When we choose this existence of conformity to the ways of the Lord, we guarantee ourselves the finest that God has to offer. There is no second best for the obedient child of the Father. II. Worshipping God zealously and keeping His commands. Many are simply church goers without any passion for Christ, or knowledge of God, while others go to church in search of spiritual solutions to their problems. True worshippers are only those who serve God for who He is, they seek His face and His strength and not His hand. Romans 14:17 states For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God and approved of men. III. IV. Let there be an effective line of communication amongst you to prevent misinformation and rumors that create suspicion, bitterness and rejection You should avoid fighting for unprofitable vain glory such as ranks, positions and robe. This is what is currently tearing the body of Christ amongst the elders. Be strong in love, and passionate in care and mercy towards one another.. Make yourselves relevant in all aspects of Celestial Worship and service because you are the future of the church. Make yourselves relevant to this generation through sound education and high level of self discipline. It is important. Be proud of the church and be strong in defending Her image. It is certainly the end-time ship of salvation. This is an Herculean task, particularly now that the entire world seems to be fed up with the Church, Set for yourselves laudable goals of reformation and remain focused.

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On behalf of the Pastor and Spiritual Head of the Church, I hereby declare the Convention Open. I wish you Gods guided successful convention. ASE Joseph O Olorunnisola, Head of Region A.