DR U. OBED @ MANI CONFERENCE TUESDAY 05 SEPT. 2011 AFRICA IN GODS PLAN.

DR U. OBED@

MANI CONFERENCETUESDAY 05 SEPT. 2011

AFRICA IN GOD’S PLAN

AFRICA IN GOD’S PLAN

Focus

• The God of Purpose and Plans• The Continent – AFRICA• Africa in God’s Plan, and

• Timing of Africa’s Blossoming

Gen 1:16-19

• “Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.”

“Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth” (Dan 2:31-35).

AFRICA• The origin of the word is still a little uncertain,

but it is credible to see a connection from Latin (Africa = sunny) and Greek (Aphrike = not cold). The Romans were the first to use the name. For them it covered Tunisia and the most northern parts of Algeria and Libya. They could also have been inspired to the name from some of the first people they met on the continent: The Afri, which were a berber tribe in the Carthage area. (contd)

• “Egypt and "Aethiopia" seem to have been more familiar and popular with people of old as representing the continent. The Europeans later used the word "Africa" to describe the entire continent. Strangely enough (they) changed it from the land of sunshine and warmth to "the dark continent.”” ("Wonders of the African World" by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr,).

Africa in God’s Plan

• Apostle Peter said to Cornelius, “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him”” (Acts 10:34-35).

Is 19:19 - 25• “In that day there will be an altar to the

Lord in the midst of the land of Africa, and a pillar to the LORD at its border. And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Africa; for they will cry to the LORD because of oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them.

(Contd)

• “Then the LORD will be known to Africa, and the Africans will know the LORD in that day, and will make sacrifice and offering; yes, they will make a vow to the LORD and perform it. And the LORD will strike Africa, He will strike and heal it; they will return to the LORD, and He will be entreated by them and heal them. (Contd)

“In that day there will be a highway from Africa to Assyria, and the Assyrian will come into Africa and the African into Assyria, and the Africans will serve with the Assyrians.

“In that day, Israel will be one of three with Africa and Assyria – a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the LORD of hosts shall bless saying, “Blessed is Africa My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.””

Acts 17:26

“And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings” (Acts 17:26).

• (Nation = race, tribe, people of same habit)

Dr Andrew Walls• “Christian advance in the world is serial and in

the providence of God, it is the Christians of Africa, and Asia and Latin America and the Pacific that are next in the series… It means that the Christians of the southern continent are now the representative Christians, the people by whom the quality of the 21st and 22nd century Christianity will be judged, the people who will set the norms, the standard. And the quality of the 21st century Christianity will depend on them.”

Articulating God’s Plan for Africa

1. Re-evangelization of the West2. Setting of biblical norms and standards for

the practice of genuine Christianity3. Restoring spiritual quality in the church of

the 21st century and beyond4. Finishing the unfinished task – engaging the

remaining unreached people groups with the gospel of the kingdom

5. Preparing the church for the Lord’s soon return

Rom 9:25-26

• “I will call (Africa) My people, who were not My people, and her beloved, who was not beloved. And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said of (Africa), ‘You are not My people’ there they shall be called sons of the Living God.”

Is 60:1-2

“Arise, shine (Africa); for your light is come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will rise over you, and His glory will be seen upon (Africa)”

GODBLESS AFRICA