“MOVING FORWARD WITH GOD”
Text: ISAIAH 43:18-19, PHILIPPIANS 3:14
By: Adeoye, Emmanuel (Evang.)
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C.A.O ESSIEN BORN APRIL 15 1915 AT IBIAKU IKOT USEN IN IBIONO LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF AKWA IBOM STATE NIGERIA IN TO THE FAMILY OF CHIEF OKON ESSIEN UKPONG
This Man Was A Sociable Person; Whose Amiable Personality Attracted Him To Many Who Later Became His Convert When He Started Preaching Of The New Testament Christianity.
Congregation Were Planted Made With Mud And Thatch Houses Essien And His Men Work Tirelessly Preaching The Gospel Of Christ To Convert Individual, Denomination Pastors And In Some Situation Convert The Whole Church To Church Of Christ.
The were determined to bestride it like a colossus. in the first Sunday worship in Ikot-Usen, 571 people were in attendance while 16 souls were baptized. they commend the local evangelist then bro Ebong and Horton who were described as Good men.
on February 1, 1945, a three month Bible training programme started until it was stated at a new site, at Ukpom to replace the three-month program earlier The training that took off from Ikot-Usen crisscrossed other part of eastern Nigeria.
Native evangelist of the Igbo stock like Chukwu and A.K. Onwusoro, Josiah Akandu who were student of Ikot-Usen training program were means to spread the gospel to Igbo land in 1951 and the first gospel planted at Ubakala area of the present Abia state which led in establishing the Bible school at Onicha-Ngwa.
Today more than forty churches are now in Igbo land with approximately 2000 members. The membership concentration is also on the increase with an hospital build close to the school. Today CoC (Restorer of NTC) is represented in 36 state of Nigeria including FCT.
ISA 43:18-19
“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Phil 3:13-14
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of god in Christ Jesus.
ISAIAH 43:18-19 is a powerful message of hope and new beginnings, urging people to let go of past troubles and focus on God’s future work, as He promises to do something new, creating paths (like rivers in a desert) where there seemed to be none, signifying divine restoration and unexpected deliverance. It’s a call to spiritual renewal, moving from past failures or hardships embrace God’s transformative, ongoing plan.
FORGET THE PAST:
“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old” (v. 18). This means releasing past hurts, sins, or even past glories that might hinder new growth, as they are no longer the focus.
GOD IS DOING A NEW THING:
“Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?” (v. 19). God is actively bringing about fresh opportunities, spiritual renewal, and a new phase for His people, often in surprising ways.
Creating a Way in the Wilderness: “I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (v. 19). This symbolizes God’s power to provide in impossible situations, bringing life and direction where there’s only barrenness or difficulty.
Perceiving God’s Work: “Do you not perceive it?” (v. 19). It’s an invitation to be alert and recognize the new work God is doing in the present, not just looking back or only forward.
This passage encourages faith in God’s ability to redeem and restore, offering hope that even When life feels stuck or hopeless (a “wilderness”), he is always at work making a new path and bringing forth new life.
PHILIPPIANS 3:14 (“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”) is a call to intense, focused pursuit of Christ, using athletic imagery where Paul runs hard, forgetting past achievements and failures (v. 13) to win an incorruptible heavenly prize, not a mere earthly wreath. Christ’s righteousness through faith, and eagerly awaiting the final glorious transformation and presence with God, a life demanding sacrifice, discipline, and single-mindedness, leaving lesser pursuits behind.
DISCIPLINE & SACRIFICE:
Like an athlete denying oneself, Christians must sacrifice worldly desires for Christ.
FOCUS & PERSEVERANCE:
Don’t get distracted by trivial matters or past failures; keep your eyes fixed on Christ.
ACTIVE FAITH:
Christianity isn’t passive; it requires active participation, growth, and imitation of Christ.
HEAVENLY PERSPECTIVE:
Value heavenly citizenship and eternal life over earthly status or temporary gains.
PRAY FOR WISDOM: Ask God for guidance when uncertain.
SET YOUR HOPE: Intentionally place your hope in God and His promises.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP: Obey the current instruction, even if small, to build momentum.
EMBRACE CHANGE: Be ready for transitions in life, trusting God to lead you through.
PARTNER WITH GOD: Actively participate in His purposes for restoration and redemption.
CONCLUSION
HYMN 255 – “HIGHER GROUND” BY JOHNSON OATMAN
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