Pastor Enoch Adeboye, head of Nigeria’s largest Pentecostal Church, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, has upbraided Christian above 70 years of age who still fear death, saying they should check their salvation.
Adeboye, 78, made the remark while delivering a sermon during the church’s thanksgiving service in Lagos on September 6.
“Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, old people were advised to stay at home and not come to church which is a good advice.
“But if you are over 70 years of age and you are still afraid of death, then you should check your salvation,” he said.
The popular cleric, however, declared that no one would die, adding that everyone would live to declare the word of God.
According to him, God would bring down the pandemic and that no virus would come near His children.
“God will give us total victory on any virus. The Lord who has kept us to see September will keep us to see the new year,” he prayed.
Adeboye recounted his childhood days, saying he began to wear shoes at the age of 18, a reason he would continue to thank God.
‘If nobody thanks God, I will. Me, that began wearing shoes at 18. If I look back from where I am coming from I can’t but thank God for His mercies,” he said.
“If I recall those who grew up together with me and see how God has shown me mercy, I can’t but thank Him. Some of the people I grew up with are not even where I started from.’
“I grew among witches and wizards and they never used to hide it. My mother used to tell me not to eat from people. We grew up among thorns and it pleases the almighty God to make us a rose, we grew up among enemies that pretended to be friends’
Adeboye said he had always been amused at the mercy of God stressing, “If there is no reason to thank God, those who have been redeemed and saved should praise him. ‘The mighty God has helped us this far. He has saved our souls. If nobody else is praising the Lord let the redeemed of the Lord praise him’
He said further that God is always by our side is enough. ‘It’s enough to have God by your side. Look at Nigeria. we have no help but God. When I see nations of the world with all resources all kinds of facilities yet the virus was ravaging them. Despite that we have nothing and far less than what other countries have, God saw us through. I say Lord we thank you.
‘If you have God as your helper that is enough for you to praise God forever. The support of God is enough. The one who says to the devil this is how far you can go you can’t go beyond this.’
He urged those who are yet to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour to do so, saying “it’s only in Christ that rest of mind and salvation are guaranteed.”
He said he had wondered why God would use Solomon mightily despite being the son of an adulterous father and mother.
“When I asked God, he made me realise that there are three ways of doing things. The right way, the wrong way and God’s way. When it comes to God’s way, he does what he wishes. Nobody can question him. The Lord reminded me that my mother too was second wife of her husband. But today God has used me for His glory.’