DIVINE INAUGURATION: ENTERING GOD’S NEW SEASON WITH EXPECTATION
THEME: *“DIVINE INAUGURATION: ENTERING GOD’S NEW SEASON WITH EXPECTATION”*
(PSK 122. Sunday, 4th January 2026)
TEXTS:
*Old Testament:* Deuteronomy 11:8-12
*Gospel:* Mark 1:14-15
🌹 Happy New Year, and welcome to the first Sunday, the 4th day of January 2026. This is OUR ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD!
Receive your GOOD NEWS through our acceptance of the Prophetic declaration of Jesus Christ, our LORD, who makes this year our acceptable year to become fulfilled in all ramifications! Papa in Heaven provides us with another opportunity to recover all we had lost in the previous year.
The touch of His Goodness in this 1st Half of the Year 2026 will ultimately fulfil our requests, making us to overcome tribulations, stress and fear of failure, in Jesus’ Name! ✅
METHODIST HYMN: MHB 1 – *_“O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing”_*
Written by Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
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Charles Wesley composed this magnificent hymn in 1739 to commemorate the first anniversary of his conversion on 21st May 1738. Originally containing eighteen verses, it expressed overwhelming gratitude for salvation’s transforming power. The hymn’s opening line was inspired by Moravian Peter Böhler’s words: *_“Had I a thousand tongues, I would praise Christ with them all.”_* Wesley understood that encountering Christ inaugurates new spiritual seasons requiring perpetual praise. This hymn perfectly captures the New Year’s joy of believers entering fresh dimensions of God’s goodness, declaring His glorious name with renewed passion and expectant faith.
1: O FOR a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!!
2: My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honours of Thy name.
3: Jesus! The name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
’Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’Tis life, and health, and peace.
4: He speaks, and, listening to His voice,
New life the dead receive,
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
The humble poor believe.
5: He breaks the power of cancelled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.
6: See all your sins on Jesus laid:
The Lamb of God was slain,
His soul was once an offering made
For every soul of man.
*_-Rev. John Benjamin Wesley_* (1739).
*SEVEN FOUNDATIONAL PREVAILING PRAYERS*
❤🔥 *PRAYER 1 – Title:* ILLUMINATE OUR DIVINE UNDERSTANDING. 👑✨
❤🔥 *Linking Anecdote:* When seekers look up to the Almighty God for divine clarity in direction, He drops a Bible verse into the leader’s mind, and mysteries eventually manifest after the believers pray in faith. 👑✨
❤🔥 *Link Verse:* _“that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him”_ – Ephesians 1:17 👑✨
❤🔥 *Prayer: _This year – by the power of the Holy Spirit – open our eyes to see and appreciate Your divine purposes for us in this generation, in Jesus’ Name._* AMEN. 👑✨
❤🔥 *PRAYER 2 – Title:* ENTRANCE INTO GOD’S PROMISED LAND. 👑✨
❤🔥 *Linking Anecdote:* The Israelites wandered forty years in the wilderness, perpetually circling the same mountain, until a new generation arose willing to possess what God had already promised. Similarly, believers often delay divine blessings through unbelief and disobedience. 👑✨
❤🔥 *Link Verse:* _“Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed”_ – Hebrews 12:12-13 👑✨
❤🔥 *Prayer: _Lord, grant us courage to cross into the promised territories You’ve prepared for us, making us avoid to wander in yesterday’s wilderness, in Jesus’ Name._* 👑✨
❤🔥 *PRAYER 3 – Title:* HEAVENLY ATTENTION UPON OUR YEAR. 👑✨
❤🔥 *Linking Anecdote:* A farmer understood that successful harvests depended not merely on his labour but on heaven’s provision—rain, sunshine, and seasons arriving precisely when needed. Similarly, our prosperity requires divine attention throughout the year. 👑✨
❤🔥 *Link Verse:* _“a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year”_ – Deuteronomy 11:12 👑✨
❤🔥 *Prayer: _Lord, let Your divine attention rest upon us from January through December, watching over every detail of our lives with providential care, in Jesus’ Name._* 👑✨
❤🔥 *PRAYER 4 – Title:* REPENTANCE FOR KINGDOM ENTRY. 👑✨
❤🔥 *Linking Anecdote:* John the Baptist prepared the way for Christ’s ministry by calling people to repentance. Many religious leaders, confident in their heritage, missed Messiah’s coming because they refused to acknowledge their need for transformation. 👑✨
❤🔥 Link Verse: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” – Matthew 3:2 👑✨
❤🔥 *Prayer: _O Lord, grant us the genuine repentance that must turn us from sin to embrace righteousness, positioning us to receive kingdom blessings throughout this year, in Jesus’ Name._* 👑✨
❤🔥 *PRAYER 5 – Title:* BELIEVING THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM. 👑✨
❤🔥 *Linking Anecdote:* Two servants heard their master’s promise of inheritance. One believed and prepared accordingly; the other doubted and made no preparation. When inheritance day arrived, only the believing servant possessed capacity to receive what was offered. 👑✨
❤🔥 *Link Verse:* _“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel”_ – Mark 1:15 👑✨
❤🔥 *Prayer: _Lord, strengthen our faith to believe Your gospel’s promises completely, receiving this year’s blessings with confident expectation, in Jesus’ Name._* 👑✨
❤🔥 *PRAYER 6 – Title:* OBEDIENCE THAT UNLOCKS BLESSING. 👑✨
❤🔥 *Linking Anecdote:* Naaman the leper initially refused Elisha’s simple command to wash in the Jordan River, considering it beneath his dignity. Only when he obeyed did healing manifest. Blessings often await the other side of obedience. 👑✨
❤🔥 *Link Verse:* _“Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him”_ – Deuteronomy 8:6 👑✨
❤🔥 *Prayer: _Lord, grant us grace for radical obedience to Your Word, understanding that Your commands are pathways to blessing, not burdens to bear, in Jesus’ Name._* 👑✨
❤🔥 *PRAYER 7 – Title:* STRENGTH TO POSSESS OUR POSSESSIONS. 👑✨
❤🔥 *Linking Anecdote:* Joshua surveyed the Promised Land filled with fortified cities and formidable enemies. God didn’t promise absence of opposition but guaranteed victory through divine presence, saying: “I will not leave you nor forsake you.” 👑✨
❤🔥 *Link Verse:* _“Therefore you shall be strong, and go in and possess the land which you cross over to possess”_ – Deuteronomy 11:8 👑✨
❤🔥 *Prayer: _Lord infuse in us, the supernatural strength to possess every promise You’ve designated for us this year, overcoming every obstacle through Your mighty power, in Jesus’ Name._* 👑✨
🔥 🦅 *EXHORTATION* ❤
🔥 🦅 Theme: *“DIVINE INAUGURATION: ENTERING GOD’S NEW SEASON WITH EXPECTATION”* ❤
*_“What is the rationale for this NEW YEAR theme in the present world we live in?”_*
On 20th January 1961, John F. Kennedy stood before the United States Capitol to deliver his presidential inaugural address. His words electrified a generation: *_“Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”_* That inauguration marked more than calendar transition; it signified paradigm shift, generational transfer, and fresh national vision. Citizens awakened to new possibilities, embraced renewed responsibilities, and anticipated unprecedented achievements.
Yet even Kennedy’s inspiring inauguration pales compared to the divine inauguration God offers believers at each year’s commencement. We don’t merely flip calendar pages; we enter new seasons of divine favour, fresh dimensions of kingdom blessing, and unprecedented opportunities for supernatural breakthrough. Like Israel standing at Jordan’s edge, gazing toward Canaan’s promises, we position ourselves at 2026’s threshold, prepared to possess what God has already designated as ours.
This isn’t wishful optimism or positive thinking. Moses declared to Israel: *_“The land which you cross over to possess is a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year”_* (Deuteronomy 11:12). God doesn’t offer generic blessings but specific provision tailored to this precise season. Jesus inaugurated His ministry proclaiming: *_“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel”_* (Mark 1:15). Divine timing converges with kingdom readiness, creating unprecedented opportunities for those spiritually positioned.
EXEGETICAL ANALYSIS
Deuteronomy 11:8-12 addresses Israelites’ final move to enter Canaan after forty years wilderness wandering. Moses contrasts Egypt—where they laboured as slaves, dependent upon Nile’s unpredictable flooding—with Canaan, where divine provision flows from heaven rather than human irrigation. The Hebrew ‘eretz’ (land) represents more than geography; it symbolises divine inheritance, covenant promise, and kingdom blessing.
Verse 12’s assurance proves particularly significant: *_“the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year.”_* The Hebrew ‘ayin’ (eyes) implies watchful care, providential oversight, and protective attention. This isn’t distant divine observation but intimate involvement. God doesn’t merely observe annually; He actively superintends every season, orchestrating circumstances for covenant purposes.
However, possession required action. Verse 8 commands: *_“Therefore you shall be strong, and go in and possess the land.”_* The Hebrew ‘chazaq’ (be strong) implies resolute courage, not merely physical strength. God promised the land yet required Israel’s participation—they must cross Jordan, confront enemies, and claim territories. Divine provision doesn’t eliminate human responsibility; it empowers faithful obedience.
Mark 1:14-15 records Jesus’ inaugural sermon following John the Baptist’s imprisonment. His message contains four critical elements. First, *_“The time is fulfilled”_* —the Greek ‘kairos’ indicates appointed season, not mere chronological time (chronos). God’s redemptive timetable reached decisive moment. Second, *_“the kingdom of God is at hand”_* —divine rule breaking into human history through Christ’s presence. Third, *_“Repent”_* —the Greek ‘metanoeō’ means radical mind-change, not merely regret. Fourth, *_“believe in the gospel”_* —trust the good news completely.
Jesus inaugurated kingdom ministry at precise divine moment. His message demanded response—repentance and faith—positioning people to receive kingdom blessings. Those who responded entered new spiritual dimension; those who refused remained in old patterns despite unprecedented opportunity.
Theologically, these passages converge on vital truth: God inaugurates new seasons requiring human response. He provides promised blessings yet demands faithful participation. Divine timing creates unprecedented opportunities, but only positioned believers possess what God offers.
BODY OF THE SERMON
- SITUATION
We commence 2026 amidst unprecedented global complexity. Economically, nations navigate post-pandemic recovery, inflationary pressures, and economic uncertainty. Politically, polarisation intensifies, democratic institutions face challenges, and international tensions escalate. Socially, traditional structures fragment, moral foundations erode, and cultural confusion multiplies. Technologically, artificial intelligence advances, raising profound ethical questions about humanity’s future.
Spiritually, the Church confronts mixed realities. In many regions, persecution intensifies whilst Western Christianity experiences numerical decline. Biblical literacy decreases amongst professing believers. Moral distinctions between Christian and secular cultures increasingly blur. Yet simultaneously, pockets of genuine revival emerge, passionate believers pursue authentic discipleship, and hunger for supernatural encounter grows.
Individually, countless believers begin this year burdened by unresolved yesterdays. Financial pressures persist from previous years. Relationships remain fractured. Health challenges continue. Dreams died unfulfilled. Prayers seemingly went unanswered. Consequently, many approach 2026 with diminished expectations, assuming this year will merely repeat last year’s disappointments.
This mirrors Israel’s wilderness generation. They’d experienced spectacular deliverance from Egypt—plagues demonstrating God’s power, Red Sea parting miraculously, manna provided daily. Yet when they reached Canaan’s border, fear conquered faith. They focused on fortified cities and giant inhabitants rather than God’s promises. Consequently, that generation died in wilderness, never possessing their inheritance (Numbers 14:26-35).
The tragedy wasn’t God’s unfaithfulness but Israel’s unbelief. God had designated Canaan as their possession, yet they refused to enter. Their past deliverances didn’t guarantee future victories because each new season requires fresh faith. Yesterday’s manna cannot sustain today’s journey; yesterday’s victories cannot conquer today’s battles; yesterday’s faith cannot possess today’s promises.
- COMPLICATION
The primary complication preventing believers from possessing 2026’s blessings isn’t external circumstances but internal conditions. Multiple spiritual pathologies hinder divine inauguration.
First complication: Unrepentant sin blocking blessing. Deuteronomy 11 emphasises obedience as blessing’s prerequisite. Verse 13 promises: “if you earnestly obey My commandments… I will give you the rain for your land in its season.” However, disobedience triggers curse rather than blessing (verses 26-28). God cannot bless what He’s commanded us to abandon.
Many believers desire new year blessings whilst clinging to old year sins—unforgiveness poisoning hearts, sexual immorality defiling bodies, dishonesty compromising integrity, or idolatry replacing God with created things. They want kingdom blessings without kingdom holiness, divine favour without divine obedience. Yet Jesus declared: “Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Repentance precedes reception; turning from sin positions us for supernatural provision.
Second complication: Unbelief limiting reception. Mark emphasises believing the gospel as kingdom entry requirement. Yet many believers possess theoretical faith without practical trust. They intellectually affirm God’s promises whilst emotionally doubting His faithfulness. They pray requesting breakthroughs whilst internally expecting disappointment.
This unbelief creates self-fulfilling prophecy. Jesus “could do no mighty work” in Nazareth “because of their unbelief” (Mark 6:5-6). Not because He lacked power but because unbelief creates spiritual atmosphere preventing supernatural manifestation. Similarly, believers limiting God through unbelief forfeit blessings He’s prepared.
Hebrews warns that Israel’s wilderness generation “could not enter in because of unbelief” (Hebrews 3:19). God had promised Canaan yet unbelief prevented possession. Similarly, contemporary believers may forfeit 2026’s blessings through practical atheism—living as though God’s promises are unreliable, His power insufficient, or His faithfulness questionable.
Third complication: Yesterday’s mindset preventing tomorrow’s manifestation. Israel struggled releasing Egypt mentally despite physical liberation. They craved Egyptian cuisine, romanticised slavery’s “security,” and feared Canaan’s challenges (Numbers 11:4-6). Their bodies left Egypt yet their hearts remained there, preventing Canaan’s full possession.
Many believers enter new years dragging old mindsets—yesterday’s failures predicting tomorrow’s outcomes, past disappointments creating present cynicism, or former defeats producing current passivity. They’ve unconsciously accepted limitations as permanent, viewing breakthrough as exceptional rather than normative.
Paul commands: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). New seasons require renewed thinking. We must release yesterday’s grip, embrace today’s grace, and anticipate tomorrow’s glory.
Fourth complication: Passive expectation replacing active participation. Deuteronomy commands: “be strong, and go in and possess the land.” God promised Canaan yet required Israel’s participation—crossing Jordan, confronting enemies, claiming territories. Divine provision doesn’t eliminate human responsibility.
Many believers approach new years passively, expecting blessings to materialise automatically without corresponding obedience. They desire financial breakthrough whilst refusing biblical stewardship. They want restored relationships whilst avoiding difficult conversations. They seek physical healing whilst neglecting health disciplines. They anticipate career advancement whilst performing mediocre work.
Yet Scripture reveals partnership principle: “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17). God provides supernatural enablement for natural obedience. He doesn’t replace our participation but empowers our faithful action.
III. RESOLUTION
God’s resolution appears through both Moses and Jesus—divine inauguration requires repentant faith and obedient action positioning us to receive promised blessings.
First, we must repent genuinely. Jesus inaugurated ministry commanding: “Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Repentance isn’t merely regret about consequences but radical mind-change producing behavioural transformation. The Greek metanoeō implies complete paradigm shift—seeing sin as God sees it, ourselves as He sees us, and His kingdom as ultimate reality.
Practically, this demands honest spiritual inventory. What sins from 2025 require confession and forsaking? What relationships need reconciliation? What restitution must we make? What patterns must we break? Repentance creates spiritual space for divine blessing, removing obstacles preventing God’s flow.
David understood this: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear” (Psalm 66:18). Cherished sin blocks prayer’s effectiveness. However, genuine repentance releases divine favour: “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).
Second, we must believe completely. Jesus commands: “believe in the gospel.” This isn’t intellectual assent but wholehearted trust producing confident expectation. Abraham “did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform” (Romans 4:20-21).
Practically, believing means acting upon God’s promises before seeing manifestation. It means praying expectantly, planning accordingly, and positioning ourselves for breakthrough. It means declaring God’s faithfulness despite contrary circumstances, trusting His character when evidence seems absent.
This requires renewing our minds with Scripture. Paul instructs: “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Immersing ourselves in biblical promises strengthens faith, replacing doubt with confidence.
Third, we must obey faithfully. Deuteronomy promises blessing contingent upon obedience: “if you earnestly obey My commandments… I will give you the rain for your land in its season” (11:13-14). Obedience isn’t legalistic performance earning salvation but loving response demonstrating trust.
Jesus declared: *_“If you love Me, keep My commandments”_* (John 14:15). Obedience flows from relationship, not religious obligation. When we genuinely love Christ, His commands become delightful rather than burdensome.
Practically, this means aligning our lives with biblical principles—stewarding finances according to kingdom priorities, conducting relationships with Christlike character, pursuing vocations honouring God, and managing bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. Obedience positions us in blessing’s flow.
Fourth, we must act courageously. Moses commanded: *_“be strong, and go in and possess the land.”_* Israel must cross Jordan, confront enemies, and claim territories. Possession required courage overcoming fear.
Similarly, 2026’s blessings require courageous action. We must attempt what seems impossible, trusting God’s enablement. We must initiate difficult conversations, make sacrificial investments, or pursue audacious goals—not through presumption but through faith-inspired obedience.
Joshua exemplified this. When assuming Moses’ leadership, God commanded repeatedly: “Be strong and of good courage” (Joshua 1:6, 7, 9). Why? Because possessing promises requires confronting opposition. Yet God guaranteed: “I will not leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5). Divine presence empowers human courage.
The ultimate resolution appears in Christ. He perfectly fulfilled divine requirements—living in complete obedience, demonstrating absolute faith, and courageously confronting evil. Through His sacrifice, He reconciles us to God, positioning us to receive kingdom blessings. Through His resurrection, He demonstrates victory over every enemy. Through His Spirit, He empowers our obedient faith.
This year’s divine inauguration begins with Christ. Surrender completely to His lordship. Receive His righteousness through faith. Walk in His Spirit’s power. Trust His promises completely. Obey His commands faithfully. Act upon His guidance courageously.
*_Let us apply the impact o fGod’s message today:_*
- An Individual at a Crossroads of Hopelessness
Perhaps you begin 2026 feeling hopeless and defeated. Last year brought disappointments—prayers unanswered, relationships broken, finances devastated, health compromised, or dreams destroyed. You wonder whether this year offers anything different or merely repeats last year’s pain.
Hear God’s promise: “the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year.” God’s attention rests upon your 2026 from January through December. He hasn’t abandoned you; He’s positioning you for breakthrough.
Your past doesn’t determine your future when surrendered to Christ. Consider Peter—he denied Christ three times, disqualifying himself from ministry. Yet Jesus specifically sought him after resurrection, restoring and recommissioning him (John 21:15-17). Peter became the Church’s foundation despite spectacular failure.
Practical steps: First, repent of sin blocking blessing. Confess specifically, forsake completely, and receive forgiveness fully. Second, renew your mind with Scripture. Declare God’s promises daily, replacing doubt with faith. Third, position yourself through obedient action. Take practical steps aligning with divine principles. Fourth, expect breakthrough. This is your acceptable year!
- An Atheistic/Opinionated Personality
Perhaps you’ve dismissed Christianity as mythological fiction or psychological crutch. You pride yourself on rational thinking, empirical evidence, and scientific methodology. You consider faith intellectually dishonest—believing without evidence.
However, consider this: What if Christianity’s core claims are actually true? What if Jesus genuinely rose from death, validating His divine identity? What if God authentically exists, making Himself known through creation, Scripture, and personal encounter? Wouldn’t investigating these possibilities prove intellectually responsible rather than dismissive scepticism?
C.S. Lewis, former atheist and Oxford scholar, wrote: “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” Christianity doesn’t eliminate reason; it provides rational framework making sense of reality—objective morality, human dignity, cosmic purpose, and ultimate meaning.
Jesus declared: “The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” This isn’t irrational leap but investigated trust. Jesus provided evidence—prophetic fulfilment, miraculous signs, moral authority, and resurrection vindication. His invitation remains: “Come and see” (John 1:39).
This year, I challenge you: examine Christianity honestly. Read the Gospels critically but fairly. Investigate resurrection evidence. Consider testimonies of transformed lives. Pray honestly: “God, if You exist, reveal Yourself to me.” Then watch for His response.
III. Business Organisations
Corporate leaders commence 2026 facing complex challenges—economic uncertainty, technological disruption, competitive pressures, and workforce transformations. Success requires more than strategic planning; it demands divine wisdom transcending human capacity.
Solomon, wisest king in history, understood that “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it” (Psalm 127:1). Business effectiveness ultimately depends upon divine blessing, not merely human brilliance. God provides supernatural wisdom for marketplace challenges when humbly sought.
Practically, align business operations with kingdom principles. First, integrity—conduct all dealings honestly, honouring commitments even when costly. Second, stewardship—recognise that resources ultimately belong to God, requiring faithful management. Third, people—value employees as divine image-bearers, not merely productivity units. Fourth, purpose—understand that businesses exist for human flourishing and kingdom advancement, not merely profit maximisation.
Deuteronomy promises divine attention throughout the year. Dedicate your organisation to God’s purposes. Seek His guidance for strategic decisions. Establish corporate cultures reflecting biblical values. Watch supernatural favour accompany righteous business practices.
- Government Bodies
Political leaders govern during unprecedented complexity—international tensions, domestic polarisation, economic challenges, and social fragmentation. Effective leadership requires wisdom exceeding human capacity.
Scripture reveals that governmental authority derives from God: “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God” (Romans 13:1). Political leaders serve under divine mandate, accountable ultimately to Him.
Proverbs declares: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). National flourishing flows from righteous governance honouring God’s principles—justice protecting the vulnerable, integrity in public service, compassion toward suffering, and wisdom in decision-making.
This year, will governmental policies reflect kingdom values? Will leaders seek divine wisdom through prayer and Scripture? Will laws honour human dignity and promote genuine justice? Will authority serve sacrificially rather than exploit selfishly?
Moses commanded Israel’s leaders to “be strong” in pursuing God’s purposes. Political courage requires standing for righteousness despite opposition, implementing just policies despite criticism, and trusting God’s vindication despite temporary unpopularity.
- Inter-religious Clerics
Religious leaders navigate increasingly pluralistic contexts where exclusive truth claims encounter fierce resistance. Contemporary culture promotes religious relativism—all faiths equally valid, all paths equally legitimate.
However, Jesus unambiguously declared: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Peter proclaimed: “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
This exclusivity isn’t arrogance but accuracy. Christianity’s uniqueness lies not in superior adherents but in superior Saviour—God incarnate, dying for sin, resurrecting from death, and offering salvation freely. Every religion charts humanity’s search for God; Christianity reveals God’s search for humanity.
Fellow clerics, this year demands courageous conviction. Dialogue respectfully with other traditions, demonstrating Christ’s love. Learn from diverse perspectives where truth exists. But never compromise Christian distinctives for cultural acceptance or interfaith harmony.
Paul modelled this balance—adapting methodology culturally whilst maintaining theology biblically (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). Love genuinely across religious boundaries. Serve compassionately regardless of belief systems. But proclaim Christ uncompromisingly as humanity’s only Saviour.
CHALLENGE: Psycho-Analytical Call to Divine Reasoning.
Contemporary psychology recognises that new beginnings offer psychological benefits—fresh starts creating motivation, goal-setting providing direction, and hope generating positive emotions. However, secular psychology cannot answer life’s ultimate questions: What purposes should we pursue? What values should guide decisions? What meaning transcends temporal existence?
Christianity provides what psychology cannot—objective purpose rooted in divine design, absolute values reflecting God’s character, and eternal meaning surpassing physical death. You exist not accidentally but intentionally, created in God’s image for divine purposes extending into eternity.
Consider the logical implications of atheism. If we’re merely accidental products of mindless evolutionary processes, purpose becomes illusory fiction we create but that possesses no objective reality. Consequently, nothing ultimately matters—your achievements, relationships, and legacy will vanish when the universe reaches heat death. All meaning collapses into absurdity.
Christianity offers coherent alternative. God intentionally created you for specific purposes: glorifying Him, enjoying intimate relationship with Him, reflecting His character, extending His kingdom, and stewarding creation responsibly. These purposes transcend temporal circumstances, providing meaning surviving even death.
This year, cease relying solely on human wisdom. Paul writes: *_“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths”_* (Proverbs 3:5-6). Divine wisdom surpasses human reasoning, providing guidance through life’s complexities.
Bring your soul to Christ today. Discover the divine purposes designed for you from eternity. Exchange human limitations for divine possibilities. Trade temporal satisfaction for eternal significance.
CONCLUSION
Every divine inauguration ultimately centres on Jesus Christ. He is the fulfilment of every Old Testament promise, the embodiment of God’s kingdom, and the source of every spiritual blessing.
Deuteronomy promised a land where God’s eyes rest continuously. Christ fulfils this—He is Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23), guaranteeing divine presence perpetually. Mark announced kingdom arrival. Christ inaugurated this—through His ministry, death, and resurrection, God’s reign breaks into human history.
This year’s divine inauguration begins with Christ. He perfectly fulfilled divine requirements—complete obedience producing righteousness, absolute faith demonstrating trust, and courageous sacrifice conquering evil. Through Him, we receive what we could never earn—forgiveness, righteousness, adoption, and eternal life.
Paul declares: *_“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new”_* (2 Corinthians 5:17). In Christ, every year becomes new creation opportunity—fresh possibilities, renewed purposes, and unprecedented blessings.
ALTAR CALL:
*_“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me”_* (Revelation 3:20).
Jesus stands at your heart’s door, seeking entrance. He offers more than calendar change; He offers life transformation. Not religious performance but intimate relationship. Not self-improvement but divine recreation.
If you’ve never surrendered to Christ, today is your inauguration day. Confess Jesus as Lord—submitting under His authority. Believe God raised Him from death—trusting His resurrection power. Receive salvation freely offered—accepting His finished work.
If you’ve wandered from faith, today is your restoration day. Return to your first love. Recommit to His lordship. Repent of sins creating separation. Receive fresh infilling of His Spirit.
Let us pray: *_“Father, I enter 2026 surrendering wholly to Jesus Christ. Forgive my sins. Cleanse my heart. Renew my mind. Fill me with Your Spirit. Guide my steps. Provide for my needs. Accomplish Your purposes through my life. Let Your eyes rest upon me from January through December. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”_*
*SEVEN INTERCESSORY PRAYERS FOR MANIFESTATION*
❤🔥 *PRAYER 8* – SUPERNATURAL PROVISION THROUGHOUT THE YEAR 👑✨
*Anecdote:* Elijah experienced supernatural provision during drought when ravens brought food daily and a widow’s flour and oil never depleted. God specialises in providing for His people through impossible circumstances when they’re positioned in His purposes.
*Link Verse:* _“a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year”_ – Deuteronomy 11:12.
*Prayer: _Lord, release supernatural provision in every area of need—financial, relational, physical, and spiritual—throughout this entire year, demonstrating Your faithful care, in Jesus’ Name!_* 👑✨
❤🔥 *PRAYER 9* – STRENGTH TO POSSESS OUR PROMISED TERRITORIES. 👑✨
*Anecdote:* Caleb, at eighty-five years old, requested the mountain region inhabited by giants. Whilst others saw impossibility, he saw opportunity, declaring: *_“Give me this mountain!”_* His faith-inspired courage enabled him to possess what intimidated younger men.
*Link Verse:* _“Therefore you shall be strong, and go in and possess the land which you cross over to possess”_ – Deuteronomy 11:8
*Prayer: _Lord, infuse in us, the supernatural strength and holy courage to possess every territory, relationship, and opportunity You’ve designated as our inheritance this year, in Jesus’ Name!_* 👑✨
❤🔥 *PRAYER 10* – KINGDOM VISION FOR DIVINE PURPOSES. 👑✨
*Anecdote:* Isaiah’s temple vision transformed his ministry. Seeing God’s holiness, hearing heaven’s worship, and receiving divine commission positioned him for prophetic effectiveness that influenced nations and shaped biblical revelation for millennia.
*Link Verse:* _“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel”_ – Mark 1:15.
*Prayer: _Lord, open our spiritual eyes to perceive kingdom realities, aligning our purposes with Your eternal plans and empowering us to advance Your reign, in Jesus’ Name!_* 👑✨
❤🔥 *PRAYER 11* – OBEDIENCE THAT RELEASES BLESSING. 👑✨
*Anecdote:* When Peter obeyed Jesus’ seemingly illogical command to launch into deep water after fishing unsuccessfully all night, nets filled with fish so abundantly they began breaking. Obedience often precedes miracles, positioning us for supernatural provision.
*Link Verse:* _“And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, then I will give you the rain for your land in its season”_ – Deuteronomy 11:13-14a
*Prayer: _Lord, grant grace for radical obedience to Your Word, understanding that Your commands are pathways to blessing, not burdens, releasing heaven’s provision, in Jesus’ Name!_* 👑✨
❤🔥 *PRAYER 12* – FAITH THAT OVERCOMES IMPOSSIBILITIES. 👑✨
*Anecdote:* Abraham was promised descendants as numerous as stars despite Sarah’s barrenness and his advanced age. Against natural impossibility, he believed God’s promise, and Isaac’s birth validated that faith transcends biological limitations when anchored in divine faithfulness.
*Link Verse:* _“Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes'”_ – Mark 9:23.
*Prayer: _Lord, strengthen our faith to believe Your promises completely, trusting that nothing is impossible with You, and receiving miracles that glorify Your name, in Jesus’ Name!_* 👑✨
❤🔥 *PRAYER 13* – DIVINE GUIDANCE FOR EVERY DECISION 👑✨
Anecdote: When facing critical decisions, Nehemiah practised “arrow prayers”—brief, spontaneous prayers seeking immediate divine guidance. This practice enabled wise decisions during intense opposition, resulting in Jerusalem’s walls being rebuilt in fifty-two days.
Link Verse: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye” – Psalm 32:8
Prayer: Lord, guide every decision throughout this year—personal, professional, financial, and relational—directing our paths according to Your perfect will and purposes, in Jesus’ Name! 👑✨
❤🔥 *PRAYER 14* – HARVEST OF SOULS FOR THE KINGDOM. 👑✨
*Anecdote:* Philip’s obedience to the Spirit’s prompting led him to the Ethiopian eunuch. That single conversation produced conversion affecting an entire nation, demonstrating that faithful witness to one person can spark revival impacting multitudes.
*Link Verse:* _“Then He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men'”_ – Matthew 4:19.
*Prayer: _Lord, anoint us as effective witnesses, granting boldness to proclaim the gospel and compassion to demonstrate Your love, producing abundant soul harvest for Your kingdom, in Jesus’ Name!_* 👑✨
❤ *JESUS IS THE FINAL WORD!* 🔥 🦅
Beloved Friends, as we commence this glorious year, remember that Jesus Christ remains the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. Every divine promise finds fulfilment in Him. Every kingdom blessing flows through Him. Every spiritual victory originates from Him.
Satan will whisper discouraging lies—that you’ve failed too many times, that circumstances are too difficult, that promises are unreliable. These are deceptions from the father of lies. Resist him steadfastly in faith!
God’s Word declares: *_“No weapon formed against you shall prosper”_* (Isaiah 54:17). This year, walk in His resurrection power, live under divine favour, and testify of God’s faithfulness. Your acceptable year is not dependent upon perfect circumstances but upon perfect Saviour.
Every wilderness finds its Canaan. Every bondage discovers its freedom. Every mourning experiences its joy. Every weeping endures but for a night; joy comes in the morning. Why? Because Jesus proclaimed: *_“It is finished”_* (John 19:30)—not “It might be finished” but “It IS finished.”
Your redemption, restoration, and divine inauguration are accomplished facts awaiting faithful appropriation. Possess your possessions!
🤝✨
MAY THIS SERVICE BRING:
*Glory* to God’s Name, exalting His faithfulness throughout generations,
*Victory* to every listener, reader, and worshipper encountering divine presence today,
*Revival* to our congregation, igniting fresh passion for Christ and kingdom purposes,
*Restoration* to broken relationships, devastated finances, and compromised health,
*Sanctification* to hearts polluted by worldly wisdom and satanic deceptions,
*Deliverance* to souls enslaved by sin, addiction, and demonic oppression,
*Transformation* of minds renewed by truth, lives surrendered to Christ, and destinies aligned with divine purposes,
*Testimonies* echoing through eternity, declaring His goodness to every generation,
In Jesus’ Matchless Name! Amen. 🤝✨
*TAKE HOME YOUR PROPHETIC WORD: THE ETERNAL CHOICE.*
Beloved colleagues and brethren, we stand at history’s crossroads where ancient wisdom confronts contemporary crisis. The covenant choice faces our generation with unprecedented urgency.
At Christ’s Good News Mission, our slogan says: *_Enter to Worship: Depart to Serve !_* The question goes to those who honour the creator God, regardless of our religious divide: *_Will we choose paths honouring the divine image in humanity, creation, and community by surrendering our lives completely to Christ Jesus? Or shall we persist in rebellious patterns producing destruction, division, and despair? God forbid! Our belief in God will never hinder scholarship, joy, or human flourishing—it establishes their very foundation!_*
The consequences of our choice echo through generations. Yet hope remains abundant! The same God who established covenant with Israel offers new covenant through Christ. The same Jesus who inaugurated kingdom ministry continues advancing His reign through surrendered believers.
This year, make your choice. Cross into promised territories God has prepared. Possess your divine inheritance through repentant faith and obedient action. Enter your acceptable year with confident expectation.
God’s eyes rest upon you from January through December. His provision awaits your positioning. His blessings await your believing.
Choose Christ: Possess your promises; Enter your divine inauguration.
In Jesus’ Matchless Name!
*_Amen and Amen!_* 🔥🦅❤
It is my profound joy and sacred privilege to prepare this inaugural message for 2026—the very first sermon of this acceptable year of the Lord! May it ignite faith, inspire hope, and inaugurate divine breakthrough for every soul who encounters these truths.
*_Enter to Worship: Depart to Serve !_*
🔥🦅❤✨
With apostolic authority and pastoral love,
Rt. Rev. Dr Michael A. Fẹ́mi-Adébánjọ
Acting Patriarch, Christ’s Good News Mission
4th January 2026.