RCF FUTA Alumni USA

🌟🎉 Welcome to the RCF FUTA Alumni USA Chapter! 🎉🌟

Dear Esteemed Member,

We joyfully welcome you to the Redeemed Christian Fellowship (RCF) FUTA Alumni USA Chapter a growing family of believers united by faith, shared history, and a passion to make lasting impact.

Here, you’ll find a vibrant community of brothers and sisters committed to fellowship, growth, networking, and service to God and humanity. Whether you graduated recently or many years ago, you are an important part of this great family, and your presence enriches us all.

As a member, you’ll have opportunities to:
✨ Connect with other FUTA alumni across the United States
✨ Grow spiritually through fellowship and prayer gatherings
✨ Contribute to impactful projects and mentorship initiatives
✨ Strengthen lifelong friendships and professional networks

We’re excited to have you on board, and we look forward to your active participation as we continue to uphold the banner of Christ and keep the RCF FUTA legacy alive!

Once again, welcome home to the family of champions, builders, and Kingdom influencers! 💪🏽🔥

— RCF FUTA Alumni USA Chapter Leadership Team

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AN ENCOUNTER WITH GOD
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"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" With this question, the notorious persecutor Saul had a face to face encounter with Jesus. This divine confrontation that transformed an enemy of the cross into a child of God. When culture screams for autonomy from God, the grace of God rips away the mask of cultural Christianity. Now, as one who is forgiven and at peace with our Savior, the Christian learns to be silent, to listen and to submit to Christ’s will. No one is saved as a family or a nation, but only an individual can be spared from the wrath of God by the conviction of sin and the forgiveness of the Savior.

Sermon Breakdown
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- The intervention of God is essential for conversion. God deals with and addresses individuals in a personal way.
- There is an awareness that something is happening to you and you are being manipulated or surrounded in a new way.
- It becomes a personal concern and you become the object rather than the subject. You listen rather than speak.
- There is a realization that what matters is what God thinks of you rather than what you think of God. You become aware of God's judgment rather than expressing your own.
- There is a conviction of sin. You realize God knows you personally and knows all the details of your life. You see the enormity of your sin against God.
- There is a trembling in terror at your condition and future destiny. You become concerned for your soul.
- There is a recognition of Christ as Lord and a submission to Him. You surrender to Him in helplessness and ask what He wants you to do.
- The preacher's role is to utter your name and make you aware of the facts and your position before God.
- Your name will be called by God either now or at the final judgment. You must respond to God's call.

Biblical Examples of Intercession
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One of the first recorded intercessions is found in Genesis 18:22-33, in which we find Abraham interceding for the wicked city of S***m. His intercession must be considered a failure if we view the salvation of S***m as its objective. God destroyed S***m.

Moses was often driven to intercession on behalf of the rebellious and idolatrous Israel. One such occasion is found in Exodus 32:31-32, in which case he offered his own eternal salvation on behalf of them. In this case, God had mercy on the people, and we may regard this intercession to have achieved its desired end.

Samuel interceded for the rejected Saul all night long (1 Samuel 15:11), but failed to deter God from His purpose to take the kingdom from him.

Such weeping, mourning, and intercessions the prophet Jeremiah made for apostate Israel has not been excelled. Yet we find God saying to him, “Pray not for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me; for I will not hear thee” (Jeremiah 7:16). “Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go” (Jeremiah 15:1). Jeremiah’s intercession failed. And God promised that Moses or Samuel could have done no better.

When the Apostle Peter was thrown into prison, intercession was made by the church for him day and night, and God miraculously set him free. Was there no one to intercede for John the Baptist when he was imprisoned and beheaded? Must we assume that the church did not likewise intercede for James when Herod imprisoned and slew him? Was there no intercessor for the Apostle Paul imprisoned in Rome awaiting ex*****on? And how about the time Paul and Silas were set free from the Philippian jail when we have no record of an interceding church?

If we are to learn anything from the testimony of these intercessions, it surely must be that men, the best of men, do not change the purpose of God by their intercessions, even when their hearts, and in their prayers, their motives are pure and their lives are right. If there is a peculiar gift of intercession, then either these men did not have it, or such a gift guarantees no success. Is there anyone alive today who would like to tackle what God said Moses and Samuel were unequal to?

The lists of gifts and ministries in the New Testament omit any mention of the gift or ministry of intercession. Such an omission does not at all preclude the existence of such a gift or ministry. Indeed, many gifts and ministries exercised today have no scriptural name. But other scriptural considerations cast serious doubt on the existence of a person who is peculiarly an intercessor in the vocational or calling sense, in a special way in which other Christians are not, and separated to that ministry alone.

THE EVERLASTING COVENANT
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The words of Scripture allow a glimpse into the eternal plan of the Trinity. Theologians have called this the Covenant of Redemption where humanity can be redeemed from their sin and reconciled to God. In this sermon on Ephesians 1:3 titled “The Everlasting Covenant,” this central theme of Ephesians comes alive, laments, and challenges Christians to understand the great theme of redemption. The believer’s greatest need is to understand doctrine. What is at stake is not intellectual curiosity, but worship. The truth about redemption leads to adoration, worship, and praise. When one dwells upon the redemptive work of each person, they grow in their worship of God. When a Christian understands more, the more worship they experience. For the Christian, worship is always Trinitarian. One must not only praise the Father, but also the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Christian must not stop at worshiping only the Son, but also the Father and the Holy Spirit. They cannot focus exclusively on the Holy Spirit to the neglect of the Father and Son but must adore the blessed Trinity.

Sermon Breakdown
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- The realization of the truth concerning our redemption always leads to prayer.
- Praise and thanksgiving are the most striking characteristics of the Christian life.
- The measure of our growth in grace is the place that the ascription of praise unto God and of adoration has in our life.
- We must examine ourselves to see how prominent the element of praise and thanksgiving is in our life.
- The Christian position is always trinitarian, and Christian worship must be trinitarian.
- We must be careful that the three persons of the Trinity come in the order in which they always do in Scripture: the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit.
- God is to be praised because he is who and what he is—he is blessed. The ultimate character of God is blessedness.
- God is also to be praised because he has blessed us.
- God is to be praised because of the way in which he has blessed us. The great message of Ephesians 1:3 is the planning of our salvation.
- There was a great eternal council held between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit before the foundation of the world.
- The three persons took up their various positions and tasks: the Father plans, the Son puts the plan into operation, and the Holy Spirit applies it.
- What really happened in that eternal council was that a great covenant, the covenant of grace, was drawn up.
- The covenant was that the Son volunteered to make himself responsible for fallen men. The Father promised forgiveness, reconciliation, restoration, new life, and a new nature to all who were covered by the Son.
- The covenant with Abraham, Moses, and Noah were subsidiary to this greater covenant with the Son.
- The law given to Moses does not disannul the covenant made with Abraham, which is a statement of the still more fundamental covenant made with the Son in eternity.
- God is called "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" to teach us that all blessings come to us in and through Christ because of the covenant made between the Father and the Son before the foundation of the world.
- We must understand these doctrines in order to truly praise and worship God. Mere phrases and liturgies are not enough.

THE ONLY HOPE
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Why do Christians go to church? What compels them to gather for a day of worship, fellowship and preaching? Is it because of an agreement of morals or a collective optimism about life? Is it only for the weak and discouraged? In this sermon on Acts 1:1-3 titled “Christianity – the Only Hope,” the true purpose of the church. With clear exposition and thought-provoking questions, we press into the heart and asks a compelling question: “do you know the gospel?” the saving message of Jesus Christ with an emphasis on how Luke writes it in his gospel and his treatise to Theophilus titled “The Acts of the Apostles,” or “Acts.” The sinner’s past is forgiven when they repent of their sin. In an instant they are made a new creation because of what Jesus did on the cross in paying the wages of sin. The victory is secure by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Since He is alive today, He fulfills the promise of being with His people to the end of the age. Acts 1:1–3, listen as he very precisely explains why Christianity is the only hope and how this concept displays itself in the church: “If you want to understand Christianity, don’t shut your Bible, open it! Listen for your life!”

Sermon Breakdown
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- The sermon begins by establishing that Christianity is the only hope for the world. All other philosophies and religions have been found wanting.
- The church today is confused about the core message of Christianity. There are many conflicting opinions about what Christianity is and what the church should do.
- The only authority on Christianity is the Bible, specifically the books of Luke and Acts. We must look to the early church to understand Christianity.
- The core message of Christianity is Jesus - who he is and what he did. It's not just Jesus's teachings or moral philosophy.
- Jesus is the Son of God who came into the world. He worked miracles, died on the cross, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven. This is the gospel message.
- Jesus came into the world to save humanity from sin and reconcile us to God. This is the meaning of the gospel.
- The resurrection of Jesus is what gave birth to the Christian church. Without it, there would be no church.
- Jesus instructed his disciples to spread the gospel to all nations. The gospel is for all people, not just certain types of people.
- Jesus is still acting and working in the world today through the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts shows how Jesus continues to act through his disciples and the early church.
- Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth. He is in control of world events and continues to build his kingdom.
- Jesus makes intercession for us in heaven. He stands up for us and helps us in our times of need and temptation.
- Jesus will return again to judge the world and establish his eternal kingdom. This is the Christian hope.
- The message of Christianity is not to improve the world but to change people through Jesus and prepare them for eternity.
- Consider if they really understand the meaning and significance of Christianity. Do they see it as a mere formality or the most important truth in existence?

You are invited 🔥

RENEWAL OF THE MIND
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Christ died not only to forgive the Christian’s sin but also make them into children of God. As we continue discussing the tests of faith for the Christian in John 1:12–13 and gives the positive test that the Christian not only puts off sin but puts on righteousness. He specifically hones in on the renewing of the mind that every Christian experiences. The Christian is to be mortifying sin but the work is not complete there; they are also to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. We explain how the Christian’s mind is set on heavenly things while the unbeliever’s mind is set on the desires of the flesh. We admonish Christians to be renewed in their minds but also encourages that they are born of God because they are being renewed and led by the Spirit to put to death the misdeeds of the body. Furthermore, we encourage the Christian that the world is still living with minds conformed to the pattern of this world, but the Christian’s mind is set free to be set on the glories of Christ.
Sermon Breakdown
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- We must know we are children of God through faith in Christ. This is the greatest gift of salvation.
- It's important we are certain of this truth. Our relationship to the Son, the Father and the Spirit are key to this.
- One test is whether we are led by the Spirit. The Spirit leads us to mortify the deeds of the body.
- We looked at mortification of sin negatively last week. Now we'll look at it positively.
- We build up resistance to sin by thinking spiritually. We renew our minds and know God's will.
- We must know the ultimate purpose of salvation is to be conformed to Christ's image. Not just forgiveness or happiness.
- We must understand our position spiritually. We are new creatures, born of God, dead to sin, and destined for glory.
- We must reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to God. Recognize the truth of our position in Christ.
- We must live up to our position and destiny in Christ. Purify ourselves as He is pure. Do our duty.
- We must start each day focused on our identity in Christ, not on avoiding sin. We belong to God's kingdom.
- Let your light shine as a child of God. Don't conform to the world but be transformed in your mind.

MORTIFICATION OF SIN
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“It is not so much what we are saved from, but what we are saved for.” With these words, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones exhorts the Christian to the mortification of sin and acknowledges that they are not under the dominion of the flesh. He goes on to describe how Christians who fight against their own flesh are no longer under its rule or reign, but rather united to Christ who has already died to sin and is alive in righteousness. In this sermon on John 1:12­–13, the intricacies behind unity with Christ and how that unity is the freedom from sin. Moreover,do wrongdoings haunt the conscience and encourage faithful acts? Does sin continually feel cheaper until righteousness is the only worthwhile endeavor? Is there an alienation from the former life of sin and a desire to be a citizen of a life that pursues righteousness? These things illustrate a heavenly citizenship and assurance of salvation. These very truths are essential to the joy-filled Christian life. Along with several exhortations, to live in a manner worthy of the one and only God who calls His children into His own kingdom and glory.

Sermon Breakdown
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- If we are true believers in Christ, we are children of God. Nothing is more important than knowing this with certainty.
- We must know we are children of God to live and enjoy the benefits. We are passing through this world as strangers. Everything will be left behind. Only our relationship with God is certain.
- God provides ways for us to know we are His children so we can live accordingly. The New Testament focuses on assurance of our faith.
- One way to know is if we are led by the Spirit. The Spirit leads us to assurance in various ways, including mortifying sin.
- Mortifying sin involves a negative aspect (stopping sin) and a positive aspect (renewing our minds and realizing we will be like Christ). The positive aspect has general and specific parts.
- Generally, we must think spiritually, not be conformed to the world. Specifically, we must realize our position in Christ as new creatures and children of God. We must reckon ourselves dead to sin but alive to God.
- We must understand we are no longer under sin’s dominion, though sin remains in us. We are freed from sin’s dominion and now serve righteousness.
- Paul uses an analogy to help us understand. Just as we once yielded our members to sin, now yield them to righteousness. Ask what benefit we had from sin; the answer is nothing. But now we have fruit in holiness and eternal life.
- We must follow Paul’s argument and reasoning. Sanctification is not just surrendering and letting God do the work. We must work out the argument and apply the doctrine.
-- We must realize our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We must surrender our body and its parts as instruments of righteousness.
- Those in Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. This does not mean rejecting natural desires but using them selfishly. We must use God’s gifts for His glory.
- We have the power to mortify sin through the Spirit. God has given us the Holy Spirit so we have no excuse. We must obey God’s commands to holiness.

THE LIGHT SHINES IN DARKNESS
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What happens when the joy of salvation begins to fade? How does the joy of salvation deliver us from the darkness of life? The apostle John confronts this critical threat. In this sermon on light and darkness, this modern day problem exposes lethargy in the believer's heart, the failure to rely on the Holy Spirit, and the depths of darkness from which we are saved. It's not until we understand the depths of our sin that the church can fathom the greatness of the Word becoming flesh. The world is in a current state of darkness that has pervaded every aspect of human history since the Fall. It is not only a state of ignorance that mankind is in, but that the darkness is also within man's heart, as manifested by his love of sin and hatred of Christian doctrine. However, God has sent believers the Holy Spirit, who through enlightening the believer's eyes to the truth about God and the glory of His salvation, enables them to be lights themselves in the persistent darkness.

Sermon Breakdown
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- The world is in darkness due to the fall of man. Man is ignorant of God, himself, and the meaning of the world.
- The darkness is not just around man but in him. Man's mind, desires, and will have become twisted. Man thinks, desires, and does evil.
- The darkness in man makes him incapable of recognizing the light, even when it's shown to him. Man cannot see the light of Christ.
- Not only can man not recognize the light, he hates it and despises it. Man hates the light of the gospel and the doctrine of Christ.
- Despite man's darkness and hatred of the light, the light of Christ continues to shine. The light has shone through the Old and New Testaments, through prophets and apostles, and through the church.
- For Christians, the light has shone into our darkness. We have been enlightened and brought to know Christ, who is the light.

CHRIST THE HOPE OF GLORY
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Does the world care about Christ? It never will if the joy and peace of Christ isn’t seen and alive in the church today. This lack of obvious joy, flows from a failure to reflect on the gospel. Listen as this sermon on John 1:10–12 unfolds the three central components to the Christian faith: knowing, believing, and receiving. These truths illustrate that this is God’s world and that though there is darkness in the world, God sent His son to save His people from that darkness. When Jesus is received and the power of His sacrifice for sin is believed, salvation occurs. Any Christian lacking in joy will rekindle their passion by considering these things, and dwell on the fact they are completely forgiven in Christ. Feelings are dictated by thoughts and knowledge and, therefore, an accurate understanding and belief in these truths will lend oneself to experience and demonstrate great and genuine joy.

Sermon Breakdown
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- The sermon begins by introducing three words used to describe a Christian's relationship to Jesus: know, receive, and believe on. These words represent a progression in one's relationship with Jesus.
- To know Jesus means to recognize and acknowledge him. Many people fail to truly know Jesus, only seeing him as a great teacher or historical figure. Knowing Jesus means recognizing him as the Son of God and being filled with wonder at the incarnation.
- To receive Jesus means to welcome him. It is more experiential than just knowing him. Receiving Jesus means welcoming all of his teachings and implications, not just the parts we like. Many reject Jesus when they hear his actual teachings. Receiving Jesus means welcoming him completely.
- To believe on Jesus means to trust in him and his power. Believing in Jesus means trusting that he came to save us from our sins and condemnation under the law. It means renouncing ourselves and trusting completely in Jesus's death and resurrection.
- These three terms represent a progression, but we must start at the beginning. We must not take our relationship with Jesus for granted or assume we truly know, receive, and believe in him. We must examine ourselves to make sure we have the foundation right.
- Jesus has always divided people into two groups: those who know, receive, and believe in him and those who do not. There is nothing more important than making sure we are in the right group.
- We must not start with feelings or examining our lives for fruit. We must start with Jesus himself. We must make sure we know, receive, and believe in him before moving on to anything else.
- If we are lacking joy or assurance, it likely means we have not started at the beginning. We have not made sure we truly know, receive, and believe in Jesus. We must go back to the foundation.
- The sermon concludes with a hymn reflecting the themes of knowing, receiving, and believing in Jesus.

ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS
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How does one come to enjoy spiritual blessings? What are the spiritual blessings in Ephesians 1? In this sermon on Ephesians 1:3 titled “All Spiritual Blessings…,” Christian only enjoys blessings through Christ. While acknowledging God gives common grace to everyone, the Holy Spirit gives unique grace that only Christians enjoy. Let us connect Paul’s words in Ephesians to his other letter to the Colossians (1:19; 2:3), showing the absolute necessity of going to God through Christ, the mediator. A second blessing Christians enjoy through Christ is that His grace flows through the Holy Spirit. The sovereign work of the Spirit quickens, convicts, enables, and keeps the Christian. We recapture the “other-worldly” nature of the Christian’s blessings by criticizing movements that insist that blessings are of this world. The Christian does not deny or despise the world, but this is different from setting their affections upon it. If they do not keep an appropriate distance, they forget that this is a fallen world and that their citizenship is in heaven.

Sermon Breakdown
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- The sermon begins by emphasizing the importance of praise and worship. The measure of our spirituality is the extent to which we are conscious of praise and thanksgiving.
- God has blessed us, and the blessings come through the covenant of grace that God made with Jesus before the foundation of the world. Salvation was planned before creation.
- God is now the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is our representative in the covenant. All blessings come through Jesus.
- The blessings are spiritual blessings that come through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit applies the work of Jesus to us.
- The blessings are in the heavenly places, not primarily earthly. The Christian faith is otherworldly. We are citizens of heaven, though still on earth.
- The blessings include all spiritual blessings, from forgiveness to being filled with the fullness of God. They include forgiveness, reconciliation, adoption, fellowship, sanctification, strength, peace, joy, comfort, and support.
- We have these blessings now, though not yet in fullness. We have the first fruits and foretaste of them now through the Holy Spirit. They will continue increasing until we are with Jesus in glory.
- We should be enjoying these blessings now, though still imperfectly. God has blessed us, and the blessings are meant to be enjoyed now.