Sons of Consolation - Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

We came here to reveal God’s word to you—so you can take hold of it, carry it, and use it for your life. Use it to change your home, your family, your job, your finances, your health. The message—the word—has been delivered to you. Take it. That’s where the power is. Take it with you, apply it, and keep applying it. When a farmer sows a seed and the crop isn’t good one season, he doesn’t say, “I’ll never sow again.” No—next season he sows more and seeks wise counsel. He doesn’t blame the flood or the lack of rain and quit.

 God gave the law; it didn’t perfect anyone. He sent the prophets; still, it didn’t produce the needed result. Then He offered His own Son—not merely to preach, but to die as a sacrifice—and the problem of sin was broken. He offered His best, that which was connected to Him, and sin lost its dominion. With the prophets, sin had dominion; with the law, sin had dominion; but Christ brought in a better hope.

 Consider 2 Kings 3. We are at the closing moments of our convention, so take this seriously. Mesha, king of Moab, knew the power of covenants through his connection to God’s people. Three nations—Israel among them—aligned against Moab and said, “Let us invade and destroy Moab and take the people as bondmen.” They sought God: “Will You deliver Moab into our hands?” God answered, “Yes.” Moab had been strong, but this battle was too strong for them because God was with Israel and her allies. They pounded Moab, bringing it to nothing.

 When the king of Moab saw the battle was too strong, he took 700 sword-men to break through the line of Edom, thinking it the easiest route—but they could not. You may have put forth your greatest effort and it hasn’t worked. You may have gone to your most powerful friends, and they couldn’t help. Promises were made, but nothing changed. That’s where Mesha was. When his strongest effort failed, did he go home? No. With death facing his nation and a generation about to be enslaved, he took his eldest son—who would have reigned in his stead—and offered him as a burnt offering on the wall.

 This is a hard story, and God does not ask us for human sacrifice. But see the principle: a decisive, ultimate sacrifice shifted the battle. There was great indignation against Israel; they withdrew and returned to their own land. The tide turned because sacrifice carries authority. God respects authority, and your authority is in your sacrifice. Many believers pray, fast, and receive a promise—and yet still lose out. Why? Often the missing piece is sacrificial obedience. Some live with “hopeless hope”—“I know my Redeemer will do it”—but nothing changes because they refuse the life of a giver. A true Christian is a giver.

 During worship, don’t treat giving as a formality. Don’t rummage for “church change.” Take a definite, meaningful offering and present it to God. Live as a man or woman of prosperity in Christ—by practicing generosity. Remember Barnabas in Acts 4. The early church had great grace; none lacked. People sold houses and lands, laid the proceeds at the apostles’ feet, and distribution was made as needed. Joseph, surnamed Barnabas—“son of consolation”—sold a field and laid the money at the apostles’ feet. Others gave, yes, but his gift was of a different order; it consoled and empowered the work so the church could advance to other cities.

 God is looking for sons and daughters of consolation—people whose giving strengthens the mission, calms anxieties, and opens new territories. Some used to give boldly but drew back, thinking, “Am I the only one?” They hindered themselves by complaining and calculating. Yet heaven still watches. The apostles and saints—the great cloud of witnesses—observe our race. They still recognize and “name” sons of consolation today when they see them.

 Scripture teaches: “Let each one give as he has purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” God takes pleasure in, prizes, and will not do without the joyful, prompt-to-do-it giver whose heart is in the giving. That’s why the Spirit keeps coming back to such people with assignments. Don’t resist Him. If He keeps stirring you to meet needs, it’s because He has marked you for this grace.

 I’ve seen it: people who let the Spirit lead their giving rise quickly—sometimes selling what they can, moving from smaller to larger faith steps. They start with little, but as they sow, they grow. A 20,000 giver becomes a 1,000,000 giver. Faith doesn’t slice offerings into tiny, safe pieces; it obeys promptly. Testimonies follow—promotions, contracts, expansion—because God multiplies seed sown.

 Don’t make a spectacle of token giving that discourages others; when you approach the altar, bring what matters to you. This is a prosperity convention—let your “amen” be expressed with obedience, not noise alone. Keep pressing; there’s more in God. As needs arise in the house of God—media outreach, missions, helps—the Spirit will look for sons and daughters of consolation who can be trusted to respond. Start where you are, grow quickly, and keep your heart right.

 Again, this is not about manipulating anyone or collecting money; it’s about delivering you from what holds you back, teaching you to worship God in spirit and truth, living beyond formality. When you align your life with the Word—prayer, faith, and sacrificial generosity—you step into the better hope Christ brought. God remembers your offerings. At the right moment, favor turns the tide.

 May God increase in this place the sons and daughters of consolation. May He locate you, raise you, and show you the blessing of such a calling. Lift your hands; talk to Him yourself now.