Learning Month 2026 | STS | Strengthened for Action | FEB 1st 2026

Devotional

Day 1: Return to God, and He Returns to You

The word of the Lord calls us to a profound truth: a simple yet powerful invitation to turn back to Him. When we stray, even unintentionally, His heart is to welcome us home. This is not a message of condemnation, but of hope and restoration. By choosing to return to Him, we open the door for His presence and favor to return to us, just as He promised to His people. [01:54]

Zechariah 1:3 (ESV)
"Say to them, Thus says the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts."

Reflection: In what area of your life have you felt a gentle nudge to "return" to God, and what is one small, intentional step you can take this week to respond to that invitation?

Day 2: God's Zeal for His People and His Church

A powerful declaration is made about God's passionate commitment to His people and His church. He is described as being zealous, not with anger towards us, but with a fierce love and dedication. This divine zeal means He is actively invested in our well-being and the flourishing of His community, desiring to see His house built and His people prosper. [04:05]

Zechariah 1:14 (ESV)
"So the angel who talked with me said to me, 'Proclaim, saying, Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem with great jealousy.'"

Reflection: How does the understanding of God's "great jealousy" for you and His church encourage you to engage more fully in His purposes?

Day 3: Strength Through Knowledge of God

True strength is not merely physical or intellectual; it is deeply rooted in our growing knowledge of God and Jesus Christ. This spiritual understanding is the foundation for bearing fruit that truly matters to Him. Without this cultivated relationship and wisdom, our efforts, no matter how diligent, can ultimately be in vain. [10:38]

Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV)
"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him..."

Reflection: What is one specific aspect of God's will or character that you desire to understand more deeply this week, and how might you pursue that knowledge?

Day 4: Growth as the Clear Evidence of Grace

Grace is not a license to remain stagnant; it is the divine enablement that leads to tangible growth in every area of our lives. When we truly experience God's grace, it becomes evident in our transformation and progress. This growth is a clear sign that we are walking in His favor and are being shaped into His likeness. [14:36]

Acts 11:23-24 (ESV)
"When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord."

Reflection: Where have you recently observed evidence of God's grace at work in your life, and how has that growth impacted your perspective or actions?

Day 5: Becoming Restorers of the Earth

God has a divine plan to elevate His people, not just as nation builders, but as restorers of the earth. This calling involves using our unique gifts and actions, empowered by His love and compassion, to bring order and healing to the world around us. Even small acts, done with great love, can make a significant difference in fulfilling His purposes. [26:22]

Isaiah 49:8 (ESV)
"Thus says the Lord: 'In an acceptable time I have answered you; in a day of salvation I have helped you; I will protect you and give you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritages.'"

Reflection: Considering the call to be "restorers of the earth," what is one small, tangible action you can take this week to bring healing or order to a situation or environment in your life?

Sermon Summary

February is recast as a season of intentional learning and spiritual mobilization: a month named Shabbat in the biblical calendar, set aside to discern God’s purposes and to prepare for action. The narrative opens in Zechariah’s prophetic vision — a divine reckoning that calls Israel to return, promises God’s merciful restoration, and depicts both the forces that scattered the nation and the craftsmen God will send to overthrow them. That prophetic framework is applied directly to contemporary Nigeria and the global church: God is described as zealous for cities and nations, intent on rebuilding His house, restoring prosperity, and raising people to a new stature for divine assignments.

The central theme, Strengthen for Action, is anchored in 2 Chronicles and reinforced by New Testament texts (Colossians, 2 Peter). Spiritual competence—growth in the knowledge of God and Jesus—is presented as the prerequisite for effective fruitfulness; technological competence and cultural tools (AI, search engines, innovations) are valuable but must be subordinated to biblical wisdom. Growth is framed as the visible evidence of grace, not as license for moral laxity, and the congregation is exhorted to pursue holiness, patience, and perseverance while deploying God-given gifts.

A prophetic call emerges to become “restorers of the earth”: believers are not merely nation-builders but custodians commissioned to repair desolation, invent solutions, and steward creation until final judgment. Isaiah’s fivefold program—comfort, highway-making in deserts, leveling valleys and mountains, straightening crooked places, and the revelation of God’s glory—defines the mechanics by which God will elevate people from lowliness to influence, often without worldly resources or political structures. Historical examples (Joseph, Esther, Daniel) underscore that divine elevation frequently bypasses conventional power and wealth. The closing benediction reframes the believer’s role from self-interest to ambassadorship for Christ, pressing for growth, actionable compassion, and readiness to occupy cultural heights with righteousness. The month is cast as an initiation: tools and teachings will be provided, but the essential preparation is spiritual formation so that technological and cultural leverage become expressions of God’s redemptive work.

Key Takeaways

1. Grow in the knowledge of God Deep, sustained knowledge of God is not merely information but the engine of moral discernment, endurance, and fruit-bearing. Spiritual understanding equips a believer to use gifts wisely, resist distortions, and participate in divine promises that extend to every area of life. This growth transforms tools into instruments of God's purposes rather than ends in themselves. [10:56]
2. Technology must follow spiritual growth Technological competence without spiritual formation risks amplifying errors and deepening harm; conversely, faith-formed use of innovation can restore and build. The sermon insists tools like AI are gifts to be stewarded, but only effective when subordinate to Christlike wisdom and character. Responsible cultural influence depends on inner transformation before outward capability. [09:39]
3. Raised as restorers of the earth The prophetic vision reassigns believers from mere participation to active restoration—repairing desolate places, inventing solutions, and reversing decay in communities and nature. This calling reframes vocational labor as sacred stewardship: small, compassionate acts and breakthroughs in imagination can reshape cities and systems. Restoration precedes and mitigates ultimate judgment by manifesting God’s mercy on the earth. [26:22]
4. Growth is clear evidence of grace Grace is not a theological abstraction but a tangible trajectory visible in moral maturity, increased fruitfulness, and social influence. The presence of grace should produce measurable, sustained change—people should be able to see where a life began and where it has arrived. If grace abounds, it will be evident; if not, self-examination and repentance are necessary. [16:56]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:19] - February: Shabbat and its significance
[01:14] - Zechariah 1: Context and reading
[03:06] - The night vision: horses and report
[04:05] - God’s zeal for cities and nations
[07:37] - Theme: Strengthen for Action
[09:39] - Technology, AI, and spiritual priorities
[10:56] - Growing in knowledge of God
[26:22] - Prophecy: restorers of the earth
[36:11] - Isaiah’s fivefold program explained
[40:28] - Closing benediction and next steps

Bible Study Guide

Here is a Bible study guide based on the sermon summary:

Bible Reading

Zechariah 1:1-21
2 Chronicles 15:1-7
Colossians 1:9-11
2 Peter 1:1-4
Isaiah 40:1-5
Hebrews 13:20-21

Observation questions

The sermon mentions February being called "Shabbat" in the biblical calendar, meaning "strike," referring to heavy rains. What does this imagery of rain and "strike" suggest about the nature of this month's spiritual focus? [00:33]
Zechariah's vision includes horses and riders who have "walked to and fro throughout the earth." What was their report about the state of the earth? [03:26]
The sermon highlights that God is "zealous for Nigeria and for the church in Nigeria with great zeal." What does this divine zeal imply about God's intentions for nations and His people? [04:05]
According to the sermon, what is the "secret of genuine strength in God"? [10:28]
The sermon states that "growth is a clear evidence of grace." What tangible evidence of grace did Barnabas see in the church in Antioch? [16:17]
Isaiah's prophecy describes God making "a highway for our God" in the desert. What does this metaphor suggest about how God prepares the way for His people? [36:11]

Interpretation questions

The sermon connects Zechariah's vision of the horns scattering Judah with the idea of forces scattering contemporary nations and the church. How might these "horns" manifest in our lives and communities today? [05:36]
The sermon emphasizes that technological competence must be subordinated to biblical wisdom. How can tools like AI and search engines, while valuable, potentially lead to harm if not guided by spiritual formation? [09:39]
The sermon presents believers as "restorers of the earth," commissioned to repair desolation and invent solutions. What does it mean to be a "restorer of the earth" in practical terms, beyond just environmental concerns? [26:22]
The sermon uses the examples of Joseph, Esther, and Daniel to illustrate how divine elevation often bypasses conventional power and wealth. What does this suggest about the source of true influence and authority? [33:30]

Application questions

The sermon calls us to grow in the knowledge of God and Jesus. What is one specific, actionable step you can take this week to deepen your understanding of God's will and character? [10:56]
We are encouraged to ensure that technological tools are subordinate to spiritual growth. How can you intentionally integrate your faith and biblical wisdom into your use of technology this week, whether for work, communication, or learning? [09:39]
The sermon challenges us to be "restorers of the earth." What is one area of "desolation" or "decay" in your immediate environment (home, workplace, community) where you can intentionally bring about restoration through compassionate action or creative solutions? [26:22]
The sermon highlights that growth is a clear evidence of grace. Reflect on your life over the past year. What are some tangible ways you can see God's grace at work, evidenced by your growth in character, fruitfulness, or influence? [14:17]
The sermon emphasizes that believers are called to be ambassadors for Christ, representing His interests. In what specific situation this week can you consciously choose to represent Jesus' interests rather than solely your own? [22:53]
The sermon outlines Isaiah's fivefold program for restoration, including making a highway, exalting valleys, leveling mountains, and straightening crooked places. How can you actively participate in "making straight the crooked places" or "smoothing the rough places" in your own life or in your interactions with others this week? [36:11]

Sermon Clips

``However, good as those tools are and your preparedness to take advantage of them in your field of endeavors, I want to implore you first and foremost in this learning month to grow in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord in order to bear fruits that matter to God. This is the secret of genuine strength in God. What did I say? This is a secret of genuine strength in God. [00:10:03] (40 seconds) #GrowInChrist

Do you know, brethren, that when you become a believer, your role in life changes? Tell your neighbor, when you become a believer, your role in life changes. No longer have the job of looking out for your own interests. Your job is to represent the interests of Jesus. That's why as a new creation, you are his ambassador. You are the face of Jesus, showing up in the lives of others on his behalf, in hospitals, at funerals, at weddings, at baby dedications, in good times and bad times. Tell your neighbor, as a child of God, you are on the job for Jesus. And the more you serve others in love and with joy, the more you will influence them toward Christ. [00:22:51] (63 seconds) #ChristAmbassador

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Learning Month 2026 | STS | Strengthened for Action | FEB 1st 2026 | Pastor 'Tunde Bakare