Beyond the Surface

By Fola Omotoyinbo

People have issues. The world is absolutely full of them. The Bible has an inexhaustible list of them. A patriach who loved prostitutes. A General with leprosy. Priests who were sons of Beliaal. A brother who slept with his sister. A believer who practised sorcery.
These are more than mere stories that make headlines in the media or what you only read about in the gossip columns. They are real issues. They happen. They are all around us.
The unusual pattern could go from one generation to another and if unchecked, perpetrating destruction until someone stops it. And that person could be you!
On every page of this powerfully moving book, Fola Omotoyinbo reminds us of the subterranean issues in our life that many would rather not talk about. He has given us a vehicle of emancipation and restoration to let us know that the same God who changed and helped Jacob out of his predicament, giving him a clean report, is still the same today. The God who gave freedom to men and women in the past is still alive today as he has always been. He is as powerful as he has always been to put a stop to all that brings reproach and shame to you. He alone has the answers to those questions you find hard to ask any man.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 7, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456756048

Fola Omotoyinbo

Fola Omotoyinbo has been teaching the Word of God since 1989. He is a Pastor in The Redeemed Christian Church of God. He believes the call of God on his life is to establish believers in God's total freedom through the knowledge and power of His Word. He says, "His inspiration comes from lifting up the down trodden, changing the lives of those who are less fortunate, restoring their pride and giving them hope for a brighter future". He has taught extensively on freedom from iniquity and related subjects helping thousands to live in freedom that has once eluded them. Fola lives in Lagos, Nigeria, where he is the Pastor of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of Palms - where flourishing and refreshing have become a way of life. He and his wife Yemisi are the parents of three daughters.

Book preview

Contents

FOREWORD

ENDORSEMENTS

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

Beyond the Surface

CHAPTER 2

THE GREAT FALL

Iniquity of the Heart

CHAPTER 3

UNRULY EVIL

Iniquity of the Tongue

CHAPTER 4

AS HE THINKS…

Iniquity of the Mind

CHAPTER 5

LAWLESS SERVICE

Iniquity of the Priesthood

CHAPTER 6

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON

Iniquity of the Family

CHAPTER 7

BY THEIR FRUIT…

The Iniquity Of A Nation

CHAPTER 8

OUR WAY OF LIFE

The Iniquity Of A Tribe

CHAPTER 9

LAWLESS LEADERSHIP

The Iniquity Of The Throne

CHAPTER 10

LET GOD BE GOD

Greatest Iniquity Of All

CHAPTER 11

PERFORMANCE UNDER FIRE

Dealing With Iniquity

CHAPTER 12

EMBRACING RESPONSIBILITY

Freedom From Iniquity

REFERENCES

FOREWORD

Many today are quick to acknowledge the fact that the blood of Jesus Christ the Son has washed and cleansed them from past sins and guilt. While this is true that the spirit is saved, the Christian still needs to bring his soul (thought pattern and ideas) and body (the passion of the flesh) under the submission of his spirit. (Galatians 5:17)

However, many of us find it difficult to take responsibility for our actions and are reluctant to deal either with the flesh or our actions that proceed from the soulish realm.

We blame other people, our background, education and opportunities that have been presented before us. Many are fighting inner wars that God did not plan for us to fight alone. Some have found themselves at a crossroad, wondering why things are not working out well. We find negative patterns beginning to re-occur.

For the believer, the battle is won, when we acknowledge to God the ‘weights and sins’ that doth so easily beset us (Hebrews 12:1). God has promised that whosoever will come unto Him repentant, seeking forgiveness, He will abundantly pardon. We need to stop giving excuses, look inwards and ask the relevant questions and seek truthful answers.

Be ready for a total change of heart and character.

Finally, for as many as are eager to deal with the issues raised in this book, walk in holiness and finish strong by His grace; the Word of God says in 2 Corinthians 7:1

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved,

let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,

perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

This book encourages the reader to come to God honestly, hiding nothing.

Fola Omotoyinbo also points to steps that one can take so that relief and refreshing may come. Very clearly the book makes clear that Jesus has already paid the price. You can truly leave the past behind and move on to your eternal destiny.

I pray that as you read, God will illumine your heart and cause you to begin to walk in liberty and victory.

Pastor Adeola Mensah

Provincial Pastor

RCCG, Lagos Province 5

ENDORSEMENTS

The Titanic was described as unsinkable, but it sank.

Of all the dreadful stories I’ve heard about the iceberg, none could be more chilling and frightful as the destruction meted out to the titanic on that fateful night of 14 April 1942. It was the largest steamship of her time, with the capacity for 3,547 people.

According to Wikipedia, it surpassed all other rivals in her class in opulence and luxury. ‘She offered an onboard swimming pool, a gymnasium, a Turkish bath, and libraries in both the first and the second class.’ Those in the first class paid an equivalent of $80,000 for a one way passage, but…

With all its grandeur, engineering design, opulence, and publicity, she did not complete the first voyage. The ‘great’ ship hit something ‘below the surface’. And it went down forever.

There is something below the surface of the life of every man and woman, something worse and more threatening than an iceberg. Something we all carry around with us, and sometimes cuddle to sleep on our laps. There is this dual-self we refuse to unmask who is threatening our greatness. It must be dealt with before it drags us below the surface.

This is a fitting book for our generation, a time when success-syndrome has unveiled the monster in us and worshippers at the shrine of the mundane are increasing daily. This book will help all and sundry, and deliver us before the iceberg strikes.

Pastor E.A Odeyemi

Special Assistant to the General Overseer (Training)

The Redeemed Christian Church of God

This is a sound teaching from God.

Theologically sound, prophetically accurate and very insightful.

Fola Omotoyinbo has been able to expose one of the subterranean issues in our Christian life that many would rather not talk about.

This is a vehicle of emancipation and restoration.

Beyond The Surface is a must read book. I sincerely congratulate him.

Dr. Kole Akinboboye

President, Voice of Adonai Minitries International

Profoundly insightful.

Beyond The Surface weighs to its title.

Frank Aigbogun

Publisher, Business Day

Highly thought provoking! The revelations on the subject of iniquity are eye opening. They will propel you to take actions that will change your circumstances and transform your life.

Dr. Bowo Olateru-Olagbegi

Erstwhile Member, Board of Trustees

RCCG, North America/Zonal Coordinator Canada, Zone 15

The compelling insight in this book will inspire both young and old Christians to face the reality of life and the damaging impact of iniquity and find a solution to them with God’s help.

Rev. Dr. Tayo Akinlade

Foursquare Gospel Church

The main message in Fola Omotoyinbo’s Beyond The Surface can be summarized as follows: to live in victory over any sin or bondage, one must identify and destroy its root which is iniquity.

Rev. Dr. Sola Aworinde

Senior Pastor

Agape Baptist Church

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to:

Every person who suffers in silence.

On the outside, everyone who sees you thinks everything is okay. But if only they knew the things you go through that you cannot even tell anyone.

All who have suffered untold hardships, not due to their own faults and mistakes and to those who live every moment of their lives in anxiety.

All those, for whom the prospect of each new day brings nothing, but fear and gloom.

Those men and women who have agonized over a dream and those who work so hard at the bottom rung of the ladder and receive so little praise; do not quit now but be courageous as you strive to become better, for great is your reward from God in the land of the living.

Those who think they’ve been forgotten and are at the point of giving up, it’s very important to let you know that I’ve been there before and know by experience what you are going through.

Many out there whose ideas have been stolen because they voiced them out and didn’t have all it takes to make them become a reality. Your idea may have been stolen but your dream is not dead. I want you to believe once more and dream again. Your next idea will be a better one creating greater impact, for the glory of the latter house shall be greater than that of the former.

Those who look at the future and see nothing but sure uncertainty, don’t you faint now if you’ve come this far. How far? As far as picking up this book. Your tomorrow shall be all right.

My dad, I’m thankful to God that you’re my father. What else could anybody ask for in a father? I’m thankful for showing me how to stand to the end by what one believes in.

My mum, having given me an example that still inspires me to this day; that all things are possible with God in prayer. I’m thankful for the advice and all the encouragement you’ve given me to stand.

My big brother, Bob, many thanks for assisting me to follow my heart, and for being supportive of your little brother.

My sisters, my brothers and other cousins, for the joy of growing up together.

My wife Yemisi, for being there always, in pensive scrutiny, ensuring that everything is in order. I will forever be thankful because against all odds, even when you didn’t understand, you believed in me.

All who dare to reach beyond the surface to uproot every hindrance trying to make them come in second, I salute your effort. You will overcome.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

When I had questions, they gave answers; faint hearted, they offered encouragement; in the valley of decisions, they sent their rope of sound judgment to pull me up and plant my feet on the rock of certainty.

What would I do without your support and assistance? The day God created you all, He had me in mind.

Clem Baiye, and everyone at Verity Communications. You are so wonderful and very accommodating. All that you did made my path brighter.

Josephine Ohiero. Many thanks for your efforts in sorting out my mix ups and bringing everything into proper perspective. You have been so selfless with your time and very generous with your knowledge. Thank you very much indeed.

Pastor E.A Odeyemi, Pastor Deola Mensah, Pastors Gbola & Toro Sokoya, Pastor Kemi Oluyele, Pastor Gbenga Folayan, Pastor Kayode Ojo and Pastor Paul Nanna. When I was unsure, you all gave me hope; with my feet stuck in uncertainty, your counsel and prayer kept pulling me nearer to the finish line. A very huge appreciation for your efforts.

Buky and Nike Michaels, my heartfelt gratitude for distracting my distractions. Thanks a lot.

Rev. Dr. Sola Aworinde. If you had a coaching academy, I would ask many like me to enrol. Your investment in me has not been in vain. Thank you for being there.

Meg Osifo. You are in my Hall of Fame. We met twice but spoke several times. I cannot thank you enough for your contribution. Though you considered it as nothing, I cherish it.

My daughters: Morin, Tunmise, Leke and Dete. Your questions have been insightful, your challenge profound and your concern very touching. You are angels sent into my life to minister to me.

All the members of Elim Parish, I appreciate your love, encouragement and the privilege of accepting me, in spite of me, to be your pastor. I feel greatly honoured. We are a family.

INTRODUCTION

Although this book is not about icebergs but we will take a little time to talk about icebergs because it bears some relevance to our subject matter.

So what is an iceberg? An iceberg is a large piece of ice that breaks off from a snow-formed glacier or ice-shelf to float in open water.

The density of pure ice is significantly much less than that of sea water, typically therefore, only one-tenth of the bulk of the iceberg is above the water; the bulk of the ice is below the surface.

The shape of the remainder submerged in the sea water can be difficult to determine by merely looking at what is visible above the surface. This is because the visible portion is only a small manifestation of the whole. The real thing is actually beyond the surface. If this was all there is to icebergs there would be no point discussing it. But the part that is unseen in the water poses great danger particularly for sea-going vessels.

Many have met their ruin that way and the most famous in history is the Titanic. It is this unseen aspect of the iceberg that relates to my concern in this book which is