PREACHER: REV. J.A. QUASHIE
1) Why power in the word? The scripture is fulfilled in heaven.(Luke 4:14-21)
The bible is about Jesus’ life, mission what he did and what he is about to do. This makes it powerful since it is about a powerful being.
In our time people focus on themselves rather than the Christ making him gradually missing in preaching’s eg. a theologian arguing with the word of God about homosexuality and people using the scriptures to defend the fact that they were more powerful than others in the era of apartheid. Christ is fulfilled when the word is about him.
2) Can we trust in the word? Yes, the scripture is about God. Jesus went to the synagogue to preach. Luke was the only one who recounted the ministry of Jesus in his book. The attitude of the ministry must be commended and also be an example to us. Powerful ministries focus on God they are not only about the preachers but also members in a congregation.
In Nehemiah the bible was read from daybreak till noon. (Neh 8:8) The people listened attentively while they were being taught. We learn that;
1) The word of God has the power to take you away from sin and vice versa.
2) The word of God also unites us.
The word of God should be fulfilled in our lives just as it was in Jesus’ life. It is fulfilled when we become attentive to his word and changes us through it. When we change it also unites us that we might experience all the fullness of grace among us.
Monday, January 25, 2010
17/01/10 THEME: “JESUS OUR PROVIDER”
PREACHER: MR ERIC ASARE
God provided a leader to take Israel out of Egypt, a path for Israel in the red sea on their way to the promise land. He provided manna in the desert, water for them when they were thirsty and the law to guide them in their relationships and as a light to see them on their way to righteousness. In diverse ways he was their great provider.
In the Old Testament he sent his word through prophets while in the New Testament Jesus continued to meet the needs of the people. He fed 5,000 with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes, healed the sick, dead and was hope to a dispersing world. He was light to a world in bondage and sin.
Prophet Isaiah’s prayer of intercession implies our path to play so that Gods intended plans for us would come and pass (is 62:1-5). Paul emphasises the operation of gifts in (1 cor 12:1-11). In the gospel reading Mary approached God in a prayerful mood (jn 2:1-11).
Examples learnt from Mary
PROBLEM: Weddings took 7 days at the time. While feasting was not over the hosts run out of wine. Mary then said to Jesus they have no wine showing. This showed the need to come to God with simple words and faith when confronted with problems. SOLUTION: Mary knew Jesus as his son, the holy one called son of God (Luke 1:35). She knew where to find solution and that there was no burden Jesus could not bear. Jesus even answered her by saying “dear woman why do you involve me”. Do whatever he tells you. The Servants also played their role by obeying the strange man who gave orders. This shows that obedience goes with faith emphasising our need to wait in faith. RESULTS: this act was the first of his miraculous signs hence 1) Revealed his glory. Obedience is a critical responsibility for God to perform gracious miracles. 2) Led to his disciples believing in him and thus brought people to God.
God provided a leader to take Israel out of Egypt, a path for Israel in the red sea on their way to the promise land. He provided manna in the desert, water for them when they were thirsty and the law to guide them in their relationships and as a light to see them on their way to righteousness. In diverse ways he was their great provider.
In the Old Testament he sent his word through prophets while in the New Testament Jesus continued to meet the needs of the people. He fed 5,000 with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes, healed the sick, dead and was hope to a dispersing world. He was light to a world in bondage and sin.
Prophet Isaiah’s prayer of intercession implies our path to play so that Gods intended plans for us would come and pass (is 62:1-5). Paul emphasises the operation of gifts in (1 cor 12:1-11). In the gospel reading Mary approached God in a prayerful mood (jn 2:1-11).
Examples learnt from Mary
PROBLEM: Weddings took 7 days at the time. While feasting was not over the hosts run out of wine. Mary then said to Jesus they have no wine showing. This showed the need to come to God with simple words and faith when confronted with problems. SOLUTION: Mary knew Jesus as his son, the holy one called son of God (Luke 1:35). She knew where to find solution and that there was no burden Jesus could not bear. Jesus even answered her by saying “dear woman why do you involve me”. Do whatever he tells you. The Servants also played their role by obeying the strange man who gave orders. This shows that obedience goes with faith emphasising our need to wait in faith. RESULTS: this act was the first of his miraculous signs hence 1) Revealed his glory. Obedience is a critical responsibility for God to perform gracious miracles. 2) Led to his disciples believing in him and thus brought people to God.
10/01/10 THEME:” MAY THE LORD BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT”
PREACHER: REV. FIIFI FOH ARKHURST
Water is the most common for baptism. Its baptism is our power as Christians since it contains the Holy Spirit. At a time in Israel there were no prophets and everyone looked forward to the coming of the messiah. When john appeared people thought he was the messiah, but he replied as were the words in Luke 3:15-17.
John’s duty was to prepare believers as they waited for the coming of the messiah and his baptism was a message of repentance. Jesus Christ came to all believers as: i. Source of fire ii. Judgement on those who have decided not to change iii. To extend the idea of righteousness John’s purification was external while Jesus’ was internal.
REFLECTIONS: We have been baptized with water. Have we accepted the Holy Spirit? Our names are in the baptism registers. Do we have our names in the lambs’ book of life? We are members of the visible church. Are we a part of the mystical body?
Peter and john observed that the Holy Spirit was for all believers when he used them to convert over 3,000 unbelievers in Acts 1:8. In the first reading the going through water could drown or strengthen us but with Christ we would be strengthened.
Our prayer should be that the Holy Spirit would baptize us so we would be strengthened ,rooted and built up in the spirit as well as made poised and ready to do Gods word.
Water is the most common for baptism. Its baptism is our power as Christians since it contains the Holy Spirit. At a time in Israel there were no prophets and everyone looked forward to the coming of the messiah. When john appeared people thought he was the messiah, but he replied as were the words in Luke 3:15-17.
John’s duty was to prepare believers as they waited for the coming of the messiah and his baptism was a message of repentance. Jesus Christ came to all believers as: i. Source of fire ii. Judgement on those who have decided not to change iii. To extend the idea of righteousness John’s purification was external while Jesus’ was internal.
REFLECTIONS: We have been baptized with water. Have we accepted the Holy Spirit? Our names are in the baptism registers. Do we have our names in the lambs’ book of life? We are members of the visible church. Are we a part of the mystical body?
Peter and john observed that the Holy Spirit was for all believers when he used them to convert over 3,000 unbelievers in Acts 1:8. In the first reading the going through water could drown or strengthen us but with Christ we would be strengthened.
Our prayer should be that the Holy Spirit would baptize us so we would be strengthened ,rooted and built up in the spirit as well as made poised and ready to do Gods word.
COVENANT SERVICE 3/01/2010 THEME:”ROOTED AND BUILT UP IN CHRIST” (COL. 2:6-7)
PREACHER: REV. SETH KISSI
The Old Testament was written in a time when people wanted to know. At that time so many philosophies where into being, to the extent that some threatened the existence of the church leaving Christians to battle them out. Platonic philosophy was one that had a great followership.
Paul reminded us of our power in Christ though today people have problems with some of these doctrines. He made it clear to us that we don’t be judged on the basis of our fellowship, food, festivals and celebrations.
In Christ we are assured of salvation, being our basis he is enough for us. Let’s continue to live in him that we may be nourished and rooted to face the winds. It is not easy to wait for GOD’s time, in such periods people abandon Christ but when we are rooted we won’t be afraid.
When we face problems in life we sometimes feel like giving up GOD’s word but by being steadfast, established and strong in the word we can overcome the year.
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