Christ The Saviour Is Born

CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE

PREACHER: REVD SETH KISSI

READINGS: IS 9:2-7; TITUS 2:11-14; LK 2:1-14

We thank God that we can celebrate this Christmas with some joy and happiness and blissful expectations. Not everyone. Some are in mourning at this moment; and our hearts, thoughts and prayers must go to such people so that our God can hold and sustain them. Christmas has always been associated with love, joy and excitement; and rightly so because there is something about the season that makes us expectant and wanting to experience it over and over again. The event that occurred on that day- the birth of a saviour of the world - is an event that is supposed to bring us joy. When angels announced the good news to the shepherds they sang a song made up of just two lines: Glory be to God on high And on earth peace and goodwill to men When there is peace and the favour of God is upon us, God is glorified. Let us examine how this favour and peace translate into the experience of those who first heard it and of us who are celebrating the good news of Christmas. Two kinds of people were given the Christmas message; 1. Mary and 2. The shepherds Mary is isolated for the favour of God – a blissful and happy experience. She is highly favoured – the most favoured - among all women; the angel Gabriel told her. Her experience was that she was pregnant without a husband which in no doubt may have created a difficulty for her trying to explain her pregnancy to family members. To make matters ‘worst’ she delivered in a manger. But the child she delivered was not an ordinary child; he was different from all other children. The favour and grace of God were on him and he had wonderful abilities that the people in the temple could not come to terms with. They described him as mad. Luk 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Mary was always aware that the favour of God was on her and so the Bible tells us Mary kept all these in her heart. At the cross of Jesus she might have asked herself so many questions. But the favour and grace of God enabled her to go through the pain of seeing her own son crucified – death in a most shameful and degrading way. Mary must be revered for what she went through and did for us. Sometimes the favour of God comes opening the door to all sorts of challenges and experiences including pain and shame; and Mary’s was no exception but the same grace that was to make her the mother of our saviour was sufficient to sustain her and to enable her go through the pain. In spite of the trials, temptation and pain it is worth it – to have the favour of God upon us. We must not give up. The grace of God is always available to give us strength to go through our trials. How does this favour of God translate into our experience as we celebrate Christmas in the 21st century? For many including the shepherds and Mary, the news of the birth of Christ was vague; even the disciples were not so sure; but to us the birth of Christ is great light. We no longer live in darkness. We have been redeemed by the saviour. We have hope of salvation. As we celebrate the birth of the saviour, we must be able to say that our hearts are filled with joy and peace because our encounter with the Saviour turned us from the path of death and the wrath of God to the path of redemption and hope of a salvation. Christ came so that our story of hopelessness and fear and anxiety about his second coming will disappear and give way to peace, joy, hope and blessed expectation of eternal life.

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ADVENT REFLECTIONS – Day 2

Revd Prof J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu


Date 23nd Dec 2010

Readings: Lk2:21-35

The important thing about Jesus is that he was born. Whether or not December 25 is his actual date of birth is not important. There is enough evidence in both the Old and New Testaments that he existed.

At Christmas we give presents and gifts to our friends and loved ones. Sometimes those gifts are not meaningful or useful to them. The wise men gave gifts to Jesus. They gave gold to signify that he was a King, Myrrh to represent the peace he brought on earth and frankincense to represent his priesthood.

God’s gift of Jesus that we celebrate at Christmas is very precious and what He expects to receive from us is our heart.

In those days every first born son must be consecrated to the Lord and this was done on the eighth day. Samuel, John the Baptist and Jesus were consecrated as such. There lived at the time of Jesus’ birth a righteous and devout man of God called Simeon. God had promised him that he would not see death until he has seen the Lord’s Christ. The Spirit therefore led him to the temple at the time the baby Jesus was being presented on the eighth day.

The man Simeon took the baby Jesus up in his arms and blessed God and said,
Lu 2:29 "Lord, now let thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word;
Lu 2:30 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation
Lu 2:31 which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples,
Lu 2:32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel."
Lu2:33 And his father and his mother marvelled at what was said about him;
Lu 2:34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against.
Lu 2:35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed."
How would some fall and others rise because of Jesus?

The Christian life is full of choices and the choices we make would determine whether we fall or rise. Our attitude towards Jesus would determine whether we fall or rise.

1. From childhood, the rich young man had done everything the law said he should do, but when Jesus asked him to go and dispose of his wealth and give to the poor, he went away sad. He was not prepared to pay the price of discipleship

2. The Pharisees failed to admit that Jesus was the son of God even when there was every indication that he was. A forty-year old man who was born blind was healed by Jesus and the Pharisees decide to quiz him about his healing to make sure he was indeed born blind and Jesus had indeed healed him

3. Judas was a member of the twelve but fell because of greed and disloyalty

However there were others who rose

1. The twelve left family and business to follow Jesus

2. The Samaritan woman at the well after her encounter with Jesus went back to her village and declared she had found the Messiah

3. Bartemeus, the blind man, shouted for Jesus to call him and heal him. He followed him praising God

4. Zaccheus realised where he was standing was not good enough to catch Jesus’ attention and so he climbed a tree and that day he received his salvation

5. Nicodemus came to Jesus at night to seek explanations on how he could be saved. He was a secret follower of Christ.

6. Paul thought he was doing the right thing by persecuting the believers, but when he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, he repented and preached the gospel to the extent that he said:
1Co 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!


In conclusion,

1. it is up to us make choices that honour God

2. we must display more inward form of Christianity where we worship from our hearts, in spirit and in truth

ADVENT REFLECTIONS - DAY 1

By: Revd Prof J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu


Date 22nd Dec 2010

Readings: 1Sam Chaps 1-4, Mt 1:18-25

Let’s begin the Christmas story from a very unlikely place in 1Samuel chapters 1-4; Is2 12-17.
Eli and his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas were priests in Israel.

Eli’s sons were wicked and had no regard for the Lord. They took the best parts of the offering even before it was presented to the Lord. In fact they treated the Lord’s offering with contempt. They also slept with the women and abused them.

Eli was very old at this time. One day he called his sons and asked them a question:

1Sa 2:25 If a man sins against a man, God will mediate for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?" But they would not listen to the voice of their father; for it was the will of the LORD to slay them.

So one day Israel went to war with the Philistines and the Ark of the Lord was captured. Eli’s two sons were killed. As soon as Eli was told this, he fell over his chair, broke his neck and died.

The wife of Phinehas was pregnant and about to deliver and when she heard that her father-in-law and her husband were dead she went into labour and not even the knowledge that she had given birth to a son was good enough news to make her live. She lost her life in child-birth. But before she died she named her child Ichabod meaning ‘The glory has departed from Israel’ because the Ark had been captured.

In those days the Ark symbolised the presence of God among His people and its capture meant the people of Israel were left without a covering.

In the New Testament, in the birth of Jesus, that Glory has been restored.

1. The name Jesus means he will save his people from sin

Mt 1:21 she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

2. Immanuel means God with us; His presence - His Glory- which was taken away has been restored to those who confess him as their Lord and saviour

Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel

Joh 1:12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God;


Lu 2:9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.


Lu 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!"

As we celebrate Christmas let’s remember the change of name from Ichabod to Immanuel, meaning God’s favour and presence have been restored and we now have His covering over us.

Gone Too Soon

Mrs. Rita Abrahams, Assistant Council Secretary, has left us for eternity. Her first and last Sermon was exactly three months ago on Sunday, 22nd August, 2010 on the theme Respond to The Call of God. She was 41. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.  May she rest in peace.

YOU WILL GAIN YOUR LIFE THROUGH ENDURANCE

1st Reading: Isaiah 65:17-25

2nd Reading: 2Thes 3:6-13

Gospel Reading: Lk 21:5-19

TEXT: Lk 21:19     By your endurance you will gain your lives

THE MESSAGE

From the Gospel Reading

Jesus had just finished talking to the disciples about the widow who gave all that she had in the offering.

Then with admiration some (disciples) spoke of the external pomp and magnificence of the Temple, and thought Jesus should be as much affected with those things as they were.

In fact the temple was beautiful; it was built after the Israelites had returned from exile during the time of the prophet Ezra.

But Jesus said, as for those things which you see, those dear things which you are so much in love with, behold, the days will come, and some now living may live to see them, in which there shall not be left one stone upon another.

Lu 21:6 "As for these things which you see, the days will come when there shall not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.

They then asked Jesus when all this will happen and he replied:

They must expect to hear of false christs or messiahs and false prophets appearing, and false prophecies given out (Lu 21:8):

Many shall come in his name; he does not mean in the name of Jesus, though there were some deceivers who pretended commissions from him (as Ac 19:13), but usurping the title and character of the Messiah and encourage people to follow them.

They must expect to hear of great commotions in the nations, and many terrible judgments inflicted upon the Jews and their neighbours.

There shall be bloody wars

Nation shall rise against nation, one part of the Jewish nation against another, or rather the whole against the Romans.

There shall be earthquakes, great earthquakes, in divers places, which shall not only frighten people, but destroy houses and whole towns, and bury many in the ruins of them.

There shall be famines and pestilences, the common effects of war, which destroys the fruits of the earth, and, by exposing men to ill weather and reducing them to ill diet, occasioning infectious diseases.

There shall be fearful sights and great signs from heaven, uncommon appearances in the clouds, comets and blazing stars.

But Jesus warned us not to be terrified, not to panic nor be frightened but stand firm

We should not be deceived by these people who pretend to be him

We should not go after them nor have anything to do with them.

Life is so precious we do anything to preserve it; and Jesus knowing this did not leave the disciples unprepared for what will happen in the future – persecutions and killings.

He said to his disciples "Before all these, they shall lay their hands on you” and your adversaries will include your own relatives - "Your own relations will betray you

(Lu 21:16), your parents, brethren, and kinfolks, and friends; so that you will not know whom to put a confidence in, or where to be safe." "Your religion will be made a capital offence, and your blood will be demanded.

Jesus encouraged them to bear up under their trials, and to go on in their work notwithstanding the opposition they would meet with for the Holy Spirit will be there to protect them and tell them what to say even when they are arrested and brought before the authorities: 

Lu 21:14 settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer;
15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.

In all their persecutions Not a hair of their head will perish - Lu 21:18

The persecutions they suffered as recorded in the Book of Acts of the Apostles helped spread the Gospel.

In the first reading from Isaiah we learn that:

When we endure, God will give us a new heaven and a new earth

There shall be new life, (Isa 65:20) Untimely deaths by the sword or sickness shall be no more known as they have been.

Our enemies shall no longer inhabit the houses which we have built and eat the fruit of the trees which we have planted

We shall build houses and inhabit them ourselves

We shall plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them, Isa 65:21-22.

There shall be a good correspondence between us and our God (Isa 65:24): Even before we call, He will answer. God will anticipate our prayers with the blessings of his goodness.

In the second reading from 2nd Thessalonians the Apostle had the opportunity to warn the Church in Thessalonica about idleness. We understand that:

The best society of Christians may have some faulty persons among them and some things that ought to be reformed.

There were some who walked disorderly, not after the tradition they received from the Apostle, 2Th 3:6.

Some of the brethren did not live regularly, nor govern themselves according to the rules of Christianity.

In particular, there were among them some idle persons and busy-bodies, 2Th 3:11.

There were busy-bodies among them: persons who have no business of their own to do, or who neglect it and busy themselves in other men's matters.

They believed that because of the coming of our Lord they need not work.

If we are idle, the devil and a corrupt heart will soon find us something to do.

The mind of man is a busy thing; if it be not employed in doing good, it will be doing evil.

The Apostle commands and directs the whole church to withdraw themselves from such busybodies or idle people, and afterward to mark them, and have nothing to do with them; that they may be ashamed; yet not to count them as enemies, but to admonish them as brothers.

Finally he exhorts those that did well not to be weary in well-doing (2Th 3:13)

In Conclusion:

• We will be hated by all men because of our faith in Christ

• God will bring glory both to himself and to them that suffer for His cause; therefore we must not despair nor give up in the face of trouble.

• God is always with us, He will stand by us, and own us, and assist us, in our trials

• The Holy Spirit is there to help us in time of trouble

• We shall suffer no real damage by all the hardships the world shall put upon us (Lk21:18)

• There shall not a hair of your head perish."

• God answers our prayers

• When we endure we will gain our lives - in the new Heaven and the new earth

• We must work and not be idle

• We must not to be weary in well-doing

Revd Fiifi Foh Arkhurst is an Asst Minister at Trinity United Church

Give Thanks to God in all Things

10th October, 2010

20th Sunday After Pentecost

Preacher: Revd Isaac Etuah Jackson


Bible Readings
2Kings 5:1-3, 7-17     2Tim2:8-15        Luke 17:11-19

Text: 15Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.


Beloved in the Lord, today is 20th Sunday after Pentecost and we are 11 Sundays to the end of the year. The theme for today is apt for us to consider how thankful we have been to God; in our joys and in our sorrows.

At times we make the sad mistake in thinking that it is God’s duty to protect and provide for us.

In the First Reading from 2Kings, we saw Naaman, a Pagan commander of the King of Aram who was suffering from an incurable skin disease – usually referred to in Old Testament times as Leprosy. A slave-girl captured in one of Naaman’s raids and who served his wife suggested that his master sees the Prophet who lived in Samaria. This was the Prophet Elisha.

The Prophet told Naaman to go wash himself seven times in the river Jordan. But Naaman reasoned that if he had to take a bath in a river in order to be healed, then there are better and bigger rivers in Damascus. 2Ki 5:12 "Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?" So he turned and went away in a rage. Sometimes we too want to design God’s salvation to suit us. Naaman would not have been healed if he had washed in another river. He left in a rage because he thought the process for the cure of his disease was too simple. 1Co 1:18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Full of pride and self-will, he could not accept the simple cure of faith. Fortunately, he accepted the advice of his servants and did as the Man of God had instructed and then he received his healing.

2Ki 5:13 But his servants came near and said to him, "My father, if the prophet had commanded you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much rather, then, when he says to you, 'Wash, and be clean'?"

14 So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Naaman, who thought that the God of Israel was only one among many gods, now could say there is no god in all the world except in Israel... 2Ki 5:15 ¶ Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him; and he said, "Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant."...he was full of gratitude and offered Elisha rich gifts. But Elisha refused the gifts to show that God’s favour cannot be purchased. That was the mark of a true man of God; that he was not out to make money or acquire possessions but one who seeks the welfare of others.

Beloved in the Lord, in the 3rd Reading, Jesus healed 10 men who had leprosy. Among the ten was a Samaritan. In those days, Israelites and Samaritans had nothing in common, but here we see a common sickness or misfortune had broken down the racial and religious barriers. They only remembered that they were sick people who were in need and together they shouted with one voice. Lu 17:11 And as He went to Jerusalem, it happened that he went through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as He entered into a certain village, ten leprous men met Him, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted voice and said, Jesus, Master, pity us!

They stood afar off: Lev 13:46 All the days in which the plague (Leprosy) is in him he shall be defiled. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp.

Jesus asked them to go and show themselves to the priest – a very simple process of healing- and on their way they were healed, but only one, the Samaritan, came back to thank his benefactor. This pleased the Lord and led him to remark on the ingratitude of the others: Lu 17:15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.

17 Then said Jesus, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?

Beloved, before we comment on the actions of the nine, let us wait for a moment and ask ourselves how many of us return thanks to God for our lives. Many of us seek God only when we are in difficulty – like the lepers. While things are going on well – no sickness in our home, business is booming and when there is peace all around us, we forget to thank God; but as soon as trouble strikes we rush to Him and implore Him to have pity on us.

Naaman - a pagan army commander - sought God for healing, likewise the 10 lepers; but Naaman and the Samaritan both strangers to the Jewish religion saw the need to come back and thank their benefactors. We too must always come back to God and thank Him for the many blessings and mercies He shows us. David knew how to praise God - Ps 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

The forthcoming Harvest is another opportunity for us to show or gratitude to God.

Please read also MHB 963: 1 & 3

Let us give thanks to God in all situations we find ourselves.

The Wise Use of Our Resources

18th Sunday After Pentecost

                                                          

26th September 2010 - First Service

Preacher: Revd Martin Obeng


Readings: Amos 6:1-7/1Tim 6:6-19/Luke 16 :19-31

In the Book of Genesis we learn that we were all created in the image of God and given the mandate to subdue the earth as well as enjoy it. God therefore gave us the ability to be resourced.

‘Resources’ are the qualities and skills one has and can use to solve problems. Therefore when the people in Amos’ time were complacent and abused the prosperity and resources God gave to His people, he threatened them with a curse as in Amos 6:1

Am 6:1 Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and to them that are secure in the mountain of Samaria, the notable men of the chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel come!

In the third Reading, the rich man, with all the blessings and prosperity he enjoyed on earth, failed to prepare for eternity. Whatever our status on earth we must remember that death comes to both the rich and the poor; and so we must prepare for eternity.

Preparing for eternity involves sharing our resources or riches and giving to God’s work; and there are a lot of opportunities around us to enable us to do these. For example, the story is told of a tomato seller who earns very little income and yet decided to help train a Catholic Priest; and she did, consistently with her little contributions. Many of us have clothes we have never worn and which can be given out to Charity but which we are holding onto. Opportunities exist in the Seminary and in the Church to offer such things as our contribution to the training of Ministers of the Gospel and the support of less endowed brothers and sisters in the Church.

In the Second Reading, 1Tim 6:6-12

6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 11 But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses; the Apostle Paul instructs us as follows:

1. We must Flee: foolish and hurtful lusts; the love of money

2. We must pursue: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

3. We must Fight: the good fight of the faith.

4. We must lay hold on eternal life

He further instructs us to

1. Keep these commandment, without spot, without reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

2. He warns the rich not to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches; but on God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

May God grant us the grace to manage our resources wisely and to seek eternity in whatever we do.



Revd Martin Obeng is a Lecturer in Old Testament at Trinity Theological Seminary

YOU CANNOT SERVE GOD AND MONEY

Preacher: Revd Mrs Grace Sintim Adisa

Bible Readings:  AMOS 8:4-7    1TIM2:1-7        LK16:1-13

Date: 19TH September 2010              17th Sunday after Pentecost

To serve means to perform a duty or provide a service for some one. There is always an authority that is being served. The parties involved are a master and a servant and the normal thing is that the servant obeys the master.

The Theme for our reflection indicates that we have God and Money in this world; but we cannot serve both of them at the same time else we will be bias.

In the first Bible reading, we hear the prophet Amos warning the Merchants of his time. These merchants were enticed by money and they pretended to be worshiping God. They were not serious with the religious festivals. They always wanted the Holy days and Sabbaths to be over quickly so they could go back to work to make money. They loved market days more than Sabbath days.

They were cheating the poor to make money. They were selling inferior products for the same price as the finest – e.g. they mixed grain with wheat that was meant for animals, they inflated prices, knocked the bottoms of their measures upward, adjusted their scales among others. They sold the poor debtors into slavery for a pair of scandals.

Beloved in Christ, the Lord was not pleased with the behaviour of the Merchants. But my problem is – how different was their time from our time?

When you visit our market centres in Ghana (Asesewa, Techiman, Mankesim, Agomeya, Makola, Kasoa, etc) you will not see a different picture, there is cheating all over. Our traders love money more than anything else. Traders are giving false measurement for materials and cloths, deceiving people with Copper Jewellery as Gold. Come to think of the way they arrange their vegetables in the pans, sacks and ‘olonkas’ – they put fresh ones on top but the bottom ones are rotten. Groundnut paste and Ground pepper are mixed with flour etc. There are countless cases of rapist, armed robbers and thieves bribing their way through.

So what do we do as Christians because the Word of God says, we are the light of the world. There is so much moral decadence even at the offices. People would have to pay in cash or in kind before they could get jobs. Elderly men are abusing young girls and their house helps, their steps daughters etc.

Beloved, we have to walk with God. We should let justice roll on like a river and righteousness like a never-failing stream. God has something Good for us, so He is the only one that we should serve. The Word of God says that if I gain all the wealth of the world and I lose my life then what will I get?

Mt 16:26 For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?

Scripture warns as in 1 Tim 6:10 that the root of all evil is the love of money. Money per se is not the problem, but the way we acquire and use it brings problems.

1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

In our times, we see people especially the youth rushing for money through ‘sakawa’, juju, armed robbery, 419 among others. The Bible warns us in Gen. 3:19 that “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food…” so why do we want to relax and get money?

Gen. 3:19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

The Apostle Paul in our 2nd Reading (1 Tim 2:1-7) preached Christ and his crucifixion that we may believe in God only.

Beloved in the Lord, what are you also doing? God is the ultimate that we need to serve. There is nothing to be compared.

Our 3rd Reading, (Lk 16:1-13) tells us that one day we shall be called upon to give an account of our stewardship. The servant in the parable did not know Christ but he thought of the future. He helped his master’s debtors so that they would also help him in his time of need. The steward helped the people in order to get their help in the future when he loses his job.

The Lord is saying that we cannot serve two masters. Either we will hate the one and despise the other.

Lu 16:13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."

Money has the power to take Gods place in your life. It can become your master. How can you tell if you are a slave to money? Money is a hard master and a deceptive one at that. Wealth promises power and control, but often if cannot deliver.

Great fortune can be made – and – lost overnight and no amount of money can provide health, happiness or eternal life. How much better it is to let God be your Master; His servants have Peace of Mind and Security both now and forever- Amen.

REJOICE OVER ONE REPENTANT SINNER

PREACHER: REV DR JOHN ABEDU QUASHIE

DATE: SEPTEMBER 12, 2010


PASSAGES: Exodus 32: 7-14; Psalm 51: 1-10; 1Timothy 1: 12-17; Luke 15: 1-10

Introduction

We thank the Lord Almighty for bringing us to the beginning of yet another academic year. The year may seem to be full of challenges but we can be assured of God’s unfailing love, protection, provision and sustenance. We have every cause to thank the Lord because He has been faithful to us in the past and we can trust Him to take us through the present and continue with us into the future.

We reflect on the theme, “Rejoice over one repentant sinner” by considering the following:

Lost Sinners

From the three scripture passages and the Psalter, one thing that becomes clear is the fact of lost sinners in the world. This fact of sin and sinners is sometimes found in the most unlikely places such as among the people of God, the church; the people who are supposed to be separated from the world and separated unto God.

In Exodus 32, we find the Israelites, the specially chosen people of God, having sinned terribly against God. They had made for themselves graven images and attributed the protection, provision and deliverance of God to these images. God was so angry that He wanted to destroy them. What led to the Psalter read for us today (Psalm 51) was a grievous sin committed by a man whom God had raised and used to deliver His people. David, a man after God’s own heart, committed murder and adultery. In 1Timothy 1:15 Paul describes his previous life as being the “the worst of sinners”.

In the gospel reading, we find the Pharisees and scribes complaining and criticising Jesus, that He had associated himself with sinners and even gone on to eat with them. In His response Jesus told the parable of the lost sheep and the lost coin (Luke 15: 1-10). In these parables, Jesus did not deny the fact that those people the Pharisees and scribes were referring to were indeed lost sinners. Jesus used pictures that would be appreciated by all the people gathered. The story of the sheep would at the time touch the hearts of the men and boys in the crowd, while the women and girls would appreciate the story of the coin.

Sheep get lost because of their foolishness. They have the tendency to go astray. While the Pharisees and the scribes had no problem seeing the publicans and others as ‘lost sheep’ or sinners they could not see themselves in the light of Isaiah’s prophecy that all we like sheep have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6). It is very easy for us, like the Pharisees and scribes, to consider others as lost and ourselves as okay. The story of the Pharisee and the publican who went to pray is a good illustration of this kind of situation. But is it not true that we have been foolish at times, going astray like the Israelites, and like David, and disobeying the word of God. Is it not just because of grace that we can claim to have a right standing with God? It is not strange that John Newton will pen down the hymn, “Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me”. The fact is that we are all sinners saved by grace.

The other issue is that unlike sheep that get lost because of their foolishness, the coin was lost because of the carelessness of another. When a Jewish girl married, she began to wear a headband of ten silver coins to signify that she was now a wife. It was a calamity to lose one of those silver coins. Sometimes our carelessness at home and at work results in a soul being lost. It is important to ask ourselves whether our words and lives are not causing people to be lost.

Two things can be said about being lost. First is that one is “out of place”. Sheep belong with the flock and coins belong on the chain. All humans belong in fellowship with God and anytime that fellowship was broken, it means they are lost. The Israelites had broken their fellowship with God so they were lost. In David’s prayer of forgiveness, he dreaded this idea of being out of place and asked God not to cast him away from His presence but to restore to him the fellowship that was lost.

To be lost also means to be “out of service”. A lost sheep is of no service to the shepherd and a lost coin is of no service to the owner. As ministers in training and even lay people, we must remember that we cannot break our union with God and think that we are still in His service. We sometimes find people living in serious sin and still claiming to be working for the Lord. Well, they may be working for another lord but not

the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus categorically said that without Him we can do nothing. Are we lost? Are we out of place and out of service with the father through Christ? Do we know people who we can rightly claim are lost?

Lost Sinners are Valued

What the Pharisees failed to appreciate was that the lost are also valued. The fact that the shepherd would go after one sheep is proof that each animal was dear to him. In the same way that fact that the maiden would light a lamp and search for the missing coin was indication that the coin was of value to her. The point being made here is that the people we may think of as being lost are valuable to God. Each person in the world is so valuable that God does not desire that any should be lost forever. So Jesus described His ministry as “seeking and saving the lost” (Luke 19:10).

The lost sinner is so valuable to God that he offers the priceless blood of Christ to purchase him/her. That is why we never have to look down on anyone like the Pharisees did; that is why we never have to give up on anyone who is lost; that is why we never have to relent in our efforts in seeking the lost. Moses set us an example. When the Lord told him that He was going to destroy all the Israelites because they had broken the fellowship with Him and gone to serve other gods, but He was going to bless Moses, Moses began to remind God about the value of the people He was going to destroy. They were a people God had brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand (Ex. 32:11). They were a people God had made an everlasting covenant with through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that He would make their descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and give them the land as an inheritance forever (Ex. 32:12). The lost are also valuable to God.

The two parables teach us about the value of the lost sinner. If you lose something that is not valuable, you don’t mind. For the shepherd to search for the one sheep, it indicated that the one sheep was valuable and for the maiden to search for the one coin, it indicated the value of the coin. It is because of the value of the lost sinner that when one repents, there is rejoicing.

Sinners Have the Capacity to Repent and be Found

The two parables also suggest that it was the shepherd who goes after the lost sheep, and the maiden who goes after the lost coin. This may not immediately bring out the fact that there is the capacity in the ‘lost’ to be found. There are situations in which announcements are made about lost but found items which the owners had to come for. Could it be that the lost sheep was looking for a way back but was helpless? The third parable which follows the two read today brings this fact out clearly. In the parable of the lost son, we find the son repenting and returning to the father.

People have the capacity to repent and go back when they realise their foolishness. David, in Psalm 51, expressed the desire to be restored to God. The Lost son was desirous to be restored back to the father. Paul was happy to have been restored back and was thankful to God. His statement in 1Timothy 1: 15 that Christ Jesus came to the world to save sinners is an indication of the fact that sinners can be saved. In fact, his statement that he is the worst of sinners seems to give an indication that all sinners can be saved. If the worst has been saved, then it is easy to save the “not so bad”.

Every lost person has the capacity to be restored back to their place and to their service with God. That is the reason we should never give up on them. There are people who have prayed for the salvation of their loved ones for years and after so many years, it eventually happened. In his song “Welcome Home”, Ron Kenoly talks of his son who left home at 16 and after some years came back in repentance.

Unfortunately, the Pharisees failed to recognise this capacity in the “sinners” with whom Jesus ate. Do we recognise the capacity in sinners to be saved or we totally condemn them as if nothing good can come out of them?

Attitudes towards Sinners

In the passages, there are two kinds of attitudes displayed regarding sinners. First we have the attitude of the Pharisees. For them, sinners were lost and could not be found. Nothing good could come from them. To them there was no possibility of repentance.

Unlike the Pharisees however, we find Moses, Jesus and Paul having a different attitude to sinners. Moses’ example was a striking one. God had decided to destroy all the Israelites and to leave him alone blessed. If you found yourself in that situation, what would be your reaction? There are people who see their success in other people’s failure. If those people were in Moses’ situation they would have become excited about the idea and asked God to quickly do what He was talking about. Do you see yourself also wanting to be better than the other person? Do you see yourself rejoicing over the downfall of a fellow believer because you think it raises your prospects? Or do you see yourself hurt about the brother or sister who has fallen and praying earnestly about his restoration? What is your attitude to sinners?

Jesus’ attitude was one of hate for sin and love for the sinner recognising the potential of the sinner to be the best. Due to the recognition of this potential in the sinner, Jesus is always patient with the sinner. Paul declared in 1 Timothy 1:16 that in him, Christ Jesus displayed His unlimited patience and that was intended to be an example to those who would believe in Him. What is your own attitude to the sinner? Are you eager that the sinner should be punished or like Moses, you always plead on their behalf that God will have mercy upon them? Do you hate sin and love the sinner or you hate both sin and the sinner?

Rejoicing: The Right Reaction towards Repentant Sinners

Our attitude also informs our reaction to the sinner who has repented and received mercy. Because the Pharisees had a negative attitude, they could not rejoice over the fact that the sinner has repented and received mercy. On the other hand Jesus explained that just as a shepherd would rejoice over a lost but found sheep and a maiden would rejoice over a lost but found coin, so do the angels rejoice over one sinner who repents. There are three things that we may consider as the right reaction towards the repentant sinner. First is rejoicing over the sinner’s repentance. If heaven rejoices over a repentant sinner, our reaction to the repentant sinner should be one of joy and celebration. A lost brother/sister has been found and there is every cause for celebration.

Second those who are genuinely in tune with God reach out to the lost to restore fellowship with them in a very intimate way to the extent of eating with them. The shepherd reaches out to the lost sheep and the maiden reaches out for the lost coin. True believers welcome the repentant sinner and seek to help them stand firm on their feet as they find their place among the people of God and become of service to God.

Third, those who have a right attitude towards sinners are not ashamed associating with the repentant sinner. Jesus was not ashamed of associating with sinners, something that the Pharisees could not just take in. Barnabas was not ashamed associating with Paul and that helped Paul a lot to find his place in the fellowship of the Lord and of the believers. Some believers behave like the Pharisees and shun those who have fallen from grace even when the people have genuinely repented and received mercy from God. The attitude of Christ is to receive the repentant sinner and encourage them to stay strong in the Lord. Could we follow the example of Jesus and help those who fall to rise on their feet instead of “shooting the wounded”.

Conclusion

The fact is that there is sin and sinners in the world, sometimes found in the most unlikely place like the church. Sinners are out place in the fellowship with God and also out of service. However in the sight of God, there a great value in every sinner and every sinner has the potential to repent. Our attitude to sinners must not be one of looking down on them but rather one of hate for sin and love for the sinner. This attitude leads us to rejoice when they repent, share fellowship with them and not become ashamed associating with them. May we have the grace to follow the example of Jesus and that of Moses towards sinners who have repented! Amen.

1. there is sin and sinners in the world,

2. Sinners are out place in the fellowship with God

3. Sinners are out of service out God

4. However in the sight of God, there is a great value in every sinner and every sinner has the potential to repent.

5. We must not look down on sinners, rather we must hate sin and love the sinner...

6. ...that attitude leads us to rejoice when they repent, share fellowship with them and not become ashamed associating with them.

7. May God grant us the grace to follow the example of Jesus and that of Moses towards sinners who have repented!

Amen.

Revd Dr Abedu Quashie is Dean of Students, Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon.

BE A TRUE DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST

PREACHER: Revd Seth Kissi

BIBLE READINGS: Deut 30:15-20 / Philemon 4-6 / Lk 14:25-33

DATE: 5th September, 2010             

15th Sunday after Pentecost



God wants us to be disciples of His son Jesus Christ; but He doesn’t compel us to obey Him. He wants us to be willing disciples and always expects us to trust in His counsel. No matter how we feel about or see God’s ways, they are always meant for our good.


A disciple learns from his master and is influenced by him.

Paul was different in his approach to his ministry to the Gentiles compared to the other Apostles. He was a teacher and a friend to them. In explaining the Gospel to them he used his own life experiences and encouraged them to ‘follow him as he followed Christ’.

What are we supposed to do as followers of Christ or to be followers of Christ?

1. Decide to be willing disciples

2. Estimate the cost of following Christ

3. Be prepared to bear the cost and

4. Do not let the cost deter us


1. God doesn’t force us to obey Him, and so we must decide to be willing, obedient disciples

2. Jesus asked in Luke 14 which house builder does not estimate the cost of the building before he sets out to build the house. Likewise we must estimate the cost of following Christ.

The cost involves

• Death or loss of our own lives

• the loss of family and other relationships

• Acceptance, love and forgiveness of difficult people and things as was the case of Philemon who had to take back Onesimus, a runaway slave.

• Injury to our ego

3. A lot of sacrifices need to be given in our desire to be disciples of Christ and we must be prepared to bear that cost

4. The good news is that when we become disciples of Jesus Christ, that relationship takes care of our every need and gives us the Grace to love and forgive, accept other people, do things that ordinarily would have been difficult for us to do. That relationship with Christ promises us above all things, Eternal life; and so the cost does not and must not deter us.

TEACHING AND ADMONISHING EACH OTHER WITH PSALMS, HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS

PREACHER: Mrs E. Owusu Bennoah


BIBLE READINGS: Jer 2:4-13
                                 Heb 13:1-8
                                 Lk 14:7-14

TEXT: Col 3.16 – Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly

Date: 29 August, 2010            

14th Sunday after Pentecost


The theme for today coincides with the Choir's Anniversary and we thank God for their lives.

I would like us to dwell on 3 important things in the passage:
1. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly
2. Using the Word of God to teach  and admonish each other
3.Singing Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual songs in our hearts to show gratitude to God.

As Believers in Christ Jesus our main weapon is the Word of God; and we are being encouraged here to study the Word and let it dwell richly in us.
When we keep the Word in our hearts and allow it to direct us in whatever we do, then we will be able to teach others and direct them when they go wrong.
The Apostle Paul encouraged the Church in Colossae to continue to study the Word and build one another up with the Word through love. Paul insisted on the importance of the study of the Word since no spiritual growth is possible without the Word of God. His prayer was that all believers will relate the knowledge of God to all aspects of their lives.As Christians, it is our duty to teach and correct one another with the Word of God and also sing Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to show gratitude to God. When we have the Word of God we have peace; and worry and fear will not arise.
Isa 43:1 ¶ 1 But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.


2 When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.These are the assurances God has given us.

Music plays a very important role in our liturgy. The early Christians composed many hymns; and many times, these were determined by their mood. The kind of music we sing or listen to is sometimes determined by our mood. The Israelites, in Ps 137, did not sing the Lord's songs in a strange land. They were sacred.

When we are in despair, we sing a hymn and that hymn becomes our prayer and God listens to our prayer in singing. This is my experience when a close relative was sick at the hospital. He could not speak and we did not know what to do. As I was with him, I heard a voice that asked me to sing. I started singing PHB205, by the 3rd stanza, he said ''Abena sing well'' ( I don't have a good voice). That statement from a man who was very sick encouraged me. I sang more and more. He got well eventually.
 
The words in our hymns are words we must pay attention to anytime we sing those hymns. There is power and healing in the words of the hymns we sing.
 
But in performing this duty of TEACHING AND ADMONISHING EACH OTHER WITH PSALMS, HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS, should we have any difficulty, we must remember that there is always help from Christ when we approach Him in prayer. MHB 538 – What a Friend we have in Jesus – sums up everything.

RESPOND TO THE CALL OF GOD

Preacher: Mrs Rita Abrahams

Bible Readings: Jer 1:4-10 / Heb. 12:18-29 / Lk 13:10-17

Date: 22 August, 2010

13th Sunday after Pentecost

I have many times avoided being asked to preach in this church; trying to avoid the call of God. But I asked God to forgive me and also to reveal to me if He really wants me to preach and He did it.

God knew Jeremiah before he was formed. Jeremiah was sanctified while in his mother’s womb to preach. He was made holy in the womb.

Like Jeremiah, God is calling all of us today to his Ministry. He has sanctified us all even while we were in our mothers’ wombs.

We are to go and spread His praises, to go and evangelise, to spread the truth.

In 1Pet 2:9 , the Bible says: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. He has made us kings and priests. He has ordained us to go and preach the Good news. We cannot say ‘no’ to Him. Some of us say we are old, we are shy; our work schedule does not allow us to evangelise etc. We do not have any excuse and God will not accept any excuse from us if He did not accept Jeremiah’s excuse of incompetence. He has given us authority over the problems we shall encounter in the ministry; and his Spirit will strengthen us to spread the message of Jesus Christ. He has given us authority to go and break down and destroy the barriers in peoples’ lives and in their stead plant the word of God and build lives for His Kingdom.

God is calling us to a life of holiness and sanctity. We must therefore be holy and portray God’s likeness.

REF: Rev 5 9,10 -9 and they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy art thou to take the scroll and to open its seals, for thou wast slain and by thy blood didst ransom men for God from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 and hast made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on earth."

1Pe 1:15 but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; 1Pe 1:16 since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

In Hebrews 12 , Paul presents a dramatic contrast between Judaism and Christianity; where God is calling us out of death to life; into a new covenant into the glorious company of Christ Jesus. We cannot be our old selves.

In Hebrews 12: 28-29 is a final warning to those of us who are contemplating whether to respond to the call or not. There is a more severe punishment for them that do not respond to the call of God, more than those who rejected Mount Sinai. God is a consuming fire!

Heb 12:28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe;


Heb 1229 for our God is a consuming fire.


2Co 3:6 ¶ who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not in a written code but in the Spirit; for the written code kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Let us therefore respond to the call and join this glorious company.

It is our duty to respond to the call of God. We can run but cannot hide.

Mt 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.


19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,


20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age."

Jesus’ encounter with the woman who was bent for over 18 years and could not stand straight is instructive here. She responded to Jesus’ call. She did not make excuses with her condition. Anyone who encounters and responds to the call of Jesus never remains the same.

Jesus is calling us to respond to his call to holiness, to a lifestyle of his likeness, to the new covenant. We cannot respond to the call and be the same.

This morning the question is not who is called? or have you been called?; but rather will you respond to the call of God like Isaiah did or will you be like Jonah?

Let us respond to the call of God.

YOU CANNOT HIDE FROM GOD

PREACHER: Rev'd Fiifi Foh Arkhurst

DATE: 15th August 2010

12th Sunday after Pentecost



The theme presupposes that God is all-seeing; for his eyes move to and fro and nothing can be hidden from Him. This is because He neither sleeps nor slumbers.
Jeremiah 23:24 poses a very important question ‘can any hide himself in secret places that God shall not see him?

Then Jeremiah 49:10 provides an appropriate answer, ‘He shall not be able to hide himself’

Again Ezekiel 28: 3 reads ‘there is no secret that they can hide from God

In Jeremiah 23:23-29, we encounter both true and false prophets. The false prophets were doing their own thing. They were prophesying falsely and deceiving the people with their dreams and prophesies. However these prophets failed to realise that nothing could be hidden from God. They did not realise that their deeds, words and thought patterns were all known to God.

What happened to the prophets can easily happen to us. For most of us live as if we could hide from God. We fail to remember that God is the only one who sees whatever is done in secret.

You can hide whatever you do from Ministers, Council Members, and other church members but not from God. For God watches us from a distance. God is everywhere. He is at your workplace and so aware of the under-invoicing and over-invoicing that take place. Such practices may escape the scrutiny of auditors but not God.

The fact that you cannot hide from God should be a big lesson to you. You should thus conduct yourself in a manner that is worthy of your calling.

Psalm 131:7-8 is very instructive as far as the theme is concerned;

‘I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the depths, you are there.’

In fact those who are trying to hide from God will hear as bad news the fact that God knows where they are.

Are you trying to hide from God? It is pointless to do so.

May God give us the consciousness of a little child that everything we see, everything we hear every word we say, every place we go, everything our hands do is constantly seen by God; for it is impossible to commit any sin that is not under the searchlight of God.

THEME:” SET YOUR HEARTS ON THINGS ABOVE” 1ST AUGUST, 2010 COMMUNION SERVICE

TEXT: ECL. 2:18-23, COL 3: 1-11, LUKE 12: 13- 21                     PREACHER: REV. ISAAC ETUAH-JACKSON                          
 Last week, St. Paul reminded his converts that through baptism, they had died with Christ and had risen again with him. They were therefore new creatures. He urges us to set our heart on things above. This is to say that we strive to put heaven priorities into daily practice. Setting our minds on things means concentrating on eternal rather than temporal. We are enjoined to Put to death things of flesh because of this wrath of God is coming but rely on the power of the holy spirit as we set our hearts on things above and commit ourselves to what Christ teaches. The Christian church should have no barriers but a fellowship of all believers (Eph 2:14 & 15). Christians should build bridges than walls because Christ is all and is in all. (Col. 3:11) We need to set our priorities right.

Solomon author of ecclesiastics, who is acclaimed to be the wisest person to have lived on earth, came to the conclusion that everything is vanity. He was meticulous about getting satisfaction as though he was conducting a scientific experiment; through the process he saw that life without God is a long and fruitless search for enjoyment, pleasure, meaning and fulfilment. It’s good to work hard but it bears no lasting fruit for those who work solely to earn money and gain possessions. Not only would everything be left at death but it may be left to those who have done nothing to earn it. What would be more painful is when your wealth is squandered.

In fact Solomon’s son, Rehoboam who inherited his throne was often foolish and the kingdom of Israel got divided after him. (1 kings 12) Solomon teaches us that when we set our minds on our own abilities, wisdom and efforts, our toil will be meaningless but when we direct our hearts and minds to faith in God, there would be a lasting reward or benefit for us. (Eccl 2:22-23)                                            

 Ask this question, Do you know the real reason you are working so hard? It is with the understanding that Jesus speaks to the rich fool in the third reading. Issues of inheritance were often brought to rabbis to settle and this was one of them. Jesus knew the heart of his man. He had asked for his share of the inheritance because he coveted possessions. To covet does not only mean to desire someone else’s property. It also means to possess more than we have. Luke 12 v.15b says: a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Possessions will never give us eternal life, joy and peace instead they give us anxiety. In fact, the more we store up for ourselves if we don’t take care will derail us from trusting God and we will lose our souls as in the parable of the rich fool. (Luke 12:13-21) v. 19, 20 shows his folly.

A man/woman who does not store up eternal treasure in heaven is a full indeed. Why take the risk of losing our matrimonial inheritance just to get some earthly treasure that will last only a few years.

We need to realise that God will evaluate our lives on the Judgement day. We therefore need to learn to live wisely by learning, learning to obey his guidelines. A song for living-children says read your bible pray every day if you want to grow. It is through this that we can set our hearts on things above.              

As we set our hearts on things above he would say come to me and sit at the right hand of Christ that you won’t be like the rich fool. Amen.

ASK AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN UNTO YOU

25TH JULY, 2010 (9th Sunday after Pentecost)

Rev 'd Foh Arkhurst, Asst Minister, TUC

BIBLE READINGS:
GEN. 18:20-32/COL 2: 6-15/LUKE 11: 1-13

FIRST SERVICE

TEXT: LUKE 11: 9,10
9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
New Living Translation

As humans one thing is clear that at any point in time we need one thing or the other. All of us here need something we want the Lord to do for us and our hearts’ desire is to receive whatever we ask of God. But in asking, we should have our motives right. Jesus is entreating us today that whatever we need, we should ask him in prayer and he is prepared to do for us.

In the first reading, God wanted to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of their sins but Abraham pleaded till God gave him what he wanted - saved Lot and his Family.

Our God is a faithful God when we hold Him to his word, for He watches over his word to perform. If we ask him for our needs he would grant our desires.

In the third reading, which is the basis for our Theme today, we read that after Jesus had finished praying one of his disciples asked, “Teacher, teach us how to pray…” We realized here 2 things:

a) That prayer must not be interrupted and so the disciples waited for the Lord to finish praying before putting in their request.

b) Jesus was a Role Model to his disciples as far as prayer was concerned; and so they wanted to pray just as he was doing.

Jesus responded in 2 ways- in the Lord’s Prayer - (verses 2-4) and in what is usually referred to as The Friend at Midnight (verses 5-13).

Jesus prayed a model prayer from which we can learn a lot of lessons:

1) It respects the God we worship - Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come... Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven...

2) It shows our dependence on God. The Lord’s Prayer takes care of our daily wants - bread (all that we need) and forgiveness of sins (repentance before God)…. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

3) It takes care of our daily dangers - temptation and evil… And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil...

The Lord’s Prayer is our daily prayer, for it covers all that we need, our present needs, our past sins and our trials and temptation.

The 2nd response of Jesus as captured in Luke 11:5-13 is about a man who had a visitor in the night and had nothing to place before his guest and so he decided to go and ask a friend.

6 ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ 7 And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ 8 But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.* 9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

The man was not answering due to how congested his room was but his friend kept on knocking for his request to be answered. This is the way Jesus wants us to persist in prayer, to keep on knocking and asking on our knees and not be weary.

God always answers our prayers and He does so in three ways:

1) Yes - and you would have whatever you asked for

2) Wait - for a while (God’s time is the best) and

3) No - for you do not need this now.

If our earthly fathers know how to give us gifts how much more our Father in Heaven.

The 3rd Reading has some lessons to teach us.

We must learn from Jesus’ prayer life and from His Model prayer by

• Praying unceasingly

• Hallowing God’s name, praising Him and thanking Him

• Praying directly and simply, for God knows our hearts and understands our problems

• Praying persistently for the Lord will respond with what is best for us

• Praying expectantly, for we receive more than we ask for Ref : Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

I pray that we will continue to ask; and that we go first to God with our requests. Amen.
For Second Service Sermon, please click 'Read More' and scroll down.

MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE

PREACHER: REV. FIIFI FOH ARKHURST
TEXT: GEN. 18:1-10, COL 1: 15- 28 & LUKE 10: 38-42

All humans can’t do without making choices. We make choices every moment of our lives.
How do we make choices and how sure are we that the choices we make would be right? In Luke 10:42 the Scripture teaches that we need to do the most important things first. Martha thought her choice was right; she was in the kitchen preparing food to serve Jesus and was worried that her sister Mary was not helping her. Jesus’ response was this 'But one thing is needful: and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her' Mary has chosen the positive part of sitting at the feet of Jesus and it won’t be taken away from her. Which implies that listening to God enables us to set our priorities right. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to him. Listening is an act with which we need to discipline ourselves. We need to listen to God in making choices. What Jesus was telling Martha was this, she should set her priorities right. Make the right choice and we will end up doing the right thing. Sometimes we spend so much time doing things for God that we do not have enough time to spend with Him. Martha was spending all her time in the kitchen trying to do something for her guest, which was not bad in itself; but she needed to listen to Him. When Jesus comes into the picture our ways would be right. The choices we make today would determine what we would be in the future. However if you make the wrong choice, do not give up, but turn to Jesus. He is always ready to help us.

The question in the minds of many people is how do we make the right choice?
1. We need divine wisdom and counsel before making decisions; and that takes patience and diligence
2. Therefore we need to spend quality time with Him. Intimacy with God is necessary
3. He will then help us to set our priorities right because there are many unimportant things we are doing.

Our prayer should be that we make right choices and we can’t do that without Jesus.
Let’s come before him and do the right things to the glory of God.

THE REWARD OF BEING FAITHFUL TO CHRIST

PREACHER: DR. VLADIMIR ANTWI-DANSO                                      

THEME:”THE REWARD OF BEING FAITHFUL TO CHRIST”                

Defining “Who is my neighbour” today becomes a problem. In our first reading, Moses tells us a lot about what we should do to inherit the presence of God. David also when he was about die admonished his son Solomon, heir to the throne to walk in the path of God faithfully. He succeeded in completing the temple and the palace because he initially followed the commands of God. Later he took a lot of pagan wives who turned his heart away from the Lord. After his death the kingdom broke into two. Jeroboam took over part of the kingdom and Israel was taken into captive.

The bible tells us what we should do in order to live a faithful life. In Deuteronomy when the Israelites came to Eastern side of Jordan and Moses was about to die he then gave them the law and promised the blessings of God if they lived faithfully by the law. We need to know our history, where we are coming from, where we are going as a Church. It is easy because someone died on the cross to save us.

When the Teacher of the Law came to Christ and asked him “what he must do to inherit eternal life, (Lk 10: 25) Jesus referred him to what the scriptures say (v.27), which he quoted. Jesus then used the parable of the Good Samaritan to demonstrate our attitude towards people who are not of the same ethnic group or social standing with us.  Knowing what the scriptures say, is key to our walking faithfully with the Lord.  As we are inundated with preachings on healing, prosperity, deliverance by various “men of God” in the media, we must consider what the Bible says because it is the believer’s Constitution.    The salvation of  God is not in the aggregation of riches, but it leads us into His peace.

Walking in the light of the law gives us the favour of the Lord. We have to walk in the path of righteousness.

CHRIST OUR PEACE THEME:”CHRIST OUR PEACE”

PREACHER: REV. SETH KISSI
TEXT: ISAIAH 66:10-14, GAL. 6:1-6 & LUKE10:1-11.



Peace is a condition where a man’s heart is at rest, when we are without worry and when we can relax. But what would bring about peace to the one who has no hope of what to eat, the sick, the one gripped with fear about his relationship with God?

Peace comes to us in different ways. In Isaiah, the people did not have peace; and that made them anxious and worried. They were concerned about the condition of Jerusalem but God through Isaiah presented a message of hope to them. God promised to give peace that is like a river, her breast would be full of milk that would provide for people; this provision would be a source of comfort.

In Gal 14 Paul reminds us to rejoice when we see that God’s Word has been fulfilled. There is peace in rejoicing when good things come our way and that also makes us see the challenges ahead in life. God is disappointed when we fail to rejoice in his accomplishments. He acts in our life to give us peace and joy.

When Jesus sent his disciples he told them to go into any house they were welcomed. The receiver of peace is he who welcomes the Messiah. The mission was to go and give peace indiscriminately to the extent that they did not have to greet anybody on the way.

How do we receive his peace? In Gal 2 Paul makes a ‘contradictory’ statement by saying that

i. We should first carry each other's burden. Put yourself in that situation, feel it and adopt that attitude to make sure a brother has peace to go on. Then he said:

ii. Each person should carry his load. For each of us has a load to carry; and it is the peace of God that would enable us to carry our personal loads.

If someone thinks he is better off he should be careful. If you are good enough assess yourself and find confidence in your abilities not someone else’s.

We must celebrate God when he does little and good things in our lives

When we panic we disappoint God. Panic and anxiety closes our eyes to the other doors God opens in our lives.

We should not be anxious for anything – the food we shall eat or the clothes we shall wear – for when Christ sent out the 72, he asked them not to take sandals nor purse.

We should not give up hope in our state of despair.

We must have hope and faith in Jesus Christ. There is nothing that is too hard for him to do for us

Salvation and deliverance bring peace and Christ is there to help us see the solution in him.

Let us also go in the same mission the disciples went.

May God help us to walk in peace.

May God come our way with his provision that takes away the hunger that makes us weak.

There is a peace that comes when we have problems and a peace when our problems are solved.

May the peace of God be with us. Amen