THEME: ”WALK FAITHFULLY IN THE SPIRIT”

TEXT- 2 KINGS 2:1-6, GAL. 5:1,13-25, LUKE 9:51-62.

PREACHER: REV. J.F.K. MENSAH

The attitude to the theme is one of two extremes. In one, people believe that the Spirit behaves so erratically while in the other some Christians want the Spirit to tell them everything before thinking and would die before they think they are being led in the Spirit.

First of all a faithful person is a reliable and trustworthy person.

There are three important things we need to know in connection with the theme.

1. What do we mean by walking in the Spirit?

2. Why is it important to walk in the Spirit?

3. How do we walk in the Spirit?

What do we mean by walking in the Spirit?

Looking at Galatians 5:16, we would not satisfy or gratify the desires of life. If you are not born in the Spirit you cannot walk in it. (John 3:16, Romans 8:9, Ephesians 5:18) In order to be born in the Spirit, you must feel it. The Spirit gives guidance, control and leadership.

The church of the New Testament had a rich experience with the Holy Spirit unlike churches of today; we see instances of how Paul was directed by the Spirit. In Acts 8:26-29 the Spirit made Phillip join the chariot of the Ethiopian Eunuch. We learn from Acts 20:28 of how every office of the church was planted by the Holy Spirit and how he chaired the council.

Why is it important to walk in the Spirit?

The Old Testament had little to reveal about the Spirit in Deuteronomy 34:9, Joel 2:32 etc. If Jesus is even led by the Spirit, how about us. John 14:16,17 assures us of another Comforter and he would guide us in all truth. Jesus is sending the Spirit to represent him in all these scriptures.

Faithfulness in our ways consists of

1. Giving ourselves to Christ.

2. Being filled with the Spirit.(Ephesians 8:17,Acts 19:1-7) this is a separate experience from just giving ourselves to Christ.

3. Being controlled in the Spirit.

Walking in the Spirit means

i. Walking according to the fruits of love, patience etc.

ii. It includes working with the gifts of the Spirit.

The Lord does not forgive sins against the Spirit and such sins are

a) Lying (Acts 5:3-4)

b) tempting the Spirit

c) insulting the Spirit(Hebrews 10:29)

d) Grieving the Spirit (Ephesians 4:13)

e) quenching the Spirit (Thessalonians 19:21)

f) resisting the Spirit (Acts 7:51) and

g) Blaspheming the Spirit (Mathew 12:31-32).

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:13)

JUNE 20, 2010 TEXT- ISAIAH 65: 1-9, GAL. 3:23-29, LUKE 8:26-39. THEME:”CHRIST SHALL SET YOU FREE”

PREACHER: REV. PAUL ADU

There are christians who are members of  Lodges and Secret societies. We even find churches that do not allow members to put on footwear, eat certain foods on certain days etc but in doing these we allow all sorts of demons to possess us.

When we walk with all kinds of people, we are affected by their ways in one way or the other like the bible says “iron sharpeneth iron”, behind all these things are demons.                                        In the bible the demon recognised Jesus and called him son of God elevating his divinity. In the storm the disciples asked the people what kind of man he was. Greater is he that is in us the world.

A girl was sick and her mother decided to take her to a priestess. When the preacher was invited by the woman to pray for her daughters supposed illness the girl told the team that her mother had taken her to a shrine and was found out to have possessed a demon in the process. The prayer team prayed for her and it took two weeks for the spirit toleave her paralysed. This sister had a walk with christ in life so despite this fact that she was possessed by a spirit,  the spirit could not operate in her life.

Whenever we have problems we should realise that jesus is the only one who can set us free. The power Jesus used to heal is in us. (John 14:16)  Psalm 92:10 tells us that we need fresh annointing for everyday and prayer increases the annointing. When the demons come and see us annointed they run away. John 8:36  says if the son shall set you free you would be free indeed, we would have to depend on him daily.

JUNE 13, 2010 TEXT- 2 SAMUEL 12: 13-15, GAL. 2:15-21, LUKE 7:36-50. THEME:”THE LORD FORGIVES”

PREACHER: REV. SETH KISSI

One of the marks of nature comes to us in the theme. To heir is human but to forgive is divine. We realise the divine nature of forgiveness when we can feel anger for acts against us. Forgiveness does not appeal to us especially when we want to pay back and do have fellow Christians urging us on. This is why it is said not to be human but divine.

Jesus demonstrated forgiveness at the table when a woman came straight to him holding his leg and weeping. After which she uses her hair to clean the feet of Christ and kissing his feet. The Pharisees asked how Jesus could feel for such a sinful person. It was an act that would destroy the image of a teacher. Or could it be that he had a past relationship with her under the ministry of John the Baptist but was still not evident.

Christ demonstrated an attitude that no one of that calibre or religious teacher did. Simon the prophet described him as a man of God. The teacher never tolerated woman in those times how much more a woman perceived sinful. In the face of this perception he forgave her in the face of all of us. This attitude towards the woman made her break down. She never saw such a person. He treated her as one that was worthy; this act obviously broke her defences.

It is very difficult to apply what Jesus did. He shows us the forgiveness that described the sinner as useless to someone who begins to enjoy the peace and well being that Jesus has. He turns us from enemies of God to people who have enjoyed the best of situations. The early church used this to advice people in the church like Simon. In these last days people equalled nothing before God.

It was used to defend the openness of the church to sinners. Jesus owns openness was the reason that could also be changed. This passage attests to the grace of God to the sinners. This is what Jesus did as he said go in peace. In the book of Samuel, God through the prophet Nathan forgave David for adultery. David went on to become one of the best kings and the rod for our measure. The messiah was called his son because of God’s forgiveness in spite of his previous sins.

The second reading we find the people describe the act as lawlessness and Christ an agent of sin. Paul then jumped to his defence and argues in Galatians 5 that all this does not lead to one becoming lawless/ Godless. What we are to make of this is that it is the nature iof God to forgive and there is no sin too big for him. Gods forgiveness makes the unrighteous become righteous and a notorious sinner, a saint in his eyes.

Our responses:

1.      We need to come before God in repentance. No matter how big your label as a sinner he invites us to come. God is ready to forgive us, no sin is too great for him.

2.      We must forgive. It is divine nature. Instead of vengeance at represent from hatred. The hand that forgives is what we need. When we forgive we break the cycle of anger, vengeance. When we forgive we are able to make society rest and heal our people from bitterness.

Very difficult people are not changed by punishment. Anything that would break their hearts and make them better people. God with us.

JUNE 6, 2010 TEXT- 1 KINGS 17:17-24, GAL. 1:11-24, LUKE 7:11-17. THEME:”GOD HAS COME TO HELP HIS PEOPLE”

PREACHER: REV. ISAAC ETUAH-JACKSON

Today is the second Sunday after Pentecost and the Sunday after trinity it is a season of growth, till advent in November. It has assured as that our God has manifested us in three ways. He is with us to help us as we travel. We believe that our God worships and would always be with us. Elijah was sent to the northern kingdom of Israel in the first half of 17B.C to give the knowledge of God to the kings who had turned to Pagan gods. 1 kings 17 taught us about his ministry. He warned that there was not going to be rain for a number of days.

Elijah went to the widow of Zarapheth who lost her son. In those days it was common that the presence of a prophet means God is around. “Have you come to remind me of my sins and to kill my son”, Elijah laid his hands over the boy and prayed for him the boy regained consciousness. God was not doing any such thing he only wanted to strengthen her faith and resolution. The woman knew now that he was a man of God. When God comes to speak to your faith. She was convinced that Elijah was a true man of God. There are false Prophets in the church today using people for their own personal gains.

Jesus raised the son of widow from Nain in Luke 7. He was in compassion and spoke to the young man who was son of the woman. The boy rose instantly, Fear tripped those who were there that a prophet had risen among them. Jesus became a man in other to feel our pain, sin and undergo trials. He stood amidst this and conquered the world hence he is without fault and is able to intercede for us. The storms and trials of this earthly world.

It teaches us that trials are a very important part of our lives. No proper Christian can say his life is without trials. God has come to help us through challenges.

We need Christ and cannot do without him. God would open our eyes for us to see the things he’s doing in our lives. In all our trials and temptations that you are free and has us in our lives.

MAY 30, 2010 TEXT- ACTS 2:1-21, ROM 8:14-17, JOHN 14:25-27. THEME:”THE RELEVANCE OF GOD THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT”

PREACHER: REV. DR. CYRIL FAYOSE

There are three (3) persons in the Godhead and this remains a mystery. We have God the father (creator and sustainer of the universe), the Son (the redeemer) and the Holy Spirit (the counsellor and advocate). Jesus Christ said,”i have a lot to tell you but when the spirit of truth comes he would guide you with all truth”.

Long life still remains a mystery and everyone is still looking for longevity. This is one of the three themes known as deluge. The hyperborean theme is one that believes that there are people in Asia, the Caribbean and some other parts of the world live long.

 Fountain/ rejuvenation theme is the third which says that there is a substance that when you lay your hands on you would live forever. It pertained for a long time before us. An explorer travelled the world in search of this substance.

Today the third person of the trinity says that he would give us into all truth and the life. This spirit is like a harbour master he opens the door for entry to users. The Holy Spirit does this in four ways:

i. He counsels or advocates us in times when we are perplexed and confused by telling the truth. One of the most important things in counselling is telling the truth. Most people are perplexed or confused because people keep on lying to them. When someone has a smelly mouth he avoids people but no one gathers the courage to tell him/her. By telling the truth our problem is half solved. The Holy Spirit tells us who we are and what we have to do in such situations.

ii. Comfort; Jesus knew there were times they would be in sorrow, grief and would need the third person to comfort us. When anything happens to unbelievers they run looking for shrines e.tc but for us Christians the spirit comforts us because this is temporal and there is something ahead of us.

iii. He is our companion; he is with us till the very end. At the time Steven was stoned he asked for forgiveness.

Iv. He also sends us as Christians to convict, comfort and be a companion to friends.

May the Lord help us to go out and be a brother to people.

MAY 23, 2010 CHILDREN’S DAY TEXT- ACTS 2:1-21, ROM 8:14-17, JOHN 14:25-27. THEME:”SEND FORTH YOUR SPIRIT”

PREACHER: BRO. ANDY SAM

Joel prophesied that on the day of the Lord the spirit would be poured on all my people. On the day of Pentecost God gave us all gifts to fulfil this prophesy. Today’s theme suggests that someone was making a command, our first leaving a question on our minds to answer; who made the command and to whom was it directed to.

This request was being made by the disciples of God to God our father and Christ the saviour. Secondly, God needed to send us someone and on this day of Pentecost we find this spirit come on God’s people leaving the third person with us.

The Holy Spirit is the founder of the church. He guides the people of the universal church, transforms and leaves us with his fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. He gives us a new life (john 3 & Romans 10), comforts us internally, prevails and glorifies Christ, chief witness of Christ, convicts us of our sins and intercedes on our behalf. (Acts 2:11) but the greatest of all is that he gives us all salvation. How fortunate we are!

The fruits of the spirit produced are;

Love which is about strength being devoted to the well being of someone.

 Joy about a brothers success and not envy or hatred.

Peace, harmony, order amidst turmoil, strive and temptation.

Patience

Kindness described by the Greek word pestotis. It means to be soft spoken, ill-tempered, cultured and reflects in character and conduct.

Goodness kind, generous, virtuous and benevolent.

Faithfulness in Greek means kistess means living whole heartedly, being confident, assurance trust and rely in God all he does.

Gentleness means to be even balanced, kind and gentle.

Self control suggests we are moderate in indulgence of sin

Beloved take this message and  remember to be good.

MAINTAIN THE UNITY OF THE BODY MAY 16, 2010

PREACHER: REV. SETH KISSI

TEXT- ACTS 16: 16- 34, REV 22:12-17, JOHN 17: 20-26
The theme for the sermon is “Maintain the Unity of the Body.” The gospel according to John is one in which Jesus is concerned about the unity, love and peace of those who follow him. The unity we are talking about is at three levels.
1. The unity is supposed to be like the one that exists between the Father and the Son. “That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us”...Jn 17:21. This unity is mystical – unity in which we live in the Father and the Son in the same way Jesus lives in God and God in Jesus. That is how Jesus would want believers to understand their relationship with God and with one another.
2. On the basis of this mystical union, the believers are to be one; for indeed they are. But to make this real was the prayer of Jesus: “That they may be one just as we are also one” (Jn 17:22). Jesus once again expects the oneness of the believers to be the same kind of oneness that exists between the Father and Himself. The divine oneness then is the standard of the oneness of the believers.
3. “ That the love you have for me may be in them and I myself may be in them” (Jn. 17:26). The love for one another is the logical sequence to the mystical union and the oneness that proceeds from it. Given the kind of union and oneness mentioned, the believers have no option but to love one another. But this too is not any ordinary kind of love but the very love of God, the kind that the Father has for the Son. This love is unconditional, forgiving and never giving up. Jesus’ prayer made it clear that without this love the mission God wants to accomplish with us on earth would come to naught. It all depends on this extra ordinary love that we should have for one another.

In the book of Acts Paul and Silas cast a demon out of a lady and were arrested. They spent 3 nights in a cell singing and praising God. On the third day a powerful earthquake struck leading to the opening of the cell gates. What followed resulted in the conversion of the guard. The guard then took Paul and Silas, washed their wounds, sent them home and gave them food. The usual relationship of unfriendliness and suspicion that exists between prisoners and guards turned into a friendly and hospitable one. This appears to have given fulfillment to the prayer of Jesus that all who come to believe in him through the witness of the immediate followers should also become one.

The unity of the believers lies in their sharing in one life and purpose in mission. It is the same God who inspires the same life and mission in them. This emphasizes the absolute necessity for the believer to live in God. In the reading from Revelation, we hear of some characteristics of life that is opposed to the life inspired by God. Those who share in this ungodly life are described as dogs, practitioners of magic, sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters and those who love and practice all manner of falsehood. But there is a triple invitation to the water of life, the life of God. All those whose lives have disqualified them from the city of God should come to the river of life and have their stained garments washed and their thirst quenched. As you listen to/read this, take a look at yourself and at your heart. Is your garment stained with anything that you need to wash in this water of life? The list in the text from Revelation is not exhaustive; you can all to it. Whatever has stained your garment can be washed so you can have access to the City of God and to the life He gives.
If we are to maintain the unity of the Body of Christ which is the Church, then we need to understand who we are and how we stand in relation to one another in the context of this mystical union with God and one another. A prayerful consideration of the prayer Jesus prayed for us is therefore important. We must do this in order to live in the love Jesus assigns to us, a love that proceeds from our union. This love should make us understand one another, bear with one another and forgive one another. This love will not make us say things that will destroy one another. This love will not make it difficult for us to work together in spite of our differences, or meet one another with genuine smiles. If the love we need to have for one another is the very love of God, then our prayer should be, that we respond to our brothers and sisters who hate us or offend us with love because that brother/sister is connected to us in such a way that we cannot split.

We are one because we all share in the same union with God, the oneness that is of God and the love that is of God. We are one because the same God lives in us and inspires the same kind of life and mission in us.

BOOK LAUNCH - INTRO TO GREEK MORPHOLOGY BY EKEM & KISSI

The Trinity United Church Premises was the venue last Wednesday 19th May 2010, of the launch of the Text book 'Essentials of Biblical Greek Morphology - with an Introductory Syntax' co-authored by the Rev Prof J.D.K. Ekem and Rev Seth Kissi.

The well-attended launch was chaired by Rev Prof Emmanuel Adow Obeng a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast and now the Dean, School of Theology & Mission, Central University College. The Special Guest of Honour was the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, The Most Rev Prof Emmanuel Asante. In attendance were the spouses of the authors, family and Church members and a host of VIPs in Academia including Prof Ansere, Prof Florence Dolphyne and the President of the Trinity Theological Seminary, Rev Dr Cyril Fayose. Many students of the Seminary were also present.

Reviewing this all-important Text book, the Rector of the Akrofi-Christaller Institute of Theology, Mission & Culture, the Rev Dr B.Y. Quarshie, made the following significant observations:

• the first book that has to do with a particular language - the teaching of Greek
• the first time Prof Ekem has co-authored with a colleague which is an important step in the path of mentoring
• the book acknowledges other authors on whose shoulders these 2 authors stand
• for a fuller understanding of the New Testament, one needs to study the culture and language in which the NT was written, and that is the Greek language. Greek is therefore important for every student of the NT and therefore Biblical Studies
• The book gives the rules of studying Greek and that enables the student to learn the language at a faster rate
• The book is highly recommended for every student of the New Testatment and of the Greek Language.

The Chairman in his closing remarks said all aspects of Theology - systematic, practical, traditional etc - the basis of Biblical Studies - were embodied in the book . Biblical scholarship, he said, was an 'endangered specie' because the languages are difficult - Hebrew and Greek - but he was happy about the book because it will make the sudy of the Greek language easy for students. He also was happy about the collaborative efforts of the 2 authors and stressed that for such collaborations to happen very often, junior colleagues must humble themselves and be ready to learn.Rev Prof Adow Obeng therefore recommended the book to all students of Theological Institutes in Ghana.
Launch Copies sold for GHC100 or more. At bookshops in Ghana, it sells for GHC15.
Please call + 233 244764263  or the Publishers, SonLife on +233 21 500631  or info@sonlifepress.com for copies.

pls: Cover style and launch photos & Foreword will appear soon here.

MAY 9, 2010 TEXT- ACTS 16: 9- 15, REV 21:22-27, JOHN 14: 23-29 THEME:”PREPARE FOR THE HEAVENLY CITY”

PREACHER: REV. FIIFI FOH ARKHURST
There are three schools of thought about our going to heaven. The first claims there is no heaven and is a figment of our imagination, while the second claims that Gods requirements for us to go to heaven are high and we cannot make it with our sinful nature. They third believe that there is not enough space for all of us in heaven, but Jesus Christ himself says, “in my father’s house there are many mansions” meaning that there is enough space for us all. Rev: 21 tells us that the presence of God is in his people in heaven. They continue to worship him with their light God, which shines on them. This establishes that there is heaven.
What goes into that preparation? We cannot prepare omelettes if we don’t know the ingredients used in its preparation, in the same way if we don’t know the preparation for heaven, we would miss the mark. You must accept Jesus to take away our sins, because without Him we cannot make it. This is the first step for our preparation.
There are so many people who could not make it to heaven and as we prepare, we must maintain our grounds. We might have fallen, but God is prepared to forgive us and give us a second chance.
Heaven is a reality and only those who have prepared would make it hence we need to be obedient. As a Christian woman looking for a job, you must not yield to sexual advances. Preparing for heaven as a civil servant means you should refuse bribes and not compromise with the world like others are doing. We must not sell our birth rights for mobile phone credits e.tc
Not everyone would get to heaven. Only those whose names are written in the lamb’s book of life would go to heaven. Eternal life is available to us because Jesus paid its price for all. As we prepare for heaven we should focus on Christ because taking our eyes of him would not make us get there.
The way we prepare for ceremonies such us child naming is the same we should for heaven. It is not too late because we do not know when Jesus is coming and it should be our prayer that the good Lord would help us as we prepare for the heavenly city.

MAY 2, 2010 TEXT- ACTS 11: 1- 18, REV 21:1-1 THEME:”RENEWING OUR LOVE” SERVICE OF HYMNS

SINGING OF HYMNS AND EXHORTATION: BRO. ALEX OFORI KARIKARI
We began our exhortation by singing “As the deer panteth”.
My faith looks up to thee was the 2nd hymn we sang.
MHB 431 was one of the 6500 hymns Charles Wesley wrote. This was backed by 1 John 4:9 which showed how he showed his love that we might live through him.
MHB 448 written by a Scottish visually impaired Minister George Matheson, after his college friend decided not to marry him due to his impairment.
MHB 602 this is a hymn that speaks to the elderly, in psalm 92 the righteous would flourish like palm trees, which raises greater awareness for Gods fellowship. He still loves us and our lives are in his hands.
1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 speaks about love. There are 3 kinds of love; aero which takes, phyla which speaks about giving and taking while the third, agape which loves in spite of who you are. This is the kind that of love Jesus demonstrates to us and his disciples and we should go out to do the same to others.

APRIL 25, 2010 TEXTS:- JOHN 10: 22-30 & ACTS 9: 36-43 THEME: JESUS GIVES ETERNAL LIFE

PREACHER: REV. DR. D.N.A. KPOBI

INTRODUCTION

There are some people who like asking questions, but do not listen to the answers. They would come and ask you the question over and over again because they did not listen to your answer. It can be very irritating because such people are not really interested in your answer; indeed in most cases their minds are made up and they have decided the kind of answers they are expecting before they ask.  Such people are found in every society and in every age.

Jesus and the Jews

The ancient Jews were like that in their relationship with Jesus. They were full of expectation of the Messiah and so they went to Jesus again and again to ask him whether he was the Messiah. But they had already decided that he was not the Messiah, so the answer he gave was not important to them. The passage from John 10 was one such occasion when they confronted Jesus at the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem. “How long will you keep us in suspense?” they asked Jesus. They had forgotten that they had asked him that question many times earlier. Many examples can be found in John’s Gospel about the Jews asking him and he giving them the same answer. See for example:

a) when he cleansed the Temple (Jn. 2)

b) when he healed the man at the pool of Bethesda (Jn. 5)

c) when they grumbled at his teaching (Jn. 6)

They had already decided that nobody can come from Nazareth in Galilee and be a Messiah so Jesus could not be the Messiah.

Jesus’ answer to them was therefore direct and to the point: “I did tell you but you do not believe”. It was an indication that he had told them before in the past and that at the time they were asking, they still did not believe. He was indicating to them that theirs was a case of deliberate unbelief. In other words, it was not a lack of knowledge that made them to ask but a lack of faith. What they were doing was actually pretending to have doubts about who Jesus was, whereas the truth was that they had decided not to believe he was the Messiah. Jesus was therefore pointing out to them that it was not he who was keeping them in suspense; it was their lack of faith.

The Jews represent all of us

All of us are like the Jews of Jesus’ time. Just like the Jews, God has given us all the answers we need already, but in most cases we have refused to accept God’s answers. We have made up our minds on many things and when we go to God we only want him to tell us what we want to hear. The history of our relationship with God makes this point very clear. It started all the way back in the Garden of Eden where our first parents decided not to accept God’s warning: if you eat this fruit you will die. Adam and Eve decided not to believe what God had said but to believe the lies of the Devil instead. We have been following in their footsteps ever since. Just consider the questions that you keep asking God and see whether he has not provided the answers in his Word or through his servants – preachers, prophets, elders and even friends.

God is reminding us today that if we are still carrying our questions on our minds, it is not because he has not provided answers but because we do not believe his answers. For example:

a)”whatever you ask in my name….”  - if we believe this statement, we would not be seeking solutions to our problems elsewhere. Solutions to our marital, financial, employment and other problems are to be found in Jesus not in human designs.

b) “if you are going to offer your gift at the altar…...”  - if we believe this, we would know why our prayers are not being heard by God because he has told us to be at peace with our fellow men before coming to him.

c) As a nation God has made it clear to us that it is only righteousness that would exalt us, but we do not believe it and we keep going to God to ask him to exalt us when our nation is full of injustice and corruption. 

The message Jesus gave to the Jews is what he is giving to you and me today.

Jesus continues to teach us

Anytime you hear a sermon or meditate on the Word of God, remember that that is God’s way of reminding you of the answers that he wants you to have. In the Gospels, Jesus never gets tired of teaching the Jews even if it meant repeating himself over and over again. Our passage this morning is one such occasion when Jesus repeats his teachings about his “Messiahship”. He reminds them that it is only when we become like sheep and choose to listen to his voice that we can hope for eternal life. The metaphor of the sheep is meant to indicate those qualities of the sheep that Christians need to emulate, namely, absolute trust, willingness to obey and adequate intelligence to know its leader. To adopt the qualities of the sheep is to be assured of eternal life and to be assured that you are absolutely safe with God and that no-one can snatch you from God’s hands. Eternal life means being eternally in the presence of the God.

Are there questions you want to ask God? Are you willing to accept his answers? Or have you already made up your mind? Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will have eternal life. AMEN.

RESPOND TO THE CALL OF JESUS

                                                                             

Today is 3rd Sunday after Easter

THEME: RESPOND TO THE CALL OF JESUS

1st Reading:Acts 9:1-6; 2nd Reading: Rev 5:11-14; Gospel Reading: John 21: 1-19

Preacher(2nd Service):Bro Alex Oppong-Poku.

Saul had collected a mandate from the Jewish Authorities in Jerusalem to arrest Believers from Damascus. On his way, as we read from Acts9: 1-6, Christ appeared to him.
Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers.* So he went to the high priest. 2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.

3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”
5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked.
And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! 8 Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. 9 He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.
 
Saul recognised Jesus's voice in spite of his (Saul's) persecuting Him and as he responded to the call of Christ, his life was transfromed.
 
Today Jesus still calls us. His call is universal...calling men and women of all race and colour to serve him.
 
His call means we must have full Fellowship with God. He who calls us will equip us and strengthen us to be able to do the work He has entrusted to us.
 
As Jesus said to Peter in the 2nd Reading, His call to us is to take care of His sheep. His sheep are of the household and also those outside who need to come into the fold. These are people who need the Word, our love and support. His call therefore unites us as a family, because we have one objective. Everyone therefore is important in this call and no one must exclude himself/herself.
 
Jesus's call demands obedience. Saul obeyed and his life was transformed, and he later became Paul.
Likewise the disciples obeyed, they cast their net and had a bumper harvest.
We must also obey the call to take care of His sheep.
Taking care of the sheep demands commitment, faithfulness and willingness.
We must be prepared to spend and be spent...as in MHB...Go Labour on, spend and be spent.

Bro Alex Oppong-Poku is an official of the VAT Service and a member of Trinity United Church.

APRIL 11, 2010 TEXT- ACTS 5: 27- 32, REV 1:4-8 & JOHN 20:19-23. THEME:”AS THE FATHER SENT ME SO I AM SENDING YOU” PREACHER: REV. ISAAC ETUAH-JACKSON Brethren in the Lord, today is the 2nd Sunday of Easter and it implies to discuss this theme and to appreciate the fact that the resurrected Jesus Christ is giving us work to do. The slowness of faith of the disciples in the reception of the news of the resurrected Christ had its value for the future church and all of us if they had been expecting the resurrection and anxiously looking forward to it, people could say that they imagined it and that they persuaded themselves it had happened. The gospel reading emphasises that the disciples had shut themselves behind doors for the fear of the Jews that their turn would come next to die. So they were meeting in fear, listening for the knock on the door. Suddenly appears in their midst – he was not bothered by the locked doors. Jesus first words to the stunned disciples was peace be with you. Shalom in Hebrew means peace, may you be saved from trouble- is a normal everyday Hebrew greeting and a blessing in the 1st century. It was appropriate given the disciples circumstances. They were still recovering from what they had thought was the loss of their teacher. What Jesus meant here is “may God give you every good thing”. He replaces fear with peace. Thus is what the resurrected Christ does for us. The resurrection of Jesus trumpets the assurance that no matter we see or what life brings – God is sovereign- he is in control and his purposes will not be thwarted. The fact of the resurrection means no matter what situation we are in, or what the visible and invisible strength arrayed against us we can face it with confidence rather than with fear. This is what Jesus is sending us to go and to the world in general and in Africa and Ghana in particular. Much of the self inflicted lack of peace in Africa and Ghana has been born with animosity based on differences- whether ideological, ethnic or religious - Tutsis and Hutus in Rwanda, Abudus and Andanis in dagbon, Techiman and Tuobodom in Brong Ahafo, Asante Gyaasetse and Nii Ga of the Ga state. The disciples rejoiced when Jesus showed them his hands and side. This is indeed the Lord. Happiness is the world’s virtue but Joy is distinctively Christian. Then Jesus gave disciples the commission which the church must never forget. As the father had sent me, so i send you. This is what westcolt called “The Charter of the church” this means three thing for us today: i. Jesus is dependent on his church to spread the goodness: The church is the body of Christ (Eph 1:23) must continue with the message Jesus brought to all men from God- the message of agape love of God. The church is to be mouth and speak the fact to run the errands and hand to the work of Jesus. Jesus is sending us to send the salvific message to the broken world. ii. The church is dependent on Jesus: This is to stay that the church needs Jesus. A person who is to be sent out needs a message to take; he needs power and authority to back his message. Without the response of Jesus the church has no message. Our message is that Jesus has resurrected and offered us life. iii. The church must be obedient to Jesus: because Jesus obeyed God and condescended into our world showed Jesus obedience to God. It follows that the church is fit to be the messenger and the instrument of Christ only when she perfectly loves and obeys him. The church must never go out to propagate her own message, never follow man-made policies but must follow the will of Christ who gives and guidance for his work. Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit on the disciples to emphasise them for mission and guide them into all truth. (John 16:13). This is what happened in the 1st reading in Acts 5: 27-32 with the power of the Holy Spirit the disciples preached with favour peter and the other disciples bravely and fearlessly proclaimed the divinity of Christ- to even the Sanhedrin and declaring we must obey God rather than men (verse 29). Hark the voice of Jesus crying.

APRIL 4, 2010 TEXT- IS 65: 17- 25, 1 COR 15:19-26 THEME:”CHRIST IS RISEN” PREACHER: REV. SETH KISSI Message not available. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.

APRIL 2, 2010 GOOD FRIDAY TEXT- ISAIAH 52: 13-53:6, HEB 10:16-25 THEME:” THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PASSION AND DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST”

PREACHER: REV. FIIFI FOH ARKHURST
Beloved in Christ, if we compare the manner in which the service of the world’s greatest men have been rendered and that in which Christ’s work of redemption has been rendered, we are immediately impressed with an outstanding contrast, for while the service of men is rendered during their life time and while Christ too, for that matter lived a life of unparallel service, the climax of Jesus’ work came at its very close, and our salvation is ascribed to his passion and death.
Dear Christian friends, we are reflecting on the importance of the passion and death of Jesus. The first reading from Isaiah reveals a valuable component of our salvation, the passion and death of Jesus that is the agony of Christ. It is amazing how much detail given by Prophet Isaiah came true in Jesus. For through his death Jesus did suffer for humanity. Again, by his death Jesus secured for all believers
1. Healing both spiritually and physically
2. Penalty for our sin.
My dear Christian friends in the second reading from the book of Hebrews the writer made a powerful statement that God will remember our sins no more. For Christ forgives completely, so there is no need to confess our past sins repeatedly. And as believers, we can be confident that the sins we confess and renounce are forgiven and forgotten. That all these have been made possible via the passion and death of Jesus. The writer of Hebrews continues to say that via the passion and death of Jesus, we have confidence to come to God. We can relate with God as a father without any inhibitions. In the 3rd reading we read about Jesus being tossed here and there by Annas and Caiaphas.
Dear Christian friends, it is interesting that the death which they thought to inflict on Jesus as dishonour and disgrace has become the glorious monument to death defeat. The death of Jesus Christ becomes not the end, but the beginning. It is not the end of the way, but the way of the beginning. For via his death, Jesus brought the end of death and the beginning of life. In other words, Jesus died that we might live. We deserve to die but Jesus decided to die in our stead. Decided to take our place so lift up your heart. Don’t be sorrowful. Hope for the future lies in what God did long ago via the death of Jesus. Remember, via his death Jesus has conquered the world. When night comes, pray “lead kindly light”. When there is no place to stand sing “how firm a foundation, ye saint of the Lord”. In the midst of our days and years Christ comforts us as surely as he did his sorrowing disciples long ago. And as Lord of life, he cries “I died and lived for you”.
Beloved in Christ, let us remind ourselves that via his death Jesus made a big sacrifice for us and the sacrifice accomplished a lot. For when Jesus died on the cross, he was giving his life so we could have eternal life. That is to say, Jesus died for our sins.
For the death of Jesus is a damage repair, so anytime you see a crucifix, consider how much Jesus gave to you and remember to be generous to others.
My dear Christian friends, the significance of the passion and death of Jesus cannot be overemphasised in any way. We were nobodies but his death has made us somebody.
Again, his death has given us assurance of salvation let us remember that the specific purpose of Christians death was to secure forgiveness for us as taught in scripture, for Christ suffered for sins once so that the unrighteous might be brought to God. Remember Jesus paid a debt he did not owe because you owed a debt you couldn’t pay.
It is my hope and prayer that the Lord will help you to bear the burden of the weak as Christ did and to learn that exultation comes only after humble selfless service.