THE CORE OR MAIN TRUST OF THE MESSAGE:
Who is the Spirit of Truth?
- He is the advocate, counselor whom the Father gave to the Church after the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus (14:16)
- He is to be with the Church for ever. He lives in believers.
- He is not known to the world, hence the world cannot receive him, but he is known by the Church (14:17). His other name is the Holy Spirit.
What does He do with believers?
- He makes us zealous for good deeds (1Pet. 3:14, Eph. 2:10)
- Encourages us to endure suffering for the sake of Christ and be credible witnesses for Christ wherever we may find ourselves (3: 15-17)
- Enables us to do the will of God as Christ did to bring us back to God.
- He opens our eyes to the truth and gives us wisdom in making the truth known.
God demands that believers exercise the spirit of truth
- In the inward parts (Ps. 51:6) our intentions and motives must be genuine, truthful.
- That we speak the truth in love (Ps. 15:2, Eph. 4:15, 25)
- That we seek the truth (Jer. 5:1)
- That we walk consistently in the truth (2 Kings 20:31. 1 Jn. 1:6)
APPLICATION
Why has the truth become too difficult to tell?
CONCLUSION
Truth is part of the Christian's armour. It is a powerful weapon. The Spirit of truth leads the people of God into the truth. The Spirit of Truth is the Holy Spirit. Jesus promises that He will be with us forever.
Courtesy:PCG, Preach the word, (Sermon outline 2011) - Department of Church Life & Nature.
Sunday, 22nd May, 2011.
THEME: "OUR ROYAL PRIESTHOOD"
SCRIPTURE: ACTS 7: 55-60, 1 PET. 2:2-10, JN. 14:1-14
The preacher was MR. kofi antwi
INTRODUCTION
When we talk of someone being a royal in our culture we are refering to someone who can be enstooled or enskinned as a king or queen. The word has to do with kingship or , queenship. Priesthood has to do with people chosen by God to bring the sacrifices of the people to God and bring to the people the word of God. The priest or minister serves God and people. He/ she also participates in God's kingly rule. The death and resurrection of Jesus has removed all barriers so all Christians belong to the Royal Priesthood. The Church of Jesus Christ therefore plays this role of royal priesthood.
THE CORE OR TRUST OF THE MESSAGE
Jesus Christ is the embodiment of priesthood, kingship, and prophesy.
- His sacrificial death: As a high priest He entered the Holy if holies with his own blood to offer himself once for all men and women, Heb. 7:26,27.
- As a king he is seated on the right hand side of the king of kings in Heaven ministering in the holy places, Heb. 8:1,2.
- As a prophet he boldly declared the word of God. His word was for both the present and the future.
TRUE MINISTRY CALLS FOR PROCLAMATION AND WITNESS BUT THE TEMPORAL RESULT COULD BE PAINFUL AND COSTLY.
- We are to proclaim what the Lord has done for us (1Pet. 2:9), but the world and sometimes the Church would not want to hear our message. Stephen's message was rejected by his listeners (Acts 7:54, 57)
- We are to witness to the saving grace of our Lord.
- Like our Lord we may lose our lives or suffer persecution (Acts 7:58) - remember John the Baptist.
TO LIVE AS A MEMBER OF THIS ROYAL PRIESTHOOD IS BY THE GRACE OF GOD.
- We have nothing in our hands to qualify us for the ministry we have all been called into (1 Pet. 2:10)
- Jesus calls us to a life of faith not life of worry and fear when our enemies surround us and persecute us (Jn. 14:1)
- Jesus promises us true rest, for He is the way to eternal rest (Jn.14:2,3,6)
- Jesus expects great things from us for he has prepared the way for us (Jn: 12-14)
APPLICATION
If all believers are royal priesthood, why are not all believers allowed to perform the role of priests in the Church?
CONCLUSION
Our priesthood is not restricted to some special persons. Every Christian is a priest. Jesus our Lord played that role and still plays it in heaven. He has commissioned us to play that role on earth on his behalf. He has promised us strength as we witness to his name. He has also promised us a place in heaven.
Courtesy:PCG, Preach the word, (Sermon outline 2011) - Department of Church Life & Nature.
Sunday, 15th May, 2011.
THEME: "Christ the Good Sherperd
SCRIPTURE: ACTS 2:42-47, 1PETER 2:19-25, JOHN 10:1-10
The preacher was REV. DORIS JULIET ATTAFUAH
INTRODUCTION
The Bible talks about the good and the bad sherperd. In Ezekiel 34, God rebuked the bad sherperds of the day. He promised to be the sherperd of his people. In his daily relationship with the Lord, King David found out that God's care for his people was like that of a sherperd and his sheep. In the NT, Jesus declared that he is the Good Sherperd. What does it mean?
THE CORE OR MAIN TRUST OF THE MESSAGE:
Christ the Good Sherperd, He feeds His sheep with the Word of God
- The spoken word: The sheep are fed through the teaching of the Church (Acts 2:42). The earlyChristians devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles.
- The written word: As we prayerfully meditate on the written word the Holy Spirit nurtures our souls. The nurturing involves, rebuke, warning, admonishing, correction, teaching and training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16)
- The memorized Word: We are admonished to be rich in the word (Col. 3:16). King David said, 'I have stored your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.' We need to encourage each other to memorize scipture.
The Good Sherperd takes care of his sheep by:
Providing the needs of the sheep (Acts 2:44, 45). Jesus provides the needs of his sheep through the kindness of the Church and other individual Christians.
- Protecting the sheep from theives, and deceivers (Jn. 10:9. Ps. 23:4, 1Jn. 5:18. Jn. 17:15).
- Searches for the lost and healing the wounded. (Eg. Zacchaeus, and many of us)
The Good Sherperd loves his sheep and gives them abundant life.
He knows his sheep by name and the sheep knows his voice (Jn. 10:3)
- He leads his sheep, and leaves them and example to follow (1 Pet. 2:21-23)
- He lays down his life for the sheep (1 Pet. 2:24-25, Jn. 10:11)
APPLICATION
How good are you as a sherperd for your family?
CONCLUSION
Many people have chosen bad sherperds and are frustrated is the Good Sherperd. He cares for His sheep, feeds them dearly. Share this good news with others. God bless you. Amen!
Sunday, 8th May, 2011
THEME: 'Lord Stay with Us'
ACTS 2:14a, 36-41, 1 PETER 1:17-23, LUKE 24:13-35
The preacher was MR. CHRIS KWAKYE-MINTA
INTRODUCTION
In Matthew 28:19- 20, which tells us about the Great Commission, ‘19.Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and the Son and Holy Spirit. 20. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you till the end of the age’. Part b of the verse 20 ‘And be sure of this: I am with you till the end of the age’ is an assurance God has given us that he would stay with us.
BIBLE TEXTS
1ST Reading: Acts 2:14a, 36-41
In the 1st reading Acts 2:14a, 36-41, having being filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter stepped forward with the other 11 apostles to preach to the crowd telling them about the crucified Jesus who is now the Lord and Messiah. He urged them to repent from their sins. Those who believed were baptised and were added to the Church. They were about 3000 people.
2ND READING: 1 PETER 1:17-23
In the 2nd reading 1 Peter 1:17-23, we are to live in reverent fear of the Lord during out time as foreigners in this land as Christ paid the ransom for us with His precious blood. We are encouraged to show sincere love to one another.
3RD READING: LUKE 24:13-35
And in the 3rd reading Luke 24:13-35 we see how Jesus appeared to the two believers travelling on the road to Emmaus. Jesus had also appeared to Peter after His resurrection. This indeed testifies to the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. He is alive to this present day and He is in our midst now. Amen.
CORE OF THE MESSAGE
A. Jesus cannot stay with us unless He is invited into our lives.
B. What the Lord requires if He is to stay with us.
Analogy: If you have a father, he can only stay with you providing for your needs whiles he is alive. If he dies he can’t stay with you. Maybe for the period that you prepare him for the mortuary and the period that you bring him back from the mortuary and prepare him for burial. Even during those short period of time there is absolutely nothing he can do for you in the state of unconsciousness.
Brethren in Christ, we are serving a living God and if we pray and request, ‘Lord stay with us’. He will indeed stay with us, Amen.
A: Jesus cannot stay with us unless He is invited into our lives.
1. Repentance: Inviting Jesus in our lives calls for repentance. As Mark 1:15 says ‘the Kingdom of God is at hand, repent therefore and believe the gospel.
Analogy: ‘God has created His heaven and earth and Has created everything within it including you and I. And he Has given us simple instructions to follow and we want to flout them with impunity. Those who are following the devil willingly or unwillingly should know that the earth does not belong to him. I mean the devil, satan, 'Sasabonsam'. He has an eternal condemnation with all his followers’.
Repentance has to do with change of mind, heart, direction and loyalty.
2. Confession: It requires confession and asking for forgiveness. It also calls for revoking of the old life of sin and accepting God’s forgiveness.
3. Asking Jesus to take complete control of our lives:
4. Faith: We need to believe that if we confess our sins, God forgives, and when we invite Jesus, He comes. This is a Christian definition of faith I got when I was a child at Sunday School. It is a song that I still remember. ‘Faith is just believing what God said He will do. He will never leave us, His promises are true, faith is just believing what God said He will do’.
B: What the Lord requires if He is to stay with us.
1. He requires that we also stay in with Him. His abiding presence demands our abiding in Him. We abide in Him when we keep His commandments, and love one another.
GOD’S COMMANDMENTS: They are very simple.
Refer to the bible. Exodus 20:1-ff
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
There is this scripture in the bible and it is mostly read during weddings and one may feel it is only meant for married couples. No! It is meant for all. Refer to the bible .1 Corinthians 13- 1 ff.
2. FAITH AND HOPE: The word of God says the just by live by faith. We are to trust His word and obey it. That is all. It’s no hard work. Very simple. Someone is saying, it’s not easy to do good. The bible tells us in Romans 8:28 ‘and we know that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord’.
3. HOLINESS AND FEAR: We should conduct our lives with holiness and fear.
4. BEAR MUCH FRUITS: John 15:4&5 ‘Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruits by itself, It must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me attests to the fact that if indeed the Lord stays with us while we also stay with Him, we should bear much fruits. The much fruits that God wants us to bear is to love each other as He Christ has loved us.
5. EFFECTIVE PRAYERS: Once we remain in the Lord whatever we ask for in prayers would be given to us. John 15:7 ‘If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you’.
6. WE ARE PROTECTED BY GOD’S LOVE as He stays with us.
APPLICATION
1. What is preventing Christ from staying with you?
2. What is preventing you from abiding in Christ?
CONCLUSION
Christ indeed is the risen Lord and that if we abide in Him and He abides with us, we shall bear fruits that will remain pure.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus we thank you so much for your message. We thank you for touching our lives. We pray that you strengthen us day by day so that we will grow from grace to grace. ‘Lord stay with us’ in Jesus’ name, Amen!
