Preacher : Mr. Lovemore Daka
Topic : “The Lord's Suffering Servant"
Scripture Readings :- Isaiah 50: 4 - 9a James 3: 1 - 12 Mark 8: 27 - 38
The Bible is not there to prove the existence of God. He has
revealed himself to us through his creation and his son Jesus Christ. One third
of the book of Psalms is about suffering.
Suffering is for a purpose.
Suffering is as a result of sin
because man fell in the Garden of Eden.
There is another suffering meant for God to reshape us.
This type of suffering has the potential to demonstrate
God's power.
Suffering helps us to identify ourselves with Jesus Christ.
We Christians are bonded for the sake of others.
Isaiah 53:5 tells us that "he was
pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the
punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are
healed."
Suffering
should not come to us as a surprise. Christ was made unjust because of us. We
are servants of God as we carry out our daily missionary work. Even if we
suffer we shall not be disgraced. (Read Isaiah 50) Even if we are mocked we
should not withdraw. God is going to vindicate us.
In James
3: 1 - 12 we see a living style of faith. Who can tame a tongue? The tongue
sets the pass of our lives and must be guarded. In Mark 8: 27 - 38 we read
about Jesus instructing his disciples on how to know the things of God. What we
are going through today is a cost of discipleship.
THE SERVANT'S OBEDIENCE
What
sort of servants are we? How are you and me strengthened in the mission ? We
should be humbled in our personalities. Let us learn to learn from others
instead of teaching all the times. We minister through the tongue whilst guarding
its potential destructive capacity. We should endure in all situations and wait
on the Lord. If you are willing to suffer you will be a good Christian. We must
continue to trust in the name of the Lord and be in His light which will show
us the way to follow. Do not follow flaming torches which will soon be
extinguished and burn its holders. The light of Christ lasts forever. Let us
guard our tongues and allow Jesus Christ to steer us.
SMALL THINGS CAN DESTROY
The
tongue is as good as a fire that can destroy. At the same time it can praise.
Let us guard the tongue. We have learnt how to control animals but have not
learnt how to control the tongue. We have to decide when to use the tongue. It
is like a fire which can be used for cooking and for burning things. Reading
James 3: 1 - 12 we are told how to be pure as fresh water and not salt. Kind
words will build others and bring honour to God.
AMEN !
FOOTNOTE
To view
the complete Photo Gallery of St. Margaret's UCZ Church in Kitwe, click on the
link below :-
The
photos have been taken from 2008 up to to-date. Check for more an update of
photos from time to time.
Stay Blessed !
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