Overcoming Pride

By Elder Richard Chanda

14th  October. 2016

SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Peter 5:5-6, Daniel 4

Today's Treasure: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time" ~ (1 Peter 5:6).

If every believer had a spiritual day planner complete with a "to do" list, we might find one common denominator—the challenge to overcome pride is at the top.

Perhaps no other spiritual obstacle is quite like this one.

A simple reason exists for its Goliath proportions: pride is Satan's speciality.

Pride is the characteristic that most aptly describes him.

It is the issue that had him expelled from heaven.

It is still one of Satan's most successful tools in discouraging people from accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Let's not fool ourselves into thinking that pride is a problem only for the lost.

The most effective means the enemy has to keep believers from being full of the Spirit is to keep us full of ourselves.

No wonder the Bible states and restates that God hates pride. It is the main enemy of genuine ministry. It is the end of many homes.

Scripture exhorts believers, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand" ~ (1 Peter 5:6).

God's Word also makes that very unsettling statement in Daniel 4:37: "Those who walk in pride he is able to humble." I believe the sum total of those two verses is that we can humble ourselves, or God can humble us.

God won't put up with pride in His own children very long without dealing with it.

He's much too faithful—and far too much is at stake.

I know from personal experience that humbling ourselves is far less painful than inviting God to humble us.

He tends to make sure His lessons "take."

I am absolutely convinced that the most painful season God has taken me through to date was primarily to shatter my yoke of pride.

A yoke, incidentally, I didn't even recognize I had. Believe me, I'm on the lookout for it now every single day.

In some ways, Christians have to be more alert to pride than anyone. If we don't presently have an issue that is actively humbling us, we veer with disturbing velocity toward arrogance and self-righteousness.

We are wise to remember that Christ never resisted the repentant sinner.

He resisted the religious proud and Pharisaic. Remember, pride wears many masks. I once spoke on pride only to have someone remark afterwards that she had far too little self-esteem to have pride. Pride is not the opposite of low self-esteem, but rather the opposite of humility.

We can have a serious pride problem that masquerades as low self-esteem. Pride is self-absorption whether we're absorbed with how miserable we are or how wonderful we are.

We are wise to be on the constant lookout for pride in our lives. I believe we can safely say that if we're not deliberately taking measures to combat pride, it's probably doing something to combat humility.

Pride is the welcome mat in every figurative prison cell. All we have to do to remain bound in any area is to refuse to take responsibility for our strongholds and repent of the sin involved. Pride is a monumental boulder in the path toward breaking free.

These are some thoughts God gave me on the subject several years ago. May He use them to speak about the biggest injustice of pride: it cheats wherever it plays.

My name is Pride.

I am a cheater.

I cheat you of your God-given destiny...because

you demand your own way.

I cheat you of contentment...because you

"deserve better than this."

I cheat you of knowledge...because you already

know it all.

I cheat you of healing...because you're

too full of me to forgive.

I cheat you of holiness...because you refuse to

admit when you're wrong.

I cheat you of vision...because you'd rather look

in the mirror than out a window.

I cheat you of a genuine friendship...because

nobody's going to know the real you.

I cheat you of love...because real romance

demands sacrifice.

I cheat you of greatness in heaven...because you

refuse to wash another's feet on earth.

I cheat you of God's glory...because I convince

you to seek your own.

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.

You like me because you think I'm always looking out for you.

Untrue.

I'm looking to make a fool of you.

God has so much for you, I admit, but don't worry...

If you stick with me

You'll never know.

Lord, please help me to remember the ugliness of pride as I go about my day.

Thank You for showing me the dreadful effects of this sin. How I want to live a righteous life, in the name of Jesus!

Take out my prideful heart and give me instead a genuinely humble heart that is pleasing to You.

I love You, gracious Lord.

BE HUMBLE AS CHILDREN BEFORE THE LORD.

"From the mouths of children and nursing babies you have ordained praise on account of your adversaries, so that you might put an end to the vindictive enemy." ~ (Psalms 8:2).

"and Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn around and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven! Whoever then humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." ~ (Matthew 18:3-4).

AMEN!!

“He Shall Reign like a King”.

The Topic for the Sermon at the Sunday Service held on 24^th November, 2013 at St. Margaret's UCZ Church (Kitwe) was entitled:  “He Shall Reign like a King”.

Preacher:  Mr G. K. Mwila (Wusakile Congregation) 

Scripture Readings:   Jeremiah 23: 1 – 6

                                       Colossians 1: 11 – 20

                                       Luke 23: 33 – 43  

SERMON SUMMARY

·         A King has authority over the Kingdom on to which he is entrusted to reign.

·         In Jeremiah 23: 1 – 6 the Lord is not happy with the rulers of that time because they had destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for. The Lord therefore decides to pour out judgment on them for the evil they have done to them. Then He appoints responsible shepherds who will care for them, and they will never be afraid again.

·         In Colossians 1: 11 – 20 Paul encourages the Colossians to be strengthened with the glorious power of God so that they will have all the endurance and patience they needed. The Kingdom has been defined as the Kingdom of Christ who is going to rescue the people of God.

·         In Luke 23: 33 – 43 Jesus is crucified with two criminals at the cross. The Kingdom of God is displayed at the cross when one criminal despises Jesus and the other on receives salvation, at no cost to him, after he appealed to Jesus to remember him when He comes into his Kingdom.

·         In the Kingdom of Christ there will be peace. God has rescued us from the power of darkness and he has brought us into the Kingdom of God.

·         In our present day situation the Kingdom is the Church and we Christians are the rulers.  God is not happy with the rulers of his Kingdom (Christians) because they are not doing the work according to his wish. God expects us to rule according to his plan. Instead of taking care of God’s people we are destroying and scaring them away from his Church.

·         God will punish the rulers and appoint others rulers and they shall become former Christians, former Ministers of God, former Elders and former Stewards. Etc.

·         As we sit here in Church we should reflect on our lives. Are we really rulers of the Kingdom of God?

AMEN!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK (From the Church’s Weekly Bulletin)

 Yes, the clouds will be rolled back like a scroll, the trump shall sound, and the Lord shall descend!

 

1st and 2nd Thessalonians talks about the second coming of Jesus Christ, our coming King. The Lord shall descend. It is going to be a great contrast between the First Coming of our Lord and His Second

Coming.

 

When Jesus came the first time, He came to die for the sinner, He poured out His blood for our redemption, but when He comes again, He’s not coming as Redeemer, He is coming as ruler.

He is coming to reign as righteousness and in judgement.  

The first time He came in love and grace, but when He comes again He's coming in vengeance to take vengeance against those who do not know our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

The first time He came in humility, but when He comes again He is coming in great great power as King of Kings. The first time He came He was despised and rejected of man, when He comes again we will come to receive the power and glory that is due to His Name.

No longer will He wear a crown of thorns, but He will wear a crown of glory. He will reign forever and ever, as Lord of lords, and King of kings!

 

And now to the King Eternal, Invisible, who alone is God, glory and honour forever and ever.

AMEN!

The Lord, Our Redeemer

"May my words and my thoughts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my sheltering rock and my redeemer." (Psalms 19:14).

"They remembered that God was their protector, and that the sovereign God was their deliverer." (Psalms 78:35).

"This is what the Lord says, your protector, the Holy One of Israel: "For your sake I send to Babylon and make them all fugitives, turning the Babylonians' joyful shouts into mourning songs." (Isaiah 43:14).

"I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh; they will get drunk on their own blood, as if it were wine. Then all humankind will recognize that I am the Lord, your deliverer, your protector, the powerful ruler of Jacob."" (Isaiah 49:26).

"For you are our father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not recognize us. You, Lord, are our father; you have been called our protector from ancient times." (Isaiah 63:16).

"As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that as the last he will stand upon the earth." (Job 19:25).

""Do not let your hearts be distressed. You believe in God; believe also in me. There are many dwelling places in my Father's house. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going away to make ready a place for you." (John 14: 1-2).

"And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that where I am you may be too." (John 14:3).

"Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest who have no hope." (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

"(Look! I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy expressed in this book.)" (Revelation 22:7).

"(Look! I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to pay each one according to what he has done!" (Revelation 22:12).

"The one who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon!" Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all." (Revelation 22:20-21).

"From his mouth extends a sharp sword, so that with it he can strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod, and he stomps the winepress of the furious wrath of God, the All-Powerful. He has a name written on his clothing and on his thigh: "King of kings and Lord of lords."" (Revelation 19:15-16).

AMEN!

“Give Thanks in All Circumstances”.

The Topic for the Sermon for the Service at St. Margaret's UCZ Church on 23^rd June 2013 was entitled:  “Give Thanks in All Circumstances”.

Preacher:  Reverend Chipasha Musaba

Scripture Reading:   1 Thessalonians 5: 16 - 18

                                    Psalm 100: 1 - 5

                                    Acts 17: 27 -28

SERMON SUMMARY

The Service was opened with a Sketch from the “Go Team” drama group in which a rogue husband wanted to leave his family because of his bad behaviour. His wife could not agree to this, because she loved him so much. After so much persuasion the husband saw sense and decided to remain with his family.  The message we get from the Sketch, which in not possible in real life, is that God still loves us despite whatever we have done in the past.

The theme for our Service is “Give Thanks in All Circumstances”.

In every language there is word for “Thank You”. Culture has taught us that when someone has done something good for us we should say, “Thank You”. However, when someone has done something bad to us we tend to fight or insult. As Christians we should give thanks in all circumstances.

In Psalm 100 we read about David who saw favour of God in all circumstances. When you find yourself in the presence of God you have to praise Him in spite of the circumstances you find yourself in.

God is telling us that we do not deserve to be here, however, because of his grace we are here. No one has ever chosen to be born or to belong to any family or race. David, who was a great inspiring psalmist, is telling us that no matter what you have done you still deserve to be in the presence of God. The message from the sketch by the “Go Team” represents God’s love for us.

In 1 Thessalonians 5: 16 – 18 we learn that in every situation we find ourselves in we should thanks to God in all circumstances.

In Job 2: 10 Job’s wife asks him why he can say thank when he has been punched in the face? He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"

In Job 1:21 he says” "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." No matter what you have gone through you must always give thanks to God.

Scientists tell us that Charcoal and Diamonds come from the same element called Carbon. For Diamonds to be the precious mineral they are their carbon had to subjected to tremendous pressure in order to be transformed.

Some of you were in employment you never thought of being your own boss, but after you left employment you found your talent and now you are your own boss. Had you not lost your job you would still have been working for someone!

Genesis 2 tells us that God created man in in His own image. He breathed his Spirit into the flesh, where man dwells. The body is a perishable thing but God’s spirit is eternal. When you feel hungry God will feed you. When you are sick He will heal you. When you are poor he will make you wealthy, etc.

In all circumstances give thanks to God .

AMEN!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: (From the Church's Weekly Bulletin)

Psalm 100: 1 - 5

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God.

  

 It is He, who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

AMEN!

“Pentecost – God’s Gift to His People”.

The Topic of the Service of 19^th May 2013, at St. Margaret's UCZ Church was entitled: “Pentecost – God’s Gift to His People”.

Preacher:  Mr Boniface Chirambo

Scripture Reading:   Genesis 1: 1 – 9

                                     Acts 1: 1 – 21

                                     John 14: 8 – 17

SERMON SUMMARY

As parents we often do promise our children gifts after coming from visiting some places.

 Today is Pentecost day, the day that when the gift of the Holy Spirit that the Lord had promised to give his disciples came upon them. It was exactly 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ when the gift of the Holy Spirit was given.  Pentecost is the birth of the Christian Church, which coincided with the time when there were celebrations by the Jews to mark their first harvest.

God sent the gift of the Holy Spirit, as promised, to his people.

In Genesis 1: 1 – 9 we read about the creation of earth and we see the Holy Spirit playing a big role in the creation of the world. “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”  ~ Genesis 1: 2

Jesus was part of the creation as written in John 1: 1. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The three divine persons of God were involved as God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

In John 14: 16 – 17 Jesus is promising the gift of the Holy Spirit to his disciples when he says “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever, the Spirit of truth.

We are seeing the gift of the Holy Spirit being fulfilled in Acts 2: 1 – 21. The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost brought a lot of confusion amongst the Jews. “When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: "Aren't all these who are speaking Galileans?’” Acts 2: 6 – 7

The coming of the Holy Spirit amongst the disciples completely transformed their lives. Peter who had denied Jesus three times at the time of his persecution leading to his crucifixion went out to preach the Good News boldly.

The Holy Spirit changes the situation in your life and mine.

The gifts that we get from God are not for our own self- grander but for the use of spreading his Kingdom. In Acts 1: 8 Jesus says “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria  and to the ends of the world.” You and I are called the witnesses of God. The gifts that we get from God are for the exaltation of God himself.

In Joel 2:28 the Lord says “"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” (See Acts 2: 17 as well)

All of us have received the Holy Spirit for the anointment of our lives. We should therefore come together and be united to complement each other so that we excel in our individual gifts, only then will the Church of God grow. Where there is misunderstanding we should retreat and ask God to help us.

God desires that after we receive the Holy Spirit we should be his ambassadors in the world. It is not enough just to come to church and worship. We should spread the Gospel to others. We should ask God to help us with our weaknesses so that we can effectively spread the gospel. Let us be examples to our families and not to be questioned about our behaviour. Let us first look at ourselves before we go out to evangelise.  Are we relevant to our community?  Christianity is more than being a member of St. Margaret’s Church.

On this Pentecost day as we go out into the community it is very important to remind each other what purpose we are called for? Let us seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we do the work for the Lord. Let us be careful not to look very much to our preachers as examples of our behaviour. Our focus should be on the Holy Spirit.

Let us therefore thank God for all the gifts he has given us. Without the Holy Spirit we shall not be successful evangelists.

May the Lord, through his mercy and love, bless us all.

AMEN!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: (From the Church's Weekly Bulletin)

The Day of Pentecost

The coming of the Spirit was accompanied by supernatural signs – a sound, a sight and strange speech. First, there came from heaven a sound like the blowing of violent wind', and it (i e, the noise) filled the whole house where they were sitting (Acts 2:2). Secondly, there appeared to them visibly ‘what seemed to be tongues of fire' which separated and came to rest on each of them (v.3), becoming for each an individual possession. Thirdly, ‘all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues' (i.e. languages of some kind) ‘as the Spirit enabled led them.(v.4)

These three experiences seemed like natural phenomena (wind, fire and speech); yet they were supernatural, both in origin and in character. The noise was not wind, but sounded like it; the sight was not fire but resembled it; the speech was in languages which were not ordinary but in some way ‘other ‘’. Again, three of their higher senses were affected, in that they heard the wind-like sound, saw the fire-like apparition and spoke the ‘other' languages. Yet what they experienced was more than sensory; it was significant. So they sought no understand it. “What does this mean? “, the people later asked (v. 12)

If we allow other parts of Scripture to guide our interpretation, it seems that these three signs at least represented a new era of the Spirit which had begun (John the Baptist had bracketed wind and fire Luke 3:16) and the work which he had come to do. If so, the noise-like wind may symbolise power (such as Jesus promised them for witness - Luke 24:4-9; Acts 1:8), the sight like fire  symbolised purity (like the live coal which cleansed Isaiah 6:6-7) and the speech in other languages

symbolised the universality of the Christian church. In what follows in Acts 2, Luke does not mention wind and fire, he concentrates on the third phenomena languages. His emphasis is on the international, multilingual nature of the crowd that was gathered round the 120 believers at Pentecost.

Nothing could have demonstrated more clearly than this the multi-racial, multinational, multilingual nature of the Kingdom of Christ. Pentecost is a dramatic reversal of the curse of Babel. At Babel, human languages were confused and nations were scattered. At Pentecost, the language barrier was supernaturally, over come as a sign that ethnicities, nations and races would now be gathered together in Christ!

AMEN!

“Ascension – Going to the Father”.

The Topic of the Service of 12^th May 2013, at St. Margaret's UCZ Church was entitled: “Ascension – Going to the Father”.

Preacher:  Mr Harrison Mukanga

Scripture Reading:   Psalm 47: 1 – 9

                                     Acts 1: 1 – 11

                                     Luke 24: 44 – 53

SERMON SUMMARY

The three scriptures that we have just read are the basis of the theme of our service, which is: “Ascension – Going to the Father”. To ascend means to go up or to be elevated to a higher level.

In Psalm 47: 1 – 9 David looks at the victory of Jesus of how he has conquered the world. This victory has brought a lot of joy throughout the universe.

In Acts 1: 1 – 11 we read that Jesus appeared to his disciples over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. He instructed them to go to Jerusalem and not leave it and wait for the gift that the Father has promised, which they have heard him speak about. “For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

In Luke 24: 44 – 53 we read that when the disciples heard that Jesus has died they were very afraid and they remained in one room, fearing to go out and face the wrath of the Jews.

Jesus then appeared to them and told them that “The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things.  I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” He then ascended to Heaven and they were filled with joy.

Jesus did not go straight to heaven after his death but stayed on with his people for 40 days so as to familiarise them with the scripture that says that Jesus was indeed the Son of God and King of Kings.

In Psalm 47: 1 – 9 the Jews were delighted that the Messiah was going to restore their earthly kingdom, but they did not understand the reason of his coming.

In Acts 1: 1 – 11 the angel of the Lord told the disciples that “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

They then went to Jerusalem with great joy to wait for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit.

What does the Ascension mean to you and me today?

1.       The Ascension Is Unifying Factor

If Jesus did not ascend to heaven our gathering here at St. Margaret’s Church would be meaningless. Jesus has gone to prepare” mansions” for us in heaven. When he comes back he will take us up and live in these mansions forever.

1 Peter 3: 8 we are told that we should be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.  This ascension should, therefore, bring us together.

2.       It Rekindles Our Hopes and Desires

In John 14: 13 Jesus says: “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” We shall receive the best that God has to give us. In heaven there is no suffering as we are experiencing here on earth.

Our hope and trust should remain in us because he ascended to his Father to prepare a place for us. We are not orphans as we have a Father who is in heaven.

What joy do we have today? We have the joy because our Lord has conquered the world. This joy is of divine possession.

3.       It Invigorates The Spirit of Prayer In Us

What he has told us will come to pass. Matthew 21:22 says “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer" because we are worshiping a living God whose promises shall come to pass.

Our hope and desire must be based on the fact that Jesus has risen and ascended to heaven. Because of the ascension we know our destiny.

AMEN!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: (From the Church's Weekly Bulletin)

THE ASCENSION 

“And He lifted His hands and blessed them. And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up to heaven”. 

Whether or not we believe the legendary lifting off from Mount Olive is immaterial: What matters is the willing acceptance that He, in some fashion, departed; and if a heaven is somewhere in the sky seems rather implausible to some in this age, that need not affect our faith in a real elsewhere, even thong it lacks any kind of geography. 

So let the myth stand for what it signifies: time after all, is an adjunct of space, but eternity exists outside of time and space we may not need now to picture literal feet vanishing into a literal cloud; but we are much impoverished if we cannot still pin our trust on His actual return to His Father’s house, and hope ourselves to follow Him home.

To which end therefore, let us hold fast and fondly to that last moment, glimpsing the farewell: the green hill on a spring morning; and Him extending scarred hands in benediction, leaving His space with us forever as He fades from sight.

 

Adapted from:  John Reeves.  A Book of Hours, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan/Cambridge UK, 2001, pp. 65-63 

AMEN!

“Gentiles Receive the Good News”.

The Topic of the Service of 5^th May 2013, at St. Margaret's UCZ Church was entitled: “Gentiles Receive the Good News”.

Preacher: Reverend Kuzipa Nalwamba

Scripture Reading:      Zephaniah 3: 14 –20

                                     Acts 16: 11 – 15

                                     John 14: 25 – 31

SERMON SUMMARY

The theme of our service is “Gentiles Receive the Good News”. Ethnic pride is the reason why the Jews resisted other people to receive the Good News. They thought God was an ethnic God who could be domesticated. No matter how they invested in this pride God showed them that he was a God of all people.

In Zephaniah 3: 15 and 17 talks of a future covenant for all people. Israel, like any other nation, has to repent in order for the Jews to get salvation. They were no more essential to God than any other ethnic groups.

Even today people segregate each other on the basis of being Christian or of belonging to the same Church and even the same congregation.

The covenant between God and men is for all the people.

In Acts 16 we read about the conversion of a Gentile from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She became a Christian after Paul and others, who were Jews, introduced Christ to her. She invited them to come and visit her at her house by virtue of her being a Christian. Paul and his companions accepted someone who was not a member of their tribe. She knew that these Jews were not going to judge her by her ethnicity but by the fact that she was a Christian.

Many of us today do segregate others by their tribe or race.

In Acts 16: 11 – 15 we learn that the Holy Spirit is the equaliser and all Christians are baptised in the same way and are identical to one another. The Holy Spirit ensures the presence of Jesus Christ in our lives despite our different backgrounds.

Zambia has been declared a Christian nation. How do we accommodate those Investors who are not Christians? This is our opportunity to demonstrate to them the love and hospitality of God to all mankind.

In our case what is important? Is it ethnicity or faith? Ethnicity is not what fundamentally defines us as God’s people.

Let us think of the way we could include others who are not like us; because whilst we were sinners Christ died for us.

AMEN!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: (From the Church's Weekly Bulletin)

PRAYING FOR OUR ENEMIES

The first thing we are called to do when we think of others as our enemies is to pray for them. This is certainly not easy. Lt requires discipline to allow those who hate us or those toward whom we have hostile feelings to come into the intimate centre of our hearts.

Yet every time we overcome the impatience with our opponents and are willing to listen to the cry of those who persecute us, we will recognise them as brothers and sisters too.

Praying for our enemies is therefore a real event, the event of reconciliation. It is impossible to lift our enemies up in the presence of God and at the same time continue to hate them.

Seen in the place of prayer, even the unprincipled dictator and the vicious torturer can no longer appear as the object of fear, hatred and revenge, because when we pray for them we stand at the centre of the great mystery of Divine Compassion.

There is probably no prayer as powerful as the prayer for our enemies. But it is also the most difficult prayer since it is most contrary to our impulses. This explains why some people consider prayer for our enemies the main criterion of holiness.

"Circles of Love" adapted from Henri Nouwen's

AMEN!

“The Servant's Obedience”.

Part of the Congregation waving Palm Branches at the Palm Sunday Service

The Topic of the Palm Sunday service of 24th March 2013, at St. Margaret's UCZ Church was entitled “The Servant's Obedience”.

Preacher: Reverend Chipasha Musaba

Scripture Reading: Matthew 21: 1 - 11

SERMON SUMMARY

Today the whole Christian world is observing Palm Sunday, which marks the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.

On Palm Sunday Christians celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, the week before his death and resurrection.  For many Christian churches this marks the beginning of Holy Week, which concludes on Easter Sunday.

This triumphal entry symbolises the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into our lives.

Jesus introduces himself to us as the King.

There are three aspects of this message which we are going to look at:-

1) Jesus commands the bringing of the donkey and colt to him.

His final assault is to release those who are in captivity of the enemy. Look at your life with respect to Jesus' command to untie the donkey and the colt. When the name of Jesus is mentioned you will be untied.

Your life is tied despite what you think of yourself as being more important than others.

Jesus wants you and your children to be set free just as he commanded to untie the donkey and the cult.

Many people who are bonded by witchcraft think that they are "powerful", but in fact they are in bondage of Satan.

In many families small children are tattooed at birth with the belief that they would be "protected" for the rest of their lives, but in fact bonded to the kingdom of darkness.

Many people are full of themselves and say "I am not a person to play with." but in fact they are in bondage. Adultery, fornication, theft, drunkenness, etc. are some of the bondages such people are tied to.

Jesus wants you and your children to be untied.

2) Jesus rides on a donkey.

A donkey is a sign of peace. Allow him to usher in peace into your individual life. Allow him to come into your life and your story will not be the same.

Say this to yourself: “Jesus is coming to me and ushering in peace into me."

Many people are suffering from high blood pressure due to stress brought about by lack of peace in their lives.

Let peace be a reality in our lives.

3) Inevitability of the human response in the coming of Jesus into our lives.

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" ~ Matthew 21: 9 b

You are nothing without Jesus. Let Jesus take charge of your life. Untie us Son of David!

When a change takes place as a result of Jesus comes to take charge of your life people will not recognise you and they will ask "Who is this?". People will not be able to predict about you because God is unpredictable.

The Easter Conference at St. Margaret's UCZ Church in Kitwe from Monday 25 March to Thursday 28th March 2013 is for people who realise that they are bonded and they need to be untied.

The theme of the Conference is “Refined in the Blood of Jesus the Christ”.

You are all invited for this conference.

AMEN!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: (From the Church's Weekly Bulletin)

Matthew 21: 1-11

What should this year’s Palm Sunday entail to mankind throughout the world?

Most people believe it's a Christian celebration hut in essence goes beyond Christian jurisdiction. If focus is on the whole humanity, the loosing of the Donkey and the Colt points to the redemption of both the experience and the inexperienced.

Get ready to the Chris’s triumphal entry into your life!

Be part of this year’s Easter Conference under the theme, “Refined in the Blood of Jesus the Christ”.

AMEN!