"Find Me First."

The Topic at the service of 3 February 2013 at St. Margaret's UCZ Church was entitled ""Find Me First.""

The service included sharing of the Holy Communion by the congregation.

Preacher: Reverend Chipasha Musaba

Scripture Readings: Isaiah 6: 3 -5
                                   Matthew 6: 33


SERMON SUMMARY

The Bible consists of two parts the Old Testament (Old Covenant) and the New Testament (New Covenant).

The Old Testament is all about a set of laws consisting of do's and don'ts that the people of God were required to follow or the Law.

The New Testament is , on the other hand, is a new relationship with God, through His son Jesus Christ, in which man's sin is forgiven through the crucifixion on the Cross at Calvary. God would establish a new covenant and a new relationship with his people. And it would be better than anything that had existed before.

Many people like playing church by being seen attending it with a view of being given decent burials, to listen to choirs singing, etc, and nothing more.

Some come to Church in order to witness miracles without knowing who brings these miracles.

In Matthew 7: 21 - 23 Jesus says "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven".

Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’"

Many people never take time to know Christ. They are very casual with the knowledge of God. Many are morally corrupt, spiritually empty and superficial in the area of worship.

Take time to know God by investing in your relationship with Him.

How much have you invested in your relationship with God ?

Many religions in the world are just a way of life where they follow a set of rules.

Christianity is not a religion but it is a faith. It is a relationship with God.

In Matthew 6:33 Jesus says "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."Seek Him first before you come to Church.

AMEN !

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: “FIND ME FIRST” (From the Church's Weekly Bulletin)

Praise the Lord! You are in the House of God this morning. I am glad you came and let me also be quick to say you are looking good!

This morning, I want us to take a critical over-view of our walk with God, How do you, as an individual, Find your walk with Him? Is it getting any better or has it grown cold?

How much do you long for His companionship?

As I was reflecting on today's theme, “FIND ME FIRST . . .” I realised many CHRISTIANS have a very usual relationship with God.

They like to play church and are never willing to invest in their relationship with God.

Sadly enough, the idea of reverence to God sounds too old-fashioned, so out of step with the times, and at odds with contemporary worship trends.

No wonder we do all sorts of things even though we claim to be Christians. Are you one of the many believers who seem to be strangers to the foundational truths that form the basis for our relationship with God? Isaiah, in chapter 6:3-S, reveals how God gripped his heart with an awesome sense of His presence and holiness, which resulted in a radical turn in his perception of God and his own calling to serve God u a prophet.

‘Mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts” Isaiah 6:5.

As you begin this brand new week, seek God to find Him. Let Him arrest you with an awesome sense of His presence and holiness, which will prompt a radial change in your personal perception of God and your commitment to this relationship.

Without this, you remain a cosmetic Christian.

Don’t ignore this!

AMEN !

The Beauty of Ashes

TEN RECOVERY STEPS: AFTER BEING BURNT IN A RELATIONSHIP.

This note is based on the message that I got from a Sermon I listened to from a Christian Radio Station during the night of 20 September 2010. I can not recall who the Preacher was, but the Sermon was entitled “The Beauty of Ashes” which is based on Isaiah 61: 1- 3 (NIV).

I may not have grasped the entire message of the sermon but I believe that some people will be assisted in one way or another. I have written it to comfort those who are burnt in life through loss, broken relationships, being cheated through broken promises and many more.

Remember what you are becoming after being burnt is more important than what you have been. Emotions belong to you and you can choose them.

 ISAIAH 61: 1 - 3 - THE YEAR OF THE LORD’S FAVOUR

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,] 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendour.

 1) KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR OTHER PEOPLE’S ACTIONS When someone made a decision or taken an action that affects you emotionally do not carry somebody’s burden on your head. Stop self condemnation. Do not be a sacrificial lamb for somebody’s action.  

2) DON”T EMBARRASS OR HUMILIATE YOURSELF Do not let people to use you as their doormat. If someone has left you it is his or her choice. You need your dignity. You are a human being created in the image of God.  

3) THE GRIEF IS A PROCESS NOT A DESTINATION Do not force an emotion. Grieve as much as possible and get over it, but do not let it haunt you for the rest of your life. Pain is never permanent. A grief of 40 days is ideal and biblical.

 4) YOUR EXPERIENCE IS NOT UNIQUE There are other people who are going and have gone through the same experience. You are not the only one and do not develop the “Elijah syndrome”.  

5) THE HEALING STARTS FROM WITHIN It starts when you surrender to the Lord through the Holy Spirit. This will change your heart. This may not be so easy to some people but it is the only way of healing.

6) THERE IS POWER IN FORGIVENESS Forgiveness is a release of pain. Unless the pain is taken out by forgiveness it can not be relieved. Forgiveness is like removing a bullet from a wound in order to allow it to heal. You can not get someone new without removing the pain. If you do so it is like covering a wound whilst a bullet is still in the body.  

7) EMBRACE GOD’S RECONSTRUCTION God will use people in the healing process. New people, new places and new principles and ideas will be introduced in your life.

8) BE GUIDE BY THE WISDOM OF YOUR EXPERIENCE Be wise not cynical or sceptical about a new relationship. Do not conclude that all men or women are the same.  

9) LEARN TO TRUST AGAIN There will be doubts in new relationships. Remember life does not give us guarantees but opportunities.

10) SMILE AND CELEBRATE YOUR RECOVERY Look back at your life and smile. Laugh at yourself. Come back to your senses. Do not take your victory for granted.

Finally Read Psalms 40: 1 - 3

1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.

Amen !