"The Journey of Seeking Genuine Transformation."

The Topic at the 7.00 hrs.  Service of 17th March 2013 at St. Margaret's UCZ Church was entitled "The Journey of Seeking Genuine Transformation."

This was a Youth Sunday Service conducted by the Youths of the Church. The second Service was for the Boys and Girls Brigades' Induction.

Preacher: Ms. Matilda Nakamba

Scripture Readings: 2 Kings 5: 1 -19

                                  1 Corinthians 4:1

                                  1 Timothy 4: 6 - 16

                                   Mark 10: 17 - 23

SERMON SUMMARY

In the scripture reading from 2 Kings 5: 1 - 19 we read about Naaman, a great soldier who was healed of leprosy. He was a mighty man of valour, but he was a leper.

A captive young girl from Israel who served Naaman’s wife said to her mistress, ‘If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.’

Because of his pride, Naaman did not initially want to listen to the advice of the young servant girl. When he finally listened to the advice he was cured of his leprosy and praised God and said, ‘Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel.."

In Mark 10: 17 - 23 we read of a young man who could not accept the Kingdom of God due his pride of being rich. Jesus said ‘How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!’

In the two scriptures we learn that pride can stop us from getting closer to God and we fail to be transformed.

Let us look at two ways one could be transformed.

1) Opportunity through Enterprise.

Many Youths do not know that transformation starts from humble beginnings. People who are despised, businesses or jobs that are shunned or situations that are not attractive to most people usually end up with great transformations.

2) Breaking Transformation Barriers.

Barriers of pride should be overcome. Proverbs 16: 18 says "Pride goes before destruction,a haughty spirit before a fall."

A lot of young ladies have missed the opportunity of marriage because of pride. They have put certain "standards" which must be met by the potential bridegrooms before accepting their hand in marriage. The same is true of some young men.

Things that are usually despised are the secret to success because "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. !" - 1 Corinthians 1:27

Humble yourself before God and he will lift you up to bring transformation in your life. (James 4:10).

We cannot overcome our battles without God's intervention.

We have battles of fornication, adultery, drunkenness, political strife, celebrity worship, etc which we have to overcome if we are to get closer to Jesus Christ.

Transformation lies in our individual approach of how we look upon God for his intervention.

We need spiritual, financial and economic transformation, etc. This can only be achieved through God.

God is giving you an opportunity to make peace with Him today.

AMEN!

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

Can you imagine a seriously cracked building inevitably in need of urgent attention? A man is contracted to rehabilitate it and he does a bad job. He coats the cracked walls with Paint and everybody who sees the building on face value believes life has been put back into it.

Could this be any different for a man who is seriously damaged from sin and wrong attitudes on the inside and yet transforms the outside for the benefit of those who only see the outside.

AS you begin this brand new Week, consider your ways. Genuine transformation begins from the inside. If not, it is cosmetic.

Luke 11:39. "And the Lord said to him, 'Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.'"

AMEN!