“Jesus, The Giver of Eternal Life”

The Topic of the Service of 21^st April 2013, at St. Margaret's UCZ Church was entitled: “Jesus, The Giver of Eternal Life”.

Preacher: Mr B. Chirambo

Scripture Reading:   Psalm 23

                                    Acts 9: 36 – 43

                                    John 10: 22 - 30

SERMON SUMMARY

 If you were asked “Why are you a Christians?” what will be your answer? Today we are reflecting on who we are in the Kingdom of God.

What does the Bible say about eternal life and Christianity?

To be a Christian is not a mere formality.

The Bible in John 3: 16 says “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life,” and 2 Corinthians 5: 1 says “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.”

What Is Eternal Life?

From the beginning God has been there and his presence is everlasting.

·         Eternal life is a gift from God that is given to those  that believe in Him

·         The moment you totally surrender yourself to the Lord you are assured of eternal life.

·         Eternal life is knowing God.

Christianity is a total surrender to God so that we understand Him. When we understand Him we then know how we should live in relationship to Him. It is not by our own power but it is by the love of God that we can have eternal life.

In Psalm 23 King David says:-

 “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

God is awesome who provides everything to us because He is available all the time. Psalm 23 tells us of the need to totally depend on God.

In Acts 9: 36 – 43 we read about Tabitha ((in Greek her name is Dorcas). She was a believer in God who was full of good works and helping the poor. She became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Peter was sent to raise her from the dead because her service was not completed.

What area is God requiring you to serve the community in which you live?

In John 10: 4 Jesus says his sheep follow him because they know his voice. Those who read his Word and mediate on it are those listening to his instructions and following them.

How many times have you read the Bible? Unlike other books, such as popular novels which are read once and put aside, the Bible is different in that the message is different whenever you read it.

How does God seeing you as a Christian? Are you seen as gossiper talking ill of others, etc.?  This is the position we should examine ourselves. What does Jesus know about us? How do you participate in servicing the community?

Eternal life starts now. It is doing the will of God. Be in his presence day in and day out and it should start now. Jesus walked on this earth in human form and he never departed from the presence of his Father.

What will you tell Jesus when he asks you, “Who are you?”. Jesus will say “I do not know you” if you never did the will of God.

Take part in projects like “Friends of Street Children”, etc. as much as we would like to our own needs there is more work out there in the community.

Jesus is the way and the light. We should hear his voice and walk in the way of his Father.

We should position ourselves in the Kingdom of God.

AMEN!

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

John 10:28

The promise of God is to give abundant life, life in full. Those that act in bad faith however, cannot be Christ’s Disciples and cannot receive this great promise.

Christ acknowledges those who obey his voice and they follow Him. He gives them the opportunity to experience life in every aspect of their being.

They begin to experience “Zoe-life”, the God-kind of life, and nothing remains the same.

They cannot help but exclaim “Hallelujah!”, “God is good”, “Thank you, lord”, each time they remember what God has done for them! They acknowledge that without God, they can do nothing!

The truth about abundant life cannot be over-emphasized.

Suffice to say, however, consider your ways as you begin this brand new week!

AMEN!