Sacrifice Anyway

Sacrifice anyway

The wonder of life is sacrifice.
For the unappreciative it never suffices.
You fail to offer it, and they seek the promise.
Your sacrifice may provide the way.

But never imagine that it will always go your way.
Duty calls for you to offer it anyway.
Humanities problems never go away.
But sacrifice offered will provide the way.

Does my call for sacrifice make any sense?
Or should I add words in this sentence?
Or do I just assume silence?
When you work remember to be present.
Your sacrifice may provide the way.

Cold nights, harsh weather may eat your heart
But at home you return to meet the hurt.
For granted they take your sacrifice. 
Frustrations beg your attention to give up.
But sacrifice offered will provide the way.

Those you sacrifice for quest only to discourage.
Does it matter to them anyway?
Do they care if you get hurt anyway?
Just do it and go your way.
This is the life of a man all the alway.
Your sacrifice may provide the way.

(Original composition by JO)

Dishonesty Ails Us

This world is so used to dishonesty, lies and fraudulent activities. When you say the truth or act right, you are taken for a fool. Sometimes honest people are tempted to act like the world wants.

Don't do it my friend. Remain truthful, honest, kind, considerate and faithful. There is a reward at the end of it all. Doing the right thing may turn out tough and painful at the moment, but in the end it will pay off when you watch the dishonest suffer. 

Are they rich through dishonest gians, don't admire. Serve your purpose and seek to do the right thing. Life is not about the things you see physically. There is more to it. The inner peace matters a lot.

Rejecting Systems of Belief on Mere Speculations is Wrong

Interpreting scriptures based on philosophical thought,  or on the basis of laid down systems alone are both wrong. Scriptural interpretation is and should be based on what the scripture says. If what it says agrees with the system of belief or a philosophical reflection, then a logical conclusion is that "the doctrinal system" is true. This is how we should view systems and not merely dismiss them because they don't agree with our philosophies. 

In fact, systems of belief are philosophical and philosophies are basically systems. I have trouble with those who dismiss Calvinism or Armenianism because they imagine, without clear background study, that both are wrong. I hear claims that Calvinism is wrong and that it is a doctrine from the dark ages.

 

When I listen to claims refuting Calvinism I realize that most of those rejecting Calvinistic claims simply have no idea or very limited knowledge on its claims. This is also the case with many who merely reject Armenianism.

 

Before we take time to reject a basis of believe/doctrine, I think it is academically correct to do a thorough study into the system. Not merely reading opposing views so that you are equipped with the arsenals to defend a position. Develop some understanding on the doctrines that you support and those that you oppose before rejecting any.

RESURRECTION, THE GREATEST MESSAGE OF HOPE TO ALL WHO BELIEVE

An encouragement this Easter.

Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, and in which you stand firm. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth. (1 Corinthians 15:1-8)

In the Christian Gospel message, Christ’s death and resurrection is the cent re of all that our faith leans. Remove resurrection and what remains is a shell of hopelessness. I one time had a talk with a Jehovah’s Witness who told me that they celebrate Jesus death (Good Friday) but they don’t recognize Easter (the resurrection of Jesus Christ). For them the resurrection is not important. I thought to myself how hopeless can one be when you believe and commemorate the death of the saviour but don’t recognize that He rose back to life; yet one who calls him or herself a Christian.

Paul talks in 1 Corinthians 15 of Christ who died, buried and rose according to the scriptures. The three events are all important and most of all one must hold firmly to that truth. We must never lose sight dear friends of the fact that Christ rose again.

The advantage and courage that we all have is that the resurrection message is based on a true story. From historical facts, it can be confirmed. There were eye witnesses and historians have recorded the witness stories over centuries. Archaeologists have gone a long way to try and excavate remains that prove the existence of Jerusalem, Calvary and Golgotha and even the Empty tomb. Nay-Sayers will want to disapprove but truth be said, most speak out of shear ignorance, without any knowledge and Biblical facts.

Christian faith is based on true story of God’s love to humanity, and the sacrifice of God’s only Son Jesus Christ to a dying world. Jesus’ death is the ultimate sacrifice for the sin committed in the Garden of Eden, the life we all lived, when ignorance overshadowed and marred our vision that we would not see and worship the true God. His resurrection is a vindication to the fact that he had no sin. Jesus took the sin of the world but he himself did not commit sin. His resurrection also tells that he has conquered death. Moreover, death is now under His feet and the feet of all who believe in Him, and that those who trust in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, they shall rise again to Eternal Glory.

Jesus resurrection gives every believer a sense of hope and joy. Today as we remember the resurrection, let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith. It is a day of celebration as we shout that He is risen, our Lord is risen.

With resurrection comes life, victory over death. The Lord Jesus is seated at the right hand side of the Father today interceding for us. May we find peace, joy and hope in Him amidst any challenges. Let’s shout that He has conquered for us and that we are alive in His name. For He brought us Life and Life in Abundance! Amen.

Got Eternal Life? Do you know for sure that you will have eternal life in Heaven with God?

Got Eternal Life? Do you know for sure that you will have eternal life in Heaven with God?: Got Eternal Life? Do you have eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ? Do you know for sure that you have eternal life?

What Being Born of Water and The Spirit in John 3:5 Mean - part 2

John 4:10: "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

Introduction

Over two years ago I wrote an article titled What Being Born of Water and The Spirit in John 3:5 Mean. I gave what I believe John 3:5 should mean. I must say that this has taken too long to come, but being a spiritual issue I realized that I needed not to be hasty. For those who have waited with me, thank you. Here is the article I promised

Jesus talks with the Samaritan woman (John 4:1-24, 39-42)

As Jesus talks with the Samaritan woman at the well, He tells her “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” (John 4:10). Here Jesus still uses the word water, but explains farther that it is the “living water”. This water when taken, according to the same chapter verse 14, one never becomes thirsty again and that it turns into a spring of water that wells up to eternal life.

The woman like many of us expected physical water in a small jar or container. She never realized the symbolic meaning. However, when Jesus sent her to go call her husband, she doesn’t go due to her controversial marital arrangement. She later on leaves without demanding to be issued a container of water.

Was she offered the living water? Did she partake of the living water? According to her later reaction, yes. In fact, when she got filled she went out calling her friends and village mates who also came to share with her in partaking of the “living water”. She became an evangelist.

The Samaritan woman got the living water, she drunk of it. Not baptized by it, but given. In fact, I dare say that the woman got born again of Water and the Spirit. What could this water be. It seems that the living water here has connection with the message of life that Jesus shared with this woman. She got this message, the message of the gospel.

Elsewhere in John 6:63 Jesus said, “The Spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life”. It seems to me that this also has a relationship with the same water that gives life. The words of Jesus, and of God for that matter, cleanses and gives life, life eternal. This life is found when one believes in the teaching of Jesus. That is why there is an inference to the fact that, “there are some of you who do not believe”, (John 6:64).

When Jesus says that it is the Spirit that gives life, one sees that the same living water that becomes a spring of water welling to eternal life is the same with the “Spirit that gives life”. With this alone, it is possible to say that when Jesus tells Nicodemus that he should be born again by water and the spirit he is meaning that Nicodemus has to believe in the Word of God.  Moreover, he is saying that the water and the spirit work together to give life. Or should I say that they are the same.

In Ephesians 5:26, Paul teachers that Christ “gave himself up for the church to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” The cleansing is done by the water through the word. This cleansing makes the church pure and blameless, holy and even radiant removing wrinkles and stain. This I believe, is what happens when we lay ourselves under the influence of God’s word. The word of God purifies believers from all ungodliness.

Conclusion

Jesus meant that salvation is only possible if one experiences spiritual washing and cleansing through the word of God as effected by work of the Holy Spirit. We can find this in Titus 3:5 (He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit) and Ephesians 5:26 (to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word). Anyone reading John 3:5 should not try to link it up with baptism of water since there is not even a single mention of baptism in the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus.

ALL SIN WILL BE PUNISHED AND ALL OBEDIENCE BASED ON FAITH WILL BE REWARDED

Romans 2:12-16

Sermon shared at Joy Tabernacle Church Githurai 44 on 29-05-2016

Introduction

The book of Romans was written by Paul around AD 57. This book talks about God's plan for salvation and is written for both Jews and Gentile Christians who were living in Rome. The Church of Rome was not started by Paul. It must have been started by the Christians who converted to faith, may be, during Pentecost but moved back to the city of Rome. It was a city church (Urban Church). These Christians may not have had good grounding on doctrines but they were zealous enough. Paul wanted to visit, but he had not met them before.

Paul was aware of the multicultural nature of these people. He addressed both Gentiles and Jews in his letter, saying “to all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints”.  When Paul greets these people saying “Grace and peace”, we understand that he is using an inclusive language. At this time the Jews greeting was shalom which means peace while grace here is the Greek version of shalom. Paul is therefore addressing both Greek and Jews together in letter to the Romans.

All sin will be punished v12.

In this passage, Paul writes in V12 by stating that “all who sin apart from the law will perish apart from the law and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.”

Here Paul is declaring that God will not discriminate and that all people will be responsible for their own actions. The Law will judge anyone who boast about it, yet not living according to its requirements. Those who do not have the law and never take recognition of the glorious presence of the Almighty will perish without the law.

Those who obey the law will be counted righteous v13 -15

In the sight of God, obedience to the Law is better than the knowledge of the Law dictates. Knowing the Law and not walking according to its requirements is in itself disobedience. God will declare those who obey the requirements of the Law righteous V13.

Paul uses gentiles as an example in V13-15. He says that if they do by nature the things that the Law requires, then they indicate that the requirements of the Law are engraved in the tablet of their heart.

This is in line with what Jeremiah talks about in Jeremiah 31:33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

The gentiles who live like this are confirming that they know the law. They do not have the stone tablet, but their heart has the record of the law and they have chosen to live in obedience to it. They do not need a witness, but their conscience bears witness. They are aware and alert to avoid being swayed away from the Lord. It is as though they have seen the Lord.

Brothers we were once living in ignorance. We once were not a people but now we have the Lord and He has given us Himself. He suffered and died so that I and you may believe, and live. We must now live by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ through whom all our sins are punished on the cross. We are washed clean through his blood. This same Jesus, will come as a Judge for the living and the dead.

Now let us choose today whom we will serve. God’s judgment will come without discrimination. Those who do not know him and live according to earthly standards will perish. Those who have known Him and claim to believe in him but still live as though Jesus never died for them will be judged and punished for their disobedience.

Those who believe and walk according to faith’s requirements will dwell in the Land of the living and will inherit the Kingdom of the Lord. They will rejoice and be glad as they sit at the table of the Blessed One of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and eat with him in glory.

Brothers, the Israelites had the Law but some did not obey. They were rebuked and punished for their disobedience. Our Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross to take our place. He took away the wrath of God so that if we believe and obey, eternal inheritance is for us.

Those who do not believe and remain disobedient will face the wrath of God. Let us examine ourselves and take up a position. Let us decide which side to take. The offer is for us and for our children and grandchildren.

If you have never considered this matter, I urge you today to wake up on your feet and declare before the congregation, the righteousness of the Lord. Arise and believe in God’s only begotten Son that you may live. Do not postpone anymore. The Judgement of the Lord is pronounced already. Take your stand now!! Amen!