A Message

The world is fast. The speed of the world is taking its toll on families. Love for each other is less. There is no commitment for long term relationships. Families are breaking. When problems arise children are made to take sides with either parent. Parents are busy earning money that children may have a good life. They have the money but children are lost. When children are wrong they are not taught what is right. Parents don’t like to be told that their children are wrong. Hence we are seeing an undisciplined generation grow.  In the general the outside world says you can’t speak to those who are born after the 80’s. It sad that these problems are found even in Christian homes. Hence in this back drop the church has set apart a Sunday for Christian homes. It is in this backdrop that we are called to meditate on the theme Discipleship a total commitment – Christian Homes.  This morning we will reflect on the family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus. Through this family we w...

This morning we look at this well-known passage of scripture we will understand the truths of this portion by focusing on a few words. Malachi 3:6 – 12 Tithe v10 Tithe known as ten or tenth. Leviticus 27:30-32 The tenth part from land, herds, flocks and other sources. Tithing indicated Israel's devotion to God. The tithe was brought to the temple in Jerusalem in acknowledgement and appreciation of God’s provision for His people. It belongs to the Lord. It is holy. Separated for God. It was a reminder that everything belonged to God and that he was the giver all possessions. God’s request is only a tenth v10. The minimum. Anything less than that is like giving alms to a beggar. 50,000 – 5,000. 1,000 – 100. 10,215 – 1,021.50. God’s command is to bring the full tithe v10. No using part of the tithe for other purposes and wanting to give the rest later. It doesn’t happen. And we are to bring the tithe into God’s store house so that there will be foo...

Exodus 23:14 – 19 Festivals are a time of rejoicing, happiness and celebration . It is a time of eating, drinking and making merry. It is one which brings a community together. It is one which takes a lot of preparation and where the community will want to make an impact. In the life of the Israel people festivals had an important place. But they were all celebrated with a reason. For the Israel people a festival meant more than eating and drinking. It was a feast to YHWH. Ex 10:9. It was time of a time to reflect the nation’s faith and practices. Exodus 23 tells us of three annual festivals which God wanted the people of Israel to keep. These were all festivals to do with prosperity. And when God gives prosperity it is a time to celebrate. However when we look at these three festivals there is so much we ought to understand so that to us who are preparing to keep our harvest festival it will be meaningful and something closely knit to our hearts. First we will s...

The promised Holy Spirit to the church Acts 7:22 – 31, I Peter 3:13 – 22, John 14:15 - 21 Just before the death of Jesus he had his final conversation with his disciples. They were sorrowful. He comforts them. First he tells them “I am the way the truth and the life”, and that he is returning to the Father. The second thing he tells the disciples is that he will send them a counselor. To be with you forever. We have to remember everywhere in the bible that a promise has a condition to be fulfilled. The condition – to love Jesus and obey what he commands v15. This is a very important condition. For that is what the bible is keeps telling us over and over again. That is what God’s word wants to achieve in the lives of people – a people who love God and obey his words. What does it mean to love God? What is this love that is spoken of in John?  It is indicating the direction of the will and in finding ones joy in something or someone.  To make that your own kn...

A MEDITATION ON 1 TIMOTHY 1:12 (Shared at the closing chapel service at TTS on 21.03.13) “Lord, you have given us your word for a light to shine upon our path. Grant us so to meditate on that word, and to follow its teaching, that we may find in it the light that shines more and more until the perfect day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” Paul is writing this letter to a young man Timothy. Pastoral letters are letters to the leaders of the church to stand firm against false teachings and advice on their conduct. Paul uses his experience and his background to advice, encourage and motivate Timothy whom he has left behind at Ephesus. Through the life experience of Paul we can see that he is a wonderful role model for a minister who has been chosen and deemed faithful to serve Christ. Coming to our text 1 Tim 1:12 let us understand this portion of scripture from the background of a pastoral letter and ministry in the church. Paul says I am greatful to Christ Jesus...