A Message

Over the last few weeks and months we have been hearing of kings, kingdoms, leaders, what type of people should be elected to parliament. We have been hearing of corruption, drug dealers and that such people should be out of parliament so that we and the generations to come will have a clean society. We look at the past and say we want change – and so we decide whom to vote for. We want a clean and trouble free society – so some people don’t get elected. We want to live with respect, with dignity . We have to be united – so we see agreements  being signed. However these are all temporary . They are man-made. Very soon all get fed up with these systems and then start calling for change. But there is one society, a kingdom in which there is no division, all are equal, no disparity , there is respect for each other, there is sharing, no one is in want, love, justice, and fairness.  It is one which is mentioned in the bible and one that Jesus preached about and cam...

The fiftieth day after the Passover was known as the festival of Pentecost (50). It was a day festival which was celebrated at the end of the barley harvest. It was a joyful time of giving thanks to God. The Pentecost was also the second of the three great Jewish festivals: Passover – freedom of slavery, Pentecost – the anniversary that God gave the Torah and festival of booths – commemorating how the  Israelite's  lived in temporary dwellings in the dessert. All three required to be celebrated in Jerusalem. It is during the Passover and the Pentecost that two important events in the life of the church took place. The death and resurrection of Jesus and the outpouring of the HS upon his disciples – The birth of the church. Both are festivals that have to be celebrated in a grand manner. Pentecost though is a different kind of a celebration. One where we are filled and empowered with the Holy Spirit to go out into the world and witness for Christ. On this...

Dearly beloved in Christ, once again we stand before the open tomb to acknowledge the risen Lord and to celebrate his resurrection in Joy. Easter is the crown of all our festivals as we will not be followers of Jesus if Jesus was a dead God. There are two acts that take place at the resurrection The visitors to the tomb. The first visitor to the tomb of Jesus is Mary of Magdala. Early on the first day while it was dark she goes to the tomb. She sees the tomb stone  rolled  away and comes to the conclusion that the body of Jesus is stolen. She takes the news to the disciples. She expected a close tomb but found it open. She expected a stone in the entrance but found it roled back. She had still not come to faith. She was still in the dark. Mary ran away from the tomb. The two disciples run to the tomb. Both groups are in confusion. Peter and the disciple Jesus loved came running to the tomb.     The disciples whom Jesus loved came first an...

The gospel according to St. Luke gives us a detailed description of Jesus’ infancy. Luke insists that Jesus belongs to the people. Todays Gospel reading presents to us the presentation of Jesus in the temple. Jesus is taken to the temple to be presented. They are also there for the purification. There the parents encounter two people. Two people who have been waiting for a very long time for their great hope to arrive. Simeon and Anna. waiting for God to act. First of all Simeon, who’s described as waiting for the consolation of Israel. He is described as righteous and devout v25. That is, his life was an example. He was a regular worshipper of God. He was open to God speaking to him, and responded when he heard God’s voice. We’re told the Holy Spirit rested on him. Simeon says this salvation is for all peoples. That is for the whole world! The light that Jesus gives will bring revelation to the Gentiles as well as glory to Israel. For two thousand years God’s promise had...

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...