Shalom, Last Sunday our topic was Prepare the Way, Isaiah 40:1-5 and Mark 1:1-8. Through these words God was speaking comfort to Jerusalem, her warfare, pain has come to an end of a painful situation, and her iniquity is pardoned. God had declared double forgiveness [transformation and healing] in totality. What is Christmas to you? As you receive Him this season how do you prepare your heart for Him? how do you prepare for his coming? Kevin doing said, the good news of Christmas is for those who are tired of seeing bad news. As a father and mother the good news to you is that there should be peace in your home and not fights. The bad news in our society today is corruption but to you as a child of God the good news should be to pray and live a transformed lifestyle. As a child of God, desist from seeking bad news today but rather desire is to seek for good news in this land.
In Mark 1:3-4, John preached about the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins [the gospel of the kingdom is about repentance of sin]. Many people in our society today don’t preach the message of repentance, what they emphasise on are miracles, claiming false
prosperity which is deception of the highest order. Note: any teacher who doesn’t emphasise the aspect of repentance is a false teacher. Most people desire a message that is appealing to them than the message of repentance. The good news is not about healing, wealth, acquiring Visas though they are important, they will all pass away but the one that will not pass away is the Word. I would rather have Jesus Christ than anything else because He will give us eternal life even as he guides you every day and every moment of your life.
Brethren as you prepare for Christmas; repentance is the heart of the message. When Jesus Christ came, he fulfilled what john the Baptist had talked about, for he preached repentance. Today we need to call upon the LORD to forgive us. Where we have strayed and not lived according to his standards, ask him to forgive you. John the Baptists call focused on
preparation for the way of one who was to come after him and therefore to prepare in repentance. John the Baptist talked about Christ who is Almighty and the King of Kings and not he as a forerunner like some are talking about themselves. Time has come for you to stand out and say No to ungodliness and false gospel. Much as Jesus Christ is the son of God, He did not demand honour neither did He tell anyone else to respect Him but today we are here because of Jesus Christ. He humbled Himself in order to fulfill that promise of eternal life. May the LORD help us to prepare our hearts and live to receive Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour because He is the reason for Christmas.
Guidelines and Questions
1) What does Christmas mean to you as an Individual, Family, Cell, Church and Nation?
2) In what aspects of your life is the Lord saying “prepare the way” for me to come?
3) Prayerfully ask Jesus Christ to reign as King of Kings in your life.
More study helps; Matt 20:28
Rev. Patrick Kamara
Priest in Charge: Home Cell and Pastoral Care
0772482433/0754 482433 /0753922448