Home Cell Guide (18th December 2016)
“Bringing in the Sheaves”! “Bringing in the Sheaves”! That was the Topic for the previous Sunday at All Saints’ Cathedral Nakasero which marked Harvest Sunday. The Preacher Mr. Sam Ewou extracted the Sermon from Leviticus 2:11-16 & Matthew 6:1-4 respectively and focused on being intentional at harvesting which practice gains it’s roots from intentional giving/ planting.
Mr. Ewou pointed out that harvest excites us as Mankind and it is a natural and a God given principle that comes year after year, season after season. The above notwithstanding, harvest ought to be done intentionally – which yields in great harvest and great faith with intentionally working on it and subsequent implementation; which is clearly exemplified in Genesis 8:22: “As long as the earth endures seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” In the same vein, Isaiah 37:30 rightly emphasizes that “There is a year when you will eat what grows by its self, and the second year what springs from that, but in the third year sow and reap, plant vineyards and eat their fruit.”
Christians therefore are called and are duty-bound to intentional giving which targets an Intentional Harvest. Whenever a Christian(s) give for a godly cause, it is never in vain: it always comes back to you. Parishioners must always have a purpose, with the right attitude before
the Lord and to always be thankful to what God has gifted them [1Thessalonians 5:18].
Practical Biblical Examples on Intentional Giving
- God’s free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ who reconciled and redeemed us to God [Jn. 3:16, 1 Jn. 5:11-12]
- Related to the above, the Christmas Gift through The Son of Man who did not come to be served but to serve and gave His life as ransom for many [Mk. 10:45, 1 Pet. 3:18];
- Abraham’s intentional faith of giving up his only son Isaac – which Faith culminated into Abraham being rewarded as a Father of many Nations [Genesis 22:1-19]; and
- The Shunammite woman unwavering faith of the offer of a small room on the roof of the house for Elisha! She was rewarded with a Child! [2Kgs. 4:8-36].
Guiding questions and Prayer Items
- Identify Members of the Cell to clearly read the Scriptures below: 2 Cor. 9:6-11, Gal. 6:7-10, Matt. 6:25-34 and Gen. 4:1-7. What Key lessons do you learn concerning your giving?
- Spend profitable time and moments and share your personal experiences when you have intentionally given for a godly cause and harvested or been rewarded as result of your giving.
- Prayerfully seek God’s Grace and Guidance as a Team [as well as Individuals] to obey His Word concerning intentional giving. You may if time permits identify and reveal Specific Opportunities/ Areas where you would give to glorify His Name.
Revd Canon Erisa Grace Sentongo
Priest in charge Home Cell and Pastoral Care
Tel. Nos. +256 772503180/702503180
Emails: kasawuli2000@gmail.com/kasawuli2000@yahoo.com