- The worship service started with the Pastor’s invocation prayer and the worship session was led by the worship team. During which the offerings were collected andblessed by UpaKhamkhanpau. Thus, the end of the worship session.
- While calling to worship Pastor H. Biakson made an introduction to guests who have joined the congregation for the first time and including Mr.HelienSingsit a missionary from FMPB (Friends Missionary Prayer Band). He also made special mention of Remmawi and Sylvia who were able to join the service after a long gap due to illness.
- The pastor invited missionary HelienSingsit for a short sharing. Missionary HelienSingsit from FMPB (Friends Missionary Prayer Band) had two parts in his sharing. The first about his life mission as a gospel and purpose of the mission church. That we are not there to sow the seeds of Christ but to take the harvest. Each and every individual in Christ should spread the word of God as much as possible. And the second one about his family and personal experiences. The evangelism of his daughter was found to be very inspiring and well taken by the congregation.
- Then Pastor took to the pulpit to start the Sunday school teaching with Chapter 15 (Sinlai 15) John 7:1- 36.
Highlights of today’s lesson: He started with a short revision of the main points from the previous lesson in a refreshing way. Then he started today’s Sunday school lesson listing the key verses of the lesson. He also led the congregation to read the key verse in unison
Jesus answered, “my teaching is not my own. It comes from Him who sent me.” (John 7:16)
- Jesus kept himself away from Judea and remained in Galilee. (v.1-4)
- He waited for his appointed time. (v. 6-9)
- He was criticised, even by his own family members. (v. 4,5)
- He boldly countered the religious leaders and dared to be testified about His teachings. (v. 16-24)
- He did not say anything to glorify the self but all for the glory of His heavenly father. (v. 28, 29)
Application from today’s lesson:-
- Jesus kept himself away from the public eye and kept a low profile. It tells us that we as Christians need to keep away from certain issues which may harm us and also against our faith in God. (1 Timothy 6:20,21)
- Jesus’s decision to wait for his appointed time shows how in our lives should also know our time and place for everything so that we can be good Christians and be of value for society.
- Jesus believed wholeheartedly in his principles and beliefs even when his own family criticised him. His belief showed how we as Christians in our very lives may be tempted to do things (which may seem not harmful enough but enough to break our Christ like living) but should stay intact and faithful to our beliefs. And we should continue to pray for strength to be wise and do things in praise of our heavenly Father.
- Jesus kept to his faith and God’s teachings given to him shows us how as Christians we may also come across leaders and idols who may be powerful and charismatic in their ways but are not Christ-like in their ways. We should shun those figures in our lives and run away from it. Because evil lurks in the sweetest of words but God’s words should always be kept alive in our hearts as we continue to grow in him.
- Throughout Jesus’s teachings and his life. He suffered much but not to glorify himself but for God. This fundamental lesson of Christ life teaches us that we may have much suffering and more to come but our eventual prize at the end which is an ever lasting peace with God in heaven is what awaits us. Hence, why we as Christians should not live a life compromising in our beliefs but take wise careful decisions to not mar our heavenly prize.
The Pastor gives a new take on the lesson telling us to always stand by our Christian faith even when distractions may surround us. To pray for strength and to always remain alert for the Kingdom of heaven may come down upon us in the most unexpected time. Even when we feel like no one understands us Jesus is there as our faithful companion who knows what is making us suffer. We can pray to Him. He may not take away our burdens right away but Jesus is there with us suffering together with us in our life’s journey. So let us be brave and shun evil doings like how Jesus did. And sing praise to the Lord for giving us the strength to overcome the evil.
The Pastor ends the lesson with a verse from Hebrews 2:28.
The service is closed by UpaThangkhosiam with benediction.
By Bliss Ningnem, Content Writer
