The first Youth Worship Service got underway with Pastor N. Tuanglang addressing the congregation and introducing the motive of the youth-focused services that are now to be held on Sunday afternoons, which is an effort to better address the spiritual needs of the youth. The Worship Team took the lead in singing hymns and songs of praise, after which Upa N. Chinsum performed the consecration of offertories.
“BYF tulel dinmun,” an account of the status quo of the Baptist Youth Fellowship was presented by the Chairman. The BYF has four major objectives this year: Melthak vaidawnna, which had been organized in August; Tuailai Day, planned for October; Tuailai Camp, schedule for which is being worked out, and Laisiangthou simsuakte kipahman, due at the year’s end.
Mr. Minlian and Ms. Suanching performed a powerful duet, and then it was time for Pastor N Tuanglang to deliver his sermon on the theme “Numei leh Pasal kal a chihtakna”[References: John 17:15-19; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 4:22-24; 2 Corinthians 7:10,11; Ecclesiastes 11:9; Jacob 1:8]. At the end of the sermon, Pastor H Biakson performed the Pastoral Prayer for the congregation, and the service came to a close.
The Pastor’s Sermon
Pastor N. Tuanglang opened his sermon on the significance of the creation of man and woman. While God created beasts and plants and every thing else by commanding “Let there be”, the creation of man was specially thought out, and in fact, even discussed - “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness” [Genesis 1:26]. God took the dust of the ground, moulded it in His image, and breathed Life into the nostrils, and thus Adam was created. However, the creation of Evi differed from Adam’s in that Evi was created using Adam’s rib, and God did not breathe life into her nostrils. This signifies, man and woman were not created separately but came from one body.
Men and women, the Pastor continued, are made to seek each other, need each other, love each other, and complete each other. The bond between a husband and a wife is as strong, if not even stronger, as the bond that either has with his/her parents! It is natural to like and love somebody, because human beings are created to be that way. But, the Pastor cautioned, no one may have feelings towards another of the same gender, for that is a sin! The rib of Adam was not used to bring forth another man; rather it was a woman that God took to Adam, a helper suitable to him [Genesis 2:18]. Only a woman can complete a man, and vice versa.
The Pastor went on to talk about sincerity and righteousness, which are most important in relationship between man and woman. Chastity – to refrain from indulgence, is a treasure worth more than gold, and to be able to take it to one’s partner at the time of marriage is the biggest gift that one can give. To be sincere to and with one’s partner before married life, and in married life, is also a fruit of righteousness. However, the Pastor assured, if any had lost that ability as it is, let him/her not be downcast and get lost, like Judas Iscariot who sinned gravely, quickly repented but got lost, and went the wrong regretful way to end his life. Instead, one must repent and seek the Lord, because the Lord forgives. King David sinned, but repented and went to the Lord. The Pastor ended with the story of a woman caught in the act of adultery to whom Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more.” [Johan 8:11]
Kamlianmung, Content Writer, EBCC Delhi
