Pastor N. Tuanglang administered pastoral prayer for the congregation and the Sunday offering was dedicated by Upa Thiankhanmuan before Pastor H. Biakson took the pulpit.
The sermon was a fusion of the virtues of honesty and true fatherhood
Jesus revealed about the existence of the river of living water to a Samaritan woman who went to a well to draw water. Breaking the contemporary norms and practices in the Jewish society, Jesus asked for a drink. The woman from the lower strata of society, who was not accompanied by any male companion, was surprised.
That’s the scenario Jesus had chosen to introduce the Gift (of God) that came by grace.
The water drawn from the world would make one thirsty again and can cleanse the outer body while Jesus offers a spring that gives eternal life and quenches thirst for ever.
The Jewish tradition says that a water body with fronts for inflow and an outflow is life giving while stagnant water is dead. Jesus suitably built an allegory to propagate about the need of spiritual life for the dispensing of which He walked on earth. He had not been glorified and known as much as he was post His glorious entry in Jerusalem and resurrection from death.
The living water is meant for the Jews, the Gentiles and the Samaritans (who carried the stigma of being an unclean race). The loose living woman from Samaria already had or lived like husband-and-wife with five men.
The living water, however, has a general application i.e. for all who is thirsty. Free of cost.
How to get it?
The woman exhibited her thirst for such water, she didn’t hide it (St John 4:15-19). And Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
THE REBUILDING IN HONESTY THROUGH FATHERHOOD. Scriptural references: Gen 6:8-10; 22:17-18; 6:8, 9&22; Hebrews 11:7; Exodus 20:5; Isaiah 38:1; Job 1:5; Ephesians 6: 4; Diut. 11:19; Phil 1:27; and Matthew 6:33.
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. Hebrews 11:7
Husband/father/head of the family is the progenitor, the protector, the instructor and the priest.
As stated by the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:27 - Whatever happens conduct yourselves in the manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ. Then whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel, the Pastor wished the congregation to have the blessing to seek the kingdom of God first and foremost.
Benediction: Upa Goukhangin
Announcements:
- Resolution to construct toilet block, caretaker’s quarter, purchase of bike for Assistant Pastor, etc in the governing board’s meeting on Saturday, the 2nd April, 2016.
- Invitation from EBCC Central Delhi relating to observance Thanks Giving Ceremony to be observed at Christ Methodist Church, 1, Butler Road, Tis Hazari from 2 tp 4 pm on 24 April, 2016
