# Children from different classes of Sunday School greeted everyone a Happy Children’s Day.
# BCD Day greetings and message was given by Upa H.Zabiak, Superintendent of BCD.
*Forgiveness of our sins through the sacrifice of Jesus is the greatest blessing that man does not deserve. Being forgiven of our grave sin, we ought to forgive those who do us wrong. Nicki Cruz, one of the worst gangster and murderer, who had been abused by his mother when he was a child, met Jesus during his days as a gangster and later on decided to forgive his mother when she begged for his forgiveness. It is therefore the forgiven, that can forgive, including children, just as they have been forgiven.
# Special No. was given by Nu.Sonkim ( Aman Bei Hinna Tui- Upa H.Zabiak).
# Prayer for the children department was done by Pastor Thuamminlian Guite.
# Children from different classes of Sunday school recited Psalms 121: 1-8.
# Special No. was given by Np. Mary Luanthianching (Agape Iitna).
# Sermon/ Pastor G.Khankham / THOSE WHO HUMBLE THEMSELVES AS LITTLE CHILDREN WILL BE THE GREATEST IN HEAVEN
1 Samuel 2: 26, 1 Samuel 3: 19, Luke 2: 52, I Kings 2: 24,Genesis 37: 1-16 , Matthew 18: 3
1 Samuel 3:18, 19,20- His period of service as a young prophet was unfavourable in the sense that it was the time when there were fewer revelations from God and his guide, the high priest Eli was getting old and was unable to control his two children Hophni and Phinehas. Regardless of his unfavourable situation, Samuel gave his best and was always alert for any revelation from God . This is quite similar to our present situation of lockdown where life could not go on as before such as church, school, working parents leaving the children at home etc; however, with available internet facilities and time at home, children can utilise this time for good by listening to sermons, helping with housework and not engaging in misdeeds at the absence of their parents, and so on. II Kings 2: 24- In the city of Jericho, as Elijah the prophet was on a mission to sanctify the impure waters of the city, 42 children made fun of his bald head, for which he cursed them. Two bears came running from the forest and devoured all the 42 children. Children should be careful and respect God’s ministers and elders lest they be cursed like these children.
The high priest Eli was already very old and his sight had diminished. His two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, took advantage of his father’s weakness by misbehaving in the temple and claiming sacrifice meat which was against God’s law for the priests. Children should be careful to respect temple/ church and anything related to the law of God, and at the same time should not take their parent’s or elder’s weaknesses to an advantage, but rather pray for them and lift them up, as a believer.
The young prophet Samuel was conscious of his mission as a prophet and responded to God’s revelation when Eli instructed him to tell every revelation which he heard from the Lord. Samuel did not hesitate to forward the message of Eli’s plight in front of Eli himself, as long as it is from the Lord. Such dedication to the lord and his word is essential at this time of lockdown, and children need to interpret God’s revelation in their everyday lives and be reminded of God’s grace, mercy, righteousness and reflect on how they spend their everyday lives.
1 Samuel 2: 26- Samuel grew up to be favoured by God and man. It is important for children to grow up like Samuel, favoured by God and man. 1 Samuel 3:19 – The Lord was with Samuel… rather than Samuel going to God and seeking Him, the Lord stayed with Him. Therefore, children ought to be holy, constantly seek God, and make sacrifices so that God desires to walk with them for the rest of their lives. Samuel never let God’s word fall to the ground (1 Samuel 3: 19 b); such was his dedication for God. Children ought to seek God’s word and have a good fellowship with the Lord just like Samuel.
Genesis 37: 8, 19, 23, 25 –Joseph was mistreated and even sold by his brothers who were jealous of him. However, many years later, they begged for Joseph’s help and kneeled before him. Children, who are often short-sighted : without any thoughts for the future, must not mistreat their friends or juniors but treat them with love and kindness as this unjust act can be their worst regret in the future. One point worth noting here is that Joseph did not fight back and thus the Lord brought him justice in the future. As such, if a child happens to be mistreated, they should rather seek the Lord and ask for his justice as God never fails a righteous man.
FORGIVENESS being the church’s topic this year, and on the verge of Children’s Day, children need to learn to ask for forgiveness to whomsoever they have misbehaved or hurt in any way, as being a child, one tends to be short-sighted and act or behave however they wish towards others.
Matthew 18: 3 – Children are one of the most innocent people; they may argue for sometime and play together at an instant. As such, Jesus said, heaven belongs to the kind of people who are innocent and pure minded like the little children. As such, children are precious and should seek the Lord at all times and thus grow into maturity with God in their lives ahead.
# The service was concluded with benediction and thanksgiving by Pastor G.Khankham.
