The Sunday Worship Service commenced with the reading of the Bible from the Book of 1 John 3:1; 4:10, and an opening prayer led by Htp. Thangkhankhual, followed by Praise & Worship. The offertory was dedicated by Upa Khamkhanpau Guite. The segment concluded with a special no. in the form of a song, ‘You Needed Me’ sung by Lia Sylvia Sanmawi.
The day’s sermon was given by Pastor Dr Suankhanhau Gualnam on the topic of ‘Christ’s Representative’, basing his teachings off of the Book of Colossians. In particular, he took from chapter 3, verses 1 through 17, and split them into 4 parts, 1-4, 5-11, 12-14, 15-17.
The first part of the sermon, verses 1 through 4, is about calling to mind our duties as Christians. Not to become complacent and worldly, but rather, seeking out the heavenly things.
Then verses 5 to 11 talk about putting to death the worldy things, “fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). “ The old self, with all its anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language, has been stripped off, and in the renewed self, “which is being renewed in knowledge, according to the image of its creator, no longer has Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!” (Paraphrase)
Verses 12 to 14 talk about putting on certain qualities, which sensibly follows after stripping off. The verses talk about clothing ourselves with “compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” There is no ‘you’ or ‘I’, but ‘we’, which is bound together in perfect harmony through love.
The final part of the sermon, verses 15 to 17, lets us know that the peace of Christ is in us. It tells us to let the word of Christ dwell in us, and instructs us to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God our Father.
The utter supremacy of Christ: this is the message of Colossians for the global church. Above all human wisdom and tradition, Christ stands forth as preeminent over all and sufficient for all. In him “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3).
The final peroration of the sermon was followed by praise & worship , and the benediction was given by Upa T Roumuan, concluding the service program.
