The service began with an invocation to the Almighty by worship leader Thangkhanhau. A heartfelt praise and worship session ensued and at the end of it, Upa Kamsuanthang dedicated the offerings to the Lord.
Pastor Lamkhanthang welcomed the first timers to the church service. In a call to prayer, he urged the congregation to uphold the upcoming (i) BYF camp in August and speaker for the event, Evan Lianding Guite (ii) Women’s Bible camp in October and the speaker, Rev. Kamchinkhup (iii) Renewal programme on 28 July 2024 and (iv) seek God’s protection for our people and land. Thereafter, mass prayer followed.
Pastor then took up Bible study on Galatians 2:11-21 (Lessons 8 & 9 of Hilhchianbu). After explaining the background of the passage, he spoke about Paul’s admonition of Peter (Cephas) in Antioch. Paul had boldly opposed him for his hypocrisy in separating himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. In this matter, other Jews had joined him and even Barnabas was led astray. When Paul saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the Gospel, he questioned Peter in front of them all. Drawing out important spiritual lessons here, Pastor stressed the need to speak out the truth and admonish one another, when needed, for the purity of the church and to ensure that the Gospel is not polluted. He also said that admonition given at the right place will have the desired impact. Believers need to live out the truth of the Gospel in their lives so that they are steadfast in their faith and do not go astray from it. Men of great faith can stumble but leaders need to be steadfast so that they don’t cause others to stumble or be led astray. Taking an example from Peter, he said that when we fear others more than God or value people or things more than God, we have started to stumble/go astray. He exhorted the congregation to measure themselves by the Gospel so that they walk uprightly.
Expounding on justification by faith in Jesus Christ and not by the works of the law, Pastor warned of the danger of equating salvation with works or bringing in the element of works to justification by faith. Jesus would not have to die if salvation can be obtained by works of the law. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, we are dead to the law but alive in Christ. Salvation cannot be attained through strength, power, baptism, gift/offerings, natural goodness and works of the law but only through faith in Jesus Christ. Our faith may be small or weak but is sufficient for salvation. In summing up, Pastor urged the congregation to examine their lives through the Gospel, fear God above all and walk uprightly, and receive forgiveness/justification through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
After the last hymn was sung, Upa Zabiak closed the service with a benediction.
