Congregation Worship: 4th Jan 2014
The first Sunday worship service of the year started with the local Pastor reading a passage from Sam: 90. Upa Chinsum and his worship team led the church in singing praises of uplifting hymns. The offerings collected in the meantime were dedicated by Upa Thangkhosiam Tonsing.
Pastoral Prayer: The service continues with the monthly pastoral prayer, where Pastor V. Nenglian give thanks, ask guidance, seek blessings for all members to the Almighty. He challenged the churchgoers to never cease to ask God’s blessing for He will not disappoint.
Today’s Pastor Message: The topic selected for the day was “Good Work”. Much of the sermon was based and explained through the message of Apostle Paul to the Ephesians (Eph 2:10)
- The definition of “Good Work” varies among people and society. Although its subjectivity and distinction can be at variance, certain basic definition holds true and common. Certain society and religious organizations such as Methodist and Catholicism defines Good work as a corporation of good mercy and good work. Common in most definition includes feeding the hungry and the thirsty, providing clothes and shelter to those in need, empathize with ignorance of others, forgive those that wrong us, help the sick and needy, etc and goes as far as opposing human slavery.
Our congregation, EBC Church, on the otherhand does not provide definitive list on what constitutes good work. For the most part, Good work is explained with a simplistic view of “following what the Bible says” without much in-depth analysis.
Doing what the lord seeks of us and following the teaching of Jesus is a step in trying to define good work for a believer. A man, referring to Jesus as the good teacher, asked Jesus what other good work he must fulfill, given that he had followed the 10 commandments, to have an everlasting life. Jesus explained that the only Good Teacher is the Father in Heaven and it is from Him that all good exist. Jesus asked the person to drop all his worldly possession and to follow him. The man could not.
Doing good work does not guarantee salvation. Neither is good work a factor in redemption. Rather Salvation through Christ enables us to do good work. We must seek salvation and be a born-again Christian so that the good work that we are to perform will have meaning and purpose. We must sanctify ourselves to do good work (Tim 2:21). A born again Christian is ready for the good work.
If good work is done to impress the local Pastor and/or the Deacons, then the motive itself is wrong. Our concept of good work greatly differs from the Hindu concept of karma. Our good work is of duty and purpose done because Christ is in us.
The pastor invites and encourages the congregation to take advantage of the opportunity and blessings bestowed to members of EBC Chuch Delhi and use it to do more, give more, work more towards the church and its people through the good work of Christ Jesus.
The service ends with a closing prayer and benediction from Upa L Ngulminthang
Highlights of next worship service:
- EBCC Delhi Year Plan to be announced on Sunday during worship service - 11am Jan 11th 2015
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By- Khupminlian Hanghal
Media Team, EBCC Delhi
