11am service-
To begin with, The Worship Team led the congregation in worship and mass prayer, shortly after which offertories collected as an aid for the Nepal earthquake victims were blessed by Elder Kaithang. As done on every first Sunday of the month, The Pastoral Prayer by Pastor Biakson soon followed. Pastor Nenglian was the speaker of the first service. The service ended with a song led by The Worship Team and the benediction by Elder Tuanmuanthang.
To begin with, The Worship Team led the congregation in worship and mass prayer, shortly after which offertories collected as an aid for the Nepal earthquake victims were blessed by Elder Kaithang. As done on every first Sunday of the month, The Pastoral Prayer by Pastor Biakson soon followed. Pastor Nenglian was the speaker of the first service. The service ended with a song led by The Worship Team and the benediction by Elder Tuanmuanthang.
THE SERMON:
The Downhill Of Life On Low Land And The Goodness of GOD
Opening Question : Are the hardships of life on earth pre-planned by God? Are these difficulties meaningless?Are we living a life of love? Are we living according to the Master's plan? What is the fruit of overcoming our difficulties? What can I do for the society?
We live in a world of problems and difficulties. What happens next door or around affects us thereby making it hard to decide what's right and what's wrong. Cruelty and inhuman killings and then death caused by floods, suicide and then death sentences... Are these planned by GOD? What do you and I have that could change the society? Have you ever wondered if it's time to take the initiative to bring about positive changes in the society and not point fingers on others? And what do you think of the questions posed? Are Hardships God-Given or Are Hardships not God-Given? It becomes very easy to misunderstand God's plans:-
Some tend to think that God doesn't know anything about what is happening in and around the world, in our lives etc. and that HE is unjust.
Now why are we even living in a world of pain, suffering and difficulties then!!!???
1. God has planned every bit of everything! ( 2 Tim. 1:9 ) Things happen so that God's eternal plan would be realized.
2. Cursed is the ground by GOD and so there is suffering, turmoil and toiling, good things as well as bad and tempting things..We have the freedom to choose yet God wants us to follow the right discretion. ( Phil. 3: 8, Genesis 3, Romans 8:18)
3. Cruelty in the world was a necessity for Jesus to be killed for our sins. ( Romans 5:8,Acts 4:28)
Difficulties, problems, wickedness and cruelty are in fact a default factor in this world that we are living in. Problems are inevitable in this journey called LIFE. And As Christians, it is our duty to stand firm on the promises of God and find a silver lining in every hard situation through His love. " For what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later." - Romans 8:18
The More The Difficulty, The More Closer You Are To The Kingdom Of GOD...
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2.30pm Service-
The Fresher's welcome programme started with praise and worship led by The Music Department of the Baptist Youth Fellowship (BYF) . Chinglunman Guite was the co-ordinator, recording was done by Gracie Munluah. Offertories were blessed by Elder Kamsuanthang. A short and warm welcome speech by The BYF Chairman soon followed. Freshers gave a quick introduction of themselves. The RKpuram youth(s),The Mohammadpur youth(s) and Miss Chinglunkim presented special numbers. A prayer for the freshers was done which was led by the Evan. Dept. As per records, there are 41 freshers as on August 2, 2015. Elder Ngulminthang delivered an inspirational speech on behalf of EBCC. This was followed by a quick highlight of the Tuailai 2015 scheduled to be held between December 5- December 8 at Gospel Centenary Hall in New Lamka, Manipur. Pastor Biakson was the speaker of the service. The service ended with a benediction by Elder Khamkhanpau Guite.
THE SERMON
DIFFICULTIES : A BOON
BIBLE VERSE: "And Joseph said to them, ' Fear not for am I in the place of God?' But as for you, ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. " - Genesis 50: 19-20
Opening Line : The low moments of life are by far much instrumental in shaping a man for good than the high(s).
-> Joseph belonged to a broken family.
-> Joseph faced false accusations and much embarassment. He was jailed for the same.
-> Joseph while in jail befriended untrustworthy and fake friends. He was forgotten and ditched by his friends.
However, God did not forget Joseph.
Had not Joseph been from a broken family:-
1. He would not be sold to the Ishmaelites.
2. He would not be sold to Potiphar as a household slave.
3. He would not be jailed due to false accusations.
4. He would not have got the chance to interpret the dream(s) of Pharo's workers nor Pharo's dream.
5. He would not have become the Prime Minister of Egypt.
The challenges faced by Joseph proved beneficial for him in the long run.
CONCLUSION - Difficult situations can be a boon when coupled with God's strength!!!
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By- Sylvia Vungsanmawi
Content Writer, Media Team
Content Writer, Media Team
