Deal with the Sin in your Tabernacle
By Cleophas Barmasai
Sermon preached at PCEA Macedonia Church on 13 July 2014
First Reading Number 25
Second Reading 6:12 - 18
Ephesians 4
Titus 2:11
God expects that when he He speaks, we obey Him. God orders the oceans no to "go this far" and they obey. He orders the moons and the stars to rotate and move in certain trajectories and they obey. But man is the only one that when God orders sometimes disobeys.
The Word of God is paramount. It is the Law.
The world is governed by laws. Whenever you don't obey a law, you will suffer consequences. The reasobn why you will suffer is not because God does not care about you. It is just because you disobeyed! Indeed, God says in His Word that "My people perish because of lack of knowledge." It doesn't really matter whether you know that there is a law called the "The Law of Gravity." If you jumped from the top of the building, you will crash on the floor and will be injured or even die! The reason why you will suffer is not because God does not care about you. He loves and wants you to be at your best. But if you went ahead and jumped, you suffer.
Is it possible your windows are dirty and everyone including your neighbours appear dirty? Or could it be that your pipe is clogged and can no longer deliver the water where it was to be delivered to? There is a problem when we ask a dog to deliver some meat to a certain place. The dog may eat it on the way, unless it is a totally "transformed" dog!
To be continued...
Tuesday, 15 July 2014
Wednesday, 16 April 2014
Remember the Lord your God
The Kiswahili title for this message is "Jihadhari, usije ukamsahau Bwana, Mungu wako."
It comes out stronger in Kiswahili. I had a chance to share that message on 6 April at PCEA Eastleigh Church.
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Luke 17: 11-19
19 Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. 20 As the nations which the Lord destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the Lord your God.
It is a tragedy that MAN is the only being that defies God. God lays out His command and expects man to obey 100%.
God is the Creator of the expansive universe. He set everything in motion and told the stars and all objects in the universe to be in motion until he tells them to stop. The whole universe obeyed. He created the earth and separated the waters from the land. He told the sea to only "come this far". And it obeyed. He also created man and told gave him His commands. And Lo! He cannot keep His commandments!
I have come to the conclusion that salvation not as easy as many want us to believe. You attract Salvation by the person you have become. It is not something that you merely pursue.
The most valuable things in life are placed on the higher shelf. You cannot get to them unless you qualify. To reach the items that are placed on a higher shelf, we have to step on something. It is the books we read and the people you meet that help you reach those items. Salvation is that way too. You must read His Word and obey to get it. You will need fellow believers to reach it.
We cannot sit and hope we will make it to heaven. We must work out our Salvation "with fear and trembling." It calls on the believer to:-
(a) Be disciplined. Discipline is the ability to make yourself do what you are supposed to do when you should, whether you like doing it or not. A believer must determine to be disciplined otherwise they will not make it to heaven. You have to force yourself to do what you have to do to make it there.
(b) Planning. You cannot just hope that you will make it to heaven. You have to deliberately plan to make it there. We all need a strategy to make it there. Otherwise you will not end up there because even failing to plan is also a plan in itself. You will end up where you didn't want to go if you do not plan your destination.
(c) Have quiet time. Unless you have sufficient time, you cannot be able to hear the voice of God. God only speaks to us as we are listening. We must find sufficient time for our minds to settle and calm down so that we can hear from God. Research as shown that our minds only really calm down and become clear when we settle for at least 25 minutes. Our minds are often like a bucket of water filled with soil. Unless you leave it to settle, the water cannot become clear. We too must find time to settle and listen to Him.
Thanksgiving is one way to remember the Lord. 6 June has been set aside by the Church as Thanksgiving Day. What will you give to the Lord for His goodness towards you?
The 10 lepers were all healed. It is only one that returned to worship. The others did not bother to return to the Lord to give Him glory. Is it possible you have forgotten what the Lord has done for you? Come back to the Lord with a gift to thank Him for what He has done for you.
Jihadhari! Beware lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments. Have you forgotten to keep His commandments? Do you obey Him?
He warns us that if we do not obey Him, He testifies that we will perish. I know we do not want to perish. We will perish, not because He is punishing us for our sins. Rather, our sins will destroy us. The nations that do not obey Him will be destroyed, just the way those who lived in Canaan were destroyed.
Are you obedient to the voice of God? Are you listening to Him? Beware lest you forget the Lord and do not listen to His voice.
It comes out stronger in Kiswahili. I had a chance to share that message on 6 April at PCEA Eastleigh Church.
Readings:
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Luke 17: 11-19
Guiding Text
11 “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today,..19 Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. 20 As the nations which the Lord destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the Lord your God.
It is a tragedy that MAN is the only being that defies God. God lays out His command and expects man to obey 100%.
God is the Creator of the expansive universe. He set everything in motion and told the stars and all objects in the universe to be in motion until he tells them to stop. The whole universe obeyed. He created the earth and separated the waters from the land. He told the sea to only "come this far". And it obeyed. He also created man and told gave him His commands. And Lo! He cannot keep His commandments!
I have come to the conclusion that salvation not as easy as many want us to believe. You attract Salvation by the person you have become. It is not something that you merely pursue.
The most valuable things in life are placed on the higher shelf. You cannot get to them unless you qualify. To reach the items that are placed on a higher shelf, we have to step on something. It is the books we read and the people you meet that help you reach those items. Salvation is that way too. You must read His Word and obey to get it. You will need fellow believers to reach it.
We cannot sit and hope we will make it to heaven. We must work out our Salvation "with fear and trembling." It calls on the believer to:-
(a) Be disciplined. Discipline is the ability to make yourself do what you are supposed to do when you should, whether you like doing it or not. A believer must determine to be disciplined otherwise they will not make it to heaven. You have to force yourself to do what you have to do to make it there.
(b) Planning. You cannot just hope that you will make it to heaven. You have to deliberately plan to make it there. We all need a strategy to make it there. Otherwise you will not end up there because even failing to plan is also a plan in itself. You will end up where you didn't want to go if you do not plan your destination.
(c) Have quiet time. Unless you have sufficient time, you cannot be able to hear the voice of God. God only speaks to us as we are listening. We must find sufficient time for our minds to settle and calm down so that we can hear from God. Research as shown that our minds only really calm down and become clear when we settle for at least 25 minutes. Our minds are often like a bucket of water filled with soil. Unless you leave it to settle, the water cannot become clear. We too must find time to settle and listen to Him.
Thanksgiving is one way to remember the Lord. 6 June has been set aside by the Church as Thanksgiving Day. What will you give to the Lord for His goodness towards you?
The 10 lepers were all healed. It is only one that returned to worship. The others did not bother to return to the Lord to give Him glory. Is it possible you have forgotten what the Lord has done for you? Come back to the Lord with a gift to thank Him for what He has done for you.
Jihadhari! Beware lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments. Have you forgotten to keep His commandments? Do you obey Him?
He warns us that if we do not obey Him, He testifies that we will perish. I know we do not want to perish. We will perish, not because He is punishing us for our sins. Rather, our sins will destroy us. The nations that do not obey Him will be destroyed, just the way those who lived in Canaan were destroyed.
Are you obedient to the voice of God? Are you listening to Him? Beware lest you forget the Lord and do not listen to His voice.
Monday, 17 March 2014
O Lord my God, When I in Awesome Wonder
I can sing this over and over daily...
1. Yetindennyu ak Kamukta-indennyu,
Eechen inne kwongutik che kiiyai
Ak ye ager ya-utikab eung'ung'
Che mitei ng'ony ak kipsengwetisiek....
Alosun kot Jehovah Ya-indet!
I tia Inye! I tia Inye!
Alosun kot Jehovah Ya-indet,
Amu I ka...mukta-indet!
2.Ak ye ageer boisioniguk che eechen
Akwong'e kot amu kimnateng'ung';
Ak ye agas tulosiekab ilotik
Kolosun kot sobondanyu tugul...
3. Ak ye abwat chamyet ne mawalaksei
Ne ki-icham igonu Wering'ung'
Ne kigonyo koyaktaiwech besendo
Ne kiratech eng' tengekwogikyok...
4. Tia boiboiyet ye tun kaweek Laitoriat
Nyo komut bik che 'yani Kaineng'ung';
Ak eng' koigeny kemi tugul koboten
Ak kilosun, Kamukta-indennyo!
17. I TIA INYE!
1. Yetindennyu ak Kamukta-indennyu,
Eechen inne kwongutik che kiiyai
Ak ye ager ya-utikab eung'ung'
Che mitei ng'ony ak kipsengwetisiek....
Alosun kot Jehovah Ya-indet!
I tia Inye! I tia Inye!
Alosun kot Jehovah Ya-indet,
Amu I ka...mukta-indet!
2.Ak ye ageer boisioniguk che eechen
Akwong'e kot amu kimnateng'ung';
Ak ye agas tulosiekab ilotik
Kolosun kot sobondanyu tugul...
3. Ak ye abwat chamyet ne mawalaksei
Ne ki-icham igonu Wering'ung'
Ne kigonyo koyaktaiwech besendo
Ne kiratech eng' tengekwogikyok...
4. Tia boiboiyet ye tun kaweek Laitoriat
Nyo komut bik che 'yani Kaineng'ung';
Ak eng' koigeny kemi tugul koboten
Ak kilosun, Kamukta-indennyo!
Saturday, 8 March 2014
Men ought to pray
Num 9:8 And Moses said to them, "Stand still, that I may hear what the LORD will command concerning you."
Men are stewards of the family. The responsibility of the family is on his shoulder. Moses bore the burden of the children of Israel. It bothered him in the verse above that the men could not participate in Passover. The feast was important one just as Holy Communion is important for every believer.
Moses could have easily opted to "sleep over the issue" or "research the matter" or discuss it further with his co workers or used other humanly possible means to determine what these men should do. But Moses did not do that. Instead he INQUIRED of the Lord.
I think that is important.
Men are faced with many challenges while leading family. The best he can do is bring them before Him and "inquire of the Lord." This is the blessing of being in a prayer meeting just to lift up the challenges we are facing.
Men are stewards of the family. The responsibility of the family is on his shoulder. Moses bore the burden of the children of Israel. It bothered him in the verse above that the men could not participate in Passover. The feast was important one just as Holy Communion is important for every believer.
Moses could have easily opted to "sleep over the issue" or "research the matter" or discuss it further with his co workers or used other humanly possible means to determine what these men should do. But Moses did not do that. Instead he INQUIRED of the Lord.
I think that is important.
Men are faced with many challenges while leading family. The best he can do is bring them before Him and "inquire of the Lord." This is the blessing of being in a prayer meeting just to lift up the challenges we are facing.
Friday, 7 March 2014
GROWN YOU AND NOT YET MATURED
LUKE 15.11-24
“The willingness to forgive is a sign of spiritual and emotional
maturity. It is one of the great virtues to which we all should aspire.
Imagine a world filled with individuals willing both to apologize and
to accept an apology. Is there any problem that could not be solved
among people who possessed the humility and largeness of spirit and soul
to do either -- or both -- when needed?”
Ever had of grown up babies or
big babies for that matter?
Then here we go.
Travel along with me as we
discover these truths, learn and un-learn what is beneficial for us.
Allow ourselves to undergo correctional stages as we proceed.
Holy Spirit of God
take us on this journey.
Definition of the word to GROW
Is to increase in
size, height, quantity or power
MATURE
Complete in natural
development
Ripe with fully
developed process of body and mind
Develop fully.
‘Concise oxford
dictionary’
“Don't you understand that we need to be childish in order to
understand? Only a child sees things with perfect clarity, because it
hasn't developed all those filters which prevent us from seeing things
that we don't expect to see.”
― Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
― Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
KEY WORDS
- A certain man. “God”
- Two sons, one young, “the other old. You and I”
- The young son knew about his inheritance, asked of it and was given
- The old never attempted what the young son did but remained home
- The father without thought divided the inheritance equally to both sons
- The young son took his inheritance, and left home for a far country.
THEME
To know God, Dwell in Him and
walk daily with Him irrespective of the circumstances
The reality of loving God is loving him like he's a Superhero who
actually saved you from stuff rather than a Santa Claus who merely gave
you some stuff.”
INTRODUCTION
The father took it
upon Himself the responsibility of dividing up the wealth equally to both sons.
The young one was so
happy and so planned his journey.
The older one just
received his inheritance and just sat home and never thought of anything.
It is important to
know that though the young son took his cut, he was not skilled or trained in
money management. He had been under his father’s care ever since he was born
He was not versed
with the outside world yet his first destination without thought was a far country.
The most challenge we
lean here was that he was not prepared to handle wealth, had no knowledge in
making of wealth neither did he know how to protect wealth when it comes.
And here he is with
bundles of cash.
Please take note that
the two were sons and not boys, rather they were not only grown us but maturity
was expected of them at least!
Imagine a man with a
National Identity, old enough to get married but does not know how to manage
finances.
It is a disaster if
not terrible.
Verse 13
The young man
gathered up all his belongings and left home.
Think about it and
his father asked him not.
-Outside there he
discovered the ‘good’ that is in the world
-Separated from
father’s watchful eye, guidance and instruction
-Here was first hand
test of his maturity. To determine what he Is made of.
-Indulged in wild
living i.e. practiced and tasted what the life had to offer with minding the
consequences.
Know the Kiswahili
saying ‘ASIYE FUNZWA NA MAMA HUFUNZWA NA….?’
“The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total
responsibility for our attitudes. That's the day we truly grow up.”
― John C. Maxwell
― John C. Maxwell
Remember life is made
up of choices; these choices have consequences in themselves.
Joshua is clear
example of such.
Joshua 24.15 “But if
serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day
whom you will serve, whether the gods of your fore fathers served beyond the
river or the gods of the Ammorites in whose land you are living. But as for me
and my household, we will serve the Lord”.
Verse 14 The
consequences:-
A)
Squandered
wealth
B)
Famine in
the whole country
Famine is an indicator of poor planning, disregard of warning, not
being serious with what you are doing or even crop failure
It is a pointer towards deficiency of the word, the absence of God as
we go back to our own selves or knowledge
It can as we be a warning sign from God of His impending judgment over
sin
Take note that there
was a famine in the country But not at home that he had left
There is fullness in
the presence of the King.
He has promised never
to leave you alone or even forsake you. Hebrews 13.5
In His presence are
no regrets or ‘I wish I knew’
Immediately you start
rolling away from the father vacuums start appearing. No vacuum is a vacuum it
has to find an occupant
The devil is an
expert of filling vacuums.
Mathew 12.43,
occupies empty, swept and garnished room [kj]
He brings short time
pleasures, cares of the world and mostly plays with our senses.
A good case of
reference is Adam and Eve in Genesis 3.5-6.
When out of the
father’s presence we try out so many things and tricks to survive.
Unfortunately one
leads to another, until we are at the brink of collapsing or tearing out.
For the young son, he
desired
to share food with the swine.
This is how low we
slide if we reject the advice of our father who is in heaven
The man could not
contain the pangs of hunger.
This was not his way
of life. May be to him lack of anything or fasting for that matter was alien to
him.
But here he finds
himself in this dangerous and embarrassing situation.
Pig’s food, what a
low state he had deteriorated to.
This is exactly where
sin leads us to. Mpango wa kando seems exitng at first, then the escapades grows
into routine and soon the marriage suffers irreparably or you are infected with
disease [desire to feast with the pigs].
Verse 16
While he was well
off, the company with him kept on growing.
But wait till he had
nothing, the best for him to do was to hung out with the pigs.
Though grown up, but
the attributes exemplified were those of child.
Rather his chief
companions were pigs, neither could speak, guide or even counsel him
Quite contrasting,
the pigs had food yet for him there was nothing.
Today some of us are
at cross roads.
Like the young son,
some big in form, but as light in mind as sponge, maturity is lacking. Here was
a grown up yet not yet matured son.
What a condition?
Listen! you beloved
of God!
God is talking to
someone amidst us today!
Dare you not to miss
out on the Lord’s visitation.
This is a golden
opportunity.
Chance on it and you
will never regret!
Amen!
Verse 17
The son comes to his
senses
Although he does this
forget not that time has lapsed and he is lagging behind in so many things.
Where have you been
and what is it you have engaged in as time transpired?
He is required to do
a catching up.
Allow me to register
that trouble is good sometimes. It brings us back to our senses.
Recall the disciples
in the midst of the storm in a boat that also carried Jesus as he slept.
Luke8.22-25
Just like the young
man, beloved, it is time to retrace our steps.
When you look at how
far we have drifted, you may be tempted to say that yours is a foregone story.
However, this is not
the time to consider the probable or what will people say.
The most important
and also urgent thing is to submit to the lord Jesus Christ.
The lord is merciful
and forgiving, full of grace and love.
Come now come back
home and gain maturity.
This life is yours,
come to your self make up your decision.
It is decision time!!
Halleluiah to Jesus!
May be you never
experienced forgiveness and maturity into adulthood ‘knowing the love of God’
Today you are going
to experience it, Bwana asifiwe sana!
So the young man
makes a 180 degrees turn and goes back home.
And guess what?
His father sees him
afar off.
Beloved this is the
side and nature of God you have admired for long.
Here is the
opportunity!!
Look at the welcome
the young man received in a long long time:-
Verse 20
-
A kiss to a pig
smelling lad which man would dare do this my Jehovah. And this how much the
love of Christ is expressed. Compassion was evidently full in the father’s
face.
-
The best robe, a
description of royalty, recall Joseph Genesis 41.42
-
Rings –Symbol of
authority
-
Sandals
–Achievement of maturity and shedding off of babyhood, higher level.
-
Party-Crowning
off of the new status and demonstration of all and sundry to see and welcome
you in the league of the matured.
The bible declares in Luke 15.7 that there is rejoicing in heave for
just one soul that comes to the lord.
My friend this is what you have been waiting for .the red carpet is
readily
rolled out for your majestic
walking on It.!
Come on take the bold step!
CONCLUSION
You are here and
seems like that describes you.
Proceed on and make
the bold step.
It is time to go back
home
It is time to chime
at maturity
Arise and shine for
the glory of the lord has shone on you
Failure
should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is delay, not
defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end. Failure is something
we can avoid only by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/d/deniswaitl125740.html#X3qxQL3sLrrl6XLP.99
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/d/deniswaitl125740.html#X3qxQL3sLrrl6XLP.99
Wednesday, 19 February 2014
Lord, I'm coming home Part II
- Luke 15:15-19a
- 15 So he went and forced (glued) himself upon one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed hogs.
- 16 And he would gladly have fed on and [h] filled his belly with the [i] carob pods that the hogs were eating, but [they could not satisfy his hunger and] nobody gave him anything [better]. (B)
- 17 Then when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father have enough food, and [even food] to spare, but I am perishing (dying) here of hunger!
- 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.
- 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; [just] make me like one of your hired servants.
- 20 So he got up and came to his [own] father.
- (AMP)
- I don't know about you but thus sounds so familiar to me.
- This young man left home and to a strange land. Be wanted to have fun. He desired to be 'free' from the rules of home! He imagined how exciting it would be to spend and make merry. And that without a boundary!
- So he wandered far away from. He squandered all he had. He forgot that this was limited. How often we get deceived and want away from home. We spend time to get the lusts of the flesh. Then we soon discover it does not satisfy. We feel empty and we dig deeper into wayward living hoping we'll find satisfaction. Then we realize it is an empty cistern we are digging. Often, we will have spend a fortune and much time before we "come to ourselves".
- Lord, I am coming home.
- Let's meditate with the singer on the Chorus.
- Coming home, coming home,
- Nevermore to roam;
- Open wide Thine arms of love,
- Lord, I’m coming home.
- Indeed, let's sing the whole song. Allow the Spirit to minister to you. In which areas have you wandered away from the Lord? Are you roaming away from home? Won't you turn back to Him and repent run into his open arms today--the Father is waiting for you at home. He is ready to welcome you, who is "dead" because you will have come back to life. Come home today.
- Lord, I'm Coming Home | William J. Kirkpatrick
- I've wandered far away from God,
Now I’m coming home;
The paths of sin too long I've trod,
Lord, I’m coming home.- Refrain:
Coming home, coming home,
Nevermore to roam;
Open wide Thine arms of love,
Lord, I’m coming home.
- Refrain:
- I've wasted many precious years,
Now I’m coming home;
I now repent with bitter tears,
Lord, I’m coming home. - I’m tired of sin and straying, Lord,
Now I’m coming home;
I’ll trust Thy love, believe Thy word,
Lord, I’m coming home. - My soul is sick, my heart is sore,
Now I’m coming home;
My strength renew, my home restore,
Lord, I’m coming home. - My only hope, my only plea,
Now I’m coming home;
That Jesus died, and died for me,
Lord, I’m coming home. - I need His cleansing blood I know,
Now I’m coming home;
Oh, wash me whiter than the snow,
Lord, I’m coming home.
Friday, 14 February 2014
Lord, I'm Coming Home!
Luke 15:18-20
This word "home". What is it?
Sweet home.
That word is so sweet. Home.
We have all heard of someone say that "East or West" home is best. We also are familiar with the sentence, " "I feel home sick."
One dreary afternoon, many years ago, my Mum made up her mind. "I am going home." We knew Mum was not happy. Dad had been drinking a lot. Things were not better because he would turn violent. So we got ready and started the trek. No car. It was probably 20 kilometers away. We made it to "home" later that evening just as it was getting dark.
Let's get a definition of the word.
A search of define:home on google yields a useful definition:
home
It is a place where a member of the family or household lives.
Why is home so important for us?
One, home is where we get acceptance. We are confident everyone in our family will accept us. However difficult the members of the family may be, we know that we will be accepted. It is especially important when we know the father will accept you.
Two, we are confident we will get forgiveness at home. The members will understand us and will offer forgiveness if we failed them. If I go home and say I am sorry, they will believe me.
Thirdly, there is someone always waiting for us at home. Mum will call to know when you are going home. Dad will be waiting whenever you make up your mind to go home. Is it any wonder we feel "home-sick"? We will be readily received whenever we go home.
Fourth, is about confidence. My confidence is never diminished when I am home. When we visit other unfarmiliar territories, I may loose my confidence. I may be treated in a way that people think I am a "no-body". But when I am home, my confidence is intact.
Fifth. Fellowship. Don't you miss just going to sit with dad or mum and chatting the whole night? It has happened to me often. We start chatting. It is 7.30pm. We take supper. We chat on. We catch up. We hear the cock crow and we wonder where the time went. We scurry to bed and wake up next day a little late. Then we catch up again more in the day. We have genuine fellowship. It doesn't matter that Dad or Mum spanked you when you were younger. The fellowship is just sweet.
Tomorrow let's explore what happened to the young man we find in Luke 15.
But before I close, I will say this. No matter how far away you have gone, Dad is waiting for you. He will welcome you Home. Sing with me this stanza and chorus. Come back Home today. Repent of your sin and run back into the arms of the Everlasting Father. His hands are wide open to receive you and to take you in...
to be continued...
This word "home". What is it?
Sweet home.
That word is so sweet. Home.
We have all heard of someone say that "East or West" home is best. We also are familiar with the sentence, " "I feel home sick."
One dreary afternoon, many years ago, my Mum made up her mind. "I am going home." We knew Mum was not happy. Dad had been drinking a lot. Things were not better because he would turn violent. So we got ready and started the trek. No car. It was probably 20 kilometers away. We made it to "home" later that evening just as it was getting dark.
Let's get a definition of the word.
A search of define:home on google yields a useful definition:
home
həʊm/
noun
- 1.the place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household."the floods forced many people to flee their homes"
Why is home so important for us?
One, home is where we get acceptance. We are confident everyone in our family will accept us. However difficult the members of the family may be, we know that we will be accepted. It is especially important when we know the father will accept you.
Two, we are confident we will get forgiveness at home. The members will understand us and will offer forgiveness if we failed them. If I go home and say I am sorry, they will believe me.
Thirdly, there is someone always waiting for us at home. Mum will call to know when you are going home. Dad will be waiting whenever you make up your mind to go home. Is it any wonder we feel "home-sick"? We will be readily received whenever we go home.
Fourth, is about confidence. My confidence is never diminished when I am home. When we visit other unfarmiliar territories, I may loose my confidence. I may be treated in a way that people think I am a "no-body". But when I am home, my confidence is intact.
Fifth. Fellowship. Don't you miss just going to sit with dad or mum and chatting the whole night? It has happened to me often. We start chatting. It is 7.30pm. We take supper. We chat on. We catch up. We hear the cock crow and we wonder where the time went. We scurry to bed and wake up next day a little late. Then we catch up again more in the day. We have genuine fellowship. It doesn't matter that Dad or Mum spanked you when you were younger. The fellowship is just sweet.
Tomorrow let's explore what happened to the young man we find in Luke 15.
But before I close, I will say this. No matter how far away you have gone, Dad is waiting for you. He will welcome you Home. Sing with me this stanza and chorus. Come back Home today. Repent of your sin and run back into the arms of the Everlasting Father. His hands are wide open to receive you and to take you in...
11. I've wandered far away from God,
Now I’m coming home;
The paths of sin too long I've trod,
Lord, I’m coming home.
Now I’m coming home;
The paths of sin too long I've trod,
Lord, I’m coming home.
o Refrain:
Coming home, coming home,
Nevermore to roam;
Open wide Thine arms of love,
Lord, I’m coming home.
Coming home, coming home,
Nevermore to roam;
Open wide Thine arms of love,
Lord, I’m coming home.
to be continued...
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