EXCERPT FROM 2ND AREA WITNESSES CONVENTION HELD BETWEEN FRI.6TH—SUN .8TH SEPT.2013@ GBAGADA DISTRICT CENTER.THE THEME: YE ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH (MATT.5:13). TAC Congregational Hymnal: 399. Scriptural Reading: I Pt. 1:13-25 Message starts exactly 10:35 AM The preacher mounts the pulpit boldly for the day’s grand finale message and starts off with, “I’m so glad that Jesus loves me,” which powerfully rends the atmosphere, windows of many ears and force open the doors of many yearning hearts. Expectedly, the preacher follows up from the theme of the youth convention: “YE ARE THE SALT: CHARACTERISTICS OF CHRISTIAN AS THE SALT OF THE EARTH DIVIDED INTO 4 PARTS: Salt’s colour is white which symbolizes holiness—I Pt. 1:15-16. Salt’s texture is distinctive—I Pt 2:9.” Explaining further, salt is unlike ashes if you test the two, one will dissolve quickly in the water while the other will stay afloat. “Salt has taste which is sweet and where we have salt, its tasteful and sweet either in soup or water (Mk. 7:50; Lk. 14:34). Salt is durable can stay long but not everlasting and likewise human. Salt is able to resist wear or decay (Rev. 2:6).” He then begins to analyse and appraise the implications and practical application of these characteristics to life situations starting from number one characteristics. For him salt signifies what is white and pure and as well has a distinctive physical rays and reflections. Further asks a puzzling question whether believers who put on white clothes can truly boast they are holy and pure inwardly which can be fully attest to in the workplace, home, school etc. “White colour suppresses all other colours and the rays of white are light which overshadow other competing colours. Therefore, white is superior to other colours,” he logically maintains. He urge Christians to go into the world and shine as light and shun all forms of unholy attitudes and sharp practices prevalent in the world which are detrimental to God’s intended plans. He says further stunningly, we can indeed live a holy life provided we allow the light of God to shine in us, through us and ultimately with the help of the Holy Spirit. He points the attention to the book he read titled: “Living a holy life is possible,” recounting the lessons gained which can be of valuable help to believers. He therefore enjoins all to reflect and radiate light and taste sweet like salt in all spheres of life. He moves to the second characteristics which affirm the distinctiveness of salt, and goes ahead to challenge believers to strive to be different and distinct wherever they find themselves making illustration of salt and ashes pour in water and through observation the salt dissolves instantly while the ashes stays afloat regardless of the experimental methodology deployed. According to him, the texture of salt is neither light nor weak but heavy; likewise believers must not show acts, signs of weakness, vulnerability and fragility in the face of juicy and tasty offers put forward by the devil. He holds that believers should allow the holy spirit build them, fortify them as priest called out of darkness into marvelous light to manifest what is distinct and different. He moves to the third characteristics which dwells richly on the taste and influential impart of salt when it’s added to either soup or water, challenging believers to always be an agent of positive change, comfort, peace, happiness in their chosen endeavours and society. Furthermore, for him, believers’ attitudes and conducts must exude sweetness like salt that douses every bitterness and sour taste and consequently attracts unbelievers to Christ. Straight to the fourth characteristics which centers on the durability of salt backing it up with Revelation 2:6, he strongly beseech parents to always follow Jesus’ example by upholding the truth and frowns at bad deeds, attitudes or wrong conduct of their children hence reproving and rebuking them when necessary to bring them to the right track. In spite of overwhelming situations or conditions believers should not compromise truth. For him salt maintains its integrity, durability and feasibility universally and likewise believers should endeavour to maintain their saltiness everywhere and implores the participants to storm out after the convention and reflect light and add flavor as salt to the world. He preacher then rounds up the sermon with a text from the book of Matthew 5:13, reiterating that believers are the salt of the world and ends it with, I’m so glad Jesus loves me song. (Message stops at 11:50 AM and altar calls follows immediately).
Posted on: Mon, 09 Sep 2013 15:07:05 +0000
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