JESUS CHRIST, THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA: EDUCATION WITH CHRISTIAN VALUES FOR TRANSFORMATION

Lamentations 3:19-26; 2 Timothy 1:1-14; Luke 17:5-10

Introduction

This is the first Sunday of the tenth month which marks the "World Wide Communion Sunday". Our quest for Christian maturity is practiced in our heartfelt desire to receive communion and its associated blessings. Unfortunately, most of us do participate in the Holy Communion for the sake of others watching meanwhile, many others do not participate at all for one or more activated sins they live in and are not ready to step out.  The most important aspect of Holy Communion is to take hold of God's continuous gracious provisions for ourselves and our relations. We consciously reject God's invitation and still say we have faith in Him.

CHRISTIAN FAITH

Faith, according to the Hebrew writer, "is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." It is the reality that has not been seen. 

It reminds me of a Television advertisement on MTN MoMo in which a woman kept showing "mensa aka! mensa aka!..." (I have received the money) and a boy asked her, "na sika no wc he?" (where is the money?) She does not have the money in hand but believes that she has it.

Faith can be compared to this MoMo advert, I do not have the physical money in my hand but I know I am going to receive it. I have the assurance of hope that what you cannot see is in my hands. Jesus said, "I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24 This is faith.

"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17) There are two voices - the one that builds faith and the other that builds fear. The word that builds faith is "the word of Christ." The word of God sows a seed of faith and develops a connection for us with God. With faith, we are able to reach God's provisional grace.

Faith is not wishful thinking or pretense or an act of daydreaming that something is true. It is not about just claiming but a way of life for the Christian (Habb. 2:4). Faith is taking hold of what the grace of God has freely made available to the Christian.

In Luke 17:1-4, Jesus taught His disciples about temptations to sin and spoke about forgiveness. Then the disciples requested for faith increase. When they heard all the teachings and assessed themselves, they realized it is only by faith one can fulfill these instructions.

Our faith solves life problems.

Christians face tons of problems every moment, not just spiritual, but physical, psychological, and social as well. There are Christians who are jobless, childless, getting disappointment here and there, having financial problems, failures, etc. Without faith, we end up turning to evil alternatives and missing church, and blaming God. It is faith that keeps us firm in the storm waiting on the command of the Master.

Jesus says, with faith whatever we command shall obey us. When we say to the barren be fruitful they shall be. Faith is the solution to life problems.

When we have faithfully served, we are made to understand that, we must not seek pleasantries or applause from people. Many Christians have lost their spirit of commitment to God's work because they felt unappreciated one way or the other. Jesus says, when we have faithfully done what we are commanded, we should say, "We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty" (Luke 17:10) 

Christian leaders are challenged today; which message to preach, which gift to operate in, what to say and to who, etc. because there is more popularity, fame, and money in some than others. When a leader loses faith, they pick and chose just to please people for more followers. Paul counseled, "Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 1:13), and do not be ashamed.

Our Faith Activates Divine Response.

It is the life of faith that brings honour and glory to God, it is this which moves God to act on our behalf. The faithful believe that nothing is impossible with God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. When we exhibit faith, God is moved to bring miracles to us. 

The wise man recounts his afflictions, wanderings, shame, and troubles but remembers the hope in his faith, "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lam. 3:22-23) It is with faith, that we are able to see what no other sees and hope in what no one understands. If God's steadfast love never ceases, I believe, Heaven will speak for you. This month, I prophesy over your life that, a miracle will locate you and give you a testimony. AMEN!

Know this, my dear Christian brother and sister, "The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD." (Lam. 3:25-26) Faith is patience and long-suffering.

Conclusion

Holy Communion is an affirmation of our faith in the gracious provisions of Christ on the cross. When we partake in it we take hold by faith of what the blood of Christ has accomplished on our behalf. We have the assurance that all our sins have been forgiven and we have been redeemed. When we partake of the bread we take hold by faith of what the body of Christ has accomplished on our behalf. We have the assurance that our bodies have been healed. 

The Holy Communion gives us the opportunity to take hold of God’s gracious provisions for our lives by faith. Amen.

Shalom aleichem...