Reconciled521/FBC
By gideon macgovern
Reconciled521/FBCFeb 02, 2022
Walking in the Light (1 John 1_ 5-10) Sermon by Frank Lerumo
Expository Sermon series from Florida Baptist Church South Africa.
Running the Eternal Race to Win (Hebrews 12:1-2) by Gideon Macgovern Mpeni
An Expository sermon preached at the REAP Conference 2022
There are many who start so well in their walk of faith but yet they do not finish so well.
The eyewitness News by Frank Lerumo
A New Year sermon series from Florida Baptist Church
What is the true spirit of Christmas (Luke 1:46-56) by Frank Lerumo
As we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is easier to become so dull and indifferent and even be caught up with a worldly notion of what this season is about.
We can as well fall into the trap of misunderstanding the essence of it.
Take time and listen as Pastor Frank Expounds from the Word of God looking at Mary's Magnificat and the timeless truths entrenched in this song and how its implications must birth in us a Joyful and Jubilant response..
What will enable us to Stand firm? - The Love of God ... (2Thess.2:13-15) by Frank Lerumo
In the midst of false teaching, trials and tribulations of this world, what will make us stand firm?
Listen to this sermon preached on the 4th December 2022
Spirit Filled Family: Leaving a Gospel Legacy (Eph.6:4) by Gideon Macgovern Mpeni
Paul gives a charge to Parents in this passage (Ephesians 6:1-4) and there are two commands one in negative then another in positive.
First the negative command and then the positive. The negative was necessary because in the ancient culture of both Gentile and Jewish households, the father often ruled the family in a rigid and domineering manner, with little concern for the desires and welfare of the wife and children.
The gospel changed these Gentile fathers, and Paul reminds them of their new way of living now possible because of the filling and empowerment by the Holy Spirit.
They are to throw off the filthy garments of the old man they used to be in Adam and put on the new garments of righteousness they now are in Christ.
The Duty of a Spirit filled Husband (Part 4): His Sanctifying Love (Eph.5:22-33) by Gideon Macgovern Mpeni
Ephesians 5 Sermon Series
The Duty a Spirit filled Husband: Sacrificial Love (Eph.5:22-33 - Part.3) by Gideon Macgovern Mpeni
The third in the Ephesians 5 Sermon Series on the Marks of a Spirit Filled Husband.
God is the author of Human relationships. He has established laws in relationships that have not changed with the passing of time.
To violet God-ordained relationship principles in the family is to invite disaster.
Jesus is the Lord of all believers whether they are at Church or at work.
The Kingdom of God is, in fact, the rule of God in every area of life, including the church, the home, workplace, and neighborhood.
To ignore these truths when entering any sphere is to do so at one’s demise.
Africa must also nurture and defend the biblical idea of family.
Biblically speaking, marriage is a permanent and exclusive union of one man and one woman. On this foundation, tough though it is to maintain, strong families and nations can be raised.
Of course it cannot be sustained without a spirituality that mandates love above lust, submission as the secret of greatness, meekness as the source of glory, and service as the path to power.
But how is it faring in the community that has the greatest reason to uphold it?
The Bible commands the church, after all: “Let marriage be held in honor among all” (Heb. 13:4); and the gospel depends on such: “This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it [marriage] refers to Christ and the church” (Eph. 5:32).
How is the church doing with respect to marriage?[1]
Redeeming of Headship and Submission
When sin entered the world, it ruined the harmony of marriage (see Genesis 1–3).
Not because it brought headship and submission into existence, but because it twisted man’s humble, loving headship into hostile domination in some men, and into lazy indifference in others. And it twisted woman’s intelligent, willing submission into manipulative obsequiousness in some women, and into brazen insubordination in others. Sin didn’t create headship and submission; it distorted them and inclined them toward being ugly and destructive.
Now if this is true, then the redemption we anticipate with the coming of Christ is not the dismantling of the original, created order of loving headship and willing submission, but a recovery of it from the ravages of sin. And that’s just what we find in Ephesians 5:21–33.
[1] Collin Smothers - https://cbmw.org/2020/07/30/marriage-in-rapid-decline-even-among-evangelicals/
https://fb.watch/gfpYI3lvWa/
The Duty of a Husband (Ephesians 5:22-33) by Gideon Macgovern Mpeni
The Spirit Filled Husband has one divine duty - to Love His Wife...
The Marks of a Spirit filled Husband (Ephesians 5:22-24) Part.1 Gideon Macgovern Mpeni
Ephesians 5 Expository sermon series by Gideon Macgovern Mpeni, senior Pastor of Florida Baptist Church in Roodepoort, Johannesburg South Africa
Submission as a mark of a Spirit filled wife (Ephesians 5:22-24) Gideon Macgovern Mpeni
Coming to the end of the Ephesians 5:22-24 sermon series we come to affirm as it is stated in the Danvers statement that distinctions in masculine and feminine roles are ordained by God as part of the created order, and should find an echo in every human heart (Gen 2:18, 21-24; 1 Cor 11:7-9; 1Tim 2:12-14).
We there echo as a body of believers that;
1. Both Adam and Eve were created in God's image, equal before God as persons and distinct in their manhood and womanhood (Gen 1:26-27, 2:18)
Therefore ,
WE AFFIRM that God has designed marriage to be a covenantal, sexual, procreative, lifelong union of one man and one woman, as husband and wife, and is meant to signify the covenant
love between Christ and his bride the church.
WE DENY that God has designed marriage to be a homosexual, polygamous, or polyamorous relationship. We also deny that marriage is a mere human contract rather than a covenant made
before God.
And to that end,
WE AFFIRM that God’s revealed will for all people is chastity outside of marriage and fidelity within marriage.
WE DENY that any affections, desires, or commitments ever justify sexual intercourse before or outside marriage; nor do they justify any form of sexual immorality.
We submit to the testament of the Word of God that the Fall introduced distortions into the relationships between men and women (Gen 3:1-7, 12, 16).
o In the home, the husband's loving, humble headship tends to be replaced by domination or passivity; the wife's intelligent, willing submission tends to be replaced by usurpation or servility.
o In the church, sin inclines men toward a worldly love of power or an abdication of spiritual responsibility, and inclines women to resist limitations on their roles or to neglect the use of their gifts in appropriate ministries.
This we state while maintaining that distinctions in masculine and feminine roles are ordained by God as part of the created order, and should find an echo in every human heart (Gen 2:18, 21-24; 1 Cor 11:7-9; 1 Tim 2:12-14).
We Give Praise to God for His Sovereign Grace that we know that redemption in Christ aims at removing the distortions introduced by the curse.
o In the family, husbands should forsake harsh or selfish leadership and grow in love and care for their wives; wives should forsake resistance to their husbands' authority and grow in willing, joyful submission to their husbands' leadership (Eph 5:21-33; Col 3:18-19; Tit 2:3-5; 1 Pet 3:1-7).
o In the church, redemption in Christ gives men and women an equal share in the blessings of salvation; nevertheless, some governing and teaching roles within the church are restricted to men (Gal 3:28; 1 Cor 11:2-16; 1 Tim 2:11-15).
Therefore it's not true, as some feminists charge, that Christianity is anti-female and horribly oppressive to women. In fact, nothing has elevated the status and value of women as biblical Christianity.
What are the Marks of a Spirit filled wife? (Ephesians 5:18-22) by Gideon Macgovern Mpeni
The Need for a Spirit filled Marriage is crucial and essential before the watching World. And if any marriage is to survive and stand against the wisdom, the schemes and the tactics of Satan, it must be a union that finds its strength, sanity, dignity, delight and devotion in God, the Father, Son and the Spirit – who designed this union - discharged its duties and declared it – “It is very Good!”
But let us sit back – Look at the tapestry – the once beautiful picture frame
- Moments captured and memories shared in all laughter and happiness
- A Place where love and humility were paraded in melodies of Christmas Carols and harmonies of the Psalms, Songs, Hymns and Spiritual songs (5:19)
- A place where the virtues of wisdom were on great display – with wives dressed in virtues of the Proverbs 31 women – and men who feared God like the Psalm 128 man – where both in unison walked in the Awe of God and declared – Unless the Lord builds the house they labour in vain those who build it (Psalm 127)
- All that Shattered as by Satan – Sin and the World!
No one needs to prove to us that we may be watching the death of the germ cell of civilization, the family. All the signs are abundantly clear all around us. We could drag out all kinds of statistics to indicate the dire situation of the families in our culture. We are all constantly looking at the parade in the media of divorce, sexual rebellion, abortion, sterilization, delinquency, infidelity, homosexuality, women’s liberation, children’s rights, and so on. That has been continually paraded for us for the last 10 or 20 years.
We are watching the formation of the rope that strangles the family to death.
- And many, frankly, are gladly carving out the tombstone for the family, and really, doing it happily.
- Many have join the tag of war pulling the either side – wanting to win the fight for their personal rights – Wives
The Outcry and the onslaughts are not new, for the enemy is using the same modus Oparadi – Attack the family – disturb every element of life.
More bizarre experimentation and wide spread perversion.” A frankly frightening picture and we are watching it being painted right before our very eyes. There is no question about the fact that the family is under a major assault that people want to redefine family in absolutely any terms they want.
There is no question that we are watching a generation of young people rising up who have no socialization skills and no moral sense at all.
- There is chaos. There is murder, there is crime at a rampant level.
- There is even pleasure in shooting people incidental to you, just for the sheer thrill of killing.
THE WORLD IS IN A DILEMA
Sociologists, psychologists, analysts and so called marriage and family experts, psychiatrists and all the rest are scrambling all over the place to try to come up with some kind of solution, and they have been doing that now for a couple of decades with absolutely no impact on the slide.
Nothing that they are doing seems to slow down the process of the disintegration of human relationships at the very core of life which is the family. You can tamper with society in a lot of places, but if you destroy the family, you destroy society.
The first member who was and continues to be under attack is the woman, we must understand her mission as ordained by God
Christ's Gracious invitation (Matthew 11:28-30) by Frank Lerumo
An Expository sermon from the Gospel of Matthew
How to Cultivate Fellowship with God The Vital Role of the Word and Prayer By Rachel Floreen
A helpful way to understand this important topic is to ponder on the questions that the teacher took to ask the audience in her introduction.
What is fellowship? Communion, intimate relationship with someone
else. With others, with God.
Say you’re going out to coffee with your best friend…what does that
look like?
Do you get dressed up? Maybe wear the earrings she gave you for
your last birthday? (Preparation)
Do you try to get there on time, or do you completely forget about it?
Do you linger long, or do you spend your time trying to get away
from the conversation so you can go back to normal life? (Priority)
Do you pick a place to meet that you know she likes? Do you greet
her warmly when she arrives? Do you LIKE being with her?
(Knowing him well, preferring him)
When she talks, do you listen, or do you ignore her and try to think
about what you want to say next? (Listening)
Do you laugh with her? If there are things bothering her, do you
empathize or just leave her to her own sorrows and troubles? (Heart
conformed to his heart)
When you chat with her, do you hide your true feelings from her, or
do you let her see the real you? Do you need her help and advice, and
do you ask for it? Do you respond to what she says? (Honesty, open
and free communication)
Thankfully, God has told us how to commune with him.
(Take time to listen to the the teaching. Feel free to share with other ladies)
Walking in the wisdom of the Spirit (Ephesians 5:15-21) by Kevin Khosa
In a day that is marked by evil, and the evil we see is escalating and has infiltrated every aspect of our Society, what manner of life ought we to live?
What kind of people must we be?
In this Ephesians series we were blessed to hear God's Word preached faithfully and we were Challenged to live a life not as fools but as those who fear the Lord, the wise.
Take time and listen to this Expository Sermon by Kevin Khosa.
LISTEN & SHARE
Walking in Love (Ephesians 5:1-2 - Part. 2) Gideon Macgovern Mpeni
"Walking in Love: Following the foot-steps of our Elder brother, Jesus Christ"
The reality is that we do not lack love. We miss out on the object of our affections.
Ever since the fall our hearts have been enslaved by the grip of trivial worldly attraction.
We have love but our love is directed on anything else other than God, His people, His Word or His will.
The people of Ephesus were shepherded by Timothy and the Apostle Paul took time to warn him that time is coming when people will possess love but it will be a corrupt version of love.
a. People will be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. (2Tim. 3:
b. Love of money (1Tim. 6:10)
c. Love of the world (Jam.4:1-4; 1John 4:4)
d. Love of self (indulgence, righteousness; ability) – (Rom.1:20-32)
Many of these traits are already fulfilled in the world around us and sadly in most of the local churches. Take time as listen to this Sermon by Pastor Gideon Mpeni from the book of Ephesians 5:1-2 a third part in the series our perfect family models.
Here are commanded to Love
1. We are members of the Family God - we are "Loved Children" and our character must be that of our Father, elder brother as we are enabled and empowered by our comforter and helper, the precious Holy Spirit. We are recipients of this love.
Looking closer the the terms the Apostle Paul uses here, they are not terms that are superficial, but rather describes the supernatural aspect of outr lives
Children (5043) (teknon from tikto = bring forth, bear children, be born) is strictly a child produced, male or female, son or daughter. Teknon is thus a child as viewed in relation to his or her parents or family. In the plural, teknon is used generically of descendants, posterity or children.
Paul used teknon earlier (Eph 2:3-note) to point that we were all born with Adam's depraved nature and were fully deserving of the wrath of God ("children of wrath"). What a contrast a 3 chapters makes (and the love of God poured out on and in our hearts)!
Paul is reminding his readers that they were in Christ, were empowered by His Spirit and should now be continually motivated by a desire to walk in a manner pleasing to their new Father (formerly Satan had been their father, John 8:44, 1Jn 3:8-10,12).
Therefore this command is directed to the children of God rather than to the "sons of disobedience" whose passions are set on the things of the world and minds are by nature hostile to God and His Law (Eph.2:1-3; Rom.8:5). We are children of God through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (John 1:12-13. 3:3-8).
2. We are mandated to walk in Love.
"walk"
Walking in Love (Ephesians 5:1) Part.1 by Gideon Mpeni
WHY TRUE LOVE MATTERS TODAY?
As we live in the 21st Century Africa, a post-modern era where truth is relative. Everyone is fighting for their personal rights – personal space – personal privileges and a lack thereof such that when it comes to commitments and relationships, they are all entered with one chief goal – what can I get Out of this?
If things aren’t done my way then this isn’t good for me!
You soon begin to realize that this mindset has crept into the Church too!
Many who profess to know Christ, do think and live just as the world around them, no care – no compassion – no concern for the Lord, His Word, Ways, His Will, His Work, needless to say His people and His World that is languishing in Sin. No wonder the whole understanding of what love is is not defined by the author of Love but the very people who have denied it and are devoid of it!
I fear that we who profess and have been known as “the people of the book” have so quickly not only doubted the book, we have damned the book, disobeyed the book and degrade it to the lower shelf of our lives and in many homes and hearts it has been divorced for some hobby but sadly at most best mere form without substance – Duty void of Devotion!!
What should really be important in the life of the local church?
What are the correct Christian priorities and attitudes?
What is the one character trait that sets believers apart?
To grow to full spiritual maturity, we must build our lives on love and have God’s power to lay hold of and know the unknowable love of Christ.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones (The Unsearchable Riches of Christ [Baker], pp. 181-301)
“God is Love” or the Love of God is one of the common well known attributes that everyone is willing to accept. But why is everyone so eager to embrace this attribute, unlike many other of God’s attributes? Arthur W. Pink tells us:
There are many who talk about the love of God, who are total strangers to the God of love. The divine love is commonly regarded as a species of amiable weakness, a sort of good-natured indulgence; it is reduced to a mere sickly sentiment, patterned after human emotion. The truth is that on this, as on everything else, our thoughts need to be formed and regulated by what is revealed in Scripture.
That there is urgent need for this is apparent not only from the ignorance which so generally prevails, but also from the low state of spirituality which is now so sadly evident everywhere among professing Christians. How little real love there is for God. One chief reason for this is because our hearts are so little occupied with His wondrous love for His people.
The better we are acquainted with His love—its character, fullness, blessedness—the more our hearts will be drawn out in love to Him.
In this Text the Apostle Paul binds all the imperatives he has given perfectly in this one perfect virtue that binds them all - LOVE.
We are taken into the exhortation to "Walk in Love" and we will take time and examine the mandate itself, the motive, the models finishing with the manner we are demonstrate Love for God and for each other.
Take time and listen to the first Part of this sermon series.
The Beautiful Design of Sexuality (Genesis 1-2) by Carsten Rambold
What should we make of the Distortions of Sexuality? (Eccl. 7:29) by Karabo Samuel Msiza
A young Adults and Youth Teaching
How does Christ Deliver us from Sexual sins by Joseph Gage
Joseph takes us into the Biblical view of Sexualities' and the implication of the redemptive work of Christ in this area. A teaching to young adults and youth during the Reconciled 2022 Conference.
Portraits of God's covenant faithfulness (2Samuel 9) by Dave Beakley
Laying aside filthy talk (Ephesians 4:29) Gideon Macgovern Mpeni
An Expository sermon series
Unmasking 'the Tsotsi' within (Ephesians 4:28) Gideon Mpeni
The Change in Identity (Ephesians 4:17-24) Gideon Macgovern Mpeni
In this Expository preaching by Pastor Gideon Mpeni from Florida Baptist Church we look at Ephesians 4
A. The Godhead has worked a Complete Redemption (Eph.4:17-24)
1. This Brings New life (v.17-21)
i) To a people once in a Sinful Condition(v.17-19)
(a) Their Intellect Darkened (v.17-18)
(b) Their Inclinations Depraved (v.19)
ii). By the Power of the Holy Spirit; Now a Saint Converted (v.20-21)
(a) The Change (v.20)
(b) The Challenge (v.21)
2. This makes a New Look possible (Ephesians 4:22-24)
What Must Be Put Off (22–23)
(a) The Old Disposition (v.22a)
(b) The Old Desires (4:22b)
(c) The Old Direction (4:23)
What Must Be Put On (4:24)
Take time and listen to the full sermon and visit our podcast platform Reconciled521/FBC for all Audio version of past and most recent sermons.
The Praise of the Redeemed (Psalm 107) by Kevin Khosa
An Expository sermon series from Florida Baptist Church.
How to Pass on the Gospel Legacy (2Timothy 4:1-8) by Gideon Macgovern Mpeni
In this Expository sermon from 2Tim.4:1-8 by Pastor Gideon Macgoern Mpeni pointing out,
The Five Cardinal marching Orders that should propel your heart to pass the baton of the Gospel to the next generation.
1. Execute the Divine Charge (v.1-2)
2. Expect the Deadening Challenges (v.3-4)
a) The Maladies prophecied - middle ear infection (v.3)
b) The Myths are pursued (v.4)
3. Exemplify the Divine Character (v.5)
a) As the Distinct son – “as for you”
b) Compete as a Disciplined sportsman or Athlete
– “be sober minded”
c) Called to War as a Determined soldier
– “endure suffering”
d) Commissioned to Work as Diligent sower
– “do the work of an evangelist”
e) Consecrated to work as a Delighted servant – “fulfill
your ministry”
4. Exit and Depart in Confidence (v.6-7)
- As a final Sacrifice in the temple
• As a triumphant Soldier
• As a victorious Sportsman in a competition
• As a faithful steward of great worth –
5. Earn & Expect the Crown
A Christo-Centric Church in a man Centered Era (Phil.2:1-11) by Gideon Macgovern Mpeni
An Expository Sermon through Philippians 2:1-11
With Jesus in the School of Prayer (Luke 11:1-13)_Part.3_Gideon Macgovern Mpeni
Prayer, simply put, is talking to God. It is irreducibly relational.
It’s personal—he is the Absolute Person, and we are derivative persons, fashioned in his image.
In a sense, prayer is as basic as persons relating to each other, conversing, interacting, but with this significant caveat: in this relationship, we don’t chat as peers.
He is Creator, and we are creatures.
He is the great Lord, and we are his happy servants.
Prayer, for the Christian, is not merely talking to God, but responding to the One who has initiated toward us. He has spoken first. This is not a conversation we start, but a relationship into which we’ve been drawn.
Fathers (v.2-4; 11-13)
In this text we have two kinds of fathers –
a. Heavenly Father
i. Perfect – “Hallowed be your name” – Worthy of Your Adoration
ii. Powerful – “Your kingdom come” – Demands your submission
iii. Provider – “give us each day the bread we need”
iv. Pardoner of Sins – “forgive us our sin”
v. Protector – “lead us not into temptation”
vi. Personally present –
1. His Son to redeem us (Matt.1:21; John 1:1-14)
2. His Spirit to seal us for our inheritance
b. Earthly Father (v.11)
i. Providers
ii. Protectors
iii. Perfect not - "father among... you who are evil"
To understand the implications of these, listen to this sermon.
Can we prove Christianity Scientifically? (Questions & Answers) Chizu, Gideon & Siya
In this episode Gideon takes questions from Chizu, who used to be agnostic but now by the Grace of God has been saved and desires to understand the Christian faith.
These were the Questions that he wrestled with before Coming to faith.
Méditation sur El Shaddai (Dieu Tout-Puissant) par Emile Dirorimwe
Notre thème de méditation, El Shaddai signifie littéralement le Dieu tout-suffisant. Cela signifie tout simplement que Dieu se suffit à lui-même ou Dieu tout-puissant.
Un auteur, Andrew Jukes a expliqué que l`idée exprimée dans le nom Shaddai décrit le ‘‘pouvoir’’, cela ne sous entant pas le pouvoir de faire la violence mais c`est le pouvoir de la générosité. Donc le nom de Dieu sous examen ne signifie rien d`autre que le Dieu tout-puissant.
Dans la bible, Dieu s`est identifié à Abraham entant que Dieu tout-puissant dans Gen. 17 :1.Ainsi Abraham a marché devant Dieu en le craignant et en le servant entant que Dieu tout-puissant.
Alors une question nous est posée aujourd`hui, connais-tu Dieu ? Il se peut que tu connaisses son nom et même celui de son Fils, et tu portes même son nom ``Chrétien``. Malheureusement il se peut que tu sois encore très loin de lui.
Comme vous le savez, tout être humain a des faiblesses ou des défauts ou encore des limitations, mais malgré cela nous voulons tous être aimés. Que nous soyons bons ou mauvais, pauvres, malade, lait ou laide, moins intelligent ou faible nous voulons tous être respecter, aimer, considérer et honorer. Nous oublions malheureusement que nos limitations … nous empêchent aussi à aimer parfaitement.
Seul le Dieu tout-puissant est capable de nous amer d`un amour parfait par ce qu`il a tous ce qu`il faut pour prouver cet amour, il est amour. Il est capable de pourvoir à nos besoins tant physiques que spirituels, il est capable de nous protéger contre tout et alors tout danger ; il est capable de nous guérir de toutes maladies même celles déclarées incurables. Il est capable de pardonner nos péchés et nous élever même lors que nous ne le méritons pas.
Je voudrai juste vous exhorter de chercher à connaitre réellement Dieu, comme le Dieu qui a tout le pouvoir sur votre vie ; pas juste le confesser de la bouche, ou faire partie d`une église ou encore vous conduire comme un chrétien, mais plutôt examinez votre conscience pour voir combien loin ou proche de Dieu êtes-vous?
Vous savez que même Sara a douté de l`omnipotence de Dieu, elle n`avait pas une appréhension claire de El Shaddai. Dans Gen. 17 Dieu a voulu que Abraham le connaisse comme le Dieu tout-puissant pour qu’il n`ait aucun doute sur les promesses qu`il allait lui annoncer par la suite. Malheureusement au versé 17 de ce même chapitre, ce que Dieu voulait prévenir a eu lieu ; Abram a ri à l`annonce de la promesse de Dieu et au chapitre suivant 18, lors que les trois hommes dont le texte parlent ont annoncé à Abraham que Sara allait concevoir malgré son âge avancé, celle-ci rit en elle-même dit la bible, elle murmura en disant au verse 12
Alors que parmi ces 3 hommes l`un d`eux été l`Eternel lui-même, qui dans son omniscience connait tout et est capable de sonder les cœurs, ainsi l`Eternel dit à Abram : pourquoi donc Sara a-t-elle ri ? Ya-t-il quelque chose qui soit trop difficile ou impossible pour Dieu?. En d`autres mots, Y a-t-il quelque chose qui soit étonnant ou qui le dépasse ?
With Jesus in the School of Prayer (Part.1) Gideon Mpeni
"With Jesus in the School of Prayer"
(Luke 11:1-13)
In this Expository preaching by Pastor Gideon MacGovern Mpeni he challenges all believers to consider the profound truths that this passage brings to the fore, from the very first verse, that he focuses on in this sermon.
In order for every Christian to enjoy a joyful prayer life these truths will sustain such joy and prevent the Christian to fall into boredom and duty instead of devotion and sweet fellowship with God.
He proposes that Understanding these truths will also empower us to move from complacency to confidence in our prayer life.
A. The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The Practice & Place (v.1)
i) His person - Jesus
- He is fully God, and fully man. Here the emphasis is on His humanity rather than His deity.
- If the God man lived a life that was in complete submission to the Father, we must realize that our coming to the throne of Grace is not on the basis of our own works, but rather because God became man so that we can confidently approach Him. (Matt.1:21; John1:1-16; Phil.2:5-11; Col.1:15-20)
ii) His practice - "was praying"
- He devoted His life to prayer.
- As the Perfect High Priest He continues to do NOW (Heb.2:14-18. 5:5-10. 7:20-25)
iii) The place - "in a certain place"
- He has a particular location he went for prayer.
iv) The Period - "Now...when He had finished"
- He had a schedule for prayer.
- Though it is seen that He finished here, but He continues to do so now for those who have trusted in Him.
B. The Request to Jesus Christ (v.1)
- “Lord teach us to Pray”
The Request of the Disciples reveals four key aspects with regard to the condition of their hearts
i) Desire
ii) Deficiency
iii) Dependence
iv) Devotion
What a re the implications of these?
TAKE TIME LISTEN TO THE SERMON...
With Jesus in the School of Prayer (Luke 11:1-13) Part.2_Gideon Mpeni
The truth is we have started the New year, can you believe that we are in the second month already?
What are some of your plans for this year?
Are you desiring to know and serve the Lord than last year? Why or why not?
Are you finding prayer so boring and mechanical? -
The take time and listen to this sermon and feel free to share. Let us pray that the Lord will revive us again and grant us grace to seek His face.
What is the Antidote of Anxiety & Worry? (Matthew 6:24-34)_Gideon Macgovern Mpeni
"SEEKING FIRST THE KINGDOM: GOD'S ANTIDOTE FOR WORRY"
The first sermon into the year 2022, an expository preaching by Pastor Gideon MacGovern Mpeni from the book of Matthew 6:24-34.
In this Sermon we are exhorted to heed Christ's call on our daily lives so as to be distinct from the world around us,
1. Don’t Fall into the Trap of Concerns of Men (v.25-26)
2. Consider His Goodness (v.26,28) “Look and Consider”
3. Be Awakens by/Hear His Confrontation (v.30c,32)
“O ye of little faith”
4. Obey His Clear Commands (v.31-34)
i). Do not Worry (v.31,34)
ii). Do Work
ii). Do Worship
This is a life lived for the Glory of God (Matt.5:16)
What does it mean to Rest in Peace (Matthew 2:20-32) Gideon Mpeni
An Expository Sermon preached at William James McLellan
The Reason for the Season (John 1:1-14) by Glyn Williams
This Expository Sermon was preached at Florida Baptist Church in Roodepoort, Johanesburg, South Africa.
You can access many other sermons he has preached on sermon Audio:
https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/mukhanyo/sermons/speakers/Glyn%20Williams/
Can I trust the Bible? - A Question from Chizu answered by Siya & Gideon
In this Episode we answer the Question: Can I trust the Bible? Such a historic document must be inaccurate or mistranslated somewhere down the line - like a game of broken telephone. 1a) How was scripture written, formed, edited, discovered, critiqued, and inspired? 1b) Almost all Christian beliefs and traditions come from the Bible — but where did that come from?
Carl Hargrove on Biblical leadership in Soweto : A Q & A SESSION
This is an eye opening discussion on what are some practical issues that every leader must focus on.
Growing together in Christ (Eph.4:13) Gideon Mpeni
Standing at the judgment seat of Christ _ Leonard Ravenhill
Growing together in Christ (Eph.4:12-16) by Gideon Mpeni
Méditation sur El Roï Le Dieu qui voit
By Ermelle Dirorimwe
Voyons ensuite ‘‘El Roï, Le Dieu qui voit’’. Il y a 2 caractères à faire ressortir de ce thème, ce que Dieu est Omniprésent et Omniscient.
Pour comprendre ce nom de Dieu El Roï, partons d’une histoire de la bible, il s’agit d’une femme qui a été maltraitée, rejetée par ceux à qui elle a crue avoir appartenir, ceux à qui elle a crue avoir fait du bien et elle s’attendait même à une récompense ou un traitement meilleur que ce qu’elle recevait avant qu’elle prétendument fasse du bien. Cette femme c’est Agar, mère d’Ismaël; c’est dans cette histoire que le nom El Roï apparait dans la bible (Gén. 16).
Si nous partons du fait que Agar a accepté d’aider Sara pour trouver une solution à son problème, nous voyons qu’à fin des comptes malheureusement la situation a mal tournée pour elle, elle s’est retrouvée dans la rue avec une grossesse dont elle n’était pas l’initiatrice ; il y a lieu de conclure qu’elle a était utilisée pour le plaisir des autres, elle a était abusée puis rejetée.
Bien aimé, t’es-tu déjà retrouvé dans une situation similaire à celle d’Agar? As-tu déjà été rejeté, déconsidéré après avoir fait du bien à quelqu’un? As-tu déjà subit un traitement injuste ? Peut être que tu t’es déjà retrouvé dans une situation où tu te blâme même pour avoir fait du bien à quelqu’un et malheureusement après, cela a tourné cotre toi. Dans d’autres cas comme ceux du viol, d’escroquerie, du vol et autres, vous n’avez même pas une part de responsabilité comme Agar, mais vous devenez victimes. Dans d’autres cas encore, il se peut que tu te sens inadéquat, perdant ou pas suffisamment à la hauteur surtout lors qu’on vous confie une responsabilité et tu te dit que tu pouvais bien te comporter différemment, tu te dit que tu pouvais faire mieux, ainsi de suite … les spéculations continuent. Même si les gens à côté de toi te réconfortent en te disant que ce n’est pas ta faute, or tu n’es pas le seul à être fautif mais, que tu sois fautif ou innocent, tu auras le sentiment d’être rejeté, trahi ou déçu.
Toutes ces situations peuvent te pousser à te demander où est le Dieu souverain dans tout ceci ? Est-ce qu’il voit ce qui m’arrive ?
Et bien Oui. Le Dieu omniscient, Omniprésent El Roi est là et ses yeux ne sont pas fermés, jamais il ne dort, jamais il ne somnole dit le Ps 121 :4.
Parfois nous avons tendance à camoufler les abus, nous essayons de les ignorer ou les garder comme secret par ce que la personne qui t’a maltraitée est une personne que tu respectais beaucoup, une personne que tu faisais confiance. Alors souvent le souvenir de ces abus, les émotions et le rejet parfois sont trop forts à supporter et on se dit il vaut mieux de les garder en soit avec l’espoir d’oublier et passer outre. Malheureusement notre mémoire qui est comme celle de l’ordinateur arrive à tout stocker. Et si un jour quelque chose similaire t’arrive alors le dossier stocké défile de nouveau sur l’écran de ta mémoire et ça fait encore plus de mal et les années arrivent à passer dans ces conditions sans guérison. Dans ce cas la personne n’est plus complète. Surtout en cas d’abus comme le viol, l’inceste et les abus ou harcèlements sexuels parfois les blessures intérieures sont très difficiles à guérir. Il ya même des fois où la femme violée arrive à concevoir à la suite de cet abus. Alors par où commencer pour oublier ou guérir d’une telle situation, pendant que la présence même de l’enfant signifie un rappel continu de cet abus et que c’est tr
Are you taking the Word of God seriously? Paul Washer
Total commitment to God: A delight in God's precepts (Psalm 16:7) by Gideon Mpeni
Total commitment to God: A delight in God's people (Psalms 16:3) by Gideon Mpeni
How to deal with depression from a Biblical perspective by Kgaugelo Pule (Women ministry message)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training
in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every
good work”. 2 Tim 3:16-17 NIV
All Scripture is inspired by God[a] and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for
correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete,
equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16-17 CSB
This means God’s word is appropriate for any and every situation that we face:
• It is breathed out by Him therefore it is legit – not man theories
• Profitable for teaching – useful tool in teaching us about all things on earth
• It rebukes us – our thinking needs to be confirmed to God’s word Romans 12:1/
Proverbs 27:5
• It corrects us – because our ways are foolish and only the word can truly convict us
• It is useful for training in righteousness – not secular or man’s thinking/ opinions/ ways
So based on that foundation we now turn to our topic today
Definition of depression:
Jay Adams:
...[Depression is] a cyclical process in which the initial problem is mishandled in such a way that
it is enlarged in downward ... spirals that eventually plunge one into despair.
.... The downward cycle enslaves one in hopelessness and guilt, thus bringing a slowing down
or cessation of activity, called depression. (The Christian Counselor's Manual, 375)
We were created in the image of God (Gen 1: 27; Col. 3:10). God has emotions, which are
reliable and untainted with sin, it is ever the same and trustworthy. Our emotions are the
reflection of our thoughts, motivations and desires. They follow our thinking. Most of the time our
thinking is false, corrupt, fallen because of what happened in the garden.
Wayne Mack gives us a quick breakdown of different types of depression:
Mild depression or “normal sadness” is the kind that most of us experience when something
precious is lost (Hodges 2012:Chapter 5; Mack 2006:4-18). There is nothing abnormal about
this response at this time as it is appropriate to the occasion. Moreover, this kind of sadness
does not result in the loss of hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13).
Moderate depression results from a sinful response to sadness (Mack 2006:8-11; Adams
1970:148; 1973:376-377). This entails not recognising it and keeping our gaze on our
circumstances rather than on God and His Word. In the Bible, we see many examples of men
and women who in their depression were controlled by sinful patterns of thinking, feeling and
acting, tempting them to submit to their feelings and nearly abandon hope (see Moses in
Numbers 11:10-16; Elijah in 1 Kings 19:1-18; Asaph in Psalm 73; and Jonah in Jonah 4:1-11).
Severe depression “is a permanent spirit of heaviness or gloom that affects, controls, and
dominates every area of a person’s life” (Mack 2006:15-18). Psalm 32 and 38 [km1] are very
helpful in describing the total effect that this kind of depression can have on a person – on their
body, emotions, actions, thoughts, motives, speech and so on. And Elijah’s hopelessness as a
consequence of his circumstance in 1 Kings 19 is a hallmark of severe depression.
Total Commitment to God (Psalm 16:1-2) by Gideon Macgovern Mpeni
The heading of this Psalm, and of Psalms 56:1-13; Psalms 57:1-11; Psalms 58:1-11; Psalms 59:1-17; Psalms 60:1-12, Michtam, may mean “Golden Psalm,” or “Sculpture Psalm,” this latter term indicating a Psalm of strong incisive thought. The Psalm seems, “by its tone of fresh, joyous confidence, to belong to the early part of David’s career.” It may have been written when David was in the wilderness of Ziph (1 Samuel 26:19).
In this Psalm David demonstrates his unwavering delight in God. And in this Sermon we look at the three character traits of a life that is totally Committed to God.
1. He Delights in God’s Refuge (v.1)
2. He Delights In God’s Lordship (v.2a)
3. He delights In God’s Good (v.2b)
A. HE DELIGHTS IN GOD'S REFUGE
We don’t know whether David wrote this at a time when his life was in imminent danger or if he was reflecting on the general course of his life.
From his life we see a man who was resolved to be an example of godliness to his people (Psalm101) there was clearly a lack of it in the nation he governed.
There is evidence of strife, immorality and even idol worship. Corruption in his family.
· The Rape of Tamar his daughter by one of David’s Sons Amnon (2 Sam. 13)
· The Rebellion of Absalom his own son.
All these were rightful, deserving ramifications and consequences and partly judgements on David himself – He was warned by God after his sin (2Sam.12:10-12).
· He is looking back in His life and see the way that Goliath was laid down!
· Then in the ranks of Saul as he tried to kill him!
But the fact is, we all need a place of refuge and protection, both in time and for eternity.
Temporally, we instinctively try to protect ourselves from harm and danger.
· We avoid risks that could kill us.
· We wear seat belts when we drive.
· We avoid smoking and junk foods that can cause disease.
While these are prudent measures, the bottom line is that the eternal God, who spoke the universe into existence by His power, must be our protector.
Colossians 1:17 states that in Christ, “all things hold together.”
If He were to let go, we would literally disintegrate!
The Psalmist will be “preserved”; he will not only be created.
There is a cold deism which says, “Having been created, that is enough; the rest belongs to myself; I must attend to the details of life; creation may have been a Divine act, but all education, culture, “progress, preservation must fall under my own personal care.”
The Psalmist begins in another tone.
He opens his Psalm with the great word “preserve”--equal to,
- Attend to all my cares and wants; pity my feebleness; take hold of my right hand, and of my left hand, and be round about me, and never leave me for one moment to myself. That is true worship.
So it is right to pray for safety for our loved ones and for ourselves. We need the Lord’s protection constantly.