Blog Post
#StrongerTogether, Part 3 by Mpho Khalo
May 28, 2023
Sermon summary:
Jesus is king. He is all we ever needed but not all we wanted. He rescued us out of darkness into his kingdom (church).
Matthew 16 Jesus built his church, it was created through and for him. The church becomes weak when it loses connection with the head (Jesus).
What else can separate us from the head? Colossians 3:5-10 (sin). You need to match the head with the body.
Colossians 1:22-23 Don't move from the hope in the gospel. Continue in your faith. Nothing should move you if you build your house on the rock.
Watch the full service here (the sermon starts at 46 mins)
Get God's grace. Titus was appointed by the Apostle Paul to minister to a Gentile audience. God's grace gives us salvation and teaches us to say no to ungodliness. God poured out his grace on us.
Learn to control your character. Grace and conduct go together. Can you control (press the pause or stop button) yourself?
We are stronger together when we remember who we are. We have family values as part of God's household. We are stronger together when we know who we are and why we are here. We are to represent God's goodness in the world. Our mission unifies us. We are stronger together when we have clear family values. We need to be a praying community, and leadership should be based on having a godly character, not on looks or charisma.
Surprised by hope. We are able to offer hope to others even when we face challenges. Do we see trouble in life as opportunities to advance the gospel? Being united with Christ means we must be unified with others. We are called to look after the interests of others. We need to have humility in all areas of our lives. Press on towards the goal. How much energy do you spend looking at the past instead of straining towards the future and what's ahead. You cannot look behind you when you plough.
Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.
We are stronger together when we respect each other; trust one another's motives; pray together, and more. We need to develop inner strength to deal with life's challenges. As we grow deep roots we won't get shaken easily. Then we need to make allowances for each other's faults, be patient, and make every effort to keep the unity of peace.
We all start out the same way, fearfully and wonderfully made by God. The question is: How do you want your life story to play out? God's goodness pursues us. And while things in life won't work out just because you pray, the cross is the greatest evidence of God's goodness. What will you allow him to do in your life?
Yada is a Hebrew word that means "to know". God reveals himself to us through his power, his loving kindness, his word, Holy Spirit and forgiveness. The cross is the ultimate expression of God's love for us.
The Hebrew word "yada" means "to know" from the heart or by experience. While the word "relationship" is not in the Bible, it permeates the scriptures. God knows our hearts and our thoughts. We get to know him by being broken, humble, completely open and by making it our goal to know him.