Presbyterian Church Nsimeyong

09/08/2026

TODAY MESSAGE
THEME: "SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT FOR SALVATION"
Text: Lk. 19:41-48

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, our text is an account of Jesus' frustration with the people of Jerusalem for their spiritual ignorance. As Jesus approached Jerusalem, He wept over the city because its people failed to recognise Him as the Messiah. Although they were deeply religious and eagerly anticipated the coming Messiah, they lacked the spiritual discernment to recognise Him as the Christ, despite all they had seen or heard about Him. This challenges believers today to cultivate spiritual discernment by recognising God's voice and presence in our day-to-day activities.

Beloved in the Lord, salvation is not only about God's willingness to save but also about humanity's ability to recognise and respond to God's visitation. Spiritual discernment enables people to identify what leads to life, peace, and eternal salvation. Spiritual blindness prevents people from recognising God's presence and embracing the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. Unless our spiritual eyes are opened, we may be close to God's blessings even when it is closed to us, like the people of Jerusalem who had the Messiah in their midst and lacked the insight to benefit from His presence because they judged Him as (a carpenter's son).

Dear Christians, even today, many of us lack the spiritual discernment to recognise the people, places, and situations that God has ordained to bring us salvation. We often expect God to work through extraordinary miracles, yet He frequently works through ordinary encounters and experiences. He may send a faithful pastor, a praying parent, a godly spouse, a wise friend, or even a person who lovingly corrects us, but pride, familiarity, or prejudice can cause us to reject them. God also places us in specific environments - a church, a fellowship, a family, a workplace - not merely for our comfort but for our spiritual formation.

Beloved in the Lord, God sometimes uses trials, disappointments, failures and sickness to expose our dependence on Him and lead us to repentance and deeper faith. However, spiritual blindness causes us to complain about the very situation God intends to use for our redemption. As Helen Keller said: "When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us." God may be closing one path to protect us and redirect us toward His greater purpose. Spiritual discernment enables us to recognise His hand even when circumstances appear discouraging.

Dear Christians, as parents, we need discernment when choosing schools for our children. Let's look beyond reputation to consider whether the environment will nurture their character, faith, and God-given potential. We also need spiritual insight to recognise and develop the natural gifts God has placed in our children, rather than forcing them onto paths that satisfy our ambitions. As Ken Levine said, "We all make choices, but in the end, our choices make us."

Dear God's People, from biblical records, we find that God often works through ordinary people, places, and opportunities to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. We need discernment in our relationships; we need discernment to recognise the people God has brought into our lives to encourage, correct, and strengthen us. When starting a business or pursuing a career, we need God's wisdom to discern the right timing and opportunities, knowing that success comes not only from good planning but also from following God's direction. As William Arthur said, "Plan purposefully, prepare prayerfully, proceed positively, Pursue persistently." Sadly, just as the people of Jerusalem overlooked Jesus because He did not meet their expectations, many of us have missed life-changing opportunities by overlooking the people or opportunities through which God was working.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, spiritual blindness focuses on what looks impressive, while spiritual discernment recognises what God has ordained for our salvation. Therefore, we must continually pray that God will open our eyes to see beyond appearances. Let us pray to God to bless us with Spiritual Discernment for our Salvation. Amen.

02/08/2026

TODAY'S MESSAGE
THEME: “BE A PRACTICING CHRISTIAN.”
Text: Mt. 7:24-29

Beloved in the Lord, practicing Christianity is the most difficult part for those who call themselves Christians. It is sometimes not easy to match what we profess with our actions. Many come to church and listen to wonderful sermons but their lives are not a reflection based on the way they handle situations. Even some Christians who have been in church for so many years are not yet mature. The gospel has been given to build us up and give us a new orientation and new perspectives about life. Christians are expected to be different from others and those who refuse to practise their Christianity in the right way are called foolish.

Dearly beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,
Our text is the conclusion of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount where he taught so many things to the people and is an extension to us today. According to the passage, two categories of audience can be identified who listen to Jesus; those who hear the words of God and put them into practice are considered wise and those who hear the words of God and do not practise them are foolish. In verses 24 and 26, Jesus says: ‘Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock…But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. How many of us sincerely practise the word of God? There are many churches here and there but the crime wave is in the increase. The world would have been a better place if Christians become practical. Many believers easily fall because we fail to obey God’s word. God’s commands are not burdensome. Obeying them is for our good. God is God by himself but we need his guidance to survive in this world. We need to depend on his word as our compass in a world full of challenges. So, putting his word into action is so important. James 1:22 says, ‘Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says’. Today is our ‘Diakonia fund drive’ and the word of God encourages us to help the needy ones among us. The gospel becomes practical when we touch the lives of those in need by extending the love of Christ to them.

Beloved in the Lord, obeying God’s words is what makes the different in our faith journey with Christ. The rock, as used in our text, refers to Jesus as the word. The rain, the storms and the winds are the different challenges we face in our daily lives. If the foundation of our faith is the word of God, no matter the battles of life we shall overcome them all. Jesus did not promise us a life free from problems and in one of his discussion with his disciples he told them: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Every church system and her followers who do not obey the teachings of Jesus would not be able to overcome the evil of the world’s system. Let the appearance of things not deceive us. The two house builders, as described by our passage, look alike but the difference is when their faith is tested. The one who does not build his foundation on word of God may be attractive but he is shallow and his sandy foundation cannot withstand the torrent and turbulent waters of life.
I do not know if there is anyone who is not facing any difficulty in his life. Each and every one may be going through one kind of challenges or the other. You may be very rich but you have a health issue, your own could be joblessness, barrenness, stubborn children, financial hardship, marital issues, family problems etc. The level of the word of God in your spirit man will determined your victory over that condition if you know how to apply it. To know the word of God is one thing and applying it is another. You can speak the word of God upon that situation until you get the desired result. Engage the word of God in your daily interactions.

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, the word of God teaches us to love people and be kind to all. So when you go out let your treatment of people be seen as one practising Christianity. Do not be a Christian in church and in the office you are a tyrant, in your business place you cheat people and in your home you are not responsible. Jesus’ teaching was different from that of the scribes and the Pharisees who claimed to be experts of the law. Jesus taught with authority and the people were amazed. Let the world be amazed by the way we practise our faith in Jesus Christ. The words of our mouths should be gracious and full of blessings.

When we act in the world, there should be a distinction because of who we are in Christ. What is the impression of your person in your home, your business place, your office and in the world at large? Are you proud in the way you practise your faith or you are ashamed of yourself. You can still make amends and make Jesus proud of you. When people encounter us, they should know that we have been listening to Jesus’ teaching and making it practical in our lives. Jesus has set the example for us to follow. Let us make Jesus to be proud of us by obeying his teachings.
Amen.

26/07/2026

TODAY’S MESSAGE
THEME: “THEME: BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS.”
Text: Mt. 7:15-23

Beloved in the Lord, in the ranking of God’s servants; apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, the prophetic office is highly admired and has been greatly corrupted for selfish reasons. The weight of power of the Old Testament prophets is not what we see in the self-proclaim prophets of our time. The word prophet comes from a Hebrew word ‘Navi’, and means ‘the one who announces’. Prophets are chosen vessels or spoke men and women who communicate God’s truth, His will and moral standards to the people. The primary role of a prophet is fortune telling or prediction of the future. This particular aspect has pulled many people towards the prophets with itchy ears to hear about their future without minding if God is actually speaking through them. A prophet is one who is expected to call the people to repentance, challenge injustice and guide the people to build a good relationship with God. Our text this morning gives a contrary thought about the prophets thus creating an awareness of the existence of false prophets among us.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. This opening verse is stern with a strong affirmation that false prophets do exist. They pretentiously present themselves as sheep while they are wolves so that they can easily manipulate the people without them discovering. They have been in the past and will always be there. They are Satan’s greatest weapon to deceive God’s people. False prophets present themselves as insiders, putting on sheep clothing but their intentions are destructive. Awareness to their existence among us is important but discerning who is a false prophet is the key that will free us from their manipulation. Jesus Himself asked us to test the spirit in order to know who a false prophet and his followers are. By their fruits you will recognize them. The scripture has given us redlines or guides through which we can recognize false prophets.
- They are not chosen by God but proclaim themselves as prophets: Hananiah, Zedekiah son of Chenaanah, Balaam, Elymas/Bar-Jesus, the prophets of baal and the false prophets in Revelation 16:13-14, Then I saw three evil spirits…and out of the mouth of the false prophet. They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. They deceived the people with miracles and mislead them to follow the beast.
- They use the ministry as a means to make an easy and good life by taking advantage of kind and generous people. Philippian 3:19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.
- They are money minded and financially exploit the people through feigned words and manipulative promises. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 Those who want to get rich fall into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil…
- Their doctrines are distorted and do not align with the word of God. 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 1 Timothy 4:1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times, some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirit and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.
- They use flattering to tell their followers dreams, visions and prophesy that are not from the Lord and create spiritual dependence on them. Jeremiah 23:16,25-26 This is what the Lord Almighty says: Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord…I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, ; I had a dream, I had a dream. How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets who prophesy the delusions of their own minds?
- Their life style and behavior contradicts what the Bible says and even what they preach. Matthew 7:17,20 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit. But a bad tree bears bad fruit. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
- Unfulfilled predictions. Deuteronomy 18:22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.
- They perform fake miracles and their increase in number is an end time sign. 2 Thessalonian 2:9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of display of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie.
For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time- Matthew 24:24-25

Dearly beloved in the Lord, they are many reasons that have pushed people into ministry even without the call of God in their lives. We hear of prophets here and there because it is the title that attracts many people. Even when your pastor has the capacity to handle your problem because he or she is not called a prophet you undermined them. There are some Christians who move from one prophet to the other and only to be deceived and they come back crying. Our present economy has become so hard and becoming a church minister or prophet is what is sustainable. Even some diviners have destroyed their shrines and build churches and proclaim themselves as prophets with little or no solid Bible knowledge. It would sound funny to hear a preacher quote the book of Abraham while preaching. Many of these false ministers have false followers who work with them. They serve as agents who investigate people’s life and bring information to them who uses it as a revelation or prophesy. They can even stage miracles to deceive and to convince people to come to their churches. Their interest is money hence they are concerned about their own welfare and not that of the congregation.

There is nothing that is hidden and that is not going to be revealed. Some false prophets may go to the extent of getting magical and demonic powers to perform signs and wonders. They may use handkerchief and rings and as means to manifest their power and perform miracles. Those who are moving in search of miracles should be careful not to fall in their hands. Some of their miracles do not last for days. God will allow them to do whatever in his name but they shall all be disappointed on the Day of Judgment. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles. Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evil doers’ The church is not a hiding place. Just as there are false prophets, we also have false Christians. They are always in church but the fruits of their lives are not Christ-like. The same fate of the false prophets shall befall these false Christians. Only those who have a personal relationship with God shall enter his kingdom. Jesus says in Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Dear

Dear Christians, we should always have a deeper look at the life of every prophet to actually know whether he is a genuine or a false prophet. In as much as there are false prophets, it does not cancel the fact that we still have true prophets called by God to serve his people and the nations of the world. May our discernment be sharpened so that we are not misled by the false prophets of our generation.
Amen.

20/07/2026

19/07/2026

TODAY'S MESSAGE
THEME: “Be Discreet.”
Text: Mt. 6:16-18

Beloved in the lord, our text this morning presents a profound moral and spiritual lesson from Jesus Christ to His disciples on the importance of being discreet in their fasting. The passage of today is part of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), where Jesus teaches the true righteousness expected of His followers. In the chapter, Jesus addresses three important Jewish religious practices: giving to the needy (Matthew 6:1–4), prayer (Matthew 6:5–15), and fasting (Matthew 6:16–18). In each case, Jesus condemns religious hypocrisy and calls His disciples to practice their faith with sincerity rather than for public recognition. “When you fast, do not look sombre as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. “But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, “so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting”.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, the religious leaders of Jesus' day deliberately made themselves appear miserable during fasting. They neglected their appearance, covered themselves with ashes, and wore sad expressions so that everyone would notice their sacrifice. This practice was not considered good by Jesus Christ, who pointed it out to his disciples and called for them to move away from showy spiritual practices to discreet management of their spiritual activities. Being discreet means being modest, prudent, and intentional in avoiding unnecessary attention. Discreet people do not seek applause or praise; they quietly do what is right because they know what is right and moral, and above all, they believe that God is the one who sees them and knows their hearts.

Dear Christians, though Jesus’ focus in our text today was on being discreet in fasting, its moral and spiritual importance makes being discreet in other areas of our lives essential. One of the greatest challenges of our generation is the temptation to expose every aspect of our lives. Our context is characterised by constant self-promotion, where many people feel that every achievement, every possession, every family event, and every personal milestone must be displayed for public attention. Some of us project everything about ourselves, our children, our homes, our projects, our businesses, our travels, our wealth, and even our spiritual activities as though our worth depends on how many people notice or admire us.
Some of us are carried by the number of likes and comments we receive on social media. The notion of public validation has led some people to go so far as to post fake images and other projections of themselves. Some people exaggerate the success of their marriages, families, and businesses by creating an image of prosperity and influence that does not reflect reality. Many young people have been carried by the act of manufacturing images and videos designed to impress peers and the public. We need to know that there is more dignity in quiet living than in lousy projections. William Shakespeare, in a quote, said, "Have more than you show, Speak less than you know." And Proverbs 12:23 tells us that "The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves."

Dear Christians, we live in a world where not everyone who celebrates our success is genuinely happy for us, and not everyone who inquires about our lives has good intentions for us. For these reasons, being discreet cannot be considered a sign of fear or secrecy but an expression of wisdom and spiritual maturity. There is wisdom in allowing God's blessings, plans, and achievements to mature quietly before exposing them to the public. We need to know that throughout Scripture, envy and jealousy have led to destructive actions. Cain killed Abel out of jealousy, Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery because they envied him, and King Saul sought to kill David because of his growing popularity. These examples teach us that unnecessary exposure can sometimes attract unnecessary opposition and attacks. So, we need to exercise godly discernment, knowing what to share, when to share it, and with whom.

Beloved in the Lord, this does not mean that it is wrong to celebrate God's blessings or share testimonies of His faithfulness. Being discreet does not mean hiding our faith or refusing to let our light shine before others (Matthew 5:16). Rather, it means avoiding the temptation to draw attention to ourselves to gain human praise or validation. Our good works and testimonies should point people to the greatness of God, not to our own goodness or pride over human comments. The Kingdom of God values quiet faithfulness over public performance, inner character over outward appearance, and God's approval over human applause. Whether we are praying, giving to the needy, serving in the church, helping a neighbour, showing hospitality, or making personal sacrifices for the sake of others, our first concern should be that God is pleased, even if no one else notices.
Amen.

13/07/2026

TODAY’S MESSAGE
THEME: “DIVINE ENCOUNTER.”
Text: Jn. 4:1-15

Dear Christians, our text recounts the remarkable encounter between Jesus Christ and a Samaritan woman, a woman defined and judged by her community because of her marital history. Rather than being known for her identity as a person created in God's image, she was labelled by her past and treated as an outcast. Her broken relationships had become the lens through which society viewed her, causing her to experience rejection, shame, and isolation. To avoid ridicule and comments from her community, she went to draw water at the well during the hottest part of the day (the sixth hour), when she was sure that most people had already completed their daily water chores. However, what she considered an ordinary and lonely journey to the well in search of water became a divine encounter with Jesus Christ, who decided to go to Galilee through Samaria.

Beloved in the Lord, Jesus Himself was physically tired from His journey and sat by the well to rest near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph, and beside Jacob’s well. This was the place of the divine encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman who was running away from public humiliation and shame. God ordered the place and the timing that seemed accidental for words of hope and salvation, designed to give attention and value to our lives. The very well where the woman sought to hide became the place where she encountered the Saviour of the world. Her loneliness became an opportunity for transformation; her shame became the doorway to grace. It was Jerry Bridges who said that “ *Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace* ." *God often meets people in the ordinary places of life, and during the moments they least expect.*

What appeared to be an inconvenient hour for the woman became God's appointed time for her restoration. The well, which had only been a source of physical water, became the place where she received the promise of "living water" that satisfies the deepest thirst of the human soul. Jesus looked beyond the labels imposed by society and saw a woman with dignity, value, and purpose. That is why Anne Lamott, in a quote, said: "I *do not at all understand the mystery of grace, only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us* ." Human beings may define us by our failures, mistakes, or social status, but Christ defines us by His love and His desire to restore us. *The woman came to the well carrying an empty water jar and a burdened heart, but she left with renewed hope, a transformed life, filled with grace and value, which gave her the boldness to go after the people she was ashamed and afraid to meet at the well.*

Dear God’s People, many of us have been praying and waiting for a divine encounter that will change the course of our lives and rewrite our stories. We long for that moment when God intervenes in our situations, heals our wounds, opens doors that have remained shut, restores what has been lost, and gives our lives fresh meaning. Some are praying for breakthroughs in their families; others, for healing, employment, the restoration of relationships, financial stability, or a renewed sense of purpose. May God create divine platforms of encounter that will completely change your story. May God order your steps and lead you to the people, places, and opportunities He has prepared for you. May the Lord cause you to meet people who will encourage your faith, open doors for your growth, and become instruments of His blessing.

Where others have experienced disappointment, may you experience divine favour. Where doors have remained closed, may God open doors that no one can shut. Where your name has been associated with pain, failure, or rejection, may God replace those labels with testimonies of His grace and goodness. May every place that has been a symbol of sorrow become a place of joy. May every ordinary moment become an opportunity for God to reveal His extraordinary power.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, know that Jesus is still meeting people at the point of their deepest need. He is not limited by our past failures, present struggles, or the labels that society has placed upon us. Just as He met the Samaritan woman at the well, He continues to seek and find those who are weary, discouraged, and searching for hope. Jesus Christ is looking for you and will set you free at the well of life and victory. *One genuine encounter with Christ can transform shame into dignity, despair into hope, weakness into strength, and uncertainty into a future filled with purpose.* Continue holding firmly to Jesus Christ. We must not lose heart because our prayers seem unanswered or because our circumstances have not yet changed. God's timing is always perfect, and His plans are greater than our understanding. The same Lord who transformed the life of the Samaritan woman has the power to transform our lives as well. He alone can rewrite the stories that seem beyond repair, open doors that no one can shut, heal wounds that no human being can heal, and lead us into the future He has prepared for us.

Dear Christians, remain steadfast in faith, persistent in prayer, and confident in God's promises. We must continue to trust Christ even when the journey is difficult, believing that every delay is not a denial but an opportunity for God to accomplish His perfect will. When our divine encounter comes, it will not only change our situation but also transform our hearts, deepen our faith, and equip us to become witnesses of God's grace to others. The God who met a broken woman at Jacob's well is the same God who can meet us today and give us a new beginning, a renewed purpose, and a hopeful future.
Amen.

05/07/2026

TODAY’S MESSAGE
“THEME: IT IS COSTLY TO FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST “
Text: Lk. 9:57-62

Beloved in the Lord, the journey of following Jesus Christ is ‘not a bed of roses’ although the outcome is glorious. This implies that as a Christians, it is inevitable to be free from challenges and hardship of all sorts. But Jesus has assured us that with him in our boats, we shall never be drowned. Following Jesus means to give up on many things that are appealing to the flesh as well as the pleasures of the world. ‘Costly’ is used figuratively here, to mean to give up something valuable in exchange for a desired outcome. Discipleship is a journey of transformation that happens one step at a time. To follow Jesus is a call to let go of many things that are valuable to us for the sake of Christ and the gospel. It is in the place of total surrender and commitment that we discover how costly it is to follow Jesus. That is where you no longer live for yourself but Christ lives in you, with you and through you.

Dear Christians, tiday’s passage presents Jesus on his way to Jerusalem and his account with three men who were called to follow him in different approaches. The first man who met with Jesus said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go’. This man is supposed to be a scribe –cf Mt 8:19, he did not understand the consequences of following Jesus. Jesus being homeless as he moved from place to place gave him this response. Foxes have holes, birds have nests but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. This first man did not count the cost of following Jesus and afterwards, might have gotten the truth revealed by Jesus and changed his mind. To the second man, Jesus extended an invitation to follow him. He said to another man, ‘Follow me.’ But the man said, Sir, first let me go back and bury my father.’ Jesus answered, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead. You go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ Jesus by this statement did not show disrespect for the dead but rather expected the man to put Christ and the kingdom of God as his priority. Discipleship with Christ is about the proclamations of God’s kingdom which must take the first place in our lives. The third man said to Jesus, I will follow you, Sir, but first let me go and say goodbye to my family. Following Jesus needs a single-mind in purpose and should be paramount in the life of all believers. Jesus concluded in our text and said to him, ‘Anyone who start to plough and then keeps looking back is of no use to the kingdom of God. These three men failed to take into considerations all the sacrifices they had to make in following Jesus. Many are willing to follow Jesus but when they find out about the cost involved, they start drifting. There should be no excuse for following and Jesus’ response to the three men expresses the idea of absolute commitment to him and his kingdom.

Dear Christians, we can also find these three categories of People in our congregation and church groups. Apart from the 12 apostles of Jesus, he has many other followers including us today. Many people give excuses when they are given responsibilities in their groups and even in the congregation. We must bear in mind that they call to discipleship is not an easy task. Jesus warned the people of the consequences of following him. Jesus made them to know that he was homeless and following him meant that one must be ready to become homeless. We need to ponder on the consequences of discipleship when we make commitments. Following Jesus Christ is a task different from others. He expects his followers to first keep his kingdom and all other things shall be added to them. During the admission and dedication of members into different groups and church responsibilities, many promise to be committed but only to end up not keeping to their words. Many do not pay the price of following Jesus Christ. Our businesses, family responsibilities and other things should not be given higher priority than our engagement with God’s kingdom. We are not in any way saying that these things are not important but Jesus calls us to detach ourselves from anything that will distract us from serving him and persevere to the end.

Beloved in the Lord, many have put their hands on the plough but are still looking back after the things of the world and the desires of the flesh. What have you given up since you became a follower of Jesus Christ? Following Jesus would sometimes make us to suffer hardship and discomfort but the end result is always worth it if we endure to the end. When Prophet Elijah called Elisha, he was ploughing with a team of oxen together with eleven other teams. His call to be a disciple of Elijah is different from the other three 1 kings 19:19-20 says, Elijah left and found Elisha ploughing with a team of oxen: there were eleven teams ahead of him and he was ploughing with the last one. Elijah took off his cloak and put it on Elisha. Elisha then left his oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, ‘Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will go with you .Elijah answered, ‘All right, go back. I’m not stopping you.’ Do you think it was that easy for Elisha to abandon everything about his life and affairs to follow Elijah? It may be so painful. There are times that we have to allow our own undone things because we want to foster the business of the kingdom of God. God is looking for such people in our generation to empower them to do exploit for his kingdom. We need to avail ourselves as veritable instruments in God’s hands. Are you ready for kingdom business or you still have many excuses to give? We have been in our comfort zones for so long. This is a clarion call for all of us to sit up as followers of Jesus Christ and pay the price of discipleship through our commitments and sacrifices. Our attention should be to promote the work of God and at the same time not neglecting what sustains our lives and families.

Dearly beloved in the Lord, the Apostles Paul tells us that as disciples of Jesus, we are running a race and a crown awaits us at our final destinations. We must keep on striving until we win the prize. Philippians 3:13-14 says, Of course, my brothers and sisters, I really do not think that I have already won it: the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. So I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God’s call through Christ Jesus to the life above. There is no room for turning back as a disciple of Jesus. Paul is a good example of a disciple who was committed to his course to the very end. The world is full of many things that can actually distract us from our Christian journey. No matter how tough things may be for you right now, keep holding on to your faith. Jesus our master and mentor did not have it easy while he was in the world but he gave us the assurance that no matter what we go through in life as his followers, we must certainly overcome them all.

What is the price you are paying for following Jesus? If you are not yet paying any price, then your discipleship is questionable. No one can follow Jesus without paying the price. To follow him means that we should carry our crosses and these crosses represent the different challenges we have to encounter on our faith journey with God. He is not a God who is not moved by the infirmities of his people. God is happy with all our sacrifices in his kingdom work and has kept a great reward for each one of us both here and in the world to come Let us continue to pay the price of following Jesus Christ and eternal life awaits us.
Amen.