29/07/2025
Sunday morning, 27 July 2025.
Sermon preached by Bishop Selowa.
Scripture references:
Hebrews 8:6, John 10:27.
The old covenant and the new covenant. If we don't understand what was required in the Old Testament, we will continue to act in vain and find that our works are for nothing.
Back then, the Israelites had a specific covenant for them only. Today, it doesn't matter if you're born into a pastor's family or not;
the new covenant requires anyone who confesses with their mouth that He is God. You won't believe in God if you're not taught, but you believe when you're taught.
There are people who go to church seeking solutions to their problems, hoping to find help. However, if they fail to find it, they often turn away from the church.
A person must know what it means to be a Christian. What did Jesus do that today we want to replicate? God designed everything according to His way.
There will be a time when our souls will leave our bodies, and nothing can stop that. We can control some things, but others are beyond our control. Jesus has a say after our souls depart from our bodies.
For example, a lady may have five boyfriends, but despite that, she doesn't have the power to decide which one she'll marry.
There are things we may have power over, but our power is limited.
In the Old Testament, Moses was able to shout for the sheep, but in Christ, Jesus says, "I know my sheep." Why do people try by all means to save their lives when they know they don't have the power to save them? Jesus said He gives eternal life.
People can go to great lengths to get their needs met, but Jesus, who gives life, often seems unknown to what we need in our families as we keep pushing Him to give us what we need.
He says He gives eternal life to His sheep, and no one can sn**ch them from His hand. What power can take you from His hand? He says that on that day, no one will take you; you will be the way Jesus wants you to be.
He says, "I was given these people by my Father." What can push you to be far away from God? Even if they sabotage you in different ways, you will remain strong and unshaken by different circumstances.
Don't go to Christ because you want benefits. If you pray to kill your enemies like in the Old Testament, you're wasting your time. The New Testament says pray for them to be one with the Father.
We're not going because of whatever, but because Jesus has already shaped the way. There's nothing we can create and implement, but God walks in the finished work Jesus has done.
Have understanding and accept Jesus in your heart; that's what's required. God said He gave His Son so that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life.
He promised that He will be with us until the end of the world.
Read the Bible and understand it; don't be fooled. We've been given a better covenant to be unshakeable.
We pray to God as if it's a ritual to shout at Him, but God doesn't work like that. We read, pray, and need to have understanding. If we fail to do so, we'll follow whatever others recommend.
In the old covenant, you and your family could sacrifice the blood of goats for the sake of your sins. But the new covenant says whoever believes in Me, no matter how you are, as long as you go to Him and believe, He comes to you.
Many pastors' children are forced to follow Jesus, while your duty is to preach to them, and they will decide to follow Him. A person has a given role to decide, and every decision has an outcome.
Many people struggle because of the decisions they took, thinking it's good to take decisions for them.
He says, "Come to me, and I will give you life."
Prayer:
God, help us to remain in you despite the situation.
We harden our lives while Jesus makes it simple for us. God didn't make it hard for you to go to Him but made a simple way for you to go to Him.
Amen๐