04/05/2026
SUNDAY 03 MAY 2026, RCZ BUDIRIRO CONGREGATION SUNGANO YEVAKOMANA SERVICE
THEME: NENYASHA TAKAPONESWA
Sermon Title: The Danger of “Away-ness” – Returning to the Father’s House
By Rev. Magwati
Scripture Readings: Ephesians 2:8 | Luke 15:11–32 | Genesis 26:12–16
⸻
1. The Gift of Grace (Ephesians 2:8)
Our journey begins with a fundamental truth: Grace.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
Nothing we have—not our health, our wealth, or our salvation—is by our own power. It is a gift. Yet often, when we receive the gift, we forget the Giver. We begin to mistake the blessing for our own brilliance… and that is where the drift begins.
⸻
2. The Trap of “Pseudo-Freedom” (Luke 15:11–14)
In our Boys Fellowship, we asked:
“Chii chiri kukubvisa pana Baba?” (What is taking you away from the Father?)
The younger son wanted his “portion.” He desired independence. Many today, once they gain a job, promotion, or success, feel they have outgrown God’s “house rules.”
* The Abuse of Success: Living large without purpose, misusing what has been given.
* The Spiritual Drift: What feels like freedom often leads to famine.
Warning: Kubva pana Mwari kurasikirwa nehupenyu.
(Leaving God is losing life.)
The drift is subtle—until you and God become strangers. Ironically, the very blessings from God can become the reason we no longer have time for Him.
⸻
3. The Isaac Example: Success Without Departure (Genesis 26:12–14)
In contrast, Isaac prospered greatly—yet remained grounded.
* He stayed connected to God.
* He remained faithful to his family.
* He did not allow success or envy to change his heart.
Lesson:
Pfuma yakanaka asi inoparadza mhuri.
(Wealth is good, but it can destroy a family if it is not anchored in God.)
⸻
4. The Heart of the Father & Our Response
When the younger son “came to himself,” he realized even servants at home lived better than his so-called freedom.
* Repentance: He humbled himself and returned.
* The Father’s Love: Before he finished speaking, the Father ran to him.
God is ready to restore you—today.
To the “Elder Brothers”:
Let us not respond with bitterness when others return. Let us celebrate restoration. Let us welcome them fully.
⸻
Closing Thought
Whether you are the younger son who wandered…
Or the elder son who stayed but grew bitter…
Come back to the heart of the Father.
Manage your success in a way that draws you closer to Jehovah—not further away.
Amen.
Shared from the Boys Fellowship Conference Reflections.