Reconciled521/FBC: Recent Episodes

gideon macgovern

Gideon Mpeni and other ministers will be looking at the glorious, joyful news of the peace we have found in Christ Jesus.

Expository Sermon series from Florida Baptist Church South Africa.

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.

A New Year sermon series from Florida Baptist Church

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..

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

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.

Ephesians 5 Sermon Series

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 Spirit Filled Husband has one divine duty - to Love His Wife...

Ephesians 5 Expository sermon series by Gideon Macgovern Mpeni, senior Pastor of Florida Baptist Church in Roodepoort, Johannesburg South Africa

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;

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.

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

An Expository sermon from the Gospel of Matthew

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)

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: 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

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).

We are mandated to walk in Love.

"walk"

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.

A teaching to the young adults and youth

A young Adults and Youth Teaching

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.

An OT narrative preaching

An Expository sermon series

A continuation of Ephesians 4 Expository sermon series.

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.

An Expository sermon series from Florida Baptist Church.

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.

Execute the Divine Charge (v.1-2)
Expect the Deadening Challenges (v.3-4)

a) The Maladies prophecied - middle ear infection (v.3)

b) The Myths are pursued (v.4)

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”

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 –

Earn & Expect the Crown

An Expository Sermon through Philippians 2:1-11

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 –

His Son to redeem us (Matt.1:21; John 1:1-14)
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.

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.

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 lidée exprimée dans le nom Shaddai décrit le ‘‘pouvoir’’, cela ne sous entant pas le pouvoir de faire la violence mais cest 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 dun amour parfait par ce quil 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 lomnipotence de Dieu, elle navait 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 nait aucun doute sur les promesses quil 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 lun deux été lEternel lui-même, qui dans son omniscience connait tout et est capable de sonder les cœurs, ainsi lEternel 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"

(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...

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.

"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,

Don’t Fall into the Trap of Concerns of Men (v.25-26)
Consider His Goodness (v.26,28) “Look and Consider”
Be Awakens by/Hear His Confrontation (v.30c,32)

“O ye of little faith”

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)

An Expository Sermon preached at William James McLellan

Glyn WIlliams, a faithful Expository preacher from Africa and passionate on seeing sound Bible teaching in the churches in Africa. He serves as a Full-Time Lecturer and Distance Program Manager at Mukhanyo Theological College in Johannesburg South Africa. He has authored articles on Joy magazine such as the one entitled "Theology: Why Do We Need It?" which can be read on https://www.joydigitalmag.com/everyday-life/theology-why-do-we-need-it/. 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/

In this Episode we focus on answering the Questions that brother Chizu, who once held Athiest and Gnostic views to life and faith now a born again Christian asked. And the answers given from the Word of God by Siyabulela Gilz Pantshwa who serves as an elder/Pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church and a Church planter planting in the squatter camp of Remising in Roodepoort, Johannesburg, South Africa and 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?

This is an eye opening discussion on what are some practical issues that every leader must focus on.

An Expositiory Sermon series from the book of Ephesians by Pastor Gideon Mpeni who serves as a lead Pastor of Florida Baptist church in Roodepoort, Johannesburg Republic of South Africa.

A wake up call

An exposition sermon series from the book of Ephesians

Nous continuions avec la série « Les noms de Dieu ». Aujourd’hui nous allons voir le 3ème nom : ‘‘El Roï, Le Dieu qui voit’’. Pour récapituler Dieu notre père a servit comme notre introduction puis nous avons parlé de Elohim, Dieu notre créateur, la fois dernière nous avons exploité le nom El Elyon, Dieu très-haut; dans cette dernière nous avons commenté sur la souveraineté de Dieu et qu’aucun plan de l’homme ou de l’ennemi et aucune circonstance ne l’emporte sur le plan de Dieu, c’est de là que vient son omnipotence.

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

Examine yourself

An exposition sermon series

An exposition sermon series

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.

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.

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.

A timely word...

Méditation sur ‘‘DIEU TRES-HAUT’’

Dans notre série intitulée les noms de Dieu, nous avons vu dans l’introduction que Dieu est avant tout notre père et nous l’appelons Abba ! Père !(Rom :8 :15), nous avons ensuite étudié le premier nom de Dieu, Elohim comme Dieu créateur ; aujourd’hui nous allons voir le 3ème nom qui est El Elyon qui signifie Dieu très-haut.

Ce nom identifie Dieu comme le maitre de l’univers. Et c’est lui qui règne souverainement sur l’humanité. Il est celui dont la domination est éternelle, et dont le règne subsiste de génération en génération. Tous les habitants de la terre ne sont à ses yeux que néant: il agit comme il lui plaît avec l’armée des cieux et avec les habitants de la terre, et il n’y a personne qui résiste à sa main et qui lui dise: Que fais-tu? (Dan 4 :34-35). Et le début du versé 34 nous dit que le roi Nebucadnetsar a béni le Très-Haut, il a loué et glorifié celui qui vit éternellement.

Une fois que nous comprenons que Dieu est le tout-puissant créateur, il nous semble raisonnable de conclure qu’il préserve et gouverne aussi toute chose dans l’univers. D’où le mot Providence :- Dieu est continuellement impliqué à l’existence de toute sa création à telle enseigne qu’il fait vivre tout ce qu’il a créé et il maintien la propriété ou la qualité propre avec laquelle il a créé chaque chose ; -il dirige la propriété de chaque chose pour les amener à agir de la manière dont elles agissent ; - Dieu les dirige pour accomplir ses plans. Heb 1 :3 JC soutien toutes choses par sa parole puissante ; col. 1 :17 : toutes choses subsistent en J C.

Je voudrais que nous notions que le fait de connaitre Dieu entant qu’ El Elyon ou Dieu très-haut nous donne une sécurité. Devant tout danger ou toute peur nous pouvons avoir l’assurance que le Dieu souverain, celui qui a le contrôle de toute chose dans les cieux, sur la terre et sous la terre, va nous secourir (Ps 20 :2&3). Nous ne sommes donc pas livrés aux mains des hommes ou du diable ou encore livrer à n’importe quel sort.
Vous serez d’accord avec moi que le fait de savoir et croire que Dieu est au dessus de toutes choses, rend la tâche facile pour nous d’obéir les recommandations de l’apôtre Paul qui nous dit de toujours être dans la joie et de rendre grâce à Dieu en toute circonstance… (1Thes. 5 :16&18 ; Eph. 5 :20). N’est ce pas que c’est facile de dire merci lorsque tu réalise que ton père, ton créateur, El Elyon le Dieu très-haut a le contrôle de tout et que rien ne se passe dans son univers sans sa permission ? Même si il nous a donné une certaine liberté de décider sur certaines choses mais il reste maitre des temps et des circonstances. El Elyon est tellement suprême qu’aucune personne, aucun ange, aucun démon et aucune circonstance ne peut l’emporter sur son plan. Sa suprématie nous aide aussi à comprendre le fait que toutes choses concourent au bien de ceux qui aiment Dieu (Rom. 8 :28). C’est ainsi que Joseph répondu à ses frères que « le mal que vous avez planifié de me faire, le Dieu souverain l’a changé en mon bien (Gen 50 :20).

Lors que vous vous retrouvez devant une situation qui vous dépasse la chose la plus importante à faire est de faire confiance au Dieu très-haut par ce que rien n’échappe à son contrôle. Dites-vous que l’épreuve que vous connaissez n’est pas inhumaine, le Dieu qui est fidèle, ne permettra pas que vous soyez tentés au-delà de vos forces; il préparera aussi le moyen de vous en sortir, afin que vous puissiez la supporter (1cor 10 :13).

Alors que le covid bas son plein, je vous exhorte de tenir fort le nom de Dieu très-haut, El Elyon. Pendant cette période beaucoup se demandent où est Dieu alors que les gens sont en train de mourir, et parmi ces victimes il y a les enfants de Dieu. Dieu est sur son trône en train de régner, il n’a pas démissionné et il ne démissionnera jamais. Les royaumes de ce monde se succèdent l’un après l’autre ; l’histoire nous parle du royaume de Babylone, l’empire de Perse celui de Grèce

A continuation of an Expository Preaching - From the Daniel sermon series.

Méditation sur : ‘‘DIEU NOTRE PERE’’

Si quelqu’un vous demandait aujourd’hui, entant que chrétien, de décrire Dieu, qui est-il pour vous ? Quelle est l’image que vous avez de lui ?

Cette question peut susciter plusieurs réponses selon l’expérience de chacun. Pour certains, Dieu est avant tout leur créateur et ils croient fermement que leur existence sur cette terre ne peut être justifiée par rien d’autre que la création Par Dieu (Gen 1 :27 & 2 : 7) ils rejetant bien sur l’hypothèse qui suggère que l’être humain est le résultat de l’évolution ou de la transformation progressive des espèces vivantes après la création. D’autres personnes voient Dieu plus comme un pourvoyeur qu’autre chose ; par ce qu’ils considèrent que tous ce qu’ils ont comme propriétés ne sont pas les fruits de leurs efforts mais plutôt la provision de Dieu. Ils considèrent que même le souffle de vie et les facultés tant physiques qu’intellectuelles viennent de Dieu. Je D’autres encore les perçoit plus comme un guérisseur, un défenseur, un consolateur, un protecteur, ect… alors je ne sais qui est Dieu pour vous.

Que vous représentiez Dieu comme créateur, que vous le voyez comme pourvoyeur ou qu’il soit guérisseur pour vous et bien tous ces noms, toutes ces descriptions ou images de Dieu sont corrects. Et vous comprenez qu’il y a plusieurs noms par lesquels nous pouvons représenter Dieu.

Au fait, à l’époque de la rédaction de la bible, le nom représentait le caractère d’une personne, nous dit un auteur Kay Arthur. Ainsi les noms de Dieu tels que nous les donne la bible représentent le caractère de Dieu, ses attributs, sa nature. Alors connaitre les noms de Dieu c’est le connaitre.

Quoi de plus beau que de connaitre tous ces noms pour être précis dans vos prières. Si vous maitrisez ces noms, devant n’importe quelle circonstance de la vie vous saurez par quel nom l’invoquer et quelles sont les promesses qui s’attachent à ce nom. Prier en rappelant Dieu ses propres attributs et les promesses qu’il a faites dans sa parole fait de vous un bon intercesseur.

Je propose de faire une série de méditations sur les noms de Dieu tels que nous les donne la bible. Cela étant, nous pouvons considérer la méditation d’aujourd’hui comme notre introduction à cette série qui va aborder d’une façon détaillée environ 15 noms par lesquels nous pouvons représenter Dieu mais cette liste n’est pas exhaustive. Nous allons nous servir de la bible comme source de base bien sûr mais aussi d’autres matériaux tels que les ouvrages, ‘‘LORD I Want to Know You (Seigneur je veux te veux te connaitre)’’ par Kay Arthur et ‘‘Bible Doctrine (Doctrine de la Bible)’’ par Wayne Grudem.

Chaque nom de Dieu que nous étudierons, Dieu voulant, servira d’un thème de méditation ainsi nous aurons 15 thèmes, à l’exclusion de celui d’aujourd’hui. Parmi les noms de Dieu que nous trouvons dans la bible il ya Adonai, El Elyon, Elohim, El Roi, El Shaddai, Jehovah (Yahweh), Johovah-jireh, Johovah-mekoddishkem, Johovah-nissi, Johovah-raah, Johovah-rapha, Johovah-sabaoth, Johovah-shalom, Johovah-shammah, Johovah-tsidkenu.

Comme introduction, je prose que nous méditions sur Dieu comme étant notre Père. Pour le développement de ce thème, j’ai plus considéré la perception que Dieu lui-même a de ceux qui croient en lui, ce que nous représentons pour lui. Dans les versets que nous allons lire, nous verrons que Dieu nous appelle ses enfants ; par conséquent il est notre père. C’est de là que nous avons tiré notre thème d’aujourd’hui. Si parmi vous qui me suivez il y a des pères de familles, vous connaissez donc le devoir d’un papa envers ses enfants. Entre-autres c’est de les aimer, de pourvoir pour eux, de les protéger, de les éduquer, les soutenir ou d’être là pour eux pendant les épreuves pour les encourager et les fortifier, ect… Il faudra par ailleurs préciser que Dieu est parfait et que nous ne pouvons jamais le comparer avec un homme, mais je voudrai que vous compreniez que certains noms de Dieu que nous al

Méditation : ‘‘AU NOM DE JESUS-CHRIST’’

Bien aimé vous savez que le nom de Jésus est au dessus de tout nom dans les cieux, sur la terre, sous la terre et la mer. Phil 2 : 9-11.

Ce nom a un pouvoir extraordinaire; qui dit pouvoir dit puissance, domination, autorité, qui peut se manifester tant sur le physique que sur le spirituel. Ce pouvoir vient du fait que Jésus Christ est Dieu (Jean 14, particulièrement Les versets 13 et 14).

Durant votre vie chrétienne, vous avez peut être une expérience sur la manifestation des miracles suite à l’invocation du nom de Jésus, ou vous avez déjà vu ou entendu parler des manifestations des miracles suite à l’invocation du nom de Jésus, et vous savez donc combien ce nom est Puissant.

D’après notre texte de base, les Juifs qui voulaient chasser les démons au nom de Jésus ont aussi compris que ce nom a un pouvoir mais ils ne connaissaient pas le secret derrière l’invocation de ce nom. Et même aujourd’hui Il y a des gens, chrétiens comme non-chrétiens, qui ont l’habitude de crier ‘‘au nom de Jésus’’ vraiment à tort et à travers et s’attendent à ce que quelque chose se produise. Ils ne sont pas différent des juifs dont notre texte de base parle

Il ne suffit pas de comprendre que ce nom a un pouvoir sur tout ce qui existe. ‘‘Au nom de Jésus’’ n’est pas un bâton magique que vous pouvez balancer comme vous voulez et obtenir les résultats escomptés. Une fois j’ai suivi un pasteur qui pendant la prédication a dit que certains pensent que le fait de crier au ‘‘nom de Jésus’’ est une formule autonome qui fonctionne n’importe quand n’importe où par n’importe qui. Peu importe que vous connaissiez ou pas la personne qui l’a inventé. Un peu comme la formule d’eau sur le tableau périodique, vous prenez 2molecules d’hydrogène + 1molecule d’oxygène = eau. Ca ne se passe pas comme ça ici.

Esaie 29 :. 13

C’est là que ce trouve le secret, dans l’interprétation de ce versé, c’est de circoncire son cœur.

Matt 7 :21

Le secret c’est donc de faire la volonté de Dieu si vous voulez produire des miracles au nom de Jésus. Cela peut sembler vague pour certains, et un détour pour les autres mais laissez-moi simplifier cela en quelques mots :

Il ya beaucoup de chrétiens qui sans doute pensent que lorsqu’ils sont converti, la guerre contre les désires de la chair et tout autre péché, la guerre contre les esprits mauvais ou le diable termine là et que le repos commence ; et bien non! Au contraire, la lutte a juste commencée et vous passerez le reste de votre vie à lutter contre le diable. Je ne vous dit pas cela pour vous faire peur surtout vous qui êtes jeune dans la foi chrétienne ou pour vous décourager vous qui veulent prendre la décision de vous engager dans cette foi mais voilà un encouragement ; celui qui, par sa grâce vous a amené à ce point là ne vous délaissera point, il ne vous abandonnera point pendant le batail (Phil 2 :12-13).

Pour jouir pleinement de ce privilège de connaitre et faire la volonté de Dieu tel que nous dit Matt 7 : 21, il faut vous engager consciencieusement dans cette lutte constante contre vos péchés, et revêtez-vous de l’armure de Dieu comme nous dit Eph 6 :10-20. C’est comme ça que vous serez capable de crier ‘‘au nom de Jésus’’ avec effet, de commander les esprits mauvais et ils vous obéiront, de prier pour les malades et ils seront guéris. Vous devez réellement devenir une nouvelle créature au-dedans de vous, que les choses anciennes soient réellement passées et que toute chose devienne nouvelle, comme dit 2cor 5 :17, il ne suffit donc pas de le confesser de la bouche. Il faut plutôt avoir une relation personnelle avec Dieu pour connaitre sa volonté à travers son esprit qui habite tout enfant de Dieu.

Je voudrai aussi nuancer mon argument, je ne parle pas de la perfection ici, même l’apôtre Paul qui proclamait Jésus et qui réalisait bien des miracles en son nom n’était pas parfait. Dans Phil 3 : 12-14 il dit qu’il n’a pas encore atteint la perfection mais il continue

A devotional from the book

He Evaluates them (v.10d-11) a. By their works (v.10) • Dreadful – Destroys – Devours – Dominates (v.7, 19,23) • Deceptively Distinct (v.23) • Detesting and Damning God’s people (v.21,25) b. By their words (v.11, 20,25) • Defies God (v.25)

Nous allons étudier les noms de Dieu que nous puisons dans la bible. Hormis la bible nous allons nous référer aux ouvrages ‘‘LORD I want to know you’’ par K AY Arthur et ‘‘Bible doctrine’’ par Wayne Grudem.

Avant de commencer revenons un peu sur notre introduction de la fois passée, nous avons dit que Dieu est avant tout notre père, notre papa. Un père qui nous aime d’un amour parfait, un amour sans condition, et pour cela il a la responsabilité de pourvoir pour nous, de nous protéger, de nous guérir, de nous éduquer dans sa voie ainsi de suite... Je vous rappelle aussi que malheureusement nous sommes pécheurs de nature, et à cause de cela nous ne méritons rien de tous ce que Dieu est capable de faire, nous ne pouvons donc pas prétendre avoir des droits devant lui ; tous ont échés et sont privés de la gloire de Dieu (Rom 3 :23), tout ce que nous méritons c’est la more. Mais par sa grâce manifestée en Jésus, nous sommes devenus ses enfants adoptifs. Entant qu’enfants, nous avons aussi de responsabilités envers notre père.

Aujourd’hui nous allons étudier le premier nom de Dieu parmi tant d’autres que nous trouvons dans la bible, nous commençons par Elohim qui est une identification de Dieu comme Créateur.

Qu’est ce que Dieu a créé ? Tout ce qui existe dans l’univers (Gen 1 et une grande partie du chapitre 2). Mais notre attention aujourd’hui va plus se focaliser sur l’homme parmi tant d’autres créatures d’Elohim.

Dans Gen. 5 :1-2 la bible dit 1Voici le livre de la postérité d’Adam. Lorsque Dieu créa l’homme, il le fit à la ressemblance de Dieu. 2Il créa l’homme et la femme, il les bénit, et il les appela du nom d’homme, lorsqu’ils furent créés.

Ce passage nous montre que le nom ‘‘homme’’ est utilisé pour signifier tout être humain ou l’humanité. Pendant cette méditation et celles qui suivront sur les noms de Dieu, nous utiliserons le nom homme souvent pour signifier l’humanité.

Dieu n’avait pas besoin de créer l’homme. Il régnait un amour parfait entre les trois personnes de la Trinité ( Gen 1 :26 ; Jn 17 : 5,24) Il ne nous a donc pas créés parce que il était seul. Mais il nous a quand même créés, homme et femme, en son image.

Pourquoi nous a-t-il créé, pourquoi est ce que j’existe,? Et bien c’est pour sa gloire (Is.43 :7). Le mot gloire en Hébreux signifie ‘‘donner une opinion ou une estimation correcte de’’. Nous pouvons donc dire que nous sommes créés pour donner au monde une opinion correcte de qui est Dieu. Notre vie trouve donc un sens, une importance en ce que tout ce que nous ferons, Soit donc que nous mangions, soit que nous buvions, soit que nous fassions quelque autre chose, faisons tout pour la gloire de Dieu (1Cor 10 : 31).

Qu’est ce que cela signifie pour vous ? Prenez le temps d’y réfléchir. Tu te dis être un enfant de Dieu, est ce que chercher la gloire de Dieu est au centre de ta vie?

Rev 4 :11 nous dit : Tu es digne, notre Seigneur et notre Dieu, de recevoir la gloire et l’honneur et la puissance; car tu as créé toutes choses, et c’est par ta volonté qu’elles existent et qu’elles ont été créées.

Ce texte nous dit que nous sommes créés par sa volonté, en d’autres mots nous existons pour son plaisir. Il lui a donc plus de nous créer. Nous devons dès lors à chaque instant de notre vie nous interroger avant de faire quoi que ce soit, nous devons nous arrêter un moment et nous poser des questions du genre ‘‘est ce que cette décision que je vais prendre va plaire à Dieu ?’’ ‘‘En quoi est ce que ce que je vais faire va glorifier Dieu ?’’ ‘‘En agissant de telle ou telle autre façon, est c’est Dieu que je glorifie, ou je me glorifie moi-même, ou encre je glorifie les hommes plutôt ?’’

Nous enfants de Dieu devons vivre notre vie de façon à glorifier Dieu, à refléter son image, à montrer au monde le caractère de Dieu, son amour, sa miséricorde, sa bonté, sa paix, ect…Nous sommes appelés à vivre pour lui, à se conformer à sa volonté. Bien aimé ratez ce

From The sermon series "O King I have done no harm"REMAIN DEVOTED TO GOD (Daniel 6) Daniel stands as a man who has been given the full script by the Director, and he knows so well how each character is going to do as time unfolds. The Lord was gracious to show him the very beginning of the Gentile kingdoms (Dan. 2) and the end (Daniel 7-12). He writes and exhorted God's people to remain steadfast, know their God and take action. In this sermon Pastor Gideon concludes with the Theological implications of this passage and encourages us to remain steadfast in the knowledge of God.

A. GOD is Sovereign (v.1-2) - In appointment of rulers and governing all events and seasons (Dan. 2:21-22)

B. God is Supreme (v.3-24) 1. Over the laws of men - Decree (v.3-5) 2. Over the gods of men – Darius as a Deity (v.6-15) 3. Over the greatest enemy of men – Death (v.16-24)

C. God is the Sustainer (v.21-24)

D. God is the Only Savior (v.16-17, 22)

Take time and listen to this full sermon from Daniel by Pastor Gideon Mpeni or get the audio format and download it from our podcast platforms SEARCH: Reconciled521/FBC on Apple podcast or Sportify. CLICK: https://anchor.fm/gideon-macgovern

A 4min Exhortation

In this episode Gideon talks with Lawrence Chinjala on the role of the body of Christ in the life of a believer.

Lawrence hails from Malawi and had been led by the Lord to China for Studies and it was here that the Lord did a tremendous work of Grace in connecting him to a small group of believers.

A special call to prayer for our land.

This First Part Sermon Exposition series, focuses on the exegetical aspect. Gideon takes us through it verse by verse and looks at this Passage from Daniel’s stance in the Verse 22, which is seen as a Climatic statement, “I have done no harm O king”

How would Daniel defend such a Statement?

He write and defend his faith in this narrative and encourages believers of all time that He was able to stand amidst opposition and proves to the King that

i) My Reputation and Character – Commands the kings Favor (v.1-3)

Though the Context is ever Changing (One kingdom to another)

The Conflict is ever raging, I will remain faithful in all that is entrusted to me.

Daniel’s reputation and Character were in synch and that in itself demanded the king’s favor.

ii) The Ratification of the Constitution – Conflicts with my Faith (v.4-9)

Daniel is convinced that not every crime is and every sin is a crime.
Daniel has seen such declarations before; as was with his companions (ch.1) his colleagues (ch.2) his comrades (ch.3).
Their Constitution Contradicts his Convictions.
What are those sections in our constitutions that contradicts with our Faith? (Listen to the next sermon).

iii) The Realization of the Decree – Creates no Fear in me (v.10)

“Daniel knew that the document has been signed”

iv) I will Remain Devoted to God – Constant in my Faith (v.11)

Trusted in God who promised to be with them as they go to exile (Jer.29:4-13) and continue call on Him three times a day, what a literal interpreter of the Word. (Jer.33:3).
He remains a Courageous and not a cowardice witness in the crooked generation, conflicting generation.
He cares more to maintain a Godly Character than enjoy worldly comforts.
He stands against everyone as the people around him opted for the worship of king other than God, BUT God is on Daniel’s Side (Rom.8:28-39)
He fears not the words of man which perishes but the world of God that endures (Isa.40:8-14).

Daniel would maintain His Declaration before the King, “O KING I HAVE DONE NO HARM!!” Although

v) I am Reported to you a powerless king – Condemned to Fangs (v.12-18)

Powerless that you are controlled by your subordinates (v.12-13)
Conflicted and distressed in your conscious yet you have no power to change your decisions and decrees (v.14)
Powerless that you command that I be sentenced to Death!

vi) I am Remembered in the king’s prayers (v.18)

But where you have failed

vii) I am Redeemed by the powerful king – Comforted on Lion’s Fur (v.19-22)

O KING I HAVE DONE NO HARM!!

viii) I am Raised in praise – Confirming my Faith (v.23)

LES ACTES DES APOTRES

Les actes des apôtres entant que livre de la bible est l’un des livres du nouveau testament dont l’auteur est l’apôtre Luc.

Il y a beaucoup de choses à étudier lorsque vous lisez l’entièreté de ce livre mais aujourd’hui je voudrai seulement exploiter 2 choses. Si vous voulez je voudrai résumer l’ensemble du livre en 2 volets.

Premier volet :

L’expansion de l’église chrétienne d’aujourd’hui est l’œuvre des actes réalisés par les apôtres de Jésus. L’auteur nous dit que les apôtres ont commencé ces actes après l’ascension de Jésus Christ, précisément au jour de la pentecôte dans Actes : 2.

Parmi les actes ou les miracles qui se figurent dans ce livre, nous pouvons citer l’évangélisation, l’implantation des églises dans des différent endroits; la délivrance et ou guérison de malades tant physiques, mentaux que spirituels ; les prophéties et le ‘‘parler en langues’’, les visions, l’interprétation de la parole de Dieu ainsi de suite tel que nous les décrit le chap. 12 de l’épitre de Paul aux Corinthiens.

Ces miracles ont donc été commencés et inspirés par Jésus lui-même ( Jean : 14 :12), nous savons que lors qu’il était encore avec les disciples Jésus a accomplie tous ces actes et miracles. Alors dans le dessein du salut de l’humanité, Dieu s’est rassuré que les œuvres commençaient par J C continuent même après sa mission ici bas. D’où la descente du Saint Esprit sur les apôtres.

Ces actes ne sont pas l’apanage des apôtres. Tout comme les apôtres, nous, chrétiens d’aujourd’hui, sommes capables de les réaliser par la foie par ce que le Saint Esprit nous habite. Aujourd’hui les apôtres de la bible (dont certains étaient témoins oculaires de Jésus et ses actes) ne sont plus vivants mais le plan du salut de l’humanité doit continuer.

S’il ya quelqu’un qui croit en Dieu et qui suit cette méditation, je l’encourage de se mettre au travail pour sauver les âmes. Les temps sont très mauvais, Dieu vous a surement bénis avec un don que vous pouvez mettre en son service pour l’avancement de son œuvre. Vous n’avez peut êtres pas le temps ou le moyen de prêcher l’évangile publiquement, d’aller en mission, de visiter et prier pour les malades ou prisonniers etc… priez que le Saint Esprit vous montre où et comment vous pouvez servir Dieu.

Si vous êtes réellement enfant de Dieu, cet appel vous est adressé, il suffit de croire et surtout d’avoir une relation personnelle avec Dieu, vous serez au service de Dieu dans votre famille, dans la vie des vos amis (es), votre quartier ou sur votre avenue, dans votre église locale, aux lieux du travail, à l’école, dans le bus, le train ou autres places publiques que vous fréquentez Marc 16 : 17 & 18.

Deuxième volet

Très souvent, lorsque nous lisons ce livre, notre attention se focalise sur les miracles que les apôtres ont accomplis à cette époque là. Très peux de gens enseignent sur les difficultés, la persécution, les obstacles et le rejet qu’ont rencontrés les apôtres.

Dans le plan du salut de l’humanité, Jésus Christ devait souffrir pour nous racheter et cela était arrivé. Et de la même façon que Jésus a passé ses actes ou miracles aux disciples, il leur a aussi passé la souffrance qu’il a vécue sur cette terre. C’est comme ça que ce livre parle des arrestations de Pierre et Jean, l’exécution d’Etienne le premier martyr de l’église chrétienne, mais aussi d’une manière détaillée la souffrance de l’apôtre Paul, du Chapitre 21 jusqu’à la fin du livre.

Nous aussi entant qu’enfant de Dieu nous sommes appeler à souffrir dans et pour l’œuvre de Dieu. La souffrance fait partie de notre lot dit la bible (1Thes :3 : 3). J’aimerai encourager quelqu’un pendant cette méditation en disant que l’endurer la souffrance est une œuvre de la foie autant que l’accomplissement des miracles. Lors que JC étais ici bas, il n’a pas promis que tous ceux qui le recevront désormais vivront en paix, au contraire la bible dit dans Jean :15 :18-19 ;16 : 33 b

Alors prenez courage bien-

Pour ceux qui ont suivi ma dernière méditation sur le Saint Esprit, il vous souviendra que nous avons fait allusion en passant au rôle que joue le S E dans la vie d’un enfant de Dieu :

· Défenseur de la cause de Dieu Jean 15 :26

· Aide ;Jean 15 :26,

· Leader Compagnon Psaume , Eclaireur ; Actes 1 :8.

· Compagnon et Enseignant ; Jean 15 : 25

· Il expose les péchés du monde Jean ; 16 : 8-10

· Il nous rassure de la vie éternelle, il nous aide à abandonner les péchés, il fait de nous enfants de Dieu, Héritiers de Dieu Rom ;8 : 11-15.

Pour une bonne compréhension je voudrai illustrer le rôle du S E par une petite histoire racontée par Charles Spurgeon. Il s’agit d’un jeune homme qui faisait le collège et tous les livres nécessaires pour sa formation lui ont été donnés. En plus de cela, le jeune homme avait besoin d’un professeur pour expliquer les contenus de ces livres. Comme si cela n’était pas suffisant, son père lui a trouvé un REPETITEUR pour lui enseigner et rappeler tout ce qu’il lisait seul ou avec son professeur. C’est donc ça la fonction du S E, un REPETITEUR, ça résume tous les rôles dont nous venons de parler.

Lire 1 Cor 2 :6-16.

La sagesse de ce monde (V.6 part B) voudrait que nous utilisions la malhonnêteté, la haine, la division, l’immoralité, la médisance, la méchanceté, l’arrogance, la tricherie la dureté du cœur, la corruption, l’escroquerie, ect… pour gagner de l’argent et d’autres biens matériels ou pour dominer et garder le pouvoir, l’influence. Malheureusement au bout du temps cette sagesse nous amènera à la mort. En tant qu’enfant de Dieu, nous apprenons plutôt la sagesse de Dieu que nous trouvons dans sa parole, la bible (v. 7 part A) et le SE joue la fonction du REPETITEUR pour nous rappeler tout ce que nous apprenons pour que nous mettions cela en pratique. Par ce que, à quoi sert une formation si vous ne pouvez pas en tirer profit ? Alors le S E nous aide non seulement à maitriser cette sagesse pour qu’elle nous aide dans notre vie quotidienne, mais aussi il nous rappelle des toutes les promesses qui s’attachent à ce titre d’enfant de Dieu (promesses non seulement des choses d’ici bas mais aussi de la vie éternelle).

Bien aimés ayez donc l’habitude de demander l’aide du S E devant toute circonstance, c’est comme ça que Dieu nous révélera sa volonté devant les différentes situations que nous rencontrons dans la vie (V.11-12). Le matin lorsque vous vous réveillez priez, demandez qu’il vous accompagne dans vos occupations journalières, à n’importe quelle circonstance avant d’agir ou prendre une décision demandez lui de vous inspirer. Ayez l’habitude de vous poser des questions du genre : que voudrais – tu que je fasse devant cette situation cher SE? ; Quel est le passage biblique qui se rapport à cette circonstances? Je vous assure mon frère ma sœur que le S E est une puissance, il nous donne le pouvoir, le courage et la détermination même de fuir ou abandonner le pécher, et de pratiquer l’honnêteté, l’amour, l’humilité, l’hospitalité, la métrise de sois, la fidélité, etc ... Rom 8 :5 -17 notre état d’esprit est penché vers le mal, il y aura des pensées perverses dans nos têtes ; mais Il suffit d’être sensible à la voix du S E lorsqu’il nous parle intérieurement, il suffit d’être obéissant lorsqu’il nous dirige, ne le résistez pas, faire la sourde oreille à cette voix interne n’est rien d’autre que la désobéissance à Dieu. C’est donc une décision à prendre, un choix à faire d’obéir ou désobéir Dieu.

Pour ceux qui n’ont pas encore reçu Jésus comme Seigneur et Sauveur, si vous avez suivi cette méditation et voudrez désormais vivre selon le S E, vous pouvez faire une courte prière et inviter Jésus Christ dans votre vie, confessez vos péchés à lui et demandez lui de vous pardonner; désormais le Saint Esprit viendra vous habiter.

Le 27 Mai 2021

A sermon series from Haggai

In Daniel chapter 5 we are introduced to the last king of Babylon, Belshazzar. In this chapter we come to the end of the Babylonians Empire and the beginning of the Medo-Persian Empire.

Pastor Gideon MacGovern Mpeni expounds from this Passage and observes that this transition is 'curtain raised' by a drunken orgy held by Belshazzar in which he is not only given to drunkenness, lust and idolatry, but even more seriously, he commits sacrilege against God by incorporating the holy temple vessels into his evil gathering. This was a bad choice that marked the beginning of the End -

It is the last Cheers! in which we see two key events,

A. The Corrupt king commits Cosmic Treason (v.1-12)

Selfish Gratification (v.1-
Intoxication
Immorality
Satanic Glorification (v.3-4, 22-23)
Idolatry (v.3-4)
Irreverent (v.22-23)

B. The Righteous King crafts the Concealed Graffiti (v.13-31)

God has crafted all His plan visible to the sight of all men and in this passage we see God invades though not on the invitation guests list!

This writing on the Wall points us to the Revelation of God (v.5) and Rebellious men who have a clear view of it are Convicted by it (v.6) and Condemned by it (v.24-28).

Like Belshazzar, they are not in need of etymological, or Biological explanation, they rather need a Theological significance and interpretation of what God has clearly reveal, for ALL has been concealed to the wise of this age (v.7-12)

In Sovereign Grace God has written and spoken through His Word, His plan has been clearly revealed (v.13-31)

In this narrative we see the outworking of the Biblical Narrative, that God has Crafted His Graffiti perfectly;

In Commissioning His Word (v.13-31)
In Creation (v.17, 23; Rom.1:18-32)
In Crisis (v.18-28. Gen.3-Rev.21)
In Christ - The humiliation of Nebuchadnezzar points us to Christ Crucified (v.21-28)
In the Church - His people will one day be exalted (v.29; Eph.2:7-10)
In the Condemnation of all Sinners (v.30)
In the Coronation of kings and kingdoms (v.31)

YOU CAN WATCH ALSO - https://youtu.be/l1PTh3J1ip0

TAKE TIME AND LISTEN, SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

There is one chief end of man, and that is "To Glorify God and enjoy Him forever."

But there are many other secondary goals that competes with this Goal, and we sadly turn those secondary goals as primary pursuits of our lives. Amongst the returning remnant of Israel, they were to display their commitment to this goal in the rebuilding of the temple. Looking at the issue of the temple in the New Testament setting we should acknowledge what has been said by G. Campbell Morgan; "Whereas the house of God today is no longer material but spiritual, the material is still a very real symbol of the spiritual. When the Church of God in any place in any locality is careless about the material place of assembly, the place of its worship and its work, it is a sign and evidence that its life is at a low ebb." [G. Campbell Morgan, The Westminster Pulpit, 8:315.]

Our lives in their entirety are the temple of God, and we have this all surpassing Goal to Glorify God, knowing that “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

If you are a Christian, you are not your own. Christ has bought you at the price of his own death. You now belong doubly to God: He made you, and he bought you.

That means your life is not your own. It is God’s.

Therefore, the Bible says,

“Glorify God in your body.” God made you for this. He bought you for this. This is the meaning of your life.

The first Chapter of the Book of Haggai is a Call to action and in it we are able to observe five key things;

EXEGETICAL/HOMILETICAL OUTLINE

The Recipients of the prophecy (v.1)
The Rebuke For Procrastination (verses 2-4)
The Reaping Of Poverty (verses 5-6)
The Reason For Poverty (verses 9-11)
The Remedy For Poverty (verses 5,7,8)
The Renewal Of Purpose (verses 12-15)

Take time and listen to the full sermon and its application.

A sermon from the family church camp 2021

Be encouraged

Sunday 23 May 2021 Sermon

Continuing with the sermon exposition in the book of Daniel

A look at the Five Solas of the Reformation

"In the fire yet on fire for the Redeemer" - Continuing with the sermon series in Daniel.

In this Sermon "In the fire yet on fire for the Lord." Pastor Gideon MacGovern Mpeni picks on from the third chapter he started last week.

As all world super powers, in Daniel, the superpower empires unconsciously mimicked God’s global purpose by attempting to steal God’s ruling authority and establish their own dominion over every tribe, tongue, people, and nation.

For example, in Daniel 2, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream of a giant statue representing his kingdom and three others. In the dream, a stone “cut out by no human hand” (Dan. 2:34 ESV) struck the statue and crushed the temporary kingdoms of the world. The stone—representing God’s eternal kingdom—grew into a mountain and filled the whole earth (Dan. 2:35).

King Nebuchadnezzar’s prideful response to that vision was to erect a huge golden statue in a futile attempt to say, “It won’t happen to me!” Nebuchadnezzar commanded “people of every nation and language” to worship the statue or be thrown in the fiery furnace (Dan. 3:4–6 HCSB).

The climax in the third chapter is seen in the response of the three Hebrew boys and the question of the King.

The three men could have compromised with the king and defended their disobedience by arguing, “Everybody else is doing it,” or “Our office demands that we obey,” or “We’ll bow our knees but we won’t bow our hearts.” They might have said, “We can do our people more good by being officers in the king’s service than by being ashes in the king’s furnace.”

From their response the king asks a cardinal Question that this narrative passage answers it in wonderful manner

Who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?

The God who delivers these boys is revealed as Fathful in that :

He is a personal God - "our God ... servants of God...the God of" (v.16,26,28,29)
He is a powerful God - "He is able" (v.17-18)
He is Present with His people in the Fire (v.19-25)
He is pre-emminent - "The Most High God" (v.26)

Take time and listen, and Next week God willing we will look at the last two incredible attributes of this God...

One of my favorite songs this year. Take time listen and be encouraged

Demonic oppression is a reality experienced by all kinds of people, all over the world, both believers and nonbelievers. It is stressful, often frightening, and can result in depression, sickness, and emotional problems. But, what is demonic oppression, and what kinds of things can open you up to demonic oppression?

“Demonic oppression is the work of evil spiritual forces that urge us to sin, to deny God’s word, to feel spiritually dead, and to be in bondage to sinful things. This oppressive work is performed by evil spiritual forces who resist God, and who sinned in their first estate (Jude 6). They war against God, against God’s people, and against unbelievers as well. Their goal is to bring as many people as possible into rebellion against God and condemnation in hell.” carm.org

Take time and listen to this for more

In this group discussion Mark Ehlers, who serves as one of the elders of Florida Baptist Church takes us thought the Word and tackles this important topic.

Paul Schlehlein has been a church-planting missionary living among the Tsongas in rural South Africa since 2006. He helped establish a Bible Institute in 2008 to train pastors and planted Trinity Baptist Church in Mbhokota Village in 2009. Much of his time is spent teaching, evangelizing, and writing for the Tsonga-speaking people. He and his wife, Lindy, have seven children. In this sermon he shows us how a the Lord Jesus Christ encouraged a man to remain in his home town and be an Evangelist. 1. The sinner's Past Eslavement is transformed by - the Powerful Emancipation by the Lord Jesus Christ.

The forth sermon of the Easter series, "Behold". In this Expository preaching sermon by Pastor Gideon MacGovern Mpeni looking at John 20 and calls the believers to

“Weep not, Work now…Behold the mission field"

In a world filled with turmoil, it is easy to forget who is really in charge, and forget our God given mandate like the disciples of Jesus we soon become cowards rather than courageous witnesses.

The empty tomb is not a place of sorrow for believers – it is neither a shrine that we must visit and worship it. None of this is the necessary response to the empty tomb.

If you are a Christian you may be arguing that things are not normal, whay must I be involved in the work of the Lord, I am in a season of loss, pain, and sorrow. Therefore here are four facts to remember when fear and sorrow overwhelms your soul, so that you will remain an ambassador of Christ at all times.

You have seen the undeniable Evidence - "Jesus came and stood among them." (V.19-20)
You have received the unwavering Encouragement – “Peace I give you! (v.21a.)
You have known the undisputed & Incomparable Example – as the Father sent me! (v.21b.)
You have been given the infinite Empowerment – Receive the Holy Spirit (v.22-23)

Take time and listen

An Easter sermon in the series behold what a Savior.

"Behold what a Morning!" An Easter Sunday. The third sermon of the Easter series by Pastor Gideon Mpeni This is a record of the exclusive appearance of Jesus Christ to his own disciples, a dramatic day that turned hearts of these men and women 1. The Disciples Curious and yet Confused to believe the Scriptures (v.1-10) 2. Sorrow turned to Joy (v. 11-18) 3. The Cowards are commissioned (v.19-23) 4. Faith turned to sight (v.24-29)

Jesus’ death on the cross paid the penalty for our sin and was raised from the Grave. The result is forgiveness, justification, imputation of righteousness, and our acceptance as children into God’s family with Jesus as our Lord and brother. Conversely, Scripture is clear that the resurrection of Jesus is both a matter of fact and faith. The historical fact is that Jesus Christ alone has risen from death.

Martin Luther: “Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection not in words alone, but in every leaf in springtime.”

John R. Stott: “Christianity is in its very essence a resurrection religion. The concept of resurrection lies at its heart. If you remove it, Christianity is destroyed.”

As we Paul sums up in 1 Corinthians 15. There we are told that if Jesus did not bodily rise is victory over death, then Christianity is nothing more than a cruel hoax dreamt up by liars to give false hope to gullible fools.

Take Time and listen. NOTICE GET THE VIDEO VERSION ON OUR Facebook and YouTube PLATFORMS

A Good Friday sermon

The people in Jesus’ day were blinded and could not perceive who He really was to the very final week and after resurrection. Although they sung and praise Him their hearts were darkened, yet their lips declared him as king but he is aware what the future held for him and them.

1.He willingly enters Jerusalem (19:28-35)

2. He is Welcomed in Jubilation (19:28-40)

·For He brings Joy

He Weeps over Jerusalem (19:41-44)

· For their impaired Discernment

·For the impending Destruction what can we learn from this passage?

Take time and listen...

What does it mean when we speak of the wrath of God?

What are the implications and what must be our response in view of knowing the wrath of God?

The key lessons that we can learn from a Bible Study from the book of Numbers 14

Taking a look at the state of the church in Malawi and examining some trends on Christians and those who profess to be Christians. Looking at the dangers of false teachers and prophets in the church today.

A look at the doctrines of Grace

"ARE AWED BY THE MERCY OF GOD?"

Do you live your life in daily praise to God for the mercy bestowed upon you?

An Expository Sermon from 1 Timothy 1:12-17 by Craig Dadoo who serves as one of the elders of Crystal Park Baptist Church Benoni.

In this Christ-Centered message, Pastor Craig challenges the believers amnesia to the Gospel of our Lord and savior, and reminds us to consider afresh what God has done in Christ for sinners like us, who deserve the wrath of a Holy and Just God.

Mercy is God's just punishment on a sinner, that has been diverted and delayed in His Son, yet for those who trust in His Son, this punishment has been satisfied and "it is done!".

Taking us through Paul's declaration to his son in the faith Timothy, we are reminded from 1 Timothy 1:12-17 what the Apostle Paul would consider to be of supreme importance, the Gospel.

A Rebel who was shown mercy to be a minister (v.12-13)
The Redemption to the undeserving (v.14-16)
The Reason for our pardon and praise (v.16-17)
The Resounding praise to the king (v.17)

Take time and listen to the video recording on Florida Baptist Church Facebook page or on this podcast channel

Looking at the Current affairs of their day, the people of God in exile, would see a contradiction between the Covenant Promises and the status qou. The fall of the Jerusalem, the destruction of the Temple of Solomon, and the deportation of the leadership and upper classes of Judah in 586 B.C. was the most devastating historical and theological event in all of Israel’s and Judah’s long history.

It evoked a most profound question: who, indeed, is sovereign, Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian and Persian successors or the God of Israel who either allowed it to happen or was powerless to prevent it?

That might be the similar perception by some today, which brings us to the question, who is this King in the King's Dream, when is his Kingdom going to be ushered in?

In this sermon, Pastor Gideon MacGovern Mpeni expounds from Daniel 2:44-45 and shows us that, the King is none aother than Jesus, whose Kingdom/Kingship can be seen and should be understood as :

A Glorious Kingdom

a. Despised by men on its first Coming

b. Destroys the kingdoms of men in second Coming

A Gracious Kingdom

a. Redeems the Rebels and makese them sons (Rom.8:3-14)

b. Reigns with them as Heirs (Rev.20)

Listen to the full Sermon From Daniel by Pastor Gideon Mpeni

We are facing an unusual time in History but not so unusual to God. We are daily exposed to statistics that tell us how many people are dead and are walking in the valley of the shadow of Death.

For many it looks as though there is no longer purpose to life or the purposes of God have been thwarted. But more than ever, we must be convinced that the purposes of God will stand even in Him calling men and women to His service. And to every Christian, those who have trusted in Jesus for the redemption of their Souls, we must submit ourselves to His purposes and become the super spreaders of the message of peace, hope and eternal life in Jesus Christ.

It was John Calvin who reminded us that we are not our own the Lord owns us. The implication is that "If we, then, are not our own but the Lord’s, it is clear what error we must flee, and whither we must direct all the acts of our life.

Our Confession in denying self

We are not our own: let not our reason nor our will, therefore, sway our plans and deeds.
We are not our own: let us therefore not set it as our goal to seek what is expedient for us. . . .
We are not our own: in so far as we can, let us forget ourselves and all that is ours. Conversely, we are God’s: let us therefore live for him and die for him.

Our Conviction in God

We are God’s: let his wisdom and will therefore rule all our actions.
We are God’s: let all the parts of our life accordingly strive toward him as our only lawful goal.

O, how much has that man profited who, having been taught that he is not his own, has taken away dominion and rule from his own reason that he may yield it to God! For, as consulting our self-interest is the pestilence that most effectively leads to our destruction, so the sole haven of salvation is to be wise in nothing and to will nothing through ourselves but to follow the leading of the Lord alone.

The King's nightmare proved to be God's perfect outworking of History and Sovereign plan and Daniel and his friends Praised God for the Revelation.

In this Sermon Gideon MacGovern Mpeni exhorts us to and expounds Daniel 2 showing us

Three reasons why you can join Daniel in Praise to God in the face of Panic – why you can still rejoice in God in the face of what may be regarded as a nightmare

The Worldly wise are Saved – will be Saved (Dan.2:24-30)
The Worldly kingdoms will be Shattered (Dan.31-44)
The Worthy King will reign Supreme forever (34-35, 43-44)

Listen to this Expository Sermon From Daniel 21-16 from Florida Baptist Church SA

Breaking News! WHo is man

In this episode, the men of Florida Baptist Church takes time to look at how we can apply the Attributes of God in our daily walk as Christians.

Everything that has a breath

Everything that takes a step

Everything from up above

Here on earth sing of His love

Everyone who’s on a mountain

Everyone in the driest place Praise Him

Praise Him

Praise Him in the morning

When the feeling’s gone

Praise Him in the evening

When you’re all alone

Praise Him in the noonday

When you’re moving along

Praise Him while you have another moment

To sing this song

Praise You in the morning

When the feeling’s gone

Praise You in the evening

When I’m all alone

Praise You in the noonday

When I’m moving along

Praise You while I have another moment

To sing this song

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Matt Ragan

Take time and ponder, Do the times you are facing seem like a nightmare?

Is your heart troubled to the point of losing your sleep? Have been parading in the valley of despondent or depression?

What if this was God's perfect plan in History? Take time and listen and let burst in Praise to Our God like Daniel even in the face of this pandemic. I am praying for you and your family and do not hesitate to let me know if you have any specific prayer request.

We serve a God who answers prayers and is not moved even by our predicaments.

Take time listen to this sermon and feel free to share with your loved ones.

Arthur was raised in an atheist family and God was gracious to send the gospel right in China, he was led to Christ in China by two missionaries who were teaching him English. In this Episode he gives his salvation testimony and also tells how he came to sense his call to ministry.

Last year (2020) he was among the many who were effected by the current virus (Covid-19) and he was graciously healed by the Lord. Hear how God manifested His providence in his life.

An Expositional Sermon Series from the book of Daniel.

A timely encouragement in the face of trials

An introduction to the Book of Daniel

This piece of Scripture reveals to us the great miracle of all time, God became a man, and His birth marked the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the Start of the inception of the New Covenant, for He had to be like us (John 1:14) so that He will redeem us (Matt.1:21).

The baby of Bethlehem is the King of Kings. But not everyone was super excited to hear the News like the Shepherds (Luke 2:1-20). The birth of Christ had put the cosmic world at stand still and He had received positive and negative reaction. How does that take place?

Sit and Wonder, See and Worship, who are these Shepherds who hear the first Christmas Carols sung by angelic hosts, the first Gospel of the Birth of the King of the Universe and what can we learn so that we must return in praise and adoration to God?

Their Reputation among men; not Glorious (v.8)
The Revelation from God; so Glorious (v.9-14)

a. The Splendor - Before their sight (v.9)

b. The Saying - To their ears - (v.10. Rom.10:17)

c. The Savior - For their Souls - (v.11)

d. The Sign – for their assurance (v.12)

e. The singing – for their eternal joy and delight (v.13-14)

3. Their Response to the Gospel; so Gripping (v.15-19)

· They rushed to Bethlehem (v.15-16)

· They recounted about the Baby (v.17-19)

They Returned giving Glory to God (v.20)

Follow us on #Facebook #@florida.baptist.church.sa

“The Sustainer of the Universe, now sustained in a womb – the infinite becomes an infant” what are the five fitting postures that we must maintain as we ponder on the birth of the King?

See the surprise visit by Gabriel (v.26-29)
Hear the scandalous news declared (v.30-31)
Believe the supernatural birth (v.35-37)
Behold the superior King (v.32-33,35)
Imitate the submissiveness of the maid-servant (v.38)

With the coming of COVID-19 we have seen many changes in the world, and one wonders if we as CHristians will still be effective, but these are the questions to think about:

Has the Christian mandate changed?

Has the method of growth changed?

Has the word of God changed?

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE - Gideon takes time and discuss with Mbulelo Peter as to what it means to be an effective Christian post Covid-19.

“God’s most effective difference makers seem to have “gone through some type of weakening process to break the outer shell of arrogance, self-righteousness, and dependence on personal strength, charisma, and talent. (2Cor.3:4-4:1-18)

God uses failure, he uses sickness, he uses breakdown, and he uses sin, personal tragedy, and sorrow to reduce his people to usefulness. Unless the servant of God learns to depend utterly on God and to forsake self-dependence of any kind, he or she remains too strong to be of much value.” (Robert Girard )

The term Shepherd refers to a rich scriptural figure that finds its beginning and end in God.

He who is the “Shepherd of Israel” (Psalm 80:1) – ultimately demonstrated the meaning of His covenantal love as the Great Shepherd of the sheep by giving His life for them (John 10:11). Sheep are helpless (Isaiah 53:7) are followers (John 10:3-5) are likely to wander and stray (Isaiah 53:6) but God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love for us, He sent us His Son as the Good Shepherd and before He would ascend to heaven He has blessed His flock with under-Shepherds.

And under His care they do not lack. Take some time and listen.

We are living in a world where we are faced with constant danger, from within and without, God is very much aware of that reality.

Whether it be dangers in regard to what we face spiritually or physically we can be assured that He cares, and is concerned about the well being of His people. In this Sermon we take a look at the heart of God in caring for His people in the Old and New Testament. A first part in the sermon, "He gave the Shepherds" - An Exposition Sermon from Ephesians 4:11 by Gideon Mpeni.

Take your time and be encouraged.

A sermon from Ephesians 4:7-14 by Gideon Mpeni continuing with the series through Ephesians, looking at Christ's gift third to the Church, the Evangelists.

“A passion for the lost – A lost Passion”

To begin with, let me just say, in a general way, that everything great in life, every significant accomplishment, every worthwhile endeavor, every supremely fulfilling enterprise is the result of someone with an undeniable, unstoppable passion.

And Christianity, if it is to impact the world, must be carried by people who are consumed passionately with its truth and with its objectives. That is not easy in this day and in this society. We live in an age and a place where our sharpness is being dulled by the constant encroachment of worldliness. Our commitment is being blunted by the plethora of options that fill up our time and take our minds and our energy.

“The church may have a big brain, but it appears to have a small heart. The church’s temperature has dropped significantly. Her step is leaden, and her spirit is apathetic. Christians today do not appear to be preoccupied with the purpose for which the Messiah came, but rather are preoccupied with making sure that they cover every little area of their life so that it can become utterly fulfilling and the way that they wish it could be. And they are very narcissistic.” (Dr. John MacArthur)

One Wonders today is carelessness the problem with the church?

Is the church dying on her feet because she just doesn't want to be bothered?

There is apathy in the world, has that apathy of the world infected the church?

Do we have a 'take it or leave it' mentality with the things of God, and particularly with evangelism?

Listen to this Sermon and hear how we can be diligently be sowers of the seed of the Gospel!

Amidst what may appear to be a popular majority vote, there is always a remnant who will be used for God's purposes. In a democratic, inclusive society, we may at times feel conflicted. But it is in such a time as this, that God will cause His Grace to abound upon the conflicted disciple.

Take time and listen to this sermon from the Gospel of Luke, preached at Mukhanyo Theological College where Gideon has been serving since 2016 as a part time lecturer.

Many people have been wounded in Churches today, many a re claiming to speak under the power of the Holy Spirit.

Let us be honest, the elephant in the room is really causing a lot of havoc. The modern day prophets are not a blessing but a burden and a curse to the Church in Africa. Listen to this and hear why I am saying that. If you have any Questions please let us talk. Know that I love you and care about your soul. If you are in one of those prophets hands I pray that the Lord will rescue you and find a Bible preaching local Church.

The weightiness of this topic is so heavy on the African landscape. Many people have been wounded in the Church, many have developed a heart of indifference, and many have resorted to isolate themselves completely to anything that has the name church attached yo it. Why is that the case? Who is the Key perpetrators of such people?

On the African soil, this has come about because of the so called Prophets. We take time to look the Biblical view of prophets, and in this sermon we look at the prophets in the Early church.

I do not know of any other ministry that has damaged the image of the church in the African public square today more than that of the self-proclaimed prophets who have perverted what charismatics believe is a genuinely biblical prophetic ministry.

While this phenomenon is not peculiar to Africa, this kind of public abuse of the pastoral and prophetic ministry seems to be more obvious here than elsewhere. For this growing breed of avaricious pastors, the greater their material accoutrements, the more apparent is the stamp of God’s approval on their ministry. The Bible does warn that in the last days there will be many false prophets, and false prophets have come and gone throughout the history of church. Yet this is now too prevalent in the church in Africa.

Ephesians 4:11 Sermon series

From a sermon series of Ephesians 4:11

BOOK LAUNCH EPISODE

"HOW WAS THE CHURCH SERVICE"

A book that equips every believer to devote themselves, to the diligent study, explaining, expounding and application of the Word of God. A practical tool for both those on the pulpit and those in the pews. Patrick is a faithful student, teacher/preacher of the Word of God, and an African Christian Author, as he introduces us to his latest book, "How was the Church Service?" Join us as we find out from the Author Patrick Nemabubuni. Here are some of the Questions we will be asking him, - There are many books out there, why another book? - Who is the targeted recipient of this book and why? What real-life inspirations did he draw from for the world building within his book? - What was the hardest part of writing this book? - What was his favorite chapter (or part) to write and why? - Did he learn anything from writing this book and what was it? - Is there a message in his book that he hope readers will grasp? - What is his preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow him (i.e., website, personal blog, Facebook page, here on Goodreads, etc.) and link(s)? - Why should you consider buying this Book

The Lord desires that His Church will mature and display His glory among the nations (Eph.2:7 & 3:10) for that purpose to be a reality He has triumphed over the enemy and shared the spoil to His bride (Eph.5:25-27, 32).

He gives gifted men to the Church

A. He gave the apostles

The meaning (Eph.1:1; 3:7)
Their mission
Their message
The motive (Eph.4:12-14)

Définition : Prier c’est parler ou communiquer à Dieu.

La Communication avec Dieu comprend beaucoup d’aspects, ça peut être l’adoration, la confession, une demande ou une requête, remerciement ou action de grâce …

Dans la bible il y a beaucoup de versets qui nous parlent de la prière et nous allons nous référer à quelques uns.

P. Biblique de base: 1 Thessalonians : 5 :17 Priez sans cesse.

Nous allons nous poser3 questions pour exploiter notre thème : Pourquoi, Comment et Quand est-ce qu’il faut prier ?

Pourquoi : premièrement par ce que nous dépendons de Dieu ; deuxièmement, pour nous humilier devant Dieu, lui montrer notre révérence et amour.

Vous remarquerez que tous les aspects de la prière que nous venons de mentionner répondent à ces besoins. Par exemple :

Nous adorons Dieu par ce que nous reconnaissons qu’il est suprême, tous ses attributs nous poussent à l’adorer et l’élever pour que nous nous abaissions.
Lors que nous confessons, nous nous humilions devant Dieu pour qu’il nous pardonne de nos péchés au lieu de nous punir.
Demande : nous ne sommes pas dans la position de commander Dieu, parce que tout lui appartient, nous dépendons donc de lui mais aussi nous demandons parce que nous ne méritons rien, nous sommes appeler à introduire notre pétition à Dieu avec humilité.

Vous pouvez continuer à examiner les autres aspects …

In this episode our guest teacher Maya, takes us on a journey in God's Word and challenges us to be a people who are thirsty for God.

An Expositional sermon delivered as a devotional at Mukhanyo Theological College where Gideon has been serving as a part time lecturer since 2016.

The Heroic acts that unites us & propels us in the Work of ministry amidst opposition 1. Christ’s Conquest over our selfish service – Grace was given (v.7) 2. Christ’s Conquest on Satan and his hosts (v.8-14)

Gifts were given (V.8-10) Gifted men were given (v.11)

In this sermon series the focus was mainly on the first two points below; A. The provider – “He” B. The privilege – “gave” C. The persons 1. The Apostles 2. The prophets 3. The Evangelists 4. The shepherds and teachers

We have been really blessed infinitely that at times we don't just realize how much. But the world around us has made us to believe that Corona is the captain in this time. This is contrary to what we see in the scripture, take some time and listen to the sermon preached yesterday, it is Christ Jesus who is our captain and ultimate Hero of all time even in the face of Corona.

Due to Covid-19, many of us have been affected and some infected. The effects on some is that they have lost their jobs, and others are on the verge of facing layoffs or retrenchment.

How should we as Christian respond to such news?

Can we still trust God through all these uncertain times. How can or should couples navigate together amidst all this?

In this Episode Gideon takes time with Archie and Emile Dirorimwe as they talk about God's faithfulness in their lives amidst life's trials such as retrenchment from work, miscarriages, and many other trials they have faced and How they have through it all remained steadfast to God.

One of the remarkable points made by our sister, she points out that "All life's challenges have an end, even if it means death, it is an end but not an ultimate end to the one who believes in the risen Lord" (Emile)

Another one that is worthy your ears and heart is the knowledge of God in the midst of trial, "Your means of provision will always change, but the source remains the same, our source of all is God." (Archie)

Listen to the full episode and be encouraged, and if you desire prayer and Counselling in this time, please send a WhatsApp message to +27 82 4701640.

STAY TUNE, SUBSCRIBE TO THIS CHANNEL

In this Episode Gideon takes time to talk to Sifiso and Kgaugelo Pule on why Adoption is God's heart and a wonderful display of the Gospel.

We talk around

Is Adoption in SA context a taboo subject?
We specifically examine if Black South Africans are slowly adopting and why not in great numbers?
The current stats of abandoned babies that is shocking in gauteng alone.
They also share their journey of adopting Fide and the barriers they faced and biblical perspectives.

For more information write to: macgovern.gideon@gmail.com

TUNE IN AND BE ENCOURAGED.

Gideon interviews two ladies, Lynette Anderson and Cynthia Mccarthy, who have been members of a local church of Florida Baptist for 78 years and 75 years respectively.

They recount when they started and how their walk with Christ has been over the years.

In this Episode, Gideon continues to take us through the book of Nehemiah, a last Old Testament account of Reformation and Revival. We hear of this man and are able to watch this strong, earnest, godly hero, Nehemiah, resolutely leading the rebuilding in the first part of the book, then resolutely resisting compromise and laxity and intrigue in the second part of the book, we find the spiritual message of it all coming home to us with great force.

Listen as to what are the implications of this to the New Testament Christian.

FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS TO YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS

This a expository Sermon was preached at a Funeral of Genevie D. Hollington (1939 - 2020) at Florida Baptist Church in Roodepoort, in Johannesburg South Africa

The world is preaching a message to the Woman that is perceived as appealing and ideal.

She is taught to chase after

World Views about Women in General

· Rights

· Beauty - Sadly we have reduced the Woman’s character to a Greek goodness and we are celebrating it.

LOOK AT CURRENT AFFAIRS: The Word DIVA comes from the Latin Word” deus” meaning devil.

The Italian word DIVA means goddess.

The prefix DIVA is short for the word divination.

A DIVA is a female goddess or a woman that is worshipped

· Fighters for Status in the Community

· Unworthy – Incapable of influence

The Four Virtues of the Women of Grace that you must emulate so that opponents will be put to shame

Piousin their behaviour

2. Not Poisonous gossips [not malicious gossips Me Diabolos

3. nor Prisoners - enslaved to much wine,

4. Principled - teaching what is good

The book of Nehemiah falls into two divisions.

Re-Construction and
Re-Instruction … The theme of this book is that God fulfills our need for security, protection, and strength…

The Significance of a wall

Ray Stedman points out that: A wall is a very symbolic structure. It is more than just a barrier of stone and mortar. A wall is a statement. The walls of the city of Jericho symbolized the pride and arrogance of that godless city, and that is one reason why God chose to pull them down with nothing but Israel’s faith, His own invisible power, and the people’s deafening shout.

He wanted to show that the arrogance of Jericho was no match for the humility of God’s people when it was aligned with the limitless power of God Himself…

The rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem symbolizes an act all believers should undertake. God calls each of us to rebuild the walls of our lives. What does that mean?

Jerusalem is a symbol of the City of God: God’s dwelling place and the center of life for the world. In the New Testament, we see that God’s ultimate dwelling place is in us, His people. When we rebuild the walls of our individual lives, we reestablish the protection and strength of God in our lives.

In a world that has distorted what it means to be a woman, and divergent opinions and views about women. It is a great need to take a look at the Biblical virtues of Women from Titus 2. We feature Madalitso Njobvu a.k.a. CristoClear. singing a song titled "Kwathu Sipadziko" (This world is not my home)

In this Episode we focus on Two of the qualities for Older Women

1.Temperate,

• Clear-headed – “Not swayed by worldly arguments”

• level headed – able refute the false teachers

• to behave in an orderly manner, to be sober, serious, sane, sound-minded, discreet, self-disciplined, prudent, and moderate.

It describes one who is watchful to remain free from the intoxicating effects of the world, the flesh and the devil and therefore they seek to continually remain circumspect, sober, and vigilant.

Dignified,

• worthy of respect

• Honourable, august (marked by majestic dignity or grandeur),

• Reverent or behaving with reverent propriety.

• It refers to the character that evokes special respect.

A deep conviction of Sin is one of the marks that must be present in any revival, as we see in the first chapter of Nehemiah, and in Today's episode, we focus on that. Brian Edwards states that,

"If there are three things that are common to all true revivals they are prayer, preaching and a conviction of sin. If we are to expect revival in these days, we must expect it to hurt."

What is the problem?

But we find ourselves at the backdrop of a moral decay and lack of zeal among the people of God, where it is evident that, "this little church has gone to the market" to the point that in recent years we have been busy trying to convince the world by our Christian clowns and comedians, and by our big, happy events, that Christianity is fun. The reason why the world does not take Christianity seriously is because Christians don't

Revival does not persuade the world that the Christian faith is fun, but that it is essential. There is a colossal difference.

The first work of the Spirit is not to tell us that we can be happy, but that we must be holy because God is.

What kind of men then did God use in Revival?

The kind of men God has used in revival were men who trembled at sin and whose conscience was sensitive to the approach of sin; men who did not try to justify their lazy, careless habits, but who lived disciplined and determined lives.

If there is one thing common to the men God uses in revival it is that they fear nothing but God and sin.

The reason for this is that revival is always a revival of holiness, and therefore the vessels God uses must be holy.

In this episode Gideon hosts Mponjoli Mwakaswa, who has served with Kairos Ministries International Malawi and Johannesburg for 15 years, and currently serving as a Part time lecture in Church History and Church Leadership.

"One of the scariest commodity in Africa is leadership" (Mponjoli)

What will it take for the Lord to win the nations and cities to Himself?

What kind of Authority is needed to bring the arrogance of the nations to their knees?

What is capable of breaking the hearts of stone and turning them into hearts of flesh?

What weapon do we need to use in the day and age that seems so complicated and technologically sophisticated?

What does God use?

See in this episode and hear - God uses His word, He has proved that He has one weapon in His arsenal. The Word is supreme just as God is supreme. The nature of the Word cannot be divorced from the character and the nature of God.

The supremacy of the true and living God might well be argued from the infinite distance which separates the mightiest creatures from the almighty Creator, He created everything by the power of His Word (Heb.11:3).

A. W. Pink Would say;

He is the Potter, they are but the clay in His hands, to be molded into vessels of honour, or to be dashed into pieces (Psa 2:9) as He pleases.

Were all the denizens of heaven and all the inhabitants of the earth to combine in revolt against Him, it would occasion Him no uneasiness, and would have less effect upon His eternal and unassailable Throne than has the spray of Mediterranean’s waves upon the towering rocks of Gibraltar. So puerile and powerless is the creature to affect the Most High.

Scripture itself tells us that when the Gentile heads unite with apostate Israel to defy Jehovah and His Christ, “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh” (Psa 2:4). The absolute and universal supremacy of God is plainly and positively affirmed in many Scriptures. “Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the Kingdom, O LORD, and Thou art exalted as Head above all...And Thou reignest over all” (I Chron 29:11,12)—note, “reignest” now, not “will do so in the millennium.”

“O LORD God of our fathers, art not Thou God in heaven? and rulest not Thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in Thine hand is there not power and might, so that none [not even the Devil himself] is able to withstand Thee?” (II Chron 20:6). Before Him presidents and popes, kings and emperors, are less than grasshoppers.

It is before this God that the King of Nineveh was brought down from His throne, and the Lord was exalted above the sin of the people of Nineveh, the pride of their hearts, and the pomp of the Kingdom, nothing would stand the Supreme Word of God!!

A Devotional preaching at Mukhanyo Theological College

Gideon Mpeni the Host

Nehemiah began to rebuild both the walls and the spiritual lives of the people, as he became their governor. As we look at Nehemiah, we will learn a lot about godly leadership.

The story behind the rebuilding of the walls is that Israel had rebelled against God during the times of the kings, and God judged them by exiling them to Babylon for over 140 years (586 BC-445 BC). After seventy years in exile, bands of Israelites started to return to Israel. In fact, there were three returns. The first was led by Zerubbabel—a descendant of David who rebuilt the temple in Israel. The second was led by Ezra—the priest who brought an initial spiritual revival in Israel. The third return was led by Nehemiah, as told here and it brought about revival.

Tune in for the next episode

In a World that is attempting to divide us as the Church of Jesus Christ, we must come to the conviction that Unity in the church shouldn't be that hard. After all, if we're being diligent to preserve the bond of peace, then the rest is easy, since we've already got such a common bond with one another. In spite of the fact that there are many church buildings, and many church denominations, really there is just one church. And that's the first thing Paul is talking about on his list of things we have in common.We are One Body.

For Revival and Reformation to be a reality, God uses His Word to transform the lives of the people. Key to this task, are faithful men who will devote themselves to the preaching and teaching of God's Word.

In this remarkable story, you hear amazing remark by one of the brothers stating, "Zambia, a country full of beauty and wonder with 72 tribes with over 50 dialects. And yet we live as one family. We might not be there economically, or technologically, but we are unmatched relationally."

So goes the pulpit, so goes the Church in Africa"

In this episode, we take time to hear the story of the Church in Zambia, on how the Lord has worked a work of Reformation that is yielding fruits of Revival in the various communities in the country.

This documentary is from HeartCry Films focusing on Pastoral trainings that have been facilitated by Kabwata Baptist Church, under the leadership of Dr. Conrad Mbewe

The necessity of Sound Biblical training cannot be undermined on our soil of Africa. Thank God for men like Kalingula Nkausu Benson, Isaac-Shupe Makashinyi, and Saidi Francis Chishimba who have devoted themselves to 2 Timothy 2:2 model and to the Ezra 7:10 philosophy of ministry.

We desire to see Africa taking the whole Gospel to the World.

Prophets were set apart to God, but they were not sinless. Jonah illustrates this point perfectly, as his first response to the Lord’s mission to Nineveh was to flee by boat to Tarshish (Jonah 1:3). Nineveh was located at present-day Mosul, Iraq, and Tarshish could be another name for the port of Tarsseus in Spain or a name for any land on the shores of the Meditteranean Sea that is distant from Israel. Either way, the point is clear: God had commanded Jonah to go one way, and Jonah headed in the opposite direction. He wanted nothing to do with Nineveh. Jonah 1:3 also says that the prophet was going “away from the presence of the LORD.”

The Prodigal prophet (ch.1)
The Praying prophet (ch.2)
The Preaching and Pouting prophet (ch.3)

This story marks the last of the revivals during the period of the kings of Israel and Judah. Although there had been a number of higher points, the story has been largely one of decline, spiritually, morally, and socially, to the point where God allowed both of these kingdoms to be destroyed.

As we have found on the other occasions, devotion to God rises and falls.

There is very little steady growth. Not only can individuals grow cold, so that a new surge of revival is needed within a generation. But, when one generation experiences revival, the next generation cannot live long, living on the spiritual credit account of the previous generation. Each new generation needs to experience the deep things of God for itself.This story marks the last of the revivals during the period of the kings of Israel and Judah. Although there had been a number of higher points, the story has been largely one of decline, spiritually, morally, and socially, to the point where God allowed both of these kingdoms to be destroyed.

As we have found on the other occasions, devotion to God rises and falls.

Take your time and listen to this Podcast

There Is One Lord - The word “Lord” means “Lord or Master.” It refers to “one Who exercises headship.” This word reminds is that there is one head of the church, and His name is Jesus. Paul has already exalted the Lord’s position in Eph. 1:18-23. He also mentions it in Col. 1:18. Whether we know it or not, we all serve the same Master. The Pastor, the Deacons, some influential family or person, is not the head of the church. There is a structure of leadership in the local assembly that we would do well to follow. However, the sole Lord over the body of Christ is the Head of that body, the Lord Jesus Christ. We have the infinitely strong bond that was purchased and sealed by the blood and guaranteed by resurrection.

One Boss - The Lord of All
One Belief - Faith in Christ for Salvation and Sanctification
One Baptism

Take a deep breath and look at the infinite geniusness of God in creation, but let that take you to the infinite geniusness of God in becoming a man. Listen to the exposition of Psalm 8.

What is the Alpha and the Omega of our lives?

What is the purpose of our lives?

Are we ready to die well?

Qualifications for Elders In this sermon, we take a look at the sixteen qualifications that Paul tells Titus to look for and they can be categories in

The vision I (v.5,9)

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach,

The vices to be Denounced
not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.

He must not be

arrogant or
quick-tempered or
a drunkard or
violent or
greedy for gain,

7 For an overseer, as God's steward,

The virtues that are Demanded
the husband of one wife, and
his children are believers and
must be above reproach.
but hospitable,
a lover of good,
self-controlled,
upright,
holy, and
disciplined.
He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught,
The vision II (v.5,9) - what the apostle has in mind as the objective of his charge.

so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

All human beings have a Godward orientation. Everyone is essentially religious. Young or old, poor or rich we are all worshipers. We never neutral. We all filter the experiences of life through a religious grid.

Made in the image of God implies that man is designed with a worship orientation, therefore every human being without exception is either worshipping or serving God or idols.

You either respond to God by faith or they suppress the truth in unrighteousness.

1 The Roots of idol worship

2 The Realities of an idol worshiper

3 The Remedy for an idol worshiper (v.20)

The mandate (v.1,15)
The message fitting for (v.2-6; 9-10)

Older men (v.2)

Older women (v.3)

Younger women (v.4-5)

Younger men (v.6)

Bondservants (v.9-10) 3. The messenger (v.7-8 4. The motive (v.11-14)

A sermon from the Habakkuk, examining the two key contrasts

The Boastful unrighteous (v.4a)

"But" indicates - The Chasm Contrast (v.4a) between them and

The Believing righteous (v.4b)
Marked by a unique Culture of the righteous (v.4b)

Hezekiah carried out reforms to destroy idol worship and restored temple worship. He re-instituted the Passover, and did whatever he could and needed to do to get people back to obeying God’s Word.

We certainly need that in our own culture. How we need reformation in our churches, because so many believers in this era have compromised God’s Word.

In this episode, Jehoshaphat was king of Judah following Asa's reign, and he was king of Judah at the same time that Ahab was king of Israel. So he was contemporary with Elijah and Elisha, although these two prophets belonged to Israel, and not to Judah.

These two chapters from Second Chronicles reveal one of the great periods in the history of the southern kingdom, based in Jerusalem.

Individual people have complex characters, with many aspects, having both commendable and less worthy features.

Even more so are whole societies much more complex than mere individuals, being made up of many different and complex people.

This story emphasises the need for justice, which was a point at which many problems arose continually through the Old Testament story.

KEY ACTIONS

Restoration of the true Worship of God (17:1-6)
Re-establishment of teachers of the Word of God (17:7-9)
Reverence for God among the nations (17:10)

In the 20th Chapter Jehoshaphat demonstrates complete dependance on God

Recognized the problem - Fear (v.1-4,12)
Relied on God (v.5)
Requested for protection from a faithful God (v.6-12)
Responded in Praise (v. 20-23)
Reaped God's provision and victory (v.17-24,ff)

In the reign of Ahab and Jezebel the children of Israel were becoming confirmed in idolatry. For over fifty years the people had been departing from the old faith, until the worship of Baal had become the State religion. For the first time in their history their ancient faith was persecuted. Men worshipped Jehovah with their lives in their hands. The prophets of the Lord were hunted down and put to death.

But one prophet, with our like passions and weakness (James 4:16-17), trusted in God and the Lord empowered him to call the nation into repentance.

There was a power with him that made the king tremble in his presence. The subject commanded the ruler. Under the direction of Elijah, Ahab summoned a national assembly. The people gathered in their thousands, and Elijah appealed to the masses direct with his message.

"How long will you go limping between two different opinions?" (1King 18:21)

Revival in the Times of King Asa. (Second Chronicles 14 - 15.)

In this episode Pastor Gideon Mpeni takes us through the reforms by Asa the King of Judah.

After the time of King Solomon the nation of Israel was split in two. The southern kingdom of Judah, with its capital in Jerusalem, remained loyal to the house of David, and some of the kings tried to follow David's religious line,as well.

Asa was the third king after Solomon. Chapter 14 tells us how he destroyed the centres of idolatry, some of which had been set up by Solomon in his later years to please his foreign wives. Asa also made laws to pressure people into obeying God's laws.

He fortified some of the country towns. The Lord blessed his efforts, guided him, gave him security, with long periods of peace and prosperity. Gad also gave him a dramatic victory in the face of overwhelming invasion.

As the period of Judge continues we see that the corruption of the people proceeded from the leaders of the day. In 1 Samuel we are introduced to the sons of Eli who were rebellious although they served among the priests, their lives were marked with contempt and corruption in that they were Greedy and immoral. Their life style is so congruent to what we see in most places of worship today. But if we desire to see Revival, what does the Lord demand of us. Today we look at 1 Samuel 7 and examine how Samuel began to lead as the last Judge.

He challenged their Return (v. 3)

a. Put away the idols

b. Direct your heart to the LORD

c. Serve Him only

They confessed and Repented (v. 4-5)
They Conquered and were Rescued (v.6-14)

In the Face of opposition to complete the temple of God, the Lord sends Haggai to exhort His people to rebuild.

A pertinent reminder for us to pursue God's purposes in our lives even in the face of opposition and unfavourable circumstances

In a world that is aiming to divide us, and magnify our distinctives, or even compromise on the grounds of unity at all costs, what is the basis of Christian unity, listen to today's sermon, focusing on verses 4 and 5

We find unity in God the Spirit (v. 4)
We find unity in God the Son (v.5)
We find unity in God the Father (v. 6)

This new touch from God occurred to Jacob following a very sad episode in his life, described in the previous chapter. Jacob had been a deceiver and liar, himself, in his younger days. He continued to be very self-oriented later in life, and was often not wise in the way he treated family members. Many of his sons did even worse things than Jacob had done.

Each time, although in different ways, the initiative is clearly taken by God. In this way we can recognise examples of His graciousness to a very unworthy man. This reminds us of our own unworthiness before God, and of the grace that God exercises in His dealings with us.

The nine similarities among Biblical revivals:

They occurred in times of moral darkness and national depression.
Each began in the heart of a consecrated servant of God who became the energizing power behind it [only 1 spark].
Each revival rested on the Word of God, and most were the result of proclaiming God’s Word with power.
All resulted in a return to the worship of God.
Each witnessed the destruction of idols where they existed.
In each revival, there was a recorded separation from sin.
In every revival the people returned to obeying God’s laws.
There was a restoration of great joy and gladness.
Each revival was followed by a period of national prosperity.

In this Episode Gideon continues on Revival and Reformation. Focusing on Holiness - Isaiah 57:14-18)

In this episode we take a look at the necessity of prayer in revival

Revival

Will begin by explaining why the name "Reconciled521" and the objectives of this podcast channel and live streaming broadcast of these talks then we will be doing PART 1 on Revival and Reformation.

In this episode Gideon discusses with Mark Hibberd on the responsibility of the Christian parents in times that the word of God is under attack.

In this episode with Kyle we discuss on the dangers of presenting the moral imperatives devoid of the gospel. Can young people live pure today and why? Can you lose your salvation because you have messed us sexually? Is there any hope for a backslider?

Taking a look at why we need more heathy churches ? Are the churches and seminaries doing enough? In this episode Gideon speaks with Lubabalo Matakane who is planting a church in Dinwiddie in the Eastern suburbs of Johannesburg

In this telephonic interview, we speak Kyle Tamblyn an associate Pastor of Honeyridge Baptist Church,he shares with us his call to ministry and some of the challenges that young people are facing.

Taking a quick survey through Ephesians focusing on chapters 3 to 6. Look in at questions like: what is the mystery? What has my Christian walk to do with the sun going down? What about submission and spiritual warfare?

In this episode Gideon takes an expositional look at Habakkuk 2:4

A reflectional look at the call of Isaiah in the time of crisis

A continuation of the VIII Marks of the Gospel series

Gideon takes some Reflections from Psalm 42 in COVID Times

A look at the Sunday sermon from Habakkuk and how it relates to the current affairs.

A look at the Sunday sermons from expositional series in Habakkuk

God centered

In this episode Gideon takes a look at the matter of first importance to the Christian faith, the Gospel and looking from 1 Cor. 15:1-4 and other passages he explains why Christ is the center of the Gospel.

Study from James 1:27. A look at the Christian duty and responsibility in times of trials. As we face COVID-19 we have a God given responsibility, but what is it?