The Resurrection that removed us from the curse of rejection

Scripture Reference

Genesis 3: 23-24 says: “So the Lord God banished him from the Garden from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.”

When God created man, He had a good plan for him. He placed him in a garden having prepared everything that was necessary for his survival. However, one day, Adam and Eve sinned and this caused them to lose that privileged position and to be removed from the Garden of Eden. It is from this time that the curse of rejection started following mankind up to this day.

This is why, at some point, as children grow up, they will start feeling this emptiness inside of them (especially during teenagehood) and they will try to look for ways to fill it, sometimes even by indulging in bad behaviors. All of us, in one way or another have felt rejected and alone in this world.

The word of God tells us that before we were conceived in our mother’s womb, God knew us. In our day to day life, we plan and organize things before they happen. For instance, for you to be seated on a chair in this church did not happen by mistake. It was planned ahead of time, and even the type of chair you will sit on was planned ahead of time. If human beings can plan such little things ahead of time, how much more did God have a well-laid out plan for you before He created you.

This is why you should know that it is not just by coincidence that you were born in that family even though, you might have felt rejected in it at some point.  This also happened in the life of Jesus Christ, Joseph, Moses and many other great servants of God.

A great point to remember is this:

Just like in the Old Testament, where a goat would be taken somewhere in the desert carrying the sins of the people, Jesus Christ was taken outside of the city somewhere up on a mountain to be crucified for us. He became our scapegoat. He was rejected by his own, including Peter his close friend. His life was exchanged to that of Barabbas, a renowned criminal. Those who sang “Hosanna, Hosanna” for Him, now wanted to see him crucified. He carried the curse of rejection for us in him (Isaiah 53:1-6).When he was buried, they put him in a grave outside of the city as a sign of rejection again. 

But when He rose again, He resurrected with Victory over rejection. And we resurrected with Him as His disciples with Victory over the Spirit of Rejection and we have received a new nature as a result of our resurrection.  Romans 8: 15 says that: “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Because of your faith in Christ, you have been accepted in the family of God never to be rejected again.
Rest in this fact, and stop trying to gain the approval of people. But rejoice, because the Most High God has approved you. And if the Almighty God has accepted you, who can reject you?

                                                                                Sermon preached by Nahimana Dieudonne

                                                             on Sunday, 27th of April 2014

Image retrieved on the internet from this website:

http://notes.envato.com/submission-tips-2/dealing-with-rejection-part-1/

Easter

Scripture Reference: 

Exodus 12: 1-14 

Easter did not start with the resurrection of Christ. It existed before as we see it in the scripture. However it was a shadow of what was to come. On the day of Passover, Jesus Christ told his disciples that things are going to change; that Passover will no longer be celebrated the way it’s been in the past. This is because He was going to die for us.

Today we celebrate Easter, testifying that Jesus defeated death and that those who believe in him are no longer under the slavery of pharaoh, satan or sin...that they are indeed free !

Jesus Christ was pierced, flogged and crucified so that you can be redeemed. He was paying the price for your redemption. He sweated blood in the Garden of Gethsemane as He was bearing our grief, so that no matter the circumstances that we may be going through as his disciples, we will have rest through it all.

He wore a crown of thorns and bled, to remove us from the curse of not advancing in life that came from Adam and Eve as a result of their disobedience to God. He was flogged that we may be healed. He was pierced on the side, and blood and water came from him, that we should no longer feel rejected or abandoned as His bride.

This was all part of the price that had to be paid for us to be redeemed. However, after He said that it is finished, He still had to do more for us to be born again. He descended to Hades, defeated death, received new life and became the first born from dead.

Important points to remember are these:

- When Christ was being crucified, we were in Him (as born again believers)

- When He said that “it is finished” (John 19:30), we were in Him

-  When He went down to Hades and defeated death, Satan and all the powers of darkness, we were in Him

Just like Christ, We have overcome Satan, and he knows it. Easter is a time of celebrating this eternal victory even as we remember what the Lord has done for us

.

And If you are not born again, remember that good works cannot save you. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can save you. Only the blood can remove your sins, only the work of Christ is valid in the sight of God. Your works cannot take you to heaven. But the blood of Jesus can. Are you born again? This is not about the church you go to, the family you come from, but it’s a decision you make. 

For more information on how to get born again this kindly click on this:

http://egliseoasisburundi.blogspot.com/2013/12/thanking-god-for-christ-whom-he-sent-to.html

God bless you all and 

Happy Easter!

Sermon preached by Pastor Nahimana

Dieudonne

Image extracted from slowbuddy.com

Dying to self

After the resurrection of Lazarus, Jesus Christ became more famous in the region. Jews saw him as the king who has come to bring an end to foreign rule.

 That is why they welcomed him saying: “Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Blessed is the king of Israel!” (John 12:13)

What they didn't know is that he would be exalted through His death so that we can have life. He died so that we can have eternal life. For us to receive the manifestation of His life in our lives, we have to also accept to die to our nature. 

Paul said in Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Stop seeking the approval of people, trying to impress them. People may see you dying, but remember that after you death, there will be a resurrection.

Extract of the Sermon preached by Pastor Dieudonne Nahimana

On Sunday, 12/04/2014

Image "dying to live" extracted from:

http://soulawakenings.wordpress.com/2011/02/02/dying-to-self/

HOW TO PRAY FOR YOUR LOVED ONES WHO ARE NOT BORN AGAIN

PRAYER AS A WEAPON

Last Wednesday we looked at how to pray for our loved ones who are not saved. We said that those who are not saved, are blind and bound by Satan. They are his prisoners and operate under his power. They are not free to do what they want to do, just like prisoners in the physical realm, they do what their master tells them to do. They are in captivity under the power of the enemy.

We also said that we have received, as the disciples of Christ, the power to get them out of those prison cells where they are held in captivity. Jesus Christ said to his disciples: "Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 18:18). We are not called to argue and dispute with them. But rather we are called to prophesy over them and call them out from those prisons. We are supposed to use the power given to us by the word of God.

Today, we are going to continue by talking about prayer as a weapon. The Prayers that the righteous make in faith are stronger than bombs. If God opened your eyes to see what happens in the spiritual realm when you pray in faith...you would be surprised. 
Sometimes,Satan builds up walls that hinder us from going far. These walls can be poverty, sickness and all sorts of problems and generational curses.

It takes one who has understood who they are in Christ to break those walls and limitations and bring transformation in their family and neighborhood. Let's not look for ways to go to India and China to set people free when in our own villages and towns, we still have not finished the duty that God has given us. We have to start with our Jerusalem. 

We have the Lion of the Tribe of Judah living in us. Remember, It is not about us- our power and strength. It is about Him who overcame. Jesus Christ. Use the power given to you by the Word God. Bind and close up those hangout spots in your neighborhood where young people sit while using drugs. Prophesy and use the power given to you by God.

However, all this is possible if you have a good relationship with God. You need to evaluate yourself. Is your life pleasing to the Lord? just because you are born again doesn't give you a license to sin. You need to have a good relationship with Jesus Christ to be clothed in power. It takes one who has an intimate relationship with God, who spends quality time with Him, to be used by Him for great things. 

Jesus said: "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." (John 15:7)." Living in sin can stop us from hearing the voice of God and progressing in our spiritual life. Anytime the children of Israel sinned against God, they did not move forward; they made no progress. We need to avoid sin and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, then we will be able to get to our destinies prepared for us by God.

Other passages to read:
John 5:14
Matthew 5:22
1 John 3: 20-21

What is Faith?

Scripture Reference:
Hebrews 11:6  “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

The word of God says that anyone who desires to come close to God must first believe that He exists. If someone, whom you are not in good terms with, gives you a gift, what would your reaction be? You would probably ask yourself many questions because of the lack of trust existent between you. 

Your relationship with God is also similar. You must have faith in Him. When you are praying, singing, you should do it in faith. You should see Christ seated on His throne. This is because when you believe the one you are praising, it brings you to forget all the circumstances and trials that you may be going through. Jesus Christ becomes the solution to all your problems. Your Faith and attitude in the one you are praising is what will make all problems, sicknesses and diseases lose power in your life.

The enemy of faith is fear. When Peter saw Jesus Christ walking on the water, He said: “Lord, if it’s you tell me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14:28). The answer Jesus gave Him is the same He is giving to you today. He said: "Come". 

Always remember that the waves are not greater than the one who made the sea. God existed before your problems.

For three days,  Abraham walked with his son, filled with sadness and grief wondering how he was going to sacrifice him to the Lord.  He must probably have thought: "After all these years that I waited to have a child, now I am the one who is going to kill him". But what He did not know is that the answer was already prepared for him. There was a lamb that God had set aside, to be the answer to his problem.

Another factor that fights our faith is doubt. Martha, the sister of Lazarus, told Jesus “if you had been here, my brother would not have died." (John 11:21). Although Jesus talked to her about her brother rising, she was still limited in her understanding that He was able to do it immediately. 

Jesus said to her : "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25)

He is also asking you the same question today. Stop doubting. He is never too late. The sisters of Lazarus thought Jesus was late and didn't know that He did that on purpose because He knew that He could resurrect even the dead or what is dead to life. If God has not done it yet for you, it is because He wants your testimony to speak for itself. Stop saying that it is dead, that it can't be repaired. He allowed it for a reason. He knew about it before it happened. Problems can hurt you but they have no power to kill you. He wants you to have a testimony that will speak for itself.

Be encouraged, Let go of your fear, doubts and believe in the Christ that you have received. 

Have Faith in God!

Sermon preached by Pastor Christophe

  

The Third factor that can hinder you from getting to your Promise Land

We have said at the beginning of the year that 2014 is the year of enlarging our tents. We have seen the different factors that can hinder one to get to their promise land (for instance disobedience and lack of repentance). Today we are going to look at another factor that can prohibit people to enjoy the great things that God has prepared for them and it is impatience.

James 1: 2-4 says: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Being patient while going through trials is very important. We have many characters in the bible that either failed their mission on earth or brought chaos as a result of their impatience. Cain, because he was not willing to wait and work on a better offering that could be accepted by God chose to kill his brother Abel and this brought a curse upon His life. Esau was hungry and because of his impatience, He chose to sell his birthright to Jacob in order to satisfy His hunger.  Another example is Abraham who because of his impatience chose to sleep with Hagar and created a conflict that we still witness on our TV sets today between Jews and Palestinians. There are many other examples like Lot, Moses and even Judah who unlike Peter could not bear with His sorrow but chose to kill himself. If He had waited, he probably would have repented and received the grace of God after seeing Jesus Christ resurrected.

Having said this, let’s go to the book of 1 Samuel 1:1-28 (Kindly read this passage). Hannah could not bear children because her womb was closed; interestingly by God. Probably sometimes people would see Hannah and feel sorry for her because of this problem. What is interesting is that she was getting a double portion from Elkanah. The patience/perseverance of Hannah was preparing her for a great miracle.

Maybe people have been seeing you going and coming from church. Nothing seems to be happening in the physical realm and they wonder why you continue to go; where is your God? They don’t know the blessing you are receiving from God and the path you are taking that will generate great things in the future.

The greater the miracle, the greater the patience it requires. God himself had chosen to close the womb of Hannah for such a great miracle as giving birth to Samuel.  There are doors that God closed in your life for a great testimony ahead. Hannah sought the Lord more than Peninnah, she was close to God.  When someone is going through such a time, they pray, so that they can get a testimony. There is a place that sometimes you have to go through, not because God has forgotten you but because He is shaping you. Wait on Him. Don't give up. After this, you will see the great future that He has prepared for you.

Sermon preached by Pastor Nahimana Dieudonne

The Mercies of God

Scripture Reference 

Ephesians 2:1-6 : "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,"

This passage shows us that we were dead in the past. The reason why Christ gave us life is because we had no life. Christ took His own life and transferred it to us. In this life, death does not exist. The simple fact that the giver of this life Christ, cannot die again, we cannot die too. Paul says that in the past, we were enslaved to another king. There was no other name or person who could save us from him. It took Christ who was from another and greater kingdom to remove us from that kingdom. By accepting him in our lives as Lord and Savior, we entered into another kingdom and as we know, every kingdom has rules and laws.

In this kingdom of light or of God, which we now belong to as disciples of Christ, we are saved by God's grace and not our strategies or works. In this kingdom, all of our old nature is removed as the word of God says :"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). We become totally renewed and born again. Even our bodies become the temples of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 2:4 tells us that our God is rich in mercies. It is because of this richness that we were able to become His children. He is the one who came to look for us first and gave us His one and only son Christ Jesus to die for us on the cross. This is what enabled us to become heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ Jesus. It is out of the riches of His mercies that all this happened.

If we look at the book of Acts, we see that Paul knows a thing or two about the mercies of God. Look at how God encountered him on the road to Damascus; at the time, he was full of wickedness and evil plans. But He was changed into a different person because of the mercies of God.

The mercies of God are unconditional. They are not based on anything you do. God no longer remembers your past. It is only Satan who reminds you of your past so that he can stop you from moving forward. When he does that, Look to your High Priest and to his sacrifice. The Kingdom that you belong to has nothing like condemnation reserved for you (Romans 8:1) and by the way, you are already seated now with Christ in heavenly realms.

Pastor Christophe