How the church of Christ should be
- Sermon By: Apostle: Betson Kikoti
- Categories: Sermons
SUNDAY SERVICE, NOVEMBER 5th 2023, EFATHA CHURCH, MWENGE DAR ES SALAAM
1 Thessalonians 5: 11-15 “Therefore [a]comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and [c]admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. Now we [d]exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.”
Apostle Paul said to the church, comfort yourselves, and edify one another because you are the church of Christ. The church of Christ has a way to move, and it does not just go anyhow.
There are three types of family
Family of birth; This is where we all come from, and everyone has a different environment. Here is where there are traditional and cultural teachings filled with fear. Some people are in the church but still live in the traditions and culture from where they were born. The family of birth has held us in many things, and we think it is a normal thing, but it is a message from God that wants you to do something
Religious family; This comes from people worshipping what they love to do, some worship animals, trees, and what they love in this world.
Family of the saved (born again); This is a family which is led by one who has all directives, who is Jesus Christ and this person (Jesus) collect people from all other families and make them one family. It is in this family that Paul said conform and edify one another. Now, do we do that? This was the message of Jesus Christ, and when He sees these people love one another, His sufferings lessened.
People who are saved become one family, the saved family should love one another. The saved people don’t have any enmity between them. There are things holding us; anger can hold us and this is because of tribal character.
1 corinthians 16:18 “For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.”
If you see someone mentioned by name and he or she has been recognized for what he/she has done, it means the people he leads have the understanding of what they are being taught. When you see any servant of god instead of judging, pry for him uplift him to God, because he has been placed by god.
Things to see to someone who is saved:
1. To warn those who are not order.
There are people who don’t work but those who are not doing anything,
they’ll become troublesome.
2. To comfort those in sorrows
3. To empower and support the weak
4. be patient. You who have good manners and heal those who are doing bad deeds.
5. Don’t do evil for evil as romans 12:19-21 says “ Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”