Communion Sunday August 5, 2018
The word ministration was delivered by the presiding elder, Elder Evans K. Ayim. Before that happened, the Royal Vessels treated the church to a soulful rendition of the hymn, “In Christ Alone”. The texts for the day were taken from 1 Timothy 6: 12, Hebrews 11: 1 – 5.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for; tangible and yet intangible. Though this is buttressed home by the Word of God, we tend to be affected by the many contradictions of this life and our belief in God is constantly being tested. This however did not affect the fight of faith in the lives of individuals like Abraham, considered the father of faith, who did not live to see the fulfillment of God’s promise but believed all the same for it to happen (Romans 4: 17 – 20, Hebrews 11: 8). Today, because of Abraham’s faith, you and I are products of God’s promise to him.
Conventional wisdom sometimes, does not help. Our minds want to process what we can see and make sense of it. As sons and daughters of God, it is beholden to us to see beyond the natural and embrace the spiritual/supernatural. This is where our fight begins. This is where our faith plays a pivotal role in our lives.
Elder Ayim highlighted another illustration of a faith based fight in the lives of Daniel’s friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3: 8 – 30). Common sense would tell you to bow just like everyone else because this is not your home, but no, these 3 friends decided to uphold their integrity and faith and defy the king of the land. Their faith in God was rewarded accordingly.
Fighting… the general consensus is that it’s a bad thing. So why and how do we appropriately fight the good fight that Apostle Paul hinted at?
Dare to hope against hope like Abraham. Keep the faith and do not waver like Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego. Do not be shaken. Believe in the hope and promises of God. Our lives are not meant to be an easy street; our faith will test us every step of the way. We have able role models to look up to: Abraham, Abel, Noah, Enoch, Rahab, etc. (Hebrews 11). By faith, we will also make our mark because we who desire to fight on will surely go on to win because not only are we overcomers, but our fear is replaced with faith.
Just as Paul admonished young Timothy to keep on keeping on (1 Timothy 6: 12), so are we encouraged to fight this good fight of faith because:
Faith will not disappoint you; it will not make you a loser; it will not make a fool out of you; it makes you a conqueror, a winner.
Is there anything you are bowing to? Is there anything keeping you from fighting the good fight? Do not despair and give it a go. Yes, you might stumble and fall but a desire to keep up the faith will see you through to the finish line. Ultimately our faith will lead us to higher heights with our Lord God.
https://soundcloud.com/piwcatomic/fight-a-good-fight-of-faith_eld-evans-ayim
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