On the final day of his visit, 13th December 2020, Lead Apostle Oppong-Brenya held a divine service at the Kojokrom congregation in the Takoradi district with Apostle Sam, Bishop Ampofo and district leaders.

The Lead Apostle based his message on John 1:15, ‘John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.”’

What is a blessing?
Beginning his sermon, the Lead Apostle Oppong-Brenya espoused the need for Christians to seek divine and eternal blessings. “Two children went to school and the teacher asked them about their knowledge on blessings” began the Leader. “One said he saw himself blessed because he was from a wealthy family. The other responded by saying he saw himself blessed anytime he attended church and listened to the word of God.”
 
He continued: “From the narrative of these children, they both have their own ways of perceiving blessings. Some people may claim to be prosperous but it does not mean God has cursed the poor. One may be rich but does not have God in his heart. One may be poor but the Christ in him may be greater. We should not claim material things to be blessings. We must also never mock the needy. Nothing is more prosperous than the blessing of God on earth.”

Advent; the season of waiting for the Saviour
Lead Apostle spoke about the Advent season. He rhetorically quizzed: “Whom or what are we looking forward to?” The season of Advent reminds us of the coming of our Lord and Saviour in to the world. But this actually means two things; that we remind ourselves of the birth of Jesus Christ and the second coming of Christ. The first has already happened for which we celebrate the season as Christians, the second can happen any moment from now.

The Lead Apostle reflected: “I will be sad when God calls me and I am unable to shake hands with Him due to my sins. And it is same for the congregation; after all these activities we perform in church, if we are unable to meet Christ because of our sins then we would have suffered in vain.” He quoted: “‘Magnet attracts magnet’, hence if you do not know Christ, He also does not know you.”

Patience in waiting
Lead Apostle Oppong-Brenya described the return of the Christ we await like that of an expectant mother. He said it takes nine months for the pregnant woman to deliver and when she delivers and holds her child, she forgets about all her pains. “We need to prepare ourselves in-waiting like the pregnant woman going into the labour ward. If we cannot be patient then we simply cannot wait for Christ.  

A humble Saviour and Master
Jesus was the only Man to live without ever committing sin. Yet, He willingly engaged Himself with everyone, even those perceived as unclean. “A leper came to Him, imploring Him while kneeling and saying to Him, ‘if You are willing, you can make me clean’” said the Lead Apostle.” “Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I am willing; be cleansed’”.

The Leader advised: “We are not greater than our Master and no minister would require of you to fall before him at the raising of his hands. Jesus Christ himself touched the leper and lifted-up his hands.” We must be humble and all encompassing.

Lead Apostle Oppong-Brenya concluded his service by saying: “Whatever material things we possess will not help us. Let us heed the word of the Lord. We must desist from evil and shun evil company, because the One we are awaiting will not abide in the company of the evil.”

The Lead Apostle was assisted by Apostle Sam and Deputy District Rector Sunu, (Kyekyewere district).