“Be strengthened in faith, continue in your good works and let your conduct attract others to the Lord”, were the opening thoughts of Shepherd Owusu Agyabeng who served brothers and sisters of the Ahwiaa congregation within Kumasi Apostle area in the Kwabre East District of Ashanti Region, held on Sunday 30th August, 2020.
The visit was the first one by the Shepherd who is also the Seminar Tutor of the Kumasi Apostle Area. The bible text for the divine service was taken from Romans 1: 11, “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established – that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith”
The Shepherd expressed his joy about the congregation for their dedication to God’s work through their self-help project of putting up a place of worship. He admonished them to keep the faith till the end. Continuing, he said we receive spiritual gifts from the Lord through our Apostles and the ministers each time we attend divine services. “Believe in our Lord Jesus who is the right way and His promise to come and take us home.”
Spiritual Gifts
In his sermon, the Shepherd said just as Apostle Paul longed to see the church in Rome, so do our Apostles of today and the ministers commissioned by them desire to visit so as to impart spiritual gifts on us. We are imparted with gifts that will strengthen and encourage us to wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Water Baptism, Holy Spirit Baptism, partaking worthily in Holy Communion and the gospel about the death, resurrection and the return of Christ are invaluable gifts we receive from the Apostolate commissioned by Christ.
Continue In Good Works
The Shepherd said the Apostles and ministers sent to us are also strengthened in faith by the members of a congregations when:
* they hear or see us doing good works to support the congregations
* they hear about our good conduct in the outside world
* we invite more souls to the Lord
* the congregation is full of love and demonstrate that among its members
The Shepherd encouraged members to love one another and to continue to help along in the work of God, that the Lord will reward their faithfulness on the day of the Lord.