Lead Apostle Benjamin Ohene-Saffo led the divine service
30 December 2022

Lead Apostle Benjamin Ohene-Saffo conducted a festive united Divine Service at Accra Central on Sunday, 11th December, 2022. In attendance were members from the Accra East and Accra West Districts. The Lead Apostle was also acompanied by Lead Apostle Oppong-Brenya as well as the West Africa seminar coordinator and all the National Heads of Seminars (West Africa).

The Bible text for the service was taken from Luke 1:53; “He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.”

The Advent Season
“Today is the third Sunday of Advent, a moment when we remember and count down to the day of Jesus Christ’s birth,” the Lead Apostle began. He stressed the importance of Advent, reminding the congregation that the season was to understand why Christ came into the world, and not about Christmas celebrations. The Advent season is an important reminder of our connection with Jesus Christ, who came to die for our sins.

The humbleness of Mary and Elizabeth
Before Jesus was John the Baptist, who was to announce the coming of the Lord. A great person like John the Baptist was birthed by a woman who was barren and in her old age. However, God gave Elizabeth a child because of her humbleness, faith and service to Him.

In the course of time God sent His Son, through a humble, lowly and Godfearing maidservant. Mary was a woman of a low class yet full of humility. The Lord blessed her for her humbleness and lowliness; she became the mother of  His Son. Mary and Elizabeth were hungry and loyal to the Father, and the Lord filled them up.

Lead Apostle admonished the congregants to emulate the faith, humility, and loyalty of Mary and Elizabeth.

Empty your hearts
The Lead Apostle explained that, he who comes to the Lord must come with empty hearts. Hearts ready to receive from the Father in humbleness. When we come to the altar of grace with our minds already filled, “how then can the grace of the Father fill you up?”

Referencing the parable of the rich young man in Matthew 19, the Lead Apostle stated that, he was proud that he had obeyed all the commandments from his childhood, and so he was not expecting anything from Jesus. “Without grace, our obedience to the commandments alone cannot grant us the Kingdom of God” the Lead Apostle reminded the congregation. If we come before God with our hearts filled, we will be sent away with empty hands, just as the rich young man in the parable went away sorrowfully.

Lead Apostle Ohene-Saffo concluded the service by stressing that we must empty our hearts of worldly occupants and accept the Word of God wholeheartedly that we may be filled with heavenly treasure.

Lead Apostle Oppong-Brenya (Ghana), Apostle Zran (Cote d’Ivoire), District Elder Dinkelacker (Germany), and District Elder Venancio Obama (Equatorial Guinea), assisted the service.