Fellow Baptists, Merry Christmas to you.
As Christians, we commemorate this day as a remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ. It may not be the exact day when Jesus was born, but just a reminder of the glorious event, which is his birth. Jesus brought teachings into this world; he brought love; and most of all, he saved us. How good would it be if we all were to live this day to commemorate all that Jesus has done for us? However, from us, whichever way you spend Christmas, we wish you joy and happiness.
We want to also let you know that the church will open on January 7, 2024, at 22 Thamagane Street. We invite all family members to come through. All of you. We know that some of you have not seen the church door for more than a decade, two or three. But here is an opportunity to come closer to the face of God and begin to make your way right.
We know that some of you believe that God is God for you, regardless of whether you go to church or not. Some believe that they do not have to be in church to worship, praise, and pray to God. They believe God can be worshipped from any place. And that is true. However, Matthew 16:17–18 teaches us that Jesus tells Simon,
Upon this rock, I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.
Again, Jesus teaches us about gathering in his name in Matthew 18:19–20, where he says,
Again, I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.
Furthermore, Jesus further teaches about handling wayward conduct
If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
These passages teach us that God wants us to gather in his name and to be part of his church. This is why today we are inviting you to join us in being part of the church that he built ‘upon this rock’, and where he will be there with us as we worship, praise, and pray to him, us, who will be gathered in his name.
As we let go of 2023, we have an opportunity to review our paths. Again, Jesus teaches that it is good to self-reflect through self-judgment. In Luke 12:57–59, Jesus teaches,
Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled on the way, or your adversary may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.
Apostle Paul expands on this teaching in 1 Corinthians 11: 30 -32 when he says:
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world
But the teachings of Christ about judgment are more for us than for others. In Matthew 7:1–2, Jesus teaches as follows:
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
This self-judgment is a rare opportunity for us to review our ways. To some of us, this opportunity comes seasonally, while to others, it comes as part of life-threatening events. Sadly, to some of us, this opportunity passes by without our seeing it, and by the time we do, it is too late. So, to us here and now, as we are still breathing, this change of the season comes with the opportunity to review and self-reflect, so that we can judge for ourselves, judge ourselves, and fix our ways.
When we judge ourselves, what criteria do we apply, and how do we apply them correctly? Let us explore some of the elements (not all) of the criteria
- Galatians 5:1 reminds us that
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Are we still free? Or have we gone ahead and bound ourselves with things we are unable to shake off? This talks about spirituality, habits, associations, etc.
- Galatians 5:7-10 asks us
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.
- Galatians 5:19-21 reminds us
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God…”
- Matthew 22:36-40 reminds us about the greatest commandment when it says
Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
The above are just entry-level elements for self-reflection. There are several levels that we cannot reach if we fail at these elementary ones. What is your self-judgment on these?
If the outcome of the judgment is not favorable, it is not the end of the world. There are solutions. God loves all of us in the truest sense that, as great as he is, he is willing to hear us reason with him. If we believe that we are doing our best to fulfill his will, and he does not think so, we can still reason it out with him. He says in Isaiah 1:18
Come now, let us settle the matter. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
So, God is willing to listen. Not only that, but he is also willing to make it right with and for you and me. All we must do is start that conversation with him.
On the 7th of January, we will not have a long sermon. We will:
- do a roll call of all our documented members, mainly to know where our brothers and sisters are and what they are up to. This part of the sermon is enjoyable if everyone in the family is there, and we do not have to report on behalf of our family members in their absence.
- remember our church founder and leader, Bishop Mabena, who passed away three months ago.
- make time for the Baptists to testify about the year that has been and new beginnings. It is good to share one’s convictions and testimony with God in front of God’s people for everybody’s benefit. This is the stuff that love is made from.
- create an opportunity for the Reverends to pray for us as we seek God’s help in mending our ways and look forward to a prosperous new year.
- have lunch and mingle with each other in preparation for new branch commitments for 2024.
As the United Baptist Church in Jesus Christ, we re-affirm that indeed we are that church that Jesus built upon the rock of righteousness in Simon Peter. We love you, and God loves us all.
Merry Christmas!!!
Sizwe Nkosi