IBCD Sermon Weekly

Sunday Sermon by Christopher Uchegbuo

1 Thessalonians 5:18 "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Something we see in the Bible is a constant reference to the nations. Even though the Bible follows the history of the Jewish people and Israel, from Abraham to Jesus to Revelation there is an emphasis that God’s work through the Jews is ultimately for all humanity. At IBCD we have a unique foretaste of what it means to have several nations gathered to worship the Lord. This Sunday we celebrate our “Cultural Sunday” where we take the day to express our appreciation to God for allowing us to be part of this amazing place, some for a short time, some for a long time, all eventually for eternity!

Act 2:39 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-- for all whom the Lord our God will call."

We are going to be starting a sermon series through the book of Hebrews next week, but before we do so, we need to explore the idea of “covenant” in the scripture. Why? Because the book of Hebrews makes many references to the covenants of the Old Testament and compares it to the new covenant found in Christ.

Have you ever thought about alternatives to the Christian God? Looking at the world and the injustice that is prevailing, we might question our faith sometimes. Psalm 73 shows us that while it is normal to go through these phases, at the end of the day no alternative can ever be better than our God of mercy. He is the solution to all evil.

In life, we have to make a lot of decisions. As Christians, we want to make them according to God's will. But how can we find out God's will? How can we find out His ways? That is the same prayer that David expressed in Psalm 25.

Psalm 25:4-5

4 Show me Your ways, O Lord;

Teach me Your paths.

5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me,

For You are the God of my salvation;

The Christian faith holds the Bible very high. We believe that it is God's authoritative word breathed out by Him. Therefore, it is important to engage regularly with it. However, it is not always clear what the best way is to engage with the Bible.

Psalm 1 tells us to meditate on it day and night. If we do so we will be like a tree planted by streams of water.

Psalm 1:2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.