Sermon Title: Agency – Let people regard us as stewards of the mysteries of God. What is required of stewards, above all, is that each one be found faithful (in beloved South Sudan). 

Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 4:1–21 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ our Lord, welcome all of you into the fold of our eternal living God, in beloved South Sudan. Our God is the God of our father Abraham, the God of our father Isaac, and the God of our father Jacob. On this blessed morning, full of God’s grace for His chosen people in South Sudan since eternity, I greet you in health and peace.

Beloved brothers, I would first like to point you to this grace from the Holy Bible, as you prepare your hearts in your daily lives with spiritual devotion, faith, and trust in God alone, who has no partner.

A brief note on: Agency – Let people regard us as stewards of the mysteries of God. What is required of stewards, above all, is that each one be found faithful (in beloved South Sudan).

As the Holy Bible states in its main verses in 1 Corinthians 4:1–21:

1. Let people regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2. What is required of stewards, above all, is that each one be found faithful.
3. As for me, it matters very little that I should be judged by you or by any human court. Indeed, I do not even judge myself.
4. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.
5. Therefore, judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.
6. Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then none of you will be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.
7. For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
8. Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you!
9. For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings.
10. We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored; we are dishonored!
11. To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.
12. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it.
13. When we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.
14. I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children.
15. Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
16. Therefore, I urge you to imitate me.
17. For this reason, I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.
18. Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.
19. But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have.
20. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
21. What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?

The Holy Bible also teaches us about truth and justice in society, as we find in Micah 6:8:

“He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

It also says in Revelation 1:3:

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”

And in Daniel 12:3:

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”

In conclusion, beloved brothers and sisters: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Author: Elder in the Seventh-day Adventist Church

Contact: WhatsApp: 0913306885 | Email: johndour268@gmail.com