Renewed Zeal for Gospel Ministry
“I am the LORD, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.” (Isa 42:8-9)
Looking back, there are many ‘former things’ to praise and thank God for in the Year 2019. While we cannot exhaust the list on these few lines, a few will be mentioned: Our Assistant Bishop Dr Hannington Mutebi who underwent a born-marrow transplant in Kings Hospital UK returned with a great testimony of God’s miraculous provision and healing; we attended with him a deeply moving Thanksgiving Service on 09th Dec at All Saints Cathedral. After eleven month in the UK where over Ugx 1 billion was spent in hospital and living expenses, seeing him and hearing his voice was demonstration of the power of the Almighty God who moves mountains and makes a way where there seems to be none! There are many more testimonies at personal and community levels of God’s greatness. He has done great things!
Today’s message is to propel us into this new year for action. When good things happen and peace prevails, there is a tendency for people to relax and lose the fervour to grow and do more; prayer life may slacken or they may see less the needs of others. This should NOT be our portion. I call upon you to embrace Renewed Zeal for Gospel Ministry. Today’s full Scripture points to growth and going higher: God called His Son with assignments of lighting up a dark world, healing the sick and releasing captives – this is prophecied by Isaiah and affirmed by Jesus when he read the words in a synagogue and declared their fulfilment. The foretaste of this was when Emperor Cyrus declared release of the Jews in the Babylonian captivity – a fulfillment of ‘former things’. But more was in store.
Again today we remember that Jesus Christ was circumcized on the eight day; this was a continuation of the perpetual covenant with God since father Abraham. God was zealous to continue the salvation of his people, now with the Messiah, who would even go beyond the Jews and extend God’s saving hand to the Gentiles as well. Paul inquired extensively into the matter of true circumcision, and for us today, true circumcision (of the heart) means renewed zeal for gospel ministry.
The testimonies at Bishop Mutebi’s Thanksgiving pointed us to renewed zeal for Gospel ministry; and God has provided fresh ministers in the office of the Archbishop and our Assistant Chaplains here to rally us to renewed zeal for gospel ministry. Rejoice and give thanks to God for the former things that have come to pass, and embrace the new things He declares with renewed zeal for gospel ministry. Metamorphosis
God bless you all. Happy New Year!