A DAY OF LESSONS AND REFLECTIONS

A DAY OF LESSONS AND REFLECTIONS

Grace Baptist Church - Eldoret spent one month (whole of June) fencing, clearing and putting up temporary structure on their newly acquire land. It is the intention of the church to put up permanent building suitable to worship and other ministries of the church. 

However, on 2nd July 2014, the authorities moved in very early in the morning and with a bulldozer, crushed in few minutes what had taken a whole month and a lot of money to put up! Officially at least one week's noticed is given for explanation to be provided or demolition to commence. But in this case, not even a 24 hour notice was given! 

6th July was the first Lord’s Day after our structures were destroyed.

Pastor Paul led the Adult Bible study from 1 Pet.3:13-16 emphasizing that Christians should not live in fear.

Pastor Naphtally preached during the worship service. Bellow is an outline of the sermon. 

'LESSONS FROM JULY 2ND 2014 DESTRUCTION OF OUR CHURCH PROPERTY'

Introduction.

The question lingering in many minds has been WHY? I seek to answer that question in three ways.

1. Because of sin in the human heart.
- Though '...God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes' (Ecclesiastes 7:29) - SIN
- 1) there was sinful love of money portrayed; corruption; bribe (cf. 2 Tim.3:3; Prov.17:23). But because we were not willing to go that root then we were bound to suffer.
- 2) Hence, there was a love of destruction demonstrated in arrogance, heartlessness, lack of self-control, brutality, and recklessness (2 Tim.3:2-4)
- But, Bible concludes that not only the destructive team but 'ALL have sinned and fall short of God's glory' (Rom.3:23).

2. Because of Sovereign Control of God in affairs of men.
- 1) Sovereignty of God = 'The exercise of God's supremacy' (Psalm 115:3; 135:6). C.H.Spurgeon said 'this must be the most encouraging character of God for the believers...' Because God holds ALL that happens to His children in perfect balance.
We saw this at least in two ways:
i) God kept the evil plan from us for a whole month of hard labour at the church site!
ii) God ordered that the destruction take place before we arrive at the site!
If members were at the site the moment of destruction, you can only imagine what would have transpired! God is surely sovereign for the good of His children.
-> I then gently but urgently pressed the sovereignty of God in the consciences of the congregation.

3. Because the Gospel MUST Advance.
- Persecution never hinders but advances the course of the gospel! (Phil.1:12-18)
- Paul was in trouble because of the gospel (v.16)
- Yet the gospel advanced! (v.12)
- the gospel went to places previously shut (v.13);
-> in our case, this incident has made Helida and I to go to Offices and begin to witness to high ranking officials hitherto unreached by us!
- during troubled times true believers grow bold (v.14)

But what is this gospel?
- it is not plots, permanent structures or even powerful PA systems!
- it is that which Christ is at the center. As the one who died, rose again and now from heaven sends His Holy Spirit that sinners be made right with God again.
- this is worth suffering for (v.13)
- must be preached without envy, rivalry or selfish ambition (vv.15-17).

Application
-> I then brought a number of areas of application.
i) that the destruction must lead us to boldness for the sake of the gospel
ii) that God's sovereignty must be our source of comfort now and assurance for tomorrow
iii) that we must be convinced that the gospel remains the only hope for our sinful town and beyond.

Later during our Lord's Supper, various brethren shared their experiences and reflections. Some said that they were so affected and were observing keenly how Helida and I were reacting. And that our reaction or behavior through the whole episode helped them tremendously to know how to cope and behave through the same! We felt so humbled by these words. We were not conscious that we were actually being observed. We just give glory to God and pray for more grace.

In Christ by grace alone,
Naphtally Ogallo.

3rd Reformed Family Conference

3rd Reformed Family Conference

9th to 13th Dec. 2013 (ReCFoK – Kenya)

Dear Friends,
December Friday 13th was a day of mixed feelings. It was literally a climax. On the one hand there were those who deeply wanted to return home and be with their dear ones for perfect reasons! On the other hand many felt it was such a blessing being under such gracious Biblical teachings and warm fellowship. They would have loved an extension regardless of the evenings when it rained heavily and meant that the usually hot and humid Lakeside City turned cold. The 3rd Reformed Family Conference held at Grace Baptist Church in Kisumu came to a wonderful end.
There were two key speakers dealing with the theme of ‘Christianity – a Faith to Profess.’ Pastor Al Rommal of Northwest Baptist Church, Phoenix AZ taught eight times. He began with 1 Corinthians 12 from where he laid clear demarcation: ‘The church of Christ has many members but one body. It is God who has set each member in His church; so each believer is of value to God. Therefore it is an honour to share the gospel with those who lack it.’
In his subsequent session, Al used Acts 17:30 to show that God’s ministry in the Word is manifold but focuses on bringing the elect to salvation and obedience. Reflect upon this: “The Word of God plus the power of God equals obedience to God.”
From Mark 2:23ff and Genesis 2:1ff, Pastor Al showed the rich blessings that the Sabbath holds for God’s people. The subject of the Sabbath was very dear to Pastor Al’s and so he next used Isaiah 58:13 and 14 to persuade God’s people to ‘fall in love’ with the Lord’s Day. He proved convincingly from the Scriptures that those who obey God in this matter and ‘turn their foot from the Sabbath’ have everything to gain and nothing of worth to loose. God’s people will be faithful witnesses by honouring the Sabbath Biblically than by seeking to explain it away as some evangelicals are trying to do!

In his fifth session, Pastor Al, laboured from Psalm 86:1ff to excite God’s people to desire to be present in His house; when His people meet to worship. This is exciting because Christ is there and ‘He is altogether lovely’, His Words are spoken and ‘They are sweeter than honey.’ Believer can do no other than to delight in the one who paid so high a price for them.
The sixth, seventh and final sessions were geared towards preparing God’s people for heaven – their eternal home. These sessions covered 2 Corinthians 5:1ff; Revelation 19:6ff and 21:1-5 respectively.
Throughout Pastor Al’s teachings and conversions, one thing stood out; and that is love. He hammered home the urgent need of love. As a people who have been loved by God in Christ, love, he emphasised, is the antidote to the ills that frustrate the desired unity in Reformation in Kenya. Love, Pastor Al insisted, must be the driving principle reaching out to our charismatic brothers and sisters. He pointed out that ‘Reformation comes when God takes His people and moulds them into the image of Christ.’
Pastor Chipita Sibale from Kabwata Baptist Church, Lusaka, Zambia was the other guest speaker. He gave the keynote address on the opening night. He rightly set the stage from Romans 11:33-36 by showing that true religion must start and end at the glory of God. Paul’s response to the inexhaustible fountain of the knowledge of God was never to be ashamed of the Gospel. Believers, Pastor Chipita pointed out, must imitate Paul.
The rest of his sessions were all in the mornings. Pastor Chipita began by challenging the conference attendees from the ‘best known verse in
the Bible’ of the unavoidable response of professing ones faith. From John 3:16, he showed 1) the divine person called God, 2) God’s amazing love and gift to the world and 3) the amazing ending of God’s plan for salvation. Thus, because of who God is and for what He has done, believers must be bold and humble as they witness of God to the world.
From John 8:34-36 Pastor Chipita argued that the evidence of slavery to sin is all around expressed in drunkenness, corruption, immorality, broken homes etc. He then showed that it is only the Son who truly sets sinners free. So believers must not be ashamed of their profession.
Kenya was celebrating its 50th birthday on December 12th and even though the Conference had adopted as its anthem Charles Homer Gabriel’s hymn “I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene…”, Pastor Chipita led the Conference in singing the Kenyan National Anthem! It first stanza reads:
“O God of all creation,
Bless this our land and nation
Justice be our shield and defender
May we dwell in unity, peace and liberty
Plenty be found within our borders.”
Chipita then used 1 Peter 2:9-12 to show that while Christians live in this world they must show that they belong to another nation; heaven itself. As such, believers must walk in humility, and holiness. This is a powerful way to profess ones faith.
While he began with the well known passage, Pastor Chipita ended his sessions with a less known passage of 2 Chronicles 29:26-30. From David’s final days, Chipita challenged believers to live their lives responsibly passing on their faith to the youth. Believers must learn to depend on God and they with David will experience lasting joy. With such prospects, one can and must process his faith.
Four local speakers led workshops every afternoon. Pastor Michael of Bethesda Baptist Church, Nairobi took the youth in a two day discussion on ‘Getting along with others.’ Brother Lawrence Muiruri of Injili Bible Church Nairobi then spent the last two days with the youth exploring the effects of Internet Technology and how they can handle the challenge it poses. Pastor Sam of Grace Baptist Church Kisumu led a workshop on Missions. Key issues like ‘what is mission?’, ‘what it involves’, ‘its importance’, and ‘who is to go?’ were tackled. ‘Hindrances and manoeuvring mission obstacles’ were then discussed. The concluding note was that ‘local church, self-sustaining and self-regulating are what we find in the Holy Book.’ Pastor Naphtally of Grace Baptist Church, Eldoret led a discussion on “Why is the Charismatic Movement Thriving in Africa?” This was based on Dr. Conrad Mbewe’s article published in Reformation Today #255. It was closely followed with a discussion of a chapter from John MacArthur’s book Charismatic Chaos.’ The discussion was not just lively but sobering.

The success of this year’s conference is squarely the Lord’s. But He used among others the churches that form ReCFoK, a number of other friendly churches and individuals who only the Lord will reward.
The host church GBC, Kisumu worked tirelessly and coordinated everything so well. Meals and accommodation for all the 120 registered attendees were first class. Many other local residents opted to attend on daily basis from their homes. Along with representatives from USA and Zambia, Uganda was represented by Pastor Bill Issa who also gave a very moving testimony of God’s gracious work in his life and ministry.
All were convinced that Christianity is a faith which must be professed and many left with their hearts burning within them to be urgent in doing just that. To God be the glory.
The 4th Annual Reformed Family Conference is set for 8th to 12th December 2014. Please, pray with us as we begin to prepare for it.
Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!
Written by Naphtally Ogallo on behalf of ReCFoK.