Thurday 11 July Summary

The last service of the conference ended with the major of uMvoti, Mr Mbomvu Ngubane, urging the young people to take hold of what they have heard for their life. He thanked God for the mission and the change it brought about in the area and his personal life.

At the transfiguration of Jesus, three of His disciples witnessed it, just as the law also require for a testimony to stand. After He was raised from the dead, 500 people saw Him alive at once, and many others saw Him at different occasions.

Jesus' life, death and resurrection as the Son of God is not based on rumour, but on facts.

Jesus was glorified and revealed on the mount of transfiguration as the Divine One. When He comes again, He will judge the world, having eyes like flames of fire. That Judgment will be incredible! In Col 2:9 we read that all the Godhead dwelt bodily in Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus was glorified, we too shall be clothed incorruptibly. Therefore, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness, as we read in Peter.

This is a very serious matter. When John saw Jesus glorified in Revelation, he fell down as dead before Him. What will you do, when you meet Him with your sin? Most of the youth today are on their way to hell, as is evidenced by their behaviour, dress, music, speech, etc. Someone who is on his way to heaven is evidenced by his love and zeal for God and His work. God's flame burns in his heart.

A certain minister introduced an old friend of his who was also a preacher of the Gospel, and told the following story to the congregation. A certain believing dad, his son, and a friend of his son went out with a boat on the sea. A fierce storm arose that capsized the boat, and all three landed in the sea. The dad, being a fisherman, stayed calm, held on to the boat and the life rope. He saw his boy and his friend far away and far from each other. Quickly he realized that he had to throw the life rope to one of them. Which one? His son was a believer, but his friend not. He threw the rope to his son's friend, and cried to his son, "I love you, my son". The friend grabbed hold on the rope, and was saved, but his own son drowned.

As he told the story, he saw two young men listening very attentively. Afterwards they came to him and could not understand the weird decision of the father. He explained to them how that his son was saved, and went to heaven, but had the other boy died, he would have gone to hell. So too Jesus gave His Son that we might be saved, he explained to them.

As they still failed to grasp his explanation, he revealed to them the matter fully, "I am that father that saved the friend of my son, while my son died. Your minister that invited me to preach here today is that boy that I rescued. After I rescued him, he got saved and became a minister of the Gospel."

So too, God gave up His beloved Son that we might be saved, and said of Him, "This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him". If you do this, you shall live.

In Arabia there is a place where they train horses very well to obey instantly. They would let the horses be without water for days, so that they are very thirsty. As they release the horses, they run straight to the water. As soon as they reach the water, the trainer would blow his whistle and the horses would instantly turn and go to their master, without touching the water, even though they are quivering and dying from thirst.

Is this your experience of obedience to your Lord? These animals are better than humans, as the Bible says in Is 1:3, "An ox knows his owner ..., but My people do not know ..."

There was a sportsman that was an expert at the art of diving. His friend, who was a Christian, spoke to him to repent, but he continuously rejected it. One evening, as he went to practice his diving, his shadow made a cross on the wall in front of him. God spoke to him and he fell on his knees right there and begged for forgiveness and was soundly converted. While he was on his knees, the caretaker entered and switched on the lights, and he saw that the swimming pool was empty. He would have died, had he dived that evening. This illustrates how Jesus saves your soul, spirit and even your body.

Listen to God's Word and obey, lest you be destroyed at the Last Day. Be not like that boy that could not get his hand out of an expensive vase, because he held onto a penny. Leave the penny's of the world, listen to Him, and live.

11 July 2002, morning service
Preacher - Pastor (Mrs) Viljoen
Text: Gen 21

Ishmael's birth represents man's way of doing things, whereas Isaac was God's way, even though Sarah was so old. Yet, we can learn a lot from God's dealings with Ishmael.

Before the birth of Isaac into the family, all the hope and attention was on Ishmael. After Isaac's birth, Ishmael and his mother were sent away with food and water only. He lost the inheritance, attention, his step-mother, father, and home at once. As his he and his mother were wandering in the desert, she laid him down under a bush, and walked away, because she did not want to see and hear him die. Even his mother had forsaken him now. He had lost everything, yet God did not forget him, and heard his cry, just as his name means, "God will hear". God showed his mother water in the desert and saved their lives. Just as God had promised, Ishmael grew up and became a great nation.

Here we see that even if everyone forsake you, God still hears and see. He loved each one of us so much that even if you were the only one on the earth, He would still have died for you to save you. He is also so great that He is able to have an individual relationship with each of us. We can learn much about God, but what is important is that we know Him personally. Just as God had a plan with Ishmael's life, He has a plan for your life. If you walk with Him, that plan will be fulfilled, even if it is difficult and takes time.

Mrs Viljoen continued after the message to speak about the special place of Africa in God's heart. The patriarchs found refuge and shelter in Africa. Jesus found protection in Africa, when Herod wanted to kill Him. As He went to the cross, Simon from Cyrene, from Africa, bore His cross. Simon's two sons, Rufus and Alexander became well known in the early church. God used Philip to convert the Ethiopian eunuch, and spread the Gospel in Africa. We do not read similar things in the Bible of the other countries, like America or Australia.

What is the problem today? Why is Africa poor and not prospering? It is because they have rejected God. They serve idols and are involved with witchcraft. In John 10:10 we read that "the thief comes to kill, steal and destroy ...". This is what Satan did in Africa, but that is not the end of the verse. Jesus continues "... I am come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly." This is Jesus' promise to Africa. We find another promise in 2 Chron 7:14, that if we humble ourselves and pray and turn from our wicked ways, God will hear and forgive and heal our land.

Africa is rich in material things, but because it has rejected God, this richness does not profit it. It is also rich in people groups, each having their unique gifts. God has blessed Africa with much, but Satan came to destroy, and the people from Africa listened to him.

God wants to heal Africa, but He will only do it if Africa turns to Him in truth, just as He has promised. We have seen how God always keeps His promise even in difficulty, if we will but cling to Him.