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Day Five - June 2000 Youth Conference
The Lord has been gracious in giving us good weather every day. This has been
of particular importance since the huge crowds are often outside because the dining rooms
are being used for sleeping accommodation.
This morning's service will be taken by Rev Erlo Stegen.
1:45
The morning service began with a question time (to see if the young people remember
points from previous services) conducted by Fano Sibisi and Peter Dahl. Prizes (including
Bibles) are given to those who answer correctly.
A choir from Nongoma sang before the sermon. (Opportunities are usually given before
every service for choirs from all over the country to have a chance to sing.)
The sermon's them was "The Swords" taken from Matt 26: 47, 51-53. Though
the crowds came to Jesus with swords they fell over backwards, with their swords, when the
Lord spoke a word. When Jesus rebuked His own disciple for using a sword and then put out
his hands in submission to the arrest the crowds realised there was no needs for their
swords. Why did Jesus submit to them? Jesus saw your and my souls and had decided that He
was going to pay the price for our redemption. Jesus didn't need legions of angels to
support Him - his breath was enough to slay them - but He submitted for our sakes.
Christ's own disciples forsook Him in this hour of need - "I have trodden the
winepress alone...". (see Is 63: 3-5)
Pastor Stegen referred to a quotation made by Bakt Singh when they preached with him
at a conference in India some years ago: "Why are your souls so precious to God? It
is because Christ died for you and shed His precious blood."
Why have we gone to such expenses to have you children here, Stegen asked the
children, adding that the costs may add up to R200,000. Because each of you is precious
and Jesus died for you.
Let us turn to the real sword, the Word of God, which is sharper than any two-edged
sword (Heb 4:12).
An altar call was made for the young people to separate from the carnal sword of
Peter and identify with the Sword, the Word, of God. As hundreds came to the altar (see photo) they were instructed to confess
their sins to God and receive Christ into their lives.
This afternoon's service will be conducted by various organisations looking at the
subject of Aids and drugs.
9:55pm
CFT and True Love Waits did presentations this afternoon. Fano Sibisi, president of
CFT, asked the children to say what they understand CFT means. They were remarkably clear
on the issues and the Biblical response. When Fano mentioned CFT's emphasis on family
building and the terrible divorce rate in our country, a young man came forward and told
his story of anguish and pain when his parents divorced. He shared how embittered and
confused he was and how Christ finally released him from his grudges and hatred. He
encouraged the young people to put God first when it comes to marriage, lest they fall
into the evil of divorce and their children suffer as he did.
TLW started with a drama about the preciousness of virginity (see photo). It was in a mime format and
went down very well with the audience. An opportunity was given to those who wanted to
sign the TLW pledge (see photo).
The evening service began with a number of choirs singing. Then Patrick Ngcoya (see photo), who returned from Washington
D.C. today, was given an opportunity to greet the children. He has been away for a year
studying for his doctorate on a Fullbright Fellowship. Patrick went to school here at the
mission and was a teacher while he did his BA and honours degrees. He is on holiday for
the American summer vacation.
Then Dr Willie Marais was
introduced to the audience and given an opportunity to speak. Dr Marais is one of our
country's stalwart soul-winners, and was often referred to as the "Billy Graham of
South Africa." Though elderly he still continues to preach the Gospel. He told a
touching story illustrating the gift of God which is Christ himself. He then offered one
of his books to the audience. Anyone could come and get it. A young man rushed to the
front and received the book. Ds Marais told the audience that it is not because
we receive Christ but when we receive Him that salvation is ours.
The closing message was by Rev Erlo Stegen who spoke about the rooster in Mark
14:72. Chickens and roosters were forbidden by the Jewish Talmud, lest they defile the
temple area. But the foreign invaders, the Romans, didn't care about Jewish rules and
regulations and probably kept hens in the temple area. Have you foreign things in your
life which defile you? Nevertheless, God used what was wrong to touch and break the heart
of Peter. God uses "little things" to touch our hearts. The rooster signifies
the New Dawn which was coming - the victory of Jesus on the Cross.
Another altar call was given, especially for the hundreds who are leaving tonight
back to Empumalanga Province. More came to the front, to receive Christ, than all the
previous days.
Please pray for God's protection, physically and spiritually, for those children
leaving tonight and tomorrow.
See today's photos
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