Audio Sermons
Audio music
Text Sermons
Visitor Info
Outreaches
Choir
Confession
Articles
Links
Education
Ministers
Map
Photos
History
Cassette
Europe
Self-help
Internet
Faqs
HOME
                                    

Day Four - Youth Conference 3 July 2000

9:20am
Last night we were able to obtain rolls of foam from the owner of a foam factory in Mandeni. (Remember the ox which fell into the well on the Sabbath?) These were rolled out on the floor of the auditorium for boys to sleep on. We thank the Lord that they didn't need to sleep another night on the benches and concrete floor.
The morning service is due to begin at 10am. Thank you for continuing in prayer for the precious souls of these young people. Read later today for further reports.

12:45pm
Before the main sermon, one of the young people led a devotion. Jacques Joubert spoke on Matt 27:3 - 7. (see photo)

The service this morning was based on Matt 26:47: "And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the other chief priests and elders of the people." The theme of the sermon by Rev Erlo Stegen was on meaning of the clubs or sticks which the crowd carried. In Greek the word is "Xylos" and it describes all manner of wood: fresh wood, branches, carved wood, clubs, sticks, poles, etc. The mob grabbed whatever weapons they could find and, swept up by the emotion of the moment, rushed off to capture Jesus, the innocent Son of God who had come to save them. The significance of the wood is astonishing. Our original sin comes from the tree in the Garden of Eden where mankind fell into temptation. We have all been corrupted by that wood. The mob which came against Jesus with their pieces of wood were, as we all are, "people of the tree - people of wood." Jesus' response would be put this way: "The wood you carry is useless. I'm going to the tree to save you. On that wood I will die for you to save you from your wooden corruption."
The story was told about Dr Faust (by Goethe) who asked a minor demon, Vitzli Putzli, whether he ever had the secret desire to go to heaven. Vitzli answered that if there were a stepladder in front of him with razor sharp rungs he would be willing to cut himself to pieces and enter bleeding and broken into heaven. Jesus is our ladder made for us to go to heaven.
At the end of the service another invitation was made for the young people (who hadn't yet come to the Cross) to come forward and, confessing their sins to Christ, accept the work of the Tree and the Ladder. (see photo) Many hundreds came forward and, kneeling before the Lord, called upon Him for mercy and salvation.

9:00pm
This afternoon's service consisted of testimonies from the young people. Some quotes:
"I thank God for saving me from my sexual immorality."
"Christ freed me from always keeping bad company."
"I had tried to serve God with sin in my life and the devil would always tell me that a certain thing in my life was his."
"Praise God for showing me the secret of walking in the light - it's difficult but worth it."
"The devil only shows us the nice things about sin but he hides what's behind it."
"The sermon by Pastor Stegen on the meaning of the towel of Christ (He came to serve and make us servants) touched me and changed me."

This evening's service was led by Neil Witthoft and Robert Maphanga. After the brass band had played (see photo) Rev W. Mabizela came to the pulpit and preached. His theme was Prov 11:30, "He who wins souls is wise." Continuing on the theme of "This is Wisdom", Rev Mabizela showed from this text and a number of others, including James 5:20 and Daniel 12:3, that we are commanded to go out and win others and we are rewarded for winning souls. Only be the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) is this made possible. When the Lord comes and lives in us by His Holy Spirit His mission of "seeking and saving that which was lost" continues to be fulfilled.

The sight of the sea of faces from the pulpit is a sight to behold! It is awesome seeing so many thousands filling the auditorium and being challenged by the Word of God. May the Lord bring about fruit that will abide for all eternity!

See today's photos here

Last edited on: Monday April 02, 2007     E-mail us at: mail@ksb.org.za          Return to KSB Home page