Sermon for  4th Sunday after Easter.

Qn. How has Jesus Christ revealed Himself to you today?

Reading 16:1-3, Isaiah 61:1-7, 1cor 15:1-11 ,& Jn 21:1-14.

First of all, praise the name of Jesus Christ, the son of the living God. I thank you for honoring His Excellency’s directives in this season of COVID-19  and the Government of Uganda  especially from the ministry of health. Let us to continue to follow the directives and continue to pray for our Gov’t, and the church. 

Receive greetings from my wife and my family. Thank you for being patient in your homes and your families. I will continue to pray for you! As you also pray for leaders in church especially all the clergy in your church in the team and their families.

Now back to Psalm 16:1-3, it begins with the path of life and joy and let this be our prayer for this season.

And it says in v.1= preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in you.

v.2= I said to the Lord, ‘’ you are my lord; I have no good besides you.’’

v.3= as for the saints who are in the earth, they are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.

Secondly, in Isaiah 61:1-7 – it was a prophetic advent –coming of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah prophesies the coming of Jesus Christ and the mission of His coming. Isaiah presents the prophetic six (6) manifestos of Jesus Christ. And when Jesus came he launched it in Luke 4:18-19. This is what I think the church as a body of Christ must be subscribe too. This is what we as a church must be doing in this nation, communities, villages, families, etc.

No.1. To bring good news to the afflicted .v.1.

2.  To bind up the broken hearted-v.1

3. To proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners v.1

4. To proclaim the favorable year of the lord and the day of vengeance of our God . v.2.

5. To comfort all who mourn, v.2

6. To grant those who mourn in Zion (Uganda, Mukono, put the name of your village);

I). Giving them a garland instead of ashes

ii). the oil of gladness instead of mourning

iii). the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting

iv). the planting of the lord that He may be glorified.

 Then,

V.4. you (they) will rebuild the ancient ruins (poverty, misunderstanding, chaos, distress, etc

-raise up the former devastations

-repair the ruined cities

-the desolations of many generations

V.5. strangers will be your friends

V.6. be called the priests of the lord( respect)

Be spoken of as ministers of our God

-you will eat the wealth of nations and in their riches you will boast.

V.7. instead of shame = double portion

Instead of humiliation =shout for joy over their portion.

Therefore you will possess a double portion in your land, homes, families, communities, nation, country and everlasting joy will be yours.

1cor 15:1-11,power of the resurrected lord. And if Jesus Christ did not resurrect, our faith/belief would be in vain and our preaching would also be in vain. But because he resurrected we now have the audencity/power/authority to speak boldly and preach powerfully.

In Jn 21:1-14, what is to reveal? Is to make it known.

Who are the disciples? Followers

Who were they? Simon peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, The Sons of Zebedde, and two others of His disciples were together.

Why? Jesus wants people to believe in Him/ saved.

-wants people never to doubt to doubt in him

-people to believe in his miracles/ and that he is lord/ extra ordinary

-He is God of provision/ protection/ source of food.

How? (v.4, 5, 6, 10, 12)

When? Just after the resurrection between resurrection between and ascension (Jesus appeared to His own followers / disciples.

Never given your life to Jesus Christ; this is the time! Let Jesus reveal himself to you?

If you’re barren financially receive a touch in the name of Jesus! If you are barren you don’t have a child receive a touch in the name of Jesus Christ. Jobless have a job. Mourning receive joy, distressed- receive happiness.

Benediction.

May the good Lord bless you and watch over you. May His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May He look kindly on you and give you peace. Peace in your family, community, work place, wherever you live. Receive your divine anointing this season and let Him reveal himself to you today. And the blessing of God Almighty, Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

REV; KOKAS ERUSU

Collect of the day

Almighty God, whose son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life of all who put their trust in him: raise us, we pray, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness; that we may seek the things which are above, where he reins with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!