ALTAR CALL – Time to follow God’s lead

Members of the Silver Hill Seventh-Day Adventist Church taking time to pray. (Cheryl Harewood)

Sun, October 17, 2010 - 11:55 PM

IT WAS A warm Sabbath for the members of the Silver Hill Seventh-Day Adventist Church during their 11 a.m. worship last Saturday.

The enthusiasm of the congregation seemed an extension of the warmth of the day.

Following a time of prayer and praise, the congregation heard a thought-provoking, inspiring and serious message from visiting speaker Claudette Joy-Andrews, director of the Women’s and Children’s Ministry, Caribbean Union College, Trinidad and Tobago.

Despite preaching a sermon that was punctuated with laughter from her congregation, Joy-Andrews was cognisant that those within earshot recognised the truth of the message, appropriately entitled Follow The Leader. It centred on the attributes of a Christian.

Joy-Andrews’ main text Matthew 16, Verses 24 to 27 expounded the virtues of a Christian. She said that anyone who became a Christian, must first deny self, take up the Cross, and follow Jesus.

She explained that just as a person could not become a car “by parking” in a garage, likewise, one could not become a Christian by going to church frequently or by living within a Christian society.

The director noted that the word Christian was given to those who were followers of Jesus of Nazareth, and that the word first appeared in Acts 11: 26.

“To be called a Christian was so noble. It was something to look forward to. The early Christians were all members of the Christ party,” she emphasised.

Joy-Andrews also challenged her listeners to follow the three Ss of being a Christian: self-denial, suffering and submission, asking them to say whether or not their lives were obvious in their workplaces and classrooms.

“Following Jesus means self-denial. It is a philosophy you choose towards life.

“It is a resolution in your spirit that comes to grip with the fact that God’s ways are better that your own. It is a determination that by God’s grace you will go God’s way and not your own.”

Joy-Andrews also stressed that self-denial meant denying one’s self of various comforts: television and gadgets such as top-of-the-line telephones, illicit sexual activities, and foods, which did nothing to aid good health.

“Following the Leader means doing so in everything we say and do. Give God the best at all times,” she said.

“Some of us seem to live only for pleasure, but God is saying, ‘Find time for me and be prepared to meet me’.”

The day’s scripture was read by Sister Janice Walrond; special ministry in song rendered by Brother Michael King; and prayers offered by head of the Silver Hill church, Pastor Leslie Padmore – all forming part of what was a good day in God’s sanctuary.

• To have your church featured in Altar Call, pleased call Cheryl Harewood at 430-5494 or email cherylharewood@nationnews.com.

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Posted by cherise macdonald 1 year, 6 months ago: Week after week I look forward to reading Altar Call. I always want to know what the ministers are reaching and more than that, Altar Call is really the sermon that I never heard in a church. I really do not go to church as often and I am always glad to see the Word of God presented in printed form. I hope we all recognise the importance of this Word every week. I also think that this week’s message is so clear cut. If we look at what is happening in our society presently, we would have to admit that while everyone is fighting over leadership in both parties, God is saying I am the real leader, so follow me.
What’s even more significant is that this message was not preached by a Barbadian at all, but by someone with no political affiliations. God is awesome and is timing is unquestionable. God bless.
Cherise

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Posted by adriana hunte 1 year, 6 months ago: It is always refreshing to read something positive in the newspaper, and Altar Call is that something. It is always positive even if the message is not popular. I think this week’s column is worthy of note, because in the world we are always looking for someone to follow. Here, Christ is simply saying follow me. How wonderful.
Jesus is the best leader. Thanks Nation Editors for this Monday column. It would be good to get a positive message such as this column every day. I see no reason why it has to come only once a week. In any case, thanks for giving it to your readers such as me.
Adriana Hunte