1 Corinthians 13:11
Reading
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
INTRODUCTION
Children will always be children, and adults will always be adults. What are the characteristics of a child that you know? Though this is not a Sunday School hour, it is preaching time, but I want you to talk to me, about what you know about child characters and behaviours.
The opinion of someone is that they (children) want everything for themselves. They always want to have what other children have. Someone also said that children are selfish, and someone said that a child’s thinking is low. I said, ‘You are all right with your definitions/opinions.’ The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, in chapter 13 verse 11, he said, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
My question to you is are you now an adult, or are you still living as a child, or you have grown up and put away childish things and you have put up the character of an adult? An adult will not be jealous of someone being in charge or being a leader. That kind of attitude is evil. Remember that Satan said to God that he also wanted to be in charge. God sent him away from Him to the earth.
I believe in willingness and availability. God always uses those who are willing and available. After the morning church service today, we will be having our church meeting. Some people will be given responsibilities to do, will you do it, or are you ready to do it to the best of your ability? We all can remember our brother Ernest being in charge of the church finances with Obiri, who assisted him. Paul Effah was in charge of the children’s ministry, then Roland, what about Jessica, Emelia, and currently Asare Kwaku (NOKS), who helps in the children’s ministry? Whatever you are doing, do it well, because no one knows tomorrow.
I will not be giving my normal message outline as a Pastor. We don’t preach people; we preach a message to the people which will change their minds and encourage them to do something for God. After all, Christianity is a religion of doing. The book of James 1:22-24 says, “22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.”
This morning, I want this message to ginger you to good work in Christ. I want you to put away childish attitudes, and put on adult behaviour. What are the adult behaviours or characters? Not easily provoked, not thinking evil of others, not envying, no strife, unnecessary bitterness against your brother, this is not of Christ.
One thing I want to emphasize this morning is let us try to forgive. One main reason for Jesus Christ’s coming from heaven is that we have forgiveness for our sins. So, forgiveness is one main point I want you to hold on to today. Do you know that your offering or gift will not be accepted by God if you don’t forgive? Matthew 5:23-24, “23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”
We read in Luke 11:1 that the disciples of Jesus Christ came to Him and asked Him to teach them how to pray as John the Baptist taught his disciples. Jesus did teach them. Look at
verse 4 with me, “And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” Can you truly say you forgive those who sin against you? You see, the principle here is if you don’t forgive people their sins against you, that means God will not forgive you your sins.
The last Bible passage I want us to look at is Matthew 18:21-35. Go home and read it, but I will explain it to you. Peter came to ask Jesus how many times he could forgive. Is it seven times? But Jesus answered Peter, in verse 22 of Matthew chapter 18, “Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
CONCLUSION
Forgiveness is very important to Christ, and it should be for us as disciples of Jesus Christ. If there is anyone here this morning and you know that you have not gone along well with, forgive that person and be Christlike. Above all, let us pray to God to help us put away our pride and to give us the Spirit of forgiveness to forgive others so that He will forgive us also. May God help us to be like Christ in Jesus’ name.
Amen!!!