Christ, the Mystery of God

The sermon opens with a gift sent to Ukraine. There is no need to know exactly how those who receive help feel; it is enough to wish them some ease. Giving, it says, is not only a matter of money but takes in buying someone a cup of coffee, even the steps taken on the way to church. From there it turns to the story of a man who, while himself in prison, prayed for believers he had never seen.

Intercessory prayer, the sermon says, lets others share a hardship that would otherwise be borne alone, and it has the power to bring Satan’s schemes to nothing. Only as God’s people are united in love do they move toward knowing Christ, and a cult leader who sets himself up as God is a fraud — on this the sermon is blunt. Wisdom and knowledge do not come by human effort; the Holy Spirit must open them.

The church, it warns, has been losing hold of the truth in trying to keep step with the world, and only those who know the Word will stand firm against false gospels and heresy. It urges the congregation to put away the basic principles of this world, rely on God alone, and see their calling through to the end.