Sunday Service
The Service began at 8am with the processional hymn from I.O.M 561 on page 106 of the Diocesan Service Book (DSB). After the Bible Study session with the topic ” God as Creator I: The Creator of Heaven and Earth”, which was taken by the Ven. O.O Afolabi, Sis Feranmi Olawoye led the Praise/ worship session.
Call to worship, Psalm, First and Second lessons were taken in that order.
Rev Sunday Oladoyinbo led the intercessory prayer session and the hymn “Have you been to Jesus?…” was rendered by the choir.
Sequel to these, the preacher, the Ven. Afolabi prayed and began his sermon by reiterating the question asked by the hymn.
He described “Have you been to Jesus?” as a question God is asking everyone today.
He said irrespective of what you are going through, the words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 11:28-30 holds true till date.
He expatiated on this passage using the Easy to Read Bible version where verse 28 reads “Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest”.
He Described a burden as anything that restrains or hinders one from progressing.
He shared an instance of an experience he had some 16years ago, where a goat’s mouth was restrained with a can such that even when it sees food it could not eat.
According to him, ‘Yoke’, which he used interchangeably with ‘burden’ is something that is not good or palatable to one’s health, saying that there are two types of burdens:
The Earthly Burden and the Heavenly Burden. The main concentration for the day was on the Heavenly Burden.
He explained the Heavenly burden as the type Jesus Christ spoke about, and an unavoidable burden by all true Christians.
In his words, and to put in context, “…being a Christian does not mean you will not be sick or that you will not die when your time comes”.
Rhetorically, he asked if anyone in the congregation has had an encounter with Jesus like Paul, and prayed that this day we shall make a Journey towards Damascus for an encounter with Jesus.
He mentioned the following burdens as ones a true Christian must be ready to carry:
1. Yoke of Quiet Time: In whatever form, a Christian must endeavor to have a daily encounter with God. Citing instances such as opting to have a daily encounter with God even if for a few minutes; some Christians decide not to greet anyone before they’ve had an early quiet time.
2. Yoke of prayer (Luke 18vs 1); this he described as the commitment to pray everyday.
3. Yoke of claiming your rights appropriately; said these days many people in the course of claiming their rights offend others. He said every Christian must know that power or wealth is ephemeral and that it is a privilege.
4. Yoke of taming your tongue: He admonished members under his ministration to be cautious of what to say, when and how to say them. And should learn to allow God fight their battles.
5. Yoke of attending Bible Study: Said members should always make time to learn at God’s feet than wasting time on meaningless activities.
6. Yoke of Proper Dressing: As a Christian, one must choose not to follow the people of the world to dress inappropriately. He also admonished members of the congregation to desist from bleaching.
7. Yoke of choosing not to follow multitude to do evil (Exodus 23Vs2): This includes choosing not to kill, steal, dupe etc.
8. Yoke of Obedience; He said Adam and Eve failed to carry the yoke of obedience.
9. Yoke of carrying your cross.
10. Yoke of telling the truth always albeit inconvenient.
11. Yoke of proper finances: He relates this to how members contribute financially to the work of the gospel. He asked the question “when was the last time you were sincere with your tithe, pledge etc?”. According to him, some find it convenient owing debt than paying their tithes.
He concluded that Christians should be encouraged by the above yokes as they are there to restructure and reform our lives.
Afterwards, the congregation gave offerings to God and joined in rejoicing with Chief Mrs. Dorcas Akinbohun on her Gboluwaga 2022.
(Gboluwaga is a special thanksgiving by the Women Organisation arm of the Church).
The Congregation also rejoiced with those who celebrated their Birthdays during the week.
The service closed with the Hymn from I.O.M 499 (DSB pg. 101)