Christian faithful have been called upon to remain steadfast in their exercise of faith in order to remain closer to God, especially in recognition of the suffering, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus.
This was part of the messages which characterized the just concluded Easter celebration at Rhema Chapel International Churches, Port Harcourt.
In the Easter Message series tagged Easter Faith Convention, which commenced on Thursday and ended on Easter Monday with family funfair, Minister-in Charge (M.I.C) of Rhema Chapel International Churches, Port Harcourt, Olasupo Olageshin, called on the congregation to remain committed in trusting God.
According to him, Jesus Christ, during his earthly ministry relied absolutely on God and succeeded in his mission to humanity. Quoting the Bible, he said ”without faith it is impossible to please God.” He noted that there are enemies of faith which include doubts and unbelief, fear and other negativity. He lamented that today, Christians were unable to receive from God because of level of unbelief among God’s people. He demonstrated the subject of faith through an analogy that,”grace gives and it takes faith to receive what is given.”
He added that faith can be applied to diverse human conditions, depending on the needs of individuals and how steadfast the receiver.
Speaking from the book of Galatians 3:26 which says ”ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus”. He emphasized that it takes faith to be a Christian, lamenting that many who were not matured in the Lord look at Christian life as the end of every challenge. Minister Olageshin said challenges remain part of the race and it is the level of faith by individuals that determines victory or defeat.
The M.I.C said that Jesus Christ always exercised faith in God the Father and thanked Him for everything.
Highlights of the Easter Faith Convention series include testimonies by members who received one breakthrough or the other through acts of practical faith. The testifiers include a minister of God who had her status changed from being a sickle cell patient since her teenage years. Another testifier appreciated God for bringing her fetus back to life even at the point of surgical operation to evacuate the baby. The third testifier appreciated God for honouring his confession over an accident involving his car in which the victim passed out and came back to life.
However, it was all fun for the church of God on Easter Monday at the church organized picnic. There were side attractions like egg race, swimming competition. Others include football competition and women’s tug- of-war.
Participants expressed satisfaction at the church organized events, which many reasoned was a better way to appreciate the season.
