“The resurrection of Christ is such a bizarre story,” young people have told tell the Chief Apostle. Human beings generally know very little about the omnipotence of God. But the Chief Apostle is sure that there are no limits to the power of God.
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Some 1,800 participants were counted in our Lavistown church
Photo: NAC Southern Africa
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Another 124,000 had a video transmission
Photo: NAC Southern Africa
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The divine service was broadcast to congregations in nine countries
Photo: NAC Southern Africa
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It was also streamed on the Internet
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After reading the Bible text the Chief Apostle reminded the congregation of the children’s service a day earlier
Photo: NAC Southern Africa
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“This made us realise how rich we are! Our children are a wonderful treasure.”
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“They are a treasure in our Church. We must keep this treasure.”
Photo: NAC Southern Africa
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“This is our task and responsibility.”
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“Please help us in showing the children the beauty of the work of God.”
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The Chief Apostle was accompanied by District Apostles John L. Kriel (South Africa) …
Photo: NAC Southern Africa
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… Peter Schulte (Australia), and
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… the District Apostle Helpers Arnold Ndakondwa Mhango (Malawi) …
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and Mandla Patrick Mkhwanazi, as well as all Apostles and Bishops of the New Apostolic Church Southern Africa
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Following the sermon, the absolution, and celebration of Holy Communion …
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the Chief Apostle retired Apostle Allister Kriel after 40 years of service to the Church
Photo: NAC Southern Africa
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Apostle Kriel served more than 11 years as an Apostle
Photo: NAC Southern Africa
In a divine service in Lavistown (South Africa) on Sunday, 12 May 2019, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider spoke about trust and hope in God and the blessing resulting from this. He based his sermon on Jeremiah 17: 7–8: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.”
In Old Testament times, God expected the chosen people to remain faithful to Him. He did not want them to turn to other gods or rely on their own strength. This has not changed. Even today God asks us to trust Him, the Chief Apostle said.
We trust …
the word of God. “Those who trust in God say, ‘Okay, what you tell me is contrary to my own experience and knowledge, but because it is You who tells me to do it this way and to walk this path, I will do it.’ That is a sign of trust: you have twenty reasons to do the opposite, but you keep the commandments.”
the love of God. “We do not always understand everything that God does. We cannot explain the actions of God, we do not understand them, but we trust in His love and know that everything He does aims to lead us into His kingdom.”
in God’s omnipotence. “Trusting in the Lord means trusting in His power. Quite often, especially young people want to know and ask me: ‘Chief Apostle, how can we believe in Christ’s resurrection? That is such a bizarre story! How do you think it happened?’ I have no idea, how God managed to raise Christ from the dead. But He did it! God has unlimited power.”
We hope …
in Jesus’ promise. “Jesus promised to come back. God promised to send His Son and to take us with Him, and we hope in this promise. We don’t just believe that it might eventually happen. No, we are absolutely sure.”
in Jesus’ grace. “We remain humble, ask for forgiveness, and forgive our neighbour. Nor do we pretend to have earned something. We hope in the grace of Jesus Christ.”
in the glory of the kingdom of God. “Coming from Europe and hearing about the things that happen in some countries and what some people have to go through I often think: that is just not possible. But, sadly enough, it is possible and it is a reality. But then we remember that the glory of God far outweighs this. When we enter the glory of God we will receive far more than mere compensation for all the evil that man has had to experience on earth. It will be much more.”
We are blessed …
through the presence of God which we perceive. “This is the kind of blessing God wants to give us: those whose trust and hope in the Lord is strong like a tree planted by the waters. Nothing—no matter what happens—can affect our relationship, our connection to the Lord.”
in the eternal fellowship with God. “Those who trust in God see more, see further, and know that Jesus will return. How comforting!”
in being able to recognise God’s benefits. “Believers are grateful to God because they are aware of the treasure they have been given. They know what God will do for them. They are thankful: thankful for God’s grace, for His blessing, and for the future they are being prepared for.”
In summing up, the Chief Apostle said: “We have full confidence in God’s word, love, and power. We hope in His promise, grace, and glory. Blessings allow us to confirm God’s presence by our side, to see beyond afflictions, and to persevere in serving God and others.”