Posts in category: Moving With Gs

The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, has advised Christians to resolve in the New Year to obtain God’s favour at all cost.

According to him, pursuing divine favour, which he also describes as the Lord’s approval, would bring upon an individual untold blessings, cause God to make worthwhile interventions in their circumstances, and connect them to their destiny.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi revealed this in a sermon at the Osu Central Assembly church auditorium during the recently-held 31st December watchnight service.

Speaking on the topic “The Highly Favoured One,” the General Secretary explained that the manifestation of God’s abiding presence in the life of an individual is what reflects as the favour of God. 

He, however, stressed that God’s grace must precede His favour because the Grace of God revealed in Christ transforms a person’s heart from one opposed to God to one that can be approved and inhabited by the Holy Spirit.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi therefore indicated that divine favour is a distinguishing mark of every believer since only those who have experienced the grace of God in Christ Jesus can receive it.

“Anyone who has encountered the grace of God in Christ that transforms the heart and has the abiding presence of God is highly favoured. So, as a child of God, you must accept that you are indeed highly favoured,” he explained.

Making reference to the encounter between Angel Gabriel and Mary in Luke 1:28-30, 38, Apostle Kumi-Larbi noted that the former addressed the latter as “highly favoured” and “blessed” due to the unique task and privilege she had to be the earthly mother of the Messiah, through whom salvation would come to all humankind.

“Gabriel’s emphasis was on the privilege Mary had received, not on her status as a virgin or a member of the house of David, but just that she had found favour with God and become the recipient of His grace; His undeserved favour,” he explained.

The General Secretary further noted that, just as people usually favour those who favour them, God also shows favour to those who honour Him with their words and deeds.

Quoting Isaiah 66:2 and 2 Chronicles 16:9, Apostle Kumi-Larbi advised Christians to develop an intimate relationship with God and to delight in, connect with, and give honour to Him daily so as to be rightly positioned to receive the Lord’s approval (favour).

“Mary gives us an example of her total devotion to the Lord in her answer to the angel Gabriel: ‘I am the Lord’s servant. May it be unto me as you have said.’ [Likewise], may we have the wisdom and grace to answer God’s call, whatever it is,” he said.

Touching on the benefits of divine favour, the General Secretary noted that people who are divinely favoured receive special strength to outrun their competitors and accomplish great feats even with little effort. 

Apostle Kumi-Larbi further noted that people who are divinely favoured are selected among many other qualified persons.

“Divine favour is also said to be in operation when a man seeks the face of God in prayer and has all his request granted, and also when help is made available unto a person at a time and from a place they least expected as was the case of the crippled man at the pool of Bethesda in John 17: 1-15,” he said.

The General Secretary also stated that divine favour is seen at work when one is called by God for the work of ministry when they least expected; when one always receives kindness from others; when one is singled out of a crowd; and when, all of a sudden, every endeavour one undertakes begins to succeed or prosper.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi, however, cautioned Christians who have obtained God’s favour not to take it for granted like Saul, Samson and Lucifer but to guard it jealously.

He mentioned disobedience to God, immorality, pride, stinginess (selfishness), wickedness and prayerlessness, among others, as some actions that could cause one to lose God’s favour.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost (CoP), Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, today dedicated the newly-constructed Nsawam Area Mission House.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi was assisted by the Koforidua Area Head and Executive Council Member, Apostle Mike Etrue, and the Nsawam Area Head, Apostle Francis Yaw Adu.

Also present at the dedication ceremony were Apostle David Tettey Tekper (Achimota Area Head), Apostle Lawrence Otu-Nyarko (Finance and Administration Director, COP Headquarters), Apostle Samuel Gakpetor (Agormanya Area Head), Apostle Phillip Osei-Korsah (Director, The Church of Pentecost Counselling Ministry) and Apostle Samuel Obuobi (Asamankese Area Head).

Preaching on the topic “Built on Christ” with Colossians 2:6-7 as anchor text, Apostle Samuel Obuobi said that foundation is the most important part of a building and even determines, to a large extent, how high it would be constructed.

The Asamankese Area Head noted that the foundation is also crucial because a house with a weak foundation would not stand the test of time. “In the same way, one’s faith in the Lord would only stand the test of time if it is rooted and built on Jesus, who is our Rock,” he explained.

Apostle Obuobi further explained that just as rocks are strong, impenetrable, durable, permanent, lasting, and unconquerable so is rooting one’s faith in Christ.

“In fine whether buildings always look good, until the weather changes. But for those whose foundation are firm and strong they will never be moved. Anyone whose faith is rooted in Christ has no fear; even when the storms rage, they are not moved because they are firmly rooted in Him,” he said.

Apostle Obuobi said that, challenges are bound to happen in the New Year, however, those who would remain firmly rooted in Christ and His word would triumph in the end. A man who had been touched by the word ministration responded to an altar call by Apostle Lawrence Otu-Nyarko and was led to accept Jesus as His Lord and personal Saviour.

The Nsawam Area Mission House building project was initiated after the proposed creation of the Nsawam Area, which had been carved out of the Suhum and Achimota areas, was approved at the 45th session of the General Council Meetings of the Church.

Consequently, the leadership of the Suhum Area, led by the then Area Head, Apostle A.E.K. Ekuban (now retired), cut sod for the project on June 10, 2021 and supervised it until the official inauguration of the Nsawam Area on August 29, 2021.

The Nsawam Area Executive Committee and the Area Estate Committee, took over the project, and, in close consultation with Pastor James Agyin (Projects, Estate and Development Manager, COP Headquarters), saw to its successful completion.

It is also worth mentioning that the building is sited on a vast parcel of land owned by the Church’s headquarters but released to the Area for the project.

The dedication ceremony also had in attendance Mrs. Rose Kumi-Larbi (Wife of the General Secretary), Mrs. Esther Adu (Wife of the Nsawam Area Head), the Nsawam Area pastorate, traditional leaders, as well as officers and members of the Church.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, has urged all people of the world to readily accept and cherish Jesus Christ for He is God’s perfect gift to humanity.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi gave this admonition on the day of Christmas (Sunday, December 25, 2022) during the closing session of this year’s Christmas convention at the Abelenkpe Central Assembly church auditorium in Accra.

Delivering a sermon on the topic, “Jesus, God’s Perfect Gift to Humanity,” the General Secretary indicated that Jesus Christ is the best gift anyone could give out or receive in this Christmas season, stressing: “Jesus is a complete package who lacks nothing.”

“When you encounter Jesus, He comes to live in you, and since He is without blemish, you will also become perfect,” he further stated.

Using Isaiah 9:6, John 3:16 and James 1:17 as Bible references, the General Secretary iterated that Isaiah’s prophecy about the Messiah revealed that the Saviour of the world would be an undiminished deity eternally united with full humanity in one person.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi, thus, pointed out that although the second member of the triune Godhead, Jesus also became a member of the human race when He came down to earth as the firstborn son of the virgin Mary to redeem humanity from sin – making Him fully God and fully man.

This, he noted, was why, although human, Isaiah’s prophecy described Jesus with divine attributes such as Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace, among others.

Touting Jesus’ credentials, Apostle Kumi-Larbi stated: “Only God qualifies to be called Wonderful Counsellor because He alone is the perfect counsellor; for in Christ dwells all the wisdom of the Godhead bodily.”

“God alone is omnipotent, He alone has the authority to call Himself the Mighty God; He alone is eternal and so He alone is entitled to the name Everlasting Father. Also, God alone, in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, shed His lifeblood so that all who believe in His name would have peace with God – the perfect peace of God that surpasses all understanding, – making Him the Prince of Peace indeed,” he explained.

As the New Year approaches, Apostle Kumi-Larbi advised Christians to commit their lives (plans and aspirations) to Jesus and strive to walk with Him all year through..

“Don’t go ahead of Jesus, it will eventually end in disaster, rather follow Him because He has the best strategy. As our Everlasting Father, let us enjoy Him endlessly, and as our Prince of Peace, let us welcome His dominion,” he said.

PENTECOST NEWS

The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, has asserted that the celebration of Christmas and Easter are the two most important events in the calendar year for every Christian.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi said this today when he joined members of the Osu District at the Central Assembly church auditorium for this morning’s session of the ongoing Christmas Convention.

According to the Church’s chief scribe, both Christian festivals are essential because “Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, whilst Easter, held in remembrance of Christ’s death and resurrection for the sins of humanity, cemented our salvation.”

Buttressing his assertion, Apostle Kumi-Larbi explained that although Christmas and Easter are observed as public holidays globally, the festive seasons mean more to Christians than just a period for merry making.

“It is not the partying and Christmas trees that make Christmas special; it is, rather, because on this special occasion we remember “Immanuel;” when God came to dwell among His people,” he said.

He further noted that the Church is the most appropriate place to mark the birth of Christ, saying: “If celebrating the birth of Jesus is indeed the reason for the season, then it should be celebrated together with the birthday celebrant, Jesus, in His house and with His family, the Church.”

He, therefore, advised Christians not to follow blindly by making light of these special events but spend the period reflecting and acknowledging God’s goodness for giving Christ to the world as a gift.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi further indicated that, for Christians, the Christmas season does not just end after the holidays; instead, it is an opportunity to encounter and develop a more intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit, who dwells in and with us to the end of the age.

“After Christmas, the parties will be over, the shopping will cease, and the Christmas trees will be disposed, but God will still be with us; He will never leave us nor forsake us,” he assured.

In the month of December, The Church of Pentecost joins Christians across the globe to celebrate the birth of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and its implication for humanity.

As part of the celebrations, conventions are held at the various levels of the church. The Osu District, like many other branches of the Church, commenced this year’s Christmas convention on December 22, 2022.

The event, which is under the theme, “Jesus Christ; In Him Is Life and Light” (John 1:4), is being held in morning and evening sessions.

Other speakers for the convention are Apostle Dr. Dieudonne Komla Nuekpe (La Area Head), and Pastor Simon Antwi (Osu District Minister), among others.

PENTECOST NEWS

“Life is more than merely saying we are living beings. It is more than simply breathing, the heart pumping or the brain running. It is beyond our intellect to explain all the processes that must take place for you and me to live. But Jesus knows what life is. And, even better, He is life; He started it; He created it; and He fashioned it. So, take Jesus away and there is no life.”

The above statement was contained in a sermon preached today by the General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, during the morning session of the Osu District Christmas Convention at the Central Assembly church auditorium, Accra.

Speaking on the topic: “Jesus Christ; The Giver of Life That Gives Light,” Apostle Kumi-Larbi explained that Jesus is an embodiment of both life and light as highlighted by Apostle John in the various books of the Bible he authored (his Gospel account, three epistles: 1, 2, 3 John, and the book of Revelation).

In his sermon, the General Secretary indicated that Apostle John’s testimony of Jesus is worth believing because He was one of the few people who enjoyed a very close relationship with Christ during His time on earth. 

Not only was John one of Jesus’ inner circles, but he was also one of His earthly cousins, and thus, might have known Christ from childhood. Moreover, John was one of the three disciples (the others being Peter and James) who witnessed Jesus’ greatest moments of glory and His darkest trials because they were His closest friends, Apostle Kumi-Larbi explained.

In his biblical accounts, the General Secretary pointed out with various scripture references that Apostle John presents Jesus as Life and light, as well as the eternal God. 

He explained that the breath of life that was used in God’s creation of mankind distinguished them from all other creatures. However, man lost this life, which he described as the “God-kind of life” (Zoe in Greek) after the fall.

He further indicated that, from the moment Adam and Eve sinned, humans lived in a fallen world. Every human being is, thus, born physically alive but dead in sin and spiritual darkness (separation from God).  

He, however, noted that the only way one can obtain the God-kind of life is to be born-again so that the abundant life and nature of God will be imparted into their spirit from God.

This, according to the General Secretary, also denotes that the Lord Jesus is not only the source and sustainer of physical life – the old, fallen, biological life inherited from Adam – but He is also the author and finisher of the new, spiritual, eternal life, which every believer receives by grace through faith in Christ Jesus.

Throwing more light on the born-again experience, Apostle Kumi-Larbi stated that after one accepts Christ as Lord and personal Saviour, God recreates the individual by replacing their old spirit with a brand new one, created in His own image and likeness so that they will become His direct offspring.

“This also means that Zoe is the essence of salvation,” he added.

Reading from 2 Corinthians 5:17 and 2 Peter 1:4, he mentioned that the Zoe life of God brings life to the individual and makes them a divine and new specie.

He also mentioned that the God-kind of life enables one to have an intimate relationship with God (John 17:3), reflect Christ; the one true light (John 1:4, 1 John 5:11,12), partake of God’s divine nature by becoming His vessel of love and blessing on earth. (2 Timothy 1:7, Romans 5:5).

It also enables the believer to work in God’s divine power and authority (2 Timothy 1:7, Ephesians 1:19, Ephesians 3:20), sets them free from the devil, sin, and eternal damnation (John 5:24, Romans 8:2, 1 John 5:18) and empowers them to live life abundantly, free from oppression and sickness (John 10:10).

Apostle Kumi-Larbi, therefore, urged all who are yet to surrender their lives to Christ to do so in order to obtain the gift of eternal life.

“And if you already have the gift of eternal life, I pray that the eyes of your heart will be enlightened so that you will know that you have the life and nature of God in you. I also pray that you will allow God’s divine nature and power within you to dominate you and flow through you to others,” he concluded.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost (CoP), Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, has urged clergy, officers, and members of the Church to strive to preserve the Church’s brand identity and refrain from acts that can tarnish the Church’s image and thus bring the name of God into disrepute.

“When members have grievances or concerns about the church or ministers, they should not speak ill of them, but rather channel their grievances through the established procedures to seek redress,” the General Secretary has admonished when speaking at this year’s Head Office Management & Staff Retreat today at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa-Fetteh, near Kasoa.

In a presentation on the topic, “Maintaining The CoP Brand – Rules of Conducts,” Apostle Kumi-Larbi said that the Church is the household of God, redeemed and sanctified by the blood of Jesus.

“The Church is not a mere social institution, but a family of saints being trained and equipped until we all attain the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” he stated.

He said that The CoP brands are what identify and separate the Church from others, saying, “It shapes the minds of the way of people, distinguishes and makes us unique.”

The General Secretary noted that God gave the forbearers of The Church of Pentecost a covenant which shaped its tenets, core values and rules of conducts.

“In every generation, if they don’t respect their part of the covenant, God will leave them and choose other people,” he stressed.

According to him, for the Church to fulfill its mandate of the covenant, some guidelines have been outlined to shape its members thoughts and principles of living. These, he noted, are the rules of conducts that govern the Church.

Stating the rules of conducts, Apostle Kumi-Larbi explained that they can help members to maintain the church’s brand which is highly respected at all levels.

Below are the Rules of Conduct of The Church of Pentecost:

a. Set aside a period daily for a personal quiet time in prayer and meditation on the Word (Matt. 6:6; Eph. 6:18-20).

b. Always endeavour to adequately prepare yourself through prayer and meditation before coming to the house of God (Heb. 4:15-16).

c. Be in your seat in good time before the commencement of service and participate fully in every aspect of the service.

d. Endeavour, by word and deed, to bring up your children in the fear of the LORD, and bring them with you to the house of God. Supervise and monitor the active participation of your children in Sunday School and Youth Ministry, as the case may be. Do not neglect the spiritual well-being of the other relatives and househelps under your care; they also need salvation (Gen. 18:19; Jos. 24:15; 2 Tim. 1:5,6; Prov. 22:6; Deut. 6:4-7).

e. Take the pastor as your own friend. He needs your compassion, help and advice as you also need his. Pray for him always (Heb 13;17, 18; Rom. 15:30-32; Mal 2:7).

f. Make the Church your spiritual home. Love the brethren with brotherly affection and, if you are able, contribute to the needs of the saints (Phil. verse 7; Ac. 2:46).

g. During casual conversation at home or at work, do not speak disrespectfully or disparagingly about the Church and God’s servants. Make your concerns and grievances known to the appropriate authority for explanation or redress (3 Jn. 9,10; Num. 12:12).

h. Endeavour to study the Bible diligently on your own and take it with you anytime you go to the house of God (2 Tim. 2:15; Act. 17:11; Jos. 1:8).

i. Enter reverently; pray fervently; listen attentively; give praise from a grateful heart, and worship God in the beauty of holiness (Ps. 118:27-29; Eccl. 5:1; Rom. 7:12; Jas 1:19). “Enter into His gates with thanks-giving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him and bless His name” (Ps. 100:4)

j. Marital fidelity and chastity before and during marriage are the hallmarks of a true Christian and are, therefore, strongly urged upon every child of God. Pre-marital and extra-marital relationships have no place in the Church of God; members found in such relationships should be punished by suspension and/or withdrawal from fellowship (1Cor. 5; Heb. 13:4).

k. In your business, endeavour to make all your dealings and transactions Bible based, honest and transparent (Prov. 16:8; 21:6; 22:13,16; Jer. 17:11; 22:13). A true child of God should not deal in items known to be detrimental to the spiritual, mental and physical health of others, e.g., alcohol, cigarettes and narcotic drugs.

PENTECOST NEWS

The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has urged Christians to live up to their divine role as light of the world to dispel the increasing darkness (evil) in the world.

According to Apostle Nyamekye, in the Old Testament, God used the Israelites to reflect the light, which is His glory, to the world. He, however, noted that the order changed when Jesus Christ came and instructed believers to be agents of change and the light to the world.

“Jesus told his believers to go into the nations to possess every sphere; with us in the world, we become the light of the world,” he stated.

He said this on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at the Akim Oda Central Auditorium, during his working tour in the Akim Oda Area.

Explaining the rationale of the 2023 theme, the Chairman said that the local church is expected to be a vibrant centre for equipping members to possess the nations, urging, “take care of your Presiding Elders and Presbytery who are your leaders at the local level.”

He mentioned that ordained officers (leaders) assist ministers in running affairs of the church and building up the members at the local assembly, especially since the minister cannot be there at all times.

“Everyone has his duty in this work of the Lord and whatever you do, remember it is for the Lord. Do not grumble or complain unnecessarily,” Apostle Nyamekye noted.

On environmental protection and awareness, he urged Christians to demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility for keeping the environment clean. He admonished members to avoid indulging in illegal mining and indiscriminate loitering.

The Chairman iterated that the local church must be a hub of hospitality for the family and members. He further encouraged sacrificial giving and paying of tithes truthfully among members.

Emphasising the need to raise family altars, he charged Christians to include every member in family devotions and spiritual activities. This, he mentioned, will help to strengthen the local church as was in the case of the Puritans.

“We are all brothers and sisters in the Lord, therefore, let us all join to worship God together,” he added.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, has stated that the newly-unveiled theme of the Church places a great deal of emphasis on the local church because it is the strength of the Church and the place where real practical ministry and congregational life take place.

“Actual church membership is found at the local level; district and area membership are only a culmination of membership at the local level. So, the real action is at the local church; this is why we are going back to the grassroots,” he said.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi said this today when he shared the rationale for the Church’s 2023 theme – “Repositioning the Local Church for Maximum Impact in the Nations” (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 and Colossians 2:6-7) with members of the Atomic Hills Central Assembly.

In his presentation, the General Secretary explained that the annual themes of The Church of Pentecost in the last four years were carefully chosen by the leadership of the Church as building blocks towards realising the five-year strategic vision of the Church, dubbed: “Vision 2023: Possessing the Nations.”

He said that the 2023 theme, the last of Vision 2023, is a continuation of the previous themes, all targeted at equipping and unleashing members into the world as change agents.

Reading 1 Samuel 30:1-25, Apostle Kumi-Larbi explained how David and his men returned from battle to find their camp at Ziklag raided by the Amalekites. Subsequently, David saw the need to deploy some of his men to guard the camp while the others go for battle. 

He said that the leadership of the Church has taken a cue from David’s case, and has therefore made this conscious effort to strengthen the local church, which is the strength base of the Church.

“We do not want to only focus on the front line, but also pay critical attention to our rear, which is the local church. The evangelism outreaches and social interventions are our front-line efforts; however, the local church is our rear. This is why we are repositioning her for maximum impact,” he said.

The General Secretary further explained that repositioning the local church, means creating the needed atmosphere for church members to be built up and made sharper for the task of influencing society with the principles, values and lifestyle of the kingdom of God.

He, therefore, called on church leaders, particularly ministers and officers, to be intentional about grounding members in the Lord, equipping them with the needed resources and unleashing them into the world for maximum impacts.

“The local church is expected to be a vibrant centre for equipping members to possess the nations,” he said.

The Chief Scribe also threw more light on the eight sub-themes that have been adopted to guide church leaders in their efforts to achieve the desired set goals under the 2023 theme. The topics are: “Stoking the Fire of the Holy Spirit,” “Living in the Fear of God in the Local Church,” “The Local Church as a Family,” “The Local Church Upholding the Value of Godliness,” “Sacrificial Giving and Tithing,” “The Local Church in Evangelism,” “Visitation in the Local Church,” “Raising Family Altars to Strengthen the Local Church: Lessons from the Puritans,” and “Encouraging Personal Devotions and Small Group Prayer Meetings to Strengthen the Local Church.”

PENTECOST NEWS.