The Burkina Faso National Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Ousmane Patinde Zabre, has advised Christians to read the Bible, meditate on it and abide by its teachings since it is the only book that contains all that humanity needs to build an excellent fellowship with God and fellow humans.
He has, therefore, implored Christians to essentially live the Bible, saying, “You can read other books, but when it comes to the Bible live it,” he stated.
Apostle Zabre said this in a sermon he delivered on Sunday, February 16, 2020, during the climax of the maiden Francophone Ministers and Wives’ Conference of The Church of Pentecost held at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh, near Kasoa.
Speaking on the topic, “The Power and Beauty of Christian Fellowship,” Apostle Zabre, who doubles as an Executive Council Member of The Church of Pentecost, urged Christians to make every effort to build brotherly fellowship so that in unity and love, they would win the unsaved to Christ.
Reading from 1 John 1:3-7; Acts 2:42-47, among other scriptures, the Burkina Faso National Head averred that Christian fellowship has both physical and spiritual advantages, and has the potential to boost the church’s efforts in transforming society with the values and principles of the Kingdom of God, thereby turning many nations to the saving knowledge of Christ Jesus.
He, therefore, called on believers to endeavour to strengthen brotherly fellowship among themselves, because it is a vital part of the body of Christ.
He noted that nothing should be an obstacle to brotherly fellowship since it the key to accomplishing the church’s agenda of possessing the nations.
In developing Christian fellowship, Apostle Zabre indicated that it should be both vertical and horizontal, thus building and maintaining a good relationship with God and man. “Loving one another is an important element in our communion with God. We are all members of one family. And members of one family support each other, love each other, and do things in common,” he said.
He further indicated the need for believers to do everything possible to avoid speculations and wrong perceptions about their fellow brethren since that does not promote brotherly fellowship.
Touching on some of the benefits of Christian fellowship, he mentioned that it strengthens teamwork and produces results, and can also speed up the ‘Possessing the Nations’ agenda of the church.
Apostle Ousmane Zabre identified some obstacles that hinder effective Christian fellowship. Some of them are sin, which he described as the number one enemy to fellowship; rejection of the pure doctrine of Christ, which he said is a danger to brotherly fellowship, and over-competition in the church.
He advised Christians not to see themselves as competitors since they are all working for God.
“Our goal is to dethrone Satan and enthrone Christ Jesus, so let us avoid over-competition which causes us to see a brother as an enemy. Don’t be jealous of your brother; it’s against the Bible. Don’t pretend as though you love your brother, while you dislike him, because the poison in the head is more dangerous than the poison of the viper. We have to avoid competitions and jealousy which harms brotherly fellowship,” he stated.
PENTECOST NEWS.