Prayer Letter Oct-Nov 2012

Ogallo Family – Prayer Letter               Oct-Nov 2012 Grace Baptist Church – Eldoret P.O. Box 170 – 30100, Eldoret, Kenya Tel: +254 53 2030823; Cell: +254 723 918943 or +254 737 918943

Dear Friends,

Receive our greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

At the end of what otherwise is a very hard Psalm, David concludes (35:28) “And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness and of Your praise all the day long.” We rejoice as we report of the Lord’s righteousness upon our lives and ministry in these past weeks.

            At the end of September HeartCry and our Zambian brethren facilitated a ten days trip for Pastor Sam of Grace Baptist Church Kisumu and I. The purpose was for us to visit the CopperBelt Ministerial College (CMC) in Ndola city so that we could learn lessons which would help us structure our new College in Kisumu. The two Sundays which found us in Zambia were memorable. The first Sunday (30^th September), I had opportunity to preach at Kabwata Baptist Church where I last preached exactly twenty years and one month ago! The last Sunday (7^th October) I was also privileged to preach at Lusaka Baptist Church where I last preached exactly seven years ago! Reuniting with former acquaintances and making new contacts brought to me no small joy. And so, I have been meditating on Psalm 16:3 “And to the saints who are on the earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”

            From 1^st to 5^th October we were in Ndola city. Our time at CMC was very fruitful in every way. It was a great privilege to attend the lectures, interact with the students, and discuss with the administration and the faculty. We also had opportunities to visit homes of the leaders of various churches both in Ndola and back in Lusaka. Food everywhere was delicious and these good brethren made sure we didn’t lack anything; I actually added weight! CMC has been operating for over four years and held its first graduation early this year. In all this, we learnt a lot.

            During those two Sundays while I was away, Pastor Michael of Bethesda Baptist Church travelled from Nairobi and preached for me. The church appreciated his ministry very much. While the church was very happy to have me back, many also testified that my being away made them learn to look to the Lord more earnestly; what a good lesson that was!

            We say thank you for your replies and prayers following our last Prayer Letter (2^nd Supplement). We needed them so much. Shortly after my return from Zambia, a young man called Jeffry, who was under conviction of sin, approached me. After a long talk, I pointed him to Christ upon whom he made a profession of faith. He has been regular at the teaching ministries of the church. Please remember him in prayers that the Lord will enable him to grow in faith and the knowledge of Christ. We are also very thankful to God for new people attending our services. Pray that the Lord may save those who are not yet saved and that believers may seek to identify with the church through membership. We continue to develop opportunities among the University students. Please pray that these opportunities will bear lasting fruit. Equally, do not be weary to pray for us regarding church land and a more permanent meeting structure.

            This coming Lord’s Day, we expect James Williamson of HeartCry and the Coordinator of ministerial training colleges at Lusaka and Ndola. After the Sunday ministries, both of us will travel to Kisumu where James will visit the College and give lectures. Please pray for us regarding various needs of this young College. Finally, pray for our annual Family Conference set for 10^th to 14^th Dec.

In Christ by grace,

Naphtally & Helida Ogallo.

Doctrine: Christ is without sin

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15).

Doctrine: Christ is both God and Man

6 "Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 But made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." (Philippians 2:6-7 NIV).

Sermon Preached on 2012-10-14 at GBC-Eldoret by Pastor Naphtally Ogallo

MARK 10:26-27

SALVATION – IMPOSSIBLE WITH MAN

Introduction Many people are religious but they have lost focus of true Christian religion. They have lost or don’t know the fundamental Biblical teaching of [1] the total depravity of man [2] salvation by God’s grace alone. Those who teach and preach these truths are despised and ridiculed. Churches where these truths are preached remain generally small and considered out of touch. I encourage both those who preach these truths that we must continue to stand and be counted. Anything less will not result into genuine conversion experience for sinners. In this passage, our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us that salvation is impossible with man but only possible with God. Consider these three points albeit it summary.

1.       Wrong thoughts about salvation: Some people claim that man is getting better and that just a little religion in his system is enough. But this claim has been disproved as wrong. A few illustrations will suffice: [1] The post election violence that rocked Kenya after the last General Election (2007-2008) is a fitting demonstration of this. Kenya is said to be over 75% Christians. If this is to be believed then either the violence was carried out by the 25% “none Christians” or we must believe the hard fact that so many among the 75% are actually not true Christians! [2] Our New Constitution is certainly much better than the previous one but if we care to admit, the New Constitution alone will not save Kenya unless hearts are changed. [3] Some people think that being a Christian is avoiding sins and doing good; Christ is only seen as an example to follow.

2.       Christ and the question of salvation: Christ declared “with man this is impossible, but not with God...”  (10:26). In another place Christ said “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” But who really is able? The answer is ‘No one.’ Thus “with man this is impossible...”

In Mark 10:15 our Lord Jesus uses the practical illustration of children to teach the lesson of entering into the kingdom of God. “...anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” This does not mean that all children will go to heaven! But the lesson we learn that we must have attitude of a child if we will be saved. Some illustrations will do: A child has the attitude of dependence. [1] When a child is given a painful discipline (like smacking) by the parent he or she while crying will run back to the very parent! [2] When a child is sees a wild dog approaching he or she will cling to the parent. A child has not learnt many evil tricks that adults have learnt and hidden in their hearts over the years. For adults to learn to put off those evil tricks or hatred in the heart is like expecting a leopard to change its spots. It is in a child to easily trust another greater than he or her. Our Lord Jesus says, just as a child trust another greater that he or she you are to trust God the same. Do we find this easy? The Lord Jesus declares “with man it is impossible...”

In Mark 10:17ff the rich young ruler asked “...what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Upon the Lord Jesus challenging him to recognize that his hope of eternal life must be in God alone, the man spoke sincerely but ignorantly of the fact that God’s law requires heart obedience not just outward performance. The subsequent words of our Lord and the man’s action reveal that this man was still far from entering the kingdom of God. Before we can enter the kingdom of God, one must give up himself and everything. But can it be done? No wonder the disciples asked and we too ask the same question “who then can be saved?”  The Lord Jesus declares that “with man it is impossible...” This is what bothered Nicodemus (cf. John 3:1ff).

3.       Salvation is by God’s grace alone! “...all things are possible with God!” God saved Paul! Manasseh! Christ does not ask us to do the impossible; but that we allow God to do the impossible for us. The Pharisees weren’t happy with Jesus because He raised standard of entering God’s kingdom so high. But the tax collectors, drunkards and sinful women who felt wicked saw hope in Jesus. The God who saved Saul of Tarsus and Manasseh son of Hezekiah has no changed.

Ø  I point you to God through the Lord Jesus Christ alone. He gives power and strength to helpless and hopeless sinners; give yourself to Him!

Ø  We too were once helpless and hopeless but God changed us. It is impossible to change yourself; but with God all things are possible. O that you would pray, look and cry to Him today!