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Abiding in His Presence (A Call to Greater Intimacy with God) | Vimbai Chariga

Today, I want to introduce you to a powerful framework called a Relationship Grid—a tool that maps how we show up in our relationships: in friendship, marriage, parenting, work, and even in our relationship with God. This particular grid we will focus on spans a continuum from unhealthy enmeshment and co-dependency to healthy interdependence, and all the way to emotional detachment and avoidance. Somewhere on this spectrum, you and I live every day. You'll recognize yourself in some of these patterns—like the Doormat, the Rescuer, or the Controller. Others of us might identify with the Avoidant, the Cynic, or the Ghost. These aren't just labels; they reflect deep beliefs, unmet needs, and relational habits shaped by our past.

Welcome back to EQ God's Way. Earlier in the series we explored the emotional intelligence of Jesus and how it shapes our own lives. We looked at how Jesus embodied EQ—his deep empathy, his emotional self-awareness, and His relational wisdom. Today, we shift the focus from observation to instruction. Jesus didn't just model EQ—he taught it. In fact, his teachings are like relational guardrails—twelve practical, powerful principles that protect and direct us in our relationships. These aren't soft suggestions. They're Kingdom mandates for emotional maturity. They teach us how to love well, confront wisely, forgive radically, and choose our relational investments strategically. Jesus didn't just model EQ—He mandated it.

In Part 1 of this series, we laid the foundation by exploring what the Bible says about alcohol, the cultural and historical context of its use, and the spiritual principles that should guide our choices. Now, in Part 3, we turn to one of the most critical aspects of this conversation: addiction. This is where we confront the stronghold that alcohol—and other substances—can have over a person's life. We will define the bondage of addiction through both scientific insight and biblical truth. We examine how different substances create dependence, including alcohol's unique grip as a socially acceptable but chemically addictive drug. We will identify the signs of alcohol dependency, including behavioural, emotional, and physical indicators. We will explore the risk factors—from genetic predisposition to environmental triggers—that increase vulnerability to addiction.

David was anointed by the prophet Samuel as a young teenager, likely between the ages of 10 and 15, as recorded in 1 Samuel 16. He became king at the age of 30, as stated in 2 Samuel 5:4. Therefore, approximately 15 to 20 years elapsed between his anointing and his ascension to the throne. During this period, David experienced significant trials and growth. He served in King Saul's court, became a renowned warrior, and spent years fleeing from Saul's attempts to kill him. These experiences prepared him for his future role as king. David's journey from anointing to kingship exemplifies the importance of patience and faith in the fulfilment of God's promises.

This message encourages endurance through trials and challenges transactional views of faith. In contrast, the biblical journey includes suffering, perseverance, and spiritual growth. This message aims to encourage those facing unexplained hardships to hold on and keep the faith.

Drunkenness refers to the state of being intoxicated or impaired due to the consumption of alcohol or other intoxicating substances. It occurs when the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) reaches a level that significantly affects physical and mental functions. The effects of drunkenness vary depending on the individual, the amount of alcohol consumed, and the person's tolerance, but it generally involves a loss of coordination, impaired judgment, and altered behaviour. This scripture is powerful because it emphasizes that the goal is not just to avoid drunkenness but to pursue the alternative. This is the great displacement. I want to be filled with the Spirit. I want to be led by the Spirit. I desire to be emboldened by God's spirit and not any other spirit. I want to be dependent on His Spirit and no other. Both the phrases “get drunk on wine” and “be filled with the Spirit” are in present continuous tense. So these are ongoing experiences. Instead of continually getting drunk, continually be filled with the Spirit. It's the present passive imperative; keep being filled with the Spirit. This scripture also shows that drunkenness leads to debauchery. Debauchery is dissipation, reckless living, wastefulness, excess, and moral ruin. It's the same word used to describe the prodigal son. The verse contrasts worldly intoxication with spiritual saturation. We know that excessive drinking also leads to other things which we will talk about in this message. Website: https://gochurch.co.za/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gochurchsa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gochurchcenturion/

To Drink or not to Drink | Paul Nyamuda by Go Church SA

1 John 5:4 – 5 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. There are breakthroughs that I desire that require me to overcome things in this world. My only route to victory is what I have as a result of being Born of the Spirit, having God's DNA. I have to come into situations with a different life form in order to overcome. I need a higher order life form to have victory. The vehicle for this is faith. I need to believe there is this other life and that his life is now in me as a result of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The difference between making and begetting is this: when you beget something, you beget something of the same kind as yourself… A man begets a man, God begets God. That which is begotten is Zoe.” C.S. Lewis – Mere Christianity

I find it interesting that joy is often seen as an optional extra. We love to quote the fruit of the Spirit and see the qualities as spiritual virtues to strive for except for joy. The Bible speaks of the joy of my salvation. Joy is a spiritual quality, a mindset and disposition that has the emotion of happiness as a by-product. Rejoicing is a biblical expectation. It is part of the fruit of the born-again spirit. The anatomy of joy is fascinating as many who have researched happiness and joy, combine insights from psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy. In our case today we are also examining the scriptures to see what they teach on Joy

Gratitude and emotional intelligence (EQ) are deeply connected, as gratitude enhances key components of EQ, such as self-awareness, empathy, and relationship management. If your self-awareness is low, you will not be aware of the things for which to be grateful due to your lack of reflection. Gratitude requires reflection. Practising gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have, which in turn increases self-reflection and positive emotional awareness. People who regularly reflect on gratitude tend to recognize and regulate their emotions better. Gratitude reduces stress and negative emotions such as envy, resentment, and frustration. Gratitude helps individuals recognize and appreciate the efforts and emotions of others, leading to stronger social connections.

Proverbs 25:28 – "Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control." The inability to control one's emotions is like a defenceless city. A city without walls is defenceless, and so is a life without self-control. Sadly, many believers think they are being authentic when they allow themselves to keep feeling a certain way. Our emotions send messages to us and it's up to us how we use them. However, if we are passive about the emotional state we remain in, those emotions can become toxic resulting in negative consequences for ourselves and others. We need to be careful of “fleshly emotions," which are destructive and toxic. These include malice, envy, selfish ambition, bitterness, overpowering lusts, and hatred. Such emotions are tied to the works of the flesh and lead to spiritual death. The purpose of this message is to demonstrate how we can take charge of our emotions and allow them to be used for good and not evil. One of the differentiating characteristics between a wise person and a foolish person is the ability to manage one's emotions.

Today we are exploring the second section (Eph 5:8-14) which is living as children of the light.

Last week we looked at a broad strokes overview of the book of Ephesians. We discovered that the book is typically divided into 2 halves. Ephesians offers a detailed synopsis of the Gospel, moving from worship and reflection on God's redemption to describing God's ongoing work through the Holy Spirit and a vision for the Church.

Will be studying a pericope or passage in Ephesians. Before we get there will look at the context within which the pericope is positioned to ensure we understand the message being conveyed correctly. To begin with will briefly look at a few concepts to assist as we approach the Bible desiring to rightly divide the word of God.

The words we speak hold great power, influencing our spiritual lives and relationships. The Bible emphasizes the importance of guarding our mouths, as our words can build up or tear down. By filling our speech with praise and aligning our words with God's truth, we can avoid negative influences and strengthen our faith. Faith-filled declarations, like the centurion's trust in Jesus' authority, demonstrate the power of speaking with conviction. Finally, we must reject the world's lies and align our speech with God's promises, declaring life and truth over ourselves and others.

Living A Life Worthy of Christ | VImbai Chariga by Go Church SA

The sermon highlights the importance of evangelists in the church, emphasizing their role in spreading the gospel, engaging in public discourse, and guiding believers. It underscores the need for dedicated individuals to reach out to non-believers, strengthen faith communities, and expand the church's influence. Evangelists are seen as essential workers who inspire others, overcome challenges, and contribute to the growth and impact of the Christian mission.

Many people have been wounded. For them, the world is not a reliable place. Some of you are in a space where you have to learn how to trust again. The reality is that if you don`t trust people you will limit your world to only what you can do. You never get to the top by yourself. Interdependence is a mark of maturity. If you don`t trust people you will never pass the ball in sport. If you don`t trust people you will never make yourself vulnerable. You cannot build emotional intimacy without some degree of vulnerability. You always have a choice: Trust vs Suspicion. In this message I will outline how Jesus modelled the power of trusting others in how He related to His disciples. From there I will also expound on various scriptures that caution us not to trust everyone and everything.

The anatomy of trust is central to EQ. The first pillar of emotional intelligence looks at emotional self-awareness. Often, I ask people to reflect on the degree to which they are trusted by others and often they don't know. Part of emotional self-awareness is knowing the impact of your behaviour on others. Is what I am doing or saying building trust or eroding it? It is good to be trusted. When people trust you, it will open doors for you. We all need to be trustworthy people just as God is trustworthy. The consequences of mistrust occur where the world has not been reliable. What are some of the consequences of mistrust? Isolation, Paranoia, Violence, Demotivation etc. I would like to be a trusted person and also a trusting person. Let's explore both concepts in this message. What words come to mind when you think of someone who you trust? For many of us it's words like reliable, competent, caring, safe, honest, transparent, direct, etc. These words do not have the same meaning but all result in trust.

I can either read some books; ask a fellow brother in Christ or mine God's Word for myself to get a better understanding of the Father Heart of God. In this way I can emulate what I see and what I read. Of course, as a child of God I also have the benefit of experiencing God the Father for myself in a very real and practical way. When we pray, we pray Our Father who art in heaven.

You will only be successful to the degree to which you remain motivated to complete your assignment. Many people are failing today, not because they lack skill or smartness; many are failing due to lack of motivation. Many of us come into the year with great aspirations but at some point, we lose motivation. We see gyms full of people and we know they make a lot of money by hooking people into contracts at the start of the year. It's not uncommon to see many people out running on New Year's Day, but are they still there after two months? Many years ago, I preached a message called “Living Beyond Good Intentions” because I realised that the majority of us start with good intentions; we create wonderful goals, but few have mastered the art of following through and sustaining their success. To be effective in life, we need to master the art of staying motivated. What was last year like for you? Did you stay motivated in all aspects of your life or did things change along the way? In this message I will share with you some tools from both the science and theology of motivation so that you can stay motivated this year.

Aim to achieve the goal God has set for you. Spare no cost in the quest. Spare no effort as you press toward the mark of knowing Christ. Pursue intimacy with God. One measure of maturity is the degree to which this pursuit becomes our consuming focus and desire. Nowhere are we more challenged to become a man/woman after God's own heart than here.

God listens to our prayers. He pays attention to them. God is a good listener. 1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” James 1:19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, John Vawter said, “The truth is, I interrupt because I like to control conversations. I want them to follow my agenda, to proceed at my pace, to end where I would like them to end. Because of that I am quick to speak…slow to listen.”

The enemy's strategy has always been to tarnish that image. This is significant because we always live up to our self-concept. If I believe I am a cow, I will eat grass and “moo”. In doing life, it is important for us to have a healthy sense of identity. Many leaders fail because they lack self-awareness and are not in touch with who they are. It is important to understand that although we have different temperaments or behavioural profiles, we are still called to be Christlike. Many people make the mistake of glorifying their personalities. They continuously reject Christlikeness on the basis of their temperament or personality. Ephesians 4:15-16 "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." We need to understand that the Holy Spirit helps us to manifest the emotions of Christ appropriately in the context of our own individual style. Throughout scripture we see people of different personality types being used greatly by God, some of them operated from their flesh whilst others were spirit controlled and led most of the time. In this message, I will give us an overview of the different behavioural preferences and temperaments demonstrating how to safeguard ourselves from the vices associated with them.

As mentioned in part 1, Cynicism is a defence mechanism our brain uses to actively protect us from disappointment and pain. I mentioned that a cynic tends to be sceptical, pessimistic, and distrustful of people's intentions, often expecting the worst in others and believing that people are likely to act in their own self-interest, even if it means harming others. The result of this is often, less satisfying relationships, anticipation of pain, resulting in anxiety and depression. We spoke about how our goal as believers is to remain in the Word and to abide in the truth. Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." In this message I will highlight the consequences of cynicism, including how it affects our relationships and the decisions we make. I will also explain how one can be free from cynicism.

It is important that every mindset and emotional state is viewed from a scriptural perspective and through such a lens. Cynicism is a toxic emotional state, which if left unchecked can become lethal. We need to know how to identify it in our lives and as leaders we need to know how to uproot it in our teams. 2 Corinthians 10:5: "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." I am not suggesting that we go to the extreme of toxic positivity (denial about negative emotions – ignore and overide), but we are called to embrace truth in our inward parts and renew our minds to have an accurate view of God, ourselves, others and how the world works.

I keep emphasizing the importance of EQ. I was reflecting the other day how even the Incredible Hulk was somewhat aware of the impact his anger had on others. When David Bruce Banner would start turning into the Incredible Hulk he would say to his boss, “Mr McGee, don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry. That's self-awareness. Technically speaking when he became Hulk he was not that self-aware I guess. So we wont use him as our standard. I am grateful that Jesus modelled and taught high emotional intelligence. Jesus consistently demonstrated high emotional intelligence (EQ) in His teachings and interactions. In this message we will unpack verses where Jesus models and teaches emotional awareness, emotional expression, emotional management, social awareness, relationship management and motivation.

I will spend the first part of this message talking about the importance of EQ in scripture and also its complexity in order to build my case for starting with God's EQ. When the Bible commands you to practise empathy there is no qualifier saying that it depends on your personality. Romans 12:15 "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." This is a command to practise empathy, not a suggestion. EQ is an essential capability for success in all aspects of life. Biblical EQ is a part of Christlikeness and something you can put on. You clothe yourself with it.

I was running a seminar the other day and went up to speak after being given a wonderful intro. I was greeted with silence as I took up my space so I said to the audience, who were leaders of a very significant organisation, “This is where you guys start clapping.” I then said, I guess this is why I am teaching on EQ. A lot of times we don't know what to do socially. Sometimes we feel awkward giving or receiving complements. All of this relates to our emotional intelligence. John 11:33-35 "When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled... Jesus wept." We live in a world that taught us, “cowboys don't cry”, yet the King of the universe cried. We need to examine EQ God's way. Luke 22:44 "And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." Jesus could make Himself vulnerable by expressing emotion. If we want to be Christlike, we need to embrace this too. If you study the science of likeability, vulnerability makes you more likeable. You don't have to always put your best foot forward.

As we come to an end of this series it is important for us to understand that warfare fails when we have no back bone. The person who is effective at spiritual warfare tends to have tremendous resilience and grit. Proverbs 24:16 “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” This verse shows us that one of the core characteristics of a righteous person is resilience. Resilience is positive adaptation in the face of adversity. Resilience is the ability to bounce back quickly from setbacks. There is psychological resilience, emotional resilience, physical resilience and community resilience. Many families in our church have been resilient through some of their worst times. The community in KZN was very resilient after going through looting followed by floods. The church in China has been resilient learning how to do church differently during times of persecution. Many churches demonstrated resilience during Lockdown and seasons of COVID. In this message I will highlight the power of resilience and outline three things that resilient people do differently.

In this next section we will explore how the enemy attempts to get us to violate a universal law that God has put in place. This is the law of submission to authority. God has created this world by His authority and has established various houses of authority for our own protection and blessing. How we relate to this system is crucial in warfare and life. Can you confidently say that you respect authority? Are you fully submitted to God; His ways and His Word? Do you often usurp the authority you have delegated? Do you punish your bosses by procrastination, gossip or a closed heart? Remember that submission is tested in disagreement. It is easy to say that you are submitted to authority until you disagree with that authority. In this message I will share with you 12 key points describing the technology of this universal law of submission to authority.

In this next part of our series, we will be exploring the various strategies the enemy uses against believers. Part of knowing our enemy is knowing his assignments against us. When you are aware of these strategies you are better positioned to deal with them.

In this next part of our series, we will be exploring the various strategies the enemy uses against believers. Part of knowing our enemy is knowing his assignments against us. When you are aware of these strategies you are better positioned to deal with them.

Today I will be teaching regarding 2 of the corporate weapons of our warfare. That includes corporate prayer and corporate fasts. Unfortunately for the church today, we have not yet tapped into the fulness of the power of these corporate weapons. You see, many come from collectivist backgrounds, but by and large, when it comes to church the predominant mentality is an individualistic consumerist one.

It is crucial for the Church to teach on the subject of spheres and jurisdictions for spiritual activities. We must recognize that God our Creator was very intentional when He set out which realm we would operate in. Ps 115:16 The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind. We will examine the geography of the spirit realm, outlining its different sectors. In this message my goal is to also outline a type of “organogram” for the spiritual realm. It is important for believers to understand the various levels and roles in the spirit realm so that we relate correctly to these varying dimensions. It is also important to note that the devil does not originate, but he produces counterfeits of what God has created. We will therefore also look at the ranks and levels in the kingdom of darkness. We need to know our enemy and his strategies.

It is crucial for the Church to teach on the subject of spheres and jurisdictions for spiritual activities. We must recognize that God our Creator was very intentional when He set out which realm we would operate in. Ps 115:16 The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind. We will examine the geography of the spirit realm, outlining its different sectors. In this message my goal is to also outline a type of “organogram” for the spiritual realm. It is important for believers to understand the various levels and roles in the spirit realm so that we relate correctly to these varying dimensions. It is also important to note that the devil does not originate, but he produces counterfeits of what God has created. We will therefore also look at the ranks and levels in the kingdom of darkness. We need to know our enemy and his strategies.

Jesus walked in authority and He expects us to do the same. 1 John 3:8 "The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work." We have been sent with the same mission, to reinforce what Jesus started. To destroy the works of the devil. John 20:21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 1 John 4:17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. NKJV Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. This is a powerful statement. This speaks of the extent of our oneness with Christ. In this message we will study Jesus' dealings with the kingdom of darkness and get tools for how we too can engage the enemy.

C.S. Lewis: "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them." When people have been exposed to different extremes, they sometimes develop a reactionary theology. Therefore, it is important for me to lay down foundations from scripture so that we know what we believe and why, with regards to spiritual warfare. Luke 11:20 (NKJV) "But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you." NIV "But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." The central theme of New Testament theology is the reign of Christ and the establishment of God's Kingdom. This verse shows us that the displacement of darkness by way of warfare is a core activity in the establishment of this Kingdom. The Old and New Testament are connected in this way. God gave the promised land to the Children of Israel and then they had the responsibility to go and take the land. In the same way, Christ's death and resurrection disarmed the enemy and now we are called to enforce that victory and take back what belongs to us. We have been saved (justification), we are being saved (sanctification) and we will be saved (glorification). In this message I will share with you some foundations that ground believers in warfare. It is important to know these before one gets into the tactical aspects of warfare.

Today's message is about what is probably the most fundamental belief we hold as Christians. Today we will be talking about the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We are in drawing the close of a series on worldviews. We have recognised in this series that all of us have a worldview, formed consciously and less consciously. It forms the lens through which we view, understand and make sense of the world and thus ultimately determines how we live. Today I would like to take a Biblical worldview and apply it to the domain of the arts and entertainment. What I do with this domain, can be done for each domain in life.

So the topic today is that of the different types of apologetics that are commonly used in defending Christianity. It's important to understand that when you defend Christianity, no matter how you want to slice or dice it, you will always draw upon something to explain why you believe what you believe.

In our current series in church, we have been studying a biblical worldview, what we believe and why, and the application of our beliefs to everyday life. In the messages I have shared, I have been looking primarily at the first 3 chapters of Genesis. Today, we will be looking at Genesis once again. I want to explore truths foundational to the Christian Worldview found in the first three chapters of Genesis, and compare aspects of them to unbiblical worldviews that are commonly held today. And then look at the implications of these worldviews. At a simple level, I am wanting to show you how our belief systems and worldviews are crucial and impact our lives. We will look at truths concerning God, creation, man and sin.

The Biblical Christian Worldview finds part of its coherency in the fact that it has answers for the question of morality. Our worldview gives us a framework for our lifestyle. Your theology will affect your morality and discussions on apologetics will need to include an examination of the robust nature of Christian Ethics. When we are grounded in Christian Ethics it helps us to make wise moral choices in a world of moral relativity and subjective reasoning. We are then able to speak up on issues to do with contemporary error and give a Christian response to the issues of our day such as HIV AIDS, abortion, unrighteous wars and strikes, corruption, child trafficking, drug abuse, and questionable medical practices. I have observed that many believers do not have a clear code of conduct for all areas of life. Sometimes they do not practise the principle of moral unity. In other words, they have certain standards for homelife and a different set of values for business life. I have observed that there are some unbelievers who seem to have a code of conduct and philosophy for their approach to life. It is important for us to know what we believe and why when it comes to our morality. In this message I will outline major theories of ethics and then go on to describe the epistemological foundations of Christian Ethics.

When we talk about Christianity we are talking about faith in Christ Jesus. When we make reference to believers we are talking about true Christ followers. This is important because many people argue against Christianity from the incorrect frame of reference. They tend to cite individuals who misrepresent Christianity. Let's talk about Jesus and not those who falsely use His name. Jesus has already said in Matt 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" In this message I am building a case for why raw Christianity as defined by God, is the only way.

Last week we embarked on a journey exploring this crucial question in Christian Apologetics; if God is omnibenevolent (all loving), omniscient (all knowing), omnipotent (all powerful) why is there evil and suffering in the world? We highlighted that many have turned from the faith because of unanswered questions in this area. We examined the tension between the good world God created and the cursed world we live in and the new world we anticipate. I find it interesting that many people expect us to be in a perfect world right now despite the consistent rebellion against God and His ways. Romans 1:18 "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness." We need to explore what this wrath looks like. We explored the concept of theodicies and I promised to explore this in more depth. I highlighted how Jesus identifies with our pain and suffering, and we examined how early apostles responded to trials and tribulations. We also looked at the limits of evil and the role of prayer as Jesus instructed. Our key verse for this subject remains John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Throughout the scriptures there seems to be two prevailing ideas around evil and suffering; the first is that they will both remain in the world until Jesus returns and establishes a new heaven and new earth and second, He has overcome them already. The fact that Jesus states that He has overcome the world, implies that we too have overcome the world. The complexity comes when we have to explore what He means by “the world” and what He means by “overcome”. Nevertheless, in this statement there is still the sound of victory and dominion over certain things, despite the inevitability of “trouble”. That is also something for us to unpack, what is “trouble”? There are two major types of evil and suffering in this world; natural and human. The natural kind is associated with earthquakes and other natural disasters. The human kind of evil is to do with armed robberies, wars, abuse and the list is endless. It is important to note that one could argue that some natural disasters are caused by human behaviour. Key questions people ask today, “If God is Good, why does He allow evil and suffering in the world? If God is all powerful, why does He not stop it?” People seem to use the lack of clear answers to these questions as a reason for rejecting God and the Christian faith. It is important that apologists articulate a coherent Biblical theology with regards to this topic. A key word in this theme is theodicy. Theodicy is an argument that seeks to vindicate God's omnipotence and omnibenevolence despite the evil and suffering in the world. Over the next few weeks, when I explain what every believer should know about evil and suffering, I will be using expository apologetics in a series of theodicies.

Last week we looked at the importance of the creation narrative with respect to many of our foundational doctrines. Today I would like to pick up where I left off in the creation narrative, namely that death, millions of years, fossilization and evolution cannot be mixed into the creation narrative before God created Adam and Eve. Today I will endeavour to look at evidence around dinosaurs and fossilization, Noah and the flood and the age of the earth. Referenced Videos: Video 1: https://streaming.answersingenesis.org/vid/ondemand/creation-museum/flood-geology/mt-st-helens.mp4 Video 2: https://streaming.answersingenesis.org/vid/ondemand/creation-museum/flood-geology/fossilization.mp4

Refrenced videos: Video 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVrr_BbEtJE Video 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slvR1QJIpjw Video 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5FOs5hTK3E What we are seeing today is a collapse of the Christian worldview, both outside and inside the church. The first attack on God's word was in Genesis 3: “Did God really say?” This questioning has continued throughout history, particularly through the teaching of evolution, "ape-man" theories, and the concept of the age of the earth being billions of years and so forth. These ideas can cause Christians to doubt God's word and ultimately reject it, undermining the authority of the Bible and the Gospel based upon its authority.If we cannot believe the Bible's history (Genesis 1:1), how can we believe what it says about salvation (John 3:16)? As Jesus said, "If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?" (John 3:12, NKJV). If we can't trust the Bible regarding our origins, how can we trust what it says about morality and salvation? This stumbling block prevents many from receiving salvation.

Today I want to talk about this magnificent Word. Let me start off by saying that I went through a journey over a number of years where I really dived deep into the historicity of the Bible. Ps Paul knows how many times I asked him about various books or advice on tracking and understanding how the Bible came to be, and what lends it so much credence. I must be entirely honest, I went through a phase myself where I was extremely anxious about the Bible's authenticity, and this was because I had been challenged by very persuasive atheists who presented strong arguments against the Word. Suffice to say, by the time I had reached the end of that particular journey, I was more thoroughly convinced in scripture than ever before. If you doubt God's scripture, don't worry, there is sufficient grace for you, and if you ask the Lord and allow him to lead you, He will guide you to a place where you can be assured of what you believe in.

There are many reasons why people on the African continent have resisted the Gospel. Whilst many have appreciated the idea of needing salvation, they have found it difficult to break away from their traditional African worldview which values the role of intermediaries between God and man. This has resulted in syncretism where many have happily mixed Christianity with traditional African religion and ancestral worship. Others have resisted the Gospel because they perceive it to be from the West. They see Christianity as the religion of the colonialists and essentially the White man's religion. The truth is that all men everywhere need a saviour because all men everywhere have sinned. The Gospel is not just for the West because the depravity of man cannot be compartmentalised into certain regions of the world. Sin is a human problem. In this message I would like to answer the question; Is Christianity the White Man's Religion?