By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Christians have been urged to shun dishonest loyalty in their worship and remain faithful to God in the spirit of Easter which signifies death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the redemption of mankind.
The assertion was made by Minister in charge of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Bauchi Mission Parish, who is the Chairman of the State Council of Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Rev Prof. Collins David Agbong and Rev Ezekiel Oyebode, Chairman, North-East Baptist Conference of the Nigerian Baptist Convention in seperate messages to commemorate the Easter season.
Delivering his Good Friday sermon in Bauchi, Collins Agbong warned that misguided loyalty often leads to spiritual betrayal, drawing his message from the book of Gospel of Matthew chapter 26.
He lamented that betrayal has become common among believers, noting that many still engage in acts such as lying, bearing false witness, and harboring envy against one another.
According to him, the same people Jesus Christ came to save were ultimately responsible for His betrayal, a development he said should serve as a lesson for Christians today.
“Betrayal comes from those you trust and not from those you think are your enemies, so faithful need to put away this spirit and worship God in spirit and in truth”.
The Cleric emphasized that greed remains a major cause of betrayal, citing Judas Iscariot’s actions as a reflection of how the desire for material gain can lead individuals away from faith.
He further reminded Christians of Christ’s sacrifice, noting that despite His love, many still deny Him in their daily lives.
Quoting from the Passion narrative in the Gospel of John, where Jesus declared “It is finished,” Collins Agbong said Christ had completed the work of salvation and now calls on believers to remain steadfast.
He urged Christians not to betray Christ for money or out of fear, but to draw strength from His suffering and remain loyal, even in difficult circumstances.
Collins Agbong concluded by encouraging believers to emulate the disciple who remained at the foot of the cross, standing firm as true friends of Christ at all times.
In his message, Ezekiel Oyebode who is the Undersherperd of GoodNews Baptist Church, Wuntin Dada, Bauchi, stressed that while commemorating Easter, Christians should always remember the sacrifices of Jesus Christ leading to his death and resurrection which completed redemption and salvation of mankind.
According to him, “The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ should serve as a reminder of the total emancipation of believers from sin and Liberation for freedom.
The Clergyman also charged Christians in Bauchi to watch their conversation in the aftermath of the security breach in Jos, Plateau State urging them rather to pray for continous peace and stability in Bauchi State and Nigeria as a whole.
Ezekiel Oyebode, admonished Christians to shun any act that will rubbish the meaning of Easter which is the foundation of Christianity.
Special prayers were offered during the services seeking for God’s divine interventions in the myriad of challenges facing the country.
Rev Ezekiel Oyebode, Chairman, North-East Baptist Conference
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