The former Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah (Rtd.), has encouraged Christians not to lose hope in the face of adversities because the God they serve remembers and will never forsake them.
Preaching at the 2024 Global Ministers and Wives’ Conference of the church underway at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa Fetteh, on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, Apostle Opoku Onyinah emphasised that at times, people go through difficult times and challenges, though they may be righteous.
Citing the life of the late former Chairman of the church, Apostle Dr. Michael Ntumy, to buttress his case, he assured the gathering that, no matter the time of pain and darkness, God will never forget His chosen ones.
In his exposition with scripture reference from Luke 1:5–7, 64, 67–68, the revered theologian focused on Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist.
Apostle Opoku Onyinah said Zechariah came to the scene at a time of Chaos in Judea when people felt dejected after their returning from exile and the decree by the king to massacre all children aged two and below.
He revealed that though Zechariah and his wife were righteous, they had the challenge of childlessness. He, therefore, admonished Christians to stop imputing sin or wrongdoing to people who go through challenging times.
“The irony of life is that at times those who should heal you will hurt you or those to comfort you will condemn you,” he observed, assuring Christians that, “however, amid challenges, God will offer hope and satisfaction.”
Apostle Opoku Onyinah prayed that a time of grace would befall believers in this period, as happened to Zachariah when the lot fell on him to offer the sacrifice in the holy place. He espoused that the lot that fell on him led him to the sacred place for the angelic encounter.
Apostle Onyinah cautioned against unbelief, stressing that the years of prayer were answered with a time of angelic visitation, but Zechariah doubted.
Comparing Zechariah’s doubts with that of Mary on the message of the angel, he indicated that God expects a higher level of exhibition of faith from experienced Christian leaders.
He also alluded to the fact that while Mary enquired how the prophecy would be fulfilled, Zechariah doubted the possibility of it happening.
He emphasised that God is sovereign in His doings, and all it takes to experience Him is to believe.
Apostle Professor Onyinah observed that when the angel’s words were fulfilled, the priest prophesied that God had visited His people.
He said that was an acceptance that the Messiah is the sun that will shine on those in darkness. He encouraged the gathering that the Lord is the Light, and He will surely show through the dark times.
“Light will come. It will overcome the shadow of death. The sunrise will shine in your life because the Lord will fall on you,” he declared.
He also revealed that at times, one’s spouse or colleague may be the nearest to Christ one may encounter, but if care is not taken, that will be missed until they have left.
“You have to cherish every moment God gives you and the people He graciously brings our way,” he reiterated.
He ended with a word of benediction, saying, “When you think everyone has ignored, forgot or abandoned you, God remembers you. He will give you an angelic visitation, And your prayer will be answered, and that will be all that the world desires.”