Danfa (G/R), Dec. 26, GNA— The Reverend Daniel Kwesi Ayim, Pastor in charge of the Mount Moriah Congregation of the Presbyterian Church, Danfa, on Sunday noted that being a follower of Jesus Christ is not a guarantee for a problem-free life.
He said persecution was part of life and that it was normal for Christians to go through certain trials.
Rev Ayim was preaching on the St Stephen’s Day Church Service on the theme: “Stephen in the steps of Jesus.”
The Presbyterian Church observes every 26th December as the St Stephen’s Day to commemorate the life of Stephen, who is remembered as the first martyr.
Rev. Ayim said Stephen was a powerful and faithful servant of Jesus Christ yet he faced persecution even unto death.
He said he (Stephen) was stoned to death for doing the work of God.
“Following Jesus Christ is not always a bed of roses, you will suffer hatred, persecution and the likes, Samuel Otoo, a Presbyterian pastor was beheaded at Takyiman Tia, a town in Ghana for doing the work of God, ” Rev Ayim said.
He said being a faithful and obedient Christian did not mean one would not face difficulties in life and urged Christians to learn to laugh during difficult times, the same way they laughed during good times.
Rev. Ayim, however, assured the congregants that God never abandoned his children who called on Him.
“God will be with you in your difficulties and He will deliver you,” he said.
“In the difficult times, God opened the heavens for Stephen, he (Stephen) saw heaven opened and saw the magnificent glory of God in his most difficult times.”
Rev Ayim also admonished Christians to learn to forgive their enemies, no matter how they intended to harm them, saying St Stephen prayed for the people who were stoning him to death.
GNA