“Jesus came on a mission and that mission is you and me. That mission is: He came to save and set the captives free. Even before you existed Jesus knew that you needed Him in order to grow, and so, as the Child incrementally grew, God wants you to know that you can grow also!” This was one of the many profound declarations that resonated with congregants attending the last Sunday service for 2021, as Reverend Winston Assanah delivered a spirit-stirring sermon entitled ‘And As the Child Grew.’
Following the global observance of Christmas, on Sunday, December 26, 2021, traditionally known as Boxing Day in Guyana, Reverend Assanah reminded listeners that Jesus is the reason for the season and “because Christ was born we can be assured of spiritual growth and renewed faith in God.”
Using the Biblical text, Matthew Chapter 2, Verses 3 to 12, Reverend Assanah established that when Jesus was born, efforts were made to end His life, but the will of God prevailed and Jesus survived the wicked schemes of king Herod. Jesus lived, grew into adulthood, ministered to people, was crucified, buried, resurrected from the dead, and now reigns forevermore.
Similarly, notwithstanding the challenges and persecution, believers are expected to grow. Reverend Assanah posited that purpose is the determination that keeps a person or thing alive. Reflecting on the scriptural account of Jesus’ birth and growth, Reverend Assanah firmly declared God’s wisdom was evident from when He hid Jesus until the death of King Herod, who had ordered that all babies two years and under be killed, to when He guided the wise men to find Jesus. God carefully orchestrated circumstances surrounding the birth and revelation of Jesus Christ, to preserve His life, growth and testimony to the world of His miraculous existence.
According to Reverend Assanah, when the wise men found Jesus they worshipped Him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, which confirmed His reign as King, Lord over everything. Even in the darkest hours of His crucifixion and death, Jesus triumphed over hell, death and the grave to establish ultimate authority in heaven and earth.
Encouraging the hybrid congregation to learn from Jesus who grew in the face of persecution and grave difficulties, Reverend Assanah admonished, “Challenges push you to grow. Get up in 2022 and grow. For too long you have been going around in circles but in the name of Jesus GROW. You must grow, your family must grow, this church must grow, everything that has life must grow, nothing that has life remains static. Let Christ grow richly in our hearts.”
