With joy and gratitude hearts to God Almighty for the victory Christ has over sin and death, brothers and sisters welcomed their Apostle for the Easter Sunday festive divine service at GRA Congregation!

It was the highlight of the 2022 Easter Convention of Benin North District from April 15-17, 2022. 

The three - day convention featured drama, seminar, quiz, recitations, cultural displays, songs ministrations, talk show, individual talent shows, evangelism, family games, sports, etc.

For the Easter divine service, the Apostle took a bible text from (Colossians 3:1-2) "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."

In his message to all present, he told them to look up to the Risen One and seek fellowship with Him.

This he said because the world has a way of getting us (human beings) down and not everything we say and do are profitable and edifying (1 Corinthians 6:12; 1 Corinthians 10:23). He said the world fills human beings with distractions, temptations, and entertainment, promising them happiness but never fully delivering. 

Reasons not look up to the world
He admonished brothers and sisters not to look up to the world because they can be weighed down and be overwhelmed by the corruption and confusion that surround them, our eyes would slip from the things above and Lastly, we will forget the blessings and promises we have through our adoption as son’s daughters of Jesus Christ and our satisfaction in Christ.

Reasons to focus / set our minds on things above
When we focus our minds on things above, it will enable us to experience the true joy the Father wants to lavish on us, we will able serve Him better and Lastly, service becomes ultimately the duty and pleasure of every believer.

How to set our minds on things above?
Setting our minds on things above means refocusing our eyes on Christ and His teachings and to do this we must:

Put to death what is earthly, put on the new self, let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, let the word of Christ dwell within us and give to God in all circumstances of life.

The brethren were told that only those who believe in Jesus Christ will share in His resurrection. Those baptized with water and the spirit will always look up to: Jesus Christ the victor, the living One and the firstborn of many brethren.

Finally, the Apostle reminded brothers and sisters the commissioned by the Risen One to proclaim the resurrection is the message of salvation in Christ to all human beings. We are to proclaim His death, resurrection and His return. This we do through our words and deeds. We are to make others aware that Christ is our future!

One soul was adopted and two souls sealed.

The District Rector and GRA Congregation Rector were called to serve.