By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
The general overseer and founder of God’s Greater Grace General Assembly Intl Incorporated, Benin, Rev Sunny Akenbor, has enjoined believers in Christ to throw their doors open and show hospitality to strangers as they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
He made the appeal while speaking on the topic entitled “The journey to Christmas” during the Sunday church service/Nine Lessons and Carol in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Rev. Akenbor said a lot of persons demonstrate sign of hostility towards people they don’t know especially strangers, an act that doesn’t reflect the true nature of God and this has invariably robbed them off, of some blessings.
Alluding to Abraham (Genesis 18:1-15) who welcomed strangers, he said that marked the beginning of a turnaround in his life and family.
“The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day.
“Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.
He said, “If I have found favour in your eyes, my lord,[a] do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.”
“Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”
“So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs[b] of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”
“Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.
“Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him.
“There, in the tent,” he said.
“Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”
“Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing.
“So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”
“Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”
“Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.”
But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”
Akenbor said said it is quite unfortunate that some christians are like the owner of the Inn who refused to create a space for Joseph and Mary to have the baby Jesus delivered in his abode.
He said that has led to him (Jesus) being born in a Manger.
He noted that if he were magnanimous enough, posterity should have, had him rewarded, better still, have his name written in gold but he lacked the tendency of humanity and kindness.
He lamented that some believers don’t know where their breakthroughs lie adding that the life of Abraham and his act of generosity should be an inspiration to all believers especially in this Yuletide season and beyond.
Speaking on the essence of the season, which is taking from the books of Genesis 3:15 and John 3:16 respectively, he said God has shown His love to humanity by sending His only begotten son to pay the ultimate sacrifice for mankind.
The fiery clergyman said christians should appreciate the kind gesture of the Heavenly father by doing what is right, show love to one another.
The founder of the church went on to admonish Christian faithful not to see the period as one to make brisk business alone but should come to terms that Jesus Christ is the reason for the season.
