Today, December 15, 2024, from OC Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela, the Venezuelan leaders gathered to celebrate the Closing Service of the Christmas Retreat. The Venezuelan members served the Lord unanimously and in harmony. With the completion of the chapel remodeling and Christmas preparations, they welcome this new time of hope and love.
The Venezuelan leaders began with praise and worship, preparing their hearts and with strong desires to receive the word of God. The sermon was delivered by Pastor Moisés González based on Genesis 22: “The Sacrifice of Isaac.”
In this message, we understood the absolute faith that Isaac had in not opposing being sacrificed, in not doubting his father’s heart and in walking this path of love. Likewise, Christ gave us an example so that we follow in his footsteps, he invites us to restore that relationship of absolute love and absolute faith as at the beginning. The meaning of Christmas is that Jesus came to give his life for us, loving us to the end, and dying in our place.
We are blessed to be delivered from condemnation, we are blessed to know Christ. We deserved punishment but he did not condemn us, he gave his life and brought us freedom. So why do we want to be the ones who condemn others, when we were not condemned? How do we see the sacrifice of Christ? Do we look at it in a precious way? Let us remember that this path of obedience and humility is the example that we must follow.
Let’s look closely at this story of Isaac’s sacrifice every day. We have to be willing to kill what is inside us that does not allow us to show the image of Christ. May our testimony be the reflection of the perfect work that Christ did on the Cross, and so that many people can know Him through our lives.
Let us not misunderstand the heart of God, nor that of our brothers, let us unite more to the heart of Christ knowing without deserving it, that only by his grace did he give his life for us, we are all here for love and grace.
Written by: Cirilo Pante. Edited by: Moises Gonzalez.