Sermon – Page 4 – Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Sunday School Department

The Warning of Earth!

Today, the base of earth are shaken; it is now been seen earth full of unbearable tribulations. Like tree that swings, spit fire by being a place unbearable to stand and sleep, and be a horrifying and distressful place. This has become distressful for humans; People are abandoning God and nature. The Lord and nature has raised the whip of their anger.

All these signs are about the end of time; we shall then return back and repent for there is no warrant and bell to wake us up more than these plagues. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the gospel has told us about this time saying, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:44)

Matrimony and Gender

Will is the foundation of thought; a person begins to think about a matter through ones will. In this regard, thought and will are interdependent and share a harmonious and complementary meaning. Matrimony, in its essence, is a covenant, an agreement established between two parties. Managing a household, for example, is a covenant (agreement) based on will. Since the Matrimony covenant is founded on mutual consent, its ultimate purpose transcends this world and finds its fulfillment in the Kingdom of Heaven, where we place our hope.

I magnify my ministry!

The word of God’s expansion to the world is the highest and foremost honored service to keep and adhere. Gospel has been expanded in this globe variously accord its historic development in religious order and command of the Lord.

The Fifth Month

The fifth month of the Ethiopian Liturgical Calendar year is known as “Tir.” Aleka Kidan Wolde Kiflea in his spiritual dictionary has stated the definition of the word Tir. According to the stated definition, the term is derived from the Geeze words “Ter, Teyero, Teyere, (Teriaa, Yiteree, Tsireha), which means “calling, shouting, saying yes.” (Book of Sewasew Wegese Wemezegbe Kalate Hadis, page 510). Tir is the name of the month, which is found between Tahesas and Yekatit.

On this season, “The Age of Aster’eyo” is commemorated. The word of the meaning is “revelation.” Holy Church celebrates this season specifically amongst other feasts. This is occasion that the revelation of Holy Trinity, The revelation of Heavenly Father by the human flesh for the salvation of the world, and heavenly mysteries were revealed and thus is called as such.

The Good Shepherd

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.”
Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Let’s Preserve Orthodox Christian Society!

Orthodox Christian Society is a society that professes the ancient faith that Lord and Savior Jesus Christ preached, the Apostles taught, the Fathers kept, and the Martyrs confessed. The social life we lead in our Christianity is the unity with the Orthodox Church. The lifestyle we follow are our orthodox faith, view and Christians endeavors harmonized by the law of God and order of the church.

Human Nature and Gender

Adam and Eve, who are the foundations of the human race, are not defined by gender (collectively known as “man”), and the primordial creation known as “Adam” served as the source and designation of all mankind in addition to the male sex.

In general, “masculine” means “man, strong” and “feminine” refers to “woman” (Genesis 1:27) When their gender and deeds are defined together, the names of the first people carry the following meanings.

Adam means “a beautiful, pleasant man, kind, handsome, first man, father of all men.” Eve means “life.” Adam named her “Eve” and the name implies that she is “the mother of all living.” (Genesis 2:4-24) She is also called a helper.

What is our Orthodox Church’s teaching on Gender?

Everything that is created by God specifically those attributes that relate to the image of God which all human were created on, is good (Genesis 1:31). When the human being uses and expresses all the God given faculties in a proper way as intended by God, in the proper time and proper place, these things lead to edification and even to salvation. This includes the expression of love through the means of marital relations and sexuality.

Let us save our Social Life!

Alike times like this, in passing hardships, the life we make in unity with our families, relatives and neighbors is a strong bond and armament. Our Ethiopian forefathers have a proverb in the local language which is translated as “fifty lemons for fifty people, is jewelry; for one person, is a load.” The unity of people solves the extreme barricade.

The individual life we lead has its own consequences. Living in an apartment or isolated house lone, seeking and owning a silent surrounding, being in a state of earning an income and also leisure, having stable health devoid of any kind of illness and anticipate successful future, might only earn us temporary comfort; however in the long run brings many anxiety, distress, parting from God and spiritual failure.

How long shall earth mourn?

It is true! the blood dribbled is not without punishment; innocence blood is a cause; it destroys generation to generation; it splits from inheritance; it rains fire and din burn earth; the persecution and the souls who kill innocence are unstoppable; their word echoes up to the heavens; they persecute seize not until their offspring’s and generations are abolished. The Lord of their soul is a true judge; justice is not unfair; He brings His justice upon and in earth; He shuts the heavens; shakes the earth; made earth bestow mercy and blessing; winds as plague and changed rain into snow; for we have not wished to return back!