Printed Service – Sunday 16th March 2025
Prepared by Rev Saul Tadzaushe
The Transforming Power of change

Bible Reading Luke 9:28 – 43
About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendour, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfilment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)

While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.

The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child.  spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.” “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. The transfiguration of Jesus Christ Story and the healing of  a boy with unclean spirit.

Hymn STF633 My soul finds rest in God alone
Watch on YouTube 

My soul finds rest in God alone
My rock and my salvation
A fortress strong against my foes
And I will not be shaken
Though lips may bless and hearts may curse
And lies like arrows pierce me
I’ll fix my heart on righteousness
I’ll look to Him who hears me

O praise Him hallelujah
My Delight and my Reward
Everlasting never failing
My Redeemer my God
(REPEAT)

My soul finds rest in God alone
Amid the world’s temptations
When evil seeks to take a hold
I’ll cling to my salvation
Though riches come and riches go
Don’t set your heart upon them
The fields of hope in which I sow
Are harvested in heaven

I’ll set my gaze on God alone
And trust in Him completely
With every day pour out my soul
And He will prove His mercy
Though life is but a fleeting breath
A sigh too deep to measure
My King has crushed the curse of death
And I am His forever

Prayer: Help us to set aside time each day for prayer, asking you for strength and guidance in our challenging situations. Help us to remember our past changes that led to positive outcomes, reinforcing a mindset of hope and resilience. Teach us to put our trust in you alone for our salvation as we accept change. Amen.

Sermon on the theme : The Transforming Power of change.

Change is an inevitable part of life. We talk of change every day. It could be weather, politics or culture. But today we want to look the transforming power of change.

It shapes our experiences, enables growth and often leads us toward deeper understanding of the things of God.

In Luke 9:28-43 we witness profound moments of change, both in the transfiguration of Jesus and the healing of a boy with unclean spirit. As we explore this passage, we will discover how these events illustrate the transformative power of change in our faith and lives

There is no one who had an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ and was not changed.

When Moses had an encounter with God he was changed, and the people   saw it

When Elijah had an encounter with God he was changed, and the people saw it

When Peter ,John and James were with the Lord Jesus on the mountain and they saw the glory of God and their life and purpose was changed

When the young boy with unclean spirit was brought to Jesus he was changed.

Anyone who encounters with Christ will be changed. Acts 1:8 : As agents of transformation we were promised power to change us and also to change the world through that power. It is only a changed person who can change others for Christ

Let us prayer for all the people of all nations that they may have an encounter with Christ for change that the whole world may have peace, justice and freedom for all. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer :  Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come; your will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.   Amen.


Hymn  STF634 Fight the good fight.
Watch on YouTube

Fight the good fight with all your might;
Christ is your strength, and Christ is your right;
Lay hold on life, and it shall be
Your joy and crown eternally.

Run the straight race through God’s good grace;
Lift up your eyes, and seek his face.
Life with its way before us lies;
Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.

Cast care aside; upon your Guide
Lean, and his mercy will provide;
Lean, and the trusting soul shall prove
Christ is its life, and Christ its love.

Faint not, nor fear, his arms are near;
He changes not, and you are dear;
Only believe, and own it true
That Christ is all in all to you.

Blessings