18/05/2026
✨🙏 SUNDAY SERVICE SUMMARY 🙏✨
📍 Essien Ukpabio Presbyterian Theological College, Itu
📅 Date: 17th May, 2026
The Sunday Service at Essien Ukpabio Presbyterian Theological College, Itu was indeed a blessed, refreshing, and spiritually uplifting gathering for the entire college community. 💒❤️
The service was conducted by
Pastor Arit Ekpenyong,
while the sermon was powerfully delivered by Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Williams Udoh, (Dean of Academics). 📖🔥
📚 Bible Readings:
🔹 First Lesson: Job 19:23–25
🔹 Second Lesson: Matthew 19:26
🎶 The Gospel Band beautifully ministered through the song titled “You Raised Me Up”, which prepared the hearts of the congregation for worship and the hearing of God’s Word. The atmosphere was filled with joy, worship, and the presence of God. 🎤🎹🙌
🕊️ Sermon Topic: The Joy of the Believer
The preacher explained that the joy of a believer is not based on riches, comfort, or the absence of difficulties. Rather, true Christian joy is the confidence, strength, and motivation that keeps believers moving forward despite the storms and challenges of life. 🌦️➡️☀️
In a world full of fear, hardship, uncertainty, and discouragement, the Word of God remains the believer’s reliable source of hope, peace, courage, and encouragement. 📖✨
Using the life of Job in Job chapter 19, the preacher reminded the congregation that even in pain and suffering, believers must continue to trust God wholeheartedly. Though Job passed through severe trials, he still held firmly to his faith and boldly declared that his Redeemer lives. 💪🙏
To encourage the congregation further, the preacher raised the inspiring song:
🎵
“Never fails me yet,
Jesus’ love never fails me yet.
There is one thing I know,
Wherever the wind blows,
Jesus’ love never fails me yet.” 🎵❤️
The preacher also spoke from Matthew chapter 19 concerning the rich young ruler. Although the man possessed great wealth, he still lacked total commitment to God. This made the disciples wonder who then could be saved.
Jesus answered them by saying:
📖 “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
This powerful statement reminded believers that human strength, wisdom, connections, and riches alone cannot save or sustain anyone without the grace and help of God. 🙌✨
📌 Few Things to Note About the Joy of the Believer:
1️⃣ With God, all things are possible
📖 Ephesians 4:6
📖 Philippians 4:13
Believers must understand that no situation is too difficult for God. Through Christ, we receive strength to overcome life’s struggles and challenges. 💪🔥
2️⃣ God is with us 🤝
When God is involved in the life and affairs of a believer, nobody can successfully frustrate him or her. No matter the opposition, criticism, or difficult situations around us, God remains faithful to His children. ❤️🙏
3️⃣ Our Redeemer lives
📖 Job 19:25
Like Job, believers must boldly confess that their Redeemer lives. Even in disappointment, pain, and uncertainty, Christ remains alive and faithful forever. ✨🙌
4️⃣ The grace of God is sufficient
📖 2 Corinthians 12:9
Human strength may fail, but the grace of God never fails. His grace gives strength in weakness, comfort in sorrow, and victory during trials. 🕊️💖
The service ended with great encouragement and renewed hope to the congregation. The preacher reminded everyone that the joy of the believer is not based on present conditions or worldly possessions, but on the assurance that God remains faithful in every season of life. 🌟
Therefore, believers should continue to trust God, remain steadfast in faith, and hold firmly to the hope found in Christ Jesus alone. 🙏❤️
🙌✨
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Effiong Okon
Information Officer
