Honouring Parents and Given Authority | Dr. Conrad Mbewe

Honouring Parents and Given Authority | Dr. Conrad Mbewe

Dr Conrad Mbewe preached from Exodus 20:12 on “Honouring Parents and God-Given Authority,” explaining that the fifth commandment is about the custodians of worship and our duty to God. He described it as a twin commandment because, although salvation is personal, the Christian life is not lived in isolation but in community and under God-ordained oversight. The commandment teaches that our relationship with God is reflected in how we relate to those He has placed in authority over us. First, he explored who our father and mother are, explaining that the command extends beyond biological parents to include all those whom God has legitimately placed over us. Referring to Genesis 45:8, he showed that the title “father” can be used in a broader, non-biological sense, while Exodus 22:28 reminds us that authority figures are God’s appointed servants and their position should be respected and guarded. Second, he explained what it means to honour them, emphasising that honour involves respect, reverence, submission, and obedience. This principle also applies to governing authorities, as seen in Romans 13:1–2, 5, and 7, and believers are called to be obedient unless they are commanded to disobey God or participate in sin. God has established authority structures to bring order to His world, and Leviticus 19:1–3 demonstrates that honouring authority is a practical expression of obedience to Him. Finally, he addressed the connection between the fifth commandment and the promise concerning the land, explaining that the Canaanites lost the land because of their idolatry and rebellion against God’s Word. In the same way, persistent disobedience to God’s appointed order leads people away from Him. The sermon concluded by reminding us that this is not merely an Old Testament principle but a universal one, calling Christians to honour and submit to God-given authority as part of faithful worship and discipleship.

The Sanctity of the Sabbath | Pr. Francis Banda

Pastor Francis Kaunda preached from Exodus 20:8–11 on “The Sanctity of the Sabbath,” focusing on the fourth commandment and explaining what Israel heard and what that command means for God's people today. God commands His people to remember the Sabbath, set it apart, and keep it holy by treating it differently from the other days of the week. For six days they were to work, but on the seventh day ordinary work was to cease because that time belonged to God. The command teaches that time is not ultimately ours but God's, and it raises the important question: Who owns your time? Pastor Kaunda emphasised that work itself is not a curse but a divine calling given by God, and that the pattern of six days of work and one day of rest reflects God's own pattern in creation, calling us to imitate Him. The goal of the Sabbath is ultimately more about the person of God than the day itself, reminding us of our dependence upon Him. The Sabbath points to our need for God by teaching that we are not sufficient in and of ourselves and that our lives, work, and time are under His authority. He also noted that there are consequences for disregarding God's command to keep the Sabbath holy, as the command calls God's people to recognise His lordship over every aspect of life and to rest in Him.

How ACU’s Approach to Debate & Declamation Works | Dr Isaac Madsen

Have you ever wondered how ACU’s approach to debate and declamation works? In this video and podcast episode, Isaac Madsen, soil science lecturer and experienced agricultural researcher, explains how ACU equips students to engage in debate and declamation — from conducting sound research to presenting ideas clearly, thoughtfully, and persuasively. Discover how students are trained to think critically, organise arguments, communicate effectively, and engage ideas through a biblical lens.

Reverence for God’s Name | Pr. Oswald Sichula

Pastor Oswald Sichula preached from Exodus 20:7 on “Reverence for God’s Name,” focusing on the third commandment and teaching that the Decalogue does not produce salvation but shapes how redeemed people live before God. He explained that while the first commandment calls believers to worship God alone and the second calls them to pure worship, the third commandment presses deeper into how God’s people speak about Him, bear His name, and live under His redemption, asking whether our lives magnify or trivialise His glory. God’s name is holy and should never be treated casually. First, he explained what it means to take God’s name in vain, showing that the commandment prohibits empty, careless, and thoughtless speech about God. This includes reducing God’s name through sin, using His name while living a double life, swearing falsely by His name, and religious hypocrisy where people profess to belong to God while living like the world. Calling oneself a child of God means carrying the name of God, and therefore our lives should reflect His holiness. Second, he spoke about manipulative and forced devotion, warning against using God or His Word as a spiritual lucky charm or a tool for personal gain instead of worshipping Him rightly. Referencing Exodus 20:7, he emphasised that God will not hold guiltless those who misuse His name, which is why the Israelites treated His name with deep seriousness and reverence. God is not distant or passive but an active participant in our worship, conversations, and daily lives, and this exposes the true condition of the human heart. The sermon challenged believers to examine where they have become casual in their walk with God and reminded them that true reverence comes from looking away from ourselves and towards Christ, the One who perfectly kept every commandment. He concluded by encouraging believers to cultivate lives where their lips and lifestyles match, through the help of the Holy Spirit who produces genuine reverence for God, while also reminding non-believers that this commandment ultimately calls them to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Exclusive and Pure Worship of God

Pastor Collins Sakalunda preached from Exodus 20:3–6 on “The Exclusive and Pure Worship of God,” teaching that the Ten Commandments show Christians how to live in a way that reflects the image and character of God. He explained that the commandments are divided into two categories, with the first four regulating humanity’s relationship with God and the remaining commandments regulating relationships with others, reflecting the greatest commandments of loving God fully and loving one’s neighbour as oneself. He emphasised that the law is a reflection of God’s character and introduced the term’s theme, The Decalogue. First, he spoke about the exclusive worship of God from verse 3, explaining that the first commandment defines who alone deserves worship and that God will not share His glory with false gods. This commandment is foundational because it identifies the one true object of worship, and God has the right to demand exclusive worship because He alone is Creator, Deliverer, and Saviour, as supported in 1 Corinthians 8:4. Christians are therefore called to reject every false god and worship the true God alone. Second, he spoke about the pure worship of God, explaining that it is not enough to worship the right God; we must also worship Him in the right way. The second commandment teaches that our approach to God matters and warns against false worship and idolatry. He explained the four parts of the commandment: the prohibition against carved images because God is jealous for His glory, the command not to bow down to idols, the warning for those who hate God, and the greater promise of mercy for those who obey Him. In conclusion, he warned that many people today still struggle with the same idols Israel faced, and that even churches can fall into idolatry through things people manipulate or elevate above God. He ended by reminding us that true worship requires us to change rather than trying to reshape God, and that genuine worship can only come through a personal relationship with Christ.