“Matured in the fullness and supremacy of Christ, the Spirit of Truth empowers us and perfectly joins us in one mind and judgement …”
Main scripture of the year
Inhoud / Contents
Amptelike bron · Official source
Year theme 2026/2027
Theme
Matured in the fullness and supremacy of Christ, the Spirit of Truth empowers us and perfectly joins us in one mind and judgement, defining our unity in the Body of Christ, Who is the power and wisdom of God.
Text
1 Corinthians 1:1-31
Background
Comforted. As members in the Body of Christ and defenders of the faith, it is imperative that our hearts as God’s children be comforted during challenging times. We must remember that the grace and peace of God the Father are always upon us in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Complete. Being complete in Jesus Christ, we embrace His image and identity through the working of the Holy Spirit, removing all that compete with Him. In His identity, we grow spiritually, are strengthened in faith and continuously prepared to withstand even insurmountable challenges.
Overcoming. Although deception, darkness and worldly philosophies persist, opportunities are created for us to declare our faith in the Almighty God and our fellowship with Jesus Christ, in Whom all God’s children overcome every division.
The cross. We are encouraged to continue as living testimonies, demonstrating Christ-like love, spiritual unity and godly service, by continually denying ourselves, taking up our cross daily and following Jesus. The likeness of Christ requires the bearing of the cross, the only place where there is union with Him, Who unto us is the wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption of the Almighty God.
Fellowship. As Apostolics, we are required to continue living in fellowship with Jesus Christ, putting off the old man, being clothed with God’s love and peace, and allowing His Holy Spirit to guide us in everything we say and do.
Teaching objectives
Through our unity as humble servants in the Body of Christ, we shall –
live as saints, called by the will of God, sanctified, united and sustained to be blessed by the grace and peace of God in Jesus Christ;
be thankful, blameless, and lack nothing, being enriched by our fellowship in Him;
speak from one mouth, the mind of Christ, rejecting all forms of division;
preach the gospel of Jesus Christ as our main focus to make the cross a reality;
trust in the preaching of the cross, for it is the power of God unto salvation for them who are saved;
declare God’s way of salvation through Christ crucified, the power and wisdom of God;
embrace the Wisdom of God, Who deliberately chooses the humble to shame the wise so that no flesh should glory in His presence; and
glorify God the Father in His Son, Jesus Christ, Who is for us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption through our union with Him.
Tema
Volwasse in die volheid en oppergesag van Christus, bemagtig deur die Gees van Waarheid, word ons volmaak verenig in een gesindheid en oordeel, wat ons eenheid definieer in die Liggaam van Christus, Wie die krag en wysheid van God is.
Teks
1 Korintiërs 1:1-31
Agtergrond
Vertroos. As lede van die Liggaam van Christus en verdedigers van die geloof, is dit noodsaaklik dat ons harte as God se kinders in moeilike tye vertroos word. Ons moet onthou dat die genade en vrede van God die Vader altyd oor ons heers in ons Here Jesus Christus.
Vervuld. Vervuld in Jesus Christus, dra ons Sy beeld en identiteit deur die werking van die Heilige Gees, en lê ons alles af wat met Hom meeding. In Sy identiteit groei ons geestelik, word ons in geloof versterk en voortdurend toeberei om selfs onoorkombare uitdagings te weerstaan.
Oorwin. Alhoewel misleiding (drogredes), duisternis en wêreldse filosofieë steeds voorkom, word geleenthede geskep om ons geloof in die Almagtige God en ons gemeenskap met Jesus Christus te bely, in wie al God se kinders elke verdeeldheid oorwin.
Die kruis. Ons word aangemoedig om voort te gaan as lewende getuies wat Christelike liefde, eenheid van gees en Goddelike diens openbaar maak, deur onsself voortdurend te verloën, daagliks ons kruis op te neem en Jesus te volg. Die gesindheid van Christus vereis dat ons aan die kruis moet wees, die enigste plek waar ons in eenheid met Hom is, Wie vir ons die wysheid, geregtigheid, heiligmaking en verlossing van die Almagtige God is.
Gemeenskap. Daar word van ons as Apostolies vereis om voort te gaan om in gemeenskap met Jesus Christus te leef, die ou mens af te sterf, beklee te wees met God se liefde en vrede, en om Sy Heilige Gees toe te laat om ons te lei in alles wat ons sê en doen.
Lering doelwitte
Deur ons eenheid as nederige diensknegte in die Liggaam van Christus, sal ons –
lewe as Heiliges, deur die wil van God geroep, geheilig, verenig en toeberei om geseënd te wees deur die genade en vrede van God in Jesus Christus;
dankbaar en onberispelik wees, en aan niks ontbreek nie, verryk deur ons gemeenskap in Hom;
vanuit een mond die gesindheid van Christus verkondig, terwyl ons alle vorme van verdeeldheid verwerp;
die evangelie van Jesus Christus as ons hoof fokus verkondig, en so die kruis ’n werklikheid maak;
vertrou in die verkondiging van die kruis, want dit is die krag van God tot verlossing vir hulle wat gered is;
God se weg tot verlossing deur die kruisiging van Christus verklaar, die krag en wysheid van God;
die Wysheid van God omarm, Wie doelbewus die nederiges uitverkies om die wyse te beskaam sodat geen vlees in Sy teenwoordigheid verheerlik word nie;
God die Vader in Sy Seun, Jesus Christus, verheerlik. Deur ons eenheid met Hom is Hy vir ons die wysheid, geregtigheid, heiligmaking, en verlossing.
1
Die Damascus-ervaring
Wat is nou eintlik die Damascus-ervaring?
Is u nog onseker daaroor? Dit is nie ’n sonde om nie te weet nie.
Ons mag hierdie vrae opreg vra, sodat ons voorbereid kan wees om die volk te bedien.
Emmanuel en die oppergesag van Christus gaan hand aan hand.
2
Remain steadfast
Remain steadfast in the breaking of bread.
There is a reason why God says we must remain steadfast in the breaking of bread.
Remain steadfast in the doctrine of the Apostle, in fellowship and in prayer.
3
The supremacy of Christ — examine yourself
What does the supremacy of Christ mean to you today?
How does it change your thoughts and your vision today? How does it shape every purpose you have and every decision you make?
As alles deur en tot Christus geskape is: are you entrusting Him with every part of your life? What does it mean to you today?
How do you serve God and the body of Christ with the gifts He has entrusted to you?
It is time to examine ourselves: are we willing to labour for the gospel of Christ at all cost?
Die Verbond van opname — the covenant of taking up.
Are you willing to preach the gospel of Christ to all who are in captivity?
The task is not just to convert people, maar om seker te maak dat hulle groei in Christus. Daarin lê my heerlikheid en vreugde.
We need to move now, with some urgency.
4
The resurrected life
Our own resurrection and the opportunity of eternal life.
The resurrection of Christ: He has overcome death. He now offers us true life, by being resurrected with Him.
He is the image of the invisible God.
The resurrected life lies only in Christ. The life of Jesus Christ must reign supreme.
Without the life of Jesus Christ we will not have eternal life.
When we realise this, we will only have a heart of gratitude for who and what we are.
Lasarus — “I am the resurrection and the life”
Hulle kry nuus dat Lasarus dood is. Jesus wept — the shortest verse in the Bible.
Martha comes running to Him: “Lord, if You had been here, our brother would still be alive.”
Jesus says Lazarus will live again; he will rise again. Martha answers: “Yes, I know — in the end, at the resurrection.”
Then He says: “I am the resurrection and the life.”
“Martha, do you believe this?” — Glo u dit, verdedigers van die geloof? Dan sal u die oppergesag van Christus verstaan.
Alles is in die Seun. The life is in His Son.
5
Hoe praat Kolossense 2 vandag met jou?
Are you also tempted to replace Christ with worldly pursuits? Is daar ’n kortpad tot saligheid?
Dan word ons herinner aan die drogredes: ’n valse, misleidende en bedrieglike argument.
Die drogredes kom van buite — uit die wêreld, uit ander mense se leringe en opinies wat daar is om ons te mislei.
Dit klink op die oog en oor af of dit die waarheid is, maar dit is nie die waarheid nie.
Moenie ons prys verloor nie — die prys is die ewige lewe.
The sufficiency in Christ as well.
6
Gratitude
Make the following your own:
Herkalibreer ons harte om altyd op Christus gefokus te wees.
Express gratitude in my life and in my heart.
Gratitude for the profound truth.
Gratitude in the children of God.
Then they will understand the supremacy of Christ.
7
Sin, the gulf and the cross
We know that it is sin that separates us from God.
Dit plaas ’n kloof tussen ons en God. Dit vorm ’n diep vallei tussen ons en God.
This gulf cannot be bridged, because carnal beings are on the one side and holiness on the other. They are too far apart.
Ons het nie die vermoë om hierdie kloof te oorbrug nie.
God sê: die siel wat sondig, moet sterwe — maar Hy het geen behae in die siel wat sterwe nie.
Wanneer die ou mens na die nuwe mens verander, dan is daar ’n geleentheid. Sou die siel hom bekeer, word die siel weer gered.
Ons kan ontslae raak van sonde deur die kruis. The Son leads us on the path of the cross.
1 · Put offAre you willing to put off the old man?
2 · Be renewedAre you willing to be renewed in the spirit of your mind?
3 · Put onAre you willing to put on the new man?
Keep your eyes on Christ and follow Him to the cross.
8
Background on Corinth
Corinth was a big commercial city — and everything comes with it:
ImmoralityCorruptionCarnal desiresLove of moneyPaganism (Greek gods)Idolatrous worshipEvilWickedUnethical
What will happen with society if we take religion out of society?
Paul established the Church of God in Corinth. After about 18 months he moved on and started in another city.
He realised that things were not right in Corinth. Paulus wil dit aanspreek.
Daar was verdeeldheid tussen die ampte in die kerk — oor hoe hulle dink en hoe hulle oordeel.
One group said “we follow Paul”, another “Apollos”, another “Christ”.
Hoe kan ons verdeeldheid aanspreek as daar selfs verdeeldheid onder die ampte is?
Paulus roep almal: hoe kan daar verdeeldheid in die kerk wees?
Paul calls them all to unity — we must come to the unity: moet eens wees in gedagte.
9
Faithfulness and humility
Getrouheid / faithfulness is to be faithful to the Spirit of God entrusted to us. (Not speaking of tithes here.)
We say we believe in the Holy Spirit. This Spirit has made a dwelling in us and speaks through the prophet.
By the Holy Spirit we bear the image of the Father.
Ons is nie hier tot verheerliking van die mens nie. God neem geen aansien van die mens nie.
Ons is almal net nederige diensknegte in aksie. We are all just humble servants in action.
Dit is al wat die Apostel vra: bly altyd nederig. Let us be made humble. Dit beteken nie dat ons swak is nie.
When we are humble, we will always have the first love, and we will have faith in the first love. Faithful to the Spirit of God, we will be faithful to the first love.
The first love will demand forgiveness.
10
Theme 2026/2027
“Matured in the fullness and supremacy of Christ, the Spirit of Truth empowers us and perfectly joins us in one mind and judgement, defining our unity in the Body of Christ, Who is the power and wisdom of God.”
Die agtergrond het 5 paragrawe. Opsommings soos in die lering gegee (volle amptelike teks: Year theme bo):
1Comfort in Christ
Harte word vertroos in moeilike tye.
2Complete in Christ
Groei geestelik en weerstaan uitdagings. Complete in Jesus Christ, we embrace His image and identity — our spiritual identity, not in worldly philosophies.
3Victory over deception
Deception and darkness persist, but opportunities arise to declare the mighty God and our fellowship in Christ. Become defenders of the faith; overcome division by holding fast to the truth.
4A cross-bearing lifestyle
We are encouraged to continue as a living testimony of the Spirit of Christ. To be in unity requires daily surrender and obedience.
5Spirit-led fellowship
As Apostolics we are required to live in fellowship with Jesus Christ. True godliness flows from the Holy Spirit guiding every word and action.
All of this sounds like the perfection of humans, but the background gives a good understanding of what we need to achieve. The objectives will be revealed in the coming months.
11
Remain rooted in Jesus Christ
Soos julle Christus aangeneem het, wandel so in Hom — gewortel en opgebou in Hom.
…en oorvloedig in die danksegging.
Wanneer ons so gewortel is, sal ons ook daardeur die krag van Christus ontvang.
He is the true vine and we are the branches — to bear much fruit, and also to glorify God.
By the fruit of the Spirit we will be known.
Always turn to the Holy Spirit to guide us.
Deur die Heilige Gees sal ons groei en ’n verhouding met Christus verwek.
Het u ’n intieme verhouding met God en Sy Seun?
12
The congregation and my neighbour
Do I value the congregation in my life?
We cannot say we love God if we do not value and understand the life in the congregation.
Love for each and every soul, regardless of who they are — the size of the love of Christ.
Wie is my naaste? My naaste is iemand wat in nood is.
Moenie familie-aande misloop nie. Die gejaagdheid van die lewe staan soms in die pad.
Satan kom op baie maniere om ons van die waarheid af weg te draai.
13
A prisoner in the Lord
Always reflect and project the identity of Christ. I must always find myself aligned with the identity of Christ.
To do that, I must become a prisoner in the Lord.
Prisoner and freedom in the same sentence — through obedience and holiness.
Heilig wanneer ek afgesonder is van die wêreld, maar ook in diens van God.
As a prisoner, everything is taken away from me. But then I realise that nothing can be a threat to me anymore.
It requires one thing: to be able to follow someone else.
Dit is waar die probleem lê: ek laat my nie sê nie. Ek het my opinie, my gedagtes van hoe dinge moet werk.
To allow someone to lead us requires the death of the old man — my lewe, gedagtes, waardes; alles van my word gekruisig.
Dan moet ek seker maak dat ek aan die kruis gesterf het — nie net aan die kruis hang en nog nie gesterf het nie.
Dit is juis die oppergesag dat ons die kruis gekry het, om sodoende ontslae te raak van die ou mens.
The Lord gives His last words on the cross: “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?”
Aan die kruis wil ons altyd sê: hoekom? Hoekom dit, hoekom dat? “Hoekom” gaan “hoek om” — dit lyk soos die pad van ’n slang.
Bedoel: wanneer ons aanhou vra en verduidelikings vir alles verwag, verloor ons geloof en vertroue — in plaas daarvan om ons kruis te dra en te vertrou.
Do not be deceived by carnal-mindedness.
Become true witnesses of God’s power — ready and prepared to overcome all life’s challenges.
All the promises are in Him.
14
Challenges and the spirit of darkness
The Apostles acknowledge that our lives are full of challenges and many struggles.
Maar die waarheid is: van die begin van die mensdom af was die uitdagings nog altyd daar. Read Job 7:1-3 — but read the rest of Job too.
The spirit of darkness wants to come and change things. When weaknesses get exposed, the spirit of darkness stands ready.
Dit wil jou geloof ondermyn, ons weghou van Christus se reddende genade, en twyfel in ons harte bring.
Die stryd is nie teen vlees en bloed nie, maar teen die bose magte van die lug.
Spiritual wickedness will come and seek our weaknesses, to lead us away from the way, the truth and the life.
Be mindful. Always be faithful unto the Holy Spirit.
Die Heilige Gees sal ons waarsku teen die drogredes — die valse filosofie van die wêreld.
The eternal reward is found in Christ alone. Do not lose sight of it.
We cannot overcome these challenges alone.
We always try to solve problems — the most demanding skill in the world, yet there is no university that will teach you how to fix problems.
God sometimes gives us a challenge we cannot solve. Draai dan na die Here.
15
The island Patmos
Ons is omring met see, winde en uitdagings, soos ’n eiland.
Ons is nie deel van die see nie, maar ons lewens word deur die see bedreig. It causes anxiety, doubt, fear and uncertainty.
We are part of the island Patmos — constantly surrounded by these challenges and winds. But our faith is in God.
God ken ons; Hy ken ons ingang en uitgang. Niks is vir God verborge nie.
Hy verstaan ons swakhede en is heeltemal bewus van al die laste wat ons dra.
He will never leave us to face these challenges alone.
16
Be of good cheer — the 4th watch
Die gedeelte waar die Here op die see loop:
Adopt the word CHEERFUL. Focusing our eyes on the Lord, we will always be cheerful. Be of good cheer.
Peter walks on the ocean of life.
The ship is the life of the new covenant — always threatened by the storms of life.
Jesus walking on the sea reveals His divine authority over it. Die Verbond is van Hom en wys na Hom.
He stands above every storm and every temptation.
The journey of life is the journey of living our covenant. Yet He is not in the ship — we are in the 4th watch of the night.
Die nag in 4 nagwagte
1ste18:00–21:00
2de21:00–24:00
3de00:00–03:00
4de03:00–06:00
Die donkerste en koudste gedeelte van die nag — en die oomblik net voor sonop.
Die nag word in 4 dele opgedeel — die laaste deel was die 4de nagwag.
Do you know what happens between 3 and 6 in the morning?
That was the time the ship was in the storm — die donkerste en koudste gedeelte van die nag.
Dit is wanneer ek in omstandighede verkeer waar ek geen uitkoms het nie.
Maar ons vergeet dat dit die oomblik is net voor sonop.
Hou geloof en vertroue in Christus — al is die omstandighede so dat ek nie ’n weg uit sien nie.
Come to Him with total confidence, trusting in His provision.
Dit is ’n geleentheid wat God ons gee om Sy krag aan ons te openbaar.
We continue to suffer while we wait for God.
When truly humble, we will ask in faith and continue to believe — even if life does not turn out as I wanted.
We doubt when we look at the circumstances around us. Because we are focused on them, they bring doubt, and we find ourselves overwhelmed.
Maar fokus op Jesus Christus. Dit maak nie saak watter storm daar in my lewe is nie — Christus is groot in enige storm.
Fix your eyes on Christ rather than the circumstances. He will carry us through every challenge in life.
17
The Lord asleep in my boat
The Son of life is present in my boat, my life — but He is asleep.
When is the Lord asleep in my covenant?
Teenwoordig, maar nog nie gesoek nie — nog nie in Sy regte plek in my lewe nie. Ek het nog nie ’n gevangene geword nie.
Is Christ truly the centre of our lives?
Is He visible in how we live our covenant, our thoughts and actions?
Is He visible in the decisions I make towards challenges?
Wat ook al ons in gebed na God bring — alles word omvat in God se genade en Sy oneindige liefde vir ons.
No storm we face falls outside the reach of His grace. The grace of God will meet us in every need.
18
The peace of Christ — Oukersaand 1914
1914, die Eerste Wêreldoorlog — baie het gesterf.
Op ’n sekere Oukersaand lê die Duitsers in ’n sloot (loopgraaf). Daar is op mekaar geskiet en baie het gesterf. Op daardie aand het alles stil geraak.
A voice was heard from the English trenches: “Silent night, holy night.” The Germans thought it was a trick.
Toe kom nog ’n stem van die Duitsers se kant af: “Stille nag, heilige nag.”
Twee soldate loop na mekaar toe. Toe staan almal op, volg hulle, omhels mekaar — en hulle het ’n skietstilstand.
On that day they shared all their goody bags with one another. They shared stories of their loved ones, as well as photos, and gave time to attend to the wounded.
Hulle trek sommer twee sokkerspanne op, so deurmekaar, en speel sokker. They sang Christmas carols and were joyful.
But at night they went back, and the next day they shot at each other again.
May it be Christmas every day — He is our peace.
19
Breadth, length, depth and height
Breadth · Breedte
Spans across all creation.
Breedte is vir almal — elkeen, ongeag nasie. No one is excluded.
Knows no limits and crosses every boundary.
No one is beyond His reach.
Length · Lengte
Oneindig. Stretches from everlasting to everlasting — its eternal nature.
The greatest length is when we give our own life for our neighbour — dit is aan die kruis gedoen.
Will never give up until we are redeemed. Moses went back 10 times to redeem the children.
Continue until there is victory. Length will sustain every storm and will remain faithful.
Depth · Diepte
Reaches down to the lowest and darkest places.
Measured by the extent of Christ’s humility — He descended from heaven.
Will reach into the 4th watch of your life.
The Good Shepherd will never run, no matter the rejection.
Reaches into the deepest brokenness, sin and despair. No heart is so wounded that His love cannot heal it.
His love will always be deeper than our greatest need.
Too mysterious and complex to be understood.
Height · Hoogte
Will always elevate believers out of spiritual ruin.
Not just to save you, but so that you can look back and see God’s hand and how you were elevated.
Lifts from the depths of sin and despair, transforms lives and gives hope.
Elevates to the heights of God’s grace and purpose.
20
Conclusion
Sayings by Apostle Febbraio
Love your neighbour
It is the fundamental principle of our faith.
1Kindness to strangersYou might be hosting an angel.
2Kindness to animalsThey are a creation of God.
3Care for our earthSo our children have a place to work out their salvation.
When you are alone
mind your thoughts
Amongst family and friends
mind your tongue
In a conflict situation
mind your temper
In a group
mind your behaviour
When you feel down and depressed
mind your emotions
When you are blessed
mind your ego
It influences everyone around you — like a stone thrown into a pond.