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THE EFFECTS OF YOUR BARGAINING POWER

Sermon prepared and Ministered by Amb Moses Hembanzan.

Main Text: Matthew 20:14
Readings: Matthew 20:1–16; Genesis 25:29–34

Beloved, one important truth in life is that the agreements we enter into can shape our destiny. Many times, it is not only opportunities that determine our future, but also the bargaining power we exercise when making decisions. A careless agreement today can produce regret tomorrow.

Yesterday, I attended the burial of late Pa Akombo Yaga. While there, I met one of my former secondary school teachers. The seat he was sitting on was reserved for VIPs. The protocol officers had told him not to sit there, but they reached an agreement with him: he could sit temporarily, but when a VIP arrived, he would stand up.

Later when I arrived, all the seats were occupied. The protocol officer asked him to stand so that I could sit. I immediately told them that the man could not stand for me to sit. I greeted him respectfully and said he should remain seated because he was my teacher. But someone reminded us that he had already agreed with the protocol that he would stand when a VIP arrived.

Even though I insisted that he should sit and that I would rather stand, my teacher still stood up and asked me to sit. He said he had already agreed to it, and he could not go back on his word. He later thanked me for recognizing and respecting him as my teacher.

That moment reminded me of a powerful truth: once an agreement is made, it often carries consequences.

This is what we see in Matthew 20:1–16. Jesus tells the story of workers hired early in the day. They agreed with the master for a denarius as their pay. Later, when other workers who came later received the same amount, the first workers became unhappy. But the master responded in Matthew 20:14, “Take what is yours and go your way.” They had already agreed to the wage.

The issue was not injustice; the issue was their agreement.

We see an even more serious example in Genesis 25:29–34. Esau came home hungry and made a poor bargain. In a moment of weakness, he sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew. What he exchanged was far more valuable than what he received. Later, he regretted it deeply, but the decision had already shaped his destiny.

Beloved, poor bargaining power can make people regret the agreements they have entered into. Many people today are living with the effects of decisions they signed into—business deals, relationships, partnerships, or commitments made in haste.

That is why the Bible encourages wisdom. Proverbs 3:5–6 tells us to trust in the Lord and acknowledge Him in all our ways, and He will direct our paths. Before you agree, before you sign, before you make a commitment—seek God’s wisdom.

Do not allow temporary pressure, hunger, anger, or excitement to make you trade something precious for something temporary.

And if you have already made mistakes in the past, remember that God is still merciful. He is able to restore, redirect, and bring good even out of our poor decisions when we turn back to Him.

May the Lord grant you wisdom in every agreement you enter into, and may He protect your destiny from costly bargains.
Amen.

Amb Moses Hembanzan
Living Word Communion Family.

08/03/2026

NO OPPRESSOR WILL OVERRUN YOU AGAIN


In the Book of Zechariah 9:8, God promises to stand guard over His people, declaring an end to the march of oppression. This is not wishful thinking—it is divine protection. In Christ, that promise reaches its fullness: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (**Book of Romans 8:31).

Because Jesus has already overcome, you are no longer at the mercy of yesterday’s chains. Stand in faith—what once threatened you has lost its authority. God Himself is your defense, and the season of being overrun is over.

Let us pray:
Our dear Father in heaven, we thank You for defending us from invaders and oppressors. In this month of March, put a complete stop to every form of oppression in our lives. We declare Your victory and protection, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Amb. Moses Hembanzan
Showers Of Hope
Living Word Communion
04/03/2026

NOW ON THIS SIDE
Readings:
Colossians 1:10–14
Exodus 15:1–13

The Sermon was prepared and Ministered by Amb Moses Hembanzan.

INTRODUCTION
Beloved, there is a powerful difference between where you were and where you are now. The gospel is not just about forgiveness—it is about deliverance, transfer, and new positioning.
There is a side called darkness, bo***ge, guilt, and fear.
And there is a side called light, freedom, forgiveness, and life.
Today’s message is titled “Now On This Side.”
Because in Christ Jesus, we are no longer where we used to be.

I. RESCUED, NOT REPAIRED (Colossians 1:13)
“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.”
Paul does not say God improved us.
He does not say God assisted us.
He says God delivered us.
That word delivered means rescued, snatched away, pulled out by force.
We were not sick—we were captives.
We were not lost in confusion—we were under power.
The Bible calls it the power of darkness.
Just like Israel in Egypt, we were:
Enslaved
Oppressed
Unable to free ourselves
But God stepped in.

II. FROM EGYPT TO FREEDOM (Exodus 15:1–13)
After crossing the Red Sea, Moses sang:
“The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.”
Israel didn’t swim out of Egypt.
They didn’t negotiate with Pharaoh.
God made a way where there was no way.
And when they crossed the sea, there was no going back.
Egypt was behind them. Freedom was ahead of them.
That crossing marked a side-change.
In the same way, the cross of Christ marks our crossing:
From death to life
From bo***ge to freedom
From darkness to light

III. TRANSLATED INTO A NEW KINGDOM (Colossians 1:13)
The Scripture says God conveyed us—translated us—into the Kingdom of His Son.
This means:
A change of authority
A change of citizenship
A change of ownership
You may still live in the same world, but you no longer belong to the same kingdom.
Now on this side:
Sin no longer has dominion
Satan no longer has authority
Fear no longer has final say
You are under a new King—Jesus Christ.

IV. THE BENEFITS OF BEING ON THIS SIDE (Colossians 1:14)
“In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”
1. Redemption
Redemption means the price has been paid in full.
You are no longer for sale.
You are no longer owned by sin.
2. Forgiveness of Sins
Forgiveness means:
Your past is not held against you
Your record has been cleared
Your guilt has been removed
On this side, we don’t live condemned—we live cleansed.
3. A New Identity
We are no longer slaves; we are sons and daughters.
We are no longer prisoners; we are worshippers.
Just like Israel sang on the other side of the sea, believers rejoice on the other side of the cross.

V. WALKING WORTHY ON THIS SIDE (Colossians 1:10)
Paul says we must:
Walk worthy of the Lord
Be fruitful in good works
Grow in the knowledge of God
Deliverance is not the end—it is the beginning.
God didn’t bring Israel out so they could live like Egyptians in the wilderness.
And He didn’t save us so we could return to darkness.
Grace delivers us; obedience honors that deliverance.

Someone listening today may still be standing in Egypt.
Still bound. Still guilty. Still trapped.
Hear the gospel clearly:
Jesus has already made the way
The blood has already been shed
The invitation is still open
You don’t clean yourself to come to Christ.
You come to Christ to be cleansed.
Today, choose this side:
The side of forgiveness
The side of freedom
The side of life

CONCLUSION
Beloved, because of Christ:
We are rescued
We are redeemed
We are repositioned
We are now on this side.
Let the redeemed say so. Let the delivered walk free. Let the forgiven live worthy.

Let us pray;
Heavenly Father,
I come to You just as I am. I confess that I need Your mercy and Your salvation. Today I repent of my sins and turn away from darkness.
Lord Jesus, I believe You died for me, shed Your blood for my redemption, and rose again for my new life. Deliver me from every power of darkness and bring me fully into Your Kingdom.
Forgive me. Cleanse me. Set me free.

Father, I receive healing in my body, healing in my heart, and restoration in every broken area of my life. Let what was lost be restored, and let every wound be healed by the power of the blood of Jesus.
From today, I declare: I am redeemed, I am forgiven, and I belong to Christ.
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.

Amb Moses Hembanzan
Living Word Communion
22nd February 2026.

Don't Give Up: Hope In God.


When you feel like surrendering, remember that God sees your struggle and has not abandoned you.

**"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."** - Isaiah 40:31

Your current pain is not your final destination. Just as dawn follows the darkest night, God's faithfulness will break through your circumstances.

**"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future.'"** - Jeremiah 29:11

Take one more step. Trust for one more day. The God who brought you this far will carry you through. Your breakthrough may be closer than you think.

You are loved. You have purpose. Hope will not disappoint you.

*"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."* - Romans 15:13

Amb Moses Hembanzan
Showers Of Hope
Living Word Communion

Time Of Reflection


As Lent begins today, we are called into a sacred season of reflection, repentance, and renewal. Lent reminds us to slow down, examine our hearts, and return fully to God.
Scripture calls us: “Return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning” (Joel 2:12).

Lent is not about outward rituals alone, but about inward transformation. Jesus Himself withdrew into the wilderness for forty days (Matthew 4:1–2), teaching us the power of prayer, self-denial, and obedience.

During this season, we are invited to lay aside distractions and fix our eyes on Christ, remembering that “if anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).

May this Lenten journey draw us closer to the cross, deepen our love for God, and prepare our hearts for the joy of resurrection life.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

Amb Moses Hembanzan
Showers Of Hope
Living Word Communion