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Sunday 16 February 2003 - "The Son of God with His children in the furnace" - funeral of Nomusa Nomthandazo Mkhwanazi

(Summary of sermon by Erlo Stegen)

Dan 3:24 & 25

24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

Nebuchadnezzar was a great king, ruling the whole known world in his time. His kingdom was magnificent, compared to the head of gold in his dream. He acknowledged God as Lord and King after Daniel interpreted his dream for him, but he quickly forgot his confession and made an idol of gold whom everyone should worship. He was like those who make a decision for Christ, but afterwards forget it and fall back into their old ways. Only the three Jews out of the whole province of Babylon stood for God even in the face of death.

Saddam Hussein is geographically ruling where Babylon was. He has a similar attitude towards the Jews (and Christians) that Nebuchadnezzar had. Islam has declared its intention to convert the whole of Africa. We allow them to build their Mosques in western countries, but no church is given the same freeedoms in their Islamic countries. We do as Jesus taught us to love our enemies. Rulers, however, also have the responsibility from God to let justice take place when the lawless do lawlessness. Let us judge with righteous judgments.

While Nomusa was in hospital and her sickness caused her much pain, she experienced Jesus at her side, and she also mentioned it to some who were present at the time. We must not flee suffering at all costs, for God uses it sometimes to reveal Himself to us.

We rejoice today for the life of Nomusa. She chose God's way since her youth and served Him all her life. She was only 15 years old when she came to the mission, and started to preach at 17. Many hearts were touched by her and other young girls offering their whole life to God from their youth. Her whole life revealed a close walk with her Saviour. Young people must take note of this, and serve God with a complete heart. If you have only turned to God half-heartedly, today is the day to turn to Him with all your heart and properly cleanse your life from all known sin.

Be sure that the Good Shepherd is at your side when you die. Do not follow the majority and go to hell with the majority. Follow those on the narrow road, even if you have to go alone.