Reverend Senzo Hlatshwayo has encouraged the church to persevere in worshipping Christ while awaiting His return.
This message was conveyed in the clergyman’s Easter Sunday sermon, which he delivered to congregants at His Grace Church, where they joined other churches in celebrating the resurrection of Christ on Sunday.
In his sermon, Hlatshwayo urged believers to embrace a life of active perseverance and heartfelt transformation.
Drawing from a range of biblical prophecies, the reverend framed the current global climate, specifically citing the conflict between Iran and Israel and the struggling global economy, as the backdrop for a necessary spiritual awakening.
The central theme of his sermon was rooted in Hebrews 10:19-25, which calls on believers to persevere in faith.
He spoke candidly about the spiritual dangers of isolation, especially because, he said, the end times are near, as evidenced by current global events.
In this regard, he noted that the world economy was dwindling, saying this was foretold in scripture, where it is explained that after the world economy collapses, the economy of the antichrist will rise.
He warned that times like these call for the church to remain steadfast in congregating and encouraging one another.
“Regardless of whatever situations we face, we must not cease to congregate. Christians who do not meet will end up wandering like sheep without a shepherd,” he told the church.
In a direct address to the congregation, Hlatshwayo identified two primary weapons used by the devil to destroy the church.
One of these, he said, was the failure to forgive others, while the other was the neglect of gathering together.
On another note, the clergyman reminded congregants to move beyond a Sunday-only faith and instead practice the Word in every moment of their lives.
He said he was hurt when he heard people, either on social media or elsewhere, say that they had stopped going to church because of congregants’ disconnection from God, as shown by their actions.
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“There are people who are invested in hating others in the church. The world is publicly declaring why they left the church,” he said.
The reverend challenged the notion of passive Christianity, arguing that being born again is not a title to be worn only on Sundays.
Instead, he emphasised that faith must be visible throughout the week—at home, in the workplace and in every daily interaction.
Concluding with reflections from scripture, Reverend Hlatshwayo reminded congregants that true change begins internally.
He noted that living well with others is impossible until the heart is fundamentally transformed.
“Before one can transform their heart, they first need to admit that they have an evil heart before they can ask God to help transform it,” he said.
Hlatshwayo quoted Proverbs 21, which speaks about God’s control over human hearts.
He left the congregation with a final mandate to seek a good heart as the foundation for perseverance in an increasingly complex world.
“As we remember the resurrection of Christ today, His rising must not be in vain. Prove that He is alive in your life,” the reverend urged.
