“When I read the Bible, I am looking for Jesus” – Pastor Mensa Otabil

Introduction

In a powerful sermon at the ICGC Christ Temple East in Accra, Pastor Mensa Otabil continued his series “Living for God,” focusing on “Working with the Word.” 

He emphasised the importance of engaging deeply with the written Word of God as a means of transforming one’s life and relationship with God.

Pastor Otabil opened with a reminder from previous sermons that living for God begins with a heart aligned with His treasures. “Where our treasure is, there our hearts would be,” he stated, emphasising that our focus should be on spiritual matters rather than self-centered pursuits. 

In part two of his series, he urged the congregation to present their bodies as “living sacrifices” and, in part three, highlighted the necessity of renewing our minds through the Word of God. 

This week, Pastor Otabil turned his attention to 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, stating, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 

He explained that just as Moses encountered God on Mount Sinai and reflected His glory, Christians today can encounter God through His Word. He elaborated, “Many times when we read the Bible, there is a veil on our face, so we don’t see the glory of God in the Bible.”

The Mirror of the Word

A key point in Pastor Otabil’s message was that the written Word of God serves as a mirror for believers. “When we read the Bible, it should make us see something,” he asserted. 

This mirror reflects not only Christ but also our identities in Him. “When I read the Bible, I am looking for Jesus,” he said. Whether in Genesis or Revelation, he encouraged the congregation to ask, “What is this telling me about Jesus Christ?” 

He underscored the distinction between the written Word and other interpretations of Scripture, stating, “The written Word of God starts from Genesis and ends in Revelation.” 

He passionately declared that many Christians today lack faith in the written Word, often relying instead on the words of men. “The Word of God, which is the mirror, is the written Word of God,” he reiterated, stressing its importance in believers’ lives.

Reflecting Our Identity

Pastor Otabil highlighted that the Word not only reveals Christ but also reflects our true identities as believers. “When I read the Bible, I see things about our own nature, that the human nature is desperately wicked, sinful, inadequate,” he explained. 

However, he emphasized that in Christ, believers have a new image. “If He’s more than a conqueror, He’s also made me a conqueror,” he affirmed. 

He illustrated this truth with examples from the Bible, encouraging attendees to view themselves through the lens of Scripture. “When you see David take a stone and hit Goliath and knock him down, what does it say about Jesus? That He can use little people, He can use people who have nothing and bring down mighty demons.” 

This approach empowers believers to understand their potential and victory in Christ, regardless of current circumstances.

Conclusion

Pastor Mensa Otabil’s sermon was a clarion call for Christians to engage actively with the written Word of God, viewing it as a transformative mirror reflecting both Christ and their identities in Him. 

As he concluded, he encouraged the congregation to rely on Scripture for strength and assurance, reminding them, “Whatever you’re going through, when you read the written Word, you would see that you are coming through this thing and you’re going to win this thing.” 

With such teachings, the congregation left inspired, equipped to live for God with a renewed commitment to His Word.