“Christianity is not about having your needs met” – Pastor Otabil

Teshie-Accra, Ghana — Pastor Mensa Otabil, the General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), has called on Christians to prioritize knowing Jesus Christ rather than focusing solely on personal needs. 

Delivering a sermon at ICGC Christ Temple East in Teshie-Accra, Pastor Otabil said that the essence of Christianity lies in a deep relationship with Jesus, not just the pursuit of material blessings.

“Christianity is not about having your needs met,” Pastor Otabil stated, addressing a culture where many view faith as a means to achieve success or happiness. “I know you go to church and you pray because you want your needs met. And many times, people see Christianity as the means by which they become successful, they become prosperous, they get their needs met, and so on.”

While acknowledging the importance of material blessings, he highlighted the central theme of Christianity: Jesus Christ Himself. “If you are a Christian and all you do is go to church for breakthroughs and to receive the Word, you’ll never encounter the Jesus you’re supposedly worshipping,” he cautioned. “It’s always important for us to know Jesus, not only in what he does, but who he is.”

Drawing from scripture, Pastor Otabil referenced Jesus feeding 5,000 with five loaves and two fish. He noted, “They wanted to make him king… Who doesn’t like a king who supplies free bread and free fish every day?” However, when Jesus invited them to partake in deeper spiritual truth by saying, “My body is bread and my blood is drink,” many turned away.

Pastor Otabil concluded by urging believers to seek the fullness of Jesus, stating, “If we don’t know who he is, then we can’t receive from him.”