Deuteronomy 6:6–7; 1 Corinthians 15:58; John 3:23
Introduction
Every family, every community, and every church has a heritage, a story of where we came from, how we have survived, what we believe, and why we continue. Heritage is not only history; it is the living faith and character we carry forward.
But what we witness in our world today is the declining value of our Christian heritage, especially in Europe. During Easter, you see more evidence of the Easter bunny than the Cross of Christ in the streets of the UK. The London School of Economics has even announced that it will drop the terms 'Easter' and 'Christmas' from its academic calendar. I can say that, in areas like Africa, it is the decline in the value of respect and dignity of the Church. Society today wants to erase or ignore the celebration of the Christian heritage.
Meanwhile, a careful study of the historical antecedents of the world's independence and democracy, including those of South Africa, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, America, Britain, and others, reveals that the Church has pioneered the most profound and positive social changes.
According to Premier Christianity, "It was the Biblical idea of God as the ultimate law-giver that underpinned the Magna Carta, providing the foundation stone for individual freedom and establishing the principle that no one, not even the King, is above the law."
Why is society ignoring the great heritage of our Christian faith?
As we celebrate our heritage, we must remind ourselves that heritage is not just something we look back on, but it is something we must live, protect, and pass on.
Jaroslav Pelikan, a theologian, said, “Tradition is the living faith of the dead. Traditionalism is the dead faith of the living.” So, celebrating our heritage is not about worshipping the past, but about continuing the mission that the past gave us.
WHAT WE HAVE RECEIVED
“These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. Teach them diligently to your children…”
Moses is speaking to a community that has survived slavery, wilderness, struggle, and change. And what does God tell them in this passage?
1. Remember who you are.
2. Remember who brought you here.
3. Teach it to the next generation.
The teaching we see here is not just academic; it is a living example of the principles we learn from Christ. Not only in the synagogue or church, but:
* In the house.
* On the road.
* When you wake up.
* When you sleep.
In other words, your heritage must become your lifestyle for generations.
Where did our society go wrong? Why is it weird to be proud of your Christian heritage to this generation?
Let's take a moment to reflect on this. Who first taught you how to pray? Who showed you love? Who taught you right from wrong? That is heritage, and God says, do not let it die, pass it on to the next generation.
WHAT WE MUST CONTINUE
“Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…”
The Apostle Paul encourages the believers in these statements;
* Don’t get tired.
* Don’t be discouraged.
* Don’t lose focus.
Why? Because our work in the Lord is not in vain.
Faith of our fathers living still... Our forebearers prayed when life felt heavy. They worked when resources were few. They held on to hope when the future was unclear.
What must we do? Today, we stand on their shoulders. This is what we must continue as our heritage, our pride;
* To keep Christian faith alive.
* To serve with love.
* To build the next generation on Christ.
* To live an exemplary life of dignity and purpose.
As the African proverb says:
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Nothing must be a substitute for our meeting together in worship. We know some are in the habit of giving up meeting together; the Hebrew writer warns against this. Such people go fast as though all is well, but they go nowhere. We persist to the far end because we walk together.
KNOWING WHO WE ARE
“John also was baptizing at Aenon… because there was plenty of water there.”
This verse may seem simple, but it conveys a powerful message. Knowing who we are before God and being who we ought to be without unnecessary comparisons.
John knew his place, his calling, and his purpose. Therefore, he did not try to be Jesus. He did not compete or compare himself with Jesus. He worked faithfully in the place God assigned to him.
This is what many of us Christians lack. Unnecessary struggle for worth, power, popularity, programmes, and presence. Note this: our pride is not arrogance, it is identity in Christ Jesus.
We are a chosen people (1 Peter 2:9), a people of purpose, a community with dignity, and a family with a calling. Our pride is knowing who we are in Christ and what God has called us to do.
The Church today faces societal rejection and neglect due to the fight, struggle, competition, and wrangling among the Christian fraternity. Jesus said, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand." (Matthew 12:25). The fragmentation of our beautiful heritage is our own actions and inactions as Christians. May God have mercy on us.
Whether you are highly educated or still learning. Whether you grew up in the church or joined later. Whether your journey has been smooth or full of struggle. You also belong to the body of Christ. You are part of this proud heritage, and your role matters.
How do we celebrate this heritage with pride?
1. Tell your salvation journey Story. Share testimonies with children, youth, and newcomers of your church and neigbours.
2. Serve in the Mission. By the leading of the Holy Spirit, choose a ministry or act of service for the Lord and be consistently committed.
3. Live the Faith. Let your life preach louder than your words. Be the living Christ your neigbours can emulate.
CONCLUSION
Beloved in Christ, we celebrate our heritage not because the past was perfect but because God was faithful.
We persist in our mission because the world still needs love, hope, and truth. We walk with pride because we know whose we are and who we are.
