Defeated, Yet Triumphant! | Rev. Joe Thomas | First English First Service | City Harvest AG | 🔴 LIVE

Recap

The service opened with a welcome to City Harvest AG Church, followed by worship songs celebrating God’s faithfulness, joy, and holiness, including “Lord, I Need You.” The congregation was encouraged to praise God even before circumstances change.

Child Dedication

Four children were dedicated: Cyrus Zion Moses, Ivana Olivia Gladson, Nadeen Kishandanda, and Jemima Susan Abraham.

Dr. Renie Samuel reminded parents that children are gifts from God and that parents are stewards, not owners. He encouraged them to model their faith, give their children time and attention, and pray both for them and with them. The church was also asked to support the families. The babies’ cries added a lively soundtrack to the ceremony.

Ministry Update and Offering

Before the offering, Dr. Benny Prasad shared about a five-month YWAM course that equips professionals to communicate the gospel in their workplaces. He recalled that the group had left Saudi Arabia shortly before an airport bombing and thanked the church for its prayers. Benny and Zan then led “How Great Thou Art.”

Sermon

Rev. Joe Thomas delivered the main message based on 2 Corinthians 2:14–15. Paul’s troubles—including painful relationships, pressure, and missed opportunities—might have looked like defeat, yet he could still say, “Thanks be to God.”

Thomas explained this through the image of a Roman victory parade. Rather than seeing himself as the triumphant general, Paul viewed himself as a captive in Christ’s procession, living so that Christ’s glory would be seen through him.

The sermon highlighted three principles:

• Life through death: Christ’s life is revealed as believers surrender pride, ambition, and the need for recognition.
• Integrity over popularity: Christians should not distort God’s word to gain approval or profit.
• Divine sufficiency over human competence: Strength for the Christian life comes from God, not from circumstances or personal ability.

Thomas encouraged believers to praise God amid unresolved struggles—not because hardship is good, but because God remains worthy and the hope of resurrection is greater than present suffering.

The service closed with prayer, a reprise of “Lord, I Need You,” and an invitation for those seeking prayer to come forward.

Personalities Featured

• Rev. Joe Thomas — Preacher
• Dr. Renie Samuel — Led the child-dedication message
• Dr. Benny Prasad and Zan — Shared about ministry training and led the offering song
• Service host, pastor, and worship team — Led the welcome, worship, announcements, and closing
• Pastors and the four families — Participated in the child dedication