• BY ADMIN
  • 28 JANUARY, 2020
Azach’s Inspiring Sermon at House of Prayers

Scholars from different countries visit holy places to get engage in their quest for knowledge and wisdom. The purpose of their visit is to seek wisdom and understanding of the Father Holy.

The religious narrative fiction, I Am Only Mary written by Thomas Atzberger talks about the visit of a renowned scholar, named Azach, from Zippori. He was a noted religious speaker of Zippori and other religious places found in Jerusalem. He was eager to show his participation in the Sabbath worship by delivering an inspirational sermon at the House of Prayers. The community people from Nazareth and other towns gathered at the synagogue to listen to the great words of wisdom.

The powerful sermon of Azach began with learning about exaltation. The minister explained that The God of the universe is the only true God who we are bound to worship. He is the creator of mankind. He lives in great glory. He is perfect. He possesses all knowledge and all wisdom. He emphasized that staunch believers individually and collectively worship God with complete compliance, faith, and trust. When we submit to God, we give our lives to His authority and remain obedient to God’s commands. To strengthen their faith in God, believers need to grasp the knowledge of the scriptures. A profound study of scriptures will allow devotees to know that God wants a genuine relationship with His people. God wants each one of us to cultivate our relationship where we hear His voice and interact with Him.

According to Azach, the scriptures are filled with motivating stories and events of all the prophets and messengers who followed God’s will and commands by speaking the truth and interpreting the Word of God to the people. God kept a special relation with Abraham for he was the first person created by Him. The scriptures further clarified that Abraham was tested by God and he exhibited his faithfulness and devotion to God. Joseph also had a special connection with God. The Bible speaks about Joseph who suffered injustice at the hands of his brothers. Since he remained faithful to God, he was saved miraculously. Azach states about Prophet Moses who was orphaned and was brought up in the court of Pharaoh. God spoke to Moses, and he showed his sheer obedience to Him. These examples reflect that the messengers had a profound relationship with God. When they show a deep love and reverence to God, He rewards them with His blessings.

The enlightening part of the sermon was to motivate the believers toward prayers. Those who consistently pray, develop a strong relationship with God. True prayers require time, effort, and contemplation, it means our hearts truly commune with God, and we feel close to God. Sincere prayers allow followers to accept that God is self-existent, sovereign, merciful, gracious, and loving towards mankind. Praying to God allow people show to their gratitude to God for bestowing His great blessings on us. As believers acknowledge God's miracles and benedictions, it strengthens their faith in God. When people pray wholeheartedly, they gain spiritual transformation, and wisdom in decision-making. Those who want to seek salvation and forgiveness for the sins committed should pray with true faith.

The minister ended the sermon in a dramatic tone, emphasizing the congregation to maintain the practice of praying and studying the Ten Commandments. Community people were deeply inspired by this splendid and persuasive preaching that touched their hearts. They opined, “It was like a great spiritual meal; it will feed us for many days to come.”

About The Book

Reading the book will help you know the pious role of Mary. I Am Only Mary by Thomas W. Atzberger makes Mary accessible to us as a fellow Christian, emphasizing her humanity and her virtuous living of the call God gave to her. Mary, a devout girl showed her obedience and love to God.

The book is organized to give the readers the flavor of Mary’s probable life. It explores the culture of the times during the life of Mary, people were engaged in cordial interpersonal relationships. The author illustrates the prehistoric setting that brings us into Mary's everyday life, introducing us through quiet observation to her childhood and family as well as how she responded to these normal events including worship and friendship, holidays, or meeting intellectuals who visited her village. The book delves into Mary’s adolescence and her betrothal process with Joseph. At that moment, she received a vision from The Holy Spirit that Mary, being a blessed woman will conceive and bear a holy child. Mary planned to visit her relative Elizabeth to convey to her the surprising news of her childbearing.

The end of the book shows Mary’s journey to her home. She felt more confident and strong to execute the big responsibilities ahead. She courageously lived out her life, fulfilling her role as a caring and loving wife, and, ultimately, looking forward to the birth of her child.

I Am Only Mary is available on different online platforms. The book can be read by anyone who has a keen interest to know in Mary’s life. Since the history and biography about Mary are hardly available, reading this prose meditation brings us close to her.

About the Author

Thomas Atzberger is a retired lawyer from Columbus, Ohio, and has been married to his wife Christina since 1970, with three adult children. Tom is an attorney by training and is a supervisor of stockbrokers. His inspiration for this work came from his life experience as a husband, father, uncle, neighbor, and relative of many in his extended family. His earnest feelings are that we should follow the virtuous living, and practice religious acts that work out our salvation. Thomas Atzberger aims to make Mary’s biography more interesting for the readers