Equip, Edify

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph)

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith…” Eph 4: 11, 12

I think about meetings, seminars and conferences held over the last one month in the city (Mumbai / Navi Mumbai) and I can relate to these verses in Ephesians. I know for certain that they were sent for the purposes of (i) equipping the saints for work of ministry, and (ii) edifying the body of Christ. Pastor and teacher Joseph was here in Vashi, ministering to us from the ‘Parable of the Talents’ found in the word of God. ‘Your talents may be limited, but your capability is unlimited; therefore use your talents’. Evangelist Ram Babu was here in Mumbai saying, ‘God is confirming His word through signs and wonders’. Prophet Ezekiah Francis was here and spoke about the ‘Parable of the Good Samaritan’ and how God is pouring out His oil and wine to restore the church; and that one ought to edify one-self by speaking in tongues. And in the ‘sonship’ conference, we heard the preachers talk of enjoying the blessings of son-ship.

Prophets, teachers and evangelists may come and go; but as saints, each one of us are being (1) equipped for the work of ministry, and (2) edified as the body of Christ. In this 21^st century, we have the privilege of hearing wonderful expositions of the word of God and truth from pastors and teachers all over the world. But hearing is only the first and minor part. Doing the word is the second and major part.

Look up Revelation 3: 14-22, where the lukewarm church, (church of the Laodiceans) is portrayed. Here was a church blessed with material prosperity, with many ‘rich’ members; but they were living in a state of compromise – spiritually very much poor. It speaks of our times, when everyone turns his attention towards economy and towards prosperity. V17 “Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing…” In contrast, Jesus compliments the church at Smyrna-materially poor, but spiritually rich. Rev. 2:9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich);…” The Laodicean church was living in deception of ‘riches’; and Jesus confronts them.

“Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing-and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked- I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Are we living a lie? Are we in a despicable state in our church? Is it just a routine and has it become a tradition to just come and sit on familiar seats in the pews and look for some entertaining time in the church? We may have the name of Jesus and put up a form of worship; but is God really in our midst? In the Old Testament, we read about the time when the Philistines captured and took away The Ark of the Covenant. It was the end of Eli, two of his sons, and his daughter-in-law-who named Eli’s grandson, Ichabod saying “The glory has departed from Israel!” Are we in the same state where the glory of the Lord has departed? Jesus counsels us to buy from Him!

Are you poor, naked and blind and do not even know it! Buy from Him gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments to clothe yourself; and eye ointment that you may clearly see!

Refined Gold
Precious metals are refined in fire to obtain them in pure form. Here is Jesus offering pure gold. It is time now to buy from Him. We cannot buy these things after our life is over! “For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined.” (Psalm 66:10). “Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” (Luke 16:11) Your testing times and your faithfulness in your material wealth is the path to true riches. Declare God’s word in difficult times and buy from Him true riches!

White Garments
People tend to think that Christ’s righteousness is all that matters even in our own life. This is only a half-truth. No doubt that we have the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ by the power of His blood (…washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Rev. 7:14). The full truth is that there is an imparted righteousness – a responsibility for us to walk in righteousness. For to the church of Sardis, Jesus says, “You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy” (Rev. 3:4). Also in Rev. 19:8, the righteous acts of the saints is the fine linen, clean and bright. A spot or wrinkle can be easily seen in a white garment; let your garments always be white, without a spot or wrinkle.

Eye Ointment
Laodicea was a place famous for an eye-ointment. But Jesus calls them blind. What a wonderful gift are our eyes! Whenever I see a blind person, I feel sad thinking, ‘How much they miss?’ and I realize I ought to be thankful for my eyes. But I have seen the blind working for the cause of Jesus and know that they do see- spiritually. We take care of our physical eyes; consult an ophthalmologist immediately in case of irritation or discomfort. We order the best of lens (and maybe frames too) to clearly see, in case we need vision correction! But, what about regarding our spiritual eyes? Are they open? Can they see spiritual ‘things’? Let me conduct a spiritual ‘eye-test’. See if you can see this?

“the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power..” (Eph. 1: 18, 19)

If you can see these three things-the hope of His calling; the riches of the glory of His inheritance; and the greatness of His power when we believe, you can really see! Else, take the counsel of Jesus; buy from Him eye-ointment.

Living God

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph)

1 Cor. 12:2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led.

During this time in Mumbai,  we see the significance of these words by Paul; Gentiles we were, carried away to these dumb idols – idols that can neither see, nor hear nor speak! How can we be led away like this? In contrast, look at the living God – with renewed mind we can draw near to Him, hear Him speak to us and He can hear us speak to Him. He is the God who sees! Privileged, greatly to be envied, are those people, whose God is the LORD!

Psalm 115:4-7: Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes they have, but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear; noses they have , but they do not smell; they have hands, but they do not handle; feet they have, but they do not walk; nor do they mutter through their throat.

The psalmist describes well the futility of those who put their trust in these ‘useless’ idols – ‘Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them.’ Have you seen a corpse or attended a funeral? There we see eyes, ears, hands and feet-all in its proper place but completely non-functional – very much dead! ‘Those who make them {idols} are like them…’

In contrast we have a God who is alive. Look into God’s word to know how He sees, and hears; smells and walks among His people. ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God’ (Luk 4:4). ‘All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable…’ Every Christian must feed on His word to survive and to grow – just as our body requires food to be kept alive and grow physically! Every word of God is pure, and just one word is sufficient to turn around your weariness to praise; your mourning to joy and help you win your hopeless battles. And so, we with expectation pray! For we do not have a God who cannot hear, and prayer is not a one-way communication! We know the answer is on the way, even as we pray!

God who sees

2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him...”

Genesis 16:13 “Then she {Hagar} called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?” Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi [literally Well of the One Who Lives and Sees Me].

You can expect the same from the same God, for you and for me. Where can we hide from His presence? Whether you are a Joseph in the wilderness, Hagar in the desert places; or Jonah under the ocean; or David in the inner rooms of his palace home; or Daniel in the lion’s den – He remains as the God-Who-Sees.

God Who Hears

Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.

Psalm 4:3 The LORD will hear when I call to Him.

Every sigh, every cry – you can be sure He hears them. David in his early days was on the run most of the time fearing Saul; yet he knew of God’s attentive ears that were open to his cries. Call on the Lord your God. He will hear you.

God Who Smells

Rev. 5:8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Psalm 45:8 All Your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia…by which they have made You glad.

Incense is offered up to God who smells. Your prayer and praise rises up as a sweet-smelling aroma before God’s throne. Are you willing to make Him glad? Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. (2 Cor. 2:14)

God Who Handles

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; …I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

He is God who leads us with His righteous right hand. He leads us in the path of righteousness for His name’s sake. He leads me beside still waters. Are you unsure of your future? There is a God who cares, who says “Fear not, for I am with you…”

God Who Walks

2 Cor. 6:16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”

Remember where we started from? Yes - idols and the living God. You can choose worthless idols or choose the living God. Separate yourselves from idols and God has promised that He will walk among us and be our God. He is God Immanuel: God-With-Us. He is not a God who is far away, but a God who is near. In the Revelation of Jesus Christ, John saw the Lamb of God walking among the seven lamp-stands, which are the seven churches.

May we experience the fullness of the living God in our everyday walk with Jesus Christ. Amen.

Grow In His Grace

(Message by Pastor Joseph, Sr)

New Life Vision

Good to see you again here. I pray that the Lord bring His living word, and break it and give it to us. Because unless the Lord gives us a revelation of His word, we may go back from this place just the way we came or maybe sometimes, worse …Jesus said, “…The word that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63).

Take a look at the symbol of new life churches; our motto is “Passion for God, compassion for people”. You can see the reflected ‘n’ in orange color and together with the lower arc (in green) forms the letter ‘L’ – for “New Life” (in white). The arc for the letter ‘n’ together with the lower arc (is shaped as a heart) also symbolizes the heart of God. We ought to have this heart of God to have compassion for His people; take the glorious gospel of the nations to the people in Mumbai, in Maharashtra and to India and to the world.

I have been serving the Lord for the past 53 years and it is a great joy to me. At the age of 25 yrs Jesus met me and revealed Himself personally. We, my wife and I, used to be part of the brethren assembly when we started to minister and we did according to what the leaders asked us to do. I remember that I was afraid-to-death to speak in front of an audience; my knees would shake, my ears would ring and my voice cracked… when I was involved in the cottage prayer meetings and Sunday school. [For who has despised the day of small things {beginnings}? (Zech 4:10).] Then the Lord sent me on crusades and meetings here in India and abroad, where God performed His miracles. And later on, the Lord used me to teach His word…ordained me into the new life fellowship 41 years ago. During this time, the NLF expanded many fold and spread to 68 nations.

Why am I saying all this is because, the Lord is impressing upon my heart that Jesus is coming soon… There is a great need to hear His voice and obey. Jesus is coming – the Bridegroom, for the Bride, a great and glorious church without a spot or wrinkle; holy and without blemish (Eph. 5:23). How is this possible? - Through the Holy Spirit’s cleansing AND our own obedience.

Many times we would like to hear God’s voice just to weigh the options of whether to do His will or not; leaving the choice to ourselves. This should not be! If we are proud in this way, and do not want to allow God’s work through us, a crisis is bound to come! But, two things become clear in a crisis: one, it reveals your character and secondly, it reveals your purpose.

His Grace, His Gift and His Glory

Yes, in a time of crisis your will and your willingness are revealed. What are you really looking for in your life-your will or His will; your glory or His? But His promises to the sons of obedience are these – His grace, His gift and His glory!

Why do many of us find it difficult to surrender ourselves and embrace the cross? Paul declares “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20). If this is your confession too, the Lord will take you to the next level. No leader can lead you farther than the vision that he himself sees!

We are in this place because of the grace of God. “By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” (Eph. 2:8). If we walk in faith and obedience, grace and the gift of God are ours! And so we must continue with those who are willing to go all the way. In this verse Eph. 2:8, the ‘saving’ grace is just the beginning to enter the kingdom of God; but, once you enter, it requires faithful obedience on your part to walk day by day in the kingdom of God.

Jesus Himself has made away for us. ‘…we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.’ (2 Cor. 3:18). As we gaze upon His face, we are changed… therefore do not sit at the gate, but go in to the place where the Father is. We belong to His Kingdom…we are the ‘Kingdom’ people filled with righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. This is what makes us different from others!

Four Questions To You

I ask you four simple questions – answer me! Who are you? Where do you come from? What are you doing here? Where are you going? I asked these same questions to a hotel manager from West Bengal who came to meet me last week. I handed him a Gideon’s Bible and he left. After 3 or 4 days later, I received a call from him; he said ‘Pray for me, I am in problems...’. Once you have come to know Jesus Christ, I challenge you to know yourself and the purpose of your life here and then fulfill it.

There are four things that a man will seek after. (i) Security (ii) Significance (iii) Self-worth and (iv) Success.  If you have come to the cross, I can assure you that you will get all these four things, provided you walk with the Lord.

In Matthew 25:14-23 the kingdom of heaven is explained by Jesus in the ‘Parable of the Talents’.

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his Lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them. His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of the Lord. He also who had received two talents came and said, Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look I have gained two more talents besides them. His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make your ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”

Now the talents that the master gave represent money, wealth or riches. This is clear from v18 ‘…hid his lord’s money’ and in v27 ‘…you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers…’. There was a limitation to the talents they received-five, two and one, according to their own ability. But their capability was unlimited. That is why I say that the important factor is your willingness to use your limited talents alongside your unlimited capabilities.

Empowered and Equipped

Let me explain- the Lord entrusts His riches. Why does He do that? Deut. 8:2 says that He led the Israelites through the wilderness for forty years ‘to humble’ them and test them and ‘to know’ what was in their hearts. And v16 reads, ‘…that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end’. And He is doing the same with you and me-entrusting His riches and to know what is in our heart. And in Deut. 8:18: “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…”

What does He expect us to do? The answer is 'Do the will of God and build His kingdom'. We will do well to fulfill God’s requirements, that we remain humble and pass the test (Do you love Me more than these? Further read 2 Tim. 2:15). If you do these, the blessedness of God found in Psalm 1, will surround you. “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, whose leaf also shall not wither and whatever he does shall prosper”.

Now for convenience sake let me take the example of rupees five lakhs, two lakhs and one lakh given to each one of you. The first two servants immediately invested their master’s money. Now five lakhs became ten lakhs…do you imagine him to live as before? I can imagine his entire lifestyle would have changed, his possessions would have increased and yet he had sufficient money in hand to give back to his master on terms of 100% profit. And he was willing to do just that…give back his master’s money with 100% profit. Do you think he did that to go back as a pauper again? I can imagine even after returning his master’s money, he would have remained wealthy! That is why I say, that you need to have a vision, gather the resources (you must first believe in your product) and time the release your product; then you are sure to reap success.

In the parable, the master was not intent on receiving his money back. He gave it back to his servants and did not stop there… yes, he gave them more. ‘You were faithful in few things and so I make you ruler over many things.’ Now does God want your wealth back? ‘Silver is Mine, Gold is Mine’ says the Lord. He just wants to do you good when you pass the test.

There was also this lazy, wicked servant who hid his lord’s money. Matt. 25:28, 29 says: Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.

Center on God and Enter His Joy

Are you thinking, ‘Lord, it’s not fair! You are making the rich richer’; but do you know that this is the kingdom principle. If you pass the test saying, ‘Lord, I want You more than all these wealth’, the Lord says, ‘I want you more than all that you want to give me’. He wants to give you riches and He wants you to invest it that there may be abundance. As I look at you, I have faith that at least a few of you will set your spiritual priorities right and use your talents-your money. I tell you this because God has called me to be a visionary and a motivator, that if you do this your life will be changed in 6 month’s time!

He empowers you; equips you to employ you and to expand you; to do you good in the end. Whatever you possess, you will leave it someday; but whatever you use, there will be an inheritance someday.

Let me close with a few verses from Isaiah- Isaiah 54:2, 3: Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendents will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited.

May you enlarge, lengthen, strengthen and expand to do all that God has purposed in your life. Amen.

Reasons To Rejoice, Always

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph; typed by Grace Nesaraj)

Phil. 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always, Again I will say, Rejoice!

Do you think it is really possible, humanly speaking, to be filled with joy always? Human experience tells us it is not possible. But you know what? It is God’s will for us to rejoice always; to pray without ceasing and in everything to give thanks (1 Thess.5:18). It is POSSIBLE, because it is the will of God concerning you and me.

Isaiah 61 prophesies about Jesus’ ministry thus: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me.” And one of the things talked about Jesus is that He gives us the oil of joy in exchange for mourning. What a wonderful exchange! Jesus Himself demonstrated a life full of joy and happiness; although born in a crib, working as a carpenter, dying as a criminal. Why do I say this? Because just a day before Gethsemane, this is His prayer: “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” It’s a joy that the world cannot give; a joy that the world cannot understand; and a joy that no one can take away! We cannot buy it, we cannot attain it, we cannot earn it; but we receive it!

Paul shares this same joy with the believers in Philippi. Phil.4.4 is the theme of this book. The word ‘joy’ or ‘rejoice’ occurs 16 times in this short letter of Paul. Remember, Paul himself is in prison for the sake of the gospel. Yet, full of joy, he writes to the church at Philippi “Rejoice…” and incase you did not get what he said the first time, he says, “Again, I will say, Rejoice!”

Rejoice in the progress of the gospel

Paul explains that whatever that has happened to him has helped in the furtherance of the gospel (Phi. 1:12). And in v18 he concludes, he will rejoice because ‘Christ is preached’. We rejoice too, that the name of Jesus is lifted up!

What is Paul trying to tell us in Phil. 4:4? In order to understand, we must read the verses above and below, understand the entire theme of the book, and look for similar verses in the entire Bible (the context principle).

One day, the disciple came to Jesus pleased with the fact that the demons were subject to them. Jesus answered that they should rather rejoice that their names are written down in the Book of Life! Whatever the circumstances, we have this assurance too; forgiven and clean in trusting Jesus as Savior, our names are written down in Heaven. The present may be unpleasant, but there is a bright future ahead. One of the secrets for joy is looking forward to something great and glorious.

Rejoice in serving Jesus

Phil. 2:17: “Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.”

Another reason to rejoice is in serving Jesus, we see the increase in the faith of those who believe. It does not matter that much what happens with us. Paul endured hardships and countless difficulties; was thrown into prison! And yet even there he rejoiced, singing praises to God. What happened? God caused an earthquake, the prison doors were thrown open; the prison guard received salvation.

Satan must have thought that he had done a good job with Paul putting him behind bars. Paul may have thought that he would have to endure the prison cell for long. But God’s ways are higher, and His works greater. You know what! God did more through Paul’s prison life than when he was outside. Paul wrote his letters to the churches during those times! What a treasure for us today.

Rejoice in serving others

Freely you have received, freely give! This could very well sum up Paul’s attitude in serving others (Phil. 4:1). Give out in order not to give in! Live a service-centered life and not a self-centered life. You have a choice to be like the Dead sea, that has only inflow or like the Sea of Galilee, that has both an inflow and an outflow; you have a choice to be stale and useless or to be a life-giving blessing to others.

Paul could have thought let us minister to me now , encourage me and serve now that I am in prison, But no he was not self centred. When pastor Epaphroditus from Philippi, comes with a financial gift to Paul in Rome, Paul blesses those who gave “Now my God shall supply all your needs…”

I tell you, God shall supply all your needs too when you serve others in Christ. Whether you have little or whether you have more, God looks down from heaven to care for your every need. The right hand of the Lord does valiantly (Ps. 118:15). Underneath his everlasting arms, we take refuge. His eyes are upon the sparrow and His eyes are upon us. He cares for you, and therefore you can always have joy.

May the joy of Jesus be our strength. Amen.