God Is NOT Guilty

(Message by Bro. Vijay Awale. Give God His due. Happy reading!)

 

 If you are one that go through tough times in life thinking that everything will work good on its own, or that God is responsible for those temptations in your life to make you strong, you may be missing some vital picture of who God is! There are people who have a tendency to put the blame on God for any and every situation that they face; they go through life always with a question why God would do such a thing to them. Even for unbelievers, it is easy to identify with luck, fate and a force above human endeavor. But I believe, the Scriptures teach something quite in contrast to “popular” thinking…(I will come around to this in a short while).

James 1: 13-17 says: Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Look at the above verses carefully, and we can learn:

1.       God is ONLY the source of EVERY GOOD gift and EVERY PERFECT gift

2.       EACH one’s humanly desire DRAWS one AWAY to temptation

3.       There is an ENTICER and a DECEIVER waiting to bring forth DEATH

Jesus says in John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Again, we are confronted with two sources: one source of destruction-the thief! And One who came to give abundant LIFE-Jesus Christ. It is important you identify correctly the individual authors of destruction, temptation, and abundant life; else you will never be able to obey a simple command in James 4:7 that says: Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

If you are still confused as to the SOURCE of bad things and those terrible things that has happened or is happening in your life, today put away that doubt once and for all and start resisting (actively opposing) the evil source-the devil, and submit (humbly accept) the good things from God; for we must know who to submit to and who to resist against.!

I want to emphasize on two Scriptures that have been misinterpreted or been misquoted a number of times, yes, even by Christian preachers; the believer too is guilty of accepting such error. When one is faced with a job-loss, a business failure, or rebellious child, or divorce-one must understand that such things are NOT from God, and therefore one must not quote from Rom. 8:28 under such situations in life. Yes, I understand God is in control, but there are boundaries where you must exercise YOUR CONTROL – that is why it is written, “Resist the devil”!

Otherwise, there is real danger of you being passive, inactive; being resigned to ‘fate’ and failure erroneously thinking that it, after all, must somehow fit into God’s plan for your life! NO, my beloved… you are in REAL DANGER of submitting to the devil and conceiving sin-this must not be! It is NOT God who is the author, and therefore cannot be guilty, of such BAD things.

Thinking over, and looking at my own life, it is now simple for me to understand SOME things (good) are from God, and some other things (BAD) were from the devil. Looking again at Rom. 8:28 it is clear that is applicable only for a subset of people: those who love God and those who are the called according to His purpose. Yes, it is applicable only if you are actively living out His purpose in your life. And what purpose? 1 John 3:8 says: For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Rom. 8: 28 is, therefore, applicable to those who are actively resisting the devil. We need discernment to know the source of everything that happens in our life and learn to accept what God offers, but exercise our spiritual muscle to resist the devil and his schemes. The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy; resist him. Jesus came to give abundant life-therefore choose life!

Another Scripture that does the rounds of misinterpretation is from the book of Job: The Lord gave, and the LORD has taken away (Job 1: 21). We hear this sometimes in funerals too! Job suffered a great loss in his life and uttered these words right at the beginning of his grievances, confusing God to be the 'author' of his calamity. How can this be? Because God cannot be the Author of calamity, and Job could not see the hand of Satan behind all those terrible things he was experiencing! Job displayed this attitude: He did not charge God with wrong (Job 1:22), but inwardly thought so!

At first instant, Job’s statement may be mistaken to glorify God (Blessed be the name of the LORD); but in fact, his view is an erroneous judgment of God-the LORD has taken away! If a person gives and then takes it away, he must surely be working at the loan-recovery department of some bank! And how trustworthy can he be? Would you really care to take something from such a person, whom you  knew would collect it again, you know not when?

But dearly beloved, our God owns the BANK; He is a Giver, He does not take away. He gives all things richly and for us to enjoy.

In some ways, Job can be forgiven for such an erroneous idea about God, because he lived in the Old Testament era; and Jesus was not yet manifested, nor was the Holy Spirit poured out. That is why I am inclined to think Job’s opinion in Job 1:21 was his own, and nothing more. The remarkable attribute of Job was that he did not harbor any bitterness against God, even in his calamity. But together with that, that he could not exhibit a full faith is made clear by the statement in Job 3:25 “For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me.” This is negative faith, and actually fear; it really sounds as if he had always thought God, after giving, would take it away someday!

But today, for you and me in the New Covenant age, we have become children of God; and it is our Father’s good pleasure to GIVE us the kingdom (John 12: 32). We know our God gave and gave…and He has not taken, and nor will He take, anything away. He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16). He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also FREELY GIVE us ALL things? (Rom. 8: 32) Jesus came to GIVE us abundant life (John 10:10).

Beloved, God is not waiting to catch you in the wrong and take away what He gave (Strangely, this is the idea some Christians have). Either you lose it yourself, or the thief has stolen it from you. But remember, it is not God who has taken it away from you, after He gave it to you first. Romans 11:29 clearly states: For the GIFTS and the calling of God are irrevocable. Those of you in the banking sector may well understand this legal term: irrevocable, for example one may use it while transacting via a letter of credit from a bank; It means that the terms and conditions cannot be altered!

Here is our God- a Giver. The Father has given Heaven's best gift-Jesus; yes, the darling of heaven to be crucified for your sake and mine. Have you received Him yet? Receive Him, receive life. In Jesus name, Amen.

Progress of the Righteous

 (Message by Pastor Philip Joseph. Please proceed!)

Prov. 4:18 says: But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.

The Christian walk is a glorious walk that shows an increasing measure of brightness day after day. If you find that your spiritual awakening is stagnant, it is time now to rise up. Just as in the secular job, one has the ambition to be better- to rise up higher; even so in our spiritual life we must never be satisfied with mediocrity, else, we remain in the past memories of great ‘experiences’ and fail to progress into God designed destiny.

Today I want to share from the Old Testament example-the typology of that tabernacle of Moses, which consisted of three distinct parts.

• The Outer Court – meant for Israelites only; the gentiles had no place here.
• The Holy Place – meant for ministering priests, serving daily, only from the tribe of Levi (and prohibited for other tribes of Israel);
• The Holy of Holies – meant for only the high priest, and that too once a year for atonement of the sins of the entire nation

Exodus 40: 3-7 describes the things that were kept in these 3 distinct parts of the tabernacle: In the Holy of Holies was kept the Ark of the Testimony (containing a golden pot of manna, the laws on tablets of stone and Aaron’s rod that budded), and above it the mercy seat of God’s very presence with cherubim on either side. A veil (thick and strong) separated this Holy of Holies from the other parts of the tabernacle. In the holy place was kept a table with the (daily fresh) show-bread on one side, and a lamp-stand with seven lights on the other side, and an altar of gold for incense in front of the veil right before the Ark of the Testimony. A screen (serving as the door) separated the Holy place from the outer court-where as they enter a laver of water was kept, and the brazen altar for sacrifices of animals, whose blood was used for atonement of sins.

 

 

The Outer Court

If you want to progress in the spiritual walk God has called you to, one must proceed to be drawn into the outer courts, then enter the Holy place and go on towards the Most Holy Place. As you enter the outer court (the general assembly of meeting), you have the laver and the brazen altar before you. Heb. 13: 11-13 says: We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.

 

If you are looking for salvation, or have never experienced your sins being forgiven, I ask you, to go to Jesus who suffered and shed His blood for your sins. With what little faith is given to you, lay hold of Jesus, confess and repent of your sins; you can have a new-life in Jesus. If you trust Him and accept the forgiveness He offers, you are be born-again. This is the simple gospel of salvation-salvation is free. Yes, the best gift available on earth is free; Believe in the name of Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.

 

As priests who accept sacrifice of animals, go and wash themselves in the laver of water, when your sins are forgiven, go and be baptized. If you do not know what ‘baptism’ means ask your local church Pastor or Christian worker, he/she is sure to help you. In the Book of Acts of the Apostles, we find Paul searching for someone to show him the way. There Ananias met him, and said to Paul, ‘Brother Paul, receive your sight… And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’ (Acts 22: 13, 16) Remember, this is Paul who Jesus Himself met while on his way to Damascus, and there Paul received the truth; yet, he had to go and be baptized! Baptism-the passing through of waters, is a simple act of obedience to what you believe happened in your spirit when you were born-again, that your sins were forgiven. Baptism is a fundamental, but important, step of open confession to your belief in Jesus Christ-Call on His name!

 

Holy Place

 

But today, I want to encourage all believers to progress further into the Holy Place. A table is prepared before you, with fresh loaves of bread-symbolizing the word of God. There is a new word from God for you today; Jesus quoting from the Old Testament said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matt. 4: 4). If you are looking for the word of God every Sunday, I say, it is a sorry state; just as the man who eats bread once a week! Also, as you see Jesus-the bread of heaven, you can have something new of Him.(I, for one, have a dislike for eating stale food-even if it is the best dish cooked yesterday!) There is some word new today from Jesus; else we will be living on what God told me yesterday, or last month… or last year… or several years ago.

In the Holy Place is also the lamp-stand with the seven lights… ’which are the seven Spirits of God’ (Rev. 4: 5). The light signified the Holy Spirit, helping us shine everyday with the gifts and talents endowed to us. Let keep the oil full and the lamps trimmed, that the continual anointing of the Holy Spirit may rest upon our lives. Remember, this is apart from the baptism of the Holy Spirit, when we first believed in Jesus (John 1:33); this is the daily walking in light experience and being continually filled with the Spirit mentioned in Eph. 5: 18, and speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.

 

And in the Holy Place, is also the golden altar of incense which, are the prayers of the saints (Rev. 8: 3). Prayer is a precious way to commune with God; it signifies our relationship and our dependency on God our Father. We are guided day by day through our communion of prayer. In fact, if you see, all the activities in the Holy Place were done on a daily basis-the fresh loaves of show bread on the table, the filling of oil and the continual burning of lamps, and then the incense on the gold altar. In the Old Covenant, the Levitical priests performed these duties; in the New Covenant, we-believers, have entered into the Holy Place because of the sacrifice of Jesus and have been made priests unto God (Rev. 1: 6). Therefore, let us have a daily fellowship with our God.

 

Most Holy Place

Even from the Holy Place, the priests were kept away from the presence of God (Ark of the Testimony) by a thick veil separating the Most Holy Place. But would you go further now, dearly beloved, for the veil was torn from top to bottom, when Jesus died on the cross and paid the ransom for many. The Most Holy Place is now accessible for you and me! ‘All shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.’ (Heb. 8: 11) says the Lord. This is the New Covenant privilege! Not just the Jews, but also Gentiles; not just priests in the Holy Place, but together with Christ- our High Priest.

In the Ark of the Testimony were kept the laws engraved on the tablets of stone; this signifies the commandments of God and our obedience to them. This is a way of loving our God-keep His commands (John 15:1); this is a way of knowing our God-keep His commands (1 John 2: 3); this is a way of growing in God-follow His commands (John 14:21).

It is really left to us to leave- elementary knowledge (Heb. 6:1), put away childish things (1 Cor. 13:11), and press towards the goal of being conformed to the image of Jesus (Phil. 3: 14, 15); that we may know Him and the hope of His calling.

Let us proceed into the Most Holy Place; In Jesus name, Amen.

LORD Our Helper

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph. Happy reading!)

If I ask you which the longest chapter in the Bible is, many of you will answer: Psalm 119. But today, I must share with you from the Psalms categorized as the Song of Ascents, starting from Psalm 120 right through Psalm 134.

The men of Israel travelled three times each year to Jerusalem for the appointed feasts at the appointed time. For many, the journey must have been long and fraught with danger, as they pass by some of the toughest of terrains-through hills, valleys, and desert. And all the while, they encourage one another and encourage themselves on their journey with songs of priase. And all the Songs of Ascents put together captures this journey- graphically and poetically, starting from distant lands and progressively coming up to the gates of Jerusalem and into the Lord’s temple in Psalm 134.

My message today is simple and focused upon just one aspect in these Songs of Ascents – LORD our HELPER: “My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Ps. 121:2)

I can imagine the journey through the valleys-and the traveler’s focus is upon the hills: I will lift up my eyes to the hills-from whence comes my help? (Ps. 121:1). In your life-valleys, remember the LORD who made heaven and the earth-He is your Helper! It is not some human and feeble help I’m talking about… it is the help from the LORD-He is somebody who created the heaven and earth. In Psalm 124:8, there is a slight variation in the emphasis: Our help is in the NAME of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. Yes, we have a name that is above all names! Our trust is based on knowing who He is; He is the maker of heaven and earth, and our help is from Him.

He Has Helped Us: A Stone of Help to Remember

1 Sam. 7:12 reads: Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying: “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”

 

Can you imagine, the children of Israel journeying and singing their song of Ascents and coming across this huge memorial? I am sure their memories would have been re-kindled as they knew how God had HELPED and delivered the Israelites from a hopeless situation, when they battled against the Philistines, and gave them a huge victory-a victory so great the Philistines could not recover all the days of Samuel (1 Sam. 7:13). Yes, A STONE OF HELP is our God, and THUS FAR the LORD has HELPED US.

He is with us: A Present Help to Request 

Psalm 46: 1, 2 reads: God is our refuge and strength, a very PRESENT HELP in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.

Life sure has some tight spots and tough corners, but remember there’s always a way from above. King Asa was in a tight spot in 2 Chr. 14: Here was Asa with an army of 580,000 soldiers, up against Zerah with an army of 1,000,000 soldiers and 300 chariots from Ethiopia, an army nearly twice as big! In 2 Chr. 14:11, it says about Asa: And Asa cried out to the LORD his God, and said, “LORD, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!”

Read further and know of God’s help and deliverance rendered to King Asa.

Same was the case with Hezekiah, when he was up against the world power of that time-Assyria. Hezekiah exhorting the people in 2 Chr. 32: 7, 8 reads : “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.”

We can easily correlate with this in the New Covenant: Greater is He that is in us, than He that is in the world. We are not on the losing side-whether we are in minority or in majority. In natural eyes, it may seem improbable, but victory is sure with His HELP. For at that time in Hezekiah’s life, the LORD sent just one angel, and he cut down every mighty man of valor, leader and captain in the camp of the king of Assyria, and the Assyrian king returned shamefaced to his own land, where his own sons killed him!

Remember Jonah-he prayed a prayer from the stomach of a fish, the last place anyone would like to be in. (Surely our predicament is nowhere near to what Jonah experienced.) And He said: “I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction, and He answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice.” (Jonah 2: 2). So the LORD spoke to the fish (remember, He is the maker of heaven and earth and all things in-between), and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. (Jonah 2:10)

The LORD will help us: A Confident Confession to Repeat

Heb. 13:6 reads: So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my Helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” – This is the reason for our bold confession. He has promised, He will deliver! You know, God too is repeating the same things to us: “Do not fear, I will help you.” Turn with me to Isaiah and look up quickly Isaiah 41:13, Isaiah 41:14 and Isaiah 44: 2. Now why should we not respond and say: “The LORD is my Helper; I will not fear”

“Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God, who made heaven and earth…” – Psalm 146: 5. Amen.

Faith and Patience

Message by Pastor Philip Joseph. Happy reading!

As we gather together in His name, I am once again reminded of how the whole Universe is made and kept by the word of God; and therefore, if our hearts are open, just one word from Him can bring about change that is unimaginable and at the same time life-changing.

And today, I want us to look at just two chapters from the book of Hebrews. We know from the background of the book, that it is primarily written to believers! Believers in Christ Jesus, who had found joyous freedom from religiosity and human traditions, were again in danger of back-sliding into a Old Covenant relationship with God and the religious pull of Judaism. The author of Hebrews repeatedly compares the Old and the New Covenant, and waxes eloquent on how much better is the New Covenant now, in Jesus Christ.

Most people know, that the book of Hebrews is peppered with writings on faith as the essential ingredient in the Christian walk (including the famous chapter 11 on faith); but, do you know that there is another equally important ingredient-patience?

In Hebrews 6:42, we find these words: …you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Let me now digress a little bit; think about the time when we first came to Christ… sins forgiven, joyous redemption in His blood, and the exhilarating new life. And we sing, “As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longeth after you”. But as we continue to walk, the youthful exuberance might just wane a little and there is a danger of looking at the past with fondness and, dare I say, craving again. Much like the children of Judah, the author of Hebrews is addressing here. It is in those times, we must remember this verse from Hebrews 6:42 and Imitate those who through… faith… AND… patience… inherit the promises of God.

Christian walk, I would say, is a balance of both Faith and Patience.

We should not go into extremism on our ideals, like some do. There is a group of people who go on and on about God’s love, and think that God will accept whatever they are and whatever they do, because of His great love. This is not true-our loving God is also a Holy God. On the other hand, there are yet another group of puritans, who think that God is ready to only judge in His holiness, and forget that God is love. God, who is Holy, is a God of love.

And that is the kind of balance I’m talking about: Faith and Patience. Hebrews 11 is that chapter of faith; but in continuation one must not ignore chapter 12-the chapter of patience. We know that originally, the Bible was not segregated into chapters and so the first word “Therefore,…” in chapter-12 must prompt us to look at it as a continuation of Chapter-11 subject-Inheritance of God’s promises, through faith and patience.

Faith

Heb. 4:2 warns us that without faith the word of God cannot profit us one bit. And there are hundreds of God’s promises on the platter, waiting to be mixed with the ingredient of faith. For example, take this simple promise: God is good, and His love endures forever. I gather that many will have no problem in relating to the truth that God is good; but when it comes to asking someone whether God is good to you, then all those problems and pain crop up in their mind, and they look at us as if they are still waiting for God’s goodness to show up in their life! This is NOT faith! Faith is not some intellectual reasoning based on the hearsay hope stories of others; but faith is a matter of the heart grabbing hold of God’s faithfulness in your own personal life and experiences.

And the list of heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11 were mere humans-ordinary men and women, who believed and trusted God for who He is, and did extraordinary things in their own life. Let me share a few heroes today: Hebrews 11:8 says, By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed…

Faith leads us into obedience, according to the calling of God. A complete obedience involves risks, because God usually does not give a roadmap of the entire journey. But Abraham knew only this: God was calling Him, and that He will be with him if he obeyed, and he took that faith risk. Do you know that Abraham’s father too started his journey from Ur of the Chaldeans to go on to Canaan, but settled comfortably half-way in a place called Haran. After Terah died, it was left to Abraham to decide whether to stay there or to obey the call of God, and he decided to go all the way to Canaan. And even in Canaan, he did not know where exactly he was supposed to go, and he went from place to place for quite some time, before God remarkably opened a door for Abraham.

And when Abraham’s faith was tested after Isaac was born, he came out to do what he was accustomed to do: just obey the voice of God, even to the point of giving up his future and a promise-In Isaac, your seed shall be called (Heb. 11:17). Faith sees the invisible; Abraham just knew that there is no hand safer than God’s, and committed himself into His hand!

Look at another hero of faith-Moses. Now Moses-a prince in the palaces of Pharaoh, was a notably influential person in the entire land of Egypt, where his own people were slaves. All the treasures and wisdom of Egypt were at his disposal… but Moses knew that he had to lift his eyes higher, and there he saw himself choose suffering and affliction with the people of God over pleasures of Egypt; he saw far greater riches in the reproach for Christ than all the treasures of Egypt. (Heb. 11: 25, 26)

Patience

Therefore… seeing all these heroes of faith and in view of all that they underwent, we too must have patience (or perseverance).

·         Let us lay aside every weight and the ensnaring sin (Heb. 12:1), for the race requires pace and focus

·         Let us run with endurance (Heb. 12:1), for there are many times when there are no instant solutions.

·         Let us resist and strive against sin, even to the point of bloodshed (Heb. 12:4)

·         Let us not despise His chastening-His discipline; for He loves us as His own children and corrects us for our own good (Heb. 12: 5-7)

·         Let us strengthen our hands that hang down, for our healing is near (Heb. 12:13)

·         Let us pursue peace, with all people, and pursue holiness; for we must one day see the Lord (Heb. 12:14)

·         Let us have grace, for we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken (Heb. 12:28)

Now I do not know about you, but I see a lot of chicken soup for the soul, here in these verses of Hebrews Chapter-12.  Endure, persevere, strengthen, pursue, resist… the people who were originally addressed to were indeed experiencing a lot of hardships. But it is time to give God the first place, and seek first His kingdom. God is good, and He is good to me-this is our testimony.

May God help us to draw near to Him, having faith and practicing patience! Amen.

Integrity of God’s Word

Message by Bro. Vijay Awale. Happy scattering! 

The time you spend meditating on God’s word is a reflection of the joy in you and it gives meaning to what we experience in ourselves. You will find that God’s word is pure, true, dependable and perfect. Let me continue with a parable of Jesus from Mark 4:26-29 (also given in Matt. 13 and Luke 8). Jesus is talking about the growth of His kingdom, and about sowing the seed. It is clear that Jesus is dwelling on the theme of God’s word as seed, as we see in Mark 4:14 “The sower sows the word.” So, the parable prompts us to learn spiritual truths from natural things.

And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

No know how

“…the seed should sprout and grow-he himself does not know how” – these words are significant, I believe. We have been meditating on change verses in the Bible in this year 2012. Change is so linked to the seed-the word of God. If you ask me how the word of God (or the Bible) can change any person, I’ll answer I do not know. (he himself does not know how). But if you ask me, whether the word of God can bring change in any person, I’ll say it does-100 %. Just like the seed producing fruit. Yes, the word of God brings about change; It works-that is all I know.

As we dwell on God’s word, we find, our perceptions, attitudes and our entire character taking shape in a new way. I do not know how, but I know IT WORKS.

No fleshly role

“…for the earth yields crops by itself.” – again look at these words. Think about the change in you, since you became a follower of Jesus Christ. What role have you played in shaping your own character? Nothing. Just as the earth is designed to connect with seed and make it grow, the word of God is designed to connect with your heart, and make you grow spiritually. Just as the seed sprout and grow in the earth, the word of God grows inside of you, bringing about changes in your very soul. You may do nothing to your soul, but IT WORKS.

Know the right place

The right place to receive God’s word is your heart; just as the earth yields crop for the seed. If we receive God’s word only in our ears, is it any wonder spiritual growth becomes stunted? And I have also come across those who keep Bible in their living room book-shelves, and think that it will bring some change to the house. And those ones crazy and scared-to-death of ghosts, keeping the Bible under the pillow! I tell you, this is not the right place; and it hardly helps your faith.

But, put the word of God in your heart and it WORKS.

Know that there are stages of growth

“first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head…”

Why should anyone imagine the moment they are born-again, that they will have a huge and grand ministry like Benny Hinn or Joyce Meyer? They watch on TV the miracles and signs and wonders, and the huge crowds, and then think it is just one step to that kind of ministry. I tell you, this is to do with your own fleshly thoughts more than anything else. I sure believe there is a calling for each one of us, and each one’s calling is unique and important in the body of Christ. But, to attain to spiritual maturity, God has designed stages of growth, just as in the case of the seed. First the blade, then the head and then the grain…

To run the spiritual race, first start the race (as children of God), then add hope (of things to come), then faith (through triumph in trials) and then you will have the crown (of glory)-the harvest has come!

Know that there is Testing for every Teaching

In continuation of Jesus teaching, we must also read Mark 4:35-40. Jesus had taught these things to His disciples, all day speaking in parables. He spoke about 10 parables in a single day, relating them to the kingdom of God and His ways. And He explained all these parables to His disciples (v34).

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”

This was God’s word to the disciples: we will cross over to the other side. And it was left to them to take it into their hearts or to hear and just go on.

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

I can easily imagine myself, in that boat with Jesus and His disciples. And I can also identify with their question: “Do you not care, God?” How many times have we asked the same question to God, in the windstorms of our own life? I can also imagine Jesus get up, and hearing Him speak to the storm: “Peace, be still!” Oh, yes, my heart is thrilled. But then, I cringe somewhat, when He turns and say, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

But deep in my heart, I know He is the Truth; and that He is speaking the truth. I know, many don’t like it when the truth is spoken-and especially when it hurts. Others may say, it is the truth, but the timing is wrong. But God’s word encourages us to always speak the truth (Eph. 4:25). The disciples got it all wrong when they questioned Jesus, “Do you not care that we are perishing?” Probably they expected Him, as their Leader, to help them somehow, and also give an explanation why He was asleep! But, you don’t expect Jesus to say, “ah! Sorry, fellas. It was just that the preaching all day got to me and I was tired; I went to sleep. I’ll take better care of you, next time!” – NO!

Jesus had done all that He had to, perfectly. His part was to TEACH; and theirs-to PRACTICE. My friends, I tell you, God has already done all that is needed, and He has given to you all that you’ve ever needed-all His wonderful promises, and His own presence. But the things that He has taught you all along, is in the SEED-FORM: it is for you to take it, and scatter those seed in your heart, allow it to WORK DEEP-and then IT WORKS. You can be sure of that-it works!

Heaven and earth will pass away, but the words of Jesus, by no means shall pass away. The word of God, scattered, will move the mountains. The word of God, in your heart, will sprout and grow: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain on the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come! Happy graining!

Holy Communion

(Message by Pastor Joseph. Here's wishing you a meaningful sacrament participation.)

Personal Front

We-Florence and I, greet you and are so glad to be talking to you today. This year 2012 is special for us... and I also look back in a ministry that started in March 1957, spanning 55 years...and through trials and fruitfulness see God’s faithfulness (I can speak volumes on that); and I will be completing 80 years of age, this year... as I go on I know it is by His grace alone (you do realise this at 80!); and Florence and I will be completing 50 years of married life this November... and I promise you, He who has seen us through will see you through health, wealth, career, ministry, marriage and anything you have ever desired. Trust and obey, for there’s no other way... to be happy in Jesus...

If you are married, I ask you to put Jesus first in your life-the foundation of your marriage will be strengthened so... and the mess- in your marriage, will become a message. God is able to do anything... He can bring just one man and woman together, and let them see just one son, and yet go on and create a whole nation through them! Don’t we know the story of Abraham?

Today, I would want us to concentrate on the Communion-a divinely instituted doing of the believers. And in this land of so many religions, some consider it, a ‘prasad’ given by the church and others consider it, simply a waste of time. But people perish from lack of knowledge. We believers must know: who we are, where have we come from, where are we going and what are we doing here! And for this what better portion to choose than John 1; here we find our identity.

Position in Christ

And these three things we must bear in mind:-

(i)               We have the power in God, according to John 1:12 (KJV). But as many as received Him, to them He gave the power to become children of God... and we are born of God (v13). Therefore, we are not just dwellers in the kingdom of God, but rightful citizens; and not just citizens, but Royal citizens, because God our King is our Father. And from Rev. 1:5 we know that God Himself has washed us in His own blood, and Rev. 5: 9, 10 goes further and says that He has made us kingdom priests unto God AND WE SHALL REIGN...

(ii)             We have a position from God: Not only has he made us kings and priests, but He has also seated us together with Christ, according to Eph. 2:6. That is why repentance from sin and water-baptism are SO SIGNIFICANT in a believer’s life; it is more than just dead to sins, buried with Christ and raised again to newness of life, here on earth!

(iii)           We have the provision of God, in the New Covenant- a far better Covenant than the shadow of Old Covenant with sacrifices and offerings; an intimate relationship in the body and blood of Jesus. A type portrayed in the Old Covenant when Melchizedek, the king of Salem, when he offered bread and wine to Abraham-the first Communion service in the Bible. These are not just emblems, as the Protestant church would have us believe; nor are they literal body and blood of Christ, as the Catholic church believes (I remember being told by my parish priest, to use only my tongue to receive the bread, and not to put my teeth, because blood may ooze out!)

Sacrament of the Holy Communion

The subject is dealt by Paul in 1 Cor. 11: 23-34. Paul, a latecomer to the discipleship of Christ, reveals to us that there is so much meaning to the institution of the Lord’s Supper and the necessity for believers to keep it. It is by revelation that Paul received these meaning, because he was not part of those disciples when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, in that Upper Room in Jerusalem, just before Gethsemane (the night He was betrayed).

Paul compels us to ponder when he starts with a sentence like this: I am passing on to you, what I received from the Lord…Therefore it is important to each one of us, as believers, to know Jesus more and more, by keeping this sacrament, instituted by the Lord Himself.

You can know Him by the breaking of bread (read Luke 24: 30, 31). Therefore take time to know Him, when the sacraments are given to you. I remember during the starting of New Life Fellowship, some 40 years back, when we used to sit in a circle, around a table carrying these emblems of bread and wine-this really helped us to focus on the Person and Provision of God.

A)    What we do:

a.       We Remember a Unique Person – Jesus Christ(1 Cor. 11:24)
b.      We Proclaim a wonderful death - the Lord's death (1 Cor. 11:26)
c.       We Celebrate a notable victory - raised up according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:4)
d.      We Express a worldwide fellowship - one body in Christ (1 Cor. 10: 16, 17)

e.       We Anticipate a glorious event - until He comes (1 Cor. 11:26)

B)    Why we do what we do:

a.       Because of its Divine Institution: Luke 22: 19, 20

Remember, it is called as the Lord’s Supper. We partake of His table in the Father’s counsel, by the Son’s command and through the Spirit’s confirmation.

b.      Because of its Historic Inauguration – that same night He was betrayed (1 Cor. 11:23)

c.       Because of its Apostolic Interpretation – One body in Christ (1 Cor. 10: 16, 17 and 1 Cor. 11:26)

    C)    How we do what we do:

a.       Mental comprehension – discerning the Lord’s body (1 Cor. 11:29)

b.      Moral conformity – worthy manner (1 Cor. 11:28)

c.       Mutual consideration – wait for one another (1 Cor. 11:33)

Therefore abstain from taking part in the Holy Communion in an unworthy manner. Paul clearly warns us, that for ‘this reason’, some of you (believers) are sick, some are weak and others die! (1 Cor. 11: 29, 30). Do you want to know that there is a death sentence for believers here (and here only)! It is included in the Holy Communion. Are you surprised? Maybe yes, but it is true… there is life in that cup and there is death. Examine yourselves. For the Bible says, if we judge ourselves, we will not be judged! Stay away from idolatry-You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s Table and the table of demons (1 Cor. 10: 21).

You know, in this Holy Communion, all Christian denominations merge somehow, and there is indeed a worldwide fellowship. I have participated in mass worship and ecumenical gatherings, where the Catholic priest handed out bread and the Protestant priest, the wine... We can grow to be mature believers, loving people- no matter which church they are from, and what denomination they belong to-because people are people and we must love them, just as God loves them. And as we celebrate a notable victory, we can have mutual consideration as we join in a worldwide fellowship.

“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” [1 Cor. 10:16] Therefore, let us receive the Holy Communion with full comprehension of the better Covenant extended to us... and do it as often as you will.

Do Not Fear

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph. Read on!)

1 Peter 2:6
Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”

Have you been, lately, disappointed with God? The NASB puts this verse this way: … he who believes on Him will not be disappointed. The Lord desires that we live a life, full and free of fear. Remember, Peter is writing his epistle to those suffering persecution because of their belief in Jesus Christ! Peter quotes: if you have believed on Him-the precious cornerstone, you will not be disappointed.

You know as well as I do, it’s easy to trust in the Lord when things go well with us. But, what about those times of darkness you will have to pass through sometime or other? It is especially in those times of suffering, we need to exercise our spiritual muscles, and manifest trust in God. Have faith in Him, despite the circumstances… and you will see that fear goes out of your life.

Do Not Fear Men
Matt. 10:28 "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

Pushed to a corner, and standing all alone on taking a stand for Jesus-this is a reality for most of us, sometime or other. Some may ridicule us, others may persecute us; and sometimes, the persecution is from within-our own kin and unbelieving family members!

Take a stand for Jesus; take a stand for righteousness. Do not fear! Join with the Psalmist in declaring: The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? (Psalm 118:6) Remember the life of Joseph- the troubles he had as a lad; hated by his brothers, sold as a slave, falsely implicated and put in prison, forgotten by those he had helped… but, finally, he was promoted and was not disappointed. It was because Joseph feared God, and put his trust on Him.

Do Not Fear the Future
Luke 12:7 "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."

God who cares for the sparrows, will He not care for you? Therefore do not fear. We can join the chorus of saying “Yes, Lord… Yes, Lord… Yes, Yes Lord… Amen” And it will be so. Amen. And between the time of “Yes” and “Amen”, we will continue to stand in faith. All else may be a blur… but our belief on Him will become our bulwark that never will fail. There may be a slip between the cup and the lip in the world, but there never will be disappointment for those who put their trust on Him. Hallelujah!

Look at Abraham. At an age old enough to be a grandpa (he was seventy-five), he had the promise: You will have a son… your descendants will be like the stars in the night sky! And years went by… but his faith, instead of waning, waxed stronger and stronger, till one day, he saw the promised son, at the ripe old age of hundred!

Read through the honour-roll of the faithful in Hebrews 11. We can follow in the examples of these wonderful men and women of God. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus… (Heb. 12:1)

We can go ahead and live a secure life-free from fear, whether it is concerning our future, our finances or our foes. Look at the birds of the sky, if you feel financially insecure… and look into His promises.

Do Not Fear the Present
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

You can imagine the life of the disciples-a life free from fear as long as Jesus was with them, physically. But now, the time had come for some kind of separation, and Jesus was saying to them that He was going away, and that He was leaving THEM here on earth! Imagine the wide-eyed expression on the disciples faces as they heard Jesus speak these words. But Jesus continued saying that He was leaving His PEACE with them- a peace that passes all understanding. Ha, that is enough to live a live without fear of the present… Know His peace and know His ways, today!

Do Not Fear Happenings
Prov. 3:25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.
We hear of terror around us these days…but, DO NOT FEAR. Trust God and entrust your children into the hands of our God. He who led us thus far, He will be with us, and He will see us through. The LORD is our confidence… who will guide us into perfect ways. Exercise faith, for faith pleases God (Heb. 11:6). He is the LORD who made heaven and earth… and we need not look to the left or right, but we must learn to lift up our eyes unto the hills, from whence comes our help… 

So, my message today is simple and short: If you are facing disappointment, and are disturbed by the happenings around you, stand out and look up into the night sky… and try counting the stars. Remember Abraham, and the Lord’s promises… Say: “Yes, Lord… Amen.” Let faith rise up in your heart… and you will find fear going out of your life. DO NOT FEAR.

May God Bless You. Amen.

One Thing

(Message by Pastor S. Joseph, Founder NLMI. Happy changing!)

It’s good to look at this year 2012 as the year of change; but, I know that if change does not start with me, I will see no change in others. From 2 Cor. 3:18, we know we look into the Book and change; but if I wear a mask (of law, legalism, religiosity… or whatever it may be), I can only see myself in the Book, and the change process will stop. But if we remove the veil (mask) and look into the Book, we will see Jesus… and change takes shape from glory to glory… to glory.

I have learnt that I should treat everyone with kindness-no matter if they are rich, poor, literate, illiterate, aged, young… because they all go through a lot, whether they tell you or not! And I am also (still) learning to help people in their need-it may not always be financial need, but there are so many other ways that people may be helped. These are all practical ways to grow into the likeness of Jesus. People, when they look at you and me, must see not just a preacher, but a practitioner… and what will be your benefit? I tell you, it will be poured back into your lap-good measure, pressed down and running over. I have heard this saying: “In the time of need, sow the seed”-this is true, because one day, the seed will become a plant, then a tree and then a forest!

I see young people, with so much talent and gifts, seeking, striving and suffering-worried about their careers, worried about life-partners and worried about their future. The elders must not only pray over them and pray for them, but also must guide them. And this is what I want to share with the youth-you must ask the Lord, “Lord, what is that one thing that you want me to do here?” Parents must seek to guide their children, and not to impose their own will and ways in the lives of their children. If James Irwin had not been encouraged by his parents, he would never have walked the moon, bring back rock samples… (Remember, it was the sixties, and a 6-year old’s dream of going to the moon could very much be laughed at!). Much was talked about his moon missions, but his Christian upbringing and beliefs led him to simply put it: “Jesus walking on the earth is more important than man walking on the moon.”

You see, the question of suffering is so real to young believers. And like the young lady who met us last week, they ask, “If I am saved in believing in Jesus, why should I go through suffering?” I said this: When we experience salvation in Christ Jesus, we are all born cater-pillars… and God’s intention is for us to be butterflies dancing in the sunlight… and between the crawling cater-pillar and the dancing butterfly, there is just one way (no short-cuts here), it has to go through the cocoon-yes, even die to some extent. You can accept this, or you may reject this, but you cannot alter God’s ways… because going through the cocoon is by choice. But I assure you, His presence will be with you, whether you go through the cocoon, go through the waters or go through the fire… it will NOT harm you. No pain… no gain, and suffering is to gain something spiritual. By and by, the troubles will look so small… and you will develop a thick skin and a tender heart (yes, jibes and barbs is not going to hurt you, but you will be moved with compassion to help others in their need).

So my message today is simple: Find out what that one thing is for you, and fulfil it.

For myself, I can say I have this - a vision for year 2020; and my eyes are fixed for that goal; if the Lord tarries and God wills that I tarry, I must fulfil this 2020 vision. People say, why should I dream for 2020, when I am already in my eighties now… I say, if Moses can start his walk at athe age of 80, and continue to serve God for 40 more years, why should I stop at 80? So, I tell you, EVERYONE, without exception, is chosen and CALLED for that ONE THING they MUST DO.

1.       ONE THING IS NEEDED

There is a wonderful lady, hospitable and kind, mentioned in Luke 10: 38-42

I do not know how Martha managed it, but before anyone could blink their eyes, she had Jesus in her home, and became so busy in serving Jesus. I say that is an extraordinary gift-to serve Jesus. But here was her sister-Mary, who had a different gift altogether; she sat at Jesus’ feet and worshipped the Lord. It was not uncommon in those days and in Israel, for women to wash or kiss the feet of leaders, and Mary was doing just that, listening to Jesus with rapt attention. We also see elsewhere, they had a brother-Lazarus, who was a businessman. So, here with the family, here were 3 siblings, all with different gifting. But not all was honky-dory in that house; it is evident that they had some issues among themselves… that needed some sorting. Martha is the first to break the ice… she had probably been waiting for quite some time to air her grievances against her sister, to someone; and when that someone was as important and as close as Jesus in her house, she decided to pour out her troubles. She starts, “Do you NOT CARE…?”

Jesus’ answer was to the point: Martha, Martha…ONE THING is NEEDED. You see, Martha was WORRIED, TROUBLED, she had MANY ISSUES…and FINALLY she COMPLAINED. Mary has CHOSEN that GOOD part {portion}, which will not be taken away from her.

Some say, Worship is that one thing that is important; others say Work is important too, because faith without works is dead. I say, Faith WITHOUT work is Presumption; Faith WITH works is PROMOTION. You see, your work must spring from worship. We receive His love, and we give of ourselves in love. Worship is coming before God and asking Him: Lord, what can I DO for You, today? This has eternal value.

If our WORK (of GIVING and SERVING), springs out of WORSHIP (LOVE for GOD), then we will not complain or blame others for any lack of help.  Spend time with God and His word: “Take time to be holy, speak oft with the Lord; Abide in Him always, and feed on His word.” Do you remember the 5 things to do with His word-the Bible? 1. Read it. 2. Study it; 3. Meditate; 4. Memorize and 5. Speak the word of God.

Have you chosen the good portion of that ONE THING that is needed for you?

2.       ONE THING I DESIRE

Psalm 27: 4 One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple.

Now King David has ONE THING lined up in his life, in spite of his weaknesses, and responsibilities as a king, and being the sweet psalmist of Israel-and that was to give preference to be in God’s presence and to behold His beauty. In God’s presence there is fullness of joy, anointing, victory…

What is your ONE desire? When our desire and HIS desire becomes ONE, then there is no end to SUCCESS. And God will grant you your heart’s desires; you can trust Him today. Talk to Him today, of your ONE DESIRE, and see Him take you places that you have never even dreamt before.

3.       ONE THING YOU LACK

Mark 10:21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “ONE THINGYOU LACK: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

I have never come across another person in the Bible, to whom Jesus speaks thus. Here was a young ruler, testifying that he keeps all the commandments (that is goodness for you), and lacking just ONE THING- detachment from riches; for he was a very rich man. I have wondered why Jesus should spend so much time with this young ruler, and loving him, and counselling him to sell what he had… but finally found to be a fruitless dialogue, because the rich man was not willing to pay the price... his heart was on money! Probably, he never learned about stewardship and did not know all that he had belonged to God, who is now asking him to sell his goods and give to the poor… the treasures in heaven seemed so distant to this young man. But then, if only he had sold his property, and followed Jesus, he could have had so much treasure in heaven… because in AD70, Jerusalem was destroyed and the Jewish people slain or enslaved by Emperor Titus and his Roman legions!

In contrast to this young ruler, we see in the Old Testament how Elijah called Elisha. Now, Elisha too was a rich young man, and was going about his business, when the mantle of Elijah fell on him. It was Elisha’s call; and he began to follow Elijah with ONE purpose, forsaking all other material possessions. God who sees the future, and who is today present with you, is a God of love. Hear Him. If you lack any ONE THING, do not harden your hearts.

4.       ONE THING I DO

Phil. 3: 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but ONE THING I DO, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.

This is Paul, speaking such words after a hugely successful ministry for many years… ONE THING I DO…

Forget the past, live in the present and press on towards the future. Future focus is what will carry us through. Failures and guilt are things of the past, and it is the devil who reminds you of the past (and you must remind him of his future). This is just the ONE THING TO DO… reach forward to those things which are ahead.  

One thing is needed, says Jesus to Martha; one thing I desire, says David; one thing you lack-Jesus tells the rich young man; and one thing I do, says Apostle Paul. What is that ONE THING in your heart that God has called you to do? You must DO it, with your focus on the future; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

He Is RISEN

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph. Happy Easter!)

The tomb of Jesus is unique among million other tombs-IT IS EMPTY. People, especially in India, go about visiting dead men’s tombs, whom they consider great leaders-revolutionary or religious. But the fact is they are very much dead inside the tomb. But in the tomb of Jesus, we find this bold truth, written in the entrance: "He is not here; for He is risen" - the very same words by the angel to the women who sought Jesus on that Resurrection Day.

Many religious leaders were born on this earth; they lived, they learned, they propounded some ideas, had a few followers, died... and that was the end of them! But Jesus came, lived a life without sin, died, and rose again. Hallelujah! We serve a risen Savior who conquered death and the grave.

1. The Fact of Christ’s Resurrection

The resurrection of Jesus is an indisputable fact-because the empty tomb is still there for all to see. Even during the time of Jesus, after He rose again, he appeared to many disciples. These disciples were still alive when there arose some disputing Jesus’ resurrection, being influenced by money. Paul contends that it is fact “...that He {Jesus} was buried, and that He {Jesus} rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.” [1 Cor. 15: 4-6]

The disciples were clear in their thinking and did not have an iota of doubt that Jesus Himself rose from the dead-and they were indeed seeing Jesus in glorified body, and not someone else. It even became a common greeting between the brethren saying: “He is risen” and responding “Indeed, He is risen”

There are over 100 references in the New Testament that speak of the resurrection of Jesus, spoken by many disciples and at various times. Jesus is indeed risen from the dead.

2. The Function of Christ’s Resurrection

Whether you believe it or not, the resurrection proves that Jesus IS the Son of God. Romans 1: 4 says that Jesus is declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

In India, it is common to consider religious leaders as ‘gurus’ (teachers) and address them ‘swamy’ (god or master). Some call themselves as god’s avatar, and go about exalting themselves, and influencing others. But Jesus, who humbled himself to die on the cross, is raised from the dead with power, and is declared Son of God. What a wonderful Saviour who saves sinners like you and me! If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Rom. 10:9)

There are denominations and divisions even among Christians… they have differences in their emphasis of certain principles and in adoption of certain other rules, according to their interpretation of certain Scriptures. But there is one UNIFYING truth: Jesus died and Jesus rose from the dead.

“For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.” – 1 Cor. 15: 16-19

3. The Fruit of Christ’s Resurrection

1 Cor. 15: 20, 21 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.

We, as disciples of Jesus, have a rock solid foundation because He is risen from the dead. On Christ the solid rock we stand, all other ground is sinking sand. We have hope that goes beyond the present life here on earth. When we die, we shall rise again! Yes, this is the hope built on nothing less than the blood of Jesus and His righteousness. And because He lives, we will live also.

The resurrection of Jesus teaches us that the dead will rise again, some to eternal condemnation and others who believe in Jesus to eternal glory. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.” (1 Cor. 15:22) When Jesus comes again, the dead in Christ will rise first, and we will see Him as He is-the King of glory!

The disciples knew what the resurrected body looked like-glorious and spiritual; this was established firmly in their mind and psyche, and it became their hope-a living hope, of resurrection of their own mortal body into an incorruptible body. Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible…”

Do you have this living hope? Does your perspective, on any matter under the sun, cover eternity? Jesus declared: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” [John 11: 25, 26]

Do you suffer because of others around you? Are you undergoing persecution or trial because of your faith in Jesus? Remember, Jesus rose from the dead. This is the advice Paul gives to young Timothy and to the church undergoing trials in 2 Tim. 2:8. And continues, “This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him.” (v11)

4. The Fragrance of Christ’s Resurrection

In Matt. 28: 20, the words of Jesus ring out clearly: “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Though the disciples could see with their physical / natural eyes, the resurrected body of Jesus, only for a few weeks (40 days) after He rose from the dead, they knew that His living Presence will continue with them. When we call to Him, He hears us. He is ever near to us, ever ready to converse, contact, and commune with us.

One day we will see Him face to face, for we know our Redeemer lives; our own eyes shall see Him.

5. The Force of Christ’s Resurrection

There is power in the name of Jesus, because He rose from the dead conquering death and crushing the Devil. Know Him and also know His power toward those who believe. Eph. 1: 18-20 says: “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 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places…”

Do you realise the power of His resurrection in your own life? Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 15: 57). 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)

May the resurrected Saviour grant you a living hope today! Amen.