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.

Death of Jesus-Meaning and Significance

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph)
In the history of the world, one of the most significant events is the death of Jesus. For many, it was a just a symbol of shame and failure; but for many others, it became a life defining message. It says in the Bible in Romans 5:8: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1. Demonstration of God’s Love-Christ died for us
The death of Jesus demonstrates God’s love toward us (Rom. 5:8). God does not merely speak of His great love toward us, nor just promises His presence… He DEMONSTRATED His great love toward US-while yet sinners… and unsaved! Christ died for US.

2. Primary Importance-Christ died for our sins
Many things are written in the Bible for those who believe in the Lord Jesus; and one of them is of PRIMARY importance-the death of Jesus. Paul says in 1 Cor. 15:3, For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures…

If you are looking for salvation, look at Jesus who died-this is the first step to find salvation: Jesus died for OUR sins.

3. Penalty paid-Jesus bore our sins and died
The death of Jesus is significant because, there was no other way for a just God to take away the sins of the human race, which came through the seed of Adam-who sinned. Jesus, the Lamb of God, died to take away the sins of the whole world. There was a price to be paid for sinners like you and me, and Jesus paid it all. 1 Peter 2:8 says that we can now live for righteousness, having died to sins… because Jesus bore OUR sins on that tree {cross}.

4. Jesus died to restore the way to God
In the Old Covenant, under Law, the people sacrificed animals, whose blood was shed to cover the sins for just some period of time; because the sacrifice was made by the high priest every year, as a remembrance and as a way to escape God’s wrath, while nearing His Presence. It was an imagery of the perfect Lamb who would come to take away the sins of the whole world-a Lamb so perfect, who died ONCE and for ALL. Jesus’ death has not just done away with animal sacrifices, but also given us now the only way to approach God (1 Pet. 3:18).

5. Jesus died as a ransom for all
Paul uses this expression in 1 Tim. 2:6 “…who gave Himself a ransom for all…” In a sense, we were all kidnapped by the devil and our deliverance was dependent on a ransom. If all the gold and silver in the world could deliver us, God would have done that too! But the ransom price was the death of Jesus… and Jesus willingly died for all! The ransom paid, we are all now delivered from the clutches of the devil… no more under the bondage of sin. The death of Jesus has set us free, indeed given us life, to live for righteousness.

6. Redeemed by the blood of Jesus
In olden times, there used to a market-for slaves. And much like we purchase some fruit or vegetable, people of those times purchased slaves. The slaves are bonded laborers without wages, for their entire life; unless some good master redeems them and sets them free! Imagine now the slavery to sin; and the redeeming price is the blood of Jesus (and not silver and gold). The price is paid to set us fully free! Read 1 Peter 1:18-19. {My Lord, what LOVE is this that pays so dearly; that I the guilty one may go free.}

7. Jesus died-an atonement for our sins
Not only is our past sins forgiven, but an atonement is provided even for the present. Remember the sacrificial goat, and the scapegoat in the Old Covenant? Restoration and reconciliation between God and man needed atonement for sins; where the sacrificial goat is killed and the scapegoat is set free (Lev. 16: 8-10). Jesus made Himself the sacrificial goat, to provide atonement for our sins, that we may escape death.

1 John 4:10 says: In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Now we have access, by the blood of Jesus, to enter into the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) where only the high priest used to enter, once a year (in the Old Covenant). Come boldly to the throne of grace, because of the blood of Jesus.

8. Jesus died-to justify us
Romans 5:9 says: Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

This means so much to us! Not only are we forgiven, but are now DECLARED RIGHTEOUS. If a man spends some time in prison, and even if a jury finds that he is innocent and sets him free, that man may still be labeled an ex-convict and shunned by society. But we have much more here… by the blood of Jesus-the righteousness of Jesus is clothed upon us-imputed to us. What a wonderful privilege for us-sinners to saints is our new song today!
9. Jesus died saying “It is finished”
1 Cor. 6:11 says it all: But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

The complete work of salvation is extended as a gift to us. If you had never known Jesus before, nor the significance of His death, this ‘Good Friday’ is a good day to start knowing Him! Call upon the name of Jesus and you will be saved! Salvation is not earned; it is a free gift of God. Whatever your past, whatever your sins, YOU can be WASHED by the blood of Jesus; YOU will be SANCTIFIED (made holy) in His name; and you will be JUSTIFIED (declared righteous) in His name.

Jesus is our wisdom from God (1 Cor. 1:30, 31). Salvation cannot be understood through intellect…Salvation cannot be ignored due to symbolism. Because for Jews, the cross was a symbol of shame, and hence they found the death of Jesus on the cross abhorrent, rather than knowing its absolving power for them. For some Greek philosophers, the death on the cross looked foolish. But YOU… know Jesus and the simplicity of salvation by the cross of Jesus. Though it is simple, though it is free, you will understand that salvation is priceless… being washed, sanctified, justified and set free to live for righteousness… O what a freedom for those who would only believe!

“He who glories, let Him glory in the LORD.” Amen.