Stages of Growth

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph. Happy reading!)

December-It is that month of the year once again, where we can pause and reflect on what God has done for us. Many companies too, do this! They have a year-end appraisal program where each individual’s performance is evaluated. Some other companies have a self-appraisal program where they ask the individuals themselves to evaluate their own performance during the year. As believers in Christ, we too can have a self-appraisal, now, at the end of this year.

As great is the danger of backsliding in a believer’s life, so also is the grave danger of stagnating in one place in our walk with God. As months and years go by, some Christians find themselves in the same place that they started the year with, and may even think that that is where they want to be!

But Peter encourages each believer to grow with respect to their own salvation. 1 Peter 2:2 says, as new born babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby. From the Parable-of-the-Sower, Jesus has taught us that the seed of the word of God, in good soil, produces fruit-some thirty-fold, some sixty-fold and some hundred-fold. Isn’t it humbling for us believers, to know that the same seed (word of God) can yield different results! And we must be people who bring in the sheaves-hundred-fold. And a person like Apostle Paul-so close to God, confesses in Phil. 3:12, that he has not perfected yet, but presses on towards that goal. And I believe, today, as believers, we ought to be completely dissatisfied with our own spiritual condition; there must come within us a sense of urgency towards attaining that goal-yes, press on! There is no room for complacency in our Christian life. And join with Paul and say… forgetting the things that are behind (and not just the failures, even the successes of our Christian walk-too many Christians live in their past successes, sadly). Live in the present (faith) and keep an eye on the future.

And today, I share the verses in 1 John 2:12-14 with you.

I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.

I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father.

I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.

Didn’t we talk about self-appraisal? I want you to honestly appraise yourself as to what category of believers you fall in-whether of children, young men or fathers. Apostle John speaks categorically to three types of believers, and you and I must fall in one of these. And there are levels associated with these categories and when we have a self-appraisal and find that we are at one level, we can start now to work towards, and press on to go to, the next level. A person, who fails to plan, plans to fail. And when we are finished with our self-appraisal, we can plan to grow from children to young men and then to fathers.

(i)                  Children

I write to you children, because your sins are forgiven you. What a wonderful experience is the salvation experience! I write to you children, because you have known the Father. That is the child-like faith by which you have trusted and come to Lord Jesus Christ. And your sins have been washed away by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. 

We were born-again; born into the family of God. And we had entered into a new relationship with God the Father, by which we cried out “Abba, Father!” Yes, it is a wonderful experience-but, it is just the beginning of the Christian walk. The starting phase as children! Some Christians want to go to their grave with just this experience: God is my Father, and my sins have been forgiven in Lord Jesus Christ. But there is a next level of maturity Apostle John is calling these to-the walk of the young men.

(ii)                Young men

I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one. Young men in Christ are strong in His grace. This is indeed the walk in strength of the Christians-knowing His grace. 

If you see the illustration in the Old Testament, the children of Israel came of Egypt-delivered with a great deliverance out of the hands of Pharaoh and into a walk with God. And they all passed through the Red Sea-the type of baptism of every believer in Jesus Christ. But you know what-most of these Israelites perished in the wilderness and never experienced the Promised Land. If that is the case of believers today, it is indeed a pitiful state-not experiencing the Promised Land, right here on earth! (Why do many wait for only the land that is far away… in the life that is to come?). 

But then, there was Joshua in those days. God says to Joshua, “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise… Be strong and of good courage…” (Joshua 1:1-6). That is the young man Apostle John is talking about-who arise and being strong take possession of the Promised Land. Overcoming all obstacles, (as there were obstacles, for Joshua-who fought many battles) and overcoming the wicked one.

It is for all Christian ‘young men’ to arise and overcome the wicked one. Jesus taught us how. Satan came to sow the seed of doubt in Jesus mind: “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” (Matt. 4:3). That is the doubt the tempter will sow in a Christian who is growing: ‘Are you really God’s child? Then why is this happening to you? Why are you always in lack?’ We must be ready with the answer of Jesus: (I am not going to make that stone bread, because I haven’t heard a word from My Father regarding that!) “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” [Know what is written in the word of God-Read it!]

Secondly, Satan came to tempt Jesus with the word of God saying, It is written. (Matt. 3:6). Jesus said to him, “It is written again, You shall not tempt the LORD your God.” [Know what is also written in the word of God-Study it!] Therefore have a balanced view of everything that is written for you. It is sad to see many ministries today, concentrating on just one aspect of God’s written word, and not having a balanced view even to the extent of intolerance towards other believers!

Thirdly, Satan offered Jesus the world, for worship of the devil. Jesus stood up ready with a defense: Away with you Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.” [Know what is written in the word of God-Obey it!]

Let it be said of us, as young men and women- that the word of God abides in him / her. But also set your sights higher as you finish with your self-appraisal and find you are a young man, full of courage and have overcome the wicked one. For there is yet one more level- that of the father.

(iii)               Father

I write to you fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. Have you questioned yourself of how much you know of Him who is from the beginning? There are various aspects of His blessed being from the God-the Creator, to God-our Helper, our Provider, our Strength, our Shepherd, our Sanctification… our Father. We MUST know Him. Paul writes in Phil 3:10 “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection…” That is why I said we must be constantly dissatisfied with the state of our spiritual being. There must always be a longing to know Him more and more… more and more.

Peter, knowing that his time on earth was over, writes to fellow believers, you 'grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’ (2 Pet. 3:18). It is this way that we become Christ-like, into the mould of Jesus; submitting ourselves into the master-plan of God. How can you become Christ-like, if you do not know Him who is from the beginning? James compares the word of God to a mirror-that shows us who we are. Human tendency is to compare with other believers and feel complacent knowing that we may be better-off than most of them. But the word of God reveals the character of Jesus- and He is our standard.

A father also has children. And we must have a heart for children of God-to bring the name of Jesus into the hearts of children who would believe. Raise up many spiritual children, and know what God can do through you to bless others. Yes, the heart of the father, is not ‘just God and me’; but also a longing for the lost children of this world to know the true light.

Have an honest self-appraisal this time of year. Let us not stagnate in the same place month after month and year after year. May God help us, and lead us from one level of knowing Him to the next level. Amen.

Bringing Up Children

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph. Children- bring them; become them; bring them up!)

Our Lord Jesus was concerned for each one of the little children (infants) brought to Him. (Luke 18:15-17). We too must be concerned for our own children- it is our responsibility. Our parents may leave us wealth and houses, but it is written “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD; the fruit of the womb is a reward.” (Psalm 127:3). They are like arrows that go before us, and this is what I tell my son, too- that he has to go farther than me; that he has to go higher… As parents, I know we all wish well for our children. But, let me share with you 7 principles from the Bible in which we must show responsibility towards our children.

If you are a parent, then these words should encourage you to know of God’s plan for your children. If you are an young adult waiting to get married, you too can read and prepare yourself for the forthcoming responsibility.

I do not speak these 7 principles of bringing up children, as someone who has already accomplished it, but rather from a heart-felt burden that we may all become and be parents according to God’s word and ways. God’s word is not just theory that we read and seek an explanation; but is also practical, that we can surely DO and follow. And in today’s world (of worldwide web, active information-dissemination and hugely popular social networks), it is really a challenge for parents to guide their own children in godly ways. We can take up this challenge by following these 7 principles.

1. Faith Hebrews 11:23 “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.”
This entire chapter of Hebrews 11 is about champions of faith- people who had accomplished mighty things in the Lord by faith and appropriated God’s blessings. By faith, Sarah, a woman barren for long, received strength to conceive and she bore a child although she was past the ‘child-bearing’ age (Heb. 11:11). And by faith, Moses’ parents, knowing the king’s harsh command to slay every male child, did not do so… but hid him for 3 months. And we know how Moses, was adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter, was nursed by his own mother, and grew up and chose to be different from the Egyptian princes. I believe that his parents played a part in imbibing and transmitting something spiritual into Moses’ life- that he should choose to suffer affliction with the people of God (Heb. 11:25) many years later.

Moses’ life is a wonderful example of how our Sovereign God can ordain circumstances in the life of a person, to answer the faith of his parents. In case of Moses, it would be many years later that he would ‘turn’ in of obedience to God’s call. He took a stand for the Jewish people- his own people, and turned history on its head.
Today, God is waiting to answer your faith – towards your own children. Have you imparted something spiritual- a spiritual seed, in them that can grow? “That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as pillars, sculptured in palace style…” [Psalm 144:12].

2. Intercession

Job 1:5 says: So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did regularly.

Give yourself to intercessory prayer for your children. Job was a man who was not satisfied with his own wonderful relationship with God. He wanted the relationship to extend even towards his own children. So he regularly interceded for them, offering sacrifices. We can be like Job, and intercede for our children, pray on their behalf, before our One Mediator. We will certainly receive mercy. For, love covers a multitude of sins, and we will have joy as we receive our children, even if they have gone astray for now. Continue steadfastly in interceding for your children.

In Col. 4:2, Paul encourages the believers to continue earnestly in prayer, in the context of family relationships. If you love your children, pray for them.

3. Love

Titus 2:4 “…that they may admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children…”
Love is the greatest thing… and loving our children must be one of our priorities. It seems strange that the author should even write to parents reminding them to love their children, but there it is- it is the parent’s responsibility to love.

As children, they may be prone to life’s errors while learning their life-lessons. And our children may misunderstand us sometimes; and we may misunderstand them too, sometimes. But in all, the children must always have the assurance of our love; and they must be secure in our love. Even as I say this, I know that this is one aspect that I was blessed with in my own life- that I have always felt that I am greatly loved by my parents. Our children must have free access to us anytime they require us, and feel confident and secure in the love we give them.

4. Discipline

Eph. 6:4 “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”
It is the parents’ responsibility to discipline their own children- promptly and to their own good, in the things of the Lord. Do not nag them, or provoke them to anger… but train and discipline them.

Eli was a priest before God. But he let his sons go astray in the service to the Lord. His sons grew wicked in their ways and Eli failed to discipline them. This was so displeasing in the sight of the Lord (1 Sam. 2:29). We know of the tragic end of Eli as well as his sons.

5. Instruction

We need to instruct our children in the ways of the Lord. Look at Timothy in the Bible. Paul says : “…and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” [2 Tim. 3:15].

Timothy’s mother was Jewish; but his father was Greek. Now see the role of Timothy’s mother (and grand-mother) shaping the destiny of the young child, Timothy. He was, from the childhood, taught by his mother about the Holy Scriptures.

We thank God for Sunday School teachers who take part in the responsibility of sharing God’s word to our children. It is indeed a great sacrifice. But the primary responsibility of sharing instructions from God’s word still rests with the parents. Eli displeased God; but in contrast, Abraham pleased God. The Bible says about Abraham: “For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.” [Gen. 18:19]. And we know of Isaac, how he too followed his father Abraham, in the ways of the LORD; obedient even to the sacrificial offering on the altar.

6. Provision
1 Tim. 5:8 “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

In those days, there were believers who gathered together and were busy in one thing or other, even to the extent of neglecting their own family; and Paul cautions them that they first care and provide for their own lest they become worse than an unbeliever!

If you are a young adult waiting to get married, God’s word for you is this: Prepare your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field and afterward build your house. [Prov. 24:27] Don’t rush into marriage before being able to provide for your family.

7. Be an example

In 1 Cor. 11:1 Paul says: Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

I know this is a challenge for any parent to say these very words to their own children. You see, we may speak of so many good things from God’s word to our children, but if our lifestyle does not match what we speak, our children will get some mixed signals. Instead, we must prove to our children that what we speak is also what we do! Even without words, if our children see what we are upto in God’s ways, it is certain that the right seed is going into their hearts. It will produce a fruit-filled life in them.

Indeed, we wish our children well; but we must have faith, lift them in prayer, love them deeply, and discipline them out of love; instruct them in the right way and provide for their needs.

We ought to follow the example of Abraham (and not Eli) in disciplining and in instructing our children. We can be examples of Godly character, just as Paul saying with confidence “Imitate me”. And our children will be like well-nourished plants and like pillars in the house of God. Let this be our heritage as parents. Amen.

Bringing up children

(Message by Philip Joseph on 27th September 2009)

My message today is on bringing up children. There are many good books on this subject in the secular world & in Christian bookstores, for which I thank God, but my message is from God’s word. Children are a gift from God (Psalms 127:3) & God has given us very clear instructions in His Word as to how to bring them up. As parents, we are not to provoke our children to anger (Ephesians 6:4) nor exasperate (continually nag) them. (Colossians 3: 21).

Neither are we to be indifferent, since a child “left to himself will bring shame” (Proverbs 29:15). I would like to share with you all five principles of raising up children.

1. Pray
Job was a God-fearing man & got His attention. The Bible says in Job 1:5, that Job would “consecrate his children & offered burnt offerings for each of them”. Job prayed for each of his children & interceded on their behalf. The Bible says that we are to pray for “all people” (1 Timothy 2:1) and this includes our very own children!
We are to pray for our children right from conception, that they would have a normal growth all the way through from being an infant,toddler,child,teen,youth etc. We are to pray fervently at each stage of their lives.

2. TLC (Tender loving care)
The Bible encourages us to “love our children” (Titus 2:4). It may seem strange to some to receive such an advise! But it is so necessary! The devil tries to bring about a rift between parents & children and hence the Lord says that He will “turn the hearts of the parents to their children & vice-versa. (Malachi 4:6). We are to tenderly care for our children (I Thessalonians 2:7). We are to have a close bonding with our children & there should be warmth & emotional attachment in our relationship with them.

3. Provide
As we all know, it is our duty to provide for our family. The Bible says that he who does not provide for his family has denied the faith & is worse than an unbeliever. (I Timothy 5:8). We are responsible to save up for our children (2 Corinthians 12:14).
When they grow up, we can’t send them away empty-handed! In the book of wisdom it says that a good man will leave an inheritance even for his grandchildren! (Proverbs 13:22)

4. Discipline
The Bible exhorts us to bring up our children in the “discipline of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). We are to discipline, correct & train our children in the ways of the Lord. Paul says that we are to keep our children “under control” (I Timothy 3:4) & argues that if we can’t manage our own family well, how can we take care of His church? The Bible has examples of people who didn’t discipline their children & hence they went wayward. Eli the priest honoured his sons above God & didn’t rebuke them. (1 Samuel 2:23,29) He merely questioned them for their wrongdoings & gently spoke to them about it, instead of being forceful in disciplining them in the ways of the Lord. Thank God that here in India, we have full freedom to discipline our children, unlike some of our western counterparts!

5. Instruction
We are to bring up our children in the “instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). We are to “exhort, encourage & implore” (I Thessalonians 2: 11) our children. Thank God for Sunday school teachers & others who help our children in the teachings of the Lord, but as parents it is primarily our responsibility to teach them His ways. Along with having a formal prayer time with our children, we are to informally teach them of His ways even while we are talking with them while sitting or going out for walk. (Deuteronomy 6: 6,7). Moses’ mother did this diligently & hence even though Moses grew up in the palace, he knew that he was a Hebrew & not an Egyptian & he was concerned for God’s people. God chose Abraham so that he may command his children to keep the way of the Lord (Genesis 18: 19). We have to be assertive in order to be a successful father as Abraham.

We can be successful in other areas of our life such as work or business, but if we fail in our responsibility as parents, we have really failed. Let us be diligent to take up our God given responsibility & raise up our children according to His will.