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.

Grow in Grace, Gift and Glory



Grow in the grace (2 Peter 3:18)

(Message by Pastor Joseph, Founder NLMI. Happy growing!)
It’s a privilege to be in God’s house to worship Him in the beauty of holiness. Didn’t we sing that song today – “… the Darling of heaven crucified, Worthy is the Lamb!” This is one of the song that touches my heart, when we sing it. Do you want to be one of the ‘darlings’ in heaven? Be ready to be crucified! Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;” [Gal. 2:20].

If the Lord tarries, we have to be with Him. Are you ready? The doors of heaven open to welcome us. We know Jesus as the great Advocate- sitting at the right hand of the Father. But do you know that Jesus stood up to welcome Stephen home? And so the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and Himself for me.

In her biography Daughter of Destiny, Kathryn Kuhlman says “… from the platform to the pulpit, I die a thousand deaths”. This is what we learn- to die daily. I say this also because, from my seat to the pulpit as I come, the matters that I must talk about sometimes changes radically. I say we must prepare and come, but also wait for God to minister through us. It’s 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration. As you are filled inside with God’s word, it bubbles in you so much that the ‘Rhema’ word comes forth from God. That is why I say, you must read God’s word; study God’s word; meditate God’s word; memorize God’s word; and obey God’s word. There are no shortcuts to nearness to God. And if you do these you will be like the tree planted by the rivers of water that will bring forth its fruit in season, whose leaves will not wither and whatever you do shall prosper.

I am here today, because I have been invited to speak. And today our son- Philip, completes 48 years. And especially during this time, my memories go back to the time of his birth. And when I heard the news of his birth there was gladness, as well as sadness; gladness- because a son was born, and sadness- because he was born pre-mature and weighing just 4½ pounds. Of course, there were a lot of people praying for him, and now as we see him here, there is no trace of pre-maturity. And our hearts abound with thanksgiving as we see him in God’s service. And this is what we teach- to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things- these basic necessities of food, clothes and shelter, will be added (and I mean really ADDED) to you. David made this observation when he was ‘old’- I have been young and now am old; but I have never seen the righteous forsaken nor his children begging bread.

Solomon, on completion of the temple glorified God in the words found in 2 Chr. 6:10. And this is the promise I want to give to Philip: “So the LORD has fulfilled His word which He spoke, and I have filled the position of my father David, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised; and I have built the temple for the name of the LORD God of Israel.”

John 1:14 says: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Now glory is ALL that GOD IS and ALL that GOD has REVEALED to us. In John 17, Jesus says “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.” And in the Mount of Transfiguration, there was the glory cloud covering Moses (representing the Law) and Elijah (representing the Prophets) and Jesus (representing the fulfillment of both the Law and the Prophets). Now where is this glory? It is not found in creation; it is not in the created, but it is the redemption glory- the mystery of Christ in you, the hope of glory. How can it be increased or brought out? 2 Cor. 3:18 says: But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

The Tabernacle (from http://www.the-tabernacle-place.com)

Do you realise that there are many today, even among the believers, still having their faces veiled? The veil is taken away only when we turn towards Jesus. This is by choice- to look at Jesus, who is full of grace and truth. And we walk in His light, in the light of His glory, and our veil is taken away! If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land [Isa. 1:19]. Remember, we started with the ‘darlings’ of heaven- then love your enemies. Someone said that we have to bring our friends closer; but our enemies closest! Apart from John, remember who was closest to Jesus? Judas Iscariot- the betrayer. Jesus entrusted him with responsibility (hey, he was the treasurer) knowing fully well, he was going to steal the money and finally betray Him!

Growth in the Christian life is not automatic- it is by choice each day! It is to die to the world and live to the Spirit one day after another. Otherwise, it is possible to see some people remain in the same level even after 20y, 30y or 40 years- or they would have become worse too! We must learn to progress from grace, to gift, to glory (or from consecration, to character, to communion; or from body, to soul to the spirit living); just as the model of the tabernacle, where the progress is from outer courts to the Holy place and then to the Holy of Holies.

In the outer courts, there is a sacrifice to be made- do you imagine that the animal to be sacrificed willing comes to the altar and lays itself down? It is the place of judgment, where, because of the sacrifice we are brought near to God by grace. It is surrender of our body. And in the Holy Place, there is the show bread, the golden altar of incense and the candle-sticks. This place represents our soul part- the bread representing our mind (or intellect), the golden altar of incense- our will, and the candle-sticks- our emotions. We are brought near by the renewing of our mind- the building up of our character. Paul says in Phil. 4 “whatever things are true, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things” (Phil. 4:8).

We progress further into the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies), because the veil is torn in Jesus Christ and we have direct access to the glory of God. This is a place of communion with God. By position, we are already in this place; but practically, we must learn to die daily and go on from outer courts into the Most Holy place. This is a spiritual exercise we must do! Rev. 12:11 says: “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” If you want to be an overcomer, all these three parts are essential- the blood of the Lamb, the word of your testimony, and not loving your lives to the death!

Somebody told me that there are 2 kinds of believers- one, who wants to give, give and forgive; the other who wants to get, get and forget! Where do you find yourself in your relationship with Christ and His church? Do you want to give… or..?

Growth is from grace, to gift and to glory. Romans 12:1-8 gives the details of our spiritual growth-path.

1. Reasonable service is to present your bodies- a living sacrifice
2. Renew your mind and be transformed, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
3. Recognize your gifting and your place in the body of Christ (each one has a measure of faith) and
4. Responsibly use the gifting in the house of God (verses 6, 7 and 8).

Grow In His Grace

(Message by Pastor Joseph, Sr)

New Life Vision

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

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

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

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

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

His Grace, His Gift and His Glory

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

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

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

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

Four Questions To You

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

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

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

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

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

Empowered and Equipped

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

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

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

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

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

Center on God and Enter His Joy

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

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

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

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