April 27, 2014 | Sunday Service Report

Good Afternoon to all!

Welcome to 'The Nathan Report'. We hope you had a blessed week. Before I start, I have this beautiful photograph to share which I posted last year. I think it looks even more beautiful with the verse.

Alright, as usual, we started off with powerful Praise and Worship. Below is today's playlist:

1) Shout to the North and the South - Delirious? 

2) You are holy (Prince of peace) - Michael W. Smith

3) Hallelujah to the Lamb - Don Moen

4) Majesty - Jack W. Hayford

A powerful prayer and worship session ended with a strong prayer.

We have few announcements post offerings, as below:

- Men's fellowship will begin at 6:00 AM at  Hotel Avion on 30th April, 2014.

- We will be having Baptism service on 1st May, 2014 at Free Methodist Church, Andheri. For more information, log in to our Church Website (The River of Life Assembly) by clicking here. 

Post service, we have Child Dedication. Our church member brother Jerry and sister Neenu have been blessed by a baby girl, "Joann Sarah Abraham". Pastor along with entire church prayed for the child and we move on the the main sermon.

As you all know, this month's theme is "Jesus / Cross", so today's reading is taken from the Gospel of Luke 24:13-35. We named today's service "The Resurrection of our Savior".

Before we start post opening prayers, we have some encouraging words and a question, "If Jesus wouldn't have come back to life, then? What about hope? Salvation? 

Well, if Jesus wouldn't have come back, we would not know God's complete faithfulness, we would not know the fullness of God's love, we would not know the depths of God's humility and compassion toward us and if Jesus did not come, we would not know His atoning death and life-giving resurrection, and thus we would not know our own salvation. There would be no salvation for sinners, as Romans 5:10 say, "If while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life." In short, if there is no Resurrection, then there is no point of hope or salvation.

Jesus' death and resurrection is not a story of survival but indeed a demonstration of the power of God. Resurrection is one of the main reason that separates any religion or philosophy from a Christian. 

If we notice, on Easter's day (Resurrection Sunday), most of us are  overjoyed and happy. We are dressed up pretty well, have good meals and enjoy the day to its fullest. 2000 years back, it was not like this way. People were confused. There were various news floating across the city. Few mentioned "The tomb is empty", few told "They Saw Jesus", few mentioned about "Angel Visitations" etc. Later people understood that we will learn more as we move further. The difference between now and then is, we know, Jesus has died for our sins and we will be saved only by His blood. We do not require any other sacrifice for us.

As Hebrew 9:28 says, "so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him."

We move ahead with today's reading...

Luke 24:13-35 | English Standard Version (ESV)

On the Road to Emmaus

13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Footnotes:

Luke 24:13 Greek sixty stadia; a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters

This appearance of Jesus to the two disciples going to Emmaus, happened the same day that he rose from the dead. It well becomes the disciples of Christ to talk together of his death and resurrection; thus they may improve one another's knowledge, refresh one another's memory, and stir up each other's devout affections. And where but two together are well employed in work of that kind, he will come to them, and make a third. Those who seek Christ, shall find him: he will manifest himself to those that inquire after him; and give knowledge to those who use the helps for knowledge which they have. No matter how it was, but so it was, they did not know him; he so ordering it, that they might the more freely discourse with him. Christ's disciples are often sad and sorrowful, even when they have reason to rejoice; but through the weakness of their faith, they cannot take the comfort offered to them. Though Christ is entered into his state of exaltation, yet he notices the sorrows of his disciples, and is afflicted in their afflictions. Those are strangers in Jerusalem, that know not of the death and sufferings of Jesus. Those who have the knowledge of Christ crucified, should seek to spread that knowledge. Our Lord Jesus reproved them for the weakness of their faith in the Scriptures of the Old Testament. Did we know more of the Divine counsels as far as they are made known in the Scriptures, we should not be subject to the perplexities we often entangle ourselves in. He shows them that the sufferings of Christ were really the appointed way to his glory; but the cross of Christ was that to which they could not reconcile themselves. Beginning at Moses, the first inspired writer of the Old Testament, Jesus expounded to them the things concerning himself. There are many passages throughout all the Scriptures concerning Christ, which it is of great advantage to put together. We cannot go far in any part, but we meet with something that has reference to Christ, some prophecy, some promise, some prayer, some type or other. A golden thread of gospel grace runs through the whole web of the Old Testament. Christ is the best expositor of Scripture; and even after his resurrection, he led people to know the mystery concerning himself, not by advancing new notions, but by showing how the Scripture was fulfilled, and turning them to the earnest study of it.

If we would have Christ dwell with us, we must be earnest with him. Those that have experienced the pleasure and profit of communion with him, cannot but desire more of his company. He took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. This he did with his usual authority and affection, with the same manner, perhaps with the same words. He here teaches us to crave a blessing on every meal. See how Christ by his Spirit and grace makes himself known to the souls of his people. He opens the Scriptures to them. He meets them at his table, in the ordinance of the Lord's supper; is known to them in breaking of bread. But the work is completed by the opening of the eyes of their mind; yet it is but short views we have of Christ in this world, but when we enter heaven, we shall see him for ever. They had found the preaching powerful, even when they knew not the preacher. Those Scriptures which speak of Christ, will warm the hearts of his true disciples. That is likely to do most good, which affects us with the love of Jesus in dying for us. It is the duty of those to whom he has shown himself, to let others know what he has done for their souls. It is of great use for the disciples of Christ to compare their experiences, and tell them to each other.

Do you ever get down, depressed or discouraged?

Being depressed or discouraged does not in itself make you a bad or a weak Christian. Pastor gave a reference of one of the great British Baptist preacher Charles H. Spurgeon, who led scores to Christ through his powerful sermons. Yet he suffered numerous severe attacks of depression and discouragement where he would be unable to preach for weeks at a time. He often felt as if he had accomplished nothing in his life. He once lamented, “I have got the blackest heart in Britain.” Frequently he would go into his garden, raise his hands to God and cry, “Lord, I have never desired you more, yet my spirit has never been so low. Why is this happening?” When we do get discouraged we are tempted to quit, to throw in the proverbial towel, to give up. But the reality is that is exactly what the devil would have us do. 

When faced with discouragement or depression there are four steps we need to take when we get discouraged: 

1- Pray.
2- Trust. 

3- Commit. 

4- Work.

All of us gets discouraged at times. This includes us, as a church, the worship team, the pastor et al. We must always pray for each other. When we are discouraged, many times we do not feel like praying. And when we do we pray foolishly charging God with being uncaring, aloof, or indifferent. But we need to still go to the throne of God and pour out our petition before Him. 

Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Dr. A. C. Dixon, a pastor, Bible expositor and evangelist who was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries speaking upon this theme of prayer. Said this: "When we rely upon organization, we get what organization can do, when we rely upon education, we get what education can do; when we reply upon eloquence, we get what eloquence can do; and so on. Nor am I disposed to undervalue any of these things in their proper place. "But," he added impressively, "when we rely upon prayer, we get what God can do."

Psalm 34:15 “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.”

We need to realize that in order for God to hear and answer our prayer we must confess any sin and seek His will and glory first above all else. 

Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

Isaiah 40:31 "but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Waiting on Him is to persistently come before Him and listen for His voice and meditating on His word, hear His commands, and learn His will.

1 John 5:14, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he hears us.”

Why worry? David Jeremiah tells the story of a French soldier in World War I who carried into battle a prescription for worry: "Of two things, one is certain; either you are at the front, or you are behind the lines. If you are at the front, of two things one is certain; either you are exposed to danger, or you are in a safe place. If you are exposed to danger, of two things one is certain; either you are wounded, or you are not wounded. If you are wounded, of two things one is certain; either you recover, or you die. If you recover, there is no need to worry; if you die, you can't worry.

In-spite of several discouragements, we have Jesus. He has risen and with our resurrected savior, we hope victory.

We encourage you all to read and understand these verses, whenever you feel discouraged:

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Romans 15:13 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Isaiah 41:10 

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Joshua 1:9 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Zechariah 9:12 

Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.

2 Timothy 2:4-7 

No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

John 5:30 

“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

We come to the closing with a powerful closing prayer followed by a meet and greet session.

Here is one of my personal favorite songs, that I was using as my cell phone caller song lately. I like it, hope you will enjoy it as well. :)

Dear church, be blessed, happy and encouraged. Christ has risen, He is with us and He is faithful. We hope you all enjoyed today's Sunday's service. How was your's, please comment below. 

God Bless!