Welcome to "The Nathan Report"! A beautiful sunny day that God has made. We started off with daily Praise & Worship. Here is the playlist:
1) I will worship - David Ruis
2) Rock of Ages - Paul Baloche
3) We wanna see Jesus lifted high - Noel Richards
4) Amen - Bob Fitts
5) Here I am to worship - Tim Hughes
Amazing worship. This was followed by the following announcements:
- Pastor Vivek Dindorkar is unwell. We request all the Church members and readers of this blog to continuously hold him in your prayer for quick recovery and healing.
- Women's fellowship will start at 4:30 PM on 27th September, 2014 at Hotel Avion.
- We have care-cell groups, held every Wednesday. Please visit the Church website to find one for you.
- We have three Sunday services at 8:00 AM, 9:45 AM and 5:30 PM. Children Sunday school will be at 9:45 AM.
Since Pastor Vivek is unwell, we have a guest speaker today, Pastor Vijay Malhar (Photo Below).
Today's topic is, "Abide in God!"
If you are living, you have to Grow and be fruitful. If you are not growing it's the problem with the root. Movements in heaven is restricted by movements on earth.
Today we will focus on the Gospel of John. Before we talk about today's reading, let us read quick introduction. The Gospel of John was written approximately between 85-90 A.D. by John, the son of Zebedee. John wrote the Gospel sometime after the destruction of Jerusalem, but prior to his exile on the island of Patmos. It was most likely written from Ephesus. Settings in the book include Bethany, Galilee, Capernaum, Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. The predominant theme in the book of John is the revelation of God to man through his living illustration—Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. The opening verses beautifully describe Jesus as the Word. He is God revealed to man—the expression of God—so that we might see him and believe. Through this Gospel we witness the everlasting power and nature of the Creator God, offering eternal life to us through his Son, Jesus Christ. In every chapter, Christ's deity is unveiled. The eight miracles recorded by John reveal his divine power and love. They are signs that inspire us to trust and believe in him. The Holy Spirit is a theme in John's Gospel as well. We are drawn to faith in Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit; our belief is established through the indwelling, guiding, counseling, comforting presence of the Holy Spirit; and through the power of the Holy Spirit in us, the life of Christ is multiplied to others who believe. If we read other three Gospel books, then the Gospel of John, John starts with "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." For John, it was not about him or Mary (who he took care of, until 69 AD). John talked about the divinity of God.
Today's topic is, "Abide in God!"
If you are living, you have to Grow and be fruitful. If you are not growing it's the problem with the root. Movements in heaven is restricted by movements on earth.
Today we will focus on the Gospel of John. Before we talk about today's reading, let us read quick introduction. The Gospel of John was written approximately between 85-90 A.D. by John, the son of Zebedee. John wrote the Gospel sometime after the destruction of Jerusalem, but prior to his exile on the island of Patmos. It was most likely written from Ephesus. Settings in the book include Bethany, Galilee, Capernaum, Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. The predominant theme in the book of John is the revelation of God to man through his living illustration—Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. The opening verses beautifully describe Jesus as the Word. He is God revealed to man—the expression of God—so that we might see him and believe. Through this Gospel we witness the everlasting power and nature of the Creator God, offering eternal life to us through his Son, Jesus Christ. In every chapter, Christ's deity is unveiled. The eight miracles recorded by John reveal his divine power and love. They are signs that inspire us to trust and believe in him. The Holy Spirit is a theme in John's Gospel as well. We are drawn to faith in Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit; our belief is established through the indwelling, guiding, counseling, comforting presence of the Holy Spirit; and through the power of the Holy Spirit in us, the life of Christ is multiplied to others who believe. If we read other three Gospel books, then the Gospel of John, John starts with "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." For John, it was not about him or Mary (who he took care of, until 69 AD). John talked about the divinity of God.
Today's reading is taken from John 15:1-12
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Jesus Christ is the Vine, the true Vine. The union of the human and Divine natures, and the fullness of the Spirit that is in him, resemble the root of the vine made fruitful by the moisture from a rich soil. Believers are branches of this Vine. The root is unseen, and our life is hid with Christ; the root bears the tree, diffuses sap to it, and in Christ are all supports and supplies. The branches of the vine are many, yet, meeting in the root, are all but one vine; thus all true Christians, though in place and opinion distant from each other, meet in Christ. Believers, like the branches of the vine, are weak, and unable to stand but as they are borne up. The Father is the Husbandman. Never was any husbandman so wise, so watchful, about his vineyard, as God is about his church, which therefore must prosper. We must be fruitful. From a vine we look for grapes, and from a Christian we look for a Christian temper, disposition, and life. We must honour God, and do good; this is bearing fruit. The unfruitful are taken away. And even fruitful branches need pruning; for the best have notions, passions, and humours, that require to be taken away, which Christ has promised to forward the sanctification of believers, they will be thankful, for them. The word of Christ is spoken to all believers; and there is a cleansing virtue in that word, as it works grace, and works out corruption. And the more fruit we bring forth, the more we abound in what is good, the more our Lord is glorified. In order to fruitfulness, we must abide in Christ, must have union with him by faith. It is the great concern of all Christ's disciples, constantly to keep up dependence upon Christ, and communion with him. True Christians find by experience, that any interruption in the exercise of their faith, causes holy affections to decline, their corruptions to revive, and their comforts to droop. Those who abide not in Christ, though they may flourish for awhile in outward profession, yet come to nothing. The fire is the fittest place for withered branches; they are good for nothing else. Let us seek to live more simply on the fulness of Christ, and to grow more fruitful in every good word and work, so may our joy in Him and in his salvation be full.
Those whom God loves as a Father, may despise the hatred of all the world. As the Father loved Christ, who was most worthy, so he loved his disciples, who were unworthy. All that love the Savior should continue in their love to him, and take all occasions to show it. The joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment, but the joy of those who abide in Christ's love is a continual feast. They are to show their love to him by keeping his commandments. If the same power that first shed abroad the love of Christ's in our hearts, did not keep us in that love, we should not long abide in it. Christ's love to us should direct us to love each other. He speaks as about to give many things in charge, yet names this only; it includes many duties.
Every-time Jesus spoke about the church He spoke about binding and losing. The keys are given to the Church. You have been given the authority and the Church need to be on the front-line.
Luke 10:19. "Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you."
Matthew 18:18, "Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
If we abide in Jesus, we will have the following results:
1. You will be fruitful.
We need to abide in Christ and then we can say, "I am Living, I am Growing, I am Fruitful." This is because Christ is the word. In the beginning was not the financial crisis, not the persecution, not personal problems etc. It was the word and Jesus is the word. And if we abide in Him, we will be fruitful.
2. You begin to pray.
Jude 1:20, "But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit."
1 John 2:29, "If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him."
The truth of Christ, abiding in us, is a means to sever from sin, and unites us to the Son of God, John 15:3,4. What value should we put upon gospel truth! Thereby the promise of eternal life is made sure. The promise God makes, is suitable to his own greatness, power, and goodness; it is eternal life. The Spirit of truth will not lie; and he teaches all things in the present dispensation, all things necessary to our knowledge of God in Christ, and their glory in the gospel. The apostle repeats the kind words, little children; which denotes his affection. He would persuade by love. Gospel privileges oblige to gospel duties; and those anointed by the Lord Jesus abide with him. The new spiritual nature is from the Lord Christ. He that is constant to the practice of religion in trying times, shows that he is born from above, from the Lord Christ. Then, let us beware of holding the truth in unrighteousness, remembering that those only are born of God, who bear his holy image, and walk in his most righteous ways. Faith can move a mountain, but prayer can move the hands that moves the mountain. Satan could have done many things to tempt Jesus, but he didn't do as satan knew he is not greater that "The Word". What all satan can do is "Twist the word." We need to abide in the word - Jesus, once we do, Grace is sufficient to keep us from falling. If we abide in Jesus, we will begin to pray.
3. You will remain in the Father and the Son.
When kings gets angry, towers fall. But when God gets angry, kings fall.
1 John 2:24, "Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father."
a) Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you - Adhere steadfastly to it; let the truth obtain a permanent lodgement in the soul. In view of its great importance, and its influence on your happiness here and hereafter, let it never depart from you.
b) If what you heard from the beginning - That is, the same doctrines which you have always been taught respecting the Son of God and the way of salvation.
c) You too will abide in the Son and in the Father - Truly united to the Son and to the Father; or having evidence of the favor and friendship of the Son and the Father.
What is said here is not either the cause or condition of men being in the Father, and in the Son, or of their continuance in them, but is descriptive of the persons that are in them, and is an open and manifest evidence of their being and continuance in them. Such are in union with Christ, and at times enjoy sensible communion with him, and shall never be finally and totally removed from it; they are in the love of Christ, from whence there is no separations, and in the arms and hands of Christ, out of which none can pluck them; and they abide by him in the exercise of faith and love, and cleave unto him with full purpose of heart, and will hold on and out, professing his name to the end: and they are, and abide in the love of God the Father, which is from everlasting to everlasting; and in the covenant of his grace, which is sure and inviolable; and in the participation of all the blessings and promises of it, among which, the following one, eternal life, is a principal one.
4. When Christ returns, you will not be ashamed.
1 John 2:28, "And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming."
If you abide in Jesus, will not be put to shame by Him; nor will you be ashamed of your confidence, faith, hope, and expectation; your hope will not make you ashamed, for you will now enjoy what you hoped for; and, notwithstanding all your sins and infirmities, you will not be ashamed, for you will have on the wedding garment, the righteousness of Christ, and will stand before the throne without fault, spot, or blemish; nor will Christ be ashamed of them who have not been ashamed of Him and His words, but have confessed him, and have been faithful unto death, and have cleaved to him and his cause with full purpose of heart to the end. Some think ministers of the Gospel are here meant, who, when those that are under their care abide faithful, and persevere to the end, will give up their account with joy; and will have what they have expressed confidence in, and will have their expectations answered, and not disappointed, by having such souls as their joy and crown of rejoicing.
We are not fruit givers but just fruit bearers. We are fruits of the season. There is time for everything and everyone. At times we say, "Promotion is not happening", "My life is stuck", "I am unable to outperform as a child in my family", "I am unable to prove my leadership at Church" etc. The truth is, God knows all and He knows you. You will bear fruits if you abide in God. You will be fruitful and you will not be ashamed.
Zechariah 4:7, "Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’"
1 Peter 5:7, "Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
5. You cannot sin.
1 John 3:7-9, "7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God."
Every-time Jesus spoke about the church He spoke about binding and losing. The keys are given to the Church. You have been given the authority and the Church need to be on the front-line.
Luke 10:19. "Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you."
Matthew 18:18, "Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
If we abide in Jesus, we will have the following results:
1. You will be fruitful.
We need to abide in Christ and then we can say, "I am Living, I am Growing, I am Fruitful." This is because Christ is the word. In the beginning was not the financial crisis, not the persecution, not personal problems etc. It was the word and Jesus is the word. And if we abide in Him, we will be fruitful.
2. You begin to pray.
Jude 1:20, "But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit."
1 John 2:29, "If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him."
The truth of Christ, abiding in us, is a means to sever from sin, and unites us to the Son of God, John 15:3,4. What value should we put upon gospel truth! Thereby the promise of eternal life is made sure. The promise God makes, is suitable to his own greatness, power, and goodness; it is eternal life. The Spirit of truth will not lie; and he teaches all things in the present dispensation, all things necessary to our knowledge of God in Christ, and their glory in the gospel. The apostle repeats the kind words, little children; which denotes his affection. He would persuade by love. Gospel privileges oblige to gospel duties; and those anointed by the Lord Jesus abide with him. The new spiritual nature is from the Lord Christ. He that is constant to the practice of religion in trying times, shows that he is born from above, from the Lord Christ. Then, let us beware of holding the truth in unrighteousness, remembering that those only are born of God, who bear his holy image, and walk in his most righteous ways. Faith can move a mountain, but prayer can move the hands that moves the mountain. Satan could have done many things to tempt Jesus, but he didn't do as satan knew he is not greater that "The Word". What all satan can do is "Twist the word." We need to abide in the word - Jesus, once we do, Grace is sufficient to keep us from falling. If we abide in Jesus, we will begin to pray.
3. You will remain in the Father and the Son.
When kings gets angry, towers fall. But when God gets angry, kings fall.
1 John 2:24, "Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father."
a) Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you - Adhere steadfastly to it; let the truth obtain a permanent lodgement in the soul. In view of its great importance, and its influence on your happiness here and hereafter, let it never depart from you.
b) If what you heard from the beginning - That is, the same doctrines which you have always been taught respecting the Son of God and the way of salvation.
c) You too will abide in the Son and in the Father - Truly united to the Son and to the Father; or having evidence of the favor and friendship of the Son and the Father.
What is said here is not either the cause or condition of men being in the Father, and in the Son, or of their continuance in them, but is descriptive of the persons that are in them, and is an open and manifest evidence of their being and continuance in them. Such are in union with Christ, and at times enjoy sensible communion with him, and shall never be finally and totally removed from it; they are in the love of Christ, from whence there is no separations, and in the arms and hands of Christ, out of which none can pluck them; and they abide by him in the exercise of faith and love, and cleave unto him with full purpose of heart, and will hold on and out, professing his name to the end: and they are, and abide in the love of God the Father, which is from everlasting to everlasting; and in the covenant of his grace, which is sure and inviolable; and in the participation of all the blessings and promises of it, among which, the following one, eternal life, is a principal one.
4. When Christ returns, you will not be ashamed.
1 John 2:28, "And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming."
If you abide in Jesus, will not be put to shame by Him; nor will you be ashamed of your confidence, faith, hope, and expectation; your hope will not make you ashamed, for you will now enjoy what you hoped for; and, notwithstanding all your sins and infirmities, you will not be ashamed, for you will have on the wedding garment, the righteousness of Christ, and will stand before the throne without fault, spot, or blemish; nor will Christ be ashamed of them who have not been ashamed of Him and His words, but have confessed him, and have been faithful unto death, and have cleaved to him and his cause with full purpose of heart to the end. Some think ministers of the Gospel are here meant, who, when those that are under their care abide faithful, and persevere to the end, will give up their account with joy; and will have what they have expressed confidence in, and will have their expectations answered, and not disappointed, by having such souls as their joy and crown of rejoicing.
We are not fruit givers but just fruit bearers. We are fruits of the season. There is time for everything and everyone. At times we say, "Promotion is not happening", "My life is stuck", "I am unable to outperform as a child in my family", "I am unable to prove my leadership at Church" etc. The truth is, God knows all and He knows you. You will bear fruits if you abide in God. You will be fruitful and you will not be ashamed.
Zechariah 4:7, "Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’"
1 Peter 5:7, "Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
5. You cannot sin.
1 John 3:7-9, "7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God."
Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Ephesians 6:18, "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."
Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Jude 1:20, "But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit."
Colossians 3:10, "And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
Ephesians 6:18, "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."
Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Jude 1:20, "But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit."
Colossians 3:10, "And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
Believers see themselves living in a state of dependence on Christ. Hence it is, that though he lives in the flesh, yet he does not live after the flesh. Those who have true faith, live by that faith; and faith fastens upon Christ's giving himself for us. He loved me, and gave himself for me. For to believe in Christ crucified, is not only to believe that he was crucified, but also to believe that I am crucified with him. And this is to know Christ crucified. Hence we learn what is the nature of grace. God's grace cannot stand with man's merit. Grace is no grace unless it is freely given every way. The more simply the believer relies on Christ for every thing, the more devotedly does he walk before Him in all his ordinances and commandments. Christ lives and reigns in him, and he lives here on earth by faith in the Son of God, which works by love, causes obedience, and changes into his holy image. And when we pray, we must pray with the spirit and through the spirit.
How many of you want to be faithful? Abide in Christ!
6. You are in love of Christ.
1 Corinthians 13:1, "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal."
When you remain in Christ, the love of Christ stay in you. The excellent way had in view in the close of the former chapter, is not what is meant by charity in our common use of the word, alms-giving, but love in its fullest meaning; true love to God and man. Without this, the most glorious gifts are of no account to us, of no esteem in the sight of God. A clear head and a deep understanding, are of no value without a benevolent and charitable heart. There may be an open and lavish hand, where there is not a liberal and charitable heart. Doing good to others will do none to us, if it be not done from love to God, and good-will to men. If we give away all we have, while we withhold the heart from God, it will not profit. Nor even the most painful sufferings. How are those deluded who look for acceptance and reward for their good works, which are as scanty and defective as they are corrupt and selfish!
Abiding in God is not about the religion, rather, it means having a relationship with God." Jesus was led by the Spirit not pushed or dragged by. If it is dragging, then it is not the anointing, it is annoying. If it's not by the Spirit it will be the latter.
Two very important dates are birthday and the day of death which is not in our hands and we have no control over it. Between these two events is "Your Life". You can get all the pleasures of the world, but if you loose salvation, you loose everything.
Hebrews 9:27, "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment."
Religiousness will not lead to holiness. You can buy a fancy bed but not sleep. You can buy a nice house but not sound mind. Only, and ONLY relationship with God can lead to holiness. Only through Him, you can be victorious. Like John 15:5 says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
As it is written in Matthew 24:35, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."
Come back to Jesus, he still loves you. If you think you are lacking somewhere and failed to abide in the God, we encourage you all to pray with us:
Dear Lord, thank You! Thank you for your love, for your blessings and for your blood! Help us and encourage us to understand the real price for what we have been bought. Heal us and fill in us with your Spirit and that we abide in you. We pray for the mercy of your Grace and we do not want to feel ashamed when you come back again. We want to stand as proud children with smiles on our face. We cancel any evil plan which has been plotted against us in Jesus' name and take covering under your blood. With your most precious and gracious name we ask. Amen!
Indeed, it was a great sermon. We hope you enjoyed today's service. See you all again next week. God Bless!
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