September 28, 2014 | Who am I in Christ

Welcome to 'The Nathan Report'. The best way to start today's service has to be with this beautiful verse: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7

We started with 'Praise and Worship'. Below is the playlist:

1) Come let us worship and bow down - Maranatha

2) Trading my sorrows - Darrel Evans

3) Count your blessings - Hymn

4) Lord prepare me - Hosanna music

4) Heart of worship - Matt Redman

A great session ended with prayer by brother Ivor. Following are today's announcements:

- 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.

- As you all know, Pastor Vivek was hospitalized, we praise God that he has recovered fairly well and was present at the Church. Please continually pray for him, he still need to recover.

- Today we will be having a child dedication ceremony at the end of the service.

Pastor Vivek Dindorkar started with the prayer and introduced us to brother Ronnie, one of the Church elders, who will be leading today's Church service. 

This month's theme is "Re-discovering Ourselves". Today's topic is taken from the ongoing theme of the month and we will call it, "Who am I in Christ". 

Nothing happens as an accident, God is in control. Good things happen to people who trust happens in God. At times, there are times when we are helpless and cannot do anything in those situations. During these trials, let us wait unto Lord and say, "Let Thy will be done."

1. I am a new creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17, "Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new."

Romans 6:4, "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

Colossians 3:9, "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices."

Ephesians 4:24, "And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

The renewed man acts upon new principles, by new rules, with new ends, and in new company. The believer is created anew; his heart is not merely set right, but a new heart is given him. He is the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Though the same as a man, he is changed in his character and conduct. These words must and do mean more than an outward reformation. The man who formerly saw no beauty in the Saviour that he should desire him, now loves him above all things. The heart of the unregenerate is filled with enmity against God, and God is justly offended with him. Yet there may be reconciliation. Our offended God has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ. By the inspiration of God, the Scriptures were written, which are the word of reconciliation; showing that peace has been made by the cross, and how we may be interested therein. Though God cannot lose by the quarrel, nor gain by the peace, yet he beseeches sinners to lay aside their enmity, and accept the salvation he offers. Christ knew no sin. He was made Sin; not a sinner, but Sin, a Sin-offering, a Sacrifice for sin. The end and design of all this was, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him, might be justified freely by the grace of God through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. Can any lose, labour, or suffer too much for Him, who gave his beloved Son to be the Sacrifice for their sins, that they might be made the righteousness of God in him?

Baptism teaches the necessity of dying to sin, and being as it were buried from all ungodly and unholy pursuits, and of rising to walk with God in newness of life. Unholy professors may have had the outward sign of a death unto sin, and a new birth unto righteousness, but they never passed from the family of Satan to that of God. The corrupt nature, called the old man, because derived from our first father Adam, is crucified with Christ, in every true believer, by the grace derived from the cross. It is weakened and in a dying state, though it yet struggles for life, and even for victory. But the whole body of sin, whatever is not according to the holy law of God, must be done away, so that the believer may no more be the slave of sin, but live to God, and find happiness in his service.

The gospel changes the higher as well as the lower powers of the soul, and supports the rule of right reason and conscience, over appetite and passion. There is now no difference from country, or conditions and circumstances of life. It is the duty of every one to be holy, because Christ is a Christian's All, his only Lord and Saviour, and all his hope and happiness. By the new man, is meant the new nature, the new creature, directed by a new principle, even regenerating grace, enabling a man to lead a new life of righteousness and holiness. This is created, or brought forth by God's almighty power.

2. I am blessed to be a blessing.

Genesis 12:1-3, Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

2 Peter 1:4, "By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."

Colossians 4:6, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

1 Corinthians 10:31, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Jesus Christ is the great blessing of the world, the greatest that ever the world possessed. All the true blessedness the world is now, or ever shall be possessed of, is owing to Abram and his posterity. Through them we have a Bible, a Saviour, and a gospel. They are the stock on which the Christian church is grafted.

In Christ all fulness dwells, and pardon, peace, grace, and knowledge, and new principles, are thus given through the Holy Spirit. The promises to those who are partakers of a Divine nature, will cause us to inquire whether we are really renewed in the spirit of our minds; let us turn all these promises into prayers for the transforming and purifying grace of the Holy Spirit. The believer must add knowledge to his virtue, increasing acquaintance with the whole truth and will of God. We must add temperance to knowledge; moderation about worldly things; and add to temperance, patience, or cheerful submission to the will of God.

No duties can be done aright, unless we persevere in fervent prayer, and watch therein with thanksgiving. The people are to pray particularly for their ministers. Believers are exhorted to right conduct towards unbelievers. Be careful in all converse with them, to do them good, and recommend religion by all fit means. Diligence in redeeming time, commends religion to the good opinion of others. Even what is only carelessness may cause a lasting prejudice against the truth. Let all discourse be discreet and seasonable, as becomes Christians. Though it be not always of grace, it must always be with grace. Though our discourse be of that which is common, yet it must be in a Christian manner. Grace is the salt which seasons our discourse, and keeps it from corrupting. It is not enough to answer what is asked, unless we answer aright also.

3. I am victorious in Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:57, "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

2 Timothy 1:12, "Which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me."

 The sting of death is sin; but Christ, by dying, has taken out this sting; he has made atonement for sin, he has obtained remission of it. The strength of sin is the law. None can answer its demands, endure its curse, or do away his own transgressions. Hence terror and anguish. And hence death is terrible to the unbelieving and the impenitent. Death may seize a believer, but it cannot hold him in its power. How many springs of joy to the saints, and of thanksgiving to God, are opened by the death and resurrection, the sufferings and conquests of the Redeemer! Believers should be stedfast, firm in the faith of that gospel which the apostle preached, and they received. Also, to be unmovable in their hope and expectation of this great privilege, of being raised incorruptible and immortal. And to abound in the work of the Lord, always doing the Lord's service, and obeying the Lord's commands. May Christ give us faith, and increase our faith, that we may not only be safe, but joyful and triumphant.

God has not given us the spirit of fear, but the spirit of power, of courage and resolution, to meet difficulties and dangers; the spirit of love to him, which will carry us through opposition. And the spirit of a sound mind, quietness of mind. The Holy Spirit is not the author of a timid or cowardly disposition, or of slavish fears. We are likely to bear afflictions well, when we have strength and power from God to enable us to bear them. The call of the gospel is a holy call, making holy. Salvation is of free grace. This is said to be given us before the world began, that is, in the purpose of God from all eternity; in Christ Jesus, for all the gifts that come from God to sinful man, come in and through Christ Jesus alone. And as there is so clear a prospect of eternal happiness by faith in Him, who is the Resurrection and the Life, let us give more diligence in making his salvation sure to our souls. Those who cleave to the gospel, need not be ashamed, the cause will bear them out; but those who oppose it, shall be ashamed. The apostle had trusted his life, his soul, and eternal interests, to the Lord Jesus. No one else could deliver and secure his soul through the trials of life and death. There is a day coming, when our souls will be inquired after. The hope of the lowest real Christian rests on the same foundation as that of the Paul. He also has learned the value and the danger of his soul; he also has believed in Christ; and the change wrought in his soul, convinces the believer that the Lord Jesus will keep him to his heavenly kingdom. Paul exhorts Timothy to hold fast the Holy Scriptures, the substance of solid gospel truth in them. It is not enough to assent to the sound words, but we must love them. The Christian doctrine is a trust committed to us; it is of unspeakable value in itself, and will be of unspeakable advantage to us. It is committed to us, to be preserved pure and entire, yet we must not think to keep it by our own strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us; and it will not be gained by those who trust in their own hearts, and lean to their own understandings.

Let us all read this loudly, "Dear Lord, I have failed again and again and again in life. I take you as my victory. I put my trust in you and be victorious."

4. In Christ, I have authority.

Matthew 10:1, "And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction."

Mark 3:14-15, "14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons."

The word apostle signifies messenger; they were Christ's messengers, sent forth to proclaim his kingdom. Christ gave them power to heal all manner of sickness. In the grace of the gospel there is a slave for every sore, a remedy for every malady. There is no spiritual disease, but there is power in Christ for the cure of it. There names are recorded, and it is their honour; yet they had more reason to rejoice that their names were written in heaven, while the high and mighty names of the great ones of the earth are buried in the dust.

Christ calls whom he will; for his grace is his own. He had called the apostles to separate themselves from the crowd, and they came unto him. He now gave them power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils. May the Lord send forth more and more of those who have been with him, and have learned of him to preach his gospel, to be instruments in his blessed work. Those whose hearts are enlarged in the work of God, can easily bear with what is inconvenient to themselves, and will rather lose a meal than an opportunity of doing good. Those who go on with zeal in the work of God, must expect hinderances, both from the hatred of enemies, and mistaken affections of friends, and need to guard against both.

Post sermon, we have a child dedication ceremony. Brother Benson and sister Cynthia have been blessed by a baby. They have named her "Jessie". Jessie means "Jehovah is Gracious". Below are few of the photographs:

We congratulate bot of them and our prayers for the child, a blessing from God.

We have a beautiful prayer by General Douglas MacArthur towards closing:

Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.

Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be; a son who will know Thee and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge. Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail.

Build me a son whose heart will be clean, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.

And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength.

Then I, his father, will dare to whisper, “I have not lived in vain.” Amen!

We hope you enjoyed today’s service. We look forward seeing you all next week. God Bless!

September 21, 2014 | Abide in God

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 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."

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."

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!

Exclusive Interiew | Greg West, The Poached Egg

As per Ratio Cristi, Greg West runs the fifth most popular Christian apologetics website on the Internet, The Poached Egg. This is quite a feat for a guy who grew up in church, but let his own doubts about his faith become an excuse for going off and doing his own thing. 

"When I left home and joined the Army," West explains, "I met a lot of people with other beliefs who were just as sincere as Christians. So I didn't know what was right. I started studying the reasons behind believing in Christ around 2001, without knowing what the word apologetics meant. Christianity seemed to be the only religion that adequately explained and offered a solution for the human condition and evil in the world.”

West first discovered apologetics through Lee Strobel's book, The Case for Christ. “I asked myself, why haven't I heard of this before? Once I got deep into apologetics, I wanted to share it with people. So I started the website in 2010.”

Please find the entire interview below:

NATHAN: Please tell us something about your family, work, family life and your faith in Christ.

GREG: I have the most wonderful wife in the world who is my full partner in my life and our ministry. We are blessed with a son who just turned nine. I met my wife at the church that we currently attend. She works full time while I work full time on The Poached Egg and double as a stay-at-home-dad. I was raised in the church and in a Christian home but as a young man doubt in Christianity being the ‘one true faith’ led me to becoming an agnostic for many years.

The problem of the human condition—how sinful man was began to make me realize that the things I was taught growing up about Christianity corresponded with what I knew of reality and I became more and more open to Christianity being true, but I resisted—I didn’t want it to be true because that would mean making some major lifestyle changes if I were to become a follower of Christ.

I soon realized that there was either no hope for salvation outside of Christ so I placed my faith in him once and for all. It wasn’t long after this that I began to study apologetics, first to ease my own doubts and then later to see if the truth claims of Christianity could really stand up to scrutiny.

NATHAN: Please tell us something about your ministry "The Poached Egg". Why this name and what is it about?

GREG: That’s a good question and I get it often. It’s a hat tip to one of my favorite quotes fro C.S.Lewis from his book Mere Christianity. Lewis said, “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic -- on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg -- or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse.”

The focus of The Poached Egg is ‘Is Jesus who he really claimed to be; Are the truth claims of Christianity worth believing?” We try to cover those questions from as many different directions as possible—to help believers learn how to defend their faith and to give provide answers for seekers and respond to skepticism.

NATHAN: What difference does it make whether one believes the world was created or evolved?

GREG: What we’re basically talking about is the difference between a naturalistic worldview (the belief that nothing exists outside of nature) and a Christian, or biblical worldview. The former means that we’re ultimately not responsible to anyone but ourselves, and the latter means that we are accountable to someone much greater than ourselves.

NATHAN: The first eleven chapters of Genesis have incurred the most criticism from modern scholars, scientists, and skeptics. How shall we interpret these eleven chapters? There are multiple arguments on the authorship and that is it a poetry, parable, prophecy, or truth?

GREG: I would rather help someone learn how to interpret the Bible than tell them how I think it should be interpreted. We have to realize that although the Bible was written for us, it was not written to us, and that to interpret it correctly we have to look at it through different lenses which is the historical and cultural times it was written. Although the Bible does contain many scientific truths, I think it’s a big mistake to treat it as a science textbook. I believe that when God’s special revelation of the Bible and his general revelation through nature are both interpreted correctly, that they will be in harmony every time. I don’t think that believing one over the other is an option since both are from God.

NATHAN: Progressive creationism is becoming very popular among evangelical Christians now a days. Is it a viable option?

GREG: I think it’s a very viable option and one that I’m a proponent of. I really like what’s going on with organizations such as the Discovery Institute and Hugh Ross and his staff over at Reasons to Believe. I also believe that a good case for it can be made from the scriptures alone. But at the same time, I try to be open to other models, even if I don’t necessarily agree with them. I’m not sure that any of us will have it 100% right this side of eternity. Maybe someday we’ll al have a good laugh up in heaven over how wrong we all were!

NATHAN: Did God really took billions of years for creation, or was God actually referring to a literal 24-hour time-period in reference to each, individual creation day?

GREG: To me, the evidence is so much in favor of the progressive creation model. Although many scientists are Christians or have become Christians because of the evidence for creation, I don’t know of a single scientist who became a believer because he became convinced of a literal six-day creation. Like I said, progressive creation is the model I favor, but it’s not something I hold on to dogmatically.

NATHAN: Is Jesus God? How?

GREG: I believe wholeheartedly that Jesus is God because he is the whole focal point of scripture, which points to his coming in the Old Testament, of which he is the fulfillment of in the New Testament. On top of that, I think that the case for reliability of the Bible and the case for the resurrection are quite solid.

As for the ‘how’, I’ll leave it to more competent theologians than me to be able to explain how the hypostatic union works.

NATHAN: How to witness non-believers?

GREG: First and foremost, I think relationship is the key. A friend who trusts you is going to be more likely to listen to what you have to say than someone you don’t know, although we want to be aware that God can open the door for opportunities to share with strangers as well. Second, I think you have to be prepared to answer some tough questions to help them overcome any emotional or intellectual arguments they may have about Christianity. Of course not many of us can know the answer to every question, but it would help to at least know some of the answers to the most common objections. You also have to remember that you may just be the one planting a seed and that someone else may be the one to cultivate it. Never get discouraged and keep lifting them up in prayer.I’ve seen God change the hardest of hearts—especially mine.

NATHAN: Any tip for new apologists?

GREG: I could almost write a book on this topic, but I’ll try to narrow it down a bit… Keep in mind that apologetics is not about winning arguments. If your goal is just to ‘one up’ someone, you may as well not even bother. Our first goal should always be to share Christ and be Christ-like, and that’s sometimes hard to do when we feel like our intellect is under attack. Also learn some basic philosophy which will help you recognize bad arguments and how to counter them. Never assume, that just because you’ve read a few apologetics books or have listened to a few lectures, that you’re an expert on all things apologetics. I’ve been seriously studying apologetics for nearly ten years now and consider myself a fair to middle apologist.

If you don’t know the answer to something, be genuine and honest. If you try to fake it, it will only damage your credibility. Lastly, never let yourself lose control; always answer with gentleness and respect. When a skeptic or seeker sees consistency from you in this area, you may just find that they will be more open to listening to what you have to say.

Greg Koukl and Greg West

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To read about Greg's journey from being and Agnostic to an apologist, please click here

Checkout more at Greg's website by clicking here

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God Bless!

September 14, 2014 | Rediscover Yourself

Welcome to THE NATHAN REPORT!
Before we go further, I have this beautiful Photo to share, I made:


We started off with Praise and worship, here is the play list:
1) Come, now is the time - Brian Doerksen.

2) Shout your fame - Hillsong United.

3) Everyday - Hillsong United.

4) I'd rather have Jesus - Hymn.

5) Overcome - New Life Church (Colorado).

Here is a clip of our Church Worship Team

It was a wonderful session followed by announcements. Followings are the list of announcements:

- Church has organized a trip to Jaipur, Rajasthan between 15th - 19th September. Please for the safety success in the mission. 

- Men's Fellowship on 18th September, 2014 at 6:30 AM.

- Pray for all people in the world going through persecution.

- Brother Ashish Kumar, member of Church, has been transferred to a different city. Our best wishes and blessings for his new venture. Below is a short testimony of Brother Ashish:

"I came to Mumbai in 2009. Before this I was in Chattisgarh, working for 'World Vision of India' (still employed with them). I was promoted as a Finance Manager when I got transferred to Mumbai. I found "The River of Life Assembly" and met many people and made friends. Our Pastor is a wonderful person and a well read as well as helpful man. Thank you for a wonderful fellowship. Your smiles encouraged us every Sunday, which will be definitely missed."

Below are two of the photographs:

Today topic is "Rediscovering yourself". Sometime we say, "Why God isn't giving me what I am asking for?". "Why there is no peace?", "Why my prayers aren't being answered?"

As simple answer for this is, "Rediscovering ourselves". When we do so, there will be change in our lives.  God will not answer double minded person. Actually our mind is fixed on Silver and Gold. 

Illustration: A master is suppose to take his dog for a walk. If we notice, sometimes masters pull their dog, sometimes dogs pull their masters. Tradition has changed and we care for our pets and feed them with all sorts of pedigree and other diets. They have become strong and now generally they pull their masters. 

We should not be pulled. Master need to pull. We need not focus on silver and gold, but on God. Other things which are required will follow, if they are required. Like today's worship song says, "If I have you, I have everything."

References:

James 1:6-8, "6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."

John 3:36, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."

Roman 5:1, "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Romans 10:1-4, "1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."

The problem is not that "we haven't prayed much" or "we haven't asked in a humble way", the problem is "Faith". When our faith and spirits rise and fall with second causes, there will be unsteadiness in our words and actions. This may not always expose men to contempt in the world, but such ways cannot please God. No condition of life is such as to hinder rejoicing in God. Those of low degree may rejoice, if they are exalted to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom of God; and the rich may rejoice in humbling Providences, that lead to a humble and lowly disposition of mind. Worldly wealth is a withering thing. Then, let him that is rich rejoice in the grace of God, which makes and keeps him humble; and in the trials and exercises which teach him to seek happiness in and from God, not from perishing enjoyments. When in faith, your eyes will be fixed. You will not look for your problem, but you will look for God.

Without faith, there is no peace, no righteousness, no Joy and not even prayerfulness. 

1 Peter 1:8 say, "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory."

God not only gives his people grace, but preserves them unto glory. Every believer has always something wherein he may greatly rejoice; it should show itself in the countenance and conduct. The Lord does not willingly afflict, yet his wise love often appoints sharp trials, to show his people their hearts, and to do them good at the latter end. Silver or gold does not increase by trial in the fire, it becomes less; but faith is made firm, and multiplied, by troubles and afflictions. Gold must perish at last, and can only purchase perishing things, while the trial of faith will be found to praise, and honour, and glory. Let this reconcile us to present afflictions. Seek then to believe Christ's excellence in himself, and his love to us; this will kindle such a fire in the heart as will make it rise up in a sacrifice of love to him. And the glory of God and our own happiness are so united, that if we sincerely seek the one now, we shall attain the other when the soul shall no more be subject to evil. The certainty of this hope is as if believers had already received it.

Illustration: Have you seen God? How does he looks like? Is He standing in the Church or sitting? Is he near the alter or near the podium?

We know Him by faith. He was, He is and He will be with always available. All we need to do is, have faith in Him. 

1 John 5:4, "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith."

In and by faith we cleave to Christ, in contempt of, and in opposition to the world. Faith sanctifies the heart, and purifies it from those sensual lusts by which the world obtains sway and dominion over souls. It has the indwelling Spirit of grace, which is greater than he who dwells in the world. The real Christian overcomes the world by faith; he sees, in and by the life and conduct of the Lord Jesus on earth, that this world is to be renounced and overcome. He cannot be satisfied with this world, but looks beyond it, and is still tending, striving, and pressing toward heaven. We must all, after Christ's example, overcome the world, or it will overcome us to our ruin. You will not lead a victorious life without faith. Only with God, all things are possible.

Bible is filled with examples of people filled with faith.Noah, Abraham, Gideon, Joshua, David, Daniel, Roman centurion, Paul taught and communicated in  faith. Stephen died in faith and became the first martyr. Every time, satan with try to convince us that we are not righteous and there is nothing with being victorious. It is only God who can help us cross the narrow path on overcome. 

Matthew 7:20, "Thus you will recognize them by their fruits."

Nothing so much prevents men from entering the strait gate, and becoming true followers of Christ, as the carnal, soothing, flattering doctrines of those who oppose the truth. They may be known by the drift and effects of their doctrines. Some part of their temper and conduct is contrary to the mind of Christ. Those opinions come not from God that lead to sin.

Illustration: King Herod was supposed to be a ruler. He was indeed supposed to be a policy maker. Yet, instead of leading people, he was led by people. 

We need not to do anything to be popular but we must say, "I need to be a child of God". God has created you to be light, not the darkness. God has called us to lead people, not to be led.  Many people are going to hell. We need to help them, we need not to be conformed with them, we need to rediscover ourselves! "We rather have Jesus".

Romans 12:2, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Illustration: Recently, a popular stand-up comedian and actor, Robbin Williams passed away. The cause of his passing is informed as suicide. Though he made people laugh, buy felt empty from inside.

Conversion and sanctification are the renewing of the mind; a change, not of the substance, but of the qualities of the soul. The progress of sanctification, dying to sin more and more, and living to righteousness more and more, is the carrying on this renewing work, till it is perfected in glory. The great enemy to this renewal is, conformity to this world. Take heed of forming plans for happiness, as though it lay in the things of this world, which soon pass away. Do not fall in with the customs of those who walk in the lusts of the flesh, and mind earthly things. The work of the Holy Ghost first begins in the understanding, and is carried on to the will, affections, and conversation, till there is a change of the whole man into the likeness of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness. Thus, to be godly, is to give up ourselves to God.
Rediscover yourself!

Illustration: When Julius Caesar landed on the shores of Britain with his Roman legions, he took a bold and decisive step to ensure the success of his military venture. Ordering his men to march to the edge of the Cliffs of Dover, he commanded them to look down at the water below. To their amazement, they saw every ship in which they had crossed the channel engulfed in flames. Caesar had deliberately cut off any possibility of retreat. Now that his soldiers were unable to return to the continent, there was nothing left for them to do but to advance and conquer! And that is exactly what they did.

Illustration: Remember Lot’s Wife and why we need to Quit Looking Back? Lot and his family were told to leave and not look back. In Genesis 18: The Lord spoke to Abraham and told him that Sodom, Gomorrah, and the cities of the plains would be destroyed because of their extreme wickedness (iniquity, sin, malice). Sin got to such a stage in Sodom and Gomorrah that God was going to put Lot and his wife in a position where they would have to flee for their lives, or else they would perish. So God told them to flee from the city and, as they were fleeing from Sodom, not to look back - for if they looked back, they would be turned into a pillar of salt in God's judgment. Lot wasn't very strong to run, but he had faith in God and ran. The remarkable thing is that with the flaming sulphur of the wrath of God Almighty falling behind Lot's wife back upon the city that she had lived in, Lot's wife couldn't resist just one more lingering love-glance at her condemned home. Do you know what that proves? It proved that she loved the world more than she loved God, and it proves that the love of the world is death - whoever you are! Whatever your privileges have been, God's word says: 'If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him'. 

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."

Romans 7:14, "For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin."

Our God is a God of hope. Let us all start walking as per his calling.

Psalms 98:1, "A Psalm. Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him." 

Today we are saved by the grave of God through faith in Jesus and we are washed by the blood of Lamb. What is your decision today? Will you look back or Rediscover yourself?

We encourage you to read the lyrics of this beautiful hymn and may you all be blessed and successful in rediscovering yourself with Faith in Christ, our redeemer. 

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;

I’d rather be His than have riches untold;

I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;

I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Than to be the king of a vast domain

Or be held in sin’s dread sway;

I’d rather have Jesus than anything

This world affords today.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;

I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;

I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;

I’d rather be true to His holy name

He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;

He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;

He’s all that my hungering spirit needs;

I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead

We hope you enjoyed today's service. Looking forward to see you all once again next week. God Bless!