31 May, 2015 | Redeem your time for God (Youth's Sunday Special Service)

Welcome to "THE NATHAN REPORT". I am glad and thankful to God for giving me another opportunity to visit HIS home. A beautiful day with mild clouds. I believe we might get monsoon rains anytime in Mumbai. I hope you all are doing well. 

  

Alright, today is a very special day. We have our Church youth who would be leading the worship, announcements as well as the service. We would like to start with few testimonies...

Testimony 1- There is no better love than Jesus. When I was a little girl, I used to admire the worship team and used to think if I will ever get a chance to sing and lead. Now today I am standing here. There are times when you think no one understands you, not your parents, not your friends, not your dear ones. I used to speak to God and my friends probably think that j am talking to a blank space. But He is who fills your life. I learnt the hard way and encourage you to ask Jesus to come to your life and bless you abundantly. He has blessed me and indeed He will bless all of you as well.

Testimony 2- I always had a question, "What is the purpose of my life?"

Well the answer is given in Isaiah 43:7, “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” I used to think once that Jesus doesn't love me anymore

I lost my wallet which had money for my birthday and important govt. documents two days before my birthday and my phone worth 25,000/- ₹. I was very upset and was crying for a week. There was a short note, "Repentance of sin", in my wallet. The thief might have seen this, and he sent all my documents back to my home. I didn't got my phone and money though, but I praise God that all my important documents were returned.

Testimony 3- I have done MSc in Mathematics but failed in Part two. I was thinking these are the last days to enjoy. These are the last days to wear nice dresses. But along with this I studied also. During exam the question came out of nowhere. I was praying, "Lord give me 10 marks and I will pass". Then there were thoughts where I could have cheated. Once results came I failed. I was finding it tough my family, but I informed that. In the meantime i got a job as a teacher. I praise God for that job. My friends encouraged me to complete my MSc, but I wasn't having money. To my surprise my friends paid all the fees an when the results came, I stood first in the institute. I thank God for my MSc. After this I was jobless for 8 month and was feeling depressed. I stared talking with God. One. One of my close friend invited me to her home. I delayed for months but she kept on inviting me. One fine day she sent her car to pick me up. It was a weekend and she invited me to this church. Since January 2014 till March 2014 she used to witness me every day. In the month of March I got a job. Within five months I got another job as a mathematics teacher with a beautiful salary. I praise God for that. 

God is good all the times!

REDEEM THE TIME

How many of you think that time is important? This morning I want to encourage you to think about the importance of time.

Luke 10:38-42, "Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

A good sermon is not the worse for being preached in a house; and the visits of our friends should be so managed, as to make them turn to the good of their souls. Sitting at Christ's feet, signifies readiness to receive his word, and submission to the guidance of it. Martha was providing for the entertainment of Christ, and those that came with him. Here were respect to our Lord Jesus and right care of her household affairs. But there was something to be blamed. She was for much serving; plenty, variety, and exactness. Worldly business is a snare to us, when it hinders us from serving God, and getting good to our souls. What needless time is wasted, and expense often laid out, even in entertaining professors of the gospel! Though Martha was on this occasion faulty, yet she was a true believer, and in her general conduct did not neglect the one thing needful. The favour of God is needful to our happiness; the salvation of Christ is needful to our safety. Where this is attended to, all other things will be rightly pursued. Christ declared, Mary hath chosen the good part. For one thing is needful, this one thing that she has done, to give up herself to the guidance of Christ. The things of this life will be taken away from us, at the furthest, when we shall be taken away from them; but nothing shall separate from the love of Christ, and a part in that love. Men and devils cannot take it away from us, and God and Christ will not. Let us mind the one thing needful more diligently.

When you love someone truly, you would like to spend time with that person. God loves us so much that He gave his only son for us to be killed on the cross. We need to rise in love for Jesus. The earthly thins will fade away, love of our Heavenly Father will never fade. 

How many of you have chosen a good part like Mary did in the verses above? God's grace is sufficient but we cannot take it for granted. We cannot waste time, it is very important. At times we say, "I am late for office, I am late for meeting etc." What about the time for God? Have you felt you are late for praying? Or for Church?

In the story of prodigal son, the father accepts his prodigal son. If earthly father can do this, how much Heavenly Father can do for us? Let us not waste our time church, let us get back to lord because it is important. 

REARRANGE OUR PRIORITIES

Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Jesus didn't died only for specific few persons. He died for all of us. There are so many boosting things happening in the world, let us boos for Jesus. Why do we need to do this? That's because our saviour deserves our time. Let's rearrange our priorities. 

There are ways to rearrange our priorities:

- Wait for God's time.

We cannot simply ask lord to do favours for us on 11th hour. During exams we pray, "Lord give me good marks" and do similar during similar events. 

- Wait for God's call.

How many times do we simply neglect God's call? In Luke 10:28, it is written, "And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live." God is looking for people who is standing with his/her arms wide open. He loves us and He cares for us. He wouldn't have died if He didn't loved us. People hit Him, manhandled him, nailed Him. Listen to His call, do not delay when God calls. 

- Listen to God's call.

Luke 10:25-29, "And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?"

Mary chose the right path, she listened to the God.

- Don't delay when God calls.

Luke 10:29, "But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?" Do not delay when God calls. Redeem your time for the Lord. 

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

- Do I have my priorities in order?

- Am I worried or anxious about many things, or I am focused in spending quality time for Jesus. 

- Have I put devotion to Christ?

Let us spend some quality time Church. Let us allow God to take control of our lives. 

We hope you enjoy today's service. See you next week. God bless!

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May 24, 2015 | The day of the Pentecost

Dear all, welcome to "THE NATHAN REPORT"

I am extremely sorry for all this delay. Nevertheless, all the posts will be uploaded soon. You can check them later by clicking here or you can browse at the menu on the right named "Pending Posts Are Here". 

Today we will remember Pentecost Sunday when 2000 years ago Holy Spirit came to the disciples. And we pray to be a 1st Century church in 21st century. So let us pray and ask the Lord to fill us with his anointing.

We have few announcements

- Every Sunday morning at 7:30 AM, there is a 30 minute prayer session.

- Men's fellowship at 6:30 AM this Thursday.

- Please pray for newly started church in CBD Belapur.

- Yesterday we hosted a medical camp and we are thankful to God.

- Pray for our church office, we plan to expand it so that we can have more opportunities for the ministry.

Good news! God is alive and he is with us.

Illustration: I noticed a small child in a water park where he was jumping and dancing in a rain dance area. We are glad to see children being so enthusiast. Are you ready for the "Rain Dance"? Are you ready for the pouring of the rain of Holy Spirit?

When you feel everything drying up, suddenly winds starts flowing. God is doing something beautiful.

This who desire for Holy Spirit, needs to come under the discipline of the Holy Spirit. It is not just the refill, in fact a desire for the mankind.

There are few aspects to it:

- Those who desire the Holy Spirit, will come under the discipline of the Holy Spirit.

- The Church that fails to share the burning concern of the Holy Spirit for the Power and Purity of the Church."

- Refusing to maintain a firm stand for the truth (word of God).

- Refraining from disciplining for those who regularly undermine the authority of God's word will all. Cease to exist as a church according to new testament norms.

- The original revelation of Christ and the apostles, we became guilty of violating then we slide further from New Testament purpose, the New Testament power.

- Before Pentecost Peter and after Pentecost Peter.

- It is more blessed to give than you receive.

Acts 1, "The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles."

Acts 20:35, "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Matthew 19:22, "But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions."

Matthew 19:25-26, "When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."

If we walk away from Jesus, we can only be sad and sorrowful. So let us pray and ask Lord to come to our lives and fill us with his Holy Spirit and Blessings. May God Bless us all!

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