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!

Image Source: DAVID LAZAR 
Image URL: http://davidlazarphoto.com/amp/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/27-David-Lazar-Zebra-Line.jpg 

All rights are reserved with "David Lazar" website. In case of any objections, we will remove the photo art without any questions asked.