Watch Out! | April 22, 2018

Good morning Church! A Good news for you all – ‘Our God is a prayer answering God and a healer!’

Today's topic is "Watch Out!" Bible talks about the importance of ‘watching out’.

"But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.  For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth.  But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." - Luke 21:34-36

And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place." "And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."  I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God." And he said to me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy." "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."- Revelation 22:6-13

Bible explicitly provides us with the evidences and examples of the present age and state of people. Below you will find the different ‘characteristics of people.’

"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people." - 2 Timothy 3:1-5

In the news channels nowadays, we see only horrible things happening. In these set of verses, it is clearly instructed for us to watch out. The word of God says that this will continue until we meet Jesus face to face.

Even during gospel times there would be perilous times; on account of persecution from without, still more on account of corruptions within. Men love to gratify their own lusts, more than to please God and do their duty. When every man is eager for what he can get, and anxious to keep what he has, this makes men dangerous to one another. When men do not fear God, they will not regard man. When children are disobedient to their parents that makes the times perilous. Men are unholy and without the fear of God, because unthankful for the mercies of God. We abuse God's gifts, if we make them the food and fuel of our lusts. Times are perilous also, when parents are without natural affection to children. And when men have no rule over their own spirits, but despise that which is good and to be honored.

"And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way." - Matthew 8:28

Followings are the different ‘Characteristics of People’.

1: People will be lovers of themselves.

We are living in this consumer age where it is all about 'me, me and me!' you will find advertisements advising you to enhance yourself.

We are living in this world where we are never satisfied. But then we have many people who are Christ centered and put their interest away.

The word of God says in order to follow me, deny yourself.

2: People will be covetous.

There is so much greed in the world.

Illustration: A famous builder of Mumbai gave up his citizenship for Cyprus. People have begun questioning whether he has ran to evade taxes.

Watch out people, stop seeking material worldly blessings. Your basis of coming to house of the Lord should be to praise and worship Him with all your heart and mind. If you do not stop following the world, it will take you to where enemy wants to take you.

As your soul prospers, you will also prosper. If it is just a material prosperity, it definitely is not from God. Many people only to the church for things, healing, prosperity. Dear Church, you must not come to Church for these things, as this is greed which is another form of idolatry.

3: People will be boasters.

Pride was the reason of satan's fall. Today the world is a place of proud people. But Church, when was the last time you boasted about Christ? I am sure you remember when you boasted about yourself the last time.

You do not have to be the center of attraction. You can have all the skills but it is not worth unless the Spirit of God doesn't moves.

"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." - Matthew 23:12

4: People have become disobedient.

Now a days you will notice that many children are being disrespectful to their elders. That is because now a days we listen to the doctors more instead of what the word of God says. "Spare the rod, spoil the child!"

5: People have become very unthankful.

Five important words: Sorry, Thank you, Please, Welcome and Excuse me. Are you applying these things in your basic life?

The important question is, have yoy thanked God for the blessings, wonderful creation, finances, beautiful birds and animals, most importantly, have you thanked God for sacrificing His only son?

6: People have become unholy.

Now a days, you hear from so many places or sources that a rape happened, murder happened, burglary and robbery happened etc. People have stopped thinking that Jesus died for us. 

For parents if you stop being strict with your children, your children may follow the unholy path and join the people who fall under this unholy category.

A church needs to be a sanctified place of worship.

7: These people will be without natural affection.

These are the last days! In 2010, a Christian nation's president said, "Soon, there will be the days where same sex marriage will be acceptable." This is what is happening now. Men have started finding affection in men and women in women and there is no regards to the marriage which is acceptable in the eyes of God.

8: People will be despisers.

You will often hear from people, "Please, stop judging me!"

Illustration: A couple once went to a marriage counselor due to failing marriage. He told the councelor, this is my mistake. The woman said, no it is hers. This kept on happening and the argument got over only because they admitted to their mistakes.

When you stop admitting your mistakes, it will never help you and you will become a despiser.

"Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent." - Revelation 3:19

"There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die." - Proverbs 15:10

"And you shall say to them, 'This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the Lord their God, and did not accept discipline; truth has perished; it is cut off from their lips." - Jeremiah 7:28

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." - 2 Timothy 3:16

9: There will be lovers of pleasure that being lovers of God.

We have more time to meet out lover and a person we love or maybe we have affection towards us.

People are willing to sit in the hot sun to watch a live cricket or football match. People are willing to travel in inconvenient conditions to go for a movie or a rock show, but these very same people find it inconvenient to sit on a simple chair in the Church or a church without AC or a fan.

10: People will have only form and no substance.

In the villages, farmers use scarecrows to scare birds who can take the seed or the fruit away. It had a form but no substance to it. We have become like same without any substance.

Many times people consider attending Church every week makes then Christians. Watch out, these are the signs of the last days. You have to grow in Christ every day, not once in a week.

There is a desperate need that people of God need to get right woth God. Nothing can be hidden from God!

“Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him.” - 2 Timothy 2:10-11

“For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” - 1 Peter 4:17

Watch out… Watch out for these signs!

Submit yourself to the Lord and He will guide. Let His Spirit work in your lives and allow yourself to come before God. Love God more than your selves and you shall remain a child of God. Dear Church, we hope this encourages you moreover warns you. Commit your lives to God today and tell Him that you want to surrender.

Thank you for gathering to hear from the word of God. We look forwards seeing you next Sunday. God bless!

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If God can watch over a sparrow, you are more valuable! | July 2, 2017

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies." Romans 8:31-33

There are times when things don’t go well in our life, we often seek God. However God has given us a choice, a free will, to accept Him or not to. We can make noise it is but it could be possible that we have no experience. Jesus says, "I can understand you because I know what I have gone through."

The more we know of other things, the less we wonder; but the further we are led into gospel mysteries, the more we are affected by them. While God is for us, and we keep in his love, we may with holy boldness defy all the powers of darkness.

All things whatever, in heaven and earth, are not so great a display of God's free love, as the gift of his coequal Son to be the atonement on the cross for the sin of man; and all the rest follows upon union with him, and interest in him. All things, all which can be the causes or means of any real good to the faithful Christian. He that has prepared a crown and a kingdom for us, will give us what we need in the way to it. Men may justify themselves, though the accusations are in full force against them; but if God justifies, that answers all. By Christ we are thus secured. By the merit of his death he paid our debt. Yea, rather that is risen again. This is convincing evidence that Divine justice was satisfied. We have such a Friend at the right hand of God; all power is given to him. He is there, making intercession. Believer! Does your soul say within you, oh that he were mine! And oh that I were his; that I could please him and live to him! Then do not toss your spirit and perplex your thoughts in fruitless, endless doubting, but as you are convinced of ungodliness, believe on Him who justifies the ungodly. You are condemned, yet Christ is dead and risen. Flee to Him as such. God having manifested his love in giving his own Son for us, can we think that anything should turn aside or do away that love? Troubles neither cause nor show any abatement of his love. Whatever believers may be separated from, enough remains. None can take Christ from the believer: none can take the believer from Him; and that is enough. All other hazards signify nothing. Alas, poor sinners! Though you abound with the possessions of this world, what vain things are they! Can you say of any of them, who shall separate us? You may be removed from pleasant dwellings, and friends, and estates. You may even live to see and seek your parting. At last you must part, for you must die. Then farewell, all this world accounts most valuable. But the soul that is in Christ, when other things are pulled away, cleaves to Christ, and these separations pain him not. Yea, when death comes, that breaks all other unions, even that of the soul and body, it carries the believer's soul into the nearest union with its beloved Lord Jesus, and the full enjoyment of him forever.

"When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. O Lord , our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" - Psalms 8:3-9

We are to consider the heavens, that man thus may be directed to set his affections on things above. What is man, so mean a creature, that he should be thus honored! so sinful a creature, that he should be thus favored! Man has sovereign dominion over the inferior creatures, under God, and is appointed their lord. This refers to Christ. The greatest favor ever showed to the human race, and the greatest honor ever put upon human nature, were exemplified in the Lord Jesus. With good reason does the psalmist conclude as he began, Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth, which has been honored with the presence of the Redeemer, and is still enlightened by his gospel, and governed by his wisdom and power! What words can reach his praises, who has a right to our obedience as our Redeemer?

Illustration: Now a days GST is in news and all businesses were offering discounts and encouraging all of us to go for shopping and avail biggest discounts or else we will be required to pay the goods and service tax in days to come. God has freely blessed us and there is no GST coming for us, in fact GST for us is 'God sitting on Throne'. He has paid for us and once for all and there are going to no taxes in blessings in days to come. 

"What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.  And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.  Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.  But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." - Matthew 10:27-31

Have you ever heard of someone talking about one of the most common bird, sparrow? Who talks about sparrows? Maybe if there is a specific scientist research, else we don’t even hear about sparrows even in idioms. Even most of the pet/bird stores do not sell sparrows and if they do, sparrows are sold fairly cheap, or unless these vendors have coloured their sparrows and sell it in the name of love birds. Jesus spoke! Otherwise who has time to speak about sparrows?

See how the care of Providence extends to all creatures, even to the sparrows. This should silence all the fears of God's people; you are of more value than many sparrows. And the very hairs of your head are all numbered. This denotes the account God takes and keeps of his people. It is our duty, not only to believe in Christ, but to profess that faith, in suffering for him, when we are called to it, as well as in serving him. That denial of Christ only is here meant which is persisted in, and that confession only can have the blessed recompense here promised, which is the real and constant language of faith and love. Religion is worth every thing; all who believe the truth of it, will come up to the price, and make everything else yield to it. Christ will lead us through sufferings, to glory with him. Those are best prepared for the life to come, that sit most loose to this present life. Though the kindness done to Christ's disciples be ever so small, yet if there be occasion for it, and ability to do no more, it shall be accepted. Christ does not say that they deserve a reward; for we cannot merit anything from the hand of God; but they shall receive a reward from the free gift of God. Let us boldly confess Christ, and show love to him in all things.

God is the only one who cares for sparrows also. Few people even make faces to hear about sparrows but God spoke about sparrows, likewise many people may also make face when your name pops up, there is also an insult known as ‘Sparrow Face’, still God bothers about His creation. Be it sparrows or be it anything he has made with His own hands, He cares for all. You must trust that God cares for you and in God's eye, no one is insignificant.  

There are two things that I want to take out of this passage: 

1: You are insignificant. 

2: Not anyone of us will fall down, not even a sparrow, God watches for us.

Even though God's eyes are upon you, you may fall but then you need to have trust in God, He will lead you to the path of victory. 

There are chances that a hunter may find a sparrow and kill it or maybe a bigger bird attacks it and kill it. Our life is similar, we can easily get under attack. Even though God had His eyes on sparrow, yet the hunter knocked it down. We are living in the terrible times and we can fall in temptation which can lead us down towards darkness. When attack comes on you and trouble comes on you, don't think God is not watching you, you are still under God's plan. Whatever happens, have faith in God and put your trust in Him. 

"Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face." - Job 13:15

Job depended upon God for justification and salvation, the two great things we hope for through Christ. Temporal salvation he little expected, but of his eternal salvation he was very confident; that God would not only be his Saviour to make him happy, but his salvation, in the sight and enjoyment of whom he should be happy. He knew himself not to be a hypocrite, and concluded that he should not be rejected. We should be well pleased with God as a Friend, even when he seems against us as an enemy. We must believe that all shall work for good to us, even when all seems to make against us.

"The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "This shall be the law of the leprous person for the day of his cleansing. He shall be brought to the priest, and the priest shall go out of the camp, and the priest shall look. Then, if the case of leprous disease is healed in the leprous person, the priest shall command them to take for him who is to be cleansed two live clean birds and cedarwood and scarlet yarn and hyssop. And the priest shall command them to kill one of the birds in an earthenware vessel over fresh water. He shall take the live bird with the cedarwood and the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, and dip them and the live bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water. And he shall sprinkle it seven times on him who is to be cleansed of the leprous disease. Then he shall pronounce him clean and shall let the living bird go into the open field." - Leviticus 14:1-7

"I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.  But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!  Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God.  Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows." Luke 12:4-7

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" - Matthew 6:25-26

The bible says that even Solomon could not get his throne by himself, God helped him.  If God can take care of the lilies in the valley, how much can He provide for us? Faith is the key! Allow the word of God to work in you. 

Illustration: Jim Elliot was an American. He became a Christian at a young age and after university he became a missionary in Ecuador, South America. He, with a few other young missionaries wanted to reach a tribe of Indians who lived in a remote region beyond civilization. The tribe was known for its violence so no-one ventured in their territory but they were people for whom Jesus had died to bring them towards forgiveness and salvation. Jim Elliot and his four friends thought the best way was to try to make friends with them. They made contact by flying a small aircraft down their river bank. They made contact from their airplane with the tribe by using a loudspeaker and a basket to pass down gifts. After several months, the men decided to build a base a short distance from the Indian tribe. There they were approached several times by small groups of Indians, and even gave an airplane ride to one curious man. Encouraged by these friendly encounters, they began plans to visit the tribe, but then a larger group of Indians arrived who were vicious and they killed Elliot and his four companions on January 8, 1956. After his death, an entry was found in his diary: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." A cross can be a Stumbling Block and foolishness.... Nevertheless, people thought that this missionary was a fool, yet they became fools themselves.

"The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure." - Ecclesiastes 7:4

God will provide! If His eyes can be on sparrows, His eyes are upon you. 

"Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means "the LORD will provide"). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided." - Genesis 22:14.

In this verse of Genesis, for the first time, ‘Giver’ for God is mentioned. ‘Jehovah-Jireh’, the Lord will provide; probably alluding to what Abraham had said, God will provide himself a lamb. The Lord will always have his eye upon his people, in their straits and distresses, that He may give them seasonable help. 

Illustration: I live in the city of Mumbai and as you all know, Mumbai is a city of towers and sky scrapers. My home happens to be in one of the towers on third floor. One fine day, I returned home after my routine visits. I found a goat in my home and to my surprise my children were playing with it and getting entertained. When enquired, I came to know that someone gifted this goat to me for meat source. It was a gift by someone to a pastor, as I am one. I realized, “Wow! God can provide a goat even on third floor of a tower out of nowhere!” Even though I returned it, but I was in an awe that God can provide anything and everything and that also comes with a surprise. In my whole life, nobody gifted a goat to me. I have seen people calling names using goat, such as “Hey, you goat face!”, but a real goat gift? Not even in my dreams. Imagine a picture of a goat in a modern apartment, surprising, isn’t it?

God can provide!

Our God is a God who cares for you and understand that you are important! You may face rejection or trouble in your life but always remember that God will lead you to victory. 

Illustration: Bobby was walking with his father to one of his friend’s place and father was holding son’s hand since there was darkness of night and the sound of the wind was blowing. Boy whispered looking at lantern, “Daddy, I am scared in this darkness as the light of this lamp is very little.” Father tightened the grip and assured him confidently that he is with Bobby. Father continued talking, “This lamp has very little light, but if we keep on walking it can lead us to the end of the road.” They reached their destination eventually. 

As a believer on our journey, many a times we see only darkness with a very little light. But if we keep on walking on this unknown path, given the little light yet it will keep on shining and we can reach where God wants use to reach and be victorious in Christ. 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” - Psalm 119:105

The word of God directs us in our work and way, and a dark place indeed the world would be without it. The commandment is a lamp kept burning with the oil of the Spirit, as a light to direct us in the choice of our way, and the steps we take in that way.

If a sparrow’s care is taken by God, you are made in His own image. Keep walking with the light of word, and God will take care of you!

Original song: "More Than Many Sparrows" by Andy Severyn

You can subscribe to Andy's YouTube channel by clicking here. 

We hope you enjoyed today’s service. We look forward meeting you next Sunday, God bless!

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The blessed hope in Church we have | August 21, 2016

 
 

The blessed hope in Church we have

We welcome all of you back to the ‘River of Life Assembly!’ We hope you had a great week. Today is a very special day, as we will be learning about “The blessed hope in Church we have”. We are going to spend out eternity with the Lord forever and ever, but what is the greatest hope you want to have in your life? It's not a good life partner or good comforts or good home or good vehicle. There is something that is greater than everything, it is called the blessed hope which goes beyond our graves. Governments will not last forever, nations will not last forever and businesses will definitely not going to last forever. But, the church will last forever because it is not built by people, but it is built by God. 

The church will last forever.

God’s family is called church today. If we read Genesis we will understand the creation and the purpose of our existence. But satan played his game and brought trouble. Finally Christ came and took everything in him for our sake so that we can be saved and be without creator forever.

Matthew 16:18, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Ephesians 1:22-23, “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”

1 Corinthians 1:2, “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.”

Ephesians 5:26-27, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”

Now talking of Church, bible is not using the word church but 'Ekklesia'. Ekklesia is a greek word which is pronounced as “ek•klay•see•ah”. KJV used the word 'Church' so that they can get the support from the hierarchy. Because the word Ekklesia literally means, “called out”, the assembly or a congregation. 

Revelation 21:9, “And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.”

Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

1 Corinthians chapter 12 in its entirety talks about individuals and their relationship with God. 

Now a days, people are involved in a live in relationship because they don't want to get married and get all the benefits of the marriage without any commitments. People need to be committed to the church as they cannot get all the benefits of the church without making any commitments. 

Acts 2:41-47, “41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[a] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

1 Corinthians 12:24-25, “24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.”

Acts 20:28, “28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”

Acts 22:7, And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’

Colossians 1:18-24, “18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. 24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.”

If you want to be the part of Christ you need to be a part of the Church. 

Illustration: the human body doesn't exists to meet the needs of the hand but hand exists to meet the needs of the body.  Likewise the body of Christ doesn't exist to meet our own needs. 

We are interdependent with the Ekklesia! 

1 John 3:14, “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.”

John 13:34-35, “34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

When you are connected with the Church you have a spiritual family who will always encourage you to learn from God's word and step by step walk with God. 

Now a day’s many people are looking for a perfect church. 

Illustration: It is related that a man once came to British preacher Charles H. Spurgeon, and asked that great preacher if his church was a pure church. He said he was looking for a pure church that he might belong to it.

Mr. Spurgeon said that he did not know about his own church; but he did know that there were many good people in it—saintly people and truly Christian people.

But there might possibly be a Judas among them, as there was in the company of Jesus’ first apostles. And there might be some deceivers and idolaters and those who walk unruly, as there seemed to have been in the churches of Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Colossae, Philippi, Thessalonica, and all the others to which the New Testament epistles were written.

On the whole, he thought that his church was not the one his brother was looking for. Instead, he did not know that there had been such a church in all history.

“But,” said Mr. Spurgeon, “If you should happen to find such a church, I beg of you not to join it, for you would spoil the whole thing.”

The point to this story is simply this; there is not perfect church.

In our family the worst member is also cared the most because we love that person. In the body of Christ it is not about how great you are or how great your spiritual life or how good you read bible. 

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Many people are looking for a big church, but I am not looking for a big church. Even though a small church, it has to be a healthy church and the one which walks with the Lord and the word of God is practiced. 

Only functioning pastor is not a sign of a good church. All functioning members are the sign of Ekklesia. 

You have to be committed to God and don't be a church dropout. Stand by the church, stay in the church, pray for your church and tell others about your church. 

A blessed hope is not for the individual but for the Church. Invite your friends to be a part of the Church and invite them to be that congregation. It is important that the church today understand the definition of Ekklesia. The church needs to see itself as being “called out” by God. If the church wants to make a difference in the world, it must be different from the world. Salt is different from the food it flavors.

Let us all pray “Lord today I fresh my commit myself to your work today as you build your church in the world. I commit all of myself to the role you've assigned to me in the building of the church."

These are my notes from Bill Hybel’s closing message at one of the Summits.

"In my view, the morning prayer of every sincere Christ-follower on earth should be.... Lord, today I freshly commit myself to your work today as you build your church in the world. I commit all of myself to the role you’ve assigned to me in the building of your church."

Have you ever prayed that prayer? How about praying that prayer every day? Will you say to the Lord, “Yes, I will join you fully in your work of building your church”?

We hope you enjoyed today’s service... God bless!

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Redeemed from the curse of law | July 17, 2016

The feelings are very deceptive, so be in the company of God, you will be in peace.

Acts 18:9-10, “Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city."

Today we will be reading from the book of Galatians 3:13-14 and today’s topic is, ‘Redeemed from the curse of law.”

Galatians 3:13-14

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

This passage of Scripture brings together the spiritual principles involved in our salvation from sin-Christ, by being made a curse for us, has redeemed us from the curse of the law. This passage also sets forth our spiritual and moral state before we were redeemed by Christ-we were cursed. And it sets forth our present spiritual state as redeemed people-we are blessed with all the blessings of Abraham and have received the promised Holy Spirit. Let us think about these various and related truths one by one.

The power and meaning of redemption: Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law. So few in the church fully realize the impact of what redemption means in our lives. First it is to place value on something. The curse because of disobedience had caused us to become worthless, but Jesus Christ redeemed us, gave us back our value in the sight of God. He paid a lot to redeem us. He shed His blood on Calvary, we are bought with a price. Jesus gave His life for those who had lost their value, and redeemed them back to a place in position of joint heirs into the Father’s kingdom. Jesus fulfilled the promise to Abraham, that his seed, (not seeds as in many) but in his seed, Jesus Christ, all the nations of the world would be blessed. Since we are redeemed from the curse, we are no longer under sin’s dominion. He has given us authority, the keys of the kingdom. What we bind on earth will be bound in heaven, what we loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. The second Adam has placed us back in position to boldly approach God. What the first Adam lost, the second Adam redeemed back to us. What a glorious subject! The veil is rent in two, access to God is given, and Jesus becomes the first fruit.

We are redeemed through the blood of Christ - God had made the first covenant through circumcision, but man failed to keep covenant with God. So God made a better covenant, (read Hebrews) with better promises. God could not swear by any greater, so He sware by Himself. God gave His Word on it. He sealed it in blood. Not of bulls, goats, lambs or turtledoves, but the precious blood of Christ. John said, “Behold the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.” There is power in the blood. By grace are ye saved through faith, not of yourselves it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.

The Curse is removed—if you read all the curses in Deuteronomy 28—you find that there were spiritual, physical, financial, family and other things that were cursed because of sin. Jesus removes the curses, so we can walk in the blessings of Father Abraham. The law didn’t disqualify the promises. Even though man failed to live up to the law, God sent His Son, who fulfilled the law, and turned the curse into blessings. We now can boldly approach the throne of grace, that we might receive grace and obtain mercy to help in the time of need.

The Blessings are poured down—every good and perfect gift come from above. Now instead of being aliens and strangers to the promises of God, we are joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. Because Jesus defeated sin, sin has no more dominion over us. We are not bound by sin or to sin, we are free. We walk in the newness of life, we are a new creation, a brand new man.

Our reception is determined by faith not works - If someone doesn’t come to the faith in Jesus Christ, they still have not been brought nigh (near) by the blood. This walk wasn’t by flesh, Ishmael, sons of the bondwomen, but Isaac, sons of promise. The flesh and spirit won’t dwell together, throw out the bondwoman and her son. It is written, the just shall live by faith. You won’t receive until you believe. If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. So all the promises of God are conditioned on faith. Even our righteousness is tied to faith, not works. Abraham believed and it was accredited to him as righteousness.

There are two things in Galatians 3:13-14, which are worth noticing.

1- The blessing of Abraham.

2- The promise of spirit through faith through Christ Jesus.

There are many blessings in the Word given to Abraham either for him or those who would be through blessings would be blessed. The blessing of Abraham begin in Genesis 12: 1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

May we as children of God receive all God have for us through our Great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.

I. The first blessing is Genesis 12:1 ........ unto a land that I will shew thee:

God who desires to lead us by His Spirit would like to lead us to the place in our live to serve him.

A. Lead us to our spouse.

B. Lead us to our church.

C. Lead us to our education.

D. Lead us to our job.

E. Lead us in our calling.

We do this by letting the Holy Spirit Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

God doesn’t bless us just to make us happy; He blesses us to make us a blessing.

II. Blessing number two of Abraham. Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, ...

A. We are part of a great family, the family of God.

B. We do not join it. You have to be born into to it by receiving Jesus.

1. Shaking hands with a preacher and joining church is not enough.

a. You must be born again.

III. Blessing number three in Genesis 12:2 ...... and I will bless thee,

A. God wants to bless us and meet every need of our lives. Phil 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

B. He knows what we have need of before we know ourselves.

C. He wants us to have life and more abundantly. John 10:10 ..... The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

D. He will do more than we can think or ask. How by the power in us, which is the Holy Spirit. Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

IV. Blessing number four. Genesis 12:2 ...... and make thy name great,

A. Years ago my wife and I were guests of the Lord Mayor of Cheltenham, England. We were asked to sign the book of special guests. We signed our name below the signature of Queen Elizabeth the Queen of England. As I signed the book I was reminded of the Holy Spirit that Jesus has signed the Book of Life for me with His own precious blood. Praise the Lord!

B. We rejoice because God has made our names great because of Jesus.

V. Blessing number five Genesis 12:2 ............ and thou shalt be a blessing:

A. God wants us to be a blessing to all people.

B. Take the Gospel to the world.

C. Our lights need to shine in the sin dark world.

VI. Blessing number six of Abraham Genesis 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee,

A. God does not only want us to bless but also be a blessing. 

B. When we bless others we can expect it to come back to us.

C. Some people have told us that they have given to our missionary outreaches because of both my natural and spiritual tie to my great great grandfather ......Abraham. They said God would bless them because of it. I have replied that it is because of God’s promise not me.

VII. The seventh blessing of Abraham Genesis 12:3 ..... and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

A. Our acts of obedience, faith, righteousness and walking in the Holy Ghost power will bless all the families of the earth.

B. We must desire it with all our heart and then we will bless all the families of the earth.

1. We do it when we walk and live in the Word and Spirit.

2. God is more anxious to bestow his blessings on us than we are to receive them.

There are two possible reasons so many Christians do not experience all the benefits of the blessing of Abraham.

1) They don’t know about;

2) They refuse to believe it.

Have you settled for a life that is far less than that which God has provided for you? I hear people talk about the situations of their life with such hopelessness, as though nothing can be done. Is this true? Is there nothing that can be done? I submit that the answer is an emphatic, “No!” Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, that the blessing of Abraham might come upon us. If you are saved, the blessing of Abraham is upon you. Are you experience victory through faith in the promises of God, or are you living in defeat because of your unbelief. This is your place, and your time, to turn around.

Christ is all we need to be redeemed from sin and the condemnation of sin. Faith in Christ is all we need to transform our life so that we are made righteous by God. Jesus Christ is made to us all we need. 

We hope you enjoyed today’s sermon. If you get some extra time, checkout this beautiful song. God bless!

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