Author: Saju Joseph

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My goal today as we go through Galatians 5 is to re-instate, re-emphasize & remind you the truth of the gospel message pointing our hearts to Christ and the Freedom he achieved for us through his death burial and resurrection.

Read Galations 5

The Epistle of Galations is a letter written by Paul to the church in Galatia to address a very crucial concern and we see his concern for the church of Galatia in Galatians 1:6

1:6 – “I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel – not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to distort the gospel of Christ”

As you all know that Jesus was born in Jerusalem, in a Jewish culture. Jews are known to be the descendants of Abraham & David, people rescued from slavery in Egypt. They were the keepers of the law that was passed on by Moses on the mount of Sinai.

As decades passed this same people who knew God became a mere Law abiding citizens but their hearts were far away from God. Everything they did and performed were just external rituals mixed with traditions and influenced by the culture around them.

It is in this context that Jesus was born – The true messiah in whom all the requirement of the Law was fulfilled.

In Matthew 5:17 Jesus said “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.”

Jesus was the answer to the Law and the fulfillment of God’s promise made through his prophets and it is now by faith in Christ that we are saved and not by keeping the requirement of the law

(Ephesians 2:4-10) “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

This message of the cross is not just for the Jews but also for the gentiles (people outside Israel)… for people like us.

We see at the end of his life Jesus sent out his disciples to make disciples of all nations. Th apostle Paul was chosen to preach to the gentiles this simple gospel of Christ because of which the church of Galatians – a gentile church – who believed in this simple gospel and were living in freedom.

In this letter to Galatia Paul was upset because some Jews (the trouble makers) were infiltrating the gospel and leading people’s heart away from Christ.

1:6 – “I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel – not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to distort the gospel of Christ”

2:4 – “This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus in order to enslave us”

These Jews started teaching them that it was not enough to just put our faith in Jesus but we also need to be circumcised (it was a practice of the law) to be accepted and loved by God.

Paul was angry because this teaching was diminishing the truth of the gospel and leading people astray.

The issue was not about circumcision . – 1 Cor 7:17-24

“Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.”

Paul also complaints in 4:10-11 that the people were now observing special days, months and seasons.

4:10-11 – “You are observing special days, months, seasons, and years. I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted”

We see this kind of infiltration even in our present culture where the church is led astray by making them believe in a different gospel rather than the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

In Galations 5 Paul is re-instated, re-emphasizing and remind the people the truth of the gospel message pointing their hearts to Christ and the Freedom he achieved for them through his death burial and resurrection – Not by keeping the law but by simply putting their faith in Christ Jesus

Here are 5 Things Paul reminds them about the Freedom in Christ

1. EMBRACE YOUR FREEDOM (5:1)

“For freedom Christ has set us free”

• It is one thing to say we are free and another thing to truly believe and live it out
• We have to enjoy the fact that we are free … free in Christ .. and cherish it to the fullest
• Freedom is the goal of the gospel

o Roman 5:12,17 We are free from the curse of the Law, we are free from the curse of Adam
o Eph 2:5,6 free from spiritual death
o Free from the fear of death – Heb 2:14,15
o Free from condemnation Romans 8:1
o Free from the power of sin Romans 6:17,18
o Free from the authority of satan Colossains 1:13
o Free to inherit all that Christ has purchased for us Gal 4:5,7

• Breathe the fresh air of freedom
• It is sad to see Christians who continue to live in slavery
• Have not understood the meaning of freedom
• Freedom – Not dependent on our circumstances and situations – Depends on the truth
• We will have problems as long as we are on this earth
• The true meaning of “Freedom” is not what the world defines but it’s what Christ offers. Freedom from sin and slavery.
• We may perish on this earth – but we will flourish in heaven
• Embrace your freedom daily by reminding the gospel
• Share my heart

2. PROTECT YOUR FREEDOM (5:1)

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery”

• Paul demonstrated it in 2:4-5 saying “This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus in order to enslave us. But we did not give up and submit to these people for even a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would be preserved for you”

Wherein we also see another example in 2:11-12 where Cephas failed to protect his freedom

2:11-12 – “But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned. For he regularly ate with the gentiles before certain men came from James. However, when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, because he feared those from the circumcision party”

• Fear of man
• We don’t realize the harm it brings

Effect of Cephas hypocricy

2:13 – “Then rest of the Jews joined his hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy”

• If the freedom is lost the gospel is lost
• How do we protect our freedom?

o Don’t give in to the fear of man – Continue to do what is right
o Speak up against false teaching and defend your faith just as Paul did

3. EXPRESS YOUR FREEDOM (5:5-6)

“For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.”

• Express your freedom by waiting on the Lord for the hope of righteousness
o Which means not trying to be righteous on our own strength but by waiting and hoping in the Lord to gradually change our hearts.
• Express your freedom by putting your faith to work through love
o Which means to put your “Faith in Christ” at work through Love not your faith in your own abilities and wisdom.
• Our expression of our freedom is what talks volumes to an unbelieving heart
• When an unbeliever looks at our lives he/she notices that we have the same fleshly struggles they have but we are not enslaved by it – they see that our hope is in the Lord to rescue us and save from our treachery.
• And as time goes by they see the difference in our lives

4. EMPLOY YOUR FREEDOM (5:13-14) or USE YOUR FREEDOM

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

• Our freedom is not something to keep to ourselves rather it is given as an opportunity to love and serve one another
• Our freedom in Christ should propel us to reach out to others .. the unloved ones in our family … in our neighbourhood … on the streets … in our offices … in our colleges.
• Sharing the good news of this gospel of Freedom to one and all.

5. IMPROVE YOUR FREEDOM (5:16-26)

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

• In this fight for Freedom we must choose sides in this war
o We are either led by the Spirit or led by the flesh
• It is living by the Spirit that keeps us in step with the Spirit
• We know whether we are in step with the Spirit by consistently evaluating the outcome of our lives.
• Verses 19-23 serves as a diagnostic tool to help understand whether are living by the Spirit or by the Flesh.
o The work of the flesh will lead us into sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these
o But the work of the Spirit will lead us into love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control.
• Let’s be careful not to choose a fleshly desire listed above and say it is from the Lord. For that will be wrong to say. God does not tempt us, God did not make us this way.

Quote by an unbeliever that gives us a wise understanding of our depravity and how to guard against it
I’ve been with my wife for almost 15 years. In those years I’ve been with anyone then the mother of my son, but that’s not because I’m a good person. Infact, I am wholly in possession of an unimaginably filthy mind. When it come to giving in to my filthy mind I’m not the one who believes in getting in the moment and then exercising will power. I believe in avoiding the moment. I belive in absolutely been clear with myself on why I’m having a second drink and why I’m not. Why I’m going to a party and why I’m not. I believe the battle is lost at the happy hour and not at the hotel. I am not a good man but I’m prepared to be an honorable one. This is not just true of infidelity, its true of virtually I’ve ever done in my life. I did not lose 70 pounds through strength of character, goodness of will power, my character and will anchors towards cheese cake, fried chicken and beer and in no particular order. I lost that fight by not fighting that battles on desires terms but fighting before desire can take effect. There are compacts I have made with myself and with my family just like other compacts we make with our country and society. I tend to think that those compacts work best when we don’t fool ourselves and are fully aware of our enemy in us.

• We cannot feed our flesh and at the same time please God. We must crucify along with its passions and desires
• The only way to fight this war is at the level of desire not external behaviour
• The good life God wants for us comes through the Spirit
• It is this life that protects the church from pride and division

Let’s ask ourselves – who’s side are we fighting against in this war. Are you siding with the Spirit of God through faith, using your freedom for the blessing of others, embracing it as precious.
And remember whenever you start living this life if freedom, people will come with wrong teaching infiltration your minds, adding stuffs that was never part of Gods plan for us.

2:4 – “This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus in order to enslave us”

• We must resist it
• Do not be deceived but continue to live your Freedom in Christ

For Christ died for our sins, giving us liberty from sin and slavery even when we were deep down in our sins, defeated sin and sin and rose again on the third and is now sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding for us.

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We are doing a series called “God Alive Church” – A journey through 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus.

Last Sunday we ended on 1 Timothy chapter one and learned how important it is to hold on to our faith and have a good conscience to protect God’s promises and the prophecies made over our lives.

In 1 Timothy 1:18-19 Timothy is instructed by Paul to wage the good warfare holding faith and a good conscience. Paul deliberately uses a military language to remind us that it’s a war that we are fighting to fulfill God’s purposes in our lives and also to protect the gospel message.

Just as it is in a war – As a child of God no matter where we are in life, God desires a single minded focus from his children – And the goal is to glorify Him.

And to fulfill that goal we need to be doing something – and that something is so simple to do but we often fail because the devil is constantly putting obstacles and distractions in way and we fail to see the simplicity of the gospel and its power to transform our lives.

Let me give an example – A lot of times the enemy makes us look so ugly because of our sinfulness, failures and inability to relate with God and the church, he make us think that all other Christians are better than us.
But if we’ve truly understood the gospel than we should know that in comparison to God’s standard of holiness we all are worst of sinners, no matter whether I’m the pastor of the church or some saint who’s given away everything to become a godly man. Imagine Paul the Apostle of Jesus in 1 Timothy 1:15 calls himself the chief of all sinners.

The grace of God views all of us in the same manner.

What matters is how each individual respond to it.
If our response to this glorious gospel is positive than it will set us free – give clarity to our thoughts and bring us out of our miserable position.

But, If our response is negative where we are continuously listening to all the lies that the devil presents us than we will never see the victories God has in stored for us.

I believe today’s passage from 1 Timothy 2:1-2 is a good reminded to us on what a good response looks like when we hit a difficult spot in life.

In 1 Timothy 1 Paul points out to the sad state of the church and the sad state of the people in the church. He mentions how people are devoting themselves to myths and endless genealogies, promoting speculations instead of trusting God & serving Him.

People having vain and fruitless discussions leading them nowhere. Listening and teaching a different doctrine other than the true doctrine of the Gospel of Christ and making a shipwreck of their faith.

He also reminds them of the simple and the glorious gospel in verses 12 to 17. He writes in verse 15 “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”

After reminding them of their sad state and the truth of the Gospel, in chapter 2 he begins by saying “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

What Paul is saying is that our first response when we hit a difficult situation in life, whether in church or in our personal lives should always be Prayer & Thanksgiving.

Our First Response.

In Philippians 4:6 Paul is writing again to the church in Philippi and says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Sadly, our very first response is always either self-pity, or judgmental. Prayer is always the last resort for us. But what Paul is saying here is that Prayer and Thanksgiving should always be our first resort.

Even though Paul is upset with the fact that people are making a shipwreck of their faith, following a wrong doctrine and talking rubbish in the church. His first reaction before dealing with it is to go on his knees and pray for them.

We too are living in times where wrong doctrine is corrupting the church, people use their position to speak whatever they want about God and the church – Some leaders have become corrupt and make unwise decisions whether in church or in the government – And we all have our own opinions about what is right and what is wrong.

The question I want to ask is how do we deal with it in our hearts? Is our very first reaction talking about them badly in front of others, pointing their mistakes and making fun of them? Or is it a genuine love that leads us to first go on your knees and pray for them.

I think it’s best to refrain from pointing fingers at others until you have genuinely spent time praying for them. Remember, that in comparison to God’s standard of holiness we are equally bad as the brother or the leader we are talking about even if we have all the checkbox clicked right. We might have got all the doctrine and theological framework right but we still are the worst of sinners and desperately in need of God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness.

If God had to react in his anger and deal with us as our sins deserve we will all be dead by now. Not just those bad politicians or dishonest leaders – We all sitting here deserve the same punishment.

And therefore Paul writes “First of all, then, I urge that supplications , prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

Here’s why Paul is urging us to pray first.

1. When we pray the peace of God & His understanding guards our hearts & minds.

Philippians 4:6-7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

It is so easy for us to lose our peace and react in anger, self-pity or a heated disagreement when we face a difficult situation in our lives, whether it is at home with our wife and children, or it is at work with our boss and colleagues or in church with the leaders of fellow brothers and sisters.

Think of how wisely the Devil distorts our understanding of the gospel, our identity, the fallen state of mankind and the grace and mercy of God corrupting our hearts and minds.

We forget Romans 14:1 which says “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.”

We forget 1 John 1:9 which says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”

When we pray – it allow the peace of God and his understanding to guard our hearts and minds. Pray leads us to see our own sinfulness of the heart and sets the tone right with the right understanding of the gospel.

2. When we pray God gives us the right wisdom to deal with our circumstances and people.

James 1:5-7

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 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. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord”

The tendency of our heart is always to apply our wisdom to sort the differences, address the difficult circumstances and deal with the people in our own strength and understanding even though we know that the bible teaches us in Proverbs 3:5 not to lean on our own understanding but rather trust in the Lord.

In Ephesians 6:12 Paul writes “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

All our battles are spiritual and therefore we need to go to God in pray and ask for his wisdom who gives generously to all without reproach.

In 1Timothy 2:1 Paul urges us to first pray is because he knows God will give us the right wisdom to deal with our circumstances.

We may be in a situation where we are trying to fight our battles on our own strength – Trying to prove our position right at our workplace, trying to put across our point of view to another believer, trying to manipulate others with our words to get our thing done.

Instead of trying all these we simply have to God in prayer and ask and believe that he will give us the right wisdom to deal with people and situations.

3. When we pray God performs miracle

Acts 16:25-26

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.”

James 5:17-18

“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.”

If we think we are in a situation where only a miracle can save us then it will only happen when we go on our knees and pray to God.

I deliberately used these two verses to remind you that God has control over everything; he can go to the extent of even shaking the earth and its foundations to perform a miracle for his children. Just as he is able to shake the foundations of the prison he is able to shake the foundations of your workplace, foundations of your home.

He is a God who is able to open the closed doors, close the open doors.

Yes, he is able to change people hearts and perform a miracle in each other’s lives but only when we are sincerely praying and plead with God.

Yes, he is able to change the political environment of our nation and others nations.

And there is only one reason why won’t see those miracles happen

James 4:3 “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”

We need to reason with ourselves and ask what is it that we are asking and why is it that we are asking. Is it with a wrong motive? Is it to spend on our won pleasures? Is it to feed our self-ego?

In that case our prayer won’t be answered.

Our prayers should be sincere, pleasing to God and in accordance with his word and his purpose. If God has chosen a particular leader because that fits his overall purpose of bringing the nations to him than we are nobody to question that. All we can do is pray for peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness as Paul writes in 1 Timothy 2.

4. When we pray God brings healing & deliverance

James 5:16

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. “

Psalm 50:15

“And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

God not only heals the physically sick but he also heals our broken hearts, our disfigured, distorted and good for nothing lives. But it happens when we confess our sins to one another and pray for one another.

Remember, we can never win our battles in isolation – We need our brothers and sisters to stand with us and pray for our broken lives, broken hearts, sinful patterns, bad habits etc

James 5:16 says The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. A righteous man is not someone who is righteous in their own strength but it is someone who understood the gospel rightly. It is someone who’ve understood Romans 3:22 which says “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.”

Deliverance is not just deliverance from evil spirits but deliverance from sin, from sin patterns, from anxiety, from depression, from lack of faith, for feelings of failure, from hopelessness, from a weak conscience, from anger issues etc.

God promises us saying if we call upon him in the day of trouble he will deliver us and we will glorify him.
In the light of what we heard today here’s some quick applications for us to take home

No 1. Let’s pray at all times – in good times, in bad times, in happy times in sad times, in lack in abundance, in success in failure, for ourselves for our family, for our brothers for our sisters, for our leaders, for our collegues etc

No 2. Let’s refrain from talking about anyone or anything uncles we have genuinely prayed for that person or for that situation

No 3. Let’s connect and be honest with one another, sharing our struggles, confessing our sins so that we know what to pray for and how to encourage each other.

[audioplayer file=”http://thegatheringcommunity.in/sermons/strength-in-weakness.mp3″]

Last Sunday we studied from 1 Timothy 1:8-11 and understood the role of God’s Law, the right view and lawful use of it in our lives.

This Sunday we will look at the next 6 verses i.e 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Read 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Verse 12 – “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service”

As Paul talks about his calling and appointment as a servant of Jesus and the preacher of the gospel he is thanking Jesus for the strength he provides him to accomplish that task, as the task set before Paul was a big one.

He is well aware that he could not accomplish that task on his own strength.

As he talks about God’s right judgement of God appointing a man like him for his service, Paul is referring to the day and time when Jesus met him on the road to Damascus.

Paul’s encounter with Jesus was an extraordinary one, wish Jesus continues to meet with radicals even in this generation.

Let’s read Paul encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus in Acts 9:1-22

In verse 22 its written about Paul (known as Saul before conversion) that “But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.”

I believe it is this strength that Paul is referring to in 1 Timothy 1:12 as he writes “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service”

Paul, as he is writing this letter to the Church in Ephesus is letting them know how much he has to depend on the strength the Lord Jesus provides him to do what He is called to do.

As a leader, I think I can to an extent identify with Paul’s statement because every time I think of my calling and the task set before me I see all my incapability’s, incompetence & short comings. And my natural tendency is to accomplish it in our own strength.

I think what we need to understand here from this verse is that we are weak people, enable to do the things God has called us to do on our strength.

Yesterday my wife Jane went out with some ladies to do follow-up with people who responded to the gospel during our evangelism time. She left at 2:30 pm and after much walking under the sun they finally found their location but had a very bad experience interacting with the family.

She came back home at around 5:30 pm and after sharing with me for a while I saw her lying down on the couch tired and exhausted. All I could see was this weak woman with no strength left to pick herself up – her physical weakness at that time reminded me of my own intellectual inability and weakness even to preparing this sermon.

Isn’t it our weakness that God uses to display his strength – In the natural we are weal people who can accomplish nothing on our own strength.

Recognizing our weakness and trusting in God’s strength is what God desires from us.

That is why Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 writes “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

This truth is not applicable only for leaders in the forefront but to every Christian believer.

When you go home today take a piece of paper and write down all your god given gifts, talents, calling, places you want to go, people you want to meet and share the gospel etc. And then plan to action it in the next couple of months.
You will start feeling the pressure – feelings of incapability, incompetency, fear, anxiety will bog you down.

In the natural world there are 2 ways of responding to these feelings

First, is to try and accomplish it on our own strength which I believe will lead you to failure eventually. You might accomplish a lot of things but will never find joy and satisfaction.

Second one the most common reaction and that is to give up and shut down which is also the easiest option.

We often forget the 3rd way of responding to those feelings and that is to trust in God’s ability to provide you with his strength to make it happen. We fail to go to God for strength.

It is during these hours that we find it difficult to put our trust in God and believe in his capabilities.

The greatest source of encouragement to trust in God’s strength and ability is to look back and remind yourself what He has already accomplished for you through Christ.

Paul goes on to write in verse 13, 14 & 15 of the greatest miracle God performed in his life.

“Though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”

We have to constantly remind ourselves of what God has done in our lives is Miracle.

Look at ourselves and think about our past and present lives. The sinfulness in us that manifest daily through our words, deeds and actions. Do you think we have any hope to save ourselves from the wrath of God, from the penalty of sin, from life in hell.

No way! Except for the mercy and grace of Jesus we’ve received and continue to receive everyday. The day our hearts believed in this gospel and put our trust in Jesus, God changed our lives forever.

He changed a blasphemer, persecutor, insolent opponent like Saul into Paul, the preacher of the gospel.

He changed an adulterer, lair and cheat like Saju into a holy and righteous man of God.

In verse 14 Paul writes “the grace of God OVERFLOWED for me”

To a hopeless bunch of people he gave hope.

Brothers & sisters – It is the gospel that needs to be your greatest encouragement to trust in God’s ability to see you through everything life throws at you, the hardships, the fear, feelings of incapability, incompetency etc.

Looking back at what the Lord has already accomplished for us through Christ should astonish our hearts and push us to purse him and his purposes even more.

The Bible encourage us again and again to live this kind of a lifestyle – A life trusting in God and to put our trust in him.

– Hebrews 12:29-29
– Colossians 2:6-7
– Psalms 28:7

And here’s why God chose to show us his mercy, call us out and appoint us as his servants.

1 Timothy 1:16-17 – “But I received mercy for this reason that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life”

God uses our weakness to display his strength, he uses the fool to shame the wise.

In Acts 4:13 people looked at Jesus disciples and said “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus”

God uses weak vessels like us – shows us his mercy and grace – put’s our lives on display as an example to other who are yet to believe in him for eternal life.

In the light of what’s shared todays here are three applications we can take home.

1. When you sense God’s calling over your life – the things he ask you to do. Don’t give up on yourself because of your inabilities and fear rather trust in God to provide you with strength to accomplish your calling. Because it is through your weakness he shows himself strong.

2. Draw strength and encouragement from what God has already done for your through Christ. Every day when you get up from your bed thank God for the gospel, for Jesus – draw your strength in knowing who your God is and what he is capable of doing.

3. Remember when you trust God and step out in faith he uses your life as an example to many who are yet to receive eternal life.

“The King of ages, immortal, invisible God receives the honour and glory forever and ever.

Last Sunday we began a new series called ‘The God Alive Church’ – a journey through 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus.

1 Timothy is a letter written by Apostle Paul who was once a persecutor of Christians, a Jew and a Roman citizen. He would kill everyone who professed the name of Jesus and followed him. He became a Christian after a real time encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, and since then he’s been involved in the Kingdom work planting churches all over.

Paul is writing this letter to a young man called Timothy whom he met in Lystra, he was born to a Jewish mother who later became a Christian and a Greek father.

Since the time Timothy met Paul he he’s been travelling with him on all his trips. Paul considered him as his own son.

Timothy was sent by Paul to the church in Ephesus and we learnt the purpose of this letter was

1. Advising Timothy about issues in the church at Ephesus and to refute the false teaching that was prevalent.

False teaching is any kind of teaching..
– that isn’t rooted in the truth and takes people away from God
– that twists our beliefs and distorts our understanding of God
– that damages our relationship with Jesus
– that takes away the joy of salvation

One of the main responsibility of church leaders is to protect the truth of the Gospel from false teaching.
False teaching in Ephesus was damaging the church of Jesus and Timothy is charged by Paul to speak up and address the issue.

2. The second purpose of the letter are instructions on how church members should conduct themselves in the household of God.

Throughout 1 Timothy you will see Paul either talking about false teaching or the conduct of believers in the church.
In our passage today which is 1 Timothy 1:3-7 Paul is advising Timothy against false teaching and there are some interesting things we can learn from them.

verse 3 – Note, Paul uses a very strong word ‘Command’ when he tells Timothy to speak to the people spreading false teaching.

These people were teaching other doctrine which was not in-line with the doctrine of the true Gospel.

Their teachings were based on Myths, a traditional story concerning early history of people often based on natural or social phenomenon.

How was it harming the church?

verse 4 – These teachings were promoting empty speculations, forming theory or conjecture without firm evidence and instead of devoting themselves to Godly things they were getting involved in fruitless discussion and wasting their time and energy.

In verse 5 Paul distinguishes his teachings from the others by saying “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith”

Verse 7 – It seems that these people were not necessarily the bad guys trying to pollute the church but they themselves did not understand what they were saying or what they were insisting on. They were ignorant people.

Here are some practical lessons we can learn from this passage which can be applied to our lives.

1. Empathize with your leaders and appreciate their role in your life.

Like I said before Paul uses a very strong word ‘Command’, he is not saying to Timothy to urge them or request them to stop talking rubbish.

As you know, in today’s generation, especially in the church context commanding words are not really a cool thing to say or use. But still when it comes to the point of protecting the Gospel God wants his leaders to exercise every bit of their authority to refute and correct the person or people disrupting his church.

Think about how demanding task it is for leaders – and if we fail in doing so the bible says we are accountable to God.

Hebrews 13:17 says “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

With that in mind how do we empathize with our leaders?

Here are some things to consider:

– Pray for your leaders that they may be faithful to God and protect the Gospel message
– Thank God for their role in your life and in the life of the Church
– Submit to your leaders
– Obey your leaders
– Make their work a joy

2. Pay attention and form right doctrinal framework for yourself.

In the Ephesus church people were teaching other doctrine that was not in accordance with the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

As you know that the gospel is simple truth very well summarized in John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son to die for us and whosoever believes in him will have eternal life”

The biggest tactic the enemy uses against God’s people is to confuse us by adding unwanted things to the gospel.

Sadly Christians often fall into the enemies trap because of our own negligence of not studying and rooting our believes in the truth of God’s word. Because of our own lack of not paying attention to the message of the true Gospel and failure to form the right doctrinal framework.

Darkness only creeps in when the light is not bright enough.

Our understanding of the gospel and the scriptures should be so strong that none of the wrong teachings out there should confuse us to believe in empty speculations.

Q- How much time do we dedicate in listening and learning the scriptures on a daily basis?
Q- How often do we meditate on God’s word?
Q- When we invest our time in all others activities during the day how much of importance do we give to God’s word?

2 Timothy 3:16 says “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Our failure to listen and form a right doctrinal framework will often lead us into believing the lies and empty speculations of the enemy distracting us from the purposes of God.

3. Approach with Love from pure heart, good conscience and since faith.

As Paul emphasizes in verse 5 says “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith”.

This should be our approach as children of God. We will find ourselves in unpleasant circumstances and unfruitful discussions. But as Paul writes our approach should always be Love from pure heart, good conscience and sincere faith.

A Love that is gospel driven.

In Jesus’s instructions to his disciples in Matthew 18:15-17 we can see how he stresses on the point “but he listens to you, you have gained your brother”. He is saying that if your brother repents forgive him and accept him.

Galatians 6:1
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

“Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted” also indicates that the approach should be made with a good conscience, which means we need to be walking rightly with God before we approach another brother, so that you are kept away from sinning.

1 Timothy 1:19 – “holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith”
And a faith that firm and not shaky.

4. Refrain from teaching from the word of God until you have understood the whole counsel of God.

Not necessarily these people who were saying ungodly things has wrong motive in mind. The verse says “They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on.”

Yes, it is possible for any of us to make an error while teaching from God’s word if we do not have the right understanding of the Gospel and whole counsel of God.

It is easy to read a scripture and think and talk about it completely out of context and therefore we need to super careful with our words.

And that is what Point no 2 is very important which is forming your own theological framework.

Until we have understood the whole counsel of God it is better to refrain from teaching from the word of God to others.

In conclusion, let’s bring our heart to God and allow him to convict our hearts if we have not been obedient to the things we just spoke about and let’s make a decision to follow them with all honesty and dependence on God.

As you all know that we are doing a series on ‘The Church’. We started the series by discovering our Identity as a Church Community – We learnt that we are a Covenant people, redeemed by the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus, holy and blameless in the sight of God because of Christ, a people with a purpose to glorify God in our words, deeds and actions. And the bible says that there is absolutely nothing that can separate us from this love of Christ.

Last Sunday we stopped at the Book of Revelation chapter 2 and 3 and started looking at Christ’s letters to the 7 churches which he gave to Apostle John while he was exiled in the island of Patmos.

When we read Jesus’s comments to these churches we realize how messed up their lives were.

Jesus continues to lovingly pursue and convict us of our sins and wrong doings

But the fascinating thing is Jesus still calls them his church and addresses them as his people. It tells us that yes it possible to be a church of Jesus and yet live a completely messed up lives and one that looks hopeless.

The good news is that Jesus still continues to lovingly pursue and convict us of our sins and wrong doings. And that has been the nature of God from the beginning. We learned this about God while we did an expository preaching through the book of Nehemiah. Even though the people of God rebelled against him and abandoned him God still came to their rescue for the sake of his name.

The failure of God’s people is never because God abandons us but because we abandoned God – It is our sinful nature and unrepentant heart that draws us away from Him.

Instead of deepening our relationship with Jesus by allowing the gospel to govern our lives we tend to lean more towards the pleasures and deceitfulness of this world.

These words of Jesus to the seven churches reminds us that he still calls us his own and lovingly pursues us and convicts us of our sins. Therefore when we hear these words of Jesus and humbly submit to them and walk in obedience to his words he promises us …

– To give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God (Rev 2:7)
– To give the crown of life (Rev 2:10) and also promises in verse 11 that he will not be hurt by the second death.
– In Rev 2:17 he promises to give some of the hidden manna
– Rev 2:26 – Authority over nations
– Rev 3:5 – Clothed with white garments and will never take away our name out of the book of life
– Rev 3:12 – Will make us a pillar in the temple of God
– Rev 3:21 – Grant us to sit with him on his throne

At the same time he also warns those who are unrepentant. He says

– Rev 2:5 – I will remove your lampstand from its place
– Rev 2:11 – I will war against you with the sword of my mouth
– Rev 2:22 – I will throw you into great tribulation and give according to your works
– Rev 3:3 – I will come like a thief against you
– Rev 3:16 – I will spit you out of my mouth

Last week we looked at 3 letters to 3 churches.

• To the church in Ephesus he says return to your first love – Love the Lord with all their heart, mind and soul.
• To the church in Smyrna he says be faithful unto death even in your sufferings and tribulations
• To the church of Pergumam he says stay away from idol worship and sexual immorality

Church in Thyatira

Today we will briefly look at the rest of the 4 churches beginning with the church of Thyatira.

[READ 2:18-29]

Jesus begins by complimenting them from their love, faith, service and patient endurance. Everything seems perfect – Everything that was missing in the previous three churches is present here – There is love, they are faithful and have patient endurance.

But they missed one quality that the church of Ephesus exhibited – And that was testing and identifying false apostles among them.

Jesus’s charge against the church of Thyatira was that they were tolerating a woman called Jezebel, who called herself to be a prophetess but was teaching and seducing God’s servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. Jesus even gave her time to repent but she refused to repent of her sexual immorality.

Jesus warns them by saying in 2:22-23 “I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.”

Basically, the church failed to stand against an ungodly spirit who was leading God’s people astray especially the leaders.

Yes, we are good and loving people by nature. We are even harmless as doves. But in Matthew 10:16 Jesus tells his disciples “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

As a church we shouldn’t lack in the ability to show courage in standing up for what is right and scriptural, we have to stand up and speak up against those who lead the people of God astray and into sin and idolatry.

In most churches there is this unsaid rule that people should keep their mouth shut and not raise fingers even if the people are led astray into sin and deceit.

I believe the Bible encourages us to speak up against false teaching but it needs to be done in an orderly manner. In fact at one occasion Apostle Paul points and corrects the hypocritical attitude of Apostle Peter in public, you can read the account in Galatians 2.

And if you fail to do so then remember Jesus will hold that up against you just as he did with the church of Thyatira.

Church in Sardis

[READ 3:1-6]

Jesus quickly and clearly condemns the lifeless state of the Sardian church: “I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead” (Revelation 3:2).

This church may have had a good reputation, but they were spiritually lifeless. In other words, the church was filled with unsaved people going through the motions of religion.

It is one thing to know the truth of the gospel and profess it with our mouth but living it out in our daily lives is something that we should desire and pursue.

After hearing about the church of Sardis the question I want us to ask ourselves today is

As a Christian..

– Are we truly enjoying the fullness of joy that comes from knowing Jesus or is it just a superficial thing that we experience only on a Sunday morning?
– Do we experience the peace of God in our heart when we think about the promise of the glorious gospel even in times of struggles and sufferings?
– Do we hide ourselves behind a happy and cheerful face for the sake of good reputation and not willing to admit that our actual life is dead and lifeless?

If our answer to any of these question is ‘yes’ then Jesus calls us to repent of our sin: “Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you received and heard; obey it, and repent” (Revelation 3:2-3a).

To “wake up” means to start paying attention to your need of salvation, to stop being careless about your heart’s condition before God.

Church of Philadelphia

[READ 3:7-13]

The church of Philadelphia is the only church against whom Jesus did not have anything negative to say.
Jesus affirms the church’s positive actions: “I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name” (Revelation 3:8).

The church of Philadelphia was weak in some respects, yet they had remained faithful in the face of trial. Because of this, the Lord promises them an “open door” of blessing.

Jesus’ letter then condemns the enemies of the Philadelphian believers: “I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you” (Revelation 3:9).

Those who persecuted the believers (the persecutors were religious hypocrites in this case) would one day realize Christ loves His children. The church of Philadelphia would be victorious over its enemies.

Church of Laodicea

[READ 3:14-22]

In contrast to the other six churches, the Laodicean church has nothing to commend it. Jesus begins the message with condemnation: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” (Revelation 3:15-17).

They claimed to be rich, blessed and self-sufficient. Perhaps they were rich in material things. But, spiritually, the Laodiceans were in a wretched, pitiful condition, made all the worse in that they could not see their need. This was a church filled with self-deceived hypocrites.

Jesus calls the Laodicean church to repent of its sin: “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see” (Revelation 3:18). Their material wealth had no eternal benefit, so Jesus commands them to come to Him for true, spiritual riches (see Isaiah 55:1-2). Only Christ can supply an everlasting inheritance, clothe us in righteousness, and heal our spiritual blindness.

Jesus then notes His concern for His church in Laodicea: “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:19-20). His rebuke is not born of animosity but of love. “The Lord disciplines those he loves” (Hebrews 12:6).

The church is nominally Christian, but Christ Himself has been locked out. Rather than turn His back on them, He knocks, seeking someone to acknowledge the church’s need and open the door. If they would repent, Jesus would come in and take His rightful place in the church.

Last week we started a four-week series on ‘The Church’ and we unpacked our true identity as the Church community from the book of Hebrews chapter 8. Like I said everything starts on a right note when we know and understand our true identity as a Church.

We learnt that we are a covenant community knit together as a body of Christ, not on the basis of the old testament laws but because our faith in Christ Jesus.

In Hebrews 8:6 the author points to Christ as the one who obtained a ministry that is as more excellent than the old covenant, enacted on better promise

Christ has obtained everything needed for us to relate back to God and we don’t have to please God in our own efforts.

Under this new identity we recognize that Christ has obtained everything needed for us to relate back to God and that we don’t have to please God in our own efforts. This identity is given to us so that we declare the goodness of Him and live for his glory. And last but not the least we learned to stay humble and remind ourselves daily that we are mercied by God through Christ and we need to allow this gospel truth to govern our lives.

Today morning we will look into a very interesting book in the Bible called the book of Revelation, and particularly chapter 2 & 3. I believe these two chapters have a lot to say to us about Church life. It will unpack for us Christ’s expectations from us as a church community.

The book of Revelation is actually a revelation of Christ to Apostle John while he was in an island called Patmos where he was exiled (banished/punished). The island of Patmos was the most uncomfortable, lonely and horrible place where John happen to see the vision of Jesus and heard him talk.

The purpose of this book was to comfort and encourage believers in the midst of suffering and persecution at the hands of evil ones by assuring them that Jesus Christ, and they themselves, will ultimately and finally triumph.

In Revelation 1:12-20 John writes a beautiful description of his encounter with Jesus.

He writes “I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.”

In chapter 2 & 3 Jesus goes on to address the seven churches and tells them certain things which I believe can help us understanding God’s heart and His expectation from his people. And I hope you are ready to hear them out, not just for knowledge sake but to allow the spirit of God to enlighten our hearts with his truth and live a life worthy of his calling.

Before we begin looking at these verses let me also remind you that even though we as a group of churches across the globe have the same faith and calling, we still differ with respect to our cultural context, our backgrounds and the challenges we face, and that’s exactly what you will see in these seven churches. Each of them are unique and have their own set of good and bad.

I believe this understanding should help us identity our own cultural challenges and apply the word of God accordingly.

This Sunday we will look at the first three churches followed by the rest four next week.

So, here we go

Church of Ephesus

The first church Jesus addresses is the Church of Ephesus (2:1-7)

Let’s start with the compliments

1. Jesus commends them for their toil and patient endurance – The first impression it gives me is that they obviously seem to be hard working people.
2. They stay away from people who do evil, especially the ones who call themselves apostles but are not.
3. For not growing weary and patiently enduring and bearing up for the sake of his name.

But then in verse 4 Jesus goes on to say “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”

This reveals to us God’s first expectation from his church

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Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul

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The saints in Ephesus were not being obedient to the central truth of the Scriptures Old and New Testament which is Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul. (Matthew 22:37)

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The saints in Ephesus were not being obedient to the central truth of the Scriptures Old and New Testament which is Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul. (Matthew 22:37)

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Their lives were clogged with so many things that Jesus was no longer first in their hearts, in their daily schedules, in their thoughts which clearly signals that Jesus was no longer the King of their lives.

Here Jesus is telling them to press the reset button and go back to their original settings when they started off.
I don’t know how you feel about these words of Jesus but I want to confess that in the past couple of weeks I’ve been far away from loving Jesus more than I should. Even though I can hide from all of you I cannot hide from my wife. She knows how frustrated, angry and disappointed I was the last one week. The reason I believe is clear – My love for Jesus has not been the same.

But I also believe God in his mercy has revealed my heart condition and led me to repent and ask for forgiveness.

Today as we hear these words where do we find yourself? Are we too busy to even take out time and search our hearts?

Jesus paid the highest price by dying on the cross for our sins.
Hebrews 12:2 says Jesus endured the cross with joy, scorning its shame.

He loves us beyond measure because we are his creation
John 15:13 says “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

And that’s is exactly what Jesus did for us.

In return he expects that we love him back and be willing to give away everything and anything that we hold dear in our lives. Whether it is our love for money, desire for comfort, our longings for the pleasure of this world.
It is quite a sad thing when everything around our lives revolves around work, making money & pleasing people – when it should be the other way around.

We fail to realize that the satisfaction and fulfillment we are hoping to receive from the things of the world is false idea. Only Jesus can satisfy us and fulfill our deepest longings.

Q: Are we willing to love him more – and love him first?

Romans 12:9 – Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

I want to encourage you this morning if you feel your hearts not in the right place go to God, repent of your sin and make a decision to love him more.

Church of Smyrna

The second church Jesus talks to is the Church of Smyrna (2:8-11)

You see this church in comparison to the church in Ephesus is quite different culturally.

They are a poor church with many tribulations and sufferings.

People have been talking bad about them and putting false accusations

Jesus’s comforting words to them is “Do not fear what you are about to suffer” – “You are been tested”

And Jesus’s instruction to them is “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life”

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“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life”

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Last to last Sunday Pastor Jeff preached a sermon on “The Mission of God through the suffering of his people”. He explained how God uses our present sufferings to advance his gospel.

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Unlike what we’ve heard from the prosperity preachers who talk about pursuing a life of comfort and riches. The bible has a completely different take on it. Jesus himself said in John 15:20 “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also”.

When we encounter suffering and pain in our lives the tendency of many of us is to close the door on Jesus and sulk in our depravity. We stop loving Jesus and stop serving him.

I feel sad to see many Christians in this condition. The devil has taken away their joy and filled their hearts with bitterness and anger.

Jesus’s words to us who suffer is “Do not fear what you are about to suffer” … rather continue to be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Remember, we’re not chasing an earthly reward – we might see and experience his goodness on earth or we might not experience his goodness on earth. Think of the numerous number of people who gave their lives for the sake of the gospel. What do you think they were chasing after? They died a miserable death on this earth for the sake of the kingdom.

Jesus was their greatest reward. They fixed their eyes on the crown of life they will receive from Jesus in heaven.
On the basis on these verses my encouragement to all of us is don’t give in to your present sufferings rather be faithful to God in what God has called you into irrespective of the pain and suffering you are experiencing at this very moment.

Church of Pergamum

The third church Jesus addresses is the church of Pergamum [2:12-17]

According to these verses we understand that the church of Pergamum is located in a very dark and satanic place.
Jesus compliments them by saying “Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith”

The description of this place reminded me of the area in malad where Jane and I have been discipling a catholic family “Joseph & ArokyaMary”. Last monday the family invited another two ladies to join us for prayer and bible study.

After we finished we started talking to one of the ladies and she started pouring heart out saying her husband works in gulf and both her children are married and gone away. She lives in her home all alone and every night a spirit in the form of a young girl visits her and talks to her. After talking for a while she then tries to kill her by chocking her throat and pressing her stomach.

When we heard her story and started talking to her we realized the strong hold of idols in their lives.

Jesus while talking to the church in Pergamum identifies these strong holds and says “But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.”

I won’t go into the details of the teaching of Balaam but it is mainly to do with Idol worship & sexual immorality.
Jesus’s expectation from his church is to refrain from any kind of idolatry and sexual immorality.

Idols not just in the form of mud and clay, but heart idols that cause us to stumble and stop us from worshipping Jesus.

Sexual immorality is another rampant sin in our culture. With our current exposure to information and whatever else we need. Our society has been contaminated, our children’s future is in danger.

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And therefore as a true church of Jesus our choices and our obedience to God’s word is the only hope for this dying world around us. Our children’s future depends on the choices we make in favour of God.

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“Our choices and our obedience to God’s word is the only hope for this dying world around us”

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And therefore as a true church of Jesus our choices and our obedience to God’s word is the only hope for this dying world around us. Our children’s future depends on the choices we make in favour of God.

1 Corinthians 6:18 Paul writes “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”

In the light of what we heard today I want to urge you to come together as one body and re-commit our lives to Jesus once again.

Where do you see yourself falling apart from God’s calling over your lives.
Do you think your love for Jesus has become cold?
Do you see yourself sulking in depravity before of the current sufferings and pain?
Do you see the strong hold of Idols in your lives? Or
Do you see the sin of sexual immorality taking away your joy being a Christ follower.

If any of the above is true, then we need to repent and ask for forgiveness.

I believe our God is a forgiving God, a father who loves us dearly. More than us he wants to see us flourish and rejoice in him and take hold of the crown of life when we reach heaven.

2016 was an exciting and adventurous year for all of us and I believe this year will also bring a lot of surprises. I’m personally hoping and praying to see some more marriages happen this year and the possibility of planting a new church as the Lord leads us.

Coming to today’s sermon as you all know that we love to do expository preaching through the books of the bible which we believe to be most beneficial for the body of Christ. Last year we studied and preached through the book of Nehemiah for 7 months (April to October) followed by a short series on Mission which we did along with our family of churches.

The next book we will look into is 1 Timothy but we will start the series from the first week of February.

Meanwhile for the next couple of Sundays the leaders at The Gathering felt God leading us to do a series on The Church.

As we begin this new year we thought it would be great for us to look and understand what the scripture has to say about the true church of Jesus Christ.

We live in a generation where people have different ideas about church, these ideas are formed because of the influence of society, people, culture, needs, history etc.

Let me give you some examples:

• Some think of church as a building with a cross on it where people go to find peace.
• Some think of it as a place where people gather to sing godly songs to rejuvenate their minds
• Some think of church as a place where their needs are met, whether financial, mental or emotional
• Some think of church as a place to build network, make friends and have fun

But when we read and investigate the scriptures we realize that church is much more than what we have made of it. And in the next couple of Sundays that’s exactly what we will be doing.

We will read and remind ourselves of what the true church of Jesus should look like.

And we will begin our journey today by firstly finding our identity as a church.

Who are we as a Church?
What does the Bible say about our identity as a Church community?

Our passage for today is Hebrews 8. (Please turn with me to the book of Hebrews 8)

In this passage the writer is presenting Jesus as the High Priest of a Better Covenant and therefore addresses us as a people of the new covenant in Christ, which in fact is our identity as a church. We are a covenant community.

But what does the word ‘Covenant’ really mean and why is there an old covenant and a new covenant mentioned in this passage.

It might sound a bit complicated to you in the beginning but I will try my best to simplify and explain it better. So please do hang on with me.

To start with, let us first understand the meaning of the word ‘Covenant’. This word is not very commonly used in our culture. We’ve probably heard the synonyms of this word.

Like for example ‘Agreement’, ‘Commitment’, ‘Deed’, ‘Treaty’ etc but I believe the word ‘Covenant’ has a much deeper meaning and none of these synonyms justify that.

Here’s what I mean by that.

Like for example the word ‘agreement’ is often used to describe an arrangement between two or more people to do or not to do something specific. An agreement can have an expiry date and can be broken anytime with mutual consent.

Wherein the word ‘Covenant’ is always used in context with God to describe a conditional promise/promises made by God to his people. And unlike an agreement a covenant is irrevocable because the conditions are laid down by God and we cannot amend them.

The Old Covenant was a conditional or bilateral agreement that God made with the Israelite’s. The Old Covenant was in effect during the dispensation of the Law that was given to Moses, the ten commandments been the center of all others laws.

The amazing thing about the 10 commandments is no matter what faith and religious background you come from these commands which were given to Israelite’s thousands and thousands of years back will resonate in your mind even today. These are still the norms in many religious beliefs to attain a perfect life pleasing to God.

Listen to them. (Exodus 20:2-17)

1. You shall have no other God before me.
2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness that is in heaven above, or that in the earth beneath.
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain.
4. Remember the day of rest and keep it holy.
5. Honour your father and mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
10. You shall not covet your neighbour’s house.

In the Old Covenant, the Israelites were required to obey God and keep the Law, and in return God protected and blessed them. The Old Covenant required repeated, daily sacrifices of animals as a reminder of the people’s sin. Under the Old Covenant, only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place where God’s presence dwelt—and that only once a year. The Old Covenant was a set of “external regulations”.

This understanding presents God as someone who is really mean and unreachable which is exactly how people perceive him to be even today. Isn’t it?

People think..

– they need to do good things in order to please God
– they need to offer sacrifices and offerings so that God can forgive me
– they need to visit the church/temple/mosque as often as I can so that God can protect and provide for me

The truth is that God’s intention for giving us these laws were not to press us down or make us feel miserable rather as it is written in Hebrews 8:5 these were a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. The laws were meant to point us to the standard of Gods holiness and reminds us of our sinfulness.

These commands were not just meant to be external activities but a heart condition. In Matthew 5:27-28 Jesus says “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Knowingly or unknowingly we all end up doing things and trying to please God with all the external activities. You take any world religion for example including the Christianity, it’s all about rules and regulations, do’s and don’ts, practices and rituals that are just meant to exhaust us and lead us nowhere.

Verse 7 and 8 says

“ For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. For he finds fault with them when he says ..”

Verse 9 – “For they did not continue in my covenant”

You see the fault is not in the covenant or in the law per SE, the verse suggest that the fault is with us, the sinful human heart.

You see our sinful heart is so sinful that no matter how hard we try we can never please God. Because God’s standard of holiness is way above our reach.

And that is exactly why verse 6 of Hebrews 8 is a good news to all of us.

“But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.”

Remember, this good news is not just for Christians, but for people from all background, faith and religious belief’s. Christ is the answer to man’s deepest need. The search for peace, fulfillment, satisfaction, salvation ends when you encounter Christ.

God presented these moral laws to reveal our immorality and then provides and answer through the sacrifice of His only begotten son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

The Bible says in John 3:16 that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Which means fulfilling the requirements of the old covenant or the laws are no more the norms to please God and win his favor.

Christ fulfilled the law for us by living a perfect life and dying on our behalf for all our sinfulness.

And therefore, believing this truth and putting our faith in Christ is the new norm to please God.

And that is why the writer of Hebrews in verse 8 says “But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.”

And this is the new covenant that we are called into.

Does that mean that we no more obey the commandments in the Old testament?

No – We must obey the OT commandments the same way we obey the NT commandments—not in order to win God’s favor. We have already won his favor by putting our trust in his son Jesus.
We obey because we depend on his free grace and trust that his commands will lead to full and lasting joy.

We should delight in God’s law, meditate on it day and night, and sing of its value unto all generations.

Listen – As a Church this is our true Identity and that is exactly why we are a covenant community.

John 1:12 – In Christ we have been given the right to become children of God
Colossians 2:10 – In Christ we have been brought to fullness
Romans 6:6 – The day we put out faith in Christ our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin
1 Corinthians 12:27 – Now we are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it

We as a Church is a covenant community, the bride of Christ, holy, blameless and set apart for His glory. That is our identity.

And, therefore here’s what it means to live out our identity as a Church?

1. Stop trying to please God in your own efforts

We are not a miserable bunch of people who needs to do a certain number of things to win God’s favour.

You are not part of his church because you are a good guy. In fact the bible says in Romans 5:8

“God demonstrated his love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Hebrews 8:10 says

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws into their minds,
and write them on their hearts,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.

2. Live a life that declares his goodness all the time

To all the people – whether in your neighborhood, or our workplace or your place of study.

Hebrews 8:11 says

And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor
and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’
for they shall all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.

3. Stay humble and remind yourself every single day that you are mercied by God

Hebrews8:12

For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,
and I will remember their sins no more.”

It is important that we constantly remind ourselves this gospel truth

– by thanking him daily in our prayers
– by meditating on this truth everyday
– by living a life centered around the gospel
– by letting the gospel truth influence every decision in your life

I believe everything begins on a right note when we truly understand our true identity. And every outcome of our lives should flow from that identity.

[audioplayer file=”http://thegatheringcommunity.in/wp-content/uploads/christmas-sermon.mp3″]

Greetings and a warm welcome to all of you!

25th Dec is celebrated as Christmas day all around the world and as we’ve gathered today we will unpack the true meaning of Christmas.

Over the last number of years there has been a tremendous influence of culture, traditions and ideas outside the bible that has distorted the true meaning of Christmas. And today we will unpack the true Biblical meaning of Christmas.

But before we get into the word of God and search the scriptures let me answer some very valid questions about Christmas that people often ask. I believe the answers will help clear a lot of doubts surrounding Christmas.

Q1 – Was Jesus born on the 25th of Dec?

The answer to that question is that it is impossible to prove that Jesus’s date of birth is 25th Dec. It is an assumption that he was born on 25th Dec. People made these assumptions based on the time and season when the Roman Empire ruled Israel and many other factors. But the truth is there is no solid evidence that 25th Dec was the day.

Q2 – In that case is it wrong to celebrate Christmas on 25th?

Well, the truth is that Jesus was born someday. Even though we may not know the exact date of Jesus’ birth I see no harm in celebrating his birth on 25th Dec or any other day for that matter.
In fact we should celebrate the birth of Jesus every day. But celebrating it on 25th Dec along with the world around us gives us an opportunity to share about Jesus more boldly and in open.

Q3 – What does Christmas Tree symbolize?

The honest biblical answer is that it symbolizes nothing. There is absolutely no reference about Christmas tree in the Bible.

In the earlier days the ancient inhabitants of northern Europe would cut evergreen trees and plant them in boxes inside their houses in wintertime. Somehow it got associated with the season and especially with Christmas.

Q4 – Is it wrong to get a Christmas tree home?

I don’t see an issue unless people start worshiping the tree and idolize it instead. I would rather look at it as a decorative item in the house. As for my family we never got a tree home anytime.

Q5 – Who is Santaclaus and where is he mentioned in the Bible?

Again, there is no mention of Santaclaus in the bible.

Santaclaus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas is a legendary figure of western culture who is said to bring gifts to the homes of well-behaved children on Christmas Eve.

Since Santaclaus has absolutely no significance or reference in the Bible we personally refrain from the idea and do not teach them to our children. The reason we do not teach them to our children is so that they don’t misunderstand or misinterpret the deity of Christ with another figure or a person.

Q6 – Is Christmas about drinking and getting drunk?

As per the Bible I would say some drinking is definitely not OK, like drinking to drunkenness.

Ephesians 5:18 says “do not get drunk with wine”

1 Cor 6:10 says “Drunkards will not inherit the Kingdom of God”

Another one that’s not OK is drinking with person who has a weak conscience and is easily tempted to get drunk.

Let’s look at some facts –
– Excessive drinking kills millions of people in this culture
– It’s killing marriages
– It’s killing jobs
– Alcohol is deadly in this culture.

In some culture light drinking is permitted and the bible does not show any objections. In Jesus’ time they used to drink wine – In fact the first miracle Jesus performed at a wedding ceremony was turning water into wine (the best wine).

My take on drinking is it better to refrain from alcohol if you don’t have self-control over it, and also better to refrain if your drinking causes another to stumble.

Christmas is definitely not about drinking or getting drunk.

Now, coming to the true meaning of Christmas

Christmas in un-doubtbly the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

A few years back I happened to sit and think of the one Christmas verse that I believe sums up the whole meaning of Christmas and the one that is my personal favorite among all. The verse I picked up was John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”

I believe this verse is a true expression for all the reason of our celebration and joy and should be held closer to our hearts not just on Christmas but all the days of our lives.

Every word in that verse is so rich with revelation that we can meditate on it for days. Here are my thoughts as I went through each and every word in that verse and hope your hearts respond in the same way as mine did.

‘For GOD’

The verse begins with the mention of the main character and that is “GOD”.

I often tell stories to my boys before sleep and I start by saying “Once upon a time, there was a TIGER (with a growling voice)…”The moment I mention the main character of the story I observe their reactions and I found out that they respond differently at the mention of different characters. If it is a tiger or a lion, they get really enthusiastic and if it’s a rabbit, they’re more calm and curious.
What I learnt is that the character definitely carries some weight and sets the momentum for the rest of the story and takes the course in that direction.

Similarly, I want you to understand the weight of our main character in our favorite verse; here we are taking about God.

These days the use of the word ‘God’ has become so common that we rarely get gripped even by the mention of it.

We are talking about the ultimate power, the source of all good things, the one who was from the beginning, the master designer who designed us, the earth we live in, this massive universe, the sun and the moon, the different planets and arranged it in such a fashion that scientists say that if there is a deviation of 0.000000000000000001% the earth would not exist, we will not exist.
Before we go ahead, I want to encourage you to take some time and allow the weight of that name to grip you and I am sure the rest of the verse will sound more meaningful and enriching.

“so LOVED”

The greatest love we’ve ever known or experienced is the love of the creator God. I don’t even know whether anybody can even define that great Love; a love greater than that of a Father or a Mother, Brother or a Sister, Husband or a Wife.

Our Love is conditional but God’s love is an unconditional Agape love.

God is Love, that’s His character and I strongly believe that is what sustains us every single moment. He loves us because we are created by Him in His image for His glory.

“the WORLD”

This means He loves literally every single individual, nobody is exempted, no one is disqualified; no matter how crazy it sounds, that is the basic truth.

Irrespective of your background, the language you speak, the clothes you wear, your beliefs, your circumstance etc, God looks at each of you as His masterpiece, His priced possession far worth more than any valuable treasure in this world.

“that He GAVE”

Do you ever look at an ant on the floor and think of giving something to it? They are so tiny that we don’t ever care if they are around.

If we could ever get an opportunity to look at this earth we live in from a considerably far off distance, we will realize that we are just a speck, much smaller than even an ant, almost negligible.
But the verse says that this Great Big God didn’t just love this tiny speck that we are but also decided to ‘give’. I feel so humbled, blessed, fortunate, honored and favored just to know that God is so interested in you and me that He would go to any lengths to simply get our attention, draw us back to Him.

To what extent is that love which He has for us? Well, to the extent that He gave….

“His one and only SON”

I can stay speechless for hours just thinking of this precious gift. He gave us the very best, not close to the best but ‘the best’ gift.

For the fallen mankind who became rebellious towards the creator God, living in disobedience and trapped in sin, a sin that has no other penalty other than death. The good God meant for His creation (us) we turned into evil by killing, stealing, abusing and committing the worst sins possible.

We were destined to die for the penalty of our sin. God had to choose someone else to take up our sin and die in our place, someone who himself has never sinned. And who else could ever take that place?

His one and only son, Jesus Christ was the perfect candidate to take that place… and so the unconditional love of God compelled Him to give Jesus to us.

Hebrews 10:14 says

It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people. By that single offering, he did everything that needed to be done for everyone who takes part in the purifying process. (The Bible)

He suffered the most terrible death recorded in human history as a ransom for our sin and wrong doings.

But the most amazing thing is that He rose again from the dead on the third day, defeating death and the devil. The empty tomb still exist in Israel to prove that all of this is not just a story by a true event back in history.

“that whoever BELIEVES in Him”

Who said we have to feed a 1000 people or climb Mount Everest or walk 1000 miles to receive this great gift from God. All it says is to believe.

It wouldn’t cost you anything to do that yet for most, it seems to be the most difficult thing to do. What is stopping you? What are the doubts or confusion clouding your head?

All you need do is just believe in your heart that Jesus died for you, repent of your sins and follow him wholeheartedly, that’s all it takes.

“shall NOT perish”

For those who believe in Him are rescued from hell, from the destruction of your soul, from the fiery furnace, from meaningless life, from eternal death and condemnation.

“but have eternal LIFE”

The promise is what matters the most; a life beyond death, a joy beyond measure, a peace that passes all understanding and freedom from the bondage of sin and death. There is no better proposition. It doesn’t get better than this.

God promises us life in abundance; hope and a bond restored back to Him if we only receive the truth, confess our sins and believe with all our heart.

King David in Psalms 34:8 says

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him” – The Bible

If you still have doubt than God even invites you to reason with him, Isaiah 1:18 in the bible says

“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” – The Bible

Christmas just cannot be enjoyed or celebrated without knowing the truth behind it. And the truth is “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” – John 3:16

As I conclude my message I was encourage you and urge you not to make Christmas just a one day event but rather cherish and treasure this true every single day of your life.

Merry Christmas and a Big God bless you

[audioplayer file=”http://thegatheringcommunity.in/wp-content/uploads/the-heavenly-vision.mp3″]

Our passage today is Isaiah 6:1-8

Introduction to Isaiah –

– One of the most important book in the old testament
– Not much is known about Isaiah’s personal life
– Collection of oracles, prophecies and reports
– God was using the pagan nations to chasten Israel for its sins and cleanse it from iniquity

Isaiah mean “Salvation of Yahweh” or “Yahweh Saves”

It was Isaiah who prophesied about Jesus Christ many years back in Isaiah 7:14 & Isaiah 9:6

Book of Isiah starts with a vision Isaiah saw concerning the nations Judah and Israel.

V2. He starts by saying “for the Lord has spoken”

In the first 5 chapters Isaiah speaks on behalf of God conveys how upset he is with the people because of their disobedience and rebelliousness.

Our passage in chapter 6 starts with this beautiful vision where Isaiah says “I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne.

A Parallel to our current generation:
– The problem in those days were that people had forgotten their creator God.
– They had become self centered, arrogant & pleasure seeking.
– They made idols for themselves and worshipped them instead of their creator God.
– Gave themselves to drunkenness
– Did everything that dishonoured God

Which is what we see happening even today in our generation.

In a situation like that Isaiah is saying “I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne”

Often times when people go through suffering and pain they ask questions like “Where is God?”, “Is God really watching us?”, “Does God really care for us?”, If yes then why doesn’t he doing anything about it?

I believe the same visuals Isaiah saw about the Lord is true even today. The Lord is seated on a high and lofty throne watching over us.

When I read that verse It assures me that our God is not absent from our lives but He is sovereign over all that is happening to us. I believe He is in control.

And everything we go through is because of our own sinful choices, arrogance and rebelliousness towards God.

The pain and the suffering we experience is the consequences of the sinful choices we make every single day. It is our failure to acknowledge this great big God who created us in his image. We often forget that we live under the mercy of God. We fail to acknowledge that tomorrow our very lives can be taken away.

If God wants to wipe us out of this earth all it takes for him is to shake the ground and cause an earthquake. He can wipe us out in seconds.

Our very existence is uncertain if it was not for the mercy of God.

And here we are selfish, wicked, self-seeking creatures who does not care about anything except our own pleasures and needs.

The bible says in Romans 3:23 that’s the condition of every single human being.
“For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”

None is righteous, not even me.

And how do we get right with God? Can any of our human goodness please God?

In comparison to the standard of God holiness can any of our efforts match up to that?

You’re saying that by doing 100 good things and just 2 bad things you can please God?

The bible says Isaiah 64:6 “All our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment” in comparison to God’s holiness.

What that means is that a man who’ve done all good things in all his lifetime – never harmed anyone – never killed anyone – had been a good man as per human standards. Even he is unworthy to stand before God with all his worthy deeds.

The verses go on to say that that the Seraphim had 6 wings, with 2 he covered his face, with 2 he covered his feet and with 2 he flew. The Seraphim then takes a glowing coal that he had taken from the altar and touched Isaiah’s mouth with it and said –

“Now that this has touched your lips your wickedness is removed and your sins is atoned for”

How did that happen?

The altar from where the seraphim picked up the coal was a place where sacrifices were offered. In the olden days’ men would offer animal sacrifices on the altar to please God.

The altar of sacrifice signifies and symbolizes the place where the true and worthy sacrifice would be offered. The one that will please God. The one that will truly cleanse us of our sins and wash us of our iniquities.

And what is that sacrifice?

It is a sacrifice that God himself provided for us.

Romans 3:25 says “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood”

Because we were unholy and unworthy to please God in any way, because we were sinful and all that we deserved was punishment and hell. God sent his only son – the one who lived a perfect and holy life while he was on earth – to take the punishment of our sins on our behalf – to dies for our rebelliousness – offered him as a worthy sacrifice on the ALTAR – to remove our wickedness and atone for our sins just as in the vision Isaiah saw.

The Christian faith is not based on stories and mythologies, the birth, death and resurrection of Christ are not just mere man made stories.

Jesus was not an imaginary person. No one in history will even deny the fact that a man called

Jesus lived and walked in this earth 2000 years back.

You may now want to ask why did God have to do something like that?

The answer is plain and simple in John 3:16

“For God so loved the world in this way, He gave his one and only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Now think about this – after all that God did for us through his son Jesus Christ – What does he asks as to do?

Does he say you need to walk a 100 miles to receive his forgiveness? Does he say you need to offer a thousand other sacrifices to gain this eternal life? Does he say you need to burn a hundred candle to please him?

All he says is “everyone who believes in this Jesus”

Unfortunately, the Christian world around us has become corrupt and has diluted this simple truth of the gospel. The Britishers made it worse for us. They called themselves Christians but set wrong examples to what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

Mahatma Gandhi in his book “My experiments with Truth” said “I like the Christ in the bible but I hate the men who follow him”

The truth is that the Christian faith is plainly believing in Jesus as the only way, truth and life. It is believing the fact that Jesus dies in our place, conquered death and rose again on the third day.
It is about repenting before God and turning away from our sinful ways. To love Jesus and love one another as Jesus loved us.

The last verse in the passage (verse 8) Isaiah hears a voice from the Lord saying “Who should I send? Who will go for me?”

The Lord is asking who will go to my people and tell this good news. And Isaiah replies and says “Here I am, send me”

Just as we heard and received this love and forgiveness through Jesus, we are called to share this truth with our friends, family and whoever comes in contact with us.

I was 18-year-old, and even though I was born in a Christian family. An old uncle who visited our home to pray for us explained this truth of Jesus to me and I can’t explain how my life has changed since then.

I’m at peace with God, I enjoy a joy that is inexpressible – I feel loved and that compels me to love others.

Jesus is real to me. And just as Isaiah I am happy to happy this joy with you.

So, here’s what I have to say as I end my sermon.

If you’ve never heard this truth before I want to encourage you to take out time and ponder upon this truth. And all you have to do is believe.

And if you’ve already believed and enjoyed fellowship with God you know what I’m talking about – Now go and tell it to others.