Image Scripture: Proverbs 2:1-5

A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

CHURCH AND LOCKDOWN

—Challenges And Hopes In Times Of Lockdown—

Dear Pastors, Church Members and Christians,

I pray and hope that God's grace is sufficient for us and our church at all times, even in this unusual time of Lockdown. For Christians, to not able to come to church for this long, when we are in good health is very unusual. We don't enjoy it. Yes, there were few Sundays, especially in winter, when we wished to stay under the blanket and skip church. But that feeling is not what we wear in our hearts this time. I am sure every Christian is missing the church fellowship after 5 consecutive Sundays being gone just like that. Sure, we might not be pious and devoted like the Psalmists (Ps. 27:4; Ps. 42:2; Ps. 84:10; Ps. 122:1) but we do agree as genuine Christians that we love to be in the house of God. The teaching of Hebrew exhorting us not to give up the habit of meeting together is not just an issue of sin for us anymore. (For if we skip church continuously, it's a sin because the Scripture commanded us not to. Any disobedience to the teaching of the Scripture is a sin.) Now, it is an issue of missing the blessings of fellowship— the delights, encouragements, services we missed from one another.

Oh! How we miss the fellowship! It is rightly so because we are to grow in the community. A Christian cannot exist individually as a lone Christian. Our calling as a Christian is in the body of Christ, where Christ is the head, and the church is His body. Each of us is a member of the body as an ear, eye, hand, etc. As an eye cannot exist alone and as an eye needs an ear and hand and so on, without a community of believers it is unthinkable for a Christian to exist. Therefore, missing the church in this Lockdown is a sign of being a true Christian. 

We have only a few people here in our church. Actually, looking at the nature and prospect of the ministry, it is difficult to call it a church, but we all know that there's no perfect church anywhere since the beginning of the conception of the first visible local church. So, we do not lose heart to go on as a body of Christ. Though we are young and immature, we understand the nature of the church and continue to seek and value the importance of meeting together at least once a week. So, even in this time of Lockdown, we convene Zoom Meeting. We sing, pray, read and study God's word, exhort and give updates about one another. Those who had the habit of skipping church continue to do so with this and that excuses. Those who love to have fellowship continue to show up irrespective of the timing. While the faithful realize the blessedness of fellowship in this Lockdown, the ignorant enjoy the suspension of church services. I suppose they fool their conscience by saying to themselves, "The government declared Lockdown, so stay home no matter what!" Before the Lockdown, even the nominal Christians had some sense of guilt for not coming to church. Now, they can fool their conscience from the feeling of guilt.

But you who are sensible know that feelings and reality are different. You can be guilty and not feel guilty. Also, you can feel guilty and actually be not guilty. As Ben Shapiro would always put in an effective way, "Fact doesn't care your feelings." Those ignorant who don't feel guilty for not coming to church now has always been guilty. And those faithful who feel terrible and guilty for missing the church for so long aren't guilty. You see, it's not the issue of circumstances, it's the issue of the heart, "Do you truly love the Lord Jesus Christ and His bride?"

We are not naive to have unrealistic expectations in this time of the pandemic, but we expect God to work in His time for His glory alone. We have been open to the idea that those who weren't able to wake up in time for Sunday worship service (before the Lockdown) would be able to join us if we schedule it in the evening. But it is evident that those who are faithful will remain faithful irrespective of circumstances, and those who are ignorant will remain ignorant even if an angel from heaven shows up. Abraham's reply to the rich man concerning the request of the rich man to send Lazarus to warn his brothers from the reality of his damnation in the story narrated by Jesus is indeed telling (Luke 16:19-31). A friend of mine once asked, "Why do you convene a meeting in Zoom seeing that it has only 45 minutes duration, why don't you use WhatsApp or other apps because you are few in numbers? Well, my reply is, "We know we are few, but we aren't supposed to be few. There are people who profess to be Christians, and by their profession, they should be joining us. Whether they join us today or not we are reserving a space for them where they should rightly occupy even if they don't show up today. And BTW, they may show up next time." Well, it has been 5 Sundays, and those who weren't serious before the Lockdown continue to be unmindful of. Some have hardened themselves by terminating the means of communication. As Pastor John MacArthur wisely counseled that a preacher should preach to the ones on the seats, and not be bothered with the empty seats. And as there are tares and wheat in the same field, we must rejoice with the wheat and not be discouraged with the tares of the field.

In summary: The challenge is, of course, the social distancing and the technical issues that come with the technology. Also the hardness of the hearts of some! The hope of ministry is that the Grace of God continues to work in us irrespective of circumstances, that the faithful remain faithful, and realize the grace of God in ordinary times (before the Lockdown) which we hardly took time to consider upon when things were going OK. As we endure this time, Pastors, as Paul exhorted Timothy, we must preach in season and out of season (2 Tim 2:2). Christians, we must remember the question of Jesus, “When the Son of man comes, will He find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8). And Church Members, be of good cheers that Jesus is building His church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against His bride (Matthew 16:18).

Experience the Power of Resurrection

Easter/Resurrection Sunday     12 April 2020

BIBLE TIME: Matthew 28:1-8 (NKJV)
[For Annotated Text of Matthew 28:1-8 both Rongmei version and Englsih version, click here ANNOTATED_Easter_Text]

Theme: Experience the Power of Resurrection

We have been observing Easter Sunday every year! And we have the same message, that Jesus is Alive and Active. That’s the most sobering truth that one can ever realize at any time– that God is watching us. If you are a Christian that’s good news. In fact, the basis for our every Sunday worship is because of the Resurrection. The message of Resurrection is comforting and hopeful for us as it was to the disciples. Jesus rose from the dead, not just for the disciples who were sorrowful in Jerusalem, but He rose for all of us that we may have hope, life and every spiritual blessing in Him. Let’s study the account of Resurrection from Matthew 28:1-8.

This passage recounts the experience of the women who came to the tomb of Jesus (v1). They were sorrowful because the one whom they love, enjoy and was cruelty murdered by the people who despised them. Not only were they sorrowful but they were also in deep disappointment, because the Messiah whom they hope would give them a new life, new dreams, and bring social upliftment was crushed to death. We all have experienced such sorrow and disappointment in some forms– death of loved ones, shattered dreams, and so many things. Surely, Job is right, “Mankind is born for misery.” And then as the women went to the tomb, not to meet Jesus, but to anoint the dead (stinky, rotten smell) body of Jesus, they were met by an angel (v5). And that made all the difference in the history of the Universe. The angel told them what we already know by now, that Jesus was not yet rotten. In fact, their perfume was useless for He rose from the dead. And as you would expect, they were overjoyed. They couldn’t stand still but as excitement would always have us, they ran, quickly to spread the news, at the same time with awe (v12).

That’s the power of resurrection. We cannot experience that physical sight, but we can experience that joy and hope of life. So, today I want to help you realize that experience by showing you 2 power of Resurrection which is real for the women and which is real for us too from this passage. This account has two scenes: 1. Experience of the women before the knowledge of resurrection (1-4), 2. Experience of the women after the Resurrection (5-8). Each scene gives an account of how they were transformed by the reality of Resurrection.

SCENE I: BEFORE THE KNOWLEDGE OF RESURRECTION – Sorrows, Disappointments, Challenges [COMFORT]

Matt 28:1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

Matt 28:2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door,^[a] and sat on it. [Challenge and Comfort1: Gracious-Mysteriously: Natural]

Matt 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.

Matt 28:4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. [Challenge and Comfort2: Gracious-Mysteriously: Human]

SCENE II: AFTER THE KNOWLEDGE OF RESURRECTION – Joy, Wonderment, Assurance, Hope, Strength, Basis… [CHEERFUL]

Matt 28:5 BUT the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. [Cheerful1: Understands-Sympathetic: Words-Actions]

Matt 28:6 He is not here; for HE IS RISEN, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. [Cheerful2: Assured-Answers] [Lives, Reign, Justice, Life, Future, Power, Glory . . .]

Matt 28:7 And go quickly and TELL His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; THERE YOU WILL SEE HIM. Behold, I have told you.”

[Cheerful3: Commissioned] [Good, Wonderful, Necessary: Sure: Attainable: Trustworthy,]

Matt 28:8 So they went out quickly from the tomb WITH FEAR AND GREAT JOY, and ran to bring His disciples word. [Cheerful4: Obedience-Joy] [Believe, Trust, Cherish, Practice, Persepective]

Let’s employ some helpful questions to understand the passage that we may apply in our life:

Q1. Why were the women going to the tomb on “the first day of the week” (v1. Luke 23:53-56)? What do they want to do there? (Mark 16:1) Apart from Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who else know the location of the tomb (Mark 15:47; Matt.27:61; Luke 23:55-56; John 19:39-40), and why these bunch of people?

Q2. Did Jesus really need an angel to roll away the stone for Him to escape (refer John 20:19)? If not, why did the angel roll back the stone (v2)? (Hints: v6)

Q3. The women were brave or naïve or crazy to go to the tomb, when the other disciples were hiding in fear. Thankfully, the angel of the Lord appeared and frightened away the guard, but why did the brave guards become like a dead man, yet the weak women remain conscious when they saw that angel? (v3-5) Do you recall any incident in Scripture where man fell down after a holy encounter?

Q4. Why did the angel say, “Do not be afraid” in v5? (Hints: what does “but” suggest?)

Q5. “He is risen” v6, why is it so important for the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead? (v6) [NB: You may unleash your Bible knowledge]

Q6. Why is Jesus going before the disciples into Galilee in v7? (Refer Matthew 26:32). What makes these women the first human to proclaim the news of resurrection?

Q7. Jesus came to earth for us too, He died for us too, He rose for us too, He is our Lord too. Why were the women running to tell the news with great joy? Have you been that excited to proclaim the news or the significance of resurrection to anyone? Do you know anyone who is so excited at the same time so serious (with fear and trembling) to proclaim the gospel?

The emotional scene of this resurrection account is not unfamiliar to us. We all have witnessed death and disappointment to some degree. The resurrection of Jesus is the death of death and disappointment. Many times like the women and the disciples, we are too slow to believe the word of God. Sometimes we seek Jesus for a wrong reason like these women (they were trying to help Jesus by anointing his dead body, when they actually should be going to Galilee to meet Him as He predicted before many times.) However, God remains gracious and works in mysterious ways for our own good to the praise of His glory. He remains faithful and trustworthy. Jesus is alive and He is interceding for us in heaven. And he has commissioned us to proclaim this truth over and over again both to ourselves and to others that they too may know the love of God. The resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most comforting news for the sinners and the most cheerful news for the believers to proclaim.

     PRAYER POINTS:

1. Praise God for the gift of Life: present life and the Life to come.

2. Pray for the Salvation of Near and Dear ones. Pray for the sinners to know this Grace of God.

3. Praise God for Churches, Missionaries, Evangelist and Preachers for heralding the Gospel.

4. Pray for the Churches, Missionaries, Evangelist and Preachers to herald the Gospel faithfully: Health, Encouragement, Finance, Trust, Opposition, Wisdom, Opportunities. . .

5. Pray for the pandemic and people around the world: That they will seek God and live. That we will be protected – finance, foods, careers, works, plans, charity . . .

6. Pray that we would always live as the citizens of heavens demonstrating the power of resurrection truth: Joy, peace, kindness, goodness, self-control . . .

MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU!

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     Homiletical Outline for Preaching

Theme: Experience the Power of Resurrection

Two life-transforming truth of the power of Resurrection:

I.       It is Comforting (v1-4)    (God dealt with the stone and the guards)

1.      Because God Knows our Weakness. (v1)

2.      Because God Works in a Mysterious way. (v2-4)

II.     It is Cheerful (v5-8)        (God raised Jesus and He reigns)

1.      Because God has special Love for His people (v5)

2.      Because God’s promise is Sure even when we doubt. (v6)

3.      Because God gives us the Greatest Commission. (v7)

4.      Because God rewards our Obedience. (v8)

     More Applicatory questions you might want to reflect upon:

V1.  Do you delight to spend time with Christ, the church, the scripture? Have you pondered how God has helped you in all activities of life, challenges and solutions?

V5. Do you feel sympathetic to sorrowful people like this angel?

V6. Do you trust God for what He says? Who is your source: the self-proclaimed prophets, dreams, philosophy?

FOR THE ANSWERS TO THE 7 QUESTIONS ABOVE, YOU MAY DOWNLOAD FROM THIS LINK ANSWER_Easter_Sunday

Good Friday: Our Hope in the death of Christ

WORD OF GOD: 2 Corinthians 5:21

“Good Friday: Our Hope in the death of Christ”

INTRO . . . : The world is still in a panic of this pandemic. People wonder about jobs, money, foods, and health. We all don’t want to die, but death looks very imminent. BTW, 56 million people die each year; 151,600 people die each day; 6,316 people die each hour; 105 people die each minute; nearly 2 people die each second. The most popular place where people visited most is not the Taj Mahal or London Bridge or Eiffel Tower. Btw, they are under lockdown now. The most visited place in the universe is heaven and earth. Every ticking of a second somebody is going to hell or heaven. We don’t want to die. Death is not good, but today actually we are celebrating the death of Jesus Christ, and we called it Good Friday. Because God desired that Jesus die. Jesus died willingly that we may no longer die eternally, but that we would be raised again after we die, on the day when Jesus comes to renew and replenish the earth.

How can we live in HOPE in this time of panic when death seems to lurk at our door? We can because we know the death of Christ. By his death, whether we live or die, we can be at peace. That’s what 2 Corinthians 5 is assuring us, particularly verse 21. The epistle of 2 Corinthians is written by Apostle Paul for the people of Corinth. Apostle Paul is one of the godliest men ever walked on earth. He traveled from Jerusalem to Asia Minor to Europe preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. He endured lots of sufferings, persecutions, and he was not uncommon to sickness and natural calamities like a shipwreck in the open seas. No matter what the circumstances of life were, he remains joyful because as he famously said, for him “to live is Christ.” Knowing and trusting and obeying Jesus is sufficient for a joyful living. Not only the circumstances of life, but even the perils of death were dear to Him. Because that would mean to be with Christ. Well, look at us. We are sacred of death as well as scared of the uncertain future and the worries and the cares of the present. We ought to learn a lot from Paul.

20 years after the death and resurrection of Christ, Paul visited Corinth being a passionate missionary. And he pastored the Corinthian Church for 1 and a half years. After that, his missionary zeal took him to Ephesus. There he penned the letter of 1 Corinthians answering the many questions of Corinthians. Paul is committed to proclaiming the gospel to all the ends of the earth as long as he lived. While he was in Macedonia, it became fitting for him to write this 2^nd letter of Corinthians to address the trouble spreading in Corinth. One of the themes of 2 Corinthians is about Comfort (HOPE) in sufferings for He himself was a man of great sufferings. We all want comforting news, news of hope, especially this time right?

Chapter 5:1-8 is about the unfading and unfailing hope of a Christian. He shows that by a way of comparison that our life on earth is temporal. This is not the ultimate world we would want to live forever, therefore we long (or should long) for the permanent habitation, where we will live for thousands of years– forever– without diseases, sufferings, and sins in and around us. So, we should not be worried about the cares of this world. In fact in v8, Paul says, he said it’s better for us to die now and be present with the Lord. But how can we, (who are such a wretched sinner), be so sure about our destiny, to be with the Lord, who is holy, and is a consuming fire? That’s what Paul answers in v21.

Paul reveals 2 truths that make us hopeful in the death of Christ:

I.          GOD’S DEMAND OF JUSTICE IS FULLY MET (21a)

Q1. Who is “He,” “Him,” and “we” refer to in this verse? Whose action is shown as active and whose action is passive? In light of that discovery, who is responsible for our righteousness? Do we need anything else for our righteousness?

Q2. The phrase “who knew no sin” indicates that Jesus Christ was (and is) totally sinless, and holy. And Romans 6:23 and Romans 5:12 says that Death comes only to sinners, how could a sinless Christ die? Also, think through this, if the loving God could let His beloved innocent Son die when he bore the sins of the world, what is the hope of anyone who has ever sinned, trivial sin or heinous sin?

Extra Q1. How could the death of one man (Jesus Christ) at one point of time, a long time ago, forgive all the sins of all believers, of all their single day of their lives of past present and future? What do you think of this man Jesus Christ to be of such an infinite value?

II.        GOD’S DEMAND OF HOLINESS IS FULLY GIVEN (21b)

Q3. In a conflict, it’s one thing to be forgiven, it’s another thing to be accepted. To be reconciled, it needs both forgiveness and acceptance, what makes sinners acceptable before God according to the last part of this verse? Also, explain how does a sinner attains that status?

Q4. Look at you! Are you really righteous? Every single cell of your body screams out that you aren’t (or read 1John1:8-10), then, how does God consider us as righteous? [the expression “that we might become” is not an expression of possibility, but is an expression of a result of v.21a]

Extra Q2. How did Jesus take away your sins on that cross? You weren’t even born then. Have you ever thought carefully how were your sins taken away? Has it been just a wishful thought, and not real? And how do you know that you are truly saved? [It’s a Tough Question. One might answer this wrongly and still be a genuine Christian. One doesn’t need to know the details of Salvation to be saved.]

CONCLU . . . : You might say, “I do believe the truth of V21, that Jesus died in my place, and I believe I’m righteous in the sight of God, but how do I receive this assurance? I am still doubting. Help me!” You asked rightly my dear friend. It’s one thing to be justified by God, it’s another to be sanctified by God. God accepts you whether you feel or not if you really believed, but the assurance of being saved is only through obedience to His commandments. Or in other words, the genuineness of your faith in Christ will be demonstrated by your obedience. Look at v 9-10. Paul says we all who profess faith in Christ must strive to be pleasing to God. Is your life Christianly? Is your life a demonstration of holiness and fleeing away from sins and the care of this world? You better be. And then v 10 says that you cannot fool God. Your true profession (by the result of your work,) you shall be judged! Don’t tell me that you believe in Christ or are a Christian if your life doesn’t show that.

And some of you say, “Amen, Amen brother!” To you, Paul says in v11-20, “Don’t just thank and praise God for this gift of Salvation. Don’t be just a recipient of Grace, but also be an ambassador of Grace. God is serious. The unquenchable wrath of God is coming. You go and beg others that, they be reconciled to God. When is the last time you persuade others to believe the gospel? Leave aside persuasion, when is the last time you share a gospel. Let’s leave aside sharing, when is the last time you even tried to share? Paul says we must implore, plead, and beg others to believe. Is Good Friday and this week not the best week to obey this?

Isn’t this time of pandemic an appropriate time to implore them to know Christ before they die? Would you make a commitment to share the gospel of reconciliation, this gospel of justification, this gospel of God’s acceptance of believing sinners, this gospel of Salvation to others by any means, calling, texting, sending gospel-centered articles links in social media, or even by asking the opportunity to pray for them? A Lot can be proclaimed in prayer! You know that don’t you? Jesus dying for our sins is the hope of our life here on earth and for the life to come.

     PRAYER POINTS:

1. Praising God for the gift of Salvation to us, a wretched hapless sinner)

2. Pleading for the Salvation of the lost souls: That God will raise up workers to reach out.

3. Praising God for the blessing of Fellowship and Technology

4. Praying God for all our needs, cares, careers, and good health

5. Praying for the pandemic and people around the world: That they will seek God and live.

6. Praying for us to live out the fruit(s) of the Spirit and live out the Gospel.

MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU!

FOR THE ANSWERS TO THE 6 QUESTIONS ABOVE, YOU MAY DOWNLOAD FROM THIS LINK ANSWERS_Good_Friday

Palm Sunday: Following the Promised Savior

PALM SUNDAY 05 April 2020

 BIBLE TIME: (Q&A, Exposition, Application) (John 12:12-16)

Theme: Jesus is the promised Savior, follow Him.

Intro: Passion Week . . .

We have been experiencing very unusual weeks when the world is confined to rooms and we distancing ourselves from one another. We, Christian, aren’t surprised by such pandemic, not because it is trivial, but because we know the holy and just and good God. In the words of Apostle Paul, we can say, “All things work together for good.” Actually, this pandemic teaches us that anytime death can visit us, it can snatch us away, our loved ones and dear ones. Death respects nobody, the rich, the wise, the poor, and the strong, all can die anytime. Death is inevitable. If death is the end in itself, it is grim. But we know death is not the end, God in the person of Jesus Christ is offering us a resurrection which death can no longer snatch us away.

2000 years ago Jesus came to earth to give this new life. He lived for about 33 and a half years fulfilling the commandments of God for our salvation. On the final day of his life on earth, he showed up on Jerusalem, and that is the event we want to study today from John 12:12-16. It is the glorious and most significant week of the history of the entire universe, because of three great events happening of that week. We remember that week as Passion Week, and those three events are Palm Sunday (which is today, this Sunday), Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.

What is the significance of Passion Week? What is its message? Passion Week, to put simply is about the PERSON and WORK of Christ for us to receive new LIFE. The message of Passion Week, (for that matter,) the Gospel, Bible, and Christianity is simple: John 3:16, “Whoever Believes In Christ Will Receive New Life.” Well, each and every 8 words in what I have just said is very important and consequential. We don’t have time to explain that today. How can ‘just’ believe in Christ give us new life, because just believing that US or Indian Scientists will produce a vaccine for Covid19 will never make us immune to this virus or cure us once we get infected? It’s similar. Just saying, “I believe Christ” doesn’t make you a recipient of new life. You must know Who He is, What He is, What He demands, What He gives. In other words, you must know the PERSON of Christ. Not only must you know the person of Christ, but also the WORK of Christ, What He has done for sinners, How He has made us acceptable before God.

In a way, the event of Passion Week unfolds like this: Palm Sunday tells us the Person of Christ; Good Friday, the work of Christ; and Easter Sunday, the New Life in Christ.

Palm Sunday: PROCLAMATION – Who Jesus is [PERSON]

Good Friday: CRUCIFIXION – What Jesus did [WORK]

Easter Sunday: RESURRECTION – What Jesus gives [LIFE]

Today, let’s study what happened on Palm Sunday and find out its message and apply it to our life from the passage of John 12:12-16, the shortest account in the four gospels. In the last study of John 12:45-57 we saw the Jewish leaders were plotting to kill Jesus, but could not, because “His Hour has not come.’’ Now His hour has come (v23), to proclaim Himself the Messiah, the Passover Lamb, who will take away the sins of the world according to what it had been prophesied by the prophets in the past. In doing so, the Jewish leaders will arrest Him on Thursday and crucified Him on Friday, and He will rise up from the dead on Sunday. The message we hear from this passage is, “Jesus is the promised Savior, follow Him.” At the appointed time, the King came to give His life, not to be adored and crowned with gold, but to be mocked, crucified and crowned with many thorns. The crowds of Jerusalem didn’t understand what was going on (v16), but we do understand now. So let’s find out by the methods of asking questions: Three demonstrations that Jesus is the promised Savior–

PROCLAMATION (12-13) of the people “cried”

Q1. Was the triumphal entry planned or accidental? [Refer to synoptic gospels]. What is the appropriateness of this occasion for Christ to program this? (John 12:12-13; 11:55)

Q2. The proclamation “Hosanna . . . The King of Israel” in v 13 is reserved for the coming of the Messiah. The people received Him as Messiah. How were they convinced of His identity? (9, 17-19).

Q3. The people received Him as Messiah but a few days later they crucified Him, Why? How sure are you that the God of your confession is the real God of the Bible? (Refer Deut. 5:7-8; Phil 3:19-20)

FULFILLMENT (14-15) of the scriptures “written”

Q4. Why did Jesus choose Donkey, and not like a Horse for a King? (v14) And what is the message of sitting on a donkey? (Matt. 21:5; Matt. 11:28-30). Next time, He will be coming riding on what kind of animal and why? (Rev 19:11)

Q5. Why do you think was the prophet saying, “Fear Not” (v15)? And were the crowd or the Pharisees afraid of Jesus? Should they? What about us, should we?

VINDICATION (16) by glorification (resurrection)         “glorified”

Q6. In v16, why could not the disciples understand the meaning of this event then? (Refer John 14:26; 16:13) In light of this truth, why is Bible so hard for some to believe? (1 Cor.2:14). What must be our attitude when we approach to study Scripture?

Q7. Which word in v16 tells you that Jesus is who He claimed to be– that He is the Promised Savior?

Q8. The crowd liked Him and addressed Him, King. It really looked like a triumphal entry. Was it a triumphal entry after all? Why did Jesus work so hard for a failed triumphal entry? What matters to Him and what must matter to you? (think through v23-26)

NOTES:

     Three lessons learned from the crowd of Jerusalem:

1.     They had the wrong perception: Jesus was not the Messiah of their imagination.

2.     They had the wrong celebration: Physical (political) rather than Spiritual

3.     They had the wrong motivation: Political freedom rather than spiritual freedom

     Three truths of this entry to Jerusalem (triumphal entry/ Palm Sunday)

1.      Jesus came willingly to suffer for us. He was the one who set the stage for His death.

2.      Jesus came timely to fulfill the Scripture (and the promise). God’s word never fails.

3.      Jesus came graciously to offer peace with God, freedom from sin, and glorious life.

     PRAYER POINTS:

1. Churches and Christians who aren't able to have regular fellowship. That they will not grow cold (weak) in faith.

2. Pandemic and Panic among us. That we would remain careful and be protected.

3. Doctors and Patients. That they will have strength and grace to fight the virus.

4. Scientists and Leaders. That they will have the wisdom to guide and help the public in this situation.

5. Food and Finance. That we all will continue to get daily needs. Remember the migrant workers too.

6. Careers and Economy. That our future will be taken care of by the amazing grace of God.

7. Fruit(s) of Christian. That we will demonstrate peace, hope, and love in this situation.

8. Heavenly minded. That we will have the perspective of heaven and not be worldly in our decision making and lifestyle!

9. Mission and Gospel. That we will remain passionate for the lost soul and live out the Gospel all the more as the day of the Lord nears.

BENEDICTION: May the Lord bless you and keep you throughout the week! Amen!

FOR THE ANSWERS TO THE 8 QUESTIONS ABOVE, YOU MAY DOWNLOAD FROM THIS LINK ANSWERS_Palm_Sunday

The Danger of Unbelief

29 March 2020 Sunday [Lockdown] Punjab, India

Bible Reading, Studying (Questions and Answers), Application from John 11:45:57

Theme: “Just Believe Christ, because Unbelief is Dangerous!”

I don’t need to remind you again that we are doing this because of this coronavirus pandemic. How we wish to get rid of this virus, don’t we? If someone from different planet shows up and eradicate this virus, and all kind of sickness and suffering and economic inequalities, would it not be great? Actually, John 11:45:57 is about such miracles, actually greater than what we have just imagined. A man Lazarus was dead, and lots of people were deeply sad and crying. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

But the people weren’t responding as we imagine. V.45-53 says some people wanted to kill Jesus for doing such a great miracle. What insanity (stupidity), right? This passage is telling us how Unbelief in Christ leads one to stupidity. And in v54-57 we see Jesus withdrawing (abandoning) those people because of their unbelief and stupidity (wickedness). John 11:45-57 is teaching us that Unbelief leads one (not only) to stupidity, but (it also) makes one more deprived (hopeless), because Jesus is the only way, the only truth, and the only life, the real solution for all our problems, and if we will not believe in Him, He will reject us too. John 11:45:57 is teaching us in one line: “Just Believe Christ, because Unbelief is Dangerous!” The whole book of gospel John is written that we may believe Christ, and by believing that we may have eternal life (John 20:31).

Let’s go deeper into our studies by considering these questions.

UNBELIEF LEADS TO INSANITY (STUPIDITY)

Q1. Who was dead and for how many days was he buried (v.38-44)? Who raised him up from the dead (v.38-44)? How long do you think will it take for the dead to rot and stink?    Have you heard of anyone raising the dead?

Q2. If Jesus raised Lazarus, what is your estimation of Him? (refer John 11:25; 14:16). And if you believe in this Jesus, what does it make you feel?

Q3. In verse v45 some people believed Jesus but in v46, some refused to believe why? (v45-53)

Q4. Surely it was not the lack of evidence (proof), but because their hearts were wicked, what were they clinging to (v47)? In light of this, why do you think some people deny the existence of God? As you reflect this truth, is there anything you cannot give up for Christ? (think through Mark 8:34-37, also read this promise Mark 10:28-30)

Q5. Who decided (prophesied) to kill Jesus and who else decided to join him (v.45-53)? What was the reason for killing Jesus? [Hints v48] Is it justifiable?  Would you kill an innocent man for 1 million dollars? Why is it wrong? Think!

Q6. Verse 49-52 is puzzling. Prophecy is of God, so actually, God ordained that Jesus would be crucified (killed). In that sense, Jesus was not killed by the Jews or the Romans, who killed Jesus Christ and why? (refer John10:18; also think through John 3:14-16)

UNBELIEF MAKES ONE MORE DEPRIVED (HOPELESS)

Q7. Why did Jesus hide (no longer walked openly) from the Jews? Was He afraid of the Jews? (Refer John 7:30, 44; 8:20; Luke 4:29-30) When did Jesus appear again and what happened to Him when he reappeared? (refer John 12:23; Matthew 26:45) In light of this truth, who is in charge of history and time?

Q.8 In v54-57, we see Jesus withdrawing His presence, do you remember any passage or story of the Bible that God gave up (rejected/abandon) His people? (Genesis 6:3; Judges 16:20; 1Samuel 15:20). Why does God do that? STIFFNECKED. OPPOSITION. DELIBERATE REJECTION. What does that teach us?

Q9. The Chief priests and Pharisees sought Jesus Christ to kill Him, but never found Him. Jesus did come out again and so they killed Him. Why did Jesus show up again? (v55, 12:1; Luke22:14-20; John 6:51)

May the Spirit help you find the answers and apply them to your life to the glory of God!

Preaching/Teaching Outline for John 11:45-57

INTRO . . . . 

THEME: “JUST BELIEVE BECAUSE UNBELIEF IS DANGEROUS”

You might ask, where does that command to believe come from? John wrote this gospel that you may believe. The narrative style of this passage exposed the dangerous side of unbelief, therefore we should believe. Moreover, the theological interpretation of Apostle John in v51-52 embedded in this passage is implying ‘to believe’ that He is the Christ the savior of the world.

John 11:45-57 has two major scenes which give us two dangerous sides of Unbelief: The first danger of Unbelief is it leads to insanity (45-53). The second danger of Unbelief is it makes one more deprived (54-57). I do believe there are other dangers of Unbelief but these are the two things we find in this passage according to the narration of Apostle John.

TWO DANGEROUS OUTCOMES OF UNBELIEF:

1.     UNBELIEF LEADS TO INSANITY (Frederick Nietzsche)

A.      NOT LACK OF EVIDENCE (45-47) miracles 7^th. Romans 1. Lazarus rich.

B.      FOR WORLDLINESS (48-50) Pilate, Morality Heresy. Political Correct.

C.      PROFESSING WISE FOOLS! (51-53) Sovereignty – Judas, Philistine

2.     UNBELIEF MAKES ONE MORE DEPRIVED (Israel, Jesus)

A.     JESUS WITHDREW (54) Parable, miracles,

B.      ONLY JESUS’ WILLS TO SHOW UP (55-57) Garden, lay down, Calvinistic

CONCLUSION: . . . How do I believe? Pray like the man of Mark 9: “Help my unbelief!” . . .

FOR THE ANSWERS TO THE 9 QUESTIONS ABOVE, YOU MAY DOWNLOAD FROM THIS LINK ANSWER_Unbelief