A Genuine Christian’s Response to the Gospel – Part 2.

17^th March 2019 Sunday Worship Service

10:30-12:30 AM, Grace Derabassi Church

Text: John 1: 12-13

Title: A Genuine Christian’s Response to the Gospel – Part 2.

Would you turn your bible to John1:12-14? We are continuing our series on “A Genuine Christian’s Response to the Gospel” from John 1:10-14, which we have started last Sunday. Apostle John presented Jesus in his book as the Son of God, the giver of eternal life. His main purpose in writing this book is for the reader to believe in Christ. John 20:31 “but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”

Everybody will die one day but will be resurrected again on the Judgement Day of Christ. Some will be raised to eternal life, where there will be no more sin, no more pain, no more sorrows, and no more evils. Some will be raised to eternal death, which means separation from God to a place where they will bear the wrath of God for eternity. Gospel John is written that we may have eternal life. Are you not tired of sins in your life? We kept on doing what we don’t want to do, and we don’t do what we want to do. We are bound to sin and live a miserable life. Eternal life in Christ is a sinless, blameless, and faultless life; a life of holiness, purity, and righteousness; a life of joyfulness and true worship!

Eternal life is offered to all in Christ, and you have to receive it. If you have this eternal life through Christ, you are a genuine Christian. Therefore, it is how we respond to this offer. Our response should not be the rejection of the message of the Gospel like the Jews and the rest of the world written in verses 10-11. They ignored the truth, they opposed the truth. And Apostle John described them in a very sad way, “they did not know Him.” That’s the indictment! And what we learn from that is TO KNOW CHRIST. Who is Christ? Last time we talk from verses 10-11 that He is the Creator, Sustainer of Universe and everything in it. He is the God who revealed Himself to the world in the best possible way by coming to the world as a man to bear the sins of the world.

And then in verse 12 “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” He is the Author of Salvation. He is the One that births Christian. He is the cause of Christian, the source and the perfector, the security and the guarantee of Christian! So, the question we want to ask ourselves now is what do we do with this person Jesus Christ? Our responsibility is not only to Know Christ but we must Believe Him.

2. Believe Christ (12-13) (how?)

One cannot only know Christ. It doesn’t do any good. Knowing is the intellectual aspect. Believing is the volitional aspect. You must commit yourself to Him. You must put your trust in Christ. Verse 12-13. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Apostle John describes Christian in four different words; those who have received Christ, those who believe in the person and work of Christ, those who are born of God, and children of God. The first two descriptions show the Responsibility of man, and the last two show the Sovereign work of God. And in v13, he strongly asserts how one is not saved, how one does not become a Christian.

i.                   Your responsibility

While verse 10-11 is between Christ and the world, and the response is a Rejection of Christ; verse 12-13 is between Christ and Christian, and the response is a Reception of Christ. Verse 12 begins with a contrasting word “but,” and that makes all the difference.  And here is the blessed contrast. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God.” The world rejects Christ, but anyone in this world, irrespective of geography, skin color, language, culture, tribes, or communities, whoever receives Jesus Christ becomes a child of God – a Christian.

See! Christ did not come into the world to condemn us (John 3:16-20). He did not even come to ask us to do something. He just came to save us. He is a loving saving God. Our response is just to receive. How do we receive Christ? (He is back in Heaven now.) Obviously, not as we receive a material object, that we can touch, see and feel it. ESV and NIV help us to understand this verse better. They translated in this way, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” To receive Him is to believe Him. Believing Him demonstrates reception of Christ.

This belief is “in His name” – in the person and His work - what He has done for you for your salvation. The name Jesus means, Saviour, Matthew 1:21 “He shall save His people from their sins!” The name Christ means “anointed one” to deliver sinners from the wrath of God. It is believing that Jesus came to save sinners. The Scripture is consistent throughout the Bible.

Acts 16:31 “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” Acts 4:12 “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 5:7-8 “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Hebrews 9:28 “so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him, He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” Romans 10:9-10 “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

See! Numbers of Scripture says what to believe, why to believe, and how to believe. Again, 1 Pet 1:8-9 “whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.”

By the way, many people used to say, “Do not judge someone’s faith. It is by one’s faith that one is saved!” That’s a lie from the pit of hell! You are not saved by your faith, (the subjective faith); you are save by the object of your faith. Let’s take for an illustration. Suppose, someone keeps poison in a Coca-Cola bottle, and you come along and drink that thinking and believing sincerely that it is a Coke, would that sincere faith saves you? No! No matter whether your faith is sincere or not; you are dead if you drink it. You see, it is the object that matters. You need to believe in the Biblical Christ, not the Christ of your imagination or your ideas!

How wonderful is that we are saved when we just believe in Him! That’s the difference between Christianity and all other religions. Other religions teach man to do good works to get into heaven. Bible says, No! You can never enter heaven by any good works. You enter heaven, not because of any good works done by you, the good, perfect, righteous work done by Christ. 2 Timothy 1:9 “who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Believing is trusting. Based on your trust you enjoy. Doubt is not “believing” How many of you doubted that those chairs could support you before you sat on it? You didn’t! You just sat on it. That’s how you must trust Christ for your Salvation! I am telling you, those chairs will be broken someday, but Christ will never be moved. He says in John 10:28 “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”

And the Bible says even Belief, Faith is, in fact, a gift (Eph.2:8-9). Also 2 pet 1:1. “Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.” We can’t even believe it. God must give us that faith to believe. And that is the reason why though many of us “believe” the Gospel but are not saved. True Faith or Saving Faith comes from God. Do you have saving Faith? And this reality leads us to the Sovereignty of God in Salvation.

ii.                God’s Sovereignty

Ephesians 2:1 “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,” Ephesians 2:5 “even when we were dead in trespasses.” The Bible diagnoses us that we are dead people. Can a dead man believe? No man seeks God (Rom 3:11). Scripture says natural man is hostile to the spiritual thing. Can a natural man believe? Thus Salvation is of God alone. That’s what it means when verse 12 says, “He gave the right to become children of God.” It is God that made one a Christian.

a.     How one does not get saved

Last Sunday I mentioned about four common misconceptions about becoming a Christian: Some people think they are Christian because they grow up in a Christian family. And some people do not care because they think they are going to heaven because God should be good enough to let them in. There are other groups of people who think they can become Christian sometime later. And unfortunately, there are also people who think God is responsible for all our sins and destiny to hell

This magnificent verse 13 refutes all such thoughts and arguments in verse v.12-13. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Apostle John describes who Christian really is and how one becomes. He refutes the common misconception of most of the professing Christians. No one is Christian by birth, he must become – become by spiritual birth. You were not, you are not, the text says you must “become.” As Christ said to Nicodemus in Jn 3:6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” A Christian is he who is born of God by the Spirit.

And then the text says, “not of blood.” Christian is not a birthright. Sin is (Ps 51:5). You may have born to a godliest family in a godliest church in a godliest society, but, you are not a Christian – not of blood. By the way, friends, God is really good, better than you have or can ever imagine. But, that is why He would not let sinner enter heaven. Even the Justice of this world punish the criminals, God the Justice of Universe has to punish sinner much more. The only way to heaven is to believe that Christ received your punishment, and you receive the garment of His righteousness to cover yourself before the throne of God!

For those of you who blame God for sins and evils, and hell. John 3:17 says, you shall die in your sins. For Christ came to the world not to damn you but to save you. Yet you love sins and darkness and therefore shall die in darkness!

And then the text further says, “nor of the will of the flesh.” You cannot convert yourself. You cannot make yourself Christian. There are some people who say, “I’ll become Christian next year.” You cannot; “nor of the will of the flesh!” It’s not your ability. Can dead man decide to spring up from the grave? Does a dead man have “will?”

And then the text further says, refuting all arguments, “nor of the will of man.” Not even other can make you Christian. No man can convert you, nor can anyone decide for you. I cannot pronounce you a Christian. Your pastor cannot make you Christian. Then how does one become a Christian? The text says, “born but of God.” You must be born of God. It’s a passive voice. Somebody, God must birth you.

That’s the reason why Christian must obey the Scripture when it says you must not marry a non-Christian. Some people have a very brilliant idea that they can convert their spouse. This idea is from the pit of hell. You cannot convert anyone. Conversion is the Holy Spirit’s Job. Your job is to obey. No compromise! Period. Don’t try to have a better idea than God your creator.

b.    How one gets saved

Then we may ask, how do I believe then? Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” It is through Hearing the true Biblical Jesus from the Bible or Biblical preaching. It is Hearing the gospel. When you are hearing the Gospel, the Holy Spirit works in your heart, mind, and soul. That’s why we need gospel preaching. Gospel is the only means to salvation (Romans 1:16-17). Without hearing the Gospel, nobody is saved! And that’s why God has started the work for your Salvation from before you were born! He sent His Son to the Cross. Jesus sent His Apostle to the ends of the Earth. And today we are hearing the Gospel again. This is how saving faith, true belief is received from the gospel.

When we believe, God has “given” us the right. We do not earn, we just receive what is given. God offers to all. He continues to offer us till today. Will you receive Him? Will you commit yourself and trust the Lord saying, Lord, I believe you have died for a wretched sinner like me. Thank you for saving me! Thank you for making me your own now! I am crucified with Christ in the Cross. All my sins of past, present, and even my future sins are all crucified in the cross! I am free. I am forgiven! I have become the child of God. If you confess that with your mouth and believe in your heart, my friend, you are a born-again Christian, you are a genuine Christian. Is not that simple? I plead you to receive Christ! Apostle Paul says, “Behold now is the favorable time; Behold now is the day of Salvation!” Would you believe in Jesus, the Christ?

Hymn writer Augustus Toplady writes:

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labors of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

Shall we pray?

Lord, we thank you for this glorious truth you have given us through your servant John! You the eternal God came to this world to save wretched sinners that we may become the children of God. The world did not know you, nor do they know the privilege we have in you. Lord, I pray you to grant repentance and faith to my brothers and sister here through the hearing of the gospel today, that they may be saved and receive eternal life. For we cannot convert anyone nor ourselves to you. For Lord Salvation belongs to you. Glory and Honor belong to you forever and ever.

Oh! Lord, we rejoice in this truth that you have justified us when we believe in you. Oh! That we are your children, who can snatch us from your eternal love, care, and blessings. Oh! Now that we are covered by the garments of Christ’s righteousness, as our filthy sinful rags are nailed to the cross, we have this confidence to approach you as Father and receive all the spiritual blessing that you have poured out on us! even then, Lord, we pray you again, that you will help us to live worthy of your Gospel, for your fame and glory and honor we pray, Amen!

A Genuine Christian's Response to the Gospel John 1:10-14 (Part 1)

Some of my friends are of the opinion that I record my sermons. That could not be done in the present situation, so I’ve decided to publish my Sermon notes! (A kind of Transcript)

10^th March 2019   Sunday Worship Service

10:30-12:30 AM,   Grace Derabassi Church

Text: John 1: 10-14

Title: A Genuine Christian's Response to the Gospel.

The text for our studies this morning is from the Gospel John 1:10-14. We call it “Gospel” because it tells us the good news – not of bank accounts, not of material prosperity, not of the longevity of physical life on earth; but the good news about the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

The book of John is written by one of the disciples of Jesus Christ, by the name John. He presented Jesus in his book as the Son of God, the giver of eternal life. His main purpose in writing this book is for the reader to believe in Christ.

John 20:31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

That they may have eternal life. Have you heard that word “eternal life?” Do I need to define it? It is a life-unending, absence of sins and evils, full of joy and wonders. 

You see, listening to a sermon, or reading Bible is not to know the facts and go away, but to believe – believing in nothing else but in Jesus Christ. John Stott says that we go to a concert to be entertained, but we listen sermons to be obeyed. Before we go to our text, I want you to consider these 2 questions:

Q1. Why do you think that God should allow you to enter Heaven?
Q2. Why do you think that you are a Christian?

4 brilliant misconceptions around us regarding these two questions:
1. Christian by birth.
2. God should be good enough to let me in.
3. I will become Christian later on.
4. God is responsible for Hell.

Years ago, I had an opportunity to travel from Goa to Bangalore to Guwahati to Shillong to Imphal. I traveled by buses and train visiting and meeting different kinds of people. I asked many professing Christian why they think they are going Heaven when they die. I also asked them why they think they are Christians. And I got lots of clever answers, but unfortunately not biblical.

Some people think they are Christian because they grow up in a Christian family. And some people do not care because they think they are going to heaven because God should be good enough to let them in. There are other groups of people who think they can become Christian sometime later. And unfortunately, there are also people who think God is responsible for all our sins and destiny to hell.

I want us to consider the same question. Are we Christians? How does one know that somebody is a Christian? Christianity has been here in India and in our hometown, since before we were born. Everybody in this room, I’m sure must have heard the word “Jesus Christ,” right?

It is how one responds to the Gospel of Jesus Christ that determines we are genuine Christian or not. What do you do with him? Well, who is He to you? We see that in our passage He is full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

The good news of Jesus Christ is of grace and truth, which brings salvation. So, the question we want to ask ourselves now is what do we do with this grace and truth? I want to help you find our three responsibilities towards this grace of God, Salvation.

In verse Jn1:10-14 we see two types of responses to Jesus Christ. So the title of our sermon is “A Genuine Christian Response to Gospel” Look at verse 10 – 11. We see Rejection of Christ by the world. Christ and the world.

John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. (the Romans and all people)

John 1:11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. (the Jews)

Verse 12-13. We see the Reception of Christ. That is Christ and the Christians.

John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

John 1:13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Verse 14. We see the Recognition of Christ. Christ and Glory.

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

What would you do with Christ, with the gospel, with the Salvation of God? Would you reject Him like the Jews, like the Romans, like the rest of the world as you see in this passage and in the present world?

Our first responsibility to this Grace of God is to

1.     Know Christ (10-11) (why?)

Even the whole purpose of the book Gospel John is to believe Christ and have eternal life. How would you believe if you do not know Him? Would you entrust someone your wallet or precious thing whom you do not know? Your answer would be “No! I don’t know him/her”

John 20:31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

What is the indictment of John for them? “Did not know Him.” We are to know Christ. How well do you know Christ? Do you know anything very well but know very less of Christ?  Well, who is He? Look at v.10.

John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.

He is the creator of this world. He owns everything. He is the source of everything that exists. Christ is not just the source and not just the creator, but he is the one who sustains the world.

Col 1:17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

1Cor 8:6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

Heb 1:3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself^[a] purged our^[b] sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Isn’t that good news that we can find satisfaction and sufficiency in Christ? “And the world did not know Him.” Isn’t that ironic? He created the world and the word Rejects its Creator!

a.     The worldly mind compromises/ignores.

How does the world reject Christ? They deny God. Psalm 14, 53

Ps 14:1-3 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” ​​They are corrupt, ​​They have done abominable works, ​​There is none who does good. ​​The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside, ​They have together become corrupt; ​​There is none who does good, ​​No, not one. ​​

Ps 53:1 The fool has said in his heart, ​“There is no God.” ​​They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; ​​There is none who does good. ​​

The fool says in his heart. It is not what he believes, it is what he says. He wants to fool himself. Let us not point fingers just to them. Many times, we did too right. We say we are Christians, but many times live like practical atheist, living and doing as if God does not exist. You sin willingly, and wrong knowingly. You like to do illegal things.

In fact, it is the rejection of Christ that leads one to hell. It is primarily not what we do, but what we refuse to do.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

John 3:18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

By the way, we are already sinners from our mother’s womb.

Ps 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.

The world and everything in it is bondage to sin. God curse the world in Genesis3:17.  Christ came to save the world. Even the literal world as seen in Romans 8:20-21.

Rom 8:20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope;

Rom 8:21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

The rejection of Jesus Christ leads one to remain in sin and die in sin. See! It is not about God sending us to hell, but that we choose to reject heaven and suffer in hell!

“The world did not know him”, in the sense they would not acknowledge God, nor honor nor glorify God. They would do everything to deny God. Everybody knows the existence of God.

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

Rom 1:19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

Rom 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

Rom 1:21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

God has shown His greatness in the creation, he has written in our hearts. We just want to rebel. There is really no atheist – in the sense who does not believe in the existence of God. The Bible clearly declares that Everybody knows God. The fools say in his heart (Ps14). Their hearts are darkened (Romans 1).

Do you know why they want to deny God? It is because they can do anything without God. They wanted to do anything they like. Sinners always sin. To the world, the idea of Christ is a weakness. It is foolishness

1Cor 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Know that you are living in God’s world. You are to live for His glory (Isaiah 43:7). You cannot live as you please indulging in sins. Know that Jesus the son of God is the lord of your life, whether you like it or hate it. Phil 2: 10-11 says every knee will bow….

Phil 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

Phil 2:11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

If you do not confess now, here on earth, even then, on that day you will surely confess, and still, go to hell. If you confess here on earth before you die, you shall forever confess and escape the wrath of God. When would you confess?

Not only the worldly mind compromises/ignores, but

b.    The religious mind falsifies/opposes (v11.)

It's not just the world, but the religious people. They have falsified for all things. They have made their own God. They have their own idea of God. not the God of the Bible, not the true God. (Even us we often have our own idea of God right? – That’s an idol.) For the religious group, Jesus, the gospel is a stumbling block.

1Cor 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,

v.11. The Jews would not have Christ as their God. They have a different idea of Messiah. Jesus became a man in Jerusalem and lived with “his people.” The phrase “His people,” because in the history of mankind, God made a covenant with Abraham to be His God, and of his descendants. Therefore, the people of Israel were God’s people. All of us are created by God, but God has a special relationship with Israel. But they rejected Christ. They shouted that He was not their King, and crucified him.

John 19:15 But they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”

It shows mankind’s ultimate rejection, the depravity of mankind. We might say they are bad but we are living like them too. You do not listen to the teaching of the Bible. You are disobeying God’s word, rejecting it. We even glory in things we should not be. It has become a trend to say “It’s my life, it’s my right.” We even blaspheme the name of God, “Oh My God!” every day! Whenever someone annoyed you, do you call out your mother name or the name of your sweetheart? Why with the name of God?

You continue to do wrongful things knowingly and willingly. We are exactly like them; we are denying our own Master. We are like the world, and we are like the Jews who reject Christ 2000 years ago.

Would you know God from the Bible? Would you stop making your ideas about God? To know God is to acknowledge His presence all the time and obey Him. We cannot say we know Him and live like as if He does not exists. There is one word for such people – Destruction. They have sealed themselves to eternal damnation. Know your Creator!

Eccl 12:1 Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, ​And the years draw near when you say, ​“ I have no pleasure in them”

This is said by King Solomon, the wisest of mankind, the wealthiest of mankind, the one who has tried drugs and sex for pleasure (1000 wives!). He said, “Life is Vanity.” Do you think you can get pleasure in anything of this world – jobs, drugs, affairs, sexes, fame, popularity, glory, riches, anything? He had all – more than anyone ever had or will ever have! But He said that all is vanity, except knowing God!

There is another man in the New Testament who was successful in every sense of worldly and religious accomplishment, by the name Saul (later known as the Apostle Paul). He too like King Solomon says everything is worthless as dung comparing to the worth of Knowing Christ Jesus, our Lord!

Phil 3:7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.

Phil 3:8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Phil 3:9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

Phil 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

My dear beloved brothers and sister, how well do you know the Gospel? Is Gospel the source of hope and comfort of life for you in your daily life. Would you see the power of God, the wisdom of God in this simple gospel? Yes, it looks foolish to the worldly eyes, but only in it is the Salvation of God given to mankind under heaven! It is that makes us Children of King of Universe? Would you know Him more, Would you be faithful to His Name? Would you live for Him joyously in all circumstances? Let us close with the Hymn, “More about Jesus would I know!”

1 More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of his saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.

Refrain:
More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.

2 More about Jesus let me learn,
More of his holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my teacher be,
Showing the things of Christ to me. [Refrain]

3 More about Jesus in His Word,
Holding communion with my Lord;
Hearing his voice in ev'ry line,
Making each faithful saying mine. [Refrain]

4 More about Jesus on his throne,
Riches in glory all His own;
More if His kingdom's sure increase;
More of His coming, Prince of peace. [Refrain]

Baptist Hymnal, 1991

Shall we pray?

Lord, we thank you for this glorious truth you have given us through your servant John! You the eternal God came to this world in the form of a servant to die for wretched sinners like us that we may become the children of God.

Oh! Lord, we rejoice in this truth that you have justified us when we believe in you. Oh! That we are your children now, who can snatch us from your eternal love, care, and blessings?

Lord, help us to cultivate the perspective of a new man born again of Christ. May we bear the fruit of the Spirit in our lives  - joy, peace, love, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control!

The world did not know you, nor do they know the privilege we have in you. Lord, we cry as you wept for Jerusalem, that the professing Christian of this church will wake up to Salvation by the preaching of your gospel and the power of the Spirit.

For we cannot convert anyone nor ourselves to you. Grant the grace that reaches us to reach to others, Lord! For Lord Salvation belongs to you. Glory and Honor belong to you forever and ever. Amen!

Image Scripture: Psalm 46

A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

A Tribute to Oldies SSEU

(An excerpt from one of the messages of Oldies SSEU’S WhatsApp Group, 16^th January 2019)

By the Grace of God, I have reached Derabassi (Chandigarh) this evening to stay here as long as the Lord allows for a Pastoral Ministry.

As I look forward to forming a team, I just pray and wish that I will find people like you guys again.

A resourceful and entertaining person like Amosji, but with lesser talk about football

A prayerful and disciplined person like Arnoldji, but with a wife… (not just dreaming)

A graceful and gentle person like Ellikaji, but with lesser or no appetite for ice-cream

A committed and loyal person like Haoboiji, but he should not look like me (many people confused between us. Do we really have the same looks‼??)

A handsome and philosopher like Jabuji, but one who does not look like a baby elephant when smiling.

A dedicated and peaceful person like Johuaji, but with fewer WhatsApp status updates, hahaha!

A courageous and sincere person like Katoji, but knowing how to ride a bike properly (once, he destroyed those bushes at Centre riding a bike…(accident))

A straightforward and smart person like Khonjani, but one who would not cry easily

A witty and respectful person like Lisa, but with multiple swimsuits (Once, he borrowed mine saying, “please help your brother in need!” for swimming in Dainthlain Nov 2, 2012?? SSEU Outing)

A relationship-expert and a frank person like Mhabeji, but one who is not lazy to type (no voicemail)

A dedicated and sincere person like Minlunji, but one who doesn’t change his career often (from long hair musician to short hair photographer) Just kidding. I hope to hire you for free of cost someday! Hahaha!

An energetic and promising person like Phayamji, but with a lesser appetite for liberal theology!

An informative and sociable person like Sophayoji, but one who gives opinions without deferring to people or google.

A trustworthy and friendly person like Soringji, but should not say “whatever,” and not call me “monloso”

A bookworm and a hospitable person like Suanlalji, but one who reads more for UPSC as of now.

A dutiful and determined person like Valleyroseji, but one who does not demands a gift (once, she complained me why I was giving books only to Sonungji, and not to her! Yea she has a point, though‼)

An encouraging and sportsman like Westonji, but not so “emotional” as he.

An available and energetic person like Yuimiji, but with more hairs on his head, and lesser skills of Karate that I too can score points sometime…hahaha.

How I develop an Expository Sermon from Revelation 16:1-11

Image Scripture: A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

(These are some of the screenshots of my sermon preparation on Revelation 16:1-11. One does not need to know the Greek Language to come up like this! It just needs a diligent study!😊😊😊)

Deriving exegetical and expositional outlines from the passage

 

Sermon Outline

The Trustworthy Gospel - Part 6 (What to do with Him?)

“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”

--- 1Timothy 1:15 (NKJV)

3.     What to do with Him? (v15d)

          This is the good news of the Gospel, but the Gospel comes with a consequential invitation. You have to respond. Paul responded it positively as you see the last phrase here, “of whom I am chief”

i.       Personal commitment

          The Gospel call is a personal call. Like Paul, we must make a personal decision. None can make for you. You yourself have to make that decision! You have to deal with this person Christ for your salvation or die in your sin to the damnation of God! Christ didn’t come into the world to damn you, for you are already damned. He came to save. If you would not trust in Him, and His work for you in the Cross, you will not escape, for the Scripture says, Repent and believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

ii.    Recognize yourself before Jesus – as Sinner before Savior

          It is just like you are stranded in an island where the tsunami is coming. The President of India sends a helicopter to fetch you. The rescue team explained and demonstrated what Helicopter is – the ability to lift people up in the air, and the terms of the presidential offer.  The Tsunami is coming soon!

          The President’s term is that only human being will be evacuated, not your goods, smartphones etc, and only Indians will be evacuated. If you refuse to put your trust on the Helicopter or the term of the President and refuse to take a leap for whatever reason, surely you shall perish in the Tsunami!

          God is calling you to be saved today! He first calls you to admit who you are – are you human being, the sinner? Would you choose to identify yourself as a new man in Christ, living for God? The Gospel call is a confession of who you are. You are a sinner under the wrath of God. You recognize who Jesus is – that He is the Savior and in Him alone is the Righteousness you need.

iii. Repent

          And the Bible says you must repent from your sins! You must forsake sins! You must not continue to live in the ways that bring damnation of God.

You are a new creation, the race of Jesus, no longer of Adam: to have a new desire now, from sin to holiness; to pleasing self to pleasing God; to worldly living to godly living – desiring to know and live for God.

iv. Trust (only Savior, future, everything)

          And you would have to trust for your eternal life with God, day-to-day life and everything! Behold Gospel is merciful news, that He withholds the punishment you are due of. It is gracious that He gives you righteousness that you never deserve. It is for all who hears and would accept it! The Gospel has reached you.

          And in a personal note, Paul wrote, we are all sinners, and Christ came for us of whom I am a chief sinner. And what he means to say is if God can save a chief sinner like me, he can save you no matter how fallen you are; you just need to trust Him for everything! Would you commit your life to Christ today? Jesus says in John 6:37

All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

          God is drawing you to Jesus today, I, as a preacher of His word, am persuading you to come to Christ today? He sent his disciples unto the ends of the world to proclaim this news, and to call people to commit their lives to this truth – life in Christ, dead to self and sin!

          Do you dare to die in your sins, my friends? Do you dare to suffer the wrath of God eternally? I am telling you, you cannot, And I cannot allow you to do that. I am afraid for your soul. You cannot spit and trample on the grace of God, which has been offered freely today again through this Gospel! Would you put your trust in Christ and be saved today?