God cleanses us from sin to have fellowship with
Him 1. Pursue Sanctification (Holiness), 2. Confess Sins, 3. Trust Jesus's Work |
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Thursday, September 23, 2021
Block Diagram and Outline: 1 John 1:5-2:2
Monday, September 20, 2021
Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge
"In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and
knowledge."
– Colossians 2:3
Exposition:
Nobody wants to
be a fool. Everybody wants to know more, just that the process of learning is
not easy, sometimes boring and frustrating. It's true if we want to learn more,
we must make an effort as the saying goes: "No pain, no gain." In
this verse, we see, Jesus is the embodiment of all wisdom and knowledge. The
more we know Jesus, the more wisdom and knowledge we accumulate.
Treasures of
gold, diamonds, and other precious stones do not show up everywhere, they are
hidden deep under the surface of the earth. Similarly, treasures of wisdom and
knowledge are hidden in Christ. The Holy Bible is given to us that we may know
Jesus until we attain to His likeness. However, this doesn't mean all knowledge
that we can ever have in the universe is in the Bible. Apostle Peter says
everything pertaining to life and godliness is in Jesus, i.e., in the Bible.
If and since
all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Jesus, He is sufficient. We do not
need any source apart from Christ. We do not need to travel anywhere to get
them but only to walk in Christ diligently and joyously. We do not need any
other philosophies, ideas, traditions, anything, but the teaching of Christ.
Jesus is sufficient for our salvation. His word is sufficient for us to live a
God-pleasing life. Would we only make an effort to know Him more, and in
knowing Him more we make Him as our pattern to follow!
Personal
Reflection:
·
Do I
take pleasure and make an effort to know more about Jesus as I do to know other
things in life?
Personal
Commitment:
·
To
be rooted and built up in Him because all other ground is sinking sand.
Prayer:
God, our Father, You have given Jesus, the treasures of all wisdom
and knowledge, only to be received by faith and to follow Him. Thank You. I
receive Him by faith. Would you please cause my heart to delight in following
Him, Amen!
Friday, September 17, 2021
Block Diagram and Outline: 1 John 2:3-11
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Gospel Relationship in Ministry
"So, affectionately longing for you, we were
well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own
lives, because you had become dear to us."
– 1 Thessalonians 2:8
Exposition:
Relationship is an important word in the ministry of the gospel, vertically
(with God) and horizontally (with one another). I fear that many have been more
careful to please man than to please God. We must remember that the relationship
with God is the first commandment, and the relationship with one another is the
second commandment. Actually, if one has a healthy relationship with God, it
will reflect on one's relationship with one another. We must never put the cart
before the horse. The ministry of Paul described in 1Thessalonians is a fitting
model for us.
Paul didn't manipulate people to like his ministry nor did he develop a
skin-deep relationship for his gain. He laboured for the approval of God. He
recognised the centrality of the gospel and prioritised to preach it, no matter
how offensive it was. He would preach nothing else but the gospel. However,
Paul did so as a mother to her child, gently and affectionately. He preached
because he cared for them, unlike the prophet Jonah who wanted his hearers to
perish. Not only did he preach the gospel, but he demonstrated for them how to
live a gospel-filled life. He sacrificed his rights, preferences, and comforts
for his listener’s growth.
In this verse, we see the priority of the gospel as well as the importance
of gentle shepherding. Paul cared for them, neither to be liked by them in
return, nor to be well spoken by them or others, he never lived to please man.
He cared for them that they may live a life that glorifies God. He exhorted,
comforted, and charged them as a father (not only as a gentle mother). Gospel
ministry without an authentic relationship and a ministry without accurate
teaching are fragile as houses upon the sand.
Personal Reflection:
- As much as I’ve made an effort for my hearers to
understand the teachings of Scripture, have I made the same effort to show
them in my life!?
Personal Commitment:
- To implement not only servant leadership, but also
parental shepherding in a pastoral ministry.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the exemplary ministry of
Paul. Help me to love your people as family members, Amen!
Friday, September 10, 2021
Block Diagram and Outline: 1 John 2:12-14
Tuesday, September 07, 2021
Block Diagram and Outline of 1John 2:15-17
Sunday, September 05, 2021
Comfort in Ministry's Distress
“Therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith.”
– 1 Thessalonians 3:7
Exposition:
We have often been in distress because we live in a fallen world, we all
need strength in affliction. Sometimes we have suffered because of our actions,
other times because of others, and yet there are times because of the schemes
of the devil. The affliction of Paul mentioned in the book of Thessalonians is
caused by Satan; he stirred up false accusation and persecution and hindered
him from coming back to Thessalonica. Paul was forced out from Thessalonica by
the commotion of jealous Jews. He was slandered and the church was persecuted.
Paul was in deep distress for Thessalonian Christians.
Students may be stressful before the exam, but they rejoice at the news of
their successful exam. Employees find the joy of earning a salary in serving
others. What is the joy of a pastor? As we see in this verse, for Paul (as for
Apostle John also) it is news that his spiritual children are walking in the
faith. Thessalonians were not shaken even amidst persecution. They did not
doubt Paul, their spiritual father, notwithstanding the false accusation
against him. They were loyal to him, clinging to the Gospel, and steadfastly to
the faith. This news came to Paul as a great comfort when he could no longer
endure his distress for them.
Pastors find great comfort in seeing the members of the Church grow in
faith, for it assures them that their work is not in vain. God gives church
pastors for the establishing of the saints in the faith, so that all may mature
and not be swayed by any wind of doctrine. Would we often share with our
spiritual leaders about our growth in the Lord?
Personal Reflection:
- Am I more preoccupied with my suffering than the
spiritual growth of my church members?
- Am I loyal to my spiritual leaders and my church
when any false accusation comes up against us?
Personal Commitment:
- To be diligent to know the state of _____ (fellow
Christians, church members, household of faith) and to attend to their
needs.
Prayer:
Lord, help me be diligent in looking after your people in delight. Cause me
to let their trouble be my trouble to let their spiritual growth be my joy and
crown in your presence, like Your Apostle Paul, Amen!
Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Block Diagram and Outline of 1 John 2:18-27
Antichrists
and Christians: The Abiding of a Christian
Sunday, August 29, 2021
In the Family of God
“Now
we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted,
uphold the weak, be patient with all.”
–
1 Thessalonians 5:14
Exposition:
In the family of God, some
are mature and wise, others are young and energetic, yet many are children and
so childish, nay, babes in Christ. We are not all of equal stature and
strength. Some may need to be carried in arms, others may need to be led by their
hand, yet many may need spoon-feeding until they can develop the conviction of
their own. Paul mentioned four groups of people in this verse:
The brethren,
who are more mature and have the most responsibility. They are not to lord over
the less mature ones, rather they must be a model for the edification of the
body of Christ. The unruly ones who need confrontation and correction not
only for their own good, but also to not let a little leaven leavens the whole
lump. The fainthearted ones who are bogged down by trials and
suffering (like the loss of loved ones in Thessalonica) might be tempted to
doubt the goodness of God; they need help, comfort and encouragement. The weak
ones who are naïve and easily swayed by every wind of doctrines need
much support and instruction.
Regardless of the group
you belong to, you sometimes find yourself in every group. We all have strong
and weak points. Nobody is perfect, everyone needs to exercise patience with
one another. Besides, even the most mature ones were once babies, and they need
to recall the patience others had on them. Remember the patience of Jesus Christ
towards His disciples and the people of His days. Our God remains patient with
us even to this day.
Personal Reflection:
· Who
are the most mature people that I may hang out with for my spiritual growth? Who
are the discouraged ones who may need my encouragement? Have I been kind to my
weaker brothers and sisters in Christ?
Personal Commitment:
· To
cultivate the virtue of patience.
Prayer:
Help
me, Lord, to develop more patience towards all, Amen!