Fear Faith and Me
Amidst all the news of Corona Virus, also known as Covid – 19, we are here today. Really appreciate us. While I was preparing this message, I was reminded of Noah and His Ark. Imagine just like this virus, the whole Earth was filled with water. In the news you could only see, one country being affected, then it comes to the other, and in this manner, it comes to us. Probably, Noah is blaring out his voice saying believe and come into the Ark. I am sure, the reactions of people those times would have been very similar like today. Creating memes, showing extreme confidence that it would not affect me, it’s only hyped or on the other hand ...
GRACE
What is grace
The word grace in English means “smooth”, “pleasing” or “good will”
Usage of word grace in English is as follows
She handles her problems with grace and dignity
He has shown remarkable grace during this crisis
The above grace is a product of human goodness or of human spirit.
The original word “grace” taken from French mean “favor”
In the bible “grace” however means the goodness that comes from God’s Spirit “favor for undeserved”, “unworked for favour” or “unmerited favor” from God to mankind.
What is the source of grace
Source of grace is Jesus Christ : John1:16&17 – Out of his fullness we have all received grace. For the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Grace ...
We all want to be the Greatest and the Best. As Professionals, we all strive to be the greatest and best at our workplace, at our home and even in the Church. I still remember we used to have a KRA rating, in which we used to have rating for CE, ME , NME, OUT. It was given to all the individuals to rate themselves. Guess what each one may have rated “CE”. Everyone rates themselves as CE.. As the greatest in the team.
When we want to buy a product online , we buy the best product . We check reviews, cost, and so on. We don’t buy a product which is second best, we buy that, which is best , or good.
In ...
Idols of the heart or habit
1 Corinthians 6:12 ESV
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything.
So even as we look at today's sermon, there are a lot of things that we need to check on. How are habits formed? We are in an introspection mode. In other words, why do we get so comfortable with somethings and with other things its very difficult to even start off. This message is for me as well. There are so many unhealthy patterns that I am inclined to do, which is causing me harm. It is only ruining my health, relationships, and maybe professional life. We will look ...
The Great Flood : Judgement & Redemption
We all are aware of this story and we may have heard it so many times again and again “Noah & the Ark”. Today we are going to study the Great flood.
We are going to look at this story of Great flood with two different themes, which the Author is trying to convey, one is judgement and second is redemption:
We all are aware of the Author of this book, who was it? Moses, it was written in a time when the Israelites were in a journey from Egypt to Canaan.
Before, we look at these two different themes (Judgement & Redemption ). Let us look at who Noah was.
Chapter 5 : 21-25’
21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he ...
Life’s Journey
Imagine if you would that you want to go to Oamaru on the bus, the buses run to Oamaru every day of the week and there are at least three different bus companies to choose from. The trick with all these bus companies is that they charge different fares and that they go at different times. You can pay as little as 22.99 on Naked Bus or as much as 42.00 on Intercity but to be fair Intercity does have a cheaper rate if you book early. In the middle is Atomic Bus Lines at 30.00.
So off you go with your packed lunch off to see the penguins and limestone buildings in Oamaru, hopping up onto the bus, you find a quiet ...
We may have heard lot of stories about faith. In our lives , we may have met people of faith. We all may be knowing someone by whom we are overwhelmed with those people’s faith.
Once
An elderly lady was well-known for her faith and for her boldness in talking about it. She would stand on her front porch and shout "PRAISE THE LORD!"
Next door to her lived an atheist who would get so angry at her proclamations he would shout, "There ain't no Lord!!"
Hard times set in on the elderly lady, and she prayed for GOD to send her some assistance. She stood on her porch and shouted "PRAISE THE LORD. GOD I NEED FOOD!! I AM HAVING A HARD TIME. PLEASE LORD, SEND ...
What is the Gospel
“Gospel” means “god” meaning “good” and “spel” meaning “news” overall meaning “good news”
In Christianity gospel generally refers to birth, death and resurrection of Christ
First 4 books of the bible Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are called gospels
But gospels describe Jesus message as the gospel
Jesus message was “Repent for the kingdom of God is near” (Matthew 4:17)
Jesus also taught us to pray, “Let your kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” or let the dominion of God be on earth through you and me.
So the real gospel is when we make it personal, “Jesus came for me, he died for me, he rose again for me so ...
It's all about a moment. A moment of decision making. Even as new year's arrived, we are all in the verge of decision making. Our list of dos and don'ts are ready. Our new year resolutions are either beginning to take roots or it's still on the tip of our tongues. However, we can always connect to Mr. Naaman. Probably, he was standing on 31st December and thinking about his condition, and how his next year would be. He might be thinking about his leprosy. he was a valiant soldier, the favour of God was upon him but he didn't know God. I am reminded of Samuel (1 Sam 3), similarly he didn't know God but God called him. We may be in ...
The message of Christmas - A Loving God
When we look at the manger , we can only think of the Love of God towards us. The message of Christmas is all about this loving God.
Secondly , The message of Christmas is so personal
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
A child was born to us, to you and me. It was a personal gift to you and me.
Therefore the Lord will Himself give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive and will give birth to a Son, and you shall ...