The four certainties of Revelation- Part 1| Chris

This message was preached  by Chris at Word of Grace Church on July 24th, 2016. To listen/download the audio please click here. To listen to the Sunday's worship and prophetic contributions please click here

This book gets big press because of mystery. And because of the mystery we miss the certainties which will motivate us to glory God and sing His praise.

We will do two certainties today.

1.      God's people matter to God and he hears every single one of their prayers

Rev 8:1-5- “When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.”

The ‘he’ is Jesus who has been chosen worthy to open the seals on account of his death. He is the Lamb of God and the lion of Judah. When he opened the 7^th seal there is silence for half hour. Up to this point there is no silence. He is enthroned on the praises of his creation. Day and night the angels cry holy, holy, holy!

Q. So why the silence?

In the Old Testament, there were 2 altars- one for sacrifice and one for incense, which is the prayer. When this seal is opened heaven falls silent.

In verse 3 it says that the angel came with a golden censer, all the saints from all time resting on the flame.

The very culmination of history is the prayer is all the saints.

Is 62:6-7- “I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth”

Pray without ceasing because your prayers are powerful and effective. It’s our prayers that will bring about the end of the age.

2.      Jesus for certain is king over all.

Rev 7:14-17- “I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

John is looking at the vast multitude. He is king over all and shepherd over us. He can bring death, sin and corruption to an end. What a description of Jesus! This is the King who is coming and all the kingdoms of man are nothing. The kingdoms of man are found begging for rocks to fall on them for who can stand before a mighty God.

Two certainties:

·        He loves us and hears us.

·        And he is king and is coming

Rev 22:12-14- “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.”

He is coming again!

Q. So, what is the proper response?

In Verse 17- “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” Our response is to take the free gift of the water of life!  

Come Lord Jesus!

Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that have people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service. To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.

Philippians Part 18: Is Imitation good?| Colin D

This message was preached  by Colin D'cruz at Word of Grace Church on July 17th, 2016. To listen/download the audio please click here. To listen to the Sunday's worship and prophetic contributions please click here

Q. How many know the distance for a marathon! How many have taken part in a marathon?

The record is 2 hours 3 min held by Dennis Kimetto of Kenya.

Imagine if you had to run the Olympic for India! How would you compete? What would you do? Train! They spend months, years prospering themselves. There is a lot of effort and sweat.

The better news is this. You have been chosen to run a race. You have been chosen to become like Jesus. All who have trusted in Jesus have been translated from the kingdom of darkness to light . This is goal for every believer- To become like Jesus!

Phil 3:13-17: “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.”

This is the great apostle Paul saying this is his goal. In the following verses he talks about how we can accomplish this goal.In verse 17 he emphasizes that you are not on your own. Join with others who are a part of this race and follow my example. Our citizenship is in heaven. The goal is a very high one. It's not becoming a marathon runner which is low in comparison to becoming like Jesus.

We can have a set of instructions but sometimes it's not enough. Today when I want to learn something I go to YouTube because I see how it's done.

Q. Can you learn how to tie shoes laces through instructions?

No, you watch and learn. This is true for many things. This is true for the Christian life as well. How do I love my neighbour, how do I love?

You may have a plumber or electrician in your house and turn they come with an assistant who is in training. The same way we follow someone example and someone is following us.

1 Corinthians 4:16- “Therefore I urge you to imitate me.”

Paul is saying imitate me. But he is not physically present. So he says I'm sending Timothy, imitate him!

1 These 1:6- “You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.”

The focus was on imitation. Too many Christians say I imitate God. I submit to you that that is not biblical. It's good to learn from others experience. Jesus imitated his father. We can learn from older parents, married couples, work situations.

1 Tim 4:12 gives a list of things to follow. Whether you like it or not you are an example for others. Our children imitate us.

Q. Are we living a life worthy of imitating?

In verse 18 is something that makes Paul sad. Matt 7:15, Acts 20:29-30

Paul is warning them of false teachers. Watch out there such people in Christendom

Q. How do we identify them?

Paul gives us a few indicators:

·        Their destiny is destruction. These people are going to hell.

·        Their God is their stomach. It's not clear who is being referred to. There were two groups - the judiats who were going back to the law. The other extreme was the agnostics who said the spirit is good but the body is evil so what you want with it. Their God is their stomach I.e they live to eat. Living a sensual life - if it feels good I'll do it. The world is like this today. It lives to gratify r flesh.

·        Their glory is in their shame - they boast about shameful things.

One day we will all leave this earth and stand before God. Two things you can't escape, death and taxes! We don't know how long we have. That is in God's hands. There is so much sin everywhere. The newspapers are full of depressing stuff.

The story of the gospel is this. Although we are sinners and need to be punished, God in his mercy sent Jesus to die in our place so that we will not be punished.

The law will say that we are not guilty.

2 Thess 1:6-9- “God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might”

The truth is that there is a judgment and destruction. If you knew of some disaster you would want your friends and family to know. In the same way we should weep over their eternal destruction and prevent it by praying for them and sharing the gospel.

The false teachers have their minds on earthly things

Q. How should we live?

1.      Realize we are citizens of heaven. John14:2- “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”

2.      We are aliens on earth. We are here for heaven. When he comes the second time we will be transformed. So we remind ourselves of who we are.

John says the things of the world are attractive. It's not writing to have them. It's when we focus on these things alone then it's a problem.

Good had given is a mission. How can we grow in Christ? How can we keep going.

1 Thes 4:14-17- “For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

Whatever problem you are facing is temporary. When we are with Jesus every problem will disappear.

Rev 21:4- “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

So follow an example. Realize we could have given into a false teaching. Let's set or 

minds on heavenly things. When we do this we will stand firm.

Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that have people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service. To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.

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Philippians Part 18: Is Imitation good?| Colin D

This message was preached  by Colin D'cruz at Word of Grace Church on July 17th, 2016. To listen/download the audio please click here. To listen to the Sunday's worship and prophetic contributions please click here

Q. How many know the distance for a marathon! How many have taken part in a marathon?

The record is 2 hours 3 min held by Dennis Kimetto of Kenya.

Imagine if you had to run the Olympic for India! How would you compete? What would you do? Train! They spend months, years prospering themselves. There is a lot of effort and sweat.

The better news is this. You have been chosen to run a race. You have been chosen to become like Jesus. All who have trusted in Jesus have been translated from the kingdom of darkness to light . This is goal for every believer- To become like Jesus!

Phil 3:13-17: “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.”

This is the great apostle Paul saying this is his goal. In the following verses he talks about how we can accomplish this goal.In verse 17 he emphasizes that you are not on your own. Join with others who are a part of this race and follow my example. Our citizenship is in heaven. The goal is a very high one. It's not becoming a marathon runner which is low in comparison to becoming like Jesus.

We can have a set of instructions but sometimes it's not enough. Today when I want to learn something I go to YouTube because I see how it's done.

Q. Can you learn how to tie shoes laces through instructions?

No, you watch and learn. This is true for many things. This is true for the Christian life as well. How do I love my neighbour, how do I love?

You may have a plumber or electrician in your house and turn they come with an assistant who is in training. The same way we follow someone example and someone is following us.

1 Corinthians 4:16- “Therefore I urge you to imitate me.”

Paul is saying imitate me. But he is not physically present. So he says I'm sending Timothy, imitate him!

1 These 1:6- “You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.”

The focus was on imitation. Too many Christians say I imitate God. I submit to you that that is not biblical. It's good to learn from others experience. Jesus imitated his father. We can learn from older parents, married couples, work situations.

1 Tim 4:12 gives a list of things to follow. Whether you like it or not you are an example for others. Our children imitate us.

Q. Are we living a life worthy of imitating?

In verse 18 is something that makes Paul sad. Matt 7:15, Acts 20:29-30

Paul is warning them of false teachers. Watch out there such people in Christendom

Q. How do we identify them?

Paul gives us a few indicators:

·        Their destiny is destruction. These people are going to hell.

·        Their God is their stomach. It's not clear who is being referred to. There were two groups - the judiats who were going back to the law. The other extreme was the agnostics who said the spirit is good but the body is evil so what you want with it. Their God is their stomach I.e they live to eat. Living a sensual life - if it feels good I'll do it. The world is like this today. It lives to gratify r flesh.

·        Their glory is in their shame - they boast about shameful things.

One day we will all leave this earth and stand before God. Two things you can't escape, death and taxes! We don't know how long we have. That is in God's hands. There is so much sin everywhere. The newspapers are full of depressing stuff.

The story of the gospel is this. Although we are sinners and need to be punished, God in his mercy sent Jesus to die in our place so that we will not be punished.

The law will say that we are not guilty.

2 Thess 1:6-9- “God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might”

The truth is that there is a judgment and destruction. If you knew of some disaster you would want your friends and family to know. In the same way we should weep over their eternal destruction and prevent it by praying for them and sharing the gospel.

The false teachers have their minds on earthly things

Q. How should we live?

1.      Realize we are citizens of heaven. John14:2- “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”

2.      We are aliens on earth. We are here for heaven. When he comes the second time we will be transformed. So we remind ourselves of who we are.

John says the things of the world are attractive. It's not writing to have them. It's when we focus on these things alone then it's a problem.

Good had given is a mission. How can we grow in Christ? How can we keep going.

1 Thes 4:14-17- “For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

Whatever problem you are facing is temporary. When we are with Jesus every problem will disappear.

Rev 21:4- “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

So follow an example. Realize we could have given into a false teaching. Let's set or 

minds on heavenly things. When we do this we will stand firm.

Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that have people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service. To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.

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Church: Inside and out | Justin J

This message was preached  by Justin Jaykumar at Word of Grace Church on July 10th, 2016. To listen/download the audio please click here. To listen to the Sunday's worship and prophetic contributions please click here

When you get the newspaper you want to turn the pages quickly to the sports page because the news is so bad! The world is changing quickly. Asia will be a place of major cities because urbanization is increasing. With globalization the world is becoming a village.

You and I are called with a definite purpose. Jesus said upon the rock I will build the church.

Q. How do we face these challenges?

The church at Antioch is a model to follow. Antioch was an important trade centre. Acts 11:19 -21: “Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord”

Let's see how they were effective and what we can learn from them:

1.      The church as seen from outside

2.      the church as seen from inside

3.      The church that looks outside

1.The church as seen from outside:

This church was established by people who were scattered because of persecution. They preached and many believed. The news reached Jerusalem. Barnabas was sent to check it. He saw the grace of God in that church .

Q. What does this mean?

Undeserving favour put upon us. Who has put grace on whom? What did these people do? They preached and lives were transformed.

Rom 3:23- “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

Rom 6:23- “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”

Eph 2:10- “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Jesus died in our place. He have what we do not deserve. The outsider could see the difference in their lives.

Q. How can we make an impact in the world today?

When this grace impacts us we can meet the needs of people and bring about change. Grace changes our life style.

The people of the city of Antioch nicknamed them Christians. They did not give themselves this name.  Allowing His word to touch our lives will transform us.

Q. How do people look at us?

There is a great expectation on us to set an example-  to live a different life.

Q. What are the challenges we face?

At the traffic lights, the market place, etc. If we are to make an impact we need to allow God's grace to work in our life.

Col 3:3-5 put off. We are constantly called to put off things, to change our lives. In verse 12, we are encouraged to put on a few things. And then we can make an impact on the world.

2. The church as seen from inside:

The leadership of Antioch had a high degree of character. Personal testimony being guided by the Holy Spirit and the word is very important.

A.     Barnabas was described as a good man. When Luke uses this word it refers to completeness and wholeness. The early church was clear on the qualities of leaders. In the New Testament we see that the leaders worked in team. It was not one person. At the Word of Grace everything happens in team. Right from set up, offering, communion, worship, preaching... It's all done in team. In Acts 7, a problem arose. They didn't pick up just anybody. They laid their quality before the people who could serve. They choose 7 men full of spirit, reputation and wisdom.

Q. How do we select people?

Q. How do what we do here impact the society outside?

B.     Remember the story of the Ethiopian eunuch. Philip was used. It was through him the gospel reached Ethiopia. Stephen the first martyr. He was part of the serving team!

Q. How was Acts 1:8 fulfilled? In Acts 8:1 when persecution arose.

C.     The leadership was not seen as a position but serving. Barnabas travelled so long so meet Paul. Antioch was flourishing. He could have made a name for himself. But no! He seeks out Paul and brings him to Antioch. He made room for Paul. The word leader is not in the Bible. The Bible talks about Servants only. Barnabas stuck his neck out for Paul. The church was founded by ordinary lay people- people who were scattered. It was the apostles. History had stories of many men and women who started churches. Paul stayed there for a year, then in Ephesus for 3 years.

D.     When we start our IDT will learn how to share the gospel. Evangelism was a way of life for them.

Q. What is the need in Pune?

It's an educational center and an IT hub. So there are many people from outside here that can be touched.

3. The church that looked outside:

Acts 11:30- “This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul”

They were a caring church. We need to respond to the needs around us. We may be generous outside but we should take care of our own as well.

We need to begin from within. If we hear a need we should stretch ourselves and help. We also need to be aware of the need outside. There is a breakdown in marriage, society and we should get involved

Acts 13:1-2- “Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.””

The Antioch church shared the gospel. They set apart Barnabas and Paul for the work of gospel advance. And Paul was used mightily. We need to be a church that looks outside.

Q. How can we be effective?

·        We should constantly believe in God’s grace on our lives

·        We need to be men and women of quality, filled with the Holy Spirit.

·        People who will care for another

·        People who are looking outward always. 

Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that have people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service. To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.