Honouring Father and Mother

 This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on September 21st 2025 by David Fernandes. For the audio & video please click here.  For the worship please click here. 

Honouring Father and Mother: A Pathway to Wholeness

One of the greatest treasures in God’s Kingdom is relationships. Friendships that endure over decades, families that stand together through trials, and communities that worship in Spirit and in truth remind us that God values love expressed over time. Yet, broken relationships also bring some of life’s deepest pain.

Among all the relationships we navigate, Scripture places a profound emphasis on one foundational command: “Honor your father and your mother.” (Exodus 20:12) This is not merely advice—it is a principle that carries with it a promise of blessing and longevity.

Why Honor Matters So Deeply

In Malachi 4:5–6, God warns that unless the hearts of parents turn to their children and the hearts of children to their parents, the land itself risks being cursed. That’s how central family is to the health of society. Nations aren’t transformed by policies alone, but by the strength of their families.

This truth became very real to me years ago when I faced a personal health crisis. Amid this, God used a teaching on blessings and curses to reveal something hidden in my own heart—a failure to fully honour my parents. Though I had what many would call “good parents,” the Holy Spirit gently uncovered moments where I had fallen short. In weeping repentance, I realized the weight of this command.

The Blessing of Reconciliation

Through Jesus Christ, reconciliation is possible—not only with God but also within families. 2 Corinthians 5:19 reminds us that He gave us the ministry of reconciliation. That means no matter how broken things may feel—whether from generational sin, strained relationships, or past dishonour—healing is available at the cross.

Some of us carry wounds from parents who were absent, harsh, or deeply flawed. Others may feel guilt over dishonouring them in word or deed. Yet, God calls us not to deny their shortcomings, but to choose honour. Honor is not blind approval—it is an act of obedience and humility before God.

What Does Honouring Look Like?

Honouring our parents can take many forms:

• Listening and respecting their counsel.
• Serving and providing for them in practical ways.
• Covering their weaknesses rather than exposing them.
• Expressing gratitude for the life and care they gave us.

Conversely, dishonour may show up as deceit, disobedience, rebellion, or even simply taking them for granted. Scripture places dishonour in the same category as serious sins like murder and adultery (Luke 18:20), underscoring its gravity.

When Parents Fail

What about parents who abused, abandoned, or misled us? Here lies one of the hardest truths: God still asks us to honour them. That doesn’t mean condoning sin or enabling harm but rather choosing forgiveness and entrusting judgment to Him. By doing so, we release ourselves from bitterness and open the door to God’s blessing.

Steps Toward Healing

If the Holy Spirit is stirring your heart, here are some practical steps:

1. Repent before God for any specific ways you may have dishonoured your parents.
2. Seek forgiveness—first from the Lord, then, where possible, from your parents.
3. Forgive your parents for their failings, recognizing their humanity and brokenness.
4. Take practical steps to restore the relationship, including with in-laws.

The promise of Ephesians 6:1–3 stands true today: “Honor your father and mother… so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Walking in Freedom

Honouring father and mother is not just about them—it’s about us stepping into God’s design for wholeness. I have personally witnessed physical healing, emotional restoration, and even unexpected blessings flow from aligning with this principle.

Today, you have an opportunity to do business with God. Whether your parents are alive or have passed on, you can choose to forgive, repent, and honour them in your heart. In doing so, you unlock a floodgate of blessing that brings freedom, peace, and joy.

Let’s live as children of the cross, not captives of our past. Let us honour our parents, and in doing so, honour our heavenly Father.

 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 has 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.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org. 

Why Join a Church?

This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on  Sept 14th  2025 by Colin. For the audio & video please click here.  For the worship please click here. 

Why Join a Church?

In our times, many Christians wrestle with the idea of church membership. Some prefer to float between different congregations, saying they belong to the “universal church.” Others treat online services as their church—just them, their device, and their pyjamas. But what does the Bible say? Is church membership really necessary?

Jesus declared in Matthew 16, “I will build my church.” The church is not an optional extra in the Christian life—it is at the very heart of God’s plan. From the earliest days in Acts 2, new believers were not only baptized but were “added to their number.” Belonging to Christ meant belonging to His people.

Colin highlighted five biblical foundations for local church membership:

1. Accountability in Community (Matthew 18:15–17)

Jesus envisioned real, local communities where conflict could be addressed. Church discipline only makes sense if you know who belongs. Membership is a covenant saying, “I want to walk in holiness, and I give you permission to correct me when I stray.”

2. Pursuing Holiness Together (1 Corinthians 5)

Paul rebuked the Corinthians for tolerating open sin. The church was called to lovingly but firmly remove unrepentant members. Membership means accountability—not to condemn, but to restore and protect the witness of Christ’s body.

3. Following and Supporting Leaders (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13)

Believers are called to submit to the leaders God places over them, while leaders are responsible to shepherd and care for those in their flock. Membership creates this mutual trust: leaders know who they are accountable for, and believers know whom to follow.

4. Bought with a Price (Acts 20:28)

Unlike exclusive clubs with steep fees, church membership has no earthly cost. Yet it came at the highest price—the blood of Jesus. To belong to a local church is to honor His sacrifice and live out the reality that we are part of His purchased people.

5. Every Member Has a Role (1 Corinthians 12)

Paul compared the church to a body—many parts, one whole. Just as a hand or heart has no value apart from the body, so no Christian thrives in isolation. Membership is about more than being counted; it’s about being connected, discovering your God-given gifts, and serving the world through the body of Christ.

The Heart of Membership

Church membership isn’t about having your name on a list. It’s about belonging, accountability, and mission. It’s about saying:

• I want to be known.

• I want to be shepherded.

• I want to use my gifts to build up the body.

There are no “lone ranger” Christians in God’s design. Each of us has a part to play. Membership is not optional—it’s the biblical way of living out our faith in Christ together.

  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 has 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.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org. 

Overcoming the World, the Flesh and the Devil

This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on  Sept 7th  2025 by Colin. For the audio & video please click here.  For the worship please click here. 

Overcoming the  World, the Flesh and the Devil through Giving, Prayer and Fasting.

The Berean Example

Acts 17:11 tells us about the Bereans, who eagerly received the Word and examined the Scriptures daily. They were hungry yet discerning. Colin reminds us that every believer is called to live this way: to receive teaching with openness but to test everything against the Word of God.

Don’t just attend church—bring your Bible, take notes, study at home. God transforms us when we engage His Word with humility and expectation.

More Than Blessings: The Call to Be Soldiers

Colin compared the Christian life to joining the Indian Army. Many join for the benefits—pensions, medical care, privileges—but the true purpose of the army is to train soldiers for battle.

In the same way, Christians often focus on the benefits of faith—peace, joy, and answered prayer—while forgetting that we are enlisted as soldiers of Christ (2 Timothy 2:3–4). The Christian life is not about comfort; it’s about commitment, obedience, and pleasing our Commander.

The Reality of Spiritual Battle

From Genesis to Revelation, Satan has resisted God’s people.  But here is the good news: Satan is already defeated.

Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our struggle is not against people, but against spiritual forces of darkness. We are not fighting for victory—we are fighting from victory, secured in Christ.

Our Spiritual Weapons

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10:3 5 that our weapons are not worldly, but spiritual—powerful to demolish strongholds. Colin highlighted three weapons Jesus Himself taught in Matthew 6: giving, prayer, and fasting.

1. Giving: Breaking the Grip of Mammon

The world says, “Chase money, chase wealth, chase pleasure.” But every time we give, we declare that money does not rule us.

• Tithing (10%) is not giving—it is returning what already belongs to God (Leviticus 27:30).
• Giving begins where tithing ends: voluntary, cheerful, generous, and sacrificial.

Generosity reflects God’s heart—“For God so loved the world that He gave…” (John 3:16). Whether blessing a friend with a meal, supporting the poor, or giving extravagantly, generosity is spiritual warfare. It pushes back against greed and reveals the Father’s love.

2. Prayer: Aligning with God’s Heart

Jesus taught us to pray in secret, not for show. Prayer is not about big words or repetition but intimacy with the Father (Matthew 6:5–8).

Throughout Scripture, prayer is central—Moses, Elijah, Hannah, Daniel, and Jesus Himself. Prayer protects us from temptation, aligns our desires with God’s will, and brings breakthrough.

Colin shared the story of “Praying Hyde,” whose relentless intercession led thousands to Christ. A praying church is a powerful church.

3. Fasting: Weakening the Flesh, Strengthening the Spirit

Fasting removes the flesh from the driver’s seat and puts the Spirit in control. Jesus assumed His followers would fast (Matthew 6:16–18).

From Nineveh to wicked King Ahab, Scripture shows that fasting moves the heart of God. It brings clarity, humility, and breakthrough. Fasting makes us sensitive to God’s voice and strengthens us for the battles we face.

 Final Call

The Christian life is not passive. It is a call to be alert, disciplined, and faithful soldiers of Christ. Our weapons are giving, prayer, and fasting—they are powerful to bring transformation in our lives, our churches, and our nation.

The blessings are real, but the battle is the reason we’ve been called.

Reflection Questions

1. Do I approach Scripture with eagerness and discernment, like the Bereans?
2. Where is money trying to control my heart, and how can generosity break its grip?
3. Is my prayer life marked by intimacy with God or just requests for blessings?
4. Am I willing to practice fasting as a discipline that aligns me with God’s Spirit?

Spiritual warfare is real, but so is our victory in Christ. Let’s be a people who give generously, pray fervently, and fast faithfully—for the glory of God and the advance of His kingdom.

  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 has 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.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.