The Lent Series - Part 1

 

   This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on 1st March 2026, by Colin. For the audio , please click here.  For the worship, please click here. 

From the River to the Wilderness: Standing Firm in Times of Testing

Last week, we began reflecting on the Lenten season — a time of lengthening, a time of preparation, a time to center our lives once again on Jesus.

Lent marks the forty days leading up to Easter. In the busyness of life — work, responsibilities, gadgets, endless notifications — we can easily lose focus. These forty days invite us to slow down, to practice spiritual disciplines, and to realign our hearts with Christ.

Jesus said when you give, when you pray, when you fast — not if. These are not optional extras for the Christian life. They are expectations.

But today, we turn to a powerful moment in Scripture that teaches us what it means to stand firm in testing.

A Mountaintop Moment

In Gospel of Matthew 3:13–17, Jesus comes to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.

John hesitates. “I need to be baptized by You,” he says.

Yet Jesus insists. Though sinless, He identifies with humanity. He humbles Himself. He steps into the water — not for His own repentance, but for ours.

When He comes up from the water, something extraordinary happens:

• The heavens open.
• The Spirit descends like a dove.
• A voice from heaven declares:
  “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

In that moment, Jesus’ identity is publicly affirmed. The Father speaks. The Spirit descends. The Son stands in obedience.

It is a mountaintop experience.

But immediately after comes the wilderness.

From Jordan to the Desert

In Gospel of Matthew 4, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Notice this carefully:
He was led by the Spirit.

The wilderness was not accidental. It was purposeful.

Life often swings like a pendulum. One moment, everything feels aligned. The next, we find ourselves in a dry and testing season. Mountaintops are often followed by valleys.

Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights. And then, at His weakest physically, the tempter came.

The First Temptation: Appetite and Identity

“If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Jesus was hungry. Hunger is legitimate. The need was real.

But the temptation was to satisfy a legitimate need in an illegitimate way — to bypass trust in the Father.

The enemy also attacked His identity:
“If You are the Son of God…”

Yet the Father had just declared who He was.

Jesus responds with Scripture:

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

He quotes from Deuteronomy, recalling how Israel failed in the wilderness by grumbling and doubting.

Where Israel failed, Jesus succeeded.

Fasting reminds us that we are spirit before we are appetite. It trains our spirit to lead our body, not the other way around.

The Second Temptation: Presumption vs. Faith

The devil then takes Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and even quotes Scripture:

“He will command His angels concerning You…”

Yes, the enemy can quote Scripture — but often misapplies it.

The temptation here was not faith, but presumption. Faith trusts God. Presumption tests God.

Jesus replies:

“It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.”

How important it is to know not just what is written — but what is also written.

True faith does not demand signs. It does not manipulate God into action. It rests in obedience.

The Third Temptation: The Crown Without the Cross

Finally, the devil shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world:

“All this I will give You, if You bow down and worship me.”

This was a shortcut. A way to gain the crown without the cross.

Jesus had come to redeem the world — but redemption required suffering.

He answers:

“Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.”

No shortcuts. No compromise.

The same temptation exists today — success without integrity, glory without sacrifice, gain without obedience.

But the way of Christ is always the way of the cross before the crown.

The Good News: We Have a Victor

Adam failed in the garden.
Israel failed in the wilderness.
We fail often.

But Jesus did not fail.

He passed every test. He resisted every temptation. He remained faithful where humanity fell.

And our hope is not in our righteousness — but in His.

He is our great High Priest. He is our perfect sacrifice. He stands victorious on our behalf.

Standing Firm in Our Wilderness

Lent is not just about reflection. It is about preparation.

When we leave the safety of worship and enter the “wilderness” of everyday life, our faith is tested:

• When we are misunderstood.
• When finances are tight.
• When illness strikes.
• When prayers seem delayed.

In those moments, remember:

• You are a beloved son or daughter of God.
• The wilderness is not permanent.
• God is shaping your heart.
• The Word of God is your weapon.

Read Scripture until you are fed. Pray until your spirit is strengthened. Fast until your appetites are aligned.

And when the testing ends — as it did for Jesus — the angels minister.

This Lent, Move Forward

As we continue this season:

• Let your giving be generous.
• Let your praying be persistent.
• Let your fasting be sincere.
• Let your identity remain secure.

From the river to the wilderness, from the cross to the crown — Jesus has shown us the way.

And because He overcame, we too can stand firm. Amen.

 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. 

Don't Miss the Moment - Part 3

   This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on 22nd February 2026, by Colin. For the audio , please click here.  For the worship, please click here. 

Don’t Miss the Moment: Rediscovering Giving, Prayer & Fasting

As the weather shifts from winter into spring, we’re reminded that certain seasons call us to refocus. In the Christian calendar, this season is known as Lent—a 40-day period leading up to Easter traditionally devoted to prayer, fasting, repentance, and renewed devotion to God.

The word “Lent” literally means springtime or lengthening. It represents a spiritual awakening—a time to examine our hearts and realign our lives.

But here’s the honest question:
If we were left entirely to ourselves, would we consistently pray, fast, and give?

Probably not.

That’s why seasons like Lent matter. Not because they are legalistic requirements, but because they lovingly call us back to what truly sustains us.

The Heart Behind Spiritual Disciplines

In Gospel of Matthew 6, Jesus speaks about three core spiritual disciplines:

• Giving
• Praying
• Fasting

Notice something powerful—He says “when” you give, pray, and fast. Not if.

These practices are not optional extras for super-spiritual believers. They are expected rhythms of a disciple’s life. But Jesus goes deeper—He addresses not just what we do, but why we do it.

Over and over, He reminds us:
Your Father sees in secret.
Your Father rewards in secret.

These disciplines are not performances for people. They are acts of devotion to our Father in heaven.

1. Giving: A Matter of the Heart

Jesus warns against public displays of generosity done for applause. If recognition is our goal, recognition will be our only reward.

True giving flows from delight in God.

A beautiful example is found in 1 Chronicles 29. King David prepared offerings for the temple and declared:

“Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your own hand.”

David understood something profound:
We are not owners—we are stewards.

When we give:

• We acknowledge that everything belongs to God.
• We participate in His purposes.
• We position ourselves for heavenly reward.

The question is not, “How much must I give?”
It is, “How grateful is my heart?”

2. Prayer: Our Lifeline

Jesus teaches that prayer is not about public performance or empty repetition. It is personal communion with our Father.

Let’s be honest, prayer is hard.

The moment we sit down to pray, distractions flood our minds. Bills, appointments, responsibilities. Our flesh resists stillness. Yet Scripture is clear, prayer is essential.

In Gospel of Matthew 6, Jesus gives us the Lord’s Prayer—a model that centers on:

• God’s holiness
• God’s kingdom
• Daily provision
• Forgiveness
• Deliverance

Prayer reshapes our priorities.

It is also powerful when done together. There is strength in agreement. When believers unite in prayer for families, churches, nations, and personal needs, heaven moves.

And again, Jesus promises:

“Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

3. Forgiveness: The Hidden Blocker

Right in the middle of teaching on prayer, Jesus addresses forgiveness.

Unforgiveness quietly poisons spiritual life. We all get hurt. Offended. Misunderstood. But refusing to forgive restricts our own freedom.

Lent—or any reflective season—is an opportunity to ask:

• Who am I holding in my heart?
• Where do I need to release someone?

Forgiveness is not weakness.
It is spiritual strength.

4. Fasting: Humbling Ourselves Before God

Let’s admit it—fasting is probably the hardest discipline.

Jesus again says, “When you fast…” Not if.

Fasting humbles us. It quiets the flesh. It sharpens spiritual sensitivity. Throughout Scripture, fasting preceded breakthrough.

One powerful example appears in Book of Esther 4. Faced with national crisis and annihilation, Esther called the people to fast for three days. That fast shifted history. The king’s heart changed. The enemy’s plans collapsed.

Fasting is not about gloom or self-display. It is about desperation for God’s intervention.

In a world filled with injustice, conflict, and turmoil, can we afford not to fast?

This Is Not Legalism

Spiritual disciplines are not about earning God’s love.

We don’t:

• Pray because we have to
• Fast because we have to
• Give because we have to

We do these things because we want to draw near to our Father.

Grace is the foundation. Discipline is the response.

Don’t Miss the Moment

Whether during Lent or any season of life, this is an invitation:

• Grow in generosity.
• Deepen your prayer life.
• Embrace fasting.
• Walk in forgiveness.

There is always room to grow.

The aim is not perfection—but transformation.
The goal is not ritual—but relationship.

And the promise remains steady and sure:

Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Don’t miss the moment.

 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. 

The God of Increase - Part 2

 

This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on 11th January 2026, by Colin. For the audio , please click here.  For the worship, please click here. 

The God of Increase – Part 2

As we step into a new year, it’s a perfect time to reflect on God’s purposes and promises for our lives. One powerful truth we often overlook is that God is a God of increase—He delights in blessing His people, both spiritually and practically.

But what does it really mean to be blessed?

The Power of Names in the Bible

In everyday life, names may feel random or chosen simply because they sound nice. But in the Bible, names carry deep meaning. They often reflect a person’s destiny, character, or divine calling.

• Abraham was renamed from Abram, meaning exalted father, to Abraham, meaning father of many nations—even before he had a child.
• Barnabas meant son of encouragement, and he truly lived up to his name by uplifting others.
• Jacob, meaning deceiver, was later renamed Israel after encountering God, marking a complete transformation.

Names in Scripture show us that God has the power to redefine our identity and future.

Jabez: Rising Above His Name

Hidden among hundreds of names in 1 Chronicles is a man called Jabez. His name literally meant pain or sorrow. Perhaps his mother experienced hardship during his birth, but Jabez refused to let his name define his destiny.

Instead, he prayed:

“Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!
Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm…”
(1 Chronicles 4:10)

And the Bible tells us—God granted his request.

Jabez teaches us that our past, circumstances, or labels do not limit God’s plans for our future.

We Are Spiritually Blessed

If you are a follower of Christ, you are already richly blessed. The Bible says:

“He has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”
(Ephesians 1:3)

Some of these spiritual blessings include:

• Salvation – Eternal life through Jesus
• Forgiveness – Our sins wiped clean
• Justification – Declared righteous before God
• Adoption – We become children of God
• The Holy Spirit – God dwelling within us
• Access to God – Boldly approaching His throne
• Peace with God
• Authority in Christ
• Spiritual gifts
• Eternal inheritance
• Guidance and transformation

Many believers live in spiritual poverty—not because they lack blessings, but because they are unaware of what they already possess.

God Also Blesses Materially

Some hesitate to talk about material blessings, but Scripture is clear:

“Every good and perfect gift is from above.”
(James 1:17)

God provided Abraham with wealth, livestock, and resources—and He was blessed in everything. These blessings are not meant to replace God in our hearts but to help us serve others.

God blesses us so we can be a blessing.

When blessings flow through us—like water through a clear pipe—they increase. But when we hoard them, the flow stops.

The Paradox: Grace and Obedience

Blessing involves both God’s grace and our obedience.

We cannot earn blessings by keeping the law perfectly—Jesus fulfilled that for us. He became a curse on the cross so we could receive the blessing of Abraham.

At the same time, Scripture teaches that obedience invites God’s favor:

• “Blessed is the one who delights in the law of the Lord…” (Psalm 1)
• “Meditate on God’s Word… and you will prosper.” (Joshua 1:8)

God tests us with blessings. How we manage what we already have determines what He entrusts to us next.

Why Do the Wicked Prosper?

Sometimes it seems like those who don’t follow God prosper more than believers. Psalm 73 addresses this struggle. The psalmist admits he envied the wicked—until he entered God’s presence and realized their eternal destiny.

Earthly wealth is temporary. True riches are found in Christ.

Living as Channels of Blessing

Prosperity isn’t about luxury—it’s simply having more than you need, so you can help others.

God calls us to:

• Be generous
• Support His work
• Serve others
• Store up heavenly treasure

Even the poor can bless the destitute. Everyone has something to give.

Final Thoughts

We are:

• Spiritually blessed
• Materially blessed
• Deeply loved by God

But there is no formula. Blessing ultimately rests in God’s hands. Our role is to walk in faith, obedience, and generosity.

Let us pray boldly like Jabez:

“Lord, bless me—so I can be a blessing.”

 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. 

The God of Increase

  This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on 4th January 2026, by Colin. For the audio , please click here.  For the worship, please click here. 

The God of Increase

When you open the Bible, most of us instinctively gravitate toward familiar and comforting portions—Psalms, the Gospels, Paul’s letters, or books like Isaiah and John. Very few of us would admit that genealogies are our favorite reading. Long lists of names can feel dry, repetitive, and easy to skip.

Yet, hidden within one such genealogy in 1 Chronicles 4, we discover a powerful and life-changing story—the story of Jabez.

A Name That Spoke Pain, A Life That Spoke Faith

The genealogy flows uninterrupted until verses 9 and 10, where everything pauses for one man:

“Jabez was more honourable than his brothers…”

His name, Jabez, literally means “pain.” His mother named him this because his birth was marked by suffering. Imagine carrying that label for your entire life—being constantly reminded of pain, limitation, and difficulty.

But Jabez refused to let his name define his destiny.

Instead of accepting the narrative handed to him, he cried out to the God of Israel.

The Bold Prayer That Changed Everything

Jabez prayed five simple but courageous requests:

1. “Oh, that You would bless me”
2. “Enlarge my territory”
3. “Let Your hand be with me”
4. “Keep me from harm”
5. “So that I may not experience pain”

And then comes one of the most powerful statements in Scripture:

“And God granted his request.”

In the middle of an otherwise unremarkable list of names, Jabez stands out—not because of his background, but because of his bold faith.

So significant was his life that a city was later named after him (1 Chronicles 2:55). From pain to purpose—what a transformation.

Is It Wrong to Ask God for Blessing?

Many Christians hesitate when it comes to asking God for big things. Some fear being labeled “materialistic,” while others swing away from blessing altogether because of excesses seen in prosperity teaching.

But Scripture paints a clear picture: God is not stingy. He is generous.

Blessing itself is not the problem. The problem arises when we seek blessings instead of God, or when blessings are hoarded rather than used to advance His kingdom.

God delights in blessing His children—so that they, in turn, can be a blessing to others.

Why We Struggle to Ask Boldly

Here are four common reasons we hold back:

1. “My problems are too small to bother God”

The truth is, God cares about every detail of your life. Scripture tells us He even knows the number of hairs on our heads.

We are invited to approach His throne with boldness and confidence, not fear and hesitation.

2. “I haven’t been good enough”

God’s favor is not earned—it is given by grace. We don’t come to Him in our own righteousness, but clothed in the righteousness of Jesus.

Just as Jacob received the blessing while wearing Esau’s garments, we receive God’s blessing because we are “in Christ.”

3. “If God wants it to happen, He’ll do it anyway”

While God is sovereign, Scripture clearly says:

“You do not have because you do not ask.” (James 4:2)

There are things God chooses to release in partnership with our prayers.

4. “Material things are unspiritual”

Jesus Himself taught us to pray for daily bread. Every good and perfect gift—spiritual or material—comes from God.

Four Ways God Blesses Us

Scripture shows that God blesses in multiple ways:

1. Through the hand of people

Joseph’s rise—from slave to second-in-command—came through God working in and through others. People can be instruments of God’s favor in our lives.

2. Through supernatural provision

From manna in the wilderness to water from a rock, God can intervene in ways no human effort can explain.

3. Through the work of our own hands

In the Promised Land, manna stopped—but God blessed the Israelites’ labor. Faith does not replace effort; God blesses diligence and obedience.

4. Even through the hands of enemies

Amazingly, God can cause opposition to become provision. Israel left Egypt with gold and silver from the very people who oppressed them.

Living Like Jabez Today

Jabez teaches us that our past, our name, or our limitations do not determine our future. Faith does.

God is inviting us to:

• Ask boldly
• Trust deeply
• Live generously
• Expect abundantly

As we begin each new season, the challenge is simple yet profound:

What is one big thing you are believing God for?

Write it down. Pray for it consistently. Trust God boldly.

Because the same God who answered Jabez still delights in answering His children today.

 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.