The context of the call| Justin J

This message was preached  by Justin Jaykumar at Word of Grace Church on August 7th, 2016. To listen/download the audio please click here. To listen to the Sunday's worship and prophetic contributions please click here

We are here for a definite purpose to serve God's purpose in our generation.

Acts 13:36 says about King David- “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed.”

David served his purposes in his own generation. The book of Judges is full of people who served His in their own generation.

Jud 3- Othniel and Deborah- There was peace when they ruled. Today we will look at a character who served God in his generation. This person is Gideon. The context, the call, the challenges and the conquest

The context of the calling:

In Judges 4 Deborah delivered people from their enemies. In Chapter 6 Israel was under the rule of the Medianites and the Israelites were fearful. They were farmers and the medianites would attack and take away everything. This was the context.

Judges 6:1 says, because people disobeyed God and did evil. Today is the same. There is so much killing and evil. The Lord allowed this so that they would turn back to him.

God was very much a part of the context. There was pain and suffering. People were totally drained. God heard their cry. People are groaning and crying today. There is so much noise today that drowns out peoples cries. Jesus was in crowded noisy places yet He knew who touched him.

In the busyness of life can we hear people’s cries and the hurt that people face? This is the context in which we live.

Petra song- It's too late for Annie but not too late for others.

In Exodus, we read about Moses. People were under slavery and God heard their cry and Moses comes into the picture. The same thing happens with Gideon. God was preparing him in that context.

We could have a ‘don't-care’ attitude. I'm reminded of Esther. The Jews were threatened. Word comes to Esther and she is reminded that she was born for such a time as this. If we don't act, God can use someone else.

If the context does not pinch us then we can't play a role in fulfilling God's purposes in our generation. When did we last get affected by the troubles around us? Jesus was moved on compassion when amongst the people. Jesus wept over Jerusalem.

This is the context for Gideon too in Judges 6

Q. What does responding to God involve?

In Verse 11-12. Gideon was threshing wheat in a wine press. It shows that the quantity of wheat was less. He was doing something that should have been done in the open.

In this fearful context, God calls him a mighty warrior. God looks at us as people who can be strong and courageous. When God calls us to serve him he looks at us as what we will become and not what we are today.

Samuel was told to anoint a king from the house of Jesse. All the sons walk by but these were not God's choice. It's the last one that God chose to be king of Israel.God has a rating. He calls us mighty warriors.

Gideon in verse 13 does not accept this. He felt the situation hopeless. We might feel like this too. But God comes in. In Verse 14 God still commissions Gideon. God is sending him and he is not going alone. Give your nothing in his hand and he will make something out of it. The victory is already assured. Gideon is still not trusting.

We often think God has made a mistake by choosing us. But that is not true. Be assured you have a purpose.

In Verse 16, he assures Gideon-  Surely I will be with you. God's companionship is guaranteed with us. God assures his presence with us through the Holy Spirit.

Q. Are you discouraged today?

Remember God will be with us to the end of the age. Surely we will make an impact.

John Patton a missionary to an Island. Within weeks his wife was struck with fever and she died . He had to bury her. After several years he died. When he reached the island there was not even one Christian. But when he died there was not even one who was not a Christian.

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.

What can I give? | Justin J

This message was preached  by Justin Jaykumar at Word of Grace Church on June 6th, 2016. To listen/download the audio please click here. To listen to the Sunday's worship and prophetic contributions please click here

It was not a usual day in that town- there was a lot of commotion. A little boy asked, what’s happening. They said, that guy is coming... the guy who calmed the storm is coming to our town. The little boy’s mum packs a lunch box with his favourite food. Then he runs off to join this massive crowd listening to this one guy speaking. Jesus was teaching them about the kingdom of God! Everyone was listening to them attentively. Not worried about the break time.

Then the disciples said, “why don’t we let them go and get something to eat?” Jesus said, let’s feed them. The boy offers his lunch. Andrew said, “would you like to give to Jesus?” What happens next shocks him! Jesus multiplied the 5 loaves and 2 fish. He sees that there is so much left after they are all fed. 

Mark 6:30- 44

We too can make a difference in the lives of people.

Q. How can we make this difference?

The book of Judges has a lot of names- Gideon, Samson, Yehud, etc. You and I can live lives like this. With our names in the pages of history!

This is our challenge.

When Jesus was teaching them, disciples said, let’s send them back. Jesus said, you give them something to eat. That word ‘you’ is important. You are important. You have the opportunity to bring life into people. Jesus could have asked God for manna- to have a repeat of the wilderness experience. But instead, Jesus asked them to be a blessing to the people around.

Gen 12:1-3- God called Abraham not only to bless him but that through him blessing will flow to all the families of the world.

The disciples said, it’ll take half a year’s wages! The need is great and the task is enormous. It will cost. Their reply was logical. They will fend for themselves. When there is a need and you are taken care of, you think everyone can find something for themselves.

People are in need. So what do we do? We have the key for the blessing into the lives of these people.

In verse 38 Jesus asks: Q. What do you have?

Write down on a sheet of paper, what do you have with you that can bring blessing into the lives of others.

5 loaves and 2 fish are nothing. But it is what he had. It is not easy to handle a mob. The disciples felt inadequate to handle this situation.

The little that was given in the hands of Jesus- what has it become? Jesus takes control. There was order. Things change when Jesus takes control of what you have.

Many times we think we are experts, but when we give that into Jesus’ hands, he breaks it and then multiplies it. Mark 6: 42- they all ate and were filled. People were satisfied and it was more than sufficient.

The Bible records lives of so many people who had nothing in their hands. Moses- you know what God told him? What do you have your hand? Joseph- what do you have in your hand? A dreamer? He used that. God will use you.

Queen Esther- beautiful woman! Did she make a difference in the lives of people? Yes, an entire race. Daniel, David, Barnabus--- these men did not go out of their way, God used what they had. Paul was an Old Testament Scholar. He fought against heresies that were coming up in the early church.

God can use us when we give it to him. 

What can we give to him 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 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.

0

Re-starting your journey with Jesus| Justin J

This message was preached  by Justin Jaykumar at Word of Grace Church on May 1st, 2016. To listen/download the audio please click here.

John 21: 1-14:

“Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”“No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.”

Week after week, we meet here and worship together. We are all at different places in our relationship with Christ. Christian life is a journey with Jesus.

Q. Where are we in our journey with Jesus?

The Disciples had a living, moving experience with Jesus.

3 things happened in this passage:

1.       It is back to square one- the disciples go back to square one. They started in the Sea of Galilee. They left everything to follow Jesus. For three years! Do you remember the day you met Jesus and what happened to you? The excitement, the joy of reading God’s word- having our quiet time. A peace covered us- a longing to be with God and his people. The disciples also experienced this. They left their people, profession, possessions and place. But here in this story, something strange is happening. We see them going back to a very familiar ground- their comfort zone- their profession. They went back to that place.

Q. Why did they go back?

Familiar ground gives us self-worth and security and significance. They knew the Sea of Galilee like the back of their palm. It is a temptation for all of us. What if Jesus fails? When things get tough, we go back to the place which we think is the refuge. And Peter did not go alone. He took others as well. When you go back, you take others with you.   

2.       Jesus stood on the shore but the disciples did not recognise him. When you go back to square one you fail to recognise Jesus. We go away from Jesus. That initial love dies down. You no more recognise him- cannot hear his still small voice. God’s word does not bring you anything. When you are sliding, there is no interest in spiritual things. We need to take note of this situation.

3.       They failed to catch fish: They toiled the whole night and failed in the very thing they went after. It must have been embarrassing. Peter’s journey began in the same place. The disciples were more concerned about the earthly kingdom. When Jesus was crucified, their dreams were shattered. They were in hiding.

Q. where are we in our journey?

Are our expectations not met? Do I also stand in the same place where I began, am I discouraged or disappointed? Are you wondering what are my accomplishments?

The passage ends with Jesus inviting them to eat with him. They cast the net where he asked them to. They realised it was Jesus and they came back to shore dragging the net.

Jesus came to where they are. He did not wait for them to return with shame. He came down into this world. He comes searching for us. He does not come to put us to shame. He calls them friend. He asserted their place in him. He wanted them to start their journey again with Jesus.

Even this morning, if you are stuck somewhere in your journey with Jesus, he still calls you his friend and calls you to resume a journey with him.

When we resume 4 things happen as we see from this passage:

1.       Recognise that we need help- In verse 5 and 6, Peter recognised that they had failed. If we acknowledge that we have failed, the help comes from the Lord.

2.       We need to obey Jesus- They cast their nets and they caught multitude of fish. As a result, their life was full of blessings. Obedience leads to blessing. Even with the net full, it did not break. We began worship by remembering the people who went before us who obeyed God.

3.       Share your blessings: In verse 10 Jesus asks to bring the fish they just caught. Jesus involves you in his work. He calls us to share our blessings. You are called to surrender your blessing in the hands of Jesus. At the beginning of their journey he said, come I will make you fishers of men.

4.       Come and eat with him- In verse 12 we see that the breakfast is ready on the shore- they went searching for fish but Jesus provided it for them here. What are you searching for? Whatever it is, it is available with Jesus.

We are all awaiting that great feast. As we make Jesus the Lord of our lives, our journey will be full of blessings. If you are stuck somewhere in your journey with God, respond to his invitation, obey his voice, share your blessings and commune with him again. 

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.

0

What are we here for? | Justin J

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

What are you doing on this earth? What are we here for- this question disturbs me.

To make disciples of all nations- that’s what we are here for, as God’s children. These are the last words of the Lord Jesus.

The last words of some famous people- Winston Churchill said I’m bored with it all. Steve Jobs- Oh, wow! No one knows what it means. When Osama bin laden was targeted, his last words- don’t turn the last words. Saddam Hussein said, there is no God, there is no God. Jesus’ last words were not his dying words. They are the words of a resurrected one.

Matt 28:16-20- “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

This is the command- to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations. That is the emphasis.

Q. What does it mean to make disciples?

It means urging them to be followers, and become disciples of Jesus. You become an apprentice. You learn his teachings and his lifestyle. We must help them to grow.

3 ways Jesus wants us to make disciples:

·       By going- to all the nations. Means going to all kinds of people. Group of people with similar culture and outlook. In our nation there are thousands of people groups. Many times we understand that those who go out of the country are missionaries. But we are all called to be missionaries wherever we are- in our neighbourhoods, workplace, schools and colleges.  Stephen and Philip were caterers. But the Bible says that they were men full of wisdom. Stephen was the first martyr who died preaching the gospel. Philip was with a minister from Ethiopia who was reading Isaiah 58. Philip spoke to him as the Holy Spirit revealed the truth to him and shared the gospel. The minister was saved and that became the entry point for the gospel in Ethiopia. We are called to make disciples. We are caterers of the gospel.

How do we make disciples? The best example is to learn from the very person who gave us this command.

Q.     How did Jesus make disciples?

§  Jesus went where people were and invited them to follow them. Mark 2: 14- “As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.” Matt 4: 18 “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”” Jesus went to them and called them.

§  Jesus not only invited them, but did it with a purpose. Come follow me, he said and I will make you fishers of men. Jesus had an encounter with Peter and the very presence of Jesus made peter realise how sinful he was. His very presence was changing people.

§  He allowed people to get into his life: In John 1:39, 2 of John’s disciples were following Jesus. They said, “Rabbi, where are staying? Jesus said, come and see.” Come into my life. He allowed people to get into his life. We make disciples by allowing them to see into our lives.

§  By being gentle and caring: 1 Thess 2:11-12- gentle and caring. That is how they made disciples. Like a father encouraging, comforting and urging. We need to take the step of launching out and caring, urging, encouraging... no flattery or deceit.

§  They presented a clear claim of Jesus. Jesus makes it very clear about what it means to follow him. Luke 9: 23 Jesus says- “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” There is a cost of discipleship. Making disciples is a command.

·       Baptising- It is the immersing in water, a declaration that we belong to Jesus. When peter gave his first sermon, 3000 people believed, were baptised and were added to the church. Identifying with God and God’s people is very important in making disciples.

·       Teaching them to obey all that was commanded. It is a very important part of making disciples. We are to teach the whole truth to people who want to follow Jesus. In Acts 2:42 we see that the early church met together, broke bread together, listened to the Apostle’s teaching. Disciple is a person who will obey.

If we believe in Jesus, our sole purpose is to make disciples. We do that by going into the lives of people and allowing them to come into our lives, presenting a clear gospel. Because all authority in heaven and earth was given to Jesus, we can go into the world and make disciples. All the nations belong to Jesus and we are called to go to the nations in his authority.

We are not alone. Jesus promises to be with us to the end of the age. When we are sent, the presence of God is with us- to be filled with power and to be witness. Let us trust God for making disciples.     

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.

Unknown Future, Known Father| Justin J

This message was preached  by Justin Jaykumar Y. Sam at Word of Grace Church on  January 10th, 2016. To listen/download the audio please click here.

The future is unknown and we don’t know what’s in store for us.

Today we will look at Deuteronomy 11:10-14 

“The land you are entering to take over is not like the land of Egypt, from which you have come, where you planted your seed and irrigated it by foot as in a vegetable garden. But the land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven. It is a land the Lord your God cares for; the eyes of the Lord your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end. So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul— then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil”

We live with an unknown future, but the eyes of the Lord are on us. The Israelites were ready to enter into this new land.

Q. What did the Lord expect from the Israelites as he does from us today?

1. We need to possess- “ the land you are entering to take over”. To possess means to take over, claim, dominate, rule. That’s the first thing God expected Israel to do. Israel was coming out of bondage. They are not called as slaves but as sons and daughters.

He says, in verse 12 that his eyes are on us from the beginning to the end of the year- so all 366 days of this year, his eyes will be on us. Israel was to destroy the enemies and take over the land. You and I are called to that.

Judges 1:8- “ The men of Judah attacked Jerusalem also and took it. They put the city to the sword and set it on fire”

Judges 2:2-“and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.’ Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this?”

They were given instructions to destroy everything so that it doesn’t become a snare for them. Israel however did not do that and kept back some of the plunder. But God desires obedience.

The messengers in Canaan said they saw giants and that they were like grasshoppers. In Deuteronomy 11:23-24: “then the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations larger and stronger than you. Every place where you set your foot will be yours: Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the Euphrates River to the Mediterranean Sea.”

Colossians 3:5- “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry”. Are there things that need to be put off things that may even be advantageous to you but God wants you to put off? We are to enter into the new year having put off certain things.

Judges 1:20- “As Moses had promised, Hebron was given to Caleb, who drove from it the three sons of Anak. “ When Joshua and Caleb saw the giants, their reaction was- God help me, I’ll possess this land. He went after what he was promised and he took it over.

Philippians 4:13- “I can do all this through him who gives me strength”

2. There will be both hills and valleys: this new land that the Israelites were going to enter is not like Egypt. Egypt was a different set up- it was a flat land. The promise land had new challenges- of mountains and valleys. The flat terrain can be boring.

In this New Year, we will have both mountains and valleys. Maybe your year started in the valley, but there will be mountains as well.

God says, you don’t have to irrigate the land. Jacob had a lot of problems in his life- he did not know where Joseph was. But God knew it. In Genesis 42:36 he says that all things are against me. Sometimes we may think this.

Romans 8:28- “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”

We don’t like problems- the ups and downs. But power is generated with friction. We need to go through to have power and have an impact. Opposition is essential for a equilibrium. The best of creation will have to experience these ups and downs.

“Let us then thank God for both the weight and the wings and with power that comes from heaven to press on with faith and patience.”- AB Simpson.

2 Corinthians 12:9- “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

3. God cares for this land- this is the motivation for the Israelites. God cared for the Israelites, provided for them and lead them. The same God will lead us forward. That’s our motivation.

1 Peter 5:7- “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” It’s an unknown future but he cares for us.

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.