Pictures of the Church - Part 1

 

 This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on January 26th 2025 by Colin. For the audio & video please click here.  For the worship please click here. 

Pictures of the Church

Last week we looked at how to become a part of a church. 

The Church of Jesus Christ is not like any other club where you pay thousands and lakhs of rupees to get membership. It is open to anybody who recognizes they're sinners, repent put their faith in Jesus and decide to follow Him. They're born again and added to the body of Christ.

Our salvation is through faith which is called the Justification. But that's not the end of salvation. God now has a plan for our lives which includes becoming His disciples. Many haven't given themselves to obeying Jesus' commands. The Gospel has to transform lives. John the Baptist said to produce fruit by keeping up with repentance. 

None of us are perfect. We're all sinners. There has to be at least an attempt to change our ways. Faith is important but obedience must follow faith. 

Paul says that the Church is the body of Christ. Jesus is the head of the Church and the rest of us are parts of the body. 

1. Unity in the body

When we come here to attend the Sunday service, our whole body is here. We don't leave any part behind. We may have many differences but we are one. If you look around we are all different in several ways. The parts of our bodies are different too. The world divides people based on differences like race, language, region and others. All the wars that take place are because of these differences. 

Ephesians 4:6 NIV - one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

We are united by the Father. 

Jesus' prayer for his disciples is to be one. Before the crucifixion, Jesus prayed that all may be one. 

John 17:21 NIV - that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 

We see that there's deep unity among the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus wanted His disciples to be in that deep unity. 

Galatians 3:28 NIV - There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 

This unity transcends all social, cultural and other barriers.

Why is this unity important? 

* God says so

When we share the gospel, we can't cause them to believe. That decision is with them. There's no forced conversion to Christianity.

John 17:21 NIV - that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

When we are united, somehow the unbelievers will believe that God sent Jesus. 

John 17:23 NIV - I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

In this verse, the same thing is repeated. 

If we want power in evangelism, we need to work to be one - loving one another and accepting one another. Seeing this, unbelievers will somehow believe that God sent Jesus Christ. 

When we are united, we have Jesus at the centre. That is the common thing. 

So let's have fellowship with one another. 

What can we do to promote unity in our church? 

It starts with greeting one another and then serving, loving, accepting, bear with one another. It is also expressed in doing things together and praying together. 

 

The Bible uses more than 90 metaphors for the body of Christ. From Genesis to Revelation, we see a unified story of God wanting a people for Himself. The story begins in a garden and ends in a city in heaven. Everything will fade, but the church of Jesus Christ will go on forever.

We are the Bride of Christ. Before anything was created, God had a bride in mind for His son.

We have been chosen not because of what we have done but because of what He has done for us.

Who did Jesus purchase with His blood – His body, the church.

What do you value most apart from God, your salvation and your family? It is your body.

Let’s look at 1 Cor 12.

We are far from perfect, but one day, we will be.

Heb 6:2 There are four baptisms – the indwelling of the Spirit at conversion, the baptism of water, the Holy Spirit and the baptism by fire which is suffering.

UNITY

God’s heart is that we all be united Eph4:4.

Ephesians 4:4 - There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called

John 17:21 -  that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Our unity helps others see the Father in heaven; therefore, we need to do all that we can to foster this unity in the church.

What can we do to be united in this local church? It is not just intellectual assent but doing what it takes, viz., participating in whatever the church is engaged in, like prayer, Gym groups, training, etc.

We are different but one. The church is the most diverse grouping of people on the Earth. In Christ, there is no Jew, Greek, or Gentile. What brings us together is Christ.

Let us build on unity and build up the Body of Christ.

DIVERSITY

The body is made up of many parts. We have different gifts, and we are all unique.

1 Corinthians 12:15 - Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.

“I don’t belong” – inferiority complex, and these people can back away from interacting and integrating. We have been placed in this body by the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:21 - ²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”

 “I don’t need you” is also a mistake if we think we are independent or superior. This is a sin of pride and independence. We need each other, and we cannot survive on our own.

1 Corinthians 12:22 - On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable

The weaker parts (those not seen) are indispensable.

Ephesians 4:16 - From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

The body grows up as each one does its part.

How do we practically work out this diversity? Encourage all who serve.

In India we can see everything that is wrong with everything. Let us be thankful people. It takes humility to encourage someone else.

Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

How am I using my gifts to serve the church? How am I building the church?

Do I value that I am a part of the body of Christ? We are privileged people and should not take this for granted. We cannot be ‘alone’ Christians. We have been placed in a body. God uses the church to put His manifold wisdom on display.

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. 

Back to Basics - Part 4

 

  This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on July 7th 2024 by Colin. For the audio & video please click here.  For the worship please click here.

Stages of Discipleship

How does transformation take place? You see some ads that promise change if you use their products. 

If you have put your faith in Jesus, there is a transformation that takes place in you.

We have a B.C life and an A.C life - Before Christ and After Christ

Discipleship is the method Jesus used. 

He invested 3 years in the lives of His disciples and then those 12 transformed the world. The end goal of discipleship is to fish for men and women. After the resurrection, Jesus told them to go to all nations. 

The 2 bookends of the gospel are "Come, follow me" and "Go, make disciples".

There are 5 stages in the journey of a disciple. 

1. Unsaved

2. Infant 

3. Child

4. Young Adults

5. Parent

Every believer can go through all 5 stages but not everyone does which is very sad.

Today we're going to look at the first 3 stages. 

1. Unsaved:

These are the people without Christ. They are spiritually dead. 

Ephesians 2:5 - made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

People may come from Christian background but they could be spiritually dead

They are not immature, weak or rich but dead. They are heading towards God's wrath.

Ephesians 2:4 - But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

Only Christ can make them alive. 

We can identify people at this stage by the words they speak and deeds they do.

Ex: I don't believe there's a God. All gods are one. I don't believe in heaven. 

The spiritually dead people hurt others. They need to hear the gospel. This requires a relationship - someone needs to share the gospel with them. God uses humans as his ambassadors. 

Luke 15:7 - I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Romans 10:15 - And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!

Are we investing in the people who are not saved? They need to see the life of Jesus in us. They need answers to questions and a clear explanation of the gospel when the time comes. 

2. Infant:

The moment a person comes to faith he reaches this stage. People at this stage repent of their sins, believe that Jesus is the Lord and Saviour. 

1 Corinthians 3:1 - Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ.

John 3:5 - Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again

There's a great rejoicing when a baby is born. 

There's a great rejoicing in heaven when there's born born-again Christian. 

Just as babies need milk and care, spiritual babies need spiritual food and care. They don't know anything. 

We know people at this stage when they are - 

* New Born Again Christian

* Born Again but even after many years, there's no spiritual growth

Heb 5:12-14 - 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Eph 4:14 - Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.

* They can't discern what spiritual food to eat. They may get misled if there's no guidance.

Signs:

Mixed up philosophies, demanding, all about themselves, only consumers.

They may say things like - I didn't know the Bible said this. Tithing? What's that? 

I don't need anyone. It's just Jesus and me. 

I thought Jesus would fix everything for me.

They need someone to care for and feed them so that they survive and grow. They need protection and guidance.

There's no shame in whatever stage we're in but we must move to the next stage. 

Christian faith is to be taught and modelled for them

They must develop new habits and develop right patterns

3. Child:

Children are more advanced than the infants. 

1 John 2:12 - I am writing to you, dear children,

    because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.

John refers to children, young men and fathers. 

1 Thessalonians 2:10 - 12 - 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

1 Thessalonians 2:7 - 8 - 7 Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

They need encouragement, comfort, urging.

Spiritual children may attend church and also serve, but they are self-centred. 

They need a relationship and identity in Christ. They need to learn to feed themselves. They also need a parent to teach and guide them. 

Ex: maybe I should try another Church for my needs, didn't like the music, nobody says hi, nobody calls me, the pastor doesn't care for me, nobody appreciates me and so I quit.

Young Adults and Parents have seen God's plan and are willing to invest in others, help grow and advance God's Kingdom. We all need discipleship because we want to get better.

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.   

PRISONERS OF HOPE - PART 4

 

This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on December 17th 2023  by Navaz. For the audio & video please click here.  For the worship please click here.

PRISONERS OF HOPE - PART 4

Luke 2:22-

INTRODUCTION

Do you know that movies are not made with just one camera?  Several cameras are shooting the same scene from various angles.

The 4 gospels are like that. They all bring different dimensions to the same story.

Luke is writing to a Roman official Theophilus who probably became a Jesus follower. Luke’s account is a thorough documentation to help Theophilus be certain of what he was taught and, in some ways, present a report that authenticates this new Faith.

We looked at how a Priest handled Hope. Today in our frame are two people little spoken of when it comes to the Christmas story but very important to our theme and to showing how Jesus’ birth was not just foretold, and there was nothing random about it. We will look at how a Prophet and a devout Person handled hope.

SIMEON, THE DEVOUT PERSON.

V25 – A man in Jerusalem Simeon who was righteous and devout would regularly go to the temple. He waits for the “consolation of Israel”. This is an old English phrase. In our school, we used to have a consolation prize! The word means “comfort”. So, the prize is given to someone very good but did not get the prize. It does not mean that here. It means the one who would bring comfort to all of Israel. (Remember Is 61:1-2 to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion)

This is another name for Jesus – Consolation of Israel!

What do we know about Simeon? He is a devout man. That is how Luke describes him – it meant he visited the temple regularly, observed all the feats, said his prayers, kept the Sabbath, and lived a righteous life. We do not know whether he is married, or whether he has children. It could be that in that culture it was assumed that he was married so there was no need for that information.

We are told that the Holy Spirit spoke to him in his heart that he would not die until he saw the Messiah!! Now we can read this and just move along!! What we need to realize is that the Messiah was long awaited since the fall of Adam and Eve!!!!

Have you ever had a prophetic word over your life that has taken years to come to pass? What have you done with it?

Work in the waiting

In the Biblical sense, waiting is not passive. It is engaging with all that you presently know you are supposed to do and do with gladness and with hope in your heart where you continue to believe that “you will see the goodness of God in the land of the living”.

Simeon did not stop going to the temple. It was the natural place for him to encounter the Messiah, but he did not know how.

V27 – Then came a day like no other. Simeon, moved by the Holy Spirit went to the temple. Maybe it was not his usual day to go. He arrives at the exact time Mary and Joseph are there. Is God not in charge of time? He functions out of the construct of time. Time was created for us humans. And in that context, God was bang on time!

What I see in Simeon is that he lived so tuned to the Holy Spirit. He could have missed that prompt or ignored it and would have missed being a part of history recorded!! Here is my takeaway – be alert because sometimes things come your way, that may look ordinary – like reading your Bible every day, coming to church, going to your Gym Group, and attending the church prayer.

These are some of the means of grace given to us by which we hear God speak to us and we could miss that chance to hear an encouraging word.  Can you miss out? Yes, you can. This is not about Salvation. The fulfilment of God’s promises in your life requires the right response from you.

So, because Simeon obeyed that prompting, his long-awaited Hope was fulfilled. Simeon went into the temple. Did he know what to look for? We don’t know. Was he to look for a grown man, a baby? We don’t know. But once he entered the temple, he was drawn to this young couple that had come to dedicate their baby boy! There must have been so many other parents there that day.

We can only marvel at the accuracy of how the Holy Spirit speaks if we are willing to listen and take steps of faith and obedience.

V29 – Worship in the waiting

Simeon takes the baby in his arms. Imagine holding God incarnate in your hands!!! He prays a prayer of thanksgiving and worships – acknowledging God as having fulfilled His promise.  And he makes a prophetic declaration in line with scripture – “a light to the Gentiles”. Jesus – the Light of the World! You see up till this point, even though it is in the Old Testament, the Jews had a very myopic view of the Messiah – that he would come to save them, to save them from political oppression and that he exclusively belonged to them. But here is Simeon echoing Isaiah’s prophecies – that the Messiah is not just the Saviour for the Jews but for the Gentiles as well – all the nations will come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn. (Is 60:3).

He also predicts in some measure that while the Messiah’s life is extraordinary, He would expose systems and hearts by whether they accept or reject Him as Messiah. This child would cause a great deal of sorrow to His mother – an indication of the death he would die.

Now the camera pans right – another person walks in at about the same time. This person is a woman!

ANNA THE PROPHET

V36 -For some reason, we know far more about her than Simeon. I think we need to track what Luke is doing. As you know 1^st Cent. Jewish culture did not take women seriously at all. She was not to be heard in public places, not to be seen with men other than from her household, and she was not even considered a reliable witness. So, while Simeon needed no character certificate other than that he was old and devout, the reader needs to know more about Anna to establish her credibility.

We know she is the daughter of Pennuel who comes from the tribe of Asher. She was married for seven years and then a widow for the rest of her life!! And we were told was 84. Some translations say she was a widow for 84 years.

Here is another thing to her credit – she spent all her days worshipping in the temple.

V37 What did she do? – She worshipped, prayed, and fasted regularly.

V38 – I am sure she too was prompted by the Holy Spirit. And she must have walked up to Mary and Joseph and at that moment she felt prompted in her heart to speak out that this was no ordinary child, but the one all Israel was waiting for – for their redemption. And she does not keep this news to herself. She tells people around her. Maybe this is how Luke came to hear of this as well and now it is recorded in history. And we know that Mary treasured all these things in her heart. And she must have told some people too!

What was revealed to them was huge. So many people in those days claimed to be the Messiah and people got fed up and lost hope in the waiting. Even now, so many people claim to be Jesus or try to predict the second coming. It was huge in the 1980s. People sold their houses and lived like it was the end of the world!! This happened many times and now many Christians live like the second coming is either far, far away or a fairy tale.

I think it is no coincidence that the three people who were part of the plan of ushering the Messiah are old i.e., Zechariah (and Elizabeth), Simeon, and Anna. They represent the era that is about to close and now a new Era with the advent of the Messiah was upon them. They represent the last of the Old Covenant people.

It also shows that the coming of Jesus is not in conflict with the Old Covenant, rather He comes to fulfil the law and what the prophets foretold. By doing this Luke is rooting the significance of Jesus’ birth and the “new faith” in Jewish history. Therefore, these Jesus followers are not rabble-rousers rather they are people who wholeheartedly believe in the Old Covenant and now living in the good of its fulfilment. He wants Theophilus to see this as a legitimate expression of faith and not some strange cult or sect. That is why he stressed it four times – according to the law in v22, 23, v27 and 39.

Also, Simeon’s prophecy ushers in the Era where the Kingdom is for all who will believe – Jews and Gentiles alike.

CONCLUSION

What is my biggest takeaway from this passage?

Two people waited silently in Hope. They had a very long wait that spanned decades (symbolic of the centuries Israel waited for the Messiah). Yet you do not see a trace of bitterness or lethargy.

Why should we wait?

Because all the promises in God are yes and Amen!

How should we wait?

In prayer, worship, and hope.

Where should we wait?

 In His presence on the job.

What do we do in the waiting?

 Continue to do what you were always doing. There is something for our generation of entitlement, name it, frame it, claim it. Can we wait? And can we continue to serve God diligently, worship Him wholeheartedly, hold on to the prophetic and keep listening for His voice, and pray without giving up Hope?

What happens when we don’t wait well?

We can create Ishmael, the golden calf, or give in to pressure and do what we ought not to do like King Saul.

I want my life to be fine-tuned to the Holy Spirit.

 I do not want to miss out on His call on my life because I was not paying attention to His voice. God’s timing is perfect.

I do not want to miss out because I got fed up with waiting and missed the cue of the Holy Spirit.

I do not want to miss out because I gave into doubt or bitterness.

I do not want to miss out because I think I know better and try to make things happen in my flesh.

Which ones would you be tempted to do or have done? Let us repent and seek God’s forgiveness. And you know that He is faithful and just to forgive us and give us a second chance. 

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.   

Prisoners of Hope - Part 3

 

This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on December 10th 2023  by Colin. For the audio & video please click here.  For the worship please click here.

At Christmas, we are celebrating the coming of God as man. Many cultures claim that god has come to earth. How do we know that he is the one true god? Because his birth was prophesied and he was born of a virgin. 

Today we are going to look at the word son. If you look at a colour, there are so many names of the same colour- blue, azure, cyan… In the same way, Jesus was called the Son of David, Son of God and Son of man. 

1. Son of David : 15 times in the Bible, Jesus is called the son of David. God coming in the form of man - why should he be called the son of David? 

What did David do? 2 Sam 7:1 

”Now when the king lived in his house and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent." And Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you."“ - ‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

David was passionate concerned about the dwelling place of God. Because of this he was rewarded. 

”And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.'"“ - 2 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

That’s what God said to David. What was it about David that god looked at? He was a sinner!

He wasn’t a perfect man. But what singled him out is that he was a man after God's own heart. He was passionate about the presence of God. Even in his old age he was passionate about building a house of God. Do we have that passion for the house of God today? 

David gave generously towards the temple. He was generous in worship. Can we also be generous towards the building of the temple of God? 

Matthew 1:1, Jesus’ genealogy starts like this : ”The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.“

”And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" And stopping, Jesus called them and said, "What do you want me to do for you?" They said to him, "Lord, let our eyes be opened." And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.“ - Matthew‬ ‭20‬:‭30‬-‭34‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The amazing thing here was that the blind can see who Jesus is. They called him the son of David. The Pharisees did not recognise him. 

”Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.“ - Revelation‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

One day when Jesus returns, everyone will see and recognise who he is. But may the lord open our eyes to see him now and worship him as God. 

”concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,“ - Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Jesus is the fulfilment of all the ancient promises e find in the Old Testament. There are over 3000 promises for us in scripture! When we look at the mess the world is in today, we can be unsure. But we can be sure that one day Jesus will come back and will bring everlasting life for those who trust him. 

2. Son of man - Jesus is fully god and fully man. About 80 times in scripture he is referred to as the son of man. 

”"I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.“ - Daniel‬ ‭7‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

When Jesus came he fulfilled this prophecy. 

• His divinity - ”For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."“ ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭ESV‬‬

• His humanity- people may not understand you but he does. ”For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.“‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬ ask any religious leader “have you always obeyed what you thought was right?” The answer would be no. But Jesus was sinless. Because of that he could live and give his life for us. 

Application- are we a people who are willing to take on servanthood? Jesus came to serve and die. That’s the model for each one of us. Without the cross there is no glory. For the joy set before him, he scorned it’s shame. 

3. Son of God - 40 times he is called the Son of god. This speaks of his nature and ability to save us. 

”And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."“ - Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

”"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.“ - John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins and see the transformation that will happen. Ask any one of us, Jesus has transformed our lives. Jesus frequently referred to God as his father. 

A gift was promised. That a son would be birthed through a virgin. This son was the son of David. He was the son of man and he is the son of god. He has come to offer salvation to all people. Our responsibility is to proclaim the gospel. 

This Christmas season, what are we celebrating? We are celebrating the birth of Jesus who came to save us. Whenever I die, I will be with Jesus forever! 

What do we need to get hold of this morning? Let’s reflect

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.