2 Timothy 3:16-17
SERMON HIGHLIGHTS
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
SERMON SYNOPSIS - 5TH FEB '23
Let God lead you!
Scripture Reference: Hebrews 11:8-10
Speaker: Biju John
Hebrews 11 is the most detailed chapter about faith in the whole Bible. This portion shows us how Abraham demonstrated his faith by following God’s leading.
​
What does the Bible tell us about following God’s leading? Using Abraham’s example, Hebrews 11:8-10 teaches us three things about what it means to follow God’s leading in your life.
1. Set out in faith (Hebrews 11:8)
When God has called you to do something, and you want to follow his leading, like Abraham, you need to set out in faith. Setting out in faith means you follow God’s leading promptly. We find a NT parallel in the gospels with Jesus calling his disciples. When Jesus called his disciples to follow him: “At once they left their nets and followed him.” (Mark 1:18) The disciples responded immediately. God did not give Abraham full information. He did not even tell Abraham where he was going. Abraham knew that God knew the final destination, and that was enough for him. And so, he set out in faith.
2. Continue to walk by faith (Hebrews 11:9)
Once you set out in faith, you must also continue to walk by faith. It can be even harder sometimes to continue to walk by faith over the long run. Abraham learned this as he followed God’s leading. The two things that we can learn from Abraham’s example about continuing to walk by faith: a) Don’t expect instant results; b) Don’t get too comfortable in one place.
3. Look forward in faith to the ultimate fulfilment of God’s promise (Hebrews 11:10)
What kept Abraham going? He was “looking forward.” “Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1).
Perhaps you have come to a place where you have discerned God’s will, and now it is time for action. But something is holding you back. You need to set out in faith. Follow God’s leading promptly. Trust God to cover your losses. Don’t wait for full information, because it probably isn’t coming. God has good plans for you. Will you follow him?
SERMON SYNOPSIS - 29TH JAN '23
Living Stone
Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 2:1-12
Speaker: Biju John
In addition to being the "living hope" (1 Peter 1:3) and the "living word" (1 Peter 1:23), the Lord is now identified as the "living stone."
Having set aside unloving attitudes and actions, Peter writes that believers must crave "pure spiritual milk" that meets their deepest needs. It should make them even hungrier for the Word of God. Coming to the Lord - the Word of God - is a way in which they drink the "pure spiritual milk" and "taste" that He is good.
The term "living stones" is used as a metaphor to illustrate the secure and intimate relationship believers have with Jesus. The foundation of God’s building is His Son, Jesus Christ, the "living Stone." God is currently building us into a spiritual house, a dwelling place for Himself. In this new temple - made out of the people of God - each of us also serves as a priest.
​
Peter affirms that Jesus is the one Isaiah pointed to, the cornerstone of the building God is completing at this very moment. Jesus is our right and true foundation - perfect - and whatever is built in alignment with him will be right and true too.
​
Believers are a spiritual race in the sense that, in Christ, they share a single spiritual father. In that same sense, they are a "holy nation," a specific group of people called out and set apart from all other nations. And they are also a royal priesthood.
The passions of sin wage war against our very souls. When we give in to these passions, it’s like we are handing an enemy soldier our loaded weapon. It literally says that human passions are serving as soldiers against your souls.
SERMON SYNOPSIS - 22ND JAN '23
Living Hope
Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 1:1-25
Speaker: Biju John
Peter exhorts people who are confused and discouraged by the persecution they were encountering because of their faith, to stand strong, repeatedly reminding them of Christ’s example, the riches of their inheritance in him, and the hope of his returning again to take them to heaven.
Elect according to the foreknowledge: The opening characterization of the readers as elect was meant to strengthen and encourage them in their affliction.
And sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Since all the elect fall short of perfect sanctification and obedience, there is cleansing from sin provided for them through the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.
​
The 3 circumstances in the Old Testament where blood was sprinkled on people:
· At the establishment of Sinai or Old Covenant (Exodus 24:5-8).
· At the ordination of Aaron and his sons (Exodus 29:21).
· At the purification ceremony for a cleansed leper (Leviticus 14:6-7).
​
The sprinkling of the blood of Jesus on us accomplishes the same things. First, a covenant is formed, then we are ordained as priests to Him, and finally we are being cleansed from our corruption and sin. Each of these is ours through the work of Jesus on the cross.
We are born again to a living hope because we have eternal life in a Savior who has conquered death Himself. The hope lives because it is set upon an inheritance incorruptible that can never fade away because it is reserved in heaven.
We especially rejoice in God’s keeping power when we are grieved by various trials, knowing that He will keep us as our faith is tested by fire.
“Be holy, for I am holy”: The main idea behind holiness is not moral purity but it is the idea of “apartness.” But instead of building a wall around His apartness, God calls us to come to Him and share His apartness.
Through the word of God which lives and abides forever: We are born again… through the word of God. We are both obligated by it & empowered by it, to live out the kind of love and holiness Peter speaks of.
SERMON SYNOPSIS - 15TH JAN '23
Jesus Transforms Lives
Scripture Reference: Colossians 2:6-7
Speaker: Simon Chhetri
Jesus Christ has had a significant impact on Christians’ lives in a variety of ways through his birth, death, and resurrection. Their lives have been impacted by Him in different ways as they walk along with Him and are built and rooted in Him.
1. CHOSEN
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit.
- John 15:16
2. FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. -1 Corinthians 1:9
3. FORGIVEN
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. -1 John 1:9
4. HEALED
…who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases. - Psalms 103:3
5. SPIRITUALLY BLESSED
Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. - Ephesians 1:3
6. APPOINTED TO SERVE
I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful,
appointing me to his service. - 1 Timothy 1:12
7. UPHELD
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous. -Ps 37:17
8. SANCTIFIED
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Thessalonians 5:23
9. GUARDED
But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. - 2 Thessalonians 3:3
10. ANNOINTED
And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us. -2 Corinthians 1:21
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. -Colossians 2:6-7
SERMON SYNOPSIS - 8TH JAN '23
Hunger & Thirst
Scripture Reference: Psalms 63
Speaker: Benson George
Psalms 63 talks about a time when David was in the desert of Judah and was continuously being chased by Saul and his armies. David was on the run and needed direction. He cries out to the Lord. (1 Samuel 22:1). He was desperate and hungry for God's presence.
David was alone, but it is here that God gave him an army, a group of 400 people. These people were the ones who were in distress, in debt, or discontented. It was a hopeless crowd but later in 2 Samuel 23: 8 onwards they are listed as David’s mighty men. What a transformation.
Hunger and thirst for the Lord are developed when we don’t give up, seek the Lord more earnestly, and hope for the impossible. We might also experience spiritual dryness in our life, but seeking the Lord during the parched land experience speaks about our trust and faith in him, and in such seeking, David is seeing the Lord’s sanctuary, his power, and his glory.
Isaiah 55 records David’s experience in depth when he was set as commander of the people.
Seeking the Lord in an impossible, saddened, disinterested, and depressed state resulted in a revelation mentioned in the phrases of Isaiah 55:8, 9, 10, 11, and finally, he says in Isaiah 55:12 - "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace."
Hunger and thirst provided:
1: David received an army, and they made him commander.
2: The hopeless crowd became noted warriors in the future.
3: David received revelation and the great promises mentioned in Isaiah 55.
SERMON SYNOPSIS - 1ST JAN '23
Our hope in God is the fuel for the future
Scripture Reference: Hebrews 11:1
Speaker: Biju John
Hope keeps us going in hard times. It’s fuel for the future.
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see"
(Hebrews 11:1).
You cannot have hope unless it is tied together with faith. What matters most is the object of your faith and hope – that makes all the difference. One of the greatest gifts God has given us is hope. That is what his promises are designed to do - inspire hope. It gives us the ability to look at any situation and know that, regardless of how it may appear, God is going to come through. This is the essence of what hope is.
What is hope?
Hope (dictionary): a feeling of expectation or desire for something to happen.
Hope (Bible): an expectation with certainty that God will do what he has said.
One is a wish or desire, and the other is a certainty or guarantee.
"Everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith" (1 John 5:4)
You cannot have hope unless it is tied together with faith. What matters most is the object of your faith and hope – that makes all the difference. Our entire walk as believers is based on hope. A hope that goes beyond this life and extends throughout eternity. Everything you do as a Christian flows from this. If you remove the element of hope, then you will discover that your joy, your enthusiasm, your peace, your focus, your motivation, everything attached to your walk with God will be removed with it. That is why you cannot lose hope. It is also why one of the weapons of Satan is to attack your hope. Think of all the words that are the opposite of hope - Fear, despair, doubt, uncertainty.
​
A few Promises to Give You Hope
​
Hope of God’s provision: Matthew 6:31-32
Hope of God’s presence: Deuteronomy 31:6
Hope of God’s protection: Psalm 27:1, 5
Hope of eternal life: Titus 1:1-2
Hope of Christ’s return: Titus 2:11-13
Hope of inheritance: 1 Peter 1:3-4
Keep your trust in the one who is faithful because he will not let you down. Hope in him. Hope in his promises. Hope in his word.
SERMON SYNOPSIS - 25TH DEC '22
Thanks be to God for His Indescribable Gift!
Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 9:15
Speaker: Biju John
Ever since the wise men from the east showed up at the stable carrying gold, frankincense, and myrrh, people have been exchanging gifts at Christmas. But what is it that makes God’s gift of His only Son truly indescribable?
Three things about this incredible, priceless gift:
​
A. THE GIFT IS JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF
​
{Jesus:} "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." – John 15:15.
He was assigned to fill a specific need. When we give good gifts, we want them to be useful, to bring joy, and to satisfy the recipient. In sending Jesus into the world, God was meeting our specific need. He knew that, as sinners, we needed forgiveness. This is what the angel told Joseph. He said, she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” - Matthew 1:21
​
​
B. THE GIFT HAS GREAT VALUE
Although there is truly nothing more desirable than knowing Christ, many people just can’t see it. They look into the manger, and they don’t see a king. They don’t see the Savior of the world. "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us…the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus."
And God did not send Jesus to die just for some, but for all. This gift was sacrificial.
1 John 2:2 says that Jesus "is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."
C. THE GIFT MUST BE RECEIVED
It’s available to everyone, but God doesn’t force it on anyone. We have to receive it. We have to take the package, open the box, and accept it as our own. We each have to make the decision to receive Jesus Christ into our lives.
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God." – John 1:12
Today, take him into your heart and into your life. That gift from God has a tag with your name on it. Begin a new life of fellowship with Jesus Christ, a new life of joy, peace, and love.
SERMON SYNOPSIS - 13TH NOV '22
Jesus Restores
Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 30:1-20
Speaker: Biju John
Some tragedies are due to the circumstances beyond our control. Some tragedies are due to the choices we make.
​
The best possible way to move from tragedy to triumph
A. Seek the Lord (vs. 7-8)
B. Obey the Lord (vs. 9-10)
C. Honor the Lord (vs. 11-15)
Through all the battles, God has a great and glorious purpose for our lives. In each spiritual battle, the point is not power or territory. This battle is about who has our heart. It is about who we will obey, honour and worship.
​
All the spoils gained in battle are dedicated to maintaining God's temple. Maintaining the temple in the original Hebrew meant - "to repair the house, to strengthen and consolidate what was built”. Solomon built the temple with all the resources that David had laid up for him. And when the temple needed maintenance, he tapped into the treasury reserved specifically for that purpose. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Ghost. And, like ancient Israel, our Lord still enables the maintenance of the temple through spoils gained in battle.
​
In his Holy Ghost, Jesus has supplied us with all the resources we need. We are responsible for tapping into that treasury to maintain his temple (our body). The resources for maintaining the temple have to come directly from the spoils of our warfare. And the best news! We know the end of the restoration story. Jesus wins! And so do we, who are restored when we’re on His side.
SERMON SYNOPSIS - 11TH SEP '22
Waiting upon the Lord
Scripture Reference: Isaiah 40:31, Psalms 24:14
Speaker: Benson George
The Holy Spirit is impressing upon the hearts to wait upon the Lord. Waiting would involve us to call upon his name and be attentive to listen.
People waiting
Isaiah 40:31, Psalms 24:14, talks about people waiting upon the Lord. It states that at higher altitudes, eagles do not fly or flap their wings vigorously. Similarly, when geared by the Holy Spirit, prayer doesn’t become an effort but we are quickened by the Holy Spirit to pray what he shows us. However, till this encounter doesn’t happen, we must wait because it prepares us to receive.
​
People of God waiting
The people of God waiting indicates a big revival or a great renewal God is bringing upon his people. In Acts 1 & 2, we see how Jesus asked them to wait in Jerusalem. Waiting equipped them to receive God's power for ministry. They walked the earth under the great power of God, and they met daily to enjoy God's presence and proclaim good news. When baptised with the Holy Spirit, they were touched with tongues of fire. They were not timid or hesitant, but they preached with boldness to unknown people groups and communities at the cost of their lives because of this awareness of God's presence in their lives.
​
Creation waiting
This verse talks about the participation of Christians in the everyday suffering experienced by all of creation. While we wait for God to reveal His children, we all groan together like a woman in labor. As His children, we are waiting for the Father to complete our adoption by redeeming our bodies so that we can be with Him. God's Spirit helps us in the season of waiting by taking our unformed prayers to God. We trust that God uses every circumstance in our lives for His purposes and that He has chosen us long ago to be His children.
Our future is the new heavens and new earth which Isaiah 17:25 and Revelation 22:3 talk about. Creation will be back to how it was before, as God originally intended, and it will be liberated from its bondage.
SERMON SYNOPSIS - 21ST AUG '22
The Word of the God is a Mirror
Scripture Reference: James 1:22-25
Speaker: Simon Chhetri
1. God’s Word Reflects (Hebrews 4:12)
2. God’s Word Separates (Isaiah 59:2
3. God’s Word Cleanses (Ephesians 5:25-26 / John 4:10)
4. God’s Word is Living Hope (1 Peter 1:3)
5. God’s Word is the balanced diet for a healthy soul (1 Peter 2:2)
6. God’s Word is the truth and holy
God's Word
Light
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
- Psalms 119:105
Hammer
Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? - Jeremiah 23:29
Sword
.. and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, - Ephesians 6:17
SERMON SYNOPSIS - 14TH AUG '22
Building our lives in Christ
Scripture Reference: Philippians 4:8
Speaker: Benson George
In life, there are always two approaches to looking at something. A negative one and a positive one! In Philippians 4:8, the Bible says to think about things that are good and lovely.
How can we train our minds to think about things that are good?
​
Today, our lives have become restless and occupied because of social media, phones, etc. As a believer, we all know that our mind is the battlefield. Our central system can be ruined, and we can eventually become slaves of the enemy, lifeless Christians if inconsequential matter is fed.
​
The Bible tells us how to spend our days and build our lives. It would require a conscious effort and discipline in life to look at our lives in God's ways, and one such aspect is meditating upon God's word. To meditate is to reflect on a bible verse that you have read.
For example, Psalms 1:1 begins, "Blessed is the man..."…..now STOP…don’t go further……
What is blessing? - Blessing means to have divine favour bestowed upon you... now imagine having divine favour bestowed upon you in all spheres of your life! Do you see divine favour in your marriage?
As we read the verses, we also need to digest their truth. The truth which God shows will slowly reveal its greater purposes. The more you think, the more your thought process is developed, and slowly and gradually, we start to get hungry for his word.
​
What are we doing as a result?
Finally, our time is rightly spent and occupied, and we are not living in worry but excitement within, building our life on God’s word, and now it becomes more interesting when we receive the revealed word. Such a joy, such an excitement, and so richly and powerfully enriching.
SERMON SYNOPSIS - 7TH AUG '22
Persevere and lean on Jesus
Scripture Reference: James 1:2-5
Speaker: Biju John
Jesus warns His Disciples so that they persevere - “All this I have told you so that you will not fall away” (John 16:1). Jesus not only told his disciples what to expect but encouraged them to persevere. As believers’ we must ever be on our guard against the enemies of our souls who have sent out his ambassadors disguised as angels of light to deceive and to entrap the unwary ones.
James 1: 2Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
As we grow in facing trials with joy, we realise that we can do so because it produces perseverance and endurance. As we develop more endurance, we can take on more in life, and as James 1 says, eventually not lack anything. If any of you lack the perspective to see the way that God sees it, to see what God is doing in you and through you. Ask God for wisdom. Lean on God. Persevere don’t give up. Ask God for wisdom to get through the tough situation.
God is a helper to each of us. He will surely and unfailingly guide a believer to persevere in sanctification and holiness from inception to the very end, even to death, notwithstanding each of our weaknesses.
SERMON SYNOPSIS - 31ST JUL '22
I have called you friends - Jesus
Scripture Reference: John 15:12-15
Speaker: Simon Chhetri
The Lord Jesus chose us to become intimately related to Himself. When we start to consider the implications of this, we are brought to our knees. He picked us up out of the miry prison of slavery and elevated us into heavenly positions. No longer does He call us slaves, for we have entered into His inner circle of friends.
A friend is one who can have a heart-to-heart conversation. What we can share between friends normally isn’t shared among parents, children, siblings, and spouses. Honoring and obeying His teachings is a key aspect of friendship with Jesus. Abraham’s friendship with Jesus was demonstrated in God’s willingness to speak with Abraham. The beautiful interaction of God with Abraham described in Genesis, Jonathan and David, Ruth, and Naomi is exemplary. Similarly, Christ is speaking to us today. His work in choosing us, sanctifying us, and teaching us is merciful and truly amazing.
Today, who is our friend? Is it social media, technology, or something else? Where do we spend our maximum time? It is good to search our lives and hearts. The God who parted the red sea for the Israelites, who rescued Daniel in the lion’s den, who opened prison for Peter, who raised Lazarus, the same God is our friend.
Let us surrender ourselves completely into the hands of this loving friend who has opened the door of friendship by laying down his life for us, opening the Holy of Holy Places and choosing us to be the royal priesthood.
SERMON SYNOPSIS - 24TH JUL '22
The Mind of Christ: Empty Yourself And Let God Fill You
Scripture Reference: Philippians 2: 1-11
Speaker: Biju John
Love that reaches up is adoration. Love that reaches out is affection. Love that stoops is grace. To be in Christ is to be saved. It is to be in an intimate personal relationship with the Saviour. From this relationship flow all the particular benefits of salvation. This important phrase "in Christ" is frequently used in Philippians and in the New Testament. Paul wants the Philippians to think the same way, have the same mind, that is, to have similar attitudes, concerns, and intentions.
The personal quality of humility is a quintessential characteristic of Jesus Christ and his true followers!
Paul gives practical advice on how to live with humility towards others.
1. "Regard one another as more important [or better] than yourselves" (Phil. 2:3b), and 2. "Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also the interests of others" (Phil. 2:4). Paul endorses humility, and Jesus is his perfect example.
​
Kenosis is the idea that Jesus renounced divine privileges. He chose the humble form of not just a servant to man, but death on a cross. Jesus was always fully God and fully man. Paul states that Jesus set the ultimate example of humbling oneself rather than insisting on one's own way with selfish ambition and vain glory. Through His humbled mind, obedience, and suffering, Jesus will be lifted up high!
His pre-existence (Philippians 2:6)
His incarnation and life on earth (v.7)
His death on the cross (v.8)
His exaltation and universal adoration (v. 9-11)
​
Consider emptying a necessary part of the process of growing into the image of Christ and being filled to overflowing with the goodness, grace, and mercy of God.
SERMON SYNOPSIS - 17TH JUL '22
Is Jesus the first love?
Scripture Reference: Revelation 2: 2-7
Speaker: Benson George
SERMON SYNOPSIS - 10TH JUL '22
The Lord is my Shepherd
Scripture Reference: Psalms 23
Speaker: Pr Samuel Thomas
God has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, Ref: Ephesians 1:3
Because of living in a fallen world, we all face several crises in our lives. God is sovereign. He understands each struggle that we go through. He may appear silent, but He is not absent. How do we react during a crisis? Do we come nearer to God or do we go farther from him?
Progression from a distant relationship to coming closer to God
The first three verses of Psalm 23 speaks in the third person.
The fourth/fifth verses of Psalm 23 speaks in the second person.
The last verse of Psalm 23 speaks in the first person.
And as in the lives of Naomi and the Samaritan woman in the bible who are classic examples of coming nearer and distancing away from God. Naomi whose name meant pleasant wants to be called bitter when life gets tough. She went blessed but returns empty. (Ruth).
But the Samaritan woman gets the revelation of the Saviour during her conversation with Jesus (John 4:29). From knowing Him as a Jew, to being from Jacob’s tribe, to being a Prophet, to finally a Saviour. Her desire to know Jesus helps her in getting the revelation of the Saviour
Listen Well
​
And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. -Mark 4:24
​
God speaks according to a follower's listening capacity.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. - Psalms 32:8
Three takeaways for a follower of Jesus:
(1.) Listen to the Shepherd
(2.) Follow the Shepherd's directions
(3.) Lean on the Shepherd
The Church of Ephesus had people who were enduring hardships but were dedicated and diligent, without tolerance for any form of wickedness. They were good at discerning the right and wrong teachings. Yet, this church had major issues that Christ wanted them to see and take heed to.
A. Jesus showed the problem - Lost Love
Despite all the above qualities, the church had become legalistic. Although they had a desire to follow Jesus and were ready to bear any kind of hardship, Jesus was no longer their first love. Jesus points it out clearly in this scripture portion. The joy and passion of the initial encounter were missing. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Paul speaks of God expecting believers to love with Christ-like agape love.
B. Jesus offered the solution - Repentance
They were slowly and gradually becoming like the Pharisees: hypocritical. Repentance confronts us with our sin and that wholeheartedly works against our prideful hearts. It humbles us, and Acts 3:19 says that it refreshes us.
​
C. Jesus gives the results - Overcome
The only way to overcome the challenges and struggles is through the word of God and by growing in Christ. We have to learn to cast out every lie, every thought and start to see the power of God's word. During these struggles, God is transforming a believer and sanctifying them through the power of the word of God.
When Jesus is our first love, then we do everything for His sake. We don’t choose right out of a sense of duty, and neither do we do it to get honor ourselves. We do it for one reason alone, and that is for Jesus.
SERMON SYNOPSIS - 3RD JUL '22
Walking in the fear of the Lord
Scripture Reference: Philippians 2:12-13
Speaker: Biju John
He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me. - Genesis 22:12
Abraham feared the Lord and therefore worshipped God with the best.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord and reverence for His holy name is the foundation upon which each one of us builds each sphere of our lives. It is the gateway to truth, key to spiritual insight and the singular requisite for godly instruction in righteousness.
Deuteronomy 6:1-2 - “These are the commands, the decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all His decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.”
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. - Philippians 2:12-13
SERMON SYNOPSIS - 19TH JUN '22
How to experience the gospel in its fullness?
The answer is Repentance + Faith
Scripture Reference: Mark 1:15
Speaker: Biju John
Mark 1:15 And saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Mark reminds us that the focus of Jesus’ ministry was preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. Jesus was a preacher who did wonderful miracles, not a miracle worker who sometimes preached.
Jesus told us to make a change of the mind, not merely to feel sorry for what we have done. Repentance speaks of a change of direction, not a sorrow in the heart. We can’t come to the kingdom of God unless we leave our sin and the self-life. It speaks of a relationship of trust and dependence.
Repentance is a major theme in Jesus' ministry, even now. In order to be saved, we must accept that our sins are wrong and that God provides the way we should live. This isn't just an intellectual exercise; we need to allow the belief to change us, inside and out. That doesn't mean we'll never sin again. It means our goal is to hate sin as much as God does.