Jesus, the perfect Gift

Luke 2:30,31 for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples.

Many Christians do not agree in celebrating Christmas, but it is important for all of us to understand that God decorated that day more than almost all other days. Everybody was happy. It was a grand opening with angels, signs, prophecies and visions of salvation. All these signs give us reasons for us to remember that God has answered our prayers by giving us the best gift that he could ever give.

In many instances, we can see Jesus referring himself as an object or a gift that has been presented as in Isaiah 9:6, a son given as a gift to us. He is the true bread etc. The lesson to us is at John 4:10 where Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman saying “if you know the gift of God, you would have asked for living water”. The reason why we could not celebrate properly is because we do not know the gift of God. Jesus is the collection of all blessings from heaven as per Ephesians 1:3.

Simeon understood that the baby he is holding is salvation from God. Salvation is not the event at the cross but the person who was hanging in the cross. For Jesus cross was not the only humiliation, the crib was too considering how glorified He was in heaven. Jesus would not have been happier during His birth as it leads to a lot of training for years and them a death with humiliation. The biggest identity Jesus got was during His birth. But the reason for our celebration is that we are celebrating salvation.

As per Romans 5:17 receiving grace does not save a person, but receiving the abundance of grace or fullness of grace which is Jesus. In Christmas time, we should try hard with all our strength to receive the fullness of grace or otherwise, we will fail miserably believing ourselves to be Christians. We may not display Christ in full, but we should receive Him in full in order to be saved.

The verse says that God prepared Jesus in the presence of all peoples. God did not prepare Him in heaven to be a Son of God, but He was prepared in front of us to be a Son of Man which is new to Him. He loves to be called as the son of man and not as son of God as it is required for Him that we understand Him as a human and not only as God. Salvation was prepared by a fully human person but since all of us had completely failed in sin, God came as the full human. That’s why Salvation was prepared in front of all of us. He was born in our presence and he died and rose again in our presence so that we know Jesus was 100% human and we are able to become like Him.

Amen.

Lying to God

Acts 5:3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?”

Just as soon as the church is established, people started giving all their possessions to the church after understanding God’s kingdom. But this was not compulsory as peter explains in verse 4. But lying was not pardoned easily in the church and during the early days. These people have heard only a few sermons and it has been only a few days or months since Pentecost. In chapter 8, we read an even bigger sin of Simon the sorcerer but that did not end in death. But lying did. In proverbs 6:16-19 we read that lying is something hated by God to the core. But out of practice, we keep the habit of innocent lies as we reap money out of it. We also read this in Proverbs 12:22.

Peter says that to lie to the church happens when Satan has filled a heart. In 4:31, we clearly read that all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit. But in a few moments, we can read that Satan can fill a person’s heart. In 5:17, we read how the high priest was filled with jealousy. But in 6:8, we read Stephen being full of grace and wonders. A combination of good and evil cannot be present as Jesus said one cannot serve two masters. Every time we lie, we allow the devil to fill our heart and submit our lives to him. We may not submit to the person in front of us, but we submit to the devil whenever we speak a lie.  

As per proverbs 6:16-19, lies can be both spoken and breathed. This is included because we may think that we did not lie technically but the other person had understood it wrong. God is very clear here that He hates both.

When Jesus promises about the Holy Spirit, He uses the term “Spirit of truth” in John 14:17 which explains why this whole earth is a lie and illusion. Even the arrival of Christ has given us two wonderful gifts as in John 1:17. The verse says that the arrival of Christ has two important purposes, Salvation and Revelation of the truth. The truth is that the world is all an illusion and temporary. But we can live with God eternally if we hang on to Christ. If God could give us His own son for us to know the truth, we come to God and His church with lies and deceit in our hearts.  After speaking about the truth in John 8:32, when the Jews restrained by telling that they are Abraham’s children, Jesus mentions that because they did not believe the truth, Satan is their father as he is the father of lies. So, if we produce more lies, we become an agent of Satan himself as he has filled us. If just believing in lies can be so ridiculous, how pathetic is manufacturing lies.

In Acts 5:11, we read that this incident had brought great fear in people’s minds. Fear in the church is necessary as otherwise, without fear people will consider sin lightly. Since it was a short moment when they had lied and immediately lost their lives it was not digestible to everybody. We take salvation without fear but that is not God’s eternal plan of a Church. A church which does not fear the Lord is a wife who does not honor her husband. Lying is the most hated thing for God but which is still live in many churches.

This incident has happened after God has given them boldness as in Chapter 4. A first fruit of boldness is being able to speak the truth. The apostles could have manipulated the truth a little bit and so avoided being jailed. But they had boldness and so spoke which led the enemies fear them. In the end of chapter 5 we read how God had sent an angel to the prison only to create fear in them. If Gamaliel had spoken in defense the previous day, it would not have been effective. But if we speak lies, we start fearing the reputation which we never had. An honest person has absolutely no fear. A church needs that identity or else it becomes just an another entertainment center.

As in James 3:4-6, the tongue is the entry point for all evil in our body and it is very hard for any person to tame it. A tongue that lies and also praises is like a fountain that brings forth both fresh and salt water. One another area where we lose our authority over sin is to show off our false gifts and talents. Verse 13-14 explains who with meekness of our wisdom we should show our works using good conduct and not the mouth. If we boast we are against the truth which is Christ. If we boast we are against heaven but are earthly and demonic.

According to Luke 11:27,28 God is pleased only when we hear the word and keep it or precisely receive Christ and safely keep Him in our hearts. If we fail to keep Him, we fail His purpose and are not blessed even though we have contributed or ministered or even spent all our lives for the Lord. Unless we honor what His words say, we have no place in His kingdom.

Amen.

Faith, which comes through Him

Acts 3:16 “And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.”

The faith explained in this verse is of Peter and John. They had good faith as a gift from Christ that it could perform miracles. The name of Jesus has the power to heal, the name works when there is faith in the name. This was the first time Peter attempts at a miracle but he had the faith to do that at the most offensive place, the gate of the temple. The method Jesus works is that he has given us liberty to use His name, but we need faith and the good news is that this faith comes from Him. We do not have to worry.

Faith is a gift as per 1 Cor 12:9.  It is required for every Christian to understand how faith comes from Christ and how we could receive that gift. The first verse we have in this context is Romans 10:17 which is faith comes by hearing and hearing from the word of Christ. Firstly hearing has to come only from the word of Christ.  The Word is Christ and so, the word of Christ is the book which completely manifests Christ and it is the scripture. True hearing originates only from the Bible. In John 20:31 we read how the Bible completely belongs to Jesus.

Now, reading the Bible should bring hearing to us and this means we hear Christ when we read with that intent. Eph 3:4 explains if we read we perceive insights Paul has about the mystery of Christ. It is possible that we can read without perceiving or even hearing. But if our intentions are truly that our faith would increase or we want to hear Jesus, we will perceive the mysteries God opens to us. All we have to do is have the right intentions. We have to spend lots of time with the Bible so that Jesus would speak with us and when He does, our faith increases to a level where calling His name performs miracles.

The true effect of hearing can be seen in Acts 4:20 where if we hear we cannot stop speaking His word. Seeing is something that only early apostles did. Paul as in Romans 10:17 and other verses and those after him mention as hearing only and that hearing of the word of Christ made them stand up and speak.

In Hebrews 12:2, we read after great examples (in the previous chapter of faith), that our faith is different than that of Abraham and others as this faith has been found by Jesus. The difference is not in direction or definition but it is in quantity. Jesus had authored a faith that saw the joy in future and so took shame and pain. Jesus has perfected this faith in us by asking us to follow Him completely taking up our cross. The following verses mention that God disciplines us by giving us the trouble we are enduring in this life. So, it is Jesus who perfects the faith by guiding us through the path that disciplines.

So, we receive faith by reading and hearing the Bible and the faith is perfected by tribulation. This perfected faith performs well. It receives trials without murmur as the eyes are on the joy set before us. We have to remember that there is a lot of encouragement in the word of Christ during this tribulation. In Colossians 3:16, we can see how this encouragement is shared in the fellowship. All members should ensure that the Bible dwells in everybody’s minds not just by reading but by singing from their hearts. Let us ensure that our songs encourage others so that the word dwells in everybody’s hearts.

1 Timothy 1:4 explains how the faith which is administered by God would contradict with different doctrines which promote how better their faith is. If we uphold doctrines and practices more than faith, we will promote knowledge more than God’s will.

When asked by disciples to increase faith, Jesus (Luke 17:5-10) gives two parables. One is on how powerful faith is even when if it is tiny. The authority we carry with Jesus’ name is so great that when combined with faith, supernatural events occur. But, the second parable explains how humble we should be in executing faith. We cannot ask for honor as soon as we could perform miracles using this faith. Jesus expects the right attitude and surrender like the servant has to. The parable clearly mentions that faith can do both plowing and keeping sheep which is evangelical and pastoral ministry where faith is mandatory. But these men should consider themselves as unworthy servants as they do what is their duty.

Amen.

The Prince of Life

Acts 3:13-15 “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.  But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.”

This is Peter explaining people in the temple on how their deeds were towards Jesus. It is important for us to understand that we took the same stand as the Jews and have to repent. Jesus was actually glorified after his ascension based on John 7:39 but the order Peter mentions is that the Jesus who was glorified was denied at Pilate’s place. This is a confirmation to us that it is intended to us and not Jews alone.

 Peter starts the dialog saying that it is the same God who we have been worshipping and the God who always provides us goodness had a very wise plan in glorifying Jesus. God’s expectation is that we should see the glory of Jesus and follow Him. As per John 1:14, the early apostles saw the glory and then they could claim that Jesus has only revealed God (verse 18). God was revealed only through Jesus and not by any other means. The original translations refer Jesus as “the only begotten God” which clearly point at Christ’s divinity. The glory of Christ as in Revelation 1:12-16 should be understood by us. He is holy and clean in perfect white but fearful in the eyes. He stands firm in His position with the strongest voice. The mouth disciplines everybody without partialities and He is the brightest which no naked eyes can see. This image of Christ should be conceived by us and this is the glorified Jesus.

The verses say that we denied Jesus in Pilate’s presence meaning that we denied the glorified Jesus in front of the world and Satan.  The world and Satan are already defeated at the cross. They tempt us and torment us but in the end they have to allow you to go to Christ. It is our choice clearly that we chose Barabbas instead of Christ. The verse says that we delivered Him up for murder. We knew that He is offended and still as per Hebrews 6:6, for our selfishness we crucify Him.

Now, the important problem is that Jesus is holy and just. We have hardships in living with a holy and just one. Living and accepting a sinner is easy to us because we are heroes there. We do not desire the presence of holiness as we love darkness as in John 3:19. If we love light we would want to be like Jesus. But we have trouble tolerating Jesus and his perfection as it humbles us. Jesus clearly wants us to come to Him and accept Him. It is not His will that we deny Him. In John 7 we read the feast where Jesus was hesitant to go public on the ministry but in a few days, he starts teaching. In the end of the feast, He could not hold His love towards us and so, stood up and cried in a crowd asking people to believe in Him.

Our foolishness is displayed when we choose to live with a murderer and thief. Barabbas, when he is freed, the people know that their lives are at stake. We know that one lie, a vulgar word or a dirty video is fatal and can consume our entire lives, but still we choose to do that just because holiness does not excite us, but sin does. We need to understand the glory of God and His magnificence to make right choices in life.

Jesus being the prince of peace explains that he could give us life. Believing in Him as the messiah or the redeemer makes us perfect and strong. The crippled person was outside the gates being handicapped. But the name of Jesus, through faith of Peter and John changed him with sound health. The call to the men who crucified Jesus is (vs 19,20) that if we repent, Christ, the prince of life will come to us and give us a brand new clean life. This life will flow not just inside our hearts but outside so that others would receive Christ through us.

There are three statements Peter makes in order to establish Jesus with the Jews in Chapters 2,3,4 and these incidents happened at the street, the temple and then with the high priest and other important leaders. In the first Peter says that Jesus was attested by God through miracles and then in the temple Peter mentions Jesus as the prince of life. The next chapter Christ is described as the corner stone. This clear understanding of Christ will help us live. We should see Christ as a successful person to follow, then the source of life and then the foundation of our life.

Amen.

The Name of Jesus

Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

After the Pentecostal experience and the establishment of the Church, outreach ministry has been started. The first step was this miracle and it is important to understand the primary tool utilized here.

The Name of Jesus is the one to be raised up higher. We can read that Peter went forward to the lame man, asked him to “look at us” and then voluntarily gave the healing from Christ. The lesson to us here is how proud they were to be in possession of the name of Jesus. Peter and John could have had silver or gold but they believed the name of Jesus to be more precious for them to be silent and this being the most effective gift they could give to anybody.

In Luke 10:17, we read the seventy people who were sent out to minister were amazed how even demons obey to the name of Jesus. We read in verse 1 that Jesus had sent them two by two as if there was a single person, it could be that this person has performed it.  We also should understand that the devils does not obey Jesus alone, they obey us if we command in Jesus’ name. Jesus also confirms that in verse 19 that “we” have the authority to trample. Jesus becomes the source of authority but we are the beneficiaries here. There is no evidence of failure after somebody had used the name of Jesus. The people said that the demons were obedient to them and not just drive them away. If this name is used with faith, even mountains move.

In Mark 9:38-41, we read that somebody who works miracles in Jesus’ name is on Jesus’ side. These people may not necessarily follow our beliefs. Even if Jesus was living in the same locality and they had the opportunity to be silent and follow the group with Jesus, these people were away and alone. They had different strategies. But Jesus accepts them 100% and claims them to be on His side. We may have different approaches, doctrines and understanding of scripture. But if we humble ourselves and try hard to promote the name of Jesus, we will reap rewards. After this acceptance, Jesus warns people of using Jesus’ name wrongly as in Mark 13:6. Here people come and mention that “I am He” which means that people would try to steal the position of Christ in the Church. As per Mathew 7:22, miracles are not signs that a person is powerful or right. He maybe on Jesus’ side and even get rewards, but it is very much possible for Jesus to not know him and that makes us people who practice lawlessness. Extreme caution should be exercised when using the name of Jesus as per 2 Timothy 2:15-19. The Lord knows clearly who belong to Him and who does not and still uses His name. This is a mighty tool which can be used for self-proclamation.

In many instances we read the phrase “Jesus of Nazareth” and on a similar meaning “Son of Man”. Jesus mostly wanted to identify Himself as a local person who is one among us. The phrase also means that he is a person who was lower than us by reading Nathanael’s term in John 1:46. Nathanael was a good person as we read in the following verses, and so it is right to see what good can come from this person and then understand that He is the Son of God and the king of Israel. Whenever we use Nazareth, we acknowledge that Jesus lived and is real and is easier to understand. This representation of the name is a good practice. Philip calls Nathanael to come and see and that clean spirit with expectations to see had excited Jesus to say that he is a person without deceit. In the last verse Jesus mentions about the connection between heaven and earth which is a very higher miracle for us to witness.

Mathew 18:5 explains that we are honoring Jesus and His name if we honor the humble and childlike who have no expectations and those who had submitted themselves for no cause. If we honor and receive these people, we are receiving Jesus Himself. The method is to receive them in Jesus name as if Jesus would receive them. Similarly in Mathew 18:20, we read Jesus coming first to meetings if we come in His name. A few verses earlier, we can read how Jesus honors the Church’s decisions and wants us to bind things as we have the power if we truly gather in His name. But if we have fellowship for anything else than His name breaks us apart and makes us fall down. 1 Corinthians 1:10 speaks about unity because of the Name of Jesus.

In Acts 3:16, Peter emphasizes the name of Jesus being the only source of all goodness. We can read the same in Acts 4:12 where this name is given to us for salvation. We have to exalt the name of Jesus as high as we can in the Church.

Amen.

Purpose of the Church

Acts 2:47 And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

According to this verse, the immediate position of every person who is saved is the Church. This is the place destined by the Lord Himself so that His divine will towards a person is fulfilled. This divine will is seen in Ep 4:11-13 as follows:

1. We come to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God.

Faith and the Knowledge of Christ should never bring a person to confusion. Doctrines do that job because we read in Ep 4:14. Doctrines point at problems at others’ faith and keep promoting portions of doctrine that the promoter has learnt. This is in no way useful in building a person’s faith. There was one single faith in the early Church where they said that Jesus has risen and faith in Jesus is the only way that can lead to salvation. We read the term as unity of faith and not unity in faith which means that there is only one faith and that faith should bring us to unity. That faith is a clear understanding or knowledge of Christ. 1 Tim 6:10 speaks about drifting away from faith which is very much possible to believe in a God who provides more and more money.

The traditional church had failed in this one area where people were not brought to this knowledge of the Son of God. For those believers, Jesus was a person who had unjust demands for salvation and then it was because of many important men like Luther, unity of faith was achieved. The protestant reformation had taken place and in just twenty eight years 349 people were burnt and killed and this is just documented history. The unity of faith was brought to us with that much of blood and burnt bodies.

But this reformation was just the beginning of a pure Church and traditions popped up inside reformed or Protestant churches also causing them to fallback away from their original purpose and drift towards worldly survival. The Church should focus on building a clear faith among believers and encouraging a proper knowledge of Christ to them.

2. Equipping Saints for the work of Ministry

The problem is that saints have a tendency to remain inactive. But the verse says that it is required for saints to be trained well for ministry. We can read a similar phrase in 2 Timothy 3:16,17 where the Bible is given to us for this very purpose. It is not that pastors only should minister. A pastor is essentially a leader who feeds the congregation with spiritual food. There is a large difference between a priest and a pastor where a priest serves God representing people and so a mediator. But we should have only one mediator who is Jesus Christ according to 1 Timothy 2:5. This clearly means that treating a pastor as a mediator between God and us is clearly a sin.

Every saint in the church should be trained for ministry so that the love of Christ would effectively be seen in the world. The call follow me, I will make you fishers of men is not only for ministers but everyone. As per Mathew 16:25 and most other verses, Jesus has called everybody for full time ministry and that is the only way for progressing in Christ. We read in Revelation 1:1 that everybody is a bond-servant of God and that means loving God with all our strength. Jesus has been setting a very right standard for Christians where they have to lose their lives according to 2 Corinthians 4:11,12 so that the precious gospel will be shown in us, earthy vessels (v 7). Martin Luther’s one very important teaching is priesthood of everyone.

In Mathew 6:24 when Christ spoke about serving two masters, he continues to ask everybody to not worry about tomorrow and toil for mammon but seek the kingdom of God and its righteousness.

3. Edifying of the Body of Christ

The church as it has been formed has become the body of Christ and we are all members of it. But this body is not perfect and has to be edified or grown as required. We read in the following verses (Ep 4:16,17) that the whole body when grows causes the body to grow. Many organs may not become a beautiful body but a body where every organ grows proportionately is a treat to the eyes.

This growth and edification is brought to us by love. This love would ensure that every person or organ in the body would grow and we are willing to hold them throughout our lives. This is the reason why people were willing to give up their lives for Christ and the reformation. People like Anne Askew, a 24 year lady who was tortured on the rack but still stood up for Christ and then carried to a stake and burnt. William Hunter was a simple 19 year old who was visiting his parents but stood up for Christ and he was offered a great government position or death where he embraced death.

In Ep 4:17-20, we learn that it is possible to understand Christ for greediness and selfish needs, but it is fatal to the Church and us. According to verses 22-24, we have to put off the old man who is selfish and pride and put on the new man who renews, regenerates and was created according to God, in righteousness and holiness.

Measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ

This is the destination of the Church where we grow according to the mature fullness that is the Christ who is resurrected and sitting at the throne. Leading people towards anything less takes the church to a different destiny and does not make it worthy.

Amen.

Signs of a Healthy Church

Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

This is the first recognition to the first Church. The verse says that they had continued steadfastly in this meaning that they held on to these principles and tried their best to not give up. The reason for their strong hold in the doctrine is seen in the previous verse where they had gladly accepted the word of God. They were excited because they understood their sins and their statuses and remission of sins was a real excitement to them. When they were convicted, they immediately sought for cleansing and the blood of Jesus was the greatest gift to them. They gladly received the gospel as they received it. This gladness helped them to strongly hold the message they had just learnt.

Apostles’ Doctrine:

The doctrine has to come from the Apostles because they had one important qualification than all the others which we read in 1:21, being a witness of His resurrection. This responsibility was very important and made them busy that they had to fully concentrate on preaching this as per acts 6:2. It was not that they are promoted to higher positions, but it was because they did not have time.

We can read the purpose of the doctrine in Romans 1:7 where every believer should obey to the faith. This is the start of the book of Romans and in the End also Paul concludes with the same statement. The faith that initiates in us through signs and wonders should bring us towards obedience where we forsake the world behind us and come forward to obey Him who is resurrected. The doctrine can be written as “The kingdom of God is at hand.” (Mathew 10:7) and then (Acts 2:38,39) that only when we repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, we will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit who teaches and makes us worthy of the kingdom of God.

It is very important for the church to never deviate from this doctrine. If any other way or method is prioritized more than repentance and grace, we are in a wrong place. The Church should be steadfast in this teaching and not anything else. Every member of the church should be motivated to proclaim that Jesus is Lord. We may have had money, sin and lust as our lords, but a true repentance is to receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Fellowship:

1 John 1:7 gives the motivation towards fellowship which is walking in the light. Since Jesus is the light and we walk with Him, our darkness becomes open and so, we get knowledge about ours and others’ problems also. To handle this situation that easily brings condemnation, Jesus recommends Fellowship to us. The word fellowship itself points to equality in the church. We have fellowship with God means that we want to partner with Him by desiring His kingdom. Fellowship is clearly explained in Philippians 1:7 where we are partakers of the same grace that was given to one person. God’s abundance grace has been shed on all of us so that we all understand the position of ourselves in sin and so, come to Christ together and partake together in the grace. The fellowship is clearly demonstrated in the early church where they said that everything that belongs to me is yours and all that is yours is min according to John 17:10. The interesting part is that they gladly shared and not forced. Not a part of the Church shared everything, but all those who believed did that. Their faith on the heavenly kingdom is so strong that they could open up all their savings into the Church and shared.

Breaking of Bread:

The breaking of bread is a constant and a steadfast happening in the church. They broke bread not on intervals but used every opportunity to break bread. The remembrance is that we all consume Jesus as the only food we can nourish upon. As per Luke 24:35, we properly recognize Christ only when we break bread. A church should ensure that Jesus is the only bread that can give life and keep honoring Jesus in our lives. We do not understand Jesus if we do not take Him as our food and the church will be a boring place where we are forced to sit for hours. But if we look at the time as an opportunity to remember the Lord’s sacrifices in our life, gladness will flow in our hearts.

Prayer:

Steadfastness in prayer is something the early Church did. In Colossians 4:2,3 Paul advises them to continue steadfast in Prayer and be watchful in there also. Prayer at times can be very deceiving and we have to be careful while praying for things that we do not agree for. If we say Amen to somebody who seeks evil, we are not vigilant and will lose ourselves. Prayer should exactly be a format from Mathew 6:9 onwards. Complete selfless submission to God is expected in prayer. That’s why Paul says, Pray also for my needs. Since they were already praying, the requirements of Paul should have been included in the prayer. But Paul says, Pray also for me because that petition is not part of the steadfast prayer we are expected to do originally. As a church praying for material needs, security and solutions are not denied here. But our steadfast prayer together in fellowship should be declaration that Kingdom, Glory and Power should be His alone.

With these signs, every church will be able to progress well in the Lord’s will. And as per Acts 2:46, 47 they were all glad and had no deceit in their hearts. The reason is the above four priorities in the Church. As soon as people were saved, God Himself ensured they are in this righteous church.

Amen.

Power of the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:2-4 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

When the Holy Spirit has come it was completely felt by everybody inside the room and not one person missed receiving the Holy Spirit that day. It was visible and audible that something new has happened in the upper room. We read in the following verses that people came in seeing the signs and wonders. But the identity of those who came amazed is they are devout people from all parts of the world. These people saw wonders because of their devotion. But others did not see any wonder in this incident and called this as drunkenness. The power of Holy Spirit is similar where devotion and a need for holiness makes it convincing and effective. But if we are of the world completely, we see things as stupidity.

The first result of the Holy Spirit is establishing the wonderful works of God as per verse 11. This is the first sign of the Holy Spirit from us. The power of God is displayed in us so that many people will hear the works of God and not exalt us. When people hear that God is great they come together and understand how great Jesus is. We read this is Romans 15:18-19 where Paul uses the power of God to establish what Jesus did through him so that the complete gospel of Christ is proclaimed. God gives us divine power so that this Gospel is proclaimed to the ends of the earth. We get power so that we are witnesses that Jesus has risen.

Peter, in the first sermon does this work effectively. Starting with speaking about the power of God in the prophecy by Joel, he ends with the invitation that whoever calls in the name of the Lord shall be saved. Then to establish who LORD is, Peter boldly speaks about Jesus who was killed by divine purpose of God, has risen up from the dead and this Jesus is LORD (v36).

We see power as the world defines it. But the power God gives us is different as per 2 Cor 12:9, the power of God is perfected and defined in weakness. Paul continues to mention that when he is weak in the world’s eyes, he is actually strong. This is how we establish that Jesus has risen by the power of God to this world. In Acts 2:40, Peter summarizes to the crowd to be saved from this perverse generation. The whole generation is corrupt and we have to be saved out of this to prove Jesus has risen. Now, according to Romans 8:11, we continue to prove that Jesus is Lord by proving to the world that we are raised from the dead. Let us note that the flesh should be raised and not just the soul. If the soul is separated from the flesh it automatically has no temptation to overcome. Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit would raise our flesh so that it no longer is a slave to the earth’s false richness.

In Luke 24:49, Jesus commands to stay put till we are clothed with power from high. Unless we show this power to the world, we are naked with the world’s sinfulness. We should be ashamed if we still pursue and boast about worldly richness but boast about weaknesses so that we prove that Jesus has saved us out of this perverse generation.

According to 2 Timothy 1:7,8, the Holy Spirit is of power, love and a sound mind which does not deviate away from what His will is and so, we are expected to accept the sufferings according to the power of God and the gospel. We know that the cross was the biggest display of God’s power and so according to the power and the gospel, we have to be saved from the pleasures of the world and embrace suffering so that Christ will be manifested in us. We have to prove to the world that Christ is Lord and the world is not.

As per Romans 15:13, we are given peace and happiness that comes by faith and not worldly blessings by the power of God that brings hope. When we have the power of God in us strengthening us to suffer and overcome, God give us hope. This hope has to become faith and then peace and happiness. There are no rewards mentioned here, but all we get in this world is hope. But hope is enough to build happiness.

The statement in Acts 2:32 is the result of the power of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

One Accord

Acts 1:14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

This quality is attributed to the Church even before the greatest gift, the Holy Spirit is given. It was days after Jesus had ascended and now all of them had a single intention which was Christ first achievement after His resurrection. The election of Mathias could have been done when Jesus was present or after the Holy Spirit was given to them, but it was done in this tiny ten day gap using lots. We do not see lots anywhere else in the Bible after this incident because the Holy Spirit had driven people everywhere. This was the human decision which God had approved because they had made this decision in one accord.

In Philippians 2:1,2, we read that even if we have received a small amount of mercy, grace or love from God, we are expected to show that in amounts of unity to God. We can see similar utterances from Christ as “forgive our sins as we forgive those who sin against us”. The relationship and fellowship with other is where we display our gratitude towards Christ. Paul continues in the verses asking us to consider others more important than ourselves. Selfish ambitions and conceit will come to us but we should ensure that we do not let those feelings act anything in our lives.

The purpose of the fellowship or the church is given in verse 11, where every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord and the name Jesus should be exalted above all other names. This eternal purpose should be fulfilled in every church or otherwise, that church loses its identity.  To have the Lord’s Name lifted up, the Church should emphasize the fellowship. In Ephesians 3:9-11, we read the mystery of Fellowship which makes the wisdom of God known among all the powers of heaven through the Church. The mystery is that the gentiles are fellow partakers of the promise in Christ along with the Jews.  The Church has this purpose to be served and so, every person in the Church should have one mindedness for this purpose. Any deviation from this purpose will cause the Church to lose its motive and become a place of entertainment.

The early church’s display can be seen in Acts 2:42 where they were devoted to fellowship as much as doctrine. Just because we know something better than another person does not make us superior in any way in the church. A person who is devoted to fellowship gets higher responsibilities and that’s why Jesus is very much impressed with people who are humble. How great is the wisdom of God that He first humbled Himself so that everybody would do the same and thus lifting high His own name because people become victorious in His Name.

As per 1 Cor 1:10, the completeness of a church is seen in unity. For this not only the whole Church would have one mind but also one judgement. There is no point in a person being part of a church without agreeing with others. As per 1 Cor 12:4 onwards, God gives different gifts to each person so that the Church will collaborate together and be built. But when all of us expect the same gift from God, the presence of these gifts is ignored. Verse 10 speaks about the gift of discerning of spirits which is very much required in this age as many people come and deceive us as per 1 John 4:1. If one person recommends not going behind particular preachers, we should atleast consider if what they say is right or wrong. If discernment is not present, the unity of Church will break as many false doctrines will enter the Church.

One mindedness has another problem where a single person individually cannot have a single mind. When we go out to the world, the mind changes to worldly priorities and makes us wander. For this reason, we can read that including family of Jesus, every disciple had to stay in one place and wait till the greater gift arrived. But we visit plenty of places and have various kinds of fellowships which confuse us and make us lose our fellowship with God. The method given to us that is not to go behind any preacher or pastor, but to wait together as a Church in unity. In John 17:20-23, we read Jesus’s expectation that we should be one as God the Father and Jesus the Son are one.

Amen.

Christ will Come

Acts 1:11 “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

The hope of any Church is that it will meet its bride groom on the chosen day. This hope is what keeps the Church safe and encouraged. The interesting thing is that not all apostles are from Galilee but the angels call them “Men of Galilee” because they all became Galileans because the majority who were from Galilee had influenced the others so much that all of them had developed the culture and habits of Galilee. So, the angels mention here that you are belonging here but Jesus had gone to heaven and will come from heaven so the standards will be of heaven. So, there is a kingdom to which Christ has called us and all we have to do is make ourselves ready for this.

In Mathew 24 and 25 we read Christ’s detailing about His kingdom and His coming. In this study we will explore the three important parables Jesus taught here. In 24:35 onwards we read about the faithful and wise servant who is in-charge of the whole household. In 25:1 onwards, we read about the wise virgins and in 25:14 onwards we read about faithful servants who produce. These three parables instruct the responsibilities of ministers, the church and individuals.

For ministers, faithfulness and wisdom both are required as they are responsible of the household of God. There is one primary task which is to give food in the right time. If people are not fed properly, they tend to go out and seek other junk food and harm themselves. A faithful servant looks for what the right time is and provides food to the fellow servants. The easy method the devil uses to deceive is that “My master is delaying his coming”. The verse says that he will begin to beat which means that initially he will just start being lazy and then one activity after another starts and when the master comes, the situation will be where the whole household will be starving and the Master will not bear that sight. Jesus says that such evil people will be there and even perform miracles. In Mathew 7:21-23, we read that these miracles will be performed because they are done in Jesus’ name. These miracles do not need a powerful minister because the name is powerful. But a faithful servant takes full responsibility and ensures everybody is nourished. The evil servant starts thinking that since the master has delayed, I would assume power and use that to beat and corrupt the house. We need to be sure on which direction we are heading towards.

For the churches, we see the parable of the ten virgins in 25:1 onwards. All the ten were virgins and had clear intentions to meet the bridegroom. But a small difference in oil made them unworthy. Jesus says that they are not wise because they did not foresee the time the groom takes to come. Their foolishness is seen when they got up, trimmed their lamps and lit them without knowing that they were out of oil. Only when the lamps went down, they realized that they needed oil. Oil in this context will refer to the word of God because there is a time of drowsiness and sleep where everybody will not be active. But suddenly when signs appear, the oil empowers them with light so that they could shine brightly. For others they will not have time to get ready for the groom but will be running around. At least they could have stayed without oil and requested for pardon, but they left out trying to make righteousness their own ways.

For individuals, the purpose of God giving us talents is that they become investments and bear fruits. All the resources, capabilities, money we have need to be counted here. Nothing we have here is owned by us and they are given by the Lord. This action makes us good and faithful and God clearly mentions that you were good in a “few things”. All the luxury we see and enjoy in this life are called “few things” and if we are faithful with these, God will give us many more in the eternal life we are going to enjoy with Him. The word is so encouraging that “Enter into the joy of your Lord”. A merciful God who is still not happy with us can give us so many blessings that we enjoy here. How will His joy be. If we are faithful in this world we get to live with a joyful God. The third servant had unnecessary fear on God, but God clearly calls that fear as wickedness in this parable.

We, the church has one and the highest hope of living with the highest God. This hope should be the source of encouragement and then we should soberly wait for our beloved as per Titus 2:11-13. Because Grace had appeared and given us an opportunity for salvation in the present age, we have to deny the world and look for a blessed hope.

Amen.

The Holy Spirit Manifestations

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth”.

The Holy Spirit and the experiences we get through Him are the most misunderstood and misinterpreted teachings in the Holy Bible. This understanding has caused the rise of many cults and the fall of many churches.

Let us start our lesson from Ezekiel 47:1-5 there are four experiences or measurements in the river that flows and gives life. Similarly we should compare this with four experiences with the Holy Spirit as follows. Let us understand that this is not just a sign which we can opt for. This is the path that has to be followed so that the land and the seas will be healed because of our Holy Spirit.

1. Anointing of the Holy Spirit

The word Anointing is seen only twice in the New Testament in 1 John 2:20 and 27. Both the verses say that the Anointing is already in you. The context of this verse is to churches that had to be encouraged and be full of joy which they were lacking and did not have true fellowship which is the first quality in Christendom. The reason John mentions anointing is that the believers who had received the anointing did not believe in the truth. Verse 18 speaks about Anti-Christs who would come with small deviations in doctrine and try to confuse us. But all we have to do is trust in the anointing God has given us so that we will progress into perfection.

The interesting thing about Anointing is that this always happens in the beginning of ministry or when decisions are made and not like today’s ordination where a person is trained well and when he passes those stages we anoint the person to be a minister. That anointing completely belongs to the Old Testament. We should not believe in Anointing pastors or ministers but that we all are anointed. The reason why we are anointed is that we are separated for a different purpose and the first thing we get is discernment from God. We cannot say that we were cheated into doctrines as a true anointing will safeguard us with Christ.

2. Baptism of the Holy Spirit

After anointing a person, salvation occurs as the second stage. We read that in Titus 3:5-7. Salvation is the true separation of us by renewing our soul as the Holy Spirit washes us completely. We also read this in Romans 12:2 as we have to conform according to this renewal. We can also read that we have been clothed with Christ when we got baptism in Galatians 3. But we still have a choice to conform according to the clothing that we are currently wearing or just live a hypocritical life. This is the reason why Jesus had hated hypocrisy more than all sins because that sin does not have any hope of salvation. Baptism is the first step the Holy Spirit does when he comes inside us. But this cleansing is not one time but happens throughout our life.

3. Indwelling of Holy Spirit

A good emphasize on the indwelling of the Holy Spirit can be found at 1 Corinthians 3:16. In the beginning of the chapter, Paul mentions that you are just babies and have to grow up. And Paul confronts them at that stage that they have to realize themselves being the temple of God. So, since God is residing here and working, if we make efforts to destroy the temple by building it with perishing materials, we will be destroyed. Also, Paul mentions baptism by fire in this context to which we have to survive and the indwelling of Holy Spirit is not sufficient by we need Him to build the temple so that God Almighty can come in and reside. Also, it is possible for us to grieve Him who resides inside us (Ep 4:30). We should be led by Him and otherwise we are not part of the new covenant (Galatians 5:18).

4. Being Filled with the Holy Spirit

This is the complete experience with the Holy Spirit but we cannot claim that this is only for mature believers. Disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit the first time on the day of Pentecost and spoke in tongues. Jesus when filled was led to the wilderness for being tempted which means that he immediately progressed to the next level. As soon as Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit, he preached immediately (Acts 9:20). In Acts 13:9, Paul could discern a false prophet. The experience is given at many stages whenever necessary. In Acts 4:8, it was when Peter was interrogated; he was filled by the Holy Spirit. In Acts 13:52, when there was trouble and rejection, the filling gave them joy.

But we relate only worship and being filled with the Holy Spirit together so that we will get temporary strength. There was not one incident in the Bible which says that they were motivated by others to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues is a very useful gift from God so that we could strengthen ourselves. But the Holy Spirit experience does not stop there. The whole purpose of the best gift Father God has given us is that He would teach us and guide us towards perfection. But if we rely on experiences only and not progress up, we are grieving Him.

Tongues

Tongues did not occur only during the filling of the Holy Spirit. The first time it had (2:4) but afterwards, (10:44-46 and 19:6) they spoke in tongues when the Holy Spirit came upon them which is when they were anointed. But in all the three occurrences there was another purpose that is, speaking in local tongues, gentiles magnifying God and prophesying. The church at Corinth had only spoken in tongues and did not grow beyond that and that’s why Paul had to correct them in 1 Cor 14. In 14^th verse Paul mentions that the mind has no effect when speaking in tongues as it is very much a personal edification.

As in Galatians 5:18, Paul compares being drunk and being filled with the Holy Spirit. The reason is that we get temporary joy when being drunk. But if disciples of God together be filled with the Holy Spirit, they can make right decisions, speak wisely and be emboldened so that they can proclaim the word of God as it is.

Let us know the Spirit better and grow in Him. 1 Corinthians 14:12, 26

Amen.

Baptism

John 1:5 “For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

The first understanding of baptism comes from 1 Peter 3:21 where it is a pledge for a clear conscience. Once we get baptized, our conscience does not get cleaned automatically, but it is a request made from us to God so that it should become clean.   Paul further adds that this appeal is through the resurrection of Jesus who has gone into heaven and sits at the right hand of God and has complete authority. Since Jesus is completely victorious, we appeal to God that we be cleansed through Him. Since Jesus has victoriously won, this appeal becomes valid and doable by God. There are two illustrations about Baptism in 1 Peter 3:20,21 and 1 Cor 10:1-4 about the flood and the red sea. Both the incidents did not clean the people away from dirt but brought them to a newer location where the enemy was not present and had no authority. We are in a new battle ground where the situation is very favorable than it was earlier.

Speaking about Baptism, Jesus adds the word “truly” showing His approval on the baptism and how needed it is. But in Ephesians 4:4-6, we read that there is one baptism just like there is only one God, Lord and Spirit. So, just like one God who is also our Lord Jesus and who is also the Spirit, we should know the one baptism being the same in water, Spirit and fire. (Mathew 3:11) These, together provide a cleansing of our body, soul and spirit which is considered one baptism where a person is fully immersed. Baptism by water cleans the body of its contamination but since the soul is still full of dirt, the baptism is not complete. The next stage is when the Holy Spirit comes inside us, He cleans the soul so that we are no longer slaves to sin. But sin is still present in us. Baptism by fire cleans us completely off the presence of sin.  We can read that in Luke 12:49,50. We should also call that the Baptism of suffering which we all would go through as per Mathew 20:22,23.

We have to understand that Jesus never baptized anybody by water (John 4:1-2). But nobody else can ever baptize us by Spirit and fire. The reason is in 1 Cor 12:13 where we are baptized into one body, the church to which Christ is the Head. Jesus is at the receiving end so that He can take control of us as soon as we submit to Him. Only when we get baptized, we give Jesus the authority to further immerse us into the Holy Spirit who cleans the soul away of its addictions and authority of sin. The other reason is that God wants us ourselves to make the decision. We understand this properly when Paul compares Baptism in 1 Cor 10:1-4 with the red sea event which brought people to Christ.

In 1 Cor 1:14, Paul shows his disinterest in baptizing people himself because if this role is done by him alone, the name Paul would become prominent in the event. But since Jesus is the one who has died we are submitted to Christ when we get baptized. So, the name Christ should be declared high and the only reason for baptism. We read in Acts 19:3-5 that if the name of Jesus was not present in repentance and baptism, it had to be done again but with no offense to John the Baptist.

In Galatians 3:27-28 we read that Baptism makes us clothe with Jesus Christ. This does give us the immunity to escape condemnation and a new identity that makes us Christians. This means, we no longer belong to our own traditions and practices. All our standards and lifestyles completely are lost and we belong to the new family now. We are expected to be seen differently when we have the new clothing. Just like Jesus Christ who claimed the Holy Spirit to be His, our bodies will eventually be transformed like Jesus when the Holy Spirit comes inside. But, we dress like Him as soon as we get baptized so that we learn to walk with His stature. Also, according to verse 29 we should understand that we do not earn our inheritance from God after becoming worthy but we receive that when we get baptized and then act and learn to be sons. This is how easy Christ has made our life, but we still complain on these small suffering in our lives.

According to Mark 16:16, baptism should follow faith so that salvation would happen. If we do not believe, we will be condemned. So, a person without baptism but believes may not be condemned. However, if we had opportunities to be baptized but we still did not, we do not believe Him. The following verses explain the authority we have when we believe. We have to learn this properly, once we believe in Him, we are clothed with Christ and have the authority to carry His Name to people in need and perform miracles. All we have to do is believe in the Almighty Name.

In Acts 8:36, we read the Ethiopian’s delight when he saw water being available for his baptism. This water is a very important factor here which should be compared to Grace. We can read that in Isaiah 44:3. God poured out his love towards us so that righteousness can sprout and mature in us. But we have to be saved when this water is available.

Amen.

Jesus is Alive

Acts 1:3 “He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.”

The Lord Jesus Christ has paid with his life for one very important reason which is the Church to mature according to His divine will. The first churches had grown really well in terms of life, fruits and that produced great leaders who considered their lives nothing so that they could gain Christ as a real bride should do. To learn to mature in this path, we are going to study the book of Acts of the Apostles and ask God to give us many hints and methods to follow so that we would also be like the early churches.

The first message that we receive here is that Jesus presented Himself alive before leaving us. This is the foundation of the Church which serves a living Husband. Jesus had to take efforts so that we could understand that He is not just a spirit but was with flesh and had a hundred percent risen from death. There was no portion of Him that was in the grave. A living husband has expectations every day and requires the bride to communicate and commune with him. Unless a wife learns to listen and speak with the husband, the marriage will not work. The encouragement here is that a new bride will keep a distance but as they live together, their relationship matures so that they would raise children together and share responsibilities. The first foundation of the Church is that it serves the living Christ.

In Revelation 1:5 we read that Jesus was the first born from the dead. This places Him not only at the receiving end but the origin of life. If He is the first born, it is important that it should be followed by other outcomes. He was seeded so that many other fruits could grow up. We can also compare this with a body coming out of the womb where the head comes out first followed by the body. This process should happen otherwise, the death of Christ becomes vain. Psalms 16:10 says that He does not allow his Holy One to decay which means, even death can affect Him and us, but we will not end up in death but rise up. Death was victoriously overcome by Jesus Christ. Romans 4:25 says that He was raised up so that we should be justified.

The verses in Luke, Revelation and many more say that Christ rose “from the dead”. We can also read that Paul was blind for three days before being redeemed. There are many other similar instances like Jonah in the Bible. God wants us to completely realize how grave we are in sin and then rise up. We cannot be forgiven while we are in sin and have no intentions of coming out. Being dead to sin is the mandatory requirement for being justified.

Jesus was constantly proclaiming the Kingdom of God before and after his resurrection. That’s why Luke insists that here in the first verses. The reason is that we do not die here and rise up in that kingdom. But we have to die here and rise up here so that we could be transferred to that kingdom with a new body. If we read the following verses (Acts 1:6,7,8), we can see that the promise of Holy Spirit to be witnesses was given to them as an answer to restoration of the earthly kingdom. Jesus clearly says “You should not know when God would give you the kingdom”. But know that your current responsibility is to know that I have risen from the dead and be witnesses that the first born has victoriously come out of death and we have to follow Him into resurrection.

In Revelation 1:18 we read that Jesus is living is holding the key to death and hades. This means that the victory over death has given Him complete authority over death. In the previous verses, John fell at His feet as being dead to submit himself for death. But Jesus encourages and says that I hold the key to death and hades or I decide if you should really die. But I am living forever more and you need not worry. But in Mathew 16:17, Jesus gives us the key to heaven which shows how honored we are as if we just keep following Jesus being His disciples we already possess the authority to enter the Kingdom of God. But Jesus takes the responsibility of deciding our death and condemnation. The death we see is not death at all. We die when we sin and submerge into it. As soon as we saved, we rise up from the dead and then when we physically die, we are just transferred to another body in heaven. 1 Cor 15:17-19.

In Luke 24:47, we read that “repentance and the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations. You are witnesses of these things”. Jesus needs us as witnesses for the nations that we, the Church are forgiven and living a justified life.

Amen.

Final Blessings in the Genesis

Genesis 49:1,2 “And Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days: “Gather together and hear, you sons of Jacob, And listen to Israel your father.”

In the end of the book of Genesis, the Lord gives some blessings, prophesy, discipline and punishments to the sons of Jacob through his mouth. We have lessons from that portion of scripture to learn. Jacob makes the sons to gather together before the message is passed and this criticism or appreciation is not given personally in secret which shows how the Church should handle disciplining. We are expected to gather together and learn everything that is given to others too. We may think that this communication should be done in private as per Mathew 18:15 but the following verses recommend taking the issue publicly. One important step in “denying ourselves” is to be ready to receive criticisms publicly. This helps us to be serious in fixing the errors and also edifies other fellow brothers. But it is important for others not to dishonor the brother who is being corrected. We do not see any other brother speaking with pride in this incident.

About Rueben, we read that he has dignity, power and might. But there are some areas which are forbidden because that glory only belongs to God. Because of this desire, the power and might would become unstable and useless. Stability is taught a lot by our Lord Jesus like building on a rock, seeds sown on good ground etc. The first thing that makes us lose all this position and make us waver is greed. The verse says that you are unstable and will not excel meaning all your might will not be useful for you to grow.

For Simeon and Levi, there is no encouragement because they are cruel. This thirst for blood clearly makes God go away from our fellowship. There is no relationship with God if there is no love. Cruelty will scatter us away from the Church and family. Selfish ambitions which desires success through others’ failures or losses has to be condemned instantly and corrected. God looks at cruelty as dishonor to Himself (Proverbs 14:31).

About Judah, we read that he is compared to a lion which grows up from being a cub which has control over all his enemies to a maturity level which bows down. This maturity which bows down cannot be roused by others. This maturity is the time when Judah gets the scepter and authority. Donkey in the case points at movement, growth or ambitions. The Vine is Christ as we know. The quality of a person of successful authority is that all his ambitions are bound to Christ. This binding cleanses and keeps him clean. And red eyes and white teeth denote both the qualities which do not stand disobedience because of the presence of wine and the fruitfulness of perfection which is milk. This blessing to Judah should be every Christian’s standard.

Zebulun plays the role of a host. This is the position of a communicator and standing in the gap. We should be eager to receive people towards Christ and ensure every outcome is sent to the Almighty. Issachar sees that rest is good and became slaves. This is again another reason for slavery. When he is a donkey which has to progress by binding itself to Christ, he saw that the land was good and so became a band of slaves. This is because Issachar saw that the land was good and wanted to rest peacefully instead of performing a donkey’s job of progress.

Speaking about Dan, he would judge but have a viper’s quality of hurting a person who progresses. For this Jacob adds that “I have waited for your salvation o Lord.” Cunningness cannot be overcome or survived unless the Lord himself intervenes and saves us out. We have to fear this habit like serious venom and have to ask God to help us out.

Like Gad, we will be raided by the world and its illusion. But we will triumph for sure in the end as we are saved by God. Asher’s bread will be rich and pleasant to royal dainties meaning, our produces are not expected to satisfy ourselves but God and according to His divine standards. Naphtali uses beautiful words and is like a deer let loose. When God has given us freedom in our family, work etc., we are expected to produce beautiful words in terms of songs, sermons, letters which encourage people towards God. It is God’s divine wisdom that gives each person opportunities and life in accordance to his divine will.

Joseph is fruitful bough, which grows really well and branches run over the wall. This means that a wall was built around Joseph so that others do not consume, but Joseph has run over the wall so that everybody would come and be satisfied. But when arches come and grieved him bitterly, God, the God of Jacob, the Almighty God blesses Joseph with blessings from heaven, from earth and for off-springs all together so that Joseph’s bow alone will stand still. God did not protect Joseph or give him everything of the world so that he would excel. Instead God, with all His might and strength has strengthened only Joseph’s bow.

About Benjamin who is a wolf which devours in the day but shares in the night points at one important person from the tribe of Benjamin who had shared the spoil, which is Jesus Christ throughout the world. This is Paul the apostle. We can see the reference of Christ being the spoil also in Isaiah 9:3.

Amen.

Ephraim

Genesis 48:9 Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me in this place.” And he said, “Please bring them to me, and I will bless them.” 

Some detailing in the book of Genesis attracts our attention and God has messages teaching to us through them. One incident is the choice of Ephraim over Manasseh. Since Jacob had strengthened himself and got up from his bed, we can read the importance of the message he is about to convey to his son. This message is an important revelation from God.

Jacob starts the message with the incident at Bethel which God had promised to give to his sons. But he substitutes Rueben and Simeon with Ephraim and Manasseh as he thought that the first two had disappointed and so, Ephraim would inherit Bethel. This inheritance is the best as we read how the tribe of Ephraim grew up really well in the time of prophets and the kings. The larger northern kingdom was referred to as the kingdom of Ephraim a lot of times (Is 7:17). We also read that Jacob mentions that he has a place on the way to Bethlehem where Rachel was buried. This place could have been Jerusalem which became the capital of Israel. Ephraim had grown well but because of his self-centeredness, Ephraim was completely lost with the other ten tribes of Israel. Some people claim that Ephraim became England and Manasseh became USA. Even though these are theories, we can take them as prophesies fulfilled in Jeremiah 31:20.

When the first two sons sinned, the sons of Joseph who were brought up in Egypt are substituted. This is the eternal wisdom of God which still fulfills Abraham’s promise through us as we become his seed through Jesus. Also, the second is blessed more than the first son which removes the seniority in the church. We depend on Jesus completely and exalt him alone. God is very specific to remove the status of being the first born.

When blessing the lads, Jacob uses three terms which are God before whom the patriarchs walked, the God who had fed them and the Angel who redeems which also points to the Holy Trinity. The blessing “let my name be upon them” explains that the name of Joseph should not be upon them as the kids were brought up in a different environment. Joseph initiated this as he mentions “the sons God gave in this land”. God in the three forms has to come together to remove this Egyptian identity and make us children of promise.

Now, our lesson is how God yearns and has wonderful plans for exalting us and we fail because of selfishness.  When Jacob said that children born after them shall be Joseph’s, Joseph could have tried to build his legacy in Egypt. But Joseph knew that Israel only is honor and he did not have any more children there. This is why we read that there was a Pharaoh who did not know Joseph in Exodus 1. But despite all these efforts, somehow Bethel was completely lost in history. The first king of the northern kingdom, Jeroboam was from Ephraim, but just because he wanted to be against Rehoboam and the house of David, he introduced idol worship in Israel so that the northern kingdom would worship calves and not go to Jerusalem. Every opportunity given was torn apart and lost.

We should follow Christ’s example here instead of Ephraim. When authority was given, the tribe used this authority for taking honor to itself and not God. But Joseph an image of Christ was willing to shed away all the honor he had so that the children would be Godly. Jesus was the ultimate in this sacrifice where he put His life down so that the people under the authority would be saved. We have to remember that this authority given to us was because of another person’s sacrifice and another tribe being substituted instead of us. All we have to do is hold this authority with reverence and not lose Bethel the house of God.

Amen.

Money and Seeds

Genesis 47:23 Then Joseph said to the people, “Indeed I have bought you and your land this day for Pharaoh. Look, here is seed for you, and you shall sow the land.”

The wisdom of Joseph which was given by God and appreciated by Pharaoh is seen in this portion of Genesis 47:13-26. This wisdom is executed in three phases when people come for food. People, in the end had sufficient food, but did not own anything. Joseph did not freely distribute food because he knew the actual problem of the people and wanted them to realize what is important. People saved money during prosperous times and did not save grain which is the actual need. In 47:15, we read the phrase “when money failed” and not “when money ran out”. The meaning and value of money was lost. The Bible warns us in many verses on how our attitude towards money should be. One important example is Mathew 11:5 where the answer to poverty is hearing the gospel and not money. As per Mathew 6:24, if we honor and love money we will start to hate God. The verse says that if we serve money, we will eventually love it and hate God and if we serve God, then we will love Him and hate money.

This is the reason why Joseph had to ensure all money comes to Pharaoh and it had to be suppressed and value lost before the next stage of development comes. God wants us to serve Him in order to live a successful life. Money given to God is always an investment but our failure comes when we give money to God. One important verse that explains about giving to preachers is Galatians 6:6 where the teacher should be given a share in all good things the person who is taught has. But the next verse wants us not to be deceived which means that we will unknowingly share money so that our money will multiply. The verse continues that God will not allow Himself to be mocked which shows how our giving to God should be. If we sow something so that we will gain wealth, we are mocking God. It is even harder for the teacher if he promotes money. Verse 8 says that if we sow to the flesh, we will reap corruption.

Back in Genesis 47, we can see first people asking for grain in exchange of money and when they had lost all money, the stupidity has increased as they were buying bread from Joseph in exchange of livestock. But when they had lost their livestock also, it was time to realize their actual need and were asking for seeds. If we consider livestock as our properties, cars and things that make us proud, God wants us to lose them also so that we may live. We can see “bread for a year” in verse 17 which shows they were doing business with Joseph and not obeying. But when the livestock also is gone and there were no bread, they had now come to Joseph and said “We surrender, give us seed”. There are no terms and conditions here. Now, the same land produced and there were harvests. The only problem with all of us is that we are bad owners to ourselves and are sold to money and greed. If we know that there is no life in all materials, we would have asked for seed earlier.

We need seeds from God and not bread or grain alone and especially not money. In Mathew 17:20, Jesus says that we need faith in the size of a mustard seed and not just mustard. The primary job of a seed is to sprout and grow. If that fails, it is not a seed anymore.  There are many references to seeds and sowing in the Lord’s parables. We are not expected to consume grains from God, but let them grow up to fulfill God’s divine plan in us. Every word that is bought in the Church or by any other revelation is not food, but seeds. Now, whatever Joseph is giving to people is actually useful to them.

Next as in Mathew 13:23, the land needs a better owner that is Joseph in order to produce. The same land when in our hands was full of rocks and unmaintained. But when a good owner has come in our Monelife, the same land is producing well and profits for both the owner and the servant. This should be the role of God in our lives. The land has to be transferred to God’s hands completely if we want Him to start working. It is very hard for us to accept that we are bad owners and that self-justification is only causing us to fail indefinitely in our race. We also read that the priests had rations and did not that have this opportunity to excel. But those who gave their lands to Pharaoh could prosper. All we have to do is accept that it is safe and best in God’s hands.

Amen.

Joseph - An Image of Christ

Acts 7:13 “And the second time, Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to the Pharaoh.”

Comparing Joseph with Christ is a very common meditation topic and we have many hints to learn from this historical incident. The first lesson here should come from Stephen’s narration of the incident. Stephen does this in a very personal way (verse 9) mentioning that it was the patriarchs or our fathers who had sold Joseph into Egypt. This is told in a way that it is your habit that you will kill or humiliate your own brother out of jealousy. But Joseph is very polite and mentions that it is God who sent him earlier to preserve life (Gen 45:5). We see Christ doing the same in John 6:58 when people wonder how to eat Jesus, He says that I am bread which has come down. We are expected to look at Jesus in that context only just like Joseph’s trials being a foundation for a greater salvation. The urge of jealousy and murder is natural and it is important for all to realize the loss before understanding and receiving Christ.

The most important lesson is that Joseph was introduced to them a second time just as to most of us. We did not know the caliber of Jesus and had insulted and had thrown Him away. But this rejection has made us understand our actual state and His glory (Luke 17:25). It is required that we reject the image of Jesus which is weak and not useful. It happened only when the whole set of brothers realized that they had rejected Joseph and had repented, he revealed himself. This second introduction is very important in salvation for all Christians as most of us spend the whole of our lives without this revelation. This introduction only will bring life into us and will change the way we pray, worship and meditate.

In Gen 45:6, we read that the trouble before our encounter with Christ was just the beginning and there will be an even worse time ahead which needs divine support and encouragement to survive. So, as in 45:9, do not tarry. A small delay in understanding our opportunity will make us lose our interest and indefinitely wait for nothing. In Luke 19:5-6, we read Jesus asking Zaccheus to hurry and take Him to his house. If Zaccheus had said that Lord let me go clean up my home or bury my father as in Mathew 8:21-22, we will lose it. When God gives us an understanding of our hunger and opens up an opportunity, it is required that we hurry and come to Christ just as we are.

In 45:12, Joseph wants them to see and acknowledge that Joseph wants them to come to Egypt because this call is directly from his own mouth. Jesus is calling us to come to Him with all His heart. This is not somebody else preaching for emotions and encouragement. The hope Jesus gives is not that we will succeed according to our own will, but according to His will and plan and he has called us with a Holy Calling (2 Tim 1:9). This call is holy, gracious and with a divine plan. We see in Gen 46:3, God assuring Jacob to go ahead to Egypt and I will be with you. This submission to God towards holiness is very much required in us. In Acts 7:18 we read that there was another Pharaoh who did not know Joseph in around 300 years. This is the difference between us and Egyptians. Egyptians had received only food and had survived a famine through Joseph, but the call to Israel was very high and divine.

The next area of failure is when we receive cart loads of grain from Joseph, we become satisfied and stay. We should remember that those gifts are given to us for the way forward and not to sit back. These gifts are sometimes material wealth, sometimes spiritual gifts like the tongues, prophecy, ability to preach etc. It would have been pathetic if those brothers had compared their gifts with those of Benjamin and complained within themselves. All of us have opportunities to come and inherit which is nowhere close to what we can gain by ourselves. If we tarry, the grain will be consumed and it will become impossible for us to come to Christ.

Our call is not just come and live, the call is that our brother is made Lord of all Egypt and is victorious. All we have to do is go and share the victory. Our re-encounter with Christ should be in this fashion or otherwise, we will keep failing and looking for forgiveness every day. In Gen 45:24, Joseph says that see that you do not be troubled along the way. This is because he knew how hard the way forward is. But the path of Joseph was the impossible and he had completed it well. But it really concerns Christ that this path will trouble us who are weaker.  We have to hold the hope well and live with the gifts that were given to us.

Amen.

Live and not Die

Genesis 42:1,2 When Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, Jacob said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?” And he said, “Indeed I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down to that place and buy for us there, that we may live and not die.”

Joseph has now settled well in Egypt and is so successful that his possession of grain is heard in countries around Egypt especially Canaan. In this condition our concentration comes to a situation where Jacob and family realize that they are not nourished and they will die in case they do not act upon this situation. This realization is very much required in our spiritual life. The problem with spiritual life is that we do not know when we are hungry and if we are even alive in God’s eyes. In Romans 7:9, Paul says that he was dead when he got introduced to the law. He had not realized his death until he became part of the new covenant. As in Revelation 3:1, death after salvation is very much possible like the church of Sardis. With this understanding and context if we try to understand things from the interface between Joseph and his brothers, we will be able to survive our death.

When the sons of Jacob were hungry, they were looking at each other for solutions as they wanted to solve problems themselves. This is evident at most times in our life. We know that we are addicted to something or we know that we are lagging in prayer but we try to internally solve the problem and not want help from God. Let us seek food so that we will live. Internally if we keep looking for answers, we will eventually die without our knowledge.

When Joseph saw his brothers he calls them spies and not brothers or not even customers. The reason is that Joseph believed they may have murdered or done something evil to Benjamin as he was missing in this place. He calls them spies because of the huge responsibility and wealth he was responsible for and if these men were allowed to be near, they may try to kill Joseph again. Joseph was not an unforgiving brother or did not make fun of his brothers, but was behaving responsibly. We are expected to be responsible in holding the gospel. We can see the bible confirming by making Joseph the hero of this incident by calling the sons of Jacob as the brothers of Joseph.

The absence of Benjamin in the first time makes a lot of difference in our encounter with God. If we are not willing to submit completely to God, it looks disgusting to Him. In Romans 6:13, we read that this submission only means that we are living. This is the reason God had introduced the teaching of being filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will be in every corner of our body, soul and spirit so that we are completely present in God’s eyes. Overflowing of the Holy Spirit is not mentioned in the Bible. The verse says that hope overflows with the power of the spirit. (Romans 15:13). We will overflow with Joy, righteousness and love.

The brothers had double money now on their arrival but that does not matter here. A much better conviction is the only way out of this situation. Money does not matter here as Joseph knew that only two years of the famine have passed and though Jacob had enough money, food is not available. God wants us to repent and come so that the next tough five years can be eased out. We can be like other customers who were travelling to Egypt for food and they will keep visiting. God wants us to stay in full and only that makes us living.

The second visit to Joseph was again only for food and the brothers had forsaken Simeon till their food ran out. This is the reason Joseph had to be rough with them. If there is no unity, there is no redemption. They were physically present now but did not honor their unity. This time Joseph makes sure they understand how grave the situation is and then after they come back with conviction before being accepted. Their conviction is understood when Judah intercedes with him. Judah speaks about his father’s suffering and his will to remain a slave instead of seeing his father die with sorrow. Until this display of fellowship is seen, it is impossible to be accepted in God’s hands. In John 13:35, during the breaking of bread, Jesus explains that this commandment of loving each other only makes us disciples and worthy of His kingdom.

As in Jeremiah 21:8, God places both life and death in front of us. Jacob’s sons did not know what life they are going to get during this transformation but we do know through the scripture. We also know that if we surrender in full, God will make us rulers. As in John 12:25, if we lose our comforts for God’s kingdom we will gain