Till We Meet Again

As one gets older, most of us may wonder what will happen to us. What next? We look forward, and depending on faith, we hope we will live with God. But as we look back, we wonder what will happen to our families. Will we see them again? Or is this it?

This short message from Ms. Francis Taylor answers that. But when you think deeper, Jesus' life itself is proof of what happens. He lived, died, was resurrected, and taken to heaven in His physical form. What more proof or assurance do we need?

Let's read what Ms. Taylor says -

Acts 1 9- 11

"Don't you sometimes wonder what was going through the minds of the apostles as they looked up to heaven watching Jesus disappear from their sight. Despite what Jesus had told them about the sending of an Advocate – the Holy Spirit – they must have felt abandoned. I know I would have. They had already suffered the loss of his presence once, and now they had no idea how long his absence would be. But it is interesting to think about the fact that Jesus's ascension involves his physical body. It is a sign of what he had been teaching about the resurrection, that it is not just a resurrection of spirit but of the total person. How this will be, we can't begin to imagine. We read of a new heaven and a new earth in Revelations, but it is a concept so far beyond our experience that it is difficult to comprehend. However, the ascension of Jesus gives me hope and consolation. Hope that I will be reunited with those whom I have loved and lost, and consolation for the grief I have felt on losing them. I hope it does the same for you".

A Wake-Up Call - Pastor Rajiv

Why Revelations Still Matter - Pastor Rajiv 

Read Revelations Chapter 2 

Today as part of Pastor Rajiv's series of the letters to the 7 churches mentioned in Revelations, we expand on the 3rd letter because it is important for us. Why?

Rev chapter 2 verses 6 and 15, talks about Jesus hating the works of a section called Nicolaitans. Hate is a strong word and coming from the Lord it assumes the form of a judgement.

So, first let's understand who the Nicolaitans were and what did they do. 

The Nicolaitans were a heretical sect in the early Christian church, specifically mentioned in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 2:6, 15). Jesus strongly condemned their "works" and "doctrine." While the Bible doesn't give a detailed theological treatise on their beliefs, the general consensus among scholars and early church fathers points to the following aspects of their doctrine:

1. Antinomianism and Moral Compromise: This is the most consistently identified characteristic. The Nicolaitans likely taught a form of antinomianism, the belief that Christians, being saved by grace, are no longer bound by moral laws. This led them to believe they could indulge in sinful practices without spiritual consequence. They likely twisted the concept of "freedom in Christ" into a license for sin.

2. Sexual Immorality: enticing Israelites to commit sexual immorality and idolatry.

3. Eating Meat Sacrificed to Idols: This was another practice associated with them, as it was with the followers of Balaam. In the Greco-Roman world, much of the meat sold in the markets had been offered to pagan idols. While some early Christians grappled with this issue, the Nicolaitans likely taught that it was acceptable, perhaps viewing it as harmless or a way to avoid persecution by compromising with the surrounding pagan culture.

4. Compromise with Paganism: Their teachings encouraged a blend of Christian faith with pagan practices, blurring the lines between the two. This syncretism was a significant concern for the early church, which emphasized separation from the world's ungodly ways.

In short, the Nicolaitans were persuading the believers that there was nothing wrong with conforming to the world’s standard.

Sounds familiar? It should because we are today constantly bombarded with persuasive communication to conform to today’s world standards, ways and practices and many don't find it a problem at all. 

But as Christians we are instructed to be Holy in all aspects of our lives because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

The other negative influence was that of Balaam's philosophy- if you can't curse them then corrupt them. This theory is as valid today as it was then. When Satan can't hurt us due to God's protection, he fills our lives with temptations to try and corrupt us in our day to day lives thereby hurting ourselves. 

When we look around, we can see churches and preachers and people who have diluted the essence of religion to suit themselves in this world today. We all do it, in varying degrees.

But Jesus explicitly states that He "hates the works of the Nicolaitans" (Revelation 2:6) and that some in the church at Pergamum held to their teaching, which He also hated (Revelation 2:15). Jesus strong condemnation (“I hate the works of the Nicolaitans") highlights the grave danger these teachings posed to the spiritual purity and faithfulness of the early church and even today to ourselves as well. 

Jesus, therefore, goes on to encourage the Church to persevere and not get swayed by such influences, as He does today as well. The stated rewards of such perseverance indicate how important and critical it is.  

Verse 17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat (hidden manna is the manna God gave the Israelites in the wilderness which brought physical blessing. The manna that Christ gives is the manna of eternal life). And I will give him a white stone (white stone is a widely used symbol for victory or special privilege for those whose faith is steadfast), and on the stone a new name written (new name is the new glorified existence in the age to come) which no one knows except him who receives it.”

Therefore, to summarize - “Three things marked the heresy of Pergamos: idolatry, immorality and infidelity. The overcomer kept himself from all three, and the reward was commensurate with his conduct. 

To those who kept themselves from idolatry and refused to eat things offered to idols, the Lord gave hidden manna to eat. 

To those who kept themselves from immorality the Lord gave a white stone, a symbol of changeless purity.

And to those who kept themselves from infidelity, the Lord gave a new name – knowledge of Himself that no one else can share” a unique part to play in god’s eternal kingdom.

The Church That Should Be - III: Pastor Rajiv Kumar

Today we continue with our series on the church that should be based on the seven letters dictated by our lord to john the revelator in the book of revelation.
So far, we have looked at two churches the church at Ephesus whom Christ called the loveless church because they had lost their first love that fervent personal uninhibited and openly displayed devotion to Christ.

In my last message we looked at the church at Smyrna whom Jesus called the persecuted church. This was one of the two churches with whom Jesus found no complaint the other one being the church of Philadelphia which we will be looking at in a later message.

Living Epistles

                                                  

What would you do if you received a letter from Jesus? Sounds far-fetched doesn't it? But is it?

Today, Jesus still writes letters but now He writes them on our hearts and not on tablets or scrolls. We become a living Testament to Jesus. When we do become a living Testament, we attract people because they get curious about what is it that makes us peaceful, joyous, trustworthy, honest and in short, when we exhibit those famous 9 traits called the fruits of the Spirit. And when they find out the source, they find Jesus and we become a light to the world and salt of the earth as Jesus wanted us to be. (2 Corinthians 3 verses 1-3)

But what is the objective in being an epistle or salt or a light?

Research has discovered that more people are drawn to a faith by the witness of the lives of people than by doctrine. What our research tells us today is what Jesus and later Paul knew then.

What is quite clear is that while sermons and preaching maybe good to maintain a faith, it is the living of a Christian life that attracts people to the faith.

Therefore, our responsibility is to live a life, which is a life based on what Christ has said, as an example of the Christian way - and become a living Testament to our Lord and God.

Our job is to bring hope, kindness, love and grace into this world. Every person we meet is carrying heavy loads and burdens in life. And being followers of Christ, it is truly a blessing for Him to use us to bring hope, encouragement, and peace to such people through our words and kind gestures.

And that is how we become a living epistle of Jesus Christ.

Francis Taylor says - "Until we meet him (Jesus), we aren't interested in learning about him. The best way to meet him is in the lives of those who follow him. Living epistles!"

An Honest Confession

                                         
By Ms. Francis Taylor

"Do you honestly confess to your sins? On the surface of it, it is easier to confess and own up to the largest errors when one has clearly been caught, for these sins are the most blatant and glaring. 

However, for the true follower of Christ, who knows there is no realm which may hide or obscure itself from God's light, real courage comes in facing the darkest desires of one's heart, even if they have not yet been committed, or have instead been covered up. In asking for forgiveness not because one is caught, or for fear of retribution, but rather in clearing one's conscience, in obedience to a moral order of purging one's heart before one's maker, this is a mark of the truly faithful, the truly courageous. 

Evil often stems from weakness, of not being able to look it in the eye fully or giving it a disguise. With God's divination, we may trust and find this power to purge it from our souls.

Lord Almighty, in your infinite wisdom and glory, you know and see me better than I do mine own self, therefore grant me the courage to face my sins and wicked desires. Let me not give them shelter in secret and in shadow, to harbor their temptations and will, where they may grow stronger; but help me purge them in your light, and cast them out of your Eden in Heaven. Amen."

The Implications of a Choice

 

Read Genesis Chapter 13 

The Bible indicates that being wealthy is no sin, but wealth seriously increases a believer's responsibility. God's people should therefore view wealth with a sense of stewardship rather than ownership. (1 Tim 6 9-11). 

We see an example of this in Genesis chapter 13. We need to keep in mind that wealth, at that time, was counted by cattle, silver and gold, of which Abraham and Lot had plenty. So much in fact that the "land could not support them", basis which Abraham suggested a split. 

This is where we now see how our choices play out and implications of those choices. 

Abraham had the first right to choose but he gave that choice to Lot. He entrusted His future to God, walking by faith. 

This act by itself is an ideal for us to follow, living our life in such a way that others see the love we share for one another. 

Lot "lifted up his eyes" to see carefully and identify the best land for himself, without a thought for Abraham. 

Lot chose selfishly and his selfish choice would prove disastrous because in the long-term Sodom, which was situated in the same area, would draw Lot into its fold and its ways. 

However, Abraham left that choice to God and he was blessed. 

What an ideal lesson for us today. How do we choose? How do we decide? Is wealth and our interest the main consideration? Will our choice not include the well-being of others? 

When we allow God to guide us in the choices we make, making our desire, will and human logic subservient to His, those choices and decisions are blessed. When we let our own minds and desire rule those choices, we are bound to end up in dangerous situations, as did Lot. 

The 7 Promises to Abraham

Read Genesis 12

Post floods the world moved on and we come to Abraham, originally named Abram by his father Terah. Joshua 24: 2 tells us that Terah worshipped other God's as did their community. So Abraham actually grew up in an idolatrous family and nation. While the Bible doesn't give a detailed "conversion" story in the modern sense, it clearly presents that Abraham's transformation into a follower of the one true God was a result of God's direct call and revelation to him.

God chose Abraham.

It is said of Abraham that the symbol of his life was a tent and the secret of his life was an altar. Rarely do we read of Abraham living in a city and the altar speaks of his fellowship with God. He built an altar on every milestone of His fellowship, four in all.

Why did God choose Abraham? Well because it was His sovereign choice and because He knew Abraham's character, his faithfulness, obedience and trust. God always looks beyond the obvious.

Thus God chose Abraham as a central figure in His redemptive plan, recognizing and rewarding his faith and obedience, and intending to establish a chosen people through whom He would ultimately bless all humanity. But to do that Abraham needed to have clarity as well, thus a covenant was formed, with 7 promises laying the groundwork for God's redemptive plan for humanity through Abraham's lineage. These promises covered various aspects of Abraham's life and his future descendants. 

These promises were also preceded by a command: get out of your country and family.

God often needs us to get out of our comfort zone and move out to establish Him in other places. That has been the theme from day one: go out, populate and manage the earth and establish a community of God's people. That command still exists today. Establish a community of God's people.

All the promises God made to Abraham revolve around this end objective

The question is, are these seven promises made to Abraham still valid for us today?

This is a fundamental question in Christian theology, and the answer is a resounding yes, but with a crucial understanding of how they are fulfilled and applied.

Here's a breakdown of how the seven promises made to Abraham are understood to be valid for believers today, particularly in Christianity:

1. Fulfillment in Jesus Christ:

The New Testament, especially the Apostle Paul's writings, emphasizes that Jesus Christ is the ultimate "seed" of Abraham (Galatians 3:16). He is the one through whom all the promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" (2 Corinthians 1:20).

2. "I will make you a great nation" and "I will make your name great": While Abraham's physical descendants formed the nation of Israel, the "great nation" and the "great name" are ultimately fulfilled in the spiritual family of God. Through Christ, believers from every nation become part of a new spiritual "nation" and share in the "great name" of Christ.

3. "I will bless you" and "You shall be a blessing": These are spiritually fulfilled in Christ. Believers are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). As followers of Christ, we are also called to be a blessing to the world, demonstrating God's love and truth.

4. "I will bless those who bless you" and "I will curse him who curses you": These promises, while having historical applications to Israel, are now understood in a spiritual sense. Those who bless God's people (the spiritual "seed" of Abraham) are blessed, and those who oppose God's purposes and people face divine judgment.

5."In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed": This is the most direct and clear promise that applies to everyone. It is fulfilled through Jesus Christ, who came from Abraham's lineage to bring salvation and blessing to all people, regardless of their ethnicity or background, who believe in Him.

In summary, yes, God's seven promises to Abraham are still valid for us today, but they are understood through the lens of their fulfillment in Jesus Christ and through faith. Believers in Christ, both Jew and Gentile, are considered the spiritual descendants of Abraham and therefore heirs to the spiritual blessings of the covenant, especially the promise of salvation and being a blessing to the world. The promise of the land of Israel, however, retains a unique and specific application to the Jewish people.