Church

Reading - Colossians: 1: 24 -29

1. Definition
How can we define a church? It is very hard to define it. Several books have been written on the subject. Which one will determine the definition? - Its size, its teachings, its income. Now a day’s people call it with deferent name – house church, mega church and so on. However we can identify a church by its function. In this portion Paul uses the word “Body of Christ” v.24. If you want to know more about it read 1 Corinthians 12th chapter in the context of spiritual gifts.

2. Vision of Church
What could be the vision of a church? - “Present everyone perfect in Christ” there are people within Christendom who do not like the word perfection. According to this understanding we have possibility of committing sine till we die. We will not achieve perfection in our life at anytime. They normally quote 1 John 1:8.

Jesus talked about this perfection in Mathew 5:48. Perfection is not a life without sin. It is not an end in itself. It is a process. It is regeneration of life. It is transformation from one stage to another. Paul clearly explains it in Ephesians 4: 13.

3. Mission of church
What could be the mission of a church? - “present the word of God in its fullness”. A church should preach from the word of correctly.

The church that does not preach the word of God can not stand for long. In many occasions people use the word of God as foot notes. Every one should allow the word of God to speak to them. See how the church was depending on the word of God. Acts1: 42. 1Timothy 4: 13, 2Timothy 2:2. We need to watch our life and doctrine. 1Timothy 4: 16. Some times people think that doctrine is not important. Our way of life should reflect our doctrine and our doctrine should influence our life.

4. Activities of church
The activities of a church are determined by the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Read 1Corinthans 12th chapter for detail. If God gives a gift to know what gift a person has got, he should look for a chance to use it. If we are faithful in one gift God may give us more gifts. The activities of a church also will increase. Do not use God but allow God to use you.

5. Resources for church
Some times we think that money is the only resources that can run a church. We depend on foreign money. Now in India we can plant churches without foreign money. God’s energy and our struggle are the resources for church. We are go worker with God.

By Mr. Sweeharan

The Mind of Christ Jesus

Reading: Philippians 2:1-11

What attracted you to the Lord Jesus in your early encounter with him? When asked this question several people have told me that they were attracted to his love for mankind, humility and compassion for the poor and needy. These are all true and worth treasuring as we walk in our daily walk with the Lord. In following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ among many characteristics there are three to remember from the second chapter of Philippians.

• He knew who He was therefore we should know who we are in Christ: Although He existed in the form of God He did not consider it a thing to be grasped. He was inseparable from God yet for a moment he became a servant by giving up all His rights. Christ has chosen us, predestined us, he knew us even before we were formed in our mother’s womb, adopted us as sons and daughters, seated us in heavenly realms, forgiven us, redeemed us of the curse, dropped all charges against us and has give us the Holy Spirit. Nothing can detach us from our God given position. Fear may trouble us for a time, sickness will make us suffer, and people will treat us unkindly. In moments like these remember who you are in Christ Jesus and address the situation from your position of victory.

• He became a servant: Jesus humbled himself and became obedient like a servant of His time and to the point of death on the cross. He was unnerved by the consequence of His obedience as a servant. When insults were hurled at Him by prosecutors and public, He continued to serve by remaining silent. Paul exhorts Christians to consider others better than themselves in verse 3. Servant hood is a matter of choice for a Christian. We have to be intentional in our service and this includes everyone. Humanly speaking this is hardly possible but with Christ we chose to serve. Being a servant is not a one time act. It is ongoing outcome of a deeper growing relationship with Christ enabled by the Holy Spirit and propelled by the love of God. So when you choose to forgive and be kind to an arrogant boss, colleague, spouse or children do it as a servant. You can do it only this way and none other than His Spirit will help you.

• He did not judge: He came not to judge but to serve. The Lord Jesus could have spent His entire life time and more to judge the people of His time. None fitted the God given standard, His own disowned Him and left. He was bruised, despised, rejected, abused, harassed and finally crucified. He had all the reasons to judge but he deliberately chose to serve. In Luke 4:19, He purposely did not read the section that says (Isahia61:2) the day of the vengeance of our God because He came to declare God’s love. Too often we are quick in judging by what we see; bad behavior, clothes and other socially unacceptable practices. Judgment is God’s business not ours and knowingly we replace Him. So who are you judging right now? Who needs your forgiveness? How long will you judge and hold back forgiving friends, family and colleagues who have hurt you. Though none be worthy yet in following Christ we chose not to judge.

We are reminded in the book of Romans to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Our supreme example of transformation is the Lord Jesus Himself. Paul invites people to imitate him but he persuades believers to follow the example of Jesus. We can change habits but it requires inner transformation of the mind to live like a servant, refrain from judging and to love others unconditionally.

Prince David

Ministers - Aroma of Christ sent from God

Ministers – Aroma of Christ sent from God. 2 Corinthians 2: V. 12-17.

A flower may not give two different smells. There are flowers that give good smell and there are some that give bad smell. Logically it is impossible. But in the human being it is possible only when we use perfumes of different kinds. Morning I can smell differently and evening I can differently by using different deodorant or perfume. Paul is not encouraging the ministers to lead a two different life style either. Paul is giving a different meaning altogether as to how a minister can be an aroma of Christ by resulting two different smells.

The context is his visit to Troas. When he visited it he saw a good response. However he could not see his brother Titus and he was not sure why. Instead of spending time in the absence of Titus he left the place. Probably he did not want to do things alone or he would have thought of giving the people to some responsible leader for nurture. We do not know the reason. Paul never wanted to leave his targeted areas of church multiplication without local leaders.

He was not discouraged. Many times we do get discouraged if things are not going well in our church multiplication. We may think that God is not doing any thing in my ministry. Don’t be disgusted. Paul says if you miss in one place it is not the end. God still works wonders in our ministry. After understanding the context now we come for the meaning of the words or the concepts Paul used.

MASTER – Leads us.

“God leads us”. Where ever we want to go we need to follow God rather than asking Him to come there or even ask for His presence. Remember how Moses behaved in the Golden calf incident as recorded in the book of Exodus 32 and 33 chapters. People of Israel were asking for a god to lead them in the absence of Moses. The people said to Aaron: “They said to me ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him” Exodus 32:23. In our ministry either God will lead us or Satan will lead us. God only told Moses, “Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of and my angel will go before you” 32:34. Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, “Lead these people, but you have not let me know whom you will send with me” 33: 12. The Lord replied, “My presence will go with you” 33:14. This is the way God leads us in our lives also. Isaiah also gives us a promise. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way walk in it” 30:31. When God leads us He sends His angel to guide us, His presence is with us and the Holy Spirit guides us. In our ministry the triumphal procession will be like this. If you want to experience this leading ask God to guide you.

Another important person in this aroma procession is Jesus Christ. The ministers do not have the aroma, it is a borrowed one. In our ministry we can not do anything of our own, we can reflect only Jesus. The aroma in our ministry belongs to Jesus. Why it is so? The same Paul gives the answer in Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me”.

The fragrance is the knowledge of God, embodied in the word of God. Some ministers may think that heart is important in Christianity than mind. We can not make that statement. Mind is equally important. Even Jesus said---------. We need to spread the knowledge of God. This knowledge is very important according to the bible. John says, “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God” John 17:3. The knowledge of God is important for salvation and eternal life. As we spread the knowledge of God through the word and in Jesus Christ two things happen. Some people are going to die and some people are going to live. Jesus said, “I told you that you would die in your sin: if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be you will die in your sins” John 8:24. Jesus said, “He/she who believes in me will live, even though he/she dies and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” John 11: 25, 26.

In the Roman Empire during Paul’s time after won a battle the soldiers held a procession to inform the subjects that they have won the battle and in the procession they used perfumes also. The procession was the mark of victory or life for the subjects but for the enemy the procession was death. In the same way when we spread the knowledge of God, some people will be saved and many will be destined for death.

MINISTRY

In our ministry the word of God is the tool for spreading the knowledge of God. Many a time the ministers tend to use the word of God for their own profit. We need remember the fact that all ministers are sent by God with the aroma of Jesus Christ. What ever we get out of our ministry the profit should go to Him who sent us. Jesus did that in His ministry. Even today all ministers should work for the profit of God. We need to loose every thing for God.

By,
Mr. Sweeharan