"Do not quench the Spirit." (1Thess.5:19)
The Spirit is quenched by:
1. Ignoring the voice of the Spirit (Heb.4:7)
2. By careless talk (Eph.4:29)
3. By lovelessness, bitterness, anger, and lack of forgiveness (Eph.4:30,31)
4. By willful sinning and not esteeming highly the value of Christ's blood (Heb.10:29)
5. By opposing the work of the Spirit (Matt.12:31,32).
When one hardens his heart against the voice of the Spirit, the Spirit will stop striving with him. It leads to abandonment (Rom.1:21-26)
When one piles up careless and corrupt talking, his fountain is defiled and his rudder has turned his ship to self-destruction (James 2:1-6). Instead, one should pray in the Spirit and sing spiritual hymns and encourage others in Christ (Eph.5:18-20)
When one cannot love his brother and sister, hatred blinds his eyes (1Jn.2:11), and he doesn't have the life of God.
When one continues to willfully sin and has no esteem for the blood of Christ, he insults the Spirit of Grace (Heb.10:29)
When one speaks against the Holy Spirit and knowingly rejects the work of the Spirit, there is no forgiveness for him anymore.
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Sunday, May 17, 2015
God is Our Father
God is our Father.
1. A Caring Father (Mat.6:32)
2. A Chastening Father (Heb.12:6)
3. A Comforting Father (2Cor.1:3)....
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Purity: 5 Effects, 3 Aspects (Matt 5:8)
Matt.5:8 - Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.
Psa 24:3-5 - Who will ascend... He who has Clean Hands and Pure Heart
Psa 51:10 - Create in me a pure heart.. v.11. Cast me not away from Presence..
5 Effects of Purity:
1. Pure Humility. Prov.22:11 - pure heart.. speech gracious.. will have the king for his friend. Purity of heart and Humility go together.
2. Pure Eyes. Tit.1:15 - to the pure all things are pure.....
3. Pure Love. 1Tim.1:5 - Pure love can only come from pure heart, good conscience and sincere faith. (1Pet.1:22)
4. Pure Pursuit. Seeking. Calling. 2 Tim.2:22 - Flee evil desires... pure heart
5. Drawing Near. Communion with God. Heb.10:22 - Draw near to God with a sincere heart.. cleansed ...washed.. HOLINESS
6. Single Mindedness... James 4:8 (not love of the world, but love of God)
HOW TO BE PURE:
1. Purity by the Blood of Jesus. Forgiveness of Sins (Heb.13:12; Heb.9:14,22-28; Walk in Light, Confess...1Jn.1:7)... Heb.10:2 - no consciousness of past sins.. COVERED, CLEANSED. Tit.2;14 - Purity=> GOOD WORKS.
2. Purity by the Word of God (Psa.119:140. Cleanses Our Walk. Word is pure; Prov.30:5,6; John15:3; 1Pet.2:2..growth by pure word; 1Pet.1:22 - through OBEDIENCE)
3. Purity by the Spirit of God. Sanctifies through His Presence. (2The.2:13;1Pet.1:2; Service by Spirit Rom.15:16) Spirit Speaks the Word and Applies the Blood (Heb.3:7,8; 10:29)
Psa 24:3-5 - Who will ascend... He who has Clean Hands and Pure Heart
Psa 51:10 - Create in me a pure heart.. v.11. Cast me not away from Presence..
5 Effects of Purity:
1. Pure Humility. Prov.22:11 - pure heart.. speech gracious.. will have the king for his friend. Purity of heart and Humility go together.
2. Pure Eyes. Tit.1:15 - to the pure all things are pure.....
3. Pure Love. 1Tim.1:5 - Pure love can only come from pure heart, good conscience and sincere faith. (1Pet.1:22)
4. Pure Pursuit. Seeking. Calling. 2 Tim.2:22 - Flee evil desires... pure heart
5. Drawing Near. Communion with God. Heb.10:22 - Draw near to God with a sincere heart.. cleansed ...washed.. HOLINESS
6. Single Mindedness... James 4:8 (not love of the world, but love of God)
HOW TO BE PURE:
1. Purity by the Blood of Jesus. Forgiveness of Sins (Heb.13:12; Heb.9:14,22-28; Walk in Light, Confess...1Jn.1:7)... Heb.10:2 - no consciousness of past sins.. COVERED, CLEANSED. Tit.2;14 - Purity=> GOOD WORKS.
2. Purity by the Word of God (Psa.119:140. Cleanses Our Walk. Word is pure; Prov.30:5,6; John15:3; 1Pet.2:2..growth by pure word; 1Pet.1:22 - through OBEDIENCE)
3. Purity by the Spirit of God. Sanctifies through His Presence. (2The.2:13;1Pet.1:2; Service by Spirit Rom.15:16) Spirit Speaks the Word and Applies the Blood (Heb.3:7,8; 10:29)
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
5 Entanglements that Christ Came to Deliver Us From
5 Human Entanglements that Christ Came To Deliver Us From
WHAT THEY DO
- They complicate life - Matt.23:4 "They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. (Mat 23:4 NIV)
- They violate God's commandments - Mark 7:8,9 - Set aside commandments for traditions
- They fossilize spirituality - Col.2:23 - False customs that have no value for the spirit.
- They hinder change - old wineskins can't hold new wine (Mat.9:17)
- They worsen the convert - (Mat.23:15)
Entanglements:
1. Traditions (Mark 7:8,9) - Traditionalism
:::caste-desire for dignity, social honor (Pharisees Jn.5:44); "what would people think?" Not desiring to be "rejected of men" (Vs.Isa.53)/ "Denominationalism"
2. Mammon (Lk.16:13-15; 1Tim.6:10)
::: Achan...Gehazi...Judas Iscariot... Materialism
3. Flesh (2Pet.2:18-22) - Sensualism (Sensationalism)
Lust of flesh, works of flesh, passions of flesh...Gal.5:19-21
::: Their god is their belly - Phil.3:19; Rom.16:17,18; Jude 19; 1Cor.6:13
Action-packed, stimulating, entertaining.... carnal food.
4. Debased Mind (Rom.1:28-32; 2Thess.2:11,12)
:::Genesis 6:5-Imaginations so rotten... Rom.1:21,22-foolish hearts darkened.
Can't think right anymore... Mat.7:6- Gospel is like pearls before swine for them.
5. Sin - One sin after another (Jn.8:34) - Prov.12:13
- David.. Bathsheba.. Uriah..; Ananias Saphira.. Lie after lie.. Gehazi..
Traditions-- Love of God (The Golden Rule): (1Pet 1:18)
Mammon - Serve God (Sell all!)
Flesh - Crucify flesh/ Gal.5. Mortify deeds of body through Spirit
Mind - Tit 3:5 renewing of spirit. ROM 12, Phil 2
Sin - ROM.6. sin shall not reign in your mortal bodies
Friday, April 3, 2015
7 Important Ingredients of a Fulfilled Life from the 7 Sayings of Jesus on the Cross
1. Luke 23:34: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.
Peace........
-Hitler "For the sake of freedom and democracy, never again fascism; millions of dead remind us"
Could u forgive him?
Corrie ten Boom
- Forgiveness is available,
Jewish proverb, forgiveness is like the sea, anyone can go and bath in it..
- but it must be received
Prodigal Son...
... Forgiven, so forgive. unmerciful servant
.... forgive, or will not be forgiven
2. Luke 23:43: Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise. Hope.....powerful word
Can man live without hope?
Job 14:7-10
Hope in life.
Hope beyond life..
Ecc 9:4 उसको परन्तु जो सब जीवतों में है, उसे आशा है, क्योंकि जीवता कुत्ता मरे हुए सिंह से बढ़कर है।
But only when hope in life, then hope beyond life.
Hope through new birth -
1Pet.1:3
New birth.. Repentance, Faith, Obedience... newness of life.
Col.1:27
You have the freedom to change your attitude, to change your life through the power of Christ.
Rom 1:16
hope through believing
3. John 19:26–27: Woman, behold your son. Son Behold your mother. Care.....
He cares...
1Pe 5:7
Matt.6:26ff He cares....
Love your neighbor...Who? Be a Good Samaritan
Do to others as u want them do to u...
Parents and own. 1Tim.5:4,8
4. Matthew 27:46 & Mark 15:34 My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?
Trust...
Godliness.. bhakti
Crying out to God... pouring
Heb.5:7 - cries..
Pray even when it seems God is nowhere..
in Him we live...
5. John 19:28: I thirst.
Passion...Happiness.....
First God.... John 4:32,34
Matt.4:4...
Haggai..
6. John 19:29-30: It is finished.
Purpose
Fruitfulness.... Success Satisfaction.....
John 17 Finished the work...
Salvation complete...
Who are you?
Why are you here?
Viktor Frankl .. Purpose not invented,, but discovered...
Worldliness.... Eccles..vanity
Fulfillment= fruitfulness
Unless u r connected with the One who finished, you cannot finish.. John15
7. Luke 23:46: Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. End.....
Relationship that lasts....
End is more important... Finishing the race.. Fighting well. 2Tim.4:5
Many begin... few end
can God receive your spirit..
Stephen..
who is your boss????
-Flesh lusts 2pet 2:19ff
-sin john 8:33
-devil .. Cain 1jn 3:10-12
pharisees jn8
Whose?
Peace..hope...care...trust....passion....success...relationship
Sunday, November 30, 2014
The Name of Jesus (Prayer)
IN THE NAME OF CHRIST
(Joh 14:13-14 NKJ) (Joh 16:24-28 NKJ)
"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
"If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. (Joh 14:13-14 NKJ)
"Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
25 "These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father.
26 "In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you;
27 "for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.
28 "I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father." (Joh 16:24-28 NKJ)
The New Testament introduces a very distinctive element into prayer: the Name of Jesus. Of course, when we pray, we usually end our prayers with the words, “In the Name of Jesus, we pray…” However, when Jesus told us to pray in His Name, He didn’t just mean to repeat those words. To pray in Jesus’ Name means much more than just the repetition of a clause. It means to pray by virtue of the Person of Jesus. It means to petition not out of just who we are, but out of who we are in Jesus. It means to extend our hand to receive from God what He gives to us because of Jesus.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NAME OF JESUS IN PRAYER
1. THE NAME ASSERTS THE PRIORITY OF CHRIST. HE IS THE FIRST.
When I approach God in the Name of Jesus, I assert that Jesus has priority over my life.
Like John said, “He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.'" (Joh 1:15 NKJ)
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. (Col 1:16-17 NKJ)
HE IS BEFORE ALL THINGS
Christ Existed Before. He was with the Father..
Christ Went Before … He is the anchor of our hope.
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
(Heb 6:19-20 NKJ)
2. THE NAME ASSERTS THE MEDIATORSHIP OF CHRIST. HE IS THE MIDDLE ONE.
Through Him are all things.
He Stands between Man and God and the Eternal Priest, the Lamb of Sacrifice, the Atonement of our Sins, and the Paraclete. Therefore, He declared “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (Jn.14:6). This understanding is important since the statement is trans-temporal, it applies to both Pre-Fall and Post-Fall situations alike. There was never that Christ was not the way. He did not become the way. He eternally exists as the way, the truth, and the life – the eternal “I am”, immutable and absolute.
He is the Eternal Priest after the order of Melchizedek (Psa.110:4). Not created but eternal.
He not only stands in between me and God. He also stands between me and anyone or anything else. He holds all things together.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer:
"But the same Mediator who makes us individuals is also the founder of a new fellowship. He stands in the centre between my neighbour and myself. He divides, but He also unites. Thus although the direct way to our neighbour is barred, we now find the new and only real way to him—the way which passes through the Mediator." – Bonhoeffer
Christ stands between us, and we can only get into touch with our neighbours through Him. That is why intercession is the most promising way to reach our neighbours"
3. THE NAME ASSERTS THE FINALITY OF CHRIST. HE IS THE LAST.
IN HIM ALL THINGS CONSIST.
that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth-- in Him. (Eph 1:10 NKJ)
FOR HIM… All things were created through Him and for Him. (Col 1:16 NKJ)
NOTHING BEFORE HIM, NOTHING AFTER HIM
NOTHING THAT CAN BE REMOVED, NOTHING THAT CAN BE ADDED.
IN OTHER WORDS, YOU DO NOT NEED ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE NAME OF CHRIST.
THE NAME OF CHRIST IS ENOUGH, ESSENTIALLY SPEAKING.
ILLUS: SIGNATURE ON CHECK
But, the Name is again not just about repeating few words.
IS CHRIST THE PRIORITY OF YOUR LIFE
IS CHRIST THE MEDIATOR OF YOUR LIFE
IS CHRIST THE FINALITY OF YOUR LIFE
That alone will make the difference
(Joh 14:13-14 NKJ) (Joh 16:24-28 NKJ)
"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
"If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. (Joh 14:13-14 NKJ)
"Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
25 "These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father.
26 "In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you;
27 "for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.
28 "I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father." (Joh 16:24-28 NKJ)
The New Testament introduces a very distinctive element into prayer: the Name of Jesus. Of course, when we pray, we usually end our prayers with the words, “In the Name of Jesus, we pray…” However, when Jesus told us to pray in His Name, He didn’t just mean to repeat those words. To pray in Jesus’ Name means much more than just the repetition of a clause. It means to pray by virtue of the Person of Jesus. It means to petition not out of just who we are, but out of who we are in Jesus. It means to extend our hand to receive from God what He gives to us because of Jesus.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NAME OF JESUS IN PRAYER
1. THE NAME ASSERTS THE PRIORITY OF CHRIST. HE IS THE FIRST.
When I approach God in the Name of Jesus, I assert that Jesus has priority over my life.
Like John said, “He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.'" (Joh 1:15 NKJ)
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. (Col 1:16-17 NKJ)
HE IS BEFORE ALL THINGS
Christ Existed Before. He was with the Father..
Christ Went Before … He is the anchor of our hope.
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
(Heb 6:19-20 NKJ)
2. THE NAME ASSERTS THE MEDIATORSHIP OF CHRIST. HE IS THE MIDDLE ONE.
Through Him are all things.
He Stands between Man and God and the Eternal Priest, the Lamb of Sacrifice, the Atonement of our Sins, and the Paraclete. Therefore, He declared “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (Jn.14:6). This understanding is important since the statement is trans-temporal, it applies to both Pre-Fall and Post-Fall situations alike. There was never that Christ was not the way. He did not become the way. He eternally exists as the way, the truth, and the life – the eternal “I am”, immutable and absolute.
He is the Eternal Priest after the order of Melchizedek (Psa.110:4). Not created but eternal.
He not only stands in between me and God. He also stands between me and anyone or anything else. He holds all things together.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer:
"But the same Mediator who makes us individuals is also the founder of a new fellowship. He stands in the centre between my neighbour and myself. He divides, but He also unites. Thus although the direct way to our neighbour is barred, we now find the new and only real way to him—the way which passes through the Mediator." – Bonhoeffer
Christ stands between us, and we can only get into touch with our neighbours through Him. That is why intercession is the most promising way to reach our neighbours"
3. THE NAME ASSERTS THE FINALITY OF CHRIST. HE IS THE LAST.
IN HIM ALL THINGS CONSIST.
that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth-- in Him. (Eph 1:10 NKJ)
FOR HIM… All things were created through Him and for Him. (Col 1:16 NKJ)
NOTHING BEFORE HIM, NOTHING AFTER HIM
NOTHING THAT CAN BE REMOVED, NOTHING THAT CAN BE ADDED.
IN OTHER WORDS, YOU DO NOT NEED ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE NAME OF CHRIST.
THE NAME OF CHRIST IS ENOUGH, ESSENTIALLY SPEAKING.
ILLUS: SIGNATURE ON CHECK
But, the Name is again not just about repeating few words.
IS CHRIST THE PRIORITY OF YOUR LIFE
IS CHRIST THE MEDIATOR OF YOUR LIFE
IS CHRIST THE FINALITY OF YOUR LIFE
That alone will make the difference
Visionary Prayer (Nehemiah)
VISIONARY PRAYER
Is Passionate (Neh.1:4)
Is Proactive (Neh.2:4). He prayed first...(Priority of Prayer)
Is Practical (Neh.4:9)
Is Persistent (Neh. 6:9) - Strengthened, not weakened
- Matt.5:4 - Blessed are those who mourn
- Isaiah 59:14-16 - God wondered that there was no intercessor, no mourner...
- Ezekiel 9:1-6: God killed all who didn't mourn over evil
Nehemiah's Passion: Mourned, Fasted, Prayed...
- Confession of Sins; Confession of God's Promises
- Solution: Neh 1:11 (Passion must have a direction - When God gives you passion, He also shows the way)
(Posture - Not necessarily kneeling...)
- Not pretence (2:2; or else would not be afraid)
- Visionary prayer helps not only to identify what is wrong, but also helps to see the SOLUTION (Vision of what must be done)
- A Man of Visionary Prayer doesn't just pray.. He is willing to do something to change the situation. He doesn't just mourn the bad shape of things, He SEES the RIGHT FORM that they can be brought into.
- Visionary Prayer is Practically Wise. It is based on a faith that knows its own responsibility.
- Their setting a watch and arming themselves didn't show the weakness of their faith, but the wisdom of their faith. Not weakness but wisdom.
Foolish to not take precautions, when precautions are possible. God guards us, but they knew they had to keep locks and gates.
Hyper-spirituality is reckless and lazy spirituality. They want God to do everything and themselves do nothing.
- Visionary Prayer is not wavering.. It doesn't get fragmented in faith because of circumstances.
- Visionary Prayer is bold and persistent.
- Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge.
- Pray without ceasing. Be strong in prayer.
Is Passionate (Neh.1:4)
Is Proactive (Neh.2:4). He prayed first...(Priority of Prayer)
Is Practical (Neh.4:9)
Is Persistent (Neh. 6:9) - Strengthened, not weakened
- Matt.5:4 - Blessed are those who mourn
- Isaiah 59:14-16 - God wondered that there was no intercessor, no mourner...
- Ezekiel 9:1-6: God killed all who didn't mourn over evil
Nehemiah's Passion: Mourned, Fasted, Prayed...
- Confession of Sins; Confession of God's Promises
- Solution: Neh 1:11 (Passion must have a direction - When God gives you passion, He also shows the way)
(Posture - Not necessarily kneeling...)
- Not pretence (2:2; or else would not be afraid)
- Visionary prayer helps not only to identify what is wrong, but also helps to see the SOLUTION (Vision of what must be done)
- A Man of Visionary Prayer doesn't just pray.. He is willing to do something to change the situation. He doesn't just mourn the bad shape of things, He SEES the RIGHT FORM that they can be brought into.
- Visionary Prayer is Practically Wise. It is based on a faith that knows its own responsibility.
- Their setting a watch and arming themselves didn't show the weakness of their faith, but the wisdom of their faith. Not weakness but wisdom.
Foolish to not take precautions, when precautions are possible. God guards us, but they knew they had to keep locks and gates.
Hyper-spirituality is reckless and lazy spirituality. They want God to do everything and themselves do nothing.
- Visionary Prayer is not wavering.. It doesn't get fragmented in faith because of circumstances.
- Visionary Prayer is bold and persistent.
- Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge.
- Pray without ceasing. Be strong in prayer.
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