All posts by Paul Anand

 

Good morning, Church!

A woman was surprised at church one day when another woman, who had often disregarded or even ignored her, went out of her way to give her a big hug before the service. She wondered what had initiated her change of heart, I was not there only for 2 weeks Sunday service. She got her answer at the end of the service when the pastor instructed, “Your assignment for next week is the same as last week. I want you to go out there and love somebody you just can’t stand.”

If loving others were only as easy as giving a hug to someone you don’t like, we all could excel in love. Just hug them and move on! But, love is a bit more difficult than that. It requires continual effort and hard work, because at the heart of loving others is putting the other person ahead of you, and that is always a huge battle. Our default mode is to revert back to selfishness, not to love. For this reason, Christ has given us these 2 great commandments. So, if u all can recollect, we started of 2 weeks back with God’s love where we saw God’s love and how he loved us UNCONDITIONALLY and we then moved on to look at what does bible talks about Self-love. Where we learnt that there is nothing as self-love which bible talks about rather it always insists or to put it in this way God wants us to love others as ourselves. Alright, now this week we will be continuing this aspect of how the love can be there amongst our own Family.

Love and Family

When God created the concept of a family, he simultaneously gave us an extraordinary gift and an extraordinary challenge. Family requires an unshakable commitment to each other even when everyone involved is intimately aware of each other’s flaws. When we talk about Love, it is impossible to skip this verse.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

These words are not just a poetic description of love; they also represent a very practical road map to guide our family in the right direction. Let us take a moment and break this verse and explore what it exactly has to looks like in our family.

• Love is patient and kind, so be patient and kind with each other.
• Love is not boastful or proud, so refuse to allow the poison of pride to taint our relationships.
• Love does not dishonour, so don’t look down on the fellow members of our own family.
• Love is not self-seeking, so choose to put our family’s needs ahead of our own.
• Love is not easily angered, so allow no place for spite or aggression in our home.
• Love keeps no record of wrongs, so allow grace and forgiveness to flow freely.
• Love rejoices with the truth, so refuse to deceive or keep secrets from each other.
• Love always protects and perseveres, so never give up on each other.

A family is masterfully designed to provide support, encouragement, accountability, love, and a place to call home. It fills the most crucial human needs. God’s ultimate plan for family reaches beyond just the physical into the spiritual. He has created a family that will last forever, and the Bible has a lot to say about how it looks and how we can and should be a part of it.

Jesus never intended for his followers to be identified by how they look or how well to do they are or by the stickers on their cars (My Grace is sufficient for you; Jesus loves u; Jesus Died for u; etc.,) The DNA of God’s family is simply love. We must have a love for God and for each other. That’s how the world will know we’re part of God’s family.

John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”

In the beginning, God established the family as the first of all human relationships. From that family, God built society. The family is still the foundational unit of society. But from then on till now, the enemy has been working hard trying to destroy the family that God created. From the temptation of Adam and Eve, the jealousy that filled one brother’s heart and caused Cain to kill Abel; Jacob cheating Esau; Joseph being tried to get killed by his own brothers; enemy has been working constantly to crush the time-honoured institution of the family. So, we need to love our families.

The problem is how to keep this love alive and growing, for love requires constant attention. Unless it is nourished by constant care, like a plant without water it will wither and die. It’s not a lumpsum investment rather it’s an SIP. Each of us should re-double our efforts to ensure that our families are all that they should be. Husbands and wives have a God-given obligation to love one another and to submit to one another for the glory of God. Parents have a God-given obligation to create a home that allows their children to become all they have been designed by the Lord to be.

Since the family is to live together in unity and oneness for the good of all, love must be present at all times. Where there is no love, there can be a family, and if there is, it cannot be a successful, progressing and profiting family. The home is the foundation of learning and love. Here, parents help children overcome the natural tendencies to be selfish that is rooted in everyone, and to put on love which is patterned after Christ. Showing love for our own parents is also important to nourishing love in our families. We cannot expect our children to love and respect us if we do not show them that we love and respect our own parents. Loving our parents is necessary not only in nurturing family love and unity, but in loving God.

There was a small family – father, mother, son and mother of the father. The Grandmom become sick as she grew old and almost become bed ridden. The Time spent with her by the fellow family members were gradually reduced and one fine day she also passed away. As the funeral was going on, they decided to clear off all her belongings also on the same time. They found almost everything of her, but they couldn’t find that special broken ugly plate in which they use to give food for her. They searched everywhere but no luck, and when the grandson asked what are you searching for? Dad replied we are looking for Grandmom’s plate. To Dad’s surprise, he said I only have taken and kept it safely in my cupboard, as when u grow old, I would need the same.

Make a conscious decision to love each other using God’s definition of love. Allow your family to be led by love, and you’ll always be headed in the right direction.

Guard our Family in Love

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

First, we must guard our families against the temptations that destroy the family. We must guard against the temptation to love ourselves over loving others and the love of God.

Selfish love robs our families of peace. When in a family, the members are looking out only for themselves, no one wins.

No one is encouraged; No one is edified; No one else is loved. The family begins to destroy itself from within. We also need to guard against ungrateful and unworthy family members. We also need to guard against being too busy. We need to make time for each other. There needs to be time when we just have time together, just to enjoy each other’s company, talk with each other, share each other’s burdens.

We must guard the marriage covenant. When the marriage fails, it hurts the family, no matter who is responsible.

Ephesians 5:22-25 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.

Sometimes simple friendships between a man and a woman transform into something more when left unchecked. And it goes both ways — for both the husband and the wife. For this reason, we must be careful to have safe friendships with the opposite gender. Wives should not be spending time with men, other than their husband, father, or brother, unless one or more people are present. Men, the same thing goes for us too. Do not travel in a car alone with a woman. Do not spend time alone with other women, unless other people are present. Sound old fashioned? Maybe. Safe? Absolutely. Do not put yourselves in the situation to be compromised.

Defend the family

The best way to do that is make sure that your family is built on the Rock, that is Jesus.

Luke6:48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.

When our families are built on the solid rock, the attacks of the world — the attacks of enemy on our families — will not shake us nor our foundation. We may experience some temporary storm damage, but with God’s help, all can be restored. Have no doubt that enemy is still working in the world today to attack and destroy the time-honoured, God ordained institution of the family. The family unit is under attack from every side, so let us build our family on a solid faith, trust, and love of God above.

Love and Parenting

Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it

Educate the Children – The word “nurture” has the idea of “the whole education of the child.” It refers to the daily discipline of verbal instruction in the ways of life and the ways of the Lord. We are to see to it that our children learn all that they need while they are under our care. Then, when they leave the nest and enter the word; they will be prepared for the things they will face.

Encourage the Children – There are times when we must give them direction in life. There are times when we must give them encouragement. And there are times when we must give them discipline. All of these things are used by the wise parents; in the right measure to help their children become the men and women God designed them to be.

Evangelize the Children – All of this Educate & encourage are to be “of the Lord.” We are to build and train them in the Word of God, not our opinions, our preferences or our prejudices. When we teach our children to believe like we do, they will be as messed up as we are. When we train them in the things of the Lord, they will grow up and live lives that glorify and honour God.

Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Children are told to “obey” their parents. This word means “to submit to, to comply with, and to follow directions and instructions.” This means that a child is to listen to the voice of his or her parents attentively and they are to respond to what they hear with perfect submission. They are to do as they are told. This obedience in the home lays the foundation for obedience throughout life. They are learning to obey the other voices of authority, school, government, etc., that will become part of their lives later on. Ultimately, they are learning to walk in obedience to the Lord when they walk in obedience to their parents. When the commands of a parent contradict the clear teachings of the Bible; the child, just like anyone else, has an obligation to put the Lord and His will first. Of course, this truth runs through every area of life. No parent, no spouse, no authority figure in our lives has the right to command us to do something illegal, immoral or that contradicts the Word of God. We are to always place God and His will ahead of the will of others.

We should know what children are being taught. In schools, at all levels, from elementary to high school to college, theories and world views are taught that are in direct opposition to the word of God. Unchecked, our children become influenced with ideas and ideologies that put families at opposition with each other — ideologies that are against the teachings of the Bible that we hold — ideologies that are designed to tear down the family values to which we ascribe. Do not take that lightly.

Have open lines of communication in the family. Let family be the place where thoughts and concerns can be shared without judgment. Families that communicate openly and honestly with each other are stronger, the bonds between the members are stronger, and the roots of the family are deeper, helping them to withstand the winds and storms of attacks.

In this digital age, set age appropriate and Biblical limits and boundaries on electronic gadgets and access to the internet. Most Importantly, ensure that we come to church together and worship together as a family. This is how we keep our family on the rock. Worshipping together as a family shows our children the importance of family, of worship, of God, of community. Worshipping together allows us to talk about the study of Scripture. Worshipping together builds a bond. Worshipping together is time spent together. Then, let the worship go home with us and become part of our family’s routine. Spend time in prayer and in the Word together.

There is a story of a man being outside on a warm, summer night and noticing the lights in the sky. He noticed the moon and the stars and the lights from a distant factory down the road, but then all of those big lights were disappeared as a new light that captured his full attention. A lightning bug lit up right by his face, and that little firefly was all he could see.

In that moment he realized that there are all kinds of lights (outside influences) competing for the attention of his kids, and if he wanted to be the biggest influence in his kids’ lives, he didn’t have to be the biggest or the brightest. He just had to be the closest!

It’s the same for all of us. Howard Hendricks has wisely stated, “You can impress people from a distance, but you can only impact them from being close!”

There will always be impressive-looking forces trying to be the primary influence on our kids, but we can make the biggest impact by simply staying close to our sons and daughters. Make quality (and quantity) time with them a priority. Refuse to let outside influences pull them in the wrong direction. Give them a solid foundation of faith and love and know that even though we are all imperfect parents, we have a perfect heavenly Father who is by our side through it all.

The Evaluation of Love in the Family

The family that God has given to us is a built-in support system if we allow it to be. The family is a blessing from God. The family is a time-honored institution that God ordained at the beginning of time. Today, we must support each other, protect each other, and most importantly love each other.

Are families perfect? Absolutely not. Do we have room to grow? Absolutely so.

For the love of family, we must do whatever we can to ensure that our families are built on God, are full of love for each other and protected from the attacks of the world around us.

As a way of learning how to nourish and express the love we feel for the members of our families, we might ask ourselves the following questions:

1. Do I really listen to each family member? To be truly listened to is to feel loved. Do I listen to friends, neighbours, and co-workers more readily than to the most important people in my life —the members of my family? Do the concerns of my family receive as much of my attention as the concerns of others? Do I make time to listen to the members of my family regularly?
2. Do I spend time with each family member? Developing love, harmony, and unity in a family takes time.
3. Do I help each family member feel needed? To feel useful and appreciated is a basic human need. We can help family members fulfil this need by giving them opportunities to help us and then letting them know that we appreciate their help.
4. Do I have the pure love of Christ as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8?

For the love of our families, we must protect them, cherish them, and love them with all that we have. We must stand against the powers of the world that are working to destroy our families, by ensuring that our family is built on the Rock, that is Jesus.

 

No matter whatever may come, whatever may pass; whatever may happen; we still love our family and keep building it on this rock, Jesus. Only through him and in him we can find this love that can keep us grow and be successful.

This morning, maybe your family is completely dysfunctional. Maybe you are struggling with maintaining a family that is God-centred. Maybe you are seeking ways to strengthen your family.

The answer is found in this love that God has for us. It’s the place where we all start — recognizing that we all make mistakes — that we all sin — and despite that, God still loves us.

This morning, maybe you need to feel that love — to give up your burdens of sin — to surrender your life to Him. Today is the day to start over. Maybe you need prayer for your family. Today is the day to confess your brokenness with the family of God — to entrust the family of God with your pain — and allow us to carry your burdens alongside you.

No matter what the need, the church, the family of God is here to support, encourage, and strengthen your family today. Take a step of faith and allow God to move in your life today.

 

 

 

Paul worships at Renewed Hope Community. The Renewed Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that Renewed Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Karanjade, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel, Church in Karanjade because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.

 

 

Ramnathan worships at Renewed Hope Community. The Renewed Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that Renewed Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Karanjade, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel, Church in Karanjade because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.

 

 

Sanjeev Sam worships at Renewed Hope Community. The Renewed Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that Renewed Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Karanjade, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel, Church in Karanjade because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.

How many of you like change? We are really creatures of habit aren’t we? If you don’t believe that just look around this sanctuary and see how many of us sit in the same places almost every time that we come to church. Some of you have so many blankets and pillows that it looks like you are planning on spending the night. But as you read through these Scriptures you can’t help but notice that there is a theme running throughout. The church was growing rapidly and change was the rule of the day and as it grew it created some issues that needed to be addressed by the church in order to enhance and continue that growth. The church responded to these issues through change. Change is fundamental to life. Someone said one time that the only people not changing are in the graveyard but even that is not quite true. Biologists tell us that our bodies are made up of millions of cells and these cells are dying and new ones are growing. Biological change is normal and healthy.

Culture

Culture is the predominating attitudes and behavior that characterize the function of a group or organization. I’ve come to believe the best definition of culture is “how things work around here.”

Culture is why some companies can have remote employees and others have to use a time clock. Culture is why all the people who work at Zappos seem a little bit quirky. Culture is the reason some churches seem to have more than enough volunteers and others can’t find any.

If you want to know why things are the way they are in your church, look no further than culture.

 

Few patterns which makes the church unhealthy, we may notice the church is busy but not spiritually growing.

• The church are doing everything (same people doing it all the time).
• Teaching – lack of teachings
• Values that we believe as a church is not at all practised or rarely practised.

Now we need a culture change to address or rectify these unhealthy approaches.

How the change need to be brought?

Belong, Believe, Behave

When people walk into the church, we welcome them, we make them comfortable. They eventually start belonging. We take them to the next level and help them evaluate and make decisions on their belief system. However, once they believe, it doesn’t end there, they ought to start behaving. There is where we want to see the culture being produced.

What works for a congregation of 50 will not work for a congregation of 500 hundred and vice versa. There must be an emphasis on our response towards the culture

 

Mission is action of the church; Vision is the sight of the church and Culture is the feeling of the church. Following are some of the actions that we follow in our church.

Culture of putting others first

Culture of acknowledging God’s supremacy and power

Culture of being hospitable

Culture of humility – knowing our limits (not limitation)

• We need to have a boundary which we cannot cross.

Culture of transparency

Growth set up a standard that will help people to behave.

• We speak the same language (culture) to enhance or show case the culture.

Gossip – we don’t talk about others

Serving – Honouring the people around us. Eg: giving your seat

Welcoming – talk to people, talk to everyone

Accepting the values of the church, we may come from different backgrounds and upbringing but there are certain values that we as a church follow and we desire that each of us do the same.

Culture states how you do it and when do you do it.

One of the values in our church is Character-

Values are what and culture is how:

Let’s do the following activity – tell me how of this value

Character: We believe that Godly character above natural gifts, talents, and abilities is the key to success in life and ministry.  Our goal is to help build godly character into the lives of all members of The Church as they pursue their destiny in God.

-Culture would be to volunteer, ask people if they would like to try their hand on new skills.

– Encourage, correct, motivate and eventually get them on board.

However, there are some Barriers to this culture.

We do opposite of the culture that the church believes in. Hence we need to change.

1. Sometimes we must change the structure

Not always but sometimes the structure of an organization inhibits growth and in order to produce growth you must change the organization structurally.

Look with me again to Acts 6:1-7 and notice how the ministry structure of the church changed and the addition of a lay ministry enhanced the churches ability to grow.

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews^[a] among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. ² So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. ³ Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them ⁴ and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

⁵ This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. ⁶ They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

⁷ So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. Acts 6: 1 – 7

Finally,

Let’s look at how Jesus brought about this culture change

Jesus the most exceptional leader of all time spent a significant amount of time developing his followers and his kingdom culture. The culture that he developed would outlive him and would become the foundation of his organisation growth 3000% in the months after his death. What did Jesus teach about culture?

1. Jesus was not afraid to set an example

Jesus set the example for everyone that would come after him. He would encourage every follower to act and make decisions according to his principles and his values.  In fact, the first words that he spoke to his disciples were, “Come, follow me.”

Jesus taught is people, take the last seat.

He saw something that was wrong and he brought about a change.

Jesus at the temple : ¹² Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ¹³ “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’^[e] but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’^[f]” Matthew 21: 12 – 13

What stops us from telling people that it’s not correct in our church?

Anything wrong you hear, why do we keep silent?

Maybe I haven’t built my relationship in such a way that I am unable to have a say.

May be I am indifferent about it

Fear of losing my friendship or being in good books of the person.

 

2. Jesus taught/equipped his followers

Jesus taught his followers. Jesus taught stories and shared ideas that would help his followers to be ready to lead at the right time.  Jesus was a master teacher. He crafted stories and shared ideas to make essential points that his followers would always remember.

⁴⁰ Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

⁴¹ “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,^[c] and the other fifty. ⁴² Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

⁴³ Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. – Luke 7: 40 – 43

Whatever we have been teaching it is not applied or caught. (expected to be learnt with observations).

What are we teaching in our church?

Somethings are caught, some are taught.

What are some Barriers to listening?

Because we have the herd mentality. Wherever there is more, I will go there.

Pharisees are unable to change – no healing on sabbath. The pharisees didn’t want to change that. For years we have been following. I will not change / I will not learn.

3. Jesus engaged with His disciples

The disciples spent three years with Jesus, and Jesus packed those days with one event after another. The disciples would remember how scared they were in the middle of the lake during a violent storm and Jesus would calm with a word. They would never forget seeing Peter walk on water. They would retell for generations the story of seeing the empty tomb and placing their fingers in the holes of his hands. Good leaders know that culture is created when people walk with the leader frequently and often.

²³ Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. ²⁴ Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

²⁶ He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

²⁷ The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Matthew 8: 23 – 27

 

What are the barriers for not engaging?

Time constraints

Other priorities

Only at my convenience and space I will be able to engage.

What experiences are we giving them?

How often do we talk with our leaders and walk with them. Are there any memorable instances created in our lives where we will follow it like praying over, staying with them for a discipleship meet.

4. Jesus taught equality, never neglected anyone.

Jesus pulled twelve different followers from different backgrounds with different gifts. In spite of their differences, He called them to work together for a greater purpose. He taught them about how to consider the team more important than the individual.  He washed their feet as an example of the thoughtfulness that they should show to each other. Great cultures see each other as equals and peers. They recognize that every team member has value and importance.

³ Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁴ so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵ After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:3-5

What are some of the barriers for neglecting people?

Groupism

Status

They are not my type , my age group

Too busy with my own people

Is everyone seated around me as important? Do we know each other?

5. Jesus empowered His disciples

In Jesus’ last interaction with his disciple Peter he gave him this command, “Feed my sheep.” Peter had fallen and needed to be restored. Jesus not only restored him but also gave him a more prominent vision of what he needed to be doing for the rest of his life. Jesus was empowering Peter to become the leader after he left. Leaders are to empower their followers to accomplish more than the follower themselves think is possible.

 

¹⁵ When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

¹⁶ Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” John 21: 15,16

 

What is the barrier in entrusting people with task?

They are not capable.

They take time to understand the requirement, so we don’t have time to teach them.

We are not giving them an opportunity.

We haven’t trained them yet (for years)

Dr. David Livingstone (1813-1873)

As a child, he worked in the cotton mills to help support his poverty-stricken family. David Livingstone learned perseverance and went on to put himself through medical school and become a doctor before following in the footsteps of Robert Moffat and going to Africa as a doctor and a missionary. Missionary, explorer, and champion of the anti-slavery movement, Dr. Livingstone used his influence and experience to fight great wrongs in the society of his day and to blaze a path for other missionaries to follow in the villages he went to. He believed that he was not called to preaching as much as he was called to finding routes and resources for trade that would displace the profit in slave trading and worked tirelessly towards this end. He was loved by many and respected by the tribes with whom he had contact.

Mary Slessor (1848-1915)

Growing up in the slums of Aberdeen, Scotland, with an alcoholic father and little hope of changing your circumstances doesn’t seem like a promising start for anyone. But for Mary Slessor, her childhood taught her a tenacity and a strength that would serve her well in her years spent living in Nigeria. Mary grew up hearing her devout mother read the mission paper every month. In her heart grew a desire to share Jesus with others. She was 27 when David Livingston passed away, and she decided that she would go and continue his work to reach all of Africa. Mary’s work began in Calabar, and she lived and worked in places where no European had ever been. She faced life-threatening illness and hardship, but “Mighty Mary” did not once consider giving up. She lived with Okoyong and Efik people for 15 years, learning their languages and helping them settle disputes; working tirelessly to educate and overcome superstitions, such as twin-killing and women’s rights. She earned their love and respect and as a result was able to spread the gospel to areas no other missionary could.

 

 

Sandra wife of  Virjil, The Renewed Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that Renewed Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Karanjade, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel, Church in Karanjade because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.

Stewards of Creation

Stewards of things given now

Accountability

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1Peter 4:10 NIV

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace 1Peter 4:10 – ESV

Definition of Stewards

a person who manages another’s property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others. a person who has charge of the household of another, buying or obtaining food, directing the servants, etc.

It’s one of the first things God asked of us in Genesis 2:15- ¹⁵ The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. ¹⁶ And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; ¹⁷ but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

¹⁸ The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

¹⁹ Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. ²⁰ So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.

, after the creation of mankind we can see how God looks over his creation. (God’s Concern)

.there are examples in Jeremiah 2:7 – I brought you into a fertile land    to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land    and made my inheritance detestable.

and

Deuteronomy 11:8-12 – ⁸ Observe therefore all the commands I am giving you today, so that you may have the strength to go in and take over the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, ⁹ and so that you may live long in the land the Lord swore to your ancestors to give to them and their descendants, a land flowing with milk and honey. ¹⁰ The land you are entering to take over is not like the land of Egypt, from which you have come, where you planted your seed and irrigated it by foot as in a vegetable garden. ¹¹ But the land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven. ¹² It is a land the Lord your God cares for; the eyes of the Lord your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end.

We are stewards of the earth, and we have a responsibility to care for it. Scripture is clear that all of God’s creation, not just mankind, brings him glory. Therefore, our stewardship and upkeep of the earth is one of the greatest offerings of worship we can give.

We worship God through our stewardship.

In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.

4 His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.                      Job 1: 1 – 5

God made man as a co partner to take care of all that he had made. It is the sin in us that there’s so much cruelty and manhandling of God’s creation including humans. We started dumping responsibility, that it is not my job, it is not in my job description. What will I get in this?

We see all around us that there is so much need, poverty, so much pain, so much lack, but we have the same statement.

We need to understand one thing is that when God gave responsibility to Man for the creation, it is even now, infact now with all the technologies and other advance progress, we are responsible for complex things as well.

Let’s first take a deep dig into our heart and understand what are we responsible for:

1. We are responsible for our selves – my relationship with God, health, our spiritual growth, our financial condition (how well I have budgeted it?), our emotional and mental condition,
2. We are responsible for our Family – God has blessed us with a family and we need to be accountable for all that we are doing for them. We need to love, spend time, communicate, teach, learn, contribute, and all that it takes to present to God that I have been a good steward to my family
3. We are responsible for our church – the church health depends on me, how much am I giving, how much am I loving the people in the church, respect, accountability, can I be dependable? What part do I play in the church development and growth?
4. Work Place – How faithful am I in my workplace? Do I respect my colleagues, superiors, subordinates. Do I respect the work that is given to me, how much effort do I put in and how much extra do I work.

Now all of the above is a few examples of where we have been placed majorly but there are such many things that we need to be stewards. We need to be taking care of our city, locality, nation and so on.

There are times when we are not in control but there are majority of the time when we do have some say or control over our locality, city or nation. Grab the opportunity and be good stewards.

 

Let’s begin by understanding what the scripture says about being good stewards.

How should we be stewards?

• Work Heartily

Colossians 3:23, ESV Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

Respect the designation given to you. Don’t take it for granted. Honour your authorities. Many times we don’t give our best at work thinking that they don’t pay well or I did not get a promotion, and so on. We need to respect the position that we have been given.

Similarly, when we are holding a responsibility in the church, we honour it and with reverence we work for it. People in most places are working voluntarily, hence we may have a cringe to give in our best. The attitude ‘I am not getting paid for this’ is the most threatening. We forget that Jesus redeemed us at a great cost on the cross and we receive it freely. Similarly, we need to have the nature of Jesus when it comes to working for God or anywhere.

The bible is very clear that there is a reward awaiting you. The crown of glory and recognition. To enjoy any kind of work we need to first start working without any preconceived ideas or emotions. We need to start giving in our best. If we look at returns we are no different from others.

• Be Content

Hebrews 13:5, ESV Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Three category of contentment:

Not Content

Too much content and no ambition

Differentiated Contentment

Sometimes, I wonder why everyone is become so occupied. One, it could be that work travel has increased but the actual reason is that people have no content. I need everything to make me feel comfortable. I spend thoughtlessly. Then again grow discontent. I am not being a good steward of what God has given to me. I become jealous of the things that others have and I too want that. I want that lifestyle, I want that car, I want that …

The question is what about all that I have. It’s a privilege to have what I have attitude

The bible says that the more responsible you will be with what you have the more will be added. Let’s display how faithful we are with what we have rather than being discontent. You have one BHK be content with that, take good care of it. Open your home even with that and God who looks at your service will add more. He will make more rooms.

On the other hand, just being content but being content in other sense like this much only I can do, and not stretching yourself for God’s kingdom will be a question to your heart. Really, only so much for God?

I am only a volunteer in Sunday school but that person is the teacher, I want to be a teacher. I am only a manager in my office, I want to be a Vice President. These statements can be taken negatively and positively.

Desiring for more for good work and not for flaunting it. Also, being faithful in small first then hopping on to the big ones is being good stewards. It’s just not a title, it’s a responsibility. Take care of it – God says.

Also, the contentment differs in the place of service, example in church we would not even want to have that position because then we will have to work accordingly but at secular work place I want that position because I will get good reputation, money and it’ll come in my CV. We become content according to the emotions, the benefit and also the importance.

The bible says, wisdom of the world is foolishness in God’s sight. Let’s work for the Kingdom as it is the eternal perspective. Position and designation will last only for a life time but God’s kingdom is forever.

• With Godly Character

Titus 1:7-9, ESV For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

• Trustworthy

1 Corinthians 4:2, ESV Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.

1. Can I be called trustworthy, do people have to keep a check on me?

• In the Family (first if we are faithful stewards in the family then only we can go out and serve.)

1 Timothy 5:8, ESV But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

• Be Diligent

Acts 20:35, ESV In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

• Be Honest

Titus 2:7, ESV Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,

 

Luke 16:10, ESV One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.

There is a parable in the bible that Jesus teaches about being good stewads.

Matthew 25:14 – 30, NKJV

Parable of the Faithful Servant

¹⁴ “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. ¹⁵ To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,^[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. ¹⁶ The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. ¹⁷ So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. ¹⁸ But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

¹⁹ “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’

²¹ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

²² “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’

²³ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

²⁴ “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵ So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

²⁶ “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? ²⁷ Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

²⁸ “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. ²⁹ For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. ³⁰ And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

What do you think was the issue with the third person:

 

Obstacles to being good stewards

Fear

Laziness

Comparison – Less importance

Pride

Excuses

Lacks the Big Picture

Lacks enthusiasm

Assumptions

Deception

World , Flesh and the Devil will always refrain us from accomplishing goals or being good stewards for God.

 

Time for Reflection:

Entrusted

What has God entrusted you?

Received

What have we received from God to work on?

Ability

What are the abilities that I have?

Responsibility

How seriously or promptly am I taking the responsibilities of the opportunities that I have been given?

Think over it – Family, Children, spouse, parents, siblings, Church, Work, Home, Finances – How do I spend, if asked for an account, will I be able to say like the first two servants or will I say like the last servant?

 

Sandra wife of  Virjil, The Renewed Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that Renewed Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Karanjade, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel, Church in Karanjade because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.

 

Sandeep is working at Amity University and worships at Renewed Hope Community. The Renewed Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that Renewed Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Karanjade, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel, Church in Karanjade because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.

 

 

 

Virjil Selvan is Pastoring the Renewed Hope Community. The Renewed Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that Renewed Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Karanjade, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel, Church in Karanjade because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.

PUT OFF THE OLD AND PUT ON THE NEW

It’s the second week of New Year. As a family, you might have thought of some new goals, personally there would be new goals, work front there would be new targets set. It’s good to have aims and goals. We as a church also have made certain goals. In the below verse Paul says, press on towards your goals, forgetting what is behind and straining ahead.

Philippians 3: 12 – 14 – Goal setting

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Last Sunday we also heard about being mission minded. We need to aim at what is ahead of us.

Today we can ask ourselves, What can I do to make the new year new? Or the New year has already begun, what is it that I got to grow in? By the end of 2024, let’s have the mindset of Paul. He says I know I have not achieved it yet but I will not give up on it. I am going to strive and strain towards the goals.

Yet another question is what is it that I need to achieve?

Hence, Ask yourself the right questions to get to the goal. Challenge ourselves. Let me be a little more elaborate. We may look around or look into the bible heroes and tell ourselves that I am not ___________. They are not born this way, have a certain financial condition. I don’t think I will be able to do it. However, on the other hand we feel negative when people move ahead of us or when they are into God’s purposes. Ask yourself, what is my goal, that Jesus has brought me here. He has paid a price not that I sit here and waste my life in something that is meaningless and unsatifying.

Dig deep into our heart condition, my heart condition will tell me how I feel about what I am doing. I may feel happy for a moment but we have a lot of heart conditions to deal with. I will never be satisfied if it is not what God has planned or if I am not in the centre of God’s plan. What is my heart condition? Do I feel that I can claim like Paul that I am striving towards the Goal , that for which Jesus has called me for. Look at the past year, look at the current year, I am sure, you don’t want it to be the same as last year.

Ask questions that will help us grow.

What I need to start? What I need to stop? – The most important questions that we can ask ourselves. It could be personally, family – what we need to stop doing and what we need to start doing, church – what we need to stop doing (viewer) and what I need to start doing (being involved)

Ephesians 4: 22 – 24

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Put off the old, put on the new.

New thoughts, new words, new actions, new motives

Analogy of putting on new clothes and taking off the old clothes. First you need to get rid of the old cloth to put on the new clothes. Is there anyone here who puts on a new piece of cloth before actually removing the old cloth?

I don’t think even in our sleep we do that. How much ever tired we are, when we change we take that effort to remove the old stuff from our body and put on the new.

So what does that mean: Anything that we have been doing which doesn’t serve the purpose or doesn’t help me to grow spiritually, I discard it. I put it off. Am I still sinning, stop, put it off.

Stop gossiping, stop envying, stop sexual immorality, stop lying to self and others, stop making excuses, stop entertaining bad company, stop cheating, stop and put off.

Many a times we say this to ourselves, I am a strong person. I can handle it. I don’t gossip but everyone around me gossips. I stay away from it. Or I don’t drink or I know my friends cheat but I have kept my self from doing. So everyone around me is doing it but I am a holy person, never, I do it. Fair enough.

Look at this cake. How many of us can smell the cake? You can feel it around, look at it, for that matter even touch it but definitely, we say, so what Sandra, it doesn’t tempt me. I can be around this cake for hours together but as I talk about it, I go closer to it, feel how will it affect me, and so on. My thoughts are lingering around that cake.

Analogy of the cake and fruits

– Stop being around the cake, focussing on the cake. If you caught up in the old you are never going to change. We are so good at saying No that we take pride in staying around the old, people who say yes to the old but we say No and then become arrogant about it. You need something new.

Fruits –

Living something new. As long as you are closer to the new, you don’t even recall the old. You need to come out of the old. Because if I am out of the area where I say No, I will better focus on the new task. The goal that for which the Lord lay hold of me.

Accomplishments of goals happens only when I am around that not being around the stuff that I want to stop but being around the thing I want to start. I will focus on new ideas, new strategies to achieve, can you see the difference in the mindset?

However, when we press on toward the goal that God has set for us, we also need to be aware of Traps that the enemy puts us in.

Trap – beware

1. Perfectionism – The moment I want to get perfect on my first attempt, I may fail and the eventual mindset would be I am not going to do this again. It’s a lie. WE eventually become perfect. I am not good at singing, I am not going to sing, I am not good at the Sunday school, I don’t even want to attempt, worse is I don’t understand the bible when I read by myself so let me not attempt it. I fumble when I pray in the church, I don’t want to pray. Don’t try to be perfect, only start the new. Otherwise we will forever be in the old.

Secondly, the notion of now I am perfect, I know it and the next minute we’ll fall. I am good at this, I think I don’t need to do it. I am perfect at setting up the PA but that Sunday, it’ll not work well. Hence, we need to work on it daily. It’s a deception either ways. We need to improve ourselves daily, be committed daily, be available.

3. One and done decision – we need to take decisions daily – Analogy of the clothes – change daily. This is like, I have had a bath once, so that’s it, rest of the year, we don’t take bath. It’s a decision that we take and remind ourselves of regularly. I am going to read the bible today, now. I don’t feel like it but I am going to do it. I have decided to join the church prayer team, today I don’t feel like it but I am going to pray, it’s a decision, and a commitment, we take because, we are pressing on towards the goal that for which the Lord has chosen me.
4. Doesn’t feel right – There will be lot of thoughts that will run through our mind when we take up new challenges, roles, responsibilities. Many times we may feel, my previous year was less hectic than this year. I shouldn’t have taken this up. It doesn’t feel right.

Many people may say you were so good when you were making mean jokes or were being sarcastic but now you have decided that you are not going to be that way, people or family may say that I like the old _______ . Then we start questioning ourselves. However the decision to put off the old was because, you need to be like Christ and gossiping, cheating or hurting others through mean comments was our old self. Put off the old and put on the new.

It will be all unfamiliar first but as you start putting off and putting on, it will make a difference. Also, we will be encouraged to take up new challenges. Being missional is new but as we dive into it, we will become better at it and it will become a life style.

Romans 13: 11 -14

11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

Darkness to light

We were in the dark so long. Jesus brought us to light. Let’s proceed further in the light. Allow ourselves to go ahead.

Putting off the darkness in us- Confess our sin, don’t dwell in the unrighteous deeds.

Many times we don’t allow the Holy Spirit to even intervene in our life because we are used to the darkness.

First thing to put on is Christ himself. Have we accepted Jesus as our personal saviour, so I have put on Christ. Once I put on Christ, I need to have a new beginning, a new story. Jesus empowers us to live a life of victory. Put on Christ in Galatians  3:26 to 27 – 26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Baptised means, I immerse myself in Christ and come out of the darkness. I dwell in the light of Jesus, exposing all the wickedness and being the Christ minded. Having the things of above.

Once I decide to walk in Christ Jesus, I also start new by waters of baptism. It’s declaring that I put off my old self and put on the new, now I decide to walk in the kingdom of light and no more in darkness.

Don’t be trapped by the thought that when I become perfect then I am going to take baptism but Jesus says that Baptism is a decision that we take to put off the old us and put on the new us. It’s a decision.

Where are the closed doors and where are the Open doors.

Many times we keep knocking or turning to closed doors. We try to squeeze and push, pull, give our 100% to open a door that is closed for us.

Check, if there’s another door that God has opened for us. It may not happen the way we desire but has opened a door and we may be totally unaware of it. Look for God’s open doors.

Don’t force open doors. See where God has opened a door.

Let’s read Paul’s journey.

Acts 16: 6 – 10

6 Paul and his companions travelled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Paul keeps trusting , keeps moving. It’s easier for God to move us when we are on the move. Try to move a vehicle when it is still. It takes time and efforts but if the vehicle is on the move, you can change it’s direction.

Many times we feel, this looks good then why would God not open it for me. It worked for my colleague, it is such a great opportunity to do God’s work there but the Holy Spirit keeps us from going there. It could be a career, it could be a transfer, it could be marriage. We don’t understand why am I in Troas, when I am actually supposed to be in Asia.

LISTEN, to the voice of the Spirit. Going there might have side tracked, or hurt me, and so on. Don’t try to push open the door which God has not kept for you. God uses closed doors to put us where he wants us. God works best with moving objects and so don’t stand still, or else it’s hard to move you. If you move, he’ll direct you to the open door. Troas wasn’t the open door, Macedonia was. You are in a situation like Troas.

You are here in Renewed Hope Community, it may be your Macedonia. Listen and obey. This new year, make a commitment to press on the goal that for which the Lord lay hold of you and brought you to RHC or to Panvel. We believe you are not here by accident but God intended you to be here.

Put off the old, put on the New. Come to the Light and see the Open doors.

What seems important and what is truly important

Matthew 6: 25,33

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Seek first what God puts first. We always run after things which seem to be important but God is clearly saying – Seek first my Kingdom, seek me and then these things will come to you. SEEM and WHAT IS important. Food seems to be important but there are people who have done 40 days of fasting and more. Having a property seem to be important but there are people still living comfortably in some home. Higher education or studying abroad seem to be important but is it really there are people who earn more than those who have got a degree in foreign universities.

We generally seek our materialistic things then we say, when I am settled, I will serve God. I think we have missed the point that the bible tells us. Reverse the order. Seek His Kingdom, Seek to serve God, grab the opportunities, keep moving, don’t be hindered by people who are not kingdom minded, when they comment on you. Be Missional. Grow in the spiritual place that God has placed you in.

Receiving mindset verses Giving mindset. Kingdom of God is all about giving but our mindset, very human what is my benefit or profit in this. I want to receive from all ends.

People will say you are a fool. Career, money, good future is priority but the word of God which is foolishness to the world is wisdom for us. When we seek His kingdom, we open the gates of heaven and God takes care of our needs.

How do I know what I need to put first?

Read Scriptures: Through reading his word, I will understand what I need to put first.

Try different ways of doing it this year, take five minutes, do short portions. God’s word has a power to change us.

Matthew 22: 36 – 39

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]

Love God first. Make Him your first priority. Take time out to pray. Be around people who will guide you to Jesus, towards the goal. Meet often, talk often with them. Put off the darkness and put on the light.

What are u gonna seek this new year?

Reverse your priorities. I’m gonna love God. I am gonna love others. What is important is faith.

Make a commitment.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. ³ For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is your^[a] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

⁵ Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:^[b] sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ⁶ On account of these the wrath of God is coming.^[c] 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. ⁸ But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self^[d] with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. ¹¹ Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave,^[e] free; but Christ is all, and in all.

¹² Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, ¹³ bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴ And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.                                                                                              Colossians 3: 1 -17

Put off the Old – Put on the New

Put off the darkness – Put on the Light

Where are the closed doors – where are the open doors

What seems important – what is truly important

Sandra wife of  Virjil, The Renewed Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that Renewed Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Karanjade, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel, Church in Karanjade because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.

 

 

 

Stiven Monteiro worships at Renewed Hope Community. The Renewed Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that Renewed Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Karanjade, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel, Church in Karanjade because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.

 

Virjil Selvan is Pastoring the Renewed Hope Community. The Renewed Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that Renewed Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Karanjade, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel, Church in Karanjade because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.