All posts by Virjil Selvan

Being in the right place but Looking at the Wrong Source

ACTS 3

We saw how during the day of Pentecost the how everyone was filled with the holy spirit and the first church was birthed.

Acts 2:40-47
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Let us Read from the book of ACTS 3
Peter Heals a Lame Beggar
3 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Peter Speaks to the Onlookers
11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.
17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. 22 For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’[a]
24 “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken have foretold these days. 25 And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’[b] 26 When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”
Continuing with ACTS 2 and in ACTS 3 first few verses 2 things I would like to share about the early Church.
Peter and John – A partnership in Ministry
Peter and John are often found together in Scripture.
hey were partners in the fishing business (Luke 5:8-10)
8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
they prepared the last Passover for Jesus (Luke 22:8)
Luke 22:8
8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”
they ran to the tomb (John 20:3-4)

3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.

and they ministered to the Samaritans who believed on Jesus Christ (Acts 8:14).
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit
However, they were quite different from one another…Peter was outgoing, always had something to say…never hesitated to give his opinion, quite outspoken.
But, John was contemplative and reflective…tender, referring to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved!/at last supper, he leaned on Jesus’
Now that they were filled with the Holy Spirit, the apostles were no longer competing for greatness, but were at last working faithfully together to build the church
It is so important to have someone along with us in our journey of life. Ministry Partners.

Priority of Corporate Worship and Prayer
Secondly , They were going to the temple for Prayer.
Have you ever been involved in a fellowship group or for prayer? It Creates a strong bond of community.
Being in the right place but Looking at the Wrong Source
Let us look at the life of the lame beggar
1. Lame from Birth
He may be thinking , God what I have done that I am like this? he was lame in his mothers womb. Living a life of regret. The bible says he was 40 year old.
2. Need help (Dependent)
Not only he may have felt his life was useless, he also needed help from others. He needed to be carried every day
3. Temple Gate
He was placed in the most importance place of the city , the temple and he was placed at the gate of the temple. He may have seen people from rich to poor, their life sorted. Sometimes he may have heard stories of life changing / miracles but when we looked at him. He was unclean, not allowed to enter as per the law
4. Beg
His source of income was begging. He lived in poverty. Both Physical & Spiritual?
From all these things , one thing which amazes me is why he was not desiring healing? Why ? What happened? Why He was desiring Money then healing? Any answers?
He is used to of what was happening in his life.
40 years now what?
Can we become like that?
full of broken and miserable people who are just trying to get through the day: Are we the one who are just trying to get through the day ?
When Peter and John about to enter , he asked for Money.
Peter & John looked straight at him and the bible says that he gave his attention to him.
Peter and John’s faith: In the Name of Jesus
3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
Peter and John offers this lame man something which no one offered him till date. He offered him Jesus.
Peter and John had Jesus. They are saying that we don’t have the riches of the world
I was so amazed with the faith of Peter and John. How can we develop this kind of faith? And what are the barriers to speak in faith? Do we have Jesus to offer others?

Speak and Believe
7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.
Peter and John not only spoke the name of JESUS but also believed in it
Are we convinced this morning in His name today?
Times where we need to speak the name of Jesus do we speak it out? And after speaking it out do we have confidence that it will happen.
Have you ever seen a lame man? His legs? It does not have life. When we speak the name of Jesus , we can give life.

Not by own power or godliness but by faith in the name of Jesus
12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?
16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.
It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him. AMEN. We speak it out his name in our brokenness , in our weakness, for healing , for power.
My
Experiencing the Name of Jesus, The power of Jesus
8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
I believe , we all have experienced the power of Jesus in our lives. That’s why we all are here , living everything else and coming in this place and spending this hour.
Few Signs of expression that we are touched by the Power of God.
But when we experience the power of God, everything changes, This lame man’s attention changed from outside the temple to inside the temple. (Before I was this… Now I am this…)
When we experience the power of God we keep on Praising God, Jumping in Joy.
One of the reasons I pray , Praise every week during our worship service is that how can I keep quiet. I have experienced the power of God in my life. I want to praise , sing it aloud.
When we experience the power of God, others look at us amazement and in wonder of what God has done for us. Everyone should look at you and think that what happened to him?
When we experience the power of Jesus , the touch of Jesus everything should change? Is everything changing in your life. Are we still the same.
We want to see or desire this in our community when we are touched in the power of Jesus , we jump , we praise , everyone looks at amazement every week, every week. We can fill this place with it every week.
Each week before we come to this place , we should expect great things from God. We should experience his touch. If we have gone empty then we missed something precious.
In verse 2
2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.
We may be place in a place called beautiful with all our ugliness, sinfulness, brokenness . The cross is Beautiful and it accepts our ugliness and makes us beautiful. If we want to experience that beauty in us let us go to the cross. There is power in the name of Jesus. He accepts us and allows us to enter and access this great power which we have in the name of Jesus. Can we expect healing today (Emotional & Physical healing)
Being in the right place but Looking at the Wrong Source
This Year , God promised New thing but in Faith.

 

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.

The Coming of the Holy Spirit and the Birth of Church

ACTS 2

 

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,[b] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

Peter Addresses the Crowd

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 “‘In the last days, God says,

I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

your young men will see visions,

your old men will dream dreams.

18 Even on my servants, both men and women,

I will pour out my Spirit in those days,

and they will prophesy.

19 I will show wonders in the heavens above

and signs on the earth below,

blood and fire and billows of smoke.

20 The sun will be turned to darkness

and the moon to blood

before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.

21 And everyone who calls

on the name of the Lord will be saved.’[c]

22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 David said about him:

“‘I saw the Lord always before me.

Because he is at my right hand,

I will not be shaken.

26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;

my body also will rest in hope,

27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,

you will not let your holy one see decay.

28 You have made known to me the paths of life;

you will fill me with joy in your presence.’[e]

 

29 “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

 

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:

“Sit at my right hand

35 until I make your enemies

a footstool for your feet.”’[f]

36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

 

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

The Fellowship of the Believers

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

The church origin and it’s purpose. A church needs the Holy Spirit. The holy spirit is essential to the life of a church. It’s the powerhouse, or the liveliness of the church. Without the in filling of the holy spirit, we will be only some people meeting for a fun time, to feel good. The feel good aspect lasts only momentary but the impact of the Holy Spirit is life changing.

In this chapter, we see the holy spirit stirring and pushing the community.

Secondly, in this chapter, Peter explains what is happening and explains the good news of Jesus. What information is essential for him. Listen to his speech. Firstly, as we gathered from last week, it was Luke who investigated into this event. He might have gone about asking for evidence, taking that effort to understand exactly what happened when the Holy Spirit visited these people.

 

1. Filling of the Holy Spirit

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,[b] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

Infilling of the Holy Spirit when we are together. These people were up for an event after another. First they witnessed the death of Jesus, then His resurrection and now another dramatic work of God taking place.

Notice:

People gathered in a room, without the Holy Spirit were within themselves. Me, Myself and my Community, but as soon as the Holy Spirit is poured out, they are NOTICED by the world outside.

Peter is able to talk and explain that they are not drunk, but leads them into the Gospel message which they can understand – OUR FOREFATHER DAVID because they were of Jewish origin. He did not quote, Isaiah, or Abrahamic covenant or etc but started off with David’s story which they could relate to.

 

2. Evangelism

As soon as the Holy Spirit comes, the next thing is Evangelism, people notice the change. We are able to speak their language. They understood that these people were talking in their native language. They were glorifying God, telling of his wonderous things. We will be filled with boldness, courage and the sensitivity for others. We will speak into their lives. We will astonish them with our speech.

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Evangelism is proclaiming the GLORY OF GOD. It is not blabbering some mysterious words. It is simply to glorify God in Spirit. Introducing them to the Jesus in a way that they can connect to. For these Jews, they could connect to him through David but for each one he will be a different person. We cannot apply the same formula everywhere.

Finally, comes the gospel message. With the in filling of the Holy Spirit, Peter is able to give a brief description of what exactly happened and clear the air kind of a thing. When we look at the resurrection, ascension of Jesus, it was confined only to a certain number of people. However, there were people according to today’s scripture who did not know about all of this, because it says in verse 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.

They needed to know the truth. The truth that lead them to repentance. The Holy Spirit convicts them. They believe. It is so amazing to witness the power of the Holy Spirit changing peoples heart so much so that they accept the invitation of the New Life.

HEART CHANGING

LIFE CHANGING

ENABLING FAITH

Are we willing to experience it through the infilling of the Holy Spirit?

3. Repentance

It is the transformation of hearts. People repented for their cruelty, disbelief, rejection of the messiah. This chapter says that they repented, and those who repented were baptized and were added to their fellowship.

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Repentance causes purification of our hearts and minds. How you may ask? It is the work of cleansing of all our impurities. The change and transformation of our mindsets and our actions that has caused us to sin repeatedly but now with repentance, it is a newness that we can experience. The breathe of God that works in us to be a new person.

Church, today we are called to repent. We too can experience this purification process through the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

Some of us might have had the experience earlier, do you want to consider a fresh outpour of this God’s Spirit, because it is indeed transforming. It is a decision to be made because again if we notice it says – 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Invitation is put forward, let’s experience it.

4. The Early Church Formed

 

Because it was lead by the Holy Spirit, people were committed.

1. Committed to the apostles teaching and fellowship
2. Committed to Fellowship
3. Committed to Breaking of Bread
4. Committed to Praying together
5. Committed to taking care of one another (sold their possessions in order to provide for the other)

This is beautiful. The Holy Spirit movement. As I am speaking here, I can feel the power of the Holy Spirit. How powerful.

It’s the church that brought about the revival. We are the church today. If we need to see a breakthrough, we got to repent, be baptized and be COMMITTED.

It is the presence of God that can rescue us. Church today is the day, when we can take this opportunity to experience this Holy Spirit.

If we feel, we need a change, we need a miracle, we need boldness, we need to come out of the rut, escape the darkness that surrounds us, we need to ask Jesus for the infilling of the Holy Spirit. It is the breath of God, the power of God.

We are a group of people gathered here for a reason. We all have that desire deep down that we want to make sense of all this. We want life, we want freedom to start afresh, we need newness. Church today if you allow the Holy Spirit to come into your hearts, we will experience the same. Jesus has not differentiated between them and us. He will send the Holy Spirit on us and we will experience transformation. We will experience the Church that they experienced. Committed to teaching , committed to caring , committed to fellowshipping. THE HOLY SPIRIT BRINGS REVIVAL, TRANSFORMATION AND COMMITMENT.

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 because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.

Vibrant People leads to Vibrant Church: The Preparation

ACTS 1

Author:

So who was Luke ?

He was a companion of Paul , Certain Passages make use of pronoun WE ad he also used They. At these points the Author includes himself as a companion of Paul in his travels (16:10-17;20:5;21:18;27:1;28:16)

Luke, The physician. Although it cannot be proved that the author of Acts was a physician simply from his vocabulary, the words he uses and the traits and education reflected in his writings fit well his role as a Physician

In Colossians 4:14, Paul calls him “the beloved physician.”

Dates:

Two Dates are possible for the writing of this book. AD 63, soon after the last event recorded in the book and AD 70 or even later.

Recipient:

The primary recipient of the book, Theophilus, is the same person addressed in the Book of Luke

Geographically , its story spans the lands between Jerusalem where the church began, and Rome the political center of the empire. Historically it recounts the first 30 years of the Church.

Luke traveled with Paul for years and went with him finally to Rome where Paul died. I find one of Paul’s most moving sentences in his last letter (2 Timothy 4:11) during his final imprisonment in Rome. He says simply, “Luke alone is with me.”

All these years in all these travels, including two years in Palestine, Luke is taking notes about the works and words of Jesus and the progress of the church.

Theophilus is probably some kind of Roman official because of the title “most excellent” which Luke uses only for Roman officials like Felix (Acts 23:26) and Festus (Acts 26:25), the governors of Judea. Theophilus had some knowledge of Jesus and the church, but it was not clear and certain and complete. Luke’s aim was to give him a faithful account of what Jesus did and said and then of the progress of the church in the world.

In the Book of Luke, the same author mentions about the Ascension of Jesus.

The Ascension of Jesus

50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Luke mentions here Ascension, and continues the next book what began after ascension.

The Gospels are about the ministry of Jesus Christ here on earth, but the book of Acts is about the ministry of the Holy Spirit that Jesus sends.

Acts 1:3

³ After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive.

In verse 3, it says that Jesus presented the disciples many times

Believe in His Presence

To be a vibrant Church and vibrant people , we need to believe that God’s presence in midst of us. In our homes, in our church , everywhere. We do experience God. And there may be may proofs which God may have shown you and our Church that he is with us.

Can I ask you this morning , Did you experience his presence this entire week? Did he give proofs about he working in our life and church.

When we went to Srilanka we experience God’s presence, Peace , breakthroughs. We were having dinner off a sudden the pastor accompanying us got a call. He got an urgent call and he asked us if we would like to join. We covered ourselves in prayer, covered our families in India in prayer and we went in and saw a breakthrough (explain)

When the Israelites went for war they took the ark in the front , and they were so confident that God’s presence is going ahead of them. And they feared without the Ark.

Psalm 139:7-8

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

 

That is for us NEW this year , 2023. We need to believe in his presence , his convincing proofs , which will show us that you are not alone, Christ is with us. Believe in his presence.

I want to bring back Isaiah 43:19

¹⁹ See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

May be this Morning God is saying this with us, Seek for my presence. Solomon built this huge temple and he knew without God’s presence everything will remain as a structure and he requested for God’s presence.

Believe God’s presence in your life, Seek for Presence. Without his presence in our life we are nothing.

Believe in the Convincing Proof:

³ After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 

God does show us in Proof, As simple as sometimes as Favour, miracle or a supernatural. These are all proofs of his presence and power in our lives.

Many times we don’t acknowledge his favour by considering it humanly , miracle by achievements , supernatural by accident.

These disciples believed in God’s presence  and they were convinced . This allowed God to work in them and through them in the lives of others.

 

Believe in the Promise:

⁴ On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. ⁵ For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

They were baptized with water and now God promises that they will be baptized with the holy spirit.

Are we filled with the Holy Spirit, are we baptized in Water. If not what are we waiting for? The preparation is set for you and me.

Sometimes we are filled long time ago, or we were filled with the holy spirit but it has become dry. Maybe this morning God is offering you again the Holy Spirit.

 

Leave it in the Hands of God: Surrender

⁶ Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

⁷ He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

In life we have questions, desires? The disciples asked the former glory of Israel. They thought Jesus died, rose again , its over. Now everything will be set right . Jesus Said leave that to God but you be filled with the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit,what Next?:

⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Once  we are filled with the holy spirit , we will never be same, the disciples were never the same. Their life changed, perceptive changed, goal changed, desires changed.

People who wanted to save their life they were ready to loose/risk their life, they were full of lack of faith , they moved in faith.

We will all become a witness for Jesus Christ. What’s your journey? Did your life change? If not God wants to change today. Allow the holy spirit to be filled / refilled now.

 

Move On:

¹⁰ They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ¹¹ “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

In the year 2023, I believe God wants us to Move on and be a Witness. Our lives need to change.

God is offering this year , New Mindset , New heart. We need to be a witness. Prioritize God in our lives

In the 1800’s Hudson Taylor was called by God to go to China, where he spent 51 years as a missionary and founded the Inland China Mission, which ended up sending 800 missionaries to China, and the fruit of their ministry is still spreading today, even under Communism, as millions of Chinese have come to Christ. One December Taylor wrote home about what life was like for him in China. He said that it was very cold, that there were no ceilings in their house, and his “bedroom wall” was a sheet they hung up!  But he said “We did not come to China because missionary work here was either safe or easy, but because He had called us.”

 

Being Prayerful:

²³ So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. ²⁴ Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen ²⁵ to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” ²⁶ Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Now there was no Judas in the team and they prayed , two of them were shortlisted but did not knew who they have to choose so they Prayed.

They relied on God for their important decisions, both looked good but they wanted God’s will

And this year , being prayerful when we make important decisions .

 

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.

 

New Season: Experiencing and Expecting Transformation of our Minds

Last Sunday we heard the sermon on Newness in Faith. We heard how we need to leave behind former things, not live in the past but move in faith. Only the year has changed from 2022 to 2023, everything else is the same, that’s what people say. Let’s do a quick recap of last Sunday.

Isaiah 43: 18-19

¹⁸ “Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
¹⁹ See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.

So put the past victories behind and focus your attention on the present and the future.

Leave Behind your past failures in 2023

God is making a way where there is no way in 2023

God is making streams in the wasteland in 2023

*The Way God wants us to respond for the NEW thing in 2023:

Allow God to work in Us: New heart, and a New Spirit 

Develop a Relationship with God: Receive New Mercies:

New Life: Walk in Newness

17 Therefore, if anyone [is] in Christ, [he is] a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.  2 Corinthians 5:17

Let’s continue from here…

God is always doing something new in our lives. He’s wanting us to draw near to Him and be transformed. And there are seasons when God does a new thing. It’s a shift, a breakthrough, a change, a restoration that occurs in our lives.

Illustration:

When we go into a new home, we expect new things, we live in a new ambience, we buy new things and get rid of old stuff. We develop new ways of living, although we have been doing that for years together, we will not do that thing in this new home because it is not required. Eg. Water Shortage, etc. Similarly, we need to work on ourselves even as God has asked us to expect newness in faith.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. ² This is what the ancients were commended for. Hebrews 11:1

…all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17. It’s a present tense. To become new, then only we will think new. We will change and adapt newness into our life.

Let’s look at the first story from the bible

The Four Friends

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. ² They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. ³ Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. ⁴ Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. ⁵ When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

⁶ Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, ⁷ “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

⁸ Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? ⁹ Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? ¹⁰ But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, ¹¹ “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” ¹² He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Mark 2: 1 – 12

1. What are some of the events/statements/behaviours which are new in nature? It has amazed people or something unique which has made them thinking?
2. Four friends + 1 thinking of climbing the roof.
3. Jesus healing the paralytic man

Our attitude could have been, it’s too crowded, we can’t get in. let’s come some other time. This is what we have been thinking and this is the attitude God wants to address today for you and to me.

Secondly, our attitude could be of sitting on the fence like the pharisees. A miracle has happened but they were least bothered about that. Whereas, they should have been the ones to worship God at this miracle.

Thirdly, the friends had that faith filled attitude, they changed their mindset and behaviour. They had this attitude of being bold, courageous, and let’s make that first move kinda thing.

Very clearly, we can see that when we move , MOVE in a new attitude, we will not be disappointed. For that we need to practice it from our heart. The friends moved in the right attitude, genuine spirit to see their friend healed. At times we may have people move for the wrong motives but they

There are many ways to be paralyzed. And there are times we cannot get to a place of healing on our own.

We need to change the way we think. We need to take that first step to move. We need to get into fellowship / friendship with people who love God and will take us to him, no matter what, they will break the roof and get us out of that situation. It’s new year. God wants us to live in newness. Come on we can’t continue to be paralysed with those same fears. We don’t have to be paralysed with stress. We don’t have to be paralysed with my routine, which is making me withdrawn.

Second story are disciples who experienced the crucifixion of Jesus, they experienced this new transformation. They became new. They left behind their doubts, they were filled with the Holy Spirit. There came a boldness to pray over people, there came a boldness to speak life and also, they did not conform to the same place, they had to move.

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.

1. What are some of the events/statements/behaviours which are new in nature? It has amazed people or something unique which has made them thinking?

In this story, we don’t have friends helping this man. It was the apostles themselves. Today if I asked each one of us, what do you need? The same thing. This man never expected anything new in his life. He never expected that someone will give him life instead of money.

He was sitting there not expecting anything NEW. His mind was set, I am begging. That’s it. 2020 – I begged, 2022, I begged, 2023 – I will continue to beg, but NO. God had a different plan. We too may feel the same story.

The commonality, in this story and the other one is that in both other people had to take courage and give faith to both these paralytics.

 

Changing our Mindset

22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4: 22 – 24

Suppose you could change anything about yourself, where would you start? Lots of us would start on the outside. Would you be …

Skinnier?

Taller?

Shorter?

Better looking?

Would you change …

Your eyes?

Your hair?

Your teeth?

Your legs?

Your bulges?

 

If you could wave a magic wand and change your outward appearance, would it be a light touch-up or an extreme makeover? Would we even recognize you? I think we all go through periods where we desperately want to change our outward appearance.

A changed mindset is what we require.

Today, the emphasis is on if we want to EXPERIENCE the newness, we need to open our heart, eyes and mind to something God will do. I need to start my process of EXPECTING newness. I need EMBRACE God’s work in my life. I need to ERADICATE my old self which doesn’t allow me to comprehend that something good / new will take place.

 

5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. Romans 8: 5 – 8

The word “mind” refers to disposition or attitude. It is your way of thinking about life. Some would call it a paradigm or a worldview or perspective. It involves more than your ability to think or form thoughts. It has to do with the way you see God, the way you see truth, the way you see others, and the way you see yourself. It is a collection of all of your presuppositions or assumptions that guide the way you think and choose, and live.

-I believe we can evaluate our mindset based on how we think about various situations in life. When faced with decisions about what we will believe or what we will do.

The Mindset that these paralytics had was that I will be forever living in this mat. I will continue to beg, I will never change or my situation would never change. But God can change around everything in just a moment but are we willing is the question. I am comfortable being a paralytic. When Jesus says get up and walk, we need to make that effort to get up. We can’t say, I tried but doesn’t work out for me. Year 2023, says, get up and Walk. Change the way you think. Sin no more. Your sins are forgiven, don’t hold on to old thinking. Take that first step to join with ‘friends’, who’ll take you from being paralytic to being healed.

Where am I paralysed?

Would it be an impatient spirit?

Would it be a critical tongue?

Would it be envy of those around you?

Would it be a spirit of discontentment?

Would it be lingering anger and resentment?

Would it be uncontrollable sexual temptation?

Would it be financial mismanagement?

Would it be a guilty conscience?

Would it be a tendency to look down on others?

Would it be pride and arrogance?

Would it be prejudice toward others?

Would it be a quick temper?

Would it be profound discouragement?

Would it be an inability to appreciate life?

Would it be an ungrateful spirit?

Would it be a disorganized life?

Would it be an inability to say no?

Would it be a mean streak you can’t seem to get rid of?

Expecting God to turn up in all phases

Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power. 1Corinthians 6:14

Humanly, each one of us has tried but when God takes interest, then we ought to expect a change. Jesus did not refuse to heal or forgive, on the other hand when these people came in with the paralytic, he most readily healed and forgave as well.

In my workplace when I am least expecting for a miracle, expect God to work. Change the outlook. The paralytic at the gate was doing his routine work. His miracle happens at his workplace and everyone is astonished. Change my mind from expecting God to work in a particular place, event or circumstance. Bring in the joy, the new mindset of EXPECTING GOD anywhere.

Test of Character and Perseverance

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward [man] is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory 2Corinthians 4: 16 -17

Many times as we proceed to look for a change, our character is built. Just like Jesus said to the paralytic man your sins are forgiven in other words, he was changing him from the inside also. He knew that his attitude was not right, he knew that he had done a lot of wrong or he had held enmity against others, and so on.

An Illustration:

Sir Edwin Landseer was one of the most famous painters of the Victorian era. His talent developed early, and he had the first showing of his work at the Royal Academy when he was just thirteen years old. He was commissioned to do a number of official portraits of the royal family, and even gave private drawing lessons to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. But he was best known for his depictions of the natural settings and life in the Scottish highlands.

One day as he was visiting a family in an old mansion in Scotland, one of the servants spilled a pitcher of soda water, leaving a large stain on the wall. While the family was out for the day, Landseer remained behind. Using charcoal, he incorporated the stain into a beautiful drawing. When the family returned they found a picture of a waterfall surrounded by trees and animals. He used his skill to make something beautiful out of what had been an unsightly mess.

God works in much the same way in our lives. The things that we think of as weaknesses and handicaps can, through His grace, become our greatest strengths—and the very things He uses the most to bring glory to Himself. God’s grace provides the strength to meet every challenge and overcome every weakness.

My changed and new mindset will build my character.

Lastly, my dependency on the cross, will change my mindset. He’s the greatest example of a renewed mind. A changed attitude towards life. That life is not about SELF but it’s about how Jesus rescues me from death and darkness giving me a new start, with a new spirit (His Spirit). I need to re-sentence my words. I am no more a paralytic, I am healed and forgiven. I am not going to beg any more at the gate. I can carry out a decent conversation. God wants me to come out of that paralytic thinking pattern. He wants me to experience newness in my mind this year 2023.

Let me end it with the same verse that we started with:

 

Isaiah 43: 18-19

¹⁸ “Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
¹⁹ See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.

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 because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.

 

NEWNESS IN FAITH : 2023

At the beginning of a new year it is customary for us to think of this as a time of new beginnings, a time for new resolutions. But the truth is that with God anytime is a time for a new beginning.

John 10:10 “…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Our God has come to give life and hope. We need to believe in this new beginning .

 

In the year 2021, we felt God saying Do not fear, assured of God’s Protection, Establishing God’s community, and was asking us to change our mindset. It was just the time when the world was just coming out of Covid.

In the year 2022 God gave us this word. That he will rebuild, restore and renew. We saw God rebuilding and giving us a structure to operate . God restoring things back like FC and we saw renewal in all our ministries were each ministries went for a camp and not to forget , the growth and blessings/ breakthroughs each family (Rebuild, Renew & Restore) received in this year.

Till date whatever promise we received as church, everything was fulfilled. That is the excitement and passion to bring the word for us for the year 2023.

And while waiting on God for the year 2023, we felt the word NEW. Are you Looking for new things to happen this year? which God wants us to see. God is going to do new things (Things not like the past, but something new, extraordinary , supernatural) but for that we need to have the eyes of faith.

Below is the verse which is God’s promise for us in the year 2023 for Our Families, Our Church, Our City and as individual.

So Before we read those verses. Let us look at the context . It will understand little bit of background.

Because the people of Jerusalem sinned, God allowed Babylonia to destroy their city and to take them into exile as slaves.  It is now five decades later (50 Years), near the end of the exile.  Most of the exiled people have been born in captivity in Babylonia.  During this period, they have done a good deal of soul-searching.  During these decades, the exiles have experienced a crisis of faith. Is God not powerful? Has God abandoned them?

Chapters 40-55, the portion of the book of Isaiah that deals with the end of the Babylonian exile. It begins with the words, “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God.

The fulfilment of this promise came through Cyrus II of Persia, “the one from the east” (41:2), who defeated Babylonia in 539 B.C. Not only will Cyrus allow the exiles to return to their homeland, but he will also provide financial assistance to allow them to rebuild (Ezra 1:2-4).

 

Let us read the verse and we will see what God has kept for Our Families, Our Church, Our City in 2023.

Isaiah 43: 18-19

¹⁸ “Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
¹⁹ See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.

 

                     Trust God in Faith for Victories in 2023:

In verse 18a God is saying “Forget the former things;

In Isaiah 43:16-17

¹⁶ This is what the Lord says—
he who made a way through the sea,
a path through the mighty waters,
¹⁷ who drew out the chariots and horses,
the army and reinforcements together,
and they lay there, never to rise again,
extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:

Having just alluded so vividly to the Exodus (vv. 16-17), it seems odd that the Lord would now say, “Don’t remember the former things.” It seems contradictory to recount former things in one breath and then, in the next breath, to ask people not to remember them. However, it would appear that the prophet is calling the people to put their past behind them and to focus their attention on the present and the future.

 

I always say to people, always remember your past . don’t forget it but Although there is a time and place to recollect past events, we don’t stay there. Don’t expect past victories to help us now.

In Judges 6:13

¹³ “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”

Gideon asks this question to the angel of the Lord.

The past is a great place to learn from but it’s a terrible place to live in (We used to tell our parents, when we they used to share their stories that things have changed) . Some of us hang on to our baggage (unresolved issues, failures and negativity) for too long. Learn from them and let them go! If we live in the past, we will never embrace the future God has in store for us.

So put the past victories behind and focus your attention on the present and the future.

So God wants us to change our attitude, and trust him in faith not to rely on vast victories / breakthroughs but have faith this year that those victories or more than that we will experience this year as well. Amen

 

Leave Behind your past failures in 2023:

In verse 18a God is saying, do not dwell on the past.

Many times, our past failures can rule over us, it can define us, it can condemn us. It may Say you are a failure but God is saying this to you in 2023 “You are in Christ, a new creation in 2023”

In 2 Corinthians 5:17, He gives us the answer, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

So Leave behind your past failures in faith in 2023

So how are we going to not to rely on past victories and leave our failures behind in 2023.

 

God is going to do NEW things in 2023:

In verse 19a God is saying , See, I am doing a new thing!

In Hebrew the word for “new thing” is chadash. It refers to something that has never happened before or something that has not existed before.

I think one of the greatest lies we can believe is, “It’s too late!” At some point in our lives, we all feel like we’ve missed our chance or messed up an important opportunity. We can even be tempted to believe that we’ve disqualified ourselves from having a great future—that our best days are behind us.

If this is you—if you feel like you’ve missed your chance or like your opportunity to have a great life has passed you by—I want you to know something today: With God on your side, it’s never too late.

While God Himself never changes, He is a God of change—He is always doing a new thing and working behind the scenes in our lives to bring about new beginnings. Where we see failure, God sees potential for something new. The minute we stumble and come apart, God is already planning our comeback.

So God’s promise of NEW thing for our Families, Church , City & Community.

Something which never happened before, It would put it forward that this Year would a year of supernatural. God will work very differently.

God is making a way where there is no way in 2023

Verse 19b I am making a way in the wilderness. In 2023, when we will be in a place or situation like wilderness, God will make a way for us. That is his promise.

 

God is making streams in the wasteland in 2023

We all face dry seasons. Seasons where we feel everything around us is hard and lifeless. Everything may look dry but God promises in 2023 that he will bring Streams where there is dry and parched in our life. He is going to give life to it.

The Way God wants us to respond for the NEW thing in 2023:

Allow God to work in Us: New heart, and a New spirit 

Ezekiel 36:26
⁶ I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

 

It will be a time for pruning and shaping. Allow God to work don’t harden your hearts. He is offering a new heart and new spirit in 2023.

Develop a Relationship with God: Receive New Mercies:

                 Lamentations 3:22-23

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

His mercies are new every morning. And God wants us this year to develop a relationship with him. He wants us to come to him everyday, spend quality time with him. Receive his Love, his mercies , he is a faithful God.

 

New Life: Walk in Newness

2 Corinthians 5:17

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here!

We walk in the newness of life in Christ, we are no longer weighed down by guilt of sin or burdens of this world. God is offering a New life this year. We need to walk , move on like a new creation.

                   Cross:

The verse we looked at was fulfilled in the life of Israelites,

The fulfilment of this promise came through Cyrus II of Persia, “the one from the east” (41:2), who defeated Babylonia in 539 B.C. Not only will Cyrus allow the exiles to return to their homeland, but he will also provide financial assistance to allow them to rebuild (Ezra 1:2-4).

Can you beat that , someone whom you don’t know releases you from slavery and makes you return to the place where you belong to . Not only that he gives financial assistance.

Similarly when we look at the Cross, we know Christ paid it all and he brought a new life for us. A life full of hope.

When the word NEW came for us this year, also the word Faith came across

Isaiah 43:19a

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

It’s like God is saying , I am doing a new thing. Don’t you realize it?

One thing which stops us to know / see the new things is Our lack of faith. And this Year God wants us to overcome that in our life, family, church, community etc. To see NEW things we need to have Faith this year 2023.

We are so much engrossed with our setbacks, we fail to see the new things which God is making.

 

God has a fresh start for us in 2023. Let’s anticipate Him doing something great. When we do, He promises to remove all obstacles of coming to Him. Whatever may be holding us back ­– wrong thinking, past mistakes, failed relationships – Jesus Christ has already died for them. We are no longer under their control. Jesus is our way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. He will transform our desert into fields of blessings and our wasteland into gardens of abundance!

Let us therefore join God’s great and new things in 2023 while we put Christ first in our time, our finances, and our relationships. Our primary resolution this year is to Believe God for something new in Faith!

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.

 

Let’s look at some prophecies:

Genesis 3:15

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Prophetically spoken about Jesus in the beginning. Seed of the women for reconciliation of God with man.  The story of Creation. Let us make man in our own image. However, sin happened and man fell. It hurt God but he made a plan already.

Genesis 12:3

“I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Points out to the Messiah who would be coming to save us. From the clan of Abraham, God will bless. THROUGH YOU – it will be a generation long process. God will send prophets and then the son.

Isaiah 7:14

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

Micah 5:2

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Isaiah and Micah were prophets a few centuries apart, the sin grew so much and also other kings started invading the people of God that there was kind of no hope all God’s people and that is the time when Isaiah and Micah prophecy.

Why prophecies?

How many of us predict the weather? Or have believed that this is what the weather would be when it is being predicted in news. Similarly, prophecies about Jesus was to give hope to mankind. There will be relief from sin, sacrifice, God’s wrath. God himself made a way and he kept giving hope to mankind that things will change. You will be shown mercy.

Even today, God gives us prophetic utterance for direction, prophecies of hope.

We know Jesus was born in Bethlehem and this Scripture tells us in advance the place Jesus would be born. This prophecy was written by Micah approximately 800 years before Christ was born.

Prophecies gives me a reason to celebrate this fulfilment

Prophecies gives me faith.

It gives me an evidence of the truth of the word of God.

We See His Humility In His Obedience To His Parents

(Luke 2:51) And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

subject – Greek 5293. hupotasso, hoop-ot-as’-so; from G5259 and G5021; to subordinate; reflex. to obey:–be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto.

1. We See His Humility In His Obedience To His Path

(Philippians 2:7-8) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: {8} And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

III. JESUS CAME AS A BABY TO MAGNIFY THE HOLINESS OF CHRIST

1. He Magnified His Holiness As He Fulfilled Every Expectation Of Prophecy

(Matthew 5:17-18) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. {18} For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

In his book “Why the Nativity?” David Jeremiah offers the following reflections…

Just when people most needed hope, God sent spokesmen to offer a foretaste of a better future. Throughout the words and work of the prophets, there were glimmers of a savior – a king who would rescue his people and restore them to God. In fact, there were more than three hundred specific prophecies in the Hebrew scriptures about the promised “Messiah,” as they called him. … Can you see the picture that emerges? It was as if many different artists had drawn strange squiggles on paper separately – only to find that when their fragments of art were combined on a single canvas, there was a beautiful portrait of a kind we would come to know as Jesus Christ.

1. He Magnified His Holiness As He Fulfilled Every Expectation Of Purity

(Matthew 3:13-15) Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. {14} But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? {15} And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

1. JESUS CAME AS A BABY TO MAGNIFY THE HEARTACHE OF CHRIST
2. There Is Heartache In The Mention Of A Sword

(Luke 2:34-35) And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; {35} (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

1. There Is Heartache In The Mention Of His Suffering

(1 Peter 3:18) For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Again, David Jeremiah wrote…

We are bought with a price that could never have been paid without the full burden of humanity having been accepted. If he had been God only, his sacrifice would have been cheap and unconvincing. If he had been man only, his sacrifice would have had no power; he would have been a martyr like ten thousand others. But he was man and he was God, and therefore he was all in all. He came as a child to confront and conquer every challenge and every temptation common to humanity. We trust him with our lives because he was God.

1. JESUS CAME AS A BABY TO MAGNIFY THE HOPE IN CHRIST
2. Because Of His Human Birth, There Is The Hope Of Sympathy

(Hebrews 4:15) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

1. Because Of His Human Birth, There Is The Hope Of Salvation

(Luke 2:11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 

Throughout the old Testament and New Testament Jesus is seen as a redeemer of mankind.

How these prophecies help me today?

Truth:

1. We couldn’t have saved ourselves

Because it is not about flesh and blood but it is a spiritual truth.

2. Gives me a new Relationship with God
3. He is our Saviour
4. He took all our sins upon himself so that we can receive atonement (reconciled with God)

In the olden times physically, invasion would take place but these days, emotional and psychological invasion of our minds and heart happen. Reconciliation is one thing that will give us victory over our emotions.

5. The truth about his birth is that this salvation is not for us alone but for the nations.

The fact that Jesus healed people from all kinds of culture and background shows that he is a saviour for all. Book of Matthew starts with the genealogy showing that Jesus had people from all kinds of culture.

It also gives me an opportunity to witness and evangelize to all that you don’t have to suffer alone but Jesus the Saviour is out there for us.

6. The truth is that it is for all kinds of humanity not only the poor but also to the rich.

The angel appearing to shepherds first. Jesus calling the fisherman to be disciples, all show case that Jesus doesn’t want the poor to be left behind. He has a heart for the rich and poor alike.

 

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 because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.

 

As we are in the month of December and Christmas celebration is all around. I was just looking at what we need to do / preach this morning. While going through different resources and asking God what our Church needs. This morning I felt two things the holy spirit was leading us to hear today.

Let us read from the book of Matthew 1:1-17. Let’s do a small group study. Tell me your learnings from these scripture portion.

The Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah

1 This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:

² Abraham was the father of Isaac,

Isaac the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,

³ Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,

Perez the father of Hezron,

Hezron the father of Ram,

⁴ Ram the father of Amminadab,

Amminadab the father of Nahshon,

Nahshon the father of Salmon,

⁵ Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,

Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,

Obed the father of Jesse,

⁶ and Jesse the father of King David.

David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,

⁷ Solomon the father of Rehoboam,

Rehoboam the father of Abijah,

Abijah the father of Asa,

⁸ Asa the father of Jehoshaphat,

Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram,

Jehoram the father of Uzziah,

⁹ Uzziah the father of Jotham,

Jotham the father of Ahaz,

Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,

¹⁰ Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,

Manasseh the father of Amon,

Amon the father of Josiah,

¹¹ and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.

¹² After the exile to Babylon:

Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel,

Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

¹³ Zerubbabel the father of Abihud,

Abihud the father of Eliakim,

Eliakim the father of Azor,

¹⁴ Azor the father of Zadok,

Zadok the father of Akim,

Akim the father of Elihud,

¹⁵ Elihud the father of Eleazar,

Eleazar the father of Matthan,

Matthan the father of Jacob,

¹⁶ and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.

¹⁷ Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.

You might be wondering, why did we just read all those names? Actually most people when they begin reading the New Testament wonder the same thing. Why did Matthew begin with all these names?

Verse one reads: “A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham …” (Matthew 1:1) The gospel of Matthew was written in Greek. The opening words in Greek are literally “the book of genesis of Jesus Christ.” Now these words can mean a record of genealogy in introducing the genealogy to follow, but they also serve as an introduction to the whole gospel of Matthew and in God’s providence to the whole New Testament itself. Just as the Old Testament begins with the book of Genesis, so the New Testament begins with “the book of genesis of Jesus Christ.” Here then begins the story of Jesus, and Matthew’s genealogy provides the perfect bridge from the Old Testament to the New.

Before we move on , lets check few things, what is the difference between verse 1-15 and verse 16.

Matthew does not say that Joseph was the father of Jesus but only that he was a husband of Mary and was born of her. In this genealogy Matthew shows that although Jesus is not the physical son of Joseph, he is the legal son and therefore a descendant of David.

Let’s think for a few moments about the One who was Born 2000 years ago, and take a closer look at this Birth that changed the world. There is great discussion about this Child that we are told that was born around this time of the year.

One religion believes that Jesus was born of a virgin just like Christians do. But they see Him as a great prophet.

Many Jewish people now see Jesus as “a great teacher, and a political performer, but nothing more.”

Other religion come to revere Jesus as a self-realized saint who reached the highest level of “God- consciousness.”

Other religion saw him perfectly enlightened being, full of compassion who helps other people. But none of these world religions see Him as Christians see Him.

So the question was; What Child Is This? Who Was This Baby That Was Born? 700 years ago before Jesus Christ was born, a Prophet of God explained Christmas before anyone had even experienced Christmas.

Seven Hundred years before that cradled rocked; before the stars shone; before the Wise men gave their gifts; before the Angels sung their song – Isaiah dipped his prophetic pen into inspired ink and wrote what has become the centerpiece and cornerstone of Christmas Prophecy. Isaiah wrote about the greatest single event in all of human history; the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah tells us, while under the leadership of the Holy Spirit that no one should misunderstand from this moment forward “Who” this Child was. I would like to take a closer look through the eyes of Isaiah and learn something about the Birth that changed the world.

                                                       He was a Child & Son

Isaiah 9:6-7

⁶ For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

 

1. For unto us a child is born – Child, Humanity of Jesus (Fully Man)

Jesus was born the Son of Man. Jesus was born of an earthly mother; put on human flesh, and lived 33 years on earth as a human being.

Let me tell you what this means. Jesus walked like a man – Jesus talked like a man – Jesus thought like a man – Jesus had feelings like a man – Jesus ate like a man – Jesus had emotions like a man – Jesus hurt like a man – Jesus was tempted like a man – Jesus hungered like a man – Jesus thirsted like a man – Jesus got tired like a man – Jesus suffered like a man – Jesus died like a man – Jesus was buried like a man.

When Jesus was born in the flesh, it revealed His gentleness. You see, when He put on human flesh, He knew from that moment on what you and I would feel and go through.

Every feeling that you could ever have, He had. Everything that you could ever face, He faced.

This is what the writer of Hebrews said in {Hebrews 4:15}- “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, Yet Without Sin.”

(1) Jesus could reach out to those who suffered and full of pain . He himself went through the pain and suffering.

(2)- Jesus could relate to the [poor] because He did not have His own earthly home.

(3)- Jesus could reach out and help those who felt [lonely] because so many times He was left alone because so many turned their backs on Him.

(4)- Jesus could reach out to those who were devastated by death because death had taken someone He loved, who was Lazarus.

For to us a child was born , for you and me. He could say with those that He came in contact with; “I know how you feel.”

 

2. A Son Is Given – Deity of Jesus. (Fully God)

The phrase “A Son Is Given” speaks of the Deity Of Jesus.

• As a Child He is the Son of Man; As a Son He is the Son of God.
• As a Child He helps us to understand His earthly beginning; As a Son He helps us to understand His Eternal being.
• As a Child this tells us that He was the Babe of Bethlehem; As a Son this tells us He was the God of Glory.
• As a child He was born to live with us; as a Son He was given to die for us.
• Luke: 4:41,Mark 3:11 – when Jesus casts out demons, they fall down before him, and declare: “You are the Son of God.“
• John 1:34 – John the Baptist bears witness that Jesus is the Son of God
• John 11:27-  Martha calls him the Messiah and the Son of God.
• Matthew 16:13-17: 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“He said to them, ‘But who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.  17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.

Yes, Jesus was born of an earthly mother, but He was given by a Heavenly Father. Jesus has Royal Blood; the blood of His Heavenly Father flowing through His veins. {Isaiah 7:14}- “Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”

One Bible teacher once said; “The great mystery of the manger is that God could translate deity into humanity, without discarding the deity or distorting the humanity.”

There are those that try to bring doubt about the fact that Jesus was born of a virgin. They believe that it is impossible.

There was a pastor I heard about who was preaching on Jesus and His virgin birth. A man came up to him after the message was over and said, “I don’t believe that story. If an unwed mother were to come to you and tell you a story like Mary said, that that which was conceived in her was conceived by the Holy Spirit, would you believe her?”

This wise preacher said, “Yes, I would believe her if she had a son and the angels sang at his birth; if it was foretold thousands of years before it happened; if a star stood over his birthplace in fulfilment of prophecy;

if her son had power over the wind, and the waves, and disease, I would believe it. If he were crucified and raised again from the dead, I would believe it; if he ascended from the earth I would believe it; if his disciples through the centuries were numbered by the millions, yes, I would believe it.” The man looked at the Pastor and said; “So would I, and so I do.”

More over this Child , this Son has changed our lives and we are a witness of that.

                                                   CHRIST: MAN & GOD

Let us look at the facts about the Lord Jesus.

Jesus was so human that He could be born in a stable to the Virgin Mary – but He is so divine that angels came to announce His birth.

Jesus was so human that He could get tired and lay down in a boat while crossing the Sea of Galilee – but He is so divine that He could speak to a storm and hush the winds.

Jesus was so human that He could go up into a mountain and pray all night – but He is so divine that He was the One through whom God created the mountains.

Jesus was so human He could weep at the grave of Lazarus – but He is so divine He could raise Lazarus from the dead.

Jesus was so human He could die on a cross – but He is so divine He could come back to life and conquer death never to die again.

This Child Was Human – But This Child Was God! (Fully Man & Fully God)

 

3. A Son Is Given – Gift

As a child (the Son of Man) Jesus was born, but as (the Son of God) Jesus was given.

Now we are not told that the Son was born; we are told the Son was given.

*That’s exactly what the greatest verse in the Bible says in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

God’s Christmas gift to the world was a Person of Deity (God) wrapped up in the package of humanity.

 

4. He will be called – Name

Isaiah said, “and His Name Shall Be Called.” Now, Isaiah didn’t say “And His ‘Names’ shall be called…” Isaiah said “His Name shall be called.”

 

A Single Name Cannot Describe Him! It is simply because it was impossible to reveal Himself in one single name.

He is Wonderful:

He is called “Wonderful”. It is a name that speaks of One who is out of the ordinary. It speaks of God as being unique and different. He is the Marvellous One, the Astonishing One.

If you are looking for someone ordinary , Marvellous, Jesus is the one.

If you feel that you are bored with your life, then look to the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no one like Him; there is none besides Him. The Lord puts the “Wonder of it all” back into your life.

He is Counselor:

He is called “Counselor”. This Name speaks of One who can give you guidance and direction. A counselor is someone you can turn to for help and advice.

He is Everlasting Father:

He Is Always Where You Need Him To Be When You Need Him The Most!

He is The Prince Of Peace:

He is the One who will fill your life with peace and assurance. The Prince of Peace will not leave you comfortless; He will not leave you all by yourself; He will come to you; He will help you; He will comfort you. He will love on you.

The Peace that Jesus gives to you may not keep you out of a storm, but it will help you stay calm in the midst of the storm that you are going through.

Isaiah said that you can call this Child “Wonderful” because He is Wonderful. Isaiah said that you can call this Child a “Counselor” because He is the One that can guide you. Isaiah said that you can call this Child “Mighty God” because there is nothing this Child cannot do. Isaiah said that you can call this Child “Everlasting Father” because He is the only One who has no beginning and no ending. Isaiah said that you can call this Child “Prince Of Peace” because He comes to you to give you peace.

Christ was born in a manger and died on the cross for you and me.

John 3:16

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

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.

 

A well-known Christian businessman who was visiting a church was asked to give his testimony. He said, “I have a fine family, a large house, a successful business, and a good reputation. I have plenty of money so I can support some Christian ministries very generously. Many organizations want me on their board of directors. I have good health and almost unlimited opportunities. What more could I ask from God?” As he paused for effect, a voice shouted from the back of the auditorium, “How about asking Him for a good dose of humility?” (Source unknown)

It’s such a difficult topic to preach because, everyone thinks that they are humble in their own way but only God knows what would trigger our pride? So here we go… If we think in our heart that this sermon is not for us and it is for the other person then it’s just a subtle way of saying that I am too proud to hear this out.

Ronald McDonald from Saddleback church gave us an excellent article and it’s like this:

A friend told me the other day that I’m a very prideful man, and I said to myself, “Dude’s just jealous”. So I told my wife what he said and she said, “Ah, come on. You’re a humble man. Seriously. You’re not cocky and flashy and arrogant and all that.” But later that same week, I was reading a book that said the most prideful people aren’t usually the bragging arrogant types. They’re the nice friendly helpful ones at work.

That got me to thinking that maybe my definition of pride wasn’t very complete. Now I really wondered, What are examples of pride? So, I googled “Signs of pride list” and “Spiritual pride” and couldn’t believe what I found. I was all over the list. I read about 40 articles and lists written by well-known psychologists, theologians, pastors and even the Wikipedia entry and consolidated them all here. I put them into 4 groups;
Pride of Spirituality,
Pride of Knowledge,
Pride of Power and
Pride of Appearance.

So I went back to my wife and said, “Hey honey, I think I found out the root of all of our problems in marriage and work and ministry and all that. ME!!! I’m the problem. Listen to this list of signs of pride that I found.” I started reading my list to her and she laughed and said, “Wow! You are prideful. I didn’t know that’s what pride looked like.” So I asked her to pray for me. And then said, “Oh, and there were some other signs that I found on the list.” Her jaw dropped as I read hers. She said, “Oh no! I didn’t realize I was so prideful either. Will you pray for me too?”

There are about 24 different categories one could be prideful in. Most people are pretty humble in most categories and just prideful in one or two. You’ll see your relatives, spouse, boss, employees, friends and president all over this list. But don’t forget this. Pride is one of the most destructive and heinous sins you can commit.

My dad used to say, “The reason we shouldn’t sin isn’t because the Bible says not to or because it’s wrong or because we could get caught or because it could mess up our future or because we’ll miss out on blessings. No! We should try not to sin because it hurts our relationship with God.

It’s just the way I am and you’ll just have to deal with it”. For you to know you have even a little bit of pride and not care about it, is to raise your fist in God’s face and say, “Hey God, I don’t care that I’m regularly walking and living in this sin of pride and I’m okay with not having all that great of a relationship with you either”. If that’s you, then watch out. God is resisting you and you have some humiliation coming, which is the process of becoming humble, because he loves you and those around you so much.

definitions of pride

Pride is being SELF-ish
Thinking excessively about SELF
Pride’s base is too much SELF-love
Thinking the worth of our SELF is higher than it actually is
SELF-worship
Preoccupation with our image or SELF
Pride is narcissism (in love with our image or SELF)
Pride is SELF-centered or EGO-centric (everything revolves around us)
Pride wants to keep the focus on SELF
SELF-ness

_____________________
Pride of Spirituality
_____________________
Brag about how NOT materialistic they are
Excessively give away nice possessions or money that God gives them
Tell everyone, “I gave up a high paying career to do this ministry”
Make excuses for the physical blessings in their life
Look down their SELF righteous noses at the wealthy or successful

Super Christians

Spiritualize every conversation
Speak with a different accent or voice about spiritual stuff
Think they’re more spiritual or righteous than others around them
Feel morally superior
Despise and detest sinners
Insist on having certain roles in the church that they’re disqualified or not qualified for, just to prove to people that they’re spiritual
Talk a lot about their spiritual gift of apostle or prophet, but not about the less public ones
Talk about how much they pray
Look down on or badmouth Christians or other denominations who believe differently than they do about spiritual gifts
Talk about their fasting SO THAT people know they’re fasting “When you fast, do not look sullen like the hypocrites, for they make their faces unattractive SO THAT people will see them fasting. I tell you the truth, they have their reward.”Matthew 6:16
_______________________
Pride of Knowledge
_______________________

Unteachable

Get irritated if someone tries to teach them something
Know it all
Answer “I know, I know” or “Yeah, I already knew that”
Too smart for a formal education or training. “But what could I learn?”

Highly opinionated

Often interrupt people mid-sentence “I don’t mean to interrupt, but…”
Finish other people’s sentences “I know what you’re going to say. You were going to say…”
Often try to prove people wrong
If questioned they say, “Don’t you think I know what I’m doing?”
Don’t listen to the ideas or wisdom of those they lead
Use big words and then explain them to you
Despise and detest people of other political beliefs
Defensive when corrected or criticized – If you ever get defensive in marriage, then you have pride and it has to be dealt with. We think the best defense is a great offense when our pride is hurt. “With pride comes only contention…”Proverbs‬ ‭13:10

Attack back when questioned or confronted about a mistake or wrong
Struggle admitting a wrong
Defend their kids and attack anyone who addresses their kid’s wrong behavior (because they think it reflects bad on them)
Refuse to or are slow to say, “I was wrong. Will you forgive me?”
Blame everyone else but themselves
Set up excuses in advance so it isn’t their fault
Lie or make up excuses when corrected or criticized
Say things like, “Everybody makes mistakes. Heck, you make mistakes too”

Argumentative – Just have to be right

Don’t discuss differences to learn, just to show off how much they know
“Told you so”. Remind you about when they were right and you were wrong
Get the last word
Argue strange, hard to defend beliefs or doctrines to impress with their intellect
Critical – Highlight other’s flaws to make their SELF feel better
_______________
Pride of Power
_______________

Controlling – Being obeyed gives their SELF a nice feeling, sense of power

Legalistic – Control through excessive rules – their SELF feels really nice when they are obeyed

Won’t submit – It makes their SELF falsely feel inferior if they have a positional leader, though it has nothing to do with wisdom, knowledge or ability. Hate being told to do anything
Will submit in the little things, but not in the big things
Self Reliant – Don’t want or think they need guidance, help or wisdom from God or man. “When they were fed, they became satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; as a result, they forgot me!”Hosea‬ ‭13:6
Excessive need for credit, praise or admiration
Importance – They feel that the value of their SELF grows with accomplishments, status, wealth or success. “By your great skill in trade you have increased your wealth, and your heart is proud because of your wealth.” ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭28:5‬
Workaholic – believes work gives their SELF more worth
Grandiosity – Think they are superior to the common man, in their essence, to the point that some even believe they are god-like
Boastful and arrogant “Proud men will be brought low, arrogant men will be humiliated…” Isaiah‬ ‭2:11‬
Inconvenience others – the world revolves around their SELF. Self-centered, ego-centric, self-absorbed
Not interested in other people

Low SELF-esteem or SELF-worth – Humility is seeing your own SELF the way it actually is. Pride is not seeing your own SELF the way it actually is

Constantly thinking of their SELF and what others think about it
Feel inferior
Think they’re not worthy of a good spouse or job
Avoid successful or attractive people
Put their SELF down so that others affirm and build them up

Shyness – this isn’t about introvert or extrovert
Are afraid of not being liked
Are afraid of being criticized
Are afraid of being rejected again
Are afraid of embarrassing themselves

Highly Sensitive
Can’t laugh at themselves when they do something funny
Can’t accept good natured teasing
Have a hard time forgiving
Are offended when their idea, ability or motive is questioned
Quick to be angry

____________________________
Pride of Appearance
____________________________

Feel their appearance gives their SELF more worth
Think their beauty makes their SELF superior to others
Flaunt their figure/physique so others will praise them
Spend excessive time on hair, clothing, weight, body shape to impress
Anorexia or bulimia
Work hard to avoid the appearance of aging
Often post photos or videos of themselves exercising
Spend excessive time for their SELF to look good while neglecting family

For more information on pride, please visit: https://saddlebackleather.com/signs-of-pride

So now we know that we fall into one of these categories, whether we like it or not. We have pride in us. We are all sinful.

GOD’S VIEW ABOUT US

5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”[a]

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:5-11

We will look at two stories and how God dealt with their pride:

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized Acts 9:1-18

Paul here had the pride of power, pride of spirituality, pride of knowledge. And Jesus chose to visit him directly because he was so full of himself.
Pride blinds us – Paul became blind in his zeal to defend his people
Pride needs to fall like scales.
Only in submission, we will see God using us for His glory and not what I think I should be zealous about.

11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.

18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas[b] and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.

21 Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they praised God because of me.
Galatians 1:11 – 24

God always looks for humble people to work in His kingdom but we are not born humble. So what does God do? He breaks us to make us worthy of that calling. Pride resides in all of us. There’s no one who can claim that they are humble.

What makes me humble
1. Situations
2. People
3. Life

21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. Matthew 15:21-28

How do we view ourselves? Are we someone of importance? Do we crave approval and recognition? Or do we admit that we are “little dogs” who God has elevated to the awesome destiny of being his sons and daughters, a vocation that we could never deserve.

Only Jesus, himself humble

29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Philippians 2: 3 – 13

Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus
Not considering equality for His advantage (come down from the cross, make stones to bread)
Obedience and submission
Acknowledge that it is God who is working in us to fulfill his good purpose.

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 because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.

We value relationship, we invest into building meaningful relationships and a sound community which is united in spirit and being. We value fellowships and coming together as a wider spiritual family. We love meeting up on regular intervals, get involved in healthy discussions to explore more about God.

it says meaningful relationships: I would ask why relationships? We are all social species. We need each other to survive. We need each other. Meaningful relationships bring confidence, freedom, and showcases the love of Christ. Jesus wants meaningful relationship with all of us. He has always shown it through different modes and means. The cross is a witness of that.

Sound community: Any living organism needs to be sound in order to be alive. if we want our community to be alive means we need to be sound.

United in Spirit and being: We believe, soundness brings unity in spirit and in being.

Fellowship, coming together for a purpose. We meet up on regular intervals to discuss and learn more about God. More than discussing, it is experiencing God together.

I would like to bring across two stories to elaborate more on this

Luke 19:1-10
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

WHAT DOES GOING TO HIS HOUSE INDICATE? WHY DO WE GO TO PEOPLE’S HOUSE?
– Building Relationship: Going to his house, getting to know him. Jesus did not simply say ok, thanks for meeting me, hope you had a good understanding, etc… Jesus said, I will come to your house. Build relationship, have fellowship with you. i want to know you, I want to know your family, I want to do life with you.

It’s only when we go to people’s house we come to know a lot of things about them. We can connect.

Once Jesus did that Zacchaeus on his own repented and received God’s Salvation. He is called the son of Abraham. So to come to that level, means Jesus might have had some deep conversations, which happen only in our homes. It just breaks the ice.

So why did Jesus have to go to his house? Just like others he could have restored him. so to explain that, we have a short dialogue:

Mamie made frequent trips to the branch post office. One day she confronted a long line of people who were waiting for service from the postal clerks. Mamie only needed stamps, so a helpful observer asked, “Why don’t you use the stamp machine? You can get all the stamps you need and you won’t have to stand in line.” Mamie said, “I know, but the machine can’t ask me about my arthritis.” People still need human contact.

We come to the next part – FELLOWSHIP

Second story:

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47

What is meant by fellowship in this verse? Gossip? Cups of tea? Tours? No. What is being referred to is something of a quite different order and on a quite different level. “They met constantly to hear the apostles teach, and to share the common life, and break bread and to pray. A sense of awe was everywhere. All whose faith had drawn them together held everything in common. With one mind they kept up their daily attendance at the temple, and, breaking bread in private houses, shared their meals with unaffected joy as they praised God” (Acts 2:42-47, New English Bible). That is fellowship as the new Testament understands it, and there is clearly a world of difference between that and mere social activities.

The Greek word for fellowship comes from a root meaning common or shared. So fellowship means common participation in something either by giving what you have to the other person or receiving what he or she has. Give and take is the essence of fellowship, and give and take must be the way of fellowship in the common life of the body of Christ.

Christian fellowship is two-dimensional, and it has to be vertical before it can be horizontal. We must know the reality of fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ before we can know the reality of fellowship with each other in our common relationship to God (1 John 1:3). The person who is not in fellowship with the Father and the Son is no Christian at all, and so cannot share with Christians the realities of their fellowship.

In both the above stories there’s only one aim that comes across, that is, Salvation. Ultimate fellowship with Jesus. We stir up each other to build relationship with God, become right with Him, to support each other in this endeevour.
In all this God is glorified through our unity.

In Renewed hope community, we are very relational and that’s our strength, across GMI. We are known as a relational church. We fellowship because when we meet, we rub something of Jesus on each other. We grow together.

We have multiple ways of meeting up:

• Women’s Minstry
• Girls’ Ministry
• Boys Ministry
• Men’s Ministry
• Friday fellowship is the summary of all these ministries.

Through our relationship we

1. heal people
2. assist them to reconcile with God.
3. we bring Salvation in their home
4. we bring light into dark situations
5. Comfort
6. Encourage
7. motivate
8. change lives
9. bring meaning
10. give hope

Jesus calls us into His fellowship. No one is perfect but we all need each other to reach our ultimate goal – Fellowship with God for which Christ paid a great price.

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 because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.