All posts by Virjil Selvan

Today we are looking at the Journey of Jesus from Manger to the cross or in other words from Bethlehem, where he was born to the place he is crucified, Golgotha. Last week we heard the need of a sacrifice. Why Jesus became our sacrifice? He had to be the atonement, between God and man. Man had spoiled the relationship between God and himself. We saw how Jesus became that sacrifice in order to build that broken relationship between God and man. Today we’ll be looking at the journey that brought us redemption. So in short I’ll share an account of Jesus’ life.

Jesus’Life
It is thought that Jesus Christ was born around 4 – 6 BC in Bethlehem, about six miles from Jerusalem. His parents, Joseph and Mary, took him to Egypt to avoid a massacre of infant boys ordered by King Herod. The family returned to their home in Nazareth in what is now northern Israel after King Herod’s death.

Jesus lived in Nazareth until he was about 30 when he began travelling around the area teaching people about God and urging them to change the way they lived. He also healed people of a huge range of illnesses. At the start of this period, he called 12 men – known as disciples – to follow him. Dozens of other men and women also followed him. Two disciples, Matthew and John, later wrote about what happened. Their eyewitness accounts are in the Bible.

Jesus’ teachings were radical and counter-cultural. Thousands of people heard him speak. He inspired and challenged the people who heard him but his teachings were not accepted as they were straight forward, it pointed out to their hypocrisy, wrong teaching and self glory by most of the Jewish religious leaders. They conspired with one of Jesus’ closest followers to have him arrested for blasphemy.

Jesus and his followers head to Jerusalem for the annual Passover festival. Crowds welcome him as the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus infuriates the religious authorities by overthrowing tables in the temple and condemning the leaders’ hypocrisy. A disciple, Judas, agrees to betray Jesus. After celebrating the Passover meal with his disciples, Jesus is arrested. He goes before Jewish and Roman authorities charged with blasphemy. The Jewish authorities demand the death penalty.

A little bit more about Jesus
The Gospel of John describes three annual passover feasts during the course of Jesus’ ministry and this is one reason for the commonly held belief that his ministry lasted for about three years. Luke tells us that Jesus was about 30 years old when he began his ministry.

A messiah what it meant then and now?

In Old Testament times, prophets, priests, and kings were anointed by oil when they were set apart for these positions of responsibility. The anointing was a sign that God had chosen them and consecrated them for the work He had given them to do.

Christos (Christ) is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew term, Messiah (John 1:41). When Andrew, a disciple of John the Baptist, became acquainted with Jesus, the first thing he did was to find his brother, Simon Peter, and tell him about his exciting discovery. He told his brother, “ ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated, the Christ). And he [Andrew] brought him [Peter] to Jesus” (John 1:41).

Overlooking the Messiah
What did Andrew mean when he said, “We have found the Messiah?” When Jesus came to earth to live with us and be our Savior, the Jewish people were looking for God to send a Messiah—an anointed, chosen one. They had read the Old Testament prophecies (Isaiah 42:1; 61:1-3; Psalm 16, 22, Daniel 9, etc.) that promised God would send a deliverer to save His people. Unfortunately, they misunderstood what this Messiah would do.

They read the prophecies of how the Messiah would overcome God’s enemies—and they understood this to mean that he would deliver them from their Roman masters. They expected him to set up a kingdom on earth—a kingdom in which they would be the rulers, not the ruled.

They overlooked the Messiah’s spiritual role as a deliverer from sin and Satan. They didn’t understand that His kingdom was spiritual, not political. As a result, few were prepared to accept Jesus as the promised Messiah. He didn’t fit their ideas of what the Messiah would do.

Some, however, saw beneath the surface and recognized Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah—God’s anointed, chosen One to save them from sin. It became their purpose to share this wonderful insight with others. As he closed his Gospel, the apostle John summarized the message he had been trying to get across. He wrote, “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ [the Messiah], the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30, 31).

Jesus the Messiah
Communication
The Gospels repeatedly declare that Jesus is the Messiah—the One chosen by God and anointed by Him to save His people from their sins (Matthew 16:16; Luke 4:17-21; John 1:40-49; 4:25, 26). After Jesus’ resurrection, the apostle Peter reminded those listening to him “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. And we,” Peter said, “are witnesses of all things which He did” (Acts 10:38, 39).

Jesus Himself claimed to be the promised Messiah. When He talked with a woman at a well in Samaria, she said, “ ‘I know that Messiah is coming’ (who is called Christ). ‘When He comes, He will tell us all things.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I who speak to you am He’ ” (John 4:25, 26).

Today, Jesus is still the Messiah—God’s chosen, anointed One who came to deliver us from sin and Satan. As the Messiah, He offers you forgiveness for your sins. He promises you salvation and a place in His coming kingdom. “Come to Me,” He urges, “. . . and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28, 29).

The importance of His journey.

Why didn’t Jesus, just come to this world and then immediately be crucified?
What does his journey on earth implicate?

1. Teaching

Right at the age of 12, we see Jesus discussing with the temple priests. He on inquiry says, I am here to do my Father’s will. He is always seen teaching. He teaches a multitude, he teaches his disciples. Why does he teach or what does he teach? He teaches us how to live like God’s people, in other words, live a meaningful life with God. To love God and live accordingly.He taught, even basics like how to pray or communicate to God. He taught the priorities in life. We get so muddled with other things but Jesus gives a very clear picture of God’s expectation concerning our life. He taught and taught. He reasoned our belief system, he made us think and then he gave some guiding principles.

2. Jesus Baptized
He kept the protocol. He did not oppose all of it. He came to establish the right protocols. He opposed or disagreed with all those unnecessary events and rituals, which did not have any change of heart. Jesus was very focused on touching and changing the hearts of people. Teaching them a new way. Giving them a new hope. Telling them that God doesn’t want superficial rituals but meaningful RELATIONSHIP. Question yourself. Why or what is my intention in doing this? What does it indicate?

3. All the prophecies are true.
This journey of Jesus points us to the coming messiah. It keeps mentioning that “as it is written”, “it was fulfilled”. It is a stamp of validity, and authentication, that God is working right from day one for our redemption. We were disobedient and Jesus had to pay a very huge price for this disobedience. He literally gave His life for our redemption. He journeyed through, so that we come to know the truth, and the truth will set us free. The prophecies based on God and His restoration process with Mankind. He said that, there will be a permanent solution to this. No barrier between God and man. Redemption for Relationship. He said finally my SON will restore the relationship between ME and you.

4. His ministries reveal His heart
He healed, he cleansed, he said – ‘Sin no more’, He said have faith, he said, don’t take my Father’s temple for business. He was the voice of God for mankind. He said what was in God’s heart for humanity. He did not keep it hidden. His message was not only of love but an overflow of what God intends to do with us in that love. He wants us to genuinely seek Him. To know that He loves us.

5. Jesus before Pilate
Jesus says this authority is given to you only through my father. God allowed Jesus to go before a human and get a verdict. Humiliation, that’s what we can see. Imagine yourself in that position. First of all, we are sinners, he is Holy, secondly, he is our creator and we are the creation, thirdly, He has placed us wherever we are and in the process, I give a verdict of punishment to my God. Humiliation to build my relationship with God.

6. He’s getting beaten and he has to carry his cross to Golgotha.
He became shame. He must have known the confusion, the deception that People had in their minds about a Messiah. They were looking at it from the physical perspective and not from the spiritual aspect, where they were dying spiritually. They looked at the ancestors and how they fought the Philistines, the Babylonians and all those. They were wondering why Jesus did not fight and free them from Roman Government. On the other hand he became a victim and not the victor.

When we look at the history, it was always some one invades Israel but as soon as they turn their hearts towards God, they are saved by a mighty warrior. However, what they failed to understand is that heart change brings victory, commitment towards God brings restoration and not any kind of war or human. In a similar manner, they thought Jesus was going to fight a war. They failed to understand that Jesus was giving them victory through a heart change. They turn their hearts from wicked ways, keep away sin and follow God, love Him and listen to His voice. They would be set free, from all bondages. They will be victorious spiritually.
You are set apart, that’s what the Prophets said and Jesus came to set apart. Look at God. God wants you to build his relationship with you. He is giving us eternal life. A permanent victory.

Many times we are like that.
God I am stuck here.
God I don’t understand why am I in this situation
God you didn’t hear my prayer
God this person is not responding, etc etc.

We may not be invaded by other rulers literally but we are invaded with sorrows, confusion, deception, busyness and we are seeking for freedom. We want a saviour, a messiah. God is asking us to turn away from temporary pleasures and look at what he intends to do in our life. He wants us to be set apart. He is our Spiritual savior. It’s not a Physical battle but it is a spiritual victory. Finally, after all the prophets he has sent his son.

Let me narrate this parable by Jesus himself:

32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

The Parable of the Tenants
33 “Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. 34 When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.

35 “The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. 36 Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. 37 Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said.

38 “But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ 39 So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

40 “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”

41 “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”

42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

“‘The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’[h]?

43 “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. 44 Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”[i] Matthew 21:32-43

What would be my response today?
Am I going to accept this offer or am I going to look at my current physical needs and grumble that why God is not doing anything? Earthly life is very short but it’s an indication of where I will be eternally. The journey that Jesus had is to tell me that turn, repent, for God loves you, and He is the symbolic representation of His love. I am here to free you, to forgive you, to accept you. Your response, Am I ready to be set apart only for Him? It’s not like I don’t need good education, a good job, or live amicably with my family but in all this how am I in relationship with God? My relationship should drive me and not my wants. Jesus’ journey was all about teaching us to love God. He longs for it and when we respond to it, He will give us all that we need or desire. The entire bible screams out ‘relationship with God’, and He is waiting for my response. Let’s pray.

Sandra wife of Virjil .The New Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that New 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.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light

And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.

And it was so. 8 God called the vault “sky.”

And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear. God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.”

Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.”

God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.

And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.

And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

27 So God created mankind in his own image,

in the image of God he created them;

male and female he created them.

28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day

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

6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”

So God had to make a provision for them, They were naked. In verse 21.

21 The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them

We read that, when God created living creatures, And God saw that it was good.

So this provision of Garment was made from a living creature (Animal). The Innocent Animal has to die to cover the Sin of Man and it was just a temporary solution foreshadowing what was about to come.

Hebrews 9:22

Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.

1. Lamb as a substitute

In the Old Covenant established with Moses; the Law. In the Law, God explained in detail how the nation of Israel was to live and serve God. However, there was a problem: sin. But God also provided instructions for dealing with that too. In Leviticus we see 17 mentions of the use of lambs for offerings concerning people’s sins.

Throughout the Old Testament, a lamb was sacrificed at an altar as an act of worship to God and the means of atoning for sin. The word atonement means to “cover over.” The sacrificial lamb was a substitute. Instead of a man or woman dying for his or her sins, God provided the lamb to take the place of that person, and the blood of the lamb paid the penalty for their sin.

Passover was an event in which blood would be placed over the doorposts of the homes of God’s people to show that blood “covered” them. It was the blood of an animal that was seen as the life in the animal. In short, death would be required to cover sin.

Why the Lamb? Why the sacrifice?  that death can be the death of a substitute

2. Sacrifice be without blemish

Secondly Further, God mandated that the sheep presented to Him for sacrifice be without blemish. the Lord would not accept just any lamb to pay the debt of sin, it had to be one without blemish, deformity, sickness, or spot (Leviticus 4:32-35). If the lamb was not acceptable by the Law’s standards the Lord would not accept it and it would be a defiled sacrifice (Malachi 1:8). Why was this? Because God wanted Israel to see and understand that sin has a high price that must be paid, this was demonstrated by God’s requirement to kill something valuable, rare, and beautiful – a spotless lamb.

So the quest started , searching for a Sacrifice who is blameless, spotless.

God raised great men & women of God (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Noah, David, Esther, Ruth, ‘n’ Number of Prophets) but no one was perfect or without blemish, without sin.

Because Adam and Eve Sinned, someone who is born through the physical relationship of a man & woman, they by default carried sin.

God opened my eyes into a better understanding of what I just mentioned above. I am thankful for this personal illustration, to God. My Daughter Abisha when she was 6 + months old. She was lying in the bed. She was crying , I lifted her up and again kept her down in the bed after sometime . Again, she started coughing , I lifted her again and patted her and again kept her down. She again coughed and that followed for ‘n’ number of times and God reminded me. God reminded me that How Sin is birthed in us from the time we are born. All the great men and women failed from the time they were birthed or born.

Let me bring some verses on the same:

Psalm 51:5

5 Surely I was sinful at birth,

sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Romans 5:12

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—

Ecclesiastes 7:20

Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.

We see this throughout the old testament when Men & women failed or in need of a perfect saviour. GOD hinted them about what was supposed to come.

Foreshadowing of Jesus

Genesis 3

14 The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. 15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:14-15, ESV)

There is a “He”, someone who will crush the head of the devil.

21 And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them. (Genesis 3:21, ESV)

The Lord provided covering for Adam and Eve with clothes of skin. Skin was received through a sacrifice of innocent animals. One day God would provide a covering for us through the innocent blood of Jesus Christ.

Exodus 12

12 “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. 13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

ISAIAH 25

8 He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. 9 It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” (Isaiah 25:8-9, ESV)

ISAIAH 50

6 I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. (Isaiah 50:6, ESV)

ISAIAH 53

1 Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:1-3, ESV)

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5-6, ESV)

Zechariah 9:9

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9, ESV)

So, who is the perfect lamb which the scripture talks about? Who is perfect, spotless?

John 1

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

• Angel: “Virgin Birth”.

Isaiah 7:14 ESV

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Matthew 1:18-25 ESV

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for the conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: …

• Pontius Pilate: “I find no fault in Him”.
• Judas: “I have betrayed innocent blood.”
• Roman Centurion: “Truly this was the Son of God.”

Hebrews 7

26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.

Today , we want to introspect our lives

Do we need a perfect lamb in our lives today? If Yes, Christ is the perfect lamb. You can find him. God sent his son for you and me. The cost was too heavy. Can we accept him today as our Lord and our personal Saviour?

Virjil Selvan is Pastoring the New Hope Community. The New Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that New 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 have always come across this terminology Church. May be from our childhood, our parents have emphasised on going to church or we may have heard or studied about it, some time in our life. The fact that we are here today is an evidence to it. Let’s begin with a short history.
The early Christian Church began in Jerusalem and the surrounding area and grew out of the Jewish tradition. Jesus and his disciples were all Jews. The first Christians therefore did not meet in separate churches but continued to meet in the local Jewish synagogues.
Paul was one of the main leaders in the early church and he believed that the good news of Jesus was for all people and not just the Jews. This belief led Paul to set up Christian churches throughout the Roman empire, including Europe and even into Africa. You can read about Paul in the Bible, in the Book of Acts.

Today we are blessed to be a part of this church. There was a lot of hard work, and sacrifices that made the church visible.

Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Ephesians 2:20-22

As the title of this message goes, ‘Church and Me’. We will be looking at how my life would influence the furtherance of this? We may be a student, a home maker, a professional, and so on. We may or may not be actively involved in various functions of the church, or we may be contemplating how should I get involved in it? There may be an after thought as well, will I be able to take up this responsibility. Due to this very term ‘responsibility’, I have lot of work already, kinda attitude, we slip back. But what does the bible say about it?
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25
This verse says, we are in it together. We are to encourage each other, we need to build each other and we should not give up on meeting each other.
Without each other the church won’t exist. We will be sitting in our homes in front of a video listening to sermons, there will be no one to stir us up , like the verse says, or encourage us.

1. We all need each other. – Church as a Family.
Initially, we used to watch a video, which said, church is not just a building, it is a home for the homeless. It is where people are accepted no matter what they do or what back ground they come from. Remember church as a Family, where God is our father and Jesus is our brother.

But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. 11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. Hebrews 2: 9 – 11

The most exciting part of God’s family is that we keep growing. We keep embracing people as God loves them. When we do that we each have to do our bit of making ii functinal and grow. It’s like a family dynamic. Each one has a part to play in the family, even a baby has it’s place.
Some may be good at serving, we can help out with lot of back ground work, some may be good at singing or making music, you can be a part of that too. Some may be gifted and talented in accounts, or organizing stuff. We absolutely require them. Each one works and functions differently, in the process we also get discipled and our character gets pruned and sharpened to be more like Jesus. When we take a back seat and say, it’s too much of a task, I am not good enough, or other reasons, we are in other words neglecting our Spiritual Family. It’s like saying I am a guest in my own home.

2. Church as a Body of Christ.

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[a] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Cor 12: 12 – 27

The above scripture is self explanatory. When we contribute in a small manner, we are considered as a vital organ. All said and done, we may still feel not upto the mark, we may be not as good, and precisely, the church is all about building each other. We are all work in progress. We were never good at walking or talking, but with practice and rising up each time, we are able to walk and run and jump.If the child gives up and says, I’ll not try, because I fell, and I got hurt, then we will miss the point. So there’s training, encouragement, positive feedback and so on. We grow, we build not only each other but ourselves. Have we applied this theory, which says, when we teach we learn better. That’s how it is.
You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5

3. Church as an army of God.
Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 2 Timothy 2: 3 – 4

When we read most of the scripture portion, we are commanded. Most of the times it says, I command you to do this..and that. Who is commanded, a soldier. A soldier would never refrain from his duties. Second thing that is highlighted is, a war or a task is not fought alone. You are always in a troop or you are with one more soldier. We are stronger together, in unity. In history, battles were lost not because of a weak army but because of one person’s dishonesty or disloyalty. Therefore, we need to be in it together.

All said and done. How do we apply this sermon? We’ll look at the acronym B.O.A.T.

Being Available.
1. We may not be available throughout the week. We can inform that. We need people to coordinate for Prayer Walk, cell, church, etc. we need people to keep inventories, we need people to open their homes whenever need be, may be for cell or just to allow people to stay for a day etc. You may feel that, you are willing but in your home, everyone is not accepting, it’s alright, we can start small. Whatever is acceptable. Following up or making a phone call doesn’t take much of a time, or just checking in if everything is in order, and back doesn’t take much time. So just being around and available is the key.

2. Observe – Where you feel there is a need?
it could be setting up, you see people are struggling, or you have a better idea, etc. Mere observation and attending to that need is a good way to begin with.

3. Approach – Can I volunteer?
It could be a small help like taking the children for Sunday School. Changing the worship slides or it could be loading and unloading stuff. Anything.

4. Take ownership.
Whether big task or small task. God is looking at people who take the ownership. We find a vast difference between people who own it and people who take it as another task. Every time when we are at work, we enjoy doing a task if we own it. However, bad the circumstance would be, we are self motivated. It’s the same with church. People who own it, the outcome is the best and they do their best.

We are the church, we need each other. Don’t worry about your calibre or don’t worry also that we will undermine your calibre, either ways. God will honour as we build our spiritual family, our every role in the body of Christ is important, and we march on in Victory, in the Army of God. Amen.

As we come together in unity, the Holy Spirit will strengthen us and equip us. “I know i am touching the living body of Christ in the broken bodies of the hungry and the suffering.”
― Mother Teresa

Whatever, we do, it will only glorify God and build His people.

Sandra wife of Virjil .The New Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that New 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.

God’s ways for Woman. Throughout the Bible , we have seen , God has raised mighty Woman for his purpose.

Rahab hid the Israelite spies from danger and became part of the bloodline of Christ as Boaz’s mother (Joshua 6:17; Matthew 1:5).

Ruth selflessly cared for her mother-in-law and reaped grain in the fields. She married Boaz and became the grandmother of King David, entering the bloodline of Christ (Ruth 1:14–17, 2:2–3, 4:13, 4:17).

Esther married a pagan king and saved God’s people (Esther 2:8–9, 17; 7:2–8:17).

Deborah was a judge over Israel (Judges 4:4).

Jael helped deliver Israel from King Jabin’s troops when she drove a tent peg through the wicked Sisera’s temple (Judges 4:17–22).

Mary was chosen by God to bear and be an earthly mother to His Son (Luke 1:26–33).

Mary and Martha were two of Jesus’ closest friends (John 11:5).

Tabitha was known for her good works and was raised from the dead (Acts 9:36–40).

These were single and married women through the ages whom God has used to change the course of history and further His kingdom. They played a role of a Mother, Wife , Kings wife, friend, warrior , leader, fearless etc . God used all of them in a unique way.

In Genesis 2:18

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

Let us read these below verses

In John 15:26 and John 16:7, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to his disciples. In these verses, the Holy Spirit is referred to as the Comforter, Advocate, Helper, or Counselor depending on the Bible translation you are reading.

“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.” John 15:26 NIV

“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father,..” John 15:26 NKJV

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. John 16:7 KJV

It is the same TITLE used to refer to the Holy Spirt. Even though the context is different but just wanted to relate few attributes of a woman.

As the Holy Spirit invisibly and silently, yet powerfully helps the believer, even so the woman was created to help the man. She works invisibly, powerfully in whatever she does in a different way.

The woman in Genesis 2 is called ”the helper.” The word ”helper” in Hebrew is a hard word to translate. In English ”helper” can have a diminutive tone, like ”Give me a cup of coffee, I am tired.” The implication can be that men do the real work and women make the coffee.

But that is not AT ALL the implication of ”ezer.” Here’s how I know: ”ezer” is a word most often used in the Bible for God, as in ”God is our ezer (our help), our strength and our deliverer.”4 Now, God is not our gopher who doesn’t have the ability to help us. Saying ”God is our help” means that there are things we lack that only God has. We are insufficient; he makes up the gap. If anything, calling woman the ezer, the helper, implies a superiority in her, not him, because it means that he is incomplete and insufficient without her. Back in Genesis 1:26, it says, ”In the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

One of the resource I was reading I felt worth sharing that today, God wants to say this to You :

1. You are precious & Loved

Society does not define you what you are, but it is God who defines you. You being precious and being Loved by God. God sees you as His beautiful creation. You matter, regardless of your position in life. Jesus showcased that when he started talking to her. Regardless she being a Samaritan woman , Jesus started engaging with her. That changed her life, and her testimony impacted the lives of Samaritans around her (John 4:1-42, ESV).

2. You have been called for a unique purpose

you are here for a reason. God has an adventure ahead of you. Mary who put aside her fears and chose to trust God when she learned she would give birth to our Savior.

3. Grace was meant for you, too.

If you have messed it up. Or you failed to cater to people’s expectations. You’re human. And Jesus loves you right where you are. Think about the woman who was brought to the temple, accused of adultery (John 8:10-11). Religious leaders said she should be stoned to death. Jesus eliminated the threat when He said, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” One by one, the crowd left until it was just the woman and Jesus. Where were her accusers? All gone. He told her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

4. Keep on Pursuing , Never give up

Mark 5:24-29

A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped, and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

Never Give up, nothing stopped her to reach out. She overcame all the barriers and reached out. She was subject to this sickness for 12 years.

5. You are not called to juggle everything.

As a daughter of the Most High, you are invited to leave the whole world in His hands where it belongs. Your place is at the feet of our Savior. Jesus affirms that when visiting the house of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42). Martha was bustling about, preparing for Jesus’ visit, so everything had to be simply perfect. But when she complained to Him that her sister wasn’t helping, He gently reminded her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” In other words, calm down and realign, Martha. Setting the table is important but spending time with Jesus must come first.

Takeaway for today as we celebrate Women’s day.

CHOOSE GOD’S WAYS AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY

“In all your ways acknowledge Him”

Proverbs 3:6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” This well-loved verse describes a two-step partner­ship with God. Our part is to stop and acknowledge God along the way, and His part is to direct our paths.

COMMIT YOURSELF TO GOD DAILY

With all the everyday pressures, Commit your day to God. He will strengthen you.

FEAR THE LORD

In Proverbs 31 :30

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Virjil Selvan is Pastoring the New Hope Community. The New Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that New 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.

Last Friday , we began with a New study on Kingdom values and we studied on Accountability. And how important it is for all of us to attend. Please do attend and don’t miss the mid week meetings.

As we entered 2021 , it is good to reflect on how to set our priorities right.

Every person has their own priorities and values in life. Let me put it this way “Our values set our priorities”.

Illustration:

Surprised to see an empty seat at the world cup football final stadium, a diehard fan asked the woman sitting nearby whose seat it was. “It was my husband’s,” the woman explained, “But he died.” “I’m very sorry,” said the man. “Yet I’m really surprised that you still love him and you even did not give another relative a chance to take the seat reserved for him.” The woman said. “They all insisted on going to my husband’s funeral.”

In similar lines, when Israel had been taken captive into Babylon. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were chosen among the captives to stand before the king. The king had appointed them a daily portion of his meat and wine for them to drink. However, Daniel and his friends did not defile themself with the portion of the king’s meat. They knew they were Hebrews, they knew their values.  Daniel chose to stand by his values which set up his priorities in life.

What we are learning on Fridays (i.e. Kingdom values ) will help us to set our priorities right.

Let’s look at how we can set our priorities right for the New Year 2021.

By setting our Values right.

Most of us are in the place we are in because of misplaced priorities. We went to a driving school but still cannot drive. We joined music classes but we can hardly play any note. We started a course and could not complete it. We never gave our 100% and therefore we lose.

“Our values set our priorities”. Priority must be based on our spiritual values than worldly values

Two things that are difficult for most people to do: To think, and to do things in the order of their importance.” What a tragedy it would be to have gone through your whole life and at the end of it, look back, and realize that you spent all your time, money and energy on things that were pointless and had no value or worth.

1. Place God above everything

Luke 10- 38-42

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Serving others is highly commendable in the Bible, and it is certainly not wrong to serve. But in this instance priorities were an issue. Listening to Christ’s teachings was even more important than food preparation.

One thing I understood over the period of time, that we will never come to a place where we would say that we have enough time, and then spend that time in reading, praying etc. That will never happen. I am talking as a person who is still struggling. What we have is, the time now.

Let us look at what Jesus Did.

Luke 4:38-42

38 Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. 39 So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them. 40 At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. 41 Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah. 42 At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them.

Luke 4 : 42 At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking out for him. The reason He departed from the crowd and went to deserted places is because His priority was His relationship with God the Father. When most of us would say, “I’ve had a long, tiring day, I just need to relax.” Or when we say, “I’ve got a big day tomorrow, I need to get a good night’s sleep,” Jesus says, “I need to spend extra time with God. I need to pray.”

On the other hand, the Bible records examples of people who had distorted priorities, and who actually rejected Christ’s offer to become one of His disciples

Luke 9 : 57-62

57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 59 He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” 62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Nothing was wrong in their statement, but Jesus was teaching them an important lesson.

God was NOT their first priority

2. Develop Godly character.

As Christians we know that we are saved by grace through faith. But that doesn’t mean that it’s not important to live a godly life in Christ. Of course, living a godly life in Christ doesn’t have anything to do with our salvation. Salvation is solely by grace through faith. However, living a godly life has everything to do with :

A. Maintaining our relationship with God

By simply maintaining a consistent devotional life. The very life and character of God will, in many ways, almost “automatically” be transferred to you. A consistent devotional life is an absolute key to Christlike character.

B. Weigh Choices

Weigh our choices before we decide. Choose what is right in the eyes of God.

We need to bring our thoughts, our mind, our will, and emotions under the influence of the Holy Spirit, living inside of us. The Spirit will lead us. This is not achieved by ourselves but in constant touch with God.

C. Godly mentors.

The Bible says in Proverbs 13:20 – “He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

Apart from the Word of God, and my relationship with Him, the single most important factor in my life has been godly mentors.

Nothing can impacted me more. Not books, not conferences. Not seminars, etc. The single greatest impact upon our life, besides my own personal relationship with Christ, has been Godly mentors.

As we begin this year 2021. Let us set things right. It is possible through Christ alone.

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

A NEW CHAPTER

It’s been observed that January is the month where most people have tried out new things, have set their minds on goal setting, changing courses and so on. It’s observed that people always have an urge to start afresh, to undo things that have consequences. Humanly people want to have a new beginning or a start.

I would like to share an illustration to explain the idea.

My dog chewed the tongue on one of my new, very expensive running shoes. I hoped to save my investment, so I took the sneakers to a shoe repair shop. I placed them on the counter and told the man, “My dog got hold of this.”

The repairman picked up the shoe, looked it over, and placed it back down on the counter.

“Well, what do you recommend?” I asked.

He looked at me and replied, “Give your dog the other shoe.”

God wants us to gain a new perspective about our problems. He wants us to wear glasses of His love and discipline.

Even God knows us pretty well. He knows that every human has a heart to begin afresh. To have newness within.

Let’s Read from 2 Corinthians 5

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 – NIV

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

This verse boosts up our faith. It says, that all things have BECOME new. We need to understand that when we begin to acknowledge Jesus and start surrendering every area of our life, we will see the Newness in us and accordingly act on it.

The new creation is described in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” The word “therefore” refers us back to verses 14-16 where Paul tells us that all believers have died with Christ and no longer live for themselves. Our lives are no longer worldly; they are now spiritual. Our “death” is that of the old sin nature which was nailed to the cross with Christ. It was buried with Him, and just as He was raised up by the Father, so are we raised up to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). That new person that was raised up is what Paul refers to in 2 Corinthians 5:17 as the “new creation.”

How do we take hold of this New Beginning? Let us look at the 4Cs

1. Contemplation

Contemplation can also be mentioned as Meditation or a deep thought about something. Until and unless we don’t realise what area I need to begin afresh. I will not be able to make a plan or have a goal set. “A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral.”

Unless and until we don’t picturise ourselves to what we want to be, we will never achieve it.

Ways that we can contemplate

1. Interrogate yourself – Why do I need to begin afresh? What impact has it made or is it going to make if I change this action, attitude or behaviour? Am I ready to lose in order to gain the approval of Jesus?
2. Weigh Your Actions: The area that I need to have a new beginning, has it borne fruit, what kind of reactions has it caused? Also, there may be times when people would feel that you are faking it. You have an ulterior intention. Sudden change in behaviour or action may flare up doubts, misinterpretations. OR, there might be some one who will know you and support you, standing by you. Jesus will always know our intentions. He has brought about that newness in us and we need to realise that. The new has come.

2. Conviction

Only a deep revelation can bring us a great conviction. Conviction could be ‘Faith that is Verbalised’. A conviction about the cross. Conviction brings about a change in the way we look at things. Earlier we looked at it from the worldly perspective but now we look at it from the perspective of the cross. How has the cross impacted me and how far can I go with my conviction? Basically, so to say, what am I convinced about?

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Paul had this deep conviction and so He was ready to be a Martyr for Christ. He was so bold to share the gospel, inspite of Him being in chains and in the prison.

We need to reflect back, and look at our convictions. Where does my revelation come from? The world says, we are foolish and our convictions don’t make sense to them. However, again I reiterate, those who are in Christ Jesus, they are a New Creation, the old has gone and the new has come. We have become New. We need to walk in that conviction. Let not the world or our situation determine our new beginning. We need to hold on to the roots of that revelation, which is Jesus Christ and move on.

3. Confession

Confession or acknowledging our weakness, that we will fall, we will meet failures, we will face discouragements or critics. When my foundation or my revelation is not steady or if I am not convinced enough or motivated enough then I may fall back. But we should not stay there. We can come back. Remember, the verse says that the ‘New has come’. Acknowledging that I am susceptible to fall but I have a new start each time I fall, through Jesus Christ. Question is whom should I acknowledge it to, or confess? Can I go on telling people that I can’t do it or is it like only between God and myself? Many times, we make resolutions, but we fail to share it with people who will constantly show their trust on us. We generally, share it with those who are around us on an immediate basis, however, we also need to acknowledge it to those who constantly pray for us and guide us. We need to be accountable to those who would never give up on us. Those people who see beyond what we can see. They can see the New Creation all ready.

Let’s understand this aspect through the below illustration:

Jack removes the envelope from the small pile of mail and draws in a deep breath. It is from his former employer. He has lost sleep waiting for it. What he is about to read could lead to his exoneration or to imprisonment.

He had written to this man two weeks ago, confessing that he had stolen money from the cash deposits he drove to the bank each day as part of his job. After he received Jesus Christ, he felt that confession and offer of restitution was the only thing to do.

He was taking a huge risk. Should the company decide to prosecute, it could have grave consequences for his family. As a full-time student with a part-time job and a family to care for, there was no way he could afford an attorney if they chose to prosecute.

If they were to sue him for the entire amount, that would put his family out of house, home and seminary. He proceeded to send the letter anyway. Now Jack calls to his wife, Pat, and asks her to come into the kitchen. When she sees the envelope, she nervously goes to the sink and begins washing dishes because that’s how Pat works off nervousness. “Could Jack really go off to jail?”

Slipping his thumb under the flap, Jack slowly tears the envelope open. He pulls out a single sheet of paper, pausing only for a second as he considers the possible outcome of his confession. He begins reading aloud to Pat. “Dear Jack, Thank you for your letter indicating your actions while in our employ. The figures from the deposits were adjusted by our accounting department and there is no need to address this matter further. We appreciate your sincerity.”

Yes, so it all starts with knowing that Christ has given a New Beginning. My responsibility is to LIVE in that Newness. Cast off all my old ways. I begin with acknowledging my weaknesses and, it calls for embracing the consequences.

Many times, we are too fearful of the consequences of the past, that even though we want to confess, we don’t. We keep it undercover. Then that change doesn’t happen. We are unable to start our new journey. It’s one of the ways the enemy tries to hold us back, by shaming us and not allowing us to return from our old ways. Therefore, the bible is very clear, ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We need to hold on to that conviction, acknowledge God’s redemption plan and walk in the Newness.

Change of Course

Accepting that now I am a new person and behaving accordingly. Also, I may tend to switch to my old self. Without a plan and a goal, I may go back to my comfortable self.

• Plan it out (What area, we need to work on)
• Speak it out (Have an accountability partner)
• Work it out with someone (find someone with the same goal)
• Share it out (achievements)

We ought to remember that 2 Corinthians 5: 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

God teaches us 3 basic principles to a New Beginning:

• “Love when you expect no love in return.
• Do good without expecting thanks.
• Lend when you do not hope for a return.

Life is ours for the taking. We can begin a new life whenever we please.

We may have as much of God as we will. Christ puts the key to the treasure-chamber into our hand, and bids us to take all that we want.

If a man is admitted into the bullion vault of a bank, and told to help himself, and comes out with one cent, whose fault is it that he is poor? Whose fault is it that Christian people generally have such scanty portions of the free riches of God? (Citation: Alexander MacLaren, quoted in Streams in the Desert. Christianity Today, Vol. 41, no. 3.)

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

A new beginning – Looking beyond

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.

If we were to think about 2020 , Most of us would say that it was a difficult year due to the pandemic and we are all expecting big things in year 2021.

The Promise for this year 2021, we felt was the entire chapter of Isaiah 43. This Promise is for Our Families, Our Church and Our City.

This is what the Lord says— He who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters,

So Before we read Isaiah 43, Let us look at the context . Let’s understand little bit of it’s background.

Because the people of Jerusalem sinned, God allowed Babylonians 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 in their 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, begins with the words, “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God.

The fulfilment of this promise came through Cyrus II of Persia, who defeated Babylonia. Not only did Cyrus allow the exiles to return to their homeland, but he would also provide financial assistance to allow them to rebuild (Ezra 1:2-4).

Let us read the Chapter and we will see what God has kept for Our Families, Our Church & Our City in 2021.

Isaiah 43:1-21

43 But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush[a] and Seba in your stead.

4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.

5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.

6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—

7 everyone who is called by my name,  whom I created for my glory,  whom I formed and made.”

8 Lead out those who have eyes but are blind,  who have ears but are deaf.

9 All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Which of their gods foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”

10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.

11 I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior.

12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God.

13     Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”

14 This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake I will send to Babylon and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians, in the ships in which they took pride.

15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator, your King.”

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:

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.

20 The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen,

21     the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.

Let us see what is the promise for us in year 2021

1. Do Not Fear

Verse 1- But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

The above verse is for Israel when they lived in exile for 50+ years. And were still slaves, under the Babylonians .

And God says “Do Not Fear”.

What Causes us Fear, something which we are going through today? Something which we experienced in the past and Fear, that it should not recur?

The Current Circumstance made them fear, because it’s been so long that they have been slaves and don’t see any way out.

What do we Fear today, as we celebrate the new year 2021 today? As we read the verse in Today’s Context.

God Says, Do Not Fear? Why? The response is in verse 1.

A. “For I have redeemed you”.

Jesus paid the price for us and he brought us back.

B. “ I have summoned you by name”

God has called us by Name

C. “you are mine”

We belong to Him.

As we Face this 2021 with all the Uncertainties, God is asking Us , Our Families & Our Church. –

You are Mine, I have called you by your name, I have paid the price for you.

In spite of all the suffering and apparent hopelessness of their situation, we need not fear the future.

2. Assured of God’s Protection

Verse 2- When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

When we look at it from our Context.

The promise is not that our way will be easy or without danger, but rather, when  we would be exposed to danger we will be neither be overwhelmed nor consumed. We would face challenges this Year but we need to be assured of His protection.

3. Establishing Community

Verse 4- Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.

5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.

6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’  and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—

7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

8 Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf.

God’s Promise of restoration; He Says ,  that we are precious. He is going to give us People & Nations in exchange . He is going to gather those who have gone far and bring them back . We need to be prepared for this. While preparing, I felt that we need to prepare our Spiritual Life to absorb His promise. Especially each one of us and our Church NHC need to be prepared.

God is going to give people, give nations / cities (These are the places for which we have been praying for. Remember all those places where we as a church prayed for?) to us and God is going to bring back people who have gone far from the Lord and He will give them to us. To receive this promise, we need to be prepared and our spiritual journey need to Grow.

4. New Mind Set

Verse 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:

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.

This verse 16 & 17 looks back to the Exodus, where the Israelites, after leaving Egypt, with the Egyptian army in hot pursuit, found their escape route blocked by the Red Sea. The Israelites (with the exception of Moses) were afraid, but God told Moses to stretch out his staff over the sea to divide it so that the people would have a way of escape. When Moses did as God instructed, “God caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all through the night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. The Israelites went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand, and on their left” (Exodus 14:21-22).

The Egyptian army pursued the Israelites through the Red Sea, but God instructed Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come again on the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen.” (Exodus 14:26). When Moses did as instructed, the waters returned to their normal state and drowned the Egyptian soldiers. (Exodus 14:30-31).

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.” Verse 18 . It seems contradictory to recount former things in one breath and then, in the next breath, to ask people not to remember them.

We often make the mistake of remembering the marvellous past and forget that the Lord still does marvellous things. In other words, too much of the past and too little of the present, we need to shift our attention from the past to see the amazing things that God has planned for us NOW.

God may not work the same way he worked before. He may work differently this time. We may stand near the Red Sea to be parted but this time God may send an Aeroplane to cross that See. Expect different things from God this Year.

Look at the Aeroplane, Verse 19 – The Lord is doing a new thing Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

This is the Lord’s way of saying, “Wake up, folks! Look around! Open your eyes! Something great is happening! Can you see it?”

Church, we would have a great year 2021. Let us look forward and believe in this promise of Isaiah 43.

Not by our Strength but through Christ.

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

The dictionary defines stress as “physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension.” Some stress is necessary and even good—such as the physical strain we put on our muscles to make them stronger. But when we talk about “stress,” we are usually referring to excessive or negative mental or emotional strain or tension. While “stress” is not specifically mentioned in the Bible, Scripture does speak to things such as anxiety, worry, and trouble—things we often associate with stress

Wanted to share a story about a person X, who looks and compares with others and gets stressed. The Person looks at his children and their needs which he / she can’t meet and gets stressed. The Person looks at his provision and thinks about the future and he / she gets stressed. The Person is no one else than you and me. We Can’t runaway from Stress.

Everyone suffers from stress at one time or another. How we naturally deal with it depends in large part on who we are. For some, emotional stress causes physical illness. Others might become hyper-productive. On the other hand, some people under stress shut down mentally and emotionally. And, of course, there are a variety of other responses. Stress is a common human experience, particularly in a world where the demands for our time and attention seem to be unending. Our jobs, health, family, friends, and even ministry activities can overwhelm us.

The top physical symptom reported is fatigue, and the top psychological symptom is irritability or anger.

When we look at Genesis 3, we remember why life is hard. We sinned. Adam and Eve chose independence over dependence on God in the very beginning of the world, leaving all generations to wrestle with learning how to depend on God the way we were designed to. From the moment that we chose independence, God has been calling us back to him. Uncertainties in life are opportunities to depend on God the way he intended us to.

Some of the common cause of stress is finances, our future, our job, career, health etc

John 16:33 – In this world we will have stress

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

We might also find ourselves stressed when facing a hardship or trial.

James 1:2–4 counsels, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Here are a few characters in the Bible who had experienced pressures in their lives while serving God.

Daniel– Put yourself into his situation when he was thrown into the lion’s den. Without his sincere prayer, he might be attacked and eaten by all wild and hungry lions.

Esther– Convinced by her thought with only one choice to save her fellow Jews, she was determined to put her life at risk. Whatever things you might be thinking in her situation, it is still considered as stress.

Joseph– He was blamed and was punished for accusations that he didn’t do. He was sentenced to jail and that could become a great trouble for him. If other men would be placed into his tempting situation, most would fall in the seductive hands of Potiphar’s wife. All other struggles that Joseph faced can be regarded as a form of ‘acute stress.’

Elijah– One of his biggest stresses was when he saw the Cherith brook gradually drying. This compares to the dryness of your bank account, so it is still a stress.

David– if you were David, you might be highly pressured for your new position to rule the Kingdom as anointed by Samuel. It gives you more burden since King Saul is very much fugitive that he doesn’t want to leave his throne.

Moses– Imagine being a servant-leader just to free the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. Think also of the time when he was disobeyed by the Israelites, when he was cursed and was teased by the Egyptians. Even though he had accomplished a great mission for God, some of the stress we are experiencing now can be incomparable to his struggles.

Paul– If only there is an award for a person who experienced several stresses in his/her life, nothing beats the experiences of Paul especially starting from the time he became a Christian. It started from an argument when Barnabas did not join him in his mission. He even experienced shipwrecks, snake bites until he came to the point of being put into jail. Paul faced a lot of sufferings and inconveniences and you can read more in the Bible.

Let us answer some practical questions:

• What are the primary sources of my stress?
• How often do I pray about the factors in my life causing me stress?
• Do I trust God with my work, finances, health, relationships, and future?
• What effects does my stress have on my loved ones?

Let us look from the story of Jehoshaphat

2 Chronicles 20:

20 After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites[a] came to wage war against Jehoshaphat.

2 Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom,[b] from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). 3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

5 Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard 6 and said:

“Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. 7 Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, 9 ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us

When we are stressed , let us follow these guidelines which God is asking us to do.

1. Look up:

Our first response would be to look up. We need to look up to God, whenever we feel stressed out look to God in Prayer. It can just be as simple as this, looking into the heavens and saying, “God please help me”. Jehoshaphat went to the Lord. He did not plan; he went to the Lord First. He said , You are God , You rule over all Nations. That means God you are in Control of this situation.

Matthew 11:28-30:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

2. Look Back:

Jehoshaphat reminds himself about the past. In verse 7, Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel.

Look at your past, How God has been faithful from the time we were born. How we have experienced supernatural miracles in the past. How God worked for us in bigger situation than this.

Romans 8 :28

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose.

3. Look Down:

In Verse 7 it says , God gave it forever to the descendants of Abraham.

Open our book/ your mind, where we have written all the prophesies and promises which we have received for us. Read that out, remind ourselves of those promises.

Proverbs 3:5-6:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

4. Look Straight:

Walk in confidence ,In verse  9 ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us

Walk in confidence that God will hear and save us. He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Psalm 55:22

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

The most stressful seasons in my life climax is that moment when I realize that I can’t do it all. I am reminded of my human finiteness and fallibility. Instead of losing my breath in anxiety, I should be able to breathe a deep sigh of relief. I can’t do it all, but I don’t have to. I am not enough, but Christ is.

Philippians 4:6-7:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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

We rub shoulders every day with people who are desperate, hurting, and lonely. To be honest, many days, we might be those people, the desperate, the hurting, the lonely.

The Series on Mental Health is being discussed during this season to HELP us (Maybe we need it) and to equip us (Maybe others need it)

For those afflicted with depression, please understand you are not alone in how you feel. A sad truth is that many Christians suffer from depression and, either do not know it (they are miserable but do not know why) or cannot admit it because they think that it could be a spiritual problem. So, they suffer in silence hoping and praying for deliverance; but the consequences of doing nothing often results in further complication.

Clinical Depression can sometimes be caused by a physical disorder that needs to be treated with medication and/or counselling. Of course, God can cure any disease or disorder. However, in some cases, seeing a doctor for depression is no different than seeing a doctor for an injury. For this message , I need to take lot of help from online sources and bring together the word of God for our community. Let us begin..

Misconception: It is shameful to discuss mental illness openly.

Reality: Church community should be a safe environment for people to discuss mental health without judgment.

Misconception: You can always tell if someone is depressed by outward appearances or actions.

Reality: You cannot always tell that someone is depressed from how they look or act.

Misconception: Depression will go away if you pray hard enough or have enough faith.

Reality: Depression usually needs to be treated with more than prayer.

Misconception: Depression is a punishment from God.

Variation: If you feel depressed, it is because you have unconfessed sin.

Reality: Depression is not the fault of the person who is suffering. It is a difficult trial that can refine someone’s faith, but it is not a punishment for sin.

Misconception: Depression is just an excuse for laziness or not doing your “Christian duty.”

Variation: You are letting God and your church down if you are too depressed to serve or minister.

Reality: God loves you however much you do to serve Him.

Though the Bible doesn’t use the word “depression” except in a few translations and verses, it’s often referenced by other similar words, such as “downcast,” “broken hearted,” “troubled,” “miserable,” “despairing,” and “mourning,” among others.

Depression is not new to us in today’s world , it existed in the bible, there are a number of stories about godly, influential men and women of faith, who struggled and battled through dark times of hopelessness and depression.

1. Complete loss or absence of hope: David

Depression:

David battled with despair. In 2^nd Samuel 12:18

18 On the seventh day the child died. David’s attendants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, he wouldn’t listen to us when we spoke to him. How can we now tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.”

Restoration:

20 Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.

21 His attendants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!”

22 He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ 23 But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”

24 Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her.

As we mentioned before, it is ok to be depressed but we can move out from it by the strength of God.

All these stories of these great men of God is penned down in the bible, that itself gives us the hope. David expresses his feelings, so it is alright, even for us to share and express if we are depressed. The Bible does not hide his feelings but gives us a hope and direction on how we can overcome it.

“My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.” Ps. 38:4

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Ps. 42:11

2. Discouraged, Afraid & Weary : Elijah

Depression:

Elijah was tired, weary , exhausted as he was running for his life from Jezebel

1 Kings 19 :4

“I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”

Restoration:

All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he travelled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.

It was an Instant response from God , he sent and Angel and then we see in the later verse that God himself met him. This Bread and Water can symbolically signifying anything to us . it can be a word of God, Coming to the living water etc.

3. Angry and wanted to run away from God : Jonah

Depression:.

3 Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

4 But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

Restoration:

5 Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. 6 Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant

God showcases the concern to Jonah and teaches him from the plant. We all know the latter part of the story; God sends a worm which eats the leaf and then God demonstrates to him about the concern which he had for the people of Ninevah.

Feelings of depression can often be solved when those suffering with depression move the focus from themselves to Christ and others

As for whether to take medication for depression, the Bible does not address that specifically. But Jesus, in His life and ministry, made it clear that healing — and seeking healing — is a good thing. He also acknowledged that the sick need a doctor (Matthew 9:12). And Paul, when he mentioned Timothy’s chronic stomach ailments, didn’t indicate he should suffer in his illness but rather take measures to alleviate it (1 Timothy 5:23).

4. Loss, physical illness & devastated: Job

Depression:

“Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?” Job 3:11

even his own wife said, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” Job 2:9

“Terrors overwhelm me…my life ebbs away, days of suffering grip me. Night pierces my bones, my gnawing pains never rest.” Job 30:15-17

Job literally lost everything, his fortune, children, and he had physical illness with sores in his body. He was going through a phase of depression

Restoration:

Even with all these, he never gave up and we see God.

12 The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. 13 And he also had seven sons and three daughters.

5. Deeply anguished (severe mental or physical pain or suffering) about what is yet to come: JESUS

Depression:

Isaiah prophesied that Christ would be “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” Isaiah 53:3

Mark 14:34-36

“And He said to them, ‘My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and keep watch.’ And He went a little beyond them and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. And He was saying, ‘Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.'”

Restoration:

And we all are aware that it was God’s will that Jesus must undergo the process.

And Jesus did not give up to Depression but rather he overcame it.

From all these stories, we know that God was with all of them. Each story, we read we saw how God was speaking , directing , comforting them.

“The LORD is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Ps. 34:18

Help is available. Don’t feel the need to try to hide your pain or struggle through on your own. Talk to a friend or counsellor or our NHC community. Seek out professional treatment and care.

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