The Bible uses the phrase salvation in three tenses-
You are saved - you are being saved and you will be saved
1. You are Saved
The moment you believe in Jesus you are born again, your sins are forgiven and your names are written in the lamb’s book of life.
You receive the gift of eternal life and your place in heaven is assured. Hallelujah!!
This is a work of God- This was possible only because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
By the grace of God you are saved- Nothing can change this; nothing can separate you from the love of Christ. Your entry into heaven is not based on how good you have lived before nor is it dependant on how well you will live from now on. Your forgiveness of Sin and entry into heaven is based ONLY on the finished work of Jesus Christ.
2. You are being saved
Having been saved by Grace does not mean we should lead casual lives- far from it- our assured salvation is a motivation for us to live for God out of a love and desire for God.
However we are still weak and our bodies are weak. We are to live no longer under the Law but by the Spirit of God
We are not saved by good works rather we are saved for good works.
We are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Not living carelessly but living for the glory of God.
Our lives will be tested- if we do well we will receive rewards- if not we will suffer loss.
Jesus often motivated by rewards. He said “if you pray God will see what you have done in secret and he will reward you”
The way we live our lives and our works will not change our position of being
Declared holy- They will however prepare for us rewards or loss in heaven
(1Cor 3:13)
3. You will be saved
Our salvation will be complete on the day Jesus comes again. Jesus is coming again. The time and date no one knows, but he his coming is for sure.
On that day Jesus will come in the clouds- His coming will be spectacular. Jesus will bring along with him all those who have fallen asleep.
They who had believed in Him and have died will receive their spiritual bodies and will rise first- then we who have believed in him and are still alive will be changed instantly- we too will receive our spiritual bodies and will rise to meet the Lord in the air.
Our bodies will be saved on that day.
That day will be the Day of Judgment as well. On that day we will receive our rewards for all the good works we have done. We will receive the inheritance that can never perish spoil or fade.
It is good to remind ourselves of our salvation- This great salvation.
* If you have not given your life to Jesus- do so and your sins will be forgiven
* If you are not living a holy live and not involved in good works - do so and you will be rewarded.
* Be ready he will come suddenly- Await his return with expectation
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
THIS GREAT SALVATION
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Masihi Siddanth
Masihi Siddanth is a wonderful training programme in Hindi- Three modules have been completed so far -1) The person of Jesus 2) Spiritual Disciplines and 3) The Doctrine of God.
The Next session is on the 9th and 10th of August- On the "Grace Of God"
If you have registered for it ---- be there.
The sessions are recorded and are available in Cd format.Contact us for more information.
Growth at what Cost
Mega-church Willow Creek Discovers Seeker-Friendly Church Model Fails toMake Disciples
Chicago-based Willow Creek Community Church, deemed to be the largest church in America at one time, undertook a three-year landmark research project to determine if their methodology of appealing to the unchurched via a contemporary seeker-friendly model of church ministry was effective.
Their results? Startling. Long-held assumptions crumbled. Their findings revealed that their strategy was successful at putting people in pews, but failed miserably at making disciples of Jesus Christ.
To put it in the words of one leader, "their discipleship was ten miles wide, but one inch deep."
'Senior pastor Bill Hybels, in an amazing admission, said:
"Some of the stuff we have put millions of dollars into thinking it would really help our people grow spiritually, when the data actually came back it wasn't helping people that much. Other things that we didn't put that much money into and didn't put much staff against is stuff our people are crying out for." -Pastor Bill Hybels, Willow Creek Community Church
It's a wake up call to the mega-church, seeker sensitive churches of America and around the world.
In Masiha Church as we seek to grow
May we be seeker sensible, not seeker sensitive - may we be radical disciples of Jesus
Chicago-based Willow Creek Community Church, deemed to be the largest church in America at one time, undertook a three-year landmark research project to determine if their methodology of appealing to the unchurched via a contemporary seeker-friendly model of church ministry was effective.
Their results? Startling. Long-held assumptions crumbled. Their findings revealed that their strategy was successful at putting people in pews, but failed miserably at making disciples of Jesus Christ.
To put it in the words of one leader, "their discipleship was ten miles wide, but one inch deep."
'Senior pastor Bill Hybels, in an amazing admission, said:
"Some of the stuff we have put millions of dollars into thinking it would really help our people grow spiritually, when the data actually came back it wasn't helping people that much. Other things that we didn't put that much money into and didn't put much staff against is stuff our people are crying out for." -Pastor Bill Hybels, Willow Creek Community Church
It's a wake up call to the mega-church, seeker sensitive churches of America and around the world.
In Masiha Church as we seek to grow
May we be seeker sensible, not seeker sensitive - may we be radical disciples of Jesus
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Special Meeting
Masiha Church is having a special Gospel meeting entitled
"YOU -YOUR FAMILY and GOD"
on Sunday 10th August at 5.30 pm
At
St Xaviers Institute Of Engineering
Mahim Causeway- Mahim Mumbai
The meeting is in English and Hindi - all are welcome - please invite your friends & relatives.
See you there
"YOU -YOUR FAMILY and GOD"
on Sunday 10th August at 5.30 pm
At
St Xaviers Institute Of Engineering
Mahim Causeway- Mahim Mumbai
The meeting is in English and Hindi - all are welcome - please invite your friends & relatives.
See you there
Monday, August 4, 2008
Leasership Lessons Part One
Jesus gathered a group of men- he spent time with them and equipped them to spread the Kingdom- The principles are still the same today- trained men carrying the responsibility will extend God’s rule.
I want to share what I call the five C’s which are crucial for building men who can fulfill their walk with God and their service to him
1. Call
You are called of God. Do you know it- you are not just there- you have a purpose- Paul said – make sure you live a life worthy of the calling you have received- called of God primarily to live with him and to serve him. You need a revelation of this – you are not called by me or another Church leader or any other person- you are called by God- do not forget that.
2. Character
Called men need to live a transformed life- when you are born again the old has gone and the new has come- this new life needs to be reflected in the way we live our lives- you should be able to say “see the proof of my repentance”.
Your character needs to be developed. Yes we are declared Holy when we come to Christ- but we are constantly being made Holy as well- the doctrine of sanctification is very important. How is your secret walk with God- only you and God know- are you saying no to Sin and yes to righteousness.
Men – are you a loving husband and a good father? - are you controlling your tongue?
- What you watching on TV? - are you resisting the pornographic sites?
Do you handle money with integrity? Can you be trusted?
-our character needs to be developed constantly- if you need help –get it- but do not take this area casually.
You could be very gifted but if you’re Character has not been developed one day you will fall.
So watch out!!
3. Commitment
How committed are you? In our service to God we must always sharpen ourselves- it is so easy to grow cold- sometimes discouraged – and that can affect our commitment to God and to the Church.
I have found that the moment you put convenience as a priority- commitment begins to slacken-
“Convenience is a killer, Challenges make you grow”
Be committed
I have also noticed in the different areas of Church ministry – be it the serving team or the worship team- there is often the question members are asking “will everyone come today? Will we be in full strength to fulfill what we are to do?” This reflects a lack of commitment from the members- This should not be the case- do not allow slackness to come in- sharpen you axe
“Whatever you put your hands to do- do it with all your heart.
4. Competence
Everyone is not called to do everything- we are members of a body and we have different gifts the Lord has given each one of us. I believe we are called to use the strength and the gift God has placed in each one to bring glory to God and to build Gods Church. You need to enhance your gift- train yourself further in that area so that the whole body can benefit.
I remember one of the favorite verses we quoted in the context of praise and worship in the early days was “make a joyful noise to the Lord” we were so poor musically that we rejoiced with this verse and we praised God with liberty. However the Psalm also talks about “playing skillfully to the Lord”
If you have a musical gift enhance it further- increase your competence for the building of the Church- so often we see people training themselves in skills for their work place- How much more should we do it for the Lord and his Church- The Church needs men with Competence.
5. Chemistry
We cannot serve the Lord alone- our relationship with the other brothers is vital- How is your chemistry with you brothers?
Jesus values unity- Be one- just as Jesus and the Father are one. Here I do not mean that everyone will be best friends with everyone- That will be extremely difficult if not impossible to do- even Jesus had a couple of men who were closer than the others- however they were still one team- value your brothers-
“Make every effort to keep the spirit of unity through the bond of peace”
All these areas are important- let us train ourselves to fulfill God’s call on our lives.
Take a step forward today.
Amen
I want to share what I call the five C’s which are crucial for building men who can fulfill their walk with God and their service to him
1. Call
You are called of God. Do you know it- you are not just there- you have a purpose- Paul said – make sure you live a life worthy of the calling you have received- called of God primarily to live with him and to serve him. You need a revelation of this – you are not called by me or another Church leader or any other person- you are called by God- do not forget that.
2. Character
Called men need to live a transformed life- when you are born again the old has gone and the new has come- this new life needs to be reflected in the way we live our lives- you should be able to say “see the proof of my repentance”.
Your character needs to be developed. Yes we are declared Holy when we come to Christ- but we are constantly being made Holy as well- the doctrine of sanctification is very important. How is your secret walk with God- only you and God know- are you saying no to Sin and yes to righteousness.
Men – are you a loving husband and a good father? - are you controlling your tongue?
- What you watching on TV? - are you resisting the pornographic sites?
Do you handle money with integrity? Can you be trusted?
-our character needs to be developed constantly- if you need help –get it- but do not take this area casually.
You could be very gifted but if you’re Character has not been developed one day you will fall.
So watch out!!
3. Commitment
How committed are you? In our service to God we must always sharpen ourselves- it is so easy to grow cold- sometimes discouraged – and that can affect our commitment to God and to the Church.
I have found that the moment you put convenience as a priority- commitment begins to slacken-
“Convenience is a killer, Challenges make you grow”
Be committed
I have also noticed in the different areas of Church ministry – be it the serving team or the worship team- there is often the question members are asking “will everyone come today? Will we be in full strength to fulfill what we are to do?” This reflects a lack of commitment from the members- This should not be the case- do not allow slackness to come in- sharpen you axe
“Whatever you put your hands to do- do it with all your heart.
4. Competence
Everyone is not called to do everything- we are members of a body and we have different gifts the Lord has given each one of us. I believe we are called to use the strength and the gift God has placed in each one to bring glory to God and to build Gods Church. You need to enhance your gift- train yourself further in that area so that the whole body can benefit.
I remember one of the favorite verses we quoted in the context of praise and worship in the early days was “make a joyful noise to the Lord” we were so poor musically that we rejoiced with this verse and we praised God with liberty. However the Psalm also talks about “playing skillfully to the Lord”
If you have a musical gift enhance it further- increase your competence for the building of the Church- so often we see people training themselves in skills for their work place- How much more should we do it for the Lord and his Church- The Church needs men with Competence.
5. Chemistry
We cannot serve the Lord alone- our relationship with the other brothers is vital- How is your chemistry with you brothers?
Jesus values unity- Be one- just as Jesus and the Father are one. Here I do not mean that everyone will be best friends with everyone- That will be extremely difficult if not impossible to do- even Jesus had a couple of men who were closer than the others- however they were still one team- value your brothers-
“Make every effort to keep the spirit of unity through the bond of peace”
All these areas are important- let us train ourselves to fulfill God’s call on our lives.
Take a step forward today.
Amen
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