The 2010 Church calender with images,scriptures,happenings is now available. You can collect your copy at Rs 30/- per copy or write to us for it.
Friday, January 8, 2010
2010 Masiha Church calender
The 2010 Church calender with images,scriptures,happenings is now available. You can collect your copy at Rs 30/- per copy or write to us for it.
JONATHAN & HIS ARMOUR-BEARER
The New year message preached by Rahul Rao on sunday 3rd Jan
1 Samuel 14:6-15
Background: The Philistines waged war against the Israelites, they were huge in size, professional warriors and numerous (3000 chariots, 6000 charioteers and innumerable soldiers) operating from a stronghold and terrorizing the Israelites. Of the 600 fighters with Saul, only Saul & Jonathan had weapons, because the Philistines took away all their blacksmiths. To top all this, Samuel had prophesied God’s rejection of Saul as king. Result was fear which led to the Israelite army reduced to about 600 men from 3000+ and those left were hiding in caves, thickets, rocks, holes & pits. These meant Philistines were the obvious favorites.
*Story: Jonathan and his AB decide to step up and take on the Philistines all by themselves. But their reliance is still on God, they move ahead with a “Perhaps Faith” (vs. 6) The AB is whole heartedly committed to Jonathan (vs. 7) The Lord gives them a sign and they take on the Philistine army & defeat them with the help of God’s mighty hand.
* Definition of an AB: An officer selected by kings & generals because of his bravery, not only to bear their armor, but also to stand by them in danger. AB’s were aides chosen by kings and high-ranking military commanders for their bravery and loyalty. As the name indicates, they bore the armour, but they were much more than that. One of the most famous AB’s of the Bible was young David who entered the service of Saul as the king's AB.
Jonathan’s Faith – (vs. 6) Jonathan displayed perhaps faith, the word perhaps (maybe), are not the type of words that success stories are built on. But God is a gracious God; he works even when there is faith as small as a mustard seed (Matt 17:20). God blessed Jonathan because of his faith; the size of faith is determined by the size of risk involved. Some of the famous men in the Bible operated on perhaps faith at certain stage in their lives - Jacob (Gen 32:20) Moses (Ex 32: 30) Caleb (Josh 14:12) David (2 Sam 16:12) Paul (Rom 1:10) God is looking for Jonathan’s who are willing to take steps of faith that involves RISK.
Armour-bearer’s (AB) Response – (Vs. 7) He encouraged Jonathan to go ahead with his plans. But it was not just a mere thumbs-up, it was a solid endorsement. He totally and wholeheartedly was willing to risk his life to fulfill Jonathan’s plans. Jesus willfully bore the cross on our behalf to fulfill the salvation plan of His Father. Jesus was the best & perfect Armour Bearer of all history. All Christians at some stage of our lives will be called to be an AB to someone. Get ready to play your role! Sometimes leaders have “Perhaps Faith” & need AB’s to support them!
2 are better than 1: God seems to love to work in 2’s. Instances of this: Moses and Aaron, Saul and Jonathan, Peter and John, Paul and Barnabas, Paul and Timothy, Paul and Silas, etc. The man who works alone does not have the promise of so much blessing as two working together. Armour-bearer's response strengthened Jonathan. “One will chase a thousand and two put ten thousand to flight” - Deut 32:30. This is a divine calculation. The Bible says, “When brothers dwell together in unity, God commands blessing and abundant life” – Psalm 133:1, 3. Christ said, ‘If two of you shall agree in my name’. The sower and the reaper go together. Jesus prayed for unity in John 17:21, 22. The seventy were sent forth in two’s. Peter in dealing with the lame man in Acts 3 said 'Look @ us.' John was as involved in the miracle as Peter was, they were united in heart & though Peter was involved in action, John definitely was not a mere spectator but probably involved in prayer and support. New Frontiers - We are ‘Together on a Mission’.
God is looking for Jonathan’s who are willing to take great risks for God by stepping out in faith, even if it’s Perhaps Faith. God is also looking for the AB’s of today who will stand alongside the Jonathan’s and partake in their fight to glorify the name of Jesus! Finally, God is looking for unity in His church where He can command His blessing, both now and forevermore!!
1 Samuel 14:6-15
Background: The Philistines waged war against the Israelites, they were huge in size, professional warriors and numerous (3000 chariots, 6000 charioteers and innumerable soldiers) operating from a stronghold and terrorizing the Israelites. Of the 600 fighters with Saul, only Saul & Jonathan had weapons, because the Philistines took away all their blacksmiths. To top all this, Samuel had prophesied God’s rejection of Saul as king. Result was fear which led to the Israelite army reduced to about 600 men from 3000+ and those left were hiding in caves, thickets, rocks, holes & pits. These meant Philistines were the obvious favorites.
*Story: Jonathan and his AB decide to step up and take on the Philistines all by themselves. But their reliance is still on God, they move ahead with a “Perhaps Faith” (vs. 6) The AB is whole heartedly committed to Jonathan (vs. 7) The Lord gives them a sign and they take on the Philistine army & defeat them with the help of God’s mighty hand.
* Definition of an AB: An officer selected by kings & generals because of his bravery, not only to bear their armor, but also to stand by them in danger. AB’s were aides chosen by kings and high-ranking military commanders for their bravery and loyalty. As the name indicates, they bore the armour, but they were much more than that. One of the most famous AB’s of the Bible was young David who entered the service of Saul as the king's AB.
Jonathan’s Faith – (vs. 6) Jonathan displayed perhaps faith, the word perhaps (maybe), are not the type of words that success stories are built on. But God is a gracious God; he works even when there is faith as small as a mustard seed (Matt 17:20). God blessed Jonathan because of his faith; the size of faith is determined by the size of risk involved. Some of the famous men in the Bible operated on perhaps faith at certain stage in their lives - Jacob (Gen 32:20) Moses (Ex 32: 30) Caleb (Josh 14:12) David (2 Sam 16:12) Paul (Rom 1:10) God is looking for Jonathan’s who are willing to take steps of faith that involves RISK.
Armour-bearer’s (AB) Response – (Vs. 7) He encouraged Jonathan to go ahead with his plans. But it was not just a mere thumbs-up, it was a solid endorsement. He totally and wholeheartedly was willing to risk his life to fulfill Jonathan’s plans. Jesus willfully bore the cross on our behalf to fulfill the salvation plan of His Father. Jesus was the best & perfect Armour Bearer of all history. All Christians at some stage of our lives will be called to be an AB to someone. Get ready to play your role! Sometimes leaders have “Perhaps Faith” & need AB’s to support them!
2 are better than 1: God seems to love to work in 2’s. Instances of this: Moses and Aaron, Saul and Jonathan, Peter and John, Paul and Barnabas, Paul and Timothy, Paul and Silas, etc. The man who works alone does not have the promise of so much blessing as two working together. Armour-bearer's response strengthened Jonathan. “One will chase a thousand and two put ten thousand to flight” - Deut 32:30. This is a divine calculation. The Bible says, “When brothers dwell together in unity, God commands blessing and abundant life” – Psalm 133:1, 3. Christ said, ‘If two of you shall agree in my name’. The sower and the reaper go together. Jesus prayed for unity in John 17:21, 22. The seventy were sent forth in two’s. Peter in dealing with the lame man in Acts 3 said 'Look @ us.' John was as involved in the miracle as Peter was, they were united in heart & though Peter was involved in action, John definitely was not a mere spectator but probably involved in prayer and support. New Frontiers - We are ‘Together on a Mission’.
God is looking for Jonathan’s who are willing to take great risks for God by stepping out in faith, even if it’s Perhaps Faith. God is also looking for the AB’s of today who will stand alongside the Jonathan’s and partake in their fight to glorify the name of Jesus! Finally, God is looking for unity in His church where He can command His blessing, both now and forevermore!!
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