(A sermon by Rev. Asap Singh in the closing of 2018 to face the New Year with new hope)

Scripture Portion: Psalm 103

This is undoubtedly the experiences of David. CH Spurgeon says about this psalm as "It is as the apple tree among the trees of the wood, and its golden fruit has a flavor such as no fruit ever bears unless it has been ripened in the full sunshine of mercy. it is man's reply to the benedictions of his God, his song in the Mount answering to his Redeemer's Sermon on the Mount." He also says "It (Ps.103) might alone almost suffice for the hymn-book of the church."

A Psalm of David's experience to His Almighty God, explaining the nature of God towards His created people. The first five verses David claims it for himself, 6-19 God’s dealing with His people and at the end 20-22 a call of worship to the nature. The psalm also lists out the faithfulness, love and justice of God in the past and assures the hope to face the future. As we are closing up the year 2018, I am intended to take us a walk through our lives in this year and examining what God has done in our lives. When you start counting the goodness of God in your lives it makes you to be grateful to God and gives courage to face the future. 

I want to take you through a look in your personal life and just guide you towards what should be your response to God in those circumstances. I have written it in comparison of my life to David, that leads me to the following,

1.      LOOKING BACK – LEADS ME TO THANK GOD (PS 103:1-4)

David says “Bless the Lord O MY Soul… And forgot not all HIS benefits” (vv 1-2). Every day is a gift of God where we receive something from God – the acts of God is unthinkable in our lives. Just count the amount of Oxygen you inhaled and if you would have to pay it in a corporate mindset hospital? The following is just a calculation I received as a text,

· Human being breathe 28,800 times in average

· It takes about 11,000 liters of Oxygen everyday

·  The body requires the minimum of 55 liters Oxygen everyday which is used as fuel to the body

· A 2.5 liters Oxygen cylinder costs of Rupees 6,500

·  If you pay for all the Oxygen you inhaled, per day Rs. 13 Lakhs / Per year 4.87 Crores

This is just an example of what God has done in your lives – Can anyone say “God did not do anything to me?” or “Is there any reason NOT to Thank God?” I would obviously say “NO” besides this when you look back God has been your…

· Provider of all you needed (Deut 8:4; 29:5 –Shoes/Cloths/Shelter/Food…etc). May not be all you want!

· Protector from all harm (Sickness/Death/Trials/Temptations) – Ps 103:3-4

· Forgiveness and Mercy when you were going away/doing wrong (Ps 103:4) – Mercy (eleos – Pity –not getting what we deserve) is different from Grace (charis – undeserved getting something)

All the above things in the past lead me to Thank God. Looking past is NOT living in the past. Looking past is always bits and pieces (Like watching highlights in the post matches – the recap of test match crickets nobody watches over). The highlights in the past make us to be grateful to God – therefore look back and Thank God.

2.      LOOKING AROUND – LEADS ME TO PRAISE GOD (VV 6-10)

Key things we see in this passage – God is Righteous, Justice, Compassionate, Gracious, Slow to anger, Love and Kind and does not treat according to what we deserve.

All the acts of the Lord in our daily life – we see in the above verses – it is visible only we look around. It happens most of the times our problems is looking at our past life or dwelling in the present or worrying about the Future. Looking around us gives heart of gratitude that how privileged we are.

V.5 says “He satisfies our desires with good things” when we are satisfied with good things – we must respond it in praise (Ps 116:13 – Lift up the cup of salvation). The song that says “Every blessing you pour out – I’ll turn back to Praise” but how many times we turned out them to be praises?

                                      

When you look around you initially murmur of what you do not have but when your look further you will praise God for what you have. When your shoes getting old you will murmur but when you look around with someone who does not have legs you will praise God. There is a video I saw “Be Grateful” which is the good reminder that – Everyone has something better when you compare it with someone else. We all are in some way special comparing with someone who does not have it.

Lot of adversities happened around in this year like Cyclones/Flood/Famine/Loss of loved ones… etc. those things happening all around us, we are still alive. This is the reason to Praise God. Don’t forget to look around and see what is happening that will lead you to praise God.

3.      LOOKING WITHIN – LEADS ME TO LOVE GOD (VV14-17)

V.14 says “He knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.” – are there any use with the dust? I know that I am nothing without God.

V.15 the life time of humans are very short (Like grass/flowers) disappears shortly.

God knows the unknown and sees the unseen,

Hebrews 4:13 - Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

I Samuel 16:7 - The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

Psalm 139:1-4 - Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.

Ps 103:14 says “He knows how we are formed” – Everyone is formed with different abilities – IQ’s –understandings – positive and negatives – good and bad. God knows which kind of person you are.

Knowing someone’s thought makes us sick (Gen 6:5 – evil thoughts) actor Vivek in one of the movies tries to understand the heart of women and finally gets sick of mind voices.

When we look within – a kind of person we are – filled with pride/envy/lust/jealous/anger… etc – Amidst of all those sins and failures God still love us - which in turn leads us to love God. 

4.      LOOKING FORWARD – LEADS ME TO TRUST GOD (VV 17-19)

It is always our past and present experiences give confidence to face the future.

v.17 – His faithfulness and Love remains the same from Everlasting to Everlasting (Eternal). It leads me to the conclusion, God was faithful-just and love in the past and present so also HE WILL BE the same in the Future.

v.18 – His Covenant remains the same – God made covenant or agreement with His people, He will never change no matter whether we change or not. He will love you and care for you whether you do it back or not.

v.19 – He is Sovereign king over all He created. All things are under His control – You no need to worry something would go wrong in the future.

His Promises remain the same (Ps. 145:13; 2 Cor. 1:20). Therefore we can look ahead even in the next year with hope and trust in the Lord that he will lead us in the good path.

Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Look forward the next year with the hope and trust in the Lord because He is in Control.

May God bless you in the coming year 2019 with all His heavenly blessings!

Matthew 16:13-20

¹³ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”¹⁴ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”¹⁵ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. ¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” ²⁰ Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Church plays the key role in the divine plan of human history. He worked as a person when He was on the earth; He works even today through the invisible body of Christ – the church. We see the connection between Christ and church throughout the New Testament. The metaphors used for the role of Christ in the church are,

1. Shepherd and sheep (The fold of God) – Acts 20:28-29
2. Bridegroom and Bride (The Bride of Christ) – Ephesians 5:23-32
3. Head and Body (The Body of Christ) – 1 Cor. 12:12-27
4. Cornerstone and Building (The temple of God) – Eph 2:19-22
5. Vine and Branches (John 15:1-5)

The word church is found in Matthew 16:18 for the first time in the Bible – which is not a building or denomination. The word Ekklesia (Ek – out of; Kaleo – Called) means a group of people whom God chose for Himself to be His witnesses. I thank God that you are that group God has chosen you before the foundation of the earth. God executes the following through the church

• Redemption to the humanity
• Blessing to the nations
• Witnesses to the world
• Transformation and peace to the world

The church is the physical presence of Jesus to the lost world (hands and feet of Jesus). A revived church is the only hope to the lost world. A sleeping church cannot do anything for Christ. 

To tell about the passage – The disciple were probably absolute happy of being with Jesus. They spent about 3 years with Jesus – No problems – Miracles everywhere – Witnessing wonders – Deliverance everywhere – They were able to do the same – They were seen as heroes in the society. Caesarea Philippi is the junction where Jesus started sharing His original purpose of coming to the earth. The death on the cross or end of Jesus’ life was never expected by disciples so that Peter rebuked Jesus for predicting about His death (vv21-23). A comfortable lifestyle and honor from people nobody wanted to give it up. The passage we read talks about the role of Christ in the church.

1. Christ Redeemed the Church (vv.13-17)

¹³ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”¹⁴ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”¹⁵ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.

The conversation between Christ and Peter is seen here. Peter used a specific word by knowingly or unknowingly. He said Jesus as “Messiah” – Means Christ in Greek (the anointed one). In Jewish concept they were expecting a “Messiah” who would come and deliver the people from the political oppression of people. Jews were always under slavery – captivity and oppression, they were expecting a Messiah who would come and deliver the people from all oppression. BUT Jesus was not a political Messiah who would deliver them from political problems but the Spiritual savior – who deliver the people from all sin and bondage. 

People persuaded Jesus as John the Baptist (Reformer) or Elijah / Jeremiah (Prophets) but Peter and disciples understood He is something greater than the Old Testament heroes and John the Baptist. Christ is the Redeemer of the Church – He redeems and delivers people from inside (Salvation). We see the purpose of Jesus’ arrival as follows in the scriptures.

Mark 10:45 - For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Acts 20:28 - Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

1 Pet 1:18-19 - For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Since Christ redeemed the church, we must proclaim the redemption of Christ. He is not a Jewish messiah but Redeemer of the world – delivers people from sin and darkness. Jesus in v.17 appreciated Peter by saying, “for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven,” It is the revelation of God to understand the redeeming nature of Christ. Even though peter did not realize it but it was the revelation of God to confess Jesus as “Messiah.”

Even today Jesus redeems people from the bondage of sin, darkness, sickness, infirmities, troubles and problems people face in day to day life. Mr. Panneerselvam’s family got redeemed through Jesus and they became witnesses. His sons are pasturing churches.

2. Christ Builds the Church (v.18a)

“On this Rock I will build my Church.” – Who builds the church? Many times pastors claim that the church belong to them. It is Jesus who builds the church for Himself – it is He who adds believers into the church – It is the work of the Holy Spirit who convicts the believers to accept Jesus as their savior.

1 Cor. 12:3 - No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:47 - And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 16:5 - So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

The church is built by the Lord – all the ministries we involve are vain if the Lord does not work in their hearts. There were 3000 added to the church in the day of Pentecost. Christ is the architect in building the church (Universal Church). We preach and proclaim the good news but the believers are added only through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Bro Jesudass was a devotee of a Hindu god Ayyappan – once my father met him while he was dedicated his life for the pilgrimage and said “Brother Jesus Loves You.” That word troubled him throughout that day and made him to be restless. The next week he went for the pilgrimage as walk and did all the rituals. He returned to the shop where he met my dad and enquired about furthermore. He was led to the Lord by sharing the gospel – now he is ministering the Lord in his native place.

It is unimaginable how the Lord works to add people unto himself – it is certain that Christ even works today. He builds the spiritual house through the believers (Living Stones) 1 Pet 2:4-8. The role of Christ in the church is that he builds his church amidst of oppositions and powers of darkness. Our role as believers - don’t stop spreading the gospel and don’t claim church as yours.

3.  Christ Protects the Church (vv18b-19)

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, the gates of Hades will not overcome it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

The promise of Christ to the church is “Hell has no right over the people of God. As the people of God Heaven on the one hand rejoices over the person’s repentance (Luke 15:7, 10), and Hell is bothered about the lost of a person. The Bible assured about the trials of the believers but assures the protection of Christ to endure in the trials. Following are few Bible verses that speaks about the protection of Christ in the church,

John 16:33 - In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

I Pet 5:8-9 - ⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

The spiritual conflict is absolutely true for the church, but the promise of Christ is that He protects the church. 

·         He prayed for the faith of Peter (Luke 22:32)

·         He intercedes for the Believers (Hebrews 7:25)

·         He prayed for the protection of the believers (John 17:11-16) 

John 17:11-16 -  ¹¹  I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. ¹² While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. ¹³ “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. ¹⁴ I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. ¹⁵ My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

The promise of Christ is that “The gates of hell cannot prevail against the church.” 

v.19 another promise is given whatever the church/believers bind on earth will be bound eternally and whatever being released will be released eternally. The church got the chance to BIND and RELEASE. The church can make impact for eternity – Christ has given us authority to BIND the works of devil and RELEASE people from demonic bondage and people oppressed with darkness. As much as you are protected by Jesus so also you can protect people from demonic oppression for eternity. The power is within the reach of the church to protect and be protected. Christ protects the church and in turn we must exercise the authority of protecting the new believers and people in oppression.

Conclusion:

Christ as the savior of the church does His role in the church

1.      He Redeemed the church

2.      He Builds the church

3.      He Protects the Church

Are you doing your role as a pastor/believer/leader. Examine yourself God is calling to be the co-builder of the church. He calls to protect the people who are under your care. God bless you!

Passage: Matthew 16:13-20

¹³ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”¹⁴ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”¹⁵ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. ¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” ²⁰ Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Church is the Key word used in the New Testament 115 times; Jesus used it for three times in the gospel of Matthew (16:18; 18:17). The word “Ekklesia” referring to people who are called out from the word for special purpose (1 Pet 2:9). Church as per many people thinking is NOT a building / denomination / a locality / an alternate plan of God to restore humanity. Church is the centerpiece of the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 16 – we see about the ministry of Jesus getting a new shift at “Caesarea Philippi” v.21 says “From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Earlier in the gospel Jesus preached about the “Kingdom of God” and performed miracles in supportive of that. From this passage on wards Jesus spoke more about his suffering and death or the purpose of His coming – the cross.

The nature of the church being explained in the passage very clearly – we will be looking into it and how far it is been realized in our lives. Church is Vision (Revelation of God) – Church is Vigorous (Dynamic) – Church is Victorious (Overcoming)

1.      CHURCH IS VISION (REVELATION) OF GOD (vv.13-17)

To understand the nature of the church one must understand the nature of the one who found it. It is Christ Jesus – He purchased the church with his own blood (Acts 20:28 - Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood) we can never show ownership of the church because it is Christ’s church. The question in this passage is “Who is Christ?”

·         Sometimes people asked in doubt “Is He the Christ?” (John the Baptist - Mat 11:3)

·         Sometimes people asked in terror “Who are you Lord?” (Paul – Act 9:5)

·         Jesus asked “Who do people say I am?”  (Mat 16:13)

·         Jesus asked to his disciples “Who do you say I am?” (Mat 16:15)

Peter answered “You are the Christ – The son of Living God” (16:16). Jesus said it is not revealed by flesh and blood but the father who is in heaven “REVEALED” it to him. To understand church and the God of Bible you cannot do it by human intention and perseverance. It has to be revealed to us by God – all the religions in the world trying to find God by their efforts and ends up in failure but the God of the Bible reveal Himself to the people.

Natural person cannot understand spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:14). Paul says about the church in Ephesians 3:2-6 “The mystery made known to me by revelation.” Have you ever wonder why people of great esteem and knowledge are not able to understand the simple things in the gospel or the fact about the church – it is the revelation of God which he has to reveal – otherwise it will be hidden to them.

Jesus replied in v.17, “¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.”

We are the people who got this revelation from God and became part of it. Never think low of yourself, your situations and status. You are the people who got the revelation of the almighty God, your physical condition does not matter to determine your worth and value. Even though you may be worthless but we are worth because of the revelation he has given us – King Edward and the Potter – it is because of the hand print of the King the pot went in auction as 1lakhs pounds. It is the touch and the revelation of God determines your worth of who you are.

Church is the Vision or Revelation of God which He has to reveal to the people. Pray that many may understand the supernatural nature of the church and come to know the Lord.

2.      CHURCH IS VIGOROUS (POWERFUL/DYNAMIC) IN NATURE (V.18a)

Jesus then replied to peter in v.18, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” The church of Jesus Christ is built in Rock – Church by its nature is Strong and Powerful. Many emperors and Kings tried to eliminate church from the face of the earth. But all of them failed, the church stands still.Rock in the Old Testament refers to God (Ps 18:2) – Jehovah is my Rock. Many people interpret this verse in different ways,

·         Some believe “This Rock” refers to Peter the Apostle (Roman Catholics)

·         Some believe “This Rock” refers to Jesus Christ

·         Some believe “This Rock” refers to the confession of Peter

It is clear that “The Rock” refers to something supernatural and strong. Jesus said to be the “Cornerstone” of the church and apostles as pillars (Eph 2:19-22). Jesus’ illustration of building houses in Rock and Sand (Mat 7:24-27), a house that had the foundation in the rock is strong and did not fall on any calamities. Church is built on the rock and that is strong, you cannot destroy or demolish the church. Jesus said in Matthew 21:44, “Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”

You may have the question – Why I am not able to experience (or activate) the power of church within me? I don’t feel that the church is powerful enough to withstand the trials. Someone said “Church is a sleeping giant.” People take advantage of the people of God because we are not active enough to change the world and the society. As long as a giant is in sleep mode there is no use of anything to anybody. Once it wakes up with its full potential – all power of evil will be driven out from our land. 

The church by its nature is powerful and dynamic – it is we ourselves have to activate the power of God to change the society with the gospel of Jesus. The power of church changed the nation Korea (where 40 police stations were closed down because there was no crime for a year), church made change in the Thailand where thousands of red light areas were closed down. Many social evils in our country have been brought out as the result of evangelization. The church has the same power today – the call is wake up and shine for the Lord.

3.      CHURCH IS VICTORIOUS (VV 18B-19) IN NATURE

¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Something that tries to overpower the church is the Kingdom of Darkness (Eph 6: 12 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms)

It is not the political party or some ideologies in India that tries to stop the gospel of Christ. Whenever gospel is preached – people get saved – the kingdom of darkness loses its power. Satan acts through these people to stop the works of the Lord. But the good news is church by its nature is victorious and overcoming one. “The gates of Hades” will not overcome it.

“Gates of Hades” – refers to the abode of Satan just like the “Kingdom of God” refers to the dwelling place of God. The terms “White House Report” refers to the word of the president of United States. The term “Buckingham Palace says” means the word of the Queen to the British people. The term “Rashtrapathi Bhavan Says” means the word of the President of India so also the term “Gates of Hades” refers to the plans and agendas of Satan which can never overcome the Church – because it is promised to overcome it – the church is called to be victorious. The mission of the church can never be failed, Satan is already defeated.

The authority of the church/believers is over the power of darkness. You don’t need to be afraid of them – whatever you bind on earth will be bound for eternity (in heaven) whatever you release on earth will be released for eternity (in heaven). The ministry you do will make eternal impact on the people and eternal doom to Satan. My experience with my uncles house some years ago where the power of darkness was overcame by the power of God.

1 John 4:4, “You, are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”

Rev 12:11, “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”

Don’t ever discouraged of the temporary failures and oppositions, the church is called to be victorious – doesn’t matter how weak you are but you are called to overcome the power of darkness. The kingdom of darkness is in fear of you because you are victorious.

Summary:

The church,

·         Is the Vision (Revelation) of God

·         Is Vigorous (Powerful) in nature

·         Is Victorious in nature

Don’t ever be dismayed of the problems and difficulties. This is the church Jesus is talking about “I Will Build My Church.” May God Bless You!