Sunday Re-cap 21st February 2010

And I Know...
by Ps. Abel Phillips

John 11:42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”
-As Jesus knows the Father so well; Do I personally know my God, as my Saviour, Master, Lord, Shepherd etc…?

Psalm 23 is in reality a brief expounding of eight names of God in the first five verses. It brings to light:
Jehovah-Rohi—God our shepherd—Psalm 80:1.
Jehovah -Jireh—God our provider—Genesis 22:14.
Jehovah -Shalom—God our peace—Judges 6:24.
Jehovah -Nissi—God is my banner—Exodus 17:15.
Jehovah -Rapha—God our healer—Exodus 15:26.
Jehovah -Zidkenu—God our righteousness—Jeremiah 23:6.
Jehovah -Shammah—God is present—Ezekiel 48:35.
Jehovah -Mekaddish—God who sanctifies—Exodus 31:13.

- Each of these names provides us with building blocks of knowledge to strengthen and encourage us in the use of faith.
1. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (no lack)
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; (Word of God, Bible Study and Prayer)
He leads me beside the still waters. (Christ is with us – Holy Spirit) - Presence
3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness (holy & pleasing life)
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Discipline & guidance).
5 You prepare a table (fellowship) before me in the presence of my enemies; (holiness/ righteous life); You anoint my head with oil; (above your head), My cup runs over. - God promises to bless us even though enemies may surround us. Not only will He supply our needs, but He will supply "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). Jesus says God will give to us "pressed down, shaken together, and running over" if we follow His way of give (Luke 6:38).
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me (Christ is walking in front- blessing behind us). All the days of my life; And I will dwell[a] in the house of the LORD Forever. “Because of following God's way of life and living in the care of the Good Shepherd, David looks forward to a full physical life, and after that, abundant, eternal life in God's Kingdom.
Ps 121:1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help?
Eze 38:7 7 “Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them.

Salvation does not depend on what we do - it depends on accepting what Jesus Christ has done for us on the cross. However, if salvation is real, the new relationship with Jesus should result in a new desire to do what pleases the Lord. (Eph 2:10 - For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them).

Conclusion: Do I really have a daily personal and intimate relationship and fellowship with my God, that I may say like Jesus I know my Father hears me.

Sunday Re Cap (14th Feb 2010)

Have The Faith of God Pt 2

Mar 11:20-24

Last week we saw how Jesus cursed the fig tree before he went into the temple and the fig tree was dried up from its roots the next day. We saw how Jesus was

1. Symbolically cursing the religious system of the day which was based on the law and of external religious acts. Jesus then replaced that system which something much better which is something based on our relationship with God rather than our performance (full of leaves but NO FRUIT).
   
2. Replacing our dependence on anything else other than Himself. The Fig tree symbolizes the peace and security of Israel. Many of us depend on religion, health, finances, and relationships for our FAITH. When things are going right our faith is strong but when things are not, then our faith is weakened. Everything that is not of God will be shaken.
   
3. Did not want us to depend on the facts for our faith but it's the truth which is unchanging that keeps our faith strong. Circumstances will always change but Jesus is unchanging. Everything will change but Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Not like the FIG Tree which had no fruit because it was not in season).
   

Jesus replaced all of that by saying "HAVE THE FAITH OF GOD".

How do we have the FAITH OF GOD? What do we need to do? And the answer came back NOTHING! It's all been done, 2 thousand years ago. His Faith is available. There is no performance on our part that is needed to have MORE FAITH like they were doing in the temple. Jesus coming offered us something far better!

His Faith is available to us because as He is so are we in this world. 1 Jn 4:13-19. His Faith is available because if anyone is in Christ, He is a NEW Creation; old things have passed away and all things are new. The KEY here is RECEIVING. There is no problem as far as heaven is concerned. The only thing we need to do as a NEW CREATION is BELIEVE AND RECEIVE. How?

Samuel Hari © GROW BM

Sunday Re Cap (7th February 2010)

Have the Faith of God-SAYING IS BELIEVING!

Text: Mark 11:12-24

Mark 11:22-2 Many times this has been taught as a "stand alone" teaching rather than as a whole context. Mark 11:22 was actually a continuation of a same scene and part of the same conversation. Starting from V11. What was Jesus trying to teach in the first place? He was not just teaching faith but he was trying to teach a much bigger lesson here.

We begin by noticing that Jesus was hungry. This natural hunger was symbolic of another hunger that was within Jesus; otherwise, the whole account of the temple would not have been there. We as Christians are looking for something to eat.

What did the leafy Fig tree represent? A Fig tree is symbolic of Israel's peace and security. Israel's peace and security up to that point had been religion. Jesus cursed that Fig Tree and it withered from its roots and died. Jesus said "May no one ever eat fruit from you ever again". Jesus Himself cursed all external forms of religion.

What is our peace and security based upon? Our religion, carrier. Finances, health?

However, He did not leave them without a hope for a better foundation.

V22-Have the Faith of God.

How do we have this kind of faith? Faith on the finished work of Jesus on the cross. Jesus was punished, scourged, whipped till His appearance was beyond recognition. Faith that "it is finished". It's all been done for us on the cross. Faith not on things that we can see; facts which change but faith on the truth! When we are sick, that's only a fact and facts change but the truth never changes. It's no longer looking at things and hope they change but it's learning to look at the cross and see that it's been DONE! Instead of praying and asking God to intervene in a situation, we look at the cross and rejoice at the victory that we have.

How do you and I cultivate that faith? Believe is important but sometimes when we are in a tough situation, sometimes it's hard to even believe. It's easy to tell other people in situations to believe but when we are in it, where do we start? How do we start believing? How can we become a Fig tree full of fruit in season and especially like the fig tree above, out of season?

The key is not "Doing" but "Saying". Notice how many times Jesus said in this passage to "Say" and how many times, He told us to believe. Sometimes, we just have to start "Saying". Everyone has been dealt a measure of faith in our hearts to BELIEVE. However when we see circumstances and are overwhelmed, we find it hard to SAY. It is in this very situation that we must SAY for SAYING releases our FAITH into the miraculous.

Pro 18:20-21

It starts with saying the "right thing". The reason many are not seeing fruitfulness is because of what is coming out of our mouth. The devil does not know what is going on until we open our mouth. Sometimes, the whole atmosphere in a situation changes when we open our mouth. Best thing to do is pray; atmosphere changes.

Samuel Hari © GROW BM